From My Inbox: Prescribed by the Great Physician

The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...

• Noah was a drunk


• Abraham was too old


• Isaac was a daydreamer


• Jacob was a liar


• Leah was ugly


• Joseph was abused


• Moses had a stuttering problem


• Gideon was afraid


• Samson had long hair and was a womanizer


• Rahab was a prostitute


• Jeremiah and Timothy were too young


• David had an affair and was a murderer


• Elijah was suicidal


• Isaiah preached naked


• Jonah ran from God


• Naomi was a widow


• Job went bankrupt


• Peter denied Christ


• The Disciples fell asleep while praying


• Martha worried about everything


• The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once


• Zaccheus was too small


• Paul was too religious


• Timothy had an ulcer... AND


• Lazarus was dead!

Now! No more excuses! God can use you to your full potential.. Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger.

1. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.


2. Dear God, I have a problem, it's Me.


3. Growing old is inevitable .. growing UP is optional.


4. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.


5. Silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted.


6. Do the math ... count your blessings.


7. Faith is the ability to not panic.


8. Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging.


9. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you pray, don't worry.


10. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home everyday.


11. Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape.


12. The most important things in your house are the people.


13. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.


14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.


15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

Have a great day!!! The SON is shining and he can certainly use you!


Tags: From My Inbox

Lord, Hear Our Prayer

Special Intentions to keep in mind and in prayer this week:

• For LT and MW, a prayer for employment


• For FJ, a prayer for travelers

Minute Meditations - June 9

Scripture
"Stay awake and pray that you may not enter into temptation."
(Matthew 26:41)

Reflection
"Jesus, Who feared nothing, experieinced fear and asked to be freed from death - although He knew it was impossible.

How much more must we perservere in prayer before temptation assails us - so that we may be freed when the test has come!"
- St. Ephrem

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to work out my salvation in fear and trembling. Let me pray daily that I may withstand temptation and carry out Your will in all things.
- Every Day is a Gift


Tags: Minute Meditations

From My Inbox: Prayer for Spiritual Growth

Prayer For Spiritual Growth

Lord, where shall I find you?
High and hidden is your place.
And where shall I not find you?
The world is full of your glory.

I have sought your nearness,
With all my heart I called you
and in going out to meet you
I found you coming in to meet me.

By Judah Halevi
(A Spanish poet and philosopher)


Tags: From My Inbox

PG Rating for evangelism

It's a sad state when the MPAA places "too much religion" in the same category as "brief nudity", "violence", and "strong themes". But that is what they have done to Facing the Giants, a low budget film focusing on overcoming the odds in life with help from the Lord.

The story from Scripps Howard News Service, highlights why the MPAA chose this rating:

"What the MPAA said is that the movie contained strong 'thematic elements' that might disturb some parents," said Kris Fuhr, vice president for marketing at Provident Films, which is owned by Sony Pictures. Provident plans to open the film next fall in 380 theaters nationwide with the help of Samuel Goldwyn Films, which has worked with indie movies like "The Squid and the Whale."

Which "thematic elements" earned this squeaky-clean movie its PG?

"Facing the Giants" is too evangelistic.

The MPAA, noted Fuhr, tends to offer cryptic explanations for its ratings. In this case, she was told that it "decided that the movie was heavily laden with messages from one religion and that this might offend people from other religions. It's important that they used the word 'proselytizing' when they talked about giving this movie a PG. ...

Read about the plot of the movie here.

Minute Meditations - June 7

Scripture
"By faith we come to understand."
(Hebrews 11:3)

Reflection
"Understanding is the reward of faith.
Therefore, seek not to understand that you may believe - bu believe that you may understand."
- St. Augustine

Prayer
Triune God, grant that I may have a strong living faith in You and in Your divine plan of salvation. Help me to believe so that I may understand and love my Christian heritage.
- Every Day is a Gift

Tags: Minute Meditations

Bloggin Around

Some posts of interest as I was surfin' the Catholic blogsphere:

• Happy Blog Anniversary to Moneybags over at A Catholic Life!


• Julie D. at Happy Catholic has entered the big time with her first podcast, a group venture spearheaded by the priest who never sleeps, Fr. Roderick, founder of SQPN.


• Barb Szyszkiewicz from SFO Mom celebrates Big Brother's 8th grade graduation.


• The Roamin' Roman continues to keep us up to date (with beautiful pictures to boot!) on her activities in Rome.

That's it for now.

Prayer intention

I would ask for your prayers, once again, as my family and I discern over a very important decision. No details. Just prayers, please.

