Month: January 2024

In a recent children’s sermon the pastor asked for ways to show God’s love. One child said, “by not spitting on people “. Now that is funny. But is it the wisdom of a child?

Let’s think about it. The child knew that there are just some things that she shouldn’t do. Are we as smart? Do we “spit” on people by judging others or a speaking poorly about other’s? Don’t we know better? Don’t we know that our words can cause terrible hurt to others.

I know better….but still I do it. I am not perfect in case you wondered. But this sweet child gave me a moment to pause. She is right don’t spit on people. I need to hear and be reminded the I am called to love. I am called to let others be who they are without criticism and love them fully.

Today is Epiphany Sunday and the true Epiphany is the reminder that we are to embody pure love. We are called to be imitators of Jesus. But what does that mean? To love all others, to love God, and to love ourselves.

So on this Epiphany let’s love! All the world, all the people, all that is in the world. It belongs to God after all.

TMM

Have you ever run out of gas? It is embarrassing, infuriating, and humbling. My first car was a 1959 VW beetle and it had no gas gage. Instead, it had a little handle on the firewall and when you started to have the engine sputter, you reached down and turned the handle and it went to reserve which was 1.5 gallons. Then you found a gas station. Not so bad, right? Well no, unless you forgot to turn the handle back to full position after you filled up. Then, the next engine sputter and you were done!

This is all well and good when it is you car but what about when it is your spirit? What about when we are running on empty spiritually? The filling station called church is only open a few hour each week so what if we are on empty on Thursday? Yes, I know, pray, but is that an answer? I think “just pray about it” is insulting. That phrase makes me want to scream “what do you think I am doing?”

Is there a better answer? I think there is. You see it is only when I run out of gas that I am forced to find another way. Scripture says in our weakness God is made strong. Is it just possible that what we each need to do is to just run out of gas? I believe that we all need to run out of spiritual gas and refuel from God. That humbling experience is God’s chance to take us over and fuel us for the long trip called life.

So let’s quit running on our own fuel and switch to the premium fuel… the spiritual fuel from God.

TMM

I am not sure about you but I was not taught at church that I was free to choose how to view life. Church usually taught (explicitly or implicitly) that I had to see things God’s way, meaning that I had to be judgemental of life and abide by a partial quote of “be ye perfect as God is perfect”. (Matthew 5:48)

That verse however is actually intended to invite us to see things from a different point of view. To better understand God’s plan. This invitation allows us to be fully involved in how we see things. We get to choose to see God at work in others, ourselves, and the world. We can choose to see things God’s way or our own way. It is not a command it is an invitation.

So, in this current world of ours, with so much going on that is frightening and seems so bad, how do you want to see things? You can see all the bad and feel lost and overwhelmed. You can see the world and say it is God’s plan even if I don’t understand it. Or you can look at this world and see that there are good things and good people all around if you but notice.

So, choose. I make the choice to seek the goodness in each thing, person, and experience. I want to be as St. Francis was and find God everywhere. Can you make that choice? To find the living God everywhere? You might find hope for this new year.

TMM