Ok...who's in?
I am going to read the ENTIRE bible...not sure how long it is going to take-but I am going to do it.
Anyone want to read it with me and discuss as we go...(we could use the blog).
I am also looking for pointers as it seems a little bit daunting to turn to page 1 and just start.
I have heard there are other orders recommended to read the bible-so if you have a suggestion-I am listening.
Any takers?
I will be reading the Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible from my Kindle ($5 for the bible)...
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Shepherds
This picture is of AD-in her now typical motion when she remembers that we are supposed to pray when we are eating...she stops-puts both hands out and says "AMEN"...nice to have a living reminder-not that we should need to be reminded...but she does it at restaurants-anywhere-It is great!
Sunday AM...Fr. Flynn at SJTA interestingly spoke about the shepherds and sheep and how they KNOW the voice of their shepherd. Anyone can call the sheep, but the sheep only respond to their shepherd. I find that interesting. VERY interesting. With all the distractions and with all the voices in the world, how do we know which voice is God's? How do we know what our calling is? Of course, Fr. Flynn-wisely said in order for us to know God's voice we have to try to become familiar with it. We have to pray, read scriptures, go to Mass, etc in order to recognize the true voice we should respond to.
I agree and want to get some practical advice on that...
Any ideas?
What do you do?
How do you do it?
Monday, April 20, 2009
Enough time off
Ok, so once again I sit here typing wondering who will read my ramblings about catholicsm and my struggles with my faith and my spiritual walk-journey-growth, whatever you want to label it. I have been reading an incredible amount lately (much to Becky's chagrin) and I have noticed some strong parallels. First, it seems that in business - to be a great leader you have to be genuine and ethical. You also have to be willing to delay gratification...wow, what a novel concept these days. Delayed gratification goes against everything the "now" generation strives to achieve, and somewhat interestingly all of society as well. We want it now, we want it all now, we don't want to have to work for it, that takes too long-we want it now. (There seems to be a theme).
Second, you have to be willing to sacrifice in order to achieve. Not to sacrifice yourself, or your principles-but something. Perhaps this is not all that different than the first point--but I write this on the fly so too late now.
Interestingly the homily on Saturday evening also had a pinch of delayed gratification thrown in...it goes along with the gospel and the story of Doubting Thomas...and ends with blessed are they who have not seen and still believe (paraphrased).
Or is it just that I see everything through my lens which makes it all seem linked...the books I read, the homily I hear, the events in my life...they all seem to be pointing in the same direction. Leadership, the how to books, are a how to in life, not just business. They all point to relationships and why you must build them well. As important is "know thyself"...
Fr. Flynn spoke about being alone-abandoned in fact. Jesus was all set to meet his accusers with the 11 disciples that were left and when he turned around only John was there...but Jesus knew his purpose and knew what he was working towards was worth it. Saving us. Also, Fr. Flynn mentioned the old excuse why God did you make me this way... this is your fault. You should have made me better. In the book Thou Shall Prosper, Rabbi Daniel Lapin this is described as not letting the brain be dominated by the heart. Meaning, if you take control of your decisions-with purpose-not excuses then you are as good as you want to be. This is parallel with Scott Hahn's picture in Lord Have Mercy that our sins are not bad-they are the less good choice (some are bad, but we are not inherently bad). We are choosing something that feels good, or something that is a short term gain--but in the long run it falls short of our goals, and therefore is less good.
I have lots more to say, but I will save it for another post-and for your comments-if you want.
Yes, I realize that this post is not a literary masterpiece-and I jump around a lot but you take the good with the bad-I guess.
Second, you have to be willing to sacrifice in order to achieve. Not to sacrifice yourself, or your principles-but something. Perhaps this is not all that different than the first point--but I write this on the fly so too late now.
Interestingly the homily on Saturday evening also had a pinch of delayed gratification thrown in...it goes along with the gospel and the story of Doubting Thomas...and ends with blessed are they who have not seen and still believe (paraphrased).
Or is it just that I see everything through my lens which makes it all seem linked...the books I read, the homily I hear, the events in my life...they all seem to be pointing in the same direction. Leadership, the how to books, are a how to in life, not just business. They all point to relationships and why you must build them well. As important is "know thyself"...
