Reader's Survey

It is very fashionable today for everyone to perform surveys to see how they are performing - if they are meeting goals - expectations - keeping everyone happy - addressing issues if and when they arise. Sometimes one wonders - do these surveys really mean anything - does anyone really care - does the data collected have any affect - benefit anybody. I believe that the majority are well founded - intended - to keep customers - clients - happy with the product - service they receive. A few - very likely - lead nowhere - benefit no one - basically a time waster - keeping some corporate official happy that the survey was designed - implemented - although never followed up on. As a blogger - I wonder from time to time - who am I benefiting - is my blogging a waste of time - energy - or do people really read and benefit from these wanderings of my mind. I reviewed my statistics earlier and I found it interesting the countries where my readers come from. Obviously since I am based in the USA - that is where the largest group of my readers live. Following is a list of countries identified as following my blog in descending order of page views - you might find this interesting. 

                                                          #1 USA

                                                          #2 Russia

                                                          #3 Ukraine

                                                          #4 Germany

                                                          #5 France

                                                          #6 Canada

                                                          #7 China

                                                          #8 Latvia

                                                          #9 United Kingdom

                                                        #10 Poland

                                                        #11 Portugal

                                                        #12 Japan

                                                        #13 Sweeden

                                                        #14 Netherlands

                                                        #15 United Arab Emirates

                                                        #16 Brazil

So I ask you - the readers - if you are able - to please leave a brief comment on who you are - not your name - rather - student - teacher - priest - housewife - writer - and your country. Hopefully;I will receive some interesting feedback.

Jesus asked us to trust in Him - although none of us has ever seen Him or the Father - we have been asked by Our Lord to - give Him the benefit of the doubt - to believe His words - what has been written about Him - that He is the Son of God. He does not ask us to answer questions - do surveys - jump through any hoops - fill out sheets of papers. His request is that we become people of faith - living as He did - open - honest. Following with out questions - accepting Him - just as He is - just as He accepts us - no questions asked.

Deacon Dale 

Color Blind

If you look up - color blind - on Google - you will be taken to Wikipedia which describes it as the inability or decreased ability to see color or perceive color differences under normal lighting conditions. It is estimated that about eight percent of males of Northern European ancestry have this condition - much less in women. This condition was first recognized in 1798. The gene for color is found on  the X chromosome which explains why women are affected less since they have two X chromosomes versus men who have only one X chromosome. Even if the gene is missing on one chromosome in women - the gene on the second X chromosome is enough to allow them to see and discern between colors. Although interesting - the issue to address is the current issue of - lives that matter - that people of color - yellow - brown - red - white - black - are no different than people of different languages or cultures - as if a yellow skinned person is more or less important than a brown or red skinned person. Color is an inherited trait - none of us selected the color of our skin - most of us do not look at a person's color as the first thing we notice - rather the eyes - the windows of the heart - the gateway to really knowing another. 

When God created mankind - He allowed for variations in skin color - texture - based on the region in which people lived - different skin types developed in response to environmental influences - as a means of protection from the elements. When He created mankind - He was not focused on the skin color - rather that the skin would be strong - yet pliable - able to reproduce itself - to grow as the body grew - to afford protection from the sun - heat - other environmental factors. He created each one of us to be equal - with the same opportunities - same hopes - same dreams. To God each and every one of us is extremely important - every one of our lives matters - each of us has significance. As children of God - we should all share that same belief - no matter what the color of another is - all lives matter.

Deacon Dale 

La Fée

La Fée - The Fairy - is a French movie - English subtitles - that I watched the other night. There are three interesting things that I learned watching this movie - #1 - people believe in fairies - magic - hope - #2 - I was surprised how much of my one year of French 50 years ago I remembered - #3 - The French make unusual movies.  Why did I watch it once I realized it was subtitled - curiosity - it started off weird and stayed weird. It was filled with so many visually funny scenes - I was hooked. In the end - left me with the question - what did I just watch? Why?  Basically it became a love story about two unique individuals - living very ordinary lives - partially delusional - nothing going for either - until they met. I will not say anything more about the movie except - people flying through the air - a baby on the back end of a Mercedes - three wishes - a scooter - free gasoline.

When God created the world and all that is in it - He created possibly one of His greatest gifts - Diversity. We are all - not the same - different - colors - body types - languages - cultures - likes - dislikes - mindsets -  preferences. We come from different places - one side or another when looking at oceans - continents - North - South - East - West. Some like it hot - others cold - many - in between. Although different - we are all  the same - children of God - created in His likeness - loving - thinking - beings - one common goal - life. It is amazing that in our differences - we are so very similar - in our hopes - dreams - desires.  It is even more amazing - that we lack tolerance - acceptance of others - judgmental - unforgiving. The Easter Bunny brings eggs - multicolored eggs - everyone loves them - perhaps we should take a lesson from those eggs - all signs of New Life - signs that we should learn to love - everyone - after all - we were all eggs of another kind - at one time in our life - not from bunnies or fairies -  loved completely - by God. 

