The Essential Decorating Aspects of A Catholic Home
It is interesting to note that the Catholic Church has been able to permeate every aspect of our lives. There are secular ways of doing things, and then there is the Catholic church's way of doing something. This is due to the fact that the Catholic church has a long tradition that stretches back over 2000 years. Throughout history, the Catholic Church provided not only religious guidance but law and organization throughout the world.
Additionally, it provided guidance in cooking and decorating, which began to take on a distinctive Catholic feel. As times have changed, modern influences have affected the typical Catholic home, but this has given more choices as a decorator.
While there may be some differences, the vast majority of Catholic homes will have at least three things in common compared to other families. The first is a small font, which is filled with holy water, typically at the entrance of a home. These fonts are mounted by the front door and are much like those found in the doorway of your parish church. Upon entering and leaving home, this makes it possible for you and your guests to bless yourselves with holy water.
The blessing gesture which is performed by creating the sign of the cross is meant to serve as a reminder that the home is a sanctuary or holy place which has been consecrated to God. For those that ask to be blast are asking for the guidance of God in everything that they do. Your houseguests may not fully understand the purpose of a font. Still, it is one that can be explained quickly, and even those not of the Catholic faith can become excited about holy water and being able to bless themselves. This is a beautiful tradition to have in the home and one of the most common practices throughout Catholic homes around the world.
The second most common feature of Catholic homes is the presence of the crucifix throughout the house. In most homes, a cross or crucifix will be found in the living room as well as every bedroom. The living room cross is generally located above the door.
During Roman history, individuals did not have a home address, so they indicated the owner the home with the plaque above the door that was known as a "titulus". We no longer have this type of practice. Instead, we now have impersonal numbers to address where we live. However, the vast majority of Catholic homes will post a crucifix above the doorway, indicating the importance of Christ for the family. This means that the residence belongs to Christ first and that his sacrifice has been accepted by all who live within the home. This is also a reminder that Jesus is welcome within the home.
In the bedroom, the crucifix will generally be placed on any available wall and in the children's room, a tiny crucifix may be tied to the curtain. There is also a Catholic tradition that has been reserved for individuals who work in dangerous jobs. When the worker gets ready to depart the home, the crucifix would be removed from the wall and kissed the statue of Jesus, finally laying it on the pillow until his safe return.
The presence of the crucifix in any room is a powerful reminder of the faith the family feels and helps to provide a focal point during prayer.
While the use of the statuary is a common feature, it is typically reserved for the final feature of the Catholic home, which is the shrine or altar.
Throughout the world, the vast majority of Catholic homes will maintain a specific spot in their homes that remain as a focal point for religious activity. This area may be a decorated dresser or table, but regardless of what it is, it is primarily reserved for God and the saints.
These areas are generally decorated with an icon or statue. There'll be one candle available to signify prayers and help to serve as an offering. During special occasions when an individual or the family must make a special petition to God, this area is used for exceptional devotion.
It is also extremely important that these areas are well-lit and illuminated. This can be especially true if the area is located in a section of the house where there are very few windows, natural light, and pre-existing lighting fixtures. In most Catholic homes, this area is the most important to the family, so it must be highlighted.
The type of fixture and style of light is also nothing to be overlooked as well. Whether the homeowners decide to utilize a local Charlotte lighting showroom or find the perfect lighting fixture online to exemplify their shrine, it is of the utmost importance that the fixture directly highlights the area and does so in a clear, white or light yellow light.
Many of these house features are viewed oddly by non-Catholics, typically the American Protestant, who will not share the pertinent Catholic tradition. By having these focal points within your home, it serves as an opportunity to share your faith with other individuals, if they should show an interest.
For some families wearing Christian enamel pins is a way of expressing their faith and support. These pins can be worn on clothing, hats or scarves as Christian faith apparel accessories, or they can be placed on pin display stands as room decor items to decorate a room. GS-JJ supports the ability to design different Christian symbols, Bible character patterns or a passage of text in the Bible for free customization. It can also be used as a gift for Christian friends, or distributed to people who participate in Christian activities. Such gifts are very fashionable, with mission Oriented, Christ-centered, as a spiritual teacher, spreading the love of God, Go Website.
Always understand that the space within your home is yours and fully represents you and your beliefs. There are some beautiful catholic art pieces, check the collection here. If the faith you hold is vital to you, it must be reflected in the space surrounding you. You should always be proud of your home, regardless of how humble it may be. Take the time to properly decorate your home and allow your faith to shine through in every single room.
As we are now approaching the end of this calendar year, we reflect.. What have we ALL learned thus far in 2020? What choices have we decided to make in life according to the divine and our awareness of the known reality? 2020 has been challenging and it's important to reflect on the impacts of these unprecedented times.
