The Hustle and Bustle of Christmas

You know as we are strolling though this season of Advent preparing for the arrival of Jesus in the past and present I am struck by the words the Angel said to Mary, “Hail, full of grace the lord is with you”. Sometimes I wonder what an Angel would say to me if I encountered one. It would probably depend on the day I suppose. One day I might be greeted with a smile. Another I may be greeted with the Angel preforming a face-plant and sighing. 

Last night I went to my 7yr. old’s Holiday program. It was lots of fun and I had a blast watching the children sing. My 4 month old was getting wiggly and because my wife was ill I decided to take him into the hall and go for a walk. From the hall I could hear and see the program. Pacing back and forth we talked and listened. He would coo I would respond and we would look out the door and watch.  At 4 months he hates sitting still. In the Hall I noticed 2 things. One tons of prep go into a program that seems so small and simple. Two, there is always something going on. As the program was unveiling the Kindergarten class that had already preformed was sitting off to the side. The 2 teachers were constantly running back and forth. It seemed like every child had to have a potty break. I could sense the challenge the teachers were facing but they stayed calm and ushered them back and forth keep them safe. 

Advent is sort of like that. Christmas, wether you are a Christian or not tends to be a big production with lots of distractions. Everyone rushes around and does the best they can to complete all their tasks on time. The nice thing about Christmas though is that many are in good spirits and when it would be easy to snap so many stay calm. For Christians Advent is a time to prepare to invite Jesus into our hearts. Hopefully he never left but it is a season of remembrance and renewal. For us Catholics it’s the beginning of the Liturgical Year, so in a way Advent is like New Years and we get the sense to make resolutions and start over fresh. 

Wether you are Christian or not, Catholic or not, I invite you to open your heart to Jesus. He loves you and wants to hang out with you. He wants to share his good teachings and help you through your worst days. Jesus is the wing man you always want and who is dying to be on the first string squad in the game that is your life. This life is fleeting, temporary. One day your body will retire and your soul will need a retirement home. God is inviting you to spend eternity with him, but it is your choice. Just as Mary had a choice, so do you. I encourage you to invite him into your life. 

Luke 1:26-38

26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!"29But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. 30And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32He 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, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end." 34And Mary said to the angel, "How shall this be, since I have no husband?" 35And 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. 36And 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. 37For with God nothing will be impossible." 38And 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.

Michael

Whisper Behind the Light

obbo_91@yahoo.com

Frustrated in the Garage? Don't Throw That Wrench!

I remember when I was young there more than I a few times that I got frustrated. Working for my father I always tried to do the best for him. Occasionally though I would come a cross a problem working on something and with my little experience I just couldn't wrap my head around it. My father would enter and say something to the manner of, "Oh you just have to do so and so...", and boop bidy boop he would fix the issue at hand. The was no bragging. There was no ridicule, he just taught me so that I would be more wise and more able. 

Thing is God is much the same. Does he get disappointed when we don't work to be the best we can be, yeah. Does he get angry when we don't do as he wishes, probably, but like a loving father he is there to help us. He is there loving us wether we choose to accept it or not. God has so many wonderful gifts that he wishes to share with you. I have tried many things in my time. I have tried just about every path that there is out there, and I now know one thing for certain. The gifts that I receive from God are the most fruitful, wonderful and fulfilling that I have ever received. I am no great man. I am not rich beyond my wildest dreams. I am no master of industry or any particular man-made universe. With the gifts I have received from God though I have a happiness that I have never experienced before in my life. Does my life get hard? Yes, sometimes it is very daunting and challenging, but I know that as long as I stick with Gods way, Jesus’ teachings and accept the Holy Spirit’s guidance I will be okay. This world can do what it wants. I can come to realize that it will only self-destruct. Myself, I will die. My body will fall and be put back to the earth. Through God and with the saving grace of Jesus Christ I can live forever in Heaven above with all my brothers and sisters in Christ. This physical body is merely a phase. This earth is a  place to learn and grow and with God’s help reach a happiness and beauty like no other. 

So like my father helped me so many times in the garage or out in the field, God waits in this field of life. He has the map and knows the way for each one of us to go. All we have to do is ask and be willing to listen. Are you ready to listen? Are you ready to learn? Are you ready to experience knowledge, wisdom and love like you have never experienced before. Your heavenly father is waiting.

