GOD KNOW YOU COMPLETELY (AND LOVES YOU!)

GOD KNOWS YOU COMPLETELY (AND LOVES YOU) We all now ourselves Pretty well Well-at least-We should We KNOW our Weak spots We know Our blind spots Yet we LOVE ourselves anyway It isn't any different With God He KNOWS YOU Even better Than you know yourself AND HE LOVES YOU WHY? Because he made you There is nothing About you That surprises him “SURELY Goodness and love Will follow me ALL the days of my life” Psalm 23:6 “What a person DESIRES Is UNFAILING LOVE........” Proverbs 19:22 And that is WHAT WE GETWITH GOD Yet it sounds Too good to be true But it isn't God loves you God made you He KNOWS every single thing About us-and yet HE LOVES YOU! You are UNIQUE You are his You are A CHILD OF GOD “Search me-O Lord-and try me TEST my soul and my heart” Psalm 25:2 So don't look for weak spots In GOD'S LOVE for you There isn't any HE LOVES YOU The same way You love your son or daughter- UNCONDITIONALLY “But I trust In your UNFAILING LOVE My heart rejoices In your salvation” Psalm 13:5 GOD isn't looking For your weak spots He already knows them All too well NOTHING SURPRISES GOD He knows you Through and through “The Lord knows All human plans He knows That they are futile” Psalm 94:11 He knows our faults HE KNOWS OUR GIFTS He knows us COMPLETELY Yet-he loves you NOT because You are perfect But because he MADE YOU Because WE ARE HIS Dear Lord- we love you too- HELP us to TRUST-and- NEVER DOUBT-your amazing love-for us- For me Robert P. Wallman 6-25-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Karla Manternach

GOD KNOWS WHO YOU ARE

GOD KNOWS WHO YOU ARE WHAT are your gifts In life Chances are almost certainly That your gifts Are NOT the same As the man or woman Standing or sitting Right beside you “The Lord stood by me And gave me STRENGTH........” 2 Timothy 4:17 Today we CELEBRATE (June 29th) The feast of Peter and Paul Two vastly different men Yet the men OUTSIDE of Jesus himself MOST RESPONSIBLE for building THE NEW KINGDOM OF GOD Peter was the ROCK- He was a STRONG leader And he was USED To LEAD the followers After Jesus death Paul was educated And a missionary HIS letters and journeys Were of inestimable value In the building Of the early Christian church Two men=vastly different And unique But without either The early Christian church Would NOT have survived GOD KNEW from the beginning What their gifts would be And he knew HOW they would RESPOND WHEN asked to dedicate Their gifts To the building of the GOSPEL And the Lord KNOWS YOU And he knows What your gifts are “We have different gifts According to the grace GIVEN to each of us “IF your gift is prophesying- then prophesy In accordance with your FAITH If it is serving- Then serve If it is teaching- then teach If it is to encourage- Then GIVE ENCOURAGEMENT If it is giving- The give GENEROUSLY If it is to lead- Then do it diligently If it is to show mercy- DO IT CHEERFULLY” Romans 12:8 The point is: GOD KNOWS who you are And he knows What your talents are You have been GIVEN A PART In building up The KINGDOM OF GOD Just as Peter and Paul were SO SAY YES As Peter and Paul did And speak THE GOOD NEWS The best that you can Just be you- God does NOT Want you to be someone else He wants you TO BE YOU And dedicate the person That you are And the talents That you have To building up THE KINGDOM OF GOD GOD KNOWS WHO YOU ARE Robert P. Wallman June 24th, 2015 INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Stephen J. Rossetti

LETTING GOD IN Do you have A chronic illness Or have you ever had Something bad-or something tragic Happen to you in life ONLY To be suggested to you by someone That you did something To bring it on yourself “Because God Did NOT make death Nor does he rejoice In the destruction of the living” Wisdom 1:13 God does NOT work this way Life does not Work this way I have to Tell you NOTHING in life Has made me more angry Than when someone In this life Has suggested That I have had to do SOMETHING WRONG For me To have this illness in life Then I Chalk it up To a person’s ignorance SAY a little prayer For that person AND MOVE ON I-LET GOD IN “DO EVERYTHING Without grumbling or arguing So that you May become BLAMELESS AND PURE CHILDREN OF GOD Without fault In a warped and crooked generation” Philippians 2:14-15 Live like THE SHINING STAR That you are LETTING GOD IN NO AMOUNT of prodding By anyone Will ever make me believe That life’s tragedies Are because God is angry at us (me?) Our God Does NOT work this way Our God Is a God Of love-mercy-compassion AND FORGIVENESS This is WHY We should be LETTING GOD IN “He is THE ROCK His words are perfect And ALL his ways Are just” Deuteronomy 32:4 Job was a good And righteous man But God repaid him With MORE than he ever had before More than he lost Jesus- THE LAMB OF GOD- Was crucified for our sins But HIS FATHER- REPAID HIM-REDEEMED HIM- REDEEMED US With new life “A NEW COMMAND I give to you: LOVE ONE ANOTHER As I Have loved you So you MUST love one another By this-EVERYONE-will know- That you Are my disciples IF you love one another” John 13:34 And by LETTING GOD IN And living lives of LOVE AND MERCY Robert P, Wallman 6-28-15 INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Paul Pennick v

