Do You Want to be Alone in the Dark?

Having children is an amazing thing. I learn things every week by being around them. God shows me so much in such a little amount of time. I feel like I have lived 5 lifetimes already. One thing that always catches me though is their fear. From the day they are born my wife and I tend to them. we cloth, feed and provide shelter. We keep them warm on cold dark mornings and keep them cool in the hot summer afternoons. One speed bump that always arises though is their fear of the dark. The fear of that unknown room. With all the lights on it’s okay and a safe place, but they think that there just has to be something bad lurking in the dark. I tell them over and over again, “You are in my house and I will protect you. Do you think that I will let anything bad happen to you?” “No”, they reply but they are still scared. I walk the the room with them over and over again until their fear subsides and they learn that, really, there is nothing in that dark to harm them. It seems like so many I meet are like that. They are afraid of the unknown. God is there with them everyday to help take care of them but they refuse him. God lays out rules to help keep us safe and to have a happy life, but so many refuse to follow. God loves you. He even sent his only son to tell you and to teach you. Jesus taught us how to love each other and to love God so that no one would ever have to feel alone or fear danger. Striking though how many turn away. They want things their way. They despise God and use one of the most beautiful gifts he has give us. They use the gift of free will and turn away from God. God wants to give to you because he loves you and after that he only wants to give more but you have to accept him. Many take the gifts and talents that God has given and even use them against God himself. They believe that everything is chance and circumstance. Some believe that everything that they are is because of their making. Through all the chaos that man puts into the world God’s natural order still works rather well. Over and over God asks us to wait, consider, believe. He sent his son. He comes as the Holy Spirit every day, but are our hearts too cold, too angry, too self-absorbed to let him in? One day your life will be over. One day this world will end. God loves you and is waiting, but he will only take you into his home if you accept the invitation that he has already sent to you. Do you want to be alone in the dark?

Luke 19:11-28

11As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12He said therefore, "A nobleman went into a far country to receive a kingdom and then return. 13Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten pounds, and said to them, `Trade with these till I come.' 14But his citizens hated him and sent an embassy after him, saying, `We do not want this man to reign over us.' 15When he returned, having received the kingdom, he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by trading. 16The first came before him, saying, `Lord, your pound has made ten pounds more.' 17And he said to him, `Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' 18And the second came, saying, `Lord, your pound has made five pounds.' 19And he said to him, `And you are to be over five cities.' 20Then another came, saying, `Lord, here is your pound, which I kept laid away in a napkin; 21for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man; you take up what you did not lay down, and reap what you did not sow.' 22He said to him, `I will condemn you out of your own mouth, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow? 23Why then did you not put my money into the bank, and at my coming I should have collected it with interest?' 24And he said to those who stood by, `Take the pound from him, and give it to him who has the ten pounds.' 25(And they said to him, `Lord, he has ten pounds!') 26`I tell you, that to every one who has will more be given; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 27But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them before me.'" 28And when he had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

Are You Lonely or Broken Hearted?

To have a broken heart is a terrible thing. I have been through a lot and I would have to say that after being hungry (I mean really hungry with no food), penniless or sick having a broken heart is the worst feeling ever. Being broken hearted, feeling not worthy, not loved and so alone is the worst feeling ever. If you are hungry and you feel like you are loved then you have people you can go to for help. Being poor you can consult loved ones for ideas on how to pull yourself up, or in a pinch get some assistance. Even the many times I have been sick, I have been lucky when I felt loved because I felt I had some place to go for not only healing of the body but also of the heart and mind. Know this, God loves EVERYBODY.  I know that some may think, “Oh well I met this person that said that they were a christian and they turned me away.” For that I am truly sorry. Just because someone is a christian doesn’t mean that they don’t make mistakes, that they don’t sin or fall short of God’s call to love all, but that is person. I am talking about God. God loves all and he wants us all in our fellowship. Are there things that we all do that God doesn’t like? Yes, but God still loves. There are reasons he wants us to behave the way he desires. He wants us safe, happy and in balance. He wants us to love one another. He wants us to love and take care of ourselves. The biggest sinners out there, he still loves them and is waiting for them to come home to him. He sent his son Jesus to teach us that we all should love each other, that we should all forgive each other for God himself loves and forgives all. Jesus himself even died on the cross and took the blame for all the sins of everyone because God loves us. God comes to us as the Holy Spirt to try and help us through our days. God wants no one left behind. Are some of us harder to love than others? Maybe for us but not for God, he sees beauty ,strength and ability in all of us. God calls all of us to take Jesus as our personal savior, to become baptized in the Holy Spirt and become born again. God wants us to love him above everything else because he made everything. He wants us to love ourselves and take care of ourselves and he wants us to love everyone around us and help those in need. God wish is that no one in this world walks with a broken heart. All you have to do is accept him because he already has accepted you. God already loves you and he is waiting for you right now. 

