This says it all

I don't usually like to post with just a link to another story, but to me this says it all. I may choose to comment on the politics in the Mid-East some time soon, but this story to me shows the very real, human impact of where extreme and violent ideologies lead. I know there are stories of this kind on both sides. Please take a moment to pray for a truly just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Insomnia

Wow, it has been hot here in Northern California. I know it has been hot pretty much all over, but in most places that it is usually hot and humid the houses have air conditioning. We are spoiled here with the fact that even during the warm days of summer, it cools down in the evening so A/C is optional. That has not happened the last couple of days. Our house is so hot, I just can't sleep. So, I thought I would get up and add an entry to my much neglected blog.

The problem is that I am so tired, I can't even think straight. There is a lot to talk about (Israel and Lebanon, Bush's 1st Veto, etc). I just don't know if I can think straight enough to write anything worthy of the server space.

On the upside, I was blessed with a wonderful evening with my wife. We were able to have a date, thanks to a birthday gift and some free baby-sitting (thank you Andrew and Olga). It was a great chance to reconnect with each other. Word's cannot express the love I have for this woman.

Good night.

Courage

Wow, two posts in one day. I am trying to make up some ground.

The grace of God is amazing. After my last post, I decided to go to Mass this morning. I miss going to daily Mass and really need to start again. It struck me last night at XLT (praise and worship, preaching, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament). That I have the opportunity to receive Christ in the Eucharist every day. I proclaim the real presence of Christ in the form of bread and wine (a huge stumbling block to many Christians), yet I choose not receive him everyday. I have a ton of "reasonable" excuses, but where are my priorities. Anyway, I went to Mass this morning and cried as we sang the opening hymn, "Servant Song".

What do you want of me, Lord?
Where do you want me to serve you?
Where can I sing your praises?
I am your song?

As part of my job search, I belong to a professional networking organization called ProMatch. There is a part of our meetings that we can ask for and/or offer connections. I use this part of the meeting a lot, and have often thought of asking if anyone would like to join me in prayer during the break. I came close one day, I even had a quote from Jeremiah that I was going to share. To my shame I have always wimped out for various reasons. Today, I did not wimp out. God gave me the grace to make his presence know and several people joined me to pray for the well being of the members of ProMatch and the economy in the San Francisco Bay Area. I was thanked for my courage, but it was not my courage, but God's grace.

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1-2)

Rejection

It is fascinating to me how much our self-esteem is based on others' acceptance of us. That has been my experience. Even those that say, "I don't care about what others think," tend to say that to try to convince themselves or impress you. I am not saying that we all blow with the wind of public perception. There are plenty of people that have no power over us, because we don't let them. However, we all have a group of people that we relinquish this power to. For me currently, it is my family and recruiters/hiring managers. I know that the right job for me is out there, and that God will provide for me. I know that he is the only one that I need even try to please, and that he will love me even when I stumble.

Father grant me your grace and your peace and the faith to know your love.