What is Prayer?

A man who worked in a sawmill lost his wristwatch in a large pile of sawdust. The crew stopped the machines and they all began looking, but they could not find the watch. They decided that they would go to lunch and look again when they returned. After lunch, a young boy was standing there with the wristwatch in his hand. The man said, "How did you find it?" The boy replied, "Well, I just laid down in the sawdust and listened for the ticking."

That is prayer!!!

10 Things I Learned in 2011

On December 31st, I had the opportunity to preach on the feast of Mary, the Mother of God.  My homily focused on the fact that a new year calls us to reflect, sort out, and understand - that our lives are fundamentally changed by Christ. I spoke of how Mary couldn't help but ponder the drastic changes her son would bring to her life, and maybe even her world.

As all of us take the time to look back over the past year, and all those important days and events, can we see how God was present and active in all of them?

Then, I shared my list of the ten things that I learned in 2011. At the request of many, here is my list:

1. When you get to know people with different ethnic backgrounds, from different cities and countries, who live at various socioeconomic levels, you begin to realize that everyone basically wants the same things. They want validation, love, happiness, fulfillment and hopes for a better future. Now the way they pursue these desires is a little different, but the fundamentals are the same. We can relate to almost anyone if we look past the superficial fascades that divide us. It's this simple: love your neighbor!

2. The more things you own, the more your things own you. Less truly gives you more freedom. When you stop chasing the wrong things, you give the right things a chance to catch you.

3. If you think you're having a good hair day, don't let anyone talk you out of it. Everyone deserves to feel good about one's self.

4. Someone will always be better looking. Someone will always be smarter. Someone will always be more charismatic. But they will never be you - with your exact ideas, knowledge, skills and gifts. One of the greatest challenges in life is being yourself in a world that's trying to make you like everyone else.  Be who God made you to be!

5. Everyone makes mistakes. If you can't forgive others, don't expect others to forgive you. To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and you will discover that the prisoner was you.

6. Raising teenagers is like nailing Jell-O to a tree! (Really, someone should have provided me with a manual!)

7. I have no idea what is going to happen, and that is perfectly okay.  God is in control. He is the potter, and we are the clay.  Once we believe and accept that we are not in control, a huge burden is lifted off our shoulders.

8. There is always a lot to be thankful for, if you take the time to look. Take the time to thank God every single day for all of the blessings that we have received.

9. Never place a period where God has placed a comma. This quote was made famous many years ago by Gracie Allen, but I have witnessed this in several people this past year. God put each one of us on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things. We are not done until God says we're done.

10. When praying, don't give God instructions - just report for duty! Petition is certainly a part of prayer, but it is far more important that we listen when we pray.  Start off you day by asking God, "What do you want me to do today?" Then, just listen. I guarantee, you will get a response.

In 2012, we need to make a resolution to try to become more aware of the presence of God in our lives - and that will happen through prayer. And in this reflective silence of prayer, when we truly listen, it is then that we will see the light of a new tomorrow and how God will change our world forever.

We Should All Be Powerless

2 Corinthians 12:9b-10

I willingly boast of my weakness, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I am content with weakness, with mistreatment, with distress, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ; for when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong.

What a wonderful way to start the morning! May all of us be truly powerless this day, so that we too may be strong in Christ.

"I Second-Guess Constantly"

In an exclusive interview with ABC News, President Obama today acknowledged that he has made mistakes during his presidency but defended the steps his administration has taken to create jobs and improve the economy.

 "I second-guess constantly… I make a mistake, you know, every hour, every day," he told ABC News' Diane Sawyer, laughing. "There're always things that you're learning in the job. And I have no doubt that I'm a better president now than the day I took office just because you get more experience."

I often find myself in the same situation. I try to make the right decisions. I try to check all my facts and figures ahead of time. I try to do all of the necessary research. I want to make sure that I am doing the right thing at the right time. But, I still second-guess myself! Granted, I'm not running the country, but the analogy is the same.

The thing that I need to remember at times like these, is to stop what I am doing - and pray. I need to remember to ask God to help me make the right decision; to guide me down the right path; to lead me where I need to go. As it is written in 1 Peter 4:10-11a: 

The one who speaks is to deliver God's message. The one who serves is to do it with the strength provided by God. Thus, in all of you God is to be glorified through Jesus Christ.

 Let us learn to trust in the Lord, and our hearts and minds will be at peace.

On the Inside; On the Outside

Back in the 1985, I was divinely inspired to write a song called "On the Inside; On the Outside." The song speaks to the fact that one needs to feel God on the inside for others to see God on the outside. In other words, if you recognize God in your daily life and live the way that God wants you to live, than others will see that something good is going on in your life. If you find that your heart is cold and empty, it may be because you have not let God inside.  If you let God enter your heart, you will be filled with overflowing love, which you will want to naturally pass on to others. God is always with you, and we are called to spread His word to all. Others can't help but to be attracted to a person who is so filled with the love of God, and so filled with the vocation of serving others.

Here are the lyrics:

On the inside they will feel it, Your love; Your love.

On the outside all will see it, the glory of the Lord.

Is your heart cold and empty? Open up, let Him in.

It will show on the outside, your love for the Lord.

He is there always with you, in your heart - in your mind.

Spread His word to all people, let it shine, let Him shine.

All it takes is a kind word and the love in your heart.

With a friend, with that feeling, you'll be in the hands of God.

On the inside they will feel it, Your love; Your love.

On the outside all will see it, the glory of the Lord.

Can I be completely honest with you?  People see God each and every day, they just don't always recognize him.  My hope is that this blog will help you to experience God in the everyday; to find peace in knowing that God is active in our lives. Whether it is in the work that we do, or in the people that we encounter, or even in the circumstances that make up our sometimes mundane existence. But once we able to recognize God and see how God is a part of our everyday, it is then when we will be able to change the way we live: to love others more, to serve those in need, and to spread the Gospel. Peace on the outside comes from knowing God on the inside.  May each of us find the presence of Christ in all that we do!