markdohle

The Wizard of Oz, dog droppings and lots of grass to rub it off (Books are really mankind’s best friend, along with dogs) I have always loved books. I remember when I was in the first grade at Good Shepherd in Desoto Mo. I was a small school with just three class rooms. The first room was for the first and second grades, the second room, third and fourth grades and the third were fifth through the seventh grades. My first day at school is still imprinted strongly on my mind, as if it were yesterday. Yet as my older brother Robert told me, not all memories are true, which I agree with. However, the first day of school is truly a turning point in anyone’s life. I won’t go into the first day ‘happenings’, for the day past and I got through it like the little man I was. I will say that it involved me falling in dog droppings and trying not to draw attention to myself when recess was over, when everyone was asking where the odor came from. I guess I spent 30 minutes rubbing my backsides in the grass trying to get rid of it…..well it was a failure. But I will not go into it, on how I wish I could have shrunk to the size of an ant and crawled out of the room, or how relieved I was when no one guessed it was me….except the teacher who kept looking at me and trying to suppress a smile…..I am thankful that she did not point me out…..but I will not go into that either, it would be too boring. One thing I will say however is on that first day, the second graders were crowded around a bookcase reading the ‘Wizard of Oz’. I looked over their shoulder and was filled with a deep longing to be able to read the words that went along with the beautiful pictures presented for the young ones to see. I decided then that I would learn to read as soon as I could and really got into reading the all- time beloved classic,: “See Spot Run. See Spot get the ball. See spot bite the mailman.” Was not great literature, nor was it the ‘Wizard of Oz’, but I was a brave lad and got through it. By the end of the year, I was reading the Wizard and truly loving the story and especially how it made my imagination come alive. Though, I really did not apply myself with anything else in school. I think I was rebellious but did not know it, I was just a bad egg with an attitude that I kept to myself. My love of books got me through grade school, high school, and when in the Navy reading was a deep source of joy as well as learning and deepening my thirst to understand life, people, and our/my craziness. The journey is still going on; I am still thirsty, and very thankful that I do love books. One of the blessings of getting older is that I now have books that I read over and over again, just for the pleasure of it. Some have to do with my inner journey and my relationship with God. Then there are tomes for trying to understand others as well as myself. Then there are the books that I just love to read. C.S. Lewis’s syfy trilogy, especially the last one in the series “The Hideous Strength” is a book that I have read so many times that I can open it up on any page and know where I am at. I just love to read it; it is like an old friend. The same goes for other works of fiction. Not always sure why I love some books so much, but I have learned that I can’t figure much out, so I just enjoy them. Between the covers of a book is a whole universe of thought, wisdom, adventure and stories that can touch my heart just the way music does. “The Shack’ is one such book that I have come to love and reread, and in the reading, I get some healing at such a depth that I do not understand it at all…..which makes it that much better.

There are many people who have had NDE's that have brought them from atheism to the Christian faith. Howard Storm is a good example. His book the "My Descent Into Death: A Second Chance at Life" is a good example of one being brought to Christ through his experience. "Return from tomorrow", is also a good book that brought a man to Christ Jesus after his NDE. I think they are neither good nor evil, but show us what may happen right after we die, but not much else. The NDE is in the New Testament, Paul talked about a man went to the third heaven, it is believed to be him. Perhaps when he was stoned and left for dead. In any case, one's faith can not be based on them, unless of course like Howard Storm, it was experienced. They can bring people to faith. These experiences have been recorded through out history. Peace Mark

Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. COL 1:24

Thanks for the quotes from Ephesians, that is probably my favorite Epistle....there is so much to pray over and ponder. Peace Mark

Well said, The human heart is deceitful and only godly life will satisfy and only the godly heart of God can be the goal of our worship. Only there we live and only there we pray! Peace Mark

Perhaps celebrating the 'Rose Bowl" and other sports events are something a Christian should be asking themselves ;-). Peace mark

I know you have a very dry sense of humor However my respect for you is real. Peace mark

I mean in the Body of Christ, we are one, others or those we unfairly judge and avoid, when the Lord asks us to love the least, our enemies etc. Thanks for bringing that to my attention..... peace mark

I don't think your narrow my friend. From what I have read you have a very broad past, I respect you.....I don't expect you to agree with me often or if ever.....you love the Lord, it shines forth in your post, that is enough for me. Peace Mark

These topics are very difficult since we will start from different perspectives and that will take us to different conclusions. I think the worst of fundamentalism can be found in 'Westboro Baptist church' which thinks itself biblical and can back it's hateful stances up with scripture, of course. Yet I doubt they are speaking for the majority of those Christian who use that designation for themselves. I am not a fundamentalist and try hard not to fall into stereotypical thinking. It is of the flesh. Seeking to look down on those from another camp. Atheist do it to believers all the time, and vis versa as well. I am not a liberal, but some of my stances on social issues, which I believe are based on the Gospel would be considered liberal by some. Good luck with this topic. I will lurk ;-). Peace mark

