HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!=both healthy and HAPPY

A FINAL THOUGHT and REPRINT from last year =HOW did you do in 2016? DID you thank God for your BLESSINGS for this past year? How did you face your challenges? MAY you RECEIVE MORE BLESSINGS than challenges in 2017-and may you BE a better person this year than ever before=DEAR God=the GOD OF LOVE=may you be with us all this year HAPPY NEW YEAR my Family and FRIENDS-I LOVE YOU ALL! JOURNAL=HAPPY NEW YEAR-2015 “From his fullness-we have ALL RECEIVED-GRACE-in place of grace........” John 1:16 TODAY is the last day of the year-MANY of us will go to a party-and CELEBRATE with family and friends to bring in the NEW YEAR-some of us will go to church-still others of us will SLEEP in the new year-whatever we are doing-WE will say goodbye to 2014 and HELLO to the new year BUT BEFORE-this year ends let us PAUSE-and thank GOD for the BLESSINGS we received this year-ANOTHER year of life-our family and friends-OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH-and any problems and difficulties we worked-our way through this year And let us thank GOD for the grace we received in 2014-and the GRACE to live in 2015 well-BEING mindful that GOD GIVES us all the GRACE we need to face each new day in the coming year DEAR LORD—we thank you for the PAST BLESSINGS and grace-and for ALL the graces we will RECEIVE in the coming years of our lives it is A GREAT DAY to be ALIVE in GOD'S LOVE for us-and a GREAT DAY and year to receive ALL the graces GOD wishes to bestow on us HAPPY NEW YEAR my friends-GOD LOVES YOU-and so do I Robert P. Wallman 12-31-14

LESS THAN PERFECT?

LESS THAN PERFECT? Jesus was PART Of the PERFECT human family Along with Mary and Joseph But I am SURE It didn't always feel perfect They felt ALL the SAME Trials and tribulations That all FAMILIES do But ALWAYS=what made them perfect Was there LOVE for each other And love for all of MANKIND “........the ANGEL Of the Lord-APPEARED to Joseph ….....and said: 'RISE-take the child and his mother FLEE to Egypt And stay there UNTIL I tell you” Matthew 2:13 WHEN we think of FAMILY we think of security-and COMFORT- And love NOT a crisis=like this=fleeing to Egypt But all families-ENCOUNTER- The trials and tribulations of life But what makes a FAMILY thrive Is love-LOVE- In all circumstances LESS than perfect-was The HOLY FAMILY-by life's standards But PERFECT in love When I think of my own family My parents (even my grandparents), my sisters, and EVEN my extended family There has ALWAYS been LOVE Even in the most difficult Of circumstances Love NEVER FAILS Love RISES to the occasion And it never failed The HOLY FAMILY (Not even in death) “MAY your unfailing love Come to me Your salvation According to your promise” Psalm 119:41 “LOVE does not delight- In evil-but REJOICES With the truth It ALWAYS protects It always trusts Always HOPES Always perseveres LOVE NEVER FAILS” 1 Corinthians 13:6-8 LESS THAN PERFECT-in the world But PERFECT in love The way God WANTS us to be That IS what the Holy Family was- That's what my family is- That is what ALL GOOD Thriving families are BASED ON LOVE Mary-Joseph-Jesus- Are RUNNING for their lives To Egypt-no less A foreign country With unfamiliar customs-and- A different religion WHAT did they encounter? What do the families of today encounter? Death? Loss of jobs? Broken relationships? Health difficulties? LOVE SURVIVES-even thrives- OUR FAMILES too FACE all kinds of setbacks We face death in our families- We FACE financial setbacks We face illness and all kinds of issues Maybe addictions-depression And who KNOWS what else Our FAMILIES are LESS than perfect- Because people-are less than perfect Jesus knew chaos and uncertainty FACES families-because His family EXPERIENCED It all His family SURVIVED Because THEIR LOVE was perfect And you know what OUR FAMILY will survive too (And so will yours) Because WE have patterned OUR LOVE-after the love OF THE HOLY FAMILY THE FAMILY OF LOVE Robert P. Wallman 12-29-16 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Sr. Melannie Svoboda, S.N.D. TODAY-DECEMBER 30th, 2016-is the feast of THE HOLY FAMILY

HOLDING ON TO THE LIGHT!

HOLDING ON TO THE LIGHT! This is the TIME Of year-that the darkness IS passing away That the LIGHT of God And the light of Jesus Christ- IS moving through-in the person- In the BIRTH of Jesus Let us LATCH on- As the light moves through And let us HOLD ON ALL YEAR THROUGH HOLING ON TO THE LIGHT! “........the darkness is passing away And the TRUE LIGHT Is already SHINING” 1 John 2:8 Today we go to the temple With Mary and Joseph To PRESENT the newborn Jesus Whose birth we just CELEBRATED There we meet 2 senior citizens The older woman-Anna-and the Older man just waiting To RECEIVE the light-Simeon WE too-like Simeon and Anna Should be WAITING on this light And we should let THIS LIGHT The light of Jesus The LIGHT OF LOVE Shine in our hearts- Forevermore “May God be gracious-in us And BLESS us And make his face SHINE on us--------” Psalm 67:1 “Arise-SHINE- For your light has come And the GLORY of the Lord RISES upon you” Isaiah 60:1 “For God-who said- 'LET LIGHT Shine out of darkness' Made his light SHINE in our hearts To GIVE us-the light of knowledge Of God's glory DISPLAYED in the face Of Christ” 2 Corinthians 4:6 HOLDING ON to the light GOD'S light-Jesus' light- In our hearts Simeon HELD the baby And felt the darkness Of the world-FADING The TRUE LIGHT of God SHINING in his arms And we hold on To the baby Jesus- The true LIGHT of the world- IN OUR HEARTS Simeon KNOWS- The darkness is fading away And we KNOW The LIGHT of the world Is LIVING in our hearts And we are HOLDING ON For ALL we are worth As we BEGIN the NEW YEAR Holding on to the light Holding on for NEW BEGINNINGS As we move Into 2017 “The fear of the Lord Is the BEGINNING of wisdom ALL who follow his precepts Have good understanding To him BELONGS eternal praises” Psalm 111:10 So let us LOVE GOD And LOVE our brothers & sisters As we move into The BEGINNING OF 2017 ALL the while HOLDING on To the light of God and Christ IN OUR HEARTS It is a NEW YEAR-but let us HOLD ON to the SPIRIT OF LIGHT Just as Simeon and Anna did Robert P. Wallman 12-29-16 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Mary Marrocco

