A bit of scripture, short meditations and stories, prayers, news and maybe a touch of humor.
“We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5:1
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
“Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly.”
John 10:10 Continue reading
22 “Never, Lord!” Peter said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Matthew 16:20-24
Deny Yourself
Back in 1971, I wrote a silly little essay entitled I’m Simply Grand! Here is just a small sample:
Don’t look at me I’m not to blame, I didn’t rain out your silly game. I didn’t bring the clouds so grey and cause the thunder to pound away and dampen down your Saturday! Don’t look at me I’m not the cause, I’m not known to have any flaws. I didn’t cause that bad grade. I didn’t cause the goof you made. And those extra pounds, I’m here to say, I didn’t make you bulge that way! Don’t look at me, I’m much too bright. My opinions are always right! I don’t recall raising my voice or ever making a bad choice…
Now, what did Jesus say? “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” That’s exactly what Jesus said — deny self. So, how does one do that? How do I deny myself? Does that mean putting others first? Hmm. How does one do that, when I have this nagging little thought in the back of my mind that somehow I am better than that one?
Self. From the time we were small the emphasis was on building our self-esteem, our character, being who we are. It became so ingrained into our DNA, our self-interest DNA, that it has the power to blot out what God has designed and built in and corrupts our human nature for its own purposes. It is a subtle and sneaky transformation.
In the process of our becoming who we are, our individuality forms a hard outer layer that protects and surrounds our inner spiritual life. As individuality develops, it shoves others aside, separating, and isolating people. It happens as we subconsciously protect ourselves and defend the characteristics of the child within. When we place our individuality over our spiritual life, our Spirit will become isolated, and we’ve lost something of value we didn’t even know we had.
Were you ever told by a parent or a significant other in your life to stand up for who you are. We carry that mindset into our present day. As an adult, were you ever asked to do something challenging, perhaps giving a homily in church, and your first impulse was to say “I can’t do that.” That’s because your individuality is blocking the way. That ‘you’ can’t believe because it’s focused on protecting and not risking. But your ‘spiritual you’ can’t help but believe and you are assured in your faith that the spirit of God is at work in you, saying I can do this because Christ will give me the strength.
I am convinced that God wants to bring us into union with himself, but unless we are willing to give up our right to ourselves, we cannot. What Jesus said about denying self, means to deny our independent right to ourselves. If we do that, then the real part of our spiritual life is allowed the opportunity to grow, and we begin to truly follow, and take on the image of our Lord. So be it.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Teach me to lift others up and to love them as you love me. Amen.
For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love just as I obey my father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes your joy will overflow. This is my commandment: love each other in the same way i have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:10-13 Continue reading
9 Then Boaz said to the witnesses and to the crowd standing around, “You have seen that today I have bought all the property of Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon, from Naomi, 10 and that with it I have purchased Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife, so that she can have a son to carry on the family name of her dead husband.” 11 And all the people standing there and the witnesses replied, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make this woman, who has now come into your home, as fertile as Rachel and Leah, from whom all the nation of Israel descended! May you be a great and successful man in Bethlehem, 12 and may the descendants the Lord will give you from this young woman be as numerous and honorable as those of our ancestor Perez, the son of Tamar and Judah.” 13 So Boaz married Ruth, and when he slept with her, the Lord gave her a son. Ruth 4:9-13 Continue reading
I am a MIGHTY GOD. Nothing is too difficult for Me. Nothing is impossible. Jeremiah 32:27
The errors and the disruptions of humans are no match for our Lord. A little inconvenience, maybe, but nothing that cannot be set right. He tells us, “My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 Continue reading
A Conversation with God
Some time ago, my daughter found this conversation with God on a Facebook page and passed it on to us as our Meditation for today. It was written by John Roedel and it is such a good and appropriate message, and so I share it with you. As you read this, keep in mind, this is you and God having a conversation.
Me: Hey God.
God: Hello…
Me: I’m falling apart. Can you put me back together?
God: I would rather not.
Me: Why?
God: Because you aren’t a puzzle.
Me: What about all of the pieces of my life that are falling down onto the ground?
God: Let them stay there for a while. They fell off for a reason. Take some time and decide if you need any of those pieces back.
Me: You don’t understand! I’m breaking down!
God: No – you don’t understand. You are breaking through. What you are feeling are just growing pains. You are shedding the things and the people in your life that are holding you back. You aren’t falling apart. You are falling into place. Relax. Take some deep breaths and allow those things you don’t need anymore, to fall off of you. Quit holding onto the pieces that don’t fit you anymore. Let them fall off. Let them go.
Me: Once I start doing that, what will be left of me?
God: Only the very best pieces of you.
Me: I’m scared of changing.
God: I keep telling you – You aren’t changing! You are becoming!
Me: Becoming who?
God: Becoming who I created you to be! A person of light and love and charity and hope and courage and joy and mercy and grace and compassion. I made you for more than the shallow pieces you have decided to adorn yourself with that you cling to with such greed and fear. Let those things fall off of you. I love you! Don’t change! … Become! Become! Become who I made you to be. I’m going to keep telling you this until you remember it.
Me: There goes another piece.
God: Yep. Let it be.
Me: So… I’m not broken?
God: Of course Not! – You are breaking like the dawn. It’s a new day. Become!!!
Life is filled with unexpected pits and twists. What has been happening to you over these past two years, since the pandemic ? Some have drawn closer to family, loved ones, friends – crediting your own need and your common sense. It seems that most of us have drawn closer to God and our faith – Thank you, Lord.
Truth – During this time, I sense that God has matured us in our faith, in ways we could not have anticipated. We have drawn closer to the Word. Our pattern of church attendance has altered somewhat. We have changed in ways that bless the lives of others, and ourselves, even today.
Regardless of changes, our Lord beckons us to peace, day by day. Life in Christ will not be the same, it will be different in a bright, new way. Listen to the voice within, telling us of the doors He will open, and the spiritual food He will provide, and the graces that will abound. You are breaking like the dawn. Wait for the Holy One’s direction. Become! Be at peace, and know.
GRACE — God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense
Many people, would consider the following, as a prayer of St Francis, would name this one, but it is not, in fact, by St. Francis, but comes from an unknown French source, and was first written around 1913. The prayer does capture the spirit of Francis.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
(I posted this Watchword nearly two years ago, but it seemed right to repeat it following the Watchword A Conversation with a Friend. These imagined conversations may very well touch us where we live. May God bless your meditations. — Stan)
23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” 24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:23-24 Continue reading
15-17 “If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you. I will talk to the Father, and he’ll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can’t take him in because it doesn’t have eyes to see him, doesn’t know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you! John 14:15-17 The Message
I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Continue reading
20 Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, 21 for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” 22 Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment. Matthew 9:20-22
11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. 15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Luke 17:11-19
46 Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. 47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” 50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My Rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road. Mark 10:46-52 Continue reading
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:7-8
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5 Continue reading
“1 Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.” 5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:1-5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understandings. Proverbs 3:5
Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.” We cannot follow the ways of the Lord without discernment. Hosea 14:9
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14 Continue reading
