Stay Strong: Life's challenges are opportunities for spiritual growth.

Scripture: "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." - 2 Peter 3:18

Reflection: God blesses us with the faith we need to tackle every obstacle in our lives. May we continually grow in this faith and be open to receiving the grace we need. When we do things with love and live for the Lord we cannot go wrong and will not be led astray. Have bold obedience and try to always keep in mind, "not my will but yours be done." God has planted a seed of faith in each of us. He wants us to grow daily. Our lives are filled with challenges on a regular basis. One perspective is to view these as obstacles that make us question God. If God really loves me why would he allow me or my family to go trough this? If God truly ares about me why does he not help me out of this situation and change these circumstances. Know friends that God does want to help you and at times we cannot explain the "why?" However, what we can do as believers is to ask God for help and think this way: What can I do with the cards I have been dealt? When we take this approach and positive perspective God will see that we are turning challenges into opportunities for growth in our faith. We water our soul and spirit this way and will bloom into something even more beautiful. Do not let the enemy cause you to doubt the one who made you and knows what is best for you. God pays attention to our effort.


Stay Strong: A story comes to mind that I heard last football season. Chuck Pagano, the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts woke up one day and things were not quite right. After things worsened he went to the doctor and tests were done. Low and behold he had cancer. Chuck who was just promoted to head coach of the Colts, a thriving football mind, husband, and father now was facing an uphill battle. He kept his faith, but circumstances still worsened. After chemo and other treatments the days looked number for Chuck. Football was now the furthest from his mind and he just fought to physically survive. Though his endurance, his faith, the many prayers of others, and the loving support of his family, friends, and the Colts, Chuck fought on. God blessed Chuck and began to heal him. Today, Chuck Pagano is back on the sidelines calling the plays for his football team. The thing that amazed me most about this story was coach Pagano's faithfulness, determination, and positive attitude. He could have thought "why me?" and maybe he did for a short time, but radical faith propelled him through the fire of life. At the national news conference after being released from the hospital and treatments were finished, Chuck spoke. His words were filled with thanksgiving to all the fans, family, and friends who prayed for him and visited him. He thanked the Colts for their love and support as well. The thing that stood out the most however was when Chuck talked about life throwing us challenges. He said that each of us will face things that we wished we did not have to tackle, but urged people to view them as opportunities for growth. He stated, "Circumstances don’t make you. I talked about it a long time ago. They don’t make you, they reveal you. There are things that go on in the National Football League, around our communities, in our neighborhoods, around the world, around the country and around our city. You just shake your head at and you ask and say ‘Why?’...For a second there, you might sit back and say ‘Why?’ Again, circumstances don’t make you, they reveal you." In saying this Coach put on his helmet and was mindfully ready to tackle cancer. He had a team of supporters around him who helped him, this being God who loved and cared for him through others. Remember, Jesus did not even carry the cross alone-Simon of Cyrean helped him. God won't let you carry your cross alone either. Chuck proved that circumstances reveal character and he is an example to the world through both his actions, his words, and his gratitude. I admire and aspire to be like Coach Pagano. Instead of  allowing "Why me?" and self pity to take over, he did the opposite and grew exponentially in his faith. He also used his fame as an NFL coach as an avenue to inspire millions and witness to the Gospel of Christ in a bold way. May we have this approach and may we not allow life's circumstances to make or define us. May we use challenges as opportunities to reveal to the world who we are as Christians.

Prayer: Father God, help me today to have a more positive outlook on life. When challenges come my way whether great or small help me to view them as opportunities for growth. May I never allow circumstances to define me, but instead to build me up in my faith and my character as a disciple. Lord, help us through and allow others to assist us in carrying our crosses and give us the strengthen to help our brothers and sisters with the crosses they bare. May we be an example and know that you are always by our side. Amen

To read more about the Chuck Pagano story and to read the full press conference transcript see the links below:

http://m.espn.go.com/general/story?storyId=8603500&src=desktop


Read more: http://fox59.com/2012/12/24/full-transcript-of-coach-chuck-paganos-statement/#ixzz2kuMyAe3a
Read more: http://fox59.com/2012/12/24/full-transcript-of-coach-chuck-paganos-statement/#ixzz2kuMZgZk1
Prayer: 

Your are an example and inspiration onto others

Scripture: "Dear brothers and sisters, we can't help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing."
2 Thessalonians 1:3

Reflection: Each of us is at times is the e person in other peoples lives that provides some inspiration. Whether it is a kind word, a listening ear, a text of encouragement, or even just a smile to brighten someone's day. We know that it is tough to slug this thing called life out and we cannot do it alone. Therefore, give what you have to offer, but at the same time know and be willing to receive the gift of grace and love from others. We are in this together as one body in the Church and when we lean on each other we can get through the trials an hardships of life and also enjoy the blessings all the more!

Prayer: Father God help us today to be an example for the world to see. Shine brightly in and through our lives. May our daily activity be done to reflect your will and may we do all things both big and small with great love! Help us to be your good stewards on this earth and to be a light in a world that is often filled with despair and darkness. We ask this in your holy name. Amen

God is by your side

Scripture: "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." -Matthew 10:29-30

Reflection: Thanks to our good shepherd and Lord Jesus we have our names written in the book of life in Heaven. Today remember no matter what you have done or are going through, God is by your side and Jesus wants to help you to endure and weather the storm. He not only calls us his children, but as priests and Kings. It is amazing that The Lord love us each individually as if we were the only one on this planet. Believe in him today that you will triumph and be led to your earthly destiny and receive a renewed sense of joy so long as you trust in his holy will and live life to the best of your ability. We are Kings and Queens, royalty in the eyes of the creator and must treat one another with this profound respect as well. When we do so our lives and perspective will change and our eyes will be opened up to the blessings God pours out to is both big and small on a regular basis.

