Friday, September 30, 2016
GOD KNOWS YOU-ME-US
GOD KNOWS YOU-ME-US
Does it surprise you
To know that God knows us
BETTER than we know ourselves?
It leaves me a little bit
Afraid-a little bit overwhelmed
He KNOWS all of our faults
He knows
ALL of our motives
He knows exactly WHY
We do the things
That we do
“........With all my ways
You are familiar” Psalm 139:3
I may not like
That he knows EVERYTHING
About me
I may not like
That God knows
All of my sinfulness
But he KNOWS
All of my potential-
And all of my GOOD POINTS too
He knows it all
He knows you-
He knows me-
He knows us
“Would not God
Have DISCOVERED it
Since he knows
The SECRETS of the hearts” Psalm 44:21
“The Lord knows
All HUMAN PLANS
He knows
That they are futile” Psalm 94:11
“The Pharisees-who loved money
Heard all this-
And were sneering at Jesus
He said to them-
'You are the ones
Who JUSTIFY yourselves
In the eyes of others
But God KNOWS your hearts
What people VALUE
Is highly detestable
In God's sight'” Luke 16:14-15
YES God knows them
And their motives
And he knows us and our motives-
Whether PURE or not
How great that God
Knows us
He KNOWS our potential
And our PURPOSE
He knows why
We are in this world
He constantly INVITES US to humility
And to conversion
God knows how to REACH US
Even in the difficult times
Of our life
He know how to reach us
How to SPEAK to us
And how to GUIDE US
Back to the right path
“GUIDE ME in your truth
And teach me
For you are my God
My Savior
And my HOPE is in you
ALL DAY LONG” Psalm 25:5
YES LORD-you know me and us
HELP US-
To GROW into the person-the people
We have the CAPACITY to be
Help us to have the GRACE-
To RESPOND IN LOVE
You know me-us-BETTER
Than we know ourselves
Robert P. Wallman
9-29-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Julia Walsh, F.S.P.A.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
THE ANGELS ARE OUR FRIENDS
THE ANGELS ARE OUR FRIENDS
TODAY we celebrate
The feast of the ANGELS
Those mighty creatures
Who PROTECT US and lead us
To God
THE ANGELS are our friends
“Michael and his angels
BATTLED against the dragon” Revelation 12:7
“For he will command
HIS ANGELS concerning you
To GUARD you
In all your ways” Psalm 91:11
There was Michael
Who commanded God's legions of angels
And cast Satan
Out from heaven
“But even the archangel Michael
When he was disputing
With the devil
About the body
Of Moses
Did not himself dare
To condemn him for slander
But said,
'THE LORD rebuke you!'” Jude :9
Then we have Gabriel
Who brought Mary
THE GOOD NEWS
About the coming
Of our Savior
“In the sixth month
of Elizabeth's pregnancy
God sent the angel-Gabriel
To Nazareth-a town in Galilee
To a virgin
PLEDGED to be married
To a man named-Joseph-
A descendant of David
The virgin's name was Mary-
The angel went to her
And said
'GREETINGS-you
Who are highly favored
THE LORD IS WITH YOU'” Luke 1:26-28
And finally
We have Raphael
Who HEALED Tobit
And delivered his daughter-in-law
From a demon
Let us NEVER FORGET
The angels and their history
In the development
Of mankind
And that they are OUR FRIENDS
And our PROTECTORS
They do great and holy works
In God's name
And finally
Let us never forget
The human angels
THE FAMILY MEMBERS-the friends-
And even the strangers
That have HELPED US
On our way
(Of whom I have had many)
AN ANGEL is defined as,
“A spiritual being
That serves especially
As a MESSENGER from God
Or as a GUARDIAN
Of human beings”
What a wonderful day
That it is
To CELEBRATE
These holy creatures of God
And to ACKNOWLEDGE
OUR family-friends-and strangers
That have helped us
ALONG the way
HOW BLESSED we are
To call these ANGELS
OUR FRIENDS
Robert P. Wallman
9-28-15
Ps TODAY is the feats day of the ANGELS-SAINTS Michael-Gabriel-and Raphael
INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Monsignor Stephen J. Rossetti
Ps REPOSTED 9-29-16
St. Michael=WHO IS LIKE God?
St. Gabriel=God IS MY STRENGTH
St. Raphael=GOD HAS HEALED
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
GOD WAS THERE-GOD IS THERE-GOD WILL ALWAYS BE THERE
GOD WAS THERE-GOD IS THERE-
GOD WILL ALWAYS BE THERE
In the vastness
Of the universe
There IS only ONE GOD
And he is a God
OF LOVE
Who was there
BEFORE time began
And he WILL be there
IF time ever comes
To a stand still
He is there NOW and he will be there
FOREVER AND EVER
“He made the Bear and
The Orion-
The Pleiades
And the constellations
Of the south” Job 9:9
He was there
IN the beginning
And he even KNOWS
The number of stars
In the universe
“In the beginning
God created the heavens
And the earth” Genesis 1:1
“I am the ALPHA-
And the OMEGA
The First and the Last
The Beginning
And the End” Revelations 22:13
Yes he was there
In the beginning-and
He will be there
In the end
He will last FOREVER
HIS LOVE and his power
Are UNLIMITED
The stars-the galaxies-and
The universe BELONGS to him
The whole world-
INCLUDING you and me
Belong to the vastness of God
Job quaked before God-
As surely as you and I
Would QUAKE before God
He IS all powerful
“The Lord said to Job:
'Will the one
Who CONTENDS with the ALMIGHTY
Correct him?!'
“Then Job answered the Lord:
'I am unworthy-HOW can I
Reply to you?'
I put my hand
OVER my mouth........'” Job 40:1-4
And that IS what
We ALL should do
For ONLY God-and his words
And teachings
Can STAND the test of time
“Heaven and earth
Will pass away
But my words
Will NEVER pass away” Matthew 24:35
God was there
In the BEGINNING
God is there-NOW
God will be there
FOREVER AND EVER
In the MIDDLE-of-
The VASTNESS of it all
Who can be JUSTIFIED
Before God?
Robert P. Wallman
9-27-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Aileen O'Donoghue
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
A BAD DAY?
A BAD DAY?
EVERY day-when I send out
My poem-I wish my family-
And my friends-a GOOD DAY
(And I sincerely mean it)
But I know ENOUGH-that
ALL of us-including me-
HAVE a bad day once in awhile
Or even-
A SERIES of bad days
But has ANYONE ever had a day-
Such as Job-when he LOST EVERYTHING
Phenomenal suffering-sickness-
LOSS of wealth-GRIEF over losing
His entire family-and even mockery
From his wife-and being questioned
By his friends
So much so-that Job-
Even wished-
He had NEVER been born
“PERISH the day
On which I was born
The night when they said,
'The child is a boy'” Job 3:3
When I was younger-and
In my 20's-I had my days
Of feeling this way
I am SURE
That you have had a time
Like this also
NOT so anymore-
I know the bad days
DON'T STAY FOREVER
I know
That if we REMAIN PATIENT
Things will turn around
And we WILL HAVE-our share
Of good days too
I BELIEVE in God and God WANTS
GOOD for us-BOTH you and me
We all know Job's story:
Prosperity-loss-his misery-
His acceptance and his RESTORATION
That's what we have to do
WHEN the bad days come-
Accept them-and move on
FULL RESTORATION will come from God
I truly believe that-just like Job
“RESTORE to me
The JOY of your salvation
And grant me a willing spirit
TO SUSTAIN ME” Psalm 51:12
“AFTER Job
Had PRAYED for his friends
The Lord RESTORED his fortunes
And gave him
TWICE as much as he had before” Job 42:10
“FINALLY-brothers and sisters-REJOICE!
STRIVE for full restoration-
Encourage one another
BE of one mind
LIVE IN PEACE
And the God of love and peace
WILL be with you” 2 Cornthians13:11
Dear friends-
I KNOW
You are going to have your SHARE
OF BAD DAYS
When you do-it is ok
To LAMENT your suffering
It is ok to question-argue-
FIGHT back-get angry-and demand answers
From God
But most of ALL-
REMAIN PATIENT
God is God-and he is GOOD
He will RESTORE YOU
Just like he did with Job
Bad days/or GOOD DAYS/
The BEST is yet to come
In Jesus' name
Robert P. Wallman
9-26-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Sr. Macrina Wiederkehr, O.S.B.
Monday, September 26, 2016
DIRECTING IT ALL TO GOD
DIRECTING IT ALL TO GOD
Are you GIVING
Your whole life to God?
Are you letting God
DIRECT your whole life?
Let me tell you about
A person who DID just that
He was SO GOOD-he even
Was TESTED by Satan
God points out to Satan
Just how good JOB is-and for SURE
Job is to be “TESTED” and “PROOFED”
By Satan
“Have you NOTICED my servant Job?
….....” Job 1:8
Job is PROOFED by Satan-
He stands TALL through it all-
Phenomenal suffering-sickness-LOSS-
Grief-and the mockery of others-
EVEN his own wife
Could I do that?
Could you do that?
