There is no God

"In their insolence the wicked boast:
“God does not care; there is no God."  (Psalm 10: 4)

The above scripture captures the attitude of the human heart a couple of thousands of years ago.  Is this different from the attitude of many today?  Not at all.  What causes man to turn his back on God and say in his heart, "There is no God?"

God created man in his image and likeness.  That means, God stamped man with His own DNS at creation.  But God created man with a free will.  Man is free to accept or reject God's loving initiatives in his life.  When man accepts God's love, the life of God in him grows.  But when man rejects God's love, the rejection weakens and diminishes the divine center and influence in his life.  This diminution of the divine in him may come to a point of extinction when man says in his heart, "There is no God?"

"Blessed is the man who does not walk
in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the way of sinners,
nor sit in company with scoffers.
Rather, the law of the LORD is his joy;
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree
planted near streams of water,
that yields its fruit in season;
Its leaves never wither;
whatever he does prospers."  (Psalm 1: 1 - 3)

You have given me health and restored my life

"Those live whom the Lord protects; yours is the life of my spirit.
You have given me health and restored my life."  (Isaiah 38: 16)

When I read the above scripture this morning, my mind flew back to 1995.  Like Hezekiah, I was very sick and thought I was going to die.  I thought that the Lord was ready to take me in the noon time of my life.  Hezekiah cried to the Lord to spare his life and the Lord saw his tears and heard his prayer.  He healed him and gave him fifteen more years of life.

What was my reaction when I believed that I was about to be consigned to the gates of sheol for the rest of my years; when I saw my dwelling being plucked up and removed from me like a shepherd's tent?  Strangely, I was very calm.  I informed all of mine to be calm and that I was ready to go.  But God had other plans.  He healed me and I realized that those live whom the Lord protects.  The Lord gave me health and restored my life.  I resolved to serve the Lord with all my time, talent and treasure.

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.

"“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."  (Matthew 11: 28 - 30)

Gracious invitation from Christ.  But how do we come to Christ?  We come to Christ in prayer, in His word, and in the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Penance.

What are the labors and burdens that we bring to Christ, the Doctor to heal?  We bring our burdens of sin.  We are overwhelmed with fears, worries and doubts about our health, family, finances, job, tools, food and the future.  We bring all these to Jesus.

How does Christ give us the promised rest?  He cancels our sins and relieves us once and for all from guilt.  Sometimes He heals our bodies and finances.  At other times, He gives us a supernatural perspective from which to view our woes.  This is in depth perspective therapy.  People go to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France for physical healing.  Many such people receive the in depth perspective therapy and decide to stay in Lourdes to minister to pilgrims sicker than themselves..

What yoke does Christ invite us to take upon ourselves?  The yoke of Christ is the Gospel of Christ.  The yoke of Christ is the Sermon on the Mount.  Christ Himself says that this yoke is both easy and light.  John says that to keep the commandments is not burdensome.  Paul writes of the weight of glory that awaits us after some light suffering.

"Learn from me," pleads Christ.  Christ is the Teacher and the Lesson.  Learn to be with me.  Learn to be like me.

You cannot serve God and mammon

"“No one can serve two masters.m He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."  (Matthew 6: 24)

What is mammon?

• The lust of the flesh
• The lust of the eye
• The pride of life
• Belly
• Comfort
• Sports and pastimes
• Riches
• Honors
• Praise of men

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."  (Matthew 22: 37)

"Unless your faith is firm, you shall not be firm!" (Isaiah 7: 9)

"Unless your faith is firm,  you shall not be firm!"  (Isaiah 7: 9)

Since I upgraded to  Lifejournal 3.0, I try  to use often the Pulse Input feature to measure how I stand on any particular day.  The Pulse Input measures the following variables on a scale of 1 to 10:  Mood, Stress, Energy, Health, Faith, Charity, Purpose, Contentment, Obedience.  After doing this exercise for several months, a pattern began to emerge.  I discovered that my mood, stress, energy, health, charity, purpose, contentment and obedience level is directly related to my faith level.  If my faith is high like 8 or 9,  my mood, energy, health, charity, purpose, contentment and obedience will be at least 7 and above.  My stress level is almost constant at 2.

Why is faith so important in influencing everything that goes on in the inner man?  The answer may well be found in Isaiah 7:9 where the word of God states, "Unless your faith is firm,  you shall not be firm!"  (Isaiah 7: 9)

Faith gives us access to God's promises of: Pardon, Peace, Power, Purpose, Presence, Protection and Provision.  You can call this, the 7 P's .  You receive in direct proportion to your faith.

Is there a way to increase faith?  Masters of the spiritual life have identified two key means:  Prayer and the Word of God.

