Archive for February, 2009
Please pray for my Dad.
My kids once gave me a little wooden sign that read, “Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Daddy..”
So True. Biologically, we are equipped to father, but there are certain gifts that are bestowed on the worthy, that make you a daddy. Dads have more responsibility than most realize. When we accept this, we are moved to walk through fire for our children. There is no burden to large, no load to heavy that a Dad would not carry for his children. I know I would lay down my life for mine. Give everything I own, everything I hope to be for them. I love them that much. A joint gift from both my wife, and God who I feel, experience and love, because of this love, I would never turn my back on them, no matter what they do.
I know my Dad and I have had our disagreements over the years. I accept my mistakes and the limited view I had while he was guiding me. I know he loves me and know what he would go through for his children. Secretly, he’s always been my hero and still is. No more a secret, he is my hero, my gift from God and a testimony of that love.
Hug and hold your Dad today, for who knows what tomorrow will bring. Honor him and bring him comfort. Return the love he gave you.
Peace of Christ to all.
February 23 2009 | random thoughts | 2 Comments »
This last weekend was probably one of the most exhausting of the Formation weekends. There were many moments of wondering just where the Lord is leading. We’re fast approaching the making of an important decision.
Is it wonder that you would reflect on where you’ve when to see where you’re going?
No. It’s a fact. Whether in spiritual matters or secular, you cannot move forward unless you reflect on the past.
I was able to inventory and take stock of things which impede my relationship with the Lord. Mentally, these things led to one, that was a major block. Breaking through, allows freedom to become.
Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of Lent. A tradition that we as Catholics believe are reminders of where we began and where we will ultimately return. We receive the mark of ashes as a sign of our creation from dust and dust we are to return…
In Ecclesiastics, a man Qoheleth, laments over his toil, his labor, all he works for, will ultimately be left for someone else and further laments his labor is in vain.
In other words, you can’t take it with you when you go.
Why kill youselves gathering, storing of these “riches” only to leave them for another?
He believes it’s vanity. We simply want to be seen as successful, and the mark of success is riches, of material possessions.
I believe there are many other forms of riches. For example, to be rich with the love of a good family. To be rich in compassion, rich in forgiveness, rich in the love and knowledge of God and most important rich in contemplation of him, which is wisdom.
This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t endeavor to provide for those we are responsible for, but rather, to labor for the right reasons. You see, we get spun around and told what is important according to the vanity of others and that I believe is one of the many problems that lead to despair.
There appears to be no regard for the contemplative these days. People don’t have time or won’t make time to contemplate and rejunvenate. Instead, they move closer and closer to the edge of sanity, one millimeter away from “going off”
It’s just crazy.
But there is another way, and I believe with my whole heart, that the image of the 40 days of fast, is symbolic to my image of putting away the things that distract for a while, to unplug from the world of information, and search for inner peace. To review and reflect, so I may adjust and move forward.
Now, I am not suggesting to shirk your responsibilities. My employment requires me to be able to connect. I think for me, it’s looking at some of things that consume my time, and put them aside for awhile and make time for deeper reflection. It means a bit of denial and to make further efforts to help others.
We Aspirants are fast approaching the end of year 1. As Jesus retreated to the desert in preparation for his mission, so too we must retreat. I cannot wait for next months retreat to the Abbey. To pray and reflect, and listen for the Lord’s call, and ultimately decide. My excitement is electric. The path to Candidacy is fast approaching. The fork in the road is coming. What will we decide?
Lent has a whole new dimension for me. A time to reflect, a time to renew. I wish you all the best for your Lenten Journey.
Peace.
February 23 2009 | Lent and formation and inspiration | No Comments »
“Entrust your works to the Lord,
and your plans will succeed.
The Lord has made everything for his own ends.”
I pray Dear Lord, for my class, in study for your service as heralds of your Gospel. I pray for their safe travel and thank you for the gift of friendship, of brotherhood.
We praise you Master, with the works of our hands and minds. We offer them to you in supplication, to your most Holy will. Receive us Lord, guide our minds in our study this weekend.
In your most Holy name I lift up my prayer. Amen.
February 20 2009 | formation and prayers | No Comments »
Julia,
Thank you for sharing your life with me, and allowing me to share mine with you. For our children, for listening to whatever is on my mind, no matter where . No words can ever describe the love I have for you. You complete my life.
