News from Good News Ministries:
- From Rock Bottom to Mountain Top: A Journey to Breakthrough Victory
- New Video! The Masculine Revival of Faith: John McGuire
- Plus, great links to great content!
From Rock Bottom to Mountain Top: A Journey to Breakthrough
By Terry Modica (Executive Director)
It happens to us all: Problem after problem sends us spiraling down until we find ourselves at rock bottom—spiritually exhausted and emotionally drained, crying to God, “Why aren’t you stopping this?” For some of us, we’re at the bottom of a seemingly inescapable pit due to bad choices and sin. Either way, God wants to take us to the mountaintop.
If this doesn’t describe your life right now, read on. God might put someone in your path who needs a hand up. Can you think of anyone to forward this message to?
Faith assures us that no pit is too deep for God’s mercy. By His sheer love — unearned grace — in a time of His choosing (which never feels soon enough), we are lifted out of despair. As we look upward, seeking our Savior, He draws us upward to a new life.
Being in the pits is never wasted time. It’s a major turning point. God doesn’t allow us to hit rock bottom only to resume what we did before we fell into the pit.
He wants to give us renewed faith, a new purpose or new career, and a higher, deeper spiritual joy.
Remember when Peter failed to catch a single fish after casting his net all night? As he was giving up, Jesus came and said, “Throw your net on the other side.”
Are you kidding me?
But Jesus spoke into Peter’s frustrations with authority and deep love. So Peter turned and did the opposite of what he was used to doing. It became a life-changing event.
Need another example? The resurrection of Jesus assures us that no matter how deep our pain, God can and does bring new life.
The Sacraments of the Catholic Faith: Launchpads of Grace
God does not abandon us to climb from rock bottom alone. A super-huge advantage of being Catholic is access to Sacraments; they boost us up from the bottom and carry us to the mountaintop, where we can see how our hardships are being turned into blessings.
In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, we are forgiven and made new. The Eucharist becomes our spiritual nourishment, sustaining us for the climb. The Anointing of the Sick purifies us and protects us.
In these sacred moments, Christ comes personally to us and lifts us toward the mountaintop. Eucharistic Adoration is a mental portal to Father God who says, “This is my Beloved!” like He did atop Mount Tabor, but this time it’s about you.
A Message for Those at the Bottom
God’s mercy is greater than any failure. As St. John Paul II said, “We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father’s love for us.”
Even when we reach spiritual highs, the journey continues. We are called to help others climb out of their pits.
Rock bottoms are not what they look like. Not ever. They are new beginnings when we reach for the hand of Jesus.
Good News Prayer Room:
Use our collection of Catholic prayers designed with your needs in mind. They will give you hope and a stronger connection to God’s love and support. What do you need prayers for today?
Visit gnm.org/prayers.
Post your prayer requests @ gnm.org/post-a-prayer.
Good News WordBytes:
WANT MORE FAITH and HOPE in TROUBLED TIMES? WE’RE HERE for YOU! Choose from a variety of topics on our website of Catholic Faith-building articles. What do you need today?
Visit wordbytes.org.
We’ve Got a New Video for You!
On this episode of Footsteps to Heaven, Terry Modica talks with John McGuire, Director of Life-Long Faith Formation at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Scotch Plains, NJ. They discuss what it means to be a smuggler of the Good News and ways to engage young men in parish life.
The Masculine Revival of Faith: John McGuire (Footsteps to Heaven Show)
God bless you!
Every morning, I lift up in prayer everyone who helps Good News Ministries in any way (donors, volunteers, prayer supporters, etc.) and all the prayer requests posted on our site. What can I cover in prayer for you? Post your prayer request.
How else can the team and I serve you today? Visit our homepage.
Thank you for reading this newsletter.
Your servant in Christ,
Bill Snyder, Media Director
Good News Ministries
gnm.org
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How to Win Victories in Spiritual Warfare
Knowing God’s Will and Doing it Well
Lessons from the Blessed Mother
Daily Prayers with the Saints