{"id":42080,"date":"2020-10-13T17:51:25","date_gmt":"2020-10-13T23:51:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/?p=42080"},"modified":"2020-10-13T18:12:28","modified_gmt":"2020-10-14T00:12:28","slug":"nearer-to-jesus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/nearer-to-jesus\/","title":{"rendered":"Nearer to Jesus","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-42081\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/nearertojesus.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"590\" height=\"738\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/nearertojesus.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/nearertojesus-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/nearertojesus-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/nearertojesus-640x800.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>THERE<\/strong> are three &#8220;now words&#8221; that have been in the forefront of my mind this week. <!--more-->The first is that word which came to me when Benedict XVI resigned:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em>You are now entering into dangerous and confusing times.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The Lord repeated this powerful warning over and over again for at least two weeks\u2014that was <em>before <\/em>most anyone had heard the name Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio. But after he was elected as Benedict&#8217;s successor, the papacy became a maelstrom of controversy that is exponentially increasing by the day, thus fulfilling not only that word, but one given to the American seer Jennifer regarding the transition from Benedict to the next leader:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em><strong>This is the hour of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/the-great-transition\/\">great transition<\/a>. With the coming of the new leader of My Church will come forth great change, change that will weed out those who have chosen the path of darkness; those who choose to alter the true teachings of My Church.<\/strong><\/em> \u2014Jesus to Jennifer, April 22, 2005, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.wordsfromjesus.com\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">wordsfromjesus.com<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The divisions manifesting at this hour are heart-breaking and multiplying at a furious rate.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong><em>My people, this time of confusion will only multiply. When the signs begin to come forth like boxcars, know that the confusion will only multiply with it. Pray! Pray dear children. Prayer is what will keep you strong and will allow you the grace to defend the truth and persevere in these times of trials and sufferings. <\/em><\/strong><em>\u2014Jesus to Jennifer, <\/em>November 3rd, 2005<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-25740 alignleft\" style=\"margin: 1px 4px 1px 4px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/hurricanest.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"304\" height=\"346\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/hurricanest.jpg 1050w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/hurricanest-264x300.jpg 264w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/hurricanest-768x874.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/hurricanest-900x1024.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 304px) 100vw, 304px\" \/>Which brings me to a second &#8220;now word&#8221; from around 2006 being fulfilled in real-time. That a <em>&#8220;Great Storm like a hurricane is going to pass over the world&#8221;<\/em> and that <em>&#8220;the closer you get to the &#8220;eye of the Storm&#8221; the more fierce, chaotic and blinding the winds of change will become.&#8221;<\/em> The warning in my heart was to be careful in trying to stare down these winds (ie. spending vast amounts of time following all the controversies, news, etc.)&#8230; <em>&#8220;which will lead to disorientation.&#8221;<\/em> There are literally evil spirits working behind this confusion, the headlines, the photos, the propaganda that is passed as &#8220;news&#8221; on the mainstream media. Without the proper spiritual protection and grounding, one can easily become disoriented.<\/p>\n<p>Which brings me to the third &#8220;now word.&#8221; A few years ago, I was taking a quiet walk when out of the blue I was given a deep and powerful &#8220;word&#8221;: <em>no one will pass through this Storm except by grace alone<\/em>. That even if Noah had been an Olympic swimmer, he would not have survived the flood unless he was <em>in the ark<\/em>. So, too, all our skills, resourcefulness, cleverness, self-confidence, etc. will not be enough in this present Storm. We must also be in the Ark, which Jesus himself stated is Our Lady:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><em><strong>My Mother is Noah\u2019s Ark\u2026<\/strong><\/em> \u2014Jesus to Elizabeth Kindelmann, <em>The Flame of Love, <\/em>p. 109;\u00a0<em>Imprimatur<\/em> from Archbishop Charles Chaput<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em><strong>My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God. <\/strong><\/em>\u2014Our Lady of Fatima, June 13, 1917, <em>The Revelation of the Two Hearts in Modern Times<\/em>,<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ewtn.com\/library\/MARY\/FIRSTSAT.htm\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"> www.ewtn.com<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Since Our Lady&#8217;s purpose is to draw us nearer to her Son, ultimately, our refuge is the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the font of saving grace.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>THE STRONG DELUSION<\/p>\n<p>A priest asked me recently why it is necessary to speak of the &#8220;end times.&#8221; The answer is because these times are not just a set of certain trials but most especially certain <em>dangers. <\/em>Our Lord warned that in the last times even the elect may be deceived.