Archive for October, 2008

WEDNESDAY THOUGHT 10/29/08

October 29, 2008 on 11:35 am | By | In Faith & Forgiveness, Motivational Thoughts | No Comments

Cold Gold
 
When I was younger, everything I touched turned to gold.  Oh, I worked hard, but I was amply rewarded for my efforts — a thriving business, beautiful home, lakefront vacation cottage, great vacation travels, etc. etc. etc.
 
On one hand, it was great fun; power and wealth always are.  On the other, I became arrogant, a swaggering, know-it-all, pontificating ass.  By the time I lost everything (and I thank God for that), I was pretty much alone.  Having everything and no one to truly enjoy it with is a sad life.   Today, when it comes to material goods, I have no great mansions, but I do have exactly enough.  I still work hard, but now I am blessed with the opportunity to share what I have with a wealth of good friends and loving family. 
 
My point?  If you have read the story of King Midas (everything he touched turned to gold, too), you know that he ended up miserable, cursing his own gift.  Wealth comes in many forms.  Whether it be gold or talents or just a loving heart, enjoy it and share it.  God bless.  — jri
 
“It is possible to own much and yet
have very little.”
    –    John R. Ingrisano

MONDAY THOUGHT 10/27/08

October 27, 2008 on 11:07 am | By | In Motivational Thoughts | No Comments

Life Can Hurt … A Lot
 
My Mother used to say, “If you get brief glimpses of joy in this life of pain and suffering, count your blessings.”  Well, I don’t know even today if Mom was exaggerating, but I do know that she did find great joy amid great sorrow, and maybe that was her point. 
 
Another thing I do know is that way too many people these days self-medicate to cope with the pain of life, whether looking for that perfect love that – this time, finally – will  make life a blissful fairy tale, or making a visit to Dr. Feelgood’s Emporium of Mind-Dulling Delights.  Well, for all the alcoholics and drug addicts and food-aholics and magic pill seekers out there, here’s the good news:  Life is SUPPOSED to hurt now and then … even hurt a lot.  Get that one straight and life actually gets easier. 
 
My point?  Those who dedicate their lives to looking for comfort, ease and relief waste their time in false hopes.  On the other hand, those who gird their loins, strap on a breastplate and accept pain as a normal part of life, these are the ones who find joy amid the sorrow.  It takes a clear head and a focused eye to get through the many and to-be-expected challenges of life.  Face them.  Tackle them.  And, yes, even enjoy them.  — jri
 
“We have been told that for every pain,
there is a pill we could take to make the
hurting stop.  In essence, we have been
promised a pain-free life.  When it does
not work out that way, our inability to handle
any strong emotion, especially pain, leaves
us feeling confused and helpless.”
        –    Harold Kushner

FRIDAY THOUGHT 10/24/08

October 24, 2008 on 12:30 pm | By | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments

Into God’s Hands
 
If you’re like me, you tend to wrestle and struggle over stuff that doesn’t improve with worry.  However, this morning, by the time I could dive into the usual sets of frets and worries — that daily laundry list of concerns, anxieties, uncertainties, distractions and panics — I was reminded by a single line in the Bible (see below) that if I handed them over to God, He’d handle them all for me.
 
Worries over work and finances?  I placed them in the Lord’s hands.  Concerns about my children, my friends, my own faults, flaws, failings and weaknesses?  Into God’s hands.  Anxiety over what I could have done better yesterday and frustrations over what I know I will screw up today?  Here, God, I place it all in your hands. 
 
My point?   When I am able to turn the day’s troubles over to God (no, not ignore my responsibilities, but, yes, approach them with God’s help and guidance), I find that I occasionally bump into one of the most amazing experiences:  Pure joy!  So, my recommendation is to go for it!  Say, “Here, God, may I leave these with you, please?” Then go about your day working, playing, celebrating, enjoying.  — jri
 
“Into your hands I commend my spirit,
    for you have redeemed me,
    O Lord, O God of truth.”
        -    Psalm 31: 5

THURSDAY THOUGHT 10/23/08

October 23, 2008 on 11:48 am | By | In Motivational Thoughts | No Comments

Be Proud of Your Scars
 
I suspect the average person (being an average person myself) spends about 17.6% of the day thinking about what’s wrong with his or her body.  (I could be wrong, but I’m trying to err on the conservative side.)  They exercise, weigh themselves, watch what they eat, worry about their hair or the size of their feet, think about lasik surgery, liposuction, wrinkle smoothers, etc. 
 
