Peace

Those of you that know me know that, while I am a faithful and religious person, I don't like to engage in "Bible Bingo". Every once in a while, however, the Word is so powerful and timely that I must take notice.

Thanks to Christi for sending me the Gospel and reflection for April 22, 2008 (Independence Day).

Gospel
Jn 14:27-31a

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
You heard me tell you,
‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’
If you loved me,
you would rejoice that I am going to the Father;
for the Father is greater than I.
And now I have told you this before it happens,
so that when it happens you may believe.
I will no longer speak much with you,
for the ruler of the world is coming.
He has no power over me,
but the world must know that I love the Father
and that I do just as the Father has commanded me.”

Reflection from The Little White Book, by Bishop Ken Untener

There are many things we want in life. But, in “here and now” terms, the one thing we want most of all is inner peace.

I know this world is not perfect (any more than I am perfect). I know that there is pain and suffering. I know that love is sometimes fragile and my heart will be broken. I know all about sickness and setbacks and failure. I know I will make mistakes along the way and often have no excuse.

But, oh, beneath all of this, to have a deep-down inner peace…Not a false peace (and I can tell the difference), but an honest to goodness deep-down peace. That is what I want most of all. Honestly, I could handle all the rest if I could just have that kind of peace.

Look again at the Gospel passage above. Jesus promises his disciples – including me (!) – a peace that drink and drugs and false compliments and distractions and day-dreaming cannot give. He promises a peace that goes to the roots, to the core of who I am.

Read the text one more time, and hear Jesus speak your name when he says, “[Your name], my peace I give to you.”

Jesus doesn’t make false promises.

The Assumption - Brilliant!

http://tinyurl.com/34yz4d

Helping Hand

Helping Hand
Originally uploaded by Jeff Kubina

A helping hand. A kind word. An uplifting sentiment. When was the last time you took the focus off of yourself and just offered to help? I find that I am very fortunate in that my formation held as a keystone the concept of service. Indeed, throughout the six most formative years of my life, the mantra of "Men for Others" was a daily reminder that we prosper as a community when we help each other along the way. True service is at its best when it is offered freely and with no reservations. This, undoubtedly, is the most difficult part. When we pose the question, "How can I help?" - we open ourselves up to an infinite number of responses. Some may even be downright disagreeable. If our offer to be of service is heartfelt, true, and open, however, then there is nothing that can be asked of us that we cannot lend our hands and hearts to. The very act of opening our hearts to true service allows the graces necessary to carry out that service to flow in. The interesting and miraculous thing about service is that, like a flame, that strength and grace that flows from the service does not diminish when shared... no, it most certainly multiplies.

How can I help?

Jump Rope for Heart

Hi everybody!

Please support my son as he Jumps Rope For Heart!

Here is the link to donate online... every $1 helps!

Thanks!

Do you know Jay?

Hi everybody.... so how are your New Year's Resolutions going?

Ahhh... yeah, don't everyone speak up all at once.... OK, how about just all of you (us) that have decided to lose weight in 2008? Yeah, well... me too. That's OK. It's bound to happen. Especially with weight loss goals (and let's face it, we can all stand to lose a few pounds) those resolutions, although often publicly proclaimed... are often only privately monitored. Soon, they fall by the wayside and our old habits take back the lead. Sometimes, however, if we could just have a shared experience - team up with someone, go into the resolution together, or at least just connect with someone else who is trying to do this, too... then we won't feel like we are going at it alone.

Let me introduce you to Jay Martinez. I've had the privilege of getting connected to Jay through my Social Networking Tribe. Jay, like many of us has embarked on the "weight loss" trek - and he's doing it! More than that... he's motivating the rest of us to get up off of our blog-reading-mountain-dew-drinking seats and get moving, too! "I am aiming," says Jay, "to get people who have considered working out but were too lazy to do it (like me) to get up and go."

Jay was also recently featured on the popular weight loss blog, Back in Skinny Jeans. In that article, Jay shares,

"On my blog, I have a section called “The Road to 170” which is the weight goal I want to reach by March 2008. Here I track my weight and body fat percentage. I also have another section called “Workout Routine” where you can see what my basic workout routine is for the week. I even workout using a Wii!"

Thanks, Jay, for inspiring us on your Road to 170!

Belen Basketball

Happy New Year 2008

Hello Friends and Family, and Happy New Year 2008!

So what is it that is so special about this celebration of an arbitrary date change? I mean, really, we only just went from Monday to Tuesday, right? That happens 52 times every year. Yes, it's true that the date change that marks the passing of time from one calendar year (Julian calendar, btw)to the next is arbitrary, but the significance of it in our lives is more than just champagne (or "sidra") and parties. Whenever we can take a moment to mark the passage of time we pay homage to all of the momnets that we have passed through. The lives we have touched, the lives we have lost, and the lives we have created. Take advantage of the tidal wave of New Year's resolutions... it just doesn't have the same punch on March 25th (arbitrary date). Take a moment to sit down and reflect on the past year. Purge out those things that will not carry over from 2007 and get up with renewed energy for 2008.

Take time to reflect. Take time to renew. Take time to love.
Be well.

Life... ah, life.

Hi there everybody!
I had a couple of (rare) moments to myself so I thought that I would log on really quickly and post something here. November is winding down and December is coming up like a freight train (freight sleigh?) Where did the time go? 2007? What?

In a nutshell, 2007 has been challenging, definitely, but also wonderful. 2007 has brought Antonio Manuel into our lives, it has brought my acceptance and first semester of law school, and it has brought the launch of my first audionovel.

This past month I've had to make a lot of tough decisions, but that's what life is about, right? I could whine about it (no time... blah, blah, blah... waaa) but, thanks to my wife, I've decided to "put on a happy face", count my blessings, and just prioritize... and it actually works... go figure.

So, as I write this, my podcast novel is on hiatus for the time being. It was a tough decision to make, but it was definitely worth it when I took an inventory of my time and commitments.

I start final exams this week, and that will surely be an adventure in and of itself. After finals, I'll jump back behind the microphone and record more episodes of Murder by Design.

Well, I hope that this Christmas season brings you many graces. And, hey, send some my way, too! Thanks!

Law School Musical

"Murder by Design" Launches Today!

Murder by Design is my debut novel that I am releasing today as a podcast. It is a thriller/mystery about a rookie engineer that uncovers an assasination plot and then becomes the target of the assasin. The story takes Nick (the protagonist) from Miami to Kiev and he only has his wits and resourcefulness to get him through. It’s like MacGyver meets the Bourne Identity. Music has always played an integral part in my creative process, so you can be sure that the action is accented with lots of great tracks from some incredible musicians. I hope everyone enjoys listening to the story as much as I’ve enjoyed creating it!