Am I the Father I Should Be?

Luke 2:22-35

When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem
to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,
and to offer the sacrifice of
a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. 
This man was righteous and devout,
awaiting the consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 
He came in the Spirit into the temple;
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus
to perform the custom of the law in regard to him,
he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:

"Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you prepared in the sight of every people,
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel."

The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother,
"Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

I don't know how I would handle being the father, or rather the step-father of Jesus. Would I be arrogant thinking, "Hey I am the father of the Savior make way for me!", or would I be humble like Joseph was. As a father I find I do my job best when I am humble. It's hard sometimes because I have been blessed with so much. Sometimes I actually think I have everything that I do because of me, and not because of what God has chosen to bless me with. I could imagine taking my first child to church for the first time and have some old guy I don't know coming up and speaking that he would be the savior of the world. Honestly that would really shake me, but I do get compliments in regards to my children, and again I have to remember that the compliments are not for me, but rather for my children and how God has blessed them. My kids are not good in church because I am a great father and teach them well. They are good in church because I listen to God and share his teachings with them well. I do this when I listen well, and I guess that's what made Mary and Joseph such great parents for Jesus. Mary and Joseph listened to God and they heeded his word. I see so many lost in the world. I see so much pain in the world. There is such a need for love. Even in my own life I get lost on a weekly, if not daily basis. When I find myself lost and/or alone the first thing I ask is, "Have I been listening to God? Have I even been trying?" Usually the answer is no, so I pick myself up and get on my knees and goto his feet. I sit in silence to listen and love like an obedient child should. Not to be some mindless slave, but rather to be a student and to learn to find happiness through loving like God wants us all to.

Jesus,

I love you. You gave so much. I sorry I mess up. I am sorry that I act so immensely stupid sometimes. Please don't give up on me. Help me to hear You and Your Father and the Spirit each day. Help me to be the man that you know I am meant to me. Help me to love all that I meet and accept all as my brothers and sisters. I want to make you proud. Your Father has blessed me so much I don't want to waste a thing. Most of all help me to be the best father I can be so my children can learn about You, love You and follow Your way.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,
Amen

Christmas: A Time for Hope

"Hope, truly is not just a feeling, and it's just not this thing we like conjure up, It's a relationship."

Learning How to Love from the Bible

"I am guessing there is someone in you life today whom you find it difficult to love, but you know you're supposed to love. Who is that person? And how can you love them?"

How to Take the News

Matthew 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. 
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. 
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly. 
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. 
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her. 
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins." 
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means "God is with us." 
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home. 
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.

I couldn't imagine being Joseph here, I mean the woman I am to marry comes up pregnant and I know it's not me. I would have a massively broken heart. In this day and age these are the things that Jerry Springier shows are made of. Yet Joseph is a righteous man and says nothing and intends to divorce her quietly. That says a lot about a mans character. Secondly to have an angel visit me in my dreams and to take direction from that. I would love to see this dream. It must have been amazing and convincing. Myself I usually have dreams about trying to kill sharks with dill pickle spears. I couldn't imagine how this dream must have been. I read about the birth of Jesus and I just am in awe of Mary and Joseph's character. If God were to come to me today would I be able to risk being stoned to death like Mary? Would I be able to overcome being the town laughing stock like Joseph? Would I have been able to trust the message from an angel in a dream? Would I have been able to take on the massive responsibility of raising the Son of God as a poor tradesman/carpenter? But here's the thing God has entrusted much to me. By the worlds standards I am rich. What do I do with it? God has given me 6 children. Do I raise them well. God approaches us all and blesses each of us with unique gifts. How are we using those gifts each day?

Jesus, I love you so much. You are so patient with me. I'm going to be celebrating Christmas soon and it's hard for me to fathom that you would want to come here considering how you knew you were going to be treated. Thank you. Please help me to see all the gifts that your father has given me and help me to love them the way you want me to. Help me to be the best man I can be. 

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,
Amen

What is Coming, What is Seen?

Isaiah 2:1-5

This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz,
saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
In days to come,
The mountain of the LORD's house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say:
"Come, let us climb the LORD's mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
That he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths."
For from Zion shall go forth instruction,
and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between the nations,
and impose terms on many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
One nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.
O house of Jacob, come,
let us walk in the light of the LORD!

