They're Expecting You!

They’re expecting you!

Haven’t you heard! JESUS IS COMING! He rose from the dead and He will come again to bring us new life! He’s opened the doors to heaven for us! He died and cleansed us of our sins! He will be with the faithful! Hallelujah! ThiS iS GrEaT nEwS! Jump for joy people! Burn up those minutes on the cell phone and talk about it. Text everyone, your fav-5, fav-10, fav-1000 - share it! Post it on a blog, note it on the internet. Post a comment on your Facebook page, Twitter the world! Tell everyone! Never have we had a better friend!

W-a-i-t . . . . s-c-r-e-e-c-h . . . h-o-l-d o-n . . . StOp . . . H-e-l-l-o, anybody with me? Where did everybody go? I’m feeling a buzz kill here. And I’m feeling a teeny, tiny, bit alone. Oh no! Don’t join those lost sheep! Come and follow Him!

Listen Mister. . . keep practicing folding those arms high up on your chest because after today you’ll need that strong stance when the devil tries to tempt you. Yeah, he’ll be sure to slither away when your pious body language says you have no power over me anymore “talk to the hand.” Yeah, way to go lady, keep practicing at getting those piercing eyes to peer over your glasses that have half fallen down the bridge of your nose. That look will make someone think twice when they fall off the holy track. And those raised eyebrows they’ll come in handy and be a great reminder when your children or spouse is being selfish and you want to drive home God’s message of love. Un-purse those lips honey that frown might freeze on your face. Being stubborn and angry never got you very far anyway and they certainly won’t get you into the gates of heaven. Don’t waste your time trying to scare away righteousness because it is here to stay! Oh wht the heck. There is good in everything right! Your frown is just a smile turned upside down!!! Go for it!

Listen there is hope for all of us. All these terrible habits we have shall not go to waste. We will turn them around and use them to our advantage. Remember we are working on being faithful people not false prophets.

Oh, did you have something to share? You say you couldn’t hear? Oh, you are a bit fuzzy on what we are talking about? Oh, you’re leaving. Got another face to work on? Got another place to be right now, r-i-g-h-t. Ah hah, you don’t need any help in the faith or conversion department. You are f-i-n-e just the way you are. Gotcha! HeY! HuRRy, RuN To ThE cOrNeR! They are giving away FREE shakes to the first 100 people! Thump^@#*&! Thump^@#*&! Crash^@#*&! Crash^@#*&! W-a-t-c-h o-u-t . . .!!! Let that guy through before he hurts someone!

Whew, what chaos! I think we got rid of the people who are “too broken” or “in grave denial” to help right now. We are left with the “serious” folks. Ugh ugh, don’t you move. “Serious” that’s you. It’s nothing to be alarmed about. This is actually exciting stuff! Don’t worry you are not missing out on anything. Wait until those great doubters are greeted with a “handshake” rather than a “milk shake.” Life is full of fun and interesting surprises, a variety of disappointments, and eye opening enlightenments, isn’t it?

It’s time to get serious folks! It’s time to get serious about how we spend our precious time and figure out a way to get a grip on our fickle mindset!

Now is the time to examine our faith, expand its depth, and acknowledge that we have a mission and ministry for “Christ in our life.” It is one that is ever evolving, ongoing, worthwhile, and much more satisfying than something to drink.

There is no teetering on this one! We can’t play both sides and be pleasing to God. We can’t seek Christ only in time of trouble or despair and revert to our own human means and ways when our difficulties seem to fade. We can’t keep validating our bad behavior because it’s what we are used to or it’s the way society conducts itself. We must keep Jesus in our midst in all aspects of our lives. What does that mean?

We’ve got to “walk the walk” and “talk the talk” of our Lord Savior Jesus Christ! We’ve got to read our bibles and educate ourselves people! Jesus’ words were recorded so that we would know HoW tO LiVe. They will tell us how we nEEd To ChAnGe. Through study, application and ongoing appraisals of our lives, His words will resonate and SuStAin Us through our ups and GuiDE AnD LiFt us through our downs. They will tell us how to FiGhT eViL and WoRk On OuRsElVes AnD WoUnDeD pEoPlE! The answers are there folks at our fingertips in black and white!

