What's Your Excuse?

And Moses hid his face for he was afraid to look upon God. Exodus 3:6

God wants to become closer to us to use us in his divine plan. However, it is hard to grow with God because of the frantic pace we view the world. Caught up with the business in our lives, maybe we are subconsciously running away from God. If we sit still and take a look at the world around us, God may fill our lives..

God came to Moses in the desert. Running from his past, Moses had ended up as a shepherd in the middle of nowhere. Little did he know that by running from his destiny it prepared him to fulfill God's call.

When God appeared, Moses hid his face from God, because he was afraid. This is common human reaction. God, being infinitely pure, counters our own imperfectness. Fortunately, God looks past our faults and sees our potential. He allows everyone to participate in his mission and uses us all.

But like us, Moses tries to makeup excuses to why God could not use him:

1. "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" (Exodus 3:11). Moses was in fact the best suited for his role. For 40 years, a Hebrew, he was raised as a son of Pharaoh. He was heard by both Egyptians and the People of God. 
2. "Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say unto them?" (Exodus 3:13). God told Moses, tell them I AM Who I Am sent you. Greater is He that is in us than he who is in the world. God gives us his ultimate authority.
3. "They will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice; for they will say, Jehovah hath not appeared unto thee" (Exodus 4:1). Moses needed a sign that God was with him. God gave him a staff and the ability to work signs and wonders with it. God too will provide us with signs that he is with you. He will ensure you can accomplish his will.
4. "Moses said unto Jehovah, Oh, Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue" (Exodus 4:10). God told him. " I will be with your mouth and I will give you what to say." Jesus told the disciples that when they are tested  to not worry, for we are filled with the Holy Spirit, and it will act through us and inspire us.
5. "Moses said, Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” (Exodus 4:13). God became angry with Moses at this point. After all the assurance that God had given him Moses still makes excuses. But God relented and promised to send Moses his brother, Aaron, to help him on his mission. Before Jesus ascended into heaven he told us that he will send us the Holy Spirit, the helper, who will give us power and bring back to remembrance everything I have spoken or taught us. We are never alone.

Stop making excuses, follow God's lead, and watch God deliver you and your people.

Walk the Talk

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. --James 2:14-18 (NIV)

The world around us is surrounded with strife, but everyday we are either too busy to do any good or look the other way. Our culture has told us it is alright to only care for ourselves, to be inwardly focused to not care about those nearby. We are not striving to become more like Christ. This is something that we can change today. All we need to do is open our eyes and our hearts. Today I challenge you to make a difference in someone's life. Ask God to tug on your heart; allow him to build up compassion within you and feel the joy God fills in you by helping others and let him become an instrument of love to touch those in need.

No Matter What People Think About Me, I Know I'm a Human First

Ronald Davis is a man down on his luck. Living on the streets, he tries to survive everyday. He is like any one of us. But he gets humiliated, ignored, and insulted by those around him. Ronald has to deal with men  and women who will not give him the opportunity to improve his life; to turn his life around. All he asked for was a place to stay and a job to get him some food, but they all turn him down. Its the story of his life - no one wants him, no one wants to see him, no one wants to be him. Thankfully there are those who look beyond who we are on the outside and look at our true potential, as Children of God.

His fortune changed after his interview was sent to Reddit and seen by millions. I remember reading about him as his luck began to unfold. Hundreds saw their opportunity to give back to this man for the wrongs they have done to their own man. People scoured the streets of Boston - to deliver care packages; just to let him know there were people out there who saw the injustice and wanted to help. But this is not just Ronald's fight. There are thousands of impoverished children and adults throughout the United States in similar situations. They are on every corner, waiting for one of us to help deliver them to a better place. They are in your neighborhood, your parks, even in front of our own school. Sure we say we are 'Men for Others' but it disgraces me that we don't even try to help those around us.

While touring Harvard with the Strake - St. Agnes Choir, we saw the extent of poverty. Men and women lived in trash bags; one man was eating out of the garbage can. They would come up to us, begging for money, and I would feel sorry, then slowly walk around them. Looking back I was no better than those around me. We have our call to come closer to God and one way to do that is by showing others that we care for them - whether they are down on their luck or have just never been given a chance.

Human Dignity

I just watched a video of a homeless man named Ronald Davis who talked to the press about what it is like to live as a homeless man.  This really opened my eyes towards the hardship that homeless people.  When ever  saw a homeless person, I always said to myself, "Why doesn't that guy just get a job?"  Well this man answered that question, they can't.  He said when he walked in a business to apply for a job, they looked at him like he was crazy.  Then they would ask him for a phone number and they would call him.  The only problem is that he doesn't have one like the thousands of other homeless people.  It made me feel guilty for being so critical of these people, even though they have hardly any opportunities.  My view of the homeless has been changed completely.

Secondly, I never realized that the homeless are humiliated to ask for money.  When ever I saw a homeless person begging for money, I always thought of them as an inanimate person.  I never realized that it takes a great deal of courage for them to ask for money, and they only do it because they have to in order to make it another day.  Ronald Davis consolidated all the money he collected that day and if he had enough, he would buy a room for the night.  If not, he would just sleep outside in the elements.  Also, not only did he have to by a room, but he also had to buy food.  The money he received from gracious people was greatly appreciated and helped him survive.

Who is Welcome?

When the Church says that it is catholic, it means that it is universal and accepts all people.  She accepts every, and I mean everyone, despite who they are, what they may have done, or the sins they may have committed.  However, once welcomed to the church, one must follow the rule and guidelines of the Church.  It would be like a boy who has been welcomed to a soccer game with his friends.  Now he must follow the rules of the game to continue to play, he can not pick up the ball and run with it.  The Church is exactly the same.  Once you have entered the Church, one must make a conscious effort to stop sinning and grow closer to God.

God welcomes all peoples to his Church, but once admitted, the must change their ways.  Say a drug addict were to join the Church.  The Church would love him, support him, and respect him, but she would expect him to abandon his unhealthy habits.  Also, if a couple who has just chosen to abort a child were to join the Church, this would not change the love for them and the way she would treat them.  The Church would help them come to realize what a grave mistake they made and grieve with them in their deadly decision.  When people say the Church is for all people, it really is.  Now matter what condition, race, or faith you come from, the Church will love you, respect you, and treat you the same as any one else.

http://www.henkeldiversity.com/2010/03/26/report-on-equality-between-women-and-men-2010-bericht-uber-die-gleichheit-zwischen-mannern-und-frauen-2010/