PREPARING THE WAY

PREPARING THE WAY The word ADVENT Means “coming” It is a time Of expectant waiting and celebration For the coming of Jesus At Christmas 2,000 years ago The preparation for the coming of Jesus Was done by his family member His cousin-John the Baptist John baptized Jesus In the Jordan river They both saw: “A spirit descending on him Like a dove”-and heard a voice Coming from heaven saying: “You are my son Whom I love With you I am well pleased” Mark 1:10-11 Now over 2,000 years later As Jesus is coming again It is up to Each and everyone of us To prepare room in our hearts For him Prepare room in our hearts For his love Prepare room in our hearts For his forgiveness of us And prepare room in our hearts For his kindness to touch us And at this special time of year Take those same qualities LOVE-FORGIVENESS-and KINDNESS And pass them on to others “PREPARE to meet your God-Oh Israel” Amos 4:12 Prepare in us A CLEAN heart oh God And put a NEW AND RIGHT spirit within us Prepare a heart in us A heart FULL OF LOVE As we await our Lord and Savior “No eye has seen Nor ear has heard No mind has conceived What God has PREPARED For those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9 Prepare in us A heart FULL OF FORGIVENESS As we await your forgiveness for us As YOU enter into this world AGAIN THIS YEAR “You prepare a table before me In the presence of my enemies You anoint my head with oil My cup overflows SURELY GOODNESS AND LOVE Will FOLLOW me ALL the days of my life And I will dwell In the HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER” Psalm 23:5-6 Dear Lord Please be with us As we humbly await your coming Again this year We prepare our hearts for you WITH LOVE We prepare our hearts for you WITH FORGIVENESS We prepare our hearts for your birth WITH EAGER ANTICIPATION In JESUS’ name-we pray-amen Robert P. Wallman 11-19-12 12-7-14 & 11-29-15

WHAT DOES LOVE LOOK LIKE?

WHAT DOES LOVE LOOK LIKE? LOVE is a Funny thing It is The MOST valuable commodity On this earth In this world Yet you can't touch it Feel it Nor is it Anything at all Neither can you hear it Or see it Saint Augustine once asked, “What does LOVE look like?” Then he said, “Love has HANDS to HELP others Love has eyes To see misery and want It has ears To hear the signs And sorrows of others That's what love looks like” Saint Augustine If someone asked me To show them What love looked like I would simply Show them A picture of Jesus He used ALL OF HIMSELF To help others And that is What we are to do too BE Jesus' eyes-ears-hands- And feet-in today's world “BEWARE that your hearts Do not become drowsy From carousing and drunkenness And the anxieties Of daily life........” Luke 21:34 We are to be Of HELP to others In today's world In whatever way We can Although I have done it I'm not much use In a soup kitchen anymore Or any type of volunteer position That requires me To be on my feet For long stretches Yet- We are to be of help In whatever way we can HELP to those hurting Physically-mentally-spiritually And financially WHENEVER we can “GOD is our refuge And strength An ever present HELP In trouble” Psalm 46:1 And in the 9th chapter Of Saint Mark We read about a boy Possessed by an IMPURE SPIRIT His father brings him to Jesus FOR HELP “IF you can,' said Jesus 'EVERYTHING is possible For one who believes'” Mark 9:23 Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, “I do believe- HELP me overcome my unbelief” Mark 9:24 The boy was healed So though We don't know what love Looks like We know it-when we see it- Or when we feel it And Saint Paul Gives us A wonderful description of love “Love is patient-love is kind It does not envy-it does not boast It does not dishonor others It is not self-serving It is not easily angered It keeps NO RECORD of wrongs It does not delight in evil But REJOICES with the truth It always protects-always trusts Always hopes-always perseveres LOVE NEVER FAILS” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 So today CALL someone that you love WRITE someone a card Or bake a casserole-or Maybe a pie- Or invite someone in For coffee We may not know What it looks But we know What it is LOVE SOMEONE TODAY Happy first Sunday Of Advent I LOVE YOU! Robert P. Wallman 11-28-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Bernadette Snyder

ARE YOU JOYFUL?

WITNESS 3-23-13 ARE YOU JOYFUL Are you a joyful person Before you say yes Think about it Are you joyful Even when your health is falling apart Are you joyful When you don’t have enough money in the bank To pay your bills Are you joyful When your relationship With your significant other Is falling apart Or when your personal relationships Are not what they were--- Or what they used to be If you and I can truly say yes to this question When our lives are falling apart Then we are truly Living in the spirit of God Someone once said, “Joy is the infallible sign Of GOD’S PRESENCE In your life” Joy is one of the aspects And is a sign That God’s word---GOD’S SPIRIT Is alive in us That joy is evident In Jesus’ life The COMPASSION that he showed To those in need---the healing Always making himself AVAILABLE to others And Jesus Teaches us that joy comes from servant hood Even with impending crucifixion and death He gets down on his hands and knees And washes his disciples feet So they would be made clean JOY Comes from Having a servant’s heart “I have set an example That you should do As I have done for you” John 13:16 Joy Comes from Having a servant’s heart “And we pray this In order that you may live a life Worthy of the Lord And may please him In every way Bearing fruit in every good work Growing in the knowledge of God Being strengthened with all power According to his glorious might So that you may have Great endurance and patience And JOYFULLY giving thanks to the Father” 1 Corinthians 10-12 If you can be joyous When you are suffering AS CHRIST DID You are truly living in the SPIRIT OF GOD And if we remain JOYOUS In ALL circumstances Living on the WORD OF GOD It will lead us To salvation “Though you have not seen him You love him And even though You do not see him now You believe in him And are filled With an inexpressible and glorious JOY For you are receiving the GOAL of your faith THE SALVATION OF YOUR SOULS” 1 Peter 8-9 May the JOY OF THE LORD LIVE IN YOU ROBERT P. WALLMAN 3-5-12 Ps WITNESS 3-23-13 “Consider it pure JOY-my brothers-whenever you face trials Of many kinds-because you knot that the testing of your faith Develops perseverance” James 1:2-3 misc. WITNESS 2-17-14 and 11-28-15

