Long Distance

The term - long distance - to most people - refers to telephone calls - conversations - between two people - separated by very long distances. When I was a child - an important event - news - prompted the use - the expense - of long distance calls. There was always an extra expense involved - conversations kept to a minimum - to avoid the high expense of making such a call. Today long distance - included in most cellular phone packages - no longer carry any extra fees - expenses. Conversations may last minutes - to  hours. There is no hesitation in placing a long distance call - easy to keep in touch with family - friends.

Talking with God in prayer - even easier than making a long distance phone call. God is always available - ready in an instant - to receive your call - to listen - to converse with you. Unfortunately too many people feel that God is not available to them - unreachable - too busy to listen. The reality is that God waits - patiently - for all of us to call Him - to converse - to discuss - request - complain - share - whatever is on our heart and mind. Try calling Him today - His line is never busy.

Deacon Dale 

Feeling Sheepish

Everyone of us has had that moment - a time we would like to forget when we felt sheepish - embarrassed - bashful - having done something silly - wrong - foolish.  Trying to get that special person - to notice us - pay attention to what we were doing - hoping to impress. On other occasions - opening our mouth - putting foot in mouth - wrong on all accounts - embarrassed - sheepish. It is only human nature - to want to excel - to show off - to impress - family - friends.  It is all a part of growing up - becoming a mature individual.  A point that many of us can meditate on during this Lent - becoming the person God intended us to be 

Jesus - the Good Shepard - the One who loves us - cares for us - directs our lives - along paths of peace - joy - asks us to be like sheep. To follow - without question - to comply with His requests - to live as He asked. Not all comply - Peter - with head hung low - after denying Jesus on the Cross - asked three times - do you love me? Three times - told by Jesus - feed my sheep - feed my people. As a shepherd cares - loves - his sheep - so does Jesus love each of us. Not all will respond to His offer of love - His offer of healing - His offer of peace.  Most will accept - come into His fold.  A few - turn away - reject His offer - leaving them - only later to realize the gift they threw away - leaving them - to feel - sheepish.  This Lent - reconsider - the offer is still there 

Deacon Dale 

Negotations

It takes a specific skill to be a good negotiator - not all are qualified - able to view both sides of a discussion - argument - to control - not dominate - to bring opposing sides together - to create common ground - to achieve positive results. Labor unions - management - one eyed visions - tunnel vision - self serving.  Contracts often come to a halt - no movement either way - no progress - loss on both sides. To negotiate well - sensitivity - to both parties - vision for union - fairness the goal.  Not just about dollars - people's lives - well being - important also.

As ministers of the Gospel - God expects - Jesus - demands - His disciples - to fairness - to openness - vision - for unity.  He looks for a common union - a communion - of hearts - souls - spirits. On this fifth week of  Lent - we are called to a New Covenant - a change in hearts - to create for ourselves - others - a better world - to love - to live.  Jesus call us to the bargaining table - different - the same - will you come? 

Deacon Dale 

Rock of Ages

 The home we bought in Arizona was previously a rental home - ignored - abused - bare minimum - little maintenance.  Before it could be placed on the market for sale - a lot of work had to be done to make it clean - updated - marketable.  If we had seen it - would not have bought it.  Months later - a crew of twenty plus - hours of sweat - transformed - freshened - renewed - given new life.  What we saw when we viewed it - not at all what the neighbors described. The interior of the house was not all that was ignored - the landscaping - a jungle - the decomposed granite - decomposed - the jungle was cleared - the granite left as is - dust unto dust - very biblical. We bought it as is - potential to make it our own - huge. In the transformation of the back yard we bought rock -  lots of rock - twenty-eight tons of rock. One inch by the new pool - 3/8 inch for the main yard - 1/4 minus for the bocce court. The community where the house is located is ruled by an HOA - homeowners association - two hundred sixteen pages of rules - covenants - restrictions. Change the color of the house - ask the HOA - change the size or color of the rock - not without HOA approval. Jumping through hoops - part of belonging to an HOA - rules - mostly fair - for the benefit of all.  Approval received - the old - aged - dusty - rock - upgraded - new color - less dust - bigger stones - looking good.

