Who's In Control
Many years ago, I did a personal inventory at work, a common practice in the business world. You learn about your personal style and tendencies so that you can better manage relationships. One particular instrument measured three factors, one of which was control. How much do you try to control yourself and how much do you try to control others? I had the highest possible score. As I proudly shared that with the group, someone commented, "I don't think that's a good thing." Really? Why would that not be good? Who would not want to be in control of their life?
Healing Agents
I am leading a Parish Mission on healing next month with one of our deacons, Richard Dodd. Pope Francis said, "The church is a field hospital for the wounded." How do we do that?
In our planning, Deacon Richard and I realized that those who lead small groups in the parish have a role to play. We want them to come to the mission, of course. But we believe that their actions after the mission ends will make the difference between a mission that was a one-time experience, hopefully a good experience, and a mission that spurs long-term change in the people we serve. They—the leaders — can be agents of change within their small groups.
In a similar way, every Christian can and should be an ag
Plan for Eternity
My father had cancer for a number of years, and as the disease progressed, he began getting his affairs in order, as they say. He took care of practical things, like finances and planning his funeral. But more importantly, he prepared his soul. He remembered people he had harmed in some way and sought them out to ask forgiveness. His prayer life became richer. He mellowed in dealing with others, not losing patience as easily as he had in the past. His goal was to have a soul ready to enter heaven. He was a wise man.
Each of us should do the same thing, even without a cancer diagnosis. As we near the end of this year and begin a new one, we can develop our own plan for eternity. This year may not be my last, but that doesn't matter. Jesus told us to always be prepared because we never know when our time is up.
Joyful Joyful
Joyful, Joyful we adore thee. The music is from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and together, the music and lyrics sing of the glory of God and the joy that we have when we are in union with Him.
This post is about joy.
Why joy? Because that is what attracts people to Jesus. Pope Francis once said that Christians should not be sourpusses. We are a people of hope and joy. Others can see that, and they want what we’ve got.
Do you have that joy, joy, joy, joy down in your heart? Maybe you wonder.
Beware of Idols
The last verse of the first letter of John says, Little children, beware of idols. I used to think this was an odd way to end the letter. It seemed out of place, and then I spent a little more time in the verses leading up to it. (Reading in context is very helpful.) The Apostle is reminding the reader (that's us) that we are of God while the whole world is in the power of the evil one. There's the connection.
Idolatry is choosing something of the world, a created thing, over God, the Creator of all things. When I do that, I am in the power of Satan. In contrast, the closer I get to God, the less power Satan has in my life. John warns us to beware of idols because they pull us away from God.