Isaiah 29:17-24

17Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest? 18In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. 19The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall exult in the Holy One of Israel. 20For the ruthless shall come to nought and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off, 21who by a word make a man out to be an offender, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and with an empty plea turn aside him who is in the right. 22Therefore thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: "Jacob shall no more be ashamed, no more shall his face grow pale. 23For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. 24And those who err in spirit will come to understanding, and those who murmur will accept instruction."

Psalms 27:1, 4, 13-14

1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 4One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. 13I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! 14Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the LORD!

Matthew 9:27-31

27And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." 28When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." 29Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." 30And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it." 31But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

Michael

Whisper Behind the Light

obbo_91@yahoo.com

The Swiss Army Knife, What Do You Need?

I remember when I was growing up one of most favorite gifts was a Swiss Army Knife. When I first received it I wasn't very grateful. Yeah I was a boy and it was a knife, it could cut things and so that was cool, but it wasn't a gift that I wowed over. To be honest for much time I didn’t carry it. It just sat around and it was just one of many other gifts my parents had given me, until. One day I needed a screw driver. Now as an adult I don't even walk around with a screwdriver in my pocket so I certainly didn’t have one on me then, but for some reason I had that knife and it worked. My mind for some reason was blown wide open. From that day on I found that if I kept that knife on me it came in handy in so many ways. If there was a problem it was very possible that the knife would be part of the answer, and what went from a gift that seemed meaningless and okay turned into a gift that had so many applications and helped me so much. I don't know where that knife is today. I probably lost it on one of my many youthful adventures, but I now find my faith like that knife only better. 

My faith has helped me so much. I believe in God. I have taken Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and savior. I have been baptized in the Holy Spirit. I goto my Church to learn and become stronger. I partake in the sacraments my Church affords me. Through the Sacraments I receive Grace that lets me fight off the temptation to sin. Through my faith I find love where I have not before. I find peace where I would never expect to find it. With God as my wingman I have a serenity that wraps me so warm and true. God simply will take care of you if you let him into your life and build a relationship with him. It’s not just simply going to church on Sunday. You don't just pray and tell Jesus what you expect him to do for you each day. You need to build a relationship with God. He loves you but he is not just going to do what you want. Like a good friend he will say “No” when necessary. Jesus is an amazing teacher he can help you navigate any troubled relationship, if you choose to listen. He can teach you to open your heart and find a love that is pure and more satisfying than any temporary pleasure. The Holy Spirit, if you let it into your life can help you in so many tough situations. All you need to do is ask. It can help you conquer any fear, doubt and uncertainty. Are you in need of a tool in your life that can work in all situations? I don't know of anyone that could use some help. I don't know of anyone that couldn't use a large dose of peace, love and serenity. God is waiting all you have to do is choose.

Isaiah 25:6-10

6On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wine on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wine on the lees well refined. 7And he will destroy on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. 8He will swallow up death for ever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken. 9It will be said on that day, "Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation." 10For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain, and Moab shall be trodden down in his place, as straw is trodden down in a dung-pit.

Psalms 23:1-6

1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want; 2he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; 3he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. 5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Matthew 15:29-37

29And Jesus went on from there and passed along the Sea of Galilee. And he went up on the mountain, and sat down there. 30And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the dumb, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, 31so that the throng wondered, when they saw the dumb speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel. 32Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days, and have nothing to eat; and I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way." 33And the disciples said to him, "Where are we to get bread enough in the desert to feed so great a crowd?" 34And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves have you?" They said, "Seven, and a few small fish." 35And commanding the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37And they all ate and were satisfied; and they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over.

Michael Smith
Whisper Behind the Light
obbo_91@yahoo.com

I WANT! I WANT!

It’s funny when I get home from work anymore. Right now we are fully in the season of Advent and Christmas. My wife has amazing patience, she has to see, she runs a daycare out of our home. Everyday now when I come home it is T.V. time and the children are gathered around. They gaze at the show at hand, but now we have a new fun game to play. As the show fades to commercials ads of all sorts for toys and whatnot come on. “Oh oh, I want, I want”, I hear so many young voice exclaim. As one commercial rolls to another I hear sometimes piercing screams of joy over what they hope Santa puts under the Christmas tree. 

