I Want Something New!!

As we move into adulthood we tend to put away the toys that we have in our lives and turn to the world of being a grown up. We move to working our careers, bills, and fun that is different that anything we could ever imagine as a child. Yet, we still look to things in the world to be happy at times. That we could just get a new purse, shoes, car, guitar, etc that we would be so much happier. Yet, the joy that all these things that we acquire disappear over time and we are looking for that next new thing, a dress, suit, ipad, phone etc. to bring back to those moments of joy of having something new.

It is amazing that even as adults, that so many people look to material things for there happiness. That all joy is from those things that we acquire in this life. Yes, toys in the adult world get bigger as we get older, that new house, boat, RV, pool etc. but that source of happiness is so limited to the newness of the object that we place in the garage, home or in our pocket. It is a temporary fix, till we get that urge to have something new because we want it or need to feel that joy once again.

It is sad, that we still look to things for the source of our happiness rather then looking at ourselves to see what is causing that sadness, that somber mood at the moment that we want to hide or just cover up by buying something new to hide that pain that is so well hidden in our hearts. That pain that we don't like to talk about, because the tears may fall or we feel that we will just crumble there on the spot, or melt away like the wicked witch in the Wizard of Oz!

Truth be told, that we hate that deep pain, that hurt that seems to haunt us in all that we do, we are afraid of sharing it at all, since others will judge us. It is as if we cant talk about it cause then everyone will know that we are weak, soft, and may actually see us cry and that is simply forbidden. Yet, we shy away from those in the church that maybe able to help us heal as well. We are afraid to turn to them, again they may judge us for the pain, or worse if they knew what I had done they may not forgive me or even hate me. Yet, the pastor at the church or the priest that is there waiting for that call. They are there fir the lay people of the church. They are in the business of helping; they are there to do the work of the Heavenly Father.

The priest / pastor of your church would love to chat, and have the time with you. He wants to know the matters of the heart so he can lead you in the right direction. That he can pray for you, help you heal, wipe your tears, listen to the pain, and be there for you if you are willing to talk to them. They are to show you the love and the compassion that the Father in heaven has for all His children. They are there to help you along the road of healing by showing you that the Father in heaven is there to hold your hand, and walk with you when you are hurting. Yet, they are there to help lighten the load as we walk along the paths of life that are difficult or seem impossible. The priest / pastors are there to help you leave that heaviness at the door, as they lay it at the feet of Jesus. He is there to show you and guide you with your walk with Jesus. In times of struggles, and deep pain when you just can't find the words to cry out to God, they can help you put the words together and form the thoughts to express what it is you need God to help you with so your heart can finally start to heal without all the toys and temporary fixes of the world.

Rather, the Father wants you to leave those burdens at His feet, to leave that pain at the foot of the cross, and to walk away from all that is troubling your heart. He is there to stitch up the wounds, and want to heal all the old scars so they are able to fad away. He sees all the pain, the tears and it breaks His heart that we as His Children do not turn to Him for the healings that are related to the heart. He wants to take that burden or pain, and replace it with joy! A joy that is not found in things that is temporary, but rather a joy that is complete. It is a joy that can only come from Heaven. Joy that comes from knowing we have a Father in Heaven that loves us, know us, because we walk with Him daily.

Healing After the Rage!

In the news over the last weekend there is a story about a senseless crime, a horrible shooting where several people died, or are still in the hospital and are in critical condition. It is a something that tends to draw a crowd, when a senator goes out into public to talk to the people that they are to represent. It is in a sense a part of their job to meet with the community. Yet, on this particular day there is an event that occurs that draws the people of the community and nation together once again. It is then that the community draws near to support those in need, those who are grieving and to try and understand what has just happened in the area and why.

The individual that is in custody is now behind bars and awaiting arraignment, yet that does not heal the hurt, the pain that the individual has caused to so many families. We look for answers in the clues that the individual has left in the area, home, work place, friends and family. The community and the families that are directly affected are looking for the answers, and there are none at this time. So that may leave us with a sense of void, feeling violated within our own town. Now we look for healing and something to pull us together as a community and help build that trust in one another again.

So where do we start, what do we do as a community to support one another and help each other through the horrible event that has just occurred to us? The people of the community start by pulling together and drawing on their faith. They seek out answers and look for reasons that may or may not be there, but that pain that all that has happened is still there in our hearts. We look for inner healing and peace to return to us and those who are around us.

As a community we turn to our faith in God, we look to Him for answers, for understanding, peace and love to return to all of those who effected. Yet, why would God allow all this to happen? It is not that He allowed it to happen, since we all have free will but rather, we are in a war daily and on that day the battle came and reared it ugly head.

One way we do this is by devoting some time each day to God. Time in prayer, reading the Bible, and finding His inner peace and love to comfort us in this urgent time of need. We look to God for comfort that cannot be found in other things or places. By seeking out the Heavenly Father, He is there, He comes to us in our time of need if we are willing to reach out to Him.

The heavenly Father is there to wipe the tears of the heart, bring comfort, and even joy in the morning when the storm has settled and we start to pick up the pieces of life. He is there to help us trust others in the community once again.

Forgive them? Never!!!

What would happen to us if we all took God seriously, and not saw going to church as a choir that we had to do on Sunday.  What would it take to take that step and respond to God, and really say  yes to him. That we would go to him and draw near to Him daily, rather then withdrawing from Him on a daily bases other then Sunday in church where we sit and listen to the homily or sermon that is being given. But are we really listening, or are we there cause we have to be there because it is an obligation. What would happen to us we because real worshipers of the Lord, would you still live a life without thinking of God other then on Sundays or would you draw nearer to Him?

Oh, if we draw near to God then everything would change, maybe you would have to start caring about those around you or have to forgive someone in your life. Yet, you are not willing to let go of that pain or hurt, and just flat out don't want to forgive them because they don't deserve to be forgiven by you or by anyone else! Yet, the Father in heaven wants you to forgive them so that you can draw nearer to Him and grown deeply in Him and His love, None of us really deserve to be forgiven, yet Jesus died so that you could be forgiven and be able to come to the Father in heaven without difficulity. None of us truly deserved to have all our sins wiped away and made white as snow in the eyes of the Father, yet out of Love for us He died so that we could live life more fully on earth as we walk with Him.

Not only will the Father draw near to you as you draw near to Him, but you will grow in Christ. You will find that your love for others around you will grow, you may see things a little differently as you walk and worship the Father in Heaven. It is by drawing near to him that we will have peace in our hearts, and comfort to our souls, yet if there is true unforgiveness in us how can we become complete in Christ? How can we forgive some but not others? Yet in the Bible it state we are to forgive someone at least 70x7 times. Imagine if we forgave someone and they changed not only towards you but towards others too and your relationship grew because you came to an understanding with them. Not only did your realtionshup with them grow, but they changed also because you had the heart of forgiveness towards them. What would happen by you letting go and letting God be in charge, letting God deal with the hurt and allowing Him to change you and them at that moment. By allowing God to move in your life He can work thorough you and even change the other person, or at least give you peace on the situtation.  Is peace in you and around you worth forgiving that person? Only you can answer that question.