Jake Miller spent most of high school arguing with his father. Every conversation at the dinner table turned into a standoff. They argued about grades, friends, curfew, all sparks for another fight. His dad called him reckless and lazy. Jake called his dad controlling and out of touch. Neither of them ever knew how to stop first. It took its toll on Jake’s mother, who suffered silently.

By senior year, Jake was barely passing. He felt angry all the time, like he was stuck in a life that didn’t fit. One night after a heated argument, he left the house and wandered for hours. He stopped at a recruiting office he’d passed a hundred times. Something about the structure and its the certainty tugged at him. A month later, he enlisted in the Army.

Boot camp broke him down fast. There was no room for attitude, excuses, or pride. At first, he resisted every order. Then something shifted and he started listening instead of reacting. Slowly, discipline replaced anger. Responsibility replaced defiance. He was even moved to write home and spoke about turning a new leaf. “I’m learning,” he wrote. “I’m getting better. I am learning to control my temper and now realize, how much you mean to me.” His mother cried as she read each of his letters. She kept everything stored in her heart.

When Jake returned after training, he stood straighter. His voice was calmer. Even his father noticed before he said a word. At dinner that night, there was no shouting. Just questions, answers, and a quiet respect neither of them had ever known. Jake spoke of funny stories from boot camp and his dad talked about going on a fishing trip with Jake. His mother smiled through her tears as her heart glowed with joy. His father finally said, “I’m proud of you, son.” And Jake believed him.

The United States Army has a slogan that it has been using for years as part of its recruiting campaign: “Be all you can be in the Army.” Although it is a catchy phrase, it implies that people haven’t reached their full potential. This was certainly the case with Jake Miller. This can also be said of most people, whether or not they are pursuing a military career. A baseball player spends countless hours in the training room and on the practice field trying to become a better player. A teacher attends workshops in continuous education trying to become a better teacher. The list can go on and on of people trying to reach their potential. Becoming better in what a person does, or who a person is, isn’t a bad thing. Isn’t that what we all should be striving to do?

When we look honestly at ourselves we come to the realization that we are meant to be more than we are. I remember an old English teacher in high school who told his class: “Don’t ever be satisfied with who you are, when you know that you can be much more.” It can be said that there is an unlived aspect of our lives, and we long to reach our full potential. In John’s gospel Jesus said that He came so that we “may have life and have it more abundantly.” Even these words imply that we lack something that keeps us from being what we were created to be. Being “less” is a result of sin, and the remedy is conversion – the turning toward God and away from sin. Conversion is more that a change in one’s behavior. It is a process of becoming.

Jake Miller underwent a process that made him a much better man than he was as a troublesome and angry teenager. It took the discipline of the military. If Jake needed to undergo a spiritual change or conversion, it would also take discipline. Sometimes suffering is the vehicle to get us to look at ourselves and discover that we are in need of entering the process of becoming a better person. The adversity in one’s life could become the catalyst in becoming what we were meant to be. In a way, suffering is a way that God can mold us into becoming, like the Army, “All we can be!” How wonderful is our God, who uses our crosses to actualize our potential.

There was a Frenchman named Jacques Fesch, who was sentenced in 1957 for killing a police officer during an attempted robbery. He was sentenced to death and imprisoned at La Santé Prison in Paris. During his time on death row, Fesch experienced a profound religious conversion. Initially indifferent and self-centered, he began reading spiritual books which gradually shifted his outlook. Over time, he expressed deep remorse for his crime and a growing belief in God. His prison writings, later published in collections such as “Dans 5 Heures je Verrai Jésus (“Within Five Hours I Will See Jesus: Prison Diary”) consist of diary entries and letters that document this transformation. In them, he reflects on guilt, justice, suffering, and forgiveness, and increasingly frames his execution as a passage toward divine judgment rather than only punishment. Recalling his experience, Jacques wrote:

“I was in bed, eyes open, really suffering for the first time in my life. It was then that a cry burst from my breast, an appeal for help – ‘My God’! – and instantly, like a violent wind which passes over without anyone knowing where it comes from, the spirit of the Lord seized me by the throat. I had the expression of infinite power and kindness and from that moment onward, I believed with an unshakable conviction that has never left me.”

Allow your personal suffering to open your mind and heart to the infinite power of God. Believe that with His grace, you can be transformed into a new creation. He already sees your potential, even when you do not see it yourself, and will help you to become all you can be.

Tomorrow – Music, The Answer to Life

Recently, I attended my oldest grandson’s High School Graduation. It was conducted on the football field where he had played football for the last two years. It was a beautiful day and a day he made his family very proud. I noticed on the robes of several graduates, a yellow ribbon. I know that wearing a colored ribbon expresses support for some worthy cause, but I wasn’t sure of the one that they were encouraging. So, what do most of us do when we want a quick answer, we either “Google” it or we “Ask Alexa.” I utilized the former, and found out that it was worn in support of Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention – a very worthy cause!

As I spoke to my grandson at dinner later in the evening, I was pleased to hear that his school conducted a Suicide Prevention workshop for the senior class – a much-needed experience in this age more than ever. He told me that an average of about 6,000 to 7,000 U.S. youth and young adults (ages 10–24) die by suicide each year, making it the second or third leading cause of death for this demographic. The main causes include untreated mental health conditions, such as mood disorders like depression; severe stress and trauma: including academic stress, pressure to succeed, or traumatic events such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse; and bullying and social Isolation, including cyberbullying that impacts their self-esteem.

It is terrible to think of what our youth has to face in this day and age, when they should be enjoying life and building toward a fulfilling future. It makes such programs a MUST in our schools, today!

Dear Evan Hansen is a contemporary musical by Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, and Steven Levenson. It follows Evan Hansen, a socially anxious high school student who becomes trapped in a lie that spirals far beyond his control. In the beginning of the story, Evan is encouraged by his therapist to write letters to himself as a confidence-building exercise. One of these letters is accidentally taken by Connor Murphy, a troubled classmate. A few days later, Connor dies by suicide. When Connor’s parents find Evan’s letter among Connor’s belongings, they mistakenly believe it was Connor’s suicide note and that Evan was Connor’s close friend.

At first, Evan tries to explain the misunderstanding, but seeing how much comfort the grieving family takes from the idea that Connor had a friend, he goes along with it. With help from another student, Jared, Evan fabricates emails and stories to support the fiction. As the lie grows, Evan becomes deeply involved with Connor’s family. He gains popularity at school, starts a mental-health awareness project in Connor’s memory, and develops a relationship with Connor’s sister, Zoe, whom he has long admired.

Eventually, the truth comes out. Connor’s family feels betrayed, Evan loses the trust of those around him, and he must confront the consequences of his actions. The musical ends with Evan beginning to take responsibility for his mistakes and finding a more honest path forward.

In Psalm 139 the psalmist speaks of the longing to be known and understood. Evan spends much of the story feeling invisible, while the psalm emphasizes that God fully knows and sees each person. Evan feels isolated and misunderstood, and much of the story revolves around his desire for meaningful connection. Psalm 139 offers a contrasting perspective: before anyone else understands us, God already knows us completely. He knows our thoughts, actions, words, and motives. The psalmist is amazed that he is fully known by God and is “fearfully and wonderfully made”(v 14). Human life is portrayed as intentional and valuable. No one should feel alone or isolated. Sadly, many of our young feel this way, and anything our institutions can do on their behalf is most welcomed and necessary.

And then comes, we adults…Just under 50,000 adults die from suicide in the United States every year. This is an alarming rate! It isn’t surprising that the causes are similar to that of our youth. An additional reason for taking one’s life as an adult is that the individual has suffered much in one way, shape or form in life, and they think that committing suicide brings relief and peace. Well, it doesn’t bring this to those who the person leaves behind! And it isn’t an option that God wants us to choose. Rather than “playing God,” and going against His plan, a person who is seriously contemplating suicide must remember that they are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” that God not only created you, but He fully knows and sees what you are going through. He has a plan for you. And most importantly, He wants to help.

One of the facts of spiritual life that people often forget is that God uses people to bring healing when necessary. For example, a surgeon performs heart surgery and the patient lives. A marriage counselor helps a couple to get passed a trust issue and the marriage is saved. A mental health professional helps his patient to see that he is not alone and can integrate socially, and the person no longer thinks of taking his own life. These are just a few of the many ways that God works through people.

If you are feeling as if you want to hurt yourself or know of someone who may be thinking of taking their own life, make it a point to see a mental health professional yourself, or get your family member, co-worker, neighbor or friend to see one. When we are plagued with intense pain and suffering, or faced with a trial that we think can never be overcome, our minds get clouded, and we feel as if there is no hope. My friend, there is always hope. Before you do anything, go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to help you and to guide your steps. Then pick up your phone and call a suicide prevention hotline or get that other person to do so. There is a universal hotline than you can text or call at any time and be connected to a trained mental health counselor. Dial 988…it will save your life, or help you save someone else’s!

Tomorrow – Be All You Can Be

Anthony Maranise (often spelled Maramine) is a Christian spiritual theologian, board-certified chaplain, author, and accredited Sports Life-Coach. While not officially a national director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), he specializes heavily in the relationship between athletics, spirituality, identity, and personal formation. When he was five years old, Anthony was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia that threatened his young life. He entered Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital in his hometown, and for about three years underwent extensive treatment for his disease. In 1997 he was declared “cancer free” and has remained so ever since. After his cure, he asked himself two questions: How come God gave me a second chance?” and “What am I, now, supposed to do?” His answer to the latter has been to give back to God for giving him a second chance, and a whole new perspective on life.

A 20+ year survivor of childhood leukemia, Maranise has dedicated much of his career to bridging the gap between faith and sports. Based in the Memphis, Tennessee area, he serves as an instructor of religion, behavioral studies, and interdisciplinary leadership, and previously taught at The University of Memphis. He founded “Sport & the Spiritual Life,” a non-profit organization focused on researching and promoting the intersection of sports and Christian spirituality. He has written multiple books, including best-sellers like Sport & the Spiritual Life (2013) and Cross of a Different Kind: Cancer & Christian Spirituality (2018). Finally, he travels nationally to speak at Christian retreats and conferences. I daresay that he has given back so much to a God who had given him a second chance in life!

Jesus performed many miracles that are recorded in the gospels, but many other people died of diseases even during His lifetime on earth. People like the deaf mute that Jesus healed must have asked the same questions as young Anthony did. The miracles of Jesus showed that the Kingdom of God was at hand, and that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah. The letter to the Hebrews proclaims that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (13:8). Thus, He still performs miracles! They may take the form of a surgeon, who removes a malignant brain tumor and the patient lives. A teacher, who guides a failing student to be successful not only in class, but also in life. A team of medical professionals, who provide just the right treatment to defeat acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a five-year boy, so the boy can give back to God.

You, or someone you love, may be suffering from a disease such as leukemia. You are hoping and praying for a miracle. You may be looking forward to hearing the words of your doctor that you are cancer-free. No matter how grave of a situation you are in or no matter how bad your prognosis is, never stop believing or praying that you, too, could be the recipient of God’s miracles. As was in the case of Anthony and the deaf mute, God may indeed, grant you a physical healing. Perhaps, a mental or emotional healing is what you need. You may also be in need of a spiritual healing. The miracle for which you are hoping and praying for may come from Him directly, or from the hands of another person. Do not lose heart. No matter how bad it looks, or what the outcome will be, trust that God is there for you, and in the long run, all will work out for the good.

Tomorrow – Dial 988

It was “Bring Your Child to Work Day,” and Jeffery couldn’t wait to watch his dad at his job. His dad was delighted by his son’s enthusiasm. In speaking to his co-workers, he was amazed at how many of their kids had no idea what their dads do at work. The man was a silversmith by trade, and Jeffery knew that none of his friends could boast that their dads took on such a unique trade. As the two walked in, The young boy was intrigued by the machinery of the silversmithing studio and couldn’t wait to see his dad fire up the furnace and start melting silver. His dad had often spoken at the dinner table about the process, yet this was the first time that Jefferey would actually witness it.

“Here, son, put on these protective glasses and watch as I refine this piece of silver.” Jefferey watched intently as his dad took a special set of tongs to hold a piece of silver over a flaming burner. He saw the impurities around the silver slowly melt away. He noticed that his dad never took his eyes off the piece of silver. It was amazing! “I have to melt away all the impurities,” said his dad, “but only to the point that the fire will not melt the silver.” Jefferey asked: “Dad, how do you know when to stop the melting?” His father replied: “When I see my reflection in the silver.”

In all four of the gospels, Jesus speaks of John the Baptizer as the “messenger,” who would prepare the way for Him. The coming of the Lord was prophesized throughout the Old Testament, as early as in the Book of Genesis (3:15). In the Book of Malachi, we hear about a word in Hebrew that means messenger. Among the long line of prophets that spoke of a Messiah, John was the last of the Old Testament prophets, and that his emergence in salvation history would usher in the “Messianic Age.” When the Messiah comes, He would bring justice to the world, measure out rewards and punishments, and purify people in a “furnace of judgment” (Malachi 3:2-3). Throughout the Bible suffering is seen as God’s purifying agent. It has been said that suffering is the heat that melts us into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ!

Is the suffering in your life, or in the life of a loved one, void of meaning? If so, consider that your suffering could well be a means by which God brings you closer to Him, thus attaining a higher level of spiritual growth. To be honest, when I, or another loved one have been touched by an illness, it doesn’t take long for me to call on the Lord for help. Recently, I developed a staph infection that was close to becoming sepsis. While I laid in the hospital bed, I called on the Name of Jesus many times over. There is no doubt that my suffering has brought me closer to God and put me in a position to repent of “the sins of my lifetime,” and promise to live a better life. Think about it, if it wasn’t for suffering, how many of us would rarely turn to God or think of repentance and promise to live a better life?

The bottom line is that suffering is a mystery, and we really could do without it, however it need not be void of meaning, value, or purpose. And no doubt, that it can bring you closer to God and refine us into a better person. Consider the suffering that Jesus had to endure. It is packed with meaning and purpose! Suffering for us, can have a purifying effect, just as the refining of a piece rough silver by a silversmith. It can melt away our impurities - our sins. The primary Christian lesson learned from refining silver is that God uses the painful “fires” of life’s trials not to destroy us, but to burn away our sins and flaws until we perfectly reflect the character of Jesus Christ.

My dear friend, God is always with us in our suffering. His eyes never leave us, and He knows when we have suffered enough. He will always give us the grace and strength we need to endure our suffering, just as He gave His Son the same. Once refined by suffering, you too, will be able to offer true sacrifice to the Lord – your very self!

Tomorrow – A Second Chance

In the Star Wars franchise, the Force is a mysterious, metaphysical energy field created by all living things. It surrounds, penetrates, and binds the galaxy together. Certain “Force-sensitive” individuals can harness its power to gain supernatural abilities, and the Force itself is often said to have a will of its own. There are two sides of this energy. The Light Side is associated with peace, compassion, selflessness, and harmony. It requires users to let go of their emotions and let the Force guide their actions.

The Jedi Order that includes Luke Skywalker and Yoda, are the most famous practitioners of the light side. The Dark Side is fueled by aggressive emotions such as fear, anger, hatred, and pride. Practitioners of the dark side include characters such as Sith and Darth Vader, bend the Force to their personal will and ambitions, leading to destruction and chaos. There are two sides found in other things, too. One is more significant than others, and this has to do with God.

A man and his wife were visited by an insurance agent to discuss a new homeowner’s policy. The agent presented a popular policy and listed things that it would and wouldn’t cover. The agent explained: “This policy doesn’t cover certain things which might happen to your house, namely, an act of God.” The wife looked puzzled and returned: “What do you think that God would do to our house?” The agent replied: “Well, Mrs. Kitts, your house could be hit by a tornado, and everything would be destroyed.” The husband quickly added: “Do you think that we could blame God for that?”

Although “an act of God,” is merely a figure of speech, there have been people who have blamed God for such things. One of the most common things that God is blamed for is suffering or another evil that confronts us in life. The moon is a satellite of our earth and since it doesn’t rotate like the earth, has two sides – a light side that always faces the earth, and a dark side that remains out of sight and mysterious. God doesn’t have two sides. He has only one side – a light side. He is the Father of Lights and sent His Son to be the “Light of the World.” Unlike the Dark Side characters in Star Wars, God is fueled by love and bends His energy into goodness, peace, and mercy. God doesn’t cause evil for it would go against His very nature. God is the source of all good, and can only will good. We are the ones that possess a dark side as well as a light side. We are the ones who cast a dark shadow every time we go against God’s Law or when we sin against Him and others.

This passage from the letter of James reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from above. God is constant. He is unchangeable, so He never casts a shadow. When you are facing a trial, instead of blaming Him for it, reflect on His good and only side. Remember that all He can will is good. When we blame God for the evil in our lives, we are barking up the wrong tree. Count your blessings especially during a difficult time in your life. Praise and thank Him for all the gifts that He sends you every day. Many of them are taken for granted. For example, just being able to wake up and rest peacefully is a gift. Having food on the table and having someone to share a meal with even if it is a pet, is a blessing. The air you breathe, the water you drink, the sunshine that warms your face, and the beautiful landscapes that surround you, are all wonderful gifts. And don’t ever forget His greatest gift to you and to all mankind – Jesus Christ!

When you hit a bump in the road, know that it isn’t from God. He isn’t the source of our woes; He is their solution. Replace any thoughts of anger or blame with praise and thanksgiving. As the Apostle Paul would say: “Give thanks in ALL circumstances” (1 Thessolonians 5:16). Open your mind and heart to His love and focus on the gifts and blessings that He has bestowed on you and your loved ones. Prepare a way by which He can enter your heart, mind, and the situation that is causing you incredible pain. God offers a solution to the dark side of life, most especially when it comes to suffering. Tap into His goodness, mercy and love. He is the best insurance policy that won’t cost you a cent. May His Force be with you!

Tomorrow – The Hot Furnace of Judgment

Loretta joined her parish bereavement group after she realized that she wasn’t coping very well with the sudden death of her teenage son in a tragic auto accident. On the first evening she sat quietly and listened to others speak about their losses, but she could not speak when it came to her turn in the group circle. At the second meeting she listened again but could not speak when it came to her turn. At the third meeting she began to talk about her son and how much she misses him. She still couldn’t believe that he was no longer with her. It wasn’t until her fourth meeting that she finally began to express her feelings. She cried in between her words with her eyes tearing through its entirety. She told the group that she was shocked to hear what had happened and denied that it happened, telling the police officer: “It couldn’t have been my son. You have come to the wrong house.”

She also confessed that she was confused and was very angry at God for having taken her son from her at a very young age. She protested in prayer: “Why God did you do this me? I have never done anything to hurt you!” She then spoke about being angry at herself for allowing him to drive his car on a night of an impending storm. It was evident that she was having a very difficult time dealing with her loss. She told the group that she isn’t sure how’s ever going to live without him, telling them: “I feel as if I am only hanging on by my fingernails.”

After her heart-wrenching talk, her listeners, who had teary eyes throughout her testimony, surrounded her to give her hugs and quiet words of encouragement. One woman said to her: “Loretta, I lost a young daughter about a year ago and only until recently have I begun to accept it and feel some healing.” Another older gentleman approached her and gave her some sound advice: “What will help you to cope the most is to think not that you are hanging by your fingernails, but that God, who extends His Hand from above, is holding on to you.”

When we are forced to live through the horrific moments of life such as the death of a loved one especially a child, many people who are grieving, feel as if they are also hanging on for dear life by their fingernails. The older gentleman who encouraged Loretta by telling her from his own experience that God is always there in our most painful moments, is the same reminder that the psalmist made thousands of years ago in his words: “Your right hand upholds me.” Like Loretta, who found it difficult at first when she blamed God and then herself for her son’s death, we need to shift our mindset when confronting life’s most painful moments. Perhaps, we shouldn’t think so much that we are hanging on, as much as that God is holding on to us. God takes care of His own. He has a tight grip on us for He doesn’t want us to fall into despair.

If you have suffered the loss of a loved one, commend that person to the Lord. Believe that God has already taken good care of him or her, and trust that you will see your loved one again. We are finite beings having only a smidgen of understanding in many things about this world. God on the other hand is infinite and has a good grasp of things because He created our world and keeps it in existence. We are limited in understanding such things as suffering and death; whereas God’s power and knowledge is unlimited and has done something to address our suffering and death, namely, He sent His only Son to redeem us and make it possible for us to overcome all evil including death! What God can do for you, is far beyond what we can do for ourselves and for others. Let go and let God! Fall into His loving and caring arms. He will catch you and uphold you. And He will not let go! You mean everything to Him, so when you feel as if you are hanging on by your fingernails, just let go!

Tomorrow – God Has No Dark Side

I’m a huge Clint Eastwood fan. I enjoy watching his “Spaghetti” westerns known as the “Dollar Trilogy,” that includes one of the greatest westerns ever filmed – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in 1966. He also starred in the more classic westerns such as: Unforgiven and Pale Rider. His role as “Dirty Harry,” the unorthodox officer in the San Francisco Police Department is legendary. He played a ruthless, vigilante cop, who utilized boundary-pushing methods to stop criminals. And there’s the 1993 monster hit, In the Line of Fire, an acclaimed political action-thriller where Eastwood plays Frank Horrigan, a veteran Secret Service agent haunted by his past. In this movie, Frank had an illustrious career with the Service and even took a bullet for a President, but his ability to carry on his responsibilities as he entered the twilight of his life, was in question. As one would expect, Horrigan comes through when he is needed. In a more realistic sense, the movie depicts the dangers of being a member of the Secret Service, and how they put their lives on the line.

Ironically, The United States Secret Service founded in 1865 after the Civil War wasn’t originally instituted to protect the President. Following the war, nearly one-third of all paper currency in circulation was counterfeit, which threatened to crash the U.S. economy. Abraham Lincoln founded the agency strictly as the “Secret Service Division” of the Treasury to track down counterfeiters and restore financial stability. Even more ironically, he signed the legislation authorizing the creation of the agency on April 14, the same day that he was assassinated! Perhaps, if he had the Service men protecting him, he’d never have met his tragic death. Sadly, it wasn’t until the assassination of William McKinley in 1901 that Congress started the ball rolling to use the Secret Service to protect the President.

After the death of Jesus, His Apostles, strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, set out to continue His mission by preaching the “Good News” of God’s kingdom. The Acts of the Apostles is a written account of the growth of the Christian Church after the Ascension of Jesus into heaven. In the third chapter of Acts, the Apostle Peter addresses the Jewish community in the city of Jerusalem. He calls them to repentance and a conversion from their present way of life that was not in line with God’s covenant. The Greek word for conversion found in the New Testament is metanoia, which means a complete change in one’s direction. A positive outcome of a person’s conversion or movement toward God is that their sins are wiped away, thus providing the penitent with “times of refreshment.”

Jesus did more than “take a bullet” for mankind. He was brutally flogged, crowned with thorns, forced to carry a heavy cross, and nailed to it from which he hung painfully amid his closest family until he died. Although it was a sad day on one hand, his death has come to be called “Good” Friday. His death on the cross made it possible for our sins to wiped away. His death on the cross made it possible to live without the stress of the effects of sin - the greatest of which is death! The conversion preached by Jesus that inaugurated His mission (Mark 1:15), the Apostles, and the Christian Church today, is a shift in direction away from sin and a worldly mindset to grace and a heavenly mindset.

What direction have you taken? Are you in need of a shift in direction? Have you been traveling along a dark path in life that has caused either suffering to yourself or to another person, most especially a loved one? Has this path led to a state of turmoil, confusion, or uncertainty? My friend, embrace metanoia. Turn to the Lord and away from sin. Repent of your failings and shift your direction of your earthy path, so that God can wipe away your sins, provide relief from the effects of traveling in the wrong direction, and set you on a heavenly path. Jesus took more than a bullet for you. He makes it possible for you to experience new life. Don’t allow this wonderful opportunity to slip through your fingers.

Tomorrow – Hanging on By Our Fingertips

A couple of years ago, a clever commercial for a leading deck stain company aired on television. A man was listening to his radio while wearing a headset and went to the mailbox that was several yards from his beach-front house. He was unaware that a huge wave was heading in the direction of his house! The wave engulfs the newly stained deck and goes through the house. The man returns to the house that remained unscathed and the deck looked as great as ever. When he goes into the house, he realizes that something unusual must have happened when he investigates a fishbowl that sat on a table. The goldfish that were once in the bowl were replaced by one larger ferocious fish that was sporting a mean set of sharp teeth!

Jesus often spoke to large crowds of people throughout his public ministry. He taught them about the Kingdom of God and how they could attain it. He performed miracles such as curing the deaf mute and the cleansing of a leper that demonstrated that the Kingdom wasn’t so much in the future, as it was now in His coming. Jesus taught many things to the people of His day, some were very challenging for they required a different way of thinking and looking at life. It was apparent that the world as they knew it, was opposed to the way God viewed it, and this caused many to walk away from Jesus.

Jesus told people that they must not only listen to His words, but to act on them. The “Do as I say and not as I act,” was not a viable option! If Jesus said that they must forgive their enemies and do good to those who hurt them, he wasn’t just spouting out hot air. He relates an obedient person, or one who acts on His words, to a man who builds his house on solid rock. When the rain fell, and the floods came, and the wind blew against his house, it stood firm. It had weathered the torrent. He goes on to say that a person who only listens to His words and refuses to act on them is likened to a foolish man who builds his house on sandy ground. When the storm hits his house, it easily collapses.

A torrent has suddenly come upon your house and is far worse than a single wave. This trial is far worse than others that you may have handled with little effort. If you have listened to the words of Jesus and acted upon them, you have nothing to fear. Your relationship with Him is set solidly on the rock of faith. With His help, you, too, will stand firm as a house set on solid rock.

I have been very inspired by the good people who have witnessed their strong faith on Substack. Torrents of the highest degree have smashed against their house and have disrupted their peace. They threaten the life of a loved one, or perhaps even their own life. I am grateful for their powerful stand. Along with them, I sing praises to our God, who strengthens them and helps them to meet the torrent head-on! You know who you are, and I stand with you in prayer, faith and hope.

. Unlike the wise man who built his house on the solid rock of faith, some people should have plenty to fear. To those people who have built their house on sandy ground, this could be a wake-up call. It isn’t too late to fortify your deck, rebuild your house, and rediscover a strong relationship with God. The good news is that God’s love for you is unconditional and forever. He is faithful to us, even when we aren’t to Him. Do not fear, but go to Him, now. His kingdom is within you. His kingdom is more than a place; it is a relationship! He is a God who gives us a second and third chance. In fact He gives us chances to the tune of “Seventy times seven times,” or infinitely!

You would be foolish not to take this opportunity to restore or maybe even start a closer relationship with God for the first time. In doing so, you will be rebuilding your house on the solid rock of faith and trust, so when the torrents come, no matter how strong, your house will stand firm!

Tomorrow – In the Line of Fire

Fifteen-year-old Kim guarded her diary like it contained state secrets. She carried it everywhere, tucked it into her backpack, and locked it in her desk whenever she left her room. To her twelve-year-old brother TJ, there was only one possible explanation – BOYS! For weeks, he imagined pages crammed with embarrassing crushes, secret dates, and dramatic confessions. The mystery gnawed at him. Then one afternoon, opportunity arrived. Kim rushed out the door for a study group, forgetting the key in her desk lock. TJ’s heart pounded as he opened the drawer and pulled out the floral notebook.

He turned to a random page. “I keep wondering whether God speaks in moments of silence rather than in words.” TJ blinked. He flipped ahead. “Today I prayed for courage. Not courage to succeed, but courage to trust when I don’t understand.” His excitement faded into confusion. Another page. “What if the purpose of life isn’t happiness alone but becoming the person we’re meant to be?” TJ frowned. Where were the names? The secrets? The romance? He kept reading, drawn in despite himself. Page after page explored faith, purpose, gratitude, and questions that seemed far bigger than anything he expected.

The front door opened. TJ quickly closed the diary. Kim appeared in the doorway. “Did you read it?” TJ swallowed. “I thought I knew what was inside.” Kim raised an eyebrow. “I was wrong,” he concluded. “So, well, little bro, are you happy?” Greatly embarrassed, he answered: “Yes, by what I found instead of what I was expecting.” He approached Kim and giving her a big hug said: “I’m sorry, Sis, and so glad that you are my big sister.”

Teenagers, especially girls, have a long-standing practice of keeping a personal diary, a written account of their thought, feelings, likes and dislikes, special friends and events, successes and struggles. I could relate to Jake being the only boy with four younger sisters. I often wondered what they were writing about. Very often, a girl’s diary is kept under lock and key, so to keep out snooping parents and other siblings. Similarly to keeping a diary and used equally by men, women, teenagers, and younger boys and girls is a journal. It was the book that Kim was keeping, and that TJ had no idea about. This type of book may include some of the reflections found in a diary, yet they are more spiritual in nature, connecting its content with God and many times with the writer’s faith.

When I look back at some of my journal entries from years ago, I will often ask: “Who wrote this?” One of the benefits of keeping a journal is to monitor the change and growth in a person, most especially in their spiritual life. Rereading my journal reminds me of how God always seemed to be working in my life, helping me to find solutions to my problems, and providing me with a deeper understanding of my own personal successes and struggles. In case I had forgotten, reading my past journal entries remind me of the insight gained from the trying experiences of my past and helpful in the issues of my present life.

Kind David also journaled. Many of his reflections took the form of his psalms. In Psalm Forty, David looks back at his struggles and is reminded of how God was there to deliver him. Whether he found himself in the “pit of destruction,” or stuck in the “mud of the swamp,” didn’t matter for God never abandoned him. We all can relate to David for like us, he had his share of flaws. Like him, there are times when our faith is strong and we “slay the giants” in our lives, but there are other times when we succumb to temptation and are slayed by our demons. When we are weak in faith, we have a difficult time getting out of the pits and swamps, but it doesn’t have to end in defeat. God is also there for us, as He was for King David, ready and willing to lift us out of the deepest holes that we often dig on our own and deliver us.

Do you think that keeping a journal would be a benefit to you? Do you think that monitoring your spiritual growth and maturity would be helpful? Do you think that writing about God will draw Him closer to you? If the answer to these questions is “YES,” why not start journaling today? Obtain a book and start writing. Set up the best time each day or night to journal, the length of time you want to put into it and remember to go back periodically to track the progress in your spiritual life. If there isn’t the same time every day to write, don’t skip a day. Write at any time of the day or night to keep the flow going. If you go on vacation, don’t allow your journal to go on vacation. Take it with you and keep writing.

It won’t be too long before you start to experience the benefits of journaling, and when you get to the point of looking back, you will be amazed at how God was with you in your successes and struggles. You will be reminded of how He pulled you out of your pits and swamps along the way. You will also identify the insights gained throughout your life and know that God, who was with you in the past, is with you in the here and now, and will be there for you in the future.

Tomorrow – When the Torrent Comes

Fifteen-year-old Kim guarded her diary like it contained state secrets. She carried it everywhere, tucked it into her backpack, and locked it in her desk whenever she left her room. To her twelve-year-old brother TJ, there was only one possible explanation – BOYS! For weeks, he imagined pages crammed with embarrassing crushes, secret dates, and dramatic confessions. The mystery gnawed at him. Then one afternoon, opportunity arrived. Kim rushed out the door for a study group, forgetting the key in her desk lock. TJ’s heart pounded as he opened the drawer and pulled out the floral notebook.

He turned to a random page. “I keep wondering whether God speaks in moments of silence rather than in words.” TJ blinked. He flipped ahead. “Today I prayed for courage. Not courage to succeed, but courage to trust when I don’t understand.” His excitement faded into confusion. Another page. “What if the purpose of life isn’t happiness alone but becoming the person we’re meant to be?” TJ frowned. Where were the names? The secrets? The romance? He kept reading, drawn in despite himself. Page after page explored faith, purpose, gratitude, and questions that seemed far bigger than anything he expected.

The front door opened. TJ quickly closed the diary. Kim appeared in the doorway. “Did you read it?” TJ swallowed. “I thought I knew what was inside.” Kim raised an eyebrow. “I was wrong,” he concluded. “So, well, little bro, are you happy?” Greatly embarrassed, he answered: “Yes, by what I found instead of what I was expecting.” He approached Kim and giving her a big hug said: “I’m sorry, Sis, and so glad that you are my big sister.”

Teenagers, especially girls, have a long-standing practice of keeping a personal diary, a written account of their thought, feelings, likes and dislikes, special friends and events, successes and struggles. I could relate to Jake being the only boy with four younger sisters. I often wondered what they were writing about. Very often, a girl’s diary is kept under lock and key, so to keep out snooping parents and other siblings. Similarly to keeping a diary and used equally by men, women, teenagers, and younger boys and girls is a journal. It was the book that Kim was keeping, and that TJ had no idea about. This type of book may include some of the reflections found in a diary, yet they are more spiritual in nature, connecting its content with God and many times with the writer’s faith.

When I look back at some of my journal entries from years ago, I will often ask: “Who wrote this?” One of the benefits of keeping a journal is to monitor the change and growth in a person, most especially in their spiritual life. Rereading my journal reminds me of how God always seemed to be working in my life, helping me to find solutions to my problems, and providing me with a deeper understanding of my own personal successes and struggles. In case I had forgotten, reading my past journal entries remind me of the insight gained from the trying experiences of my past and helpful in the issues of my present life.

Kind David also journaled. Many of his reflections took the form of his psalms. In Psalm Forty, David looks back at his struggles and is reminded of how God was there to deliver him. Whether he found himself in the “pit of destruction,” or stuck in the “mud of the swamp,” didn’t matter for God never abandoned him. We all can relate to David for like us, he had his share of flaws. Like him, there are times when our faith is strong and we “slay the giants” in our lives, but there are other times when we succumb to temptation and are slayed by our demons. When we are weak in faith, we have a difficult time getting out of the pits and swamps, but it doesn’t have to end in defeat. God is also there for us, as He was for King David, ready and willing to lift us out of the deepest holes that we often dig on our own and deliver us.

Do you think that keeping a journal would be a benefit to you? Do you think that monitoring your spiritual growth and maturity would be helpful? Do you think that writing about God will draw Him closer to you? If the answer to these questions is “YES,” why not start journaling today? Obtain a book and start writing. Set up the best time each day or night to journal, the length of time you want to put into it and remember to go back periodically to track the progress in your spiritual life. If there isn’t the same time every day to write, don’t skip a day. Write at any time of the day or night to keep the flow going. If you go on vacation, don’t allow your journal to go on vacation. Take it with you and keep writing.

It won’t be too long before you start to experience the benefits of journaling, and when you get to the point of looking back, you will be amazed at how God was with you in your successes and struggles. You will be reminded of how He pulled you out of your pits and swamps along the way. You will also identify the insights gained throughout your life and know that God, who was with you in the past, is with you in the here and now, and will be there for you in the future.

Tomorrow – When the Torrent Comes

Frank Abbot was a successful businessman who lived by a crowded schedule. Every day was filled with meetings, deadlines, and financial goals. He often said he was too busy for church, prayer, or even thinking about God. Whenever friends invited him to a Bible study or spoke about faith, he politely brushed them aside, promising he would think about those things later in life.

One afternoon, Frank visited his doctor after weeks of unexplained fatigue. The doctor’s expression was serious as he delivered the devastating news. Frank had an aggressive illness and only one to three months to live. The words struck him like a thunderbolt. Suddenly, the promotions, investments, and business deals that had consumed his life seemed insignificant. For the first time in years, he realized that time was more valuable than money.

That evening, Frank sat quietly in his living room and prayed. He asked God for forgiveness and guidance. Over the next few weeks, he spent time reading Scripture, reconnecting with family, and helping others. He found a peace he had never known despite all his success. When people asked what had changed him, Frank simply replied, “I finally learned what matters most. I was too busy for God until I discovered that life itself is a gift from Him.”

This story hit me hard, and it moved me to wonder, how ready am I to meet my Maker? And why did I wait to change how I lived my life in my final days on earth, when I should have set my priorities years ago? Could you imagine receiving similar sobering words from your doctor? Put yourself in this position and ask what am I going to do now? What changes do I need to make in order to leave something worthwhile or a legacy behind? Have I done enough in my life to comfortably live out my last days on earth, if not, what can I do in the few days that God will give me? If today were the last day of my life on earth, would I want to do what I am about to do today?

Similarly, could you imagine how the King of Judah must have felt after hearing the words of the prophet Isaiah? It is more than likely, that Hezekiah prayed to God for healing, or may have been waiting for Isaiah to lay hands on him and deliver a miracle. Why wouldn’t he? In Hezekiah’s mind, he was a great king. What would the Chosen People do without him? If he hadn’t prayed to God before the prophet’s arrival, you better believe that he was immediately on his hands and knees after he departed!

As we continue to read the story as it unfolds, we discover that Hezekiah does go to the Lord in prayer. Would it be too late, he must have wondered? Would God answer his prayer favorably at the eleventh hour? As the story concludes, we find out that God does answer the prayer of the King, but He also had Hezekiah’s attention!

I daresay, that there are many people on the face of the earth who approach God AFTER they are stricken with an illness or when confronted with a serious problem. Imagine if you were told by your doctor: “Put your house in order for you are going to die!” I’d bet my house on it, that you would fall on your hands and knees just as Hezekiah did. Would it be too late for you? Would God answer your prayer favorably at the eleventh hour? Would you really blame Him if he turned a deaf ear to you? Wouldn’t you expect Him to say: “Oh, you finally admit that I exist,” or “So, I finally have your attention?” Well, my friend, the fact of the matter is that it is NEVER too late to be the recipient of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Consider the good thief, who stole heaven in the last minutes of his life!

Thankfully, God will always be there for us, no matter if we were there for Him or not. It is His nature to love unconditionally and to be generous extravagantly! He is always ready and willing to hear our prayers. He wears no deaf ears. No matter the hour that we lift them to Him. You may be a long time from having to meet your Maker, so isn’t now, the most opportune time to set your priorities straight? Whatever you imagined doing in the days that followed those sobering words of your doctor: “Put your house in order for you are going to die,” shouldn’t you be doing them, now?

Tomorrow – Getting Through the Pits and Swamps

About seventy percent of the earth is covered by water. Although we have spent a great deal of time and money in the exploration of outer space, far less has been spent on the exploration of “inner” space or our underwater world. Scientists maintain that there are thousands, if not millions of undiscovered species of living things that exist in the deepest parts of our oceans and seas. Inner space is far less vast than outer space, yet we can only descend about seven miles into the depths of the ocean before underwater crafts would be crushed by the immense pressure of the ocean’s deepest depths. There is a wealth of knowledge to discover in the deepest parts of our oceans, but we will never come close to unlocking its many mysteries.

The Apostle Paul reflected on a different mystery, namely the depths of God’s wisdom and knowledge. Like the deepest depths of the ocean, the human mind and heart cannot grasp the unsearchable depths of our loving and all-powerful God. There is a way, however, that God Himself has tried to give us some understanding of these attributes and others such as His love and mercy – The Written Word and the Word Made Flesh! God first communicated these things in the Bible, and in the “fullness of time,” He sent His Only Son to give us a fuller understanding. Jesus said to His disciples that “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John14:9b). Jesus is the bridge that connects the great abyss between heaven and earth, God and man. In Jesus, He allows us to go further into the depths of His wisdom and understanding and much further than we could ever go on our own.

When you are faced with a difficult situation in your life and are experiencing a great deal of suffering and pain whether it is physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, you will not always be able to comprehend why God is permitting it. How can an all-loving and compassionate God allow my child to die of childhood cancer at the age of seven? We don’t have the answer. It is caught up in the mystery of life. When our prayer seems to fall upon deaf ears, and returns unanswered, we may not understand God’s reason. The answer falls within the greatest depths of God that we are not able to comprehend.

Instead of looking for an answer to the trial you are facing, try to move toward accepting it. Instead of being angry at God or turning against Him, accept the reality that our minds and hearts will never totally grasp the unsearchable ways of God. However, do not despair for we aren’t left hanging from a tree limb. Trust that in His time and in His way, things will work out. Paul reminds us that God never abandons us when he wrote in Romans, “All things work for good for those who love God” (8:28). Paul didn’t understand why preaching the gospel would bring on a significant amount of suffering, yet he accepted it and many times boasted about it! Paul, thus, becomes a great model for us.

Love God even in the darkness. He is there, even though you do not see Him. Surrender your situation to Him. Don’t try to understand it, as much as to ask Him for the grace to live with it. Trust God’s way, even though you do not comprehend it. Lay your troubles at the feet of Jesus. Let Him lead you to acceptance and a deeper faith. If you need further encouragement, read the Bible or a book of Saints. They contain many stories of people, who whether great or small, trusted God despite their trials, God didn’t let them down. My friend, neither will He let you down.

Tomorrow – You Are About to Die

By our very nature, we will always be tempted to perform a wrongful act. Whether the temptation comes from within, a person, place, thing, or by the devil himself, it can cause a great deal of worry, anxiety, and unrest. A man loses his job and is finding it hard to make ends meet, so he is tempted to do something illegal to bring home money to feed the mouths of his four hungry children. A woman is unsatisfied with her spouse and is tempted to enter an illicit relationship with a fellow employee. A high school student needs to get at least a “C” on the final exam to pass his Algebra class and is tempted to compose a cheat sheet to assure a passing grade, thus avoiding summer school.

Being tempted isn’t a sin, however, succumbing to it is where it becomes sinful. Falling into temptation and carrying through, will bring on a greater storm that will make any situation worse. All of three above scenarios had other viable and better options. This is something we often forget when clouded by a temptation that appears to be a better solution. You know as well as I, that this isn’t true, and must be avoided at all costs.

After Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist, he entered the desert for forty days and forty nights to prepare for his three-year public ministry and subsequent suffering, death, and resurrection. It wasn’t too long before the devil came along to test Him, and to tempt Him from doing the will of the His heavenly Father. The devil knew well what that meant for him, so he tried his darndest to persuade Jesus from completing His mission.

In the devil’s encounter with the Son of God, we learn something very fascinating, namely, that the devil not only knows when we are the most vulnerable, but that he also knows how to quote Sacred Scripture! On all three occasions, Jesus fights off the temptation of the devil by using a little of the Written Word, Himself. An important lesson to learn from the temptation of Jesus is that if the “Evil One” had the audacity to tempt God’s Son, imagine how far He would go to mislead us and redirect us from our course in life to do God’s will.

My dear friend, you will be tempted many times over to perform a wrongful act, do something illegal, be unfaithful, or cheat on a test. As time goes on, the temptation intensifies, and you fear that you will succumb to it. You know rationally that things will only get worse if you fall to the temptation, but you are vulnerable and ripe for the devil to do His damage. You may think that doing the wrongful act is a way out of the bad situation that you find yourself, and the only way out. Don’t fall for it. There are other viable and better options. You can fight against the temptation and like Jesus, you can be victorious over him!

When tempted, imitate Jesus. Pick up the Bible and use the Written Word to thwart the devil’s initiative and propel him out of your life! Pray the “Lord’s Prayer,” a prayer that Jesus Himself taught us and for good reason. Ask God to “lead you not into temptation and to deliver you from the test.” Using the words of Jesus against the “Tempter,” is also a great weapon against him - “Away from Me, Satan” (or “Get behind Me, Satan”) (Matthew 4:10). Resisting temptation with God’s help will keep you on the path of righteousness and prevent a far greater storm in your life.

There is one final thought that I would like to reflect on. The phrase “lead us not into temptation” in the Lord’s Prayer can be difficult to understand because it sounds like God might intentionally try to trick or trap people into doing something wrong. However, standard Christian theology teaches that God does not tempt anyone. Instead, this petition is a request for guidance, protection, and spiritual strength.

The Lord’s Prayer is an admission of human weakness. By praying these words, you are asking God to guide your steps so that you do not end up in situations where your faith, morals, or character will be severely tested. It is a plea for God to steer you away from paths that lead to sin.

It may help to understand that the original Greek word used in the Gospels for temptation is peirasmos. This word has a double meaning. The first is temptation, an enticement to do evil. The second is a difficult trial or period of testing that proves the strength of your character. When you pray this powerful prayer you are asking God to spare you from overwhelming trials that might cause your faith to fail or break, rather than God trying to trick you into doing a wrongful act.

Tomorrow – The Depths of God’s Wisdom and Knowledge

When I was very young, there wasn’t much I needed to keep me busy or amused. My mother told me than when I was a toddler, I enjoyed playing with her plastic “Tupperware” bowls and lids. Once I took off all the canned goods labels in the cupboard and she had quite the challenge of finding what label went with the appropriate can. As I grew older, I recall playing with a simple piece of molding compound that probably cost a couple of dollars called “Silly Putty.” I found several uses for it, and not for just as a bouncing ball. I molded into all sorts of objects including animals or just about anything. I pressed objects such as coins against it and made an impression of the object. One of my favorite uses was to stretch the putty over a newspaper comic strip and press on it. To my delight, as I peeled it off the comic strip, the colored frame transferred to it. This small and inexpensive piece of putty had as many uses as you could imagine. With a small amount of “Silly Putty,” you could become the master of whatever you came up with.

In the Book of Jeremiah, God instructs the prophet to go to a potter’s house to observe his work. Strange instruction, Jeremiah may have thought, but nonetheless, he obeyed. As the prophet watched, whenever the object the potter was trying to mold would turn out badly, he would reshape it. Jeremiah got the message! The image of the potter and clay can be likened to God and His People, Israel. At times in their history, God had to reshape them after they strayed from His covenant and commandments. There were times when the reshaping took the form of a punishment, but only to bring them back again. With the advent of Jesus, the Father has the power to reshape us into the image and likeness of His Son. All we need to do is to cooperate with God and allow Him to do the work in us.

God is the Master Potter, and we are the clay, the work of His Hands. He created us and wants to reshape us when we turn out badly. We need to cooperate with Him as He refashions us into the image and likeness of Jesus. Unlike a piece of “Silly Putty,” or a piece of clay that is totally passive to the work of the molder, we require a response to the Master Potter to be reshaped. This response is called faith. We may need to ask God for forgiveness, to stop complaining about our aches and pains, or to go to someone that we hurt and say that we are sorry. We may need to let go of a bad habit, refrain from going to a place that leads to sin or meeting the needs of a person that we have neglected. God has created you as a unique person and you are wonderfully made. He has also thrown out the mold for no one is quite like you.

Don’t ever forget that He loves you unconditionally, and that He would never want you to stray from the creature that He made you to be, however, if you do stray and the subject that He created you to be somehow gets out of shape and unrecognizable, know that He is always there to remold you once again into the image and likeness of His Son. All you need to do is to supply the faith.

Tomorrow – Lead Me not into Temptation

When I was a young boy, my dad took my four sisters and me to just about every parade that marched down the streets of the city of Philadelphia. We would be very excited on the way to the parade route chatting about who and what we might be seeing. Not only would there be marching bands, floats, and other parade essentials, but often celebrities from either television, the movies or music. My dad would always make sure that we had front row seats, so we would all be able to see amid the large crowds that gathered. Our front row seats often consisted of a blanket spread across the curb of the street. If we couldn’t get a good spot in front of the crowd, my dad would fling one of us on his shoulders and then switch off to give someone else a chance to get a better view. As I grew older, I gave my dad a break and was able to fling a sister or two on my shoulders, too.

In the gospel of Luke, we hear about a man named Zacchaeus, who was just as excited as we were, when he heard that Jesus, the big celebrity at the time, was coming to his town. He was a Jewish tax collector for the Roman Empire, thus despised by his neighbors, and it seems that he extorted them to become wealthy. Tax collectors were amongst the greatest of “sinners” during the time of Jesus. You may wonder why such a man was excited about seeing Jesus. Had he heard about His miracles, or was he impressed by His teachings? Maybe he liked hearing stories, and we know very well how much Jesus loved telling them. Perhaps, he was only curious having heard so many amazing things about Him.

Zacchaeus was “small in stature” so when he arrived where Jesus was, a large crowd had gathered, and they obstructed his view. My sisters could relate being in that position. He decided to climb a sycamore tree to see the “Miracle Man” better. Jesus noticed him and to everyone’s surprise, including Zacchaeus, called him by name! Jesus told him to come down from the tree for He wanted to go to his house for dinner. I’m sure that the spectators could hardly believe what they were hearing. How could the Messiah want to dine with this despised tax collector?

The story of Zacchaeus provides a great lesson for all of us especially for those who aren’t happy with their lives and are willing to change for the better. Zacchaeus literally went out on a limb to follow Jesus. His small stature nor the disapproving crowd were going to be obstacles. What did Jesus see in this tax collector that moved Him to draw near to him? Is it surprising that the Son of God would make such a gesture? I don’t think so. It proves first; that Jesus loves all people, no matter what their state in life may be, and second, that He came to the world - “To seek and save what was lost.”

Zacchaeus’s encounter with Jesus changed his life for the better. We can make this assumption based on the Scriptural account that he gave away half of what he owned, returned all the money that he had taken from the people, and then some. Are you in a situation where you need your life to go in a different direction, or the change for the better? What must you do to get God’s attention – climb a sycamore tree? Hardly, but there is something that you can do to get Him to notice you. Identify any obstacles in your life that hinder you from a close encounter of the greatest kind! Learn a lesson from the little tax collector, who became a giant by his faith. When we seek God, He will quickly move toward us and find us. Jesus didn’t come to Zacchaeus as he was counting his money at the tax office. He moved toward Zacchaeus only after he made an effort to move toward Jesus.

Is there something in life that keeps you from moving toward God? Is it something that you said or did? Is it because you are angry at God for something that you consider – He did? Are you so wrapped up in worldly things and amassing material possessions that God goes unnoticed? My friend, there isn’t anything that you said or did, or no matter if you spent half your life allured by worldly things, that can keep God from loving you and moving toward you once you notice Him. Jesus reminds us in the story of Zacchaeus that He has come to the world “to seek and save what was lost.” Move toward Him in prayer and in action. Talk to Him and let Him know what is on your mind.

Zacchaeus’s life was changed upon his encounter with Jesus, and so can yours! Do not think or let anyone try to convince you that you aren’t worthy of a second chance in life, or that you can move from a sinful past to a new grace-filled life. In reality, no one is worthy for we are all “sinners,” yet everyone is entitled to God’s mercy and forgiveness. We read in the Book of Isaiah: “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6). Zacchaeus did just that and look where that brought him, and what he was able to become.

Tomorrow – We are the Clay

When I was a young boy, I had a friend named Sal, who would often invite me over to his house to play. I always obliged not only to play with him for he had neat toys, but also because of his mother. She was a kind person, who always wore a beautiful smile. Upon entering the house, I’d always smell something cooking in the oven or baking in the oven. Most of the time, there’d be a big pot of her famous Italian tomato sauce or as we used to call it “gravy.” It was seasoned heavily with sweet basil and garlic with an aroma that would make my mouth water. The best part was that she liked me and most of the time would invite me for dinner. If I couldn’t stay, she would always offer me something to eat. My favorite was a fried meatball sandwich with mustard before they were dropped into the pot of gravy.

Sal’s mom was the type of person that we meet in life who makes us feel very relaxed and comfortable, as if we knew them for our entire life. She always made me feel special and part of her extended family. There wasn’t a thing that she wouldn’t do for me. I never remember her raising her voice or talking about anyone. She had a “saintly aura” about her if I could use the term. As I grew older, I wondered how she took on such a wonderful persona, having learned that Sal’s father had deserted his family when he was born! Despite this tragedy, she understood what Jesus expected of all his followers, even those carrying a heavy cross, and what Paul reminds us in Romans – to exercise hospitality to everyone we meet.

There are several instances in the Bible that illustrate the importance of hospitality. The word itself translated from the Greek means “love of strangers.” No where do we read it lived more fittingly than in the Book of Genesis in the story of the strangers welcomed by Abram and Sarah. In the New Testament, hospitality is characteristic of Christian living and expected of Christian leaders (1 Timothy 3:2). It is a moral virtue and commanded by Jesus of His disciples and to be taught by them, as an outward expression of their love (1 Peter 4:9). Henri Nouwen, a favorite writer of mine, writes in his classic book Reaching Out – The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life, “Hospitality, therefore, means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place.”

No matter who or where we meet people, we are expected to be hospitable; now, more than ever, especially with the rise of homelessness and people who are starving not only around the globe, but also in our own backyard. How have you made room for the people in your life, especially those in need? Have you welcomed others and been hospitable in your home, college dorm, military barracks, or even your prison cell? What do you do when you find two Mormon elders or a group of Jehovah Witnesses standing at your front door? If you see them coming, do you close the door and pull down the window shades before they can utter a single word? Do you turn your back on the widow or the orphan? And yes, there are plenty of them in your area! Have you created a space where a stranger can enter your life and become a friend instead of an enemy?

If you need any help finding them, check out nursing homes, orphanages, soup kitchen or any home in your development that houses a widow or widower. Being hospitable to others including strangers and those who knock on your door, who may represent a faith other than yours, is expected of all those who follow Christ. Hospitality is a characteristic of Christian living to our neighbor and stranger. Do you bless all who you meet with the love of Christ, or do you hold back the blessing from certain people that you don’t like? Contribute to the needs of others. It is what is expected by everyone whose name is “Christian.” And knowing the kind of God that we have; He will repay you one hundred-fold!

Tomorrow – Who Doesn’t Love a Parade?

Every dawn, Megan plunged into the turquoise depths, her lungs burning and her arms straining against the sea’s gentle pull. She searched tirelessly, brushing sand and coral aside, seeking pearls hidden in the ocean’s secret cradles. Most days, she returned with small, imperfect treasures, enough to survive but never to thrive.

One morning, as the sun kissed the horizon, Megan felt a firm weight in her hand. Rising to the surface, she discovered a pearl unlike any she had ever seen. It was radiant, flawless, and glowing with a light that seemed almost otherworldly. Her heart raced. She could sell it for a fortune, but a deep stillness urged her to keep it, to treasure it above all else.

That night, she thought of the stories her grandmother had told her about a merchant who sold everything to possess a single, precious pearl. Suddenly, she understood. Life had offered her this singular treasure, not for wealth or pride, but as a call to something greater: to devotion, to purpose, to surrendering all lesser attachments for what truly mattered.

Megan decided to protect the pearl, letting it remind her daily that some treasures cannot be measured in coins or fame. Some are worth everything we have, for they reveal the true value of our hearts. In the quiet of the waves, she whispered a prayer of gratitude, realizing she had found not just a pearl, but a glimpse of the kingdom she had long sought.

Pearls are among the most valued and preferred choice in women’s jewelry, in fact they were mother’s favorite. They aren’t mined in mountains like most gems, yet they aren’t gems but just as precious. The are searched underwater amongst certain mollusks such as oysters. Pearls are made chiefly of calcium carbonate that is secreted by the creature. It is born, so to speak, when a foreign particle such as a grain of sand, a broken piece of shell or wood, or some other object gets lodged inside the shellfish causing an irritation that is very painful to the animal. The mollusk in response, secretes a fluid that surrounds the intrusive particle and hardens, thus relieving the pain and creating the pearl. This beautiful object of nature is born only after a great amount of suffering on part of the mollusk. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we secreted such a substance around our suffering?

Jesus predicted on three different occasions that He had to suffer, die, and rise from the dead after three days. His followers must have been bent out of shape by the suffering part but failed to hear the part of Jesus rising from the dead. Perhaps, it was too unbelievable since no man they had ever met had done such a thing. Peter took Jesus aside and protested about the suffering part. I can imagine Peter suggesting an easier way to fulfill the Father’s plan that had a bit more glory to it! Jesus didn’t take very well to Peter’s attempt to steer Him away. He reprimanded him, in fact, even called him Satan! It must be noted however, that this word didn’t necessarily have to mean the devil for the it comes from a Semitic root word meaning “accuser,” or “adversary.” Nonetheless, the disciples of Jesus were not very pleased with His prediction, and that suffering was going to be part of God’s plan. Out of the great pain suffered by the Son of Man would come our redemption. Jesus Christ, is indeed, our Pearl of Great Price!

Whether or not we like it, suffering is part of the human condition. We could either run from it, try at all costs to avoid it, or embrace it. No matter how we try to remove suffering from our lives, it will always be present. There are degrees of suffering, so not all is extreme. You may look around and see that you suffer more than others. The fact of the matter is that it doesn’t pick favorites and just as in life, the world of suffering isn’t fair! This doesn’t mean that we should forgo any attempts to ease the pain through medicine, surgery, etc., but we also must keep in mind that suffering is part of God’s plan. Jesus embraced His suffering and death and overcame both by His Resurrection. He narrowed the gap between God and us that resulted from sin. As Jesus rose, so will those who believe in Him. This is God’s promise to mankind, and God keeps His promises.

Believers will not only rise with Him from their ultimate death, but also can rise from the many dying moments that they experience throughout their lives. Similarly to how the fluid of a mollusk relieves the pain of the shellfish, God desires to surround your pain and suffering with His love, grace and mercy and wants to ease it. You are a great and precious pearl in His eyes, a great treasure, so don’t you ever doubt it!

Tomorrow – Exercising Hospitality

Julian stood on the polished teak deck of his luxury yacht, The Opulent Wave, watching the black ocean rise. A sudden, violent storm had ripped through the hull, and the pumps were failing. The captain’s voice crackled over the intercom, desperate: “We are riding too low. Throw everything overboard, or we sink in minutes.”

Julian looked at his possessions. There were crates of rare vintage wines, velvet bags filled with gold bullion, and fine art gathered from global auctions. Each item represented his identity, his pride, and his security. He hesitated, gripping a heavy iron chest of family heirlooms. But as a rogue wave crashed over the bow, submerging his ankles in icy water, the illusion of their value vanished. In the face of death, his riches were nothing but dead weight dragging him to the bottom of the sea. With trembling hands, he began to heave his treasures into the abyss. Gold, art, and luxury sank into the dark, and with every tossed item, the boat rose higher, finally stabilizing against the cresting waves. He survived, stripped bare but alive.

The words of Jesus did not sit well with His listeners who were complacent and did not want to part with their possessions. His teaching exposes the ultimate bad trade: gaining temporary wealth while losing eternal life. The “whole world” includes status, riches, and sinful pleasures. These things seem valuable now, but they cannot save you in the end. Just like Julian’s heavy treasures dragging his yacht down, holding onto the world acts as a spiritual anchor. True profit is not measured by what you accumulate, but by the condition of your soul. Jesus challenges us to recognize that nothing on earth is worth the cost of eternity. Real wisdom means letting go of everything else to protect your soul.

This physical crisis mirrors the spiritual reality of the human soul. Daily, people navigate the turbulent seas of life while clinging to the heavy baggage of sin—pride, greed, bitterness, and secret transgressions. These burdens feel valuable or comforting in moments of calm, but they act as spiritual anchors during judgment.

Just as Julian’s wealth became his executioner, unconfessed sin weighs down the soul, ensuring its destruction. To survive the storm and find salvation, a person must ruthlessly cast away every excess weight. True repentance demands throwing the baggage of sin overboard, recognizing that no earthly attachment is worth the loss of eternal life.

What excess baggage needs to be tossed overboard from your boat as you navigate through the sea of life, thus assuring that you will land safely at your eternal destination? A daily examination of conscience helps to immediately bring to the front of your mind, any sinful behavior that you need to unload. It also keeps all other sin in check. They say in football that the best offense is the best defense, so when applied to the spiritual field, the daily examination prevents us from any that will hurt us and from creeping up. As part of your self-inventory, something that always helps me to identify what I need to get rid of is to go through the Ten Commandments and the Seven Deadly Sins. It only takes a few minutes. Once you arrive at the vice, bad habit, or sin, pray to God for the grace to remove it from your life. With God’s grace you will continue to move forward along the sea of life and one day, safely reach your final destination and eternal reward.

Tomorrow - Pearl of Great Price

There have been many famous last words spoken by people over the years. Although it is debatable, perhaps the most famous is that of Julius Caesar’s words at his assassination in the Roman Senate chamber: “Et tu, Brute?” translated, “And you Brutus?” On the way to the guillotine, Marie Antoinette accidentally stepped on the executioner’s foot and apologized saying: “Pardon me sir, I meant not to do it.” And there’s Thomas Edison, whose son reported at the deathbed of the famous inventor: “It is very beautiful over there.” My favorite is that of the Irish writer and playwright, Oscar Wilde, while he was dying in a cheap hotel room in Paris, the Hôtel d’Alsace; “Either the wallpaper goes, or I do!”

The final words spoken by a person are often the most important ones that will ever come from their lips. They may take the form of a last will and testament, where family members gather around an attorney’s table to hear its reading and find out what the deceased left them or didn’t. You have read a novel, watched a movie, or perhaps you experienced a very moving deathbed scene. Often, a person’s final words before death can have an impact in our lives. When Jesus hung on the cross, He said seven things that have been traditional called His Last Seven Words. They are words of the dying Godman, so it would do good for us to listen to what He says, let His words resonate in our hearts and allow them to have a positive effect on our lives.

The Last Seven Words of Jesus spoken from His deathbed, the cross, were meant not only for the few faithful followers who surrounded His cross, but for all people and for all time. Meditate on each word and respond to what Jesus may be telling you. It could well be the most important words that you’ve ever heard from anyone’s lips. They can change your life, give you what has been lacking in your life, or help you to live your faith more fully. I have listed them and have added a few questions to help in your reflection. The last words spoken by a dying person can be powerful, inspiring and life changing. The last words of Jesus fit that bill. It is up to us whether they will have a positive effect on us.

1. “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” When have I felt abandoned by God? Was it more that I abandoned Him?

2. “Woman, behold your son; son behold your mother.” Does the mother of Jesus have a special place in my life? How does she provide me with a powerful model of faith and trust in God?

3. “Today you will be with me in Paradise?” Do I need to repent for a hurt that I may have caused? Am I living a life that is meant for Paradise?

4. “I thirst.” What do I thirst or long for in life? Will it help me to attain the eternal happiness of heaven, or will it keep me out?

5. “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” Do I need to apologize and ask someone I hurt for forgiveness? Do I need to forgive someone, or let go of a grudge?

6. “Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit.” Have I followed God’s ways, so to place my life in His hands? Am I willing to surrender to His will, or continue to live my life apart from Him?

7. “It is finished.” Can I honestly say that my work for God will be finished upon my death? What else must I do to finish the work God has called me to do?

Tomorrow – Acceptance and Gratitude

One of my favorite Sports movies that was based on a true story was Buzz Kulik’s 1971 movie Brian’s Song starring Billy Dee Williams and James Caan. It saw it when I was in high school at a special assembly. It must have made its rounds in the educational world because I have met people over the years who also recall seeing it while in high school. It did so, I believe, for good reason. It was the perfect story, especially for boys who like football, that breaks down racial barriers and instilled the values of respect and tolerance. It was the first time that I can remember crying publicly in a movie theater. I attended an all-boys school, so you can imagine the difficulty of the audience trying to hold back their tears! It is the story of the friendship between two football players on the Chicago Bears, Gale Sayers, and Brian Piccolo, who contracted cancer and died in the prime of his life. I can still remember the hospital bed scene that I watched with tears in my eyes and a huge lump in my throat. There was not a single dry eye amongst the entire student body.

Gale Sayers went on to become a successful running back for the Bears and in 1997 was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at the age of thirty-four. He remains to this day, the youngest player ever to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio. In the same year he was awarded the NFL Man of the Year, an award that was renamed in his honor in 1999 following his tragic death from bile duct cancer. The award was given to him in recognition of his tremendous humanitarianism, charitable work, and character off the field, which matched his legendary on-field success. Sayers delivered his emotional, heartfelt tribute to his teammate and best friend when he received the George Halas Award at the Pro Football Writers of America banquet in New York City on May 19, 1970, roughly one month before Piccolo tragically passed away from cancer. The award is an annual honor presented by the the Pro Football Writers of America to an NFL player, coach, or staff member who has overcome the most adversity to return to the game and succeed.

Sayers didn’t forget that Piccolo helped him tremendously during his rehab after an injury that could have ended his pro football career. At the banquet he spoke highly of his best friend saying: “But I say to you here and now, Brian Piccolo is the man of courage who should receive the George S. Halas Award. It’s mine tonight -- and Brian Piccolo’s tomorrow. I love Brian Piccolo. And I’d like all of you to love him too. And tonight, you hit your knees: Please ask God to love him.” This is kind of person Gale Sayers was and was indicative when he was asked in his later years by the media about a charm necklace he wore with the words “I Am Third.” Sayers was quick to answer that it was a constant reminder to him that “God is first, Others are second, and I am third.” Gale had his priorities straight! All the fame and fortune that went with being a successful pro athlete never kept him from knowing what was most important in one’s life.

Jesus taught us many times about the danger of putting money and other material things first in one’s life. He once said: “You can not serve both God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24) The rich young man who turned away from Jesus was possessed by his wealth and blinded him of what is most important in life. He put himself first, others second, and God third. Jesus also warned that people who put themselves first would one day be last. (Matthew 19:30) The rich man had his priorities backwards, and although he put himself first in this life, he was jeopardizing his life in the next. Gale Sayers had his priorities straight. The rich man did not. Where do you stand?

When we look at ourselves honestly, there are many predicaments in which we find ourselves that are the result of putting ourselves first. There may be a bad habit that hinders us from living a life of holiness, or perhaps there are material possessions that we have accumulated over life that have blinded us from what is most important. Do you find yourself in an uncompromising position that results from putting yourself first? Did working long hours at work or spending more time on the golf course than around the dinner table result in a marital problem? Did stopping at the tavern after work and going home intoxicated causing a fight between you and your spouse in front of your kids ignite a familial problem? It may not be too late to set your priorities straight.

Turn toward God and ask for the grace you need to rid yourself of the bad habit, or to spend more quality time with your family. Unburden the negative excess baggage that you are carrying and is weighing you down from being the person God created you to be. Do not let your material possessions blind you of what is most important in your life. Do not allow wealth, work, fame, position, or social status, blind you from who should be first in your life and who should be third. When you put God first, all other priorities will fall into their proper place. And when that happens, you can truly become to your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors - the Man, Woman, or Teen of the Year!

Tomorrow - Famous Last Words