WORDS

WITNESS 8-29-13 WORDS (your words-my words-HIS WORDS) Words are symbols that convey meanings And feelings from one party to another And these words Can be spoken-or written YOU have words I have words And he-THE LORD-has words Hopefully Our words are honest and sincere But HIS WORDS-are Gospel And the “Gospel” Is the “GOOD NEWS” And the good news Is the message of Christianity “For we are God’s workmanship Created in Christ Jesus To do GOOD works Which God prepared In advance For us to do” 2 Ephesians 10 The words of Saint Paul Is the good news Of the Lord THE WORDS And by THE WORD OF GOD We know He made heaven and earth And we know He did it in six days For he rested on the seventh And psalm 33 says “By the word Of the Lord Were the heavens made Their starry host By the breath of his mouth” Psalm 33:6 And Hebrews 11 “By faith We understand That the universe was formed By God’s command So that what is seen Was NOT made out Of what was visible” Hebrews 11:3 God or science Your choice MY CHOICE IS GOD Or maybe God first Then science THE WORDS And WE KNOW That outside of fleeing THE WORD OF GOD Is our chief weapon Against temptation And our tool against Satan The tempter Came to Jesus and said “If you are The Son of God Tell these stones to become bread” Jesus answered, “It is written Man does not live By bread alone But on EVERY WORD That comes from the mouth of God” Matthew 4: 3 & 4 THE WORDS “The WORD Became flesh And made his dwelling among us We have seen his glory The GLORY of he ONE AND ONLY Who came from the Father FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH” John 1:14 You have words I have words HOPEFULLY-both sincere and true BUT ONLY ONE-is THE WORD Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ THE WORD MADE FLESH Robert P. Wallman 3-5-13 Ps WITNESS 8-29-13 misc. WITNESS 3-14-14 10-17-14 & 11-27-15

THE GREATEST GIFT

“The Greatest Gift” God gave me the greatest gift Life You say you want happiness But in order to find it You have to know Where to look You won’t find it in money You won’t find it in sex You won’t find it in drugs Or in alcohol Or whatever you are Looking to next You find it within yourself You find it In giving love You find it In being kind To the guy/girl next door So I tell you again God gave me the greatest gift Life I didn’t use it For myself I used it By trying to do Little acts of kindness For others So if you are looking for happiness Try looking within yourself God gave you the greatest gift It is called----------- LIFE 5/03/06 Robert P. Wallman Ps GIVING THANKS for LIFE an d the BEAUTIFUL FAMILY & FRIENDS GOD has BLESSED ME WITH HAPPY 2015 THANKSGIVING!-LOVE YOU ALL! Rpw 11-26-15

“Thank You Lord” Thank you Lord for this life you’ve given Thank you Lord for the hope that has arisen Thank you Lord for all that we do Thank you Lord for the opportunity to start anew You are the one You are the main reason You are the one That has been constant through every season You are the one Who can inspire us on to new goals You are the one That makes us complete and whole Thank you Lord for this life we lead Thank you Lord for planting the seeds Thank you Lord for helping us to grow Thank you Lord for helping us to know When to reach out and try for more When to sit back And let you make us soar Thank you Lord You are the one Who makes it all possible You are the one Who helps us to know our role You are the one Who leads us back from defeat You are the one With whom we can’t be beat Thank you Lord for our world and country Thank you Lord for it all Thank you Lord for all the people around us Thank you Lord for it all Thank you Lord for our health and even our problems Thank you Lord for it all Thank you Lord for the lives you’ve given Thank you Lord for it all You are the one Thank you Lord You are the main reason You are the one Thank you Lord That has been constant through all the seasons You are the one Thank you Lord That is at the center of it all You are the one Thank you Lord That enables us to stand tall No matter what the circumstance No matter what the call Thank you Lord Thank you, Thank you for it all 11/24/1982 Robert P. Wallman Giving thanks, not only at Thanksgiving Lord, but at all times, and for all things. EVERYTHING good in our life is a gift from you---beginning with our life. HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2015 my FRIENDS Today-would have been my Father’s 84th BIRTHDAY 11-25-15

WHERE DO YOU FIND JESUS?

WHERE DO YOU FIND JESUS? WHERE do you find Jesus In today's world We have many teachers Of the WORD But there was Only one MASTER TEACHER And that was Jesus HIMSELF LOOKING FOR JESUS “Jesus answered, 'See that you Are not deceived For many will come In my name-saying- 'I am he'- And 'The time has come' DO NOT follow them” Luke 21:8 ALL we can do Is FOLLOW Those teachers Who strictly follow God's Follow Jesus' words WHOSE TEACHINGS come From what the Lord said In the bible And while you are at it LOOK at the company You keep and ask yourself If they are good people And “do they know-FOLLOW The teachings of the Lord?” “Surely goodness and love Will FOLLOW me All the days Of my life” Psalm 23:6 “'Come FOLLOW me,' Jesus said, 'And I will send you out To FISH for people'” Matthew 4:19 And that is What you and I today THE APOSTLES of the 21st century Are to do: FISH FOR PEOPLE The question still stands: Where do we find Jesus today? We find him In all those WHO ARE IN NEEED NOT in the silly celebrities Not in the spoiled rich Sports star But we FIND GOD We find Jesus In EVERYONE who is in need The brokenhearted-the broken spirited- The poor-the stranger- the ill-the prisoner NOT in the rich and famous Although if truth be known We find Christ In everyone of us For we are ALL in need “May your MERCY Come quickly to meet us For we are In desperate need” Psalm 79:8 “They sold property and possessions To GIVE to anyone in need” Acts 2:45 And that is WHAT we are to do As modern day Christians GIVE to anyone and everyone in need Particularly those with broken hearts And BROKEN SPIRITS Dear Lord- With Thanksgiving just Around the corner We give thanks For the FAITH that sustains us We give thanks For your teachings In the bible And we give thanks For you and FOR ALL OTHERS Because where others are There are needs there And that is WHERE We find you OUR LORD & SAVIOR Dear Jesus Happy Thanksgiving week everyone I am THANKFUL FOR YOU! Robert P. Wallman 11-23-5 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Miguel Dulick

REPAID A THOUSAND TIMES

REPAID A THOUSAND TIMES I have ALWAYS Tried to give God ALL I have-in time- Money-and prayer The problem is I don't have That much to give In time or money BECAUSE of an ongoing chronic Health troubles since I've been 22- And it not only has been chronic But it has put me In critical situations Time and again To the point WHERE it was almost fatal But we should always give ALL we have for God And one of the great stories About giving=in the NEW TESTAMENT Is the story About the POOR WIDOW “........she, from her poverty Has offered HER WHOLE INVESTMENT” Luke 21:4 I wonder If she was embarrassed About the amount She had to give As I often am You see-I live on $875/month Disability income=and I couldn't even live Without the help I RECEIVE from some loving individuals I would love To be out there working I would love To be out there tithing Like many individuals I just simply can't BUT I do give ALL I have to others And to God In what ways I can give “All day long He craves for more But the RIGHTEOUS give Without sparing” Proverbs 21:26 “Jesus said, 'FREELY you have received FREELY GIVE'” Matthew 10:8 So I don't have That much to give But I give ALL that I can Particularly in LOVE to And PRAYERS for others And in my writing and WITH CARDS The one thing That I have learned In-life Is that IF you continue to give God will REPAY YOU A thousand times IN BLESSINGS It is TRUE What they say: “YOU CAN'T OUT GIVE GOD” So what did Jesus say About the POOR WIDOW- About the widow's mite “'Truly I tell you,' He said, '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 21:3-4 I hope and pray That Jesus is Saying that about me too And about you For we are ALL To give ALL WE HAVE For God and for others (Time-money-and TREASURE) And I can tell you From the experiences Of my life GOD will REPAY you A thousand time over Dear Lord-THANK YOU For all the LOVE and GOODNESS you provide HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I am THANKFUL FOR YOU Robert P. Wallman 11-22-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Melanie Rigney