I have no job, no money and no idea

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides."  (Matthew 6: 33)

O Israel, why do you complain, "I have no job, no money and no idea?"
But seek you first His kingdom and His righteousness and trust completely in Jesus to do the rest.

Chosen, Called, Destined and Sealed with the Holy Spirit

"In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will,
so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ."  (Ephesians 1: 11 - 12)

Ephesians 1: 3 - 14 was read as the second reading today, 15th Sunday of the Ordinary Time.  I am excited by the theme:  Chosen, Called Destined and Sealed by the Holy Spirit.

Father, may your love make me what you have chosen, called, destined and sealed with your Holy Spirit to be.  Amen!

Even all the hairs of your head are counted

"Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.
Even all the hairs of your head are counted.
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.: (Matthew 10: 29 - 31)

What beautiful and precious words are these, Lord Jesus.  They appear just too much for the mind of man to accept as true.  But I believe they are true.  Lord, the doctrine of your divine providence is the sweetest teaching for me in all of scripture.  How I pray that you help me to remember and live this every step and every moment of this day.  O thank you Jesus.

Wait for the Lord with courage

"They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength,
they will soar on eagles’ wings;
They will run and not grow weary,
walk and not grow faint." (Isaiah 40: 31)

I wait for you O Lord.  Renew my strength.  Do not allow me to be tired of waiting.  I stand on your word.  I will wait for you till you come.

The laborer deserves his keep

" no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep."  (Matthew 10: 10)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In every step of your journey, trust Him and He will direct your path.  If the Lord says that the laborer deserves his keep, so it is, so shall it be forever.

Keep the Lord's promises constantly before your eyes.  Review always His favors and provisions.  Use journaling to make a list of His new favors everyday.

I sought the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and He answered me

"I sought the LORD, and he answered me,
delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him and be radiant,
and your faces may not blush for shame.
This poor one cried out and the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him." (Psalm 34: 5 - 7)

What an affirmation of confidence in God's faithfulness.  I confess that I too have sought the Lord many times in the Blessed Sacrament and He answered me.  When my soul is troubled by many fears worries and doubts, I have sought the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.  I have left His Presence completely healed.  My experiences of the power of the Lord's Presence in the Blessed Sacrament make me say again and again that the Blessed Sacrament is a resource that never fails.

Look to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and be radiant and your face may not blush for shame.  Yes, I am the poor one who cried out to Jesus present in the Most Holy Sacrament and Jesus heard me and saved me from all my distress.  Thank you Lord.

The instrument of sin will be the instrument of punishment

"They multiply their sorrows
who court other gods.
Blood libations to them I will not pour out,
nor will I take their names upon my lips."  (Psalm 16: 4)

"With their silver and gold
they made idols for themselves,
to their own destruction."  (Hosea 8: 4)

The instrument of sin will be the instrument of punishment.  You make money your god.  The money god  overcomes you and then oppresses you.

She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.

"She said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you.” And from that hour the woman was cured."  (Matthew 9: 21 - 22)

"Those who dare approach my throne of mercy will receive mercy."  I felt these words in my heart one day kneeling close to the Blessed Sacrament.  Nearing close to the Blessed Sacrament apparently was not good enough.  I must imitate what I notice women and men do.  They walk up right in front of the Monstrance, place their hands on the Monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament and pour out their hearts to Jesus.  Before I felt these words of encouragement in my heart, I too had stood in front of the Blessed Sacrament to ask for special blessings.  But I have not made it a habit.  Those words of inspiration that I felt invite me to make it a habit to approach the throne of grace to find mercy at a time of need.

The woman with the issue of blood in the scripture above (Matthew 9: 21 - 22) felt strongly the unusual and powerful inspiration to touch the cloak of Jesus.  Faith is a response to God's initiative.  God is the source of all inspiration and power.  Because of her profound needs, she succumbed to the pull of this inspiration and dared touch the cloak of Jesus.  The result was instant healing for her.

At the early morning Mass today, I thought of what the woman did.  I will not only touch Jesus in the Eucharist but will receive Him in my hand, my tongue and my heart.  Why am I not healed of my ills and the burdens of my heart?  It is said that man's extremity is God's opportunity and man's security is Satan's opportunity.  Why do we appear afraid to approach God with our desperate needs?  Lord Jesus, grant me the grace always to dare approach your throne of mercy.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

" but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.  I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me."  (2 Corinthians 12: 9)

G o d

g r a n t

 m e   t h e

serenity   to   accept   the

 things   I   cannot   change;

the   courage   to   change 

the things

I can,

and the

wisdom

to know

the 

difference.