February 19 2009 | random thoughts | No Comments »
Today’s entry brings me back to the time where I heard the story of an 11 year old girl and her courageous battle with neuroblastoma. I first heard of Gloria, when her parents, Doug and Kristen Strauss came to our parish to share her life with us. I remember listening to them and thinking how incredible they were, and what a gift they had in Gloria. I could hardly contain my tears and afterward, all I could manage was to say “how sorry I was for their loss” and offer them an embrace.
What brings me back is an article featured in the “The Catholic Northwest Progress” titled “Gloria’s impact lives on” that focuses on their ongoing ministry, an outreach to families in similar need. This organization founded by Doug and his friend Bob Turner, trains teams of friends to do what needs to be done in order to support families in need so they can spend that valuable time with their loved one. You can read more about this by clicking the second link.
Gloria’s story touch me in a profound way, and I know countless others, who were struggling with many different aspects of life, but clearly focusing on the life of a little girl, inspiring those who’d before had no hope. Gloria’s Angels not only keeps her memory alive, it inspires others, and helps those families struggling with this unthinkable burden.
I hope you will take the time to visit them at her web site: Gloria’s Angels
If you would like to help “The Angels” visit her site and make a donation, a compassionate way to say “you care” by helping these families.
Doug and Kristen, please know you all are in our prayers. Thank you, for this little Angel.
February 19 2009 | inspiration | No Comments »
Fitness
Back in the drops
Posted: February 17th, 2009
Wow! Can it be that the last entry on this page was Oct 2008?
Man, I will have to get by more often. Don’t know how, but I will.
This morning is a brisk 38 degrees as I pondered pulling the Cannondale out of mothballs. A month or so ago, I contemplated some cold-weather riding so I bought some sleeves and leggings and hadn’t yet taken the opportunity to try them out.
More here…
February 17 2009 | cycling and fitness and hobbies | No Comments »
It struck me as I finished the last post, that an update is in order. This formation year is flying by and we are finishing up with our classes before our preparation for Synthesis weekend. We’ve had introductory courses in Theology, “Searching For God” and Scripture, “How to read the Bible as Catholics”. We’ve had courses in Writing, Public Speaking, Principles of Prayer, The Psalms, Pastoral Care and Christian Listening.
I have to say I am enjoying the study and the writing. I am working hard on the writing part, it takes me some time. The synthesizing is a challenge too. But where I really improved was my listening. How could something so simple be so hard? It’s terrible sometimes. I tend to listen with my motor running, thinking only when I can jump in to fix. We’ll news flash! It doesn’t always work that way!
Listening is one of the best gifts we can give someone. It shows we care, and believe me, they know when you are and where you are not. Give it try, you’ll be surprise at how much you can learn about yourself as well as the person you’re listening to.
We’ve also been engaged in Pastoral care in our Parish, and are being asked to decide an internship for work in the community for next year. We’ve visited and spoke with newly ordained Deacons in Hospitals, and Centers for the Homeless here in Seattle. We’ll be visiting a Jail or Prison next. There are so many dimensions to the Deacon’s role, and we’ve only scratched the surface.
Next month, we’ll head south for our Retreat at a Monastery in Oregon. I am looking forward to that.
That’s about it for now.
Thanks for stopping by.
February 10 2009 | formation | No Comments »
We’ve seen a lot this year for sure.
Today is one of those days, when you don’t feel so good, and staying put and working at home is about the best thing for you. I woke this morning, not feeling up to snuff. So I am busying myself working in the office, organizing and getting rid of years of junk.
It’s amazing what we gather and how much it weighs us down. Our conscience works much the same way. We carry around years of baggage in the same fashion of the physical junk. It’s good to take stock and get rid of those things that are useless and create space to become something new. (Thank God for Lent!)
I’ve missed my blog, but I want to assure those (whomever you are) that are stopping by, that I am not abandoning it, but things of a higher precedent are demanding my attention. I hope your year is going better for you, we’re in for a long haul, but in these times, we’re being tasked with a “gut” check and to again prioritize what is truly important in order to progress.
Hang in there. And pray, pray often for that guidance to do the right thing.
Peace.
February 10 2009 | random thoughts | No Comments »
