Highway To Heaven

Highway To Heaven “I don’t want to go down that road. But I know if I don’t this matter will never get cleared up.” “You had better learn to deal with these rules, because if you don’t you won’t be here much longer.” Sometimes we don’t like what see ahead. The apprehensive or rebellious traits in us often fight against the stop signs, caution lights, and road blocks. The road before us seems to warn us there are potential dangerous crossroads ahead. We may not like what we see, but we know we must pass through some disorder, chaos or instability. Take a look under the hood of your spirit and make sure that your engine is tuned up for the journey. Get an oil change that will dispense of dirty habits so that your thoughts can run more clearly through your head. Inflate your tires that will smooth out your ride, ideals, morals and values so that you will get better gas mileage in the miles ahead. Take your vehicle and shine the body you occupy to be detailed inside and out so that you know that what you feel, how you think and the way you behave is in line with the highway guidelines to heaven. God is always in control. There will come a time you will have to give up your own plotted plan and take the road map designed to get you where you must go. Follow the One who knows the way. The Word of God John 21:15-19 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs." A second time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go." (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, "Follow me."

Replanting Fruitful Trees

Replanting Fruitful Trees “I told you shouldn’t have trusted him. When you get to know him his true colors come out!” “Why do you view him so vindictive? He is the most merciful person I know!” “You are crazy to think him selfish. He is the most generous person I know.” We often judge a person by the way they dress, the way they speak, and the family they were raised by. We may even put a label on someone because of our own upbringing and personal experiences with another. It may behoove us to keep our negative opinions to ourselves and start speaking new life into one another. People can turn their lives around. What we know about their past may in fact be true. But everyday God touches lives and bad people are repenting. Perhaps a person’s past, their life of bad fruit, has been burnt down to the ground. And new seeds have been planted. As you see someone with the potential of sprouting, help them by offering the water of your inspiring words, give them nutrients of your good example to feed their roots, and speak to them with love so that their trees will gravitate toward goodness and grow. If in your own life your tree needs to die and take new root again find a new field with good soil to re-plant yourself and take others along with you who’s trees are also dying. Matthew 7:15-20 Jesus told the crowds, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits."

The Answer Is His Will

The Answer Is His Will “You really need to stop telling me that I need to have more faith. I gave up a long time ago.” “Really, this is it? I must be really low on God’s to-do list.” “Why should I be grateful for what I have? I have nothing I ever asked for?” Our Father knows what we need before we ask Him. However, we forget or are ignorant of this great truth and can easily lose faith. We may also think that by praying repeatedly throughout the day or even giving God advice, will make something happen more quickly, more to our liking, or even more to our advantage. Perhaps what we have asked for has already been granted and we are blindly trying to modify what is already the perfect gift. Your appeal for a more prosperous job may be the one you are in now. You may not see the advantage but the promotion is on its way. The new house you desire may not be coming. You might realize at some point in the future that staying where you are is the true blessing. Your prayer request for a miracle for a cure for the sick relative you are caring for may come at the eleventh hour. Pray for what you need for the human spirit requires reassurance. However, much is to be learned, gained and enjoyed when you turn to The Holy Spirit inside you. It is there you can live with confidence in believing that your request aligned with God’s will has already been granted or in the works. The work, blessings and miracles of God are not easily recognized by a weary or hardened heart. We may not understand or even agree with God, “but His will” is always the greatest answer to our prayers. In all your brokenness, through all your trials, in your moments of triumphs, in the neutral days of idleness, God is always working on solutions for your requests and even those you’ve yet to dream up. See with eyes of faith and believe whole-heartedly in the Will of God. In doing so, you can be a witness to the sightings of the most minute and mammouth of gifts everyday of your life. Your glad heart will not care about the size of the gift, only that it can recognize and fully receive it. Give glory to God everyday of your life and submit to its imperfections. Loosen your fists and raise your hands in honor of God the Most High. And when you pray, pray like this, “Our Father, . . . Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven . . .” Matthew 6:7-15 Jesus said, "When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 'Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Holy Manners and Sacred Etiquette

