Archive for August, 2009

MONDAY THOUGHT 8/31/09

August 31, 2009 on 12:06 pm | By John Ingrisano | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments
The Power of Silence
 
One of my personal principles to which I try to adhere is to never discuss politics with people who do not agree with me.  Though I’m not always successful, I give it a good shot.  Sometimes silence is the best response. 
 
It’s the same with faith.  Nobody ever argued and “logicked” a person into belief.  On the other hand, though, I do make it clear that I am a man of faith and I will be glad to do my best to share my belief with anyone who is interested.  Occasionally, I have found, the curious or intrigued seek me out in private.   
 
My point:  Let your actions speak.  They are very often more powerful than any words.  — jri
 
“Then the high priest stood up before them
and asked Jesus, ‘Are you not going to
answer?  What is this testimony that these
men are bringing against you?’  But Jesus
remained silent and gave no answer.”
    –    Mark 14:60-61

THURSDAY THOUGHT 8/27/09

August 27, 2009 on 11:33 am | By John Ingrisano | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments
Simple Faith
 
The first time I met the Rt. Rev. Russell E. Jacobus, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac, I liked him.  Maybe it was because when I asked how I should address him, he shrugged and replied, “Bishop … or Russ.”  Since then, I’ve not only grown to like the Bishop, but to admire him, mostly for his simplicity, evidenced to me in two of what I call “snapshot moments.”
 
The first time I met with the Bishop, I was blown away by his office.  Ornate?  Pompous?  Just the opposite!  I had trouble finding it, around the back of a modest four-plex office building.  He and his staff of two were shoe-horned into a suite not much bigger than a living room.  (And when we headed out to lunch, he scooped up a two-for-one coupon from his desk.) 
 
But several weeks ago, while he celebrated mass at our small church in Sturgeon Bay, I saw more of why I admire him.  While distributing Communion, he knelt down to eye level with the young children as he blessed them.  Not that he’s old and decrepit, but (how can I say this, Russ, without getting excommunicated?) he is a “mature” man.  Still, he knelt before perhaps half a dozen children that morning, looked them in the eyes, and gently blessed them. 
 
My point:  I tend to believe that any connection between faith and religion is almost coincidental.  However, with the Right Reverend Russell E. Jacobus, it is a comfortable and faith-affirming reality.  He gently talks the talk and softly walks the walk.  Many of us, especially me, could learn a few lessons from this man.- jri
 
“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve
and said, ‘If anyone wants to be first, he
must be the very last, and the servant of
all.’
“He took a little child and had him stand
among them.  Taking him in his arms, he
said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes one of
these little children in my name welcomes
me; and whoever welcomes me does not
welcome me but the one who sent me.’”
 
        –    Mark 9: 35-37
 
Take a few minutes today to remember those special people in your life who guided you, protected you, loved you, instructed you and inspired you.  If they are still among the living, contact them; if they are not, say a special prayer for them.  God bless.
John Ingrisano
DailyConnections
204 Lakeview Drive
Algoma, WI 54201
(920) 559-3722

MONDAY THOUGHT 8/24/09

August 24, 2009 on 11:36 am | By John Ingrisano | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments

Guardian Angels
 
My cousin Karen and I see each other rarely, live perhaps 600 miles apart, and yet take very good care of each other.  We weren’t close as children, (She referred to me as Johnny the Terror; something I never understood.) but we reconnected at our favorite uncle’s memorial service perhaps a decade or so ago. 
 
Since then, we have grown close, like brother and sister, lovingly watching over each over.  During difficult times, we engage in a wondrous habit of support and love — we share our guardian angels, sending them to watch over and help each other. Though I suspect our angels get in more childhood-chum mischief together than they do attend to their appointed jobs, they mostly provide solace and support when needed.  Most of all, it’s a wonderful comfort to know that they — and a far away cousin — are there and caring.
 