<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_42080_1('footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_1');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_42080_1('footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_1');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_1\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_42080_1_1\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Matt 24:24<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_42080_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> And St. Paul taught that, ultimately, those who reject the truth will be subject to a great deception in order to sift them:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;\">Therefore God sends upon them a strong delusion, to make them believe what is false,that all who have not believed the truth but have approved wrongdoing may be condemned. (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Yes, this is what drives me on: the salvation of souls (as opposed to some crazed obsession with the apocalypse). I confess that I am filled with a certain astonishment as I watch daily how evil is taken for good and good for evil; how multitudes accept as truth that which is obviously a lie; and how&#8230;<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><b>Vast sectors of society are confused about what is right and what is wrong, and are at the mercy of those with the power to \u201ccreate\u201d opinion and impose it on others.<\/b> \u2014POPE JOHN PAUL II, Cherry Creek State Park Homily, Denver, Colorado, 1993<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Hence, I agree with Msgr. Charles Pope:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Where are we now in an eschatological sense? It is arguable that we are in the midst of the <em>rebellion\u00a0<\/em>and that in fact a strong delusion has come upon many, many people. It is this delusion and rebellion that foreshadows what will happen next:<em> and the man of lawlessness will be revealed<\/em>.<\/strong> \u2014<em><a href=\"http:\/\/blog.adw.org\/2014\/11\/are-these-the-outer-bands-of-a-coming-judgment\/\">\u201cAre These the Outer Bands of a Coming Judgment?\u201d<\/a><\/em>, November 11th, 2014; <a href=\"http:\/\/blog.adw.org\/2014\/11\/are-these-the-outer-bands-of-a-coming-judgment\/\">blog<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The question is how do I not become one of the elect who are deceived? How do I not fall for the propaganda of this hour? How do I discern what is true and what is false? How do I not be swept up in this strong delusion, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/the-spiritual-tsunami\/\"><em>Spiritual Tsunami <\/em><\/a>that is beginning to sweep through the world?<\/p>\n<p>Of course, we must apply some intellectual rigor. One way is to be extremely careful about taking as &#8220;truth&#8221; that which is portrayed in the news. As a <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-42083\" style=\"margin: 1px 2px 1px 2px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/fakenews.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"291\" height=\"378\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/fakenews.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/fakenews-231x300.jpg 231w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/fakenews-790x1024.jpg 790w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/fakenews-768x996.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/fakenews-640x830.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 291px) 100vw, 291px\" \/>former television reporter, I can say that I am seriously shocked at how mainstream media is no longer even trying to hide their bias anymore. There are clear ideological agendas being openly pushed and 98% of them are utterly godless.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>\u201cWe not talking about isolated incidents\u201d\u2026 but rather a series of simultaneous events that bear the \u201cmarkings of a conspiracy.\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014Archbishop Hector Aguer of La Plata, Argentina; C<em>atholic News Agency<\/em>, Apr. 12, 2006<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The second thing is to actually question the so-called &#8220;fact-checkers&#8221; who are little more than political arms of the same propaganda machine (usually by conveniently omitting facts). Third is to not be silenced into cowardice by the ominous power of political correctness.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong><em>Do not love comfort. Do not be cowards. Do not wait. Confront the Storm to save souls. Give yourself to the work. If you do nothing, you abandon the earth to Satan and to sin. Open your eyes and see all the dangers that claim victims and threaten your own souls.<\/em><\/strong> \u2014Jesus to Elizabeth Kindelmann, <em>The Flame of Love, <\/em>pg. 34, published by Children of the Father Foundation; <em>Imprimatur<\/em> Archbishop Charles Chaput<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Keep in mind that the popes are well aware how the media is being used as an instrument of deception, and they have not been remiss to point it out.<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_42080_1('footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_2');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_42080_1('footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_2');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_2\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_42080_1_2\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/fake-news-real-revolution\/\"><em>Fake News, Real Revolution<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_42080_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>There is another explanation for the rapid diffusion of the Communistic ideas now seeping into every nation, great and small, advanced and backward, so that no corner of the earth is free from them. This explanation is to be found in a propaganda so truly diabolical that the world has perhaps never witnessed its like before. It is directed from <em>one common center<\/em>.