I often hear the same out of adults, but it is not said with the joy and adulation of young children. “I wish, my wife would do what I wanted” or “Why can’t my son just do his homework on time”, some groan about conflicts with parents or friends, but they all seem to desire the same thing, peace. You could give me a million dollars, a brand new fancy car and a magic pill to miraculously make me look like a super stud, but I would trade it all away for peace, love and serenity. For far too many hours in my past I have walked this world and with the desires of a child would see things and think, “I WANT! I WANT!”, and do the least to attain them, yes the least. I wanted things easy. I didn’t want to work at it. I didn’t want to know the real answers in life. 

I have an old house that I have fixed up a bit, a rusty car in the driveway, a yard that has grass growing in most of it but I have what I desire the most of all. I have peace, serenity and love. My world can flip upside down and I am okay. My youngest after his birth had health issues, I was okay. As Christmas rolls closer and closer I know that the tree will not have all the gifts my children desire under it and I am okay. I have peace, love and serenity. I have a job where people steal my food out of the fridge and I am okay. I have sometimes literally mountains of work to conquer that make me sweat and soar, but I am okay. Each day I am overwhelmed with the amount of tasks I am supposed to get done and I am okay. Why, because I have peace, love and serenity. 

What changed for me was that I found God, actually I found Jesus. I had always know God and that Jesus guy, yeah he seemed cool, I had never really spent time with Jesus and listened. Fed up with my life I started to read his teachings. Why not, nothing else seemed to satisfy. Slowly God’s wisdom was unveiled to me. Slowly I began to change. Slowly I went from a mindset of “I WANT I WANT” to “Thank you dear God I can't even count how many blessings you have given me each day”. Do I deserve these gifts from God? No, but God loves me so he gives them to me. God gives me my peace, serenity and love. God is my anchor. God is the rock I build my life upon. When I follow his ways all is well. When I do not, I fall. I am no perfect man. I am no hero. I have no amazing talent of myself. I am a sinner trying to be the best I can with God's help. I am a mere man but I have chosen to follow Jesus. I have chosen a life of study. I read his word and I try and understand. I pray to God for help and then most importantly, I work hard to listen. 

God has gifts to share with you that would put any array of gifts under the most beautiful Christmas tree to shame, and all you have to do is ask. All you have to do is let Jesus into your heart, and let him become you lord and savior. All you have to do is become baptized in the Holy Spirit. I urge you to come to Church and let go. Take the reins of your life and throw them up to God. You will be amazed with what he can do. The choice is yours. This is the season. This is great time for renewal. We are celebrating the arrival of Jesus to the world and hopefully your heart, so if you ever find yourself saying, “I WANT! I WANT!”, please pause and say a prayer cause God is there waiting to give you all you need. 

Isaiah 11:1-10

1There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. 2And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. 3And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; 4but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. 5Righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins. 6The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. 7The cow and the bear shall feed; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8The sucking child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. 9They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. 10In that day the root of Jesse shall stand as an ensign to the peoples; him shall the nations seek, and his dwellings shall be glorious.

Psalms 72:1, 7-8, 12-13, 17

0A Psalm of Solomon. 6May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth! 7In his days may righteousness flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more! 11May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him! 12For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. 16May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may men blossom forth from the cities like the grass of the field!

Luke 10:21-24

21In 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. 22All 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." 23Then turning to the disciples he said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see what you see! 24For 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." 

Do You Like to Share? Do You Like to Serve?

My Thanksgiving weekend was absolutely wonderful, instead of going out and shopping, my family stayed in and enjoyed each other's company. We had many discussions and took many pictures but a large chunk of the weekend we spent watching the trilogy, The Lord of the Rings.

The part that stood out to me was when Aragon was called to take his place as King. Over and over he was called but he was frightened that he would make the same mistake as his forefather. Eventually rose and answered the call to serve his people. I couldn't help but think of my own life as a Christian. Jesus asks all that believe to share his word, to spread his word. God calls us to make disciples in all nations. How many of us answer this call? I am guilty. Many times in my past I have had the opportunity to share my love and knowledge of God but I stayed quiet. For far too long I kept God's love a secret. I was worried of being mocked. I was worried of being discriminated against. I was worried of what others would think. 

As I have gotten older I have seen those once close to me fall. Others I have seen die and pass on. I pray for their safety and that their souls find their way to heaven. How many struggle in life because I have not taken the time to share what I know? This life is temporary. One day I will die, and I hope that I will go to heaven. When I arrive, what will God say to me? Will he asked why I haven't helped more, fed more, clothed more, loved more and shared the love and teachings of Jesus Christ more? 

