“Carry Your Cross”
Based on by K.A. Phinney
There once was a man who was feeling very, very overwhelmed with his life and his division of burdens. He was consumed by the thoughts that his burdens were too heavy, too large, and too difficult for him to carry, and he was very upset with God for giving him a cross that he just couldn’t possibly bear.
At night, he’d tell God, “God, I can’t possible carry this cross anymore! My burdens are too much, too heavy, too large. It’s just too difficult for me, God. And I’m tired.”
And then he would wait and wait, but God just didn’t answer.
So the next day, the man was grumbling and waiting for his bus on the park bench when he overheard a woman explaining to her friend that there was a cross shop that specialized in burden replacement just around the corner. The man couldn’t believe his ears.
“Finally!” he thought. “If God doesn’t want to free me from my burdens, then I will.” So off to the cross shop he trekked, leaving the two chatting woman and the bus stop behind.
When he entered the shop, a friendly elderly man greeted him.
“Hello, Son. Can I help you?”
“Well, yes,” the burdened man replied. “This here cross I am carrying is too much for me to handle. It’s too heavy and too large. I hear you can help me with replacing it…”
“Well, of course I can. Just turn in your cross up here at the return counter, and then take a look around to find a new cross that you feel is just right for you. When you find it, bring it on up to the check out, and I’ll get you on your way.”
“That’s all?” the man thought to himself. So he left his cross with the elderly man and ventured through the aisles of the shop. Here and there, he would pause to closely examine a cross that caught his eye. One was flashy but much heavier than his last cross. Others felt lighter but were much too large, while others were both larger and heavier than the one he brought in to be rid of. So on and on it went like this until he noticed a cross hanging on the front wall he hadn’t noticed before.
He approached the cross and took it down from the wall. Compared to the others, it seemed lighter and smaller, although he couldn’t be sure. He inspected it carefully, practiced carrying around the burden in the shop, and finally determined it would do.
At the counter, the old man watched and waited patiently. “Do you think you found the cross for you?”
“Yes, I think I have. Of all the crosses in your store, I think I can deal with this one best. The other ones are too big.”
“Are you sure?” the old man asked.
“Why, yes.”
The old man gave a knowing nod and smiled. He leaned over the counter and looked his patron in the eyes. “Son,” he said, “the cross in your hands now is the very one you came in with.”
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
Thursday's Thoughts
These are some thoughts our priest said at Mass the day before my birthday. I thought they are worth sharing:
-God won't ask what kind of car you drove, He’ll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
-God won't ask the square footage of your house; He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
-God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet; He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
-God won't ask what your highest salary was; He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
-God won't ask what your job title was; He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of our ability.
-God won't ask how many friends you had; He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
-God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived; He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
-God won't ask about the color of your skin; He'll ask about the content of your character.
-God won't ask what kind of car you drove, He’ll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
-God won't ask the square footage of your house; He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
-God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet; He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
-God won't ask what your highest salary was; He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
-God won't ask what your job title was; He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of our ability.
-God won't ask how many friends you had; He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
-God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived; He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
-God won't ask about the color of your skin; He'll ask about the content of your character.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Today's Little Thought
I asked God to take away my habit.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole. His body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; It isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me..
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said... Ahhhh,
You finally you have the idea.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole. His body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; It isn't granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me..
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said... Ahhhh,
You finally you have the idea.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
P.S. Here is some food for thought.... Thanks Mom!
A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting their time.
This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: "I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this.. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.
Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!" When you are DOWN to nothing...... God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!
A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting their time.
This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: "I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this.. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.
Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!" When you are DOWN to nothing...... God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Some Food For Thought
In Response to my good buddy Kyle Blodgett's Article found at:http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=31368784237
Kyle,
You mention “What you believe, you can achieve.” That is a very good slogan to live by and is very admirable. However, there seems to be a disconnect here. What you set as an expectation to live by is not realistic for everybody. Why? Not everyone is as fortunate as we are to come from good families, good upbringings, good faiths, and good life-experiences.