Then there are those with a slower shuffle, hides like rhinos, and just the slightest twinkle-mixed-with-mourning light in their aging eyes, whose bodies are honest about where they’ve been and the things they’ve experienced.  Maybe they know that when they turn their bodies in at the end, they will not get their deposits back anyway, so why worry about it. 
 
My point?  Not sure.  Maybe just that life’s way too short to worry about buffing out every bumper scratch and fender dent.  Better yet, think of them like passport stamps that show where you’ve been.  So, enjoy the trip.  You’ve earned every nick and scar you’ve picked up along the way.  — jri
 
“Some people try to turn back their odometers.
Not me.  I want people to know why I look this
way.  I’ve traveled a long way and some of the
roads weren’t paved.”
        –    Will Rogers

WEDNESDAY THOUGHT 10/22/08

October 22, 2008 on 11:02 am | By | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments

Rusting Swords
 
Thank you.  One of the most wondrous transformations in my life has been from man of battle to man of prayer.  My nature is contentious, not so much quarrelsome as overwhelming, always up for a good challenge.  In the past, I saw life as won with the sword –  defending walls, overpowering enemies, saving loved ones from themselves and others.  Though I can still stare down an errant interloper (I like that phrase, thank you), I conquer mostly these days with compassion, caring, forgiveness and prayer. Or maybe I don’t conquer at all, and that’s fine with me.  
 
But here’s the best part, and the reason I opened with “thank you”:  It has been the prayers, life example, patience, compassion, honesty, openness, forgiveness, and spiritual strength of you — some whom I know face to face; others only in the spirit — that has shown me true strength, the kind that lets me lay aside my sword and trust in the gentle might and power that can come only from honest love, prayer and faith in the Lord.
 
My point?  Two of them, actually:  First, thank you for all your strengthening prayers.  They do make a difference, like spring rain on a planted seed.  Second, people do notice and garner strength from our imperfect faith strivings.  People do notice.  Be an example.  Be a beacon.  Be a lamb among wolves.  God bless.  — jri
 
“Go!  I am sending you out like lambs
among wolves.”
    –    Jesus Christ
           Luke 10:3
 
Special favor:  I have two daughters whose faith is just starting to emerge and unfold.  Please pray for these wobbly-legged Christians.  Thank you.  John R. Ingrisano

MONDAY THOUGHT 10/20/08

October 20, 2008 on 11:36 am | By | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments

Jesus Walked the Walk
 
Remember Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker?  In the name of God, they built up one bodacious empire (including a dog house with air conditioning on their estate).  Preachers with mansions?  It makes no sense.  Proclaiming the kingdom of God on one hand, while amassing power and wealth on the other.
 
Then there was/is Jesus.  Not only did He have the power to cure diseases and kick demons in the rear end, but he had a silver tongue.   Boy, could He preach.  When Jesus spoke, people listened.  He could have passed the plate and made out like a bandit.  But He didn’t.  And that’s one of the many reasons I believe in Him.  He never used His gifts and talents to carve off a slice of the pie or crown himself King Jesus.  He talked the talk and He walked the walk, giving away what He could have sold for a bundle.
 
The point:  Just that this Jesus fellow seems to be the real thing:  No gimmicks, no angles, no games.  Works for me.  I’ll walk with him .. and I’ll try to keep up.  — jri
 
“Foxes have dens and birds of the
sky have nests, but the Son of Man
has nowhere to rest his head.”
        –    Jesus Christ
               Luke 9:58     
 
Thanks for visiting my website today.  Feel free to roam around, read, leave comments.  Thanks and God bless. – John  R. Ingrisano

THURSDAY THOUGHT 10/16/08

October 16, 2008 on 11:17 am | By | In Motivational Thoughts | No Comments

Relationships Count
 
I come from a long line of tough, independent, annoyingly arrogant loners.  I’ve watched family members stand on pride and surrender relationships with loved ones; or struggle alone in crises against overwhelming odds, never blinking, never complaining; or not know how much others needed their support, understanding and compassion.
 