AMEN!

"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one." (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one."  (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
I celebrate the faithfulness of God.  I live everyday by this promise.  I see many instances of God's faithfulness in my life everyday.  Yet, sometimes I am anxious.  I am fearful.  I am doubting Thomas.  Why?  Why do I see and forget?  Why am I so slow of heart?  Why do I still doubt?

Lord Jesus, you say:  "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  (Luke 8:50; Mark 5: 36)
Help me to trust in you today always and everywhere.  Amen!

Man does not live on money alone

"He said in reply, “It is written:
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4: 4)

"Man does not live on bread alone......."
Man does not live on money alone...
Man does not live on salary alone...
Man does not live on job alone...
Man does not live on health alone...
Man does not live on family alone...

There are many ways God supports His man.

"Man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of God." 

Faith and only faith gives us God's promise of:

1. Pardon
2. Peace
3. Power
4. Purpose
5. Presence
6. Protection
7. Provision

What is your favorite form of physical exercise? Why?

“Avoid profane and silly myths. Train yourself for devotion, for, while physical training is of limited value, devotion is valuable in every respect, since it holds a promise of life both for the present and for the future.”  ( 1 Timothy 4: 7-8)

What is your favorite form of physical exercise? Why? ,,

Today, my favorite form of physical exercise is walking.  I thank God for my good legs.  I have enjoyed walking as long as I can remember but it has not always been my favorite exercise.  Some years ago, it was bicycling until I discovered that I missed something vital when I cycle.  I miss the joy of reflection.  You cannot do quality reflection during cycling.  You risk accident.  So, with walking, I kill two birds with one stone.  I exercise and I reflect. 

What do I reflect on during exercise?  Generally, what God is doing in my life.  I will be writing more on this.

"Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith." (Mark 5: 36)

"Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."
"On hearing this, Jesus answered him, “Do not be afraid; just have faith and she will be saved." (Luke 8:50)
"Disregarding the message that was reported, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; just have faith." (Mark 5: 36)

Statistics, expert information, poll numbers, clinical diagnosis, bank statements, etc are some of the "facts" and "numbers" that terrorize the heart and mind of man.  In Mark 5: 36. we are told that Jesus disregarded the message that the little girl is dead and said, "Fear is useless; what is needed is trust."  And with this, He confirmed the biblical principle that faith kills fear.  So when you receive that terrible diagnosis from your doctor, you know what to do.  Take it to Jesus and lay it out before Him.

"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.  Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ."  (Philippians 4: 4 - 7

You are no longer a temporary resident

"So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God,
built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone."  (Ephesians 2: 19 - 20)

The Church is the household of God where all the members are full and fellow citizens.  We are citizens by choice and not by birth.  When we made the decision to be baptized or the decision was made for us by our parents, we become adopted children of God and members of God's household.  We become citizens of God's Kingdom.  As citizens, we have privileges and obligations.  Baptism makes us members of the Church and opens the door to full sacramental life.  The sacraments nourish the life of God in us and confirm and strengthen our citizenship.  As children, we love Our Father and obey His commandments.  We also love the Church and our fellow citizens in the Kingdom.

Thank you Father for the gift of your Son, Jesus.  Thank you for the Church.  Thank you for making us citizens of your Kingdom.

God indeed is my Rock of Refuge and my Stronghold. I shall not be put to shame.

"In you, LORD, I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness deliver me;
incline your ear to me;
make haste to rescue me!
Be my rock of refuge,
a stronghold to save me." (Psalm 31: 1-2)

God indeed is my Rock of Refuge and my Stronghold.  I shall not be put to shame.  I will trust Him because faithfulness is the essence of His name.

Last night I got one of the flashes of insight that I enjoy so much.  My three Mormon friends visited me and for a second Sunday, we had over an hour of discussion.  The foundation of Mormon doctrine and theology is the so-called apostasy committed by the Church after the death of the last apostle.  God waited till the mission of Prophet Joseph Smith in the early 1800 to renew His covenant with the world.  Elder Flowers saw a parallel with the Old Testament.  I was reflecting on this just before going to be at 11 pm last night when I was suddenly hit by the thought of the Genealogy of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew.  I asked myself the question:  What is the central point of the Genealogy?  First to show that God is faithful to His promises and has the power to bring His design to fruition.  Secondly,   to demonstrate that sins and evil cannot derail the plan of God for the world.  There was just not one apostasy but many apostasies by the Chosen People in the Old Testament.   Inspite of this, God sent His Only Son, Jesus Christ at the appointed time to save the world.

Just as God was faithful in the Old Testament, so is He in the New Testament and in the Church Age and ever shall be world without end.  Amen!