Take a moment....Talk to God!

I realized this week, between trying to help my son get some things done for school, and with his prom coming up we've been rushing around non-stop and taking no time to just sit and breath. I know we all tend to do that because of the way the world is and we put so much importance on the things that are driving us crazy or stressing us out we forget to simply take five minutes to have a short conversation with God. I took a moment closed my eyes and just sat still, you will not believe the change I felt in simply taking a quiet moment and letting God get a word in. So remember, nothing is so important that you can't just take at least just five minutes and let God calm you, get a good book, maybe even the Bible and just read for five minutes, take a moment and let God talk to you.

Going it Alone...Not always a good idea

We sometimes have a tendency to say "oh I'll take care of it myself". More times than not we end up working harder or just making the situation worse. Take my little friend Pendragon to the right here, he decided that he did not need any help taking on Darkness by himself. I'm thinking he might have made a slight miscalculation. Sometimes thats what we do as well. It's so important to be open and flexible and to accept help wherever it comes from, God's help comes in many forms. I know it's hard to ask for help, it may even be embarrassing, but trust me it's better than getting into a situation like Pendragon did. So next time you think about going it alone, don't, ask for help.

King David was a Dancing Fool!

I had always read that if there ever was a big celebration in ancient times, King David always led the procession dancing and cavorting wildly. In any place of worship you will always hear about the choir or the preaching and even how well the instruments did on the music, but you never hear much about the dancing. In our church we are blessed with some wonderful liturgical dancers, they are like swans gliding upon a lake in perfect harmony. They never retract from the service and they only add to the beauty of it. We all worship in different ways and each of us has a gift to share with their own community to bring Gods love in all his many ways. So whatever community or religion you are in and if you are lucky enough to have dancers go up to them give them a hug and say thank you for sharing your gift, and remember, King David was a dancing fool too!

Be Watchful..but do it Mindfully

Our children are our most precious people in the world and we must protect them, but we have to do it with the utmost responsibility or else it turns into a witch hunt and those we may have once trusted may now be damaged. Unfortunately the atmosphere we now live in makes that as difficult as fighting in Vietnam where the soldiers could not discern between the villagers and the Viet Cong. Sometimes that resulted in innocent villagers being killed. These are some of things we must keep in mind as protectors of our children, discern what is going on, hear what is actually being said and in what context and who is saying it. I know now it is difficult to tell friend from foe with all the stories in the media but please try and maybe just maybe the right people will be accused instead of the person who just made an honest mistake.

Intermission..Shameless Plug

Hello all, I just wanted to let all who visit here that my first God Tail is available through Lulu.com, The Fox who wanted to Fly. Please feel free to visit Lulu and see the free preview of it. I believe it will bless those who read it.

Is there a light at the end of the tunnel..yes, it's God

Sometimes we all get in those ruts of bad luck where everything seems to happen at once. It even starts to make you think, "is God punishing me?" I know it must seem that way and you start to question what you did wrong. Well keep in mind a couple of things, God is a loving God, and he is a forgiving God. He is also there to show you the way to the light at the end of the tunnel, it may take a bit but there is a light at the end. As long as you can keep the faith and put all your trust in God, he will always help you no matter what the situation is, you just have to believe with your whole heart and mind that God is the light at the end of that long tunnel.

God will give you wings

Have you ever looked up and wished you could fly, and zoom through the clouds? I know I have, when I was younger I wanted to be a fighter pilot. One thing that flying or having my own wings to fly signified was freedom. Freedom to do whatever came to my mind. In a way we all have invisible wings, we just do not know they are there. These are the wings of Faith and the knowledge and freedom that God will always be there, but at the same time that with these wings that God has given us, we can do anything. Once you find your wings it's up to us to help others find those wings as well, that way someday we can all touch the face of God together.

Fellowship..keeping you on the Path

I have been fortunate in my life to have come across people who have benefited my life in so many ways. We all sometimes get lost in that long road of life, but thanks to people who we fellowship with, they re-direct us onto the right path. Jesus has called us all to spread the word, to the World, not just to Catholics or Lutherans, or any one specific religion, but to EVERYONE! We do that by fellowshipping and telling our story of our personal journey with God. Take a moment to sit with someone and tell them about your journey and what you have gone through, the bad as well as the good. Don't be afraid to be who you are, a person of God, share it!

A Mother's Love

The title says it all as well as the image that accompanies it, sacrifice is another word that comes to mind when you talk about a Mother's love. Mary gave her son to the world so we all might be saved, but not to take away Mary's sacrifice, but Mothers all over the world are making the same sacrifice every day. The mother who has only two pieces of bread for three people and gives those pieces to her children. The mother who knows she can not support her child for varying reasons, gives up her child to someone who can, this was prevalent in the 1920's and 30's. The Mother who gives a kidney to save her child. The Mother who watches her son going to war, the Mother who watches her son return with an American flag draped over his coffin. This is a Mothers love. It goes on every moment of every day, they give their lives so we her sons and daughters may have a better life. Think of this the next time you see your mom and give her a big hug. Happy Mothers Day Mom!

