Celebrating Author Mary F. Caltenco's first book published at age 77

Journey to the Cross: 10 Meditations on the Day that Changed Everything

by Mary F. Caltenco was a book that I thought I’d put with my other devotionals and read one day at a time. But once I started reading it, I finished it in one sitting!

The subject of the cross is one dear to my heart and I could tell it is close to Mary’s heart also. This book is a reflection of her two trips to Israel.

It seemed at first that the compulsion to write this book was to help mothers who have lost children. That in itself is a worthy subject, one that is needed. But the many and varied places she took us in the course of the book expounded more than that.

The book started with a beautiful poem, titled The Way of the Cross. Then the journeys start: The Upper Room, The Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of Pater Noster, the Mount of Olives, Golgotha and more. It was a life-giving journey filled with love and was also very thought-provoking. It is a beautiful book to read as we approach Easter this year and would make a timely gift.

The titles of chapters give you a word to meditate on each day.

LOVING

SOLITUDE

PRAYERFUL

FAITHFUL

HUMBLE

SACRIFICIAL

COURAGEOUS

FORGIVING

ETERNAL-MINDED

VICTORIOUS

The stories within each chapter were beautiful especially concerning her son, Jeff. Mary’s grief-journey is unique but beautiful I could tell by reading this book that she is a woman whose main goal in life was to love her family and friends well. She has surely accomplished that.

Now, I’ll be reading it again, taking it a day at a time. Looking for more books by Mary F. Caltenco.

Donna Collins Tinsley

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=journey+to+the+cross+by+Mary+F.+Caltenco&ref=nb_sb_noss

Amazon.com : journey to the cross by Mary F. Caltenco

May the Cross ever be before us today!

A Constant Image

For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Galatians 6:14

The Message

In the front of my mind

In the back of my mind,

 To the left and to the right,

There’s an image of a man on a cross.

Dallas Holm

These are the words to a song written by Dallas Holm that really moved my spirit. This is how I want to live my life, with the Lord in the front of my mind and in the back of my mind. As I go to the left or the right, may his image never leave me. May this picture in my mind help me to walk differently in the world I live in. I need to walk worthy of the calling God has put on me.  Let me walk in a way that would not shame the one who is my Lord and Master. Jesus was born in a stable---yet He is the King of Glory.

     He lived a simple life. He amazed His mother, confounded his neighborhood, (could anything good come from Nazareth?) called together a group of outcasts to disciple and write about His story.

     He carried a heavy cross on which He was crucified for my sins and yours, years before we were ever conceived. He knew what pain was like. He understood how it felt to be rejected by friends and family alike. He wept. He understood what it was like to lose a loved one. But for the joy set before Him, he endured the cross. That joy was giving life to us.

Lord, please keep the picture of what You did on the cross for us, ever before us. And remind us that what we think on may control my day for good. We think of You and what You did on the cross today. Thank you, Jesus for your blood and Your love.