So Simple to Let Go?

I feel fortunate to meet some really interesting people in my time. People come in all shapes and sizes and I often hear the saying, “It takes all kinds to make the world go around.” I have met some that will tell stories and embellish for entertainment purposes. I have met others that just down right make up stories. I have met those that will defend what they did wrong to the end of the earth. We humans do some pretty funny things in the name of saving face or in trying to be “somebody”. I guess that is why I feel so comfortable around God. In fact its fair to say that I feel more comfortable in the company of God than I do the average person. I screw something up big or small all I have to do is say that I am sorry. I don’t have to try and explain or embellish. God is not vengeful but rather loves purely and perfectly. “God I messed up doing ___”, and his reply is, “Yep”, so I say with an honest heart in confession what I have done wrong his response is something like, “Okay let’s try and not do this again okay.” Does God judge me? Yes, but when I come to him with an honest heart full of sorrow for my sins and confess them he takes them away. Why, cause thats part of what Jesus did for me on that cross. Being Catholic I am lucky. I get to sit in a confessional and speak to my priest. I have that personal interaction. Being raised Protestant I would just get down on my knees and ask for forgiveness. The first time I went into the confessional it was rather scary. Honestly though it is a very loving experience. I have never had a priest judge me. I lay everything out there simply said and we might talk a bit about the nature of my sins but it is always done out of respect and love. I am given some simple penance and I am relieved. The confessional is never something I fear but look forward to. Through this sacrament I receive a heavy dose of Grace. Often coming out and completing my penance I feel the best I ever can. I feel healthy, whole and truly forgiven. I feel armed even to take on temptation in the future more easily. In the times before Jesus I would have had to sacrifice some of my goods or livestock, but Jesus did come and put himself down as the ultimate sacrifice. Why, cause Jesus loves us, and in perfect love you forgive and do anything for those in need. Now this is not to say that we are all off the hook. Jesus was God coming to earth to teach us first hand and not only that Jesus taught by example. For as he forgives us of all the horrible things we might commit in a lifetime we are to forgive each other no matter what someone else does to us. We are forgiven as we forgive. So just as God doesn’t require any fancy words or for us to jump though hoops of fire to receive forgiveness, we should not put anyone under any stress or pain to receive pain from us. Its easy to forgive. The hard part is our flesh, our ego to let go of the pain someone else causes us, and God is great at helping with that. 

Matthew 6:7-15

7"And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread; 12And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; 13And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. 14For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; 15but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

You Gonna Eat That?

A comment from one of my children came to mind yesterday. 

Child: I’m starving Dad.

Me: Then why didn’t you eat your lunch?

Child: I wasn’t hungry then!

Me: Well dinner is in a little while…

Child: But I am STARVING NOW! Why can’t we stop at the gas station and get something to eat.

Me: Well you should have ate when it was time. You hardly ate anything that your Mom made for you.

I recall this in a jovial manner because yesterday I was trying oh so hard to fast. Why? Because its one of the areas that I stink at when it comes to loving God, and I want to become closer to God. Some may not think that this makes no sense but for me the reasoning is two fold. First, for me hunger (and I mean true hunger) is not something I have had to deal with in a very long time. I live a very fortunate life. I am by no means rich but my wife does very well making sure that I don’t go hungry. When I become hungry now my senses get all out of whack. Its hard for me to focus. I become very irritable. If I can learn to rely on God in these times then when true crisis hits I will be all the stronger and will be able to resist even stronger temptations. Secondly I am thankful. I believe that Jesus was the Son of God. This is no blind thought. I have spent many years doubting and after following all threads I keep coming back to this belief. I have read the story of Jesus’s crucifixion many times but when I finally saw the movie “The Passion of the Christ” it really hit home what he went through for me. I am thankful. If he could go through all of that for me and you then I think I can handle going without  cheeseburgers on Fridays for a while and forgo stuffing my face at every single meal. I will admit that its tougher than I thought. It eludes me how much of a consumption culture I live in. Everything I see seems to tell me to eat, drink and buy more. So flashback to yesterday I was full in the pains of “STARVING!” and got some upsetting news. One of my sons got in trouble at school. It was nothing major but unsettleing nonetheless cause I know how good a kid he is. As I drove to pick him up after his detention I thought of how mad I was. I was very cold and very tired from work and on top of that I was “STARVING!” All I wanted to do was drive home, warm up, eat dinner and goto bed. So what did I do? I prayed, I asked God for understanding, peace and love. Normally I will admit under these circumstances I would be furious and there would be some sort of punishment for such a mistake, but instead. I picked him up and let it go. We went home and we calmly spoke of how to handle the situation next time. Maybe in some small way I leveled up with God. So I don’t fast for me. I fast for God and to be closer with him. Maybe once in a while I get a benefit from it, no actually I DO get a benefit from it. I have God more closely in my life, and that is the greatest gift of all.