I am a shy man. I am a quiet man. I now focus my life to share my love for Jesus because with Jesus in my life I have never known more peace,serenity and love. I work hard to share my faith. I work hard to overcome my shyness, my fear. I recently made a t-shirt for myself, nothing fancy but after making it my wife asked if I had realized that I had made a mistake. See I made t-shirt that reads, "have you shared your faith today". Thing is all the letters are backwards. I told her no, I made it like that on purpose so that when I look in the mirror I will have that message starring me in the face. 

If you have no faith I plead with you to take the time to investigate. Sharing your life with Jesus is amazing. If you have faith, please share. Do not hoard it like a treasure hidden in the basement, share it with all. Let your faith shine and let the love of Jesus Christ shine through you so that others an find their way. No one should be alone in this world and God has plenty of love to share with all. 

Romans 10:9-18

9because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved. 11The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows his riches upon all who call upon him. 13For, "every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." 14But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? 15And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!" 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel; for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" 17So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ. 18But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."

Psalms 19:8-11

7The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 10More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Matthew 4:18-22

18As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zeb'edee and John his brother, in the boat with Zeb'edee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

A Poem: Pondering Paralyzed

Pondering Paralyzed

Nails in my mouth 

I’m biting so hard

The rot refuses to subside

The drift that flakes off of your skin

Is the same that clouds my mind

Paralyzed in grief

Pain I can only seem to stare

You look into me

Inside my soul

I cannot hide

I cannot bear

A stench wells up inside my nose

A rotting flesh decays

It is not you 

Its inside me 

My soul it wastes away

Stuck in  my fear, ashamed I grieve

I feel I cannot move

What’s worse is that it’s all imagined

I only have to choose

A tear rolls down beside my cheek

I think I might pursue

Its so unclear 

What holds me back?

The past? 

The fear?

Am I used?

Am I done?

by 

Michael

Whisper Behind the Light

whisperbehindthelight@gmail.com

A Poem:Drowning in a Wishing Well

Life gets trapped in a wishing well

Wishing for things that are not

Wishing and spinning a life away

A cyclone of life erupts down into that snaking drain

Where breath seems to be so short

All things that are wished for

Take away the strength to stop

With the sinking, the water is rising

The past is soon to bear

For too much wishing without the doing

Will drown a soul in despair

Hold out a hand and scream out loud

With perhaps your last breath

Don’t take the time to analyze

Who’s there, who's not, who’s left

Just take the hand that’s strong and sure

The one that’s always by your side

Let him pull you out to life

Then stop wishing but start doing what’s right

Michael 

Whisper Behind the Light

whisperbehindthelight@gmail.com

Do You Ever Feel Like Mary Mc Fly?

“It’s not too late”, so many times I have heard these words ring in my ears, sadly too many times I have ignored these words. We all have times in our past when we wish we could go back in time and change things. If we could, should we? I don't know until the day of time travel is available I will not ponder the idea, but with all the issues Marty Mc Fly had on his adventures in time I think I will leave things as they are. That it though in a way. Sometimes we spend so much time on the past that we overlook what we can do in the present. I like where I am, no wait, I LOVE where I am. It could be better it could be worse, but the thing I love is that everyday I get to rise and learn and grow. 

It’s been a long road but I have learned so many valuable lessons along the way. The most important lesson I have learned, just love. Love and compassion are the Swiss Army Knife for life they can get you out of so many things and solve so many problems. I used to be the guy that was out for “Numero Uno”. I have learned the problem with that. I have fallen it to the pitfalls of following that creed. What got me out? Love, love and compassion got me out of the dark pit I was in. It took the perfect love of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross to pull me out. God doesn't care where you are or what you are in the middle of doing.

“It’s not too late”, he says.

God is like the most amazing GPS on the face of the planet. Wherever you are he can show you the way to get home to heaven. You make a couple more turns along the way, turn to God and he will help you get back on track. Follow God though and he will deliver you to the most direct way to peace, love and serenity. Keep following him, take Jesus Christ as your lord and savior, become baptized in the Holy Spirit and you will find yourself in heaven. Where life really begins. 

Remember though, this wont just happen to you. You have to make THE choice. 