Minute Meditations - June 6

Scripture
"I tell you: her many sins have been forgiven her because she has shown great love."
(Luke 7:47)

Reflection
"Christian should always remember the value of their good works is not based on number and excellence.
Their value is based on the love for God that prompts them to do the good works."
- St. John of the Cross

Prayer
Loving Father, help me to be motivated always by true love for You. Let me not worry so much about what I do but why I do it.
- Every Day is a Gift


Tags: Minute Meditations

Pictures and Videos

I have posted some pictures, slideshows and videos over at Parties and Pictures.

Minute Meditations - June 4

Scripture
"Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light to my path."
(Psalms 119: 105)

Reflection
"Being, a Christian means saying "yes" to Jesus Christ.
It consists in surrendering to the Word of God and relying on it, but also endeavoring to know better and better the profounf meaning of this Word."
- Pope John Paul II

Prayer
Self-revealing God, let me rely always on Your all-enlightening Word. Help me to read it often, study it diligently, ponder it well, and put it into practice in my daily life."
- Every Day is a Gift

Tags: Minute Meditations

Music That Matters: Barlow Girl, Jonah33

Here are three songs that epitomize the lukewarmness (is that a word?) that so many of us feel in our spiritual lives. I think that "going through the motions" is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it seems that with everything we are called to do like being a parent and spouse, our jobs, our volunteerism, etc., it good to be on "autopilot" every once in awhile. It is what keeps us sane and prevents us from feeling overwhelmed and losing sight of what is really important.

I think Barlow Girl sums it up nicely in "Never Alone" when they say:

I cry out with no reply
And I can't feel You by my side
So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I'm never alone
We cannot separate
You're part of me
and though You're invisible
I trust the unseen

Thanks to my anonymous reader for supplying me with another three-pack. I got it yesterday, so for you hockey fans out there, I guess this is a "hat-trick"

Click here for other Music That Matters posts.

Grey
BarlowGirl
Album - Another Journal Entry

Greys my favorite color
Black and white has never been my thing
I'll take my drink lukewarm now
Hot and cold is not the thing for me

Absolutes are hidden
I've buried my convictions

Chorus:
I cannot be blind no more
Numb to what I'm living for
Help me stop this compromise that justifies these lies
I need Your passion in this life

I don't want to impose
Who really needs to know what I believe
Cause no one likes rockin boats
And who would care to see the way I see

Absolutes are hidden
I've buried my convictions

I cannot be blind no more
Numb to what I'm living for
Help me stop this compromise that justifies these lies
I need Your passion in this life

So give me the fire, yeah
God give me Your fire
And raise this life higher

I cannot be blind no more
Numb to what Im living for
Help me stop this compromise that justifies these lies
I need Your passion in this life

I cannot be blind no more
Numb to what I'm living for
Help me stop this compromise that justifies these lies
I need Your passion in this life

Grey's my favorite color, yeah!


Never Alone
Barlow Girl
Album - Another Journal Entry

I waited for You today
But You didn't show
No. No. No
I needed You today
So where did you go?
You told me to call
Said You'd be there
And though I haven't seen You
Are You still there?

Chorus:
I cry out with no reply and
I can't feel You by my side
So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I'm never alone.

And though I cannot see You
and I can't explain why
Such a deep, deep reassurance
You've placed in my life oh
We cannot separate
'Cause You're part of me
and though You're invisible
I'll trust the unseen

Chorus:
I cry out with no reply
And I can't feel You by my side
So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I'm never alone
We cannot separate
You're part of me
and though You're invisible
I trust the unseen

Chorus:
I cry out with no reply
and I can't feel You by my side
So I'll hold tight to what I know
You're here and I'm never alone


Faith Like That
Jonah33
Album - Jonah33

I have heard about the days of old
About the men who followed You
And how they saw the Supernatural
And became the chosen few

So I come before You now
Tearing off my earthly crowns
for this one thing I have Found

I want Faith Like That
To see the dead rise
or to see You pass by
Oh I, I want Faith Like That
Whatever the cost
I'll suffer the loss, Oh I
I want Faith Like That

I'm not looking for a miracle
Signs and Wonders are things thereof
I caught a glimpse of what You want from me
and what I have is not enough

I read the story one more time
of those who gave to You their lives
With no fear or compromise

I want Faith Like That
To see the dead rise
or to see You pass by
Oh I, I want Faith Like That
Whatever the cost
I'll suffer the loss, Oh I
I want the Faith that can move any mountain
and send them to the sea
I want the Faith that can break every stronghold
That keeps you, keeps you from me

I want Faith Like That
To see the dead rise
or to see You pass by
Oh I, I want Faith Like That

I want Faith Like That
To see the dead rise
or to see You pass by
Oh I, I want Faith Like That
Whatever the cost
I'll suffer the loss, Oh I
I want Faith Like That, a Faith like that

From My Inbox: Scars

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door leaving shoes, socks, and shirt as he went.