Fr. Flynn spoke about being alone-abandoned in fact. Jesus was all set to meet his accusers with the 11 disciples that were left and when he turned around only John was there...but Jesus knew his purpose and knew what he was working towards was worth it. Saving us. Also, Fr. Flynn mentioned the old excuse why God did you make me this way... this is your fault. You should have made me better. In the book Thou Shall Prosper, Rabbi Daniel Lapin this is described as not letting the brain be dominated by the heart. Meaning, if you take control of your decisions-with purpose-not excuses then you are as good as you want to be. This is parallel with Scott Hahn's picture in Lord Have Mercy that our sins are not bad-they are the less good choice (some are bad, but we are not inherently bad). We are choosing something that feels good, or something that is a short term gain--but in the long run it falls short of our goals, and therefore is less good.
I have lots more to say, but I will save it for another post-and for your comments-if you want.
Yes, I realize that this post is not a literary masterpiece-and I jump around a lot but you take the good with the bad-I guess.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
5th Sunday of Lent
Well, there is only 1 more Sunday left, so the readings start pointing more and more to Easter.
Interestingly, we had a deacon that was ordained into the order of the diaconate (sp). The bishop came out to celebrate Mass and it was quite an event. I had never seen the Knights of Colombus in Mass before...wow. Nice hats...
Well, the homily was about the grain that must die in order to seed and grow more. Sometimes I am amazed at how something can speak so directly to what is going on in my life...
In so many ways, I know that things in my life need to die in order for me to grow. I need to go to confession which is also a death of sorts-in order to be reborn fresh. As I learned reading Lord Have Mercy by Scott Hahn. There are changes that need to occur professionally. And it seems so easy to talk about, but so hard to implement.
Why is change so hard for so many?
I am also intrigued by how my professional life mirrors my spiritual life. I guess that makes sense-as I learned last week- Psalm 133:2 (paraphrased) the oil that starts at the top drips through the beard and runs down through the clothes...
So, whatever you pour on yourself will drip and run through the whole body...I guess you could say it a lot of different ways. But there is no way to act halfway at anything...
As Mackey and I discussed this weekend, going halfway turns out bad in almost EVERY situation.
Interestingly, we had a deacon that was ordained into the order of the diaconate (sp). The bishop came out to celebrate Mass and it was quite an event. I had never seen the Knights of Colombus in Mass before...wow. Nice hats...
Well, the homily was about the grain that must die in order to seed and grow more. Sometimes I am amazed at how something can speak so directly to what is going on in my life...
In so many ways, I know that things in my life need to die in order for me to grow. I need to go to confession which is also a death of sorts-in order to be reborn fresh. As I learned reading Lord Have Mercy by Scott Hahn. There are changes that need to occur professionally. And it seems so easy to talk about, but so hard to implement.
Why is change so hard for so many?
I am also intrigued by how my professional life mirrors my spiritual life. I guess that makes sense-as I learned last week- Psalm 133:2 (paraphrased) the oil that starts at the top drips through the beard and runs down through the clothes...
So, whatever you pour on yourself will drip and run through the whole body...I guess you could say it a lot of different ways. But there is no way to act halfway at anything...
As Mackey and I discussed this weekend, going halfway turns out bad in almost EVERY situation.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Spiritual Journey
SO...where are you on your spiritual journey? I don't know where I am, only where I have been.
WAY off track.
Not in the devil's footsteps kinda way. But in the, "wow, it has been a long time since I thought about why I behave this way or that way or believe this or that"
I never really thought much of the WWJD bracelets-and thought less of some of the owners--but now I find my self wondering why I do this or that. What drives my decisions? In business, in life, in dealing with friends...
I started my journey again during Advent...I went to Mass and have not missed a Sunday mass since. I have only missed one Holy Day of Obligation. Yeah for me...quite a change.
In the infancy of this journey, I find myself looking for reasons to talk about it, read about it, or hear about others. In fact, this past week I attended Entreleadership (Dave Ramsey's 3 day conference/seminar on leadership in business with a biblical basis). One evening he tells his story and lets you in on his personal journey (Spiritual Walk). Suffice it to say, he knows where he is and where he wants to go. I am impressed with certainty of his journey.
So back to my journey. I have always tried to make business decisions with Integrity and Honesty. At home, I need to be more engaged in with the girls-in fact Strong Father, Strong Daughter is on my reading todo list. I think Becky will appreciate that even more.
Gotta go...more later.
Anyone know what the readings are about for this weekend's Mass?
WAY off track.
Not in the devil's footsteps kinda way. But in the, "wow, it has been a long time since I thought about why I behave this way or that way or believe this or that"
I never really thought much of the WWJD bracelets-and thought less of some of the owners--but now I find my self wondering why I do this or that. What drives my decisions? In business, in life, in dealing with friends...
