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Weathering Storms

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  Yesterday, in my corner of the world, it was a rainy day. Ditches were full of water. In other areas, there were tornado warnings and sightings. I am reminded of part of today’s readings: The Two Foundations; Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the wind blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined. How is your house built? Will you withstand rain, winds, and disaster? I have gone through dark times; the golden thread I cling to is hope found in my faith. Love of family and friends, and knowledge that God doesn’t make junk, so I am worthy enough to keep the good fight. We all have struggles, ...
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Calling

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  My mother was a devoted Catholic with a deep faith. When she was dying, we had conversations about purgatory and other religious topics. As the conversation progressed, I thanked her for raising me Catholic, but in my very bones, heart, and soul, I knew I was called to be a Pastor. It is something I cannot help but do, nor could I separate myself from it. My mom responded that she couldn’t fault me for being a pastor. She understood.   When I hear Isaiah 49:1, which is part of the Lectionary readings today, “Hear me, coastlands, listen, distant peoples. Before birth, the LORD called me, from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.” I think we are all called to something; mine just happens to be a servant. My ministry is called “A Wing & A Prayer Ministries,” which  I can now work at more of, now that I am retired . One thing I am sure of is this: God didn’t call me because of my gender or my sexual preference. God didn’t call me because I am the smartest, most gorgeous...
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Vastness

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 Summer evenings provide time for stargazing, campfires, and the patio. Stars, planets, and the moon seem so close, and a person can feel so small. Psalm 8:3-4 states: When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? I am reminded of this Psalm when gazing at the heavens. When going north, the heavens seem brighter and larger, and one can feel smaller. The author of the Psalms asks why God cares for humans as they are insignificant compared to the vastness of the world. God does care for humans. God cares so much that God has asked us to help in the care of the world. The world and heavens are vast and will take all of us to care for it. As heatwaves plague Europe, and summer heat will return to Wisconsin, talk of global warming escalates. Each of us must help with the care of our part of the world so that the beauty and vastness will be the...
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Lead us not

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 Did you ever want to do something only to have a friend or parent caution against it? Today’s Our Father’s verse is “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” Even if we went headlong into doing something that we were warned against, note that God will deliver us. “Lead us not into temptation,” isn’t about God testing us but about God advising us not to do something that will lead us astray.  In the Our Father, we learn to address whom we are praying to, and to acknowledge our belief through praise. We then give our petitions, along with the note that we must come to God in prayer without impediments. I think in many ways this is an example of how to communicate. We address the person as a person, not “dude” or “brah,” but by name. We acknowledge the good in them. We ask for or address what is needed, but only if there are no “impediments” between you and the person. True forgiveness leads to action of true love and respect for another. Today, more than praying t...
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A Father's Forgiveness

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“And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” These words of the Our Father remind us of a loving, forgiving Father we have. Happy Father’s Day to all the Fathers out there and in heaven. The forgiveness of God is a wiping away of the trespass; it is forgiven, forgotten as if it didn’t happen. The remnant lies within the transgressor that allows the transgression to shape one. If we believe in the forgiveness of God, then we let it shape us in positive ways, never going down that path again. The intimate remnant that we carry will prevent us because we have received true forgiveness. Something then we are called to pay forward by forgiving those who have trespassed against us. On this Father’s Day, let us dwell on true love, seeing the best in a person and not lingering on past hurts or dwelling on negative aspects of a person. Shine love this day on the path..
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Daily Bread

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 In the book of Exodus 16, we find the Israelites in the desert and hungry. God provides them with manna. The people are to gather only the amount to be used for the day, except on Saturday, when they have to gather for Sunday also. The instructions were a test to see if the people would follow directions. These verses point to what Jesus will say later on in the desert when being tempted by Satan: “Man can not live on bread alone but must by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” The point of these Exodus verses is to show trust in God’s provision; guard against self-reliance; set aside time for rest and receiving of blessings from God. Also, remember that manna is temporary, but our true bread, which is forever, comes from heaven. Eucharist. Why do I talk about Exodus when I was talking about the Our Father? Today’s verse is “Give us this day our daily bread.” When we pray this, Jesus takes us back to the Old Testament, threading through to his time. He reminds us to be th...
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Our Father part 2

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  Today I’d like to talk about two lines from the Our Father prayer: thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. These lines are a petition and a statement. A petition for God’s kingdom here on earth, which will only happen if we allow God’s work, “thy will be done,” through us. The most humbling thing for me is God’s love for me and God’s confidence in me to be part of his co-creator here on earth. God is always greater than me, but God's work through me will allow God’s kingdom here on earth to shine through. Great responsibility. Something we need to use our ability to respond by asking for God’s will for us. Sometimes, I sit on my patio looking at the flowers, kids' toys strewn all over, and feel like this is a slice of heaven. Looking at the face of a loved one, remembering those who have gone before me, reminds me of “as in heaven.” Spend some time thinking about your respond-ability towards God and God’s will for you to help create heaven on earth for...
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