For many years I have watched how people would display their team spirits and patriotism with much honor, respect and loyalty. Not just in their words but in their actions, they proudly fly their flags, place stickers and magnets on their vehicles, they wear their clothing, etc. They praise, cheer and support their teams and nations and give their alliance, to and for them.
I did not see that spark for God. Yes, there is somewhat of a difference which I’ll explain and get to later in my story.
It was sunny day in the year somewhere around the late 1998 to early 1999, and the same year that the Tennessee Titan Football team moto or saying was “You can’t come into our town and push us around.” I was on my way to work and was at a stop light watching passing automobiles displaying their Titan team spirit and flying their team spirited flags, even saw the American flag being proudly flown and displayed and stickers that read “God Bless America” and “United We Stand.” I thought to myself and asked Jesus this simple question. “Lord Jesus, I wonder if you had a flag, how many people would fly your flag?” Jesus replied, “I don’t know, let’s see.” I then asked, “Lord Jesus, if you had a flag, what would it look like?” Jesus gave me this beautiful vision and these instructions.
I saw Jesus crucified on the cross and the background was like the night or with a stormy look and some light shining through like a sunset meeting a storm. I was to focus more on Jesus than the background. As I gazed upon Him, I was speechless and felt a sense of quietness and peace. Jesus then said, “Take my crown of thorns and shape it into a heart to embrace the cross. Piercing from the upper right-hand side of the heart, I want a rose in representation of Our Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary. From that rose, I want two rose petals falling in the representation of the Blood of Christ. One for myself and one for Our Blessed Mother the Virgin Mary for she suffered greatly on that day also. On the lower left-hand side of the heart perched on the rose stem, I want a dove in representation of the Holy Spirit.” I was in awe and began to praise him and compliment Him on His design.
I later then asked, “Is that all you want, or do you want in the background with sunbeams or letters like most universities?” Sometime passed and Jesus replied, “On the left-hand side, I want the letter I and on the right-hand side the letter U. So, when you gaze upon it, it reads I Love U (You).” I quickly replied, “But Lord Jesus, wont people get confused? Shouldn’t it read, Jesus Loves You?” Jesus did not answer right away, and I felt like that was the way he wanted it and like, why are you questioning me. I did not hear from Him in a few days about this question. While I was attending mass at Saint Matthew’s Catholic Church, Jesus says to me, “Carla the letter I represents God Our Father, the Great I AM, the letter U represents you and all of God’s children. You have me there along with all that I represent, you have Our Blessed Mother, The Virgin Mary, The Blood of Christ, The Holy Spirit, Our Father and all of God’s children. My message is complete.” I believe that it is their message also because they are represented and included in the message and the shield.
Mary’s Passion
Luke 2:35 Simeon says to Mary, “and you yourself a word will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” I think you would agree that she suffered greatly on that day also. Imagine how she must have felt. To have to witness her son being tormented, beaten, abused, spat on, ridiculed and so much more and then to have to watch him be crucified on the cross. Such trauma, brokenness and sadness. A representation of a rose, it has been said that the rose was Mary’s favorite flower and on occasions the presence of the aroma of the rose can be smelled when her presence is near. I have heard that a crown of roses is prepared for those who pray the Rosary. The Rosary and its prayers are very powerful tool and obtain many blessings and graces.
It has also been written that Mary will crush the head of Satan along with her off-springs. And assist in the spiritual battle known and unknown. She has also been called Co-Redemptorist. There have been miraculous, mystical, super-natural sightings and evidence of tears, blood, and honey coming from her statues.
The Blood of Christ
There is so much power and healing in the Blood of Christ. Jesus washes away our sins and protects us by His Blood and is an atonement. Christ shed his blood on the cross for our sins, the acts of dying that leads to our redemption. In the last supper with His disciples, Jesus offers a cup of wine in representation of the blood. In Mark 14:24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.” It is celebrated in remembrance in our communion.
It is a constant reminder that Satan has lost the battle. He no longer has authority over you, but you have the authority over him through the blood of Jesus. In Revelations 12:11, they conquered him by the Blood of the Lamb, which is Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit
A wonderful, magnificent gift of God. That everyone is entitled to have and experience. Full of grace and power and the delicious fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control and the gifts of the Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Such a powerful and graceful blessing from God and so much more. The Holy Spirit is represented by a Dove.
I believe that these designs are very powerful and full of grace and blessings. In 2004, Pope John Paul II, sent forth his blessings on these designs and my calling, my mission and my quest. They were instructed by God to praise, to exalt Him and to awaken and create the Team Spirit of God, and to share a Message of Love for you. God made a promise to me for everyone, and I look forward in hearing what wonderful gift you receive. You can read more of my story and journey in my upcoming book that I hope to have published soon.
These are the latest version and enhancements of the designs.
Our Shield (Shield of Faith in Christ)
A Message of Love