Easter 2024: Week Three

Happy Easter Day #15: Countenance*
“Peace be with you.” (Luke 24:36)

Whether it’s with a smile from a loved one, or on the breeze of a beautiful Spring day, the Lord visits us in so many ways to reassure us with his presence, offering the promise that all shall be well!

“O LORD, let the light of your countenance* shine upon us! You put gladness into my heart.” (Psalm 4: 7-8)
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*coun·te·nance (noun) - a person's face or facial expression. "his impenetrable eyes and inscrutable countenance give little away" (Oxford)
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Happy Easter Day #16: Creation!

In the beginning there was nothing, and then there was more than could fill an eternity! “God looked at everything [that was] made, and found it very good…” (Genesis 1:31)

*The God of Creation has given us all of this so that we might know its beauty. 

*The God of Creation breathed life into us so that we might share in its joy.

*The God of Creation gave us the Spirit so that we might be strong enough to be all that we’re meant to be in serving all who need that joy.

All of this, because the God of Creation loves YOU very much!

“This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice in it and be glad!” (Psalm 118:24)
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“Lord of all creation
Lord of water, earth and sky
The heavens are your Tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on high
And God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth…”
(God of Wonders - Hindalong/Byrd)
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Happy Easter Day #17: Dedication!

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

Short and simple today… You’ve been dedicated to live this life and have been given a place to do so. Dedicate yourself to the One who has given you all that you have, and dedicate your life to serving this place you call home!
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Happy Easter Day #18: Discipleship!

Don’t just be one, help make a few!

Hint: The Apostles were challenged to “make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19) They did so by sharing, caring, healing and giving their all for the ones they served!
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Happy Easter Day #19: Élan!

In my work, a young person recently asked me a great question: “Why do you all help people?”

What a great question… Why do you?

Is it because of fear, or vain expectation?
Is it because of obligation, or self help routine?
Is it because of opportunity, or notoriety?

No. I would content that at our essence, we the community, both church and secular alike, help because it is what community does. We help because our hearts are prone to do so. We naturally reach back to pull forward those who need an extra hand… It’s what we do!

In the Church’s beginning, the Acts of the Apostles describes us as being together and of “one accord.” (Acts 2:1) We were, and still are a people that serve with something extra, called to offer a helping hand with great élan; that is with a vigorous spirit and enthusiasm.

Have a great day!
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Oxford Dictionary:
É·lan (noun) - energy, style, and enthusiasm.
"a rousing march, played with great elan"

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Happy Easter Day #20: Elevate!

Wherever you’ve been and however long it has taken, the Lord has come to help you up, bringing you the healing, hope and purpose that you’ve been waiting for…

So “rise, take up your mat, and walk! (John 5:6) “Stand up and tell them all that I command you,” (Jeremiah 1:17) for “they that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
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If you want to know about someone else who got knocked down and then got up again, read the story of St. Paul’s Conversion (Acts 9: 1-20) https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/9?1

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Happy Easter Day #21: Endurance!

Thanks to Stacy and my friends with Ainsley's Angels in Alabama I have been privileged to roll through a handful of races in my day. Whether you run, roll or not, we’ve all experienced the need to face the challenges of life, and therefore all grasp an understanding and a feeling of determination to do our best and run a good race! Here are a few bits of advice to help you in your next workout.

1. Make sure that you’re running in the right direction and in the way of God’s commandments, for the Lord will broaden your heart. (cf. Psalm 119:32)

2. Set goals and achieve milestones along the way, for these great and small victories in life will make the difference in the end! “Run so as to win.” (1 Corinthians 9:24)

3. Endure, for “the one who perseveres to the end will be saved,” (Matthew 24:13) and be able say as St. Paul did, “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

Easter 2024: Week Two

Happy Easter Day #8: Mercy!

In God’s Divine Mercy we live each day as a people who are loved… Peace be with you!

Happy Easter Day #9: Breath & Body!

“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” (John 20: 21-22)

Just like the beginning of time when that mighty wind, the “Ruah,” breathed life into our existence, you are now alive with the very same breath of God and we are now one body in Christ! Our resurrected Lord came so that we might receive true peace from this breath and body, and by the power of the Spirit, know what love is, and therefore share it!

Sound silly or cliche? Today some will see the Sun eclipsed by the Moon, but because of cloud cover or the reality of proximity, many more will not. This phenomenon will surely be witnessed, recorded and shared so that all might know, and therefore see the amazing reality that is a Solar Eclipse.

May we witness and share the Good News of true peace and love incarnate in the same way!

Happy Easter Day #10: Brio!

Brio? Yes, brio! Easter calls us to live our faith out loud with a sense of gusto and eye-catching brio; that is, as brio’s definition states, “with verve and vivacity!”

The Scriptures recount how it all began for the Apostles, as they were “filled with the holy Spirit, and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim,” causing the onlookers to say, “They have had too much new wine.” (Acts 2: 4, 13)

That’s what I’m taking about… Get their attention, then share the Gospel, the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ! If you’re not sure what to say, read what the Apostle Peter had to say to the crowd (who thought they were drunk.) When he had finished, “three thousand were added that day!”

(Read Acts 2: 14-41) https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/2?14

Happy Easter Day #11: Carpe Diem!

