An ordinary person with an extraordinary life.
I am ordinary in the eyes of most people and not viewed as special in the monarchy of society. I do not have a face that is striking and unforgettable nor do I possess features that would be sought after for the cover of magazines. I am not wealthy beyond imagination or hold possessions only dreamed of.
However, I believe I am extraordinary and my creation has great purpose and value. My name is celebrated among the elite and my life rich beyond measure. I will continually seek and hold dear a special peace that brings life to my simple existence.
Thank You Lord, Jesus Christ, for being an inspiration and a holy model that I can imitate. Thank You for being an instrument of glorious peace that I can draw from always and share its worth with others. It is through You I have come to know God and His great love for me. And it is because of You that I will love when loved, and even more when I am rejected.
I am simple, ordinary and am content to remain in this unadorned way. I believe I have a special place and part to contribute to this world, and I will move foward eagerly one step at a time toward a divine path laid out before me.
I am an ordinary person with an extraordinary life.
Godinsight4me
Inspired by my Birth Day and Matthew 10:1-7
Then Jesus summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles; first Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Phillip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Isreal. As you go, proclaim the good news, 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.'"
Brothers & Sisters In Christ
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Who-o-o are you, oooh, ooohh, oooh, oooh . . . we really want to know.
Who-o-o are you, oooh, ooohh, oooh, oooh . . . we really want to know.
Are you a leader or a follower, a team player or a poor sport? Are you part of the solution or the problem, a finisher or a quitter? Are you a pleaser or a rebel, an encourager or one who dampens the spirit? Do you have faith or are you a doubting Thomas? Are you on the side of black or white and do you stand by what is popular or what is upright? Or are you sitting somewhere safer, out of harm’s way, indeterminate and vague?
The spectrum of character is wide and goes from one end of the rainbow to the other. However, knowing there is a vast pallet of colors available to test, dabble in, embrace, seize, cling to, or run from, you may be tempted because of a lack of faith, experience, knowledge, or strength to find comfort somewhere in between black and white, good and bad, righteous and injustice.
It could be that you feel you don’t fit in any of these classes of character. You might think of yourself as impartial, on the fence, unbiased, or a disinterested or disconnected kind of person. You might feel more comfortable and safer in saying you’re really in the gray area, not leaning too much one way or the other. But is there really a gray area of life worth living?
Is gray an acceptable shade of character or just a way to hide or blend into neutrality? Isn’t it really a place where you can refuse to take sides, hide behind a blanket of bleak color, and or feel secure when you decline to stand up to people who can make you feel bad, small or intimidated?
The color gray can be viewed as old, aged, dreary or depressing. It comes off as rather drab, lifeless, and colorless. Its hue is dull and uninspiring. However, gray with respect to colors of character might be deemed as gutless, spineless, weak, or cowardly. Is that who you are? Is that the way you want to live your life? Is that what you will pass down to your children or the legacy you will leave in the world? Will gray get you into the gates of Heaven?
You have but one life. With this gift of life, refuse to play it safe! Change that part of you where nothing is definitive or alive. Allow exciting and unconditional love to live in the words you dare to utter, and where there is an occasion let the light of faith explode in your actions.
Fight against the claws of neutrality because it is everything God is not! He created the world. Beauty, color, unity and love were just some of the qualities at the core of his great design, all not faded nor lacking in rich vivid and vibrant colors of hope and love.
God also gave you the wonderful gift of ministry! He wants you to carry on where your predecessors have left off. He gave you His Son Jesus to imitate, and the gospels of disciples to study. Read your bible and have a wonderful uplifting conversation with another who shares in your faith or with someone you can draw in closer! It would be the most important, entertaining, uplifting, eye opening and insightful best seller you ever read! It is holy and the ultimate book of imponderables, miracles, and hope that literature has to offer.
Take time out of your busyness and give yourself quiet moments to connect with God! He is the original author on life and it is He who will give you something real to gnaw on and live by! If you don’t know enough, stand by what you do know, investigate and educate yourself, and then share it. Be an inspiring teacher, a stirring mentor, and a moving individual.