Prayer, self-knowledge, and union with others Self-knowledge and humility go hand in hand and necessary if one's prayer is to take fruit. Putting on the 'Mind of Christ' can be at times arduous, yet it also leads to great joy. We had our Lay Cistercians here this weekend for retreat. Some members of the Monastic community gave conferences. I had one presentation. What is written below is not the actual talk, but something I wrote up to prepare myself for it. People who take their relationship with God seriously know that when speaking of prayer it has different shades of meaning. Prayer if truly an opening of one's heart and mind to God and not something used as a stop-gap in one’s life when problems occur, will find that the journey is not something expected when starting off. Slowly for most, there is a going deeper into one's soul, allowing God’s grace to show us what is beneath each layer. We seem to have so many layers that it is a life long journey. The outside of an onion is a good example of how gently and patiently the Lord will pull back one thin layer at a time, or if it can be handled, the healing knife of the Holy Spirit can bring out deeper aspects of our inner lives that can cause us pain, shame and a need to understand how the trust of God is actually developed. We trust when we want to flee from the light of God’s scrutiny that we have become aware of. However, it is the beginning, that our hard protective outer skin that can be the most difficult part of the journey, even if not the most painful. If a man or woman on their journey towards God starts desiring to become more loving, patient and less judgmental of others, is a desire and prayer that God will readily answer. Though it is the Spirit of God that brings this desire to light and the grace of humility and fortitude is given according to one's ability to embrace the journey. In prayer, we can find that what we thought was once a light matter now becomes serious. If we wish to become more loving, it can quickly be seen just how unloving we can be, cruel even. To do the loving thing takes a great deal of self-knowledge as well as discipline when we seek to follow Christ Jesus more fully. We need deep roots in Christ Jesus, because of the inner storms and tempest that will occur. We can discover issues of anger that in the past were repressed but were experienced by those around us. Slowly our issues with our inability on our own to forgive others are also brought to light. In prayer, as we get closer to Christ, we can feel that we are getting worse, but in reality, we are merely seeing what has always been there but hidden from our fragile egos. We get what we need, and on our journey towards union with God as well as with others, self-knowledge is imperative. Without it we are not much use to others or to ourselves when it comes to sharing our faith and being a healing presence for others. We merely place on those around us our hidden ‘selves’ that we fear and instead of embracing our inner fragmentation we place it on others and fight them. We can become narrow, bitter and cynical, which is often a symptom of inner suffering and fear of facing ourselves and allow aspects of our egos to die…..a real death, which cannot be underestimated. Over time, as trust in God grows, a choice we make over and over again, we stop ‘shoulding’ ourselves. I should not be angry, or lustful, jealous etc., and simply look at it, embrace it and bring it in prayer to the Lord. It is when we do that, when we understand that our spiritual community is with those ‘others’, those outside, on the fringe, that we come to the understanding that there are no ‘others’, there is only ‘us’. It is then that our prayer lives take on a new life, a depth that was missing before. We stop judging and leave that up to God. When we speak, we do so with gentleness but yet share the truth. We are also open when others wish to share ‘truth’ with us. We truly come to understand what our ‘priesthood’ is all about. When we pray we join Christ Jesus in his prayer before the Father. We come to understand that just as we received mercy, so that same mercy is offered to others. In the weak we see ourselves, in those who have fallen we understand, for we all fall, with those with addictions, we understand that we also may have ways of dealing with reality, that is just as destructive, but more socially acceptable. Through experience, we see that at a certain depth in our souls, there are sins and wounds only God can heal. That sin is not just personal, but something that we are often imprisoned by from past experiences. Our anger, our hatreds, our struggles can be as such a depth, with roots far back in our past, that only the Lord can heal over time. We just need to learn trust and abandonment. Not easy, but choices are free, fears and reactions are not…..they are cells that we lock ourselves up in….only the grace of God is the key…..that grace can be experienced in a myriad of ways, all we have to do is have the eyes to see and the heart healed enough to embrace. In that we embrace all others, for to Love God with our whole hearts, minds, and spirit, is to love ourselves which leads to love of others. This trinity of relationships is, in reality, one relationship with the Father of all as revealed through Jesus Christ, in and through the Holy Spirit.—Br.MD

Yes, we can't box God in.....there is a deep mystery with Christ Jesus and all of our lives we grow into that mystery. I doubt I am younger than you, I am 68. Peace Mark