My point:  I don’t have a clue.  Maybe it’s that our jobs on this earth are to be each other’s guardian angels, to take care of and watch over each other, to serve and protect each other.  Works for me.  Have a joyful, blessed day, and know you are watched over and loved … always. — jri
 
“If you make the Most High your dwelling –
    even the most high, who is my refuge –
then no harm will befall you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways.”
        –    Psalm 91:9-11
 
Prayers matter.  God listens.  So, please pray for all who struggle with illness, loneliness, emotional pain, and financial troubles.  God bless.
 
John Ingrisano
DailyConnections
204 Lakeview Drive
Algoma, WI 54201
(920) 559-3722

TUESDAY THOUGHT 8/18/09

August 18, 2009 on 12:02 pm | By John Ingrisano | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments

 

Community of Faith
 
I know a fellow who eschews church.  “Just a building,” he says.  “I find God in the Wisconsin woods.” Well, I enjoy solitude and nature, as well, but I gain strength from the community of faithful, especially within the House of God.  In fact, I’ve grown to love church — the rituals, the service and the very place itself, but especially the people … the clay-footed, sometimes broken people who have figured out that there is no medicine, no well-written book, no fine-vintage wine, no place of nature’s grandeur … nothing that can compare. 
 
Last Friday evening, I dragged my whining, complaining self to a gathering of a very special faith community that had welcomed me about two years ago.  As we sat in church and prayed and sang (yes, on a Friday night!), the pain and ego-centric anxiety (always, always, the ego) dissolved, surrounded by a group of men and women intent of serving the Lord — with openness, honesty, faith, doubts, worries, pain and pure joy — as best they can.  Nothing changed outside, but faith as real as the pew in which I sat filled the air.   
 
My point:  We were not meant to fly solo in this world.  The community of faith strengthens us.  Savor it.  Cherish it.  Enjoy it.  – jri
 
“I rejoiced with those who said to me,
    ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’
Our feet are standing
    in your gates, O Jerusalem.
            –    King David
                   (Psalm 122:1-2)

MONDAY THOUGHT 8/17/09

August 17, 2009 on 12:04 pm | By John Ingrisano | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments
Faith & Thought
 
One of the many things I love about being an Episcopalian (aka Catholic Lite; aka Anglican with an Attitude) is that I don’t have to check my brain at the door.  Plus, I can be the same stiff-necked, clay-footed yahoo on Sunday morning that I was on Saturday night.  (No, these aren’t my thoughts, but garnered from things I’ve heard, read and witnessed.)
 
No, I am not advertising for or promoting Episcopalianism (which I tend to misspell three out of four times, making me wish sometimes I were a Baptist, but never a Presbyterian).  However, I am a man who will not surrender my mind or common sense just to fit into the church pew with my fellow worshipers.  I insist on the right to doubt, to question, to wonder, and best of all, to ponder long and often how the combo of open-hearted faith merges and fits with clear-headed reason.  I hope (and tend to think)  that God is okay with this.  In fact, I believe (and logically conclude) that it most likely leads to a more vigorous, spiritual, honest church. 
 
My point:  To my way of thinking and feeling, doubt and questioning is just as much an honest, legit form of prayer as kneeling and submitting blindly to the will of God.  So, at the risk of stirring up the ire of the angels, saints and all the hierocracy, I will spend part of this day in prayer, study and rigorous theological debate.  God bless and enjoy the many ponderous blessings of this beautiful day. — jri
 
“Faith matters only if it coincides
with truth.”
        –    Jonathan Morris
               (The Promise)
 

THURSDAY THOUGHT 8/13/09

August 13, 2009 on 5:51 pm | By John Ingrisano | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments
Tragedies & Blessings
 
I heard on the news today that a young man, in an apparent suicide, plunged to his death from a UW Green Bay building this morning.  My heart broke for the pain that led him to take his own life, as well as for his family.  Nothing — absolutely nothing — should ever be that dire as to lead to such despair!  Bad times end.  Pain abates.  Broken hearts heal.  Lush, green spring always follows even the coldest, bleakest winter … always.
 
If any good can come out of this tragedy, maybe it’s to help the rest of us put our challenges in perspective.  As some of you know, I’ve been locked in what seems like a winner-take-all, best two-out-of-3,000 arm-wrestling contest with God for weeks now.  I’ll spare you the details, but I have found myself worrying and getting frustrated (more like furious) over God’s apparent lack of attention to my situation. 
 