Neutral is not what you were born to be, nor is it your destination. You are more than the tie breaker of a conversation, debate, or dispute. You have the potential to be the enlightening disciple of faith, hope and love. You have the opportunity to set paths straight.
It is you who will stand up for moral, good, just, honor, decency, and honesty when darkness presents itself because you will find strength knowing that God is with you in all that you set out to do. It is you who will be the good example when your spouse strays and insightful and compelling to the one with the strongest contrary personality and opinion.
It is through your heart and actions that the doubtful might see the greatness of the power of the Holy Spirit in you and could be awed by your God given strength and resolve. Never give up! There is always someone who can be touched, converted or willing to engage in meaningful dialogue.
Wash your hands of gray indecisiveness, and bring out the hope, love and faith of the bright spirit that dwells inside you. The Holy Spirit is your support when you put your reputation on the line. With God on your side who can be against you! Show your great faith when you must endure the greatest of hardships for the just cause. Your Creator will back you when you are wearing the colors of His disciples of faith.
“Who are you? Who were you? Who could you have been?” God knows what you are capable of and He is watching and waiting for you to live like you know you were dying.
At the end of your life, whether it is in decades from now, in a few short months after a life debilitating disease, or at dawn when you will not wake from your deep sleep, you will be able to say, “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:1-8
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy
Beloved: I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearance and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths. But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry.
For I am already being poured out like a libation and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness waits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.
Are you a leader or a follower, a team player or a poor sport? Are you part of the solution or the problem, a finisher or a quitter? Are you a pleaser or a rebel, an encourager or one who dampens the spirit? Do you have faith or are you a doubting Thomas? Are you on the side of black or white and do you stand by what is popular or what is upright? Or are you sitting somewhere safer, out of harm’s way, indeterminate and vague?
The spectrum of character is wide and goes from one end of the rainbow to the other. However, knowing there is a vast pallet of colors available to test, dabble in, embrace, seize, cling to, or run from, you may be tempted because of a lack of faith, experience, knowledge, or strength to find comfort somewhere in between black and white, good and bad, righteous and injustice.
It could be that you feel you don’t fit in any of these classes of character. You might think of yourself as impartial, on the fence, unbiased, or a disinterested or disconnected kind of person. You might feel more comfortable and safer in saying you’re really in the gray area, not leaning too much one way or the other. But is there really a gray area of life worth living?
Is gray an acceptable shade of character or just a way to hide or blend into neutrality? Isn’t it really a place where you can refuse to take sides, hide behind a blanket of bleak color, and or feel secure when you decline to stand up to people who can make you feel bad, small or intimidated?
The color gray can be viewed as old, aged, dreary or depressing. It comes off as rather drab, lifeless, and colorless. Its hue is dull and uninspiring. However, gray with respect to colors of character might be deemed as gutless, spineless, weak, or cowardly. Is that who you are? Is that the way you want to live your life? Is that what you will pass down to your children or the legacy you will leave in the world? Will gray get you into the gates of Heaven?
You have but one life. With this gift of life, refuse to play it safe! Change that part of you where nothing is definitive or alive. Allow exciting and unconditional love to live in the words you dare to utter, and where there is an occasion let the light of faith explode in your actions.
Fight against the claws of neutrality because it is everything God is not! He created the world. Beauty, color, unity and love were just some of the qualities at the core of his great design, all not faded nor lacking in rich vivid and vibrant colors of hope and love.
God also gave you the wonderful gift of ministry! He wants you to carry on where your predecessors have left off. He gave you His Son Jesus to imitate, and the gospels of disciples to study. Read your bible and have a wonderful uplifting conversation with another who shares in your faith or with someone you can draw in closer! It would be the most important, entertaining, uplifting, eye opening and insightful best seller you ever read! It is holy and the ultimate book of imponderables, miracles, and hope that literature has to offer.