Luke 15:1-10

1Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." 3So he told them this parable: 4"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? 5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' 7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 8"Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost.' 10Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." 

Are You Screaming?

Do you ever feel like you are alone in the wilderness screaming at the top of your lungs with no effect when actually you are in a crowded room screaming at the top of your lungs with no effect? Some of the most frustrating times in my life were when I was trying to help someone(s) and the reaction was as if I hadn’t said anything at all. People can be rather stubborn all the facts can be laid out before them and still they will continue to ignore. God with all his love could not hold it in anymore and had to create. He made a world filled with beautiful landscapes filled with living things that all feed each other in great balance and then he made us. In his Image and with free will he gave us the grand gift of life. He gave us man and woman and wanted us to love each other and love and care over all he created. Even when we took our free will and broke his command and ate from that tree he still loved us. When Cain killed Able he still loved. When the world was so wicked he brought the flood he still loved and saved Noah. He wanted to give us guidance so he chose a special people to teach to love. When they became enslaved and could not find a way out, he loved and sent Moses to free them. When the “law” became confusing and not of love he had Moses give us 10 rules (commandments).

When his people lost their way he would send a prophet. Again and again these were ridiculed and killed because men could not see to love. Finally when things had become so bad again God sent his son Jesus out of love. Jesus gave us 2 rules. Love God with mind, body and soul and love each other as yourself. Jesus fed, cured and forgave sins. He loved with all his heart and for us he died. Jesus took the blame for all the sins for everyone that would ever live because he loved and still to this day some choose to not listen. Some so lost, angry and full of despair refuse to listen. They choose to only fill their own desires and God still loves them. If we choose to walk away it saddens God but he gave us free will. We are not slaves, but he is waiting with open arms to hold and love us and share all he has. So when you feel like you are alone screaming with no one listening, know that God hears you. Turn your conversation to him, you may not like everything he has to say at first but then again you will never find such a overflowing love anywhere else either.

Luke 13:31-35

31At that very hour some Pharisees came, and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you." 32And he said to them, "Go and tell that fox, `Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course. 33Nevertheless I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.' 34O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not! 35Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, `Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'" 

Are You A Nobody?

For some of us we feel as though we are nobody special. We are just average Joan’s and Joe’s and go about our day doing our little schedule through life. We may before from a poor neighborhood. Looked down on and mocked by others. Thought of as the scum or dirt of the earth. But so many times in this country we hear stories about people working hard with drive and overcoming the common expectations. God put something special in each and every one of us. We may not become rich and famous but thats not always the best thing for us. How often to we see the mighty, rich and famous fall in the media. One day a celebrity is Queen or King and the next day news comes out and it seems like everyone in the world is surrounding them and kicking them while they are down. When someone is rich and famous they have a tendency to think about themselves, center on themselves and thats where they can become open for temptation to mistakes, and when you are that high the fall is extremely hard. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a nobody. She was handpicked by God to carry his son. Jesus being God was pure and perfect and needed to come into this world in a perfect body. Mary was born without original sin, without blemish so that she could carry Jesus in her womb. The term Immaculate Conception is in reference to her birth. She lived in a  time where women were stoned for adultery so having a child out of wedlock was something serious to consider. God called and she answered, “Yes”. Joseph, the man Mary was to marry could have turned his back on her. He didn’t, God called him to service and he said, “Yes”. Together they made a home out of humble means and raised Jesus and kept him safe till it was time for him to begin his ministry. You may think that you are no one but God does love you. He calls you everyday to come to him. He wants you to follow his commandments so that you can grow safe and strong in life. To stay out of danger and to become the best person, the happiest person you possibly can. He will never ask you to do anything you can’t accomplish. He will always be by your side. He has given us sacraments of Baptism, Communion, Penance, Confirmation, Matrimony, Holy Orders and Anointing of the Sick to receive Grace to help us make it through this world and all its temptations. He has so much to offer. All you have to do is accept. He is waiting.

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.