I believe we are collectively shifting to a new realization of what true faith within ALL aspects of Life and the multiple different types of spirituality we can learn in order to pursue greater forms of experience. Whether one is hiking a mountain by their self alone or writing a book for others, faith truly does have multiple forms of trusting the true truth combined with being worthy of accepting the healing from above either to self or humanity. Expressions are released naturally for experiencing one’s own emotions relating to the environment where they are, whether on a fishing boat, in a car, a plane or casually walking, our faith can be displayed naturally by how we are portraying our true nature of the soul. Breathing is another reminder and example of us all as a collective must always trust in the divine Power to keep us alive when we go to sleep at night to wake up a few hours later, or the scuba divers that exercise an immense amount of faith with their occupation.
Spirituality is an ongoing process with humanity and the evolution of the soul relating to most religions, martial arts, music, and lots of other forms expressing from the soul connection with Spirit. There are several types of spirits or forms of just as faith is so similar and plays its own role within spirituality. This reality is currently shaping our eminent future where we are going to experience an abundance of anything pertaining to creating health and sustainability for everybody. I believe we are striving for this together thus creating what is necessary just like the previous revolutions within society for new innovative and environmentally respectful according to nature and the natural process of life on earth. When we choose to "Live by Faith" combing nature and spirituality we can Help to create a better way of life for everybody.
We need to advocate for growing fruit trees within the city parks and have central gardens for the less fortunate people who need more organic crops to implement into their cities' food production for local restaurants to use in their ingredients! Natural food from nature has a charged form of spiritual energy produced from mother Nature and then harnessed into the plants to create the corps for foods or goods to provide services for others such as bamboo or hemp.
Food forests with investments on land for growing any type of plant to be used as a food source, good/service, medicines, and other products or natural resources can help us end famines and starvation. I believe by using the brand OWN we can establish a foundation in Charlotte to create a non-profit organization for sustainability with nature. "ONE- "humanity" With Nature" for all life forms on earth, we can co-create with creation in order to thrive together.
Please email me at onewithnature2020@yahoo.com so we can collaborate and give this vision some Life force energy by helping each other collaborate with ideas that can cause a collective benefit for everybody...
Fruit for thought via Edgar Wise
Getting kids interested in anything can be quite a hassle. They are rambunctious, energetic, and hardly want to focus on one thing at a time. It's rather impressive how quickly children can be engulfed in an activity before finding a new thing to become immersed in. This makes teaching them a tall order, but it can be very hard when teaching them about the important things in life that they might not be entirely interested in. One such importantaspect of life is faith and religion.
Teaching children about faith, religion, and the Bible is difficult because you can hardly get them to sit still, let alone listen to passages and stories. It's important to educate children on religion and how it's useful in life because it helps children learn about new aspects of life they can use to grow their beliefs. Helping kids learn about the Bible is important, and here are some fun ways to teach them.
Puppet shows have always been an easy and accessible way to help children learn about Bible stories and verses. These easy to make and easier to act out shows are fun for a wide range of ages, up until a certain point. They cost very little to make and only require some patience when cutting out the costumes and stitching them together to make a very accurate depiction of Bible figures. Puppets are easy because you can help entertain children, while also providing valuable information they will be able to remember when you start to progress toward a more in-depth discussion surrounding the importance of religion and Christianity. These are especially great for young children and for parties.
Music has been around since as long as humans have known about making noise. That's why it makes such a useful tool to help children about the Bible and religion. Learning through repetition can help associate complex verses or books of the Bible with rhymes and rhythm, so kids can catch on easier. For important questions regarding faith, when we ask, "What's the meaning of genesis?" we can sometimes go over children's heads, but helping them learn through a song is a much easier way for them to hold onto information and remember it better. Reciting songs is good for memory building, so it's useful beyond just using it to learn about the Bible. It can also be used to educate them on things like math. Kids learn from patterns well, and songs can be an enjoyable way to start learning about important figures and verses that they need to know.
When children reach the age when they are comfortable being away from home, sleepaway Bible camps can be one of the most rewarding ways to help your child receive an educational, but fun crash course in religion. Bible camps help teach children about the rich history contained within the Bible, and learn how to recite verses and prayers, but it teaches much more than just the Bible. These camps allow children to learn about responsibility when they are away from home, take care of their sleep cabin, treat others with respect, and introduce them to new friends to make lifelong bonds. Bible camps offer a tremendous amount of fun for children and teaches them life skills along with knowledge on religion.
4. Building Dioramas or Models
Getting creative with the arts, like felt puppets, helps kids learn in a hands-on way. Dioramas or models of Bible scenes allow children to put a lot of effort into understanding and visualizing the good book's important moments. Moses parting the Red Sea, or Noah's flood and the Ark, or the birth of Jesus are all very recognizable events in the Bible that kids will remember well, but they might be harder to visualize. Turning them into clay models, dioramas in a box, or building them using toys like building bricks/blocks allows children to create the scenes they will be reading about in their Bible studies or at school. In a similar manner to songs, these events can be much better recognized when a child has a firmer grasp on the concept of it by associating it with a physical thing they made. Not to mention, children will enjoy the play aspect without realizing how much they are really learning!
