What I Learned On Easter Sunday

What a way to end the Lenten Season! I think this was the best one ever. I actually went to church. I participated as much as possible. And I was actively growing. Plus, I am building new and wonderful relationships and getting rid of old stale ones. I have certainly learned a lot in church, at home, from friends, from lovers, at Buffalo Wild Wings and anywhere else I can pick up a pointer or two on life.



It seems like this year I have been working on my focus, both learning to discipline my mind enough to concentrate on what’s at hand as well as deciding what is important enough for my attention.



"We have all been blessed with a memory"



Our memories define us. Like everything in the world, they can be a blessing or a curse. If we choose to be defined by our pain we will continue to live painful lives. I know we all learn from our mistakes, but don’t we learn other ways as well? If the road of excess does truly lead to the palace of wisdom, does it have to be painful? Don’t we have good lessons? Is the entire world so hard-headed that we must always be spanked for a lesson to stick?



We are defined by the memories we choose.



We have so many memories we must choose the right ones to focus on. "Think of what is above, not what is on earth..." How often do we get caught up remembering grudges, disappointment, lusts and everything else but what is ultimately most important.



"Celebrate" the memories! (Like Maxwell House)



Our memories are our angels. We all have Grandmas, Grandpas, Parents...even some of us have children who left us with only memories of their goodness. (Godness) They lived and died only wanting the best for us. They are our angels. They are our ancestors. They are the memories we cherish.



I recently acquired a song from my childhood. It was so good to me then and now, I didn’t even realize it was a gospel song. Those have always been the gospel songs I like. If you are reading this on Facebook, check out the MySpace.



"We believe in a God who brings Victory over ALL!"

Remember, God is riding with us in victory. All we have to do is remember that we already won! Everyday! Not just on sunny days. We know how this all is going to end. So, why get stuck on the in between. When we get stuck it’s always either the past or something recent which is becoming the past holding us back. Anyhow, my apologies for my tardiness. I have to tell you all about this book I read. Off The CHAIN. And not just for the ladies.



(All of the un-accredited quotes belong to Father John)

What I Learned In and Out of Church

I had one of my better birthday weekends. I sorely missed my family but I also
enjoyed spending time with my Atlanta family. I got a ton of well wishers and
love for my birthday. And my party was off the CHAIN! L.A., you have a lot to
live up to when I get there.

I have been thinking this month building up to my birthday about all the new
things in my life I have to be grateful for. Even though it's been rough, my
life is great! All I have to do is look at it with different glasses. I have to
learn to see the good in ALL of the associations and relationships in my life.
The only way I can do that is to see the good in myself.

So let’s go to church…



Samuel 16:7 "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at
outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

John 9 - "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see
and those who see will become
blind."

You know I usually refer to entire chapters and you are encouraged to read the
entire chapters (Samuel 16, John 9, and Ephesians 5). Today, however, I’mma
just give you a sound bite and let you figure out the rest. After all, isn’t
that what we do all day every day? We only listen to parts of what each other
says. We only highlight certain parts of books. We watch music videos and
continuously flick channels on the TV. We don’t watch the game, we wait for the
highlights. I always hear that voice in my head while talking with someone
yelling – GET TO THE POINT.

And why?

So we can put our interpretation on the information we just received. And then we respond with our best judgment. And we keep finding shortcuts to rush to
judgments. Ten years after we were so idealistic, we are sitting wondering
(maybe), how we became so judgmental.....

What do we judge people on that doesn't really matter?

Too small, too short, too tall, too fat, too skinny, too young, too smart, too
stupid... For what? When did we become so judgmental? How have we limited
ourselves and our lives by prejudice? Who and what is missing from our lives
because we are afraid to step outside of the shells we've built for ourselves
over the years.

What really matters too you?

Some of the richest people dress and look and live like bums. The smartest man in the world is a cripple. Einstein couldn't remember where he lived. The bravest
of us have fears. A former Mr. Olympia turned out to be an excellent
politician. A fornicating NBA legend is becoming a legendary business man. I
feel the strongest connection with this little skinny white man who gave up sex
for life.

We live in such dark times. There are so many distractions from the good and
positive in the world. Many, many times it just seems hopeless. But then
someone makes it through. Someone succeeds and achieves everything they ever
dreamed. Then we have hope again. We wonder how they made it and what we need to do to make it too. It's simple. The light is in us. When we wake up and let
it shine and recognize the light in others, the world becomes a brighter place.


We pray - God give us faith to truly see.

Ephesians 5:14

"Wake up, O sleeper,
Rise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you."