Back To The Future

Recently I have had a few questions about our experience on the Camino.  I usually give people the URL for this blog - but it automatically takes them to the most recent - not the original first post.  To that end I am providing the link that should take readers back to our first post - http://dalenarlene.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-journey-begins.html

Buen Camino 

Thoughtless.....

You know the saying - engage brain before speaking - warning that one has to stop - think a moment - before saying something - inappropriate - ignorant - making one look and appear ignorant.  The same goes before committing to any action - failing to plan - planing to fail - doing something without considering the affect on others - self.  I just did that - guilty as charged - now regretting my stupidity. In an effort to be quick - smart - cute - did not think out my action completely before committing the act - hurting the one I love most - with an action that should have been thought out first.  Reconsidering what I did - yes - not my best moment - hurting the one I love most. Hopefully - in time - forgiven.

Many of us - guilty as charged - not taking the time to clearly think through our actions or words.  When done innocently - a forgivable action - done intentionally - not as easy to forgive or be forgiven.  Fortunately - even those done intentionally - cam be forgiven by God if we honestly confess and ask for His forgiveness.  A repentant heart and mind - all that is required to wipe the slate clean.  With God all things are possible - even forgiving us bad actions done intentionally.  Forgiveness as close as God. 

Deacon Dale 

The Grace Of God

As intelligent life forms each of us is capable of many varied and awesome things. The skills - knowledge we have acquired in the process of growing into mature adults are so varied that I could never list them all. Even if I could name them all - tomorrow - somebody would discover a new and awesome skill not discovered by another.  Each of us - in our own way - is a very specialized creation of God. Yes - we seem to look alike on the surface - that is only our exterior - it is the "stuff" underneath that makes each of us so special.  None of us is identical - even my twin and I were very different in so many ways.  We looked identical - that is where it ended.  We shared many similar interests - to different degrees - to different levels of interest - abilities. All peoples are created in the image of God - all are cut from the same mold - both men and women share that one common fact - beyond that - many differences exist.  Besides the obvious - the "stuff" under the skin - who we are - what we do - how we do it - fantastic variations.  This past weekend the Church ordained men to the priesthood - all of them from different backgrounds - ethnicity - languages.  Now ordained for ministry to  the people of God - one new facet fills each of them - the Grace of God.  None of them capable on their own to fulfill the demands of ordained ministry - The Grace of God - enabling each of them to begin their new positions among His people.

Too many people take the Grace of God for granted - do not understand what it means to experience His Blessings - to be filled with His Graces.  His Grace is what gives us - the ability - strength - energy - to actively serve Him.  Those steeped in prayer - those with a personal relationship with Jesus - also experience the gift of God's Grace - empowering them to be active disciples of our Lord.  All of us - ordained or not - share the responsibility of sharing that gift with all we meet - to the glory of God Almighty.

Deacon Dale 

Staying Connected

Connections - probably one of the most important factors in any relationship. Staying connect these days almost too easy via social media.  Facebook - Twitter - Instagram - and so on - ability to immediately post whatever is happening with us - sharing with friends - in real time all of the events in our lives.  Not always a good idea - often things shared that would be better kept private - arguments - sickness - employment concerns - better given time for things to calm down - kept to oneself.  For the most part - the ability to immediately connect a definite positive. 

Connecting with God - always an instant connection - no dropped signals - overcrowded lines - instant on - always on.  Jesus told us that He is the vine and we the branches - always connected to Him via His Holy Spirit - always there to help - forgive - encourage - inspire - to live lives filled with God's peace and joy.  Check your connection today - Jesus is waiting for your call - text - tweet - today.

Deacon Dale 

Easy For A Camel - Hard For Men

Luke 18:25  "For it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”  As the Gospel tell us it is very difficult for a man to enter heaven - the joke - among some women - of course - men fail to ask directions.  As true as the scripture is - there is a map for all persons to follow - it is called  the Bible.  The Bible not only maps out the way - but the why - how to follow Jesus by listening to His message - following Him towards our future glory.  All have fallen short of the glory of God - but with the help of Jesus - each of us can make that trip - reach our final destination.  All is takes is a bit of humility - acknowledging that we cannot do it on our own - only with the help of God.

Chaplain Arlene Metcalfe - Holy Land Pilgrimage 2012

Once baptized and received into the Church - imperative that we continue to grow in our faith - to learn about our history as Christians - where we came from - the good and the bad - side steps taken - wrong paths selected - always with God's help - brought back to center - placed back on the correct path. As we continue in this Easter Season - we continue our journey - always forward toward God.  When you tire - when your feet fail - when your heart is troubled - stop and refresh your soul - your spirit - in His Holy Scripture  praying constantly - never stopping.  He knows - He hears - the prayers of your heart.  Walk on in His Spirit - then you may pass through the Eye of the Needle. 

Deacon Dale 

Good Shepherd

The Fourth Sunday of Easter - we listened to scripture that depicts Jesus as The Good Shepherd - an image used in the Gospel of John 10:1-21 in which Jesus is modeled as One who gives up His life for His sheep.  One might wonder why anyone tending an animal would willing die for that animal - until they realize that the sheep referred to in the Gospel means mankind.  Yes - simply put - we are His sheep - He our master.  He cares for us like He would anyone - any animal - with tender loving care - seeing to our needs - safety - feeding us not only with food and drink - also - His Word - Holy Scripture - seeing that we develop into well formed people.  

