| | INTO THE GREAT NEXT...
For me, right now feels something like the end of Lord of the Rings. After so much adventure... great danger, difficulty, conviviality, tragedy, triumph... Gandalf comforts Samwise on the impending departure of his beloved Frodo and the elves to the Undying Lands:
“Well, here at last, dear friends, on the shores of the Sea comes the end of our fellowship in Middle-earth. Go in peace! I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.” ~ Gandalf
Up to this point, such a remarkable, challenging, beautiful journey it's been for our Schlueter Family. Ten years of living in Toledo. Last weekend we officially became an adult family with Dominic's 18th birthday. And John Paul graduated from Hillsdale College. And Grace lit up the stage as Belle in Beauty & the Beast. Next week John Paul & Dominic will head off for respective business pursuits in Austin, Texas. Grace will head off to Damascus as a missionary, followed by the same in Scotland for a year with NET. Add Joseph and fiancé, Abby, preparing for Trinitarian life while navigating his new world as a recording artist for Sony/Provident (while continuing to direct Damascus Worship).
All that culminating this past Sunday. Mother's Day. So appropriately imbuing Stephanie's birthday. A Schlueter full-court press. The last night the boys would ever share their bunk room as single brothers. So flooded with amazing stories. Marked by our unique brand of jousting joviality. And great food and gift-giving. And uplifting prayer with such meaningful blessing initiated and imparted by each.
Truly, whatever good, beauty, delight and joy I may ever experience in this life... this was a peak I can't imagine ever surpassing.
But I know the Peak remains. Punctuated by this week's Gospel. After amazing years, the disciples were forged in such a deep sense of their identity and mission, in their fellowship in Jesus Christ, He Ascends. He leaves them, it would seem. Though in faith, our souls ought to reverberate with the truth of such great gain veiled in such great loss. This is not an end.
Wherever each of us are at, whatever it looks like, in Him we are all being inaugurated into the Great Next. The resounding message of Sunday's Gospel: "And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." (Matthew 28:16-20)
LORD JESUS CHRIST, awaken us to Your Presence, and strengthen us to live there always!
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IGNITE Radio Live. Our radio program this week may be one of the most important, inspiring and consequential. We interview exorcist Fr. Carlos Martins, C.C. behind the Spotify/Apple top series, "The Exorcist Files." He opens our eyes to the real nature of Whose we are on this Battlefield. It will stir, inspire, and take you deeper with the quality of a great retreat. Listen now. Share. Hit the bell for future episodes. (on demand)
IGNITE 7:14 is a historic evening of prayer to heal our land. We are hoping to do many more regular evenings of witness, word and worship. Find out more and help us at IGNITE714.com.
LIVE IT. Our core tool in this marriage and family movement is a weekly Live IT Gathering which includes a weekly Live IT TIDBIT from Steph and I sharing a fun, family story and message in 60 seconds (new!). JOIN US: ILoveMyFamily.us
PARTNERSHIP. We're a non-profit (501c3) movement 100% dependent upon the prayers and financial support of mission partners like you. With our monthly IGNITE 7:14 events and Sanctus: Eucharistic Family Revival in the Fall, extending our IGNITE Radio Live to many more... we're in particular need of your help. No amount is too little. We've been praying for 50 new monthly partners in 90 days. We're blessed with two new partners at $5/month! Might you be one? Through Facebook nothing is deducted. Otherwise, please click "DONATE" below. THANK YOU!
We are families united in building the Kingdom.
Greg & Stephanie Schlueter
Image Trinity | Mass Impact
Greg@MassImpact.us | (814) 449-8808
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| | | LIVE IT THIS WEEK: INTO THE GREAT NEXT
May 15-21, 2023
A simple guide to help your family grow in holiness.
FUN QUESTION:
What's your favorite cooking utensil and why? ~ Dominic Schlueter (submit your fun question)
LIVE IT TIDBIT: "Talking in Church"
View our new, short, fun story and message in 60 seconds at ILoveMyFamily.us.
GOSPEL | Matthew 28:16-20
The eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
QUESTIONS:
1) What struck you in this reading? Challenged you? Inspired you? What questions did it raise?
2) What difference would it make if you really knew God was with you in each and every moment? Live IT.
YOU IMAGE THE TRINITY: LIVE IT
Going around, share with each person how he/she has been God’s presence. Encourage him/her.
DAILY QUESTIONS:.
Everyone go around and share...
1) Something you’re grateful for?
2) A recent victory?
3) A current challenge?
4) An affirmation of someone?
5) Something meaningful happening?
FIND OUT MORE AT ILOVEMYFAMILY.US
We are families united in more fully seeking, proclaiming, living and building the Kingdom. |
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TUESDAYS 8P and SATURDAYS 2P or on demand now!
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We want to send you 100 awesome parent prayer blessing cards for your parish or organization. GO: PRAYER CARD
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| | | FOR CATHOLIC MEN...
who want more than a fleeting moment, but a way of life.
GO: PENTECOST 365
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Amazing resources, events, media and connection in one place.
GO: LIVE IT APP |
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"The future of humanity passes by way of the family."
~ Pope St. John Paul II
WE ARE FAMILIES UNITED IN BUILDING THE KINGDOM.
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