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Where Should You Be?

8/31/2014

Have you ever stood on the edge of a mountainside and simply pondered? Have you considered the ease of travel in modern times with paved roadways and engine-driven vehicles? What did the early settlers think as they traversed through the mountains on horseback, in wagons, and on foot? Did they stand at the base of a mountain and get discouraged about climbing the mountain and crossing it? We all face obstacles in life. How do we typically respond to those obstacles?

At this stage of your life, are you where you are supposed to be?

In a few weeks another birthday will arrive for me. Some of the goals I set as young man have been reached, but others have not yet come to fruition. (One of the goals was to be financially independent by the age of 40. I missed that one by a long shot.) As I was thinking about some of those things this morning I realized that I am not yet where I want to be in many areas of my life. I started to get discouraged by that but then remembered John Maxwell's line, "When you're through improving, you're through." As long as we are blessed with the gift of life, we continue to move forward in our journey toward God.

I began revisiting my goals this morning and making some adjustments to them. I also began reviewing some material that I have accumulated through the years on leadership. I found several pages of quotes that provided plenty of food for thought. Many of these were in John Maxwell's book, Leadership 101. A few of them really struck me as being pertinent at this stage in my life.

"The highest purpose for faith is not to change my circumstances but to change me."

"Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected."

"People do not follow programs; rather, they follow leaders who inspire them."

"You can't build a reputation on what you're going to do."

"A leader takes people where they want to go. A GREAT LEADER takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be."

I have been blessed with some extraordinary people in my life through the years who have helped me grow in faith, in knowledge, and in understanding. They have been an asset in encouraging me to strive for that place where I ought to be. In turn, I have been striving to be that great leader who helps others get to where they ought to be. I know I still have much work to do in my earthly pilgrimage.

The key to successful leadership is influence--not position or authority. The question I am asking myself I will also pose to you. Are you exhibiting a positive influence for those around you?

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Cleaning Can Be Like Christmas

8/30/2014

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My family has moved quite a few times in the last 15 years. Each time we land in a new place it seems I get more and more disorganized. Boxes go unpacked and things go missing for years. Today, we tackled some of those unpacked boxes and I can't believe the things I relocated. Some of these items I had actually searched for on numerous occasions, but today was when they were found.

One folder that I found had resources that I used for various talks in my early years as a deacon. Another one had some of my homework in it from when I was in formation and even classes I took following ordination. One class I took after ordination was entitled, "Teaching Religion To Children." An assignment we received in that class was quite unique. Each student was given a cartoon picture and we had to compose a prayer based upon the picture. I received a picture of Winnie-the Pooh singing and dancing and enjoying the contents of his honey pot. Here is the prayer I composed 15 years ago based upon that picture.

PRAYER OF WINNIE-THE-POOH

I blow on my trumpet a melodius chord
And make a joyful noise unto the Lord
That is what Scripture tells me to do
Hello Lord, it's me--Winnie-the-Pooh

Oh God, it is with all my heart and soul I pray
That I may never find myself going astray
But sometimes, as quick as a wink
Oops--I guess I didn't think

Please guide me until the journey's end
And always be my faithful and loving friend
Protect Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore too
And don't forget me--Winnie-the-Pooh

I ask you to give me so much grace
That I see heaven--not that other place
And Lord, I don't know if this is right or not
But for now, I simply pray for a full honey pot

Amen

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Marriage and Family Novena Starts Tomorrow

8/29/2014

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I signed up for something a long time ago that has been a real blessing to me, and it is FREE. Go to www.praymorenovenas.com and subscribe. During each novena the daily prayers come right to your inbox. If you check your e-mail every day there is no chance to accidentally forget your prayers. The prayers are short so they are able to work for any lifestyle.

The next novena begins tomorrow (Saturday) and will be for the intention of strengthening marriage and family life. These nine days of prayer will lead up to Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (which we celebrate on September 8). We have seen the decline in our society due to the instability of family life. Let us pray for that trend to reverse itself. I realize that it is a three day weekend and we want to get in that last bit of summer fun, but I encourage you to take time to pray as well.

http://www.praymorenovenas.com/nativity-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary-novena/

On this Labor Day weekend please pray also for all those who are seeking work. If you have the blessing of being gainfully employed, take time to give thanks to God for that blessing. If you are unemployed or underemployed and desire fruitful work, sincerely and humbly ask God for that need to be fulfilled.

