Seeing is believing...

"Jesus said to him, 'Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.'"

John 20:29

I was thinking about this, as I sat outside this morning, and wondered, what have I seen that has helped me believe? God has given us so many signs and wonders...proof of the existence of our Awesome Creator.  Look at the fingers and toes of a newborn, for just one example.  I used to think we, in our time, were the ones Jesus was talking about when he said, "Blessed are those who have not seen, yet have come to believe." But now I see such evidence every day of God's presence. Thomas believed as he saw the wounds of Jesus.  Blessed Mother Teresa saw Jesus in the wounded of Calcutta.  I see Jesus in the folks I meet everyday.  We are not the "unseeing," my Friends.  We encounter Jesus each and everyday in our lives.  We just need to be aware and count ourselves among those who believe through our own seeing.  Love, heidi

Faith through the storm...

"Why are you so terrified, O you of little faith?"

Matthew 8:26

Jesus is asleep in the boat while the storm is raging. That is such an interesting thing to think about today, isn't it? Jesus, who knows all, created all, sees the Big Picture from start to finish, is asleep in the boat. So, really, how bad could the storm be? Really? What I've noticed is that, through age, experience and spiritual growth, I react a bit differently to troublesome situations. I used to freak out a lot more! But, think about it. You scan the horizon and see trouble coming. You brace yourself for the storm, hang on, and eventually the storm passes. You shake yourself off and think, "Wow--I made it through the storm!" The next time you see clouds coming you think, "Things will work out...remember last time?" Well, back to Jesus asleep in the boat. Jesus experienced the absolute worst the world had to offer and yet, he came through it and leads us through it too. Now, that is someone you want to follow, right? No matter how stormy things may seem, let's follow Jesus to faith through the storm. Love, heidi

Bring two!

"Several years ago when the Friday abstinence was since in force, a beleaguered fan approached me in Yankee Stadium. It was a Friday. 'I had a long day, Father. Not even time for lunch. Worked overtime tonight. I was wondering if I could get a hot dog?' Mentally, I thumbed through my moral theology manual for mitigating circumstances: nuclear holocaust, famine, lunar attack, wedding anniversary...what would Jesus have said? 'Bring two!'"

Brennan Manning, "Reflections for Ragamuffins"

I had a brat at a ballgame myself last night. It was delightful. I have a feeling Jesus would have enjoyed a brat at a ballgame too. Why? Because Jesus enjoyed weddings, meals with friends, celebrations, people. Jesus probably would have multiplied them and passed them out to everyone! Love, heidi