He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the center of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His father working in the yard saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could.

Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to his father. It was too late.

Just as he reached his father,the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go.

A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boyrecovered. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the alligator and, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to his son.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret . But, some wounds are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your life He's been there holding onto you.

The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way, but sometimes we wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead.

The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins. If you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.


Tags: From My Inbox

From My Inbox: Church Donations

This may come as a surprise to those of you not living in Las Vegas, but there are more Catholic churches than casinos in Vegas. Not surprisingly, some worshippers at Sunday services will give casino chips rather than cash when the basket is passed. Since they get chips from many different casinos, the churches have devised a method to collect the offerings. The churches send all their collected chips to a nearby Franciscan monastery for sorting and then the chips are taken to the casinos of origin and cashed in.

This is done by the chip monks.


Tags: From My Inbox

Music That Matters - Michael W. Smith

My anonymous reader who has been feeding me with songs/lyrics and reflections must have received a large collection of CDs recently, for today I am happy to ofer you today a three-pack from Michael W. Smith's album "I'll Lead You Home"!

The songs are presented here not in the order in which they appear on the album, but in the order which reflects a journey back to the Church - back to one's own faith.

If you didn't know, you can click on the songs' titles and a new window will pop up and play the song for your listening pleasure. It may take some time depending on your connection, but please be patient - it's worth the wait. If you are using the Firefox browser, you'll have to click on the stop button, then click on the play button to hear the music. IE will play it automatically after the song loads.

Many new Catholics willingly offer their conversion stories. What we don't often get to hear or read are the stories of cradle Catholics who have either remained in the Church or who have left for periods of time and have returned.

Listen to and read the lyrics of these three songs in the order I have presented them. For me, and certainly my anonymous reader who supplies me with the material for Music That Matters, these songs illustrate the difficulty of staying faithful.

Cry For Love
Michael W. Smith
Album - I'll Lead You Home

My life is like a racing car hurtling towards the wall
At the speed of sound
My time has been so finely tuned
But I've never seen a human being so tightly wound
At times it seems beyond belief
I just need a bit of relief
Like a war-weary soldier
Marching up and over the edge
Take my hand and pull me up cause I'm falling too fast
Somehow I've lost my way - I'm cryin' save me

Chorus
Can you hear me...I'm calling out
I'm crying out...a cry for love
I can feel you...you're touching me
You healing me...my cry for love

I will be the first to admit
I don't have the strength to handle it alone anymore
I don't have to fret, don't have to explain
All my worrying's in vain
I'm not alone anymore

Why is this so hard to believe
What is mine is mine to freely receive
Like the changing of seasons
This is the beauty of the word
And for all that I have seen and heard
Oh I want to come home
Somehow I'll make my way - my way home to you

Chorus

Bridge:
Oh Father hear my call (Oh Father hear my call)
I know you'll catch me when I fall
Oh Father hear my callI know you'll catch me when I fall
Oh I pray that you'll hold me now
Hold me
And take my fear away

I'm cryin' save me
Oh I know that you can hear me
Hear me crying out for love
Oh I know that you can feel my cry for love...ooh...

I can feel you - you're calling out
You're crying out - a cry for love
I can feel you - you're touching me
You're healing me - my cry for love


I'll Lead You Home
Michael W. Smith
Album - I'll Lead You Home

Wandering the road of desperate life
Aimlessly beneath the barren sky
Leave it to me
I'll lead you home
So afraid that you will not be found
It won't be long before your sun goes down
Just leave it to me
I'll lead you home

Chorus:
Hear me calling
Hear me calling
Just leave it to me - I'll lead you home

A troubled mind and a doubter's heart
You wonder how you ever got this far
Leave it to me, I'll lead you home

Vultures of darkness ate the crumbs you left
And you got no way to retrace your steps
Just leave it to me
I'll lead you home

Chorus 2:
Hear me calling
Hear me calling
You're lost and alone
Leave it to meI'll lead you home

Chorus 2

So let it go and turn it over to
The one who chose to give his life for you
Leave it to me
I'll lead you home