KINDNESS AND HOSPITALITY

MONDAY-I will be leaving to GO BACK to my HOME in SOUTHERN FLORIDA-many thank yous to the APPLEBY FAMILY for the invitation up for Carley’s graduation-and their HOSPITALITY and their many KINDNESSES Also thank you to John and Karen Williams-and Diane Donahue for their kindness-and to ALL of you who came out to see me-spoke to me-or even sent me e-mails-or contacted me by face book on my trip up here GOD WILLING-see you in sunny SOUTH FLORIDA next week And REMEMBER: GOD LOVES YOU!-and so do I OFFERING KINDNESS AND HOSPITALITY The greatest gift That we can offer another IS the gift Of ourselves We may Not be able To give totally Of ourselves-LIKE Jesus did (to his EVERY last breath) BUT we can offer ourselves By offering our kindness-our hospitality- To FAMILY-to friends-and to community OCCASIONALLY-even To those Who don’t like us so much “Let me bring you a little food That you may REFRESH yourselves” Genesis 18:5 So-TODAY- We read about Abraham and Sarah OFFERING kindness and hospitality To three strangers I wonder WHAT their motivation was I KNOW That WHEN I offer anything of myself To anyone KINDNESS-hospitality-giving out my poems My motivation Comes from PURE LOVE I suspect that that Is what their motivation was And I know That is what CRIST’S OFFERING Of himself was-for our sins PURE LOVE “ALL a person’s ways SEEM PURE to them But motives are weighed BY THE Lord” Proverbs 16:2 OFFER kindness and hospitality To others At every chance FROM PURE MOTIVES Well-in the end Sarah and Abraham Were REWARDED for their efforts They are PROMISE- A son When the strangers Are to come back again In a year Sarah was looking For no reward And even laughed When she was told that For she was very old “But WHEN the kindness And LOVE OF GOD OUR SAVIOR APPEARED He saved us Not because Of righteous things We had done But because OF HIS MERCY” Titus 3:4 So WHEN you offer KINDNESS AND HOSPITALITY to anyone Though you know not What the effect of the gesture Might be THINK-that you offering To the visitor THE KINDNESS OF CHRIST What better motivation Or REWARD Is there than that Robert P. Wallman 6-23-15 INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Sister Joyce Rupp, O.S.M

LIVING A GUIDED LIFE

LIVING A GUIDED LIFE Do you live A GUIDED LIFE Do you FOLLOW The guidance of God In your EVERY DAY LIFE “LOOK about you- And WHERE you are-gaze…..” Genesis 13:14 TODAY we read About the story told Of Abraham And his nephew-LOT And HOW they choose Their land Lot looks around and DECIDES on his own But Abraham Lets God ACCOMPANY him And that changes every thing “Abraham LIVED In the land of Canaan WHILE Lot Lived among the cities Of the plain And pitched his tent Near Sodom” Genesis 13:12 By letting himself BE GUIDED BY GOD Abraham winds up In the land of MILK AND HONEY And IN a COVENANT With God And Lot NEEDS to be RESCUED By Abraham LIVING a GUIDED LIFE By God MAKES all the difference In the world HOW about me? How about you? Do we listen For the GUIDANCE OF GOD When we make decisions Or do we just plunge Right in Following our own whims Just like Lot WAITING on THE WORD OF GOD Makes all the difference In the world LET God ACCOMPANY you Throughout your life “Let the WISE listen And add to their learning And let the discerning GET GUIDANCE--------“ (from GOD) Proverbs 1:5 LIVE A GUIDED LIFE FOLLOW the WORD Of God Dear Lord Thank you-for WALKING with me Throughout my life And HELPING me to live A guided life WAITING on: THE WORD OF GOD Robert P. Wallman 6-18-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Mary Marrocco

CALLED BY GOD

CALLED BY GOD Do you feel CALLED by God Do you feel SPIRITUALLY ALIVE WELL I have some news For you You are I am We are ALL CALLED by God “The Lord called You and me From OUR mother’s womb And he gave us OUR NAME” Isaiah 49:1 So there You have it We were ALL called At birth I wonder HOW MANY of us Have a sense Of being CALLED by God I do I think I ALWAYS HAVE But I know FOR SURE Since my death bed PROMISE In 1977 “To LIVE for my family-friends And ALL PEOPLE every where” I know-at times I have FELT Like it was a curse MY CROSS In this life But OVER the years I have come To BELIEVE That my promise IS the greatest BLESSING That one could ever have It gave me A PURPOSE In life It has KEPT me sane Through ALL the sorrows And setbacks in life It has HELPED me To REALIZE My life is a BLESSING My life has PURPOSE I have been CALLED BY GOD As you have been ALL our lives HAVE PURPOSE “MANY are the plans In a person’s heart But it is the LORD’S PURPOSE That PREVAILS” Proverbs 19:21 “And we KNOW That in ALL things GOD WORKS For those who love him Who have been CALLED According to his PURPOSE” Romans 8:28 So what do you want To say to God About your life To others ABOUT GOD Dear Lord-WE PRAY: HELP US to know That we have BEEN CALLED By you-and in YOUR NAME Help us to find The WORDS we need To say To PROCLAIM The word of God In this the 21st century And help us to KNOW That this life-the CALLING by you Is the GREATEST BLESSING A man or woman Could ever RECEIVE We HONOR you in birth We HONOR you in death And we say THANK YOU LORD For this CALLING WE LOVE YOU And PROCLAIM your love To ALL of mankind WE HAVE BEEN CALLED Robert P. Wallman 6-19-15 PS INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE By Sister Macrina Wiederkehr, O.S.B.

HAPPY FOR ANOTHER

HAPPY FOR ANOTHER Are you HAPPY For another WHEN good things Happen to another Human being Or are you One of these people Strangling in your own Jealousy and resentment That you can’t find JOY AND HAPPINESS For another human being “That I may…….. REJOICE in the JOY of your people……..” Psalm 106:5 BE HAPPY For one another LOVE-one another “A new command I GIVE YOU: Love one another As I have loved you So you must Love one another By this-EVERYONE Will know That you are my disciples If you love one another” John 13:34 Be happy for others WISH THEM JOY So much can And so much does Go wrong in our lives I certainly understand Why we might feel Jealousy and resentment WHEN we go to Wedding after wedding And we have yet To find our own life partner BE HAPPY for them anyway LOVE doesn’t cost a thing FEEL HAPPINESS for them WISH THEM WELL The infertile mother Whose friend after friend ARE beginning Their families The man or woman Who can’t find job While seeing their friends Have great careers It takes A TRULY GENEROUS HEART For one to feel joy For someone else WHEN that same joy Is being denied to us And yet as Christians That is exactly What we are called upon To do Be happy For one another LET THE JOY IN Feeling joy For someone else Doesn’t take anything From you “YOU make known to me The PATH of life You will FILL ME With joy In your presence With eternal pleasure At your right hand” Psalm 16:11 So have a BIG HEART Lean STRONGLY on God Our ONE great love Who UNDERSTANDS our pain And be HAPPY FOR ANOTHER For LOVE Doesn’t cost a thing Robert P. Wallman 6-19-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Sister Joyce Rupp, O.S. M.

