Go to the Desert

   I love silence.  It’s something I look to find in my life.  Silence is the province of God; He speaks to me in the silence of my heart.  For me a silent retreat is a chance to know my Lord better and listen for His plan for me.  It lets me clear the cobwebs from my soul, refocus myself and strengthen my faith.

   Many early Christians literally went to the desert.  They sought the solitude and silence.  Jesus went to the mountains many times to be in prayer and communion with the Father.  The prophet Elijah found God in the quiet whisper rather than the wind, storm, and fire.  Solitude and quiet is, for me, a needed experience if I am to know my God better.

   Even though I want to separate myself from society at large and spend time alone with God it is not a desire to remain separate from others.  I also need the companionship of others in my life.  I think the solitude helps me to not only come closer to the Lord but also to others in my life.  A closeness and love of God helps to grow the closeness and love of others.

   Some go to the desert to escape.  They want to be totally alone with God and isolated from others.  I think sometimes this is a way of running away rather than a growth in faith and love.  We are meant to be a communal people; we need others.  If we completely ignore those around us I think we open ourselves to Satan and his demons.

   I go to the desert of silence and solitude not to escape but to discover.  I discover a closer relationship with my Lord and He encourages and strengthens my relationship with others.  Without others to love I don’t think I could love God properly.  Jesus taught us to love others as ourselves.  He went away for quiet and solitude, but He returned to love and serve others.  For me going to the desert to be with God increases not only my love for Him but also gives me His love to share with others.

   “Go into the desert not to escape other men but in order to find them in God.”  (Thomas Merton, “New Seeds of Contemplation”)

Going Home

   I was born and raised in a small town in western Kentucky.  From time to time my wife and I go back there to visit.  Each time we go I can’t help but remember life in that little town; some good and some not so good memories flood my mind.

   Over the years my life has changed in so many ways.  That small town doesn’t seem much like home any more.  I still see the places I remember but they don’t seem the same somehow.  As a child everything seemed bigger and each new thing that came to town was exciting.

   My life has grown and changed in so many ways since I left my childhood home.  Still there are memories that I cling to whenever we visit.  Christmas at my Grandparent’s house is one of my favorite memories.  On the Sunday before Christmas all the kids and grandkids would gather at their home for a big meal and a few small gifts for the younger kids.  I still have fond memories of getting to see cousins that I rarely saw any other time.  It seems over the years we too often lose touch with family.

   Some of my best memories revolve more around my wife’s family than my own.  Her family was and still is very close in many ways.  It’s always a joy to remember the Sunday meals with her Mom and the days we spent on her aunt’s and uncle’s farm.  The kids enjoyed the open spaces and trying to make pets of the farm animals.  My wife and I enjoyed the great company and the chance to let go of the daily pressures of life.

   Many of those people I remember so fondly have passed on.  I pray that we will meet again in the presence of our Lord.  I think God gives me some of these fond memories as a kind of encouragement to live my live so that I may have that opportunity. 

   It’s said that we can never go home again, and I suppose that’s true in many ways.  While my hometown no longer seems like home, I know my God has prepared a place for me far greater than any earthly home.

   I thank God for the good memories I have; for letting me forget those that were maybe not so good.  I thank Him for all the blessings of this world.  Most of all I thank Him for the experience of life, the blessing of getting to know and love Him more and more each day and for the assurance of eternal happiness through His love and mercy.

For Love of Christ

   Several years ago a group of men from the parish I was attending went overseas to help in a missionary project.  They spent a couple of weeks working with the poorest of the poor in the hospital/hospice run by the group they went to support.

   On Sunday morning while waiting for Mass at the missionary chapel a friend of mine saw an elderly lady coming to join them at Mass.  He said she seemed to be in pain and barely able to walk so he went to help her the rest of the way to the church.  In talking with her he learned that walking was quite painful for her due to earlier illnesses.  Yet she was coming to church every week from quite a distance, walking each way by herself.

   My friend mentioned to her that, because of her situation, God would understand if she missed Mass from time to time when she had no one to help her get there.  The lady responded, “Jesus suffered and died because He loves me.  Should I not come to show Him my love for Him?”  His eyes got a bit teary as he told me of that little lady and her determination to love Jesus regardless of how hard it may be.

   How many times have I considered missing Mass?  Not because of pain and difficulty but simply because it wasn’t convenient at the time.  Perhaps I was on vacation and didn’t know where the local Catholic Church was.  Maybe I was just tired or not feeling totally well.  After all, God surely understands that we might miss Mass occasionally.