It would be easy to say in a knee jerk reaction that the world has NOT come to the lord, for each day it seems that the world is delving more and more into a lifestyle of pleasure, but in reflection the world has come a long way. It would be easy as a christian to give up on hope, but hope is all around. For Jesus has come, he has conquered death. Following him and his teachings one can find the way into Heaven. Yes, there are many distractions abound but the devil has been beaten. Some may still fall to him but the world is no longer his. The world and all in it belongs to God, but do we choose God or do we walk away from him? I know that I am guilty of this, from time to time when I sin, but Jesus is always waiting for me to come back, ask for forgiveness to and to learn and become stronger as my pilgrimage continues.

Matthew 8:5-11

When Jesus entered Capernaum,
a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying,
"Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully." 
He said to him, "I will come and cure him." 
The centurion said in reply,
"Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;
only say the word and my servant will be healed.
For I too am a man subject to authority,
with soldiers subject to me.
And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes;
and to another, 'Come here,' and he comes;
and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it." 
When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him,
"Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith. 
I say to you, many will come from the east and the west,
and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
at the banquet in the Kingdom of heaven."

I read these lines and I am amazed. I am a man in this world, a world that always demands proof. We look to science to "prove" if things are "real" or "true". We are in the midst of the Christmas season, and I find myself a bit sad. Because the facts show somewhat that this is NOT the Christmas season. It seems to be the season of buying stuff and eating too much. I hope to have during this Christmas season to have the faith of this centurion. To have unfailing faith that Jesus can pierce into the hearts of all those lost and broken in the world, that all can be saved. I "know" that Jesus can, I have been reading about it for years, but the world seems so broken. 

Jesus,

I love you because you have changed my life for the good. I trust in you because I have chosen your ways and have found such great happiness. The world is so messed up. So many that I love seem lost. I try to help them find you, but I fear that that I am not doing good by you. I am sorry. I wish everyone could know the love that only you have to offer, a love that satisfies always. Please guide me this day so that I may share your love and do your part. Help me to have a strong heart and doesn't give in to hopelessness, because you have won. You are my King and I love you. 

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen

Pleasure or Persecution

Luke 21:12-19

Jesus said to the crowd:
"They will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
You will even be handed over by parents,
brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives."

I remember the first time I read these lines I was quite shocked. I thought that if I followed Jesus that everything would be sunshine and rainbows. I mean after all, I would be doing what Jesus wanted right? Why would I be persecuted? It took me a long time to swallow that idea. Now that I am older I find less concern for what happens in this world. I care, I do, but I don't worry near as much. I realize that this world is but a blink of an eye compared to eternity. I am on a journey. I can choose to be a tourist and just take in the sights, or I can be a pilgrim. I can travel with purpose to my true end destination. I can learn to love along the way, or I can just collect stuff that will weigh me down. I can let the love of the Holy Spirit flow through me or I can make myself a man that is only concerned with himself. Some days I choose wisely, other days I do not. The days I do not I pause, get back up and try loving again moving forward home.

Jesus,

The world says that I should just gobble up as much pleasure as possible. It says that I should eat, drink and be merry. It says that I should look out only for myself, sad thing is that this is how I act sometimes. This is not how you love. You love giving all of yourself all of the time. Most times we refuse to acknowledge this and accept your love. Please forgive me. I am thankful for all that you have done for me. Help me to be a better person. I love you. My heart is overwhelmed by your giving. Thank you Jesus.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,
Amen

What's My Focus?

Luke 21:5-11

While some people were speaking about
how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,
Jesus said, "All that you see here–
the days will come when there will not be left
a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."

Then they asked him,
"Teacher, when will this happen?
And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?" 
He answered,
"See that you not be deceived,
for many will come in my name, saying,
'I am he,' and 'The time has come.' 
Do not follow them! 
When you hear of wars and insurrections,
do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,
but it will not immediately be the end." 
Then he said to them,
"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 
There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues
from place to place;
and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky."

I couldn't imagine being an apostle during the time of Jesus. It must have been a high to be in his presence every day, and to hear of this impending doom would have been such a joy-kill for me. But thinking deeply I ponder pain. I ponder uncertainty. There is so much everyday that I could wrap myself up in that would take away my peace and happiness, and why, because I allow those things to remove my focus on God, on Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. When I focus on the evils of the world I loose my focus on love, to not just see it but to give love as well. Yes there is danger, and bad things are going to happen, it's a guarantee, but when I allow my focus to be the fact that I am going to walk through these things WITH Jesus then my peace returns. 