HEALING=FIXING WHAT IS WRONG

HEALING=FIXING WHAT IS WRONG I think WE all long For the Lord To CREATE a miracle In our life To fix What is wrong We want To be touched To be HEALED By God “’Lord-if you wish You can make me clean’ He stretched out His hand-touched him- And said- ‘I will do it- BE MADE CLEAN’” Matthew 8:23 Wouldn’t it be great If life Was that simple Wouldn’t be great IF our lives Could be fixed That simply FIXING what is wrong Unfortunately- That is NOT The way that life works That in Not the way Miracles occur In today’s world SUFEERING Is a part of life And we want to know- WHY Why doesn’t God FIX US Fix our families Fix our lives- And FIX our world RIGHT NOW?- WHY? WHY? WHY? I don’t know why But I do that suffering Is the KEY To our SALVATION SUFFERING is What makes us FREE Jesus’ suffering- The suffering of ONE MAN Is GREATER than ALL of our sufferings put together “WE also glory In our sufferings Because we know That suffering produces perseverance- And HOPE-does not-put us to shame- BECAUSE GOD’S LOVE Has been POURED OUT Into our HEARTS Through the HOLY SPIRIT” Romans 5:3-5 And the HOLY SPIRIT FIXES what is wrong with us And allows us TO KEEP GOING ON FIXING-what is wrong Well-the TRUTH IS We ALL have sufferings In our lives Physical suffering Emotional suffering And spiritual suffering And so maybe the question ISN’T WHY But-“what now?’ “How do I respond?” “HOW do I move forward- With my life- Regardless-of the present circumstance?” As Christians- EVEN if today is painful Tomorrow is HOPEFUL- Because of the PRESENCE of God And Jesus-in our lives “WHY my soul Are you downcast Why so disturbed Within me? Put your HOPE in God For I will yet PRAISE HIM My SAVIOR-and my God” Psalm 42:5 Dear Lord-you are- ALWAYS with me HELP US/help me To RESPOND in love To whatever-we are- GOING THOUGH right now You alone FIXES what is wrong You are the HEALER- THE GREAT MIRACLE- Of our lives Robert P. Wallman 6-23-15 INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Karla Manternach

HAPPY FOR ANOTHER

STUFF-IS IT IMPORTANT?

STUFF-IS IT IMPORTANT? OUR LIVES are nothing If not-a large accumulation – OF STUFF And I am saddened To say MOST of the stuff That you and I accumulate Are meaningless WE CAN’T Take it with us “DO NOT store up For yourselves On earth- WHERE moth and decay destroy And thieves break in And steal” Matthew 6:19 Do you Have a lot of self-storage areas Where you live TONS of them Around here WE can certainly Put our stuff there For SURELY—we can’t Take our stuff to God- WHEN he calls us home (Nor should we want to) For I am sure He would say something Like this: “NO ONE Can serve two masters Either you will hate the one And love the other Or you Will be DEVOTED To the one And despite the other YOU CANNOT SERVE both God And money” Matthew 6:24 I LOVE GOD I am DEVOTED to God My stuff- Is really NOT All that important I am NOT Trying to say All material things Are bad But what I am saying Is that they Are a lot LESS IMPORTANT Than things like: Well like FAMILY-for instance- And FRIENDS-and community- COMPASSION-integrity-PEACE-and forgiveness Isn’t it funny That the things We can touch Are so much less important Than the things We can’t touch MAYBE-storage facilities- Are NOT so important after all Or just maybe MORE OF US In this world NEED A HEART THE self-storage facility For really KNOWING what in important And WHERE we will KEEP our FAMILY AND FRIENDS-our community- OUR COMPASSION- Our integrity-and our peace-and our forgiveness That is WHAT CAPTIVATES THE HEART That is WHAT I TREASURE What captivates your heart What do you KEEP In your storage facility Robert P. Wallman 6-17-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Sister Melannie Svoboda-S.N.D.

