Very often we rush to offer and show our clean, pretty, manicured, beautified, Facebook self. But God will have none of that. Only a real, transparent, open and strong relationship with God will produce miracles.
Listen to this week’s insightful message of hope and clarity accompanied by original piano music.
Secretary/Treasurer
Janice is not only meticulous in reviewing records and requests for Scriptures, but her eyes well-up with joyful tears when you ask her about all the letters she has received from the thousands of Bible recipients over the years. She loves gardening and listening to the earth; her life is like a long stroll through an intriguing and engaging nature center.
Board Member
Grateful for an amazing group of friends and a life that has been blessed and enriched by so many, Andrea brings a deep joy and dedication to the mission of CityOfAgape. She is detail-oriented and uses her experience and foresight to proactively address the needs of those around her. When you speak with Andrea, you feel like you’re the only one in the room.
Secretary/Treasurer
Every day, for nine months, an intermittent light rain falls in Seattle, Washington. Those days are brightened by the warm smile and hopeful outlook on life that Angelyn brings to every encounter. Her financial expertise and engaging conversation has ensured great things ahead for CityOfAgape. Her life is filled with a constant welcome that is focused and friendly.
President
Jacqueline’s life epitomizes hard work, creative service and complete dedication, not only to CityOfAgape, but also to her husband, Joshua, and her beautiful children. Her smile, even when things are difficult, is refreshing and comforting. In most currently used English dictionaries, under the word “energy,” you will find Jacqueline’s picture.
Board Member
Everyone needs to have a Ray “Redfish” for a friend or at least to meet one like him before you leave the planet. He has never been known to interrupt a single person, say an unkind thing, although he did come close during the last Dallas Cowboy game, or leave any food on his plate. Ray wants to live in a world where Jesus is Lord, life is sacred, and blessings never end.
Board Member
Father David comes from the land of Iowa where you can get sunburn and frostbite all in the same week. He has the mind of an architect and the soul of a musician. Father David has given his heart to Jesus and truly lives in the Kingdom. An accomplished guitarist, drummer, phenomenal preacher, he has the voice of a baritone angel. His prayers are powerful and his humor, well… it’s Iowan.
Board Member
Father James’ priestly service has taken him to four different countries, many parish settings, and in contact with more friends that rivals most politicians. One of his favorite quotes is by G.K. Chesterton, “Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair.” If there are sounds of a lively discussion, mixed with hearty laughter and the aroma of a good cigar, Father James can’t be too far way.
Founder and President Emeritus
The minute John walks through the door, your IQ goes up. He embodies the remarkable talent of grasping the bigger picture while juggling multiple points of view, in a world where many are very one-sided. Always happy, even when he is sad, John is ready to challenge and comfort all in the same breath. Where some only see problems, John sees the bright promise of tomorrow. His inspiration and memory will outlast his years on earth. John always says, “there are always miracles where there is great love.”
I remember going to confession in 2004 for the first time in a very long time. I wanted to give a very thorough confession even though I was terrified of exposing years of hidden sin. I even had written these things down on paper so I wouldn’t forget anything. It was difficult and embarrassing but I did it, and my awesome confessor carried me through it with love, compassion and the warmest smile. Jesus didn’t see a monster. He saw a repentant soul filled with contrition, and I could feel His love and forgiveness way beyond anything I ever deserved. Thank you Jesus for healing us, for transforming us and for loving us even when we fall down again and again. Thank you for all of your Sacraments which make us more like You!
This was simply beautiful and insightful all rolled up into one beautiful inspirational message! Thank you so much for sharing. May our lives be blessed with the One who loves us forever!
God looks past our inner “ugliness” and shapes us into something holy in spite of it. He has shown time and time again that it is the frail, the broken, and the fallen that have risen to inspire and further his kingdom. Look at Moses, David, and Paul. All were murderers but were exalted because they acknowledged their brokenness. We have to do the same.
Welcome back, Ron and thank you so much! Absolutely! God does indeed look past, through and beyond our own imperfections and challenges us to see what the world refuses to witness so that we can be awesome Children of the Father. Knowing that we serve such a Loving God impels us to be kind and loving to others especially those who attempt to make our lives miserable. Some believe that nothing is more important than that you see and love the beauty that is right in front of you, or else you will have no defense against the ugliness that will hem you in and come at you in so many ways. The grace of Jesus allows us to successfully navigate through this world and find true and lasting peace. God bless you always!
I needed a moment to reflect on this podcast. I am currently struggling with a disorder that makes me feel abnormal on the inside. I grew up always thinking that something was wrong with me until my church youth group invited me in with open arms. No longer did I feel like an outcast. I was right where I belonged. When you have that time in your life of feeling loved and accepted, you want to hang on to it with all your heart. As friends tend to do, my youth group friends and I grew apart and started our own separate journeys and again, I felt alone and an outcast. After years of searching to fill this void of wanting to be loved, I found my way back to the church through my now-husband and his parents. The void wasn’t filled immediately or overnight, for I had internal demons that had nested inside me over the years and was too ashamed to return to the church, much less feel as though I belonged. As an adult, I felt a different form of heartache and the crushing blows of depreciation only heightened with every time I looked away from the church. A very dear friend of mine once told me, “the closer you are to God, the harder the devil will work to keep you away from Him.” Remembering this, it took many tears, prayers, and pain, but I finally made it back to the doors of the church; and this time, I had done it on my own. I saw my wall breaking down as I stepped foot into my old home, my Father’s house. Before I took another step, I asked silently, “will You have me as I am?” Moments later, a warmth filled my heart that I hadn’t felt in many years… the void was filling. And it continues to fill more and more with each passing day. For every day that I am living in the moments He had blessed me, I will never feel like an outcast again. Thank you for your words. Looking forward to the next podcast.
