Being Mindful of My Surroundings

I can usually tell when it is a good day. I can interpret my children's actions and tell if something is wrong. I love them very much if they are cranky I can tell if it is because they are lacking sleep or are hungry or thirsty or haven't had enough time to just run around be a kid and burn off some energy. I work in a factory and I can tell sometimes with the slightest change in some of the instruments if something is wrong and I need to prememptively change something before things get really bad.

Its funny though that I don't always apply the same observations of my life. It can be hard and the comment, "too close to the situation" comes to mind.

I try very hard any more to examine my life on a daily basis. If I start to feel down, tired, out of sorts I address the symptoms but also look for a larger problem. I find that most of the time the reason I may be "off" is because I am not tending to my daily needs. A solution for many of my ills is prayer.

I know that for many this may seem odd, especially if you do not have a faith or do but do not practice prayer on a regular basis. Trust me, I know, I used to never pray except when things were really bad. Then it was, "Oh God please get me out of this and I promise _____". I never saw the folly in this for some reason. After all I was taught as a Protestant that if I needed something that I should turn to my God in prayer. However now that I am a father myself I can see the problem with that. It's like when 7pm Sunday night right before he is to go to bed my wonderful stepson comes to me and says, "Michael, help I have a 9 week project due tomorrow and I need to get started". I don't mind helping my children when they are in need but what kind of father would I be if I just did their bidding and didn't teach them the meaning of looking ahead and preparing for the things to come in life.

I think that is what God wants me to do. He sent his son and taught so much. To love not judge, to accept and teach to spread the happiness therein. Though I hear so many people grumble when I talk to them about my faith. "Uhg, all those rules I don't want anyone telling me what to do", okay but I find when I break those rules which I can because God has given my free will and I can choose what I want then those are the times when I get into trouble. Like sex, its great but God has told me that I should practice that only with my wife and with care. You can have sex whenever you want. You have free will, but I found that in my past when I was making my own path in the wilderness that I ran into trouble. Sex would propel a relationship faster than it was intended and when oops it didn't work out major feelings were hurt. Embarrassing moments going to the hospital in fear of being sick or the thought of my world turning upside down because an unexpected life may appear in the form of a child. When you bring a life into the world all things change. You are responsible for the creation and the development and happiness of the child. All of which could have been avoided if I would have followed the rule to wait to have sex until I was ready and prepared for such responsibilities.

So when I get off course and I am unhappy I go to prayer and ask for insight. When I am happy I pray and give thanks for what I have and try to stay in check to preserve it. So being mindful of what I am doing is very important for it is the map to where I am going and how I will be along the way and with the guidance of God and the teachings of his son Jesus I find the tough times easier and the good times more prolonged.

Luke 12: 54 - 59
54	He also said to the multitudes, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, `A shower is coming'; and so it happens.
55	And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, `There will be scorching heat'; and it happens.
56	You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky; but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
57	"And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
58	As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison.
59	I tell you, you will never get out till you have paid the very last copper."

One Of the Hardest Things

One of the hardest things I have had to do in life is to speak my faith to people I love and who don't agree with me. I live the life I am taught and when I make mistakes I owe up to them and ask for forgiveness. So many people have met Christians/Catholics and the person they meet is rude or condescending or judgmental. I'll say right now on behalf of my brothers and sisters in faith that I am sorry if one of us has acted out of turn towards you.

As I have been taught my faith and the discipline that I follow called Catholicism teaches that we should love and accept not judge and discriminate. Keep in mind though that following this faith there are beliefs that we follow and are passionate about.

My faith teaches me to not murder so I don't believe in abortion. If you ask me my thoughts or they come up in casual conversation I will not sell out those feelings to make you feel okay. I will speak my opinion and explain my point of view in a respectful manner. I wish others would do the same, but all I can is control me and lead by example. Just because I may not agree with you on an issue though doesn't mean I hate you. It just means we disagree and I still love you and will help those in need even if we disagree.

Things such as these are especially hard when I disagree with someone I love and share my life with. However, I refuse to throw down a holier than though attitude a judge someone and claim that they will "burn in hell". I just don't think that is how Jesus would want me to react.

So with my faith I have found myself in houses divided. I do not sway with the fad ideas of the current day. When I don't understand something I hold thought and pray and research before I act and speak out. And when I do speak out, I do it with loving words and compassion.