Take time out of your busyness and give yourself quiet moments to connect with God! He is the original author on life and it is He who will give you something real to gnaw on and live by! If you don’t know enough, stand by what you do know, investigate and educate yourself, and then share it. Be an inspiring teacher, a stirring mentor, and a moving individual.
Neutral is not what you were born to be, nor is it your destination. You are more than the tie breaker of a conversation, debate, or dispute. You have the potential to be the enlightening disciple of faith, hope and love. You have the opportunity to set paths straight.
It is you who will stand up for moral, good, just, honor, decency, and honesty when darkness presents itself because you will find strength knowing that God is with you in all that you set out to do. It is you who will be the good example when your spouse strays and insightful and compelling to the one with the strongest contrary personality and opinion.
It is through your heart and actions that the doubtful might see the greatness of the power of the Holy Spirit in you and could be awed by your God given strength and resolve. Never give up! There is always someone who can be touched, converted or willing to engage in meaningful dialogue.
Wash your hands of gray indecisiveness, and bring out the hope, love and faith of the bright spirit that dwells inside you. The Holy Spirit is your support when you put your reputation on the line. With God on your side who can be against you! Show your great faith when you must endure the greatest of hardships for the just cause. Your Creator will back you when you are wearing the colors of His disciples of faith.
“Who are you? Who were you? Who could you have been?” God knows what you are capable of and He is watching and waiting for you to live like you know you were dying.
At the end of your life, whether it is in decades from now, in a few short months after a life debilitating disease, or at dawn when you will not wake from your deep sleep, you will be able to say, “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:1-8
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy
Beloved: I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearance and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths. But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry.
For I am already being poured out like a libation and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness waits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
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!
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!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
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.”
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.”
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Because of You
Because of you
The world is kinder than it was before
Because of you
I have trust that love like yours offers more
Because of you
The sun is shining and its warmth aligns my life
Because of you
The void is gone and I’m complete - aglow inside
Because of you
I face the darkness without dread or fear
Because of you
I place my faith in your promise to be near
Because of you
I can be certain of my path and of my soul
Because of you
I face my trials knowing I won’t be alone
Because of you
I lay my head upon my pillow in peace
Because of you
I am fulfilled and in your spirit I dream
Because of you
I have great faith in tomorrow tonight
Because of you
I might know what God’s Heaven will be like.
Because of you, I believe in eternity
Because of you, I have faith in me
Because of you, I have a place to be
Because of you, I like who I am becoming.
Because of you, because of you
Because of you – I have everything I need.
The world is kinder than it was before
Because of you
I have trust that love like yours offers more
Because of you
The sun is shining and its warmth aligns my life
Because of you
The void is gone and I’m complete - aglow inside
Because of you
I face the darkness without dread or fear
Because of you
I place my faith in your promise to be near
Because of you
I can be certain of my path and of my soul
Because of you
I face my trials knowing I won’t be alone
Because of you
I lay my head upon my pillow in peace
Because of you
I am fulfilled and in your spirit I dream
Because of you
I have great faith in tomorrow tonight
Because of you
I might know what God’s Heaven will be like.
Because of you, I believe in eternity
Because of you, I have faith in me
Because of you, I have a place to be
Because of you, I like who I am becoming.
Because of you, because of you
Because of you – I have everything I need.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Devil or Angel, say whichever you are . . .
Devil or Angel, say whichever you are . . .
Every day we fight with the devil. Well, actually, it’s not such a fight anymore because we have simply given in to him. His vile traits of harshness, selfishness, cruelness, and ruthlessness are no longer despicable or recognizable. We have slowly over time and practice watered down his repulsive bad disposition to seem like a “light welcoming mist” instead of a “deadly typhoon.” As a culture and as individuals we naively, with screened eyes or with clear intent have adopted him and his ways. We seem to welcome the deceiving vapors. They no longer annoy us or disrupt our lives. Oddly, how we weather our vicious storms are now greeted synonymously with our clear skies after the rain. If we have embraced this deceiving haze then it has become a part of who we are. Who we are is what we bring to the table of the family. That mindset is what we will share with our parents and spouses. And those values are the ones we will pass down to our children. It’s time we take ownership of our conduct. Give back the threat to the black clouds and know their potential. Meet the white light and blue skies with peace and love that they are made of. Devil or Angel, say which ever you are and “own it.”