Jesus wanted a leader to help Him lead His disciples - to proclaim His Gospel message - to reach the mass of people. His search led Him to Simon - Shimon - Simeon - who He named Cephas - Peter - the Rock. As He told Peter - you shall be known as Cephas - the Rock - upon whom I shall build my church - a Rock that has stood as the first leader of Jesus' Church. This Rock - this Peter - the original Rock of Ages - the same Rock who three times denied the Lord - this man known for putting his foot in his mouth - stood - solid - following Jesus - even into death. Jesus does not ask us to die for Him - He did that once - for all.  He does ask us to be solid - rock solid in our faith - to be firm in our belief in Him - to be a peg fixed firmly in place - as we seek to deepen our relationship with Him - with God - as we serve Him and His people.  Jesus asks - we respond - He hopes - we will be - rock solid - for all ages.

Deacon Dale 

The Rain in Spain

 The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain - a song from the musical - My Fair Lady - originally published in 1956. The song was a turning point in the plot of the musical in which Professor Higgins and Colonel Pickering had been incessantly drilling Eliza Doolittle with exercises to correct her speech - to break her Cockney accent. When my wife and I were preparing to walk the 500 mile El Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain in 2013 - we read - studied - devoured - all the information we could find - walking conditions - weather probabilities - equipment needed - proper use of trekking poles - availability of food - language issues - everything.  One major concern was rain - the mud - humidity - wet boots - wet socks - wet clothes.  We were blessed in many and numerous ways - the one special blessing - one rain day - the last day - the easiest day. It rained in the mountains - the plains - the high lands and the low lands - it did not stay in the plain.

As the saying goes - into every life - a little rain must fall.  It is inevitable - unavoidable - a definite possibility. Where there is life - there will be heat and cold - dry and wet - snow and rain.  Rain nurtures - cleanses - revitalizes - people - plants - animals. Without rain - we would not have water - we would cease to exist.  For all of God's people - His blessings are poured upon us - daily - every day. We are showered with His love - His forgiveness - His acceptance. As rain falls from the sky and waters the ground - so does His love rain upon us to fill us with all His promises. When God sends His rain - do not run inside - to avoid - stay outside - let His blessing pour upon you - receive His Spirit - His love.  As we continue to contemplate our Lenten journey - dance in the rain - with Jesus.

Deacon Dale 

Fifth Sunday of Lent

 The Fifth Sunday of Lent - the Third Scrunity for those in OCIA - the final scrunity to help prepare those seeking to enter the Church at the Easter Vigil - to become fully - Roman Catholic.  For the rest of the Church - those sitting in  the pews - praying for the Elect that they will become the fully devoted Catholic that they claim to be.  For those not quite so sure of how devoted  they are - time to join the entire congregaation in prayers for everyone -  old - new -  sitting on the fence - that this Lent will become the memorable one of your life. 

 Just as those in the Phoenix, Arizona area - experiencing temperatures that the majority have never experienced during March with temperatures hitting 105 and above - 25 degrees higher than normal - may the Fire of the Holy Spirit fill all with unbelievable Grace - Peace - Joy - as they continue their Lenten Journey - Jesus at their side - walking closer to that day - of baptism - communion - confirmation - with the same joy that Lazarus experienced at his resurrection.

Deacon Dale 

Let Down - Click Bait?

If you spend any time on the Internet now a days you will often come across headlines that want to astound - surprise - draw you deeper into the article.  "Man opens can and what he finds???" - not as big a surprise as one might expect - often the lure - leads to an empty line - no hook at the end - no meat with the potatoes - disappointment.  Everyone is working hard to attract readers to their commentary - article - blog - competing for their attention.  Most recently a photo with an intriguing tag line - click - nothing except a half dozen or more links to click - that take you nowhere - click bait.

Jesus faces the same issues - He wants our attention - competing with the attractions of  the World - things that assault our senses - filled with empty promises. Once in a while truth wins out - the false attractions - fail to satisfy - what is real - stands head above the crowds. With Jesus - no disappointment - no let down - no false stories. What you see - what you get - His love - compassion - healing - forgiveness - New life - fresh air - renewal. As we end this week of Lent - seek the truth - that is Jesus.