Jesus,

I don't understand the world. It seems so bent on evil, most of the time it doesn't seem intentional. Evil seems to arise out of a lack of focus on love, which is your father, God. I know I have a tendency to focus on "stuff", on pleasures of this world. I am sorry. Please forgive me. Help me to focus on love. Help me to love like you do, cause I know when I do I find true and lasting happiness. Thank you Jesus, I love you.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,
Amen

Sacrifice

Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came
and laid siege to Jerusalem.
The Lord handed over to him Jehoiakim, king of Judah,
and some of the vessels of the temple of God;
he carried them off to the land of Shinar,
and placed the vessels in the temple treasury of his god.

The king told Ashpenaz, his chief chamberlain,
to bring in some of the children of Israel of royal blood
and of the nobility, young men without any defect,
handsome, intelligent and wise,
quick to learn, and prudent in judgment,
such as could take their place in the king's palace;
they were to be taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans;
after three years' training they were to enter the king's service.
The king allotted them a daily portion of food and wine
from the royal table.
Among these were men of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah.

But Daniel was resolved not to defile himself
with the king's food or wine;
so he begged the chief chamberlain to spare him this defilement.
Though God had given Daniel the favor and sympathy
of the chief chamberlain, he nevertheless said to Daniel,
"I am afraid of my lord the king;
it is he who allotted your food and drink.
If he sees that you look wretched
by comparison with the other young men of your age,
you will endanger my life with the king."
Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief chamberlain
had put in charge of Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah,
"Please test your servants for ten days.
Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.
Then see how we look in comparison with the other young men
who eat from the royal table,
and treat your servants according to what you see."
He acceded to this request, and tested them for ten days;
after ten days they looked healthier and better fed
than any of the young men who ate from the royal table.
So the steward continued to take away
the food and wine they were to receive, and gave them vegetables.
To these four young men God gave knowledge and proficiency
in all literature and science,
and to Daniel the understanding of all visions and dreams.
At the end of the time the king had specified for their preparation,
the chief chamberlain brought them before Nebuchadnezzar.
When the king had spoken with all of them,
none was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah,
Mishael, and Azariah;
and so they entered the king's service.
In any question of wisdom or prudence which the king put to them,
he found them ten times better
than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom.

I read about Daniel and think about what it's like to eat vegetarian. If you have never tried it, it's hard. Especially if you like meat. I feel lucky that all foods were made clean in the New Testament. I could explore why certain foods at the time were off limits, but instead I look here and see sacrifice. It seems like the world today wants to exclude sacrifice as much as possible. Ask any successful athlete, business person or academic and they will tell you sacrifice is a requirement to success. It's the same in the spiritual world, you can not become a lean, loving spiritual machine if you are gorging every pleasure that you mind ponders upon. It would have been easy for Daniel to eat off the kings table, some may even say excused, but Daniel was will to sacrifice and through that his faith and his life became stronger.

Luke 21:1-4

When Jesus looked up he saw some wealthy people
putting their offerings into the treasury
and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins.
He said, "I tell you truly,
this poor widow put in more than all the rest;
for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood."

With these lines I often feel ashamed. I feel that I don't give enough. Just yesterday I went to church with two of my youngest. I was in such a hurry I forgot to goto the ATM and get money for the plate that was passed. I looked in my wallet at the beginning of Mass and all I had was a dollar. I thought, what good would that do and stuffed it back in, but for some reason these lines came to mind, so at collection time I pulled out my lone dollar and had my son put it in. I don't know what God will do with it, but I am sure that it will be better than what I would have done with it.

Jesus,

I love you so very much. Sometimes I feel like I waste so much opportunity. Help me to sacrifice. Help me to not be hung up on pleasure. Help me to dig deep and become the man you know I can be if I apply myself. Help me to love and give without holding back, because that's what you do everyday. 

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen

How Do Priests Pray?