KNOWING OUR PURPOSE

KNOWING OUR PURPOSE Jesus knew EXACTLY who he was (The SON of God) And he knew Exactly what his PURPOSE Was to be (To SAVE us from our sins And bring SALVATION to ALL) “Jesus answered, 'You say I am a king For this I was born And for this I came into the world To TESTIFY to the truth Everyone who belongs To the truth LISTENS to my voice'” John 18:37 How about you Do you know WHY you were born Why you were brought Into the world From my Catholic grade school days I know the answer And I have NEVER forgotten it The answer is the SAME For everyone of us “To know-love-and SERVE God” It is just how we Go about it-that is different “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 the good Of those who love him Who have been called ACCORDING to his purpose” Romans 8:28 There are MANY constant truths About God One is That GOD IS LOVE And if God is love The MORE we love The more we live In the image of God And his PERFECT EXAMPLE- That Is Jesus Christ This is Jesus' will For us That we ACCEPT the truth And if we do We will not only experience MEANING AND JOY In our own lives But we will HELP others Experience it too This is GOD'S WILL For our lives To live With God's meaning And joy in our lives “I desire To DO your will My God- Your law Is within my HEART” Psalm 40:8 YES!=the law of LOVE The LAW OF GOD LIVES- Inside ALL of our hearts “For I have come down from heaven NOT to do my will But to do the will Of him who sent me” John 6:38 Dear Lord= HELP US to always Know your will OUR PURPOSE= In this crazy mixed-up world And to DO IT You were THE WONDERFUL PROOF Of our Father's love For us And OUR INSPIRATION We pray=that we KNOW OUR PURPOSE “To know-love-and serve God-and others” And to ACCEPT and LIVE CHRIST'S LOVE Robert P. Wallman 11-21-15 Ps IN SPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Fr. Kenneth Grabner, C.S.C.

THERE IS LIFE IN GOD AND CHRIST

THERE IS LIFE IN GOD AND CHRIST If we are living life CONNECTED to God and Christ We will LIVE FOREVER For as BELIEVERS in them We have an ETERNAL INHERITANCE “They can No longer die For they are like angels And they are THE CHILDREN OF GOD Because they are the ones Who will RISE” Luke 20:36 Jesus words Are a wonderful promise On the future That awaits us If not in this life At least in the next We have an INHERITANCE coming “BLESSED is the nation Whose God Is the Lord The people he chose For his inheritance” Psalm 33:12 “In his great mercy He has given us New birth Into a LIVING HOPE Through the RESURRECTION Of Jesus Christ-from the dead And into an inheritance That can never perish- Spoil or fade This inheritance Is kept in HEAVEN for you” 1 Peter 1:3-4 We have to GIVE THANKS To God and Jesus For this inheritance But before we do We must give thanks For the MANY gifts and blessings We have in this life God wants us to ENJOY them And to SHARE them With others And to be THANKFUL For everything that we have received “Let the PEACE of Christ Rule in your hearts Since as members Of one body You were Called to peace And be THANKFUL” Colossians 3:15 “DEVOTE yourself to prayer Being watchful and THANKFUL” Colossians 4:2 “Therefore Since we are receiving a kingdom That cannot be shaken Let us be THANKFUL And worship God acceptably With reverence and awe For our God Is a consuming fire” Hebrews 12:28-29 And once our lives Are over We graduate From an earthly life To a RESURRECTED ONE Where we will see NO DEATH Not only that But we will SEE our loved ones again In the LAND OF THE LIVING There is LIFE IN GOD AND CHRIST TRUE LOVE in God=with God= NEVER DIES Thank you Lord For the GIFT OF LIFE In all its fullness Wishing everyone a BLESSED BEGINNING To a HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEK THANKFUL FOR YOU! Robert P. Wallman 11-20-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Fr. Kenneth Grabner, C.S.C.

WHEN JESUS SPEAKS=PEOPLE LISTEN

WHEN JESUS SPEAKS=PEOPLE LISTEN Years ago There was a commercial That went: “When EF HUTTON speaks- People listen” And it showed a crowd Going drop dead quiet As a golfer begins To hit his golf ball Into the hole I can ONLY IMAGINE That this is the way It was-some 2,000 year ago WHEN people gathered in temples- On hillsides-and in quiet upper rooms To hear Jesus speak “........But they could Find no way To accomplish their purpose Because ALL the people Were hanging on his words” Luke 15:48 Yes=Jesus' words THOSE APPEALING WORDS The words of life When “important” people speak The world listens Who was ever More important than Jesus? Press conferences are called And we tune in To listen to the politician- The over paid athlete- And the glamorous movie star But whoever spoke More appealing words than Jesus “As for everyone Who comes to me And hears my words And puts them Into practice I will show you What they are like They are like a man BUILDING a house Who dug down deep And laid the foundation On rock” Luke 6:47-48 And that is what We have to do Is BUILD OUR LIVES On the foundation of Jesus' words And live by that example So people will see Jesus In us=IN OUR LIVES “If you REMAIN in me And my words remain in you Ask whatever you wish And it will be done For you” John 15:7 When Jesus speaks= PEOPLE LISTEN= We listen And his words STICK with us for a lifetime Jesus spoke with authority With truth And without fanfare In his authority And in his LOVE The people heard Something different and true As we today STILL hear something true and different We hear his words We RESPOND to his words And his words will live FOREVER and ever “Heaven and earth Will pass away but my words Will NEVER pass away” Matthew 24:35 Dear Lord= May your words FILL OUR LIVES For when you speak PEOPLE LISTEN Robert P. Wallman 11-19-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Mitch Finley Let us ALL RESPOND to God/Jesus' words IN today's world