You have too choose. Right now we live in a world where it’s okay to rip on Christians. We seem to be one of the last groups around that it is okay to discriminate against. Why, I don’t know, maybe because we take it. We love and have compassion and we turn the other cheek. Thing is we need to start standing strong. Actually for many of us the first thing we need to do is stand up and be counted. As Christians we need to band together and LOVE. We need to make it a priority to put love back in this world the way that Jesus teaches. We need to be noticed that Christians aren't just a group of people that go to church and then act like everyone else till next Sunday. We need to be able to be CONVICTED of being Christians. We need to love and act out faith in this world. We need people to point and say, “Yeah, I can tell that dude is a Christian. Look at ‘em. You call tell just by the way they act.”

We need to love God everyday and show the world that we love God everyday. We need to sing his praises. We need to invite God into every second of every day of our lives. The first way we start doing that is by building a relationship with God. We need to talk to him, and then most importantly we need to LISTEN to him. We need to find that 10 minutes a day to pray and give him permission to enter our lives. 

There is amazing abilities in us all which God gave us. We are all pieces in the is puzzle of life. When we come together God’s way we are strong. We are strong in our unity and can accomplish amazing things. We need to come together and the best place there is to do so is church. We need to worship together and love together, both God and each other. We need to make church the hub of or wheelhouse on one of the spokes on it. When we let God be the center of our daily lives not only do we find peace, hope, faith and love but it helps the rest of our lives become more centered, focused and fulfilling. I know we have all heard the stories about how some just attend Mass or goto church for social reasons. Let’s not allow these words to discourage us and shy away from God. Don’t worry about what the person next to you is at church for. If they are there for the wrong reasons, the awesome thing is that at least they are in the right place. It’s easier to reach those in the house of God then trying to pull the ones on the outside in, but that is our mission. 

We need to share. I learned long ago from my mother the importance of sharing. God is an awesome thing we shouldn't be hoarding him all for ourselves. We need to share our love for God and when we feel the Holy Spirit speaking to us we should invite others in. We should share our faith. We should share Jesus and his teachings. There is plenty of God to go around. He made sure of that. God isn't some sort of exclusive club. It’s for everyone. No one in God’s house is free of sin. That’s is why we are there, at least part of it. We are there to invite God into our life and share his wisdom. We are there to listen to the teachings of Jesus. We are there to be touched by the Holy Spirit to be strengthened for the coming days ahead. We are there to worship, show love and thanks. 

God loves you. God wants you. Jesus is waiting for you. There is so much you can do and we can do together with love, so all that junk in the past, take it to God. He loves you and will forgive you of anything. He wants to heal you and take you forward so that you can be the best you can be. This is the beginning, not the end. 

1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59

36Then said Judas and his brothers, "Behold, our enemies are crushed; let us go up to cleanse the sanctuary and dedicate it." 37So all the army assembled and they went up to Mount Zion. 52Early in the morning on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, which is the month of Chislev, in the one hundred and forty-eighth year, 53they rose and offered sacrifice, as the law directs, on the new altar of burnt offering which they had built. 54At the very season and on the very day that the Gentiles had profaned it, it was dedicated with songs and harps and lutes and cymbals. 55All the people fell on their faces and worshiped and blessed Heaven, who had prospered them. 56So they celebrated the dedication of the altar for eight days, and offered burnt offerings with gladness; they offered a sacrifice of deliverance and praise. 57They decorated the front of the temple with golden crowns and small shields; they restored the gates and the chambers for the priests, and furnished them with doors. 58There was very great gladness among the people, and the reproach of the Gentiles was removed. 59Then Judas and his brothers and all the assembly of Israel determined that every year at that season the days of dedication of the altar should be observed with gladness and joy for eight days, beginning with the twenty-fifth day of the month of Chislev.

1 Chronicles 29:10-12

10Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly; and David said: "Blessed art thou, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. 10Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly; and David said: "Blessed art thou, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. 11Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 11Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 12Both riches and honor come from thee, and thou rulest over all. In thy hand are power and might; and in thy hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. 12Both riches and honor come from thee, and thou rulest over all. In thy hand are power and might; and in thy hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.

Luke 19:45-48

45And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, 46saying to them, "It is written, `My house shall be a house of prayer'; but you have made it a den of robbers." 47And he was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people sought to destroy him; 48but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people hung upon his words.

Michael

Whisper Behind the Light

obbo_91@yahoo.com

Going Out to Workout?

