Whirled Peas

World peace would be nice but I would settle for a little peace in my house, myself!

I woke up this morning and quickly moved into panic mode. You see the last few days I have been running late getting to work. Not real late, but being even a few seconds late really gnaws at me. My list of, to-do's, was long. Longer than I could keep track of. Of course writing them down would probably help, but that is for another article.

Praise God that I have a lovely wife who prayed for me to have some peace and relief from my stress. Then I sat down to read the Gospel from today's readings.

John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

Jesus promised us His peace. A peace that is so complete that it surpasses all that we have ever known. He gives it without strings or conditions. We don't have to earn it and He will never take it back. So, what happens then?

We give it back!

We give all of our troubles and anxieties to God and he gives us peace. Then we look over at them laying at the foot of his cross and we take them back. Kind of like taking that favorite t-shirt out of the recycle while your wife is not watching. Or when my son sneaks his favorite shirt out of the dirt clothes to wear again for the 4th day in a row. 

We know it is time to give these things away for good. It is time to have our souls washed clean in the blood of the lamb.

Now is the time. Accept the peace offered to you by Jesus.

Spiritual Diet

So, I am on a diet. According the BMI charts, I need to take off about 30 pounds. I am looking for a happy medium.

For this week, I have started tracking everything I eat. My calorie count has been good but I noticed that my sugar intake is off the wall. Then I realized that I had been real grumpy that day and a bit anxious. I made the connection between the amount of sugar and my mood.

This got me to thinking about how important it is to watch what I am putting into my body as it has great consequences. I may be losing weight but the side affects are not desirable. So, now this got me to thinking about my spiritual diet. Sometimes, I notice that my prayer is great but my scripture study is non-existent. Not a recipe for a healthy spiritual life.

At different times, you may crave different things. That's OK. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and where he may be guiding your spiritual life.

When we eat too much, we feel lethargic. The same thing can happen in our spiritual life. When we have too many devotions, we can become lethargic in our spiritual life. The very things that we want to feed our spiritual life are what is dragging us down.

What are the spiritual sugars that I am putting into myself? Are these affecting me in a good or bad way? Do I have a healthy, balanced spiritual diet? Am I covering all of the food groups; prayer, sacraments, service,  and scripture?

Bottom line, we need to keep our spiritual life balanced and our physical life. Let's pay attention to our diets, physical and spiritual.

They Will Pick Up Serpents

On Thursday, I realized that I had been in a bit of a funk. I had not written anything in my blog for about a week and so I proudly said to my wife that I would blog about whatever the readings were that day. 

Then I read the readings. Maybe I should have looked at the readings first, but they were just what I needed to hear and more I have been contemplating on them for a couple days now.

1 Peter 5:6-7 So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.

I think sometimes I am able to cast all my worries on him. But then, I guess I must like my worries because I take them back. The problem I have with worry and anxiety is that they can become self-fulfilling. I am anxious or worried because I may not be good enough. Intellectually, I know this is not the case but still the worry exists. So, then if I sin, I prove that I am not good enough and my worries are justified.

Now that is pretty dumb. And yet we do it. (I am sure I am not the only one).

Why do others seem to have a much higher opinion of what I can do than I do. I mean like my boss seems to think I can work miracles. This makes me feel good and scared at the same time because there is an expectation out there. How can I ever measure up?

Mark 16:17-18 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.

 No pressure here, right? Jesus is telling them they will work miracles, literally. Jesus is calling all of us to work miracles. He has a high opinion of us. He is like a father encouraging his son or daughter to take the training wheels off. 

What are our training wheels? What is keeping us from working the miracles that God has given us the ability to work in His name? How do we get over not feeling worthy?



Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.

Where Did You Go?

I haven't written in a while. I think it was probably because I have been caught up in the busy-ness of life. Along with that comes worry and anxiety. I was talking with 2 different people yesterday that both told me how much more calm and peaceful I have been. Now, I am thinking to myself, "Ya right!" 