I started my journey again during Advent...I went to Mass and have not missed a Sunday mass since. I have only missed one Holy Day of Obligation. Yeah for me...quite a change.
In the infancy of this journey, I find myself looking for reasons to talk about it, read about it, or hear about others. In fact, this past week I attended Entreleadership (Dave Ramsey's 3 day conference/seminar on leadership in business with a biblical basis). One evening he tells his story and lets you in on his personal journey (Spiritual Walk). Suffice it to say, he knows where he is and where he wants to go. I am impressed with certainty of his journey.
So back to my journey. I have always tried to make business decisions with Integrity and Honesty. At home, I need to be more engaged in with the girls-in fact Strong Father, Strong Daughter is on my reading todo list. I think Becky will appreciate that even more.
Gotta go...more later.
Anyone know what the readings are about for this weekend's Mass?
Friday, March 27, 2009
The Second Round
OK, so I took a break because you did. Peggy was the only one posting, so I figured I should just stop and call her if I wanted to talk Catholic...well (no offense Peggy) that is just not what needs to happen.
I just attended EntreLeadership in Nashville, TN and for those of you that know me (who else is reading this) you know that I had a great time and learned a tremendous amount about leadership and running a small business.
What you don't know is that on Tuesday, Dave Ramsey speaks from his heart about his ups downs and particularly about his spiritual journey that led him to begin His company (capitalized purposely) God's company that Dave runs. The main point-if I was paying attention, was not this business practice or that one-it was DON'T QUIT, DON'T QUIT, and DON'T QUIT!
Well as luck would have it, I was thinking more about my spiritual journey and not business which leads me to continue with this blog. So those of you that were disappointed I stopped I am back, and those that were wondering why I started, I am back.
I have a few questions, 1. why don't more Catholics know the bible and understand the basis of Catholicism is not simply tradition-but the bible; 2. why don't we do a better job of teaching the biblical basis of our faith? 3. why is witnessing to others almost taboo for Catholics?
OK, so I will wait (kinda) for you to reply and comment. I have set up the blog to email you when a comment is left, and when I post...so you will know when you should comment.
I have some more questions...but I have to leave something for other posts.
Until next time...
I just attended EntreLeadership in Nashville, TN and for those of you that know me (who else is reading this) you know that I had a great time and learned a tremendous amount about leadership and running a small business.
What you don't know is that on Tuesday, Dave Ramsey speaks from his heart about his ups downs and particularly about his spiritual journey that led him to begin His company (capitalized purposely) God's company that Dave runs. The main point-if I was paying attention, was not this business practice or that one-it was DON'T QUIT, DON'T QUIT, and DON'T QUIT!
Well as luck would have it, I was thinking more about my spiritual journey and not business which leads me to continue with this blog. So those of you that were disappointed I stopped I am back, and those that were wondering why I started, I am back.
I have a few questions, 1. why don't more Catholics know the bible and understand the basis of Catholicism is not simply tradition-but the bible; 2. why don't we do a better job of teaching the biblical basis of our faith? 3. why is witnessing to others almost taboo for Catholics?
OK, so I will wait (kinda) for you to reply and comment. I have set up the blog to email you when a comment is left, and when I post...so you will know when you should comment.
I have some more questions...but I have to leave something for other posts.
Until next time...
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
1st Sunday of Lent
I am trying to give you all a chance to catch up...
You are mostly one post behind.
So in order to stay with me...hurry up. Steph-come on "Miss I need religious stimulation everyday".
So, I got to go to Mass with Dad on Saturday evening at SJTA with Father Flynn. He is great, funny, and seemingly unappreciated (at least for his humor).
Now that it is 5 days later, I have forgotten the point-with good reason. I have begun reading Lord Have Mercy, and I am in chapter 8 or so. Those long flights certainly help. I can honestly say, one-I need to go to confession, and two-I know why I need to go to confession. YES it does make a difference.
There will be separate posts on the book, and you ALL better participate.
You are mostly one post behind.
So in order to stay with me...hurry up. Steph-come on "Miss I need religious stimulation everyday".
So, I got to go to Mass with Dad on Saturday evening at SJTA with Father Flynn. He is great, funny, and seemingly unappreciated (at least for his humor).
Now that it is 5 days later, I have forgotten the point-with good reason. I have begun reading Lord Have Mercy, and I am in chapter 8 or so. Those long flights certainly help. I can honestly say, one-I need to go to confession, and two-I know why I need to go to confession. YES it does make a difference.
There will be separate posts on the book, and you ALL better participate.
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