I was once that way.  (And, yes, touch the wrong nerve with me and my nostrils can still flair, my head snap up, and my eyes burn.)  But I also found being a hard-shelled, tough loner just doesn’t work:  Such souls may become the best at something, but they never reach their full potential as people.  That takes relationships.   
 
My point:  I’ve learned that life is like a three-legged race.  We need others to get along, and others need us.  The best part:  When we trip up and stumble, we get to laugh as we tumble, sharing the adventure and the bruises.  Enjoy others.  They are blessings.  — jri
 
“We are given power and resources
and influence for the benefit of others.”
        –    John Eldredge
               (The Way of The Wild Heart)

TUESDAY THOUGHT 10/14/08

October 14, 2008 on 11:45 am | By | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments

Transformations II
 
My faith is plodding.  I am a slogger along the mud-thick roads of belief.  But I know of transformations, of the impossible becoming possible — of homely, earthbound caterpillars becoming breathtakingly beautiful and graceful butterflies; of barren and snow-covered fields becoming riots of spring flowers; of the green leaves of summer trees exploding in rich fall colors.
 
I also know of people — lost souls by all counts, especially their own — touched by faith in “their season,” people who suddenly see, who are healed, who understand that life is a mystery that goes far, far beyond the clay and mire of what we see and “know” by science and theory.
 
My point:  Just imagine a transformation from caterpillar to Monarch butterfly; from a soul barren and cold landscape of one’s days changed to a rich cornucopia of life.  This IS what the world is about.  It IS what faith is about.  Just open your eyes and let it happen.  And rejoice in the transformation. — jri
 
“Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to
all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious
about anything, but in everything, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God.  And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.”
        –    St. Paul
               (Philippians 4:4-7)

MONDAY TH0UGHT 10/13/08

October 13, 2008 on 11:26 am | By | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments

Transformations
 
It seems to me that God is about Big-Bang changes, transformations even beyond an explosive chain reaction of massive proportions.
 
Picture Saul blinded by the light in a life-changing instant on the road to Damascus; or the violently mad “Legion” (tearing off his clothes and insanely roaming among the tombs) brought to immediate peace by a word from Jesus; or the self-destructive drug addict or alcoholic inspired to get clean and sober and help others reclaim their souls; or the countless individuals who finally “get it,” accept the gift of grace and faith in their lives and recognize that there is only one road worth traveling … and that is God’s way.
 
The point:  If there is one thing I’ve learned in this world, it is that God transforms, making the impossible possible.  Give Him your impossible, hopeless, lost problem.  And then step back, rejoice, and enjoy the quiet, transforming miracles that unfold.  Bang!  — jri
 
“When they came to Jesus, they found the man
from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at
Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and
they were afraid.”
        –    Luke 8:35

THURSDAY THOUGHT 10/9/08

October 9, 2008 on 9:00 am | By | In Faith & Forgiveness, Motivational Thoughts | No Comments

Innocence
 
The other morning, left briefly in charge of Riley, my six-week old granddaughter, I interrupted my reading to pick her up to stop her fussing.  I held her to my chest, lowered my lips to the top of her head and began singing in my low, off-key voice, as I slow-stepped around the room.
 
As I walked and sang, she immediately fell quiet.  I had made her safe, secure.  But just holding her had also brought calm to my soul, as well.  For me, not only did the crises, whirlwinds and battle scars of life fall back and dissolve, but time and distance gently blended together.  I was holding not just Riley, but also her mother, her Uncle Jonny, her Aunt Nicky (my own children so long ago and still), as well as her sister and cousins, my other grandchildren. 
 
My point?  Not sure.  But even as our children grow — as they go out and slay dragons and sometimes get charred medium-well for their efforts — they remain innocent, vulnerable, so very much in need of our love and comforting.  Can we still soothe them by holding them to our breasts?  If only we could.  But we can pray for them and never stop loving them … and make sure they know it.  God bless. — jri
 
“My Riley lies over the ocean.
My Riley lies over the sea.
My Riley lies over the ocean;
oh, bring back my Riley to me.
Bring back, bring back,
oh bring back my Riley to me, to me.
Bring back, bring back,
oh bring back my Riley to me, to me.”

