Sunday, March 31, 2019

4th Sunday of Lent


BEADS OF JOY 03-31-19
“4th Sunday of Lent”
©2019 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
“Light Came Into The World”


4th Sunday of Lent
My Friends,

This has been a most joyous Lenten Journey, I pray that many of you are deepening your own personal relationship with our Lord. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16. What do we love in this life? Can we ever love God as much as He has loved us? There is so much to think about. Questions race through my head as I read on here. Does God take absolute first place in our lives? Is God's act of love so touching in our lives that we can't help but love His Son? Or do we feel like we may have been forced in this choice because of what God has done, by our guilt? God has a purpose for everything He does for us, but in this act of love, it was purely His love for us that led to this. I do not know the heart and mind of God, but scripture says, "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well." 1 John 5:1.

How can we incorporate such a meaningful way to live our lives? If God has offered up His Son, and Jesus willingly died for our sins; what then in this life can we do in return to show our love for God the Father and God the Son? I think a life lived like the life that was given for us, is a great place to start; God the Father and Jesus the Son were humble and sacrificial in their love for us, sinners. Our lives need not be centered on ourselves, but rather on the hearts of others, doing all we can to help one another; that along with a foundation of deep, sincere, devout love for God the Father and Jesus the Son would truly make for a life full of Joy. Can we place Jesus first in our life? (All Things Jesus 24/7/365- Consider) Would we willingly do all we had to do, to make sure our love for Him took precedence in all the choices we made? Still so many questions, so many thoughts, hoping and praying that so many of us do just that; put Jesus first and foremost in you’re ever thought.

Let us look at some very inspiring, uplifting scriptures. I really hope and pray that you spend time in God's Word. It is through God's Word that the Joy inside me pours out of my heart onto these blogs. Please take the time to read, meditate, and pray using the word of God as your guide. Enjoy these scriptures: “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me that I shall lose none of all that he has given me but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:38-40. "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." John 15:16


God Loves Us Indeed.

For God knows our hearts
He is the creator of us all,
He molded our minds and knows
Why Jesus had to take the fall.

His Son was the sacrifice
Because of His love,
He hung on a cross and died
And then was raised above.

No one ever loved us
Like God the Father has shown,
My life, my love, my focus
I surrender so now He can own.
(Jim Dacey Jr OFS)

Today's Challenge: Try to spend time everyday reading and absorbing God’s Word. The challenge in its complete expression is this: This is my personal method that I have been sharing online for the past 30 years: Monday’s read Matthew, Tuesday’s read Mark, Wednesday’s read Luke, Thursday’s read John and on Friday’s read The Acts of the Apostles. Check this out, try this out: Rosary Man Jim's Gospel Study - CLICK HERE


Dr. Scott Hahn: Enjoy Lent!



LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

Your brother in Christ Jesus 
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

Today is Sunday: We pray the Glorious Mysteries:

The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection (Faith) –Mark 16:1-8
2. The Ascension (Hope) –Luke 24:50-53
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Love) –Acts 2:1-4
4. Assumption of Mary (Grace of a Happy Death) –Rev 12:1-6
5. Coronation of Mary (Mary’s intercession) –Judith 15:9-10

Glory and Honor and Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ!


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Saturday, March 30, 2019

Lent – Day 22


BEADS OF JOY 03-30-19
“Lent – Day 22”
©2019 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
“O God, Be Merciful To Me”



Lenten Season – Day 22
My Friends,

Praise you Jesus, for sharing the exciting joy and wisdom you capture in your parables. My favorite studies and the most joy I have when studying scripture is when I come upon a parable. These gems of wisdom are so exciting; I see a parable with an infinite amount of wisdom that changes with us, depending on where we are in our lives. Today we are reading Luke 18:9-14 (The Parable of the Pharisee and The Tax Collector). The beauty of a parable is that we can see it in different ways at different times. Take for instance a tree! Yes, I said a tree, there are times the leaves catch our eyes, maybe it's their colors or their size; other times we notice the branches and maybe how bold or thick they are; and still other times we see the roots, because they are out of the ground and they are huge and beautiful. I can go on and on, just with the tree example, you see what I mean. And in the end, it's still the same tree.