Deacon Dale 

Spring Break

 Spring Break - time away from work - studies - daily obligations. For most a well deserved time of respite - relaxation - travel - visiting new places - enjoying a holiday.  Everyone deserves respite time - time for themselves - away from routine obligations - time to think - play - spend time with family - friends - staying home - a stacation - traveling away - a vacation. Some people - mostly younger adults - carry the spring break time to excess - traveling to the shores - warmer climates - time to lose themselves - their maturity - for the sake of excessive drinking - games - losing control - of morals - making bad decisions. For the beach communities - invaded by youth - out of control - a serious issue - for police - residents - those who exercise restraint. Spring break - originally a break from routine - never intended as a break from common sense - morality.

God wants us to enjoy our lives - His creations - the beaches - the lakes and oceans - the warm climate - fresh air - within reason. Even too much of a good thing - may become bad. Gathering in groups - nice - too many forming a group - uncontrollable mob. As we continue our Lenten exercise - here at home - away on spring break - Jesus asks us - in all things - moderation - consideration for others - reasonableness in our activities.  There is nothing wrong with good clean fun - as long as it remains - good - clean - fun - not at the expense of other's comfort. Taking a break from daily routine - highly approved by God - taking a break from morals - good manners - never approved. Jesus stands and watches - each of us - what will He see this spring break?

Deacon Dale  

Roundabouts

Roundabouts - fairly few in America - very popular in Europe - a traffic flow pattern designed to eliminate numerous issues with the standard intersection. With a roundabout - traffic flows constantly - no stop and go lights - no queuing up to wait your turn at the intersection. The standardized design was perfected in England.  North America has approximately 3500 roundabouts - France has approximately half of all known roundabouts at about 30,000. I like roundabouts - many dislike them.  With so many American drivers failing to come to a complete stop at traditional intersections - roundabouts would answer those "rolling" stops.

God sent His Son to His people to teach them in a manner they could understand - most common - the parables - a roundabout way - to draw people into His stories - to inform - educate - inspire - warn.  Jesus' stories were to the point - not necessarily in a straight path - bending to meet the needs of His audience - easy to understand - comprehend.  Over the years the same message - spoken - over and over - God loves - forgives - cares - about all of us. Jesus seeks us - to come to Him - He calls us by name - waits for us to respond - directly - to Him - often - in a roundabout way.

Deacon Dale 

Treasure Found

In Matthew 13:46 a man found a treasure buried in a field - bought that field - returned to claim his prize. In life all of us - will have opportunities - to find hidden treasure - not in a field - not pearls - gold - diamonds - rather - people. People come - go - in our lives. Many - ordinary - not memorable - others - a few special - people you never forget. The other day we came across old friends - memorable - special - from the past - here in Arizona - seasonal residents  - like us. What joy - excitement - a chance to reconnect - to gather - to visit.

In everything that Jesus did - He tried to impress upon people - the value of fellow humans. Like pearls in the field - gold - diamonds - in the hand - treasure of greatest value.  True friendships never die - reunited - life rekindled - renewed.  As we walk this week of Lent - may each of us - find - rediscover - the friend we have in Jesus.

Deacon Dale 

Game Time

 Game Time - time to start - let's play - play ball - batter up - Spring Training in Arizona - well under way.  The energy that one feels as any game is beginning to start - the anticipation - first run - let it begin. Everyone loves sports - individual - team - the excitement - cheering - shouting - high fives. Early wins - overtime - quick wins - slow loses - adrenalin flows. 

When Jesus was selecting His disciples - game time - time to learn - time to  commit - time to go the extra mile. His disciples - enthusiastic - full of energy - looking for results. Jesus had to calm - get under control - inform.  When we first felt our call to serve Him - ready - too quick - to jump in. As neophytes we need to become well grounded - allow our roots to sink deeply into His soil of knowledge - love - to empower us to enter the game - well prepared - for ministry. Lent is a training period for all Christians - ordained - lay - a time to regroup - to pray - to study - to listen. Time is running short - game day - soon upon us. Jesus - waits - watches - calls us - to join - His first string.

Deacon Dale 

Taxes

 Taxes have been around since the earliest days - the price for protection - community development - getting rich off the poor. I am in the process of doing my income taxes - early for me - usually left until early April. The hard part - gathering records - income - expenses - deductible - not deductible - digging up obscure receipts - depending on memory. I hate doing my taxes - will not farm the work out - hardest part - getting the necessary information - easiest part - filling out the forms. For those who have already filed - received refunds - congratulations - for those like myself - good luck.