There’s a certain urgency to the Easter Season, but it’s not necessarily an emergency. That is, our fate is not on the clock, but there is a sense of excitement to hurry up and get things started. One of my favorite movie lines is from the closing scene of “Harry Met Sally,” when Harry says to Sally, "When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."

The waking of our souls is a process that takes time, but what better day than today is there to get things started? Seize this day my friends, because “now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Happy Easter Day #12: Church!

So it all started with the witness and testimony of “The Twelve;” twelve individuals who loved their friend Jesus, the Son of God. We all stand on the rock of their faith and their persistence to withstand adversity. Like “The Twelve,” we too must strive to know the Lord, grow to serve others, and remain patient and courageous in the face of the adversity that sometimes comes our way.

You see, we are on a mission to love others as we are loved, and as we’ve discovered, this is not easy. This is Church…

(Read The Acts of the Apostles) https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/0

Happy Easter Day #13: Coming!

Ok, indulge me… In case you’re wondering “Could it be?” My answer is: “Yes it could… Something’s coming, something good, if I can wait.” (from West Side Story)

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The Prayer…

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your kind spirit guide me on ground that is level.” (Psalm 143:10)

The Answer…

“When he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth.” (John 16:13) “[And] you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you.” (Acts 1:8)

The Promise…

“For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17)

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“The air is hummin’, and something great is coming!” (West Side Story)

Happy Easter Day #14:

Conscious vs. Conscience!

To be CONSCIOUS pertains to the function of the human mind that receives and processes information, crystallizes it and then stores it or rejects it with the help of the five senses, the reasoning ability of the mind, the imagination, emotion, and memory. (Journal of Medicine and Life - National Library of Medicine - National Institute of Health)

When it comes to our faith, we can be very CONSCIOUS of the actions and experiences going on around us. We can be moved by nice reflections and pieces of artwork. We can participate in the work of the community and enjoy its outcomes and rewards. The Church can wake us up to the need for change and improvement in our lives, and even move us to join in its movement and efforts to do God’s will and work in the world… And this good, but left to itself, consciousness is just an experience.

To use one’s CONSCIENCE is the inherent ability of every human being to perceive what is right and what is wrong and, on the strength of this perception, to control, monitor, evaluate and execute their actions. (Journal of Medicine and Life - National Library of Medicine - National Institute of Health)

When it comes to our faith, our CONSCIENCE internalizes the Truth and guides our actions from within so as to more fully participate in and with God’s will and work in the world. The Church, then, and its true foundation in God’s love becomes strengthened by this participation.

If you’re still reading… It is key to the Body of Christ that one move from a conscious participation, in the movements of Church, to a participation that is grounded in a well formed conscience, acting with others to truly serve.

Don’t just belong to Church; read, watch and learn along The Way. Study, ask questions, and engage in meaningful discussions that help guide your actions to not only move your heart with emotion, but change it at its core!

Wow… That was deep! 🤣

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3956087/#R25

Easter 2024: Week One

Easter’s first day proclaims it all: “He is Risen, He is risen indeed!” But Easter is not just a day. It’s 50 Days! So as I’ve done several times in several different ways over the last decade and a half, I’d like to offer these little daily reflections here; these 50 Ways to Live Out Easter!
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Happy Easter Day #2: Be Active!

Go to Church… An active faith is a vibrant faith, and a vibrant faith involves not only sharing the work of your hands for the Lord, but your worship as well. Be an active part of the body of Christ!
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Happy Easter Day #3: Animation!

As you make your faith active, make it your own and animate the Word of God into the fruitful action that brings love to the world.

Without animation, it’s just a picture!

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Happy Easter Day #4: Awakening!

“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” (Ephesians 5:14)

This new day is upon us, so WAKE UP and see what the Lord has in store for you and the family that you serve. I think you’ll be surprised at what you see, for what was hidden in darkness can now be seen in the light of Christ… And it’s not all that bad!

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Happy Easter Day #5: Being!

My dear friend Marsha Walker taught me the value to “just BE!” The Beatles said to “Let it BE.” And the singer Rich Mullins signed an autograph for me that said, “BE God’s!” The first version of being means to relax and BE the person that God meant you to BE, the second seems to add an element of patience and trust, while the third offers a sense of purpose!

So don’t try to BE anything except yourself, and BE patient with the process of living a life, especially when it comes to a life built on the foundation of God’s Easter’s promise of new life, new hope, and a new call!

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Happy Easter Day #6: Birth!

Springtime brings new growth and new life from seemingly “dead” trees and “barren” ground.

My friends, a new part of ourselves is ready to come alive and serve. Let it take root and begin to grow, like daffodils in March, or Dogwoods in April, or Tulips in May. Let our “new life” announce the arrival of something truly amazing: Life and love have returned to a seemingly dead and barren world!

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Happy Easter Day #7: Bloom!

In the spirit of springtime flowers and the brilliant colors that they bring, let us embrace the age-old call to bloom and grow where we’re planted… Yes… The bloom is just the beginning, but oh what a beautiful start to what could be a very fruitful contribution to the Lord’s bountiful harvest!

So wherever you find yourself this day, it’s time to grow!