We will learn how to live with gratitude in our hearts? Of course we will! Our lives will be filled with blessings that we receive and give! We will be instruments of peace! We would be the epitome of love! We would be CrAzY not to want to enjoy the finest blessing God has even given us! The love of his only Son! Oh my God we are people in need of saving! Yippee!!!! I feel a prayer coming on!

Dear Lord, through your Son,
help to bring your light into our lives.
Open our eyes so that we may see You,
know You and trust You.
Open our hearts
so that we may be imitators
of your unending love.
Open our ears
so that we may hear your voice
and know when we’ve fallen off course.
Draw us to you Lord,
so that we may attach ourselves
to only You and your goodness.
Help us to teach others about You
so that they would want to enjoy
the same graces and gifts for their lives.
We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

One more time “Amen.” What happened, did you all suddenly lose your voices? One more time, “Amen!!!!”

Are we still unsure? Okay. Let’s talk about it. Are we afraid of changing? So we’ll have to replace, “I told you so. You are good for nothing” and “I can’t count on you for anything” with “It’s okay. These things can happen to anyone. Let’s see how we can make this better for the next time.” So we’ll have to spend a few more dollars and buy a movie from the department store instead of a bootleg copy. You still get the movie! Are we afraid of personal disappointment and failing? Failing a test or a class is not the end of life or a career? Because we failed in a relationship does not mean we will not have another one that will work out. Many of us have fallen short on “follow through.” We’ve even failed at cooking a dinner! Hello, you have cooked many delicious meals since then. Practice makes everything better.
Do we think we would be deprived of something fabulous if we were a follower of Christ? Do you want a free milk shake that would last 5 minutes or the healing hand of God on your mother during surgery? Do we fear being talked about? Would you rather be known as a heartless backstabbing self-serving excuse for a person or a charitable loving person who was sent by God to help us!

It wouldn’t be the first time we have ever been talked about for something we’ve said or done. However, this time the “legacy” we’ll be leaving behind is a “holy one.” We are capable and we are all different. God created us and He believes in what we can accomplish individually and together! Rest assured folks, on this one we’ve got back up! The hand of God will bless us in all our endeavors. The works and words of Jesus will guide us through our trials in life. Even more, we have an assembly of Angels and Saints who have left us with example after example of what humans are capable of when we put our heart, mind and soul into it! Hey you, devil, you haven’t a chance now!

There is nothing to be afraid of! “Ridicule” huh! So what! That is part of what we are up against. The unfaithful will try to scorn us with ugly words. We will hear and witness the feeble attempts of the wicked who will try to break us by offering enticing, mouth watering treats to try to manipulate us. They will spread damaging gossip and un-pleasantries designed to hurt us but we will not break. Unbelievers will say and do most anything to make us feel and look bad. Aggh, forgive them. It is their way of coping with their own guilt and inadequacies. You must become so strong in your faith that nothing and no one could say anything that would change the way you feel.

If we are holding any skepticism in our heart today it would serve us best to resolve it now! We urgently need to turn our reservations, disbeliefs, and uncertainties into confidence, conviction, faith, and belief. Do we have any doubts?

We cannot afford to turn our backs on making this conversion of life. This is not temporary people nor do we have the luxury of time! This change of heart, mind and soul need to be permanent and soon. I hear you, how can we do that?

We are not perfect! Let’s get real here. We are going to make mistakes! This is not news to God. He knows all about our shortcomings, bad tempers, self-centeredness and under and overachieving attitudes. Hello???? Who made us and who’s been watching us blunder?

Through the grace of God, He offers us mercy when we fall. Through His grace He also forgives us our trespasses. It sounds like all our bases and covered. Don’t you think? It’s a win, win! So throw those excuses in the trash can with all the other unwanted garbage of your life. Lucky for us the trash man comes once a week to clear out all the physical stuff and God is there at every moment for for a repentful heart! Hallelujah, another blessing!

There has never been more urgent of a time to live like we believe in our salvation. We do not know the hour or the day of Jesus’ return. The bible says “as certain as the dawn is his coming”. Look people we get a new dawn everyday from God. Do you think He’s messing with us about His Son’s coming? Don’t think we want to put this off. We cannot take a chance with even an hour of our life. Only a fool would think about it.

