Really?! People Still Make Resolutions??!

What2Say2Day? In these days filled with empty promises by those in whom we should trust the most it's difficult to imagine people still make New Years Resolutions. Of course I can speak from almost 50 years of experience (almost) and say that I don't know anyone, not a single person, who has stuck to their resolution. For those of you out there who have, I apologize for my cynicism. I, too, have pledged to lose weight or start exercising only to be thwarted in my plan by the second week by a good steak or the need to watch football.

I think we know what's good for us, or what things we need to do to live better lives; eat right, exercise, live compassionately for others, etc. What confuses me is how someone who has not been doing these things for a long time suddenly believes they'll change. For those of us who believe they can, well, I don't know what to say. For those who want to change but don't know how to go about it let me offer you a story from The Old Testament.

Genesis 32:9-19 talks of a little banter between Moses and God. In this part of the story God has decided that enough is enough with the insolence of the Hebrew people and decides to unleash a wrath so hot that it'll burn hot against them and consume them (yeah, God was upset). In a final attempt to calm the situation Moses reminds God of the promise made to Abraham and Isaac and the other forefathers of the Hebrews.

Verse 14 then says, "And the Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people." The Hebrew people are spared a terrible fate (again) and God shows us that it's okay to change our minds. 

So, to all of you who make those resolutions in a few days, I wish you the best in your endeavors. And in a few weeks when you feel like you just can't do it, that's okay too. Change takes time, change takes commitment, change takes the involvement of as many people around you as you can possibly involve. Change happens all the time. In fact, without change we wouldn't be the people we are today, would we?

This will most likely be my last post until the New Year so Happy New Year to you all. Be safe, be smart, remember you are loved just the way you are, even when you change.

Feeling the After Christmas Blues?

What2Say2Day? Ever notice that the week between Christmas and New Years is a quiet one. Many offices are closed or seriously down-staffed, the malls are emptier, the home decorations begin to come down and even the city lights seem to have less glow. It's almost as though Christmas is over.

Let me repeat again today a very Merry Christmas to you! Yes, We're still in Christmastime. And, if we want it to be, Christmas is with us every day all year long. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ in the lives of mankind. Therefore, every time Christ is born in the heart, soul and mind of one person isn't that a celebration of Christmas?

Christmas is not about the giant Santa in the mall, nor is it about the bright ribbon and tinsel displays on every tree lining the streets of your town. We don't need television commercials with cute children singing catchy tunes set to Christmas carols to remind us. All we need is the knowledge that Jesus is born in us, and lives through us, so that we will bring the Christmas message of hope, peace, joy and love to everyone we meet.

So, as the decorations come down and the radios stop playing your favorite songs remember that we carry
the Light of God through the one that was born within us on a day that was most likely not December the 25th. May Christ live in you forever and may you bring Christmas to others all year long.

Let the Preparations Begin

What2Say2Day? It's a family tradition to give our home a detailed cleaning before the New Year. We do this by moving furniture and getting to all the corners, reaching high to wipe the ledges, and cleaning louvers, windows and screens as well as other things we only clean a couple times a year. It's a chore, especially since it's just my wife and I these days (being empty-nesters and all). But we get through it, slowly with teamwork and patience.

Doing a quick research of the word "prepare" in the Gospels I found it was listed 28 times. What I found more interesting, though, is that the word is only listed twice in the Gospel of John. In John 14 Jesus is talking to his disciples about going to prepare a place for them and is questioned by the disciples about how they'll know where to go. I want to focus on verses 2 and 3:

²In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?^{* 3}And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.  (NRSV)

I find it interesting that Jesus tells his disciples that he goes to prepare a place in heaven for them, and if he does that then he'll come back to take them there himself. To me Jesus is saying that if he's going to go through all that trouble of cleaning behind the couch and removing water stains from the windows, we better believe he'll want us in his house. So much so that he'll come and get us himself and do what it takes to make sure we enter his home and sit at his table to share a meal and, more so, share our lives.

In this week when we all prepare for the coming of the New Year let's remember to also prepare our hearts and minds for a New Life in Christ. Oh, and by the way - Merry Christmas!