CHOOSE THE LIGHT

CHOOSE THE LIGHT WE LIVE In a dark dark world We don't have To look very far In this world To see that Even the day after Christmas Even the day after Christ's light Has shown so much brightness But it was that way At Christ's time too As today's feast Of the HOLY INNOCENTS shows That time WHEN Herod Ordered the slaughter Of innocent children To keep at bay The threat of ONE Greater than himself “This is the message That we have heard From Jesus Christ And PROCLAIM to you GOD IS LIGHT And in him There is no darkness At all” 1 John 1:5 Adam and Eve Brought the darkness of sin To the world But Christ BROUGHT THE LIGHT The fruits of the SPIRIT Over the choices of darkness CHOOSE THE LIGHT of God Choose the LIGHT of Christ Over the sin Of this world “You are The LIGHT of the world A town built on a hill Cannot be hidden” Matthew 5:14 “WHEN Jesus spoke again To the people- He said, 'I AM The light of the world Whoever FOLLOWS me Will never walk In darkness But will have THE LIGHT OF LIFE'” John 8:12 There are MANY ways To take or diminish The life of another BESIDES physical killing-rape- Abuse-child molestation-etc., Gossip-slander-KEEPING QUIET When others are doing this WE are all guilty of something- OR not helping someone in life At times in life When we could make a difference EVEN if it is Just depriving others Of their good name and reputation We NEED TO REMEMBER That the light That is God SHINES IN ALL PEOPLE And that all people are WORTHY of dignity GOD'S LIGHT-God's perfect love Casts out fear And this light of God GUIDES US to act appropriately “How PRICELESS Is your unfailing love O GOD! People take refuge In the shadow of your wings” Psalm 36:7 “GIVE THANKS To the Lord For he is GOOD HIS LOVE endures forever” Psalm 18:1 Choose God's love CHOOSE THE LIGHT OF GOD Lest we stumble over one another In the dark CHOOSE THE LIGHT- Of God Over the darkness In this world Robert P. Wallman 12-27-15 INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Father James Stephen Behrens, O.C.S.O.

MY FAITH MAKES ME HAPPY

MY FAITH MAKES ME HAPPY IF I were To ask you WHAT makes you happiest In life- What would you say? For me-it IS the 3 F'S- FAITH-FAMILY-and FRIENDS- And they ARE all intertwined My FAITH MAKES me happy Very very happy “........for our FELLOWSHIP Is with the Father- And with the Son-Jesus Christ” 1 John 1:3 In fact-the HAPPIEST part Of my day IS when I am saying my MORNING PRAYERS- My ROSARY-and reading my bible Followed CLOSELY by a daily phone call From my sister Terri-and many other CALLS To and from my sister Mary-and other family And friends THROUGHOUT the week MY FAITH Is a SIGN of GOD'S LOVE For me And his adoption of me As a CHILD OF GOD And that makes me very VERY HAPPY I feel like I am A PART of A huge family- As BELIEVERS in God And I wish EVERYONE had that FAITH I wish everyone in this world Felt a PART of that family And felt that LOVE FOR GOD And love for EACH OTHER Maybe we wouldn't have The kind of world That we currently live in IF everyone felt Truly related to EVERYONE ELSE In this world-with ONE LOVING FAITH- Maybe-we would have A MORE loving world My faith MAKES ME HAPPY It truly does “........ Have FAITH In the Lord your God And you will be UPHELD Have faith in his prophets And you will be SUCCESSFUL” 2 Chronicles 20:20 “THEN he touched their eyes And said: 'According to your FAITH Let it be DONE to you' And their sight was RESTORED Jesus warned them sternly- 'See that NO ONE Knows about this' But they went out And SPREAD the news About him ALL over the region” Matthew 9:29-31 My FRIENDS-we are ALL Part of the FAMILY OF GOD- The family of Christ We are ALL part of The SAME family=the HUMAN FAMILY And children of God We are part Of a fellowship of people WHO ARE LOVED Brothers & sisters in God Brothers & sisters in Christ CHILDREN of a LOVING GOD “BLESSED are the peacemakers For they will be called Children of God” Matthew 5:9 My dear friends- MY FAITH indeed-DOES MAKE ME HAPPY It leads me to LIVE Out of love- Out of forgiveness- And out of kindness If you are a BELIEVER And living this way YOU ARE Part of my FAMILY And I am SURE- YOUR FAITH MAKES you happy too Robert P. Wallman 12-26-16 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Elizabeth Duffy