Deacon Dale 

Dream Big

Dream Big - shoot for the stars - go for the gold - all phrases encouraging people to try their best. Everyone wants to be an achiever - to excel at things where others have failed. Unfortunately - many dreams - shattered before attempted. How often have you heard the comment - you can't do that - nobody does that - why do you want to do that - are you crazy?  Most often spoken - out of jealousy - fear of another achieving  - something others haven't - lacking faith in possibilities previously untried. All improvements - new discoveries - changes in techniques - a dream - the hope of a potential success. Rather than questioning any one's ability- the possibility of success should be encouraged. People should be taught to - color outside the lines - speak up even when not invited - attempt where others have failed.  If no one ever tries the impossible - dreams will die - fail to exist.

God knows the limits - abilities - of mortal men - women - children. He calls us to explore - to investigate - to push ourselves - to achieve our fullest potential. If we believe Holy Scripture - we have been created in His likeness - each of us is a promise - of great things - awesome successes - mighty dreams. We are called - to glorify God - to dream - BIG.

Deacon Dale 

Taxing Times

I will venture to guess that those who know me - think I am going to write about doing my income taxes. As a matter of fact - about 98% done - so there - time to write about other taxing issues. One only has to watch their local news channel - pick up a newspaper - browse the internet - visit Facebook or other social media - to realize that there is something seriously wrong with this country.  I will not even wander into the political battle ring - filled with so much human waste - both spoken - real - my commentary on the fiasco - politely called - campaigning. In other news - it has become a daily event - videos - stories - about people acting in unbelievably poor ways - treating each other with such little respect - yesterday's post - that it seems more like a bad movie - poorly written - badly acted. It seems to me - in my humble opinion - that way too many people have taken the kool-aid - swallowed - the lies - hook -line - sinker. Sinking to a very low level in society - rich - poor - alike - no one spared. Police brutality - snipers killing fire fighters - police - erratic driving - for no reason - students beating students - parents leaving babies abandoned - the list goes on and on.

Jesus died on the Cross - for you - for me - for all of us - no distinction between color - race - creed - gender - position in society. Today - looking down upon us - He might ask - why? Luckily - He is so much smarter than the whole lot of us - He knows the whys - wherefores - reasons He did what He did. In God's plan - there is humanity - love between different peoples - cultures. In this Easter Season - we pray - Come - Lord Jesus - Save us from ourselves.

Deacon Dale 

Respect

It was not that long ago that Aretha Franklin sang the song Respect written and originally released by Otis Redding in 1965 - became her signature song - reprised in the 1980 movie Blues Brothers. The original version - Aretha's version - slightly different ideas of respect. In today's use we expect people to respect - esteem - admire - hold in high regard - honor - others. Unfortunately all too often - respect - not shown - just the opposite true. There seems to be a section of society who hold no regard for others - do whatever they want - without thinking - considering how their actions may - will effect others. They only think about themselves - selfish - juvenile - immature. Many end up causing offenses so bad - they end up - incarcerated - in jail. Respect is learned at home - parents the primary teacher of children - respect - should be a high priority. Thankfully - the majority of people learn this lesson at an early age - continue throughout their lifetime - treating others as they should be.

Jesus calls us - brothers and sisters - sharing the one true Father - in Heaven. As children of God - as a Family of Christ - we are called - to live and learn - how to treat our fellow humans. Learning respect - tolerance of others - getting along in society. We teach our children - pets - proper rules of etiquette - how to approach - greet - others - what to do - what not to do. In all this - we show our regard not only for others - but for the God who created us. As modern day disciples of Jesus - we spread His Gospel message to all - honoring them as we would Jesus Himself.

Deacon Dale 

Toxic

As defined - toxic means containing - being poisonous - capable of causing death - serious debilitation - exhibiting symptoms of infection - extremely harsh - malicious - harmful - an asset that has lost so much value - no longer worth the time or effort to possess. When discussing toxic things the most frequent - chemicals - either industrial chemicals dumped into potable drinking supplies - well - rivers - chemicals that develop from improperly stored food items - chicken left out of refrigeration - meats warming on a kitchen counter - allowing bacteria to grow - multiply - giving rise to salmonella - toxic to humans. Other things may be labeled toxic - an investment in an under performing stock - having toxic - harmful affects on an investment portfolio - lowering the value of said portfolio - affecting financial stability. The worse form of toxic things - words - spoken in haste - unfairly judging others - spreading rumors - gossip - true or not - toxic to the well being of not only the person talked about - also family - friends - associates. The fact that we as humans have  the ability - the power - to harm - destroy - the life of another - very sad.

When encountering toxic items specific steps may be taken to neutralize - offset the toxic effects - chemicals to neutralize the toxic one - devices - sponges - to soak up toxic spills - immediately placing food items in a refrigerator - disposing of an under performing stock - restoring financial health to a portfolio - stabilizing future investments - funds. In regards to toxic words spoken - very difficult to undo the damage - better to never have spoken those words in the first place. The ripple affect of toxic personalities - spreads very quickly - affects everyone in one way or another. After the fact - apology to the offended - apology to God - for being less than He created you - seek His forgiveness for your action. Although you will never be able to apologize to everyone affected by your comment - God in His Divine Mercy will not only forgive you - also help heal the hurt among others. As we continue this octave of Easter - celebrating Christ's resurrection - His transformation - we need to also celebrate the changes that have taken place in ourselves - moving from toxic to positive people of God.