Holy Manners And Sacred Etiquette “Did you see me? I gave them all money!” “Do you think you’re above other people just because you have those fancy prayers memorized? It would be better if you just acted the way you prayed!” “I am so tired of hearing about you fasting and getting light headed. Why don’t you just tell the church you can’t do it.” We would hope when a person gives money or time it is solely for the purpose of aiding an individual. We would pray that when we see others pray it would be genuinely for strength, healing and reconciliation of their soul or of another rather than to gain attention. We would want to believe that when we see a person sacrifice for a charitable cause or fast in honor of a holy act of obedience it would be because he believed he should rather than to be noticed. There are instances when the heart desires a helping of appreciation or notice. However, there are occasions when the heart needs to discern over matters that only God should observe. Pray that you learn your true reward is not of attention from people but rather the hidden gift of grace from God. Grace from God may be voiceless in the world and indiscernible in the demanding days of our lives. However, our gifts of grace will be revealed through our private relationship with God. Be assured we will come to know that our heavenly reward is as light as an ocean breeze, as quiet as a desert night, and as loving as a mother kissing her child for the first time. In your private prayer room and holy recess of your soul reflect on the ways that you give alms and pray over the methods of which you offer assistance. Your spirit has imprints of holy manners of humbleness and sacred etiquette of charity written on its heart. It is up to you to learn to read the dialect of The Holy Spirit inside you. A single hardly visible and most gentle nuance of the hand of God in your life is worth more than all the attention you can garner over a lifetime. Matthew 6: 1-6,16-18 ‘Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. ‘So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 'And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Steps Of Your Faith

Steps Of Your Faith “He swung at me first! What was I supposed to do just stand there and let him beat me?” “She hurts me. I hurt her. It’s always been that way.” “Sorry I can’t loan you any money. I’m going on vacation next week.” Can you go the extra mile when a lot has already been asked of you? Is it possible for you to loan another dollar to the one who has not repaid you? Is it conceivable that you could walk away from a hurtful situation and still wish someone well? What a foreign concept. Who lives like this? Imagine if Jesus had not helped those who could not help themselves. Could you picture Him ignoring those who were afflicted by deadly diseases? What if He never sat in the heat of the desert with thousands of followers and had no hope of reaching more of the faithless? Can you envision Him not silently taking the ridicule of the immoral; not bearing the beating and scourging of the wicked, and not carrying His cross for us unto His death? Had he not done these things He would be like the us. Jesus asks us to go the extra mile, loan the dollar to the one who begs, and to not retaliate against another who has wronged us. Of course it would be an inconvenience to help out for 8 hours rather than 4. It may be a hardship to loan $50 when you had it already accounted for in your budget. You may suffer ridicule and be viewed as weak when you walk away when someone has sucker punched you. Eternity is your gift. Are you still willing to walk past Jesus’ sandals that are sitting at the threshold of your spirit? Take a leap of faith and walk in Jesus’ shoes. Your steps may seem impossibly hard at times, your pace not to your liking, and your stride different than you imagined. You reward will not necessarily be in the hour of any painstaking endurance or wondrous moment of aiding another individual. But believe by your tolerance and faith you will receive the greatest gift you could ever imagine. Keep your weaker eye focused on your good deeds and the sharper one on the promise of the future not of this world. With forethought and foresight imagine where the steps of your faith can take you? Matthew 5:38-42 Jesus said to the crowds, "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you."

Your Stepping Stone

Your Stepping Stone “I can’t believe you did that again! You are useless.” “It beats me why you think the way you do! I can’t help you anyone!” “I cringe every time I see her. It’s like I’m always preparing to defend myself!” Our design is not to rob, tear down, or break one another’s spirit, but rather to nurture, teach and enrich it. The actions of others may not make sense to us, but there is a reason, hidden or revealed, that reared it. Take time to observe the energy in a home, the short temper of the irate, the laziness of the depressed, the sensitivity of the loner, the boldness of the insecure, and the rudeness of the hurting. We seem to readily respond, teach and reprimand with our heated, elevated and piercing vast array of emotions. The divine spirit that lives in us cannot be raised to its greatest potential without exercising our greatest assets. With consistency be forgiving so that the heart will not harden. With steadiness impart compassion so that the soul will stay empathetic. With faithfulness remain tolerant so that the spirit will not grow weary. With hope stay invested in trust of the Lord. Jesus did not give up on the world when it humiliated, scorned, crucified, mocked and killed him. He fulfilled his destiny by obedience to God’s commandments and rejected all that could lead him astray. Every day we have many temptations that can lead us to earthly self-centered delights that may deprive us of heavenly paradise. How you think, the words you utter, and the actions you take will always say much about what an individual offers to the world. How you love, teach faithfulness and encourage peace and hope will say much about what you offer to the great Kingdom of Heaven. A word to the wise, remain insightful to what Jesus can see. He, who is all knowing and discerning, desires to call you great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Earth is just your stepping stone to greatness. Matthew 5: 17-19 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

