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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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