As for being masters of our own fate, not everyone has the luxury of being able to do so. I will give you three simple examples of what I experience day in and day out that illustrate my point.
Example 1
Each year we go to Mexico for our mission trip and experience how government policies affect millions of peoples. The NAFTA bill that was signed into law has in the past ten years put 10 million small farmers out of business. Big US companies tell the farms what they will pay for fruit and only the biggest farms can produce fruit at the given price. So since the little farmers can’t compete, they loose their jobs, their farms, and their lives. Most are force to become migrant pickers. The average migrant worker gets at most a 3rd grade education, has kids at 15, and dies by the age of 40 (usually from lung cancer caused by harmful pesticides in the fields). I walk into camp every year and the teenagers there hate us. They hate us because we get to walk away back to our lives and they have no say with their fate. Our government affects others and our mission as Christians doesn’t end after our mission trips.
Example 2
I work in a pretty big parish that is ½ English-speaking and ½ Spanish- speaking. We have many people who are and are not documented who from Mexico because they need to survive. Since they only have a third grade education, they may make choices in the US like they would back in Mexico like having kids at 15. Is this right? No. But it is all they know. What is the antidote? Time and education. Sometimes it takes two to three generations until they get it. But it is our jobs as a community to provide these educational opportunities for them.
Example 3
This example is more at home and relatable. Across the street our church supports the St. Vincent de Paul food shelter for people. I wish people could see that sometime, people are put in situations they cannot effect. For example, we give out free medication to people who cannot afford it otherwise. You would be surprised how many people did everything right but still far on hard times. The most recent example is a hardworking man fell ill and was rushed to the hospital and had to go to surgery. The total bill was $150,000. After a bill like that, he was forced into poverty because it was just too much for him to handle. Read the book THE JUNGLE. It beautiful illustrates this.
I agree with you that we can only do the best we can with what we have, but let’s face it, sometimes that means that we need a helping hand. And that is what the government is for, to lend a helping hand and work for the greater good. It is its job is to do this especially when times are tough. Not only is it our jobs as Citizens to do this, but it is our obligation as Christians. I won’t preach to the choir here, but there are countless times in the Bible where we are called to take care of the poor, the widows, the estranged, the orphans, and etc. Most of what Jesus talked about in the New Testament spoke of fair economics and how we should treat people. It’s time we do the same.
I believe, like Jefferson, the government is supposed to be of the people, by the people, and for the people. It is up to each and everyone of us to make this a good government. So I am asking you, whoever is still reading this, to put you money where your mouth is. This election, are you going to reach across the trenches and lift up your brother in need or deny that he is even there. There is a season for everything and this is the season of change.
In Response to Kyle's Article (Below)
Many of my beloved friends and facebook friends have been asking me to explain why I am so against the Obama/Biden ticket. Some have lashed out in anger, others in curiosity, and a few in meaningful conversations. I appreciate all who have taken notice, and I love the fact that these types of discussions can be had by all through the internet.
I wish to now address the issue I have been asked so frequently about: “Why are you so against Barack Obama?” Let me explain the main reason I feel justified in my disgust towards him. Anyone is free to comment.
The main reason I am disgusted is because I hate the overarching message of the Obama/Biden ticket. Although “change” is the “motto” or “slogan” the ticket trumpets, this is not what I feel accurately describes their overall message.
In my opinion, the message that the Obama/Biden ticket has been conveying throughout their campaign is “VICTIMIZATION.” At every opportunity, Obama/Biden bring up the Bush Administration, deregulation, the Iraq War, oil companies, and middle class citizens making anywhere from $120,000-$250,000/year and directly blames every single world problem on one of these.
His message is essentially that because of these five things, the average American has no chance of making it in the world. His message is that the middle class is not empowered, but POWERLESS, and unless we rely completely and utterly on the Federal Government, you are doomed to be exploited, beat down, and dragged out in life by a rich corporation, person, or political figure. Victims. We are all somehow victims of something we cannot ever hope to control, so why should we try individually? We should just let the government create programs to help us since America has become the land of the damned rather than the land of opportunity.
