I'll Take That To Go

  

    Jack pulled up to the window and rolled down his window. “Welcome to Heavenly Treats. Can I take your order?” asked the polite voice through the speaker.

“Yes, please, I’ll take the large cup of blessings, one order of forgiveness, and a side of charity.”

“What type of forgiveness would you like?” asked the voice.

“Oh, just give me a variety. I’m sharing it with my coworkers.”

“Would you like to supersize your cup of blessings?”

“No, thank you. I’m trying to sacrifice this week.”

“OK, pull up to the first side altar window, and we’ll prepare it for you.”

 Clearly, this is not how we develop faith. We can’t demand God bless us (even though God freely offers this). Forgiveness should be given genuinely and intentionally, reflecting on our actions and the desire to rebuild our relationship with God. 
 Growing in faith requires time, commitment, patience, love, and trust. Some days are easier than others, and it involves prayer, reflection.  We need to discern God's call and then respond. We can’t just pick up some faith; we must dedicate our lives to honestly examining the truth of the gospels. We can’t just stop by church to meet our needs; we should bring the church to those in need. It will take effort, but as they say, “If you enjoy what you are doing, it doesn’t feel like work.”
 Please come by the Church this week. Ask Jesus to bless and forgive you.  Spend time with Jesus and ask Him to reveal His heart to you. Stay as long as you can, then take Jesus by the hand and share Him with the world.  It’s okay to take Jesus to go.

-Susan

Drive Safely

 

    During a recent family road trip, I took the first shift driving so my kids could sleep. A few hours later, my son volunteered to take his turn behind the wheel, and I was glad to let him. It wasn’t long before I nodded off in the backseat, but I wasn’t asleep for long.

  "Hey Mom, I think you should wake up now.”

  I opened my eyes. “What’s wrong?”

  “I think I’m going to get pulled over pretty soon. There’s a cop behind me.”

  “Were you speeding?” Of course, I already knew the answer. I breathed a heavy sigh. “How much were you going over?”

  My son, who has mastered the art of giving his mother elusive answers, replied, “Enough.”

  I quickly saw him make the sign of the cross. I was about to comment that’s not how that works, but I kept quiet. We sat silently for a few miles until we saw the cop turn off at a different exit. My son got lucky.

  As we continued to drive, I thought about my son making the sign of the cross. While our faith is not a “get out of jail free card,” I’m glad he thought to turn to God after making a mistake. Turning to God doesn’t get us out of the consequences for our actions, but God’s grace helps us navigate those consequences. Fortunately, we are never alone. God is always there to help us. We only need to open our hearts to Him and ask for His forgiveness.

  Whichever road you choose this summer, I hope it draws you closer to God. Hopefully, the sign of the cross will be the only hand gesture you turn to while driving.

-Susan

Speak His Name

 

 Those who know me know I am a big fan of Diet Coke. It's my "go-to" drink. Diet Coke's recent marketing campaign has added different nicknames on the cans, like Bro, Sis, Friend, etc., to make you feel personally connected. This morning, the Holy Spirit woke me with this idea: What names best describe God to you?

  Depending on the day, what I'm going through, or whom I’m speaking to, I refer to God differently. Sometimes I call Him Daddy, My Shepherd, the Almighty, My Savior, My King, The Creator, My Lord and Savior, etc. Each name reveals a different attribute of God that draws me closer to Him as I pray.

  It's a shame God doesn't have a large marketing team to help people feel connected to Him. Or does He? Yes, He most certainly does! It's you and me, and we have an important job to do! Go out into the world and speak God's name! Whatever name you feel best reveals God's truth, share it with others. Let others know that God is familiar to you. Let others know that you daily feast on His goodness!

-Susan

IT"S TIME!

 

  Generally, I tend to sit in the same area at church. In front of me sits a family with two very young children. Each week when it’s time for Holy Communion, the grandmother looks at her grandchildren and audibly says, “ Come on, it’s time to see Jesus!” It makes me smile every time.

 This grandma’s faith is beautiful!  Without using any theological terms or confusing verbiage, Grandma teaches her grandchildren that Holy Communion isn’t something we receive, but rather someone.  Jesus is truly present body, blood, soul, and divinity.