   When Satan rears his ugly head and suggests that going to Mass this week is too much of a bother I sometimes remember the little lady who loved her Lord so much.  I am ashamed that I should even consider not making every possible effort to go and worship my Lord.  Like the woman said, “Jesus suffered and died because He loves me.  Should I not come to show Him my love for Him?”

Parable of the Sower

  Jesus often taught the crowds in parables.  To His apostles He explained their meaning.  In Matthew chapter 13, verses 18 thru 23 Jesus gave His apostles greater understanding of this parable.

    The sower went to sow the crop, scattering the seeds.  Some landed on the road where they were quickly eaten by the birds.  When the word of God is sown some will hear it but will not understand.  If they remain unknowing, the word will be quickly taken away by Satan and his evil temptations.  Once the word is heard learning and better understanding is needed to make it produce a good crop.

   Some of the seed fell on rocky ground.  The soil of our heart may hear the word and enthusiastically accept it yet not retain it or practice it.  Without proper tending the seed may last for a while but soon dies out.  The roots must go deep into the heart and soul of the believer if it is to flourish.

   Seed that falls among the thorns may soon be smothered out.  Some hear and understand the word but do not faithfully practice it over time.  It can be overcome by the desires and pleasures of this world.  The word does no lasting good; no fruit is produced.

   Finally, the word is received by those who hear and understand the word.  They strive to learn more and deepen their faith, living their life in a manner pleasing to God.  These will bear abundant fruit and share the word of God with others, spreading the seeds of salvation.

   I look at this parable as an opportunity to review my life and determine where I am in my relationship with my Lord.  Even though I want to be the good soil rich in nutrients that bears the fruit of God’s love I find that sometimes I’ve fallen back into less faithful practices.  The seed sometimes suffers because of my laziness and apathy.

   In our lives as Christians I think most of us tend to have ups and downs in our faith life.  It’s necessary that I frequently take the time to evaluate where I am in my effort to love and honor my God.  By doing so it gives me the chance to ask forgiveness for my short-comings and refocus my efforts to better serve the Lord.

“and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who lives me and gave himself for me.” (Gal 2: 20)

Inner Peace

   If I am wealthy and have all worldly goods but am not at peace within myself I am poor.  If I have many friends but none who truly love me I am alone.  No amount of riches can provide the peace that my soul desires.  Acquaintances whom I may think are friends cannot give me the joy of true, loving friendship.

   I may spend my life in luxury yet live in poverty.  I may be surrounded by people but lonely.  If I have not achieved inner peace and have love for others who also love me I do not know the joy of true happiness.

   Life is not an end unto itself; it is a path to my final destination.  If I spend it serving the earthly desires of myself and those around me I have failed in the true purpose of my life.  Life will end; eternity does not.  If I am not seeking those things that provide eternal happiness and peace I have wasted my life.

   If I turn to God and seek the things of heaven, earthly wealth and riches aren’t necessary.  Though I may have gold and silver they are not wealth that lasts.  The wealth that lies in the peace and joy of God’s love is the only true wealth.

   Jesus lived in poverty; He didn’t even have a home to call His own in this world.  Rather, He had a home in heaven that He choose to give up for a while.  He became man and died for me, paying the price of my sins.  Unless I live my life conscious of and eternally grateful for that sacrifice I will never know my true home in heaven.

   I must be willing to sacrifice for those I love just as He sacrificed for me.  I must happily and willingly carry whatever cross is mine to bear.  I must readily walk alongside Jesus to Golgotha if necessary.  Life is short; eternity is forever.  If I forget that simple fact I will never understand the meaning of life.

   I am a traveler in a foreign land searching for the way home.  Unless I follow the right path I will remain lost in a world that has no future.  Only God can show me the way and only I can make the choice to follow it.

“For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”  (Luke 9: 25)

Faith Love and Hope

Lord I pray for faith.

The faith to live my life for You.

Faith that fills my heart and soul.

Faith in Your plan for me.

Absolute faith in You.

Father I pray for love.

Love for the family of God.

Love for all of Your children.

A love even for my enemies.

Total love of You.

God I pray for Hope.

Hope for forgiveness and salvation.

Hope to share with those in despair.

The hope that comes from knowing Jesus.

Eternal hope in You.

Amen.

The Prodigal Son

   The Gospel of Luke in chapter 15, verses 11 thru 32 recounts the parable of the prodigal son.  It is the story of a selfish young man who was determined to live life on his own terms and suffered greatly for that decision.

   He demanded of his father that he be given the inheritance that would be his.  Once he had the money he left his father’s land and went to a distant country where he spent lavishly and squandered all he had.  When a famine struck he was reduced to near starvation and labored feeding the pigs of a farmer.