This campaign theme is so completely and utterly against what I feel that it sickens me. When I entered the workforce right out of college, my first manger became one of my favorite mentors. One thing he would most often quote is the famous Napoleon Hill saying, “What you believe, you can achieve.” I believe wholeheartedly that this is true. I do not believe in Obama’s policy of “What you believe, the GOVERNEMNT can achieve for you.” Do you see the difference in logic? The first attitude EMPOWERS an individual, while the latter leaves the individual POWERLESS and completely dependant upon a bureaucratic entity.
Victimization is the wrong message we should be sending to ourselves and our children. We are masters of our OWN fate. So what if George Bush went into Iraq? So what if the California housing market is wreaking havok in our economy? I understand that there may be political disagreements with such decisions, but how does that somehow set you up to be a failure in life? Since when did YOU become so hopeless, that no matter what you do, you can’t get ahead? Since when did YOU become completely dependant on someone deciding FOR YOU how you should live your life? After everything is said and done, I cannot make excuses and say I am a VICITM of what others have chosen to do. I can only do the best with what I have been given, and should not expect a government agency to be the one to seal my fate.
Please, please please, make the right decision this year. The right decision is NOT the Obama/Biden ticket. Make the decision that puts YOU in control of YOUR life. Let your decision reflect the reasons this country was founded in the first place: self-reliance, independence, and freedom from a central government making decisions about your personal life for you. Be part of the COMPETANT minority, not the IGNORATE masses. Make the RIGHT decision, vote McCAin/Palin.
Kyle,
You mention “What you believe, you can achieve.” That is a very good slogan to live by and is very admirable. However, there seems to be a disconnect here. What you set as an expectation to live by is not realistic for everybody. Why? Not everyone is as fortunate as we are to come from good families, good upbringings, good faiths, and good life-experiences.
As for being masters of our own fate, not everyone has the luxury of being able to do so. I will give you three simple examples of what I experience day in and day out that illustrate my point.
Example 1
Each year we go to Mexico for our mission trip and experience how government policies affect millions of peoples. The NAFTA bill that was signed into law has in the past ten years put 10 million small farmers out of business. Big US companies tell the farms what they will pay for fruit and only the biggest farms can produce fruit at the given price. So since the little farmers can’t compete, they loose their jobs, their farms, and their lives. Most are force to become migrant pickers. The average migrant worker gets at most a 3rd grade education, has kids at 15, and dies by the age of 40 (usually from lung cancer caused by harmful pesticides in the fields). I walk into camp every year and the teenagers there hate us. They hate us because we get to walk away back to our lives and they have no say with their fate. Our government affects others and our mission as Christians doesn’t end after our mission trips.
Example 2
I work in a pretty big parish that is ½ English-speaking and ½ Spanish- speaking. We have many people who are and are not documented who from Mexico because they need to survive. Since they only have a third grade education, they may make choices in the US like they would back in Mexico like having kids at 15. Is this right? No. But it is all they know. What is the antidote? Time and education. Sometimes it takes two to three generations until they get it. But it is our jobs as a community to provide these educational opportunities for them.
Example 3
This example is more at home and relatable. Across the street our church supports the St. Vincent de Paul food shelter for people. I wish people could see that sometime, people are put in situations they cannot effect. For example, we give out free medication to people who cannot afford it otherwise. You would be surprised how many people did everything right but still far on hard times. The most recent example is a hardworking man fell ill and was rushed to the hospital and had to go to surgery. The total bill was $150,000. After a bill like that, he was forced into poverty because it was just too much for him to handle. Read the book THE JUNGLE. It beautiful illustrates this.
I agree with you that we can only do the best we can with what we have, but let’s face it, sometimes that means that we need a helping hand. And that is what the government is for, to lend a helping hand and work for the greater good. It is its job is to do this especially when times are tough. Not only is it our jobs as Citizens to do this, but it is our obligation as Christians. I won’t preach to the choir here, but there are countless times in the Bible where we are called to take care of the poor, the widows, the estranged, the orphans, and etc. Most of what Jesus talked about in the New Testament spoke of fair economics and how we should treat people. It’s time we do the same.