JOURNAL=6-10-15=FILLED WITH GRATITUDE

JOURNAL=6-10-15=FILLED WITH GRATITUDE “EXTOL the Lord-and worship at his holy mountain-for HOLY is the Lord-OUR GOD” Psalm 99:9 EVERY DAY is a great day to GIVE thanks to God-for the BLESSINGS-our blessings in our LIFE-as I sit here-ready to EMBARK on another day-and leave to go up NORTH-I just want to say “THANK YOU Lord for it all” THANK YOU for life THANK YOU that I have a family and friends to go and visit-and thank you for their LOVE and kindness-they are a GIFT to me-as you yourself Lord are a gift to me-I DON'T take anyone or anything in my life for GRANTED-THANK YOU for it all LORD GOD you are HOLY-and the PRESENCE of you in our life-makes our lives holy too it is a GREAT DAY to be ALIVE in GOD'S LOVE-and a great day to be FILLED WITH GRATITUDE to the the Lord-for everyone and everything that we have in our life-but MOSTLY GOD'S ever-present love for us FILLED WITH GRATITUDE Each Autumn We take time To give thanks In AMERICA In Luke 17:15 it says, “ONE of them Realizing he had been HEALED Returned GLORIFYING GOD in a loud voice” Luke 17:15 LOOK a little deeper EVERY DAY is a day To give thanks to OUR GOD Thank you For our families The parents To which we were born OUR siblings and our extended families And our children We also give thanks for our FRIENDS-our NEIGHBORS And our fellow country men and women And our VERY OWN LIVES “Whatever you do In word or in deed Do everything In the name of the Lord Jesus GIVING thanks to God the Father Through him Colossians 3:17 GRATITUDE is A lot like LOVE The more we give The more We have to give Gratitude Is a hallmark of our FAITH “NOW therefore our God- WE thank thee And PRAISE thy GLORIOUS name” 1 Chronicles 29:13 Even if-like me Your life turned out Turned out like nothing you ever imagined It would be We still have MANY BLESSINGS And a LOT To be thankful for LOOK A LITTLE DEEPER BE filled with gratitude Give thanks to God “ENTER his gates With thanksgiving And his courts with praise Give thanks to him And PRAISE his name For the Lord IS GOOD And his love ENDURES forever His faithfulness CONTINUES through all generations” Psalm 100:4-5 I got Nothing that I ever wanted A loving wife CHILDREN of my own A self-sustaining career But EVERYTHING that I needed Born in America-a free nation Born into the Christian faith And KNOWING I need help The greatest parents-sisters-and extended family That a man could ever HOPE for GREAT-great friends-neighbors-and churches AND LIFE I AM among all men MOST richly blessed “But thanks be to God WHO always leads us In triumphal procession In Christ And through us SPREADS everywhere The fragrance Of the knowledge of him” 2 Corinthians 2:14 Be like the one leper And RETURN to God RETURN TO CHRIST To give thanks BE FILLED WITH GRATITUDE For the life That you have TODAY AND EVERYDAY Life itself Is a blessing HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I LOVE YOU Robert P. Wallman 11-16-13 ps IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE ALIVE! MISC. WITNESS 5-24-14 And GIVING THANKS to ALL of our soldiers that served in the PAST-the PRESENT-and those who WILL come in the future FREEDOM HAS A PRICE 6-10-15

JOURNAL=6-9-15=LIVE THE TRUTH-LIGHT YOUR LIGHT

JOURNAL=6-9-15=LIVE THE TRUTH-LIGHT YOUR LIGHT “Jesus said-”YOUR LIGHT must shine before others-that they MAY see your GOOD DEEDS and GLORIFY your heavenly Father” Matthew 5:16 WE ALL know we are SAVED by FAITH and BELIEF in God and the Lord Jesus Christ-but IF you have never done a good deed or a KIND WORK-for anybody-you are NOT much of a Christian AND we PRESUME that we are NOT to attract attention to ourselves-that we are to PRAY in secret-NOT IN PUBLIC-but in this verse Jesus says to let your good deeds be seen by others-for IF WE don't do this-HOW are we going to be an EXAMPLE for others-and HOW ARE we going to bring others to Christianity So DON'T DENY your good works or your good deeds-”LET YOUR LINE SHINE”-just REMEMBER WHERE the real TRUE CREDIT goes-GIVE CREDIT TO GOD-Jesus-and the HOLY SPIRIT-for we came from nothing-and nothing we will ever be-UNLESS in our hearts and in our words-we give ALL CREDIT to OUR HEAVENLY FATHER-his SON-and his SPIRIT that was left behind in us-to LIVE in us-and give us the proper words WHEN NEEDED Dear Lord Jesus-WE PRAY-that you HELP US to let our light shine to others-so that WE MAY ATTRACT THEM to you it is a GREAT DAY to be ALIVE in GOD'S LOVE for us-and a great day for letting our light shine LIVE THE TRUTH-LIGHT YOUR LIGHT HOW do we live the truth How do we let our light SHINE Love-love LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS Easy in philosophy But not always So easy to do Sometimes We fill our days SO FULL That there is not time Left for him (God)-or them (our neighbors) We try not to do that We try to live the truth We try to let Our light shine But we all know That it happens Even to the best of us In the 18th chapter Of Saint John's gospel Pontius Pilate asks Jesus, “WHAT is TRUTH?” John 18:38 This comes In response To Jesus' answer To Pilate about WHETHER He is king Jesus answered, “YOU are right In saying I am a king In fact For this reason I was born And for this I came into the world To TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH EVERYONE on the side of truth LISTENS to me” John 18:39 So like Pilate We MUST ask ourselves WHAT IS TRUTH “I am the way The TRUTH And the life NO ONE Comes to the Father Except through me” John 14:6 SO LIVE Jesus LOVE love love God and others Live live live Jesus Give give give Till it hurts LIVE the truth Let your light shine KNOWING the answer is easy Living the answer is hard For example WHEN you have 2 one dollar bills In your pocket Are you going to give a beggar a $1 Who is asking for a $1 I HAVE done it But more often than not I am ASHAMED to say I haven't done it LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE “WHOEVER lives the truth Comes to the light So that his works Maybe clearly seen As done in God” John 3:21 The truth is LIKE ME We are not Going to be perfect But we should be moving CLOSER and closer to God Dear Lord-we pray We are SORRY We still make mistakes But you have shown us the truth You have lived it You have shown us your light We pray that like you That we find the strength To live it And let your light SHINE through us Robert P. Wallman June 9th, 2014 Ps Inspired by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Melaney Rigney July 11th, 2014-and-June 9th, 2015