   When he finally realized the mistakes that he had made he decided to go back to his father and offer to work for him as a laborer.  He no longer felt worthy to be his son.  However, his father welcomed him with open arms, forgiveness and great love, celebrating his return.

   As a young man I was the prodigal son in many respects.  I showed disrespect for God the Father in my life.  I took the many blessings I had been given and used them to my own purposes rather than God’s. 

   I took the life he gave and spent it selfishly.  My actions were at times shameful and deserving of God’s wrath rather than His love.  I took His gift of free will and used it to serve my will, unconcerned with His plan for me.  I led myself down a path that was sure to cause the destruction of my soul.

   Then God blessed me with a wife who loved me and was a woman of faith.  Through her love and seeing her faith I began to see the mistakes I had made in my life.  Finally, just as the son in the parable I realized that I needed to go home to my Father.

   God welcomed me with open arms.  Full of forgiveness and mercy He washed away my sins in the waters of Baptism.  Through confession and penance He forgives the sins I still commit and gives me strength to help resist Satan and his sinful ways.

   I was and remain unworthy of such a love, but God wants to love me and make me part of His family.  I know that my eternal life was forfeit in my earlier ways and I thank God for giving me the opportunity for eternal life with Him.  Instead of condemning me He gave His only Son for my salvation.

   “Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” (Luke 15: 22-24)

Living Faith

   “So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”  (Acts 4: 18-19)

   Caiaphas, the High Priest, and the Jewish leaders warned Peter and John to not even speak of Jesus.  Yet they replied that they had to speak and teach of Him.  Knowing that the council could have them put to death just as they had Jesus they chose to ignore the warning and continued to witness to our Lord.

   This scene was repeated over and over in the early days of Christianity.  Those practicing the faith were ordered to bow to the authorities and deny their faith upon threat of death.  Still, they refused to turn their back on Jesus, many times suffering torture and death for their decision.

   We are told today that we should not make our faith known publicly.  That it should be restricted to home and church.  In some cases the authorities have taken legal action to punish those who stand up for their faith.  At some point we too may be forced to make the decision to bow to the authorities or stand for our Lord.  We need to pray for the strength to stand for God as did the first Christians.

   Just as important as standing for our faith is the manner in which it is done.  Those early Christians didn’t get into name-calling arguments with the authorities, they simply and plainly stated and lived their faith.  They did not organize massive protests, burning and destroying property.  They stood their ground in a firm yet respectful way.  They followed the example of Jesus; they spoke the truth regardless of the cost but did so in a respectful and loving manner.

   We need to read again of those dedicated and brave Christians who spread the word throughout the world.  We need to follow their example of Christian strength.  Strength that was tempered with love and caring even toward those who disagreed and persecuted them.

   “But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.”  (Acts 5: 29)

Seeds of God

   “The seeds that are planted in my liberty at every moment, by God’s will, are the seeds of my own identity, my own reality, my own happiness, my own sanctity.”  (Thomas Merton, “New Seeds of Contemplation”)

   If I pay attention God will help me in my search for who I am and why I am here.  Sometimes He speaks very plainly and at other times His ways are very subtle.  If I fail to listen and pay attention to God’s plantings in my soul I can never truly know myself or my purpose.

   He speaks to me in Scripture and in the books that I read.  When I read of the Saints there are clues to who I am supposed to be.  At Mass on Sunday there have been times when the Priest seems to be speaking to me and me alone in his homily.  As I prepare to receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus in the Eucharist I know that He is present within me.

   I have bird feeders, hummingbird feeders and food set out for squirrels and rabbits in my yard.  I can sit at the table in my kitchen and see the them coming to eat or just passing through.  The creatures of God are also seeds in my soul helping me to better understand the God of creation.  They teach me of myself in many ways.  If I can only learn to rely on the ways of the Lord as they do then I will be much more at peace in our Lord.

   In the people I meet God also plants seeds within me.  Even those who don’t reflect Him in their manner teach me that it is important that I ensure that He is present in all I do and in the way I approach others.  There are those who end the purchase at the checkout with “Have a blessed day”; servers in restaurants sometimes write something similar on the check.  These small blessings remind me that is important to let others know of God’s love for them.

   As I go through life I find the most peaceful, fulfilling times are those when I am better aware of God within me; paying attention to His urgings and His will for me.  For me, trying my best to nurture the seeds of sanctity planted within me by God is the path to happiness and salvation.

   “Not to accept love and do God’s will is to refuse the fullness of my existence.”  (Thomas Merton, “New Seeds of Contemplation”)

The Armor of God

   “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”  (Eph 6: 11)

   Paul’s advice to the church at Ephesus is no less valid today than when he wrote it shortly after the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus.  If we are to thwart the temptations and urgings of Satan and his demonic army we must prepare ourselves.