LOVE AND PEACE=LOOKING FOR ACCEPTANCE

LOVE AND PEACE= LOOKING FOR ACCEPTANCE Are you looking for LOVE and peace In today's world Are you looking For acceptance In today's world I think we all are EVEN JESUS WAS “As Jesus drew near Jerusalem He saw the city And wept over it saying, '….....For the days Are coming upon you When your enemies Will raise a palisade against you That will encircle you And hem you in On ALL SIDES'” Luke 19:41-43 Today's gospel TELLS of Jesus' sorrow and tears Over the failure of Jerusalem To accept him Jesus cried a 1,000 tears I have cried A thousand tears too Over my desire To be ACCEPTED in this world I'll bet you have too REJECTION is a terrible thing It makes you wonder What someone else has In this world-that you don't have Jesus EXPERIENCED the ultimate rejection He was even put to death Because of it But Jesus did NOT reject us God and Jesus never will “For the Lord Will not reject his people He will never forsake His inheritance” Psalm 94:14 “The stone The builders rejected Has become the CORNERSTONE” Psalm118:22 & Matthew 21:42 The one thing These SCRIPTURE readings remind us Is that on any level From families-to local organizations- And from nations-to the whole world Is that there is NO PEACE In this world EXCEPT in those hearts OPEN to God's love “PEACE I leave with you My peace I give you I do not give to you As the world gives Do NOT let your hearts Be troubled And do not be afraid” John 14:27 God and Jesus Give us the peace We cannot find in this world This world Does reject us BUT GOD NEVER DOES But God's love BRINGS PEACE So if you are looking For ACCEPTANCE in this world TURN TO God “ACCEPT one another-then- Just as Christ accepted you In order To bring PRAISE to God” Romans 15:7 “The Lord Has heard my cry for mercy The Lord ACCEPTS my prayer” Psalm 6:9 So LOOK to the Lord For acceptance For love and peace-and- You will find it there NOT SO-in this world DEAR LORD=WE PRAY Help all the world To be open To YOUR FATHER'S LOVE AND PEACE Robert P. Wallman 11-18-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Mitch Finley

FILLED WITH JOY

FILLED WITH JOY Are you FILLED With joy in this life? Or are you filled With The things Madison Avenue Is trying to sell you? The advertising community In our country TRIES to drive home The message That we are happier When we buy What they have to offer But I suggest to you That you can ONLY find Joy and happiness When you are buying What God is offering “Lord-when your glory appears- MY JOY will be FULL” Psalm 17:15 That new home Will not bring permanent happiness Neither will That new car Or even Even if you find A boyfriend or girlfriend That looks like the person In that advertisement Life is real SO ARE PEOPLE The fullness of joy Is in the GIVING Giving the way That God gives GIVING OURSELVES away for others Madison Avenue Tells us That happiness and joy Can be bought But NOTHING Is further than the truth The objects that we buy LOSE their luster almost as fast As we lose our money But GOD PROMISES a joy That can't be bought A happiness that is ETERNAL/FORVEVER “God has ASCENDED Amid shouts of joy The Lord Amid the sounding Of the trumpets” Psalm 47:5 “The prospect pf the righteous Is joy But the hopes Of the wicked Come to nothing” Proverbs 10:28 GOD'S JOY Is born within us It grows within us And it is a JOY Or happiness That lasts forever IT IS ETERNAL “I will sing Of the Lord's GREAT LOVE FOREVER With my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known To all generations” Psalm 89:1 “For riches Do NOT endure forever And a crown Is not secure For all generations” Proverbs 27:24 The happiness That comes from this world Is fleeting ONLY THE JOY That comes from God Lasts FOREVER Joy is like love The more you GIVE The more You have to give Joy costs nothing Except trust TRUSTING in God That he will bring it to us By living lives of LOVE=FORGIVENESS=and KINDNESS FIND YOUR LASTING JOY IN GOD Robert P. Wallman 11-17-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Fr. James Stephen Behrens, O.C.S.O.

BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER

BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER In chapter 22 Of Saint Matthew's GOSPEL Jesus gives us The two greatest commandments Of course The first commandment is: “LOVE the Lord your God With all your heart With all your soul And with ALL your mind” Matthew 22:37 “And the second Is like Unto it Thou shalt love thy neighbor As thyself” Matthew 22:39 And INCLUDED In LOVING our neighbor Is BEING KIND to that person “For you have said My KINDNESS Is established forever” Psalm 89:3 In other words Be kind to everyone AT ALL TIMES VERY difficult to do But something We can all aspire to do And while We should be kind To everyone We should be especially kind To the NEEDY “He who despises his neighbors SINS BUT BLESSED Is he Who is kind to the NEEDY” Proverbs 14:21 “He who OPPRESSES the poor Shows contempt For their maker But whoever IS KIND to the needy HONORS GOD” Proverbs 14:31 And it doesn't often Take a lot of effort To be KIND to someone A warm smile A handshake A HUG Maybe a birthday Or a get-well card Just some little action That says: “I KNOW What you are going through And I know What you have been through” Just some little action That lets a person Know that You CARE about hem And in James 1 James tells us WHAT PURE RELIGION IS “RELIGION that God Our Father Accepts as PURE AND FAULTLESS Is this: TO LOOK AFTER orphans and widows In their distress And to keep oneself From being polluted By the world” James 1:27 So LOVE ONE ANOTHER and always remember To keep being KIND Robert P. Wallman 5-15-14 Ps Inspired by an article in LIVING FAITH magazine by Father James McKarns MISC.WITNESS 5-23-14 12-6-14 5-3-15 & 11-17-15

CALLED TO SERVE

WITNESS 7-17-13 CALLED TO SERVE Are you Living a life of service If you are You are in good company After all-that is what Jesus did “No one has greater love than this To lay down one’s life For one’s friends” John 15:13 As Christians We are to put our lives On the line-every day IN LOVE For our family For our friends And anyone/everyone we can help During the course of the day IF we can The Lord said, “It is no small thing For you to be my servant To restore the tribes of Jacob And to bring back those of Israel I have kept I will also Make you a light For the Gentiles That you may bring my salvation To the ends of the earth” Isaiah 49:6 And Jesus himself said, “Not so with you Instead-whoever wants to be great Among you Must be your servant And whoever wants to be first Must be slave to all For even the Son of Man Did not come to be served But to serve And to give his life As a ransom for many” Mark 10:43-45 There it is SUDDENLY—BEING GREAT Doesn’t sound too appealing At least to me How about you Being great involves choices Choices that CHANGE our lives And the lives of our family Our friends, and even strangers And sometimes these choices In serving Are uncomfortable-unpleasant- And even inconvenient and annoying Dear Lord-we pray That we-as you did Make choices that benefit others Even if sometimes-it works against Our OWN selfish interests Dear Lord-HELP US-like you To be willing to pay the price Robert P. Wallman 5-16-12 Ps WITNESS 7-17-13 “You-my brothers-were called to be free But do NOT use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature Rather SERVE one another in LOVE The ENTIRE law is summed up in a single command LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF” Galatians 5:13-14 misc. WITNESS 1-26-14 10-24-14 &11-16-15