Family means ongoing “unconditional love”. Love means forgiveness. Forgiveness is a clean slate which makes everyone welcome. We will help each other. We will love no matter what. We will do anything for one another. We will come to each other’s aid. We will protect one another.
“It’s going to be okay. We’ll work this out together.” “There is no reason he should be excluded. You bring him to the house with you.” “I know what we’ve done already. We just want to help. Take the money, please.” “Don’t be silly. Of course I’ll come. I’ll be right there.” “I want you to know I love you and my love for you will not change because of what’s happened.”
Today, with the devil in our midst, the definition of family has been altered to “conditional love” or one that is easily discharged. “Give you a break? It will be a cold day in hell when I forget this one. You owe me big time!” “You can’t bring that woman to the house, EVER! And if you do, I’ll disown you!” “You made this mess. Handle it yourself!” “I am done. You are on your own.” “Why should I have warned you? You’re a grown person and have eyes of your own.”
Every day we make choices. We are faced with simple choices about where to eat, how long to sleep and what to wear. Harder choices about who to love, who to reject, how hard to try, and how to get ahead. The unfortunate part is that we are not making choices between “good” and “bad.” We’re making choices between the better of the evils before us.
Let’s take our health for instance. Because we won’t regularly make better food choices or get off the couch our health suffers. “Honey, do you want fish n chips from Jack’s Fish Fry or the triple cheese, extra thick crust all meat pizza from Santiago’s Crazy Pizzaria?” “Do you want to have a banana split with extra chocolate fudge or those great extra cheesy sour cream nachos while we watch American Idol or wait until the Biggest Loser.” Instead, as our fix we accept our disease, and opt to take a pill and mask our pain rather than to put some thought into an improved diet or break in those expensive tennis shoes that are still in the box. Even when faced with strokes, heart attacks, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, arthritis, bad knees, hips and death we still slack. No! Slack is too soft of a word. We right out refuse to be good to ourselves! We have become experts at something, finally! “Personal destruction!” We are skilled, proficient and well trained at “refusing to love ourselves”. We have learned to “forsake our good health”. What an accomplishment! We didn’t need to go to college to become “master” at something! Agggh, the family must be proud!
We add “stress” as another family relation and teach our children essential values to pass down to their children and generations to come. “This is the way kids. Complicate your lives, it’s the best thing you can do for yourself! Go to bed late, watch television in all your free time, be sure to send 7,000 texts this month, watch the ballgame rather than play in it, and be sure to let those other people raise the money for the poor. Just be sure to attend the banquet, they usually serve good food. Avoid good financial planning it’s a waste of time. Oh, and important avoid having meals together when two or more sit at the same table, you’ll have to talk. Buy anything you want, when you want and make sure you don’t pay cash! Oh and by the way use Sundays to run errands and to complain about the week to come and definitely sleep in. “What about church Mommy?” Oh church? Easter’s coming. Maybe we’ll go if we can afford to buy you a new outfit. On second thought honey, don’t be too disappointed if we don’t have time. You see first we’ll have to buy some candy, color some eggs, so we can get ready for the Easter Bunny. Then we’ll have to see who’s house we’ll be visiting . . .” “Dad, will you read me a story from this book?” “What book is that sweatheart? Hmmm, children’s bible stories . . . Why don’t you go outside and play and in a while I’ll take you to the store and buy some candy. Okay?”
We make excuses, blame others for our ill fortune, scream poor me, know how to get our way, and are proficient at seeking out sympathetic hearts that will surely comfort us. We are quick to label ourselves or stand quietly and accept when others say we have disorders or addictions such as sleeping, bulimia, anorexia, compulsive buying, sex, smoking, drinking alcohol, and neurotic behavior. “I’m stressed out.” “I can’t help it – I was abused.” “It’s the way I was brought up. I don’t know how to be any other way.”0h really? You gonna go there?