MONDAY THOUGHT 10/6/08

October 6, 2008 on 12:02 pm | By | In Faith & Forgiveness | 2 Comments

God’s Doorknob
 
A woman I’d never met (the 48-year-old niece of an acquaintance) died recently of an overdose, after years of dealing (or failing to deal) with drug abuse.  I am going to guess (forgive me if I’m wrong), that she’d spent a lifetime struggling to find peace and genuine joy, rattling every doorknob in town looking for something that made sense beyond that first initial aha burst (such as super sports, workaholism, alcoholism, pick your poison).  If so, she’s not alone.  That would describe pretty much all of us.
 
It certainly would describe me in the past (and, yes, sometimes today, too).  But one thing I’ve learned over the years is that God’s way is not “A Way,” not just one more door to try among many.  It is “The Way.”  Big difference. 
 
The point?  Gently, patiently, lovingly, forgivingly — just keep pointing and reminding those we love, “Hey, why not try this doorknob?  If you like, I’ll go in with you.”  God bless, celebrate the joy of this day, and pray for those who are having trouble finding The Way.  — jri
 
“I am the light of the world.  Whoever
follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.”
        –    Jesus Christ (aka The Way)
               (John 8:12)

FRIDAY THOUGHT 10/3/08

October 3, 2008 on 8:26 am | By | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments

Swear to God!
 
Aha!  I got it.  Hurting or struggling?  Suffering or afraid?  Tired beyond weary?  Despondent beyond the belief that you will ever see a joyful day again.  Well, it’s not “God’s odds” or “God’s could-happens.”  It’s not that the blessings and joys and relief from suffering  just might take place. 
 
It’s God’s promise!  God’s word!  An unmistakable, sure thing.  The sun’s gonna rise in the morning, and God’s word is a swear-to-God promise, a guarantee. 
 
My point (albeit, so poorly expressed):  As Christians, it’s not about scientific evidence or two-to-one odds.  It’s not about show-me-the-money proof.  It’s about faith … faith beyond understanding … faith when we’ve run out of anything to believe in except God.  (And, yes, even when we’re not all that sure that God Himself hasn’t gone on vacation.)  So, today, celebrate that faith, no matter how weak or fearful it may seem.  Celebrate God’s promise. — jri
 
“Blessed are ye that weep now:
for ye shall laugh.”
        –    Jesus Christ
               (Luke 6:21)

THURSDAY THOUGHT 10/2/08

October 2, 2008 on 9:27 am | By | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments

“Why, Lord?”
 
Sometimes it just hurts — the man inconsolable after the death of a 40-year partner; the alcoholic who, again and again, fails at recovery and must live with profound and bitter self-hatred; the cancer sufferer who finds that nothing — no, nothing, and certainly not prayer — provides any relief from the torturous pain.
 
I have no brilliant answers.  But I do know that, having myself endured dark and hopeless loss in the past — pain and loss that just kept on coming and coming beyond belief and beyond endurance — for me, at least, it eventually ended, healed, turned to new joy.  Still, I have seen way too much raw suffering in recent days, and my comforting is little more than pathetic and ineffective “there there.”  
 
My point?  Little comfort, perhaps, but I suspect we all, at one time or another, voice the, “Why, Lord? question.  My comfort to those who suffer is small: that you are not alone, and that God does — He MUST, for all we believe — have a plan and a care and a purpose.   God bless and pray for all who suffer.  — jri
 
“And he said unto me, My grace
is sufficient for thee: for my
strength is made perfect in
weakness.”  
    –    St. Paul

WEDNESDAY THOUGHT 10/1/08

October 1, 2008 on 10:47 am | By | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments

Beginnings
 
I love beginnings, do-overs, second chances, and I believe we get as many as we want. 
 
Matthew (aka Levi), on a two-word request from Jesus, turned his back on a lucrative business and a fair amount of wealth (he was a tax collector) and became a devoted follower, never looking back.
 
My point:  Today is a new day.  It is also the start of a new month, as well as the beginning of the fourth quarter of the year.  Go ahead, take your new beginning, and enjoy the transformation. — jri
 
“After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax
collector by the name of Levi sitting at his
tax booth.  ‘Follow me,’ Jesus said to him,
and Levi got up, left everything and
followed him.”
        –    Luke 5:27-28

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