For I believe it is my responsibility to love and teach but to sell off aspects of my faith because they are unpopular makes me just as weak and guilty as those who stand strong for a belief that I may think is wrong and hold fast to their ideals.

If I every time my children attempted to do something dangerous I said, "No stop you shouldn't do that", and they replied, "No I am going to do this anyway because I want to and its fun", what kind of father would I be if I went ahead and let them do what they want? I would be a terrible father. I am here to nurture and guide them. To keep them out of harms way, how to notice danger and stay clear of it. So does God do for me. He has spoken his rules yet has given me free will to choose to do what I want. If I follow I can enter his house for all time and know peace if not, thats okay, but I will dwell elsewhere.

Luke 12: 49 - 53
49 "I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled!
50 I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished!
51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division;
52 for henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three;
53 they will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against her mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

Taking A Break

I have been given some advice and it has been very hard to follow. I have been told to take a break from writing and recording music to get some perspective. Few know my writing skills, passion and pace. It's sort of like asking a fat kid to take a break from sugar for a while.

I feel very luck for the advice given to me by my new mentor and though I have asked him to be my manager he is just too busy. :(

I asked one of my friends recently if he would want to work on some new songs with me. Guitarlordkryss Fmk was like "sure", I had a record finished for him to work on in like a week. LOL None the less this is why I haven't been posting anything lately. At first I thought some time off meant like, 2 days, but I have come to realize that "time off" meant more like a month. Shortly after I received the advice I started to have things "break down" nothing major that couldn't be fixed but they were things that were always just big enough that would keep me from writing and recording.

It's really helped me get a new perspective and a break while frustrating is showing me the ugly side of my writing addiction. I don't know when I will get back in to writing but I think I need this time off. If you are a fan of some of my projects you have probably noticed that I have taken them down(Except Whisper Behind the Light). If not, well then you aren't missing anything LOL :)

A long time ago someone I know heard a Foo Fighters song and told me that this song reminded them of me writing songs. Its a bit dark but pretty close to the mark

Foo Fighters "All My Life"

I Am So Very Thankful

Interesting Paul Harvey Dialoge

I find it so easy for myself to take for granted what I have before me. Life is such a whirlwind with 4 wonderful children a loving wife and a swing shift job. Some days I am guilty of knowing whether I am coming or going. Each day I wake up and try to bring peace to the world. I try and teach my children the importance of staying calm. Getting upset merely makes the problems of the day see worse. I try and calm the heart and mind of my wife when she gets overrun by children needing this and that for our in home daycare. She handles most with poise but some days seem like a battering ram of problems and thats when I try and step in.

Being thankful for what I have, staying calm in stressful times and spreading a message of love is what I try and do on a daily basis. Life is a participation sport. If you don't get involved then you leave yourself risk of unhappiness, unhealthiness, and a path to ruin. You might feel like a lone voice screaming in the desert or a whisper that is unheard in a crowed partying room but do not be distressed. Actions as well as words go a long way. Giving up only means that those with opposing plans will succeed.

If you do not like something you need to speak up. If you have a question it is your duty to ask. For how will we learn how will we educate if we don't stand up to the plate and use the voice that we have.  I find much distress in the things I see today but I know that I cannot relent. I write my representitives almost weekly. I engage people that I meet. Not just to preach but to listen. Life is a lesson that never stops. I read my Bible and most important, I pause and listen for the lesson. Sometimes in an instant sometimes with delay it comes.

So do not fear, do not distress, do not give up. Read, sign petitions, make your voice heard, but remember life evolves for the better when we pivot from love not from desire or vanity. That is why I am a Christian and a Catholic. I read the teachings and I believe in them. I believe that it is best to love my neighbor not to judge my neighbor. To help those in need and to be thankful for what I have and to share with others as Jesus Christ has taught me.

Luke 10: 1 - 9
1	After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come.
2	And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
3	Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
4	Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road.
5	Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace be to this house!'
6	And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you.
7	And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house.
8	Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you;
9	heal the sick in it and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.'