On the first day of Christmas....

What2Say2Day? Merry Christmas! I know, I know. Christmas Day was yesterday, but we're now in the season of Christmas, which lasts 12 wonderful, glorious days. Christmastide, as it's called on the Christian calendar, is when we're told the wonderful stories of Simeon's visit at the temple and the visit of the magi and other stories which remind us that Christ came to bring the Love of God to all people regardless of race or political hierarchy. In today's society we need to remember God's love is the same for us no matter what. It doesn't matter if you are man, woman, transgender, straight, gay, bisexual, rich, poor, middle class, living in a mansion, living in a tent, living in an apartment, working part time, working full time, looking for work, black, brown, white, red, yellow, Islam, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, Atheist, Pagan or whatever. God loves you, yes you, just as you are for the person you are. How can a love like that get any easier to accept. We don't have to pretend to be someone else to receive this love, nor do we have to go out of our way to find it. God loves you for you. I don't know how else to say it. In this Christmastide let's look for ways to be Christlike in God's love and begin accepting people for who, or where in life, they are.

Advent - Week 4, Day 4: Steadfast Love

What2Say2Day? Today I want to talk about what it is we can do to show the steadfast love of Christ to those around us. During the season of Advent we took a look at bringing hope to people through encouragement and prayer. We also talked about finding our inner peace and bringing that peaceful presence to others. The third week we spoke about the joy we will know (or already know) through God's promises and ways that God's people dealt with times of trouble and devastation. This week is about love and what we can do to make God's Kingdom a better place to live in. The answer, my friends, is within the messages of Advent. By bringing Hope, Peace and Joy to those around us Love will have no choice but to grow in the lives and hearts of humankind. Advent will soon be done, and we'll celebrate the season of Christmas, a time when we realize that Christ came to this world for everyone, not to condemn it, but to bring everlasting peace. As John 3:16 and 17 reminds us: 

 ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
 ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

 Be the Christ our world is looking for. Love, do not condemn.

This is going to be my final post until after Christmas. Merry Christmas to all, and may your lives and the lives of those around you be filled with Hope, Peace, Joy and Love!

Advent - Week 4, Day 3: Steadfast Love

What2Say2Day? You had an entire day to think about what steadfast love means to you and where in your life you see examples of this kind of love. Today let's take a look at how Christ showed examples of God's steadfast love. I want to use this past Sunday's talk with our youth as an example again. I asked this same question to them and they were able to come up with great answers. I was genuinely touched when they talked about different bible stories which highlighted Jesus' ministry for the outcasts. From allowing the woman to wash his feet with oil to healing lepers to blessing the Samaritan woman at the well they each had a story that shared what unconditional, steadfast love looked like. Then they were asked what they do in their lives that are similar to the acts of Jesus. Again, a little effort to come up with examples from their own lives. I'm sure we all do things which show God's steadfast love all the time without realizing it. My wife tells me that she sees God's love every time someone holds the door open for her or looks her in the eye and smiles when saying hello. I have to agree with her and say that God's love comes in different ways to different people. God gives each of us a gift according to our abilities and all we're asked to do is share this gift to the best of our abilities. So whatever you consistently do for someone else, whether it's holding the door open or healing a leper, without an expectation of a favor in return is what I think unconditional, steadfast love is. As it says in Matthew 25:40

"And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,^* you did it to me."

Advent - Week 4, Day 2: Steadfast Love

What2Say2Day? Okay, so yesterday we asked three questions to focus on for the week. I'm not going to repeat them here, you can go back and take a look at them if you want. Today I just want to focus on what steadfast love is. When this question was asked to the youth of our church yesterday the answers were exactly what you would expect. "It's love that never stops" or "it's a love that never fades no matter what we do" and "a love that is steady and forever". All great answers, and all very much correct. Then we asked what that kind of love would look like. Hmmm, that seemed to be a little more difficult to answer. So, yes, what would that kind of love look like? Steadfast love takes a lot of searching for in today's world. For some reason it would seem everywhere we turn love isn't so, well, steadfast. Divorces, families infighting, governments in turmoil, people revolting, wars, hunger, and the list goes on. And yet as Christians we are expected to find and promote steadfast love. How can we do this? The answers lay before us in ways that are more than likely too close for us to see. As the adage says, sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees. For today, though, think about what steadfast love means to you, put a definition on it. Then, purposefully look for examples of where you see this kind of love. I'm sure you'll find it, just try not to look too hard and/or too far away (hint).