And yet, today, as I asked myself what could have prompted that young man to take his own life … my own words echoed in my ears.  “Okay, God, good point.  Your problems aren’t that bad.  Stop complaining.”  And then, to my total delight, I also heard from one of my daughters and my daughter-in-law this morning.  Joyful, cheerful, warm conversations.  I cherish my blessings.  God, you win … oh, and thanks for the challenges.  I’ll try to take them more in stride from here on. — jri       
 
“Don’t be afraid.  Just believe.”
        –    Jesus Christ
               (Mark 5:36)
 
Please keep all of us who struggle (and I suspect that’s pretty much all of us) in your prayers.  God is counting on us to take care of each other.  God bless you. 

TUESDAY THOUGHT 8/11/09

August 11, 2009 on 12:08 pm | By John Ingrisano | In Faith & Forgiveness, Motivational Thoughts | No Comments
Prayer for Those Seeking Work
 
No attempt at inspiration today.  Just a prayer request.  As the economy struggles and strains, more and more people are out of work.  Many many more fear they will end up in the next round of layoffs.  Most carry their terror quietly. 
 
There is nothing like the gut-wrenching fear  and feeling of helplessness of not knowing how one will pay the bills; of waking up in the middle of the night in a cold, desperate sweat; of calling out to God … but sensing that God is nowhere to be found. 
 
Pray for these men and women and their families, not just that they will find work, but also that they will have faith to accept (if not understand) that God is never far away and always knows what He is doing … and what He is doing is always good. God bless.  — jri
 
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
    establish the work of our hands for us –
    yes, establish the work of our hands.”
            –    Moses
                   Psalm 90:17

FRIDAY THOUGHT 8/7/09

August 7, 2009 on 11:55 am | By John Ingrisano | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments
The Carefree Christian?
 
Life was much, much easier during my carefree, pleasure-seeking heathen days.  No, I didn’t say it was more satisfying … just easier.  This Christian stuff, this committing myself to follow the Good News of the Good Lord … well, it’s a lot of work.  It’s a lock ‘n load commitment, with a long battle ahead. 
 
Sure, there’s the joy of seeing the path to follow and believing in its rightness, as well as knowing (most, much, some of the time) that it’s really the only path that makes sense.  But it also sets us up to fail, to miss the mark and come up short.  It strips away the delusion of our (okay, my) arrogant self-image and makes it darn near impossible to lie to ourselves.  I’m stuck with not only being the clay-footed, stiff-necked Christian that I am, but  of also honestly recognizing that fellow when I look in the mirror.  There are days when, facing a ton of challenges, belief itself is the biggest challenge
 
My point:  We all struggle to believe and to follow the way of The Lord.  But failing or falling short, while inevitable, is not all bad.  It’s a growing process, and God understands our lack of perfection.  So, celebrate and enjoy the gift that is today.  — jri
 
“It is in the very struggle between belief
and unbelief that growth takes place.  A
complacent faith is a dying faith.  There
is always a new and grander horizon in
the journey of faith.  Believe what you
are able and ask the Lord’s help for the
rest.”
        –    Meditation for Friday, August
               7th, 2009, Forward Day by
               Day (Forward Movement;
               www.forwardmovement.org)  
 

THURSDAY THOUGHT 8/6/09

August 6, 2009 on 11:26 am | By John Ingrisano | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments
Unbelievable!
 
You can’t make this stuff up.  A man who walks on water, feeds thousands of people from an empty pantry, cures lifelong illnesses with just a touch and a prayer.  And never passes the collection plate for a single dime!  Come on. 
 
Oh, and don’t forget his bumbling, can’t-ever-seem-to-get-it-right sidekicks … especially the brash, rash Peter, my favorite example of hot-and-cold running faith gone awry.  I’ve often said that if I were to write this story, I’d clean it up, make it much more believable.  (At the very least, I’d put in a chapter or two about how Peter eventually found his groove, went out to talk the talk and walk the walk … and eventually even die the death for what he came to believe.)  But what do I know?
 