These two men both went to pray before God; and they both came from two completely different classes of people. Yet in God's eyes they are equal to Him. It is the character and words used by each of them that changes the depths of who they are. The big changer here is how they viewed themselves before God. The Pharisee was arrogant and selfish, while being very judgmental about the tax collector. Yet the tax collector was very humble and ashamed; never pointing a finger of judgment at anyone except himself. We can learn so much from this parable. Fr Larry Richards once said, "Jesus Christ commanded us to love, but He Forbid us !, He Forbid us !, He Forbid us ! to judge." He was very clear when he expressed that to us. We must never ever judge anyone for anything. I will be the first to confess before everyone here that I indeed judge, when it comes to politicians and politics. I promise I will not be the way I used to be, I will try my best to tame it down and be much kinder in my words.

In today’s parable, the Pharisees quickly assumed and judged the tax collector, who was with him; while what appears to be the Pharisee praying to himself. He seemed to be so consumed in his own pride and how God perceived him; that his lashing out at the tax collector was a good thing. This Pharisee used many words, in a most self-righteous way. While the tax collector bowed his head in shame, not even feeling worthy before God to even speak. The tax collector knew his sin separated himself from God; his humility and guilt showed God how sorry he was for his sins. We have a merciful, loving God, a God who by His own words created all things; a God who clearly tells us that our sins separate us from Him. We must be humble, and aware of our own offenses towards God. Let us keep this scripture in mind when we judge others, "You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: ‘As surely as I live,' says the Lord, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." Romans 14:10-12.

What can we do? How can we integrate this lesson into our own lives? For starters let us understand the seriousness of our sins and how sin is really offensive to God. We must remember God created mankind to love Him and our neighbor before anything. Adam and Eve found independence in their own free will, and in doing so; they created a wall of shame by putting sin between man and woman and between mankind and God. So, through God's love for us, he had to defeat death brought upon us by our sins, by sacrificing His only Son. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16. So Jesus took the heat and suffered the death penalty for all of us. He died for our sins. "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24. Our sins are a direct offense and, in some ways, a deliberate offense against the very blood Jesus has shed. We need to keep that in mind every single time we sin. The worst sin of all, is that while we know in full knowledge it's sin, we still in complete consent of the will, sin anyway. How horrible and serious that truly is. Let us always ask for forgiveness, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.

Today's Challenge: Let us learn from this. By approaching God with our head held down not up. Pride and arrogance do nothing for our confession, only shame and humility knowing we are unworthy of forgiveness. Let us begin, by being more humble and ashamed of our sins before God; because honestly who are we to be prideful and proud of our sins, or anything we have done right. Jesus paid the price, just look at He who has died for us. Figure out a way to make Confession a regular part of your life. Monthly, bi-monthly, something that works good for you.


Wasting Your Life
w/ Venerable Fulton Sheen



LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

Your brother in Christ Jesus 
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

Today is Saturday: We pray the Joyful Mysteries:

The Joyful Mysteries

1. The Annunciation (Humility) – Luke 1:26-28
2. The Visitation (Love of Neighbor) – Luke 1:39-45
3. The Birth of Jesus (Poverty of Spirit) – Luke 2:1-20
4. The Presentation (Purity of Mind & Spirit) – Luke 2:22-38
5. Finding in The Temple (Obedience) –Luke 2:41-50

I simply love Saturday mornings, because Saturday like every other day of the week -begins with the Rosary.


Rosary Man Jim’s Joyful Reflection: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-joyful-mysteries_10.html

Follow Me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rosarymanjim/

MY FIRST BOOK.
(Mary’s Way of The Cross - .99¢)

MY SECOND BOOK.
(Praying The Complete Rosary - .99¢)

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Decades With Our Lady Podcast
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Friday, March 29, 2019

Lent – Day 21


BEADS OF JOY 03-29-19
“Lent – Day 21”
©2019 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
“We Must Die Detesting Sin”




Lenten Season – Day 21
My Friends,

Our eternity depends on how we live our life. We really need to live each day focused on the end of this life. "A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart." Ecclesiastes 7:1-2, wow, so much wisdom jam packed in those two verses. Everything in between matters, the only thing is that we really don't know how or when the end will come. See once we are dead, it is at that exact moment that it's going to be too late to make things right with God and make things right with our neighbors. The best way to really see what I think God wants us to be this, here's my analogy: Think of ourselves as an athlete. And at some point, in the near future we need to be ready for a big challenge to test our skill (our faith). What would be the best way to prepare for this? Should we wait for the day, and that moment, and then prepare? Of cause not, staying in shape (spiritually) is something we must do all the time so we can remain ready.