When one understands how much God - Jesus - loves us it should be easy for each of us to do likewise.  We - in turn - should nurture all those around us - seeing to their care - well being - sharing the message of Jesus' Gospel - freely with them.  We should - many do not - selfishly keeping His message for themselves. This is one gift from God - which is no gift - unless freely shared with others.  What benefit to anyone who receives freely and does not share?  All the gifts we receive from God - never for our personal benefit alone.  When we receive His blessings - those same blessings poured upon others in the act of sharing - in turn our blessings multiplied.  Today a good day to share a blessing with others.

Deacon Dale 

Stick It!

While watching some gymnastics - it is often heard that the person flying through the air attempting to make a perfect landing - stuck it.  Teammates call out during the attempt to - stick it - landing with both feet well planted on the mat - no wobbling - staying exactly in place - no false steps - gaining major points for their effort.  That phrase - stick it - applied to other attempts in various ways - meaning - goal achieved - accomplished.  Whenever anyone attempts anything - especially something new - very happy when they - stick it - on their first try.  Today I was attempting to adjust some irrigation lines on the yard plants - attempting to get better control on how much water is used keeping the plants alive and healthy.  We have one particular plant that we planted about a year ago - started as a baby - three small paddles - today much bigger - showing a lot of new growth - some flowers - others - additional paddles.  In my attempt to make sure more than enough water would reach the roots so the blossoms and paddles will do well - my hands and arm brushed lightly against some paddles unknown to me.  It was only a matter of minutes later when I realized that the plant managed to - stick it - to me.  After removing about 200 tiny needles about 1 millimeter long I regretted not wearing gloves and a long sleeve shirt.  

God is much more patient than any of us - offering time after time the opportunity to come to know Him in a personal way.  Many are able to develop that special relationship instantly - to stick it - firmly in their hearts and minds.  Many others - for numerous reasons - unable to stick it - wandering in the desert for long periods of time - before they finally experience that special relationship.  First try - second try - hundredth try - makes no difference - as long as one eventually is able to accept Jesus as Lord of their life - to make it permanent - to become a faithful follower of Christ - to stick it.

Deacon Dale 

Pool Time

Pool time - time to get ready to spend time in the swimming pool - relaxing - getting some exercise - enjoying something different for a change.  When looking for summer vacation spots - places with a pool or swimming available - tops most people's list.  There is something almost magic about water - it draws people from everywhere. People vacation and camp - next to lakes and rivers - swimming - skiing - fishing - building houses near water.  Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the human body is comprised of mostly water.  Water cleans - nourishes - refreshes the body to make us whole.

Water is so important in our lives that the Church uses water in special ways.  In baptism we are washed clean of our sins - water is used to bless us - especially in the Easter Season - water is used in many other blessing rituals - all showing us the new life we have in Christ. When Jesus entered the Jordan - He sanctified  the waters of the Earth - for all time.  Being brought to the Church to be immersed in the waters of baptism - immerses us also into the death of Jesus - to rise again to New Life.  If you have not been baptized - today would be a good day to ask for some pool time - with Jesus.

Deacon Dale 

Breaking Bread

Breaking bread - a common expression meaning to share a meal - spend time with others. It might be as casual and short as meeting up with someone at a coffee shop for a few minutes or a full course dinner over a period of many hours. In that time - besides sharing some food and drink - time to talk - often in depth - deep personal discussions.  This experience of gathering - sharing - discussing - definitely a bonding process of sorts.

In Christian culture - Breaking Bread - refers to Eucharist - Fractio panis - the practice of breaking the consecrated bread prior to sharing in Holy Communion.  This Sunday we heard about the disciples walking along the road discussing in depth the last supper - crucifixion - resurrection events that had just happened when Jesus appeared to them - ate fish with them. Everyday day Jesus invites us to break bread with Him - to share a meal - time - to talk - in prayer - the concerns of our minds - hearts.  Everyday Jesus invites - time for us to respond.

Deacon Dale 

Airborne

The last few days have been very windy - all sorts of things blowing around in the high winds - dust - pollen - plant debris - leaves - branches - inflatable swimming pools.  Yes - just this morning I read a post that a neighbor discovered a large inflatable pool in his backyard.  Some report things being moved by the high winds - lawn furniture - often ending up in an in-ground pool - pond.  These are all an inconvenience - the greater concern - germs - viruses - airborne - passed from one person to another - spreading illness.

Jesus - Himself - through the power of the Holy Spirit - The Holy Wind of God - spreading His Spirit - to all who willing accept.  His Spirit - blows where it will - falling on all - not all receive this special gift from God.  Some who realize that the Spirit has fallen on them - refuse - reject His Holy Spirit - most - deep believers of God's gifts - readily accept the gift of the Holy Spirit. In this Easter Season - many reports of new outpourings of the Holy Spirit - New Life among converts - those new to Christianity - freely - happily - accepting this Easter Gift. It is there for all - you only have to say Yes - to Jesus - God - to yourself.

Deacon Dale