God is knocking, listen and open the door.

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" ~ Revelation 3:20

Today is the day that God has given you and me. For some of us we have heard the Lord's voice and his calling yet we have not been as good of listeners as we can be. God wants each and every one of us to be alert and to listen to his voice daily. He is knocking on our hearts that we might let him in. Maybe there is something that has happened that has made you become distant from God or possibly even made you mad. Friends, he wants to help you through this storm of your life. For others we have been super focused on our goals and ambitions in life, however we need to listen more in order to hear God's voice who is our good shepherd so he can lead us to lasting joy and fulfillment. God is calling us because we are his chosen people. He wants us to get in the boat with him and he is saying take my hand. However to get to that boat we need to trust him that he will hold us up when we walk on the open waters of life. Have faith my friends that God will not abandon you, he will not allow you to sink but will help you swim and then be lifted up. We do not know when our time will end and when our ship will set sail to eternity, however we can control our what we do with our time here on earth. Listening to God is so important because he already knows what is best for us. After all, the creator of the universe did make us with one mouth and two ears for a reason. Pay attention and heed his voice around you when you are at the workplace, with family, with friends, and also when in prayer. He is knocking and is saying come follow me and I will give you rest and lead you to a new promotion, a new exciting venture, a joy filled heart. Jesus chose broken people like Mary Magdalin a promiscuous woman to be the first to see him on resurrection day, she heard his call and opened the door of her heart. Christ called Saul, the man who was a brutal murderer and persecutor of Christians, someone feared by all in his days. Saul was blinded, heard God's voice and walked into the light by opening the door of his heart. Saul become the great Saint Paul who wrote more than 1/2 of the New Testament and dedicated his life to spreading the Good News of Jesus. Finally, Jesus said "Come follow me," to others including the 12 who were anything but extraordinary. He knocked on the doors of James and John the fishermen who became fishers of men for the Church, Matthew the tax collector despised by all, and finally Zachaeus who was a thief and sinner who no one liked and all stayed away from. Zachaeus climbed the tree to see Jesus and had a great amount of faith, conversion and salvation came to his household and God rejoices because of it. Friends, it is not too late, you too are being called in different ways;  listen to his voice, hear the knock and open your heart to the love of Christ which will transform your life.

Prayer: Father God help us to hear your voice and open our hearts to where you are calling us. Relieve us of any pain we may have and allow us to put full trust in you so we can walk on the open waters of life knowing you will pull is into the boat. Help us to jump in knowing we will then set sail to our destiny that you have prepared for our lives. Give us the faith we need and help us to overcome our fears because we can "do everything through Christ who strengthens."(PHL4:13)  We ask this in your most holy name. Amen

Nyumban, A Home, A Hope, A Life

Nyumbani, meaning home in Swahili is a place created by Father D' Agostino for HIV/Aids orphans in Nairobi, Kenya. Nyumbani provides almost 100 children with a loving and nurturing environment and life. Children from the age of 2 to 18 reside with two sisters (Nuns) and other volunteers. Nyumbani is a place where all the children are HIV + and have been abandoned by their family because of the infection. Nyumbani and Father D' Agostino have reached almost 3,000 children from the late 1980s until present, taking full care of the children. There are presently five boards of directors in various countries throughout the world, including Kenya, the United States, Spain and two other nations, all aiding the Nyumbani program.
Nyumbani is currently working on a village in Ketui, which is self sustaining and the hope is to establish one in the Nairobi region as well as in subsequent areas in Kenya. The Nyumbani organization certainly hopes to reach out to reach the rest of the continent as they will serve as a model reaching out to the districts in Kenya. The hope is that other countries will follow in how they serve those inflicted with HIV, primarily orphans and the abandoned.
Nyumbani now has the technology to test children, adolescents, and even babies to see if they are HIV positive. There is a staff of nurses who administer the medicine daily to the children.
It is so outstanding to see theses kids laughing, smiling, and running around all day. They have been given the opportunity to live life and thankfully they will grow up receiving and abundant amount of love and care. These children also attend a local school five days and week. It is amazing how much enthusiasm and hope they have despite the tough situation of containing HIV and having no biological parents in their lives.

Love and Do What You Will

Life is complete when we love, when we love both God and neighbor. Whatever we do we must do it by means of love, if we truly live this way there is no doubt that we are working for Heaven on Earth. God is present whenever love takes place. Love is truly patient, it is truly kind, it is not pompous or jealous or inflated. Love is genuine and all including, it is fair, it is true, is life. This is what the Word of God tells us. With love everything is complete and perfect. Many people wonder whether there is a specific vocation--occupation and/or lifestyle that is essentially where God is calling them. It is not necessarily what one does in life, but how one does it. Whether one is a firefighter, a teacher, or a priest, that does not really matter. What does matter is that whatever one does he/she does it out of Love. If we love, we can do anything and everything that will honor the Lord.

Do not worry, God will provide

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? - Matthew 6:25

Friends, today trust that God will provide. Our Lord created us and loves us more than we could ever know. He knows what we need and want us to not only survive, but to thrive. When we obey God fully and after praying end with "thy will be done," he will take care of the rest. Although this is not always easy, it is important and takes our efforts to water the seeds of faith that have been planted in us. Each of us has gifts and talents that we have been blessed with. Develop these daily and share them with the world. Focus more on eternal things like fostering your relationship with God, developing your friendships with others, and making an effort to live out your faith daily. When we do this God will bless us immensely and take care of all that we need. Have a great Sunday and God bless you!