NO ONE KNOWS=BE READY

NO ONE KNOWS=BE READY Do you KNOW When the end of the world Is coming I don't-I have No idea Contrary to public opinion And ALL the doomsday predictors Over the past few years No one else knows either NOT even Jesus knew “But of that day-or hour- NO ONE KNOWS Neither the angels in heaven Nor the Son But only the FATHER” Mark 13:32 NO ONE KNOWS Ever since Jesus PREACHED About the end of times People have guessed About when it would happen Remember When people thought it was midnight Of the year 2,000 MANY first generation Christians Thought they would be eyewitnesses To the RETURN of Jesus WHEN the world would end No one knows The MOST we can do Is BE READY “Because of the increase In wickedness The love of most Will grow COLD But the one WHO STANDS FIRM To the end Will be saved And the gospel of the kingdom Will be preached To the WHOLE WORLD As a TESTIMONY To all nations Then the end will come” Matthew 24:12-14 “Then he said to them- 'Nations will rise Against nation And kingdom against kingdom There will be great earthquakes- Famines and pestilences In various places And fearful events And great signs from heaven” Luke 21:10-11 SOUND FAMILIAR? I don't know Anymore than anyone else ALL I am saying Is NO ONE knows Only the Father So love God With your WHOLE HEART LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR As yourself BE READY Do what the Lord Has taught SHARE your whole life With God And your family and friends And whatever you are doing With your life GIVE IT to God Most likely We will LEAVE THIS WORLD Long before The world leaves us And the sun Most likely will RISE tomorrow But whatever you are doing Be ready=for ONLY THE FATHER KNOWS Robert P. Wallman 11-14-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Father James McKarns

AT ALL TIMES=TURN TO GOD

AT ALL TIMES=TURN TO GOD We run into EVERY type of circumstance In life Happiness-sadness-joy-grief- Life-and death Jesus-God-wants us To SHARE everything in life With him The good times-the bad times- etc., etc., etc., “Your all-powerful word- From heaven's royal throne Bounded........ Into the doomed land ….....” Wisdom 18:16 Jesus tells us to PRAY ALWAYS Without becoming weary Jesus MUST have known How difficult life would be For the people of his day The woman hemorrhaging For 12 years The sick man WAITING by the pool at Bethesda For 38 years And you and I today LIVING our life And committing the same stupid sin Over and over and over again At least that was The way it was for me UNTIL a few years ago WHEN God and Jesus Began to TRANSFORM my life “Come to me ALL you who are weary And burdened And I will give you REST Take my yoke upon you And learn from me For I am gentle And HUMBLE in heart And you will find rest FOR YOUR SOULS” Matthew 11:28 “Let us NOT become weary In doing going For at the proper time We will REAP a harvest If we do not give up” Galatians 6:9 I really and truly BELIEVE That at all times We are to TURN TO GOD I believe our whole life Should be ONE constant prayer And we are to share EVERY aspect of our life With God I would always KNEEL down and PRAY to God For forgiveness If I even thought I was Doing something marginally wrong “To you-Lord-I call You are my ROCK Do not turn A deaf ear to me For if you remain silent I will be like those Who go down To the pit” Psalm 28:1 “Get wisdom-get understanding- Do NOT forget my words Or TURN AWAY from them” Proverbs 4:5 For 2,000 years the Israelites groaned And then they were answered God loves it When we keep TURNING to him Even when we are in trouble God wants to deliver us From our trouble And he loves it When we PRAISE HIM No matter What our circumstances Dear Lord-may we always TURN TO YOU And may we always PRAISE YOU Our Rock-our fortress- AND OUR DELIVER Robert P. Wallman 11-13-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Mary Marrocco

THE ETERNAL GOD=GOD'S LOVE LASTS FOREVER

THE ETERNAL GOD=GOD'S LOVE LASTS FOREVER We see beautiful things In life Beautiful people-beautiful flowers And trees-beautiful cherry blossoms- In the spring Beautiful fall leaves But NOT all beauty Lasts forever=ONLY GOD'S “Now If out of joy in their beauty They thought them gods Let them KNOW How far more excellent IS the Lord than these” Wisdom 13:3 Beauty FADES=blossoms decay= Leaves rot ONLY the LOVE OF GOD Only the WORD OF GOD Lasts forever “I will SING Of the Lord's great LOVE FOREVER With my mouth I will make your faithfulness known Through all generations” “I will declare That your love stands Firm-FOREVER” Psalm 89:1-2 “Give THANKS To the Lord For he is good HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER” Psalm 107:1 One thing We know about God And we KNOW About the bible Is it is A LOVE STORY And it begins and ends WITH LOVE TRIUMPHANT It begins With the BEGINNING of our world Though our God Was already ALIVE And it ENDS With love PERMEATING To the ends of the earth I can hardly wait For the TRIUMPHANCE OF GOD'S LOVE GOD'S LOVE IS ETERNAL 'Your word-Lord-IS ETERNAL it stands firm in the heavens” Psalm 119:89 “Very truly-I tell you Whoever hears my word And BELIEVES HIM who sent me Has eternal life And will NOT be judged But has crossed over From death to life” John 5:24 And we know That Jesus was conceived By the SPIRIT CONQUERED all the temptations Of his life Including death And LIVES FOREVER With the Father Jesus will never die Because you CANNOT kill love And his words Will NEVER DIE He told us that himself “Heaven and earth Will pass away But my words WILL NEVER PASS AWAY” Luke 21:33 Just as His words never will His love never will As he has Left his COMFORTER-THE HOLY SPIRIT Behind for us LOVE the Father Love the Son Love the Holy Spirit And LOVE ONE ANOTHER Turn away from idolatry And FIND the Love of God Living in your heart THE LOVE OF GOD IS ETERNAL Robert P. Wallman 11-12-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Eve Tushnet