Waiting is the Hardest Part

2 Maccabees 7:1, 20-31

It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested
and tortured with whips and scourges by the king,
to force them to eat pork in violation of God's law.
Most admirable and worthy of everlasting remembrance was the mother,
who saw her seven sons perish in a single day,
yet bore it courageously because of her hope in the Lord.
Filled with a noble spirit that stirred her womanly heart with manly courage,
she exhorted each of them
in the language of their ancestors with these words:
"I do not know how you came into existence in my womb;
it was not I who gave you the breath of life,
nor was it I who set in order
the elements of which each of you is composed.
Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe
who shapes each man's beginning,
as he brings about the origin of everything,
he, in his mercy,
will give you back both breath and life,
because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law."
Antiochus, suspecting insult in her words,
thought he was being ridiculed.
As the youngest brother was still alive, the king appealed to him,
not with mere words, but with promises on oath,
to make him rich and happy if he would abandon his ancestral customs:
he would make him his Friend
and entrust him with high office.
When the youth paid no attention to him at all,
the king appealed to the mother,
urging her to advise her boy to save his life.
After he had urged her for a long time,
she went through the motions of persuading her son.
In derision of the cruel tyrant,
she leaned over close to her son and said in their native language:
"Son, have pity on me, who carried you in my womb for nine months,
nursed you for three years, brought you up,
educated and supported you to your present age.
I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earth
and see all that is in them;
then you will know that God did not make them out of existing things;
and in the same way the human race came into existence.
Do not be afraid of this executioner,
but be worthy of your brothers and accept death,
so that in the time of mercy I may receive you again with them."
She had scarcely finished speaking when the youth said:
"What are you waiting for?
I will not obey the king's command.
I obey the command of the law given to our fathers through Moses.
But you, who have contrived every kind of affliction for the Hebrews,
will not escape the hands of God."

I gotta say, if I say my children being tortured over the fact that they wouldn't eat pork, I would probably urge them to eat. Seeing my children in pain is really hard. But the thing is, these lines not about eating pork. These lines are about denying their God and making the king's way their own. That is a big deal. I've never been put to "THE" test. I have had some minor trials. Sometimes I have chosen righteously but other times I have not. What can seem like a minor indiscretion, actually opens the door to larger sins (like little white lies). Anymore under pressure I turn to God, because I am weak and I love God so much. I don't want to let him down. When I do, I prevail, if I listen.

Luke 19:11-28While people were listening to Jesus speak,
he proceeded to tell a parable because he was near Jerusalem
and they thought that the Kingdom of God
would appear there immediately.
So he said,
"A nobleman went off to a distant country
to obtain the kingship for himself and then to return.
He called ten of his servants and gave them ten gold coins
and told them, 'Engage in trade with these until I return.'
His fellow citizens, however, despised him
and sent a delegation after him to announce,
'We do not want this man to be our king.'
But when he returned after obtaining the kingship,
he had the servants called, to whom he had given the money,
to learn what they had gained by trading.
The first came forward and said,
'Sir, your gold coin has earned ten additional ones.'
He replied, 'Well done, good servant!
You have been faithful in this very small matter;
take charge of ten cities.'
Then the second came and reported,
'Your gold coin, sir, has earned five more.'
And to this servant too he said,
'You, take charge of five cities.'
Then the other servant came and said,
'Sir, here is your gold coin;
I kept it stored away in a handkerchief,
for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding man;
you take up what you did not lay down
and you harvest what you did not plant.'
He said to him,
'With your own words I shall condemn you,
you wicked servant.
You knew I was a demanding man,
taking up what I did not lay down
and harvesting what I did not plant;
why did you not put my money in a bank?
Then on my return I would have collected it with interest.'
And to those standing by he said,
'Take the gold coin from him
and give it to the servant who has ten.'
But they said to him,
'Sir, he has ten gold coins.'
He replied, 'I tell you,
to everyone who has, more will be given,
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me as their king,
bring them here and slay them before me.'"
After he had said this,
he proceeded on his journey up to Jerusalem.

Two things jump out at me here. One, people thought that the Kingdom of God was going to come immediately, and two the man in the parable was despised. I fall guilty of wanted God to help me immediately all the time, so much so that when I was younger the lack of instant gratification made me doubt my faith. It is only know that I am older and a bit wiser that I see that God's time is right and just. I don't feel so bad that back in Jesus' time they wanted instant reward as well. Like my Mom always told me, "Good things come to those that wait". Secondly the people in the parable despised the soon to be king. I can't help but think that that Jesus was warning them to not get impatient with him. So many had hopes that Jesus would be a military or political savior from the Romans. I think again of how I have been impatient with Jesus. When I reflect how things have worked out so well in God's time, I can't help but wonder how rotten they would have been if I had had them quickly. 

Jesus,

The world moves so fast. I feel like I am always 2 steps behind. In my rush to catch up I all too often ignore your way and sin. I'm so sorry. You love me so much and have done so much for me. I don't deserve your salvation. All that you have done for me... well when I think of it I just cry. Your love is so immense. Thank you, I love you. Help me to slow down and see your way. Help me to see the love in your way. I know that love really is the only thing that brings lasting happiness, especially your love. Help me to love like you do, to follow your way and to share that with others.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen

How Strong am I?