   The full armor of God of which Paul speaks is to seek Him in everything we do.  Look to His word, read what is written there.  Study it and make it a part of everyday life.  Read of the lives of the early Christians and the Saints.  Their lives can give us guidance in living our own life for God.

   The Church and the Sacraments are weapons of war against the evil one.  Baptism washes away the sins; frequent confession helps to recall and ask forgiveness for those sins we continue to commit.  The Eucharist is the food of life; receive it often.

   Marriage can be a well-defended bulwark against Satan.  By sharing our life in Christ with our spouse we can deepen our own faith and that of our loved one.  By keeping God in our marriage we strengthen each other and the commitments we made in our marriage vows.

  Taking the time to pray strengthens us in our ability to recognize and reject the allures of the evil one.  Quiet time spent with our Lord replenishes our faith and determination to live a life committed to our Lord.  Frequent prayer throughout the day revitalizes our efforts.  Just a quick “thank you Lord” when something good happens is important.  “Help me Lord” will go a long way to helping resolve troublesome times in our lives.  There is no greater source of help than Jesus.

   There are so many resources available to us in our efforts to defeat Satan but we must take advantage of them.  God knows we can’t beat the devil alone.  He is waiting to give us all we need to remain faithful and true to Him; we just need to ask.

  

   "For we are not contending with against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  (Eph 6: 12)

God’s Design

   Who told the mighty oak tree how tall to grow?  Who designed the acorn that not only provides for more oaks but also provides food for the squirrels and others?  The root depth is precisely what is needed to give strength and nourishment to the tree.  The leaves are veined and devised to take the energy of the sun and convert it to the needs of the trees.  Is it merely coincidence that these things combine perfectly to provide all that is necessary for a healthy oak tree?

   Who gave the birds the design for their nest?  Twigs and scraps of leaves, string and whatever can be found are intertwined to provide safe haven for the procreation and safety of their young.  The mother warms the eggs to allow incubation and protects the newly hatched birds in the nest.  Who taught the male to provide protection and safety for the female and her young?  Just a simple act of nature; pure instinct?

   The crop in the field doesn’t know who planted it or why but it grows, providing food to nourish man and beast.  The seed will rot and be of no use unless it’s planted.  Nutrients, water and sunlight combine in the production of a new plant in the earths soil.  Just a fact of nature?

 

   I find it incredible and somewhat frustrating that so many see the magnificent creations of God and simply shrug them off.  “It’s just nature” they say.  They never stop to consider the intricacies involved in the day to day life of our world.  It they would stop and truly look, perhaps they would see the beauty of God’s design.

   Nature has no choice but to follow the will and design God intended.  Through free choice we can decide to ignore God’s will for us; sadly, many make that choice.  In doing so they deny the true nature of humanity.  We were created to be in loving communion with our Lord; otherwise we can never be what we are meant to be. 

   If we will make the decision to seek God’s design and plan for us we, like nature, can become what God has intended for us from the beginning of time.

Vanity

   “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; vanity of vanities!  All is vanity.  (Ecclesiastes 1: 2)

   There have been numerous industries built around the fact that are a vain people.  Auto manufacturers take delight in convincing us that we must have the newest car with all the bells and whistles; vanity.  Clothing manufacturers show us the latest styles and fashions knowing we believe we must always be in style; vanity.  We want biggest, newest television, the fastest computer, the cell-phone of the day; more vanity.

   We want all the baubles money can buy.  We are convinced that we deserve them; we work hard for the ability to own the biggest home in the best neighborhood and send our kids to the best schools with the highest tuition.  While there is nothing wrong with wanting good things for us, our families and friends, there is a point where all becomes vanity.  If the good we work for becomes an obsession it is no longer a good.

   Our vanity affects our spiritual life as well.  We go to church on Sunday, say a few prayers and think that pays for our ticket to heaven.  The fact is that ticket can’t be purchased by us; Jesus died to give us that ticket.  Each moment of our life is a gift from God yet vanity says it is ours to use as we wish.  If we are told that our evil actions have consequences we want to rewrite the rules to fit our desires.  The height of vanity is for us to assume that we know what is good and evil when God alone makes that determination. 

   Our vanity, if unchecked, will ultimately condemn us.  Our humility before God can save us.

   “I have seen everything that is done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.  What is crooked cannot be made straight and what is lacking cannot be numbered.” (Ecclesiastes 1: 14-15)

Prayer of Transformation

Lord I offer myself to You.

Make me the person You desire me to be.

Teach me Your ways and show me Your will.

Let me walk alongside You throughout my life.

I offer my hands to do Your work.

I offer my feet to walk Your path.