WHERE IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

WHERE IS THE KINGDOM F GOD? Where is The kingdom of God? Of course-from our early days We know That God is everywhere And therefore Our common sense tells us That the KINGDOM of God is everywhere too But of course-as ALWAYS Jesus' explanation is much more elaborate- In his teachings-and his words “Asked by the Pharisees WHEN the KINGDOM of God would come- Jesus said in reply, 'The coming of the KINGDOM OF GOD cannot be observed And no one will announce-' 'LOOK-here it is,' or 'there it is,' For behold- The KINGDOM OF GOD Is within you” Luke 17:20-21 I choose to BELIEVE The kingdom of God BEGINS inside each of us And it is UP TO US To spread the WORD In a nonthreatening way To everyone that we can So it begins with us WITHIN us So we should begin By turning our attention To our inner selves “The time has come,” He said The kingdom of God Has come near Repent and BELIEVE the good news” Mark 1:15 And in Mark 4:30 Jesus tells us That the kingdom of God Is like a mustard seed “Again he said, 'What shall we say The kingdom of God is like It is Like a mustard seed Which is the smallest Of ALL seeds on earth Yet-when planted It GROWS and becomes The largest Of all garden plants,........'” Mark 4:30-32 The KINGDOM OF GOD Begins in you Like a mustard seed And grows and grows Until you can't help- But take it out to the world- WHEREVER you go And to whoever you come Into contact with At that point The WORD OF GOD Becomes communal And ALIVE in social settings And we know-of course- God's word-Jesus word- Is alive and FULLY present WHERE 2 or 3 BELIEVERS Are present “For where two or three Gather in my name There am I with them” Matthew 18:20 So the KINGDOM OF GOD BEGINS in our heart And spreads to the whole world WHERE at least two or three Are gathered in his name Maybe-this is-TRULY- THE SECOND COMING OF GOD And it begins In the heart Of EACH ONE OF US Robert P. Wallman 11-11-15 INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Mitch Finley

EVERYONE BELONGS TO GOD

EVERYONE BELONGS TO GOD The funny thing About this life With all the hatred- Violence-killing-etc., IS that we all Come from the same creator- The same MAKER of us all We are all CHILDREN OF GOD EVERYONE belongs to God “Jesus said in reply: '….....Has none but this foreigner RETURNED to give thanks to God?'” Luke 17:18 In today's world We call people “foreigners” too Maybe not By that exact word But anyone NOT LIKE us physically- Spiritually-emotionally- We treat them as odd But again-I say We all-BELONG TO GOD Jesus died for every single person In this world If we are TRUE CHRISTIANS We are to “LIVE”=by the example Of Christ's own life HIS love-forgiveness-and kindness For all We all belong to God And everything in it “To God BELONG wisdom and power Counsel and understanding are his” Job 12:13 “If we live We LIVE for the Lord And if we die We die for the Lord So WHETHER we live or die WE BELONG to the Lord” Romans 14:8 To the Jews The Samaritans were foreigners They were NOT welcome In Jewish circles They were looked down And discriminated against Yet of the ten people In today's gospel That Jesus heals from leprosy ONLY the Samaritan returns To say thank you And Jesus PRAISES him In front of the astonished crowd “Stand up and go- Your FAITH has saved you” Luke 17:19 So we must ask ourselves Who are we EXCLUDING from our lives? Who are we Treating as foreigners? Because they are a LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN US We are all-CHILDREN OF GOD Jesus' life and death PROVED that “Yet to ALL Who did receive him To those Who BELIEVED in his name He gave the RIGHT To become CHILDREN OF GOD- Children born Not of natural descent Nor of human decision Or a husband's will BUT BORN OF GOD” John 1:12-13 Don't treat anyone As a FOREIGNER Don't avoid or shun anyone Dear Lord-WE PRAY Help us to know That the whole world BELONGS TO YOU And that we BELONG To each other Robert P. Wallman 11-10-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.

ALL IS WELL

ALL IS WELL Have you ever been brokenhearted Have you ever been CRUSHED in spirit? I think that is something We ALL experience in life At one time Or another Yer-if there is a consolation It is during those times That the Lord is CLOSE to us IF we just let him be “The Lord is close To the brokenhearted; And those Who are crushed in spirit He SAVES” Psalm34:19 Do not panic During these times The Lord is very close to you “Stay close To the king Wherever he goes” 2 Kings 11:8 ALL is well Or at least-all WILL be well I am moved That God is ALWAYS CLOSE to me and you Particularly through health difficulties Particularly through financial difficulties And particularly through relationship difficulties I have found it to be true THROUGH all the difficulties Of my life “He HEALS the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds” Psalm 147:3 “We are hard pressed On every side But NOT CRUSHED Perplexed- But not in despair Persecuted- But not abandoned Struck down- But not destroyed” 2 Corinthians 4:8 WHEN things are difficult Imagine God EXTENDING his arms toward you Or Jesus Putting his arm around you And saying: “ALL IS WELL- All will be OK” And maybe a relative And/or friend Giving you a HUG And saying that same thing “All is well” “All will be well” Sometimes-when we are suffering We feel SEPARATED Separated from our loved ones Separated from our friends And separated from God But I assure you NOTHING could be further From the truth As my life attests FAMILY and friends Have stood up for me And most of all-GOD “For I am convinced That neither death nor life Neither angels or demons Neither the present nor the future Nor any powers NEITHER height nor depth Nor anything else in all creation Will be able To separate us From the LOVE of God That is in Christ Jesus Our Lord” Romans 8:38-39 So the next time You are feeling unsupported Or disconnected from God and Jesus Imagine them-standing right there With their arm around you saying: “ALL IS WELL” Robert P. Wallman 11-9-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Phil Fox Rose

BUILDING THE CHURCH

BUILDING THE CHURCH OUR Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Initially built the church With the HELP of all The apostles and disciples The popes and saints of over 2,000 years And many other apostolic men and women Regardless of their faith Who put PEOPLE Above structures and buildings “You are God's BUILDING” 1 Corinthians 3:9 The church was rebuilt once By Saint Francis of Assisi AGAIN-I am talking About the PEOPLE OF GOD NOT the structures And it is UP To ALL of us people again In today's world To build an ALL-INCLUSIVE All-loving-all-forgiving church That at least affords EVERY PERSON The opportunity to belong IF they are indeed righteous “So it is with you Since you are eager For gifts of the Spirit TRY to excel In those That build up the church” 1 Corinthians 14:12 It is important That we remember That in every age God raises up HOLY men and women To recall the church To its PRIMARY MISSION To bring the teaching and example Of Jesus To people everywhere First and foremost WE teach by example By loving-by forgiving-by being KIND And practicing the commandments That Moses handed down to us And the two commandments That Jesus taught “FOLLOW my example As I follow the example of Christ,” 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul said “In everything Set them an example By DOING what is GOOD In your teachings Show integrity Seriousness and soundness of speech That cannot be condemned So that those Who oppose you May be ashamed Because they have nothing bad To say about us” Titus 2:7 Dear brothers and sisters In Christ Jesus BUILT the original church And it stands today Saint Francis of Assisi REBUILT the church In the 1200's It is up TO ALL OF US To build An ALL INCLUSIVE church And BRING Christ's teachings ALIVE again To this world It is UP to EVERY man and woman Of this world To begin truly living Christ's teachings After all- NO SERVANT is greater Than his master “The student Is NOT above the teacher Nor a servant Above his master It is ENOUGH For students To be LIKE their teachers And servants Like their masters” Matthew 10:24-25 Let us ALL-BUILD THE CHURCH CHRIST'S ALL-INCLUSIVE CHURCH OF LOVE Robert P. Wallman 11-8-15