People, people, people -- we know what is good for us and we choose to ignore it. We are capable of improving so many ailments that afflict us, attitudes that destroy us, habits that inhibit us, yet we stand by acting and looking helpless and often defeated. We feed off of and accept the labels dubbed by experts, professionals, the media, and even our own family and friends. We are pathetic! We talk about each other then have lunch together. We have babies out of wedlock, live together without marriage and then wonder why we are all screwed up! Gee whiz --wonder where “morals and values” went! Sadly, this generation would ask, “what that?”
We buy entertainment magazines filled with gossip, truths(?) and lies and make them best sellers. We splurge on vehicles beyond our means. If we have enough money we’ll go under the knife for a tummy tuck, face lift, implants, and reductions for the sake of a damaged ego, low self-esteem or to seek acceptance. We upgrade cells phones every time a new product is advertised, deface our bodies with tattoos, keep trendy coffee houses in business by buying high sugared coffees that are really deserts, know all the dollar menus at all the local fast food joints. However, we can’t hang on to our houses, speak well of each other, afford medical insurance, cook in our own kitchens, offer our time to a needy cause, or keep from getting in debt on another credit card. Where is our backbone? Where are our hearts? Where are our priorities? When will we learn? When will we begin to do what is right? Must we lose a limb, friend, another job, home, life, or break up another family until we get it right?
God has got to wonder about these kinds of things every day. He must wonder why we don’t go to Him, talk about Him, love Him as He loves us. He must question “I have created this wonderful heaven for you, why would you settle for less?" Can you also imagine Him asking, “Why would you suffer when my way is better?” “Why do you worry when I carry life’s burdens for you?” “Why do you search for personal validation and material goods when what I offer brings you confidence, peace and everlasting riches?” “Why would you destroy the perfect body that I gave you?” “Why would you want to be like someone else? I gave to you what I have not to another. You are the joy of my creation. And every inch of you is designed for my purpose and will. What you possess completes my world.
God’s truth, answers and message has always been the same. I am your God. I am love. Follow my commandments. Believe in and know my Son and eternity will be yours.
What will be your truth, your answer, and your message? Who are you? Are you love? Do you have a faithful and generous heart? Do you know Jesus? Will eternity be yours?
Be confident. You know the way. I see Angels all around us!
Every day we fight with the devil. Well, actually, it’s not such a fight anymore because we have simply given in to him. His vile traits of harshness, selfishness, cruelness, and ruthlessness are no longer despicable or recognizable. We have slowly over time and practice watered down his repulsive bad disposition to seem like a “light welcoming mist” instead of a “deadly typhoon.” As a culture and as individuals we naively, with screened eyes or with clear intent have adopted him and his ways. We seem to welcome the deceiving vapors. They no longer annoy us or disrupt our lives. Oddly, how we weather our vicious storms are now greeted synonymously with our clear skies after the rain. If we have embraced this deceiving haze then it has become a part of who we are. Who we are is what we bring to the table of the family. That mindset is what we will share with our parents and spouses. And those values are the ones we will pass down to our children. It’s time we take ownership of our conduct. Give back the threat to the black clouds and know their potential. Meet the white light and blue skies with peace and love that they are made of. Devil or Angel, say which ever you are and “own it.”
Family means ongoing “unconditional love”. Love means forgiveness. Forgiveness is a clean slate which makes everyone welcome. We will help each other. We will love no matter what. We will do anything for one another. We will come to each other’s aid. We will protect one another.
“It’s going to be okay. We’ll work this out together.” “There is no reason he should be excluded. You bring him to the house with you.” “I know what we’ve done already. We just want to help. Take the money, please.” “Don’t be silly. Of course I’ll come. I’ll be right there.” “I want you to know I love you and my love for you will not change because of what’s happened.”