We are all called to carry and pass on the flame (Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple) This then is the message which we have heard from Him and declare unto you: that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.—1 John 1:5 This morning as I was going into our church for Vigils (our 4 AM Divine Office) the church was aglow with the gentle light of candles. In front of our podium there were six large candles and on our window ledges, there was one small candle per window. A restful, gentle sight, candle light is soothing for most people. The whole office was in the dark and each psalm was recited by one of the monks. The cantor started off the office by singing the invitatory as well as the hymn. During the meditation, I was thinking about how one candle can share its flame with an unlimited number of other candles. No matter how small the flame, it can be passed from one candle to the other. At the Easter Vigil, we enter a dark church with only the Paschal Candle being lit, the church is cold, the Blessed Sacrament is not there, there is no light anywhere but from that one candle that proclaims the Risen Lord. Then the flame is passed on and soon the church is filled with the warm light of Christ love. I thought of my own heart, how often it can seem cold and empty. Then I thought of the light of Jesus Christ how it lives in my heart and how I can also spread my little flame of Christ love and grace to others, we all can. We are all, after all, a priestly people, a royal priesthood. It is with Christ love that we can spread his love; our small hearts can still pass on the flame of the grace and love of Jesus Christ. All we need do is to ask him into our hearts, so that we can be channels of his grace and love, to reach out with his light, to seek healing for ourselves and those around us and to become more sensitive to the depth of love we are called to. One flame Just one tiny flame, then another, in giving there is no diminishment, but an increase of light in a dark world, ruled by emotions sinister, greed always hungry, lust ever devouring seeking to douse the light but that small flame is Christ Love incarnate in each of us; Immortal and everlasting without end amen.---Br.MD

It is where I find Christ, in the Catholic Church. We are Christians LOL, though yes we have things that put people off, that is ok with me. You need to do what brings you into contact with Christ Jesus and be open to the Spirit, that is all that we can do. You have a good insight into 'love', keep developing it and don't worry when others disagree with you.....you are a true brother in Christ. Peace Mark

Or he is just very mentally ill and now has the 'right' to live it out. Not sure that is healthy. His poor family.....and him/her as well. Apart from religious reason to live a disciplined life, rules are needed for culture to survive, wonder where this will lead. This man needs lots of prayer, it is obvious that he will not seek help on any level.

I agree; I know of a case already. There should have been a little warning, like a month in advance.

Yeah, like with Davida, so I go with the female......don't know why people have to 'completely' hide behind a dark screen when they post. Like you said it is safe here....I don't mean one has to give their address, but a name or at least their being male or female would help. Peace Mark

I agree with you my friend. Better to err on the side giving and not just reducing them to a stereotype, for I do believe that it hurts us as well when we do that. It is like we turn off a switch. People come here and ask for help and we do have a food bank. When people ask me for help, I will help them a couple of times, then I have to say no because we are not an agency and too many will end up coming for help and we don't have the money. It is a sad situation and causes me pain. I know some of them are taking advantage, but that is really on them. In any case we are called to love, exhort and from time to time to challenge 'some' of them, which I do. A man I know who is an expert on addictions, that if I ever see an alcoholic with the shakes I should help him. Withdrawal from alcohol can be fatal and is more serious than withdrawal from hard drugs. He gave me an explanation but I forgot it;-(.....just remembered his advice. Though I have only seen this a man or woman with the shakes once. Peace Mark

JTC don't worry about it my friend. Religion is like politics, it generates a lot of emotion. Did not know LadyKay left, liked her, sorry to hear it. Peace Mark

Double post, I did not do it seems to be a problem from the system here.

We don't agree on a whole lot Davida. However, you are a woman (Davida seems to be the female version of David) of God and love God with your whole heart, mind, and soul.....of that I have no doubt. I also believe that you speak from a place of charity and love for me and anyone else you disagree with. I tease you from time to time because I like you and respect you. So, as I said above somewhere, I will respect what Willa (?) said (a loving gentle soul), to not post like this anymore, something with a decided Catholic slant. This is, after all, a non-catholic site. I put myself in the position of being on a catholic site and someone with your beliefs started 'pushing' that slant. It allowed me to understand how I can come across here without meaning to. I am Catholic, Christian, I love the Lord and am not ashamed of my faith, nor care (in a gentle way) what others think of it. Yet I need to respect those Christians here who have issues with my Catholic faith. I don't need to explain etc. However, my friend, I will speak as a catholic from time to tome. I don't respond to post about my faith that I believe are childish or willfully ignornant......which could me most of them ;-)....so you won't here from me on that score much LOL. Peace Mark

I listen to my gut, which from time to time lets me know when not to give. My gut led me to talk to this man and give him something. Thank you for sharing your experience, I was touched by it. Peace Mark

Your welcome Neighbor and thank you for taking the time to read. Peace mark

I do love their coffee, always have it black. The last time I was there I mentioned how I like it dark and bitter and the waitress told me that I can order their dark roast, which they only make when asked for.....so guess what....yet dark roast next time. Thanks for your nice comment. Peace mark

I love the hash browns, I guess that is what gets me there LOL. I get them with lots of onions. From my perspective, you can never get too many onions. I even like plain onion sandwiches. It is hard to put on the mind of Christ, or his heart, because of my tendency to make judgments so fast that I don't even know I made them ;-). Yet in his mercy, he lets me know when I did it......it is a long journey, ever deeper in and higher up as CS Lewis says. Always good hearing from you my friend. Peace mark