Advent - Week 4, Day 1: Steadfast Love

What2Say2Day? Today I want to only leave you with these questions.

1.  What does steadfast love mean to you?
2. How does Christ personify God's steadfast love?
3. What can you do to show the steadfast love of Christ to the world around you?

Also, if you get a chance read Psalm 89. This is a psalm that was written over time (most believe it was started in the time of King David and finished during the expulsion of the Hebrew people in the Babylonian exile of 597) and talks about God's promises and the reminder of God's steadfast love.

We'll spend more time on these during this week; the week we celebrate God's steadfast love through Christ.

Advent - Week 3, Day 6: Joy In The World!

What2Say2Day? Sometimes someone has something to say that is so much better than what we had planned to say. I received this devotional in my email yesterday and want to share it with everyone. It truly sums up what this new Advent-ure is about for me.

Ark
2 Samuel 6:3-5

"They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab….David and all the house of Israel were dancing before the Lord with all their might . . . "

Reflection by Quinn G. Caldwell

A few miles west of Jerusalem is a town called Abu Ghosh. Tradition says it's the location of Abinadab's house, where the Ark of the Covenant rested before coming to Jerusalem. The Ark was the chest—now lost—that contained the Ten Commandments.

On the highest point in Abu Ghosh, on the place where Abinadab's house is supposed to have stood, is a church called Notre Dame de l'Arche d'Alliance. In English, that's Our Lady, Ark of the Covenant.

The original Ark of the Covenant bore inside itself the terms of God's relationship with the people. That, claimed the ancient Christians, is exactly what Mary did in carrying Jesus, and so, in a splendid leap of Christian imagination, they gave her the same title.

But these days neither Ark is around anymore, and so the world needs a new one: you. It's your turn to bear the terms of God's relationship with the people—devotion, gentleness, honesty, self-control, respect, love—to the world. Nobody else is going to if you don't, and God knows the world needs it.

If it seems like too grand a task, if it sounds altogether too presumptuous to refer to yourself as the Ark of the Covenant, remember this: that’s just what Mary would have said.

Prayer

God, you call me to tasks too big for me and too magnificent for me to have thought of on my own. Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word. Amen.

 May you find a way to carry the Lord of hope, peace and joy in you always; sharing your God with all you meet.

Advent - Week 3, Day 5: Joy In The World!

What2Say2Day? On our 5th day of searching the scriptures for reasons we can feel joy in a tumultuous world we're going to take a look at the second half of the words given to us through the prophet Isaiah. If we look at Isaiah 61: 8-11 we see a promise from God that he will once again make the covenant with the Hebrew people that "Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples". This makes Isaiah rejoice in th knowledge that everything will be as it should, that God will once again provide for them as a people and that God will once again bless them with greatness. Isaiah reminds us that it is God who "has clothed [him] with the garments of salvation" and "has covered [him] with the robe of righteousness". The key words there are salvation and righteousness. Hawaiians would say ola and pono. Ola is a word used for salvation and is also used for life, heal or thrive. The word pono also has several meanings, amongst which are goodness, virtuous, and in perfect order. It should be no surprise that the Hebrew words used in this passage are very similar; yesha meaning deliverance, safety and prosperity and tsedaqah also meaning truthfulness and prosperity. These are the promises God makes to us through Isaiah; that God was with us in better times and is with us now, and through God we will once again live in a time that is filled with truthfulness and prosperity. God's promise to us through Christ is that by putting our trust in God we'll always have the hope that times will once again be filled with peace and joy. Or as Isaiah says it, "as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations" Go into our world, my friends, be the sowers of seeds filled with the promise of joy and nurture your garden so that your flowers grow high and strong.