Today, with the devil in our midst, the definition of family has been altered to “conditional love” or one that is easily discharged. “Give you a break? It will be a cold day in hell when I forget this one. You owe me big time!” “You can’t bring that woman to the house, EVER! And if you do, I’ll disown you!” “You made this mess. Handle it yourself!” “I am done. You are on your own.” “Why should I have warned you? You’re a grown person and have eyes of your own.”
Every day we make choices. We are faced with simple choices about where to eat, how long to sleep and what to wear. Harder choices about who to love, who to reject, how hard to try, and how to get ahead. The unfortunate part is that we are not making choices between “good” and “bad.” We’re making choices between the better of the evils before us.
Let’s take our health for instance. Because we won’t regularly make better food choices or get off the couch our health suffers. “Honey, do you want fish n chips from Jack’s Fish Fry or the triple cheese, extra thick crust all meat pizza from Santiago’s Crazy Pizzaria?” “Do you want to have a banana split with extra chocolate fudge or those great extra cheesy sour cream nachos while we watch American Idol or wait until the Biggest Loser.” Instead, as our fix we accept our disease, and opt to take a pill and mask our pain rather than to put some thought into an improved diet or break in those expensive tennis shoes that are still in the box. Even when faced with strokes, heart attacks, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, arthritis, bad knees, hips and death we still slack. No! Slack is too soft of a word. We right out refuse to be good to ourselves! We have become experts at something, finally! “Personal destruction!” We are skilled, proficient and well trained at “refusing to love ourselves”. We have learned to “forsake our good health”. What an accomplishment! We didn’t need to go to college to become “master” at something! Agggh, the family must be proud!
We add “stress” as another family relation and teach our children essential values to pass down to their children and generations to come. “This is the way kids. Complicate your lives, it’s the best thing you can do for yourself! Go to bed late, watch television in all your free time, be sure to send 7,000 texts this month, watch the ballgame rather than play in it, and be sure to let those other people raise the money for the poor. Just be sure to attend the banquet, they usually serve good food. Avoid good financial planning it’s a waste of time. Oh, and important avoid having meals together when two or more sit at the same table, you’ll have to talk. Buy anything you want, when you want and make sure you don’t pay cash! Oh and by the way use Sundays to run errands and to complain about the week to come and definitely sleep in. “What about church Mommy?” Oh church? Easter’s coming. Maybe we’ll go if we can afford to buy you a new outfit. On second thought honey, don’t be too disappointed if we don’t have time. You see first we’ll have to buy some candy, color some eggs, so we can get ready for the Easter Bunny. Then we’ll have to see who’s house we’ll be visiting . . .” “Dad, will you read me a story from this book?” “What book is that sweatheart? Hmmm, children’s bible stories . . . Why don’t you go outside and play and in a while I’ll take you to the store and buy some candy. Okay?”
We make excuses, blame others for our ill fortune, scream poor me, know how to get our way, and are proficient at seeking out sympathetic hearts that will surely comfort us. We are quick to label ourselves or stand quietly and accept when others say we have disorders or addictions such as sleeping, bulimia, anorexia, compulsive buying, sex, smoking, drinking alcohol, and neurotic behavior. “I’m stressed out.” “I can’t help it – I was abused.” “It’s the way I was brought up. I don’t know how to be any other way.”0h really? You gonna go there?
People, people, people -- we know what is good for us and we choose to ignore it. We are capable of improving so many ailments that afflict us, attitudes that destroy us, habits that inhibit us, yet we stand by acting and looking helpless and often defeated. We feed off of and accept the labels dubbed by experts, professionals, the media, and even our own family and friends. We are pathetic! We talk about each other then have lunch together. We have babies out of wedlock, live together without marriage and then wonder why we are all screwed up! Gee whiz --wonder where “morals and values” went! Sadly, this generation would ask, “what that?”