Matthew 9:14-15

14Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" 15And Jesus said to them, "Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.

So Much to Gain From Losing

I often get a chuckle over the ongoing thread that I have with my oldest child. He feels that I am too demanding of him. For every day I ask him to not feed our pets but fill the containers that his younger brother uses to feed the animals. Twice a day I ask him to check dehumidifiers and dump them if they are full. Finally once a week I ask him to vacuum and mop the floors in our home. Sacrifice is a beautiful thing and can also be a rather demanding one at the same time. Through sacrifice we ignore our desires and our will for something greater. Most of the time this is done out of love. We sacrifice because we choose to. God came to us in human form through Jesus. He learned, lived, loved and felt the pain of a human existence. He did this out of love. He began his ministry and walked the lands teaching and preaching love, and to love at all costs. Love everyone you meet as yourself and love God with all your body, mind and soul. Jesus asked us to follow his teachings and God’s ways for if we make this world out of love we would have a better world. The tricky part is that to love everyone we have to often ignore what we want. We have to sacrifice “my will” for “thy will” or rather God’s will. I have my son learn a variety of tasks around the house not just to prepare him for when he is on his own, but to also learn the importance of giving back or “loving thy neighbor”. Often in our talks I explain that that while he sacrifices his time and desires to do these chores his acts help the rest of the family. God gives us free will so we can choose to do whatever we want. We can choose to take care of ourselves and ignore the rest. We can feed every desire that we have and choose to live a life devoid sacrifice. If we take this to the extreme we all know that our health will fail if we choose to eat, drink and satisfy every vice that arises to no end. The same is for our soul. We can fixate on ourselves and live a life devoid of sacrifice and love of others, or we can live a life of discipline. We can live a life of love. We can love God and follow his ways and teachings and spread love in this world. We can love each person we meet as we love ourselves. We can sacrifice just Jesus sacrificed. Rarely is it that we have people openly mock us in the streets. Seldom is it that people line the walk ways to spit on us as we walk to our death. Few will know the pain of being whipped and beaten for teaching love. Most of us will never know the pain of having nails driven through our wrists, feet and being hung on a cross till we die. God does ask us though to lose our life though rather to give up our life focused on “ME”. He asks us to “loose” that life and let it die to live a life of giving and love so that we can save our soul and live eternally with God, Jesus and Holy Spirit in heaven where true, pure and honest love reigns and creates a paradise that we can barely fathom here on earth. 

Luke 9:22-25

22saying, "The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." 23And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it. 25For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

Which Do You Prefer, A Hollow Loaf or a Full Basket?