Have a safe and blessed weekend!

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Dream Big!

8/28/2014

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Today is the birthday of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He was born on August 28, 1749 and died on March 22, 1832. He has many fantastic quotes but some stand out for me in particular.

"Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men."

"I love those who yearn for the impossible."

"The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone."

"Correction does much, but encouragement does more."

"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."

These quotes speak profoundly to the Christian journey. If we are walking in the power of the Holy Spirit we should not be dreaming small dreams. Let's move the hearts of men and women through our faithful witness to Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Let's yearn for the impossible, because we know that with God all things are possible. Let's be people who encourage others so that they can walk in hope. Finally, let's put our faith into action. It isn't enough to just know our faith academically. We must apply it if it is to bear fruit in our lives.

"Jesus said to them: Because of your unbelief. For, amen I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Remove from hence hither, and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you." (Matthew 17:20)

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Don't Be Stumped--Be Creative!

8/27/2014

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Do you ever yearn for simpler times? The demands of day-to-day life can certainly take a toll on us if we lose focus on what is important. I frequently hear people express frustration and fatigue at the pace of life. Some have asked, “Where is the peace? Where is the fun? Where is hope?”

It appears to me that each generation has had its own particular issues of frustration. It may seem like technology is running roughshod over our lives today, but is it not also pretty amazing at the things we can do? The modern conveniences we enjoy are numerous. However, if we end up being held hostage by them we are in serious trouble. As the saying goes, “Do we own things, or do the things own us?”

This past weekend at the retreat I was reminded of how many things I take for granted on a daily basis. Waking up in the middle of the night and needing to go to the bathroom is typically not a big deal. At home we have a bathroom located in our bedroom. On the retreat I had to leave the bunkhouse to go to a centralized bathroom and shower facility. Yes, I was walking outside down a path at 8,400 feet not knowing what types of creatures were in the trees around me. It also was down to 43 degrees as well. Although the restroom facilities were nice and well-maintained, walking through the forest to get there was a reminder of the luxury of indoor plumbing—especially when that plumbing is in the same building where you are sleeping. After making that trip outside through the brisk night air, there was no going back to sleep. I was plenty early to watch the sunrise.

So why is it that we frequently lack peace and tranquility in our lives when many of us enjoy fairly comfortable lifestyles? Have we allowed the cares of the world to consume us? Have we created a lifestyle that induces stress because we are living so close to the edge of financial ruin? Are our relationships with family members strained for one reason or another? Are we holding on to unforgiveness? Have we dabbled in “New Age” spirituality or occult practices? Are we holding on to our “favorite” and habitual sins? Basically, what are the obstacles present in our lives keeping us from progressing in our spiritual journey?

The Sacrament of Baptism liberates us from sin and configures us to Christ. The shackles of bondage have been removed and we are free. We are no longer walking in darkness; we are children of the Light. The question is, “Have we subsequently rejected the Light?” My encouragement to you today is to open yourself to the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. Be set free from sin and united to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In order to move forward in our spiritual endeavors we are called to be people of prayer. We also would benefit from being very specific prayer in our prayer. After a thorough examination of conscience can we clearly discern the areas of our life where detrimental obstacles reside? I encourage you to pray very specifically to be set free from these shackles. Seek forgiveness. Seek healing. Seek courage. Seek strength. Seek perseverance. Pray in hope, for hope will not disappoint.

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Wyoming Catholic Men's Retreat--WOW!

8/25/2014

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How do I put into words what transpired this past weekend at the Table in the Wilderness? Get over 50 men together and let them sing (or at least make a joyful noise unto the Lord) and watch what happens! Praising God releases the power of the Holy Spirit in some magnificent ways.

The Wyoming Catholic Men's Retreat has been extending its outreach beyond the Casper, Wyoming area over the last few years. This event is a result of the prayerful efforts of the Shalom (Charismatic) Prayer Group in Casper. It certainly has spread its wings. I think we had men present from quite a number of communities this year including Casper, Riverton, Cody, Rock Springs, Rawlins, Laramie, Cheyenne, and even someone from Colorado as well. The impact on a man's life to gather with other men striving to be better Christians can be phenomenal. This retreat is certainly filling a need in that regard.