We buy entertainment magazines filled with gossip, truths(?) and lies and make them best sellers. We splurge on vehicles beyond our means. If we have enough money we’ll go under the knife for a tummy tuck, face lift, implants, and reductions for the sake of a damaged ego, low self-esteem or to seek acceptance. We upgrade cells phones every time a new product is advertised, deface our bodies with tattoos, keep trendy coffee houses in business by buying high sugared coffees that are really deserts, know all the dollar menus at all the local fast food joints. However, we can’t hang on to our houses, speak well of each other, afford medical insurance, cook in our own kitchens, offer our time to a needy cause, or keep from getting in debt on another credit card. Where is our backbone? Where are our hearts? Where are our priorities? When will we learn? When will we begin to do what is right? Must we lose a limb, friend, another job, home, life, or break up another family until we get it right?
God has got to wonder about these kinds of things every day. He must wonder why we don’t go to Him, talk about Him, love Him as He loves us. He must question “I have created this wonderful heaven for you, why would you settle for less?" Can you also imagine Him asking, “Why would you suffer when my way is better?” “Why do you worry when I carry life’s burdens for you?” “Why do you search for personal validation and material goods when what I offer brings you confidence, peace and everlasting riches?” “Why would you destroy the perfect body that I gave you?” “Why would you want to be like someone else? I gave to you what I have not to another. You are the joy of my creation. And every inch of you is designed for my purpose and will. What you possess completes my world.
God’s truth, answers and message has always been the same. I am your God. I am love. Follow my commandments. Believe in and know my Son and eternity will be yours.
What will be your truth, your answer, and your message? Who are you? Are you love? Do you have a faithful and generous heart? Do you know Jesus? Will eternity be yours?
Be confident. You know the way. I see Angels all around us!
Friday, March 19, 2010
The Greatest and Simplest of Blessings
The Greatest and Simplest of Blessings
Lord,
Today I renew my faith and declare it with confidence
You are with me in good times and bad.
The greatest and simplest of blessings.
With open arms I accept Your favors
and equally embrace my trials today.
The greatest and simplest of blessings.
I pray I will live with Your will of justice in my heart,
And that my words and deeds will reflect the same.
The greatest and simplest of blessings.
I ask for Your forgiveness for my many offenses
And pray for strength to stand up to evil and deny it.
The greatest and simplest of blessings.
You are the Almighty God Who’s works of mercy touches our lives.
I pray to be merciful and am thankful for the graces you give me daily.
The greatest and simplest of blessings.
Today as I face joy, mediocrity, ridicule or inequities
I praise You and thank You for never leaving me.
The greatest and simplest of blessings.
Through only Your love I draw strength and peace,
That which denies all evil to infringe on my life.
The greatest and simplest of blessings.
Through the dark crosses I will bear today,
I pray to see only your light and be an example of Your love.
The greatest and simplest of blessings.
As I work through the lulls of silence, bursts of energy,
commotion, and challenges of the day ahead,
I look forward to Your love, peace, and graces
that never change or abandon me.
The greatest and simplest of blessings.
I pray and declare these things in Jesus' name.
Amen! Thank you Jesus!
Lord,
Today I renew my faith and declare it with confidence
You are with me in good times and bad.
The greatest and simplest of blessings.
With open arms I accept Your favors
and equally embrace my trials today.
The greatest and simplest of blessings.
I pray I will live with Your will of justice in my heart,
And that my words and deeds will reflect the same.
The greatest and simplest of blessings.
I ask for Your forgiveness for my many offenses
And pray for strength to stand up to evil and deny it.
The greatest and simplest of blessings.
You are the Almighty God Who’s works of mercy touches our lives.
I pray to be merciful and am thankful for the graces you give me daily.
The greatest and simplest of blessings.
Today as I face joy, mediocrity, ridicule or inequities
I praise You and thank You for never leaving me.
The greatest and simplest of blessings.
Through only Your love I draw strength and peace,
That which denies all evil to infringe on my life.
The greatest and simplest of blessings.
Through the dark crosses I will bear today,
I pray to see only your light and be an example of Your love.
The greatest and simplest of blessings.
As I work through the lulls of silence, bursts of energy,
commotion, and challenges of the day ahead,
I look forward to Your love, peace, and graces
that never change or abandon me.
The greatest and simplest of blessings.
I pray and declare these things in Jesus' name.
Amen! Thank you Jesus!
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