Appearances can be deceiving. Often we will over look one of our neighbors or even someone in our own family because we think that we know them. Unfortunately the convex is also true. I see so many taken with the famous. We see them on a pedestal because they can sing, act or preform physical feats that the average person cannot. So many follow these “famous” people and are in awe of their clothes, cars and homes and wish to be them or like them. Others even will worship the “mighty” and hang pictures in their home, watch every game or performance and follow their careers through peak and valley. God can do anything. He created this world uncountable years ago and still to this day we are trying to figure out how he made it all. Jesus’s teachings are spoke of everyday and how he fed, healed, loved and taught. The Holy Spirit is in our midst every hour helping to guide those that choose to listen and over come great obstacles. Though this trinity is so often overlooked, “Oh yeah God he’s great”, spoke with the excitement of watching grass grow. I wonder if we have become to used to have God in this world and take him for granted. Our Lord gives over and over again each day. His wonders multiply right before our eyes and we do not even see it and in the same day we will watch with awe as ordinary people walk down a red carpet. Yes, man can do great things but it is only because we have been given talents by our creator. With these talents on loan from God it is not we that are great but God. It is important that we make the most of what we have been given. Following God, heeding Jesus’s teachings and listening to the Holy Spirit will help us become the best version of ourselves that we can become. With God through us his love can be multiplied and solve every problem on this earth, but it all begins with that first step. Who do you want to follow?

Mark 8:14-21

14Now they had forgotten to bring bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15And he cautioned them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." 16And they discussed it with one another, saying, "We have no bread." 17And being aware of it, Jesus said to them, "Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They said to him, "Twelve." 20"And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" And they said to him, "Seven." 21And he said to them, "Do you not yet understand?"

What’s the Word Your Looking For?

Could you ever imagine if you had to prove who you were. Yes, this is me. I am who I say I am. What? Okay here is my drivers license. What? What do you mean that could be fake? Look here is my Social Security card? What? You want to verify that with the government? Look here is my family. They say I am me too. What? You think that we are a con-man team working together. The fact of the matter is when you meet someone stubborn it can be down right hard to PROVE who you are. As I tell my boys often, You are your word. It’s more valuable than anything, and if people ever loose trust in your word it is very hard to get that back. If you cannot keep your word you run the risk of becoming nobody to everyone and live a life alone. God is who he says he is. His word became flesh and came to earth as Jesus. Jesus walked the walk and talked the talk. He didn’t cure disease, feed the hungry and teach the masses because he was trying to prove who he was. Jesus (God) did all that because he has compassion for us. He made us and loves us. He wants to take care of us but we have to use the freewill that God gave us and choose him. I often hear, “If God really does exist then he would do ____ right now.” How would it make you feel if someone you loved came up to you in a non believing and sarcastic tone said, “If you are who you say you are, and really love me then you will give me whatever I want!” OUCH! Love doesn’t work that way. God has done plenty for this world and everyone in it. Yes, there are terrible things that happen. Keep in mind that some of those things happen because there is evil in the world. Some men and women use freewill and cause chaos. Natural disasters happen and many look for a reason why. In my search for understanding I have come to the conclusion of this: God is a master chess player. He sees the BIG picture. God has a wonderful way of taking bad circumstances and having beautiful things happen in result. Also I know that God loves. Our time here is finite but God’s love is endless. He has a heaven built on love that has room for all where pain ceases to exist. For all I see, over and over again I see God’s love and plan. It wasn’t easy I had to get to know him. I had to learn who God is by listening to his word. God doesn’t need to prove anything to me. For I see who he is through all of his loving works. I encourage all to take some time and learn about God’s word (Jesus).

Mark 8:11-13

11The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, to test him. 12And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation." 13And he left them, and getting into the boat again he departed to the other side.

Are You Deaf or are You Dumb, Both?

