There are times in our lives when we feel as if we’re too far from God. No matter how much time you spend kneeling in front of the altar or praying and meditating, the empty feeling doesn’t seem to want to go away. I have that feeling today. Maybe because Summer is almost over and Fall is fast approaching. I do get that feeling at the end of the summer and it’s quite normal for me.
I went to hear mass today. I prayed for a friend of mine who suddenly passed away two weeks ago. He’s still very young. I also prayed for my uncle who recently underwent a heart bypass. I prayed for my friend’s dad who’s ill and getting very weak as the time goes by. And to my brother who died twenty years ago – I pray for your soul as well. There are so many people to pray for and I know in my heart that Someone up there is listening to my prayers.
There was a time in my life when I listened to nothing else but Christian music. My taste in Christan music varied from contemporary to traditional to gospel music. I love the likes of Amy Grant, Sandi Patti, Larnell Harris, Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith, Steve Green and many more.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
I must thank God today. I don’t know how or why but I knew somehow that even when I wasn’t following the footsteps of Christ, that he was and have always been watching me. He gave me many reasons to forgive, to love, and to always remain positive regardless of any situation.
It must be because I wasn’t borne to prominent wealth. Both my parents had to work hard all their lives in order to provide for us, their children. Equally, we were taught to conserve, be frugal and even with abundance – to always know that someone else is hungry in the world.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7
We all know that story. Abraham heard the voice of God asking him to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering by taking him to the mountains and killing him. However traumatic or troubling the story was, we still find out in the end that it is simply a lesson about one thing and one thing only. Obedience.
12He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” (Gen. 22:11-12)
Read the newer version of the translated verse and see how much it has changed by changing the word FEAR to TRUST.
“Therefore, be on the alert– for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning
– Mark 13:35
The disasters that have occurred in the last six months has got me thinking. The ravaging storm Ondoy in the Philippines, earthquake in Haiti, Chile, Taiwan and just today – Indonesia and Sumatra. What is going on folks? These are natural disasters that nobody expected. The people weren’t prepared because there is no way you can prepare for it. It’s like a thief in the night. Many lives were lost.
I write about this tonight because I am a man of faith. And my faith leads me to believe that having Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior, I will be okay. Yet, when things like these happen, I start thinking. Have I been faithful to God? Have I kept my side of the bargain with him. What if in His eyes, I didn’t and when He returns he catches me unprepared. Will I lose my own soul?
I strive to be a better person every day. I try to be kind in any way I can. But I don’t know if I should be kind. How am I fulfilling His will by being kind. Should I be kind to murderers? Child molesters? Gay bashers? What is kindness?
Feeling kinda cold? No fire in your stomach? I feel that once in a while. I feel like I’m not connected to God or that I’ve gone so far away from Him that I can’t feel the love that He has for me.
It’s normal. For us who strive to be like Christ, there will be times when we can’t feel His love. It’s not because He’s not there – - it’s because we’ve pushed Him away. And you know what, even if we did – He is only an arms length away because we’re the only one who can push away. He’s still there, watching and waiting for us.
I love this song so much and whenever I listen to it, I imagine God saying the words to me. It’s comforting to know that He is always near…always there to comfort me.
Listen and maybe if you’re feeling like it – - join in the song.
You’ve heard it before. ““I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” – Luke 19:40. And it’s true. We have to be cognizant of the fact that praising God is not for His benefit but ours.
I remember a story about a farmer who has put all his savings for the harvest that he was expecting. I can’t remember if it was a corn field or whatever but that is not important. All I remember is that he has put all his effort into the field and is expecting a great harvest. He recently became a Christian and learned about praising God and how it benefits US by praising Him.
Whether you’re a Christian or not, you must have heard of life after death experiences. It could be someone you know or something you saw in a movie or television.
I’ve heard many stories and I even read books about it. As a Christian, I cannot help but believe that there is life after this life. There has to be. Christ spoke of it many times.
The very thing that I like about those stories is the emotion that these people experience at the time. They feel peace, they feel love, happiness. But most of all, they feel the presence of God.
I am a work in progress. I don’t claim to be perfect and although I try my best to be honest in every little way possible, sometimes I still fall into the “white lie” trap. It’s not easy to follow Jesus’ footsteps but I know that He forgives and every time He forgives, he puts a caveat after it. “Neither do I condemn you; go your way; from now on sin no more“.
Yes, we are forgiven but we have to learn from it. We have to say to ourselves the very next time the same situation presents itself that we can’t go the same way that we did in the past.
I wasn’t feeling very good today. I am not sick or anything, I simply feel down and not in the mood for anything. The rain wasn’t helping either. It’s very rare for me to feel this way but when I do, it’s quite heavy. I can’t put my finger on it and I can’t even say that I am depressed for there is no reason to be.
I would guess that it is part of life. I recently attended a wedding, a friend just had a baby and another friend graduated from college. Could it be that I am trying to assess what I’ve done with my life? Is it because I think that I will never get married or have children? I don’t know what my subconscious is saying but I feel really sad.