NEVER GIVE UP=LIFE CAN CHANGE

NEVER GIVE UP=LIFE CAN CHANGE One thing That I have learned Through life Is to NEVER GIVE UP Life can change Circumstances can change And even if they don't You can change your ATTITUDE Towards them By persisting and persevering And UNITING your sufferings And crosses with God And those of Christ “She left And did as Elijah said- She was able to Eat for a year …..... The jar of flour Did not go empty Nor the jug of oil Run dry ….....” 1 Kings 17:15-16 We do NOT know much About the woman In this story We do not know How she got To this point We do know She was out of options And ideas WHEN she got to this point Elijah gave her HOPE For the future Has your HOPE For the future EVER run out-mine has NOT a very fun feeling “Put your HOPE IN GOD For I will yet Praise him My Savior-and my God” Psalm 42:5 “Now faith is confidence In what we HOPE FOR And assurance About what we do not see” Hebrews 11:1 God can STILL reach us When we have exhausted ALL our resources We can still TURN to God When we have reached Rock bottom ESPECIALLY THEN! Never give up Life can change (Or at least our attitude can) In January of 1978 I just came out of my 3rd Life and death operation I lost my job I had no money In the bank And I lost the physical capacity To carry on a relationship With a woman I cared about I had GIVEN UP But God has TRANSFORMED ME My life=my attitude To be a WITNESS Till the end of time “Do NOT conform To the pattern of this world But be TRANSFORMED By the renewal Of your mind Then you will be able To test and apply What God's will is- HIS GOOD-pleasing-and perfect will” Romans 12:2 God never forsook HIS SON He continues to LIVE In time-in eternity-and in heaven God never forsook me I WILL continue to live In gratefulness and witnessing For as long as I AM ABLE And God will NEVER Forsake you NEVER GIVE UP=LIFE CAN CHANGE God responds by holding us close And calling us HIS VERY OWN Robert P. Wallman 11-7-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Karla Manternach

BE BLESSED

BE BLESSED The other day I was watching the newly inducted Alonzo Mourning Talk about being inducted into the NBA HALL OF FAME He said, “HOW BLESSED he was In his life” He went on To say, “That the PURPOSE of a BLESSING Is to use it to BLESS others” I couldn't agree more I have been BLESSED With a second, a,third And many EXTRA chances At life HOPEFULLY I have learned From previous mistakes And using my blessings To help others From a material perspective WHEN I can But ALWAYS From a spiritual perspective I thank God For my many blessings And I say to you “BE BLESSED” ALL BLESSINGS come from God “BLESSED be The name of the Lord From this time forth And forever more” Psalm 113:2 Dear Lord Please BLESS our country and OUR FAMILIES “BLESSED be the nation Whose God Is the Lord And the people WHOM he has chosen For his own inheritance” Psalm 33:12 Dear Lord-PLEASE BLESS Your people-The people of God We thank you For our many blessings And as Alonzo said We thank you For the many blessings You have bestowed upon us Even for LIFE ITSELF And we thank you For our material blessings Whatever they may be And we ask you To HELP us PASS ON our blessings To others Jesus said, “It is MORE BLESSED to give Than to receive” Acts 20:35 For the PURPOSE Of our BLESSINGS Is to pass those blessings On to others So Dear Lord we pray, THANK YOU For our MANY blessings And as we pass Those blessings On to others We say: “BE BLESSED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD OUR GOD” Robert P. Wallman 4-12-14 4-29-15 11-7-15

AGAINST ALL ODDS=LOVE ALWAYS WINS

AGAINST ALL ODDS=LOVE ALWAYS WINS A number of years back There was a movie called- “AGAINST ALL ODDS” “AGAINST ALL ODDS” was a 1984 movie- With a stellar cast: Of Rachel Ward-Jeff Bridges-& James Woods- Also throw in real-life football star Alex Karras-Swoosie Kurtz- And the late great-Richard Widmark Among others It is about a gangster-who hires- An ex-football player- To find his girlfriend WHEN he finds her- They fall in love- And the twists begin to happen Of course-we KNOW- True love- Always wins in the end And REAL LOVE-true love In this world Has nothing to do with sex The story of our SAVIOR- Jesus Christ TEACHES us everything We need to know About that HIS life story- TRIUMPHED over any and every evil In the world Including death His life IS the greatest story EVER TOLD Against all odds TRUE LOVE always wins Against all odds TRUE GOODNESS always wins too “I myself am convinced About you- My brothers and sisters That you yourselves Are FULL of goodness........” Romans 15:14 One thing that I have LEARNED in life Is that You can't fix another person And IF you really LOVE another person ALL we can really do Is accept them And love them NO MATTER WHAT AS CHRISTIANS Is that not What we are called upon To do “I will declare That your love STANDS FIRM FOREVER That you have established Your faithfulness In heaven itself” Psalm 89:2 “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 Against all odds LOVE ALWAYS WINS If love is PURE That is Like Jesus' love FOR ALL of mankind IT LIVES ON It lives on In me and you And we know we are loved For if we just BELIEVE We will LIVE FOREVER with him In heaven So be on the SIDE OF LOVE Be on the side of GOODNESS And you and I Will hear At the end of our faithful lives: “WELL DONE-good and faithful servant!” Matthew 25:21 BE on the side of love and goodness For against all odds LOVE ALWAYS WINS Robert P. Wallman 11-5-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Sr. Chris Koellhoffer, I.H.M.

REMAINING CALM=IN 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 & 11-5-15

GOD WANTS YOU TO BE FULLY ALIVE!

GOD WANTS YOU TO BE FULLY ALIVE! Do you know That God wants you To be FULLY ALIVE In this world? And there is ONLY one way To be fully alive And that is to LOVE “Owe NOTHING to anyone Except to love one another” Romans 13:8 Jesus' life is The PERFECT EXAMPLE As he was The perfect example of love He LIVED in perfect love And obedience to his FATHER He lived in perfect love To ALL of mankind Healing-giving of himself- And FULL OF COMPASSION for all He died in perfect love And BECAUSE his love was perfect He lived again You cannot kill love And his love WAS PERFECT As he even left HIS HOLY SPIRIT Behind-to HELP guide us “As for God His way is PERFECT The Lord's word Is flawless” Psalm 18:30 “Every good and PERFECT GIFT Is from above Coming down From the Father Of the heavenly lights” James 1:17 God gave this world The perfect gift HIS ONE AND ONLY SON Well-anyway- WE are all in debt In this world-in one way- Or another MOST of us Are in financial debt To someone or something And many of us Also have-or find ourselves in Emotional-physical-or SPIRITUAL DEBT We all need To LEAN a little bit on others In particular God and Jesus And whoever OUR earthly angels are: To HELP US get out of this debt “And forgive us our debts As we also have forgiven Our debtors” Matthew 6:12 And in Luke chapter 7 Jesus illustrates through a story On those who have the GREATEST DEBTS- Or greater sins-IF you will WILL appreciate the forgiveness EVEN MORE The point is: Do NOT let debt of any type Enslave you The only things That FREE us up In this world Are loving God-and- LOVING our neighbor (the first two commandments- as Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:40) The ONLY WAY We can be free and FULLY ALIVE In this world-is- TO LOVE “OWE nothing to anyone- EXCEPT to love one another” Romans 13:8 Dear Lord-HELP US To have healthy relationships with you And ALL other people And help us to be FULLY ALIVE! In today's world In your SON Jesus' name-amen Robert P. Wallman November 3rd, 2015 Ps INSPIRED by an article in Living Faith Magazine by STEVE GIVENS