Charismatic spirituality has had a profound impact on my life personally. A Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group in Canon City, Colorado prayed with me many years ago prior to a major cancer surgery. The power of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit was almost palpable in that gathering. I went into surgery with a great sense of calm because of what I experienced with this prayer group. Words cannot adequately describe the sensation of peace I was given by the Holy Spirit in the midst of such a major crisis. It is truly a peace that only the Lord can give.

The greatest impact on my prayer life offered by the Charismatic Renewal has been quite simple. It has been the process of helping me to be cognizant of giving thanks and praise to God in all things. I will admit that I have struggled with doing that when life is hard. However, the Charismatic Renewal has kept that aspect of prayer in the forefront of my mind. I still don't do it well all the time, but through the grace of God, I think this component of my prayer life has improved overall.

Each time I have the privilege of leading a retreat or a parish mission I am deeply touched by the openness and candor of people in regard to their spiritual struggles. It is obvious that we are all on a journey, and sometimes our pilgrimage is filled with a lot of obstacles and potholes along the way. I am in awe when I see the grace of God provide answers for those striving to overcome the challenges. I know that some of the men this weekend received insights into some of their own personal challenges. Our God truly is an awesome God!

I wish to thank the leadership of the Wyoming Catholic Men's Retreat. You created an atmosphere in which we had the opportunity to encounter our God. Who could ask for anything more? May God bless each of you abundantly! On behalf of all the men who reaped the benefit of your hard work, I simply say, "THANK YOU!"

I couldn't sleep so I had the opportunity to see the sunrise on both Saturday and Sunday.

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Bird Power

8/22/2014

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I stopped to rest for a moment while mowing the grass and I returned to see that I had a little helper. I didn't want to scare the bird away so I decided to prolong my break. I wasn't too productive while sitting and watching the bird, but it was nice to enjoy a tiny component of nature. However, I really needed to get the task completed.

This weekend I will be leading the Wyoming Catholic Men's Retreat. I am looking forward to spending time with about 50 faith-filled men from all across Wyoming as they seek to deepen their relationship with the Lord. I am grateful to Bishop Etienne who will be joining us this evening to celebrate the opening Eucharistic Liturgy. I am also appreciative that the diocesan vocation director, Fr. Steve Titus, will be with us for most of the weekend as well.

Stir Into Flame The Gift Of Faith is the title for the weekend retreat. My hope and prayer is that we walk away at the end of our time together having accomplished that goal. Please keep us in prayer. Many men will be traveling great distances to get to the retreat. Please pray for their safety. Please pray also for the wives and families at home. May this time away to reflect and pray reap many benefits for each man present as well as his family.

I will touch base with you again at the end of the weekend. I hope to have some good pictures to share following the retreat. (If we are lucky we will see some larger creatures while out in the mountains.)

Have a blessed weekend!

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God's Gift Of A Beautiful Sunset

8/21/2014

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The sunset this evening was gorgeous. I will never get tired of seeing God's handiwork.

These pictures were all taken within a 15 minute time span. It was an amazing spectacle.

The sun was able to peek through the clouds for a little while.

It was a little brighter to the south.

Regardless of the current circumstances of your life, I hope you can still see the glory of God. My prayers are still with the people of Ferguson, Missouri, the family of the slain journalist, and all who are hurting in any way.

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Elections, An Indictment, Riots, and Murder

8/20/2014

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There is a Japanese proverb which states, “Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.” Watching local, state, national, and even world events unfold in recent days shows how true this statement really is. It even makes me wonder how frequently we have neither vision nor action. Worse yet, what happens when there is a vision and accompanying action, but the vision is seriously flawed (or evil) in its intentions?

Primary elections were held yesterday in Wyoming, and I believe that a number of observations can be made in regard to the results. First and foremost, it is evident that money is very important for the candidate and the success of his/her campaign. Second, many voters are disengaged and ill-informed about the issues and the candidates. Third, the Christian principles and values which served as the foundation upon which this republic was founded are seemingly irrelevant in modern politics. It hurts to acknowledge the reality of where we are in the current age.

