Positive Change is not Always Fast

Today, in another of my readings in the "Purpose Driven Life" book I am STILL working on, there was another good lesson I want to share with you. So many people, it seems to me, have the attitude of wanting instant results. It is evident by our lifestyles. Mail fell to email which fell to texting, just so our response can be NOW. Even my children want things now. No saving up, or waiting to get something...they want it NOW. We have microwave ovens so our meals can be ready fast, little waiting.

Such is the same, sometimes with our relationships. We have a fight with a friend and we want it to be fixed immediately, but it may take more than that. We have marital problems and the problems that took years to manifest themselves, we want fixed with one visit to a counselor.

Our spiritual growth with God takes time. Personally, I have found a new relationship with God these past few months, but I have so far to go. I want that strong connection to Him and know that I am truly feeling what I want to feel about that relationship. Yet, sometimes I feel a bit shallow. Is my love for God, my relationship with him really as good as I want? Or is it superficial. It may be some of both. I see that I need to be patient, that God will help me to grow at a pace that He sees fitting...not at my NOW approach.

I offer you this. If your relationship with God is lacking...start small...it will grow. Start by saying a prayer as you start and end your day. Let God get a "beach head" in your heart...and soon he will have more of your heart's space.

Has God Become PC?

Lately I have noticed a lot of people talking about God, especially on the social media forums and in responses to stories. How He has blessed them, how He is there to lead you and care for you and love you, "copy and paste this testimony on your status", and of course the emails that you will forward if you believe in God. None of these things are wrong. I truly believe in the substance of what these folks are saying. Their words are not wrong, some of the writings obviously copied, but none the less inspiring. It is the sincerity of the post that I am interested in.

The question I have is...Has talking about God become the politically correct thing to post, or do these people really believe and live what they are saying? I pray that it is the latter and not the former. The reason I ask is that I know many of these people... have for many years. I do not remember some of them even knowing there was a church next door to their homes, let alone know what the inside of one looked like. Now, I understand that over the years, people mature, have kids, and find a need for God in their lives and so may have begun some sort of a relationship with God. Personally, to me...a true relationship with God must include regular attendance at the church of your choice. True worship is meant to be done in numbers.

I am not trying to pass judgement with this post. I am curious to hear if others out there find this interesting as well? If it is sincere, then that is truly awesome...but if folks are using God's name in order to make themselves look better...you better hope St. Peter has a bad memory when/if you show up at the pearly gates. Please, I think this could be an interesting discussion.

Diarrhea of the Mouth

Once again, Iran's "leader"...Ima-Nutjob...I mean, Ahmadinejad is running off at the mouth about how much damage Iran will do to the U.S. or Israel if they are attacked. He talks about how all the American Servicemen in the region would go home dead and how he would control all the oil and shut down the golf. Wouldn't it be nice if just once....JUST ONCE....Uncle Sam picked up his fly swatter and whacked that pesky bug a good one?

Some of my reading on the topic today brought out some very good points that I am in hearty agreement with. First of all...former President Carter got us into this mess by being way too soft on the Iranians back in 1979. Instead of giving them an ultimatum to release the hostages, and yes, maybe losing some of them, he allowed them to win by keeping them for 444 days. As soon as Reagan took office, they knew they were in trouble and let them go.

Ever since 1979, we have been at war with the radical Islamists. Each attack against America: Beirut in 1983, the Cole, Yemen, were met with much too soft of an answer. Both political parties are to blame for this, but now we are fiddle-farting around with Iran again instead of letting them know that the World...and especially us, means business. Look at Qaddafi...after 9/11 he knew we weren't going to mess around and he denounced terrorism. If we don't pull that Big Stick out of the closet in the White House soon...it is going to get real ugly. And now our president says that we will never attack with nuclear weapons a nation who doesn't possess them themselves. What a bunch of crap! Whatever happened to the right of first strike! Oh, that's right...that went away with the Cowboy President when the smooth talker was voted in. I like cowboys!