Advent - Week 3, Day 4: Joy In The World!

What2Say2Day? The last two days we've taken a closer look at Psalm 126 and how it spoke to a people that were looking for hope in the midst of despair. The Psalmist tried to remind us that God is with us in all aspects of our lives; sad or joyous. Psalm 126 reminded us that we need to go out and spread the seeds of goodness so that the weepings of heartbreak will turn into cries of joy. Today, as we continue our Advent weekly study on how to find joy in a tumultuous world, we'll be taking a look at a passage from Isaiah 61. Again, to recap the background to our passage we only need to remember that the Hebrew people were returning to a land that went from plentiful and joy-filled to desolate and bleak. Isaiah is writing to these people in an effort to remind them that God is with them and everything will be good once again. A closer look at Isaiah 61:1-4 shows us just what Isaiah may be trying to say. (It may help here to remember that a prophet is someone who speaks on God's behalf.)  

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion —  t o give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

I'll stop here for today so we can reflect on these words spoken by God through his prophet Isaiah and how it speaks to us about what it is God does for and can bring to us.

Advent - Week 3, Day 3: Joy In The World!

What2Say2Day? Continuing with our journey on seeking peace in a troubled life/world let's take a look at the second half of our Psalm. Psalm 126:4-6 says, "Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb. May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy. Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves." If you'll allow me to do a quick recap...Jerusalem in ruins, Hebrew people return, must rebuild, Psalmist wants to encourage. There, that wasn't too bad, was it? In the first half of this Psalm the Psalmist reminds the Hebrews that God was with them in better times and, truth be told, has never left. In the second half of the Psalm the writer gives somewhat of a blessing to those who are doing the work of rebuilding. Reminding them that the work ahead will be difficult and most likely filled with sadness. But in the end, when the restoration is done, everything will be joyful. As I've said on more than one occasion these past few weeks (and I apologize for the few more times I'll be saying this) this Advent I'm trying to take a different journey of having Christ live through me in order that those who are looking and waiting for Christ can perhaps find him in me. Every time I read about sowers and seeds I cannot help but think about the parables of Jesus that talk about the same topics. I wonder, just wonder, if the Psalmist had the same idea. Maybe in the time of restoration and rebuilding the Psalmist isn't talking about buildings and farmland. Maybe the Psalmist is talking about people. I believe we are the seed bearers who go out to sow the truths of God and as any good farmer knows once the seeds are planted we need to nurture them until the day of harvest. This is what I think Psalm 126 is trying to say to us today. We need to never forget the God has always been with us, through good times and bad, and when things seem to be at their worst we need to go out and replant the seeds of God's love. Be the sowers, nurture the seeds we plant, and enjoy God's garden.

Advent - Week 3, Day 2: Joy In The World!

What2Say2Day? Yesterday we talked about the historical setting behind our two passages; Psalm 126 and Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11. We learned it was a tumultuous time for the Hebrew people after coming back to a home devastated by war, political infighting, assassinations, and general mayhem for 60 years. If we needed to put a more current face on it think about what the people from Sendai, Japan came back to after the earthquake earlier this year. Sure, the dangers were over, but the devastation was overwhelming. But, as it was with the people of Sendai, the Hebrew people had a strong yearning to rebuild; so rebuild they did. Today I want to focus on The first half of our Psalm. If you take a look at the language used in verses 1-3 of Psalm 126 you'll notice it's written in the past tense. Words like "were", "has", "was" and references such as "then it was said" help us to recognize the language of past times. Not just past times, but better times. The psalmist is reminding the Hebrew people that God was with them in good times and is with them now. This is a good reminder from our psalmist; God is with us no matter what we're going through. In this Advent season we need to know that God has never left us and that God is and will always be our source of strength and courage as we "rebuild" our own lives. Better yet, as this Advent I'm looking for ways to let Christ live through me to help others find him, I'm reminded that God gives me what I need to help people get through their difficult times and be with them as they rebuild their lives. God has been with us all, in better times and in difficult times, we just sometimes need a reminder that God has never left our side. Thank you, writer of Psalm 126, for helping us to remember.