Performance arts have always been a big part of learning about the Bible. Sing-alongs, puppet shows, and creative arts have allowed people to teach each other about religion for hundreds and hundreds of years, and they are still easy to apply today when helping educate kids on the joys of the Christian faith. Dramatic reenactments of the Bible can be fun ways to keep kids interested in the material. Adding props like the apple from the Garden of Eden, or David and Goliath, and the Ten Plagues from Exodus are all really notable events that can be done well with some household items, or even store-bought props from a dollar store could work. Getting kids involved in the process by having them act out the events helps them review what they learn and showcase their knowledge.
Learning about the Bible and religion can be a tough task for parents because children are so energetic and want to play all the time. They barely have time to sit down and focus; they just need to go, which is why you need to come up with a way to keep them focused, have fun, and learn. It might seem like a difficult task, but these helpful ways to get your children educated on religion and the Bible can do the trick - whether you need a simple, cost-effective way like a prop-filled puppet or play, or a timeless way such as a Bible camp. There are many ways you can help your kids learn this foundational aspect of their life while showing them how enjoyable it can be at the same time.
KEEPING THE FAITH IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES
It is very important to maintain your faith in times of troubles, tribulations, persecutions, or trials because that is the true proof that Jesus Christ is the Lord of your life; that you are a Christian. Christianity is accurately practiced outside the four walls of your local church building. That is where you prove your love for the Master. The Apostle Paul asked, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” Romans 8: 35. There is no denying the fact that these are difficult times. The things we read about or probably watched on television or saw on the internet is right in from of us.
Many are afraid of contracting the novel virus plaguing the world right now. There are some who have lost their loved ones, jobs, and businesses to COVID 19. The different restrictions and lockdowns have pushed so many into depression and other related sicknesses. However, if you are a Christian and you have been studying your Bible, none of what is happening now would have caught you off guard. Reason being that these are signs of the end times. The rapture of the Church of Jesus Christ and the reveling of the anti-Christ is imminent.
Instead of vacillating and getting overwhelmed by what is happening around you, stay your faith on the Word of God. It is only the Word of God that can stabilize you and drive away fear from attacking your heart. The Lord Jesus Christ said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” John 16: 33. These are the words of Jesus Christ. He lets us know that there will be tribulations in this world. However, He admonishes us to take heart because He has overcome the world for you.
Again the things that are happening in our world presently are signs of end-time the Bible talks about. The devil is trying to gain grounds before his time. Through his wicked activities, the economies of many countries are being crippled and many jobs and businesses are either lost or in distresses. He is the one influencing individuals and governments around the world to take measures and regulations to cause panic and increase fear. He wants to establish ‘Luciferian’ societies where God’s people cannot congregate to worship God corporately.
When the Apostles Paul and Barnabas visited the Christians in Antioch the second time, and by implication us, “They strengthened the believers and encouraged them to remain true to the faith "We must pass through many troubles to enter the Kingdom of God," they taught” Acts 14: 22. With this understanding, glue yourself to the Word of God. Study it day and night and continue fervently in prayers so your faith can be strengthened. Without meaning to scare you, understand that bad things will still happen but be encouraged because the plagues are not for you.
Remember that, “A thousand may fall dead beside you, ten thousand all around you, but you will not be harmed” Psalm 91: 7.
As we strive to remain positive, as we try to understand and offer support to others, we find the genuine DNA of humanity. This consists of patience, kindness, a serving spirit, and love that has difficult boundaries. Our human spirit is tested in ways we have never before experienced.
The plethora of information we have been inundated with and continue to receive from the medical professionals, CDC, researchers, our nation’s leaders and others who are actively involved in the effort to keep us informed can be overwhelming. How do we effectively evaluate the daily coverage and expectations without becoming stressed, anxious, bewildered? There are many ways to combat our emotions during this unprecedented time. First and certainly most importantly, we must have faith. We must have perspective. Remaining positive and consciously recognizing the need to uplift others is essential.
These efforts are not only healthy for our psychological and emotional well-being but also serve to highlight the American spirit in our nation’s time of great need. It can be documented that the heart of humanity surrounds our country during this immeasurable time in our history.
While our health care system is compromised, our economic system fractured, our education system completely disrupted, our relationships with families and friends force us to communicate from afar and much more that is immersed in this pandemic - the need to find resolve is a constant priority. Although we have mandated lockdowns across our great country, with our kind-hearts and creativity we see the countless ways we contribute to bringing healing in many areas where there are needs. The fortitude we share will unite our communities, our cities, our states, and our country.
We must continue to be mindful of the velocity of COVID-19, the far-reaching effects that have resulted and that will continue to at some level for some time.
Let’s again define the spirit of humanity, our American way of resiliency, through this the determination we oftentimes gravitate and rely on our faith.
I encourage that we collectively be prayerful and cheer for the greater good of our society.
In the words of Reverend Dr. Billy Graham ––
"Humanity wants comfort in its sorrow, light in its darkness, peace in its turmoil, rest in its weariness, and healing in its sickness and diseases: The Gospel gives all of this to us.”(from The Secret of Happiness)
https://billygrahamlibrary.org/in-his-own-words-billy-graham-on-encouragement/