Deacon Dale 

G.P.S.

Almost everybody knows what a GPS device is - global positioning system - a feature of many smartphones - devices designed specifically for use by those in vehicles - hikers - fishermen - boaters - anyone who is an outdoors type of person - needing information on where they are going - where they have been. Garmin and Tom-Tom are two of the most popular brands - advertised to the public. Both manufacturers now selling related products for those into fitness - available at local merchants and Amazon -  devices which record heart rate - calories burned - and other data of interest to those seeking to get into - maintain good health. Moving from the couch to the outdoors an excellent idea - fresh air - enjoying the scenery - mingling with other people - all aspects which help a person stay mentally - physically fit.

The third part of the human soul - spiritual - needs to be developed - exercised just like the mental - physical part. Even those who do not acknowledge the reality of God - most often do admit that they have a spiritual side - a higher power - something beyond the ordinary which they seek to relate to.  People of faith - connect with God through various forms of prayer - private - public - personal - communal. In my home parish we have a group that gathers together for communal prayer - called G.P.S. - gathered to pray in the spirit. God speaks to all of us - not all hear - many in private prayer - question what they hear. Gathered in a prayer group - led by the Holy Spirit - the leaders are able to help discern - understand - what God is saying. This Sunday - Divine Mercy Sunday - around the world large groups of people will gather at the 3:00 Holy Hour to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet together - as one voice. Together they will be led - in the Spirit - to exercise - stimulate - their spiritual side to grow - in God's Divine Mercy.

Deacon Dale 

Lord Have Mercy!

Lord Have Mercy! - a commonly used expression - by many. I remember a sitcom from years back in which the mother constantly was exclaiming - that phrase - in response to almost everything her children were doing - usually showing her unbelief or displeasure. Lord Have Mercy! - also a Canadian sitcom in 2003 - about a youth pastor - his head pastor and others focusing on comedic situations - nominated for an award for Best Comedy Series. While this phrase is frequently spoken - in jest - lightheartedly - more often an honest request for intervention by God. In a more serious vein - a common phrase among believers when praying for themselves - others - often pleading for situations involving health - death - serious accidents - forgiveness

Jesus told us that no one knows the Father - unless He knows Christ - the only Son of God. Just as Jesus showed compassion - forgiveness - to those seen as - unworthy - the man born blind - the woman at the well - the leper - the tax collector - so does His Father - show that same forgiveness - Mercy to each of us. The Mercy shown by Jesus - God - goes way beyond our understanding. He forgives the unforgivable - those throughout history who have committed unbelievable sins - most notably - Judas. How is it possible that He can find Mercy for the one who betrayed His Son - Divine Mercy - mercy that goes beyond our understanding - our comprehension.  Saint Pope John Paul II recognized the awesome power of God's Divine Mercy - declared the Sunday immediately following Easter Sunday - Divine Mercy Sunday. On this day - the Church focuses on - Divine Mercy. My home parish recognized this message to be of such importance - in the early 1980s - before it was fashionable - before the Pope's declaration - my wife with a close friend and I - at the prompting of a priest friend from the Marians of the Immaculate Conception began this devotion and celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday the year first proclaimed by the Pope. Frequently I stress to people - turn to God with your concerns - He hears and answers all prayers - in His Divine Mercy - He gives you what you need. This Sunday in parishes around the world - we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday - and His Mercy - all year long.

Deacon Dale  

Chain Gang

A chain gang - a group of prisoners - chained together to perform menial - physically challenging work - as a form of punishment. That work might include repairing buildings - building roads - clearing land. This system existed primarily in Southern United States. As of 1955 - phased out nationwide - Georgia being the last to stop this practice. Some - reintroduced in the 1990s - form of get tough on crime effort - by Alabama - ended after one year. Arizona still the one state - in Maricopa County - prisoners may volunteer for a chain gang - to earn credit towards high school diploma - avoid disciplinary lock downs. The introduction of chain gangs initially following the American Civil War - free labor for public works projects. In Maricopa County - today - inmates wearing bright orange coveralls - working on roadsides to keep the public landscapes well manicured. 

During Easter Season many churches filled with chain gangs - different from above - rather groups - men - women - joining together to pray the Rosary - before morning Holy Mass - afterwords - spread throughout the day. Praying for the needs of others - for the church at large - for the sick - lonely - homeless - hungry. Most do not benefit personally - prayers - mostly for others. The fruits of their labors - the benefits gained from these chain gangs - healings - prayers answered - restored faith. Praying for others - natural for most Christians - intercessory prayer - sharing their faith with those in need. Easter Season - filled with opportunities - for any gang.

Deacon Dale