It is NOT likely-but I
HAVE to tell you
There are times in life
WHEN I have actually
Felt like Job-
I am SURE
You have felt that way too”
“His wife said to him
'Are you STILL
Maintaining your integrity?
Curse God and die'” Job 2:9
“Job replied,
'You are
TALKING like a foolish woman
Shall we ACCEPT GOOD from God
And not trouble?'” Job 2:10
What a FAITHFUL SERVANT
Job is-and IF you have a spouse
I hope he or she
Is MORE SUPPORTIVE than his was
And if you are SUFFERING-
I hope you have BETTER FRIENDS
Than Job-who all questioned him-
About what he did wrong
What about us?
Do we have the FAITH
Of Job?
We are told
That Job never sinned
He KEPT his faith
But Job does question-complain-
Argue-fight back-get ANGRY-and
DEMANDS answers and proofs from God
Who wouldn't? Wouldn't you?
He DIRECTS it ALL to God
And then the Lord SPEAKS:
“THEN the Lord spoke
Out of the storm
He said:
'Who is this
That obscures my plans
With words without knowledge
BRACE yourself like a man
I will question you
You will answer me
WHERE WERE YOU
When I laid the foundation
Tell me if you understand
….....'” Job 38:1-4
Dear friends-WE ALL
Go through-
Our own time of suffering
MAY you have
The PATIENCE of Job
May you have
The FAITH of Job
May you DIRECT IT ALL
To God-as Job did
And may you be found innocent-
And not sin-and be REPLENISHED-
A million times over-as Job was
DIRECT IT ALL TO GOD-
HE is always FAIR
Dear God-make my heart- make
OUR HEARTS TRUE
In Jesus' name
Robert P. Wallman
9-25-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Mary Marrocco
Sunday, September 25, 2016
GENTLENESS=TRY A LITTLE TENDERNESS
GENTLENESS-TRY-
A LITTLE TENDERNESS
In the first chapter
Of Saint Paul's letter to Timothy
Paul gives Timothy some ADVICE
He lists the qualities
That a disciples of Jesus
Should possess-and ONE of
These qualities is GENTLENESS-or
Tenderness-if you prefer
TRY a little gentleness-
A little tenderness in your dealings
With people
It CAN go a long way
“But you-man of God
Pursue righteousness-devotion-
Faith-love-patience-and GENTLENESS” 1 Timothy 6:11
And it is also LISTED
In the FRUITS of the spirit-as-
ONE of the qualities
That a follower of Christ
Should have
“But the fruit of the SPIRIT
Is love-joy-peace-forbearance-
Kindness-goodness-GENTLENESS-and self-control
Against such things
There is no law” Galatians 5:22-23
As a Christian follower-
You can't go wrong
In your communications with gentleness
TRY a little tenderness
And see
And Pope Francis
Has spoken much about tenderness
MUCH about gentleness
He has even called for:
“A REVOLUTION OF TENDERNESS”
And IF you are thinking
That that is weak-
LISTEN to what Pope Francis said
“Tenderness is NOT
The virtue of the weak
But rather a SIGN of strength”
BE GENTLE in your walk
As a Christian
You can still
Get the job done
TRY A little tenderness
Gentleness is a quality-
That BELONGED to Christ-and-
A quality of God's
“By the humility and gentleness
Of Christ-
I appeal to you-
I-Paul-who am “timid”
When face to face with you
But “bold” toward you when away!” 2 Corinthians 10:1
“Take my yoke upon you
And LEARN from me
For I am gentle
And humble of heart
And you will find rest
For your souls
For my yoke is easy
And my burden is light” Matthew 11:29-30
So HOW do we JOIN
This TENDERNESS-or gentleness-movement
SPEAK in a kind tone
NOTICE when someone is hurting
RESPECT another person's privacy
And be MORE INCLUSIVE in your loving
Dear God of GENTLENESS
HELP me/help us
To LIVE in a more TENDER WAY today
In Jesus' name
Robert P. Wallman
9-24-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Sister Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D.
Saturday, September 24, 2016
ALL FIGURED OUT?
ALL FIGURED OUT?
Do you have LIFE
all figured out?
Do you have the world
All figured out?
Do you have Jesus
All figured out?
I don't think so-
For Jesus told his disciples
Of yesteryear-as well as us today-
To PAY ATTENTION
“Jesus said to his apostles-
'Pay attention
To what I am going to tell you'” Luke 9:43-44
Yes-Jesus KNEW his disciples
ALL too well
He knew that they
Had a tendency
To let their minds wander
As we STILL do today
He knew that the disciples
THOUGHT that they had it
ALL FIGURED OUT-
Just as we do today
MAYBE though-maybe we think
We deserve EXTRA special treatment
Because we ARE his disciples
Jesus says: “PAY ATTENTION”
To his teachings on LOVE & FORGIVENESS
Pat attention to the OUR FATHER
And the Beatitudes
That that IS the only way-
INCORPORATE his life and teachings
INTO your own activities and life
“LISTEN-my sons-
To a father's instruction
PAY attention and GAIN understanding” Proverbs 4:1
“You have seen MANY things
But you pay no attention
Your ears are open
But you do NOT LISTEN” Isaiah 42:20
Jesus tells us, “pay attention,”
He tells us: “You do NOT
Have it all figured out”
He says LOVE GOD with your
Whole heart and whole soul
He says:
To LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR
As yourself-every person-every neighbor
He says to FORGIVE 70X7-
He says you do “NOT”
have it all figured out
Unless you do this
In every single situation
And he knows-it is IMPOSSIBLE-
Because we are ALL HUMAN
And do not get it 100%
Of the time
He tells us-as well as
The apostles of yesteryear
To pay attention and “GET IT RIGHT”
By FOLLOWING his teachings
“For the WORD of the Lord
Is right
He is FAITHFUL
In all he does” Psalm 33:4
“BUT seek FIRST his kingdom
And his righteousness
And all these things
WILL be GIVEN to you as well” Matthew 6:3
READ the SCRIPTURES every day-
And abide-LISTEN to Christ and his teachings
PAY ATTENTION at MASS every day/or
Every week
LISTEN to your ministers and APPLY
Their words daily
Dear Lord-Dear Jesus-NONE of us
Will ever figure it all out-
HELP US-to pay attention to you DAILY
Robert P. Wallman
9-23-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Mitch Finley
Friday, September 23, 2016
UNSEEN GRACE-WORKING FOR YOU
UNSEEN GRACE-WORKING FOR YOU
There is an UNSEEN GRACE-
In this world
That is WORKING FOR YOU
And that GRACE to us
Is in the form of the Holy Spirit
The SPIRIT that Christ left behind
For us-after he died-resurrected-
And ASCENDED into heaven
This grace is waiting for you-
ALL you have to do
Is be a BELIEVER in God and Christ
“The Son of Man
Must suffer greatly........” Luke 9:22
That grace that is waiting
For us-IS Christ's own grace
That he left for us after his death
He LIVES in us and
We LIVE-forever and ever-
BECAUSE of him
“With great POWER
The apostles CONTINUED to testify
To the RESURRECTION
Of the Lord Jesus
And GOD'S GRACE
Was so powerfully at work
In them all
That there was
NO needy persons among them” Acts 4:33-34
And there is
No needy people among us
Because GOD'S UNSEEN GRACE
Is at work in us too
“THROUGH him
We received grace and apostleship
To CALL all the gentiles
To the obedience
That comes from FAITH
For his name's sake
And you also
ARE among the Gentiles
Who are called
To BELONG to Christ” Romans 1:5-6
Yes us Gentiles and Christians
Have the UNSEEN GRACE
Working for us in today's world
As most certainly did
Saint Padre Pio-who CATHOLICS
CELEBRATE today
He had MANY gifts
Including those of HEALING
And VISIONS
And he also CARRIED with him
THE STIGMATA OF CHRIST
But what really made him
A SAINT
Was the SANCTITY of his life
MAY us Christians and Catholics-
FOLLOW his life's work-
And find sanctity
In our own lives too
“SANCTIFY them by the TRUTH;
Your word is truth
As you SENT me
Into the world
I have sent them
Into the world
For them I sanctify MYSELF-
That they too
May be truly SANCTIFIED” John 17:17-19
Saint Padre Pio-NEVER-
Wrote a book-
And spent his ENTIRE religious life
In a monastery
Yet he found the GRACE and
The sanctity of Jesus
May we ALL be so BLESSED
Robert P. Wallman
9-22-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti
Thursday, September 22, 2016
GOODNESS
WITNESS
4-03-13
GOODNESS
I have heard the saying
Many times in life that
“It does not matter
If we believe in God
As long as we are good people”
They hope
That by being good
To please God---IF there is one
And if there is no God
They hope for the approval of men
I salute these people
For the good that they do
But in the heart of a Christian
There is a different process
The true Christian knows
That any good that he or she does
Comes from the Christ-like life
That lives inside of him or her
The true Christian
Does NOT think
That God will love us
If we are good
He or she knows better
The true Christian knows
That God already loves us
And that God will make us good
Because he does love us
Like Saint Paul said,
“No longer I
