Category Archives: Letters

Encouragement

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Dear Friend,

In Psalm 40:8, we are reminded of the joy we feel when we know our Lord is near us. “I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.” Think about this for a moment, His Law is within your heart. The Law of the Lord written in your heart, guiding your Soul to do His will. Reminding us as we busy ourselves in our lives to work and live for Him. What could be more important in these troubling times than living in the awe and wonder of the Lord? What could be more important to your health and well being than to realize, to know in your very Soul, how precious and how dear life truly is?

So, pray with me now. Pray with and for all the people in your life who are praying for you. Pray for their health and safety, just as they are praying for yours. You are not alone. The whole world is watching and waiting for this horrible pandemic to end. Know the congregation of St. Jude Catholic Church is praying for you. The priests, deacon and staff are praying for you. Every day you are in our thoughts, our hearts. Everyday we pray for your families, your friends, your care givers, and the doctors and nurses who work tirelessly to keep you healthy. Do not be afraid, have no fear, for the Lord is with you. In second Timothy, we are told again, “So keep waiting for Him”. Waiting and watching as His mercy is shown to us. Stay strong in your prayers and take strength in His Presence.

Crucial Critical Thinking

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Critical means, significant, vital, decisive, important

Crucial means, essential, central, key….

So, what would crucial critical thinking mean….? Would it mean maintaining a questioning attitude? Thinking for yourself? Not accepting the obvious for being obvious. Examining the facts? Understanding the difference between a slogan and a statement of fact? Understanding everyone can have their own opinions, but not their own facts? Does the end justify the means? Deciding the difference between meaning and emotion? Realizing unintended results? Realizing being persuasive doesn’t make a person right? Being an Investigative Reporter, or writing an editorial?  Influencing a person with propaganda or being truthful? Being self-educated? Understanding history? Understanding the difference between the definition, the description, and the experience. Is critical thinking a lesson in life or a way of life?

I have been told that God speaks to us all the time. I have been told that prayer is part of the constant dialogue we have with the Lord. I have been told the Lord will push a person toward the truth and lead his life. I have been told if you’re not listening, the Lord will get your attention. He may have you stub, your toe or bite your tongue. He may let you hit the wall to slow you down. He may hit you with a brick or kick your butt. He will let you learn you can’t do it on your own. So, listen to the Lord, or wait for the brick.

We are all facing a lifetime of living, loving, learning, and laughing ….Go for it!!!! 

Dear Pastor Ben Jones

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I enjoyed your service today and thank you for the flashlight. Both the worship program and the flashlight will make its way to the trophy wall at work, where I keep things which inspire me and remind me; first is God, then family, next community and finally career.

Several things come to mind. I think the children’s sermon is fantastic. It’s a wonderful tribute to the kids and to the parents. Just as the seeds need fertile ground to grow; as parents and grandparents, we are the soil where our children grow. To give them their place at the service and for the parents to take a moment as a church to reflect on scripture from a child’s point of view is an exceptional experience.

Thank you for your reading today. As much as I came to worship, I also came to learn. This passage from Corinthians points to an ever-troubling state of affairs where our communities, our schools, our government at all levels finds themselves burdened by division. One group against another; someone offended; some angered when their expectations or preferences are not met; many confused by their perception; many disappointed in their reality. I question how it can be, we as Christians, can bicker about the 20% we differ on and ignore the 80% which binds us together. Your comment on tolerance of other religions was well stated. Isn’t it enough to trust in the One True God, believe in the one True Faith, does each of us really have to be part of the one True Religion? Doesn’t 100% of being a Christian mean, as you said, happening on the other side of the church doors. It’s not the Church sanctifying us; it is the Lord sanctifying the Church. Walking in His light and being the people, He made us to be is the challenge we all face. God shows Himself to us in ways we can understand; isn’t the answer to our differences; “this is true for you, follow Jesus”. For me, it is a timeless message; righteousness is always beyond scripture; it’s not what we think or say, it’s what we do. Your sermon warmed my heart. I am like a 7-year-old at the candy store, I can’t take it all home, but the piece I got was wonderful. Regards,

Dealing with a Teenage Son

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I know it must be very difficult for you dealing with him…it’s easier for me; making it a guy thing,  I can just get mad and be done with it, not so with you. Let us graciously look down the road and know his concept of what it means to be a “man” will change and in time he will “get it”. For us, we know, the path is tough, it takes time to muster strength. Perseverance bears many benefits, one being endurance and in time; insight, strategy, thoughtfulness, true confidence, compassion and empathy for those who are still struggling. We have been down the road many times and now we are empowered to dream big dreams and work to their fulfillment; we have prayed and our prayers in time were answered….and again….in the world when we hope and work for stuff and it comes true for us, we feel accomplished. When we pray and our prayers are answered we feel grateful. Sarah Young said it best; Isaiah 64:4; John 15:5; Psalm 36:9….. I am preparing you for what is on the road ahead, just around the bend. Take time to be still in My Presence so that I can strengthen you. The busier you become, the more you need this time apart with Me. So many people think that time spent with Me is a luxury they cannot afford. As a result, they live and work in their own strength—-until that becomes depleted. Then they either cry out to Me for help or turn away in bitterness…….I think you and I know the truth in this because we cried out for help. Pope Francis said, Hope in the Lord never disappoints, only worldly optimism disappoints. Feel good about yourself; you are a great parent because you are a good person. Love you   AJ