There are many things in life that we cannot hear until we want to hear, and there are many things in life that God tries to tell us everyday that we are deaf to. For such a long time I was very lucky. I grew up in a family that attended a Methodist/United Church of Christ church. While it wasn’t always great I learned a lot about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Like most children I attended until I was out of High School and like so many youth as I left my parents home I left my church behind. For quite sometime I was okay. I may not have attended services but I stayed on the strait and narrow. Over time though I drifted away, and began to commit more sin without repentance. The further I got away the harder it was to hear the truth, God’s truth about the right way to live my life. I would occasionally get “bugged” by words in the back of my mind or from the depths of my heart. It all came to that fateful night though sitting on my couch. Cold, alone and in dire pain I felt nor could see no love. I felt utterly alone and then again I heard that whisper in the back of my mind and from the depths of my heart, “You know you need God.” I fought with myself. I called those thoughts stupid and old fashioned just a way to control me. The more I debated myself though the more I lost the argument. I began to reach out. It took time, you can’t undo years of stupidity in one moment. The more I shed my old habits the better I could hear. The more I chose to follow the better I could see, and the stronger I became. I found a new way through life in those “Old Fashioned” God ways. Now that I can clearly see I can’t help but speak about it. I don’t knock on doors or hand out pamphlets. I am a simple man. I sit here alone in the dark with my friend Jesus. I read I learn, I share. I found the Church that gave me a family. I am never alone and there I learn and become stronger yet still. I thank God for his patience for so many have given up on me. God did not give up he kept sending his son and his Spirit until I was ready to be deaf no more. 

Mark 7:31-37

31Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, through the region of the Decap'olis. 32And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought him to lay his hand upon him. 33And taking him aside from the multitude privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue; 34and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, "Eph'phatha," that is, "Be opened." 35And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. 36And he charged them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. 37And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak."

Who is Going to Answer That Call?

It’s amazing who shows up when you need help. I can remember some pretty dark hours in my life. I had decided to live a life that was full of fulfilling my own desires. It wasn’t something done over night mind you, but a life that I chose and built after years of bad decisions. Like a house of cards my life came tumbling down. Everything that I had betrayed that was right and good had left and all that I that was wrong just left me completely hollow. I turned to those who were close to me and I felt that they would not understand. I tried to ask for help but no one understood. No one saw the pain. I tried to ask my family for help but they didn’t understand either. In desperation I turned to my old church and called and asked for help. No one replied.  I don’t hold anything against anyone for not helping. Honestly the help I needed I doubt I could have got from them. The last person I turned to was the first person I should have turned to. I begged and pleaded to God for assistance. Unfortunately this was not an unfamiliar cry. “Oh God please please help me get out of this!”, so many times I had begged with such cries, but never did I return the favor by actually changing my life. God did help me and through the teachings of his son, Jesus and help daily from the Holy Spirit I turned my life around. See the thing is that God really is here for everyone. It doesn’t matter where you come from what you have done in your past or present. God is eagerly waiting to love and help you, but you have to choose him, have faith in him and choose HIS ways not YOURS. I know work hard to build a life built on love for everyone I meet and for God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. It didn’t happen overnight. It wasn’t a quick and painless change, but I know live a life I have never known possible. God asks me to do things that are simple they are only difficult because I have a human heart and desires. Once I get past trying to serve myself he requests are simple and so rewarding. All God has he is willing to share with you but you have to want him, choose him, love, believe and follow him. No one is turned away by God. 

Mark 7:24-30

24And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house, and would not have any one know it; yet he could not be hid. 25But immediately a woman, whose little daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell down at his feet. 26Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoeni'cian by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27And he said to her, "Let the children first be fed, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 28But she answered him, "Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." 29And he said to her, "For this saying you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter." 30And she went home, and found the child lying in bed, and the demon gone.

Whatcha Wearing? Are You Going?