RECEIVE OUR SPIRIT-O LORD-IN LIFE-AND IN DEATH

RECEIVE OUR SPIRIT-O LORD-IN LIFE- AND IN DEATH Today we CELEBRATE The life and death of Saint Stephen- The first CHRISTIAN martyr After Christ As Stephen Was being stoned to death He CRIED OUT, “Lord Jesus-receive my spirit” Acts 7:59 In today's world-we HAVE To offer our SPIRIT to God All through life too As Christians We PRAY for a beautiful death The way Stephen died-being brutally killed Doesn't fit our description Of a beautiful death But-in fact-was- Because HIS FAITH Remained strong And sometimes Having STRONG FAITH in life Makes the DIFFERENCE Between living and dying As I found out WHEN I prayed for life IF it be God's will RECEIVE our spirit-in life- Dear Lord And receive our spirit In death “Into your hands- I commit my spirit DELIVER ME Lord My faithful God” Psalm 31:5 “I will give them An UNDIVIDED HEART And put a new spirit In them I will remove from Their heart of stone And give them A heart of flesh” Ezekiel 11:19 “Watch and PRAY So that you Will NOT fall into temptation The spirit is willing But the FLESH is weak” Matthew 26:41 WE would all-like to imagine Passing away WHEN we are quite elderly Surrounded by Our LOVING FAMILY MEMBERS My mom was like that She was only 75-but she died At HOME-with the IRISH MUSIC playing TWO of her children present PRAYING FOR HER- She was beautiful IN LIFE- And beautiful in death She even PICKED her own readings And music for her funeral But we are NOT All that fortunate Our SAVIOR Jesus and Saint Stephen Were murdered And people EVERY day Of all ages Die of heart attacks-cancer- Automobile accidents, etc., etc., etc., Dear Lord-we PRAY That you RECEIVE our spirits In life-daily And at the hour of our death WHENEVER that may be And that you be-AS PLEASED- With our SPIRIT- As you were with Saint Stephen's In Jesus' name, Robert P. Wallman 12-25-16 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Terence Hegarty

LOVE COMBINED-LOVE INCARNATE

LOVE COMBINED-LOVE INCARNATE For the first time In many years-we have HANUKKAH And Christmas combined The Jewish nation and the Christian GENTILE NATION together LOVE COMBINED-life as it should be “His DOMINION is vast And forever PEACEFUL........” Isaiah 9:6 So on this Christmas DAY Let us take a moment To REMEMBER the ONE Who has dominion over ALL The ONE who rules our hearts With unconditional love The one who TRIUMPHS over all The one who trumps all Love combined-LOVE INCARNATE- HAPPY HANUKKAH!-MERRY CHRISTMAS! Divine Peace is accessible peace Forever more I PRAY for peace in this world EVERY day-and I TRY to live my life In FAITH-by promoting peace To ALL people To all denominations Forever peace-forever more That is GOD'S WAY “The Lord Gives STRENGTH to his people The Lord BLESSED his people With peace” Psalm 29:11 “For us a CHILD is born To us a son is given And the government Will be on his shoulders And he will be CALLED Wonderful Counselor-MIGHTY GOD- Everlasting Father-PRINCE OF PEACE” Isaiah 9:6 2,000 years ago A SAVIOR was born To this world But the world REJECTED him And the world Seems to STILL reject his teachings Today-on LOVE-on forgiveness-and on kindness But I URGE YOU-on this day Of all days- “LET there be PEACE On earth And let it begin With me” So this year No matter HOW MUCH divisiveness Exists within your family No matter how extensive The violence IS-in this world Let us OPEN UP And RECEIVE the unconditional love of God The UNCONDITIONAL love of Christ For it is unlimited- It knows NO BOUNDS Love unlimited Love combined- LOVE INCARNATE-love that knows no bounds LOVE UNFAILING “Turn Lord-and DELIVER me Save me Because of your unfailing love” Psalm 6:4 LET US commemorate this day This day of Christ's LOVE This day of Christ's coming This day of HAPPY HANUKKAHS Into a day of LOVE for ALL God came to DWELL in us In the ONE of Jesus Christ God's love UNLIMITED God's love COMBINED & INCARNATE LOVE UNFAILING! HOW can we resist Such a marvelous present? Let us BEGIN To get it right MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY HANUKKAH! GOD'S LOVE IS INCLUSIVE I LOVE YOU ALL! Robert P. Wallman 12-24-16 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Joyce Rupp, O.S.M.

CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE WALLMANS

DECEMBER 24, 2012 CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE WALLMANS From the time we lived at Massachusetts Avenue (1-31-63 to 11-30-98) We always had the greatest Christmas Eves Thanks to my mother and father As a young boy-my two sisters and I-would be surprised When the elves came The elves would always bring us pajamas and slippers My dad would sometimes be cussing I didn’t know what it was about at the time-but as I got older I came to understand that he was usually trying to put something Together ( ie. a bike for my sisters or me ) Often times-we would go to midnight Mass Except my father-who would sneak off to bed Even when we had a houseful And that is what I remember most, the “HOUSEFULS” We always had an Open House on Christmas Eve My friends-my sisters’ friends-and even some of my father’s and mother’s friends Would show up-down through the years Sometimes-some of our relatives would be there too If they were just looking to have some fun It would usually start with Rick and Patty coming after 6:00or 7:00 pm Mass And as they got older-they would show up with their children-Samantha and Tim They even came one year less than a week after Timmy was born Also showing up were Rich and Betty Ann (when they were still married) And their beautiful daughter Bridget And Ed and Debbie and their daughter-Samantha Ray and Arlene and their family And many other family and friends Most of it-was just clean fun But we did have our own version of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” And “Pup” singing C is for the Christ child I will always remember Pup He died in 1979 in a motorcycle accident He always carried a “magnum” gun with him everywhere he went When he came into our house on Christmas Eve He would take them out and give them to me at the door And after my cousin, Donny, got divorced We had our own version of “Same Time-Nest Year” With him and Rooster What wonderful memories I have of “CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE WALLMANS” And when we moved in 1998-my mother wrote the following poem As we turn out the lights and Lock the door of this old house Not a creature is stirring Not even the proverbial mouse. Hush! Quiet and silence. Can you believe!!! Any day of the year, but Christmas Eve!!! Now we REALLY KNOW it’s time to go But before we do, we want you to know Through the love and the joy, the laughter & tears That you have imparted, you have enriched Our lives all these past 36 years. If these walls could talk, what tales they would tell No need, however, we remember them well. For caring and sharing and just being there Our love, thanks and warmest wishes for a Happy New Year. The Wallman Christmas 1998 Robert P. Wallman 7-09-07 Ps “For God so loved the world that he gave his ONE AND ONLY SON That whoever believes in him shall NOT PERISH but have eternal life” John 3:16 12-25-15