LETTING GO AND MOVING ON

LETTING GO AND MOVING ON One of The most difficult things That we have to deal with Is LETTING GO Of our PAST And moving on For whatever reason We find it difficult To forgive others others And to forgive ourselves And MOVE ON With our lives Forgiveness is a STUMBLING BLOCK For almost everyone of us “BLESS those Who persecute you Bless and do not Curse them” Romans 12:14 I read a story once That emotional forgiveness Is LIKE the forgiveness Of a loan-by a bank This just means That we have to CEASE Demanding a payment That we BELIEVE Is owed to us It means That we no longer PURSUE the matter We are USING the energy For other matters We are officially LETTING IT GO We are moving it To an UNCOLLECTIBLE account If you will FORGIVE!-let go-and move on! “Help us-God our Savior For the glory Of your name Deliver us and forgive our sins For your name's sake” Psalm 79:9 “For if you FORGIVE Other people WHEN they sin against you Your heavenly Father WILL also forgive you” Matthew 6:14 LET GO of the past debts Against you And MOVE ON! FORGIVE! “Bear with each other And forgive one another IF any of you Has a grievance Against someone Forgive as the Lord FORGAVE YOU!” Colossians 3:13 FORGIVENESS Means letting it go It does NOT mean That we condone the action Or that we will OPEN OURSELVES UP To that same disrespecting treatment In the future To put it in bank terms again It does not mean We will lend that same person Any money again It is just a FREE PASS- A free ticket for ourselves To move on with our life So WHEN someone HURTS you- It may take awhile- But forgive them the hurt- LET GO!- And move on with your life Don't try to make them pay That belongs to God- Leave it in GOD'S HANDS And you will be free To move on- To do other- BIGGER & BETTER things Robert P. Wallman 11-2-15 Ps Inspired by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Kristin Armstrong

ALL SOULS DAY

ALL SOULS DAY TODAY we celebrate The feast of ALL SOULS DAY And while traditionally All SOULS Day Is for those who Have departed from this world I also want to RECOGNIZE Those souls who have lost their way -And lost God On their journey through life In many ways They have faced/and are facing A fate even worse than death But for those we have lost= Parents=spouse=siblings=grandparents= Uncles=aunts=cousins= and friends Let us recite PART of the 23rd psalm “Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil For you Are at my side..... ONLY goodness and kindness Follow me ALL the days Of my life And I shall dwell In the house Of the Lord forever” Psalm 23:4, 6 Dear Lord WE PRAY That you were there As OUR LOVES ONES came home (And as we come home too) And we pray That the LOST SOULS In this life May be REUNITED with you So you can SHEPHERD them home “RETURN to us-GOD ALMIGHTY! Look down from heaven And see! Watch over this vine” Psalm 80:14 “'RETURN to me' Declares the Lord And I will RETURN to you'” Zechariah 1:3 And the great Saint Luke In chapter 15 of his gospel Tells the lengths That God will go to To return-a lost soul-to his kingdom Through the parable of: One lost sheep One lost coin-and ONE LOST SON-whose loving Father Is just waiting for his return “'My son,' the father said- 'You are always with me And everything I have is yours But we had to celebrate And be glad Because this brother of yours Was dead-and is ALIVE again He was lost And IS FOUND'” Luke 15:31-32 He-GOD Offers us all THE GIFT of eternal life If we Just return to him And dear Lord As we REMEMBER Our dearly departed ones today And ALL the faithful departed We pray That they rest comfortably IN YOUR LOVING ARMS And that your goodness and LOVE SHEPHERD them Through all of time and eternity In Jesus' name-AMEN! Robert P. Wallman 11-2-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Patricia Livingston

NO ACT OF LOVE

NO ACT OF LOVE TODAY-on ALL Saints day We are surrounded By a great cloud of WITNESSES Those who have already come Those currently in the world today And those yet to come Some of the saints' names Are marked on the Official calendar of saints and religious SOME have lived their lives unnoticed But it doesn't matter NO ACT OF LOVE For God or our neighbor Goes unmarked or unnoticed “After this-I had a vision Of a great multitude Which no one could count From every nation-race-people- And tongue” Revelation 7:9 And today- I want to go on RECORD To RECOGNIZE the saints Who have helped me On my journey Through life They are my PERSONAL SAINTS For all time My parents-my sisters- EXTENDED relatives including uncles-aunts- Cousins-FRIENDS-and religious men and women Who have HELPED me On my way You KNOW who you are And what you have done for me- And I KNOW TOO Without them/WITHOUT YOU I would never Have arrived at this point In my life And MOST of all I want to thank God And endless array of saints That I have PRAYED TO I have desperately needed ALL of your help “In my distress I called to the Lord I cried to my God FOR HELP” Psalm 18:6 “I LIFT my eyes To the mountain- WHERE does my HELP come from?” Psalm 121:1 “In everything that I did I showed you By this kind of hard work WE must help the weak REMEMBERING the words The Lord Jesus Christ himself said 'It is MORE BLESSED to give Than to receive'” Acts 20:35 OUR HELP Comes from God And the saints of this world The official saints of God And those saints PUT in this world To HELP us on our journey Through life NO ACT OF LOVE Ever goes unnoticed By God or by us (Those in NEED of the help) So today-DEAR LORD- And every day We ask you To let us walk With the saints of this world And to always help us GIVE THANKS To those who Have touched our life In the past-presently- And those who will Come in the future For NO ACT OF LOVE Ever goes unnoticed- Or is ever forgotten In Jesus' name Robert P. Wallman 10-31-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE bu Sister Chris Koellhoffer, I.H.M. SAINT DEFINED=a person OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED by the CHRISTIAN CHURCH as being very HOLY because of the way he or she lived; a person who is VERY GOOD-KIND-or PATIENT