Credits In The Bank Of The Soul

Credits In The Bank of the Soul “I know I’m wrong, but I won’t apologize to that pompous man!” “I’m always the first one to make a peace offering. It’s her turn!” “I’ve suffered plenty! I don’t have to try harder. I’ve done enough!” We speak of reconciliation, but are we waiting for the honest one to come to us? We believe we have the right to reprove or chastise another for their bad actions, but do we refuse to hear a word about our own? Have we gone so far as to act as though we have been martyred in order to gain sympathy from others? Regardless of what position we hold in life, president or the poor living on the corner, we are all subject to God’s just judgment. Be not willing to risk your life’s peace, spiritual fulfillment or let pass the fullness of the gift of Heaven for a grievance only you have the ability to resolve. Treat every misunderstanding, offense blind or intentional, disagreement miniscule or grave just the same. Jesus offers the same gift of love, peace and forgiveness to every person no matter the size or type of our transgression. With genuineness of heart express sincere remorse for wrongdoing, offer repentance to those you have offended, and make it your life’s work to unceasingly rekindle the light of peace for the sake of a world that is threatened by the darkness of our self righteous acts. You have dominion over the daily debt of your acts. Redirect your spirit so that not even a penny is owed in your name. Live to net an abundance of spiritual balance, and when you can, leave the blessing of human credits for others to invest and build in the piggy bank of their own accessible souls. Matthew 5:20-26 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny".

Caring May Come From A Distance

Caring May Come From A Distance “Why do you keep spending your time with her? All she does is rob you of your happy spirit?” “I don’t think they should be together. He really can’t be himself around her.” “I don’t owe her a thing! She owed me that and more!” With the same wearisome approach we may try over and over again with the same people who make us feel bad or who take advantage of our good nature. We may also be oblivious to what others see. When you are overwhelmed, distraught emotionally, puzzled by the testimony of others’ consistent negative comments, or become ill at the thought of another individual, reexamine your relationships. If you are stuck at the hip, give yourself some breathing room and prayer time. Examine your loved ones and your own past life and try to recognize the damaging patterns and work on a new approach to a healthier way of communicating. Work on allowing others to be more responsible for themselves so that you are not carrying an undue burden. If you’ve worked tirelessly to no avail, perhaps you are not the one to be another’s main caretaker, the only rock or shoulder to cry on, or best friend. Sometimes we can do more spiritually and emotionally at a healthier and safer distance. Love, forgive and offer incessantly your peace. If you do not feel tranquility when you offer your time, peace and love to another let it return to you. Pray for their reconciliation for all their relationships. Continue to greet them with kindness always leaving the door to your heart ajar for a change of heart and spirit. Jesus waits for us to come back when we stray. We are all gifted with “free will.” There will come a time in everyone’s life when we will question our motives, review our trespasses, and examine our heart. Pray that it not be when we are struggling for our last breathe. Matthew 10:7-13 Jesus said, 'As you go, proclaim the good news, "The kingdom of heaven has come near." Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for labourers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.

Celebrate In The Dark or Daylight

Celebrate In The Dark or Daylight “You deserve what you put out! And you made her miserable. Live in your misery!” “I’m not responsible for her happiness. Why should I go out of my way to talk to her? She should come to me.” “I did what I thought was right. I can sleep at night.” Can you live with being unpopular because of your faith and still enjoy who you are? Can you successfully interact with others and go against much of what they do? Can you believe in and love Jesus and still support the faithless? Listen to and observe the people in your closest circles. Offer praise to others when they display virtues that resemble Christ. Refuse to spend time with those who repeatedly object to your goodness, are jealous of your charity, and who are against speaking of Jesus, the Son of God. Take delight in being forgiving, merciful, humble, and a peacemaker. Treasure your faith when you lack spirit, mourn, and when you are hungry for more than any one human being can give you. When you are well or being persecuted, go to your mountain to be blessed and comforted. Seek often quiet moments in your day and hear Jesus speak to you with the same words that have not changed in over 2000 years. Rejoice in who you are becoming, be glad for those righteous and holy people who have lived and shown the way before you. Even when faced with the darkest moments of your life, you can with hope, love and confidence celebrate the opportunities to glorify God, for Jesus proved that your reward is great in heaven. Matthew 5:1-12 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ‘Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Your Best Triumph

Your Best Triumph “You don’t know how that makes me feel! She always gets more attention than me!” “That’s okay. I don’t need anyone’s help. I can do this by myself.” “Of course I am proud of you too! But this is your sister’s day to celebrate. Try to be happy for her.” Even when we have done extremely well, we don’t always get the attention we think we should receive. Often our parents, spouses or friends may skim over our accomplishments because throughout our lives we have seemingly exhibited success without much effort. Be assured the use of your gifts and your many successes on earth are being celebrated in heaven now. It may not be evident to you, but it may well be that your competence, reliability and self-sufficient characteristics are what inspired your closest rivals to do better. It was Jesus’ natural instinct to help those who lacked confidence, were hurting or ill. This just may be one of the best qualities we’ve inherited. Let there be joy in your heart over someone who needs your attention now. The joy you can bring to another by your love and support could be more rewarding that you best triumph on earth. Luke 15:3-7 Jesus told them this parable: "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."