So let it go and turn it over to
The one who chose to give his life for you
Just leave it to me
I'll lead you home
Leave it to me
I'll lead you home

Chorus 2


I'm Waiting For You
Michael W. Smith
Album - I'll Lead You Home

I walked this road
So very long ago
To show the way
So you would know
I walked the road
With holes in my hands in feet
To make the way
Come follow me

Chorus:
No, you are not alone
You will be free indeed
The journey begins and ends
With me
One million miles
It starts with a step or two
What are you waiting for?
I'm waiting for you

You run the race
Thinking you've almost won
Then you may find
You've only begun
You're on the road
Thinking you're far from here
And suddenly find
You're very near

Chorus

In Memory: Diane Endler

Diane Endler, a member of our parish passed away Saturday. The funeral Mass is today at 11:00.

Jim, Diane's husband, is an usher/greeter at our 11:00 am Mass on Sundays. He was still there, shaking hands, crying, and accepting hugs and condolences last Sunday, the day after his wife passed away. An amazing testimony to his faith and love for his wife and for Christ.

Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

From My Inbox: How Poor We Are

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On the return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"

"It was great, Dad."
"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.
"Oh yeah," said the son.
"So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered:
"I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them."

The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are."


Tags: From My Inbox

Music That Matters: Creed

It has been awhile since I have had a Music That Matters post, so I give you two recordings of the same song by two different artists. Rich Mullins, I understand, actually wrote the song based on the Nicene Creed. His version is much more "mellow" and contemporary that Third Day's "updated" version. Both versions resonate with the truths and beliefs I hold dear. My anonymous reader who sent me today's Music That Matters, has this personal reflection to share:

But at the very core of my being is a truth that cannot be denied, a belief system that is innate within me, and to which I can cling even in the midst of the greatest tempests. And that belief system is described succinctly in this song. No matter what seems to happen in my career, my personal life or my spiritual life, I really DO believe in a Trinitarian God, that Jesus is my Lord and Savior, that I am loved, that this love is not based on my merit but on the generosity of God, but that the love, while freely given, comes with responsibilities and accountability... and that my belief in the Catholic faith equally comes with responsibilities and accountability. I know that I will, because of my human nature, fall short and fail often, but that shouldnt stop me from striving and trying to be a better person, to have a closer relationship with God, and to be Christ-like in all that I do.

Creed (click to listen)
by Rich Mullins
Album - Songs


Creed (click to listen)
by Third Day
Album - Offerings II: All That I Have to Give

I believe in God the Father almighty
Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth
And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son, our Lord
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
Born of the virgin Mary
Suffered under Pontius Pilate
He was crucified and dead and buried

CHORUS:
And I believe what I believe
Is what makes me what I am
I did not make it, no it is making me
It is the very truth of God and not
The invention of any man

I believe that He who suffered
Was crucified, buried, and dead
He descended into hell and
On the third day, rose again
He ascended into Heaven where
He sits at God's mighty right hand
I believe that He's returning to
Judge the quick and the dead
Of the sons of men

CHORUS

I believe it, I believe it
I believe it
I believe it, I believe it

I believe in God the Father almighty
Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth
And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son,
Our Lord
I believe in the Holy Spirit
One Holy Church, the communion of Saints
The forgiveness of sin
I believe in the resurrection
I believe in a life that never ends

CHORUS

I believe it, I believe
I believe it, I believe
I believe it, I believe it

Blogging Blocked

In the last couple of weeks, I have had difficulty getting onto any blogspot account, or even posting blogs of my own from work (they haven't officially blocked it, but I'm getting a 504 Gateway timeout msg.) I really don't want to contact tech support for our school district and ask, "Why can't I seem to access non-work-related blogs on company time anymore?" for fear of all my access being pulled, you know? And seeing that this used to be the time when I blogged the most, it has put a kink into things. Instead of blogging on "the man's" dime, I have to do it on my own time, so I'll have to carve out some time to do so - either in the morning or evening. Bummer.

So please be patient, as I find time, I'll post more frequently.

UPDATE: I'm baaack. Works now. Prayers answered.

Minute Meditations - May 27

Scripture"The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the Spirit of Wisdom."
(Isaiah 11:2)

Reflection
"Those who are led by the Holy Spirit have a right conception of everything.
Hence, many unlettered people enjoy such knowledge more than the wise."
- St. John Vianney

Prayer
Father of every good gift, send forth Your Spirit upon me with His sevenfold gifts. Grant that I may see everything with Your eyes and always act according to Your will..
- Every Day is a Gift

Tags: Minute Meditations