Have you ever been that man or woman that tries to help others and is turned away? Have you ever been that person in need and when you reach out for help are made to feel as if you are not worthy. Tradition can be something that is held on too tightly. For many a year I can remember how my Mother always told me to dress nicely when going to church. I do think that it is rather important to look your best before going to the Lords home for he has given us all and we should show respect and reverence for him. However one of my problems with “Christians” when I got older was that far too often people were judged for what was on their back rather than in their heart. In my Grandmothers day it would be considered complete disrespect for someone to show up to church wearing jeans (faded no less) and a t-shirt. I can almost hear the gasps and complete shock for someone considering such a thing. But let us take a pause. ALL men and women are flawed. Christians or not sometimes we focus on the wrong things. Just because someone is a “Christian” doesn’t mean that they flawless. To be honest, God loves you and he wants to spend time with you. He sent Jesus to institute the Church. One that is holy, apostolic and catholic (meaning universal). EVERYONE is welcome in God’s church that comes out of respect. I am sure that God would want you to wear your very best. When entering God’s church you are putting yourself before God, the guy that made you, however if your “Sunday Best” is jeans and a t-shirt so be it. God loves you and sent his son to teach us that what is in our hearts is most important of all. While traditions are important they should not be at the expense of what God desires. Sure God would like you to be early and dressed in a suit but make no  mistake he would rather have you there 5 minutes late and still wearing your work clothes than not at all. He loves you that much. He wants to spend time with you. Question is, are you making time for him in “your very best”? I will let you be the judge of that. I am no one to judge anyone, but I know that God loves you and would love to spend time with you. There are so many churches to attend and they each have their own esthetic. There truly is a place for everyone in God’s Church.

Mark 7:1-13

1Now when the Pharisees gathered together to him, with some of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, 2they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands defiled, that is, unwashed. 3(For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, observing the tradition of the elders; 4and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they purify themselves; and there are many other traditions which they observe, the washing of cups and pots and vessels of bronze.) 5And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with hands defiled?" 6And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, `This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 7in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.' 8You leave the commandment of God, and hold fast the tradition of men." 9And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God, in order to keep your tradition! 10For Moses said, `Honor your father and your mother'; and, `He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him surely die'; 11but you say, `If a man tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is Corban' (that is, given to God) -- 12then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, 13thus making void the word of God through your tradition which you hand on. And many such things you do."

Watcha Doin Today?

Need some help? There is this guy that can help with so much. He has already helped so many around the world that it is countless. Okay, maybe countless by me and I do have trouble counting to 10, but he has helped a lot. The guy is Jesus. I know you are probably wondering how some dead guy from a couple thousand years ago is going to help you now. His teachings are timeless. He may have taught couple thousand years ago but they still work, and honestly this world would work much better if we all followed them. He is the son of God. He is God, and most importantly he loves you. Why, cause he made you. Take to any good parent and they will tell you that their kids drive them crazy. At the same time though, they would do anything for them because they love them.  Why do I believe he was the son of God? I read the data. Over and over again he loved. Yeah he preformed miracles and that can’t be diminished, but for me its proof in what he SAID not just what he DID. He died on the cross for everyone. Everyone that chooses to accept him. I have heard some say, well then why doesn’t he come back and show us again so I can believe, or if he was really God he would do this or that to prove it now. Okay, how would you like to have to prove who you are over and over again. Yeah, I am Michael. No really I am Michael. See here is my drivers license. What do you mean it is probably a fake? No matter what God does there will always be those that don’t believe. Jesus came once already and only intends to return once. He is who he is and he stands by it. This is where that thing called faith comes in. So its up to you really. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit accept all. No matter who you are or what stupid things you have done in the past or what stupid things you will do in the future. You think Jesus is a fake? You need proof? Why do you think so many have rushed to Jesus over the years and found happiness and love? Is it because God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are fake. I don’t think so, but you have to decide for yourselves. He is there waiting all you have to do is decide to show up. You don’t even have to worry about a crowd. You can talk to him right now where you are sitting right now. No lines, no crowds no waiting, just you and Jesus. So what are you doing today anyway?

Mark 6:53-56

53And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennes'aret, and moored to the shore. 54And when they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him, 55and ran about the whole neighborhood and began to bring sick people on their pallets to any place where they heard he was. 56And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or country, they laid the sick in the market places, and besought him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were made well.

Do You Want to be a Superhero?