Just as an athlete continually prepares oneself for that main event, or the Olympics; we to must always be prepared for the day we to will all face. The day we as children of God, must stand before Him and in that finally phase of our life, so be ready. "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Matthew 24:36. also, "You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Luke 12:40. Our lives must be surrounded by the tools that help guide us (bible, commentary, devotional books, rosary, etc.), and the coaches (priests, brothers and sisters in the Lord), so that we to can remain on track as we remain prepared. Here is a very insightful thought as we prepare, "The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Galatians 6:8, we do sow what we reap. The thought of our end here on earth is a gift (predestination) that we need to embrace, as we go through each day we have been so blessed to have.

While we are on this journey, a journey we call life; let's try not to risk our eternity by falling prey to the enemy (satan). The enemy is most deceitful and very patient; remember the enemy never sleeps, he will woo our hearts and our interests and before we know it, he will devour us. So, let us die to self-first and foremost. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8. The best way to avoid all that could mislead us in our life, is by living a life that places Jesus and others first. "Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39. Following those commandments is the best weapon against the enemy. The enemy’s greatest tool against us is our own pride and selfish desires. Frequently attend Mass, spend time before the sacrament (adoration), go to confession as often as possible. Be prepared.

We all need to take account of our own lives; are we really attached to anything at all on this earth? Is there a person; a place of honor we desire to be; a home we love more than anything else in the world; or maybe this life is all about our desire for wealth or is it our own personal addictions that capture us. Satan uses all these things to keep us from God. One thing is certain, and you didn't need to read this blog to know it: we are not immortal in the physical sense. We will all have to leave this place one day, I find it to be easy to be detached from this world as much as possible; that maybe one of the biggest secrets to my own personal endless overflowing joy. Maybe because I am able to live with "no strings attached" that my spirit feels so free and excited every day, thinking about and worshiping our Lord with all I got. I could be wrong, but you know the more I see it that way, the more it makes sense.

Today's Challenge: Help someone else on this journey you are embarking. Encourage others to go with you to Mass, and to Eucharistic Adoration and to confession. Share Jesus with everyone, share the one treasure you possess in your heart with everyone. Treasure meaning: a special devotion that is near and dear to your heart. Bring that joy to the surface and enjoy the fellowship and interest it creates by you sharing your love for it with others.


Why Catholics Call Mary Their Mother
w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz



LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

Your brother in Christ Jesus 
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

Today is Friday: We pray the Sorrowful Mysteries:

The Sorrowful Mysteries

1. Agony on the Garden (Sorrow for sin) –Matt 26:36-46
2. Scourging at the Pillar (Purity) –Mark 15:1-16
3. Crowning with Thorns (Moral Courage) –Matt 27:27-31
4. Carrying of the Cross (Patience) –Mark 15:20-22
5. The Crucifixion (Perseverance) –Luke 23:33-46

Thank you Lord for loving us so much…


MY FIRST BOOK.
(Mary’s Way of The Cross - .99¢)

MY SECOND BOOK.
(Praying The Complete Rosary - .99¢)

Rosary Man Jim's
Decades With Our Lady Podcast
https://rosarymanjim.podbean.com/

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Thursday, March 28, 2019

Lent – Day 20


BEADS OF JOY 03-28-19
“Lent – Day 20”
©2019 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
“My Confession of The Stomach”


