Time to Share..

Have you ever received that phone call from a dear friend started with "you will never believe this" or "OH MY GOODNESS"  I have got to tell you this story or news?  It is a phone call that is so important that the called just can't wait to tell you the news. They go on to share what is on their heart at that moment, it could be wonderful news or something terrible, either way they wanted to share that part of their life with you.

There seems to be events that happen in our lives and in the lives of those that we treasure that are just worth sharing. When these things happen, we never never second guess ourselves about sharing the events or news. We just pick up the phone and call the family member or friends and talk to them about what is on our heart. Yet, we hesitate when it comes to certain things in our life if we want to really share what is going on, especially when it come to the things of God. Then we tend to pull back and keep that news and glory to ourselves. This Godly news is the stuff that we are to be shouting from the rooftops not whispering over in the coroner.

It simply amazes me that when wonderful, things happen to us in Church we are very selective to share these events. We would rather hold onto them then have to tell a souls what God is doing or has done in our lives. Imagine just for a moment sitting in Church and feeling the true presence of God, His overflowing love and peace. That moment of pure solitude when there seems to be no one in the room other then you and God, yet you are surrounded by others. Yet, God reached to you and you accept, and find the answer or love in that moment to get through the day or the week ahead. That in that moment in mass / Sunday service we find God to be so real, that you could swear that you touched the hand of Jesus.  It is in these moments that we sigh, and think to ourselves that it was the best service, not only did the Homily / Sermon touch our heart and we feel that we are growing and we hold that moment close to our hearts.

In these moments that God touched us, and we find something, or have a realization that God id there with us that we tend to hide deep within our hearts. We hold these times to be so dear that  we don't want to share any of it with anyone and if we do it may be with a parent or with our spouse. Yet, we hesitate to share that moment with the pastor or priest, that a part of that sermon really touched our lives, that it reached deep within our soul and we felt that strong spirit of God once again. That the love that we knew as a young Christian is coming alive in us once again.

It is in these times that we need to share the wondrous works of God in our lives with others. We need to reach out to that priest / pastor to let them know that the words of the sermon / homily touched us and has made a difference. That God is there in the room at church when we get that affirmation. We need to talk about the things that God is doing in our lives on a daily bases, because He is always there walking with us, if we acknowledge Him or not. Imagine, we started to share the things that God is doing in us with not only our family but with our friends. Think about the impact it would have to tell them that you were healed from Migraines, Asthma, or any other alignment that has been plaguing you for years. Imagine if you told them that inner wounds were healed and that deep pain is no more, but is now filled with the Love of Christ.  Imagine if we started to open this door with our friend and the Love of Christ was able to flow freely, and we grew not only in God but in our friendships as well.

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.