Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Band Concert 2010
Just had our band concert for 2010. I am very proud of my children, both are very talented. It is a true blessing to watch creativity....especially when it's your family. I will work on getting some audio of this performance. Congrat's guys....keep it up!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
My Faith
It has been a while since my last post. I have been busy getting reacquainted with x-ray and all of the angles and positioning tricks. Today in a moment of peace I am reminded of a seed that was planted during my conversion to the Catholic faith.
One day in class we discussed the raising of Lazarus. I had heard this story as a child as well as seen it depicted numerous times in movies and stories relating to the life of Christ. This time though was much different....let me explain.
Throughout my life I have always struggled with the idea of faith. As a child I can remember seeing people like Oral Robert and Billy Graham on television. Of course as a child I didn't exactly watch with enthusiasm but I can remember thinking to myself that these must be great men who are so full of Christ that they can heal people spiritually and in some cases physically. We all know that even men of God occasionally fall from if not God's grace then ours. I think it is somehow easier for us to separate people into neat little pockets of us versus them.
Fast forward some twenty years to present day. My beliefs have been challenged like everybody else....how can they not unless you live under a rock. Having struggled with this idea that I am no Billy Graham and during my RCIA class I was always keenly aware the I was just starting on my journey. I remember Christ said that you only need the faith of a mustard seed....I have always assumed that means small because mustard seeds are small aren't they. Why then do I feel that my prayers and my faith goes unnoticed? Am I not "small enough" for God.
With this idea in mind when I chose my confirmation name....I chose Thomas because no matter how many sunrises I see I always need more proof. I always need.....just one more miracle to make me believe. This finally brings be to the point of my discussion. I have also come to identify with Martha.
Who is Martha? Martha was the sister of Lazarus and part of that extended circle of Christ's friends and family who were fortunate enough to be so. In Martha's hour of need she turned to Jesus just as I have so many times in my life. When Jesus said to Martha that Lazarus will rise, Martha responded from her faith frame of reference. She legitimately believed that Lazarus would be raised on the last day. Jesus was asking something of Martha far deeper than this.
In this story as I see it there are three main characters....the first being God. Are we not all Gods creation so then of course God would hold the keys to death and resurrection of both the body and the soul. The second of which is Jesus. We praise and glorify his name calling him our king, bowing before his image in church and calling him our saviour. We know by the bible and by faith that Jesus has the power to heal. With all of this power how could Lazarus not be raised. However if you study this story, there were no spells, incantations, or fervent prayers offered. Who ultimately opened the floodgates to Lazarus' resurrection....Martha. YES LORD I BELIEVE. In spite of grief, natural laws, unpopular opinion and just about everything else. The faith of a mustard seed....AMEN!
One day in class we discussed the raising of Lazarus. I had heard this story as a child as well as seen it depicted numerous times in movies and stories relating to the life of Christ. This time though was much different....let me explain.
Throughout my life I have always struggled with the idea of faith. As a child I can remember seeing people like Oral Robert and Billy Graham on television. Of course as a child I didn't exactly watch with enthusiasm but I can remember thinking to myself that these must be great men who are so full of Christ that they can heal people spiritually and in some cases physically. We all know that even men of God occasionally fall from if not God's grace then ours. I think it is somehow easier for us to separate people into neat little pockets of us versus them.
Fast forward some twenty years to present day. My beliefs have been challenged like everybody else....how can they not unless you live under a rock. Having struggled with this idea that I am no Billy Graham and during my RCIA class I was always keenly aware the I was just starting on my journey. I remember Christ said that you only need the faith of a mustard seed....I have always assumed that means small because mustard seeds are small aren't they. Why then do I feel that my prayers and my faith goes unnoticed? Am I not "small enough" for God.
With this idea in mind when I chose my confirmation name....I chose Thomas because no matter how many sunrises I see I always need more proof. I always need.....just one more miracle to make me believe. This finally brings be to the point of my discussion. I have also come to identify with Martha.
Who is Martha? Martha was the sister of Lazarus and part of that extended circle of Christ's friends and family who were fortunate enough to be so. In Martha's hour of need she turned to Jesus just as I have so many times in my life. When Jesus said to Martha that Lazarus will rise, Martha responded from her faith frame of reference. She legitimately believed that Lazarus would be raised on the last day. Jesus was asking something of Martha far deeper than this.
In this story as I see it there are three main characters....the first being God. Are we not all Gods creation so then of course God would hold the keys to death and resurrection of both the body and the soul. The second of which is Jesus. We praise and glorify his name calling him our king, bowing before his image in church and calling him our saviour. We know by the bible and by faith that Jesus has the power to heal. With all of this power how could Lazarus not be raised. However if you study this story, there were no spells, incantations, or fervent prayers offered. Who ultimately opened the floodgates to Lazarus' resurrection....Martha. YES LORD I BELIEVE. In spite of grief, natural laws, unpopular opinion and just about everything else. The faith of a mustard seed....AMEN!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Take Me Out To The Deep Freeze
Emory's opening day of baseball started off with a bang! Snow and winter temps ruled the day. The whole day was nothing but a mix of snow, rain, wind, and cold, cold, cold! Hats off to those guys who braved the elements for America's game! I'll try to post some pics, still new at this computer stuff. We're very proud of you Emory!