Needs and Wants and Lessons to be Learned

Okay getting what you want is a natural thing and things we need we get in a timely manner. It can be hard sometimes to determine a need from a want. Especially in our society many wants and can be needs because our standard of living is so high. Its okay to ask for what you want but like my children I have to remind them that you have to be patient and all will come in good time. It sounds simple but can be a simple lesson to learn. Usually anymore when I find myself "wanting" I look around and see if I am doing as much as I can do for others. Sometimes in side the "want" or the "need" there is a lesson to be learned.

Luke 11: 5 - 13
5	And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, `Friend, lend me three loaves;
6	for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him';
7	and he will answer from within, `Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything'?
8	I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs.
9	And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
10	For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
11	What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;
12	or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
13	If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

After a Rough Day

After a rough day it can be hard for me to think. I have a house full of kids and job that can be quite hectic and music that bombards my mind that begs to be written and recorded. Most of important of all I am a Christian. This does not mean that I am perfect. This means that I am flawed and that I follow a discipline of Jesus Christ to live my life. Jesus is my hero his teachings I find are wonderful. I do believe that he is the son of God. I have take the Lord Jesus Christ as my savior, and when I fall on my face being stupid and having sin, I get on my knees and ask for forgiveness.

But I have gotten off subject.

On tough days it can be hard to decide what to pray about. The days where so many things hit me at once that I don't know what to say. In these moments I recite the Lord's Prayer. It is simple and to the point and going through it slowly really helps to put so much into perspective. There are a few different variations but in all its forms it really boils things down.

It reminds me that there is a Lord in heaven and that he is most important. That I look forward to the day and times his way are preformed on the earth. That I should not be afraid to ask for things for he wishes to provide though I may not understand his timing. That I should ask forgiveness for my shortcomings and that I should forgive those that wrong me in the same manner for I make mistakes as well. I am reminded that there is evil in the world and that I need protection from it. From there other things may come to mind so I will put those words to air as well.

God already knows what I need and how I feel but he wants me to acknowledge it as well. Just like I know that my children need me and love me but I like them to say it out loud to me the same.

Luke 11: 1 - 4
1	He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."
2	And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.
3	Give us each day our daily bread;
4	and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation."

Government Frustration?

I have heard a lot of comments about the current state of affairs with our government. I am not going to take a specific side because I understand the points of both. However when I ask who has voted and contacted their elected officials I hear silence. They work for you. Its time to get involved.

As Ben Franklin said, “It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority.”  If you don't get involved then you only have yourself to blame.

Though some scoff or ignore here is what I took the time to write and send to a variety of my elected officials. I believe in divided government. However now is the time that we citizens stand up and be heard. Do what you will but I encourage you to do something similar...

***

I would like to take the time to contact you on behalf of my family. I work very hard 40+ hours a week. I understand that you job is quite difficult but can we please come to a conclusion for this current government shut down. The affordable care act was passed to try and help people without insurance to obtain coverage. While we can disagree on the merits of the law it was passed by the laws of our Constitution. We will have opportunity after the government reopens to address this law and the flaws therein. Debate can ensue so that the people of this great country can move forward instead of being indefinitely held in pause.

Many bills have been passed by the house to try and fund the government in the meantime. It seems to me and many of my fellow constituents that play ground tactics of those employed in Congress of the moment are doing nothing but delaying the inevitable. While it is important that deal with the Affordable Care Act appropriately it is also important that we do not loose sight in the short term and take care of the various affairs. I see no reason why passing temporary measures to fund important aspects of our government are held hostage in Congress.

What is most concerning to me though is that we are dealing with a C.R. Why has no Budget been introduced. I have not heard or seen of a budget in some time, years actually. I have to go to work every day and do my job as it is told to me by my employer. I am the employer of Government. I vote for you and expect you to do the job that I employed you to do.

I am very proud of my government and the people which embodies it. I believe in balanced government. I believe that we have 3 branches of government which is made of 2 houses of congress an executive and judicial branch to govern this land. We are supposed to disagree, we are supposed to debate, and most importantly we are supposed to negotiate. That means that we have to talk to each other and be willing to compromise.

The Affordable care act needs to be put in place because it was passed. The Affordable care act has to be changed because it is flawed, but THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO SIT IN IDLE BECAUSE GROWN MEN AND WOMEN CAN GET ALONG!

1.  I believe that those that cannot provide for themselves should be helped by others, and that they deserve healthcare.