When Jesus was asked if it was right to pay taxes - whose image on the coins - who was in charge - who ran the government - pay the man. As unpleasant as it was - paying taxes the norm. Give to Caesar what is Caesar's - give to God what is God's.  God does not want your money - the Church wants your money - for ministry - evangelization - paying its own way.  No - God does not want your money - He wants your heart - not ten percent - not 20 percent - rather - one hundred percent. He wants your love - your attention - your life - to love Him - to serve Him - to help Him make this world better for everyone.  In this Lenten season as you pray - fast - give alms - remember - first - to give your heart - your love away - to God.

Deacon Dale 

In The Pink

The Fourth Sunday of Lent - Laetare Sunday - celebrated by most western rite liturgical churches - Roman Catholic - Anglican - some Protestant churches - Laetare - translated from Latin - to rejoice. What is it about this particular Sunday of Lent - a period of purple - sadness - reflection - penance - that we see rose - pinkish colored vestments - told to be happy - rejoice. Is it more than the fact that we are half way through LENT - looking forward to celebrating - Easter - resurrection - new life. On this Sunday -- God - the Church reminds us - not all is bad - not all is sad - not all needs forgiveness. There is natural joy in the world - in people - friends - animals - plants - joy that never leaves.

Jesus told us that He came to set a fire on the earth - a fire  in the hearts of men -women - adults - children - a fire to burn brightly - to illuminate lives - to warm hearts - to shed light where there    is darkness - to reveal hope for the lost - the lonely - the sick. In Lent - as we reflect on all that Jesus taught - we repent of the times we  failed to acknowledge - celebrate the joy of life.   Jesus shows us the way - He stands at the door - waiting for a knock - from you.

Deacon Dale    

Just A Kiss

A kiss - never just a kiss - meaningful - affects - effects - many. Some would say a kiss is nothing - a simple action - no consequence - not worth discussing. Others - quite different - very meaningful - impacts - changes - aftermath. Kissing - sign of affection for most - often shared frivolously - no meaning - no intent.  Most people contemplate - consider - who to kiss - when to kiss - how to kiss. Years ago it was reported that a casual kiss - given an infant - led to death - sadness all around - a cold sore - herpes virus - infection - hospital - second infection at hospital - baby too weak to survive. Not just a kiss.

When Jesus was betrayed by Judas - with a kiss - well intended - planned - arrested - condemned - crucified - died - the world shuddered.  When Jesus asked Judas - you betray me with a kiss? - the thoughts through his mind - what he had done - the consequences - like the infant - innocent - no future. Even though He was betrayed - Jesus - loved - Judas - the world - enemies - critics - you - me - all of us. His love has no end - for God so loved the world - all in    the world - all of the world - He sent His only Son - Jesus - to die - from a kiss - for all of us. Would that we could meet Jesus - face to face - to offer Him - our kiss.

Deacon Dale 

Stunted Growth

 According to Wikipedia stunted growth refers to a reduced growth rate in human development presenting as a manifestation of malnutrition and repeated infections such as diarrhea and parasitic worms. The world is filled with people who suffer with stunted growth - for the most part - most fare pretty well - with shorter height being one of their least concerns in life.  Short people are all around us - not all necessarily victims of stunted growth.  Height is not only a nutrition issue - genetics - ancestral history - playing a large role in growth patterns and height of individuals.  In reality the height of a person is nothing compared  to what resides inside - in the mind - the heart.

Jesus- Himself - not a giant of a man - somewhat short by today's standards - in physical 
characteristics - a giant - spiritually - ethically - morally. Through Him - God showed the true merit lies inside the person - how they think - what they think - how they act - what they say - do - believe.  God asks all of us to  put aside pre-conceived ideas about the value of others - to look with His eyes - to hear with His ears - to love with His heart.  Do this and your Lenten journey - will bear much fruit.

Deacon Dale

Full Coverage

 Full coverage - as in home owner's insurance - everything is covered by insurance - the house - the contents - the out buildings - the swimming pool - in clothing - not revealing - much more than minimal - complete - entire.  We love full coverage - knowing that all has been included - appropriate - done to completion. Full coverage - ensures - peace of mind - comfort.