We are not fools nor are we unintelligent. We make conscious choices every day to retaliate, defend, and promote ourselves. We know how to manipulate, excite and console. We are not perfect but are wise and talented people. However, we may be slow, thick-headed, silly, procrastinators and ignorant. These are merely minor details of the overall big picture. These characteristics are “setbacks” perhaps, but not ones that are impossible to overcome and certainly not deal breakers. We may not always do things right the first time, but we are smart enough to learn from our mistakes.

We have the power of choice. Exciting! This means it’s all up to us! Today is the day to make a choice to come face to face with God’s truth and His promises for us. It is the day to receive all God offers us. The reality is that the choices we make everyday and how we live out our lives will affect not only our journey here on earth but our eternity. Each one of us must take personal responsibility for our own actions or lack thereof.

Recall the words that we recite during mass before God’s church, “I confess to Almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do . . .” We have an opportunity with each new day and with every confession to start anew with a clean slate and make positive changes in our lives.

We have capable minds that store information critical for our decision making. It filters through the events of our days and incredibly applies reasoning for our solutions. We have the choice to follow Christ and set our paths straight.

When we align ourselves with Christ we go through an incredible conversion. Conversion is not temporary nor is it easy.

Listen up! Conversion is exciting! Being renewed, transformed, changed, improved, reconciled are great ways to be! The more areas in your life that you convert the more you want it. Oh, isn’t this exhilarating! Oh God, see, huh, huh, these are your people!

Today is the perfect time for change. We won’t have to wait until Monday to start a new. No need to wait until New Year’s, our next birthday, Advent, Christmas, Lent or Easter to revive our faith! Today is a blessing and it is special. It’s your day!!!

God has been waiting for you, and Jesus has His arms outstretched. Take His merciful hands and receive His support. Tell Him you are ready to receive Him. The Angels and Saints are already preparing for a celebration! There is great faith in Heaven. No need to call ahead, they’re expecting you!

We Know A Bad Apple When We See One

We Know A Bad Apple When We See One

How many times have we complained about our lives? “I don’t have enough money.” “I hate my job.” “My children are a mess. There’s no hope for us.” “I can’t eat this kind of bread. Besides, there’s no tomato for my sandwich.” “I have to wait for you to go anywhere. This is ridiculous!” “My friends have the newest game why can’t I?” “I don’t have enough time to spend with my family.” “We are like night and day. I married the wrong person.” “I am so angry because he does not help himself. How is he supposed to get well?!” “Whah, whah, whah, whah, whah! “Woof, yap, yowl, growl, howl!”

Gee whiz! Aren’t we grateful for anything? Every time we complain it’s like a slap in the face to God’s grace. We are griping and barking every chance we get over the very things He provides for us. Even in the midst of our obvious graces we cry, “I have this now, but it is still not enough!” H-e-l-l-o, “Heaven to people . . . !” Why would we dare to go against and test the wrath of God rather than blissfully acknowledge, joyfully accept and delightfully invite His blessings on our lives?

God created an amazing paradise for us here on earth and we’ve been destroying it and complaining about each other from the beginning of time. Since the first sin we’ve been biting at “tempting apples,” “barking up the wrong trees,” “blaming one another for our failures” and “lashing each other with cunning words that cover all spectrums of the rainbow.” Where is the love that was meant to evolve from that solid fertile ground on which this world was created? To whom are we giving honor and praise not only for its existence, but our own? We have the gift of life today, and when our short journey here is over we’ve a place set for us in eternity. Today, we must change and raise our hands high enough so that the shrewd snake cannot touch them. We were born to acquire paradise. How are we showing our gratitude to God and His gifts?