I offer my eyes to see You in all things.

I offer my ears to hear to Your word.

I offer my voice to share Your word.

I give You my heart to be filled with love.

I give You my soul that it may live with You eternally.

I hold nothing back, I give You my all.

My Lord and my God transform me; make me Yours.

Amen

Forgive Yourself

   Jesus taught love, mercy and forgiveness.  He told those He healed to go and sin no more, forgiving them of their sins.  He did not condemn the woman brought to Him to be stoned for adultery; rather, He told her to “go and do not sin again.” (John 8: 11)

   Jesus’ ministry of forgiveness includes you and me.  He has forgiven and will forgive us for our many transgressions.  He gave up His glory for a while and became man to pay the price for our sins.  Why then do we have such a hard time forgiving ourselves?

   I think we believe that we are unforgivable in some way.  Maybe we think our sins are too great or too frequent for forgiveness.  To believe this is to fail to believe Jesus.  By not fully accepting His forgiveness and therefore forgiving ourselves we are telling our Lord that we know better than He does if our sins are forgiven.

   We are supposed to love as He loves and to love our neighbor as ourselves.  If we won’t forgive our own shortcomings how are we to forgive those of others?  Are we likely to offer true forgiveness to our neighbor when we don’t offer it to ourselves? 

   “I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” (Isaiah 43: 25).  God not only forgives our sins He refuses to even remember them.  Think of the love He has for us.  He chooses to not even remember the sins we’ve committed against Him.  If our Lord makes the decision to forgive and forget our sins how can we refuse to forgive ourselves?  We need follow God’s example and forgive ourselves and do our best to put behind us the guilt of our past sins.  Until we do that we can’t share the loving, family relationship that God wishes us to have with Him. 

   We find ourselves in a circle of sin; we sin, we ask forgiveness but refuse to forgive ourselves.  Because we still cling to the guilt of our sins Satan tells us that we are unworthy of forgiveness.  We sin again by refusing to allow God’s forgiveness to put us at ease and the circle continues.

   We must believe in God’s love and unending mercy and forgiveness.  We must then forgive ourselves.

   “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” (Ephesians 1: 7)

All Knowing

   Imagine the difference it could make in our lives if we truly understood that God is all-seeing and all-knowing.  While we can hide our flaws and sins from one another we can hide nothing from Him.  By fully realizing that He sees both the good and the evil within us we might change our lives to better conform with God’s desires.

   When we believe that the good we do in life is known and recognized by God we don’t need the approval of others; pride and vanity loses its’ appeal.  The only approval we need is God’s.  Those who seek recognition for good works from their peers are thwarting their own goal.  “But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”  (Matt 6: 3-4).

   Knowing that God sees any evil that we do should encourage us to avoid sin wherever possible; our failings can’t be hidden.  Though our neighbors and friends may be fooled by our façade, God sees the sins we commit and is saddened.  It is to our shame that we sometimes forget that our sins are the cause of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.  This knowledge should guide us to seek forgiveness for our sins and challenge us to amend our lives to avoid sin to the best of our ability.  “Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15: 10)

   When looking in a mirror we can see both the good and the evil we have done.  The mirror can be our conscience and help guide us in our daily life.  The mirror is also a reminder that we are not hidden within ourselves.  God knows our secrets. He sees the good we do and is pleased; He sees the evil we do and is saddened.

   “By this we shall know that we are of the truth, and reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.” (1 John 3: 19)

Subtle Temptations

   “And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.” (Matt 18: 8)

   We are subjected to many temptations each day.  Some are easily recognized and we quickly turn from them.  Others are much more subtle and may be overlooked.  Sometimes I think Satan throws big temptations at us to keep us from seeing the less obvious.  He knows that the urge to commit adultery or to show hatred to others will be recognized and cause us to turn to God to help us resist them.  But something small may slip past without notice and start us down the road to sin.

   Recent advances in technology offer us a wide variety of things that can occupy our time for both good and evil.  Television, the internet, email, Facebook, Twitter and on and on.  Each of these things can be a good thing if used properly.  This blog is posted on Facebook and on Google+.  Hopefully there is some good realized by these writings.  Yet Facebook, Google and all the rest can also be full of sinful content and temptations.  A click on the wrong ICON can lead you to great evil.

   Sports used to be considered good, clean entertainment.  For years children looked up to sports stars, making heroes of them.  Yet the life-style of those in the sports industry have become so entwined with self-gratification and self-worship that they can no longer be considered a hero for our young to emulate.  It may have always been this way, but it seems that there is now pride taken in the sinful lifestyle so many lead.