But Christ who lives in me”
That is where
Our goodness comes from---FROM CHRIST
And we know as Christians
That we are NOT perfect
That sometimes we will do wrong
Even if it is NOT our intention
By the mere fact that we ARE human
But we will repent
After each stumble
And go on
Trying to do good again
Because of the Christ-like life
That lives inside each and every one of us
And we know
That goodness does live within us
Because when Christ ascended
Into heaven
He left his very own spirit behind
“But the fruit of the spirit is love,
Joy, peace, patience, kindness, GOODNESS,
Faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
Against such things
There is no law” Galatians 5:22-23
And so
We keep trying to do good
Even when we fall short
We pick ourselves up
We dust ourselves off
And we try to do good ALL OVER AGAIN
We let God himself RESURRECT us
As he-God himself-resurrected Christ
And when we come to the end of our journey
We long to hear the words
“Well done GOOD and faithful servant”
Robert P. Wallman
3-8-12
******** Inspired by the teachings of CS LEWIS
And LIVING FAITH 3-8-12
Ps WITNESS 4-3-13
“He (Job replied), You are talking like a foolish woman
Shall we accept GOOD from God-and not trouble” Job 2:10
“Taste and see that the Lord is GOOD
BLESSED is the man who takes refuge in him” Psalm 34:8
“Therefore, as we have opportunity-let us do GOOD
To ALL people-especially to those who belong to the
Family of believers” Galatians 6:10
MISC. WITNESS 7-2-14
12-3-14 & 5-21-15 & 9-22-16
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
HONEY-THE TAX MAN IS HERE
WITNESS
9-21-13
HONEY---THE TAX MAN IS HERE
( or the story of Saint Matthew )
“Honey---
The tax man is here”
How many of us
Like to hear those words
Or how many of us
Like getting a letter
From the IRS in the mail
Or going downtown for an audit
This is the story of Saint Matthew
Originally called Levi
A tax collector of the Jewish people
Who worked for the Roman government
One day
Jesus met Matthew
At his tax collector’s booth
And said, “follow me”
One night---while having dinner at Matthew’s house
And many of his tax collector friends
Some of the teachers of Jewish law
Were asking his disciples,
“Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners”
Jesus heard about the conversation, and said,
“It is not the healthy who need a Doctor
But the sick
I have not come to call the righteous---but sinners” Mark 2:16&17
Good for the Apostles
And very good for us
It is believed
That after the Resurrection
That Matthew went on
To preach the Word of God
Either in Ethiopia or Persia
And it is believed
That Matthew wrote his Gospel
From Antioch
Primarily to the Jews
But also to Gentiles and Christians
As an original Apostle
He gave us an eyewitness account
Jesus speaks more
In Matthew’s Gospel
Than in any of the other Gospels
And Matthew quotes
From many of the Old Testament books
To prove that Jesus certainly is
The “Fulfillment”---The Anointed One
Matthew traces the genealogy of Jesus
Describes Jesus’ temptation in the desert
And concludes his Gospel
With the calling of the GREAT COMMISSION
To all believers
Matthew teaches us
That the standards of God are high
And that the example that he---God---gave us
Is perfect---Jesus Christ
And Matthew teaches us
That Christ is sufficient
For whatever need we might have
And that the ways of God
Are infinitely higher
Than the ways of this world
Saint Matthew
Died a martyr’s death
September 21st is his feast day
“HONEY---THE TAX MAN IS HERE”
Robert P. Wallman
9-11-11
Ps WITNESS 9-21-13
and 9-21-14 & 9-21-16
WILLING TO FORGIVE?
WILLING TO FORGIVE?
HOW do your respond when
Someone HURTS you or
A member of your family?
I think that is a question
That we all have to ASK ourselves
In this YEAR OF MERCY=2016
“A YEAR OF MERCY” as declared
By Pope Francis
ARE you ready to respond with
MERCY and COMPASSION?
And exactly-what
IS the difference between the two?
“Go and LEARN the meaning
Of the words-'I declare
MERCY-not sacrifice'” Matthew 9:13
Compassion involves an AWARENESS
Of someone's suffering-and
MERCY requires FORGIVENESS
Of the person or people
Who actually caused the hurt
In any case-to really RESPOND
To someone-we need to be-
COMPASSIONATE to their situation
And we NEED to walk a mile
In their shoes
And IF they are someone
Who caused us to hurt-
We need to FORGIVE them
FOR OUR OWN SAKE-as well as theirs
“As a Father has compassion
On his children
So the Lord has compassion
On those who fear him” Psalm 103:13
“In a surge of anger
I hid him from you
For a moment
But with EVERLASTING KINDNESS
I will have compassion
On you
Says the Lord your REDEEMER” Isaiah 54:8
So you feel COMPASSION
For the person
But are you willing to FORGIVE?
Are you willing to RESPOND
With MERCY to the individual?
In this year of 2016
THIS YEAR OF MERCY
Our CHRISTIANITY compels us
To say “YES”
Compassion can only happen
IF we have a mind and a heart
That is willing to forgive
And NOT seek revenge
Then we can FEEL the MERCY
Then we can forgive -BOTH-
Mercy and compassion-
NEED to live in our hearts
The HEART of Christianity
Is MERCY
Just take a look
At the living/dying Christ-hanging on the cross
FOR YOU AND FOR ME
So take a look at Christ
A good LONG LOOK
And ask yourself again
AM I willing to forgive others
As Christ has forgiven me?
Compassion-mercy-and FORGIVENESS
Is the heart of Christianity
“And forgive us our debts-
As we also have forgiven our debtors-
….....” Matthew 6:12
“For if you FORGIVE other people
WHEN they sin against you-
Your heavenly Father-
Will also forgive you” Matthew 6:14
LET IT BE-AMEN!
Robert P, Wallman
9-20-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Sr. Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
THE DIVINE PURPOSE OF OUR LIVES
THE DIVINE PURPOSE OF OUR LIVES
God intends for EACH of us
To be something SPECIAL
In this life
APART from who or what
We intend-on our own-
For us to be
BORN to be
Destined to be
SOMEONE SPECIAL in this life
There is a DIVINE PURPOSE
For each
And everyone of our lives
“ALL the ways of a man
May be right
In his own eyes
BUT it is the Lord
Who proves hearts” Proverbs 21:2
BEFORE my illness
That began in January of 1977
And became chronic on June 13th, 1977-
I spent a lot of time-
SPENT a lot of energy
Trying to get it “RIGHT”
The right job-the right college-
The right mate-the right car-
We TRY and figure it all out
But it is ONLY God-who makes things
Work out-as they are intended
We all have a DIVINE PURPOSE
In our lives-and the most important thing
Is to see that
We are OBEDIENT to the Lord
“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
The divine purpose
For our lives
Comes from God-AS HE INTENDS
And it is only WHEN
We are willing to let go
Of our own ambition and dreams
And material successes
And put our lives
In the CARE of God
That we can experience
The FREEDOM of living our lives
As God intended
“I will walk about
In freedom
For I have sought out
Your precepts” Psalm 119:45
“Now the Lord
Is the SPIRIT
And where
The Spirit of the Lord is
There is freedom” 2 Corinthians 3:17
And ONCE we find
Our freedom
We can INVEST in our DIVINE PURPOSE
And live courageously
For EVERYTHING in our life
Depends on it
Dear Lord-we PRAY-that you help us
FIND our TRUE CALLING AND PURPOSE
In this life
Robert P. Wallman
September 19th, 2016
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Steve Givens
Monday, September 19, 2016
YOUR WORDS ARE SPIRIT AND LIFE-O LORD
YOUR WORDS ARE SPIRIT AND LIFE-
O LORD
There is a POPULAR Christian song
That contains the line-
“YOUR WORDS are spirit and love-
O Lord”
And I couldn't agree more
WORDS to LIVE BY
Many of us are looking
For a hint or a sign
That OUR GOD is alive today
ALL we really have to do
Is OPEN our bible-and read
THE WORD
The words in psalms-the words of proverbs-
And particularly the lines where-
Jesus is speaking
Your words are SPIRIT & LIFE-
O Lord
And music to my ears-and
Reach down and touch my very soul
God is ALIVE-in BOTH you and me
His very words-GIVE US LIFE
“He rises up the lowly
From the dust
From the dunghill
He lifts up the poor
To seat them
With princes
With the princes
Of his own people” Psalm 113:7-8
Your very words-O Lord-
Inspire us
They give us HOPE
They give us SPIRIT
Your words are
WORDS to live by
“To live for my family-
friends-and ALL PEOPLE everywhere”
EVERY DAY-when I read
The GOOD BOOK
I RENEW my promise
I renew my covenant
With you Lord
YOUR WORDS are spirit and life
O Lord
“CREATE in me
A PURE heart-O God
And RENEW a steadfast spirit
Within me” Psalm 51:10
“BLESSED are the poor
In spirit