GOD IS WITH US

GOD IS WITH US Of course-at this TIME of year- As we approach OUR SAVIOR'S BIRTH- We know-that GOD is with us But the TRUTH is the PRESENCE Of God-is ALWAYS with us In good times-in bad times- And in ALL TIMES in between “I have been with you WHEREVER you want........” 2 Samuel 7:9 God NEVER stops accompanying us- ESPECIALLY in the bad times- The MOST painful times-when we Can't even see him He is CARRYING us On his back God carries us- Even-in the bleakest of times ESPECIALLY- In the bleakest of times “You yourselves Have SEEN what I did To Egypt And how I carried you ON EAGLES WINGS And brought you to myself” Exodus 19:4 “........ There you saw How the Lord your God CARRIED YOU As a father CARRIES his son ALL the way you went Until you reached this place” Deuteronomy 1:31 “For prophecy NEVER had its origin In the human will But prophets-though human- SPOKE from God As they were carried ALONG BY the HOLY SPIRIT” 2 Peter 1:21 That IS the truth of the matter We will NEVER see God Face-to-face EXCEPT those who encountered-and- LIVED and saw Jesus During his time But the PRESENCE OF God Is here LIVING in us-in the form of- In the ESSENCE of HIS SPIRIT And though we could not see him We could FEEL HIM Especially during those experiences Of INTENSE emotional pain And the seeming absence of God God never Stopped accompanying you/me God is ALWAYS with us “Do not cast me From your presence Or take your Holy Spirit From me” Psalm 51:11 “However-as it is written: 'What no eye has seen What no ear has heard And what no human mind Has conceived' The things God has PREPARED For those who LOVE HIM These are the things God has REVEALED to us By his SPIRIT” 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 THIS CHRISTMAS EVE As we CELEBRATE The COMING of our Lord Let us be REMINDED That Jesus was ONCE here IN THE FLESH Spreading the WORD OF GOD He is STILL with us In Spirit Emmanuel=GOD IS WITH US= ALWAYS & FOREVER Robert P. Wallman 12-23-16 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Sr. Chris Koellhoffer, I.H.M.

SIGNS THAT POINT THE WAY HOME

SIGNS THAT POINT THE WAY HOME The CHRISTIAN life can Be difficult-PUZZLING to say The least HOW are we supposed to Keep LIVING a life of love- A life of forgiveness- A life of KINDNESS When some people Keep treating us with meanness- With indifference-without sensitivity- And NOT CARING one bit Whether it offends us or not? Our leader Jesus-did it-and as His followers We are SUPPOSED to do it too “Your ways-O Lord Make known to me: TEACH ME your paths” Psalm 25:4 Fortunately for us-we have SIGNS That point the way-and EXAMPLES We have the CHURCH every Sunday- At least-every day-IF we so choose Plus we have the LIVES Of the saints And holy Scripture SIGNS that point The way to God Signs that point the WAY To living a CHRISTIAN LIFE “In ALL your ways Submit to him And he will make Your paths straight” Proverbs 3:6 David said: “You have made KNOWN to me The PATHS of life You will fill me With JOY in your presence” Acts 2:28 ONE thing for sure WHEN we are FOLLOWING The paths and signs of God We are NEVER alone But there are QUESTIONS That come up as we TRAVEL through this world How do we know WHICH way to turn? How do we KNOW Which decision-way- Is the right way? Which way do we go WHEN we come To the FORK in the road? We are never alone IF we follow the signs POSTED by God Got to MASS or church service EVERY DAY READ the Scriptures daily FOLLOW Christ's example And the LIVES of the saints He-they-FACED every problem- Every temptation that we do FOLLOW the signs Follow the road That LEAD you/me/us back to God “THEREFORE the Lord himself WILL give you a sign The virgin will conceive And give BIRTH to a son And will call him IMMANUEL” Isaiah 7:14 “THIS will be a SIGN To you: You will find a BABY Wrapped in clothes-lying in a manger” Luke 2:12 Dear Lord-this world IS a confusing place We PRAY- That you HELP US SEE the signs-that lead us To LIVE a truly CHRISTIAN LIFE And BRING US HOME to you Robert P. Wallman 12-22-16 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Steve Givens

THE LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

THE LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS WE LIVE In a dark dark world There is no doubt About that A world with terrorism and ISIS A world with murder-rape- and child abuse And a world WHERE less and less people Live a life With MORAL INTEGRITY I define moral integrity As doing the RIGHT and BEST thing Just because It is the right And BEST thing to do- PURE That's what Mary and Elizabeth did That's what GOD does And that is what Jesus did “MOST BLESSED Are you among women- And blessed is The fruit of your womb” Luke 1:42 And Jesus was THE FRUIT of Mary's womb Jesus is THE LIGHT in the darkness O come-O come-EMMANUEL! And in just a few days Jesus will be here Let us all ALL his disciples and apostles STAND UP And live with moral integrity Just as Jesus Would have us do “May INTEGRITY and uprightness Protect me Because my HOPE-LORD- Is in you” Psalm 25:21 “RIGHTEOUSNESS Guards the person of integrity But wickedness Overthrows the sinner” Proverbs 13:6 Today marks winter solstice The shortest day Of the year A day- WITH the most darkness Yet I think of the statues Of Mary I think Of the statues of Jesus OUR LIGHTS In the world of darkness And the real life Mary And the REAL LIFE Jesus As well as THE HOLY SPIRIT of God “THE LORD Is my LIGHT And my salvation Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the STRONGHOLD Of my life- Of whom Shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 “LIGHT-in a messenger's eyes Brings JOY to the heart And good news GIVES health to the bones” Proverbs 15:30 And the fruit Of Mary's womb- The messenger and EMMANUEL Will be here In just a few days To bring us the GOOD NEWS To teach us MORAL INTEGRITY “The LIGHT SHINES in the darkness And the darkness Will NOT overcome it” 1 John 1:5 On this-winter solstice day There is NO NEED For gloom In the darkness Of the night OUR SAVIOR was born O come-O come-EMMANUEL- THE LIGHT IN OUR DARKNESS Robert P. Wallman 12-20-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Gail Goleas 12-22-16