I believe, like Jefferson, the government is supposed to be of the people, by the people, and for the people. It is up to each and everyone of us to make this a good government. So I am asking you, whoever is still reading this, to put you money where your mouth is. This election, are you going to reach across the trenches and lift up your brother in need or deny that he is even there. There is a season for everything and this is the season of change.
In Response to Kyle's Article (Below)
Many of my beloved friends and facebook friends have been asking me to explain why I am so against the Obama/Biden ticket. Some have lashed out in anger, others in curiosity, and a few in meaningful conversations. I appreciate all who have taken notice, and I love the fact that these types of discussions can be had by all through the internet.
I wish to now address the issue I have been asked so frequently about: “Why are you so against Barack Obama?” Let me explain the main reason I feel justified in my disgust towards him. Anyone is free to comment.
The main reason I am disgusted is because I hate the overarching message of the Obama/Biden ticket. Although “change” is the “motto” or “slogan” the ticket trumpets, this is not what I feel accurately describes their overall message.
In my opinion, the message that the Obama/Biden ticket has been conveying throughout their campaign is “VICTIMIZATION.” At every opportunity, Obama/Biden bring up the Bush Administration, deregulation, the Iraq War, oil companies, and middle class citizens making anywhere from $120,000-$250,000/year and directly blames every single world problem on one of these.
His message is essentially that because of these five things, the average American has no chance of making it in the world. His message is that the middle class is not empowered, but POWERLESS, and unless we rely completely and utterly on the Federal Government, you are doomed to be exploited, beat down, and dragged out in life by a rich corporation, person, or political figure. Victims. We are all somehow victims of something we cannot ever hope to control, so why should we try individually? We should just let the government create programs to help us since America has become the land of the damned rather than the land of opportunity.
This campaign theme is so completely and utterly against what I feel that it sickens me. When I entered the workforce right out of college, my first manger became one of my favorite mentors. One thing he would most often quote is the famous Napoleon Hill saying, “What you believe, you can achieve.” I believe wholeheartedly that this is true. I do not believe in Obama’s policy of “What you believe, the GOVERNEMNT can achieve for you.” Do you see the difference in logic? The first attitude EMPOWERS an individual, while the latter leaves the individual POWERLESS and completely dependant upon a bureaucratic entity.
Victimization is the wrong message we should be sending to ourselves and our children. We are masters of our OWN fate. So what if George Bush went into Iraq? So what if the California housing market is wreaking havok in our economy? I understand that there may be political disagreements with such decisions, but how does that somehow set you up to be a failure in life? Since when did YOU become so hopeless, that no matter what you do, you can’t get ahead? Since when did YOU become completely dependant on someone deciding FOR YOU how you should live your life? After everything is said and done, I cannot make excuses and say I am a VICITM of what others have chosen to do. I can only do the best with what I have been given, and should not expect a government agency to be the one to seal my fate.
Please, please please, make the right decision this year. The right decision is NOT the Obama/Biden ticket. Make the decision that puts YOU in control of YOUR life. Let your decision reflect the reasons this country was founded in the first place: self-reliance, independence, and freedom from a central government making decisions about your personal life for you. Be part of the COMPETANT minority, not the IGNORATE masses. Make the RIGHT decision, vote McCAin/Palin.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Better Plans
Here is the latest ditty i wrote for my friends who are either graduating or are headed off to better plans. Hope ya like it!
Better Plans
Agans © 8-6-208
So this is it; these are our lives.
You’re the one who always made me get up and reach for stars.
The past has shown some are untrue
And even guilty verdicts question which friends will stick by you.
Look up. Walk tall.
There’s room for more I recall.
Look up. Walk tall.
There’s hope still for us all.
So take my hand
We’re off to better plans.
Lend me your ears
For here’s a toast to better years.
And all your fears
Will never feel so real.
And all that you know will be wrong.
But one thing still remains after all is gone.
The race is far from the beginning
And we’re not much closer to the end.
Our wrinkles model joy and grieving.
But miracles keep growing out from underneath our feet.
Look up. Walk tall.
There’s room for more I recall.