When I was young I would often wish that I had super powers. I thought it would be so cool to be able to save those in trouble and save the day. The older I get though I realize why that would be a bad idea. People are flawed and so many times we see someone famous or with power or with position fall from grace. I can just imagine what someone would do if they had the powers of a super hero. The fact is though that we don’t need to have the powers of a super hero to help people. God has given each one of us gifts. How we choose to use them though is up to us because God has given us free will. Jesus came to this earth with a message of peace and love. He started the Church so that we could grow in love and faith and do wonderful things in God’s name, God’s way. None of us are perfect and even the most religious can do very bad things. Despite what we do, God loves us and waits for us to realize our mistake and ask for forgiveness, because he loves. Truth is all we need is God. We don’t need super powers, a lot of money or a position of power. Being small and humble we can heal the sick, feed the hungry and clothe the naked. That may not seem like much to some but if you are hungry and have no means, it's amazing to be fed by someone who loves. For those who are sick and have no means to get treatment it’s a heart warming experience to receive an act of love and have someone tend to your illness.  For those who are freezing in this cold and have no money it's amazing to no end to receive a warm coat. God asks us to love. He sent his son to teach us. Everyday the Holy Spirit is with us if we choose to hear. There is so much we can do with God and all we have to do is ask, listen and learn. 

Mark 6:7-13

7And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; 9but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 10And he said to them, "Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. 11And if any place will not receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them." 12So they went out and preached that men should repent. 13And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.

Mighty and Hollow or Meek and Strong?

I used to want to be a rockstar. I don’t know so much that I craved the attention, money or fame but rather to be legitimized. I guess I thought that I would then know, yes this is why I am here. I am fulfilling my place. Sure the idea of being rich and famous were cool but I wanted to find my place. Over a long journey I came to the realization that I didn’t need to be a rock start to have my existence legitimized. Now granted the state of the music industry is in shambles but I no longer want to be a rockstar. I find comfort and peace in just being an authentic version of me. God is the same way. I am sure that he has a nice place up in Heaven but I don’t think that it is about fame or being God to him. I think that he is just authentically loves. I understand know that I have children. I made them because of love out of love and I wanted to share that with the world. God came down to us as Jesus. He wasn’t born into a rich family. He wasn’t adorned with he finest clothes and eating the best foods. He came to earth to a poor family. He learned a trade as a simple carpenter working with his hands. Most importantly he loved, authentically. Once he began his ministry he traveled from town to town, not with some big elaborate entourage but followed by disciples won over by his love in teaching and actions. He healed the sick, not with rich fancy medicines or with a big show on a stage but by lovingly touching them. So yes I still love music and I still create form time to time but it is to share my stories and point of view out of love. I share my pain so others may steer clear of such times or not feel alone if they fall to the same weaknesses. I feel so blessed and I am thankful for all my abilities the God has given to me. I try now to just to steer everything to God out of love and appreciation. We each have a chance to be a part of God’s dream, a wonderful, full and loving heaven. You have a place there waiting for you as well. Question is do you want to reach for it? God is waiting to help you.

Mark 6:1-6

1He went away from there and came to his own country; and his disciples followed him. 2And on the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; and many who heard him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are wrought by his hands! 3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. 4And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house." 5And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick people and healed them. 6And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching. 

Sick and Suffering are You Holding Back the Cure?