THE HUMAN ELEMENT=GIVE HELP There is a HUMAN ELEMENT In EVERY one of our lives In this world-and to that degree We all NEED HELP at one time Or another And as CHRISTIANS-particularly at This TIME of year-we should ALL- GIVE HELP to those in need This is a HUMAN element In this world-giving and receiving HELP Very humbly-be KIND! In today's readings-we find Mary- Pregnant herself-traveling to help Her cousin Elizabeth- Who is also pregnant “Mary set out in those days And TRAVELED to the hill country In haste........” Luke 1:39 Elizabeth in the “hill country” And we FIND Mary leaving “In haste” To give HELP to her cousin Surely-it must have been A difficult JOURNEY Mary responded to The human element- In her COUSIN Elizabeth Elizabeth was much OLDER And pregnant=and immediately=Mary RECOGNIZED that she needed her And she stayed 3 FULL months WHILE being pregnant herself The human element=GIVING and RECEIVING HELP=when needed=when called for Mary did it==Jesus-of course-always did it too We should all RESPOND with help To others=WHEN We recognize the need “In my distress I called to the Lord I CRIED to my God For help From his temple-he heard My voice My cry-came before him Into his ears” Psalm 18:6 “So do not fear For I am WITH YOU For I am your God I will strengthen you And HELP YOU With my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10 “Jesus replied, 'And you EXPERTS in the law Woe to you Because you LOAD people Down with burdens They can hardly carry And you yourselves Will NOT lift one finger To help'” Luke 11:46 But Mary HELPED her cousin Elizabeth She had that HUMAN ELEMENT That we should all have She was the MOTHER Of all mothers- The COUSIN of all cousins And the neighbor For all NEIGHBORS She had-that human element “WHAT is mankind That you are mindful Of them HUMAN BEINGS that you CARE for them?” Psalm 8:4 We do not need To go far To FIND PEOPLE looking for And NEEDING help Dear Lord-help us-LIKE Mary- To possess that human element TO GIVE HELP-when capable- And to be GRACIOUS & KIND when we RECEIVE that help MAY we “GO IN HASTE” To those in need-and GIVE HELP In the NAME of Jesus-Mary-and Joseph Robert P. Wallman 12-20-16 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Fr. Stephen J. Rossetti

BE BRAVE-NOT AFRAID

BE BRAVE-NOT AFRAID Many people-RESPOND with fear When they encounter something Of God-that is REAL In today's world I am AMAZED by the Humility and KINDNESS that the angel-Gabriel Showed to Mary-when he appeared To her “'Do NOT be afraid-Mary- For you have found FAVOR With God,” said the angel-Gabriel Luke 1:30 I often WONDER Why people respond with fear When they encounter God WHY would we react that way When we know God LOVES US Infinitely and UNCONDITIONALLY? I wonder too about Mary- The young teenager and the BRAVENESS She responded with She must have been terrified MAYBE she even thought She was seeing things I too have felt That I have been TOUCHED by God CALLED by God for a SPECIAL PURPOSE A little bit overwhelming-perhaps But the BEST that we can do- Is respond like Mary-and be BRAVE- And ACCEPT the CALLING by God And to the Lord BE BRAVE-not afraid LIVE with a strong and a COURAGEOUS HEART “The Lord gave this command To Joshua-son of Nun: 'Be strong and courageous For you will bring The Israelites into the land I PROMISED them by oath And I myself Will be WITH YOU'” Deuteronomy 31:23 “BE on your guard Stand FIRM in the faith Be courageous-be strong Do EVERYTHING in love” 1 Corinthians 16:13 And that is EXACTLY what The young teenager Mary was: STRONG and COURAGEOUS-and of course- She did EVERYTHING in LOVE In face she RAISED the perfect man- And SON of God-her son=Jesus She responded to the ANGEL Gabriel “MAY it be done to me” Luke 1:38 THEN the angel left her Mary was TOUCHED BY GOD Yet she was brave and courageous- Never afraid-like so many of us Are today As I mentioned-I too FEEL Like I was called by God For a specific REASON Maybe someday You will FEEL that way too In fact-I KNOW We have ALL been CALLED by God In one way or another At this particular time In history-in this world “And you also ARE among the Gentiles Who are called To BELONG to Jesus Christ” Romans 1:6 “And those he PRESDESTINED He also called Those he called HE also justified Those he justified- He GLORIFIED” Romans 8:30 Mary was CALLED-by God Through the ANGEL-GABRIEL As a teenager-she must have Been terrified Yet she RESPONDED when called upon By the Lord What ADMIRATION I have For this young girl- Who GREW into the Mother of God May we ALL be BLESSED- And respond in such a BRAVE MANNER When and IF We are called by God In Jesus' name Robert P. Wallman 12-19-16 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Aileen O'Donoghue

THERE IS ENOUGH!