   I spent many years in the wireless industry, helping to build the networks that cell-phones operate on.  I believe these devices are a good thing but, like most good things, they can be misused.  I see people in restaurants, at movies, even walking down the street absorbed by the texts, messages, email or internet offerings on their cell-phone.  In many cases husbands and wives spent more time interacting with their phone that with each other.  Children sometimes seem totally unaware of their surroundings; their focus is on the game they are playing or the texts to and from friends.

   I have always believed that Satan’s greatest weapon is subtlety.  He doesn’t need to tempt us to adultery if he can keep us watching pornography on the internet.  Through television, movies and video games we can be tempted to glorify violence of all kinds without ever committing a violent act.  If our focus is on the cell-phone in our hand, the computer on our desk or the television we watch it detracts from the important things we should be focused on.

   So many things with so much potential for good are turned against us through the slyness and subtlety of Satan.  If we sit down and take a hard look at how much time we spend focused on the cell-phone, the internet and the television I think many of us would be surprised to learn that we devote more time to these devices than to our family, friends and God.  All things can be used for either good or evil.  Our responsibility is to use them wisely.

Cleaning House

   Sometimes I’m not as thorough as I should be when cleaning house.  I might miss getting into the corners when I sweep or leave the dust bunnies under the sofa.  When dusting I don’t always get to the places that are the hardest to reach.  Eventually those places that I don’t pay as much attention to require even more attention.  When they get to the point that they can no longer be ignored I fuss because they are now much more difficult to take care of.  If only I’d done it right all along it wouldn’t be a problem.

   I’m the same way when doing yard work.  When weeding, the big obvious ones get pulled but the small ones down close to the ground sometimes get left alone.  After all, they’re small and you can’t really see them.  Of course the next time I weed those small ones are the big ones and there are many more small ones to deal with.  Again, if I’d done it right the first time it would be much easier to keep up with.

   Cleaning our spiritual house is much the same.  We see the big problems but sometimes overlook the little things.  If we’ve told lies we ask forgiveness.  But if we complained under our breath at the driver who cut us off I think we sometimes feel that was justified and therefore not a problem.  Just as when sweeping or weeding, those small things become big things.  The under the breath yelling at the other driver becomes vocal and maybe accompanied by inappropriate hand signals.

   The small things are the playground of Satan.  The bit of peevishness we show toward our spouse or children can become more bitter and nastier.  The speck of dust left in the corner of our soul becomes infested with the spiders of sin spawned by the evil one.  That tiny little weed of apathy left in the flower bed may grow and smother out the beautiful rose bush of love and joy.

   Just as our house needs a thorough cleaning and our garden a thorough weeding, so too our soul.  If we want the Lord to live within us we must provide Him with a proper dwelling.

”Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord; though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (Isaiah 1: 18)   

Giving All

   A baseball player spends hours in the batting cage to improve his ability to hit the ball more often and further.  Pitchers and catchers spend hours watching films of their opponents to better pitch to them and increase the chances of striking them out.  People sometimes say they are giving 110% to the game.

   An employee who works to achieve what others have been unable to accomplish is praised for the nights and weekends put into the effort.  They are said to have “given it their all”.

   Do we give 110% to our spiritual life?  Are we giving it our all to better know, love and serve our God?  If not, why not?  Our place in eternity is of far greater value than hitting a baseball or getting the job done at work.  Yet it seems this type of effort isn’t as prevalent in faith as in other aspects of our life.

   I think part of the reason for not giving all to our faith life is fear.  We are afraid of finding that God wants more of us than we want to give.  He wants all of us, not just the portion we are willing to offer.  God wants us to be with Him every day of our lives, not just on Sunday.  His will for us requires more than a partial effort on our part.  It requires that we give Him our all; 110% of our effort.

   We shouldn’t expect Christianity to be a part time calling.  Jesus gave us His all, not just for one or two days a week but everyday of His life.  The apostles gave up the life they knew to live one of evangelization, persecution and death for the kingdom of God.  Throughout history many have given their lives rather than deny their faith.  They truly gave their all to God.

   We need to sit with the bible; study it; pray about it.  We need to sit with God; listen to Him; ask what he wants of us and be prepared to accept His answer.  There is nothing of more benefit to us than to learn God’s will and choose to follow it.  This is the relationship with God that will change your life and perhaps the world.

   “And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” (Matt 19: 29)

False Altars

   The books of the Old Testament document many altars to false gods that the Israelites wrongfully worshipped.  As soon as they were freed from the slavery of Egypt they grew impatient with God, created a golden calf, and worshipped it.  They worshipped the pagan god Baal and others.  Each time God punished them for their infidelity and forgave them when they returned to Him.