Ever feel like Job?

I was wondering today about what picture would go good with the topic and I thought not really any I could think of, so this post will be sans artwork. You ever have one of those days where you say, "so what else can happen" and something else does. To be honest i'm not sure what to say, I could say a clique like no matter what God will take care of you, but then I remembered Job. Now talk about a bad day or a bad life for that matter. This guy had everything happen to him and I mean everything and still he did not once waver in his faith in God. I can in no way shape or form ever even equate myself to being like Job. I'm sure I am not alone in having issues or problems day to day, so I guess the best we can all do is try to think of Job and remember he never loss faith.

National Day of Prayer

How much do you pray? Is it once a day, at night when you go to bed or like most, when something is going wrong? Well I'd be lying if I said I was anything but what I mentioned, but one thing I do know when I do pray, I don't ask for anything in particular, I always tell God, "you know what I need and when I need it, just try not to take too long" I think what we all forget is praying is simply talking to God like you would anyone else. I think people assume that prayer is only used as a request line, it's not, it's a way to keep you and God close to each other. It's like calling your parents when you are away to let them know your ok or what's going on in your life, ok and maybe to ask for money, lol. Seriously though prayer is there so it keeps you close to God and keeps God close to you. Make use of it on this Day of Prayer miracles do happen, prayer makes those miracles happen.

You Can Hide...But God will always find you

God has a purpose for us all, we may not know what it is, and we may even run from it, but sooner or later God finds you. I have a friend who came over one evening to my apartment before I was married just to talk and hang out. After about ten minutes of just talking he told me he was going to become a priest! My friend had just graduated from USC school of dentistry. He had not even told his parents yet. He related to me how he had been struggling with the decision but in the end, God found him. He is a wonderful priest now and a credit to the priesthood. Instead of running and hiding, we need to try to listen with an open heart to what God wants of us and the path he has set for us. Let God lead you to that purpose that in the end will benefit others, because when all is said and done we are here to help others. So the next time you try to hide, don't bother, God will always find you at the right time.

The Perfect Family....Not!

The family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus has been revered as the Holy family, the model of what a family should be, the "perfect" family. Think about it though, were they really the perfect family in our manner of thinking, of course not. Now before everyone gets in a uproar continue reading. Lets take a look at the "perfect" family. Take Mary first off, she was a unwed mother who as we know was almost stoned according to Jewish law except for the intervention of God with Joseph, who stepped up and did the right thing. With that said, then you have Jesus himself who in contemporary terms was an adopted child. Now in most societies and even today would not be considered the "perfect" family because of the status of the family members. Yet they are the "perfect" example of a families love for one another despite their individual status, they are the "perfect" example of what a family should be for todays families. With divorce on the rise and so many other situations that put the family in danger we all need to take a longer look at Jesus' family and see how a real family coped with many of the issues families do today. So were they the "perfect" family...No, but were they the "perfect" example of a families love, absolutely.

Stuff....Do we really need it?

Have you ever noticed when you have to do some cleaning or your moving all the "stuff" you come across, things you never even knew you had. Now having stuff is in itself not bad, we all collect things over the years, but it's when that stuff starts to dictate your life, thats when you have to say to yourself do I really need it? Dragons as we all know are notorious for collecting "stuff", and after collecting it they never want to leave their cave for fear someone will steal their "stuff"! Imagine how much wonderful time you would waste if you were like the dragon and you let the "stuff" dictate what you do in your life. So afraid to leave your "stuff" that friends leave, opportunities pass you by. That is how "stuff" can rule your life if you let it. Just keep in mind "stuff" can always be replaced, but you can never replace the time lost with your friends and the ones you love. So think about it "stuff"..do You really need it?

The Best Path

There once was a young knight named Pendragon who was on a very important mission for the King to the neighboring kingdom. He came to a forest that he had to go through, but it was unfamiliar to him and there were two paths. In the middle of these paths was an ancient oak tree where sat a young Gryphon. "welcome traveler how can I help you?" the young knight bowed and replied "my name is Pendragon and I am on urgent business for the King but this forest is unfamiliar to me, can you tell me which is the best path?" The young Gryphon smiled down at the knight and said "take the path to my right and it will take you to where you need to go." Pendragon looked at the path the Gryphon suggested and saw the path was dark and narrow but the path to the left was straight and bright. He looked up at the Gryphon with a questioning look, but the Gryphon just smiled. Pendragon thanked the Gryphon and took the path on the right, as he passed the tree the Gryphon said to him "do not stray from the path no matter what." Pendragon rode down the dark path, time passed and he came to a swamp, but he stayed on the path as the Gryphon told him. Further on he came to a high mountain where a blizzard was blowing, and though he began to curse the Gryphon thinking he had been made a fool of, he stayed on the path. Finally he came to the gates of the city he was sent to, the guards surprised by his presence asked him, "by which path did you come my Lord?" Pendragon replied "by the western path why?" The soldier replied "a Dragon has been attacking and killing anyone who has come by the Eastern path, we have not had word from anyone for months!" The morale of the story, The Best Path may not always be the easiest path to take.