THERE IS ENOUGH! We live in a society We LIVE in a world With an emphasis On MORE! MORE! MORE! And we have a tendency To WANT to acquire more Than we need-and- HOARD it for ourselves Scarcity is a FEAR That there isn't enough That we aren't enough MAYBE even- That God doesn't love us enough We think that RESOURCES are limited That love-time-success-prosperity- Health-energy-opportunity-and justice ARE all limited And while that may be true To a degree KEEP in mind That we WORSHIP a God Who is not limited In any way-a God Who has the ability to BE just and abundant And in fact-IS SO “JUSTICE shall flower In his days And profound peace Till the moon be no more” Psalm 72:7 THERE IS ENOUGH! Our God is NOT limited And he WILL PROVIDE What we need-when- We NEED IT He is a JUST and abundant God “Command those who are rich In this present world NOT to be arrogant Not to put their HOPE In wealth Which is so uncertain But to put their hope In God Who richly PROVIDES us With everything For our enjoyment” 1 Timothy 6:17 “IF anyone speaks They should do so As ONE who speaks the very words Of God If anyone serves They should do so With the strength God provides So that in ALL things God may be praised Through Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 4:11 We worship a God Who PROVIDES-we worship A just and abundant God There is ENOUGH-with our God Who ALWAYS provides God's resources and power Are UNLIMITED WHEN we tap-in Into God as our SOURCE We TRANSITION from a Mind-set of scarcity To an ATTITUDE Of abundance “I will BLESS her With abundant provisions Her poor I will satisfy With food” Psalm 132:15 “Then this city Will bring me RENOWN- Joy-praise-honor- BEFORE all nations on earth That HEAR of all the good things I do for it And they will be in awe And will tremble At the abundant prosperity And PEACE I provide- For it” Jeremiah 3:9 For with our God-the GOD OF LOVE There is-NOT only enough- But more For our God-OUR Jesus-IS THE LORD OF MIRACLES! The God of: MORE THAN ENOUGH Robert P. Wallman 12-18-16 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Kristin Armstrong

Charity

CHARITY CHARITY is defined as the generous actions Or donations to aid the poor, the ill, or the helpless And it usually something given to A person in need It is simply A generous work or kindness And it is In its simplest form THE LOVING of your neighbor AS yourself And it is The second commandment; “LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF” “Do NOT seek revenge Or bear a grudge AGAINST one of your people But LOVE your neighbor As yourself I am the Lord” Leviticus 19:18 Be charitable To your neighbor “Jesus replied, 'LOVE the Lord Your God With all your heart And with all your soul And with all your mind' This is the first And GREATEST commandment And the second Is like it 'LOVE your neighbor As yourself' ALL the law And the prophets Hang on These two commandments'” Matthew 12:37-40 BE KIND To your neighbor Do unto them As you would Have them do unto you BE CHARITABLE In fact Saint Vincent DePaul says that being kind IS the surest way To becoming a Saint And he SHOULD KNOW As he is-A SAINT And is one Of the kindest individuals Who ever lived “And ABOVE all things Have fervent charity Among yourselves For CHARITY shall COVER The multitude of sins” 1 Peter 4:8 Be kind-BE CHARITABLE HELP someone in NEED And in Luke 10 We see one of the greatest stories of charity In the bible A man is beaten and robbed and left for dead Along the side of the road A priest and Levite pass by And do nothing But along comes a Samaritan: “He went to him And bandages his wounds Pouring on oil and wine Then he put the man On his own donkey Took him to an inn And took care of him The next day He took out Two silver coins And gave them To the innkeeper 'LOOK after him,' he said 'And when I return I will reimburse you For any extra expense You may have'” Luke 10:34-35 A charitable and kind act To be sure No less authority Than Jesus, says, “GO AND DO LIKEWISE” Luke 10:37 I beg to differ With the man who said, “Charity begins at home” CHARITY BEGINS in our heart Do all The good you can For all the people That you can For we shall pass This way-just once BE CHARITABLE! Robert P. Wallman 2-13-14 & 12-18-16 Ps In Christian thought-CHARITY is considered To be the highest form of love Signifying the RECIPROCAL love Between God and man Manifest in UNSELFISH LOVE Of one's fellow man

BURNING WITH LOVE!

BURNING WITH LOVE! Can you REMEMBER anyone In your life-past or present- Who were BURNING AND SHINING lamps- With the LOVE of God- And love of Christ in them? I would bet that their FAITH That their commitment to God And their LOVE-were great testimony To God-in and of themselves I would bet That the way That they LIVED Were of great inspiration It is NOT enough For us to admire them- For we ALL should be living Our lives like that “John was a burning and SHINING LAMP And for awhile You were content To REJOICE in the light” John 5:35 Let us all TRY to live like John And the other SAINTS Let us all Try to be SHINING EXAMPLES Of inspiration-for everyone Let us ALL Be burning EXAMPLES OF LOVE Just like John-the Baptist And just like the other Saints “You-Lord KEEP my lamp burning MY GOD turns my darkness Into LIGHT” Psalm 18:28 Yes-for true Christians- The CALL of the Lord Is to BECOME So CONSUMED with LOVE That our life shines And points others in the DIRECTION Of Christ We are to be BURNING WITH LOVE for everyone “The path of the righteous Is LIKE the morning SUN Shining ever brighter Till the full light Of day” Proverbs 4:18 “WE also have The prophetic message As something completely RELIABLE And you will DO well To pay attention to it As to a light SHINING in a dark place Until the day dawns And the morning star RISES in your HEARTS” 1 Peter 1:19 The great psychotherapist Victor Frankl Said about his World War II experiences: “What is to give light MUST endure burning” To FOLLOW Christ Means to BURN With a TOTAL LOVE For both our God and our NEIGHBOR I PRAY That when my life Is OVER That my light-continues BURNING WITH LOVE For God and Christ and humanity And I pray That YOURS does too Dear Lord-please LIGHT THE CANDLES! I will BURN for you In love ALL the days of my life Robert P. Wallman 12-16-16 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Mark Neilsen