My Catholic Journal
I don't know why but I feel compelled to write before attending church today. Perhaps it means that I will be unwilling to learn anything today. I can be a little hard headed. Regardless, It has been a challenging week to say the least. Our dryer broke and we haven't been able to get a new one yet. Also it was a slow couple of weeks for hours in the per diem would at SRHS. To top it all off I have been very stressed. My blessing have been to numerous to count lately especially when it comes to work....but it has not been without some stress. I have been fixating all week on being new at all my positions. I have been longing for that day when I can go to work and not be the "new guy" and feel confident that I can handle whatever comes my way. Instead, every decision or task is a hard one that I have to put much thought into.
How has God answered me....he gave me access to yet another new position. My new position will be to train in x-ray. This should greatly help the "hours" situation. It will however be a challenge to not feel stress as I have been away from x-ray for quite some time now. Wow! Be careful of what you ask for....Amen! Regardless I am trying to look at this with humility and openness which has seemed to work thus far. One thing is for sure...things like prayer, church, the rosary have all been great gifts to kind of center myself to face my challenges. I guess that's probably why I am writing before church this week. I am looking forward to receiving these blessing.
Oh ya....mom called last night, they may be getting a new dryer and wanted to know if we wanted their old one.
How has God answered me....he gave me access to yet another new position. My new position will be to train in x-ray. This should greatly help the "hours" situation. It will however be a challenge to not feel stress as I have been away from x-ray for quite some time now. Wow! Be careful of what you ask for....Amen! Regardless I am trying to look at this with humility and openness which has seemed to work thus far. One thing is for sure...things like prayer, church, the rosary have all been great gifts to kind of center myself to face my challenges. I guess that's probably why I am writing before church this week. I am looking forward to receiving these blessing.
Oh ya....mom called last night, they may be getting a new dryer and wanted to know if we wanted their old one.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
My Catholic Journal
As most of you know...I am now catholic. It was very personal and deeply peaceful being able to take communion in this first mass after Easter Vigil. I have been thinking a lot of where I go from here in my faith? When I started this process, I did so with neither courage or certainty. And so that is how I approach my faith now. With the sincerity and naivety of a child and I open myself to prayer and whatever grace comes my way. As a result I will continue to write a journal of my journey. No longer my RCIA journal....I will proudly head this my Catholic Journal. I now consider myself not a "cradle catholic" but more of a clumsy catholic, occasionally stumbling through my prayers and vigilant from one week to the next on what holiday or devotion is on the horizon. My rosary prayers are going quite well and I feel see unlimited potential for using these devotions in my daily life. I do indeed hope that my children will someday read this. To them I say...one of the things I have learned in my 40 years thus far is that there are three things in precious short commodity in our world. First is peace....take it wherever and whenever you can. The second is love, take it and give it whenever and wherever you can! The rosary and indeed my new found religion give me both of these and I hope it will give serve as endless supply of both of these two the both of you as well. When I got to meet Bishop Trautman, he blessed me with an offer for my journey to bring me peace. Seems to be a theme developing here huh!
Oh ya....the third thing! Respect! Hold on a minute... I have to climb up on my soapbox for this one. For this one I need to rewind just a minute to the "non-catholic" Jason. When I attended mass with my wife I always got a little nervous when in the presence of a priest. I respect not just the devotion to Christ which a priest represents but also devotion to their fellow man. For one second think of the countless hours, ministering to pretty much anyone who needs it. How do any of us feel after a long day at work. Now picture being "on call" 24/7. I have been hearing a lot in the media of what the Holy Father knew or didn't know...what he did, or didn't do. REMEMBER I AM SPEAKING AS A NON-CATHOLIC FOR JUST A SECOND. Maybe some of my Amish background is leaking through, but as a christian should the Pope be held to a lesser standard than we regard anyone else. If you met a doctor, lawyer, mayor, teacher or indeed anyone on the street you deemed a professional....you would give them respect. Do you ask yourself...what sins have they committed, have they cheated on their wife, embezzled funds, or abused their power. Eventhough you don't know, you would give them the benefit of the doubt. You certainly would not accuse them blindly in the public arena in an attempt to discredit or maliciously hurt them. Why then is the Pope worthy of less....EVEN TO NON CATHOLICS! The next time I pray...I will pray for the Holy Father that he may receive courage and peace because I have faith that HE DOES THE SAME FOR ME! AMEN.(I believe)
Oh ya....the third thing! Respect! Hold on a minute... I have to climb up on my soapbox for this one. For this one I need to rewind just a minute to the "non-catholic" Jason. When I attended mass with my wife I always got a little nervous when in the presence of a priest. I respect not just the devotion to Christ which a priest represents but also devotion to their fellow man. For one second think of the countless hours, ministering to pretty much anyone who needs it. How do any of us feel after a long day at work. Now picture being "on call" 24/7. I have been hearing a lot in the media of what the Holy Father knew or didn't know...what he did, or didn't do. REMEMBER I AM SPEAKING AS A NON-CATHOLIC FOR JUST A SECOND. Maybe some of my Amish background is leaking through, but as a christian should the Pope be held to a lesser standard than we regard anyone else. If you met a doctor, lawyer, mayor, teacher or indeed anyone on the street you deemed a professional....you would give them respect. Do you ask yourself...what sins have they committed, have they cheated on their wife, embezzled funds, or abused their power. Eventhough you don't know, you would give them the benefit of the doubt. You certainly would not accuse them blindly in the public arena in an attempt to discredit or maliciously hurt them. Why then is the Pope worthy of less....EVEN TO NON CATHOLICS! The next time I pray...I will pray for the Holy Father that he may receive courage and peace because I have faith that HE DOES THE SAME FOR ME! AMEN.(I believe)
Sunday, April 4, 2010
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