 2 Mc 6:18-31

Eleazar, one of the foremost scribes,
a man of advanced age and noble appearance,
was being forced to open his mouth to eat pork.
But preferring a glorious death to a life of defilement,
he spat out the meat,
and went forward of his own accord to the instrument of torture,
as people ought to do who have the courage to reject the food
which it is unlawful to taste even for love of life.
Those in charge of that unlawful ritual meal took the man aside privately,
because of their long acquaintance with him,
and urged him to bring meat of his own providing,
such as he could legitimately eat,
and to pretend to be eating some of the meat of the sacrifice
prescribed by the king;
in this way he would escape the death penalty,
and be treated kindly because of their old friendship with him.
But Eleazar made up his mind in a noble manner,
worthy of his years, the dignity of his advanced age,
the merited distinction of his gray hair,
and of the admirable life he had lived from childhood;
and so he declared that above all
he would be loyal to the holy laws given by God.

He told them to send him at once
to the abode of the dead, explaining:
"At our age it would be unbecoming to make such a pretense;
many young people would think the ninety-year-old Eleazar
had gone over to an alien religion.
Should I thus pretend for the sake of a brief moment of life,
they would be led astray by me,
while I would bring shame and dishonor on my old age.
Even if, for the time being, I avoid the punishment of men,
I shall never, whether alive or dead,
escape the hands of the Almighty.
Therefore, by manfully giving up my life now,
I will prove myself worthy of my old age,
and I will leave to the young a noble example
of how to die willingly and generously
for the revered and holy laws."

Eleazar spoke thus,
and went immediately to the instrument of torture.
Those who shortly before had been kindly disposed,
now became hostile toward him because what he had said
seemed to them utter madness.
When he was about to die under the blows,
he groaned and said:
"The Lord in his holy knowledge knows full well that,
although I could have escaped death,
I am not only enduring terrible pain in my body from this scourging,
but also suffering it with joy in my soul
because of my devotion to him."
This is how he died,
leaving in his death a model of courage
and an unforgettable example of virtue
not only for the young but for the whole nation.

Wow, I read scripture such as these and pray that if I am ever in such a situation that I will be as righteous, but then questions come into my mind. What do you do when people speak badly about Christians in front of you? What do you do when you see someone in need on the side of the road? What do you do when you hear about a coworker dealing with a moral dilemma? I'll be honest some times I pass the test other times I do not.

Lk 19:1-10

At that time Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.
Now a man there named Zacchaeus,
who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man,
was seeking to see who Jesus was;
but he could not see him because of the crowd,
for he was short in stature.
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus,
who was about to pass that way.
When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said,
"Zacchaeus, come down quickly,
for today I must stay at your house."
And he came down quickly and received him with joy.
When they saw this, they began to grumble, saying,
"He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner."
But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,
"Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,
and if I have extorted anything from anyone
I shall repay it four times over."
And Jesus said to him,
"Today salvation has come to this house
because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.
For the Son of Man has come to seek
and to save what was lost."

Two things come to when I read these line, one is the simple song I learned in Sunday school, and the other is that I often feel like Zacchaeus. I feel unworthy to approach Jesus face to face. I "hide in a tree" and observe from afar. I long for Jesus, but feel unworthy to be in his presence. But deep down I know Jesus calls me like Zacchaeus everyday. He calls me to love others. He calls me to spend time with him. He calls me to learn from him. When I let Jesus in I feel wonderful. When I hold him out because I know I am doing something I shouldn't I eventually feel empty, dirty and unfulfilled. 

Jesus,

I love you. You treat me so well and your father has blessed me greatly. Help me to love like you do today. Help me to open up like Zacchaeus and be fair. Help me to no longer desire the pleasure of wealth. Help me to desire the joy of loving with all my heart. Help me to not fear the ridicule and pain and persecution of following your ways. Help me to realize that this life is a passing phase and that I should be more concerned on getting home to heaven.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen

Wisdom

Wisdom 7:22B–8:1

In Wisdom is a spirit
intelligent, holy, unique,
Manifold, subtle, agile,
clear, unstained, certain,
Not baneful, loving the good, keen,
unhampered, beneficent, kindly,
Firm, secure, tranquil,
all-powerful, all-seeing,
And pervading all spirits,
though they be intelligent, pure and very subtle.
For Wisdom is mobile beyond all motion,
and she penetrates and pervades all things by reason of her purity.
For she is an aura of the might of God
and a pure effusion of the glory of the Almighty;
therefore nought that is sullied enters into her.
For she is the refulgence of eternal light,
the spotless mirror of the power of God,
the image of his goodness.
And she, who is one, can do all things,
and renews everything while herself perduring;
And passing into holy souls from age to age,
she produces friends of God and prophets.
For there is nought God loves, be it not one who dwells with Wisdom.
For she is fairer than the sun
and surpasses every constellation of the stars.
Compared to light, she takes precedence;
for that, indeed, night supplants,
but wickedness prevails not over Wisdom.
Indeed, she reaches from end to end mightily
and governs all things well.