JOURNAL=6-8-15=GOD UNDERSTANDS OUR SUFFERING

JOURNAL=6-8-15=GOD UNDERSTANDS OUR SUFFERING “For as Christ's sufferings overflow to us-so THROUGH Christ does OUR ENCOURAGEMENT also OVERFLOW” 2 Corinthians 1:5 WHEREVER we are-whatever we do-NO MATTER who we are with-the PRESENCE OF GOD is there-so IF we are suffering NO WORRY-GOD and Jesus are RIGHT THERE with us SOMETIMES-we are in pain-it may be physical-it may be emotional-or it may be SPIRITUAL sometimes it may be ALL three at once-AT SUCH TIMES-where do we go-ONLY to God and the Lord-sometimes GOD'S and the LORD'S PRESENCE-even in the midst of our suffering-TRANSFORMS even the greatest pain Dear LORD-we PRAY-that we may have the STRENGTH to join our suffering to yours-and that we MAY be as COMPASSIONATE with others as you are with us it is A GREAT DAY to be ALIVE in GOD'S LOVE for us-and a great day for KNOWING that God and Jesus understand our greatest suffering-for there is NO PAIN in this world-that Jesus did NOT already ENDURE GOD UNDERSTANDS OUR SUFFERING ONE of life's Greatest challenges Is coming to terms With human suffering In particular OUR VERY OWN SUFFERING The suffering Of of physical ailments The suffering Of financial woes And the suffering Of BROKEN relationships Perhaps even Within our own immediate family SUFFERING means To ENDURE physical or emotional loss And pain In the midst Of our suffering We wonder IF God truly loves And cares for us But we know that HE DOES Because our Lord-OUR SAVIOR Endured suffering To the nth degree “Father-into your hands- I commend my spirit” Luke 23:46 For HE endured The agony in the garden The scourging at the pillar The humiliation crowning with thorns CARRYING THE CROSS to Calvary And dying a humiliating death “MY GOD-my God WHY did you ABANDON me?” Matthew 27:26 and Mark 15:34 Jesus-OUR God and our Savior UNDERSTANDS our suffering All too well Many people TURN AWAY from God And become filled with anger Because of their unresolved suffering But for me-MY personal sufferings Has only brought me CLOSER TO GOD Because like Peter-I feel,- “WHERE would I run to Lord? You possess the words Of EVERLASTING LIFE” John 6:68 Jesus does-God does UNDERSTAND our suffering Even after today=GOOD FRIDAY= I can honestly say I DON'T understand our sufferings Any better But I do KNOW God understands my sufferings That Jesus understands my suffering For God did In the person Of his own SON- Jesus Christ WALK The path first And he asks us To trust in TO BELIEVE IN HIM God understands our suffering For he is CLOSE To the brokenhearted “My flesh and my heart May FAIL But God is the STRENGTH Of my heart And my portion FOREVER” Psalm 73:26 We find GOD'S PRESENCE In the midst of our sufferings We FIND OURSELVES In the midst Of our suffering “Therefore We do NOT lose heart Though outwardly We are wasting away Yet INWARDLY We are being RENEWED Each day” 2 Corinthians 4:16 What is UNSEEN is eternal GOD UNDERSTANDS our suffering Dear Lord- WE PRAY that We will NOT fail you In our final hour But IF we do We trust that YOUR LOVING SACRIFICE Will make up For what is lacking in us You Oh Lord-God UNDERSTAND OUR SUFFERING Robert P. Wallman 4-3-15 & 6-8-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE By Monsignor Stephen J. Rossetti

JOURNAL=6-7-15=RELEASE US

JOURNAL=6-7-15=RELEASE US “HE will show you a large upper room-FURNISHED and all ready” Mark 14:15 MANY OF US-continue to LIVE LIVES bound by sin-WE NEED to REMEMBER that Jesus POURED himself out-emptied himself out to RELEASE US from our sin-we need to REMEMBER GOD'S INCREDIBLE workings in our lives-we NEED to remember that our lives are a GIFT-that they are something special-and we NOT to throw them away on the choice of LIVING a life bound to sin-but BOUND to his GRACE WE NEED to remember that Jesus POURED himself out-and it is time for our PERSONAL PASSOVER from living lives as slaves to LIVING LIVES totally free-JESUS FREED US from our sins-you do NOT have to live lives bound to sin any more Jesus ALLOWED his body to be BROKEN for us-he POURED OUT his body and blood for us-to PROCLAIM the GOSPEL OF LOVE LOVE GOD and LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR It is time for the PERSONAL PASSOVER of our lives-to LIVE by the SPIRIT and not by the flesh-it is TIME TO REMEMBER that Jesus RELEASED US from the personal demons of our lives-ARE YOU READY?-it is time for you to go to your UPPER ROOM-and live a life-as Jesus taught us-a life RELEASED from our personal demons-a life dedicated to GOD AND CHRIST WE HAVE BEEN RELEASED it is a great day to be ALIVE in GOD'S LOVE for us-and a great day to BEGIN TO LIVE a life-dedicated to GOD AND CHRIST WITNESS 3-27-13 RELEASE US In the time of our Lord There was a custom For a prisoner to be released At a feast At this particular time There were two such prisoners Jesus---the so-called SON OF GOD Or Barabbas---a notorious thief and murderer “Which one do you want me to release to you Barabbas or Jesus, who is called Christ?” asked the Roman ruler Pilate “Barabbas---Barabbas,” the crowd yelled “What about Jesus?” Pilate said “Crucify him---crucify him”---the crowd yelled yet again While it would be easy To blame The people of Christ’s day Do your really think It would be any different today We live In a godless society For the most part And if There was a Christ-like figure And a Charles Manson type figure Who would the people choose In today’s world We know that that Is not going to happen So we pray to you---Dear Lord To please release us Release us From the coldness---the indifference ---the ingratitude---the luke warmness And the rejection of our fellow man In today’s world And replace it WITH YOUR LOVE Robert P. Wallman 3-6-11 Ps WITNESS 3-27-13 and 6-7-15