We tend to talk too much these days, like with North Korea, and get no results. Those types of people only understand one thing...brute force! We allow them to hide behind our fear of collateral damage, killing civilians. Sorry...casualties of war! We are held hostage by our own foolish rules. Thousands, maybe millions of civilians were killed in WWII and no one said boo! Now, we kill 5 by accident and it is a war crime. Give me a break!

The worst thing that can happen is for Iran to have a nuclear bomb. The fact that they have nuclear materials at all scares me. They will not hesitate to provide it to a terrorist to use against us. I personally think our policy should be this. We know that N. Korea and Iran have these materials. In the event such an item is used on our country, we will strike, without hesitation or prejudice, those two countries. They will no longer exist. Maybe that will convince them to keep control on that material. Nuke them all and let Allah sort them out!

A Suggested Journey

During this past Lenten Season I endeavored to go through the book "A Purpose Driven Life" thinking it would give me a good opportunity to reflect and spend some time with God each day in something other than my daily prayer. I figured that it was 40 days of reading for 40 days of Lent...perfect! OK, well, maybe not...Lent is over, Easter has come and gone, and I am on Day 22, but still plugging along.

It really has been a good journey, filled with small insights about myself and my relationship with God and others. The book starts with a very simple phrase..."It's not about you"! If more people would keep that in the front of their brains, how much better the world would be. I acknowledge the fact that I have been guilty of often thinking it was about me. That is my struggle...fix that very big flaw in my personality.

I strongly suggest either buying this book, borrowing it from someone or checking it out at the library. You can get the companion journal and borrow the book...but give it a shot.

My favorite chapter was about being called to belong, not just to believe. It was one of my favorite readings for the day and spoke about the difference between being an attender at a church, or a member. From Rick Warren's book, "The difference between being a church attender and a member is commitment. Attenders are spectators from the sidelines; members get involved in the ministry. Attenders are consumers; members are contributors. Attenders want the benefits of a church without sharing the responsibility. They are like couples who want to live together without committing to a marriage."

Which one are You?

Blow 'em Away Tiger!!

I just finished watching Tiger's press conference after his practice round. I think this one seemed much more relaxed, more sincere than his first one. He was more open, more animated and seemed genuine. I honestly hope that people can now get off his case and let him get back to golf.

I personally, do not thing his personal life, or that of any public figure, is any of our business. He is a golfer...we pay money to watch him golf, not to be a good boy. That being said, I still do not condone infidelity and hope he and his wife get it straightened out. But that is their business, not mine. I just want to see him golf again...and I want to see him golf like he did years ago. I would love to see him blow the doors off The Masters and beat the field decisively, like by 10 strokes, but I will settle with him placing in the top 5. Good luck Tiger...I hope this monkey falls off your back soon!

The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail!

I find it ironic that just as the holiest of seasons in the Catholic church approached, we were suddenly bombarded again with renewed allegations of sexual abuses in the church. They really started to heat up a couple of weeks ago. A noted Italian exorcist has stated that Satan is behind all the media attacks and the renewed fervor against the Church. I believe this to be true.

Satan will do anything to bring down Christ's church. What better way than to try to do it from within. Father Gabriele Amorth stated in his article, “He combats the Church through the men of the Church, but he can do nothing to the Church.” After all, priests and bishops are nothing more than men, prone to the same temptations and sin as the rest of us.

It is unfortunate, but not surprising that the liberal media feeds off the sins of others. It makes for good stories that sell newspapers and keeps a lazy, uninformed public watching the news. So many lies are told and facts twisted with little or no effort to find out the truth. I am not saying that reporting on the sex abuses should not be done, but let's at least try to tell a true story, one based on facts without a spin. And when someone tries to explain the Church's point of view, as Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League has tried to do, he is shouted down, cut off, and not allowed to get a point across. No fairness in reporting any more.

I have full faith in my Church, that Satan and his cohorts will not destroy it, for Jesus called Peter (the first pope) the rock upon which He would build His church, and the gates of Hell would not prevail against it". I for one, trust Jesus and know that He will not let Satan destroy His Church.