Through the grace of God, I had been set free from all of my worry and anxiety. It was a great comfort to feel the closeness and presence of God. It gave me a secure, comfortable feeling like I have never known. I am like a 2 year old. I feel safe and secure as long as I am close to my parent. But as soon as I get out of sight of my mom or dad, I panic. Now, my mom or dad can still see me but I suddenly don't feel the presence any more and I panic.

It is the same with God. When I move away from the presence of God in my life, I start to feel scared and anxious. Good news! I realized this was happening a couple of days ago and I started taking steps to move back closer to God. I dedicated more time to prayer, scripture and putting myself in the presence of God.

What do I mean, "in the presence of God"? Well, if I am going to be in the presence of God, I should think of Him often and seek His counsel. My every thought and action of every day should include my risen Lord.

What do you do when you are anxious or worried?

What a Pity

From "The Practice of the Presence of God":

He often points out our blindness and exclaims that those who content themselves with so little are to be pitied. God, says he, has infinite treasure to bestow, and we take so little through routine devotion which lasts but a moment. Blind as we are, we hinder God, and stop the current of His graces.

I don't even want to think of how often I limit God and what He wants to do in my life. His grace is ever flowing yet we want to put him up on a shelf and then pull him down at prayer or bible study time. Just think, I could be filled with his grace all the time if I would just put myself to the practice of it. 

Brother Lawrence, who wrote most of the content for the book, had a simple practice of always putting himself in the presence of God. I am working toward this.

What keeps you from receiving the grace of God always? Why should we do this? Read the next couple of sentences:

But when He finds a soul penetrated with a lively faith, He pours into it His graces  and favors plentifully. There they flow like a torrent, which, after being forcibly stopped against its ordinary course, when it has found a passage, spreads itself with impetuosity and abundance.

You can find the book here: The Practice of the Presence of God

Explosion in West, TX

Big news of the day has been the explosion at a fertilizer plant in the town of West, TX. I live about an hour away from there, so it hits pretty close to home. This has left me a bit unsettled. I have been praying for the people in that small Texas town. I have also been thinking about what has left me unsettled.

My thoughts turned to the people of that town. I don't know any of them well. However, I do know people that live there and people from there who still have relatives there. 

In an earlier post, I had mentioned that I had attended the ordination of 11 new deacons in our diocese. The diocese extends as far north as West. One of the new deacons is from West, TX. I remember seeing him that day. He was smiling and full of life. He was one of the most joyful people I had seen in a long time.

My thoughts turn to him, in the first week of his diaconal ministry having to minister to the family's devastated by the explosion. I bet he never imagined that he would have to do this type of ministry so soon. I pray especially for him to have the grace to respond to the victims with the love of Christ.

It also made me realize even more importantly the role I seek to undertake. Jesus, I want to serve you. Do with me what you will because I know that you will not make me go alone.

What are your circumstances?

1 Phil 4:10-19 - Brothers and sisters: I rejoice greatly in the Lord that now at last you revived your concern for me. You were, of course, concerned about me but lacked an opportunity. Not that I say this because of need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I find myself, to be self-sufficient. I know indeed how to live in humble circumstances; I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of living in abundance and of being in need. I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me. Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress.

You Philippians indeed know that at the beginning of the Gospel, when I left Macedonia,
not a single church shared with me in an account of giving and receiving, except you alone. For even when I was at Thessalonica you sent me something for my needs, not only once but more than once. It is not that I am eager for the gift; rather, I am eager for the profit that accrues to your account. I have received full payment and I abound.

I am very well supplied because of what I received from you through Epaphroditus,
"a fragrant aroma," an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. 

Thoughts: This is something I have thought about for years. Namely, that I need to approach life with humility, allowing people to care for me. For in allowing others to care and do for me, I give them the opportunity to be strengthened through serving others. 

For example, some friends serve food for others on Wednesday nights at the church. Can I make food myself? Yes, I am fully able to take care of myself, but allowing myself to be taken care of by others gives them the opportunity to build up their spiritual strength. St. Paul also writes about humbly and joyfully living within your circumstances. 

