Accept the Challenge of Faith!

One day Jesus was teaching that he is the Bread of Life. He wanted us to know that when we believe and follow him, we will never want or need anything else. He is our strength and fulfillment.

Jesus talked a lot about this in John Chapter 6. He said, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." And, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I give for the life of the world is my flesh."

Some of his friends and followers took issue with this idea. They said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?"

Jesus said, "Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?"

In other words, Jesus says, "What if, right now, you saw me return to heaven and join God the Father? Then, I know you would believe what I'm telling you. So, if you know that God sent me and if you desire to do God's will, you are called to believe -- even the things that are hard for you to accept."

Some of Jesus' teachings are hard for us to understand and even harder to follow because they always call us to put Jesus first, and to let go of our ego and to love others, even when we have been wronged or offended, and even when we disagree.

We have the freedom to question and to go to God in prayer. Our lives are a spiritual journey, and we wrestle with some big things as we seek the Lord.

But let us ask ourselves: Do I just believe what I want, and therefore create a false idea of God that makes me comfortable and justifies my thoughts and actions? Or do I allow God's Word to challenge me and call me to a better way of life?

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9.

Do we desire to be holy as God is holy? (1 Peter 1:16)

What's in our hearts?

Photo by Maureen Kennedy Macel

One day Jesus was telling people that he only seeks to do the will of God the Father, and that God the Father had sent him into the world. Jesus, God the Son, was the Word of God. He was 100% human and 100% divine.

Jesus says to the people, "You have never heard [God the Father's] voice or seen his form, and you do not have his word abiding in you, because you do not believe him whom he has sent." John 5:37-38.

In other words, Jesus was saying, "Even though you have never heard God's voice with your own ears or seen God with your own eyes, you know the Scriptures, and therefore you should know God. But the Scriptures have not remained in your heart because if you really had the Word of God in your hearts, you would recognize me as the one God has sent."

As humans and ones who God has created, we cannot know the depth of the knowledge of God, and we can't comprehend the depth of his love for us (although we can see it on the Cross) -- but we can know the heart of God because we have God's Word: Jesus. And God is love.

If we know God is love, how do we respond with our lives?

Good and loving God, help us to understand your Word. Help us to live like we know you. Let us always keep your love in our hearts. Help us to treat others with mercy, compassion, understanding, patience, and respect so that Christ's love is brought to every person and every situation in our world. Let the power of your love be made manifest.

We Bring God Joy

Photo by Maureen Kennedy Macel

I have a little niece named Nora. She is five months old, and she is such a healthy, beautiful, and amazing little chub!

I love holding Nora, and she likes facing outward, and so I am thrilled to hold her and kiss the back of her little head. One of the most wonderful, joyful things is when she leans back and looks at me, to see who is holding her, and the joy and delight I get from seeing her face and her precious eyes looking right at me. It only lasts a moment, and only happens once in awhile, but it is awesome.

It made me think about how God is always with us, holding us. He is our loving Creator, Father, Savior, and Protector. He is always loving us, and we have no idea of all he is doing and the depth of his love. It's impossible for us to even comprehend his love because we are just humans, his little children who can't understand. He loves and loves and loves and finds such sheer joy in us. And occasionally, we take a moment to look at him, and I imagine that he is so full of joy and delight when we do that! We make him so happy and he would love us to just look at him all the time!

Good and loving God, please help us to spend time looking at you and to allow you to look upon us. We are your children, your total joy. Thank you for your love!

Think Outside the Box. Trust in God's Power.

Photo by Maur

In John Chapter 6 we read that a large crowd of about 5,000 people was following Jesus. Jesus went up to a mountain, looked over the people and asked his friends, "Where are we to buy bread for the people to eat?" Philip answers, "Six months wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." Andrew answers, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?"

Jesus has the boy's meager food brought to him, and multiplies it so that the people eat until they are full and the leftovers fill 12 baskets.

When Jesus asked his disciples, "Where are we to buy bread?" The answer was, "Um, there is nowhere to buy bread; we're on a mountain." But, Andrew thinks outside the box. There is nowhere to buy bread, but there is a boy in the crowd who has some bread. Clearly, five loaves of bread would not be enough to feed 5,000 people, but Andrew presented it to the Lord, and Jesus performed a great miracle.

When we face challenges, can we trust the guidance of the Holy Spirit and think outside the box?

God is infinitely generous. Do we give everything we have to the Lord, and trust that he will multiply it for our good and the good of others?

Do we believe in God's power?

Openness in Encounter

Photo by Maureen

In the story of Jesus and the Woman of Samaria, also known as the Woman at the Well, Jesus is going through Samaria on his way back to Galilee, and he runs into a woman getting water from a well. John 4:1-42.

As with all human beings, she has brokenness in her life: She goes to the well at 12 p.m. instead of the early morning with the other women from her town, perhaps because she is shunned or is trying to avoid seeing people. As a woman she has no/very few rights. She has been married five times and is currently with a man but they are not married.