JOURNAL=6-6-15=THE POOR WIDOW

JOURNAL=6-6-15=THE POOR WIDOW “She-from her poverty-has CONTRIBUTED all she had-her whole livelihood” Mark 12:44 HOW LARGE of heart do you have? Are you PREPARED to give all that you have-all that you are to God? WE are to GIVE till it hurts The widow in today's gospel lived her life from-THIS LARGENESS of heart-she was giving ALL that she had-She gave-NOT from her abundance or her surplus-she GAVE what she had-because she wanted to SHE took to heart-what our SAVIOR did-what our savior gave-EVERYTHING-down to his very last breath-WHAT could be MORE HONORABLE than living a life like CHRIST-giving ALL that we have for OUR ADOPTED FATHER-and our BROTHER Jesus CHRIST “LIVING IS GIVING and giving is living-WHEN should we stop giving to GOD (and others)-when the Lord STOPS giving to us”-which theoretically is NEVER-for each and every one of our BREADTHS come from God-down to our very last breadth-for life itself is A GIFT FROM GOD it is A GREAT DAY to be ALIVE in God's LOVE for us-and a great day for living LIKE the POOR WIDOW-from a largeness of our heart THE POOR WIDOW A widow Is a woman whose husband is dead In ancient Israel A husband’s death Usually brought on poverty And powerlessness It is Not any different today In today’s world Women routinely outlive their husbands And sometimes this bring on Poverty and powerlessness My own mother Outlived my father By almost 10 years And thank God I was there To walk every step of the way with her As did-my two beautiful sisters Saint Paul tells us In his letter to Timothy: “Give proper recognition To those widows Who are really in need But if a widow has children or grandchildren These should learn first of all To put their religion into practice By caring for their own family And so repaying their parents and grandparents For this is pleasing to God The widow Who is really in need And left alone Puts her hope in God And continues night and day to pray And to ask God for help” 1 Timothy:3-5 My own mom did this I know Because I walked every step of the journey Through life with her In Luke 21 Jesus teaches us a lesson about giving It is NOT how much Or what percentage of our pay That we give Because we know like JESUS We are to give EVERY OUNCE of ourselves To God and others Many people Were putting large amounts of money And putting their gifts into the Temple treasury Jesus looked up and saw A poor widow put in two small copper coins And said: “I tell you the truth This poor widow Has put in More than all the others All these people Gave their gifts Out of their wealth But she out of her poverty Put in ALL she had to live on” Luke 21:1-4 My own mom Told me once that 40 people Lived with us For 30 days or longer I know That this is true And I know That she NEVER asked for a dime So I ask you To always treat the poor widow ( and widower ) With respect-love-and compassion And to give All that you have AS AN OFFERING TO GOD Robert P. Wallman 4-11-12 Ps With grateful thanks to God, my parents, my sisters, And family and friends, and all who have helped me On my journey through this life 6-6-15

JOURNAL=6-5-15=FREELY GIVEN

JOURNAL=6-5-15=FREELY GIVEN “Who made heaven and earth The sea and all that is in them Who KEEPS FAITH forever Secures justice for the oppressed Gives food to the hungry The Lord sets captives FREE” Psalm 146:6-7 We ALL KNOW that we are supposed to FORGIVE-but we all know-WHEN we have been hurt deeply-GIVING FORGIVENESS does not come easy-but until we give it freely-we become SLAVES to ourselves-and slaves to our FEELINGS BUT even once we get to the point that we are able to FORGIVE-the PROCESS of letting go-and moving on-CONTINUES to jab at us-OFTEN TIMES-we cannot find justice-fairness-and equality in this world-SO what can we do-WE CAN TRUST in the Lord-we can forgive-and we can BEGIN the process of letting go-we can TURN OUR PROBLEMS over to God HOW LONG it takes is up to God-but we know: “THE LORD SETS CAPTIVES FREE” SO FORGIVE 70 x 7 as Jesus told us to do-and ask GOD “TO FORGIVE us our trespasses as we forgive others who TRESPASS AGAINST US”-FOR we know that the only way for us to be FORGIVEN is for us to forgive others and ONLY GOD CAN SET US FREE HOLDING on to bitterness-TAKING justice into our own hands-or remaining VENGEFUL KEEPS us prisoners of the person or situation that is the ORIGIN of our pain LET GO-AND LET GOD And God will take care of things-TAKE CARE OF US-and truly SET US FREE it is a great day to be ALIVE in GOD'S LOVE for us-and a great day for setting someone else-and ourselves-truly FREE FREELY GIVEN I think Sometimes we forget That we cannot EARN God's FORGIVENESS It is FREELY GIVEN “If you Oh Lord Kept a record of sins Oh Lord Who could stand But with you There is forgiveness Therefore you are feared” Psalm 130:3-4 We still Get it wrong At times Don't we friends We think We must somehow EARN GOD'S FORGIVENESS WE think We must earn God's LOVE too BUT his forgiveness And his love ARE FREELY GIVEN “But now That you have been Set free of sin You have become Slaves of RIGHTEOUSNESS” Romans 6:18 God's forgiveness IS FREELY GIVEN There is a great story In Luke chapter 7 That illustrates this ONE of the Pharisees Has invited Jesus To have dinner with him In his home A “sinful” woman From the town Learns of this And shows up at the dinner “She stood behind him At his feet weeping And she began to wet His feet With her tears Then she wiped them With her hair Kissed them And poured perfume on them” Luke 7:38 The pharisee said to himself: “IF this man Were a prophet He would know Who is touching him And that the woman Was a sinner” Luke 7:39 And Jesus- As if reading the pharisees' mind Tells a parable about DEBT To Simon And asks Simon Which one of them Will LOVE their master more Simon says: “I suppose The one Who had the bigger debt canceled” Luke 7:43 Then Jesus Turned to the woman And said, “DO you see This woman I came Into your home You did not GIVE me any water For my feet But she wet My feet With her tears And wiped them With her hair You did not Give me a kiss But this woman From the time I entered Has not stopped Kissing my feet You did not put oil On my head But she has Poured perfume on my feet Therefore I tell you HER many sins Have been forgiven- For she has LOVED MUCH But he who has been Forgiven little LOVES LITTLE” Luke 7:44-47 THE POINT IS: ALL of our sins Are FORGIVEN FREELY By God We are to do likewise To our brothers and sisters LOVE AND FORGIVENESS Are the ESSENCE of Jesus' teachings and his actions WE are to do the SAME For one another Because LOVE AND FORGIVENESS are to be FREELY GIVEN Robert P. Wallman 9-30-14 6-5-15