I somewhat remember that time, that cold and lonely day that I turned and walked out of the room. To be honest, I was scared. I knew what it was like to be alone and I didn’t like it one bit. For some time I had been “surrounded” by people that “accepted” me, but the thing is the “me” that was being accepted wasn’t the person I desired. I was living an empty life full of all the world had to offer. I knew that if I didn’t walk out the door I would be dragged down again. One by one my friends left. The would say hi if I saw them, no one came knocking. Eventually everyone was gone. It was me and God, and I wondered if I had the strength to walk out and begin this journey. Luckily God knows me better than I know myself and soon he started to replace my old acquaintances. 

The thing is there is true right and wrong in this world. Our culture tries to dictate otherwise. We live in a culture where no one wants to be wrong and all wish to be accepted. Whats funny is we are all so close to acceptance but we look for it in the wrong places. God accepts all. He loves you. He knows your weaknesses and your strengths. He knows of your abilities that even you are unaware of. He is willing to listen at any hour of any day. If you need help, God is willing to lend it. It might not be the help that you want but it will be the help that you need. The Holy Spirit is waiting in the wings to help give you the strength to preserve through anything, but you have to choose. No one can do this for you. 

I am not a violent man and I work hard to follow Jesus and his teachings. It is frustrating when I see my brothers and sisters give away their souls to empty desires of the flesh. Money, fame, adoration and pleasure rule their lives in whole or at times. As frustrated as I get though I have to admit, I would help anyone of them at any moment.

We as a culture are rotting. Mind you I am speaking generally and not specifically to any one or group of persons, but we are rotting. While with one hand we rise high the ideals of worldly notion and on the other we smother out what is righteous. There are a few that try their diligent best to let God’s light shine but far too many are seduced by instant gratification in things that bring pleasure. I beg you turn and look in the mirror. You are a beautiful person. God made you in his own image. God wants you to shine bright for he made you wonderful. Jesus wants you to love and be loved and have peace and serenity. All this though takes discipline. 

It is time that we stop taking the easy way out. It’s time that we get back to basics. It’s time to develop discipline. No great athlete ever became great by doing the bare minimum. He/She pushed harder and harder everyday. They pushed through the pain farther and farther each day because they knew that the delayed gratification would be better if they waited and pushed harder. Our flesh pulls at us every day, “Eat this, drink that, do this and enjoy the pleasure”, but the problem is we are rotting inside. This life is temporary. One day, guaranteed you will die. Your soul will need a new home. If you spend your life serving your body and it’s you will fall. If you train hard and become disciplined, if you love and have compassion for everyone you meet, if you love everyone as you love yourself and most importantly invite God into your life your soul will soar. God wants to be your life coach. You get to choose. Invite him in. Take Jesus as your personal savior, invite him in. Become baptized in the Holy Spirit, invite him in. Come to Church and learn, grow and become strong. Surround yourself with a community of souls that will enrich, encourage and love you along the way. You get to choose. If you let God in he will help you soar.

In this life, with God, you will find a peace, love and serenity like no other. You will learn so much and feel so loved. I was a skeptic too in the beginning. It wasn't easy. Like the first time getting on the treadmill or lifting those weights, getting my soul into shape was hard. The thing that made it easy though, was God. He loves me. He encouraged me. He didn’t bare down on me about all the stupid things I had done in my past. He washed all that away. God gave me a clean slate. Jesus emboldened me and showed me what love can do. Love energizes me both when I receive it from him and when I give it away to others, so I invite you to join us. Join us the faithful. You don't have to be perfect, neither are we. We are all still in training with God. If enough of us band together and spread God’s love on this world, maybe, just maybe with God’s grace and help we can create a little heaven here on earth. What’s the alternative? I’ve been down that road and seen where it goes. No thank you, it’s paved with anguish, despair and empty pleasure and broken promises. Jesus has so much more to offer. I choose him.

1 Maccabees 2:15-29

15Then the king's officers who were enforcing the apostasy came to the city of Modein to make them offer sacrifice. 16Many from Israel came to them; and Mattathias and his sons were assembled. 17Then the king's officers spoke to Mattathias as follows: "You are a leader, honored and great in this city, and supported by sons and brothers. 18Now be the first to come and do what the king commands, as all the Gentiles and the men of Judah and those that are left in Jerusalem have done. Then you and your sons will be numbered among the friends of the king, and you and your sons will be honored with silver and gold and many gifts." 19But Mattathias answered and said in a loud voice: "Even if all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him, and have chosen to do his commandments, departing each one from the religion of his fathers, 20yet I and my sons and my brothers will live by the covenant of our fathers. 21Far be it from us to desert the law and the ordinances. 22We will not obey the king's words by turning aside from our religion to the right hand or to the left." 23When he had finished speaking these words, a Jew came forward in the sight of all to offer sacrifice upon the altar in Modein, according to the king's command. 24When Mattathias saw it, be burned with zeal and his heart was stirred. He gave vent to righteous anger; he ran and killed him upon the altar. 25At the same time he killed the king's officer who was forcing them to sacrifice, and he tore down the altar. 26Thus he burned with zeal for the law, as Phinehas did against Zimri the son of Salu. 27Then Mattathias cried out in the city with a loud voice, saying: "Let every one who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come out with me!" 28And he and his sons fled to the hills and left all that they had in the city. 29Then many who were seeking righteousness and justice went down to the wilderness to dwell there,