Look up. Walk tall.
There’s hope still for us all.
So take my hand.
We’re off to better plans.
Lend me your ears
For here’s a toast to better years.
All you hold dear
You’ll watch them disappear.
But you knew that all along.
You’d be a fool to think we were the only one that was strong.
Look at those gathered today, they’re the ones that surround ya.
They all hope and they pray today that trouble neglects to find ya.
Angels sent from up above, to love and remind ya
Do not let this get away. What is your anchor?
What is your anchor?
I choose to believe.
I choose to believe.
The echoes still call you.
So take my hand.
We’re off to better plans.
Lend me your ears
For here’s a toast to better years.
And all your tears
You have trained to persevere
May you live as long as you want.
And never want as long as you live just live.
Just live.
Better Plans
Agans © 8-6-208
So this is it; these are our lives.
You’re the one who always made me get up and reach for stars.
The past has shown some are untrue
And even guilty verdicts question which friends will stick by you.
Look up. Walk tall.
There’s room for more I recall.
Look up. Walk tall.
There’s hope still for us all.
So take my hand
We’re off to better plans.
Lend me your ears
For here’s a toast to better years.
And all your fears
Will never feel so real.
And all that you know will be wrong.
But one thing still remains after all is gone.
The race is far from the beginning
And we’re not much closer to the end.
Our wrinkles model joy and grieving.
But miracles keep growing out from underneath our feet.
Look up. Walk tall.
There’s room for more I recall.
Look up. Walk tall.
There’s hope still for us all.
So take my hand.
We’re off to better plans.
Lend me your ears
For here’s a toast to better years.
All you hold dear
You’ll watch them disappear.
But you knew that all along.
You’d be a fool to think we were the only one that was strong.
Look at those gathered today, they’re the ones that surround ya.
They all hope and they pray today that trouble neglects to find ya.
Angels sent from up above, to love and remind ya
Do not let this get away. What is your anchor?
What is your anchor?
I choose to believe.
I choose to believe.
The echoes still call you.
So take my hand.
We’re off to better plans.
Lend me your ears
For here’s a toast to better years.
And all your tears
You have trained to persevere
May you live as long as you want.
And never want as long as you live just live.
Just live.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
July July July!
It has been one amazing summer!
June brought the end of the Confirmation Program and all the youth groups I do. Then it was off o the summer activities:
Beginning of June I helped lead the Catholic Leadership Institution camp for the Archdiocese of Portland. There were about 24 teens and for the most part, were the cream of the crop. Needless to say it was a blast.
In the 1st part of July I lead a team of 26 peeps on Mexico Mission Trip. My adults on my team were freakin the best. This trip was so amazing because EVERYONE always walks away with a new perspective on life. Needless to say the food was the best I have had since I went there last year! ahhhh.... good times
Creation West was a lot more low key, but it was still a blast. Plus I was in the 2nd row for the Switchfoot show. 2nd row for 20,000 people is not too shabby!
I am on vacation as I write this now and am making a tour through the Tri-Cities, Spokane, Seattle, and then the Coast to run a 5 mile fun run with my old pal Nathan Simmons and Mark Raleigh.
Yeah relaxation!!!
June brought the end of the Confirmation Program and all the youth groups I do. Then it was off o the summer activities:
Beginning of June I helped lead the Catholic Leadership Institution camp for the Archdiocese of Portland. There were about 24 teens and for the most part, were the cream of the crop. Needless to say it was a blast.
In the 1st part of July I lead a team of 26 peeps on Mexico Mission Trip. My adults on my team were freakin the best. This trip was so amazing because EVERYONE always walks away with a new perspective on life. Needless to say the food was the best I have had since I went there last year! ahhhh.... good times
Creation West was a lot more low key, but it was still a blast. Plus I was in the 2nd row for the Switchfoot show. 2nd row for 20,000 people is not too shabby!
I am on vacation as I write this now and am making a tour through the Tri-Cities, Spokane, Seattle, and then the Coast to run a 5 mile fun run with my old pal Nathan Simmons and Mark Raleigh.
Yeah relaxation!!!
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