<\/strong> \u2014POPE PIUS XI, <em><a href=\"http:\/\/w2.vatican.va\/content\/pius-xi\/la\/encyclicals\/documents\/hf_p-xi_enc_19370319_divini-redemptoris.html\">Divini Redemptoris: On Atheistic Communism<\/a><\/em>, n. 17<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Hence, Our Lord&#8217;s warning is more relevant than ever:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: courier new, courier, monospace; font-size: 10pt;\">Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. (Matthew 10:16)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>But here again we have to realize the difference between human and Divine Wisdom. It is the latter so desperately needed today&#8230;<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>\u2026the future of the world stands in peril unless wiser people are forthcoming. <\/strong>\u2014POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II,\u00a0<em>Familiaris Consortio, <\/em>n. 8<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>DRAWING NEARER TO JESUS<\/p>\n<p>Divine Wisdom is a gift of the Holy Spirit. It is given to those, ironically, who become <em>&#8220;like children.&#8221; <\/em><span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_42080_1('footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_3');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_42080_1('footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_3');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_3\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[3]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_42080_1_3\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Matt 18:3<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_42080_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;\">Wisdom opened the mouths of the mute, and gave ready speech to infants. (Wis 10:21)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>And this is really the key: that we draw near to Jesus like little children, crawling upon His knee, letting Him hold us, talk to us, and strengthen our souls. This is a metaphor for several essential things for every Christian, but especially at this hour in the world&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">I. Crawl upon His knee<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p>To crawl upon Christ&#8217;s knee is to enter the confessional: it is there where Jesus takes away our sins, lifts us to a holiness we cannot reach on our own, <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft  wp-image-42084\" style=\"margin: 1px 4px 1px 4px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/confessio4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"289\" height=\"434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/confessio4.jpg 667w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/confessio4-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/confessio4-640x960.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 289px) 100vw, 289px\" \/>and reassures us of His infinite love despite our weakness. I personally could not comprehend my life without this blessed Sacrament. It is through these sacramental graces that I have come to trust in the Lord&#8217;s love, to know that I am not rejected despite my failures. More healing and deliverance from oppression comes through this Sacrament than many realize. An exorcist said to me that \u201cOne good confession is more powerful than one hundred exorcisms.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Some Catholics are too ashamed to go to Confession or they go only once a year out of obligation\u2014and that is the only <em>real<\/em> shame, for&#8230;<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>\u201c\u2026those who go to Confession frequently, and do so with the desire to make progress\u201d will notice the strides that they make in their spiritual lives. \u201cIt would be an illusion to seek after holiness, according to the vocation one has received from God, without partaking frequently of this sacrament of conversion and reconciliation.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>\u2014POPE JOHN PAUL II, Apostolic Penitentiary conference, March 27th, 2004;\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.catholicculture.org\/news\/features\/index.cfm?recnum=28574&amp;repos=4&amp;subrepos=1&amp;searchid=1602581\">catholicculture.org<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">II. Let Him hold you<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Prayer is the means by which we draw near to Jesus, to permit Him to hold us in His strong, healing arms. Jesus not only wants to forgive us\u2014to have us upon His knee, so to speak\u2014but to cradle us.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;\">Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. (James 4:8)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>I cannot say enough about how important <em>personal <\/em>prayer is; to be alone with Him, focused upon Him, loving and worshiping Him and praying to Him &#8220;from the heart.&#8221; Prayer should not be viewed as a set period where one simply recites words, though it may involve that; rather, it should be understood as an encounter with the Living God who desires to pour Himself into your heart and transform you by His power.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"color: #003366;\"><strong>Prayer is the encounter of God\u2019s thirst with ours. God thirsts that we may thirst for him.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">\u2014<em>Catechism of the Catholic Church<\/em>, n. 2560<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In this exchange of love, we are changed little by little from one glory to the next through the power of the Holy Spirit. Whatever sacrifices we have made through <em>true<\/em> conversion and repentance creates the space in our Hearts for God&#8217;s presence and graces (yes, there is no victory without the pain of the Cross). Where there once was fear there is now courage; where there once was anxiety there is now peace; where there once was sadness there is now joy. These are the fruits of a consistent prayer life united to the Cross.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>Whoever then wishes to obtain wisdom must pray for it day and night without wearying or becoming disheartened. Blessings in abundance will be his if, after ten, twenty, thirty years of prayer, or even an hour before he dies, he comes to possess it. That is is how we must pray to obtain wisdom\u2026.<\/strong> \u2014St. Louis de Montfort, <em>God Alone: The Collected Writings of St. Louis Marie de Montfort, <\/em>p. 312; cited in <em>Magnificat, <\/em>April 2017, pp. 312-313<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>I gave a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/category\/lent-retreat\/\">40 day retreat on prayer<\/a> that you can listen to or read <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/category\/lent-retreat\/\">here<\/a>. <\/em>But suffice it to say, if you have not been a praying person in the past, become one today. If you have put this off until now, then put it on tonight. As you carve out time for supper, carve out time for prayer.