I want to loose weight. It’s an odd thing for me because so much of my life I have been under-weight. Health and fitness has rarely been a concern for me over the years but now that I am getting older and heavier I want to make sure that I don’t miss a thing. I know what to do. Eat healthy, exercise and make wise choices, however a lifetime of eating and drinking whatever I want makes the change difficult. Living with God can be very similar. The hard truth is, we hold ourselves back. God is always there with arms stretched out waiting to love and accept us. However, for so many a life time living “out of bounds” can make it intimidating or difficult to switch paths. He has so much love for you and accepts all, but he has given you free will and is waiting for you to CHOOSE him. He has sent his son Jesus with wonderful teachings and they all boil down to two things. 1) Love God with all you mind, body and soul. 2) Love everyone like you love yourself. Two simple rules but they can be rather daunting to follow after a life rife with sin. Think baby steps, God understands. God led Moses 40 years through the desert to get the Jews to the promise land on a journey that would take mere weeks if done in a direct route. The reason, God wanted his people to change their mindset and ways so that when they got to the promise land they would be ready for it. Think baby steps, first pray and tell God how you feel and where you want to go. Then find a church to attend so that you can have a community that can stand with and behind you to help you on your journey to a new life with God. It may not be easy in your mind but what God asks for is easy to do. It all begins with that first step. No one can make it for you. The only one that is holding you back is you. We so often tell ourselves that things are impossible, but ALL things are possible with God. The question is, are you ready for God’s love that fills the heart like no other, or are you too in love with you?

Mark 5:21-43

21And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him; and he was beside the sea. 22Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Ja'irus by name; and seeing him, he fell at his feet, 23and besought him, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live." 24And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27She had heard the reports about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28For she said, "If I touch even his garments, I shall be made well." 29And immediately the hemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, immediately turned about in the crowd, and said, "Who touched my garments?" 31And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, `Who touched me?'" 32And he looked around to see who had done it. 33But the woman, knowing what had been done to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease." 35While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" 36But ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not fear, only believe." 37And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38When they came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, he saw a tumult, and people weeping and wailing loudly. 39And when he had entered, he said to them, "Why do you make a tumult and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping." 40And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41Taking her by the hand he said to her, "Tal'itha cu'mi"; which means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." 42And immediately the girl got up and walked (she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

With the Lights Out Can You See if You are Skating Uphill?

There was this man I knew and he would always complain of having a headache. Day in and day out he would lament about how much it hurt. I was always surprised the way he would go on and on. Finally one day I asked him, "Why don't you stop banging your head against the wall?" He replied, "This is what I like to do." I am sure that many of us know some one like this. Someone that is frustrated with life yet unwilling to see that they are their own worst enemy. All of us have gifts and talents. We may not see it but we do. God is wonderful at helping us meet our potential and helping us develop those talents to which he bestowed us. However the only way that is going to happen is if we have a great, close relationship with God. You could be the most talented speed skater in the world but if you choose to only go uphill you will not get very far or realize your capabilities. God is the best life coach anyone could ever have, but we have to ask for his help. God gave us free will. We get to choose him, and if we do our light will shine bright and wide and he will avail so much more to us. Question is though, are we ready to do thy will or my will? 

Mark 4:21-25

21And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a bushel, or under a bed, and not on a stand? 22For there is nothing hid, except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. 23If any man has ears to hear, let him hear." 24And he said to them, "Take heed what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. 25For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

Are You a Lockbox or a Puzzle Piece?

One of my faults is that I don't like to waste my time. Often I have been tried by my sons in this regard. I will try and show them how to do something, but because they think what I am showing them is useless they try to blow off my instruction. In turn I get frustrated cause tasks are taking longer than they should and my teaching seems for waste, so I have given up sometimes and let them go on to play their games. Problem is they still haven't learned what I was trying to teach them. With God it is much the same. We need to be open to God and what he wants us to do. It's not that he is commanding us to do things for irrelevant, self serving reasons but rather he is trying to lead us out of danger so that we can become the best version of ourselves. For this in return he asks that we share his love and Jesus's teachings with everyone we meet. I believe it is so that we can have as much heaven on earth as possible. I urge all as I urge myself each and every day to be open to God's vision, teachings and love. For if we share them with others they can be passed on and on and do so much more good in this tempting world. Also by being open to God we not only become the best version of ourselves but we also become a puzzle piece in God's great tapestry. When we refuse and close God out not only do we short ourselves but our neighbor as well. For we all have a place in God's kingdom. There is much to do. Question is, are you ready and open to be a part of God's plan?

Luke 2:22-32

22And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; 30for mine eyes have seen thy salvation 31which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel."