Below is a quote from my favorite book "He and i" by Gabrielle Bossis (1874-1950). This entry is from her journal of conversations with "the Voice", dated January 5, 1940.
"The days that lie ahead of you are fewer than those behind you. Then you and I should spend this last period of your life like two beings in perfect accord, heart calling to heart before they come face to face".
Turning 60 this year has made me realize that I am well beyond the mid-point of my life. Seeing my 80-year-old mother is a graphic reminder of what I may be going through in a short 20 years. She is frail, saddled with many health issues, and in a rapid decline.
How do I write the last chapter of my life?
I want to "finish the race well", as St Paul puts it. I've been a Catholic Christian my whole life, but did not embrace my faith with an adult understanding until I was 20 years old. (I had many experiences in childhood that I can only see as The Hound of Heaven pursuing me, even as a child. I felt close to God as an altar boy. But I was still too young to grasp the whole meaning and the cost. Not to mention my own mistakes as a boy).
I want to be a saint. Why settle for anything less? It may seem a little presumptuous to have such an aspiration, but is this not what the gospels call us to do? Jesus makes it clear that this is what He wants for us - to be "like Him" in all things. He just does not force us to do anything. Our free will really makes us free. He is just waiting for us to ask Him to make us saints; He already knows we are incapable of that on our own. If you think you are too sinful or stupid to be a saint, get a copy of the book "Saints Behaving Badly", a true history of many saints in the "early days" of their efforts to follow Christ. It is hilarious. And encouraging too.
Some of you have told me that I am preoccupied with death and morbid things. Does the Bible not exhort us to "consider your own end" as the beginning of wisdom? If we have no sense about the limitations of this life (like death!), how will we begin to look for the life beyond? How do we prepare ourselves for the next life? Where is our hope? If there is no "pie-in-the-sky when you die" (as C. S. Lewis puts it), why would we follow Jesus? St Paul tells us in his First Letter to the Corinthians that if there is no resurrection to eternal life, we Christians are the dumbest people on the planet and our lives are a waste. (See Chapter 15). We Christians look forward to the coming Day when Christ will raise our mortal bodies and usher us into His Kingdom forever. It is an exciting, thrilling, and glorious end to contemplate - the only goal worth our efforts. Ask God to make you a saint. Then get out of His way!
The End of the Race does come. I cannot slow down or slack off now. He wants me to do well. He is waiting at the finish line - for me.
Gary
Monday, November 8, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
our ripple effect on the lives of others
(written 9/17/2009 )
The article I wrote for the September issue of the magazine God's Word Among Us called "Ripple Effect Evangelism" continues to make waves. Sometimes we are completely unaware of how God uses us to reach others and that's a good thing. We might get a big head or get "puffed up with pride", which is spiritual death. But God lifts the curtain at times to motivate or encourage us. The story I wrote is touching people near and far. Calls are coming in to my home phone from all over the country. I ran into a local woman I know from the early days in the Word of God community who just read my piece. As she told me how encouraged she was by it, tears began to well up in her eyes. Really? I personally didn't think the story came out that well, but God is using it. Last night I got a call from a retired priest in Massachusetts. He met me only once or twice 39 years ago (when I was only 20!). Apparently, my friends and I were driving from Massachusetts to a leaders conference in Ann Arbor when our car broke down near my home town. While the car was being repaired, we were taken in overnight by members of a new sprouting prayer group. Father Darling said Mass for us and arranged a quick prayer meeting.
Unbeknownst to me, every eye in the prayer meeting was on me because I had the gift of tongues. Father told me when I began to sing in tongues, it electrified his little group. They knew I had grown up in nearby Holyoke, which gave me real credibility. I was encouraged to share how God was working in me. Never to shy to talk, I gave a rather long testimony, peppered with anecdotes of God's miraculous work in my life. I could see the crowd responding to me and quietly thanked the Lord. One old man in the back yelled out : "You're all caught up by the enthusiasm of this time, but it won't last. Just wait until life kicks you around a bit. You haven't suffered much and now go to a prestigious college." But Father Darling intervened. "That's not so Fred. Gary, tell them where you grew up in Holyoke". I was a little embarrassed because they would all know the place. "The Flats" I said. There was an audible collective gasp. That was a poor neighborhood in my home town. I told them a bit more about growing up in Holy Rosary parish. Now I had real "street cred" with the locals. How does a kid from there get to the top Catholic school in New England?
Father told me after I left my story spread like a brush fire and the prayer group grew to three times its size. Although I never visited that place again, they coninued to talk about "that kid from Holyoke" with awe and respect. Father was so blessed to find my article, he just had to call me. He and I will get together next month when I go out to visit my Mom for her birthday. We all are making an impact on the people around us. May we allow our Big Brother to make us fruitful for the kingdom.
Gary
The article I wrote for the September issue of the magazine God's Word Among Us called "Ripple Effect Evangelism" continues to make waves. Sometimes we are completely unaware of how God uses us to reach others and that's a good thing. We might get a big head or get "puffed up with pride", which is spiritual death. But God lifts the curtain at times to motivate or encourage us. The story I wrote is touching people near and far. Calls are coming in to my home phone from all over the country. I ran into a local woman I know from the early days in the Word of God community who just read my piece. As she told me how encouraged she was by it, tears began to well up in her eyes. Really? I personally didn't think the story came out that well, but God is using it. Last night I got a call from a retired priest in Massachusetts. He met me only once or twice 39 years ago (when I was only 20!). Apparently, my friends and I were driving from Massachusetts to a leaders conference in Ann Arbor when our car broke down near my home town. While the car was being repaired, we were taken in overnight by members of a new sprouting prayer group. Father Darling said Mass for us and arranged a quick prayer meeting.
Unbeknownst to me, every eye in the prayer meeting was on me because I had the gift of tongues. Father told me when I began to sing in tongues, it electrified his little group. They knew I had grown up in nearby Holyoke, which gave me real credibility. I was encouraged to share how God was working in me. Never to shy to talk, I gave a rather long testimony, peppered with anecdotes of God's miraculous work in my life. I could see the crowd responding to me and quietly thanked the Lord. One old man in the back yelled out : "You're all caught up by the enthusiasm of this time, but it won't last. Just wait until life kicks you around a bit. You haven't suffered much and now go to a prestigious college." But Father Darling intervened. "That's not so Fred. Gary, tell them where you grew up in Holyoke". I was a little embarrassed because they would all know the place. "The Flats" I said. There was an audible collective gasp. That was a poor neighborhood in my home town. I told them a bit more about growing up in Holy Rosary parish. Now I had real "street cred" with the locals. How does a kid from there get to the top Catholic school in New England?
Father told me after I left my story spread like a brush fire and the prayer group grew to three times its size. Although I never visited that place again, they coninued to talk about "that kid from Holyoke" with awe and respect. Father was so blessed to find my article, he just had to call me. He and I will get together next month when I go out to visit my Mom for her birthday. We all are making an impact on the people around us. May we allow our Big Brother to make us fruitful for the kingdom.
Gary
the limits of civility
written 9/13/2009
Much commentary has been made about congressman Joe Wilson's outburst during the president's speech Wednesday night. It was not something any of us like to see in a solemn setting like this. Mr. Wilson apologized immediately, citing his own weakness in overcoming "the passion of the moment". He says the outburst "You lie" was not pre-meditated. I take him at his word, seeing no evidence to contradict his statement. But it raised a question in my own mind - is there ever a time when such a harsh rebuke could be justified? Is politeness the highest value in the land? What about the truth?
Just hours before the speech, Mr. Wilson was reviewing HR 3200, the house version of the bill to revamp our health care system in the United States. He had just concluded from his reading and research that there were no guarantees against giving free medical care to illegal aliens in this country at the expense of tax-paying citizens. Whether this country should do this is a matter of intense debate. Mr. Wilson and many citizens don't believe it is right to spend tax money on something like this without a real clear decision made by the American people to do so. This was the background to his surprising shout. Most of us recognize our own propensity to do something like that, even against our own better judgment. Our laws make a distinction between a "crime of passion" and pre-meditated murder, which is not to say that speech comes close to a crime like that.
George Bush made a personal decision, announced in his first inaugural speech, to set a "new tone" in Washington. For better or worse, he was tired of the partisan wrangling, harsh allegations, and insults regularly tossed about between the two political parties. Some considered this as an honorable goal, something missing in our government, but others thought his judgment here to be naive. His opponents fashioned his style to be "tone deaf", a stubborn refusal to listen to his critics. There were things said about George Bush that shocked even some Democrats. Some critics even wished for his assassination and even made a movie on how it could be done. Our former president was not blind either, acknowledging "the one finger salute" he received in a visit to Canada. Bush went out of his way to show respect to all, even his harshest enemies. Bill and Hillary Clinton were invited to the White House during Bush's first term for the unveiling of their White House official portraits and the president found many good things to say about the former president and First Lady. I remember that occasion vividly and was struck at by his kind words. The very next day Hillary made several demeaning and insulting statements about Bush's decisions and motives.
I'm the first person to say that we should not sink to the level of our opponents. There is a time and a place to question someone's knowledge and competency. Sometimes we even have to wonder what motivates others to do what they do. The downside to Bush's style was that many good people began to believe his opponents, since the president did not appear to defend his actions and statements. It raised some questions in many minds and over time his poll numbers reflected that. Some have made the case that the elections of 2006 and 2008 reflect on Bush's approach, at least partially. I believe he had noble intentions and much good has come from his example. He just went too far.
A very wise priest and spiritual leader, Father Benedict Groeschel was once asked if he had any regrets to his 50 years of ministry. He said : "I think I placed too much value of prudence. There were times I should have spoken out more forcefully when bad things were going on in the Church, but I was told to exercise prudence". I think we need to say the same thing about having a "civil debate". There's a time for debate and there's a time to shout out the truth, lest it be lost in the misguided ideas about what true virtue is.
Gary
Much commentary has been made about congressman Joe Wilson's outburst during the president's speech Wednesday night. It was not something any of us like to see in a solemn setting like this. Mr. Wilson apologized immediately, citing his own weakness in overcoming "the passion of the moment". He says the outburst "You lie" was not pre-meditated. I take him at his word, seeing no evidence to contradict his statement. But it raised a question in my own mind - is there ever a time when such a harsh rebuke could be justified? Is politeness the highest value in the land? What about the truth?
Just hours before the speech, Mr. Wilson was reviewing HR 3200, the house version of the bill to revamp our health care system in the United States. He had just concluded from his reading and research that there were no guarantees against giving free medical care to illegal aliens in this country at the expense of tax-paying citizens. Whether this country should do this is a matter of intense debate. Mr. Wilson and many citizens don't believe it is right to spend tax money on something like this without a real clear decision made by the American people to do so. This was the background to his surprising shout. Most of us recognize our own propensity to do something like that, even against our own better judgment. Our laws make a distinction between a "crime of passion" and pre-meditated murder, which is not to say that speech comes close to a crime like that.
George Bush made a personal decision, announced in his first inaugural speech, to set a "new tone" in Washington. For better or worse, he was tired of the partisan wrangling, harsh allegations, and insults regularly tossed about between the two political parties. Some considered this as an honorable goal, something missing in our government, but others thought his judgment here to be naive. His opponents fashioned his style to be "tone deaf", a stubborn refusal to listen to his critics. There were things said about George Bush that shocked even some Democrats. Some critics even wished for his assassination and even made a movie on how it could be done. Our former president was not blind either, acknowledging "the one finger salute" he received in a visit to Canada. Bush went out of his way to show respect to all, even his harshest enemies. Bill and Hillary Clinton were invited to the White House during Bush's first term for the unveiling of their White House official portraits and the president found many good things to say about the former president and First Lady. I remember that occasion vividly and was struck at by his kind words. The very next day Hillary made several demeaning and insulting statements about Bush's decisions and motives.
I'm the first person to say that we should not sink to the level of our opponents. There is a time and a place to question someone's knowledge and competency. Sometimes we even have to wonder what motivates others to do what they do. The downside to Bush's style was that many good people began to believe his opponents, since the president did not appear to defend his actions and statements. It raised some questions in many minds and over time his poll numbers reflected that. Some have made the case that the elections of 2006 and 2008 reflect on Bush's approach, at least partially. I believe he had noble intentions and much good has come from his example. He just went too far.
A very wise priest and spiritual leader, Father Benedict Groeschel was once asked if he had any regrets to his 50 years of ministry. He said : "I think I placed too much value of prudence. There were times I should have spoken out more forcefully when bad things were going on in the Church, but I was told to exercise prudence". I think we need to say the same thing about having a "civil debate". There's a time for debate and there's a time to shout out the truth, lest it be lost in the misguided ideas about what true virtue is.
Gary
marriage - what a gift we have in each other
(written 2/15/2010)
I am full of gratitude, wonder, and joy for the gift of my marriage. Today is our 34th anniversary - more than a third of a century together in unbroken trust.
Love, faith, hope, hard work, trials, set backs, forgiveness, renewal, discovery, commitment, and unmerited grace and mercy are part of our story. There are some things that are hard to put into words because the totality of what this means is huge. Our union has changed both of us forever and given us so many wonderful things, some we needed, some we desired, and many things just pure gifts. Since no human is perfect in this life, we still struggle against our own tendencies that sometimes work against peace and unity. I'm so glad when we wrote our own vows (it was the 1970s - what can I say?), we included the phrase "I will forgive you always". That has saved me countless times, including this past week! Most of our disagreements are over stupid, inconsequential things. Alas, we humans carry so much baggage, it would sink us if we didn't have a way to disengage from past hurts, frustrations, and grief.
One of the biggest surprises for me this past year is how much we are still learning about each other. One would think after so much time and thousands of hours of talking, we would know all that can be known about each other, yet that is not true. We are still learning things about ourselves, things we have never communicated about because we did not know it ourselves. The light of Ellen's insights into my personality reveal undiscovered things, secret preferences and attitudes I have that I don't know myself. And I bring light to her as well. This is possible only because we trust each other. The years of steady love, affirmation, and respect changes everything. We are re-making each other and calling each other on to be the best version of ourselves. Sometimes that is a difficult transition, but the fruit is good. The fruit of our union is very, very good. Blessed be God, who gives us everything good - beyond all hope, calculation, or dream.
I am full of gratitude, wonder, and joy for the gift of my marriage. Today is our 34th anniversary - more than a third of a century together in unbroken trust.
Love, faith, hope, hard work, trials, set backs, forgiveness, renewal, discovery, commitment, and unmerited grace and mercy are part of our story. There are some things that are hard to put into words because the totality of what this means is huge. Our union has changed both of us forever and given us so many wonderful things, some we needed, some we desired, and many things just pure gifts. Since no human is perfect in this life, we still struggle against our own tendencies that sometimes work against peace and unity. I'm so glad when we wrote our own vows (it was the 1970s - what can I say?), we included the phrase "I will forgive you always". That has saved me countless times, including this past week! Most of our disagreements are over stupid, inconsequential things. Alas, we humans carry so much baggage, it would sink us if we didn't have a way to disengage from past hurts, frustrations, and grief.
One of the biggest surprises for me this past year is how much we are still learning about each other. One would think after so much time and thousands of hours of talking, we would know all that can be known about each other, yet that is not true. We are still learning things about ourselves, things we have never communicated about because we did not know it ourselves. The light of Ellen's insights into my personality reveal undiscovered things, secret preferences and attitudes I have that I don't know myself. And I bring light to her as well. This is possible only because we trust each other. The years of steady love, affirmation, and respect changes everything. We are re-making each other and calling each other on to be the best version of ourselves. Sometimes that is a difficult transition, but the fruit is good. The fruit of our union is very, very good. Blessed be God, who gives us everything good - beyond all hope, calculation, or dream.
the grass withers, the flower fades . . . God's word lives on
I was thinking just this morning in prayer (at 4 am!) that this aging thing is tough. But we do have an opportunity as we age for more reflection. Since the body slows down, even breaks down, we retreat into our inner sanctum, where we find a different, deeper wisdom. For me, this is a place where I can hear God. So the body's decay/breakdown/slowdown CAN be an opportunity to look at our lives in a different (more spiritual) way. I greatly value my physical health. With the inevitable changes that come with age, we have choices to make: to feel sorry for myself and lament to loss of our youth & vigor or to use all our energy and resources trying to re-create our youth. Or we can accept life on life's terms - do what we can to care for our bodies, but discover our inner resources that are always there. We tend to ignore these inner things when the body drives our daily routine.
I'm fortunate that I never required lots of sleep. 5 and 1/2 to 6 hours is enough and the rare 7 hours is really sleeping in! But the body clock seems to be migrating East, since I wake up earlier and earlier. I am becoming a monk! Up at 4 am for the day and fading around 10 pm. This is not unique since I know many older folks who live the same way - living by the sun! My house is a monastery at 4 am - quiet, peaceful, with no one else around. This is when I can meet God, Who is always waiting for me. I can read my Bible, pray & worship, and listen for the Master's gentle voice. He is always there but I am rarely still enough to hear. One of the benefits of aging is ability to quiet ourselves long enough to hear the Voice we all want to hear. His wisdom leaps off the pages of the scriptures, the Holy Spirit reminds us of all that Jesus said and did, and inspirations pour into our soul. My mind can think clearly in the early morning, not encumbered by the demands of my busy life.
I feel sorry for the many folks I know who panic or despair when the body's aging becomes manifest. My Mom and other older relatives are so unhappy and desperate over the inevitable process we all live with. A certain measure of acceptance goes a long way to bring tranquility. We just have to live just for today. Tomorrow will take care of itself.
Gary
I'm fortunate that I never required lots of sleep. 5 and 1/2 to 6 hours is enough and the rare 7 hours is really sleeping in! But the body clock seems to be migrating East, since I wake up earlier and earlier. I am becoming a monk! Up at 4 am for the day and fading around 10 pm. This is not unique since I know many older folks who live the same way - living by the sun! My house is a monastery at 4 am - quiet, peaceful, with no one else around. This is when I can meet God, Who is always waiting for me. I can read my Bible, pray & worship, and listen for the Master's gentle voice. He is always there but I am rarely still enough to hear. One of the benefits of aging is ability to quiet ourselves long enough to hear the Voice we all want to hear. His wisdom leaps off the pages of the scriptures, the Holy Spirit reminds us of all that Jesus said and did, and inspirations pour into our soul. My mind can think clearly in the early morning, not encumbered by the demands of my busy life.
I feel sorry for the many folks I know who panic or despair when the body's aging becomes manifest. My Mom and other older relatives are so unhappy and desperate over the inevitable process we all live with. A certain measure of acceptance goes a long way to bring tranquility. We just have to live just for today. Tomorrow will take care of itself.
Gary
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Who Am I ?
(written May 14, 2010)
I woke up with an overwhelming desire to thank God for my wonderful, rich life with Him and for all His many gifts to me. My mind is searching to find the right words of praise to offer Him. I strain to say the inexpressible and to speak words of love in a new language, unknown to mortal men. Even in this, I depend on His goodness. How do I thank Him enough for the Gift of the Holy Spirit, which gives me words of praise, love, and adoration that He alone can comprehend? On the eve of the celebrating my 60 years on this planet, I opened my Bible to my bookmark this morning to find the words of Psalm 103, which say so many things in my heart -
"Bless the Lord, my soul,
bless his holy name, all that is in me!
Bless the Lord, my soul,
and remember all his kindnesses:
in forgiving all your offenses,
in curing all your diseases,
in redeeming your life from the Pit,
in crowning you with love and tenderness,
in filling your years with prosperity,
in renewing your youth like an eagle's.
The Lord, who always does what is right,
is always on the side of the oppressed . . .
The Lord is tender and compassionate,
slow to anger, most loving;
his indignation does not last forever,
his resentment exists a short time only;
he never treats us, never punishes us,
as our guilt and our sins deserve.
No less than the height of heaven over the earth
is the greatness of his love for those who fear him;
he takes our sins farther away
than the east is from the west.
As tenderly as a father treats his children,
so the Lord treats those who fear him;
he knows what we are made of,
he remembers we are dust.
Man lasts no longer than the grass,
no longer than a wild flower he lives,
one gust of wind, and he is gone,
never to be seen again . . . ".
Two songs by Casting Crowns sum up these themes: "Who Am I?" and "East is to West". They are worth a listen - when you have 10 minutes. The words are inspired and the music is compelling.- see attached links to youtube videos
"Who Am I ? ====>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQzhdWJFHbI
"East is to West" ====>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyoVJfADlwo
Gary
I woke up with an overwhelming desire to thank God for my wonderful, rich life with Him and for all His many gifts to me. My mind is searching to find the right words of praise to offer Him. I strain to say the inexpressible and to speak words of love in a new language, unknown to mortal men. Even in this, I depend on His goodness. How do I thank Him enough for the Gift of the Holy Spirit, which gives me words of praise, love, and adoration that He alone can comprehend? On the eve of the celebrating my 60 years on this planet, I opened my Bible to my bookmark this morning to find the words of Psalm 103, which say so many things in my heart -
"Bless the Lord, my soul,
bless his holy name, all that is in me!
Bless the Lord, my soul,
and remember all his kindnesses:
in forgiving all your offenses,
in curing all your diseases,
in redeeming your life from the Pit,
in crowning you with love and tenderness,
in filling your years with prosperity,
in renewing your youth like an eagle's.
The Lord, who always does what is right,
is always on the side of the oppressed . . .
The Lord is tender and compassionate,
slow to anger, most loving;
his indignation does not last forever,
his resentment exists a short time only;
he never treats us, never punishes us,
as our guilt and our sins deserve.
No less than the height of heaven over the earth
is the greatness of his love for those who fear him;
he takes our sins farther away
than the east is from the west.
As tenderly as a father treats his children,
so the Lord treats those who fear him;
he knows what we are made of,
he remembers we are dust.
Man lasts no longer than the grass,
no longer than a wild flower he lives,
one gust of wind, and he is gone,
never to be seen again . . . ".
Two songs by Casting Crowns sum up these themes: "Who Am I?" and "East is to West". They are worth a listen - when you have 10 minutes. The words are inspired and the music is compelling.- see attached links to youtube videos
"Who Am I ? ====>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQzhdWJFHbI
"East is to West" ====>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyoVJfADlwo
Gary
Before the Dawn of Time . . . Loved !
(written May 15, 2010)
It is astounding, wonderful, and very exciting to see my 60th birthday arrive today. Friends and family are asking me "How does it feel to be 60?". It may take me days, even weeks, to unpack all the emotions rushing in, like an unexpected tide. I am not a simple man. I'm ok with that. A tsunami of feelings swirl about me. One friend sent me a card with a man in the churning ocean surf as a giant, 40-foot wave curls over his head. A good image to convey how this day feels to me. Awesome. Breathtaking. Good, very, very good!
I am overwhelmed by all the love. One friend from high school wrote to remind me of how God used me to turn his life around. He called me up late one evening in 1970 to say "goodbye", wanting to "end it all". Whether God called me to intervene or I suffered from a "messiah complex", I decided to leave immediately to help him. With no car, my only option at that late hour was to hitchhike to Buffalo. Once you leave the bright lights of Boston, the Massachusetts Turnpike is a very dark road. I ended up walking backwards with my thumb out for many miles on the shoulder of the road. I sang in tongues and watched the stars in the Milky Way shine bright. I was happy and excited. Finally a car pulled over and a middle aged man told me to get in. It soon became apparent that he was drunk and was losing his battle to stay awake. He abruptly asked me "Can you drive?" and before I could answer, he pulled to a stop, got up and moved to the back seat, laid down and fell asleep. I did all the driving and made Buffalo by daybreak. It may have been two lives that were saved that night.
God has used me many times in the last 40 years since my "baptism with fire". He works in me, through me, and often, in spite of me. I have failed Him too, more than I want to admit. Yet "He remembers our frame; He remembers we are dust". And so we rise each day, ready to begin again. Getting to this age with good health, great joy, deep peace, hope, and enthusiasm to continue serving Him is His gift. The greatest gift is to know Him and to be taken by Him. His ear listens for my voice. He calls me His child, loved before the dawn of time, with a mission and a purpose only I can fulfill. My true identity is hidden, even from me, until that glorious day when all will be made known. In the time remaining here on this planet, I want to give Him my all. I want to surrender completely.
Gary
It is astounding, wonderful, and very exciting to see my 60th birthday arrive today. Friends and family are asking me "How does it feel to be 60?". It may take me days, even weeks, to unpack all the emotions rushing in, like an unexpected tide. I am not a simple man. I'm ok with that. A tsunami of feelings swirl about me. One friend sent me a card with a man in the churning ocean surf as a giant, 40-foot wave curls over his head. A good image to convey how this day feels to me. Awesome. Breathtaking. Good, very, very good!
I am overwhelmed by all the love. One friend from high school wrote to remind me of how God used me to turn his life around. He called me up late one evening in 1970 to say "goodbye", wanting to "end it all". Whether God called me to intervene or I suffered from a "messiah complex", I decided to leave immediately to help him. With no car, my only option at that late hour was to hitchhike to Buffalo. Once you leave the bright lights of Boston, the Massachusetts Turnpike is a very dark road. I ended up walking backwards with my thumb out for many miles on the shoulder of the road. I sang in tongues and watched the stars in the Milky Way shine bright. I was happy and excited. Finally a car pulled over and a middle aged man told me to get in. It soon became apparent that he was drunk and was losing his battle to stay awake. He abruptly asked me "Can you drive?" and before I could answer, he pulled to a stop, got up and moved to the back seat, laid down and fell asleep. I did all the driving and made Buffalo by daybreak. It may have been two lives that were saved that night.
God has used me many times in the last 40 years since my "baptism with fire". He works in me, through me, and often, in spite of me. I have failed Him too, more than I want to admit. Yet "He remembers our frame; He remembers we are dust". And so we rise each day, ready to begin again. Getting to this age with good health, great joy, deep peace, hope, and enthusiasm to continue serving Him is His gift. The greatest gift is to know Him and to be taken by Him. His ear listens for my voice. He calls me His child, loved before the dawn of time, with a mission and a purpose only I can fulfill. My true identity is hidden, even from me, until that glorious day when all will be made known. In the time remaining here on this planet, I want to give Him my all. I want to surrender completely.
Gary
Saturday, June 26, 2010
the downfall of America ?
Many pundits forecast the collapse of the USA, due to an economic collapse or continued terrorist attacks with weapons of mass destruction. But we have far more to fear from our own moral confusion and the corresponding loss of our human identity as children of God. Peter Kreeft has written that contraception is more destructive to the human race than all the nuclear bombs in the world. The evils we were warned of in Pope Paul's "Humanae Vitae" are all around us : the exploitation of women, the rise of promiscuity, pornography and homosexuality, increased abortions (not less!), the collapse of the traditional family, etc. Our sexual confusion is causing America and most other nations to rot from within. We do not need external threats (although they do exist); we are destroying ourselves. Our blindness is almost willful it seems.
Barack Obama is only one man, but his elevation to the highest place in the land is a sign of our confusion. He would not be promoting the destruction of traditional Christian values if we did not put him there. His election as president has accelerated our decline, a process begun centuries ago when a man had the ignorance and audacity to proclaim : "I think, therefore I am" (Descartes). By making himself the center of the universe, man has become the arbiter of right and wrong, i.e. moral relativism. This is the real threat we face. Most of us, including me at times, get all worked up about financial matters or our national security. But without a clear vision of who we are, who we belong to, what our purpose is in life, where we came from and where we are going, we are left to fend for ourselves, and we will go the way of the dozens of civilizations that have vanished before us. Christianity outlasted the Roman Empire's collapse. We will survive whatever may come if we remain faithful to our Christian heritage and values. Jesus promises "I will be with you until the end of time". He does not lie.
Gary
Barack Obama is only one man, but his elevation to the highest place in the land is a sign of our confusion. He would not be promoting the destruction of traditional Christian values if we did not put him there. His election as president has accelerated our decline, a process begun centuries ago when a man had the ignorance and audacity to proclaim : "I think, therefore I am" (Descartes). By making himself the center of the universe, man has become the arbiter of right and wrong, i.e. moral relativism. This is the real threat we face. Most of us, including me at times, get all worked up about financial matters or our national security. But without a clear vision of who we are, who we belong to, what our purpose is in life, where we came from and where we are going, we are left to fend for ourselves, and we will go the way of the dozens of civilizations that have vanished before us. Christianity outlasted the Roman Empire's collapse. We will survive whatever may come if we remain faithful to our Christian heritage and values. Jesus promises "I will be with you until the end of time". He does not lie.
Gary
Friday, June 11, 2010
how do I know I am doing the will of God ?
Many Christians struggle with the idea of God's will for us - how do we know we are doing it? Only a select few receive God's direction from a heavenly messenger. And those who receive such a divine intervention still struggle with it : knowing it and doing it are two separate things.
As a 20-year-old, I was an eager beaver who wanted to do whatever God asked. I prayed earnestly to know His will. I fasted. I spent late-night vigils begging Him for some direction. I sought the scriptures. I sought the counsel of older and wiser Christians who were devout. There are times when I did receive strong anointings or inspirations to do something specific or to talk to someone. Those experiences are exciting and motivation to keep myself open and docile to God's word to me. But, as far as hearing how I should spend my entire life - that never came to me. The daily dose of His word was enough.
Looking back over the last 40 years, I can now trace the outline of a life lived as a follower of Christ. Sometimes I did very well in living gospel values. Other times, I failed miserably. I certainly tried to live a Christian life. But we all are broken vessels (or cracked pots, as some say). Still, it seems to me, I have lived as a Christian - as a husband, father, and member of the Body of Christ. I was meant to be married, but did not know that as a 20-year-old. In fact, I was actively considering the priesthood and might have actually tried that except for one small choice I made. I asked the Lord : "Is the priesthood something that you want for me? If not, turn me around." As we all can see now, God did turn me around, through a series of events and careful discernment with my trusted friends. How happy I am to be the man I have become! However imperfectly, I have lived as a disciple. I am living as His son, ready to respond.
Knowing God's will is something that becomes clear over time, even a lifetime. Some people get dramatic signs or events in their life to steer them one way or the other. But most of us make small choices that lead us to a path unseen from the starting place. I was reading psalm 40 this morning and was struck by verse 6 "You, who wanted no sacrifice or oblation, opened my ear." The footnote in my Jerusalem bible says "God sees to it that his servant knows his will". The founding pastor of my church, Father Frank McGrath, put it this way : "It is God's responsibility to tell us what He wants." We must not make our own plans without making the effort to listen to Him. We can even give Him permission to "Stop me, Lord, if I am going my own way". Gary
As a 20-year-old, I was an eager beaver who wanted to do whatever God asked. I prayed earnestly to know His will. I fasted. I spent late-night vigils begging Him for some direction. I sought the scriptures. I sought the counsel of older and wiser Christians who were devout. There are times when I did receive strong anointings or inspirations to do something specific or to talk to someone. Those experiences are exciting and motivation to keep myself open and docile to God's word to me. But, as far as hearing how I should spend my entire life - that never came to me. The daily dose of His word was enough.
Looking back over the last 40 years, I can now trace the outline of a life lived as a follower of Christ. Sometimes I did very well in living gospel values. Other times, I failed miserably. I certainly tried to live a Christian life. But we all are broken vessels (or cracked pots, as some say). Still, it seems to me, I have lived as a Christian - as a husband, father, and member of the Body of Christ. I was meant to be married, but did not know that as a 20-year-old. In fact, I was actively considering the priesthood and might have actually tried that except for one small choice I made. I asked the Lord : "Is the priesthood something that you want for me? If not, turn me around." As we all can see now, God did turn me around, through a series of events and careful discernment with my trusted friends. How happy I am to be the man I have become! However imperfectly, I have lived as a disciple. I am living as His son, ready to respond.
Knowing God's will is something that becomes clear over time, even a lifetime. Some people get dramatic signs or events in their life to steer them one way or the other. But most of us make small choices that lead us to a path unseen from the starting place. I was reading psalm 40 this morning and was struck by verse 6 "You, who wanted no sacrifice or oblation, opened my ear." The footnote in my Jerusalem bible says "God sees to it that his servant knows his will". The founding pastor of my church, Father Frank McGrath, put it this way : "It is God's responsibility to tell us what He wants." We must not make our own plans without making the effort to listen to Him. We can even give Him permission to "Stop me, Lord, if I am going my own way". Gary
Friday, April 23, 2010
A Sure Sign
It was surreal. There I was last Sunday morning, sitting in the sun at a small table on a glorious Spring day with a familiar stranger, who has moved in and out of my life since we were boys. It was my brother Tom. Sitting in a park, overlooking the Connecticut River where the Holyoke Dam roars with magnificent power, we enjoyed a picnic lunch on the edge of the neighborhood where we grew up together. On such a fine day, you would never guess we were sitting near "The Flats", a drug-infested ghetto in our home town with one of the highest crime rates in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our connection as brothers ended prematurely almost 5 decades ago, when I ran away from home at age 13. It was a desperate act at a desperate time in my life. I never thought I would ever see this place again, especially with this brother of mine, taken from my life when he was 10. We never lived together again and had little or no contact for many years.
Tom is a lifelong alcoholic and addict, and has been homeless for most of his life. He has been in and out of prisons, county jails, and hospitals all his life. Once in a while, Tom found someone he could live with, obtain a job, and almost have a normal life, but it never lasted. He had two children with different women. He has been at death's door many times, and I never expected to see him alive at the ripe age of 57. Since being hit by a car last October, the Mass Health Care system has spent over $500,000 to patch him up, rebuild his pelvis, restore 30 broken bones, and even provide beautiful new dentures. My brother appeared incredibly well and in his right mind as we sat in the sunshine. I found the entire scene completely unbelievable. I kept asking myself : "Is this really happening?"
For many decades, I have pursued Tommy, trying to support and encourage him, praying for his recovery, and looking for him when he went missing. I have given him up for dead so many times, I can't keep track of the count. So there we were, enjoying pasta salad and fruit together in the warm sun, joking and laughing like normal brothers do, and I just could not get my mind around the fact that this was real. Gary & Tom were sitting together, very near where our family disintegrated, and we were happy, even giddy to be together - an incredible time for both of us. As we smiled and talked about our dangerous exploits as two unsupervised boys, playing in the dangerous river and canals of Holyoke in the 1960s, I recalled that last Sunday was "Divine Mercy Sunday". It was a divine mercy for Tommy and I to share these moments together, something beyond either his expectations or mine. My brother honored me for pursuing him all these years. "You never gave up on me" he said. "That's not true", I thought. I fell into despair over him a dozen times. Somehow, hope returns unnoticed.
Whatever may happen, whatever the future may bring to our relationship, we had that time together, a connection we had missed for so long and I am grateful, profoundly grateful. If you had told me this was going to happen, I wouldn't have believed it. But God wanted both of us to be encouraged and not give into despair. Today's gospel records Peter's miraculous catch of fish when the apostles were beginning to doubt the mission Jesus had given them. John was the first to suspect that Jesus was at work with his outburst : "It is the Lord!" Then Jesus fed his disciples breakfast, just as he was feeding Tom & I at this picnic near the water last week. When time gives way to eternity, my family will be reconciled, restored, and forgiven. Prayers are never wasted. Mercy triumphs in the end. Gary
Tom is a lifelong alcoholic and addict, and has been homeless for most of his life. He has been in and out of prisons, county jails, and hospitals all his life. Once in a while, Tom found someone he could live with, obtain a job, and almost have a normal life, but it never lasted. He had two children with different women. He has been at death's door many times, and I never expected to see him alive at the ripe age of 57. Since being hit by a car last October, the Mass Health Care system has spent over $500,000 to patch him up, rebuild his pelvis, restore 30 broken bones, and even provide beautiful new dentures. My brother appeared incredibly well and in his right mind as we sat in the sunshine. I found the entire scene completely unbelievable. I kept asking myself : "Is this really happening?"
For many decades, I have pursued Tommy, trying to support and encourage him, praying for his recovery, and looking for him when he went missing. I have given him up for dead so many times, I can't keep track of the count. So there we were, enjoying pasta salad and fruit together in the warm sun, joking and laughing like normal brothers do, and I just could not get my mind around the fact that this was real. Gary & Tom were sitting together, very near where our family disintegrated, and we were happy, even giddy to be together - an incredible time for both of us. As we smiled and talked about our dangerous exploits as two unsupervised boys, playing in the dangerous river and canals of Holyoke in the 1960s, I recalled that last Sunday was "Divine Mercy Sunday". It was a divine mercy for Tommy and I to share these moments together, something beyond either his expectations or mine. My brother honored me for pursuing him all these years. "You never gave up on me" he said. "That's not true", I thought. I fell into despair over him a dozen times. Somehow, hope returns unnoticed.
Whatever may happen, whatever the future may bring to our relationship, we had that time together, a connection we had missed for so long and I am grateful, profoundly grateful. If you had told me this was going to happen, I wouldn't have believed it. But God wanted both of us to be encouraged and not give into despair. Today's gospel records Peter's miraculous catch of fish when the apostles were beginning to doubt the mission Jesus had given them. John was the first to suspect that Jesus was at work with his outburst : "It is the Lord!" Then Jesus fed his disciples breakfast, just as he was feeding Tom & I at this picnic near the water last week. When time gives way to eternity, my family will be reconciled, restored, and forgiven. Prayers are never wasted. Mercy triumphs in the end. Gary
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
the Catholic "problem"
I cannot vouch for the veracity of the following article I received from a friend [nothing on snopes or truthorfiction], but I have read similar stats over the years. Even one priest involved in pedophilia is tragic, but we must understand the whole picture. Pedophilia reportedly affects 3% of all people. It is not limited to one race, culture, or religion. A failure of a Catholic leader makes news precisely because the Catholic Church is known to have the highest moral standards in the world. Some enemies of the Church pounce on such tragedies to use as a weapon against the Church. In today's climate, The Catholic Church is one of the safest places for a child to be in. In fact, other churches and entities are modeling their programs to combat pedophilia in their own institutions.
======= Sam Miller on Catholics =======
Excerpts of an article written by non-Catholic Sam Miller, a prominent Cleveland Jewish businessman: "Why would newspapers carry on a vendetta on one of the most important institutions that we have today in the United States , namely the Catholic Church? Do you know - the Catholic Church educates 2.6 million students everyday at the cost to that Church of 10 billion dollars, and a savings on the other hand to the American taxpayer of 18 billion dollars.
The graduates go on to graduate studies at the rate of 92%. The Church has 230 colleges and universities in the U.S. with an enrollment of 700,000 students. The Catholic Church has a non-profit hospital system of 637 hospitals, which account for hospital treatment of 1 out of every 5 people - not just Catholics - in the United States today.
But the press is vindictive and trying to totally denigrate in every way the Catholic Church in this country. They have blamed the disease of pedophilia on the Catholic Church, which is as irresponsible as blaming adultery on the institution of marriage. Let me give you some figures that Catholics should know and remember. For example, 12% of the 300 Protestant clergy surveyed admitted to sexual intercourse with a parishioner; 38% acknowledged other inappropriate sexual contact in a study by the United Methodist Church , 41.8% of clergy women reported unwanted sexual behavior; 17% of laywomen have been sexually harassed. Meanwhile, 1.7% of the Catholic clergy has been found guilty of pedophilia. 10% of the Protestant ministers have been found guilty of pedophilia. This is not a Catholic Problem.
A study of American priests showed that most are happy in the priesthood and find it even better than they had expected, and that most, if given the choice, would choose to be priests again in face of all this obnoxious PR the church has been receiving. The Catholic Church is bleeding from self-inflicted wounds. The agony that Catholics have felt and suffered is not necessarily the fault of the Church. You have been hurt by a small number of wayward priests that have probably been totally weeded out by now. Walk with your shoulders high and you head higher. Be a proud member of the most important non-governmental agency in the United States . Then remember what Jeremiah said: 'Stand by the roads, and look and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it, and find rest for your souls'. Be proud to speak up for your faith with pride and reverence and learn what your Church does for all other religions. Be proud that you're a Catholic."
======= Sam Miller on Catholics =======
Excerpts of an article written by non-Catholic Sam Miller, a prominent Cleveland Jewish businessman: "Why would newspapers carry on a vendetta on one of the most important institutions that we have today in the United States , namely the Catholic Church? Do you know - the Catholic Church educates 2.6 million students everyday at the cost to that Church of 10 billion dollars, and a savings on the other hand to the American taxpayer of 18 billion dollars.
The graduates go on to graduate studies at the rate of 92%. The Church has 230 colleges and universities in the U.S. with an enrollment of 700,000 students. The Catholic Church has a non-profit hospital system of 637 hospitals, which account for hospital treatment of 1 out of every 5 people - not just Catholics - in the United States today.
But the press is vindictive and trying to totally denigrate in every way the Catholic Church in this country. They have blamed the disease of pedophilia on the Catholic Church, which is as irresponsible as blaming adultery on the institution of marriage. Let me give you some figures that Catholics should know and remember. For example, 12% of the 300 Protestant clergy surveyed admitted to sexual intercourse with a parishioner; 38% acknowledged other inappropriate sexual contact in a study by the United Methodist Church , 41.8% of clergy women reported unwanted sexual behavior; 17% of laywomen have been sexually harassed. Meanwhile, 1.7% of the Catholic clergy has been found guilty of pedophilia. 10% of the Protestant ministers have been found guilty of pedophilia. This is not a Catholic Problem.
A study of American priests showed that most are happy in the priesthood and find it even better than they had expected, and that most, if given the choice, would choose to be priests again in face of all this obnoxious PR the church has been receiving. The Catholic Church is bleeding from self-inflicted wounds. The agony that Catholics have felt and suffered is not necessarily the fault of the Church. You have been hurt by a small number of wayward priests that have probably been totally weeded out by now. Walk with your shoulders high and you head higher. Be a proud member of the most important non-governmental agency in the United States . Then remember what Jeremiah said: 'Stand by the roads, and look and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it, and find rest for your souls'. Be proud to speak up for your faith with pride and reverence and learn what your Church does for all other religions. Be proud that you're a Catholic."
Monday, March 22, 2010
America's mistake
America made a huge mistake in electing Barack Obama and now we see the fruit of it. A great evil has come upon us in the guise of "Health Care Reform". Abortions will be funded with taxpayer money and more Americans will die in the womb (the executive order is a ruse and can be easily changed - it has no law behind it). We have allowed this evil for 37 years and now, we who find it morally wrong, have to pay for it. This is like sending money to Al Queda and other enemies of our country. 3000 Americans died on 9/11. What about the 4500 a day who die by abortion? A big, inefficient and bureaucratic system (6 times that of the failing British one) violates the Catholic principle of sudsidiarity - health care decisions should be made by patients, their families in the local communities, not by some government bureaucrat who does not know you and does not care. Delays and mistakes will take many lives.
What about the cost of this? America is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy already. I know some of you I love and care about do not agree with me about this. You believe Obama is ok and this Health Care thing will be just fine. We all are about to find out! Just wait until we see the real cost. Just wait until you see what happens to your take home pay after it is taxed. The moral issues confuse many folks, but we all care about our money. I'd rather be wrong about much of this, but I fear I may be all too right. Cold comfort as I see America in decline. I will suffer, my kids and grandkids will suffer - we all lose. America's friends will suffer too. If America is the world's "last, best hope" (and I believe it is), what has just happened here will hurt everyone unless we can reverse it quickly. This transcends political parties. We all will see what we have done - it will not be long.
We can hope for some good out of this. Perhaps our eyes will be opened in time before we sink even lower. America makes mistakes just like any other country. But some mistakes are fatal. I hope we wake up in time.
What about the cost of this? America is teetering on the brink of bankruptcy already. I know some of you I love and care about do not agree with me about this. You believe Obama is ok and this Health Care thing will be just fine. We all are about to find out! Just wait until we see the real cost. Just wait until you see what happens to your take home pay after it is taxed. The moral issues confuse many folks, but we all care about our money. I'd rather be wrong about much of this, but I fear I may be all too right. Cold comfort as I see America in decline. I will suffer, my kids and grandkids will suffer - we all lose. America's friends will suffer too. If America is the world's "last, best hope" (and I believe it is), what has just happened here will hurt everyone unless we can reverse it quickly. This transcends political parties. We all will see what we have done - it will not be long.
We can hope for some good out of this. Perhaps our eyes will be opened in time before we sink even lower. America makes mistakes just like any other country. But some mistakes are fatal. I hope we wake up in time.
Friday, March 12, 2010
more jewels from the book "He and I"
The book "He and I" by Gabrielle Bossis is a collection of journals she wrote over a 14-year period from 1936 to 1950. She hears a "Voice" speaking in her mind, and after a time of doubts, she concludes "it is the Lord". I have read this book countless times in the last 2 years. Here are a few entries to ponder. Each one stands on its own and is worthy of some reflection.
"Sometimes I created frightening situations in order to test your confidence. Give it to Me often."
"Enjoy Me. Give yourself a rest from saying prayers so that you may enjoy My love."
"Give importance only to what is eternal."
"The same things are not asked of every person."
"If you knew how I wait for you... how I wait for souls . . . ".
"Receive every trial as though it came from My hand."
"Make use of the gifts you have received and you will please Me."
"I am beauty in all its forms."
"Don't wait for the big events of your life to have something to offer Me. Offer Me everything."
"Get out of yourself. Give Me your trust and then let yourself drift along wherever I take you."
"My delight is to be with the children of men."
"It will be clear to others that it's not because you deserve it that I speak to you, but because my compassionate heart needs to do so."
"Talk to Me. For Me there is no sweeter prayer."
"Above all. confidence! When you have an anxiety and you can do nothing about it, just think 'He will straighten that out for me' and go back into the peace within Me."
"Sometimes I created frightening situations in order to test your confidence. Give it to Me often."
"Enjoy Me. Give yourself a rest from saying prayers so that you may enjoy My love."
"Give importance only to what is eternal."
"The same things are not asked of every person."
"If you knew how I wait for you... how I wait for souls . . . ".
"Receive every trial as though it came from My hand."
"Make use of the gifts you have received and you will please Me."
"I am beauty in all its forms."
"Don't wait for the big events of your life to have something to offer Me. Offer Me everything."
"Get out of yourself. Give Me your trust and then let yourself drift along wherever I take you."
"My delight is to be with the children of men."
"It will be clear to others that it's not because you deserve it that I speak to you, but because my compassionate heart needs to do so."
"Talk to Me. For Me there is no sweeter prayer."
"Above all. confidence! When you have an anxiety and you can do nothing about it, just think 'He will straighten that out for me' and go back into the peace within Me."
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
little gems from the book "He and I"
The book "He and I" by Gabrielle Bossis is a collection of journals she wrote over a 14-year period from 1936 to 1950. Gabrielle was a well-known stage actress/playwright in France, had several homes, and traveled extensively (not your "typical" mystic). She was unsure of the Voice she kept hearing - was she imagining this or was it really the Lord? Circumstances and events allowed her to conclude it was real. It changed her life. This remarkable book has changed my life too. There is a promise in the book that "every reader too will receive the same measure of grace . . and . . all will become members of one united family; the family of my intimate friends".
I'm tempted to transcribe the book in its entirety, but you would not read it, and I do not have that kind of time. So I have culled a few of the more outstanding little gems this book has to offer. 15 of these to these are plenty to ponder. I could make each one into a prayer time.
+++
"Each soul is my favorite" says the Voice. . . "I choose some to reach others."
"Don't get the idea that a saint is a saint at every moment."
"Wake up to your power over me."
"I answer every prayer."
"Look at Me more often."
"Don't ever be afraid to pronounce My Name."
"I am here with treasures. If you don't ask Me for them, how can I give them to you?"
"What are you but a heap of good intentions?"
"You don't ask Me for enough."
"You have everything you need to perfect the Gabrielle I dreamed of in creating you." (insert your own name here)
"Always speak well of others."
"Don't be afraid; be daring. We're together, you and I."
"By yourself you are chaos. Do you fully realize this?"
"It's in the evening of your life that you'll begin to live, just when you think you are going to die."
"There is more of Me in you than you."
I'm tempted to transcribe the book in its entirety, but you would not read it, and I do not have that kind of time. So I have culled a few of the more outstanding little gems this book has to offer. 15 of these to these are plenty to ponder. I could make each one into a prayer time.
+++
"Each soul is my favorite" says the Voice. . . "I choose some to reach others."
"Don't get the idea that a saint is a saint at every moment."
"Wake up to your power over me."
"I answer every prayer."
"Look at Me more often."
"Don't ever be afraid to pronounce My Name."
"I am here with treasures. If you don't ask Me for them, how can I give them to you?"
"What are you but a heap of good intentions?"
"You don't ask Me for enough."
"You have everything you need to perfect the Gabrielle I dreamed of in creating you." (insert your own name here)
"Always speak well of others."
"Don't be afraid; be daring. We're together, you and I."
"By yourself you are chaos. Do you fully realize this?"
"It's in the evening of your life that you'll begin to live, just when you think you are going to die."
"There is more of Me in you than you."
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
How to Win Souls for God
Six months before she died, Gabrielle Bossis was concerned about her effectiveness in evangelizing others, particularly about her failings and faults getting in the way. In the following passage from her journal, Jesus tells her 3 indispensable things that we humans are looking for : people who truly love us, are joyful, and committed to something bigger than themselves. These three things are irresistible. Don't focus on how you might blow the opportunity, but rather forget about yourself altogether. Get the name of Jesus into the conversation. - From the book "He and I", journal entry Dec 22, 1949 (six months before Gabrielle died):
Gabrielle to Jesus: "Lord, may nothing in me hinder your voice from reaching others". Jesus responds: "Echo it back with all your loving warmth and you will give them joy. And this very joy will make them much more sensitive to My voice, these poor people, so often troubled with regard to Me or consumed by earthly worries. How much more freely they will breathe if you talk with them about Me! I'll be there, though unseen, and you will feel the warmth of My Presence. In heaven it is I who am the center and circumference for everyone, and the blessed ones exult. Isn't it from the fullness of the heart that the mouth speaks? This is why I rejoice when you mention My Name. It's like a cherished secret that you disclose because you can no longer keep it. It's as though you said 'Let us talk about God, the One who is my entire life, the One who alone is worthy of my every heart-beat. This glorifies Me, and to glorify Me is to love Me . . .
Haven't I explained to you that you will be judged according to the measure of your love - on that alone? . . . It is as though I said 'Don't think of yourself any more. Think of Me.' The saints thought only of Me all their lives. Accept the help of My mother for this, and think of Me with all the tenderness of which you are able. Tenderness honors me more than reverence. It consoles Me."
- Gary
Gabrielle to Jesus: "Lord, may nothing in me hinder your voice from reaching others". Jesus responds: "Echo it back with all your loving warmth and you will give them joy. And this very joy will make them much more sensitive to My voice, these poor people, so often troubled with regard to Me or consumed by earthly worries. How much more freely they will breathe if you talk with them about Me! I'll be there, though unseen, and you will feel the warmth of My Presence. In heaven it is I who am the center and circumference for everyone, and the blessed ones exult. Isn't it from the fullness of the heart that the mouth speaks? This is why I rejoice when you mention My Name. It's like a cherished secret that you disclose because you can no longer keep it. It's as though you said 'Let us talk about God, the One who is my entire life, the One who alone is worthy of my every heart-beat. This glorifies Me, and to glorify Me is to love Me . . .
Haven't I explained to you that you will be judged according to the measure of your love - on that alone? . . . It is as though I said 'Don't think of yourself any more. Think of Me.' The saints thought only of Me all their lives. Accept the help of My mother for this, and think of Me with all the tenderness of which you are able. Tenderness honors me more than reverence. It consoles Me."
- Gary
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The 3 Gibson Brothers
It was a mistake to put the 3 of us boys in one room together. But what could my parents do with 3 boys and 2 girls in a 3-bedroom apartment ? It was a cold water flat, ( no hot water ) and the only source of heat in our home was our kitchen stove, which had a gas side heater to warm the entire apartment. Mom and Dad had the front bedroom off the living room, Laurie and Marianne were off the kitchen (near the stove), and Gary, Tom, and Scott were in the back bedroom (farthest from the stove). Many a cold night the 3 of us boys would crawl out from our frigid room with our blankets to sleep on the warm linoleum near the stove. One winter Dad decided to conserve the heat by shutting off our room completely and we slept on a pull out sofa in the living room. The problem was if one of us wet the bed, we were all wet!
Sometimes Dad would come home drunk at night and fall asleep in the bathroom. What does a boy do when he has a full bladder in the middle of the night? We were lucky - we had 2 windows in our room, so that solved our problem. Mrs. Lane (who lived below us on the first floor) had some flowerbeds that got extra watering now and then. Pretty soon, we did not need the excuse of Dad sleeping on the toilet; it was easier to just open the window in any case! Three boys close in age can get into a lot of mischief, if left unattended, as was often the case. We were awake early one summer morning and the sun was already up. So we tossed our mattresses out the window to make a landing pad and rehearsed how we would escape a fire - by jumping from the second floor window on to the mattresses. It was so much fun, we did this often, but had to hide our activities due to some internal sense that our parents would not like that. Mr Lane squealed on us. It did not go so well for us when they found out.
All 10 families in our tenement block lived just like we did and there were hundreds of apartment buildings all around us. This mini ghetto was called "The Flats" because all the cheap housing was built to house the factory workers and their families. We were poor back then but did not know it. We 3 boys were always fighting, mostly in fun, like 3 puppies in the same litter. These are some of the happy memories of my childhood.
Gary
Sometimes Dad would come home drunk at night and fall asleep in the bathroom. What does a boy do when he has a full bladder in the middle of the night? We were lucky - we had 2 windows in our room, so that solved our problem. Mrs. Lane (who lived below us on the first floor) had some flowerbeds that got extra watering now and then. Pretty soon, we did not need the excuse of Dad sleeping on the toilet; it was easier to just open the window in any case! Three boys close in age can get into a lot of mischief, if left unattended, as was often the case. We were awake early one summer morning and the sun was already up. So we tossed our mattresses out the window to make a landing pad and rehearsed how we would escape a fire - by jumping from the second floor window on to the mattresses. It was so much fun, we did this often, but had to hide our activities due to some internal sense that our parents would not like that. Mr Lane squealed on us. It did not go so well for us when they found out.
All 10 families in our tenement block lived just like we did and there were hundreds of apartment buildings all around us. This mini ghetto was called "The Flats" because all the cheap housing was built to house the factory workers and their families. We were poor back then but did not know it. We 3 boys were always fighting, mostly in fun, like 3 puppies in the same litter. These are some of the happy memories of my childhood.
Gary
Angels Working Overtime
Growing up in the 1950s, we watched a lot of TV. Many of these shows were set in the old West : Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Rifle Man, etc. It was only natural that a lot of kids at this time acted out Western themes in their play. Many photographs from this period show kids dressed up as cowboys, indians, good guys, and bad guys. My brothers and I were no exception. We had our cap pistols and Western style boots, hats, and clothes. One day, it was my turn to be the bad guy. Tom and Scott captured me, put me on trial, and ordered me to be hanged. Playing along, I allowed myself to be tied up and placed on the mock scaffold (an old paint can) with a rope around my neck. It was only when they pushed me off the can that I realized that this might not be such a good idea. The rope tightened and I could not breathe too well. I was barely balanced on my tiptoes. With my hands tied, I could not help myself. I began yelling "Untie my hands!". But they, not seeing the danger, rather enjoyed seeing me as their prisoner. When I grew angry, they became afraid. So they left me. I struggled alone for a couple minutes. When my oxygen levels began to drop, I began to see black dots before my vision. Miraculously, at that instant, my hands broke free and I was able to pull myself up enough to get the rope off my neck. Minutes later, I went home and my mother asked me "Where are your brothers?". I had captured them and had decided to get even with them. "I put them in jail because they tried to kill me" I told her. "What jail?". "The incinerator" I replied. Mom's face went white and she bolted for the door to rescue them. I meant no harm and did not realize the danger they were in until later.
It's a wonder we survived because we did many reckless and foolish things back then : swimming in the Connecticut River, climbing TV or radio towers, walking on the train tracks, playing in the canals (where water and chemicals from the factories would be released into the river), and generally exploring many unfamiliar places. One neighbor boy did drown in the river and another kid was electrocuted (not fatally) by touching a power line. Our apartment building caught fire one night and we were evacuated in our pajamas - very exciting to be awakened by big men with axes in their hands. Our guardian angels were very busy!
Gary
It's a wonder we survived because we did many reckless and foolish things back then : swimming in the Connecticut River, climbing TV or radio towers, walking on the train tracks, playing in the canals (where water and chemicals from the factories would be released into the river), and generally exploring many unfamiliar places. One neighbor boy did drown in the river and another kid was electrocuted (not fatally) by touching a power line. Our apartment building caught fire one night and we were evacuated in our pajamas - very exciting to be awakened by big men with axes in their hands. Our guardian angels were very busy!
Gary
Chistmas in Holyoke
I grew up in Western Massachusetts in the City of Holyoke, a paper mill town that had seen its glory days at the dawn of the 20th century. In 1897, the game of Volleyball was invented there. Our town fathers were not going to be outdone by Springfield, just a few miles to the South, where Basketball began in 1895. Throughout this largely blue collar town there were large sections of apartment buildings, often organized along ethnic lines. We lived in one of the biggest clusters of apartment buildings, simply known as "The Flats". The Connecticut River flowed close by. Our parish church and school, Holy Rosary, was a block away. It was mostly an Irish congregation. Immaculate Conception Church, mostly French Canadian, was also a few blocks away.
In December, a transformation took place every year. The first big snows of winter converted the dirty and dingy streets into a winter wonderland. Christmas lights and decorations appeared everywhere. Special music and sweets added a festive tone to this darkest month of the year. Excitement and anticipation ran at fever pitch as Dec 25th approached. One of my happiest memories is all the fuss my parents made over this holiday. Christmas was a big deal. We had a real tree in the living room, decorated to the max. Mom and Dad pulled out all the stops. We were encouraged to look through the Sears catalogue and circle the toys we liked with almost a guarantee we would get some of these things. Mom made special meals and even Dad seemed more cheerful. Without a doubt, it was the happiest time of year for all of us.
As an altar boy, I had the privilege of going to Midnight Mass by myself. Mom and Dad rarely went to church. They had many toys to assemble and wrap on Christmas Eve. I would leave the apartment at 10 PM, carrying my special red cassock and white surplice on a hanger, being careful not to drag it in the snow. From every direction, other altar boys joined me in a joyful march to the church. I'll never forget the first look I had of our "wedding cake" altar ( which was 3 stories high ! ), decorated to the hilt with poinsettia plants. We boys just stood there dumbfounded by the beauty of it all. Father Hallihan had us quickly dress up because there was choir rehearsal from 10:30 to 11:15. There is something striking and hauntingly beautiful when 40 pre-pubescent boys sing together as a Boy Choir. The altar, the incense, the vestments, the music, and the Latin Mass - it was intoxicating and awesome. After Mass, the altar boys would all walk home at 1:30 am with no adult supervision, pretty heady stuff for a 10-year-old.
I would come into the dark apartment where everyone was already asleep. I would tiptoe to the living room to steal a look at the presents, piled high around the room. I would then undress and lay in my bed, but real sleep was impossible. I would doze a bit, but by 5 am, my brothers were awake, itching with excitement. Mom had a rule : no one was allowed to get up until she rang a tiny silver bell. I'm sure our mad stampede to the living room around 7 am woke up the neighbors. We were oblivious to that. Everyone would find their pile and begin tearing into the presents. It was pure joy and mayhem for half an hour. I remember few details after this, since we all became engrossed with our toys. The traditions we celebrated were passed on to us and we in turn have passed them to our kids. Christmas celebrates God coming to us. I did experience that even as a boy living in The Flats.
Gary
In December, a transformation took place every year. The first big snows of winter converted the dirty and dingy streets into a winter wonderland. Christmas lights and decorations appeared everywhere. Special music and sweets added a festive tone to this darkest month of the year. Excitement and anticipation ran at fever pitch as Dec 25th approached. One of my happiest memories is all the fuss my parents made over this holiday. Christmas was a big deal. We had a real tree in the living room, decorated to the max. Mom and Dad pulled out all the stops. We were encouraged to look through the Sears catalogue and circle the toys we liked with almost a guarantee we would get some of these things. Mom made special meals and even Dad seemed more cheerful. Without a doubt, it was the happiest time of year for all of us.
As an altar boy, I had the privilege of going to Midnight Mass by myself. Mom and Dad rarely went to church. They had many toys to assemble and wrap on Christmas Eve. I would leave the apartment at 10 PM, carrying my special red cassock and white surplice on a hanger, being careful not to drag it in the snow. From every direction, other altar boys joined me in a joyful march to the church. I'll never forget the first look I had of our "wedding cake" altar ( which was 3 stories high ! ), decorated to the hilt with poinsettia plants. We boys just stood there dumbfounded by the beauty of it all. Father Hallihan had us quickly dress up because there was choir rehearsal from 10:30 to 11:15. There is something striking and hauntingly beautiful when 40 pre-pubescent boys sing together as a Boy Choir. The altar, the incense, the vestments, the music, and the Latin Mass - it was intoxicating and awesome. After Mass, the altar boys would all walk home at 1:30 am with no adult supervision, pretty heady stuff for a 10-year-old.
I would come into the dark apartment where everyone was already asleep. I would tiptoe to the living room to steal a look at the presents, piled high around the room. I would then undress and lay in my bed, but real sleep was impossible. I would doze a bit, but by 5 am, my brothers were awake, itching with excitement. Mom had a rule : no one was allowed to get up until she rang a tiny silver bell. I'm sure our mad stampede to the living room around 7 am woke up the neighbors. We were oblivious to that. Everyone would find their pile and begin tearing into the presents. It was pure joy and mayhem for half an hour. I remember few details after this, since we all became engrossed with our toys. The traditions we celebrated were passed on to us and we in turn have passed them to our kids. Christmas celebrates God coming to us. I did experience that even as a boy living in The Flats.
Gary
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Do you think God does not know your trials?
At the end of her life, French actress/playwright and secret mystic, Gabrielle Bossis had a serious illness that required surgery. It was painful, scary, and exhausting to recover from it. Jesus, knowing she had a terrible fear of death, allowed this to happen as a dress rehearsal for her real death the following year. Listen to how Jesus talks to her as she recovers from surgery. Here is her journal entry from the book "He and I" of Sept 29, 1949 : "You see the difference, don't you, between the life you offered Me before the trial and the one you want to offer Me now? Wasn't it good for you to feel yourself approaching the end of life so that you could see in the full light of reality the difference between life on earth and eternal life? You can believe, can't you, that your God used this trial as a new way of getting your attention so that you would take a firmer grip on Him? Do you think I don't know about the trial I've asked you to bear?"
++ This reading hit me hard because every January my business takes a nose time. As the primary breadwinner for the family, I feel this responsibility very keenly. I work very hard all year to keep the pipeline of work flowing smoothly, to keep my income steady. After the holidays, folks are not spending money and in the cold, dark months many folks don't even think about having any paint projects in their homes. Added to this normal cycle, I live in Michigan, which has been in a recession for many years before it became a national issue. I've seen dozens of neighbors and friends lose their jobs, even lifelong careers. Some cannot find work for a long time, even if they consider moving out of state. Many take low-paying work, just to survive. Sadly, we know families who have lost their homes. With little savings in reserve, I know it could happen to us as well. While we do all that we can to avoid that, we know it is not impossible. Our situation is not on the same level as those facing the end of life, but it is a test of our faith nonetheless. Five years ago, I had many sleepless nights fretting over the January slump in my business. My family will tell you how hard that was on me and the efforts I made to correct the situation. Over these years my trust in God has grown, as I see Him work in ways beyond my expectations or efforts - work coming out of nowhere! Time and time again, I have no work at all, and out of the blue, I get a call or several calls and my week gets filled up. God uses these real-life issues to speak to me - about His providence, about His faithfulness, and His care for me personally. He has taught us that we can expect Him to provide. These lessons spill over into other challenges we face. So we are growing in trust. Michael O'Brien's latest novel "The Island of the World" has a character who says "when you are gripped by fear, you must not deny it, but you need not surrender to it either, as if that is the end of the story." Perfect love casts out all fear. As God told Gabrielle in another passage of the book "He and I" : "I create frightening situations to test your faith and call you closer to Me". Let Him work this way. In His will is our peace.