<\/p>\n<p>Jesus is waiting for you.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">III. Let Him talk to you<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Just as a marriage or friendship cannot be one-sided, so too, we need to <em>listen<\/em> to God. The Bible is not only a historical reference but a <em>living <\/em>word.<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-42085\" style=\"margin: 1px 2px 1px 2px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/readtheword.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"312\" height=\"201\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/readtheword.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/readtheword-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/readtheword-1024x658.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/readtheword-768x494.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/readtheword-640x411.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 312px) 100vw, 312px\" \/><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;\">Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Almost from the moment I could read, my parents gave me a Bible. The Lord&#8217;s Word has never left my side as my teacher and strength, my <em>&#8220;daily bread.&#8221;<\/em> So, <em>&#8220;Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly&#8221; <\/em><span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_42080_1('footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_4');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_42080_1('footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_4');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_4\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[4]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_42080_1_4\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Col 3:16<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_42080_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> and <em>&#8220;Be transformed,&#8221;<\/em> said St. Paul, <em>&#8220;by the renewal of your mind.&#8221; <\/em><span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_42080_1('footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_5');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_42080_1('footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_5');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_5\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[5]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_42080_1_5\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Rom 12:2<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_5').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_42080_1_5', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">IV. Let Him strengthen your soul<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In this way, through Confession, prayer, and meditation on God&#8217;s Word, you may be <em>&#8220;strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man.&#8221; <\/em><span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_42080_1('footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_6');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_42080_1('footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_6');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_6\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[6]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_42080_1_6\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Eph 3:16<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_6').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_42080_1_6', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> In this way, a sincere soul will steadily climb toward the peak of union with God. Consider, then, that&#8230;<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif; color: #003366;\"><strong>The Eucharist is \u201cthe source and summit of the Christian life.\u201d\u00a0\u201cThe other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, <em>namely Christ himself<\/em>, our Pasch.\u201d<\/strong><\/span> \u2014<em>Catechism of the Catholic Church, <\/em>n. 1324<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>To draw near to the Eucharist is to literally draw near to Jesus. We ought to look for Him where He is!<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>\u2026unlike any other sacrament, the mystery [of Communion] is so perfect that it brings us to the heights of every good thing: here is the ultimate goal of every human desire, because here we attain God and God joins himself to us in the most perfect union.<\/strong> \u2014POPE JOHN PAUL II, <em>Ecclesia de Eucharistia, <\/em>n. 4, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vatican.va\/holy_father\/special_features\/encyclicals\/documents\/hf_jp-ii_enc_20030417_ecclesia_eucharistia_en.html\">www.vatican.va<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">As St. Faustina once said,<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>I would not know how to give glory to God if I did not have the Eucharist in my heart.<\/strong> \u2014<em>Divine Mercy in My Soul<\/em>, Diary of St. Faustina, n. 1037<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">DRAWING NEAR TO MARY<\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">In closing, I wish to return again to the initial thought on entering the Ark of Our Lady&#8217;s Heart. I have written extensively on this before, so I won&#8217;t repeat what you can find in the search engine above.<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_42080_1('footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_7');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_42080_1('footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_7');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_7\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[7]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_42080_1_7\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">see also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/an-ark-shall-lead-them\/\"><em>An Ark Shall Lead<\/em> <em>Them<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_7').