Most common instances people remember God

Most common instances people only remember to use God in their life:
1. Attend Sunday Mass or service for 1 hour or less
2. For Baptism or Dedication ceremonial rites for their child
3. Prayer before any party meals
4. For their wedding ceremonial rites
5. For the success of their school exams or licensure
6. For the success of their job and/or immigration application
7. For material needs/wants
8. Of course, if they get sick, in any trouble, dying or any near death-related experiences

“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth." (Mark 10: 20-22)

Who needs God when everything's good?

People Prefer Friends' Cupcake than God's Creme Brulee

Last year, just out of curiosity, I whimsically tallied the number of attendance I invited people to our birthday party, house warming, and other social gatherings, and also tallied the number of attendance I invited people to church-related activities such as prayer meetings, recollections/retreats, Christian concerts and the like. Well, to no surprise, the percentage results are... (are you ready?)

About 99.7% = attendance to birthday party and other social get-together invitations.
As to attendance to church-related activities invitation? A peewee 17% .

Huge and far contrast. Not even close, wait... not even half-close.
Especially when you are already here in America (where time with God seems to be hidden somewhere in their kitchen cupboards).

I have been to these "invitating" circumstances long enough to know that excuses would be coming (valid or invalid it may be). So it's not surprising. All of a sudden, somebody got sick, or all of a sudden somebody threw a party on the other side; Suddenly somebody got motivated to do their paperwork that's been piling up for weeks or somebody remembers to do house chores or pack luggage to go on a vacation trip or play sports. All of a sudden, people got real busy! Some would just simply flash the "silent treatment" card, or try be indifferent, pretend phones were turned off or pretend they didn't read the message or didn't get the invitation soon enough.

This is not a question of how bad my methods were in inviting people to attend Christian-based activities, you don't need to go to college to learn how to invite people to birthday parties and baby showers or any other leisure or sports activities, yet people shows up almost 100% of the time. All of a sudden, people got some time back in their hands once again! Perhaps they even felt bad or anxious if they wouldn't make it to their friends' birthday parties or social dine-outs, perhaps they are worried the celebrant would be offended.

Thankfully, our God is not a vindictive God. Good thing He does not take back all the blessings He has been giving you and continues to give you all this time: your health, your family, your time, your money to buy that new grill, new basketball or tennis rack, party balloons, burgers, sodas, 60 inch LED's in preparation and showing for your house parties. Never mind the fact that you don't spend more time giving Him more of your time in return. He never expects you to, He just and will keep on giving, hoping until the time you will also come to your senses. The question is: When will you?


"Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21)

I don't think this is a Church Seminar. One thing for sure, the attendance was wild and jam packed!

Nothing has Change

For more than 2000 years, human personalities are still the same as today. Although Jesus came down on earth to heal the sick, gave sight to the blind, took the pharisees to school and redeemed the world by dying on the cross to save our sins, mankind never learned, never listened. We still continue to do the same things all over again, no matter how the Catholic church, or the saints or your priest/pastor or your parents and Christian friends would preach, no matter how they evangelize, give alms to the poor, help the needy, comfort the brokenhearted, inspire the unmotivated, educate the spiritually illiterate, invite the un-church. Men and women remain indifferent, ashamed, cynical, critical, skeptical. They still mock, disobey, question, cherry-picks or modify the teachings of the church to suit to their own comfort and lifestyles the same way Jesus' crowds did 2000 years ago. Worldly affairs and views in this world they live in are enough for them until they die.

The question is: Are you part of this statistics? Time to change.

"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24)

Stephen Tulloch of the Detroit Lions mocking Outspoken Christian Tim Tebow after sacking him.

The Church of Nursing Homes and Assisted Living

Haven't anyone notice that when you go to church (assuming you are), the predominant congregation are in the geriatric age group? You could hear walkers screeching on the aisle. Grey hairs surrounding the pews like pompoms. Stooping postures lining up for communion.

It's a sad reality, but unfortunately, many of the young and able treat God only as a vending machine. He is only needed when one is hungry and thirsty physically or emotionally or financially.

Don't wait until you are old or sick or disabled, dying or poor then that's the moment you spend more time with Him. You feel you are good for now--no need to complicate life, just don't come looking for Him nor blame Him when your circumstances turn sour (humanly speaking).

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

 

Man in the Mirror

Are you familiar with the late MJ's song, "Man in the Mirror"? If you are, hold that thought for a sec.

Whenever you read or hear stuff from friends reminding you to prioritize spiritual life than work or leisure; whenever they invite you to attend prayer groups or other church-related activities; whenever you read various spiritual quotes and sayings on social media such as Facebook, Myspace, etc., instead of passing the buck back at them and judging them as hypocrites or holier-than-thou's, weird, geeks or religious nuts; instead of making up excuses to those persons who are trying to help you get to heaven together; why not give yourself a chance, why not "take a look at yourself", how are you doing in your spiritual practice and "make that change"? And see what happens. No matter how nice you think you are, whether you'll admit it or not, everybody has the tendency to hide their heads in the sand and be selfish about their time and talent which was given to them by God in the first place.

I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer

If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place

Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change

"You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." (St. Augustine) 

don't be like this guy, take some responsibility!

Inconvenient Truth

There is one simple reason why a lot of people are not following what their faith teaches them to do; why a lot of people are questioning their faith; why a lot of people are dismissing the church's views as outdated, old-fashioned; why a lot of people acted as if they know better than the collective church philosophers, theologians and saints of the past 2000 years; why are people so indifferent, or proud and arrogant to question Christ and His followers of men and women without hesitation and effort to understand...

Simple. We find the teachings of Christ and the church inconvenient for us, whether you admit it or not.

So. Choose your priority. God or your comfort zone?

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me... What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose their own soul?" (Luke 9:23, 25)