Living Like I Have A God

Living Like I Have A God Every morning as we rise after a night’s rest we have a clean slate. To more fully receive what God gives us daily, a renewed body, His spirit within us, clean from all sin of yesterday, we must live like we have a God. Are we living in such a way that we notice that we have a God? God wants to give us many things. However, if we view life from a half empty cup, we will always be half empty. Our attitude toward our full lives will set the tone for our full spirit. If we live selfishly we will not receive much to sustain us. However, if we think and act generously we will reap many rewards. Our rewards may not be in the form of material goods, although that is possible. Living with an alive God in our hearts allows our emotions to be touched so deeply, that we are able to reach out further than ourselves. When we live in that way, giving unto others, and realizing that God offers us unceasingly forgiveness, hope, love and miracles every day, then and only then can we feel like we are His people, and He is our God.

Be Satisfied With What You Have

Be Satisfied With What You Have Making comparisons seems to be human nature. However, in our quest to make comparisons we can be pretty brutal to one another; especially when we are envious of what the other has. We might say things like “You won the lotto! Why did you buy that lady a car, you don’t even know her! I’m your own child you should be buying me things!’ “Why did she get what I did, she didn’t do anything!” “Thank you all for being here and lining up alphabetically. Now we’ll start checking you in and we’ll begin from the letter Z.” Wow, we can be pretty tough to take. There is a certain sense of entitlement that comes across in these kinds of emotional reactions. Why do we feel entitled and make comparisons with each other over the gifts we receive? If we look at the lives around us, there is no one whose life is equal to ours. We have different degrees of needs, status, money, and material goods. We might be completely unaware of our attitudes, but much of the time we place of lot of focus on envy of another individual. Rather than being happy for the lady that received a car from a stranger, who saw that she walked her children for miles to get to school, who hand-carried groceries home, we criticize her and/or the giver. Why would we talk down about the person who saw a need and sought to fill it? Why would we be jealous of how someone else spent their money? Have you ever had a little extra cash and felt the urge to treat somebody to something nice? Perhaps you took grandma out for a meal, took a toddler shopping for a new toy, or your treated your dad to the latest technology gadget. One might say, “That was nice of you.” But what might we hear when others learn that you bought your friend season tickets to his favorite professional baseball team? It seems that when “nice” goes past a certain monetary value our eyes stop seeing nice and go straight for envy. What happens to siblings when mom and dad buy a home for the youngest child and not for the others? What if the parents thought, “Before we die we want to know all our children are taken care of.” Suppose they assessed the needs of their children and decided for one they set up a college fund, for another bought a car for a grandchild, for another bought a house, and for their handicapped child set up a trust fund to help her through the rest of her life. How quickly would the siblings begin to judge circumstances, compare the value of the gifts, speak negatively toward one another and even stop speaking period. God wants us all to enjoy a good and fruitful life and enjoy an abundance of good things. He gives us each what we need. However, what I need is different from my sister’s needs, your needs, or a friend’s needs. We must do what we can to remain humble and enjoy the blessings that were designed for us and be satisfied. We then can perhaps with a good pure heart be happy for another who may seem to have more than you. Our gifts do not necessarily have to be material, food or a monetary gift. Our gift can come in the form of time shared and love expressed. There is no reward in walking through life looking for a handout. There are many intangible things that are priceless treasures that don’t cost us a penny; be a generous giver of such gifts and a humble receiver.

God Is Waiting For All His Children

God Is Waiting For All His Children When do we bring little children or our grown children to The Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Have we limited their relationship with The Holy Trinity to a blessing at birth, baptism in the church, for healing at the height of an illness and for mercy at death? Have we instructed and raised them to show reverence on their knees and seek peace and prayer each morning, night and many times throughout the busy days? Do we take them or do they on their own attend God’s earthly house, the church, in remembrance, reconciliation and do they partake in Holy Communion with Jesus which connects us to God? Do they know to genuflect before the Holy Eucharist and the depth and miracle of Jesus’ Cross? Are they familiar with the place that God holds for them in Heaven? Have we taught our children that God is everywhere and that we must nurture the place in our spirit that connects us to Him? Do they realize that God is love and that the love we show to others is pleasing to Him? Do they realize that God created the earth and all living things that dwell on it and that our lives are gifts to be cherished? Do they know that they should reject all evil for evil is not a part of God’s plan for our lives? Do they realize that our bodies are temples and they should be cared for by healthy food, exercise, righteous behavior, prayerful thoughts, rest, and purity of mind and spirit? Do they know what it means to remain wholesome, unblemished, and without disfigurement? Are they aware that we must continually work to heal and make ourselves strong in the physical, psychological, and spiritual realms? We are all a work in progress and each day we have precious opportunities to improve our past selves. Let us walk toward God, The Son and the Holy Spirit with trust, innocence, and gaiety and with delight to be disciples of Jesus. As we focus on the awe and wonder of God, let us prepare our eyes to witness and trust a faith-filled life, our hearts to discover divinity in its core, and our soul to pursue its most rewarding holy quest. What we do matters. If we make The Holy Trinity an intricate part of our lives and believe with all our heart, mind, body and soul that anything is possible with God, so will our children. It is human nature to become distracted and in times of despair allow our Savior Jesus Christ to drift from our minds. However, deep daily practicing faith will bring hope and a living and saving Christ back to the center of our hearts. Let’s use our God given gifts, time and breathe on His children. “For it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.”