++ This reading hit me hard because every January my business takes a nose time. As the primary breadwinner for the family, I feel this responsibility very keenly. I work very hard all year to keep the pipeline of work flowing smoothly, to keep my income steady. After the holidays, folks are not spending money and in the cold, dark months many folks don't even think about having any paint projects in their homes. Added to this normal cycle, I live in Michigan, which has been in a recession for many years before it became a national issue. I've seen dozens of neighbors and friends lose their jobs, even lifelong careers. Some cannot find work for a long time, even if they consider moving out of state. Many take low-paying work, just to survive. Sadly, we know families who have lost their homes. With little savings in reserve, I know it could happen to us as well. While we do all that we can to avoid that, we know it is not impossible. Our situation is not on the same level as those facing the end of life, but it is a test of our faith nonetheless. Five years ago, I had many sleepless nights fretting over the January slump in my business. My family will tell you how hard that was on me and the efforts I made to correct the situation. Over these years my trust in God has grown, as I see Him work in ways beyond my expectations or efforts - work coming out of nowhere! Time and time again, I have no work at all, and out of the blue, I get a call or several calls and my week gets filled up. God uses these real-life issues to speak to me - about His providence, about His faithfulness, and His care for me personally. He has taught us that we can expect Him to provide. These lessons spill over into other challenges we face. So we are growing in trust. Michael O'Brien's latest novel "The Island of the World" has a character who says "when you are gripped by fear, you must not deny it, but you need not surrender to it either, as if that is the end of the story." Perfect love casts out all fear. As God told Gabrielle in another passage of the book "He and I" : "I create frightening situations to test your faith and call you closer to Me". Let Him work this way. In His will is our peace.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The Day My Daddy Died
The call from upstate New York came just as the men in my Christian household were setting the table for dinner. It was December 18th, 1973 about 5:30 pm. "Gary, you have a phone call" someone shouted from the kitchen. I went down the hall to the kitchen to take the call on our only phone (no cordless phones back then). "Is this Gary Gibson, the son of Earl Elery Gibson" queried the caller. "Yes" I answered. "Well, I have some very bad news to tell you Mr Gibson. Your father is dead. He passed away 35 minutes ago and this is our first opportunity to call you. I am sorry to tell you this news". By now my household brothers could read the look on my face. The room became quiet as I hung up the phone. "My Dad just died" I told them. No one could speak for a moment. Then Tom, a trained, compassionate social worker, came over to me, placed a hand on my shoulder, and said: "I'm so sorry, Gary". The others followed with their condolences. I had no immediate emotional reaction. There was a funeral to plan. Since I was the only contact that the hospital had, it fell to me to call the rest of the family, including my mother (Mom and Dad divorced in 1963 and had no contact at all).
As the next few days unfolded, I was very glad for some things that occurred in my life a few years before this. I made an adult decision to follow Christ in 1970, and one of the first things God prompted me to do was to work out my relationship with Dad - as much as was humanly possible. I had initiated contact with Dad after searching for him (literally!) in my late teen years. I found him a hundred miles away in Schenectady, NY (a story in itself - for another time). We were both happy to see each other when I burst back into his life, but there remained a barrier between us. My annual visits to see him were strained and somewhat limited. I kept on praying about what I should do. By happy "coincidence", my spiritual director and my favorite college professor, Dr Peter Kreeft, began to teach me about forgiveness. Their advice and teachings were compelling, but I was not sure I could forgive Dad. I placed all the blame for my family's collapse on him. Dad hurt me - physically, verbally, and emotionally. I ran away from home when I was 13 and never lived with my Mom or Dad or siblings again. That was very painful and traumatic for me. I was vaguely aware that some things were broken in me. I had fears and compulsions I did not understand. I lived with a great sadness and loneliness.
But the grace of God prevailed. Two months before Dad died, he was diagnosed with cancer and I was inspired to visit him. We managed to discuss the painful past, and I suddenly realized that I had to repent for my response to his behavior and failings. I had been filled with hatred and contempt for him. I told everyone a hundred reasons to justify my feelings and most people would agree with me. But I was a prisoner of my own hatred and there was only one way out : to forgive him. In an instant during this critical conversation with him, I heard myself say "Dad, I am sorry for some things I said and did in the past to hurt you". He got emotional. "I know I let you all down, Gary. Believe me, I am not proud or happy about that". We forgave one another. It was that simple. We each spoke out a sentence or two and that was the end of it. But the full import of this came later, and it took me years to understand what happened on that last visit before he died.
We never became really close as a father and son should be. We did not have the time to build a new and healthy relationship. I still carry some emotional scars and bad memories of my early days. But the power of hatred was broken in me. I felt as if a big burden was lifted off me. In time, I came to understand the nature of addiction, and its insidious power over those who surrender to it. I came to know a lot about my father's own troubled childhood. He was not equipped or empowered by his father. In fact, grandpa Gibson's example was horrendous. And this sad heritage probably goes back hundreds of years. By God's grace, the family curse was broken in me. I have never been the same since I forgave Dad. It was and remains a life altering decision. I thank God for His work in me and for the forgiveness I desperately need and receive - often! May you experience that great mercy in your own life too.
Gary
As the next few days unfolded, I was very glad for some things that occurred in my life a few years before this. I made an adult decision to follow Christ in 1970, and one of the first things God prompted me to do was to work out my relationship with Dad - as much as was humanly possible. I had initiated contact with Dad after searching for him (literally!) in my late teen years. I found him a hundred miles away in Schenectady, NY (a story in itself - for another time). We were both happy to see each other when I burst back into his life, but there remained a barrier between us. My annual visits to see him were strained and somewhat limited. I kept on praying about what I should do. By happy "coincidence", my spiritual director and my favorite college professor, Dr Peter Kreeft, began to teach me about forgiveness. Their advice and teachings were compelling, but I was not sure I could forgive Dad. I placed all the blame for my family's collapse on him. Dad hurt me - physically, verbally, and emotionally. I ran away from home when I was 13 and never lived with my Mom or Dad or siblings again. That was very painful and traumatic for me. I was vaguely aware that some things were broken in me. I had fears and compulsions I did not understand. I lived with a great sadness and loneliness.
But the grace of God prevailed. Two months before Dad died, he was diagnosed with cancer and I was inspired to visit him. We managed to discuss the painful past, and I suddenly realized that I had to repent for my response to his behavior and failings. I had been filled with hatred and contempt for him. I told everyone a hundred reasons to justify my feelings and most people would agree with me. But I was a prisoner of my own hatred and there was only one way out : to forgive him. In an instant during this critical conversation with him, I heard myself say "Dad, I am sorry for some things I said and did in the past to hurt you". He got emotional. "I know I let you all down, Gary. Believe me, I am not proud or happy about that". We forgave one another. It was that simple. We each spoke out a sentence or two and that was the end of it. But the full import of this came later, and it took me years to understand what happened on that last visit before he died.
We never became really close as a father and son should be. We did not have the time to build a new and healthy relationship. I still carry some emotional scars and bad memories of my early days. But the power of hatred was broken in me. I felt as if a big burden was lifted off me. In time, I came to understand the nature of addiction, and its insidious power over those who surrender to it. I came to know a lot about my father's own troubled childhood. He was not equipped or empowered by his father. In fact, grandpa Gibson's example was horrendous. And this sad heritage probably goes back hundreds of years. By God's grace, the family curse was broken in me. I have never been the same since I forgave Dad. It was and remains a life altering decision. I thank God for His work in me and for the forgiveness I desperately need and receive - often! May you experience that great mercy in your own life too.
Gary
Barack Obama's First Year as President
I’m often asked “Why don’t you listen to president Obama? He is our president after all, and you should give him a chance.” I have listened to Barack Obama, probably more than most people I know. I have followed him closely for the last 2 and ½ years. He is “well educated”, articulate in some ways, and very intelligent. That does not make him fit to lead our country. He is wrong on the issues (especially the crucial, moral ones), arrogant, petty, thinned-skinned to criticism, manipulative, and sometimes mean-spirited. He uses the personal pronoun “I” more than anyone in recent memory. His State of the Union address last week was a hodge-podge of disconnected ideas, a desperate attempt to please just about everyone. Did you hear his partisan, rude insult to a ruling by the Supreme Court, after pleading for non-partisanship? Apparently, his idea of non-partisanship is to agree with all his ideas. He seems to hide his true agenda after promising “the most transparent” presidency to date. He works in the dark, making secret deals that are repugnant to most Americans, even some Democrats. Most troubling to me, Obama is motivated by political expediency. Again and again, he has thrown people overboard, even his closest allies, if it appears that his association with them will cost him politically. That is very telling to me. He is not prepared to lead 300 million people. He had no executive experience. Who endorses him enthusiastically? The American Communist Party. If you think I’m being unfair, look into it yourself. They praise everything he does. I’m not calling him a communist. I am merely pointing out who loves him the most. There is a difference!
So how did he win the White House? There are many reasons. People were tired of the war, Bush was unpopular, Republican mistakes were highlighted (not always unfairly), McCain was the wrong man to lead Republicans and he ran a horrible campaign, and the mainstream media and Hollywood backed Obama. There were entire news networks dedicated to him. Many conservative people were cowed into silence, lest they be accused of being racist. That’s an old canard that the Left in this country put on their opponents – it often works. I could go on and on about this, but I don’t want to bore you. I don’t like Obama because I don’t like his ideas and I don’t trust him. It is that simple. He has shown his true colors, not by his speeches, but by his actions. Obama is my president and I pray for him. I do not hate anyone. But it is also my duty as a Christian, and as an American, to oppose his reckless, socialist policies. I hope we can be reconciled someday. I hope we are together in the next life. For now, I cannot and must not follow his lead. Too much is at stake.
So how did he win the White House? There are many reasons. People were tired of the war, Bush was unpopular, Republican mistakes were highlighted (not always unfairly), McCain was the wrong man to lead Republicans and he ran a horrible campaign, and the mainstream media and Hollywood backed Obama. There were entire news networks dedicated to him. Many conservative people were cowed into silence, lest they be accused of being racist. That’s an old canard that the Left in this country put on their opponents – it often works. I could go on and on about this, but I don’t want to bore you. I don’t like Obama because I don’t like his ideas and I don’t trust him. It is that simple. He has shown his true colors, not by his speeches, but by his actions. Obama is my president and I pray for him. I do not hate anyone. But it is also my duty as a Christian, and as an American, to oppose his reckless, socialist policies. I hope we can be reconciled someday. I hope we are together in the next life. For now, I cannot and must not follow his lead. Too much is at stake.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