Jesus not only offers us a full life with Him - also - His Father - His Holy Spirit - nothing left out - nothing additional to add.  When you allow God to enter your life - completely - without reservation - you receive all that He has to offer - His love - healing - forgiveness - acceptance - assurance - everything.  Like an insurance policy - you are covered completely - no premium to pay - Jesus has paid the price - the cost - His life - on the Cross - for you.  As we continue through Lent - remember Jesus is waiting - offering full coverage - for you.

Deacon Dale 

Money In The Bank

Money In The Bank is an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the WWE.  In 2014 the main event was a Ladder match for the vacant WWE World Heavyweight Championship won by John Cena.  Money in the bank - also -  according to the Urban Dictionary - is a phrase used to express generally positive feelings - used to praise - commend - compliment.  Adding an awesome player to the team - Money in the Bank.

When God sent His Son - Jesus - to mankind - He sent - Money in the Bank - His guarantee - to each of us - acceptance - forgiveness - assurance - His commitment - for all ages.  His promise - 2000 years old - as good today - as first spoken.  Jesus is a treasure - a gift from God - available to all - available now.  To take your share - no withdrawal slip need - only your word - your promise - like His - to follow Him - to serve your brothers and sisters.  Jesus waits - for your word - your acceptance - with interest.

Deacon Dale 

Where's the Beef

 Many years ago one popular fast food chain ran a very successful ad focused on the tag line - where's the beef.  Its ad - challenged competitors - size of the beef patty - small - compared to their own. Their claim to fame - we have the beef - lots of it!  That commercial ran for a long time - increased that chain's sales some thirty percent. Customers loved that ad - in your face challenge - put up - shut up.  From that ad grew others - not related to food products - evolved to mean - give us some real substance - give the people something they can literally - figuratively - sink their teeth into. Even one politician challenged his rival - where's the beef?

When seeking a relationship with Jesus - what you see is what you get. You get all of Him - not just one bit or piece. Nothing remains hidden - His life an open book - easy to digest - easy to assume into your own life. With Him - you receive the greatest - biggest - best available. For modern disciples - we should offer as much - our complete selves - our complete focus - on serving Him - His Father - to the best of our ability - serving Him - His people with one-hundred percent of our energy. Would that  all of us could make that claim - not half hearted - but with complete devotion.  Jesus calls each of us - to a renewed conversion - mind - heart - soul. We pray that He says - well done good and faithful servant - not - "where's the beef?"

Deacon Dale 

Time Change

Many parts of  the world just recently went through a time change - moving the hands of the clock forward - one hour - offering one additional hour to work - play - enjoy - more sunlight. Not every country participates - not every US state - participates. The usefulness often questioned. The origin - thought to benefit farmers - incorrect - originally proposed by a New Zealand entomologist in 1895 - later by by an English builder - who disliked ending his golf game early - due to dusk - in 1905 - first implemented by Germany in April 1916 - as a means to reduce use of coal during World War I.  For some areas - Arizona - daylight saving time - a detriment - increasing use of air-conditioning - increasing use of electricity. 

God sent Jesus to mankind when - time change - seriously needed.  People were going astray - not observing God's plan - doing their own thing - not living the lives He had in mind.  Jesus asked - told - begged - people to listen - open their ears - eyes -- to the wonders of God - life available - as a disciple. His message the same today - preached from every pulpit in the world - time for change - time for accountability - time for love - time for being better.  He stands - watch in hand - waiting - watching the time - looking for a change - in you.

Deacon Dale 

Oculi Sunday

The Third Sunday of Lent - also known as Oculi Sunday -  my eyes are ever toward the Lord - is also historically referred to as the first Scrutiny Sunday in the Catholic Church - focusing on the examination of candidates preparing to enter the Church at the Easter Vigil.  Today and for the next two Sundays are held a set of three scrutinies.  In those three Sundays the candidates for reception into the Church are questioned to help prepare them for the Vigil.  The parishioners are asked to help the candidates - to pray for them to be worthy of acceptance.  Some might say they are under the microspcope being closley observed to benefit them - not to exclude them - to include them in the parish community.

Jesus came that each one of us has a life filled with all that God intends for us.  Most live a life acceoting those blessing - a few do not.  Believe it or not God did not create us only to turn away and focus on other things.  He has had His eyes on us the moment we were conceived in our mother's womb.  Just as God watches over us - we in turn are asked to watch over all those around us - to help - encourage - forgive - love. 

Deacon Dale