Psalms 50:1-2, 5-6, 14-15

1The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. 5"Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!" 6The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge! [Selah] 14Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High; 15and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."

Luke 19:41-44

41And when he drew near and saw the city he wept over it, 42saying, "Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace! But now they are hid from your eyes. 43For the days shall come upon you, when your enemies will cast up a bank about you and surround you, and hem you in on every side, 44and dash you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another in you; because you did not know the time of your visitation."

How Do You Wash the Dishes?

Check out great resouces here.

I remember when I was young my mother came to me one night and asked me to wash the dishes, and so I did. About 10 minutes after I was done she called me back into the kitchen. “I thought I asked you to wash the dishes?”, she asked. I thought I had. See I had washed the dishes but I didn’t do any of the pots or pans used to make dinner. I didn’t wipe down the stove or the counters. I didn’t put anything away. Life is like that a lot of times. After I had completed everything like my mother wanted the kitchen shined. It in its own way was beautiful. I felt pride. I felt love. Left to my own accord I haven't faired very well. I rode through life on my natural talents and abilities but I didn’t refine them. I did alright but I never really accomplished anything meaningful. I did do a great job of feeding my own ego but my spiritual, emotional, physical and intellectual sides of me sat unused or wasted away. It wasn’t until I opened my eyes with my face flat on the floor that I realized that I needed more. 

I didn’t think that I was anyone special, at least not at that point in my life. My life was just mess and to be honest the only way to go for me at the at point was up. I couldn't bear sinking any lower. I asked for help. I asked for God’s help, and he didn’t turn me away just like he will not turn you away. He picked me up and stood by me. There were a few times when I tried to mess things all up again but he was patient and stood by me. God loved me. Jesus taught me. The Holy Spirit empowered me. As I cleaned up my life I began to feel pride. I realized that I was a person, not a piece of trash. I realized that my life was not my own. My body was a gift from God. I was ashamed how I had taken care of my gift and still to this day I regularly try to improve how I take care of this body.

As I looked back through my life and I realized I had talents. God had given me a place in this world. For quite some time I had been using those talents in a selfish way. I was ashamed. I asked God for his forgiveness and I started trying to use those talents to glorify God and not myself. I learned that I become the best I can be when I let God be my coach. I learn that I become the person I can be when I love as Jesus taught. I learned I can be the best I can be when I ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and then follow it. 

For some time I thought that I had to find that “BIG THING” I was meant to do. Was I to write a book? Was a to write an album? Was I to paint glorious paintings? Was I to teach? What?! What was I supposed to do. I learned that the one thing that I was to do was not just one thing, but one life. I was to live a life for God. I was to take the gift of God’s love and share that with the world. I was to show compassion for everyone I meet. Wether I was having a great day or a terrible one I was to love and show compassion the way God showed me and at every turn I could share that God is waiting to come into everyones life. God is waiting to come into your life right now, at this moment. He loves you so much he wants to be a part of of every single second of every single day. 

The 12 Apostles that Jesus chose were common men, but they accomplished so much by saying, “Yes”. They accomplished so much by accepting Jesus into their lives and following the will of God. They have as I have found peace, happiness, serenity and faith. I am no special person with special “powers”. I am a child of God just like you. I have talents and abilities that God has given me, just like you. I do my best to use them God’s way. Am I perfect? No, I sin just like everyone else, but God is waiting for me to get up, ask for forgiveness and ask for his council so that I can become the best I can be God’s way.  Just imagine what God has in store for you? Imagine what you can do with God guidance, tutelage and help. Imagine what  you can achieve with him, Jesus and the Holy Spirit on your team. Question is, what do you want to do?

