Large vs Strong ego

The one who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:14)

Self-confidence is a virtue in business, in our families, and in our parishes. Think about St. Paul. He was very confident in his abilities. He was a fearless evangelist. He established churches everywhere he went. He taught, wrote, and performed miracles. Without self-confidence, Paul would not have been able to accomplish all that he did. A modern-day psychologist might describe Paul as having a “strong ego.”
But that’s a lot different from a person who has a “large ego.”

People with strong egos have let life’s ups and downs reveal their strengths and weaknesses—and they have learned how to use their strengths in a productive way. Paul was bold and pushy. He liked to get his way. He made a lot of mistakes. But he learned from them. He let them teach him humility. He even spoke about how proud and self-centered he was before he met the Lord (Philippians 3:3-10).

By contrast, people with large egos are self-centered. They are always looking for adulation and recognition. They elevate themselves over others and look down on the people they consider inferior to themselves. The Pharisee in today’s parable had a large ego. He lived a moral life. He fasted, and he gave money to the poor. But he let his goodness go to his head, as he looked down on the repentant tax collector. His ego was so large that he didn’t have room for anyone else—not even the Lord—in his life.

God wants us to be confident. He wants us to develop the gifts that he has given to us to their fullest potential so that we can push forward and build the kingdom. But we have to watch out for the trap of pride. Being confident is a good thing. But we always have to be sure that our confidence is grounded in humility, not self-glory. That’s the secret to having a strong ego, not a large one.

“Lord, teach me true humility and strength of character.”

Taken from www.wau.org

The Worship Closet- Oceans

I heard this song and I believe its apt I share it with you. Please follow the lyrics and I can guarantee that you will be blessed.

Darkest Day

I returned from a soothing retreat this weekend, and a colleague shared a beautiful poem he wrote, with us. Enjoy;

In the darkest night as the deepness fades,
Light could be seen burning away,Like the truth from a lie.Forsaken taken a-back,stripped of all fact,Life was passing him by.

 He just wanted to stay,
Stop time and waste away,In that the darkest day,Six feet down in a grave.
He would end up that way,Over and over it'd play,He would hear these words,
And would have nothing to say.

 Escaping intoxication,Forbearing false medication,
It had spread from his lungs,Heading to a destination,That's blinded by the extremes,
Stretched out and placed on the seams, 

Where forgotten are dreams,He would continue to be,
Beaten and under attack,Waiting for the relapse,Oh, how time dragged on.
One thing which he has learned,Is that slowly he had turned,And forgotten where to belong.

By Charles Klein (Newman Campus Ministry)

THE CHURCH?

I received this piece from a friend yesterday and just wanted to share it with you:

I felt so broken and alone, the burden on my heart felt like it was on my back; its weight broke my back, I couldn’t even stand straight. I couldn’t see the sun, it added to my burdens; death was all I could think about. Life was meaningless and there was nowhere to go, no one to turn to and I would sleep an endless sleep than wake up to hear the birds singing the dirges that would be sang when I am finally laid to rest.

The blue skies mocked me and they made want to scream, they smiled when all I could do was weep, tears were the food of my soul. No one even smiled, the whole world was in a rush and I was at a standstill.

I heard my mother’s voice, so soft and tender and her touch so gentle; she had come only to remind me that I would find solace, peace and someone to listen to me if I go to the church. I remembered the Apostle Paul saying that the Church is the Body of Christ; I had heard so much about Christ, I even saw the great things He did and how He turned the ugly into the beautiful. The Body of Christ- His eyes, ears, lips, tongue, hands, feet and most of all His heart. The Church would be the right place to find solace.

I had done so much wrong; I needed a place to offload this over-weighted burden. I went to the Church...

Why did everyone look at me so strangely? Did my sin show on my face? At last! Someone to talk to before the service started. It felt so good to have someone listen and tell you about the love of God and the salvation Christ brings.

Why is everyone walking away when I try to get close? Why is the gentleman who spoke to me before the service hiding from me? Why do I still feel lonely and left out like I did before I came in? Why are they staring at me with their noses turned up and their eyes so full of condemnation? Why do I feel worse than I did before service? Why are they judging me?

Doesn’t the Good Book say that Jesus came for the broken? Didn’t Jesus say that those who are well do not need a doctor? Why do I feel like the medication given me is making me worse off than before?

The Good Book says God’s heart is full of compassion; the Church is God’s heart isn’t it? Why is it so cold? The Church is God’s hand, why is it so short in reaching out to a sick person like me? Why aren’t these hands wrapping me up and warming me up? Why isn’t it taking the burden off my back? But Jesus said I should come to Him with my burden and He will give me rest; why then do I feel like I have to carry my burden along with the judgement and condemnation it comes with? The Church is God’s feet, why isn’t it walking to me with the love and forgiveness I so seek?

If indeed the Church is the Body of Christ, why didn’t I find solace like my mother told me? Why didn’t I find the consolation and forgiveness I so sought?

Was I better off coming to the Church? Why do I have to be relegated to the back for doing the wrong I didn’t really want to do? Why excommunication when I could have been given mercy?

Is the Church really the Body of Christ? Is that how Christ would have treated me? If He is the doctor for the fit, perfectly holy and sanctimonious person, then what about people like me who are sick, dying and perishing and being lost every day? Where do we stand in this world?