2. I believe that it was not fair to allow employer mandate be delayed for a year but not the individual mandate. What's fair is fair either we BOTH get a delay or NO ONE gets a delay of enrollment.

3. I am DEEPLY ANGERED that Congress is EXEMPT from the Affordable Care Act! Congress does not have the right to pass laws that it is EXEMPT from. That my friends is UNCONSTITUTIONAL! I and my friends want that CHANGED RIGHT NOW!

4. I have no problem whatsoever ACTIVELY CAMPAIGNING ACTIVELY AGAINST members of BOTH parties that choose to not do their elected duties by coming to the table negotiate and compromise and get the government back up and running.

Both parties are turning our government into a laughingstock on the world stage. I understand both sides, and the passion they have over their views. I respect that you are trying to stand up for what you believe in, but it is time to get to work and get the government back up and running.

Thank you for your time and consideration. We the people of this country support you but your decisions as of late concerning the government shut down need a course change. It is time to come together and move forward. We elected each and everyone in government to stand up and lead for us. To make tomorrows day brighter than yesterday. Together we can do this. Now is the time to move forward, together.

***

But hey this is me and what I do.

In a World of Chaos...

In a world of chaos it is so easy to get distracted. What is this? This is that! Where is my thing? How late am I today. Being a father of 4 and an attendee of a at home daycare that serves up to 8 or 9 sometimes it is very easy to be caught up in the moment. If I dare turn on the news everything now seems to be a 5 alarm alert. Everyone is clamoring for attention in an ever shrinking world. So many people want to be heard and make a difference that everyone is screaming at the top of their lungs, at least that is what it seems like on some days. However when the world seems bent on turning it up a notch and I just can't get away I take a second and pause and pray. I know that to some this seems very simple minded and stupid. That's okay, but I have lived on both sides of the fence. I have had doubt and lived without. I have felt wrapped in love and cast aside in the gutter. Prayer and study in the world of God brings me peace. I keep a copy of the New Testament on me a ESV (English Standard Version) and when times are tough I find five minutes and read, sometimes longer. Now I believe in God and that his son was Jesus and he was sent here to teach the world. Because of the path I have had through life and the experiences on this path I have come to that conclusion. Besides that however reading about peace and love, teaching about how to care for each other in such a crazy world, because it has always been, gives me hope. Reading those words and those teachings brings calm and a reinvigorated effort to move forward in the world in a more righteous way. Not just for my sake but for others. I truly believe the world is not about me. It is about my fellow man or woman that I may or may not know. To use a more similar catch phrase, I try to "pay it forward" everyday. Do I always succeed? No, but being a christian is not about being perfect. I am man for so I am flawed, so ask forgiveness of my mistakes and learn from where I fall short and try to move ahead doing better next time. Because that is what Jesus and his book the Bible teaches me, and I am happier for it.

Luke 10: 38 - 42
38	Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house.
39	And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.
40	But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."
41	But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things;
42	one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her."

Being Prepared and Able

Out of the most strange set of circumstances the most amazing things can happen. When we live in a world of doubt and suspicion we must be willing to say yes accept and move forward bravely. There have been far too many times in my life that I have hesitated to a fault. I was raised to be very cautious and reserved. How much wonder I have missed out on in incalculable. What has brought my heart sorrow is that I have had the road untaken shown to me. I do not dwell there however. I always try to move forward. I have learned that the time is now and that if I feel a inspiration I should investigate it. I should experience it. I pray everyday for the wisdom to make wise decisions and the patience for God with me. I know that I am not perfect and that I am a professional at falling on my face, but I realize that wasting my potential is such a loss. Sometime I proceed as if I a walking through my house in middle of the night. Dark, I move slow hoping not to run into anything, and other times I merely plunge in like a child jumping in to a pool of water in fear of the cold. However I proceed I ask for guidance and the help of God who does not let me down.

Luke 1: 26 - 38
26	In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
27	to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28	And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!"
29	But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be.
30	And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31	And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
32	He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
33	and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end."
34	And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?"
35	And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.
36	And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
37	For with God nothing will be impossible."
38	And Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

Humility

Humility goes a long way. So much we are told to day to feed our egos, to take care of ourselves. We have to because no one else will. Yet we have an earth under our feet. We have air to breathe. We have food to eat and rain falls from the sky that feeds our crops and gives us food to eat. Do we make the earth, air, rain, do we make the seeds grow. I am humbled by this every day. When I become proud and REALLY think about how things got done I realize that I had little to do with it. My ability, gifts and talents were bestowed on me by God, and even though I am involved and my participation is necessary I still find every day I have to work on my faith. The disciples asked to increase their faith. It is not really quantity but quality. For Jesus said that if we had a small faith yet strong we could do so much, but we have to keep in mind that we must be humble because it is not us that makes it possible but God and I thank him that he sent his son Jesus to teach us that lesson.