For theirs is
The kingdom of heaven” Matthew 5:3
“God is spirit
And his worshipers
MUST worship
In the SPIRIT
And in truth” John 4:24
Your words are spirit
Your words are life
And when we LIVE
In them
We live FOREVER in you
For your words LAST forever
“Heaven and earth
Will pass away
But my words-
Will NEVER pass away” Matthew24:35
“Simon Peter answered him,
'Lord-to whom
Shall we go
You have the words
Of ETERNAL LIFE'” John 6:68
So we need no sign
From you Lord
For we KNOW
NO SIGNS will be given
To us-
EXCEPT the sign of Jonah
We know you are with us
We know
You are the Word Made FLESH
And we know
We will LIVE FOREVER in you
For your words
ARE SPIRIT AND LIFE-O LORD
And the SPIRIT will live forever-
We look forward to living
FOREVER IN YOU
Robert P. Wallman
9-18-16
Sunday, September 18, 2016
PERSIST TO THE LORD IN PRAYER
PERSIST TO THE LORD IN PRAYER
REMEMBER when you were a kid
And you asked for something
And your mom or dad said no
And then you ASKED the other parent
And they said no too
But you PERSISTED in your asking
And sooner or later
Mom or dad would say yes
It is the SAME W AY with God
We must persist o the Lord
IN PRAYER
We must PETITION-petition-petition
The Lord in prayer-and IF
It is for our own good
Maybe the Lord will eventually
Come around and say YES
“But as for the seed
That fell on rich soil
They are the ones
Who-when they heard the word
EMBRACE IT
With a generous and good heart
And bear fruit through PERSEVERANCE” Luke 8:15
PERSIST to the Lord
In prayer
PRACTICE makes perfect
WHERE and how much energy
We put into something
Tells us HOW VALUABLE it is
To us
I WANT to love God
With my whole heart
I want to LOVE MY NEIGHBOR
As myself
I want to FORGIVE 70 X 7
I want to LIVE THE BEATITUDES
PERSIST to the Lord
In prayer
How important is it to you
The ABOVE is the most important thing
In the world to me
And living ONE NATION-one world-under God
THE GOD OF LOVE-is just as important
“Not only so-
But we also GLORY in our sufferings
Because we know
That suffering produces perseverance
Perseverance-character
And character-hope
And HOPE does not
Put us to shame
Because GOD'S LOVE
Has been poured out
Into our hearts
Through the Holy Spirit
Who has been given to us” Romans 5:3-5
YES-persist to the God
To the Lord in prayer
And the HOLY SPIRIT
Will pick up your cause
To the Lord
On your behalf
We all start out STRONG
In our commitment to God
In prayer
But sometimes the GOOD feelings fade
Sometimes to LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY
Seems impossible
But in those difficult times
We must persist MORE than ever
In our prayers to God
“ASK and it will be given to you
SEEK and you will find
Knock and the door
Will be opened to you
For everyone who asks-receives
The one who seeks finds
And the one who knocks-
The door will be opened” Matthew 7:7-8
In the end-we PERSIST in our prayers
To God
And just TRUST in God's MERCY
And his faithfulness-like we did with
Our parents WHEN we were children
Robert P. Wallman
9-17-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Terri Mifek
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Saint Robert Bellarmine
SAINT ROBERT BELLARMINE (1542-1621)
Robert Bellarmine
Was born in Tuscany
He was Jesuit
And archbishop of Capua
He became skilled
Playing the violin
And speaking in debates
In 1560
He became a Jesuit
And was ordained
A priest in 1570
He was appointed
A professor
Of “controversial theology”
At the Roman College
And his lectures
Became the basis
For his famous-controversies-
A four volume work
With him
As the leading Catholic
In the counter reformation
IT was a COMPLETE defense
OF CATHOLIC THEOLOGY
And was so LEARNED
In SCRIPTURE
It was wrongly believed
To be the work
Of a TEAM OF SCHOLARS
He became the rector
Of the Roman College
In 1592
Provincial of Naples in 1594
And cardinal in 1598
He LIVED off of
Bread and garlic
And used his curtains of his apartment
To CLOTHE the poor
In 1602
He became archbishop of Capua
And took a prominent share
In pastoral and welfare work
In 1605
He became the PREFECT
Of the Vatican LIBRARY
And an ACTIVE member
Of several Roman Congregations
His moderate views
On the papacy
MAY have delayed his canonization
As well as his sympathy
To Galileo
Even though he RECOMMENDED caution
To distinguish
Between hypothesis and PROVED TRUTH
In old age
Bellarmine withdrew from controversy
And wrote books
On devotion
He died at the age of 79-
On September 17th-his feast day
He was
Physically very small
Bur possessed GREAT powers
Of intellect and sympathy
He PRAYED DAILY
For the Protestant theologians
That he opposed
And was canonized in 1930
And a DOCTOR of the church in 1931
He NEVER
Made personal attacks
On the Protestant theologians
Robert P. Wallman
9-24-13
GOD'S KINGDOM INCLUDES ALL
GOD'S KINGDOM INCLUDES ALL
Two thousand year ago-WHEN the Lord-
Our Savior Jesus-
Walked this earth
The WORD of God
Was met with much RESISTANCE
And even today=
GOD'S WORD is still met
With much resistance
How can that be?
WHERE IS our faith and BELIEF?
Do people still place DOUBT in Jesus' word
And the Holy Spirit?
They are-and I guess they ALWAYS WILL
Until there is 100& scientific proof
Of God's existence
“Jesus journeyed......preaching.....
The GOOD news of the KINGDOM.....
With the twelve and some women.....” Luke 8:1-2
Today's gospel is ONLY three
Verses long-
Yet it rocked the boat
The LEADERS of the current faith
Were offended
They didn't endorse even
Speaking to women
Yet here was Jesus even
KEEPING COMPANY with them-
The women of his day
OUR LORD'S KINGDOM
Includes loving all-
And that is what we are to do
As SUMMED UP in the Lord's
TWO GREATEST COMMANDMENTS
(Matthew 22:37-38 and Mark 12:30-32)
The Lord JESUS came to LIVE and DIE
For ALL-
Not just Catholics-not just Christians-
BUT ALL PEOPLE EVERYWHERE
And we are to LIVE & DIE for
“ALL PEOPLE EVERYWHERE”
That was part of my deathbed confession
WHEN I was 22-”to LIVE for
My family-my friends-and ALL people everywhere”
And think of Pope Francis' attitude
Of INCLUSION towards all-
People of all religions-
People of no religious beliefs-and-
Those who deviate from the social norm-
Including gay people-prisoners-etc., etc., etc.,
WE ALL BELONG
TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD
GOD loves us all-and-
Christ loves us all-and
On a much lower echelon-
I LOVE US ALL
“For the Lord
Will NOT reject his people-
He will never
Forsake his inheritance” Psalm 94:14
“He will
RAISE a banner for the nations
And gather
The exiles of Israel
He will assemble
The scattered people of Judah
From the four quarters
Of the earth” Isaiah 11:12
“Jesus said,
'This voice
Was for your benefit – not mine
Now is the time
For judgment on this world
Now the prince of this world
Will be driven out
And I-
WHEN I am lifted up
From this earth
WILL DRAW ALL PEOPLE to myself” John 12 :30-32
And like my mom USED to say:
“LOVE draws a circle-
And pulls people in
And hate draws a circle
And pushes people out”
GOD is love-Christ is LOVE-
GOD'S KINGDOM-CHRIST'S KINGDOM
Includes all of us
LOVE NEVER FAILS-it is time
For us to COME TOGETHER IN UNITY
In Jesus' name.........
Robert P. Wallman
9-16-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Judy Schueneman
Friday, September 16, 2016
CALLED TO BE SERVANTS OF GOD AND SERVANTS OF OTHERS
CALLED TO BE
SERVANTS OF GOD
AND SERVANTS OF OTHERS
Picture this:
Jesus and his disciples
Are walking along together
As they often did
And Jesus tells them
He is going to be arrested
And put to death
“The SON of Man
Is to be handed over to men-
And they will kill him........” Mark 9:31
IMAGINE=if one of your friends
Told you this-
How you would respond-
MAYBE with care and concern
For him or her
But his friends-his disciples
Aren't ready to deal with that
Just yet
So they start arguing
About which of them
Is the greatest
And Jesus-NOT to be put off
Says:
What are you arguing about
On he road?” Mark 9:33
After Jesus hears
It is about
Who wants to be greatest-
He says-the most amazing thing-
To the 12
“ANYONE who wants
To be first
MUST be the very last
And the SERVANT of all” Mark 9:35
In this me first=
#1 at all costs=world
That we live in
WHO wants to be #1 now
Who wants to be a servant-YET-
A servant of all
“Let your face
SHINE on your servant
SAVE ME
In your unfailing love” Psalm 31:16
And HE CAN
Ask us to be a servant
Of all
Because he did that very thing
HIMSELF
“In your relationships
With one another
Have the same mindset
As Jesus
….....
Rather he made himself nothing
By taking the very nature
Of a servant” 2 Philippians 5 & 7
If he can do it
WHY can't we?