First, I'm just going to pause a moment and notice here that Wisdom is described as a woman. I don't know, for some reason that just makes me smile. Here wisdom is put on full display, and after a description such as this, why would you want to move through life without her? Oh but I do, week in and week out I leave my dear friend wisdom behind and all that she has to offer. I find as I get older I pray and ask God for wisdom. With each year I find it more precious than anything else I have.

Luke 17:20-25

Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come,
Jesus said in reply,
"The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed,
and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.'
For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you."

Then he said to his disciples,
"The days will come when you will long to see
one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.
There will be those who will say to you,

'Look, there he is,' or 'Look, here he is.'
Do not go off, do not run in pursuit.
For just as lightning flashes
and lights up the sky from one side to the other,
so will the Son of Man be in his day.
But first he must suffer greatly and be rejected by this generation."

For all the wisdom that man thinks he has he still wonders about the end of time. Many over the years have tried to predict it but have done so in folly. I remember the days leading to Y2K. I can laugh now in hindsight but I know many a friend nearing the year 2000 that worried what was going to happen. It all ended okay though. For me I try not to wonder about my end, when or where or how it will come about. I try not to worry about my children, that is even harder. I find that wisdom guides me to trust God, even if God doesn't seem to make sense. I trust in God and I have peace and all works out okay. I find when I don't trust God it is usually because of my other close friend Ego. You would think I would know better by now.

Jesus, 

I love you. Thank you for all that you have blessed me with. Thank you for the grace you bestow on me each day. Thank you for loving me even when I do the stupidest things. Jesus could you please send down your Holy Spirit and ask him to build me up with some wisdom? I could really use some, in fact the whole world could use a lot right now. I know we might not deserve it, but please give us the wisdom to see just how beautiful you are. Maybe if we REALLY saw your beauty we would love you the way you deserve.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen

Gifts Forgotten?

Wisdom 6:1-11

Hear, O kings, and understand;
learn, you magistrates of the earth's expanse!
Hearken, you who are in power over the multitude

and lord it over throngs of peoples!
Because authority was given you by the Lord
and sovereignty by the Most High,
who shall probe your works and scrutinize your counsels.
Because, though you were ministers of his kingdom, you judged not rightly,
and did not keep the law,
nor walk according to the will of God,
Terribly and swiftly shall he come against you,
because judgment is stern for the exalted–
For the lowly may be pardoned out of mercy
but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test.
For the Lord of all shows no partiality,
nor does he fear greatness,
Because he himself made the great as well as the small,
and he provides for all alike;
but for those in power a rigorous scrutiny impends.
To you, therefore, O princes, are my words addressed
that you may learn wisdom and that you may not sin.
For those who keep the holy precepts hallowed shall be found holy,
and those learned in them will have ready a response.
Desire therefore my words;
long for them and you shall be instructed.

I read these lines and think, "Whew, I'm all good cause I am a big fat nobody", but the problem is that there is this thought in my mind that this just doesn't pertain to kings, princes and people of "power". Living in America I am rich, not by America's standards, but by the worlds. Many in this world do not have the voice, wealth or power that I have just being an average citizen here in the USA. Question is, what am I doing with it. How am I sharing the gospel? How am I battling world hunger? How am I helping the sick, naked and imprisoned? This is a major reality check. I have work to do for sure.

Luke 17:11-19

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying,
"Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!"
And when he saw them, he said,
"Go show yourselves to the priests."

As they were going they were cleansed. 
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. 
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
"Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine? 
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?" 
Then he said to him, "Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you."

This is where it all comes home. I have been blessed. By the power of Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and forgive for all my nasty sins. I am clean, but do I appreciate it? Do I show thanks for my gift? How do I move forward in the world? Would the average person call me a Christian? In a good way? Thoughts to ponder for sure.

Jesus, 

I love you. Thank you for all your many gifts and blessings. I know I take them for granted. As I go out into the world today help me to remember who I am. Help me remember what you did for me, and help me to share that will all that I meet. I don't deserve you. Thank you.

In Jesus Christ's name I pray,

Amen