Checking In With Your Soul

Checking In With Your Soul “Have I taught you nothing? What were you thinking?” “I don’t care if he’s handicapped! He didn’t play by the rules! I’m the real winner!” “Those people don’t deserve part of this bonus! They just cleaned up the place!” Sometimes, to a fault, we believe we are passing down our best values and adhering to rules designed to keep order. When matters have touched our competitive nature, we miss wonderful opportunities to use the gift of great works of the heart. Many say what worked for our grandparents doesn’t seem to work in today’s society. We are quite wrong. What a gift we possess, that what God teaches never changes. If we couldn’t stand before God and do what we are about to do, we must go back and rework our value system. Even if we are ignorant of God’s word, the truth is in his spirit living in our soul. Our soul will never yank at our hair, shove us, or pull the carpet from under our feet. On no, our soul is as gentle as a nudge, quiet as a night in the desert, and as loving as a mother to her newborn. Before you open your mouth, make a decision, and walk out your front door, be sure you check in with your soul, the holy spirit, living inside you. Mark 12:18-27 Some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus and asked him a question, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote for us that 'if a man's brother dies, leaving a wife but no child, the man shall marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.' There were seven brothers; the first married and, when he died, left no children; and the second married her and died, leaving no children; and the third likewise; none of the seven left children. Last of all the woman herself died. In the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven had married her." Jesus said to them, "Is not this the reason you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the story about the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? He is God not of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong."

The Answer Is In Your Heart

The Answer Is In Your Heart “Mommy she won’t give me her toy. I want to play with it!” “Stop fighting over her things. She’s only been gone for a day!” “Why are you putting me in the middle? This is between the two of you. You both need to do the right thing.” Sometimes our desires jump right over other’s ownership rights and consideration for others property and feelings. Being bad-mannered, righteous and involving others in our selfish battles is a far cry from the world God has envisioned for us. Ask permission and accept the answer. Desire what you can attain on your own. Be satisfied if you never acquired another thing. We often ponder questions and spout out demands to which we already know the answers. Jesus taught that God is your only just judge and redeemer and encourages us to go to Him. Put only yourself to the test. The answer is already in your heart. Mark 12:13-17 Then they sent to Jesus some Pharisees and some Herodians to trap him in what he said. And they came and said to him, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?" But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, "Why are you putting me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me see it." And they brought one. Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Jesus said to them, "Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." And they were utterly amazed at him.

Tending To Treasures

Tending To Treasures “Why should I give the house back to you now? I took care of the property while you were gone.” “What was yours is now mine! I can’t help it if you didn’t get the news of her death!” “I’ll have to take everything back. I left it in your care to enjoy but you neglected to do what I asked for in return.” Selfishness will not earn authentic compensation. Vengefulness will never reap a true prize. Self-interest will not bring genuine reward or ownership. Earnestly return to others what rightfully belongs to them. With love go the extra mile to cherish, value and work for the abundance and fruitfulness of another. Take pleasure in the blessing of a gift that lasts a moment, an indulgence that continues for years, or a bequest that follows a lifetime. How you mind modest treasures on earth will tell much of how you treasure the gifts in Heaven. Your Father in Heaven knows your heart. Unselfishly tend to the things that belong to others and return to them their treasures swaddled with a bow of love. Mark 12:1-12 Then Jesus began to speak to them in parables. 'A man planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a pit for the wine press, and built a watch-tower; then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the season came, he sent a slave to the tenants to collect from them his share of the produce of the vineyard. But they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. And again he sent another slave to them; this one they beat over the head and insulted. Then he sent another, and that one they killed. And so it was with many others; some they beat, and others they killed. He had still one other, a beloved son. Finally he sent him to them, saying, "They will respect my son." But those tenants said to one another, "This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours." So they seized him, killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this scripture: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is amazing in our eyes"?' When they realized that he had told this parable against them, they wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowd. So they left him and went away.

Love On Your Breath

Love On Your Breath “I know the bad things I’ve done, but he owes me!” “Why should I have to conform to the new rules, I have been with this company for 40 years.” “Thank you for blessing us with this food. I am ashamed that my family was not generous when we had an abundance.” Be sincere in your apologies. Truly repent and do what is rightfully asked of you. Bless another with what you have been blessed with. Work and care beyond the worth of your paycheck and family obligations. We are encouraged to go to Jesus humbly in simple prayer and ask for favors and absolution. Not through our worthiness are we forgiven and blessed with many wonderful graces, but through God’s generous heart will we receive these things and more. Live with love on your breath, so that even your slightest sigh will be a blessing to another. Luke 7:1-10 After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us." And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it." When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.