Maybe we don't
Want to be No.1
As badly as we think
What makes this teaching
SO DIFFICULT
Is it applies today
In the same way
It applied to the Apostles
Of yesteryear
Maybe we too-in today's world
Are wondering
Which one of us is greater
Maybe we CHRISTIANS
Need to talk about HUMILITY
In the same way
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS DOES
Humility doesn't mean
We are terrible people
It simply means
“I am BLESSED and gifted
In some ways
And flawed in others
I CAN accept myself
And I can ACCEPT YOU
WITHOUT feeling superior or inferior”
Or maybe
IF you are like me
And trying to be
A TRUE CHRISTIAN
In the model of Christ
You can be A SERVANT OF GOD
And a servant to ALL OTHERS
Robert P. Wallman
9-19-15
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Fr. Martin Pable, O.F.M. Cap.
Thursday, September 15, 2016
GOD LOVES YOU ANYWAY!
GOD LOVES YOU ANYWAY!
There are NO perfect people
In this world
Not you-NOT ME-
Not any of us
And there NEVER have been
ANY perfect people in this world
With the EXCEPTION of Jesus
And him being
THE REALIZATION of LOVE
We ARE what we are because
Of the GRACE of God-and his LOVE
For us
Whoever we are
Whatever we are
GOD LOVES US ANYWAY!
“By the grace of God
I am what I am
And his grace to me
Has NOT been ineffective” 1 Corinthians 15:10
Paul persecuted the church
Peter denied Christ three times
Thomas doubted
And all the apostles and saints
Have FAILED God-have failed Jesus
At one time or another
WE are all less than perfect
We have all committed sin
In one form or another
ONLY God is perfect
Only Jesus is perfect
“As for God
HIS WAY is perfect
The Lord's word is flawless
He shields all
Who take REFUGE in him” Psalm 18::30
“BE PERFECT-therefore-
As your heavenly Father
Is perfect” Matthew 5:48
“EVERY good and perfect gift
Is from ABOVE
Coming down from the Father
Of the heavenly lights
Who does not change
Like shifting shadows” James 1:17
YES!-God LOVES US ANYWAY!
Despite our imperfections
And he wants us
To TRY and follow his example
WE all have flaws
We all heave fears-
We all have blind spots-
Prejudices and weaknesses
But God LOVES us anyway
And wants us to follow
His example-and love our brothers
And sisters-in Christ
That is HOW we know
We BELONG to God
That is how we know
We ARE his disciples
“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 you are my disciples
IF you love one another” John 17:34-35
Yes dear Lord-we know-like you
It is our job
To bring NEW SOULS to the kingdom
Each and every day
And though we are NOT perfect
We TRY to do this through you
For your name-DEAR LORD-is the definition
Of love
“Love is patient-love is kine-
….....LOVE NEVER FAILS” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
We thank you Lord for BEING LOVE-
And LOVING US ANYWAY-
despite our imperfections
Robert P. Wallman
September 15th, 2016
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Melanie Rigney
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
IN THE HEART OF OUR WEAKNESS=IS THE PRESENCE OF GOD
IN THE HEART OF OUR WEAKNESS
IS THE PRESENCE OF GOD
God LIVES in us
In particularly
Our deepest darkest moments
Of our lives
That is WHERE I found
My God
I am sure-that is where-
You will find God too
In the deepest darkest moment
Of your life
“Christ Jesus-
Though he was in the form
Of God
Did NOT regard equality
With God
Something to be grasped
Rather-he emptied himself
TAKING the form of a slave
….....” Philippians 2:6-7
In the heart of my weakness
In the heart
Of my brokenness
And in the heart of yours
There is
THE PRESENCE OF GOD
“BLESSED are those
Who have learned to acclaim you
Who walk in the light
Of your presence-Lord” Psalm 89:15
“You have made known to me
The PATHS OF LIFE
You will FILL ME
With Joy in your presence” Acts 2:28
“For Christ
Did not enter a sanctuary
Made with human hands
That was only a copy
Of the true one
He entered HEAVEN itself
Now to appear for us
In God's presence” Hebrews 9:24
The things we value
In this world
Is NOTHING like what God values
WE value material success-outer beauty-
Accomplishments-health strength
GOD VALUES humility-truth-
Justice-INNER BEAUTY-love-kindness-
Forgiveness-etc., etc., etc.,
The INTANGIBLE things of this world-
While we value the tangible things
YES-in the heart of our weakness-
In the heart of our brokenness-
There LIVES
The PRESENCE of God
Our KING-Jesus-
Enjoyed NO earthly success
But he was king-
Of the intangibles
EVEN at the height
Of his earthly ministry
He rode into town
On a donkey
And died a criminal's death
And in the HEART of his weakness
The heart of DARKNESS
There was the RESURRECTION
There was the PRESENCE
Of God
And when the darkness
And the weakness
Take us DOWN in this world
WE RISE with him
He picks us back up
He restores us
“........Those who have done
What is GOOD
Will rise to LIVE
And those who have done
What is evil
Will rise to be condemned” John 5:29
Yes-the last WILL be first
And IN the heart of weakness
There is:
THE PRESENCE OF GOD
Robert P. Wallman
9-13-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Jessica Mesman Griffith
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
COMPASSION THAT ACTS
COMPASSION THAT ACTS
We all know
What a COMPASSIONATE God we have
We all know-what a compassionate God-
And man Jesus was
The HEALINGS he did-the kindness
He has shown-to those who walked
The earth-the same time as him
And the KINDNESS-he shows to us-
Even today-in our lives
He was ALWAYS AVAILABLE to everyone
But one such example of his compassion
Is shown in his story-and the story
Of the widow Nain
“When he saw her-
He was moved with pity,'
And he said-'DON'T CRY'” Luke 7:13
Yes-Jesus and the story of
A widow-Nain-whose only son
Was being buried
Perhaps he was moved
Because he was thinking-of his own mother
And the pain she would face-as he-Jesus-
Was dying
Nevertheless-he was MOVED with compassion
And raised the woman's son-without her
Even asking
A man of compassion
that ACTS-
A man of compassion
That acts-even in our lives today
Just because he is NOT physically with us
Does not mean-he is NOT with us-
And it does not mean
He has any less compassion for us
And our own lives
“The Lord is gracious
And righteous
Our God is FULL OF COMPASSION” Psalm 116:5
“SHOUT for joy-you heavens
Rejoice-you earth
Burst into song-you mountains
For the Lord COMFORTS his people
And will have compassion
On his afflicted ones” Isaiah 49:13
And Jesus himself said,
When 4,000 people were hungry,
“I have COMPASSION
For these people
They have already been with me-
Three days-and have nothing to eat
IF I send them home hungry
They will collapse on the way
Because some of them
Have come a long way” Mark 8:2-3
And he performed a miracle
For the 4,000 people-and fed them
Out of 7 loaves of bread-
And a few small fish
And when it looked like
I was going to die in 1977
He KEPT me alive for my mom
And my family
He ACTED in my life-and I
NEVER quit loving my mother-
Or my father-as long as
They lived
And I will never quit loving
My sisters-my family-my friends-
“And ALL people everywhere”
For US to be like our God
Like our Jesus-we must LIVE
Our lives with COMPASSION that acts
For others
Jesus said to the Widow Nain-
“Do not weep,'-'Young man-
I tell you ARISE'”-and he did
And we MUST be there
For our brothers and sisters in God
With a compassion THAT ACTS
Love and care are not just nouns-
But also verbs=we must LOVE & CARE
For one another=we must LOVE all of humanity
“This is my command:
LOVE EACH OTHER” John 15:7
To be like God-to be like Jesus-
We must live with
A COMPASSION THAT ACTS
Robert P. Wallman
9-12-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Miguel Dulick
Monday, September 12, 2016
FINDING ANSWERS TO LIFE'S QUESTIONS
FINDING ANSWERS TO LIFE'S QUESTIONS
I have been a CATHOLIC-and
A CHRISTIAN all of my life
Baptized as a baby-2-1/2 weeks
After I was born
I have been INVOLVED with other
Christian churches since 2002-WHEN-
I moved to Miami
Specifically Protestant and Baptist
Churches-I SUPPORT all Christian
Churches-and all churches/all religions
Founded in God and/or Christ
And specifically LOVE
I have found ALL of the answers
To life's questions in God-
And in MY PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP
With Christ
I am ACTIVE in my faith
I am PROUD of my faith
Am proud of who I am-and-
What I have become
The ANSWERS to my life and
My justice can only be
FOUND IN GOD
“I announced your justice
In the vast assembly
I did not restrain my lips
As you-O Lord-KNOW” Psalm 40:10
I want to be a CONNECTOR
A UNIFIER among the faiths
I have NOT found any justice-
In this world-ONLY in God
I will NEVER denounce the faith
Of who I am-and what makes me WHOLE
I am proud to STAND UP
For God and JUSTICE
In this unjust world
“The Lord is KNOWN
By his acts of justice
The wicked are ensnared
By the work of their hands” Psalm 9:16
“When JUSTICE is done-