Advent - Week 3, Day 1: Joy In The World!

What2Say2Day? In week one of Advent we covered hope and how we can share it through Healing Others with Prayer and Encouragement. Week two proved to be a challenge with not just finding our inner peace but being the source of peace for others. This week we're going to be asked to find Joy in the world. I'll be asking us to take a different look at two passages from the Old Testament; Psalm 126 and Isaiah 61:1-4 and 8-11. These passages are believed to be written after the return of the Hebrew people to Jerusalem in 537 BCE. In 597 or 598 BCE Jerusalem was taken by the Babylonians and the Hebrew leaders were forced to leave. Over the next 60 years Jerusalem was met with political, economical and social disruptions which left it in complete and total disarray. During those 60 years more Hebrew people were forced out of the land that was considered to be promised to them by God. In 587 the Persians conquered Babylonians and returned Jerusalem to the Hebrew people, allowing them to continue with the religious and personal freedoms they once had. Of course, and as you can imagine, the Hebrews returned to a land that was completely destroyed by wars and revolts. They needed to rebuild their land and more importantly they needed to rebuild their temple. The two passages we'll be using this week will talk about how the Hebrew people found ways to praise God and be joyful even in the midst of the turmoil in which they were living. My hope is you'll find their stories inspiring and they will bring you the knowledge that peace and joy can be found even in the direst situations.

Advent - Week 2, Day 6: Peace Is With You

What2Say2Day? My quest to find peace is becoming more of a journey in being the one people seek peace from. Yesterday I found myself listening to a couple of my high school students tell me how much stress they were under. I feel for them with their multiple projects due, semester finals starting today, grades not where they need them to be and only a few days to get them up, fights at home with parents, teachers pushing them to the brink, boyfriends and girlfriends not being supportive, etc. As I sat and listened to these young people pour out their hearts all I could hear in the back of my mind were the Psalmists words; "Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts" (Psalm 85:8). Again, I find myself in the humble position of being the one who represents God and has the awesome opportunity to help others begin to understand who God is and how God loves them no matter what. These teens will usually mention somewhere in the conversation that they don't feel like the efforts they put into things are worthy. They tell me that they aren't good enough and don't know why they even try. My reply was, is, and will always be, that they - you - are perfect. The times you're going through right now will pass, and you will become a stronger person because of it. Until then it's important to know that you are loved, that there will always be someone who cares for you just the way you are, that there is someone whose love will never stop. This someone is God, and in God you will find the peace you seek. All you need to do is open your hearts, and your minds, and let God in.

Advent - Week 2, Day 5: Peace Is With You

What2Say2Day? The Common Lectionary lists Isaiah 40:1-11 as one of the readings for the second week of Advent. The passage begins with the words, "Comfort, O Comfort my people, says your God." Notice Isaiah doesn't say "my" God, or "our" God, or "their" God. No, Isaiah is very specific in saying "your" God. In this second week of Advent, a week where we search for peace, I find it very comforting indeed that this God of whom Isaiah speaks is a personal God. I truly hope you've found the time to listen for God this week. If you haven't found the time, or are not sure how, follow these steps...

1) Be Quiet
2) Be still
3) Listen

Yes, seriously, really, that's it. Once you can do that just let God take care of the rest. Your God is asking permission to comfort you, and all you have to do is let it happen. Then, as the rest of that passage goes, the paths will be made straight and smooth. Find your inner peace, let God into that place, and be the one who "makes the uneven ground level" for those around you.