Luke 17: 5 - 10
5	The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"
6	And the Lord said, "If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this sycamine tree, `Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
7	"Will any one of you, who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep, say to him when he has come in from the field, `Come at once and sit down at table'?
8	Will he not rather say to him, `Prepare supper for me, and gird yourself and serve me, till I eat and drink; and afterward you shall eat and drink'?
9	Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded?
10	So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, `We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"

Where I am What I am and Where am I going?

It is always important I have found to stay focused on what I am doing and how I have been able to do it. So many things in life are so easily taken for granted. As my chest rises and fall for each breath I take I realize that I do not do by my own power. Did I make myself. Do my parents make me breathe. Does the rain fall out of the sky to feed me by my own wish. No, many would like to believe that the world just is and that the chemicals caused a chance explosion that have created all that is. Where did the chemicals come from then? Perhaps I am too simple of a man but when I see how everything works in together I am in awe of the life I have and the world I live in. I take notice and say thanks everyday.

Luke 10: 17 - 24
17	The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!"
18	And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
19	Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall hurt you.
20	Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
21	In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.
22	All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
23	Then turning to the disciples he said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see what you see!
24	For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."

Man on a Mission

     It's amazing the way things are today. We have so many gadgets. Watches, iPads, computers, belts, phones, wallets, purses, jewelry. even our gadgets have gadgets it seems that there are an uncountable number of apps for a cell phone any more. Does anyone even use a phone with a cord anymore, and what about pagers I haven't seen one in ages.

    None the less it would seem absurd in todays society if someone when out into the world with nothing but the clothes on his back and the shoes on his feet. These people do exist but they are considered homeless vagabonds and roam the countryside or city looking for handouts. Imagine if someone were to set off on a journey as Jesus asked some of his disciples so long ago. To go out into the world preaching the word depending on God's guidance and the love of those that you meet. I remember some of the passages from the old testament and reading about the people of old worshiping idols. Sure a cellphone is a wonderful tool but if our life revolves around it to the point that we can't get through our day without it then maybe we need to examine. I know I have gone through periods of "idolizing" my computer. My first laptop was such a fun toy to have that it went everywhere with me, and before I knew it absorbed all of my free time.

     I am sure that this message is new to no one but it is good to periodically take stock in how we spend our free time. More importantly though in this day and age with the tools at our disposal we all have the opportunity to be messengers. If you are called to this is for you to know. In the chaotic world we live in its nice to know that there is still peace out there. I find it in God. In prayer I find a peace that helps everything around me stand still. Belief in God seems to be short in this world and it seems to me we need him most now. With all that I see in the day to day news I can't help be reminded of the books of the old testament. So while I may go on my journey now not on the road from town to town but the internet armed not just with the clothes on my back but my laptop and my free time I bring a message to  you who reads this. There is hope in the world. There is a God and he loves you. His teachings bring real promise, peace and happiness. His is a word of love not hate. Acceptance and welcome not exclusion. Does he have rules? Yes he does but he does forgives our mistakes. I make mistakes everyday. It's okay, God expects this because he has given us free will. We have the ability to choose to believe in him and to practice a religion with him at the center. Because we have free will we can choose what to do. That means that we can make mistakes. It's okay all we have to do is ask for forgiveness. We don't need to be rich, have a certain car or a car period. We don't have to have anything. All we need is to love him with all our heart and all our mind and to treat our neighbors (everyone we meet) with compassion and forgiveness.

Luke 10: 1 - 12
1	After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to come.
2	And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
3	Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
4	Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and salute no one on the road.
5	Whatever house you enter, first say, `Peace be to this house!'
6	And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you.
7	And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house.
8	Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you;
9	heal the sick in it and say to them, `The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
10	But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say,
11	`Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off against you; nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.'
12	I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on that day for Sodom than for that town.