It brings joy to the righteous
But terror to evildoers” Proverbs 21:15
“Yet the Lord LONGS to be gracious
To you
Therefore he will RISE UP
To show you COMPASSION
For the Lord is
A God of JUSTICE
BLESSED are all
Who wait for him” Isaiah 30:18
I FIND my answers
To life's questions-to the injustices
That life SOMETIMES treat us with
In the justice and the UNITY
Of God
I find my ANSWERS in God-and-
I have found beautiful people
IN EVERY FAITH that I have
Interacted with
I think many of us exacerbate
Our PROBLEMS in life
Because we are looking for the answers
To life=in worldly things
WHEN the answers ARE IN
the spiritual things of our life
And in our FAITH IN GOD
Our personal relationship
With God-regardless-of
What faith we are
The BATTLE is NO LONGER
Between the different denominations
Of faith
But in the GODLY-and those-
LIVING IN THE SPIRIT-and those-
Living in the world
Let us BUILD ONE UNIFIED WORLD-
Under God
In Jesus' name-amen
OUR GOD-OUR LORD-OUR JESUS-
Has ALL the ANSWERS in life
Robert P. Wallman
9-11-16
Ps INSPIRED BY an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Terence Hegarty
Sunday, September 11, 2016
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE (to come back to God)
IT'S NEVER TOO LATE
(To come back to God)
TODAY we read
About COMING BACK to God
And the finding of the lost souls
In chapter 15 of Saint Luke's Gospel
Jesus teaches us about one lost sheep
One lost coin-and one LOST SON
Coming to his Father-who is waiting-
With open arms
It is the story of ALL
Of us-because-
We ALL become lost
Along life's highway
At one time-or another
It is NEVER too late
To come HOME to God-
To our loving and waiting Father
“While he was STILL a long way off
His Father caught sight of him
And was FILLED with compassion” Luke 15:20
IF nothing else-it teaches us
At least one thing
We should never give up
On ourselves-
For God our Father
NEVER gives up on us
As the parable of
THE PRODIGAL SON teaches us
He wants to see us RESTORED-
Physically-emotionally-spiritually-
And in EVERY other way
“RESTORE us-O God-
Make your face shine on us
That we may be saved” Psalm 80:3
“Brothers and sisters-if someone-
IS caught in a sin
You who live by the SPIRIT
Should restore
That person gently” Galatians 6:8
“And the God of ALL GRACE
Who called you
To his eternal glory
In Christ
AFTER you have suffered
A little while
Will himself RESTORE YOU-
And make you strong-
Firm-and steadfast” 1 Peter 5:10
It is NEVER too late
To return to God
It is never too late
To return to him
Like the WAITING FATHER- and-
The PRODIGAL SON-he is
Just waiting for you-for me-
For us-to return to him
OUR God is not simply
The God of the lost
But he is-also-
The God of the FOUND
In this parable-the loving Father
Catches sight of the prodigal son
And is FILLED with compassion
For him
Our God knows our failings
And our shortcomings
And he actually WAITS for our RETURN
This is the God
Who searches for us
UNTIL he finds us
ALL the while
Waiting for our return
WITH LOVE
“I will give them a HEART
To know me
That I am the Lord
They will BE my people
And I will be their God
For they will return to me
With ALL their heart” Jeremiah 24:7
And when we return-
To our God-he will be waiting
For us-just like the PRODIGAL SON
For it is-NEVER TOO LATE
To RETURN to God
A God who is waiting for us-
Who LONGS for us-
And the RETURN of ALL of his people
Robert P. Wallman
9-11-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Sr. Chris Koellhoffer, I.H.M.
Saturday, September 10, 2016
MIRACLES OF 911-MEMORIES OF 911
SEPTEMBER 11th, 2012
MIRACLES OF 911
MEMORIES OF 911
Terrorists
You can kill the body
You can’t kill the soul
You can’t kill the spirit
That which makes us whole
Miracles of 911
Memories of 911
We remember
Those who died
We remember their smile
We remember their spirit
We remember their very soul
Miracles of 911
Memories of 911
There is only one you
One day
Your body will fail
But if you live a righteous life
What lives on
Is your very soul
Miracles of 911
Memories of 911
Do you see
The miracle here
What lives on
Is our faith
What lives on
Is our hope
What lives on
Is our very souls
Do you see the miracle here
Miracles of 911
Memories of 911
What lives on
Is our very souls
Robert P. Wallman
9-11-06
Ps Dear Lord-we ask you to help our world to build a culture
Of LIFE-not death
A SOUL is the nonphysical element of our being; sometimes
Called our SPIRIT
“And the dust returns to the ground it came from
And the SPIRIT returns to God who gave it” Ecclesiastes 12:7
“Hear oh Lord-the Lord our God-the Lord is one
Love the Lord your God with all your heart
And with ALL YOUR SOUL
And all your strength” Deuteronomy 6:4-5
9-11-14
MAKE MINE ROCK!
MAKE MINE ROCK!
In today's gospel
Jesus discusses the difference
Of BUILDING a house on rock
Or on sand
Of course-not literally-
He is talking about-
HOW TO BUILD our lives
Whether we build our lives
On his teachings-or not-
PARTICULARLY-his teachings-and
His example of living a life
BASED on love-forgiveness-
And kindness
“WHY do you call me
'Lord-Lord'
But not do what I command?
….....
The one who listens-
And does not act like a person
Who built a house
On the ground-without a foundation
The moment the torrent
Struck that house
It collapsed
And its destruction was complete” Luke 6:46, 49
Are we real
In our following of Jesus?
Am I?
Are we just talking a good game?
Or do our actions
Matching our words?
I am-or at least I want to be
A REAL FOLLOWER of Jesus
MAKE MY HOUSE ROCK!
“The Lord is my rock-my fortress-
And my deliverer
My God is my rock
In whom I take refuge
My shield-and the horn
Of my salvation-my stronghold” Psalm 18:2-3
“Trust-in the Lord FOREVER-
For the Lord-the Lord himself
Is the ROCK ETERNAL” Isaiah 26:4
“Therefore-everyone-
Who HEARS these words of mine
And puts them into practice
Is like a wise man
Who BUILT his house
On the rock” Matthew 7:24
MAKE MINE ROCK!
Build my house out of rock
The Lord is concerned
About those
Who only go through the motions
The Lord wants his followers-
To not only hear about his teachings-
But to LIVE them out as well
SOME of us talk the talk
But don't walk the walk
We NEED to be TRUE FOLLOWERS
Of God and Christ
By incorporating Jesus' teachings
Into our lives
LOVE GOD ALWAYS-love others-
Forgive 70x7
And TRY to love and be kind
To everyone
That is HOW
We become true followers of God and Christ
“I wait for your salvation-Lord-
And I FOLLOW your commands” Psalm 119:166
“Then Jesus said to his Apostles-
'WHOEVER wants to be me disciple
Must deny themselves
And take up their cross
And follow me” Matthew 16:24
Lord-please OPEN my heart
That I may not be just
A hearer of the word
But a DOER as well
HELP me to follow you every day
MAKE MINE ROCK!
Robert P. Wallman
9-9-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Phil Fox Rose
Friday, September 9, 2016
GOD IS MY REFUGE
GOD IS MY REFUGE
The Lord OUR GOD
Is my rock-and-
Is my REFUGE
He keeps me going
In times of trouble
It is a tough world
It can be cruel and it
Can be heartless
God is my refuge
He keeps me going
In times of trouble
“BLESSED the men
Whose strength you are!
Their hearts are set upon
The pilgrimage” Psalm 84:6
Our God wants a deep
Long-standing relationship
With me-with you too
He wants this with ALL of us
With each
And everyone of us
Our God is the ONE-
Who CHOOSES US-he chases us down
Until he finds us
Our God is our friend
He LOVES US TOTALLY
If we miss finding
Our REFUGE-the rock of our lives-
We have missed finding
The MEANING of our lives
“The Lord is a refuge
For the oppressed
A STRONGHOLD
In times of trouble” Psalm 9:9
“TURN your ear to me
Come quickly
To my refuge
A strong fortress
To save me” Psalm 31:2
“EVERY WORD of God
Is flawless
He is a SHIELD-to those-
Who take REFUGE in him” Proverbs 30:5
YES-finding a deep personal relationship
With God-is where
We find the MEANING
Of our lives
Yes-like the first pilgrims-
We are on a JOURNEY
And that journey should take us
Into a deeper relationship
With God and one another
That is what gives us-
OUR LIVES MEANING
Yes God is my refuge-
He is my ANCHOR
And he is your anchor too
As we exchange our LOVE
With one another-and with him
“We have this HOPE
As an ANCHOR for the soul-
Firm and secure
It enters the inner sanctuary
Behind the curtain
Where our forerunner-Jesus
Has entered on our behalf
He has become-a high priest
In the order of Melchizedek “ Hebrews 6:19-20
Yes-God is our rock-
GOD IS OUR REFUGE
He is an ever present HOPE
In times of trouble
ALL we really need to do is PRAY-
Pray for each other-
LIFT each other up to God-and-
To Jesus Christ
All we have to do
Is use our GOD-GIVEN abilities
To SERVE one another and him
Dear Lord-Dear God-
YOU ARE my rock-my refuge
We FIND ourselves-we find our MEANING
In your PRESENCE-and IN YOUR LOVE
Robert P. Wallman
9-8-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Fr. Kenneth Grabner, C.S.C.