Advent - Week 2, Day 4: Peace Is With You

What2Say2Day? Today I'm at somewhat at a loss of what to say. On the one hand I want to talk about peace and all people of the world living in unity. On the other hand I feel the need to mention the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor which pushed the US, and Hawaii, into a war that involved the whole world. On the one hand I detest war and wish something that took lives simply for the progress of stronger nations didn't exist. On the other hand I understand that as long as these stronger nations attempt to get stronger for nothing other than "world domination" there will always be a need for other nations to stop them. So, you see, I'm at a loss on how to talk about peace in a week where peace is celebrated on a day when unfortunate violence is remembered. When this week began I said this wasn't going to be easy, but little did I realize just how difficult it would be on this day. In remembering the events from December 7, 1941 I also remember the riots which took place during the Civil Rights movement during the 60's and 70's, I remember the hate crimes against people who are considered "different" because of their sexual preferences, I remember innocent teens and young adults and children who have thought about and/or committed suicide because of bullying in their schools. I remember unnecessary deaths after the crumbling of two buildings in New York City. On this day when we celebrate the remembrance of the events which ultimately led to a more peaceful world, let's remember why these events happen in the first place; a lack of inner peace. My friends, find the Christ that lives within you and look for ways to live in this Christ-like way. Do so before we have to remember another event that takes lives away from loved ones. So, now I understand my dilemma. On the one hand we have those who are living with deep hurt from the belief that nobody loves them, and on the other hand we have those who are living with the absolute knowledge that God loves them no matter what - let's shake hands and see what happens.

Advent - Week 2, Day 3: Peace Is With You

What2Say2Day? I was hard-pressed to find some time to listen yesterday. My day was a complete non-stop of tutoring, mentoring, assisting, advising, and selling. Yet, as I look back on the entire day I didn't feel any stress. In fact I had a rather peaceful day. As I sat at home with my wife, her sister and my step-son I began to finally relax and think through the day. This is what I realized; I was the one being listened to. Whoa. As I ran through more of the day in my mind I began to see the faces and body language of those I was with and what I saw were faces turning from anxious to comfortable, pouts turn into smiles, and frustration turn towards acceptance of the situation. Is it possible, then, that yesterday I was the one who brought peace to others? In this Advent journey I am really keeping an eye out for Christ and looking for him in every situation. I am believing more and more that as Christians we need to stop waiting for Christ and instead know Christ is already here...in us. It only goes to follow, then, that we need to be the Christ everyone else is looking for. And we'll be this Christ by showing the love God gives to us; that unconditional-I-accept-you-for-who-you-are love. As I mentioned on Sunday peace would be the most difficult of the four themes of Advent to live out, only because we find it hard to find peace with ourselves. After yesterday I don't think it's about us any more (well, not all the time; we still need to find peace with ourselves) but maybe that God is asking us to bring peace to those around us. And how do we do this? The same way God did; listen, guide, listen, tutor, listen, assist, listen, and mentor. I told you this one would be difficult.

Advent - Week 2, Day 2: Peace Is With You

What2Say2Day? Last night I had a very peaceful time. My sister-in-law is in town to visit family for a few days before she flies to The Big Island for a "real" vacation. My mom has been thinking about my sister-in-law a lot lately and was very happy to know she was coming to town so she insisted we all get together for dinner. We decided to go to one of their favorite Japanese restaurants, which seemed to be everyone's favorite Japanese restaurant as well. My mom and two sisters-in-law waited inside the restaurant while I waited outside with my wife and dad. It didn't take more than a few minutes before people we knew came by. One of my dad's friends had a seat next to him on the bench and as they talked the conversation soon turned into teasing (in fun). A friend of my dad's friend came by with family and the conversation really began to get lively. Not too much later a couple of coworkers of mine and my wife came by and before we knew it there must've been a crowd of a dozen people gathered outside the restaurant, all laughing, talking, teasing, and laughing more. We were a little sad to leave everyone when they called us to have a seat in the restaurant but we were hungry so that feeling soon went away. The frivolity continued at the table with the six of us laughing and talking. As I looked around the restaurant I saw the same going on at every table; people seemed to be very happy. I sat there, a plate of tonkatsu in front of me, and took a few minutes to listen. While listening I could hear nothing but lively conversation filled with smiles. Then it hit me - God was in that place. That knowledge filled me with peace. This is where we find our peace, my friends; in the listening. I invite you to go into this day and listen. You don't need to be anywhere special, just listen to the moment you are in. Who knows, maybe you'll find God and be witness to the peace he has to offer you.

