Spiritual Moments

I have a story today about a young man that loved God. Jerry spent most of his free time in the church volunteering to help the pastor, working in the church food bank, and he was an usher because he loved making sure everyone was taken care of during the services. His goal was to become a minister one day, and everyone felt God’s calling on his life; they all believed that he would make a good preacher. Something happened though which changed his life, Jerry’s little brother was struck down by a hit and run driver and killed. The police never found or charged anyone with the death of his brother, causing an anger and hatred to develop within the young man After the incident, Jerry stopped going to church and no longer volunteered there, doing the one thing he loved so much. Concerned over his spiritual welfare, the young man’s parents asked the pastor to speak with him. When the pastor visited with Jerry, he asked him why he no longer came to church. Jerry flatly stated, “how ca...

Love the Unlovable Sometimes it is hard to love others because they hurt us, betray us, and treat us as if we are nothing but puppets for their use, and over the years of my life I have grown to understand that our selfish natures cause us to do harm to even those we confess to care for. Nevertheless, God wants us to love everyone even the unlovable. When we give out a little love and kindness it can change a negative situation into one that provides pleasure and benefits to both parties. Love spreads like a deadly virus, its  contagion and can change the lives of masses of people, and it only requires one small act of it. So try to love, who knows what life will be changed just because we freely give out a smile, wave, or overlook the harshness of another. I found a poem by Mother Teresa that I would like to share, it says so much in such a few words. People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ul...

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I feel bad sometimes While attending bible studies this week, as we all were talking and sharing our thoughts, one young man says,” I am learning to trust God and I pray for my mother all the time.” Everything is going well and his spirits appear lifted, but in a moment, all of that changes, he sadly remarks, “I feel bad sometimes.” This statement sort of throws the whole group off. Where does it come from? What is he thinking now, he was giving such an uplifting testimony only seconds ago? A surprise rushing over us, our faces display expression of confusions, and no longer do we nod our heads in support of his speech. A silence fills the room. At that very moment, I wonder if something awful surfaced in his psyche. Is there some severe stressor he is battling against in his mind at this moment which requires all of his resilience in order to maintain some degree of normality? The young man never says what makes him feel bad, only stops talking and stares outward, seeing ...

Sweet Bitterness of Existence Working with others can sometimes be a challenge, as I am sure most of you reading this have experienced. There will be personality conflicts, and some people, for some reason, will not get along; they clash like sweet vinegar and oil. At my job now, such a situation exists, and although I am not one of the inharmonious parties, I can feel the punches they throw at each other; the tension from their quarreling is affecting the entire office staff. For the sake of trying to keep the harmony in the office, and ensuring both continue to keep their jobs, I try to encourage the two of them to get along. But, true to human nature, with their opposite personalities, strong wills, and distaste for each other, the two of them continue to fight and complain. Both, lovely and talented in their own ways, my heart has developed a favoritism for each of them, and I do enjoy working with them. Truly, I would hope that they can work this out, and I especia...