Thursday, September 8, 2016
THE PRESENCE OF GOD IS IN OUR LIVES
THE PRESENCE OF GOD
IS IN OUR LIVES
The presence of God
Is in our lives
And it first began
To become REAL
When Mary said yes
To the ANGEL
Today we celebrate
The birthday of Mary=
The real blood=the real
LOVING PRESENCE of a mother
To our lord and Savior Jesus
“Behold-the virgin
Shall have a child
And bear a son
And they shall name him-
Emmanuel”
Which means,
“God is with us” Matthew 1:23
And YES he is with us
In the PRESENCE of the
HOLY SPIRIT ever since
And the entire HOLY FAMILY=
Joseph-Mary-and Jesus
ARE with us to teach us
FAMILY-love-peace-and unity
Yes-the presence of Mary-
The PRESENCE of Jesus-HIS DIVINITY-
And SPIRIT gives us life
They live-they dwell in us
Yes the PRESENCE of God-
In his SPIRIT-lives within us
“Because of my integrity
You uphold me
And set me free
In your presence FOREVER” Psalm 41:12
“For Christ
Did not enter a sanctuary
Made with human hands
That was only a copy
Of the true one
He entered HEAVEN itself
Now to appear for us
In God's presence” Hebrews 9:24
“THIS is how
We know that we belong
To the truth
And how we set our hearts
At rest-IN HIS PRESENCE
If our hearts condemn us
We know that God is greater
Than our hearts
And he knows everything” 1 John 3:19-20
The gift of the presence
Of God-the presence of Jesus-
And the HOLY FAMILY
LIVE in our lives
Emmanuel is the incarnation
Of God in our world-
In our lives
And the mystery of the
Holy FAMILY
The love of the Holy Family-
Is with us
UNTIL the end of time
GOD is indeed with us
Today we ponder-we think about
Who and where God is taking us
To today
Who is he asking us to help?
Who is he asking us
To take his love to?
Who is in NEED
Of his love?
Who needs to SEE the
PRESENCE of God living in us
today?
“Do not hold against us
The sins of past generations
May your MERCY
Come quickly to meet us
For we are in desperate need” Psalm 79:8
Yes dear Lord=we are
In desperate need of your presence
In our lives
May the example of the HOLY FAMILY-
Of Mother Mary, and you DEAR LORD
LIVE FOREVER in us
YES to Emmanuel=yes to the Holy Spirit
And yes to Mother Mary=and all the LOVE
LIVING WITHIN THEM
The PRESENCE of the Lord God=
LIVES IN US
Robert P. Wallman
9-7-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Deborah Meister
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
LOOKING IN TWO DIRECTIONS
LOOKING IN TWO DIRECTIONS
As we proceed
With our lives
We have to be READY
Tor two things
ONE-that our end will come-
Or that Jesus will come
For end times
For certainly ALL the signs
Are present
And-TWO-to remember to move
Boldly-into the future=
Being MINDFUL of all the good
God has done for us
And MOVE into the future
By LOVING God and loving our neighbor
“........It is a good thing
For a person
To REMAIN as he is
….....
I tell you-brothers (and sisters)
The time is running out
….....
For the world
In its present form
Is passing away” 1 Corinthians 7:26, 29, 31
WHEN Saint Paul wrote this
After Jesus' Resurrection
The people were waiting
And willing for Christ's return
They didn't want to make
Any life changes
For they thought
The end was near
WE the modern day Christians
Are waiting for HIS return
As well as living in LOVE
By loving our neighbors
LOOKING IN TWO DIRECTIONS
“Jesus replied,
'Watch out
That you are not deceived
For many
Will come in my name
Claiming, 'I am he,' and
'The time is near,'
Do not follow them
WHEN you hear of wars and uprisings
Do not be frightened
These things MUST happen first
But the end
Will not come right away” Luke 21:8-9
I don't know
When the end is coming
NEITHER does anyone else
ONLY the Father knows-that-
Is what Jesus told us
That is WHY
We must be prepared
To move FORWARD in faith and love
But always being mindful-for-
The SECOND COMING of Jesus
LOOKING in two directions
Preparing for the end
But moving forward
In faith and love
“Consider the blameless
Observe the upright
A future awaits those
Who seek peace” Psalm 37:37
“Since no one
Knows the future
Who can tell someone else
What is to come?” Ecclesiastes 8:7
And that is why
We need to take EACH DAY-
Each moment-
As a GIFT from God
And while we are waiting
For Jesus-we must KEEP moving forward
LOOKING IN TWO DIRECTIONS
Giving thanks for the past
And looking to the FUTURE with HOPE
Knowing nothing
Can ever separate us
From the LORD OUR GOD
“For I am convinced
That neither death nor life
NEITHER angels nor demons
Neither the present
Nor the future
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
Dear Lord-please HELP US to ENJOY TODAY
And be ready for your KINGDOM that is coming
As we LOOK IN TWO DIRECTIONS
Robert P. Wallman
September 6th, 2016
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Karla Manternach
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
THAT LOVING TOUCH!
THAT LOVING TOUCH!
He had that loving touch
He had-
THAT loving feeling
That is-WHO our Jesus was
Did you ever WISH
That you had lived
When he lived?
Many people got to
Physically touch him-and were healed
“EVERYONE in the crowd
Sought to touch him
Because power came forth
From him
And HEALED them all” Luke 6:19
And yet he still touches us
EVEN today-he still
Walks with us
He still has the CAPACITY
To HEAL us all
Who else
Is there to touch?
Who else
Is there to turn to?
Touch me-heal me Lord
THAT LOVING TOUCH OF Jesus!
“Just then a woman
Who had been subject to bleeding
For twelve years
Came up behind him
And touched the edge
Of his cloak
She said to herself,
'If I only touch his cloak
I will be healed'
Jesus turned and saw her,
'Take heart daughter,' he said
'Your FAITH has healed you'
And the woman was HEALED
At that moment” Matthew 9:20-22
The healing touch of Jesus
THAT LOVING TOUCH
You will have the opportunity
To touch others in this world
Through the LOVING TOUCH
Of Jesus
It is TRUE that we are
HIS hands-his feet-his eyes-
In today's world
We are HIS HELPERS-
And his loving touch is SPREAD
Through us-in today's world
By SPREADING his love-his forgiveness-
And kindness
We HELP spread
That loving touch Of Jesus
“And when the men
Of that place
Recognized Jesus
They sent word
To ALL the surrounding country
People brought ALL
Their sick to him
And begged him
To let the sick
Just touch the edge
Of his cloak
And all who touched it
WERE HEALED” Matthew 14:35-36
Oh how we miss-
Oh how we LONG FOR
THAT LOVING TOUCH
Of Jesus in today's world
But the Lord can still use you
To be a conduit
HUG a stranger
SEND a card to a sick friend
GIVE a respectful nod-or-
An ENCOURAGING SMILE to another
HELP spread THAT LOVING TOUCH-
And healing touch of the Lord
The loving touch-THAT LOVING TOUCH-
Os Jesus-STILL LIVES-in today's world
Robert P. Wallman
9-5-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Jennifer Christ
Monday, September 5, 2016
DON'T FORGET TO REST
WITNESS
5-9-13
DON’T FORGET TO REST
We work hard
We play hard
Sometimes it seems
We don’t have a minute
For ourselves
Sometimes-we need to
Take a step back-AND REST
Just let our bodies recharge
And our minds and our hearts
And our souls
For EVEN God did
“So God BLESSED the seventh day
And made it holy
Because on it
He rested from ALL the work
He had done in CREATION” Genesis 2:3
DON’T FORGET TO REST
Rest is a BLESSING
It allows our body-mind-and soul
A chance to recharge
Sometimes we can urge ourselves
To do one more thing
COMPLETE one more task
And it leads to another
And before you know it
WE ARE DRAINED
Take the time to rest
Whether it be
The Sabbath day
Like the Lord suggested
Or even just a minute here-a day there
Or a day or two there
“Remember the Sabbath day
By KEEPING it holy
Six days you shall labor
And do ALL your work
But the seventh day
IS a Sabbath day to the Lord your God” Exodus 20:8-10
(*It doesn’t have to be a Saturday or a Sunday)
Or even just some hours
To put your MIND at REST
And meditate on the
AWARENESS OF GOD’S PRESENCE
In your life
It does not matter
As long as
We do it-in some fashion
Dear Lord-we pray
That we NEVER FORGET you
And that we take a day
Or a few hours each day
To step back
And think about what’s important
In life
GOD-and FAMILY-and FAITH
For REST is a BLESSING
To help us
KEEP our priorities in order
We pray
That we work
AS you worked
And that we-like you
DON’T FORGET TO REST
Robert P. Wallman
4-5-13
Ps WITNESS 5-9-13
“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 meek and humble in heart
And you will find REST for your souls-
For my yoke is easy and my burden is LIGHT”
Matthew 11:28-30
8-29-14
12-10-14
9-7-15=LABOR DAY
9-5-16=LABOR DAY
Sunday, September 4, 2016
HE KNOWS ME
HE KNOWS ME
God knows me
He knows what I look like
At every stage of my life
He knows me INSIDE AND OUT
He knows me-things about myself
That I don't even know myself
I am a mystery-I am puzzling
I am difficult to understand
Yet he knows me-
MY GOD KNOWS ME-and he loves me
EVERY inch of myself
“Teach us to number our days aright
That we may gain wisdom of heart
Return-O Lord-How long?
