How to leave your worries at the comfort cross. We all need a reminder at times to be more prayerful.  Many of us spend our days worrying, when we can leave our worries at the comfort cross. Recently I came across a creative person with an Etsy shop. I have seen Etsy shops, even have the app on my phone. Yet there was always hesitancy to invest in others dreams. I found one item that really was creative and thoughtfully made.The Comfort Cross by Perfectly Loved Creations was that one that caught my eye. After several conversations with the artist who was more than patient with me. I decided to take a gamble and place an order of crosses as gifts. I ordered four crosses in total. One for my father-in-laws upcoming baptism. One for my mother-in-laws birthday. One for my bride and even one for myself. Each cross was detailed with their individual colors and scriptures. Even with all the details, I was still a bit nervous. When I received the crosses as promised and on time. I could not wait to open them, I had to be discrete as three of them were the gifts. They were beautiful, each with a handwritten note from their creator. Each piece that I had made was not only crafted with love, but prayed over for the person receiving it. Sharing God’s love through handmade, customized comfort crosses. Click To Tweet I gave my wife hers on Easter, that way I could openly use my own as well. A couple of days […]

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We all strive in finding the root of passion find that passion or zeal in our own lives.
When you talk to someone with a dream, they usually tell it with passion. If you come across someone with a gift they like to share, they are considered passionate.
Did you know that the Latin root of passion is patis, which means suffering. Why on earth would passion and suffering be related? Then again the Passion of Christ was the largest suffering anyone could encounter.
Think of this week, the week we call Holy week. On Palm Sunday you likely heard the story called the Passion. There are performances and movies that depict the passion of Jesus. He truly did suffer and humble himself to become man, take on our sins and be crucified for us. Out of passion?
When we give of ourselves for others. Chase a dream through sleepless nights. Humbly serve our brethren. We too find our passion. It is through our dying unto ourselves that others may live.
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion,
some compassion, some humor, and some style. ~ Maya Angelou
People in hospitals are called patients, also the root is patis , and they are those who are also suffering. When we show signs of patience we suffer in silence for others. All these have the same root but numerous meanings. The patience it takes as we chase down our passion in turn can bring

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Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Lenten season marking the beginning of a 40 day journey of Ashes, Abstinence, Fasting and Penance.

Many Christians are under the belief that these 40 days are a new diet. They give up chocolate, sweets, caffeine and more. It is really not the time to join Weight Watchers. This is not a make up period for your broken New Year’s resolutions. Rather than concerning ourselves with simple atonement that others might notice. Better we do penance for our sins than continue breaking God’s heart.

“Wherever you are in the spiritual life, Jesus Christ wants to encounter you right there and take you further…” ~ Steve Bollman

If we spend these 40 days in reflection and prayer.

Take time each day to investigate our own hearts.
Start a conversation with your Heavenly Father.
Focus on forgiveness, not only of others but your own.
We are all broken sinners that by God’s Grace and healing we can be made new. Beginning a path to spiritual newness and donning the armor of our faith. We can begin to live a life of sacrificial service and fortitude. As men we are challenged by temptations throughout our life. Lent is a prime opportunity to wage war against the three main temptations.

The Temptation of the Flesh – sins like pride, greed, lust, anger, envy, sloth and gluttony (Deadly Sins)
The Temptation of the World – pursuits of the material world through power and prestige and ‘to rule over others’.
The Temptation of the Devil – outlets like the media, movies, t.v. and more that work hard to persuade us to live without the presence of God.

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