JOURNAL=6-4-15=WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR

JOURNAL=6-4-15=WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR “The SECOND IS THIS: 'YOU shall love your NEIGHBOR as yourself” Mark 12:31 WE ALL know that Moses brought the tablets of stone with the TEN COMMANDMENTS on them-down from the mountain-and MOST CHRISTIANS-if not all-KNOW that Jesus reduced the ten commandments-to two- 'the most important one' answered Jesus-'is this: 'hear-O Israel-The Lord our God-the Lord is one---LOVE the Lord your God with ALL your heart and with all your soul-and with all your mind and all your strength' 'the second is this: 'LOVE your neighbor as yourself' THERE is no commandment greater than these” Mark 12:29-13 “AS YOURSELF”-we LIVE in a me first society-WHERE-all most people are concerned with is: THEMSELVES---what a fantastic world this would be-IF-we put the same effort into loving others-as we do ourselves-what IF we put the same thought-care-and compassion into loving others LET US really LIVE the second commandment-NOT just say it or recite it TAKE the woman three doors down to the Doctor's- CALL the senior citizen woman every day-and tell them that you love them WORK the food bank for the homeless once a month THERE are a million things that we can do to love our neighbor I KNOW it is easy to become worn out from SERVING OTHERS-but we can all do what we can do-even IF it is just sending someone a birthday or a get-well card Dear Lord-WE PRAY-that as we go about our day-that we FIND THE TIME for loving and serving others-as well as ourselves it is A GREAT DAY to be ALIVE in GOD'S LOVE for us-and a great day for LOVING OTHERS-as we do ourselves WITNESS 6-17-13 WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR Neighbor for neighbor Don’t just walk on by Neighbor for neighbor Let us all Love one another Come on Let’s give it a try Neighbor for neighbor Don’t just walk on by In the 10th chapter Of Saint Luke’s Gospel A young man asks Jesus Who is my neighbor Jesus responds with a story About a man Who was robbed, stripped And left lying By the side of the road Neighbor for neighbor Don’t just walk on by This is me loving you Let us help one another Let us Give it a try Jesus goes on to say A priest comes by And just keeps on going Neighbor for neighbor Give it a try A Levite passes by And just keeps on going Neighbor for neighbor Don’t just walk on by But a Samaritan comes by Stops, bandages his wounds Takes the man to an inn Pays for his room And even stops To check on him on his way home Who is my neighbor Neighbor for neighbor Don’t just walk on by Let us all Be there for one another Come on Let’s give it a try Neighbor for neighbor I love you all Neighbor for neighbor Let us all give it a try So Who is my neighbor My neighbor Is anyone in need So world Let us all Just try To love one another And WE WILL GET BY Robert P. Wallman 2-23-11 WITNESS 6-17-13 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people- But LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF-I am the Lord” Leviticus 19:18 “Honor your father and mother-and LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF” Matthew 19:19 misc. WITNESS 1-11-14 10-6-14 & 6-4-15

JOURNAL=6-3-15=WRITING YOUR OWN LIFE STORY

JOURNAL=6-3-15=WRITING YOUR OWN LIFE STORY “WHEN they rise from the dead-they NEITHER marry nor are given in marriage” Mark 12:25 The religious leaders of his day CONTINUED to try and TRAP Jesus into saying something he shouldn't have-but they- and neither your nor I can trap GOD into saying or doing something he shouldn't-GOD IS ALL GOOD-GOD IS PERFECT-GOD IS ALL LOVE But God has a story-just as you and I have a story-from CREATING the world in seven days-from the beginning with Adam and Eve-from WALKING the dusty trails and roads as Jesus Christ-to his story CONTINUING in the lives of you and I-HOW DOES GOD fit into your life story-FOR ME-he fits into every single minute of my life-the GOOD-the bad-and the in-between OF COURSE-Jesus was ALWAYS up to the challenge in EVERY INSTANCE of his life-NOT always true of you and me-And of course-WHEN we ask-HOW does God and Jesus fit into your life-the next question is HOW does the Bible FIT into your life?-it is a lot of things to a lot of well-meaning people-as is religion-and let's just say NOT always accurate and truthful-people use it to TRY and VALIDATE others to their opinion THE BIBLE is: objective-the bible is truth-the bible is LOVE THE BIBLE IS GOD'S STORY of love for the human race-and it's use is intended for us to LEARN to LOVE GOD AND OTHERS-above ALL ELSE it is GOD'S DESIRE for us to learn to live righteously-and to FOLLOW the example of his Son-JESUS CHRIST it is a GREAT DAY to be ALIVE in GOD'S LOVE for us-and a great day for us TO LOVE OTHERS-as he loves us WRITING OUR OWN LIFE STORY TODAY is the FIRST day Of the rest Of your life It's cliche' But it is TRUE We are writing A book About our own life WHO AND WHAT We put into it and the QUALITIES We live our lives with IS UP to us YOUR LIFE Is your story What are you Going to make of it In most cases-not all- WE CHOOSE What we live “The disciples APPROACHED him and said, 'WHY do you speak to them In parables?'” EVERY LIFE Tells a story Jesus speaks in parables- STORIES that represent DEEPER meanings and mysteries Of life SO As the WORD of God PAINTS an overall story Of creation From Genesis to Revelation Jesus' teachings Are stories within the stories SOME of our stories Have GOD in them Some of our stories do not BUT the best life stories ARE THOSE Told in Collaboration with God The REAL beginning Of my own story BEGINS on my 22nd birthday In a hospital emergency And emergency operation My blood count Going down to three And a promise-AN OATH- Made to God Since that time God has been THE MAJOR STAR of my life My health A great co-star As well as myself TRYING TO LIVE With the qualities Of love-honesty-integrity-and sincerity And HAVING GREAT CO-stars IN my immediate family, My extended family, My friends-and my churches There are MANY pages left To be written-HOPEFULLY (if it be God's will) And hopefully It will continue To be a story OF FAITH-HOPE-and OF LOVE WHAT do you want Your life story to say? WHO AND WHAT Do you want To be in YOUR life story? HOW do you want Your next chapter to read? I hope you write GOD And FAITH AND LOVE into it LIVE YOUR PASSION AND write a GREAT life story Robert P. Wallman 8-25-14 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Kristin Armstrong 6-3-15