Advent - Week 2, Day 1: Peace Is With You

What2Say2Day? I took a day off from writing this blog yesterday because, well, yesterday was just one of those days. To give you an example we did laundry until midnight. Yep, one of those days. I wasn't stressed out, I didn't feel anxious, I was never upset; it was just a very busy day. I have to admit, though, it was a very productive busy day and in the end I had one of the best sleeps I've had in a long time. Which brings me to this week's theme - Peace. As I may or may not have mentioned Advent is a four-week period before Christmas that focuses on different themes. The themes traditionally are hope, peace, joy and love. We focused on hope last week which we defined as Healing Others with Prayer and Encouragement. This week we'll talk about something a little more difficult - Peace. I say this is a more difficult topic because it sometimes seems that our days are bombarded by so many things out of our control that interfere with us being able to achieve peace. It'll be an even more difficult topic because once again I'm not talking about achieving peace for yourselves, but to instead find ways to bring peace to each other. For today, though, find your own peace by turning off everything that could possibly distract you and find a place where you can listen to God. That will be somewhere different for each of us. Some will find God in the voices of children playing in the park, others will find God in the voices of the trees as the wind blows through its branches. Others will find God on the mountaintop where practically no sound exists and others will find God in a mall filled with shoppers. Wherever your place is, wherever you think your God to be, just go there with all your personal distractions removed (cell phones, mp3 players, personal tablets, etc.) and just listen, listen, listen for at least 30 minutes. To find peace we must first find God. I'm looking forward to this week and all the moments I can share my peace with others.

Advent - Week 1, Day 6: The Message of Hope

What2Say2Day? Hope is the knowledge that things will get better. Hope is the feeling we have when maybe, just maybe, there's a chance things will turn out as we wish - maybe. There's never a guarantee the things we hope for will happen, nor is there a guarantee they won't. and in the latter part of that last statement lays hope. If we believe there is a chance things will be okay in the end we can get through and accomplish everything; because all things are possible with hope. Besides my work with Youth in my church I also work with high school students as a classroom helper and tutor. Yesterday, with the help of one of the Youth I work with, I saw hope in action. This student has a high desire to play on a sports team, but had very little chance because of his grades. Weeks of encouragement from many of his adult mentors (aka teachers and coaches) produced little results in the student. I found out he was so deeply buried with missing work that the chances of him catching up and getting the grade necessary to play in high school sports were dismal; the young man had no hope. We worked and worked, whittling away at his back work while he continued to go to practices. His coaches and teachers kept telling him he could do it, he could make the team before the first game, just keep working hard. Within two weeks he got his grade in most classes to where it needed to be - except for one. This is a class that has been a contention for the student all year. On Wednesday the student finally approached that class' teacher and they spoke about what was going on and why the class was a difficult one for him. In the conversation a new relationship was formed; a relationship which allowed the barriers to be broken down. Then out of nowhere and with renewed hope the student did enough work to get the grade in that class he needs to be on the team. There's still no guarantee he'll be on the team, but the hope has never been greater. HOPE - Healing Others with Prayer and Encouragement.

Advent - Week 1, Day 5: The Message of Hope

What2Say2Day? Today's post will be simple and to the point - sort of. This past Sunday's scripture was from Isaiah 64:1-9. In it Isaiah paints a very bleak picture of where the people of Israel are headed if they don't shape up. He uses phrases like, "O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence" and, "We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away", and my favorite, "There is no one who calls on your name, or attempts to take hold of you." All words talking about how we no longer look for God, and because of this they were living in a time of destruction of creation in general. Then, out of nowhere Isaiah gives us these words, "Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand." Wow - a glimmer of hope in the middle of words of destruction. A reminder that God is still in control and we are still able to be molded to live lives worthy of the love God gives us; if only we allow ourselves to be shaped. Friends, listen to the words of Isaiah, we're living in a time very similar to the days of the Prophet. If we will allow God to live through us this Advent season to bring hope to those looking and waiting for it, maybe, just maybe things will get better. We only have a few more days in our journey to bring HOPE to others, use this time wisely. Remember, it's as easy as Healing Others with Prayer and Encouragement.