   We also bow to false gods at manmade altars.  There is an argument to be made that society is in the shape it’s in today because of our false worship.  Just as the Israelites turned from God we also have turned to the gods of our times rather than the one true God.

   The false god where most worship is found at the altar of “me”.  We worship what we want with no regard to the value of our desire or the consequences of receiving what we worship.

   The god of pride causes us to believe we have the answers.  We can determine what is good for ourselves.  Our first parents worshipped at this altar and found themselves banned from the Garden of Eden.

   We worship at the altar of freedom, falsely believing that there can be freedom without responsibility.  We take the great gift of free will and turn it against the One who gave it to us.

   We bow to the god of money.  We forget that nothing of this world is of lasting value, selling our souls cheaply to obtain earthly wealth.

   The god of self-image calls us to it’s altar.  We worship youth, beauty, sexuality and health.  Those who don’t meet the desired image are shunned and turned away.  Jesus turned no one away.

   We all worship false gods at their altars in some areas of our lives.  They are easy to recognize if look closely; they have no lasting peace or joy.  They can be avoided through prayer and love of God.

   “Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.  They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.  They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.  They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat.  Those who make them are like them; so are all who trust in them.  (Psalm 115: 4-8)

Of What Worth

Of what worth am I Lord?  I am like smoke dispersed by the breeze.  I am a leaf blowing in the conflicting winds of the world; a rudderless ship, tossed about by the waves.

Only as a voice for You am I of any value.  If I am not a witness to Your love and mercy I live in vain.  Grant me the faith and courage to stand for You in a wicked world.  Let me always serve You regardless of the cost.

Grant me the grace and strength to do all things for You.  Though the winds may blow me about, with you I can remain on course.  Let me guide this earthly vessel by Your beacon of light.

Amen

Knowledge of the Heart

   For years I’ve studied Scripture and my faith.  I have learned quite a lot but mostly what I’ve learned is there is far more to learn that what I’ve attained in my studies.  For everything I know there are multitudes of things I don’t know and will not know in this world.

   This bothered me for a while.  We are used to setting out to finish what we start.  In this effort there is no finish to be had.  Spiritual knowledge doesn’t have an end, it can continue forever.  It simply isn’t possible to know all there is to know about God and His will for us.  The best we can do is learn what we can and leave the rest to Him.  The knowledge I’ve gained is great and I would do it all over again.  But knowledge of facts isn’t the same as knowledge of God. 

   No education, no college degree can teach us who God is.  We can’t learn the depth of His love in a book alone.   It takes the heart and soul as well as the mind if we are to begin to know our Lord.

   There are some questions that simply can’t be answered.  I can’t know why some people suffer and others don’t.  Yet I know that suffering is a necessary thing for us.  As Christ suffered for us we should willing accept suffering in living our life for Him.

   I can’t know why evil exists.  But I know that even evil can be used by God to accomplish a good.  The perfect example is the passion and death of our Lord.  No greater evil has ever been done than that of killing the Son of God, our Savior.  But from that evil came the greatest good; the gates of heaven were reopened, giving us the opportunity for forgiveness of our sins and the chance to spend eternity with our God.

   People with no formal education in theology may have as much or more knowledge of God than the most learned theologian.  Knowing God is as much of the heart as of the head.  In fact I believe we can have a much better understanding of God through our heart than we could ever obtain through education.  The Apostles were simple uneducated men but came to be the ones who would evangelize the world.  They were able to do this not from the study of books but through knowing Jesus and loving Him in their hearts.

   Knowledge is a wonderful thing and I fully intend to continue gaining as much knowledge as God gives me time to obtain.  Yet if I have to choose between studying God through books or learning of Him in my heart and soul I will take the personal relationship over books every time.

Poor in Spirit

   “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt 5: 3)

   This beatitude puzzled me for a long time.  I couldn’t understand how someone who was spiritually poor could be blessed in this way.  I expected that those destined for heaven would be very rich in spirit.

   Of course, Jesus wasn’t speaking of spiritual poverty, but of the attitude toward earthly riches.  By being poor in spirit we identify with physical poverty; we don’t become obsessed with worldly goods.  We can be quite wealthy but still remain poor in spirit.  It all depends on our priorities in life.

   The desire for worldly goods can overcome our desire for those of heaven.  By becoming too attached to the “things” of this world we can lose sight of the rich blessings of the world to come.  Our priorities become misdirected; the world and its’ pleasures replace the kingdom of God in our heart.

   What if tomorrow all wealth was lost and all chance of regaining that wealth was gone?  Most would be devastated; totally lost.  When something like this occurred in the depression many committed suicide rather than face life without their worldly riches.