 Isn’t it wonderful to know that Jesus waits for each one of us at the altar? I wonder if Holy Communion would be different for each of us if someone took our hand, pulled us out of our seats, and said, “Come on, it’s time to see Jesus!” Go ahead, let your heart run down the aisle to be near Him! See whose smile is bigger, yours or His?

-Susan

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

 

 

   Have you ever been on a long hike, and suddenly, the path opens up to a magnificent lake?  Standing next to a lake can be a beautiful experience.  You can be awestruck at its size, the calmness of the water, the birds flying over it, or the wildlife growing all around it. This lake is like the Holy Trinity, a vast and beautiful mystery. Standing near the water is wonderful, but entering the lake takes your experience to a new level. Now, the water surrounds you completely.  You are no longer admiring the lake; you can feel, taste, and hear the water as you immerse yourself deeper. And your perspective completely changes. 

 On today's feast day of the Most Holy Trinity, don't just admire the beauty and mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. Dive right in. Immerse yourself in the love of the Holy Trinity.  Let the depths of God's love reveal a truth you cannot understand from the shoreline, and allow the Holy Trinity to enlighten and change you.  Live fully in the awe-inspiring beauty of the Holy Trinity. You can indeed feel God's love by simply standing near Him, but let His love draw you in deeper, for the mysteries beneath the surface are life-changing.  Swim deeply with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and experience how They move together with you. 

  And although you will never reach the bottom of the lake, just trying will be the thrill of a lifetime.   Once you enter the waters, you will never want to leave. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and dive right in to embark on this joyous journey of spiritual growth!

-Susan

I Love You , Holy Spirit!

 

  Today, we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles! What an incredible moment that must have been. Even though it was extraordinary, I hope today isn't the only day you celebrate the Presence of the Holy Spirit. I often hear people say, "I forget to pray to the Holy Spirit, or I would rather just pray to Jesus." I love praying to Jesus, too, but let me share some thoughts on why you shouldn't forget about the Holy Spirit. He is much more than just a Pentecost or Confirmation idea. The Holy Spirit is not a separate entity from Jesus; rather, He is part of the Trinity, the three persons in one God. Each person of the Trinity —the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit —has a unique role in our lives.

  The Holy Spirit is God. He is the divine Presence within us. God is not out there somewhere; He is so close that He touches our thoughts, dwells in our hearts, and opens our eyes to all the glories of God and the needs of our neighbors. The Holy Spirit amplifies the Word of God so that our ears hear and our thoughts extend beyond ourselves. The Holy Spirit helps us contemplate God and teaches us how to love one another. More than that, the Holy Spirit assists us in becoming holy. He empowers us to overcome our weaknesses, grow in faith, and become more like Christ.

  We cannot see the Holy Spirit, but we feel Him moving within us. Similarly, we cannot see the Kingdom, yet it exists, and the Spirit calls us to live in this Kingdom and embrace the love that pours from its foundation. The Holy Spirit is the invisible movement of God within us. There is no one closer to us than the Holy Spirit. He hears our every sigh, encourages all our dreams, and strengthens us to carry our crosses. Pray that this powerful fire of God burns brightly within you and that the embers of His fire draw others close to experience His Love through you.

-Susan

  

Thank God!

 

  A few days ago, I turned on the morning news while drinking my coffee. After finishing my coffee, I went about my day, addressing various tasks. I had forgotten to shut the TV off, and I happened to walk into the room an hour or so later. A different talk show was on, and the guest was encouraging everyone to ask for signs from the universe to help manage their life. Signs from the universe, what is she talking about?

  I didn’t know if she thought stars and planets cared about her problems and could help her, or if she was just trying to discuss God without actually mentioning His name.  Either way, I was annoyed, so I shut the television off.   I wondered why it is so difficult for people to say, “I believe in God, the Creator? I believe that God cares deeply for me.  I pray to God because I know He is listening to me, and I am listening to Him as well." Our love for God should not be kept a secret. 

 This week, I would like us to all be bold. Each day, find a way to let others know how grateful you are for God’s love. Find ways to express gratitude or praise to God in your daily conversations with others. Don’t leave people wondering if God is essential to you; leave them knowing that God is everything to you!

-Susan