There will be times that you live in abundance. These are the times when everything seems to be going right. We are to rejoice in those times and be glad. Too often, I want to be ashamed and I feel guilty when things are going good. Like I don't deserve it because everyone around me is not in the same state.

At other times, you may be experiencing hardship; again we are to rejoice that God is with us at these times also. It is how we react at these times that give true witness to the life of Christ in us. However, this does not mean that I need to assume others hardships. I can be helpful and supportive but others crosses have been given to them to carry. We each must carry our own cross. The one that was given to us to carry.

Question: How do you deal with abundance? hardship?

It Was A Dark And Stormy Night

1 Peter 5:6-7 - So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you. 

Thoughts: On September 8th, my worries were truly laid at the feet of God and I was washed clean in the waters of baptism. It was truly a baptism of the Holy Spirit. 

I was a master at worrying. I still have occasional worries as I still live in this world. My worries will not ever be gone until I sit in heaven at the feet of Jesus. 

Through the practice of frequent prayer, constantly laying my worries at the feet of Jesus in humble submission to the will of God I  feel the love that comes from a close, personal relationship with Christ. I now fill the empty spot, where I used to keep my worries, with the word of God.

Once I was able to truly lay all my worries at the foot of the cross and submit myself humbly in prayer to Him, He started using me in awe inspiring ways to share the message to anyone I might have the opportunity to. This call to humble service feeds my soul in so many ways. It may be a bit bold but I feel a real connection to Pope Francis and desire to follow the loving example he is giving us.

You Smell Like a Sheep

Pope Francis was addressing priests working here in Rome, telling them that a good priest must have the smell of the sheep to whom he is belonging.

The above excerpt is from Vatican Radio website: Pope Francis talks about communication.

What great imagery. God gave us a great sense of smell and much can be determined from what we smell. In order to smell like someone you would have to spend a lot of time around that person. A simple but effective message. 

So, what do I smell like/want to smell like? My Christian faith calls me to service. This might mean that I don't always smell as good as I want to but I am excited that God would actually call me and trust me to do something grater with my life. May I always be in tune to smell my sheep.

It's A Brand New Day

It's a brand new day!

Our prayer group met again last night. After praising God with amazing music, we listened to an inspired talk on how to live a Christian, spirit-filled life. 

As a small group leader, I was prepared to lead discussion with a small group of attendees. However, there were some people who had not had the chance to be prayed over the previous week. We asked them if they would like to be prayed over. They said yes. Then I was asked to be one of the people to do the praying. 

In my previous post I talked about the challenges that I had last week praying over people. But I knew that this was something I must do. 

The power of Jesus is amazing! My sense was 180 degrees this time. I felt very close to the Lord. I received words or images for everyone we prayed over. I thank the Lord. 

I guess the bottom line is that you won't think you hit a home run every time but we have to keep swinging.

Gluttony

I live life to the fullest. Because of this, I have a tendency to go a bit overboard at times. Often times my saying is; "Any thing worth doing is worth over doing"

Ever have that happen?

This can be more than just food. A new interest comes and suddenly it consumes you. This can even include your religious life. We get so into different devotions that we ignore friends and family. 

My issue right now, though, is good old food.  I have assumed the role of family garbage disposal. I  spend each evening cleaning up the leftovers. My wife and children like to make deserts and I am always willing to help eat them. Easter has just come and gone. I am busy getting rid of all the candy so my children won't eat it. I don't even like candy!

Fasting is sound from a biblical standpoint. My wife and I both see the benefits of fasting. My gluttony is a bad habit. I pray for the strength to practice self control in my eating and other areas of my life. For now, I am looking to lose 10 to 20 pounds. I also pray for God's blessing from this practice of self control. 

On a Trek

Just recently my son asked me what a trek was. I explained it is a journey with purpose. I guess I am on trek. My trek is a journey of faith. I think, that like most treks, mine has been one of  varied emotions. Sometimes, I am excited, scared, sad, content, joyful, happy, frustrated, or melancholy. I think these are normal.