Are all those holy people in the Church really holy? Aren’t they covering up their dark deeds by their bright and holy faces and sanctimoniously pious actions? Are they worse than I or I worse than them?

If I can’t find solace, peace and a haven from my burdens in the Church, where would I find it?

credit: Benita

Victory over fear

Did you know that fear is a gift from God? It helps us protect ourselves and our loved ones when danger arises. The problem is that our inner gift of fear can become too powerful and cause us to exaggerate the external threats that have given rise to fear in the first place. How many times has a fearful situation caused your mind to race uncontrollably? When we exaggerate the actual cause of fear in our minds, we risk losing our peace, compromising our sense of judgment, and, in some extreme cases, even becoming sick. 

In today’s first reading, we see St. Paul urging Timothy to overcome his fears as he leads the Church at Ephesus. Can this be true? Is this the same Timothy whom Paul sent to build the church at Ephesus in the first place (1 Timothy 1:3)? Is this the Timothy whom Paul sent to Thessalonica to strengthen the Church during a time of persecution? (1 Thessalonians 1:3)? Didn’t Paul say that no one was comparable to Timothy (Philippians 2:20)? Whatever challenge Timothy was facing, it must have been significant.

Most of us become fearful when a significant hardship comes our way. That is a blessing. But we cannot allow these fears to control us. Instead, let’s remind ourselves that God is with us, and he is for us. Let’s believe that nothing stands against us (Romans 8:31). And let’s never forget that we can do all things in Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13).

When we place our faith in Scripture passages like these, grace and power are stirred up in us. So pray the prayer below each day to overcome your timidity. Then, when you face some fearful situation, try to keep it in the right perspective. Don’t let fear be your master!

“Lord, help me overcome my timidity. In your name, I command any spirit of fear to go to the foot of the cross where you died, so that I will not be controlled by it. Jesus, fill me with your spirit of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7).”

taken from wau.org.

Passionate Lover.

Even if this should seem impossible in the eyes of the remnant of this people, shall it in those days be impossible in my eyes also, says the Lord of hosts? (Zechariah 8:6)

It’s the classic plot for a romantic comedy: A man is in love with a woman who doesn’t seem to know he exists. He goes out of his way to run into her, he sends her flowers, he writes love letters. And still she scorns him. He hates seeing how her other suitors leave her disappointed and empty. But he can’t envision life without her, so he continues doing everything he can to make her fall in love with him. Finally, somewhere in the depths of her heart, she realizes it’s meant to be. In the end, they ride off together into the sunset.

We may be a bit embarrassed to think that God loves us in a very similar way. He is jealous for us. Don’t worry; this jealousy is not the selfish, “green-eyed monster” type. It’s a jealousy that passionately wants the best for us. And that “best,” of course, is to be united with the Lord. We were created for him. Any other suitor, anything else that competes for our love, only threatens the “happy ending” that God has in store for us.

You may look at your life with some skepticism. You may not think you’re worthy of such passionate love from God. It’s easy to focus on the obstacles or the other “lovers” that have claims on our hearts. But thank goodness God doesn’t look at things with our eyes! He is ready to go out and fight all of his opponents: our sin, our guilt, anything that accuses us. He will stop at nothing to redeem us and make us completely his.

So let God woo you. As deep calls to deep, let him sweep you off your feet. There is no area in your life that he can’t win over by the power of his love. There is no element of your resistance that he cannot wear down. Just be still, and let him show you the beauty and peace that come from a life devoted to him. That’s how attractive he is!

“Lord, I am like the Beloved in the Song of Songs, hiding from you. As the Bridegroom of my soul, win me over with your single-minded devotion to me. I am yours!”

taken from wau.org

Compassion

                      When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her. (Luke 7:13)

What tenderness there is in the heart of Jesus! Moved with compassion at the sight of the weeping widow whose only son had died, he restored the dead man to life.

The Greek expression that Luke used to describe Jesus’ feeling, means “to have mercy from one’s inner core” or “to be filled with heartfelt mercy.” What a perfect word for the situation! Jesus’ heart went out to the woman in her loss as he recognized the hardship of her situation. Without husband and son, this woman had no male protector, no one to provide for her daily needs, no economic security for the future. Without any means of earning a living, she would have to depend on the charity of others.

Seeing her grief, Jesus first comforted her. Then, touched by her sorrow and need, he manifested both his mercy and his power by raising the young man with a touch of the coffin and a word of command: “Arise!” (Luke 7:14).
Jesus showed kindness and compassion to this bereaved woman, even though no one asked him for help. No one even showed any real faith in him. In fact, they may not have even known who he was. Jesus took the initiative all by himself.

There is tenderness in the heart of Jesus for each of us. In compassion, he reaches out even before we ask for help, even if we have just a little faith. If you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, if you’re feeling wounded or despondent, if you’re suffering from a serious illness—whatever trial you are facing, turn to Jesus. He has words of comfort and consolation just for you.

But don’t stop there. Let the compassion that you have received flow out of you. Just as Jesus touched the coffin of that dead young man, you can take just one step toward touching someone else’s life. It doesn’t have to be much. Just a simple gesture, a kind word, or an offer to help. You can help raise people from their own tombs of sadness and fear.

taken from wau.org