Lenten Season – Day 20
My Friends,

Yes, you read it correctly. I have a very bad habit, most people who really know me, know just what it is. It's eating !!!, HEY what were you thinking? LOL. I confess I love food. I really, really, really, really, do, and I will make this very bold statement, I find eating food to be one of the most pleasurable pleasures on earth, especially when I make my Italian food. Anyhow, I am just being really honest, and strange and goofy, just taking a break from everything, to make y'all laugh. There's just something so incredible about food. LOL. This is a real confession everybody, I'm not making any of this up. I love food, I love shopping for it, I love cooking it, and then I absolutely love eating it. And I'm not your typical eater, I can easily sit down and eat 1-2 pounds of any pasta, an entire pie, large bag of vegetables, bag of french fries, one or two boxes of cookies (as I am doing that while I type this. lol). I don't know if there is a cure for this, but then I honestly don't believe in my heart, opps I mean my stomach that I want to. This habit, just like I spoke about yesterday has entangled itself in my life. I see it as harmless, I don't think it’s hurting anyone else, I guess if I start eating off my kids’ plates... LOL anyhow, see what I mean. Thank God now I have so much more control of this uncontrollable sin.

Sin of all sorts blind us, but let's be honest, Gluttony is a sin, and not just any sin, it's a deadly one. In the weeks to come I will write all about that. Today I am at the mercy of my friends, asking them to send me lots of homemade chocolate chip cookies, I LOVE HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES. LOL. See I can't help myself, I love food. I think I said that a couple times already here, but I can't help it. Right now, I am eating soft peanut butter cookies, they really taste so good. OMG, they taste awesome. LOL. Am I getting a little too weird on y’all? It's the food, it's the cookies, it's the cake, it's the pies, OMG do I love pies (pumpkin and apple and coconut and pecan). Now I am getting even more hungry. Hey, stop laughing at me, it's true, I may have to go get some frozen pies and start cooking them. Oh my, when they are fresh out of the oven do, I love them.

So, tell me, what you having for breakfast, lunch and dinner today? I love talking about food, cooking techniques, recipes. So many have said and have used to say to me, "All you do is eat, whenever I see you, you're eating" LOL. Ok, I will admit they are right, but I have a very brilliant response, I usually first say, NO. Followed by, "I only eat one meal a day", now OMAD has a whole new meaning. I just love food. Whoever invented food needs to receive an award, it is the most incredible invention since individually wrapped ice cream cones, I can eat a box of them at once. Oh yea, God did... LOL. Ok all things lead to food, many comparisons I make on a daily basis in conversation revolve around food. I am trying to control myself, but all I am thinking about as I type are these cookies, wait I am eating them; I am actually thinking about what I am going to make for breakfast this morning. LOL

I am not going to Food Eaters Anonymous, I have nothing to hide, no need to be anonymous. I want everybody to know so they can send me homemade chocolate chip cookies. LOL. Hmmm… Hopefully at those meeting we are allowed to bring a covered dish, they must have coffee and snack after wards. LOL, I am so sorry, this blogs intention from the start has been to allow you into my life, ok my kitchen. LOL. Just hoping to bring you all some laughter, and huge smiles for the rest of the day, just at the very thought of food, because of me. And sharing a pie would be fun, I'll bring the cookies and the pie. LOL. This was a really been a fun blog. See all this time I have been in the closet about this, ok the kitchen cabinet/closet. And now I am out about it. I feel so refreshed and new and... Yes, very, very, hungry. LOL

Today's Challenge: Share your food with Jimmy. LOL, psst, his favorite is homemade chocolate chip cookies. LOL, make sure there's enough, he can eat a lot all by himself in one sitting. Just kidding... What is your signature dish? What do you enjoy most making? Consider making a special meal or dessert for those you love, surprise them. Pour your heart into the preparation of this wonderful dish. Take pictures, write about it and plan it again.


Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT:
The Power of Mercy: Set Free to Love



LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

Your brother in Christ Jesus 
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

Today is Thursday: We pray the Luminous Mysteries:

The Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism of Jesus (Matt 3:13-17)
2. Wedding Feast of Cana (John 2:1-12)
3. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:15)
4. The Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-13)
5. Institution of the Holy Eucharist (Matt 26:17-30)

Glory and Honor and Praise -Lord Jesus Christ!!