Jesus initiates a conversation with her and then reveals himself to be the living water that gives eternal life.  Jesus tells the woman that God the Father desires that people worship him in spirit and in truth. And she says, "I know that [the] Messiah is coming. When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us." Jesus says, "I am he, the one who is speaking with you."

She desired a Messiah, the one who makes all things new. She was thirsting to be embraced and to be made whole. The woman was open in her encounter with Jesus, and found in him her Savior who offered her freedom and salvation. She received the living water.

What are we thirsting for?

Are we open to how Jesus is speaking to us in our lives?

Jesus wants to be our living water. Do we turn to him as our sustenance?

A Promise of Something Awesome

Here's the quick story (John 1:43-51):  The first disciples (Andrew, Simon Peter, and Philip) have encountered Jesus and started to follow him. Philip is so excited that he finds his friend, Nathanael, and exclaims, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote." Nathanael questions this and Philip urges him to see for himself.

Nathanael goes with Philip and, "When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said, 'Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael is surprised that this stranger, Jesus, acts like he knows him. It probably made Nathanael curious and cautious. Nathanael replies, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answers, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you."

Nathanael knows he was alone during this time. Immediately he knows the Truth and proclaims Jesus to be the Son of God. Jesus responds, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these."

Read that as if Jesus is saying it like, "You think that's incredible? Just wait until I share everything with you -- you are going to be amazed!"

Think about a time in your life where something incredible happened that only you know about. It can be a big thing or a small thing. Maybe it's as simple as someone saying just the right thing at just the right time. Now imagine that Jesus says to us, "Do you remember that time when...? I was there with you. I know you. Come; I have so much more to show you that is even more awesome!"

Will you follow him?

[If you're wondering what it means to follow Jesus, then that's amazing and I'm praying for you! God is dwelling within you and he is also very near to you. In fact, that desire you feel to follow him is God himself stirring within you! The first thing is to ask God to help you (he's right there, just call on him with whatever words you want). Then, think about anything you've done that has hurt and wronged yourself and others, and tell God you're sorry (and tell the other people too, if you can.) Then, fill your heart and mind with kindness, compassion, love, understanding, patience, and all things good. That's a great start. Need help? Want more? Contact me or reach out to a friend or a church. Many people are praying for you right now!]

The Happy Year of 2013

When I reflect on the days of 2013, I am full of gratitude for the many blessings in my life, especially my family and friends. Thank you for you! I smile to think of Starbucks on Sundays with my sisters, spending time with family, happy hours, catching up over lunch or a coffee with friends, church events, fellowship, service activities, coaching basketball and softball, playing Gaelic football with my family and awesome teammates, and a job I enjoy. I am so grateful. I pray God continues to open my heart to the many ways that he shares his love with me and the world, and that you may feel how much he loves you, too.

Some of the highlights from my year:

January: I did several media appearances on radio and TV for work. That was a pretty cool experience.

February:

• We found out Maur and Ryan were expecting a baby in October!
• I got a new car - the Elantra lasted nearly 10 years, and I was pumped to get a Honda Fit.

March:

• I went to Washington, DC for work to support my President & CEO, Bill Strickland, as he received an award from the Senate. Meeting him was the reason I wanted to work at Manchester Bidwell -- he knows the value of hope, and I get to participate in the mission of bringing hope to people. 
• I ran a mud race with Conor, Rory, Devin, and Ryan. 

May: 

• I began my 11th Gaelic football season. 
• I found out I was going to have a niece!

June: 

• I ran the Color Me Rad with Maureen, Devin, and friends.
• Our family had our annual Kite Weekend camping trip (32 years - thanks, Uncle Giles!).
• Maureen, Ryan, Devin, Emily, Alanna, Dan and I went to Rehoboth Beach.

July:

• Conor and I ran the Rukus and both did very well. Fun fact - the race fell between our birthdays so we were both 31 years old on race day. 
• Dan and I went to Lake Erie and Cleveland's Great Lakes Brewery.

August:

• Pittsburgh Banshees won the Midwest Division.
• Conor, my Dad, and my friend Erica and I did a duathalon.
• Banshees and Celtics began the National Tournament in Cleveland, OH. The Banshees had some big wins and we were in the Finals.

September:

Banshees defense and the cup

• Pittsburgh Banshees won the National Tournament! We are Junior B National Champions! 
• Dan and I went to Hilton Head, SC.
• We celebrated baby Nora's anticipated arrival with Maureen's baby shower.
• I ran a half marathon.
• Dan and I went to Cape May, NJ.

October: 

• I became an aunt! Maureen and Ryan had precious, healthy, and beautiful Nora Mae!
• Alanna, Conor, Colleen, and I ran the Trailapolooza race.

November: 

• Alanna and I ran the Zoozilla race. 
• I ran the Pittsburgh 10-Miler.
• Dan and I went to Niagara Falls.

December: Happy holidays with family and friends!

Happy New Year, everyone! I'm praying for you!

xoxo,
BG