Silence is Especially Golden at Christmas

May you find silence in your life, especially at Christmas.

The Silent Night was a holy night. All was calm, Bethlehem slept. In silence He came to Mary. In silence He comes to us, when we are free of the noise of men and from the desires that tempt our human nature. His wondrous gift to man was given in the stillness of the night. For silence is “the virtue of the strong, the refuge of the weak, the modesty of the proud and the prudence of the wise.” Silence is a preface to prayer; it is the prologue to progress, it is a prerequisite of peace. Be still my soul that I may hear Him in the silence of the Christmas night.
A poem by Arthur Storz

Have a joyous Christmas!!!

Want Forgiveness from God? Then, FORGIVE!!!

I have written about this just recently but am shocked at how little forgiveness there is in the world today. In fact, pointing fingers and seeking vengeance is the norm. So, how can any Christian pray the Lord’s prayer as Jesus taught us—”Forgive us as we forgive others”—and not forgive? Worse yet, how can any Christian go on the offensive at getting back or even with someone? The answers? They are not a follower of Jesus. No matter what they may call themselves, they are not a Christian. A Christian follows Jesus Christ—in word and action. All the time—not just when convenient. Continue reading “Want Forgiveness from God? Then, FORGIVE!!!”

Do You Live to Body or Soul?

This isn’t some esoteric, religious, and even impractical question. You can live life with your body ruling the way or you can walk the path of life with your soul guiding the way. Think about the differences. Living according to your body means pleasing it in ways that are only physical. And when your body dies it’s all over. Living according to your soul is preparation for eternity that starts with a brief opening act on this earth. The choice is yours. Continue reading “Do You Live to Body or Soul?”

Going There More Important Than Arriving

This is a great quote to remember every day…

When we think of the journey of life, the going is more important than the arriving. We are not here to be somewhere. We are here to live and to share our lives with each other. Our lives are the ultimate pilgrimage. Reverend James O’Leary, I Think I Am Happier Than I Think I Am

Share your life with at least one person today. Better yet, share it with everyone you meet. Try to give just a little of yourself with everyone around you today. And tomorrow and tomorrow.

The walk of life is more important than the end of the journey. Remember that and the journey never ends in an eternity of bliss.

God Says, “Just Smile!”

God means life to be so very simple. We are the ones who complicate life beyond all complication. God wants us to live life to the fullest. We are the ones who manage to live it to the least. That’s because we ignore God’s one command to LOVE. And you start loving with one simple little gesture—a smile. Continue reading “God Says, “Just Smile!””

The Secret to Golf & Life: Hold On Lightly!

After more years than I can recall playing golf, I finally found a secret to the game. Hold the club lightly, as lightly as you possibly can. The problem with golf is that we hold the club as tightly as possible, practically choking it to death. The result is it creates tension in our entire bodies, making it very difficult to really swing through the golf ball. So, what’s a golf lesson has to do with life? Continue reading “The Secret to Golf & Life: Hold On Lightly!”

Facing Your Giants

We all have “giants” in our lives. Those seemingly monumental obstacles that we can’t face or don’t want to face. If we just BELIEVE we can face anything—do anything and be anyone. But we let doubt, and those whispers in our ears, convince us that we can’t possibly face our giants. So, we give up or simply lay down in life.

Stand up to your giants! If you want some inspiration, look no further than Jesus who faced giant after giant, the final one being a brutal death on the cross.  And if you need some visible inspiration watch this clip from the movie, Facing the Giants. Then, watch the movie.

Don’t let doubt stop you from facing the giants in your life. Believe! And slay some giants like David. Or, better yet, like Jesus!

Transform Yourself By Not Conforming

I think one of the best Bible verses to live by is Romans 12:2 which says:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Take a few minutes to read this verse over several times and really understand what Continue reading “Transform Yourself By Not Conforming”

Pope Francis Is Not ‘Progressive’—He’s a Priest

There is a very good background article in the Atlantic on Pope Francis and his visit to the U.S. We try to put people in boxes of left and right; Democrat and Republican. The Pope doesn’t fit into any box other than he is a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ.

“My hope is that we will be moved by the fear of remaining shut up within structures which give us a false sense of security, within rules which make us harsh judges, within habits which make us feel safe, while at our door people are starving and Jesus does not tire of saying to us: ‘Give them something to eat.’”

Regardless of what box you put yourself in, these are profound words that are food for thought.

Give someone something to eat today!

Your Ego Versus God

The only one standing in the way of you realizing your true potential in life is you—led by your ego. Every time I stumble in life—and it’s more than I would like—it’s because I trip over my ego. When you are filled with your own ego it crowds out God in your life. And when God is missing nothing good happens. Nothing. It may feel good for a short time, but not for the long haul of life. Continue reading “Your Ego Versus God”