Rosary Man Jim's Luminous Reflections: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-luminous-mysteries.html

Follow Me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rosarymanjim/

MY FIRST BOOK.
(Mary’s Way of The Cross - .99¢)

MY SECOND BOOK.
(Praying The Complete Rosary - .99¢)

Rosary Man Jim's
Decades With Our Lady Podcast
https://rosarymanjim.podbean.com/

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Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Lent – Day 19


BEADS OF JOY 03-27-19
“Lent – Day 19”
©2019 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
“The Habit of Sin Blinds Us”




Lenten Season – Day 19
My Friends,

It is indeed so difficult for us to conquer such a habit. Of all the habits mankind has encountered, (habits: smoking, eating, nail biting, chocolate…) but "sin" in and of itself because it covers so many parts of who we are, it is impossible to completely avoid this habit. We are unfortunately infected by something called concupiscence. I have spoken of this before in other blogs. Concupiscence is kind of like that person you stop and ask directions from, you listen, think all is good and you proceed forward, and before you know you are going completely in the wrong direction. Life is like that, we are always looking for the "right" direction to be moving, and unfortunately because the father of sin (satan); he is deceitful and misleading and never rests or sleeps; he presents the wrong direction in a nice friendly way. That misrepresentation along with the blindness we attain from our sin, we find ourselves falling back into sin time and time again.

We all experience those one or two sins we just seem to never be able to get away from. You know what I am talking about, that one sin that if you can only stop it, you would never do it again and you'd be even more faithful in all things. I think we have all been there. We find ourselves just like this, "We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good." Romans 7:14-16, Ah see, we are not the only ones struggling with trying to defeat that which we hate to do. We must not give up in this struggle of defeating the habit, the stakes are too high. We must try to break that bond our enemy (satan) has entangled into our lives and do our best to rid our lives of such vices. St. Bernardine of Sienna once said, "Entangled by a habit, they are bound by the enemy; and though flying, they are cast down into the same vices."

These undesirable habits become a part of our nature to some degree at times. We really need to keep watch over the very habits we have developed. Sometimes anger pushes into a certain sin, or certain kinds of movies or the way we see others dressed. Not everyone is strong is there testimony and focus on Jesus. And our lack of attentiveness of these bad habits only hinder us and drag us back into them, most of the time unknowingly, but unfortunately often times willingly. I hear many talks about this through the years. And it's been pointed out that everyone to some degree deals with this. Our weakness could be anger, or judging others, or pride, or lust, or selfishness. That's a mere speck of what many of us deal with. And we do know that just because we don't advertise our sin on cable, or the internet God is well aware of our heart. "He said to them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight." Luke 16:15, now that's a thought.

Let's not wallow in our sin and think oh pity on me. Instead let's do all we can to conquer these habits. I agree that sometimes even that is impossible, but how about looking at it this way; let's do all we can to lessen them and stop them dead in their tracks as much as we possibly can. That can be the new habit of defeating the one habit of sin that has venom that goes directly to our soul. Our best defense is going to be a good offense, and that offense is frequent confession. I will continue to speak frequently of this throughout Lent. This is the perfect time to get our hearts and soul clean before God. God knows we want to, let's use this time to show our sincerity and go to confession as often as time will allow. Think of it as a car wash for your soul.

Today's Challenge: Keep a log, of your habits. Every time you feel yourself going down that road of sin, write down what happened, just before that. Was it an argument, was it anger, or was it something or someone that seemed to happen before? You'll be creative, then you will know when and how to stop or avoid certain sins. I'm praying for all of you.


“Merciful Ears:
Training our ears to
hear the voice of God”
Evenings with the Merciful Jesus



LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

Your brother in Christ Jesus 
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

Today is Wednesday: We pray the Glorious Mysteries:

The Glorious Mysteries

1. The Resurrection (Faith) –Mark 16:1-8
2. The Ascension (Hope) –Luke 24:50-53
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Love) –Acts 2:1-4
4. Assumption of Mary.1 (A Happy Death) –Rev 12:1-6
5. Coronation of Mary (Mary’s intercession) –Judith 15:9-10

Glory and Honor and Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ!


Follow Me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rosarymanjim/

MY FIRST BOOK.
(Mary’s Way of The Cross - .99¢)

MY SECOND BOOK.
(Praying The Complete Rosary - .99¢)

Rosary Man Jim's
Decades With Our Lady Podcast
https://rosarymanjim.podbean.com/


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