It's Hot in the Desert

I feel like I'm in the desert when it comes to my faith. I've felt that way for months. I read a blog post today that was like a kick in the butt. I really needed to hear what Pete said. I need to get on my knees and ask God how I can become a better version of myself. I really need to pray that the Holy Spirit commands me to do His will. Check out Pete's blog post here....Command Me, Lord.

The Sloth

Have you ever had a big project to do, some big task at work or assignment at school? How do you respond to these projects and tasks? As for me, I'm a lazy procrastinator. In school, I tended to put off big projects and studying for exams until the last possible moment. And then I scrambled to put everything together as quickly as possible. It was never my best work, but I survived school on B's and C's. I did enough just to get by.

The same attitude, unfortunately, has carried over into my professional life (I hope my boss doesn't read this!) Prior to becoming a youth minister, I was a financial advisor. The job was set in a high pressure sales environment. There was no room for laziness or procrastination. I had to be at the top of my game in order to be successful. I knew this going into the position, but I convinced myself that I could overcome my natural inclination towards laziness. And I did great for a while. Unfortunately I eventually succumbed to the sin of sloth. Don't get me wrong...I did my job, but I didn't work as hard as I should have in order to build my business into a successful one. It eventually cost me my job when I was let go for failing to meet sales goals.

I hate to admit it, but the same laziness, the same procrastination I suffered from educationally, and still struggle with professionally, has seeped its way into my spiritual life. I don't pray like I should. I don't put forth the effort that I know I need to put forth in order to do God's work in this world. I know that I need to spend more time in prayer, but I don't. I even have it scheduled into my day, but I keep putting it off until the day is over. I know that I need to find a new spiritual director to help keep me focused, but I don't.

When you look at Jesus, you don't see a procrastinator. You don't see him sitting around with his feet up, taking it easy. He had a mission, given to him by his Father. And he had a deadline. He knew he was going to leave this world. He worked hard every day, rising before dawn (Mk 1:35) and not stopping until the day's work was done. We may be lured to think that it was easy for him to work so hard. He is, after all, God. But sometimes we forget that he was a man as well. He faced the same struggles, the same pressures, the same temptations that we all face.Thomas Williams, in A Heart Like His, points out: "Sometimes he woke up tired, sometimes he slept badly on the uneven ground, sometimes he awoke with a headache or a backache, and sometimes he surely felt like rolling over and sleeping a few more hours." But he didn't. He was well aware of his mission, and his time line to accomplish that mission. There was no time for laziness and procrastination. There was work to do.

We all have a mission. God has given each and every one of us a project to complete. No on can complete your mission but you. No one can complete my mission but me. And we have a deadline. We need to be as focused on our mission as Jesus was focused on his mission.

The problem that I, and many others, fall into is not knowing what our mission is. How can we fulfill our mission if we don't know what it is? That is where prayer comes in. If we want to be disciplined enough to complete the mission God has for us, then we need to be disciplined enough to pray for that mission. We need to spend time every day in prayer, asking God to give us our mission.

I know what my mission is. I've at least discovered that much in my prayer. That doesn't mean I can stop praying. Even Christ took out time alone to pray. I need to pray that God can help me carry out my mission. I need to pray for the same zeal and discipline that Christ had in carrying out his mission. For my mission from God is far more important than a school project. I can't get by with just a B or a C. I have far more that a job on the line. My salvation is on the line. I need to ace this one.

Life, Death, and a Broken Air Conditioner

Today had a really rough start around our house. I woke up early (too early, if you ask me) this morning, drenched with sweat. I got up to discover that the A/C had ceased to work....and it's Saturday, which means we have be bear the oppressive Florida heat all weekend long. The fact that the A/C broke, and on a weekend, raised my stress and frustration level to new heights. I am irritable, lashing out at my wife and kids. I am stressed about how we are going to pay for the necessary repairs. All in all, it was a horribly miserable morning in our household.

This afternoon, I had to go to a funeral for a deacon from one of the parishes I work for. After a long life and a battle with cancer, he finally went to be with our Lord. I knew the good deacon and his wife, but not well. I found myself during the Mass reflecting on life, death, and the morning I had. Life is precious. It is also very short. We should treasure each and every moment of life. Upon reflecting on this, I realized how inconsequential, how petty, my frustration is. My life, my relationship with my wife and my children, is far more important than the comfort of A/C. In the grand scheme of things, what difference does it make if I spend a couple of days without cool air. My stress over the upcoming bill to repair the issue is also a petty concern.

I had become so wrapped up in material comforts--cool air and money in the bank--that I neglected my wife. I neglected my children. I need to learn to let go of my material comforts....all of them. I need to use this weekend as an opportunity to grow from my lack of comfort. The A/C will get fixed one way or another. God has always provided us with everything that we need. He has also always provided a way for us to enjoy the comforts of air conditioning. I need to learn that my trust in God and my relationship with my family is far more important than anything else.

Nikki and Babs - Film Review

As a youth minister, I am always looking for something entertaining and engaging for the youth of the parishes I serve. When I came across Nikki and Babs: Do's and Doubts I was intrigued. I picked up a copy and was blown away. Not only does the series of short films teach biblical virtues, but it is entertaining and quite funny as well.

The series of five episodes centers on Nikki, a quiet, reserved teenager who is forced to spend the summer with her loud, boisterous cousin, Babs. The interaction between the two is hilarious. Each episode involves an adventure that Nikki and Babs encounter over the course of their summer together. Each episode also take on a specific Christian theme:

1. Judgment Day: Nikki learns that judging others only leads to hurt and a feeling of guilt.
2. Idle Worship: Both Nikki and Babs learn that it is better to worship Christ than man.
3. A Difficult Thing: Babs damages the trust Nikki has in her and must make a sacrifice in order to regain that trust.
4. Y-N-V: Nikki is envious of Babs' accomplishments as they battle for the same job.
5. Vanity Share: Babs learns a lesson in vanity as she and Nikki decide whether to enter a local beauty pageant or participate in their church talent show.

 I enjoyed watching these episodes so much, I decided to show the series to my youth group. They all enjoyed watching them as much as I did. They are funny, yet thought provoking, and led to great discussion afterward.

The Nikki & Babs series works well in a youth ministry setting, but it will also work well for parents who wish to find something entertaining, wholesome, and morally uplifting. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for something for their kids. Check it out at Cloud Ten Pictures.

Brain Freeze

It's summer, and with it comes ice cream, milk shakes, and all kinds of frozen treats. I must have over-indulged in these frozen treats because I'm suffering from a case of brain freeze. I can't think of a single thing to write about. I'm stumped. I've got writers block. So, until I can think of something to say.....