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_42080_1_7', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> Suffice it to say that my experience and that of the Church is that the more one puts himself into this Mother&#8217;s hands, the closer she brings you to her Son.<\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">When I made my first consecration to Our Lady after a thirty-three day preparation years ago, I wanted to make a small token of my love toward Our Mother. So I popped into the local pharmacy, but all they had were these rather pathetic looking carnations. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Mama, but this is the best I have to give you.\u201d I took them to the church, placed them at the feet of her statue, and made my consecration.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft  wp-image-31095\" style=\"margin: 1px 4px 1px 4px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Marychild.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"326\" height=\"275\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Marychild.jpg 1584w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Marychild-1536x1298.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Marychild-300x254.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Marychild-768x649.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Marychild-1024x866.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 326px) 100vw, 326px\" \/>That evening, we attended the Saturday night vigil. When we arrived at the church, I glanced over to the statue to see if my flowers were still there. They weren\u2019t. I figured that the janitor probably took one look at them and tossed them away. But when I looked to the other side of the sanctuary where the statue of Jesus was&#8230; there were my carnations perfectly arranged in a vase! In fact, they were decorated with \u201cBaby\u2019s Breath\u201d, which weren\u2019t in the flowers that I had bought.<\/p>\n<p>Several years later, I read these words that Our Lady spoke to Sr. Lucia of Fatima:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: trebuchet ms, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong><em>He wants to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. I promise salvation to those who embrace it, and those souls will be loved by God like flowers placed by me to adorn His throne.<\/em><\/strong> \u2014Blessed Mother to Sr. Lucia of Fatima. This last line re: \u201cflowers\u201d appears in earlier accounts of Lucia\u2019s apparitions;<em> Fatima in Lucia\u2019s Own Words: Sister Lucia\u2019s Memoirs<\/em>, Louis Kondor, S.V.D., p, 187, Footnote 14<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">Mary was with Jesus until the very end when most everyone else&#8217;s courage failed. Who else would you want to be with during this Great Storm? If you give yourself to this Woman, she will give herself to you\u2014and thus, give you Jesus for <em>He is her life.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;\">Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. (Luke 1:20)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;\">When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, \u201cWoman, behold, your son.\u201d Then he said to the disciple, \u201cBehold, your mother.\u201d And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. (John 19:26-27)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>If you find this Storm to be overwhelming, the answer isn&#8217;t to face it <em>on your own strength, <\/em>but rather, to draw nearer to Jesus with your whole heart. For what is about to assail the entire earth is beyond your strength and mine. But with Christ, <em>&#8220;I can do all things in him who strengthens me.&#8221;<\/em> <span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_42080_1('footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_8');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_42080_1('footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_8');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_8\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[8]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_42080_1_8\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Philippians 4:13<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_8').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_42080_1_8', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: courier new, courier, monospace;\">Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5)<\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">RELATED READING<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/the-storm-of-confusion\/\"><strong>The Storm of Confusion<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/the-great-transition\/\">The Great Transition<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/fake-news-real-revolution\/\"><em>Fake News, Real Revolution<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/the-spiritual-tsunami\/\">The Spiritual Tsunami<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/prayer-slows-the-world-down\/\">Prayer Slows the World Down<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/real-food-real-presence\/\"><em>Real Food, Real Presence<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/category\/lent-retreat\/\"><em>Prayer Retreat<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/the-refuge-for-our-times\/\"><em>The Refuge for Our Times<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/category\/mary\/\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">Writings on Mary<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><b>Your financial support and prayers are why<br \/>\nyou are reading this today.<br \/>\n\u00a0Bless you and thank you.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/donations\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/Donateovalbtnonbeige.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"112\" height=\"48\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">To journey with Mark in\u00a0<strong><em>The <\/em><\/strong><em><strong>Now Word<\/strong><\/em>,<em><br \/>\n<\/em>click on the banner below to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/subscribe\/\">subscribe<\/a>. <br \/>\nYour email will not be shared with anyone.