Put the cards on the table. Progressives are more successful at articulating their message. Furthermore, the conservative message does not resonate with modern voters even when there is an attempt to articulate it. The destruction of traditional values once held by a majority of Christian believers has created a new mindset among the general populace. When the President of the United States makes a statement during the State of the Union speech that he will circumvent the chambers of congress to pursue his agenda, and members of the circumvented group stand and applaud, you know we have a problem. In Wyoming, the governor ignored the will of the people by stripping the elected Superintendent of Public Instruction of her duties and responsibilities. Then he replaced her with his own appointee and spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars investigating the one removed. Eventually, the Supreme Court reversed this action. However, this overreach of power did not affect the voters. The incumbent governor received more votes in the primary than both of his challengers combined. Regardless of the political party involved, are people really okay with that kind of power being exerted and their vote being nullified?

Branch out a little further. The indictment of Texas Governor Rick Perry shows what can happen when there is vision and action backed by the money of someone like George Soros. The mainstream media outlets won’t cover this component, but other outlets are starting to connect the dots between the indictment of the governor and a half million dollars contributed by Soros to an organization behind the indictment. A vision coupled with action toward a sitting governor backed by a lot of dollars creates an interesting political climate. We’ll see how this one plays out eventually.

Let’s reflect on Ferguson, Missouri and observe what happens when action without vision unfolds. Protesters in Missouri say they want justice. If they seriously wanted justice there would have been a vision beyond Al Sharpton inciting violence. Thus, we have had the ensuing nightmare. Obviously, some will disagree with that assessment. However, a true vision would not have resulted in a major portion of the city being violated in one fashion or another. It would have pursued meaningful change based upon facts instead of emotions.

Finally, the beheading of an American journalist by ISIS should remind all of us about the fragile nature of life in our world today. ISIS has a vision and they are certainly following it up with action. Will their flag someday fly at the White House as was stated in their video?

The long term consequences of our decisions and actions (or inactions) can be immense. I am gravely concerned that apathy on the part of Christians is having dire results. Keeping our faith trapped in the walls of our churches and in our homes is leading our nation on a path straight to hell. Being content with freedom of worship rather than the freedom of religion to which we have an unalienable right is devastating the moral fabric of our society. If the Church does not influence the moral values of society we are certain to continue our downward spiral in moral decadence and decay.

John Maxwell has a profound statement. “If you think you are a leader and no one is following you, you are just going for a walk.” It is time for faith-filled and Spirit-led leaders to lead. This isn’t just for the ordained. It is for all Christians who share in the life and mission of Jesus Christ. Be a person of prayer, study, and action. Be a Christian leader!

“My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.”
~Hosea 4:6

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice…”
Proverbs 29:2

“When a land has been given into the hands of the wicked, God blindfolds its judges.”
Job 9:24

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Ferguson--Fragmentation and Frustration

8/19/2014

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“Freedom without truth leads to disorder, injustice, and social fragmentation.” This line from the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace document entitled, Vocation of the Business Leader sums up fairly well the recent events in Ferguson, Missouri. The level of social fragmentation has been highlighted by the unrest and violence happening night after night in this community. There has been a complex interplay between good and evil, as well as truth and falsehood.

Social problems are nothing new in our society. Urban neighborhoods are known for things such as crime and poverty. Black on black crime has been prevalent for years. Unemployment, the breakdown of family structures, addictions, and a multitude of other issues can lead to despair and hopelessness. The resulting frustration can bubble just below the surface for years. Then, an “opportunity” presents itself to release the frustration and anger in some dramatic ways. The result is chaos and further fragmentation.

The facts of the original incident in Ferguson are still coming to light and we would do well to be informed before passing judgment in either direction. However, I think these last ten days have given Christians something to think about. Are we isolating ourselves from the problems of the world? Do we look at the issues of Iraq, Israel, and the Ukraine as something “over there” and there is little I can do? Do we look at the issues a little closer to home in Ferguson, Missouri and breathe a sigh of relief that it isn’t in my neighborhood?

Quite simply, how are we bringing the love of Christ to our own communities? How do we respond to the needs of the poor and those who are hurting—regardless of their race or religion? Is there consistency between the faith we profess and the way we live our daily lives? Each one of us is either going to be part of the solution or part of the problem. Developing attitudes of apathy and complacency will not serve us well in the long run. Being content with the status quo can result in devastating consequences.

Bottom line for today--Are we building up the Kingdom of God through our “witness of faith, the confidence of hope, and the practice of love?”

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