Have pity on your servants” Psalm 90:12-13
Yes-I may NOT even-
Know and understand myself
But there is SOMEONE who knows me
And the psalmist GUIDES us to him
The God-who created me-
Out of love-KNOWS ME
“He says,
'Be STILL and know
That I am God
I will be exalted
Among the nations
I will be exalted
In the earth'” Psalm 46:10
“SEARCH me-God-
And know my heart-
Test me
And know my anxious thoughts” Psalm 139:23
“To the Jewish people
Who had believed in him-Jesus said-
'IF you hold to my teaching
You are really my disciples
That you will know the truth
And the truth will set you free'” John 8:31-32
Yes Lord-you are THE TRUTH
You teach and we will listen
You are the truth
We OPEN our hearts
To listen to you
To learn the wisdom
Of your ways
Yes-GOD KNOWS ME-
He knows me-
He teaches me how to live in LOVE-
Forgiveness-and kindness
He teaches me/us
The WISDOM of his ways
“Teach me-Lord-
The way of your decrees
That I may follow it
To the end” Psalm 119:33
“INSTRUCT the wise-and-
They will be wiser still
Teach the righteous
And they will add
To their learning” Proverbs 9:9
Yes Lord-teach us your ways
You know us
YOU KNOW ME
Dear Lord-you probe us-
You know me
You see my flaws-
YOU CAPTURE the truth in love
You know who I am
You know me
Yes the Lord-
Who CREATED me out of LOVE
Knows me
And he teaches me
Who I am-who we are
HE KNOWS ME!
( and he knows you too)
Robert P. Wallman
9-3-16
Ps INSPIRED by ar article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Amy Welborn
Saturday, September 3, 2016
BE HUMBLE AND SHOW GRATITUDE!
BE HUMBLE AND SHOW GRATITUDE!
OUR God is
The most HUMBLE BEING
In creation
He could have done anything
To show his POWER
In this world
What does he decide
To do?
But send his SON
To take on-
ALL of our sins
And suffer and die for us
Only to show his SUPREME power
Even over life and death
Even death has NO power
Over God and his creatures
“What do you possess
That you have not received?” 1 Corinthians 4:7
Nothing-our God gives us
The gift of life
And of course-what we do
With our life
Is our GIFT back to him
Today we read about Saint Paul
And his message of
FORGIVENESS and SALVATION
To the GENTILES
THROUGH the death and RESURRECTION
Of our Lord and Savior=Jesus Christ
Paul truly LOVED-
The church and community of Corinth
But he was deeply disappointed
In their claims of moral superiority
What about us today?---the CHRISTIANS
Of the 21st century-the Catholics-the Protestants-
The Baptists-and all the other denominations-
The people of Christ today-do we FEEL
Morally and spiritually superior too?
Let me caution you=
BE HUMBLE-and show GRATITUDE=not boasting
By being thankful for the GIFT of life
And all the gifts
God and Christ have laid on our plate
The GIFTS OF GOD-remember-
Who gave you what you have
“For the Lord-takes delight
In his people
He crowns the humble-
With victory” Psalm 149:4
“He mocks proud mockers
But shows FAVOR
To the humble-
And oppressed” Proverbs 3:34
“But he gives us
More grace
That is why Scripture says:
'God opposes the proud
But shows FAVOR
To the HUMBLE'” James 4:6
I have heard so many people
Say in life:
“I am a self-made man-
Or woman”-or
“I have worked hard
For what I have got”
I am SURE you have
I am sure-
You are quite ACCOMPLISHED
But who gave you
What you have?
Who gave you the mental capacity
And financial means to be a success
In life?
It was GOD
BE HUMBLE AND SHOW GRATITUDE
Do not boast
“LET the message of Christ
Dwell among you richly
As you teach and admonish
ONE ANOTHER
With all wisdom
Through psalms-hymns-and songs
From the spirit
SINGING to God-
With GRATITUDE in your hearts” Colossians 3:16
ALWAYS give thanks to God-
Pray without ceasing-and
BE HUMBLE & SHOW GRATITUDE
In the Lord's name and honor
Robert P. Wallman
9-2-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Fr. Martin Pable, O.F.M. Cap.
Friday, September 2, 2016
THE ASTONISHING MERCY OF GOD
THE ASTONISHING MERCY OF GOD!
Of all the SUPER POWERS
What do you think
Would be the worst one?
Don't you think it would
Have to be TELEPATHY?
The ABILITY to read what
Is in a person's heart
As if it is/or was
STAMPED on our forehead
IMAGINE seeing everyone's
Petty self-righteous feelings
NOT to mention our lusts and what
We feel we are ENTITLED TO
That is what God has=
He can read the SECRETS
Of our hearts-and our motivations
Yet he LOVES US anyway
Yet he deals with us
With ASTONISHING MERCY
And does not judge us
“Therefore-
Do not make any judgment
BEFORE the appointed time
Until the Lord comes
For he will BRING to light
What is hidden in darkness
And WILL manifest the motives
Of our hearts
And then everyone
Will receive PRAISE FROM God” 1 Corinthians 4:5
Wouldn't it be better
If we treated each other
WITH MERCY?
The way GOD TREATS US
And not hold each other up
In judgment
The way we do
We don't even know
What is on another person's hearts
What if others could see
Our mixed motivations-our impatience-
Our selfishness?
Nevertheless-
Let us treat others with MERCY
The WAY God TREATS US
Particularly in this
The year of MERCY OF GOD
THE ASTONISHING MERCY OF GOD
Wouldn't it be great IF we could
Actually treat each other this way?
“Have mercy on me-MY GOD-
Have mercy on me
For in you-I take refuge
I WILL take refuge-
In the shadow of your wings
UNTIL the disaster
Has passed” Psalm 57:1
“We do not make requests
Of you
Because you are righteous
BUT because of your GREAT MERCY” Daniel 9:18
“BLESSED are the MERCIFUL
For they will be shown MERCY” Matthew 5:7
Yes telepathy=God has X-RAY VISION
Of our hearts-
He knows exactly
What is in them
It is ASTONISHING-sometimes-
The cruel-and sad things
That comes out
Of a person's heart
But what is also astonishing-IS:
THE ASTONISHING MERCY OF GOD-
That God has for us
Let us-in THIS YEAR OF MERCY-
Have that SAME loving mercy for each other
And leave all judgments-
To be MADE by our LOVING GOD
Robert P. Wallman
9-1-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Eve Tushnet
Thursday, September 1, 2016
THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME
THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME
TODAY-we find Jesus
CALLING his first disciples-
Peter-his brother Andrew-
AND the brothers John and James
It BEGINS with Jesus preaching
The word of God on the sea-shore
Then he gets into Peter's boat
And the fishermen catch
BOATLOADS of fish
And Jesus CATCHES four fishermen-
Who will go on to be
FISHERS of men
He gives the apostles-
THE CHANCE OF A LIFE-TIME
And they respond
“Getting into one of the boats
The ONE belonging to Simon
He asked him
To put out a short distance
From the shore
Then he sat down
And taught the crowds
From the boat” Luke 5:3
YES Jesus offers Peter and Andrew-
John and James-the CHANCE of a lifetime
And he gave the people on the shore
A chance of a lifetime
By LISTENING him to preach
And he OFFERS US
The chance of a life-time-
By worshiping him-by reading the bible-
And by BUILDING a personal relationship
With Jesus-and his Father
“For his anger
Lasts only a moment
But his FAVOR
Lasts a lifetime
Weeping may stay
For the night
But REJOICING comes
In the morning” Psalm 30:5
DEVELOP a life-long
Personal relationship with Jesus
Catch people for the KINGDOM
Of God
It was life-changing for them (the apostles)
And it is life-changing for us
Develop a personal relationship with Jesus
It is the chance
Of a lifetime
BECOME a follower of Jesus
The disciples were happy
You will be/I will be too
As a matter of fact-I am
“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 23:6
“'COME follow me,' Jesus said,
'And I will send you out
To FISH for people'
“At once they left their nets
And followed him” Matthew 4:19-20
“Then Jesus said to his disciples,
'WHOEVER wants to be my disciples
Must deny themselves
And take up their cross
And follow me
For whoever wants
To SAVE their life
Will lose it
But whoever loses their life
For me-WILL FIND ME'” Matthew 16:24-25
YES!-that is what has HAPPENED
To me-
I found my life-
In losing my life for Jesus
And that is what happened-
To Peter-and Andrew-to James and John-
And all the other disciples
And they found
THE CHANCE OF A LIFE TIME
As I did too
Robert P. Wallman
8-31-16
Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Clair J. King
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