   But many who lived through the depression speak of the closeness of community it brought.  People helped others; those who had shared with those who didn’t.  You see the same thing in poorer areas all over the world.  A more communal attitude; one that looks to supply the needs of those who can’t provide for themselves.

   True poverty of spirit speaks to the realization that the riches of this world are of no value in the final analysis.  Regardless of one’s worldly wealth they can’t take it with them.  Riches of true value aren’t found in this life but in the next.  The recognition that all we have is a gift of God will help us remain poor in spirit and enter the kingdom of heaven.

   “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”  (Job 1: 21)

Defining God

   We want to know what things are, how they work and how they affect us.  It bothers us when we can’t define or understand something.  As much as we like to know all about everything in our life there is one aspect of our life that defies definition.  That one thing is God.  We may think we know Him and understand Him but that’s only our pride talking.  It’s not humanly possible to fully know and understand the omnipotent, all-powerful God of the universe.  Our minds simply can’t grasp it.

   Yet we still try to define God.  In trying to better know and understand Him we try to envision our God in human terms.  How we define God can impact our relationship with Him.  I believe there are two distinct areas of trying to know God that affects how we relate to Him and how we believe He relates to us.

   First, how do we envision God.  If we see God as a strict disciplinarian we will find it hard to like Him.  After all, who likes someone who is always looking for any wrong that is done with an eye to punishing the wrong-doing.  On the other hand if we envision Him as a kindly old grandfatherly God we may not have the proper concern for following His laws and His will for us.  The awe and respect God deserves may suffer.  We need to stop trying to classify Him by our human definitions and understandings.  He will never fit any mold that we can imagine so the effort is futile.

  Secondly, how do we approach God in our life?  Where do we look for Him and how do we find Him?  If we think God is only in church, we risk failing to recognize Him in our daily life.  If we believe He is everywhere all the time we may fall into the trap of believing proper worship and praise in an organized manner is unnecessary.  It’s important to know that He is everywhere but at the same time understand that proper respect and worship is needed in our spiritual life.

   God is all things and does all things in my life.  If I’ve sinned I look to Him as a loving, forgiving God.  If I’m uncertain He is my strength, my certainty.  When ill He is the physician; when hurting He comforts me.  When I have failed Him, he is my conscience reminding me of Him and His laws.  Yet He will also allow me to ignore, disrespect and disobey Him if I choose.

   He longs to welcome us into His kingdom but there is a price of entry.  Money, wealth, fame or fortune can’t gain us entry into that kingdom.  The price is love.  Love of God means that we want to obey Him; we want to follow His precepts and laws.  If we love Him we are saddened when we disappoint Him by our actions and hurry to go to Him asking forgiveness of our sins.

   To seek God is to see Him in all things.  He is within us; in our hearts, our minds and our souls.  We simply need to look toward Him and He is there.  I love and am amazed by a God who is within me.  My heart also desires always to go to Him in His house, His Church, and worship Him and give Him all praise and glory.

   God is all things and is in all places.  Best of all He is within us, guiding, protecting, loving and forgiving us.  We need not try to define Him; just love Him in our heart, our mind and our soul.  There is only one definition we need concern ourselves with; God is Love.

Love and Acceptance

   We want to blend in.  We want to be part of the crowd; accepted and loved by all.  Our society discourages being different and seeks to put each of us in a box to better define us.  If we don’t fit neatly into one of the preferred categories we become a bother, pushed aside and ignored.

   Seeking social acceptance is important to us; without it we feel we are lost, searching for something to complete us.  However, the friendship and inclusion of this world will lead us nowhere.  The love and acceptance we should strive for is that of God.

   The early Christians stood out from the societies in which they lived.  In a world that ignored the poor, the down-trodden and those ostracized by their society they took in the sick, the poor and the homeless.  They treated everyone with the love that can only come from God.  Because they were different they were noticed by those around them.  In many cases it meant persecution and even death.  Yet they suffered those things gladly in the name of God.

   Today it can be difficult to identify Christians.  There seems to be very little to differentiate them from the rest of society.  They want to blend in.  I believe we need to take a lesson from those early Christians who wore their faith openly and bravely.  Others need to see God in us by the way we live our life.  It was said of the early Christians that you could tell them by the way they loved.  Let us strive to love as they loved.

   Make a choice to be an obvious Christian.  Wear your cross; say grace before meals in restaurants.  Offer God’s blessing to those you meet.  Speak up for what is right and denounce the wrong.  Stand for God.

   By doing these things we can make a difference.  We may suffer some persecution from our self-centered prideful society.  But we are only visitors in this world; a world that will pass away.  Its’ acceptance is fleeting and temporary at best.  Seek instead acceptance in God’s kingdom; a world of love waiting for us at the end of our sojourn.