Vote for Me!...Give me money!!

I was watching the news today and saw a statistic that greatly disturbed me. The three current candidates raised a total of over 65 million dollars in March alone! In contrast last night I was watching the finale of the Big Give last night which was called the shirt off your back, which meant the contestants had to benefit someone starting off with no money to use. The three remaining people raised a total of 170 thousand dollars that would benefit a school that helps unprivileged kids. They did this with just their own determination and drive. Now what is wrong with this picture, which seems the more noble cause that would benefit someone. Imagine if the candidates contributed one third of what they raise for their campaigns to people who really needed it! It makes me very sad that all the candidates care about is "vote for me...give me money! The Big Give last night showed me what people who have real drive and caring could do with no money, now take that a step forward and imagine if you had the money the candidates raise. I pray that maybe one of the candidates will read this and maybe pause and say, "yes what is wrong with this picture?" I hope next time they say "vote for me..give me money!" they will instead say"vote for me, but give the money to someone who really needs it!"

God's Tails

Tonight I decided to write about God's Tails, a collection of short stories that I hope someday to publish. God's Tails will be my version of parables geared for todays world, to the right you will see a group shot of some of the characters that will be appearing. The young knight is Pendragon, to his right is Avalon, and if you have been reading my other blog entries you already know how he fits in. To Pendragon's left is the little mouse warrior Tiberius. Immediately behind them is the Blue Dragon Clarion and behind them all if you look real close you can see the glowing eyes of Darkness. I hope those of you who have come by have been blessed by what you have read and I hope to continue to do that in the future. Please feel free to leave comments if you chose to do so, it helps me to know you. God bless you all .

Friends...A Gift From God.

Friends, we all have them, casual friends, close friends, extended family friends. I have one very precious friend and I use her as an example because it reminds me a lot of our relationship with God. I have known my friend Kassandra for almost ten years and In that time we have maybe gone to lunch together maybe about five or six times. She has come to a few things of my son's and it probably takes about three emails before she emails me back not in maybe many people's eyes as a close friendship, and yet without fail I know she would be there for me if need be as I would be for her. I have complete faith in her and anything I have ever done for her I have never expected her to reciprocate in any way. My joy is to do things for her as I'm sure it is for her. Our relationship with God is a lot like that, or I think it should be, don't give in hopes of getting something back, thats not true friendship. As I always say to my friend Kassandra when she tells me I didn't have to do it I always respond "thats the reason I didn't it because I didn't have to". It's all about the joy of giving to one another, thats what makes true friends gifts from God. I know without a doubt my friend Kassandra is my gift from God I always pray for her as I'm sure she always prays for me, I will always cherish her. Always treat your friends with love and respect because after all they are gifts from God.

Where are you.....Oh There you are!

Have you ever been looking for your keys, and you look all over the house, and can't find them? Then all of a sudden there they are, they were always right in front of you. Sometimes God can be that way for many people, especially teens. We live in a world where our young people need to be entertained to find the value in something, even religion. As an adult we are more apt to understand to the most part the importance of faith and religion in our daily lives. To teens if they are bored then it must not be important. As a parent we want to be tolerant and empathic to their feelings but at the same time I think it's important that we give them every tool and opportunity to understand. Sometimes like the little knight we are searching in the fog trying to find something that is just within arms reach, but it is sometimes our ignorance or inflexibility to learn and understand that keeps us in that fog. If your one of those people who ask why God and why religion, you should also be asking why not God and why not religion. Get informed, it's not just about being entertained it's about faith and belief, if your lost ask someone, talk to someone tell them how you feel. Don't just give up and say i'm bored I don't want to do this anymore. Making a commitment to God is huge and not to be taken lightly, for myself I can't imagine being without God. We as a society owe it to our kids to try to make them understand the why in whatever means we have at hand, as it says in scripture "be all things to all men". So don't be lost in the fog, God is closer than you think.

Introducing....God!

Well at least my representation of God to me my little Gryphon Avalon. I choose a Gryphon because it is a very unusual creature, but it's a good symbol also, two animals that are one. Which brings me to our topic today. We all have our thoughts as to who God is. In scripture Jesus even asks "who do you say I am?" He is known by many different names, Allah, Buddha, but simply put no matter what you call him in any culture he is still simply God the father of us all. It matters not what religion you are, Catholic, Muslim, Protestant, or whatever, God is still God. I know that maybe seems a bit idealized but it's the way I have always felt. Even raised all my life as a Catholic, I still feel that way, God is God. As we go from day to day in our lives lets all try to agree on one thing no matter what religion you are God is God the Father of us all.