JOURNAL=6-2-15=WHOM DO YOU TRUST

JOURNAL=6-2-15=WHOM DO YOU TRUST “An evil report-he shall NOT FEAR-his heart is FIRM-TRUSTING in the LORD” Psalm 112:7 I think we all DREAD that health report-we all FEAR getting a bad health diagnosis-and HOW it will effect our life-I KNOW that WHEN I was told that I was going to die in 1977-I put my HOPE in GOD-and HERE I still am-despite 38 years of a chronic illness-and many times WHEN it was very serious-NOT KNOWING how I got through-it was GOD-and I will SING HIS PRAISES until my dying breath WHOM DO YOU TRUST?-TRUST IN THE LORD And MANY of us-at various times in our life-have had too MUCH MONTH-at the end of the money-yet here we still sit-DO NOT EVER let the circumstances of life-take your hope away-WITH GOD-and the HELP of others-FAMILY AND FRIENDS-there is ALWAYS HOPE-never give up AND many of us have seen broken relationships-BROKEN MARRIAGES-broken families-do NOT ever give up on RECONCILIATION-the circumstances of today are NOT always going to be the same of what they will be tomorrow-THINGS CHANGE over time-WITH GOD-all things are POSSIBLE WHO ARE you going to trust TRUST ALWAYS IN THE LORD it is a GREAT DAY to be ALIVE in GOD'S LOVE for us-and a great day to PUT ALL of your hope and TRUST IN THE LORD WHO DO YOU TRUST? Who do you TRUST LOOK at any coin or US currency And somewhere on it it says: “IN GOD WE TRUST” I suggest to you That that is the reason We have so much TROUBLE In our country So much trouble In our world We really don't trust God Anymore We want to put ALL of our trust In ourselves Well I got some news For you No one-no human being Can do it alone NOT without HELP from God Not without help From others Psalm 56 says: “NOW that I know That God is with me In God I TRUST” Psalm 56:10, 12 WE can make it OUR country can make it OUR WORLD can make it But NOT before We LEARN To rely on God Psalm 56 says GOD is on our side THE GOD OF LOVE Calls you and me LOVES you and me And finds us Unique and delightful Just imagine WHAT would really happen How we would LIVE OUR LOVES IF we really believed this And psalm 37 says: “TRUST in the Lord And do good Dwell in the land And enjoy safe pasture DELIGHT yourself In the Lord And he will give you THE DESIRES of your heart” Psalm 37:3-4 TRUST in God He LOVES YOU He wants What is BEST for you He is a GOD That is more than Merely with us He is a God THAT is on our side And in Proverbs 3 It says: “TRUST in the Lord With ALL your heart Lean not On your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5 The writers of the psalms And proverbs DON'T say “In my own goodness And intelligence I TRUST” OR “In good health-and material possessions I trust” They say “IN GOD WE TRUST” Put a penny Or a $ bill In your pocket And any time YOUR FAITH is weakening PULL it out and read “IN GOD WE TRUST” Dear Lord We PRAY that we always remember YOU are on my side It is you that I trust And we pray for the GRACE To live by: “IN GOD WE TRUST” Robert p. Wallman 10-10-14 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITHMAGAZINE by Sister Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D. 6-2-15

JOURNAL=6-1-15=REMAIN CALM IN THE STORMS OF LIFE

JOURNAL=6-1-15=REMAIN CALM IN THE STORMS OF LIFE “He shall NEVER be moved; the JUST MAN shall be in EVERLASTING REMEMBRANCE” Psalm 112:6 CAN YOU REMAIN at peace and calm within-no matter what is going on in the world-MANY of us become shaken or disturbed even WHEN small things go wrong-they put us off track and shake us up-put us out of our routine THE ONLY WAY to be UNMOVABLE-the ONLY way to stay at PEACE-is by CONNECTING ourselves with the ONE who is truly at peace-OUR GOD-and our Lord and SAVIOR Jesus Christ INSIDE each of us is a CENTER-WHERE OUR SPIRIT resides-this is WHERE our PRAYER LIFE originates-and our SAFE PLACE when the WORLD gets too crazy for us-FINDING this place HELPS US to remain calm IN THE STORMS OF LIFE I often think of the ocean-or laying out in the sun-next to the ocean-OR better yet-being alone in my room-PRAYING to God-saying my prayers-or READING MY BIBLE FINDING GOD in the deep recess of my soul-HELPS ME to find my calm-to RECLAIM my peace and steadiness it is a GREAT DAY to be ALIVE in GOD'S LOVE for us-and a great day for FINDING OUR PEACE-Despite the storms of life REMAINING CALM-IN THE STORMS OF LIFE One of the biggest things We NEED to do in life Is to try and REMAIN CALM When the difficulties of life Are threatening our lives Our relationships And our livelihoods Easier said Than done “He makes the storm calm So that the waves are still” Psalm 107:29 STAY CALM “And behold There arose a great tempest In the sea In as much as the ship Was covered with waves But he (Jesus) was asleep” Matthew 8:24 And they woke Jesus And he said, “Why are you fearful You of little faith Then he arose And rebuked the winds And the sea And there was A GREAT CALM” Matthew 8:26 Do you ever feel That way When you get That bad health diagnosis When your finances are falling apart When your relationship Or your relationships Are breaking up STAY CALM The Lord our God Has it under control Our Lord Can control the spiritual And emotional storms of our life Just as He can control the physical-like the sea STAY CALM Not so easy Is it When we confront Irritating people and irritating situations It is a CHALLENGE To keep our thoughts calm “Search me-oh God And know my heart Test me and know My anxious thoughts” Psalm 139:23 STAY CALM And STAY CONNECTED To the Lord And you will Come out victorious With our Lord-LEADING the way “STAY CALM The Lord KNOWS the thoughts of man” Psalm 94:11 STAY CALM-in the storms of life And REST on the POWER OF GOD Robert P. Wallman 2-26-13 6-1-15