Be An Inspiring Member Of The Church

Be An Inspiring Member Of The Church Inappropriate behavior. Have you ever felt a cringing feeling in the pit of your stomach when you know you’ve mindlessly said something hurtful, or spoke up sounding crude and jovial when the mood was solemn? "We are at a funeral, not a comedy show. Quiet yourselves.” “Do you mind if I finish talking? You’ll get your turn when I am through.” “I can’t believe you came dressed to church like that. You look like you’re going to the beach!” Infringing rudely on someone else time, behaving inappropriately at a solemn service, or dressing unbecomingly in God’s house are just a few examples of what can be deemed inappropriate behavior. We can’t assume others know the rules. We can, however, continue to teach anyone whose lives we touch. Even bolder, rebuke those who know better yet defy authority. Our words may not be easily received or immediately acted upon, nor would someone else’s behavior be corrected instantly. But our conscience knows better. Sacred thoughts have a way of striking a chord in our hearts and spirits and have a way of resonating in our minds for years and even a lifetime. God is present everywhere in our lives. Choose to acknowledge God’s presence before that curse word parts from your lips. Know that He is present whether you are alone or gathered with a group. Teach your family and friends about the reverence of God. Jesus did not permit anyone to sell or take anything in the church that would interfere with the bonding of the mind and heart with God. The “physical Church” is not the only place that our hearts and minds should be dedicated to prayer, awe, respect and the worshipping of God. “The church” is wherever people are. Where ever you are be an inspiring member of the church! Drive out the idea that God’s world and even more His Church, is a place that people should mindlessly deface.

Seek The Grace of Your Purpose

Embrace tough occasions. Enjoy unexpected pleasures. Seize tender moments. Put people, not things, on your “A list.” Use your love and gifts to console, promote, teach & heal. Our purpose is to be an image of Jesus and use the time we are graced with for God’s greater glory. Today with good intent, enjoy using the gift of your time to seek the grace of your purpose and bequeath it upon others.

Your Spiritual Journey Will Be Celebrated In Heaven and Story Remembered On Earth

Your Spiritual Journey Will Be Celebrated In Heaven and Story Remembered On Earth It’s human nature to act on desires of the heart. But what happens when we’re told that our actions are wrong. We may defend taking from an employer citing that, “they have more than enough, they will not miss it.” How would we react to a co-worker who condemns our actions? Would it sit well if a friend cashed our check and took ½ for himself? If a man proclaimed to a single woman that he is unhappily married, she may justify an affair to fulfill her loneliness. How would she respond when called an adulterer? Would she embrace a woman whom came between her and her spouse? If a young child is caught bullying another for his lunch, money or toys, how might he respond to being bullied incessantly? Many of us have been guilty of acting on selfish desires denying that our deeds are deceitful, ruthless, or hurtful. How different is “a little white lie” to get what we want than a horrific act of violence and hatred without remorse? Is it okay to inflict pain on another because of her dishonest past? Our personal “sinful thoughts” are not exempt and carry great weight into the development of our moral values and faith. When challenged with righteous opposition, how often do concede to good virtue? What keeps anyone from doing what is right and just? Our spiritual life story is ongoing and our earthly biography and their direction toward our end are in our hands. Our victories are easily recalled and celebrated. However, it’s unsettling to the self-centered heart when our moral conscience is challenged. Our errors of yesterday are written and cannot be omitted. But our future can be transformed and legacy improved. How we will write our future? Will we live in fear of man or God? Will our egos keep us from admitting we were wrong or will we listen, learn and embrace the gifts of repentance, self-control and our spiritual conscience? God will forgive, love and reward a remorseful heart. Why would we ever fear man or feed an egocentric ego? Get to know the Holy Spirit that lives in you. Lead boldly as you stand up against sinfulness and self-serving ideals. Self fulfillment lies in your relationship and trust in God through His Son Jesus Christ. As you encounter your daily trials, tribulations and decisions ask, “Jesus, if You were in my shoes, what would You do?” Spend quiet and meaningful time seeking your answers from your Spirit in Christ. Jesus, not man, knows how best to serve, reward and lead you higher. Graces, blessings and life’s joys are experienced through your faith, trust and hope in Christ. Keep your sight focused on the Lord for you will not be led astray. Follow with confidence in the footsteps of Christ. Your spiritual journey will be celebrated in Heaven and your story remembered on Earth.

Life Is About Giving

Sundays are beautiful. Being in church and visiting the sick is a wonderful privilege. How incredible that dementia can preclude the memory of our past and present yet in the grace of a special moment one can seem intrinsically connected to the conversation, and interesting that different languages can limit communication but that affectionate and compassionate human gestures and mannerisms can speak volumes. It never ceases to amaze me how those who are ill and perhaps elderly, can still remember prayers, seem to maintain a loving relationship with The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, and continue to graciously remember to thank the church for their Sunday visitation. And if that were not enough, how wonderful a feeling to hug each person and receive a stranger’s love back, how extraordinary a moment to impart a kiss on their cheek and feel their heartfelt warms lips on my forehead, how tender an experience to hold one’s delicates hands and feel the strength and faith that they have left, and what a bittersweet experience to wipe a tear from their face as one falls down my own. Life is not about me. Life is for me to give to another. I pray that I, along with the world, not waste our precious time foolishly. Thank you Mary, Valerie, and Caroline – our visit today was a joy and a blessing!