Jesus is saying "Instead of offering sacrifices to me, I want you to be merciful to others. I didn't come to invite good people to be my followers. I came to invite sinners." I love this Bible verse so much I want it to be etched on my tombstone.
I witnessed a miracle in the midst of a flood. I was visiting my friend Bob whose house was built very close to the old S.R. 32 road. The road is several feet higher than his front door.
The story of the Good Thief amazes me. It amazes me he had faith in Jesus though he never saw Jesus work healing miracles or raise Lazarus from the dead or teach how God forgives sinners.
I am comforted by this Bible passage in difficult times: "By your perseverance, you will secure your lives." (Luke 21:19.) Another translation is, "You will be saved by being faithful to me (Jesus)."
The Feast of Passover was the most sacred way the Jewish people worshipped God. It celebrated the end of their slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land.
Next year, I will be three quarters of a century old. I'm getting closer to that day when I will stand before God in judgment. I want this meeting to be a good experience.
A life of thanksliving is based on faith in Jesus. Faith says that no matter how bad things get, God is still in charge. He watches over you with a loving care. Even Jesus, the Son of God, lived by faith in His Father.
A man stood before God the Father on the Day of Judgment. The scale of His good deeds and bad deeds weighed exactly the same. He needed one more good deed to tip the scale of good deeds in his favor so he could enter Heaven.
The Power of the Cross makes love stronger than hate, empowers forgiveness to free you from revenge, and restores hope that your sufferings are not meaningless but a force moving God to love you even more.
Niall Harbison shares the story of how a broken little dog saved his life. In Ireland, he owned a successful media company that earned him lots of money. He would be considered a success. But his life was a wreck. He started his day with three bottles of wine followed by valium that he washed down with whiskey.
There is this wonderful person I met at Children's Hospital named John. He is winning his battle against cancer because of his deep faith, limitless hope and loving support of caring family and friends.
I thoroughly enjoy Fr. Mike Paraniuk's column every time. I sometimes use it in my morning devotion time. (I am not Catholic – doesn't matter). He always tells a worthwhile story, and makes so much common sense with sweet eloquence. He is the Will Rogers of sweet spirit and truth.
Hellen Keller who was blind wrote, "Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light." God's light shines most brightly in the dark. Make every effort to find Him.