DIVINE FIDELITY AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

DIVINE FIDELITY AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE Our God-LOVES each one of us- Separately and individually=YET= He loves each one of us With divine fidelity and UNCONDITIONAL love too Like he loves No one else What if you HEARD our Appalachian mountains wanted To trade places With the Rocky mountains? A bit amusing perhaps But that is more likely To happen- Than God ever giving up On you and me GOD LOVES US-forever and ever “Though the mountains Leave their place …..... My love--------shall NEVER leave you” Isaiah 54:10 This pledge by God That he LOVES US forever and ever Is NO laughing matter We need to look No further than Jesus Living-dying-and RESURRECTING for us To know that God has a DIVINE fidelity And and unconditional love For each and every one of us God EMBRACES each of us DAILY With a steadfast forgiveness and MERCY He loves us so much- He will NEVER let us go “But I TRUST In your unfailing love My heart rejoices In your salvation” Psalm 13:5 “Let them give thanks To the Lord For his UNFAILING LOVE And his wonderful deeds For mankind” Psalm 107:8 “........It keeps no record Of wrongs LOVE does not delight In evil But rejoices With the truth It always protects Always trusts Always hopes Always perseveres LOVE NEVER FAILS........” 1 Corinthians 13:6-8 YES-divine fidelity-and UNCONDITIONAL LOVE-that is HOW God feels about us And that is how we SHOULD feel About our brothers and sisters In Christ Let us LOVE each other With THIS steadfast love- The way that God LOVES US “CREATE in me-a pure heart O God And renew a STEADFAST spirit Within me” Psalm 51:10 “And the God Of all GRACE Who called you In 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 EVEN if the mountains-MIRACULOUSLY- Do change places It would be NOTHING As COMPARED to God's love For you-for me-for ALL of us HIS STEADFAST-DIVINE-and UNCONDITIONAL LOVE Robert P. Wallman 12-15-16 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Sr. Bridge Haase, O.S.U.

JOURNAL/BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER

JOURNAL/BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER CAN YOU GIVE without counting the COST? And can you continue to do it to someone-FOR SOMEONE when you are being challenged EVERY step of the way? CAN YOU ALWAYS have a welcoming SMILE-always be COURTEOUS-send AFFIRMING e-mail messages-and CONTINUE to lend a helping hand to anyone in need? CAN YOU always have an UNDERSTANDING presence and listening ear for everyone? ALL OF these are little acts of kindness-and most of all can you do ALL of these things WITHOUT patting yourself on the back-just do them because as a CHRISTIAN-that is what you are called upon to do-just because YOU BELIEVE IN GOD and believe in the PERSON of Jesus Christ KEEP DOING for others-and don't count the cost-DON'T EXPECT GRATITUDE-That is the REAL QUESTION all CHRISTIANS must ask themselves: CAN I truly give without keeping score-without counting the cost IT IS a great day to be ALIVE in GOD'S LOVE for us and a great day to GIVE OURSELVES AWAY BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER In chapter 22 Of Saint Matthew's GOSPEL Jesus gives us The two greatest commandments Of course The first commandment is: “LOVE the Lord your God With all your heart With all your soul And with ALL your mind” Matthew 22:37 “And the second Is like Unto it Thou shalt love thy neighbor As thyself” Matthew 22:39 And INCLUDED In LOVING our neighbor Is BEING KIND to that person “For you have said My KINDNESS Is established forever” Psalm 89:3 In other words Be kind to everyone AT ALL TIMES VERY difficult to do But something We can all aspire to do And while We should be kind To everyone We should be especially kind To the NEEDY “He who despises his neighbors SINS BUT BLESSED Is he Who is kind to the NEEDY” Proverbs 14:21 “He who OPPRESSES the poor Shows contempt For their maker But whoever IS KIND to the needy HONORS GOD” Proverbs 14:31 And it doesn't often Take a lot of effort To be KIND to someone A warm smile A handshake A HUG Maybe a birthday Or a get-well card Just some little action That says: “I KNOW What you are going through And I know What you have been through” Just some little action That lets a person Know that You CARE about hem And in James 1 James tells us WHAT PURE RELIGION IS “RELIGION that God Our Father Accepts as PURE AND FAULTLESS Is this: TO LOOK AFTER orphans and widows In their distress And to keep oneself From being polluted By the world” James 1:27 So LOVE ONE ANOTHER and always remember To keep being KIND Robert P. Wallman 5-15-14 Ps Inspired by an article in LIVING FAITH magazine by Father James McKarns MISC.WITNESS 5-23-14 12-6-14 & 12-15-16

DISCOVERING THE GOOD NEWS OF GOD

DISCOVERING THE GOOD NEWS OF GOD The disciple John TELLS his disciples To move on to Jesus John did not ask his disciples To stay with him- To listen to him preach But to MOVE ON And FOCUS their attention On Jesus “John the Baptist Has sent us to ask you, 'Are you the ONE Who is to come Or should we look for another?'” Luke 7:20 John SENDS them to “the one” And they DISCOVER the GOOD NEWS All by themselves Just as we too NEED to discover Jesus Just as we too-need- To FIND the good news of God The good news of Jesus In today's world Particularly this Christmas season DISCOVERING The good news of God The GOOD NEWS of Jesus In today's world “Jesus went throughout Galilee TEACHING in their synagogues PROCLAIMING the good news Of the kingdom And HEALING every disease And sickness-among the people” Matthew 4:23 “SO he(Jesus) replied To the messengers, ''GO BACK and report to John What you have seen and heard The blind RECEIVE sight The lame walk Those who have leprosy Are cleansed The deaf hear The dead are RAISED And the GOOD NEWS Is proclaimed to the poor BLESSED is anyone- ho does not stumble On account of me'” Luke 7:22-23 Yes-MIRACLE after miracle-occurred CULMINATING in the miracle Of Jesus himself=and the RESURRECTION The good news of God The GOOD NEWS of Jesus The good news of love and life DISCOVER IT! I was given a miracle myself -WHEN I was 22-and I was given ANOTHER CHANCE at life I have Discovered the good news of God Discovered the good news of life- And I will TESTIFY and give CREDIT To God-for-ALL the days of my life Today we also CELEBRATE The good news of another John Saint John of the CROSS He died in 1591 And was a great POET and theologian John's relationship took him Through the “DARK NIGHT” of the soul And into a DEEPER RELATIONSHIP With the Lord Jesus Nevertheless-Jesus is ALIVE In us-in you and me As we NAVIGATE through this Christmas season The GOOD NEWS was That Jesus was ALIVE And PRESENT in this world Some 2,000 year ago And the good news IS that Jesus is alive In us-this CHRISTMAS SEASON SMILE!-and DISCOVER IT! Let your JOY of God And life=SPREAD to others And let Christmas HAPPINESS-peace And the good news-LIVE IN YOU Mighty soon-OTHERS-will be DISCOVERING the GOOD NEWS Of God and Jesus too Robert P. Wallman 12-13-16 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Deborah Meister