The last few weeks have been interesting. We have been having a Life In The Spirit seminar at church during lent, and it is still going on. I am part of the team putting it on. This is a joyful thing for me, mostly. This last Monday, the Monday after Easter was our fifth meeting. At this meeting, we were supposed to pray over anyone that wanted for a greater release of the Holy Spirit in their lives. 

When I got there, it was explained that we would be praying over people while sitting in chairs. I prefer to have people prayed over standing up. So, I was a bit bummed but willing to go along with the group leaders. You see, I had my vision of how things were supposed to go but I still was not 'happy' about  it. Then, as we were sitting there at the start of the meeting, I realized I was putting limitations on God. In my mind, He would not be able to work miracles unless we did it my way. Pretty arrogant, right? Yeah, I thought so too.

Needless to say, it was a wonderful night for most people,and I know many hearts were changed and people were healed. I still had a letdown experience. I got done and just didn't feel good. In my mind, I had been just a noisy gong. My prayer partner did wonderfully, and I have confidence in God's power but I did not live up to my expectations. Do you ever have that feeling? Sometimes, I think my expectations are much higher than God's or at least the expectations are different.

Thankfully, I did not wallow in this feeling. On Wednesday, we had adoration time in front of the blessed sacrament. I felt very close to the Lord, and he gave me consolation. Then on Friday, I had a meeting with my spiritual director and shared much of this with him. Having this spiritual mentor is just fabulous for keeping oneself grounded.  

Remember, that while the destination is important, equally so is the journey.

Have Fun, But Don't Get Caught

Philippians 2:12-18 - My beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the work of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. But, even if I am poured out as a libation upon the sacrificial service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with all of you. In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me. 

Thoughts: Paul speaks to the Philippians with apparent joy as he is finding them prospering in the faith. A True sign of faith and obedience is when one is obedient when no one is around to catch them. How often I used to fall into sin when no one was around, when no one could catch me. I deceived myself into believing that it was OK because no one knew about my sinfulness. But God who knows all always knew and always called me back. 

I was really good at hiding my sinfulness. I lived in a world of shame and guilt. But God is good and persistent. Christ now works in me, giving both the desire and call to serve Him. If the grace of God can work in someone like me then he can also work mighty deeds in you. 

I now find myself, not only with the ability but also the desire to do the work of God for His glory. The world we live in is one full of grumblers and complainers. It is so pervasive in our world that we now consider it normal. But God calls to us to be of the eternal not the earthly. In the heavenly kingdom there is no need to complain or grumble and we are called to bring a view of heaven to earth through our lives, living in the joy that can only come from our relationship with our Creator. 

If God is so concerned with our joy that He would go to great lengths to offer it to us then we have an obligation to share that joy with all that we come in contact with. Paul in the end of the reading above reiterates that fact in his statement that we are to share our joy and triumphs in Christ with all both the downfallen and our fellow followers that we can all be strengthened by each other.

Dead, Gone, and Buried

It really hit me this year. Jesus was dead, gone and buried. He was in the tomb. His friends were mourning. 

As Christians, we often seem to overlook that point. I know it has gone mostly unnoticed over the years. We have the benefit of hindsight. We already know how the story is going to end. But I think we need the mourning times in our lives. It is those times of mourning that give us time to slow down and to look at our lives. 

I went to pray a rosary yesterday and I started the Joyful mysteries. but it didn't feel right, I was mourning. So, I start where the Spirit led:

First mystery:
Mary went to the tomb and the angel announces that Jesus is alive and she sees him. 

Second mystery:
Mary bring some of the disciples to visit Jesus in the tomb.

Third mystery:
Jesus appears to the apostles in the upper room.

Fourth mystery:
The Holy Spirit descends and the apostles are baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Fifth mystery:
The disciples are sent out to make disciples of all nations.

It was very cool since we were meeting last night in the Upper Room at our church to pray for the Holy Spirit to come more fully into our lives.

God is good!