Michael

Whisper Behind the light

obbo_91@yahoo.com

The Love of a Wife The Love of a God and the Love of the World

There are many things that you can search for in this world, the options are almost endless. For the most part thought it mostly comes down to two categories. Giving love away or loving yourself. I am so grateful on a daily basis for my wife. She works hard to create a home and an environment that fosters safety and happiness. Through her work and toil she gives her love away freely. To make sure our home is in order. That everyone has everything they need. That she teaches my children not only what they need to know to be successful but to be righteous in the twisty trurvey world. She invites others in to her home to share her life, heart and safety. She gives and gives hour after hour every single day. This is a mission that me and my wife have been on for sometime. We are not perfect people. We are sinners but we believe in God and we decided to give his teachings a chance. We decided to love and share it with as many people as we can. We still look on a weekly basis to see if there is more we can do. We can’t help it. For after all God has done for us it’s the least we can do.

When God brought me and my wife together we were both lost. We were both living lives that had long run off the rails of righteousness. God brought us together because we were both looking for something beautiful, fulfilling and grand. I don’t know if my wife ever expected all that has transpired, but I myself am shocked. God has done so well to protect us. We have had our share of difficulties, but even in the midst of chaos we have refuge with God. As long as we stick with him and follow his son, Jesus’ teachings we hold strong. Living in this world is a test. Not one set out by God but rather one made by man. 

All God wants is you to love him with all you mind body and soul and to love everyone you meet as you love yourselves. My heart goes out to those in pain. From the homeless in the backyard of the U.S. to the poor and afflicted in South America. I feel sorrow for the lost souls in Europe who have long since stopped believing in God. My heart aches for the those held under terror in the Middle East. I pray for those in regimes that fear prosecution for merely wanting to worship their God in Asia. I love and pray for the little children and lost adults that feel that no one loves them. I try and help cloth those who are naked and fear the cold winter nights. I work to try and help feed the hungry so that sleep isn’t a blanket weakly used to cover an empty stomach. I pray for the day that the world would love like God asks. 

I can’t help but think that if we all loved each other as we love ourselves we could eradicate hungry, poverty and homelessness. It is one of the reasons I love Catholicism. We teach more, feed more, cloth more and share love with more than any other faith on the planet. We accept all, you don’t get kicked to the back of the line if you are not Catholic. We do our best to love the way Jesus asked us to. Are we perfect, no. Do some of our believers have issues, yes. There isn’t a man or woman on this earth that isn’t broken in some fashion or another, but God loves us all. He loves you. God is waiting for you to come home. He is waiting to share so much with you. It’s your choice. You get to choose. God doesn’t make you do anything. If you want to follow him you get to come in. If you choose not to follow him you make your own way. It’s a matter of wanting someone to pour love over you on a daily basis or if you want walk this earth loving yourself. 

It’s a bit like retirement do you want to save a little each day to have security in you elder years or do you live in the moment and rack up debt trying not to think about how you will live when you retire. Do you want to live a life giving love away and following God so that when your body is put into the ground you can soar to heaven? Rather do you want to love yourself and feed each desire you have so that when you die your body sinks to the gates of hell. Eternity is a long time to experience. In comparison the 80 years the average life on this world has is the bat of an eye. How do you want to invest in your future. 

Sirach 26:1-3, 15-18, 24

1Happy is the husband of a good wife; the number of his days will be doubled. 2A loyal wife rejoices her husband, and he will complete his years in peace. 3A good wife is a great blessing; she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord. 15A modest wife adds charm to charm, and no balance can weigh the value of a chaste soul. 16Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home. 17Like the shining lamp on the holy lampstand, so is a beautiful face on a stately figure. 18Like pillars of gold on a base of silver, so are beautiful feet with a steadfast heart.

Psalms 31:4-5, 8-9, 20, 24-25

3Yea, thou art my rock and my fortress; for thy name's sake lead me and guide me, 4take me out of the net which is hidden for me, for thou art my refuge. 7I will rejoice and be glad for thy steadfast love, because thou hast seen my affliction, thou hast taken heed of my adversities, 8and hast not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; thou hast set my feet in a broad place. 19O how abundant is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for those who fear thee, and wrought for those who take refuge in thee, in the sight of the sons of men! 23Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but abundantly requites him who acts haughtily. 24Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!

Matthew 25:31-40

31"When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. 34Then the King will say to those at his right hand, `Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' 37Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? 38And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? 39And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?' 40And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'