From My Inbox: What Jesus Was Called

He had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
Feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us.


Tags: From My Inbox

Family Rosary Time

My 8 year-old daughter, Rebecca, came to me last week and asked, "Daddy, why don't we pray the rosary at home?"

I replied, "Would you like to pray the rosary at home as a family?"

She answered, "Yes. We pray the Hail Mary at school every morning and since we all have rosaries I thought we could do it together as a family."

Since we always try to make time to have dinner together as a family every evening, I told her I would work out a way we could all say the rosary after dinner each night. I talked with her about the decades and the mysteries and what the rosary really means. She and I worked out the following plan:

We would say a decade a night, focusing on a mystery per week. For example, the first week of each month we would say the Joyful Mysteries, one mystery per evening, Monday through Friday. The second week we would focus on the Luminous Mysteries, the third would be Sorrowful, the fourth, Glorious.

We decided that each member of the family would lead the prayers each evening: I on Monday, Kathy on Tuesday, Nicholas on Wednesday, Rebecca on Thursday and Emily on Friday.

We started last Thursday and the kids love it. They get a blanket and sit or lay on the floor and get quiet. They say the prayers with such reverence and awe and with the innocence of children. It's inspiring to both my wife and I.

These few minutes of quiet prayer as a family really sets the tone for the rest of the evening.

Why didn't we say the rosary at home before this? It's hard to find time in between homework and practices and games and meetings and all the running around we do. It was exactly what we needed at a time when we think we are in control of things and shut God out - intentionally or not.

So take time each day to pray. Quiet yourself and talk with the Lord. It's amazing how much better everything will be.

Minute Meditations - October 14

Scripture
"For God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work."
(Phil 2:13)

Reflection
"Let us ask God's help before doing anything.
If we acted in this way, we would perform wonders, for it would be God acting always in us."
- St. Peter Julian Eymard

Prayer
Heavenly Father, let me call upon Your help before undertaking to do anything in my life. Grant that I may be so united with You that Your grace may always bring forth good fruit.
- Every Day is a Gift

Tags: Minute Meditations

From My Inbox: Happy Fall

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin.
God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you.
He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff-- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc.
Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.

Have a Happy Fall - my favorite time of the year.

Tags: From My Inbox

Kids' School Pictures

The kids' new school pictures are at Parties and Pictures