We know which pretty shiny healthy looking apple is wrong to desire and eat. We are well aware of the deceitful things we do and say. It is pointless to deny that we can’t control what comes out of our mouths because we do it so well when it suits ourselves. We have honed the craft of manipulation, influence, and persuasion. We are intelligent people and call our “bad apple” something else to make it palatable, calculating our moves to erase sin from its skin. We have marvelous talents and are a creative bunch. We try to rename, sell, discard and pass off our slightly spoiled, rotten or rancid fruit by polish it, reshaping it, drying it out, and pureeing it. We’ll do anything to suit our selfish taste buds and needs. We’ll even bring others along for the ride. We’ll conjure up a fancy picnic name or an enticing harvesting gala, and ask others to support, fertilize and feed the “bad roots.” “Come indulge with us. All is okay when we do it together.” The reality is that we are, on our own or with the company of others, veiling our transgressions under the shade of our inadequate nonorganic orchard of trees.

We go to great lengths to rationalize and validate our complaints and obvious deficient choices in thoughts and deeds. However, these polished skills do not erase the truth. We have managed to hide, avoid or convince ourselves that we have good reason to do what we do, and say what we say. We are the fools in the end. Let’s not be duped by our own selfish game plan, but rather be wise to the way that will push us over the top and make us fruitful givers, humble winners and “sincere God pleasers.”

The ultimate plan is simple and can be followed by “AnYoNe.” AvOiD tEmPtAtiOn. ThRoW ThE bAd ApPLe OuT! CuT dOwN tHe DoGGoNe TrEE! DiG uP tHoSe RooTs AnD PLaNt SoMe RoSeS. GeT iT oUt oF yOuR HoUse, yArD, hEaRt, MoUtH, aNd HeAd!

Humanity has been demeaning and scoffing at God’s church, ignoring and raising objections over His word, and misusing, misinterpreting, and taking credit for His gifts for thousands of years to satisfy material and egotistical needs. Today the bulk of humanity is no different, BuT YoU ArE!!!!

It’s time for “praising” folks. Really, it’s not hard. It just takes a conscious effort to modify our thought process and, hence, behavior. Really, you want to think about it? Really? Okaaaay. Ready go. “La, la, la, la la . . . Dum, dum, dum, dum, dum . . .” Okay, time’s up. Now we can push up our pious sleeves and make some righteous progress. Wow, you people are quick converts! I love it!

Okay, say this with me, “I refuse to be like the first man and woman that God created! I will not do things my way! I will do the will of God!” Ah, I couldn’t hear you very well. Let’s try this again. “I refuse to be like the first man and woman that God created! I will not do things my way! I will do the will of God!” Great job! Let’s practice some more!

“Lord, I am thankful to have a job that provides a roof over our heads and food on our table.” “I have been blessed by You God with beautiful children and will work to help them through this crisis.” “Lord, I am grateful for the food you provide my household. Rations or abundance I am thankful for it all.” “I am grateful that You have blessed me with someone to spend time with, while so many others are lonely.” “I am appreciative of having games to play. It does not matter whether it is an old system or used game I have something to enjoy.” “I thank you Lord for the gift of time. I will rearrange my schedule to spend time with my family that is precious to me.” “I have been blessed with marriage and will honestly work to recognize and appreciate his/her great attributes.” “Lord you made us all unique. I am confident we will through our differences bring balance to each other’s lives.” “Jesus, through You I know I have been blessed with God’s compassion and patience for me. I will not be angered by my spouse’s illness. I will love him as You taught me. He is precious to God and to me.”

God created a beautiful world for us to inhabit and to grow together in love. He continues to provide us food to nourish, water to sustain, and a faith that teaches us to serve one another.
Praise will make a difference. Make “praise” the first reaction from our mouths when we are angered. Let “praise” be at the heart of our conversations and keep us from condemnation. Permit “praise” to be at the center of our prayers, thoughts and wishes for others. Allow “praise” to be the root of our spirit so that we will walk and talk in love and keep the door open to God’s blessings.

“Putting a smile on God’s face will denounce any chance of a slap at His grace.” Take a vow to a simple, humble and fruitful holy vocation: Praise, commend and acclaim God. With the leftover fruits of our labor, we will feast together in harmony, love one another as He planned, and will live one day in unity and eternally in our paradise just as God intended.

“Come eat fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden. You certainly will not die.” “Not us! We know a bad apple when we see one!”

Inspired by: John 13:21-30

After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples – the one whom Jesus loved – was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.”