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/subscribe\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-25916\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"469\" height=\"153\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner.jpeg 850w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner-300x98.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner-768x250.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 469px) 100vw, 469px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"f6hij\" data-offset-key=\"cltak-0-0\">\n<div data-offset-key=\"cltak-0-0\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1mf _1mj\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-offset-key=\"cltak-0-0\"><span data-offset-key=\"cltak-0-0\"><span data-offset-key=\"cltak-0-0\"><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">My writings are being translated into <strong>French<\/strong>! (Merci Philippe B.!)<\/span><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Pour lire mes \u00e9crits en fran\u00e7ais, cliquez sur le drapeau:<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pierre-et-les-loups.net\/Mark-Mallett\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-36181\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FrnchFlg-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"272\" height=\"181\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FrnchFlg-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FrnchFlg-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FrnchFlg-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FrnchFlg-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FrnchFlg-272x182.jpg 272w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FrnchFlg.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 272px) 100vw, 272px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"f6hij\" data-offset-key=\"7ormq-0-0\">\n<div class=\"_1mf _1mj\" data-offset-key=\"7ormq-0-0\"><span data-offset-key=\"7ormq-0-0\">\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"f6hij\" data-offset-key=\"97ehe-0-0\">\n<div class=\"_1mf _1mj\" data-offset-key=\"97ehe-0-0\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"speaker-mute footnotes_reference_container\"> <div class=\"footnote_container_prepare\"><p><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_label pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_42080_1();\"><h5>Footnotes<\/h5><\/span><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button\" style=\"display: none;\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_42080_1();\">[<a id=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_42080_1\">+<\/a>]<\/span><\/p><\/div> <div id=\"footnote_references_container_42080_1\" style=\"\"><table class=\"footnotes_table footnote-reference-container\"><caption class=\"accessibility\"><h5>Footnotes<\/h5><\/caption> <tbody> \r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_1\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_42080_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_1');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>1<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Matt 24:24<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_2\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_42080_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_2');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>2<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/fake-news-real-revolution\/\"><em>Fake News, Real Revolution<\/em><\/a><\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_3\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_42080_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_3');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>3<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Matt 18:3<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_4\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_42080_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_4');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>4<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Col 3:16<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_5\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_42080_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_5');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>5<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Rom 12:2<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_6\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_42080_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_6');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>6<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Eph 3:16<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_7\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_42080_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_7');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>7<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">see also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/an-ark-shall-lead-them\/\"><em>An Ark Shall Lead<\/em> <em>Them<\/em><\/a><\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_42080_1_8\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_42080_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_42080_1_8');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>8<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Philippians 4:13<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> function footnote_expand_reference_container_42080_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_42080_1').show(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_42080_1').text('\u2212'); } function footnote_collapse_reference_container_42080_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_42080_1').hide(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_42080_1').text('+'); } function footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_42080_1() { if (jQuery('#footnote_references_container_42080_1').is(':hidden')) { footnote_expand_reference_container_42080_1(); } else { footnote_collapse_reference_container_42080_1(); } } function footnote_moveToReference_42080_1(p_str_TargetID) { footnote_expand_reference_container_42080_1(); var l_obj_Target = jQuery('#' + p_str_TargetID); if 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