I know that this story of Jesus and the disciples is way too honest and unflattering to be a tale spun by guys with too much time on their hands and wine in their bellies.  To me, that makes this story very, very believable.  Its raw, sometimes inconsistent honesty works for me.  — jri
 
“We did not follow cleverly invented
stories when we told you about the
power and coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ, but we were eyewitnesses to
his majesty.  For he received honor
and glory from God the Father when
the voice came to him from the Majestic
Glory, saying, ‘This is my son, whom
I love; with him I am well pleased.’
We ourselves heard this voice that
came from heaven when we were with
him on the sacred mountain.”
        –    St. Peter (that stumbling, bumbling apostle)
               (2 Peter 1:16-18)
 
Please pray for all who struggle and wrestle with their belief (which is probably all of us at times), and for those who have emotional or physical pain (again, I suspect that would include most of us).  God bless.  
John Ingrisano
DailyConnections
204 Lakeview Drive
Algoma, WI 54201
(920) 559-3722

WEDNESDAY THOUGHT 8/5/09

August 5, 2009 on 12:28 pm | By John Ingrisano | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments
The Deserving Christian
 
In spite of what I know and believe, I tend to think that God will give me everything  I want — like a spoiled kid in a candy store – if I just behave myself long enough.  I even think in terms of God “testing” me.  (If I do it right, do I get a gold star?)  In the end, I have to admit that I am too often more interested in what’s in it for me than what God has in store for me … even though (and you’d think I’d get it right after all these years) I have no idea what I truly WANT and even less of what I truly NEED.
 
On the other hand, when I focus on what God wants from me and trust that He truly does know what He is doing, all the best and most wondrous things come flowing to me.  Sure, they never look anything like what I was thinking about, but that’s okay — they’re always, ultimately, much, much better.
 
My point:  A bit garbled, I know, but at least for me, I need to stop working on my wish list and just let God surprise me.  After all, if I believe that God is good, then I also have to believe that he is good ALL the time (and not some moody, bi-polar deity).  So, I’m going to go out and enjoy this day like no other (because there never was nor will be any other like it).  No test.  No gold stars.  Just the gift of a beautiful day meant to be enjoyed, appreciated and shared.  – jri
 
“As long as a man is thinking of God as
an examiner who has set him a sort of
paper to do, or as the opposite party in a
sort of bargain — as long as he is thinking
of claims and counter-claims between
himself and God — he is not yet in the
right relation with Him.”
        –    C.S. Lewis
               (Mere Christianity)
 

TUESDAY THOUGHT 8/4/09

August 4, 2009 on 11:42 am | By John Ingrisano | In Faith & Forgiveness | No Comments

God of Bread & Good Times?

“More bread!  More Miracles! Gimme!  Gimme!  Gimme!”  It seems to me that one of the great differences between Jesus Christ and the great gaggle of publicity-seeking politicians and self-promoters — then and now — is that He promised us tough times.

But wait, there’s more!  Besides the fact that Jesus is God (take it on faith or not) and that He actually seemed/seems to care about us plug-ugly, stiff-necked humans (sorry, but we’re not always charming), here’s the most reassuring difference:  Jesus Christ led the way.  He didn’t say, “Go ahead.”  He said, “Follow me.”  He wasn’t a general giving orders from the bunker or a politician living high on the hog while telling the people what they needed to do. Jesus led the charge, showed the way, talked the talk and walked the walk. 

My point:  We follow Jesus because of a bigger promise than good times and an easy life.  If you get it, just nod, smile and say, “uh huh.”  If not, gotta wonder, eh?  Why would anybody follow this promise of tough times and sacrifice?  Keep looking and God bless. — jri

“He then began to teach them that
the Son of Man must suffer many
things and be rejected by the elders,
chief priests and teachers of the law,
and that he must be killed and after
three days rise again.”
    –    Mark 8:31

Please keep in your prayers all those who suffer illness and emotional pain and worry, that they may see the glory of God in their suffering.  Thank you.
John Ingrisano
DailyConnections

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