FINDING GRACE AND LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

FINDING GRACE AND LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS Let's face it-we LIVE in A dark world EVEN with ADVENT approaching Even with the LIGHT of Jesus Right around the corner The darkness is still there The violence-the deceit-the fraud- ALL the evil in this world And NONE of us are perfect- So we need to FORGIVE ourselves- When evil-when bad things- Are NOT our intention Jesus is our SAVIOR-he is The PERFECTION-that we are Trying to achieve “You need not be ashamed Of all your deeds........” Zephaniah 3:11 OUR lives are messy-sometimes- We GIVE IN to temptation- Way more than we ought to But we LOOK for peace We strive for peace We FIND that peace In the COMING Of an infant child “TURN from evil-and do good SEEK PEACE and pursue it” Psalm 34:14 “A HEART at peace Gives life to the body” Proverbs 14:30 “........ To SHINE on those Living in darkness And in the shadow of death To guide our feet Into the PATH OF PEACE” Luke 1:79 Dear Lord-HELP us find grace Help us find light In the darkness Find it in the COMING Of the little infant Jesus boy “YOU are the MOST excellent Of men And your lips Have been anointed With grace Since God Has BLESSED you FOREVER” Psalm 45:2 “Simeon took him in his arms And PRAISED God-saying: …..... A light for REVELATION To the Gentiles And the GLORY Of your people Israel” Luke 2:28, 32 We LIVE in a cruel-dark- Violent world HELP us to find light In the darkness Help us To find Jesus=to find HOPE-and Life and love This advent season Jesus is the GRACE Jesus is the LIGHT In the darkness We may not Want to admit it Even to ourselves But we are DEPENDENT=on God- And God's MERCY In this dark world We ARE to be-and can be TRANSFORMED by the light of Christ Particularly-in this Christmas season We can find OUR TRUE WORTH In God and Jesus Dear Lord=Dear Jesus You are MY LIGHT in the darkness And my REASON for living With GRACE and light In this dark world Robert P. Wallman 12-12-16 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE by Julia Walsh, F.S.P.A.

YOU REALLY CAN GO HOME AGAIN

YOU REALLY CAN-GO HOME AGAIN “YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN,” was a novel Written by Thomas Wolfe- And published posthumously in 1940 It-the novel-tells the story- Of a fledgling author's success The man writes a book With frequent references to his hometown The book IS a national success But it makes the residents- Of the town-very UNHAPPY- with the depiction of their town And they respond By SENDING-menacing letters And death threats And of course-OUR JESUS-our Savior- And the LIGHT of the world Found out-FIRST HAND-it to be true He TRIED to return home too- And FOUND a prophet was without honor In his own country “Coming to his hometown He began teaching The people in their synagogue And they were amazed 'WHERE did this man Get this wisdom And THESE miraculous powers,' They asked 'Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary? And aren't his brothers: James-Joseph-Simon-and Judas? Aren't ALL his sisters with us? WHERE did this man Get ALL these things?' And they took OFFENSE at him” Matthew 13:54-57 Jesus could NOT perform any miracles-there- Because they did not believe in him Well I recently RETURNED From an 18 day trip up NORTH- To Maryland-Virginia-and to my hometown Of Pittsburgh, Pa. My sister Mary-and her FAMILY-treated me ROYALLY at her home-and I could not Be more proud of my four nieces They are ALL BEAUTIFUL Inside and out And talk about a THANKSGIVING DINNER And having something to be thankful about “LET the peace of Christ Rule in your hearts Since-as members- Of one body You WERE called to peace And be THANKFUL” Colossians 3:15 “DEVOTE yourselves to PRAYER Being watchful and thankful” Colossians 4:2 “Therefore Since we are RECEIVING A kingdom-that cannot be shaken Let us be THANKFUL And so worship God-acceptably- With reverence and awe-for our 'God IS a consuming fire'” Hebrews 12:28-29 I VISITED with uncles and aunts-cousins- CHILDREN of cousins-and friend after friend And those I couldn't see in person- I spoke with via phone And there was a card game ATTENDED by 8 childhood friends- a friendly game of poker I had a night of FELLOWSHIP With my friends-hot sausage sandwiches- And even a couple of ROLLING ROCKS (For the record-I lost .60 cents) You can't BUILD a life- The life that I have-and I AM TRULY BLESSED-humbled-and grateful- To everyone-most of all-God And I got to attend MASS-numerous times- And even a ROSARY=THANK YOU Diane So if you have any DOUBT About God's GREAT LOVE & MERCY For you READ chapter 15 of Saint Luke's GOSPEL About one lost sheep-one lost coin- And one LOST lonely son Whose FATHER is just waiting for his return I found literally Because of FAMILY AND FRIENDS You really can-GO HOME AGAIN But the SAME can be said about God And his LOVE FOR YOU I love God-I love my FAMILY- I LOVE my friends And while I am extremely HAPPY With my old life I love my NEW life Down in Florida too ONE THING is for sure You really CAN go home again Robert P. Wallman 12-11-16 Ps SPECIAL THANKS to my sister Terri=who MAKES this all possible LOVE YOU ALL!