We are so moved and likewise encouraged by your comments and response to our latest podcast, “The Hidden Self.” Many of readers have remarked through other venues that they have felt so similar in the ways that you have described your own experiences. This may be because all of us face, at one time or another or through someone we love, have had to face issues of abandonment, rejection, separation, and horrible irrational fears. It seems that only when we are truly accepted and love for who we are, and when we are allowed to express our feelings in a comfortable and loving environment, we meet Jesus who loves us completely, entirely, and eternally. When we experience this kind of healing, we can only find in our hearts the desire to “pass it on” to others we meet along this journey of life. Thank you so very much for sharing with us today. You are indeed a blessing to all you meet.
“The recovery task for this stage is to take hold of yourself one moment at a time, to recognize that you are a separate person, a fully capable adult, responsible for your own self-care. It is no one else’s responsibility to meet your emotional needs; only you can do that. Emotional self-reliance involves accepting the intense feelings of the experience, taking stock of your present reality, and assuring yourself that you will survive.”
― Susan Anderson
Praise God for the Hidden Self, a true reminder of the honesty and courage God asks of us in order to have that intimacy with him. We all have imperfections that one time or another make us feel like a leper or like the elephant man. Thank God for those blessed souls, who in the image of Jesus, minister to us in spite of our imperfections.
How beautifully stated, Margie! “Praise God for the Hidden Self!” And how wonderful it is that He sends us people who love us and minister to us, “warts and all!” These are the true diamonds in our lives and those for whom the promise of Heaven is so much more evident. Thank you for reminding us that honesty and courage are prerequisites to find and experience intimacy with God. May all of our journeys find the the hope, progress, and destination with the living, beating Heart of Jesus!
“God’s unconditional love is a very difficult concept for people to accept because, in the world, there’s always payment for everything we receive. It’s just how things work here. But God is not like people.” –Joyce Meyer
I love this! With God we have nothing to fear. Once a person can face their truth, it will feel like a heavy weight was lifted off of them. I know this from experience. Life will be better with each new day. We need to trust God and not worry about how others perceive us.
On behalf of all of our readership, thank you, Cindy, for your comments and reflection in response to our latest podcast. It is one of the most liberating of all truths that once someone faces the ugly, difficult, embarrassing even regretful moments of their life, real freedom is achieved and life can be lived openly, joyfully, and without any remorse. Trusting God is the way to start, continue, and end. God bless you and all your family!
A responsible warrior is not someone who takes the weight of the world on his shoulders, but someone who has learned to deal with the challenges of the moment. Paulo Coelho
We can hide our problems or feelings from our family, friends or neighbors but we can’t hide from Jesus! He knows every strand of hair on our head.
As I closed my eyes to listen to this beautiful story, I imagined Jesus holding His Hand out asking for my hand. Asking me to get closer to Him in reconciliation. Once I’m honest with Jesus and myself then I have nothing to hide from my family, friends or neighbors.
Thank you so much, Julie. Yes, indeed Jesus is holding our hand more than we could ever imagine. His love is completely liberating. Let us spread his message to all we meet this week.
“Facing your fears robs them of their power.”
Wow! Sometimes I think these are speaking directly to me and created for me. Lol! I’ve recently deleted my Facebook because I’ve learned I need to heal myself from all the hurt, pain and anger throughout my life. I’ve tried to bury it so deep so I wouldn’t have to deal with it. But I know in order to move forward in life for the better I have to face my demons head on.
Thank you for this!!!!
Very, very excellent, Margo, and thank you for sharing your thoughts with all of us! If anything in this life, we must hear the voice that asks us to be fearless, to have and develop the courage to take risks and go where there are no guarantees. The only way we will ever grow is to bravely leave our comfort zone even if it means being uncomfortable.
“Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing.”
Thank you for this beautiful reflection! It serves as a reminder to remain true to ourselves, and not true to our broken selves. Each day is a new beginning, and a new opportunity to look deep within and find all that is not of God. We must be willing to confront those seeds of darkness in order to overcome them. Each day is a new opportunity to strive to become who God, not society, intended for us to be. May God have mercy on us!
Good morning, Sandy, and welcome back to these pages. Our readers are always encouraged when others add to the dialogue about the issues and themes presented in our Inspirational Posts and Podcasts. You serve the Truth when you wrote that each day is a new beginning, and a new opportunity to look deep within and find all that is not of God. So many do not know how to do this or even struggle with issues for which they think there is no remedy. A life lived unexamined and unaware goes awry quickly. Self-knowledge paired with self-love embued with the Holy Spirit is the perfect recipe for happiness. May God continue to guide and inspire you always!
“One has to beckon the spiritual warrior inside oneself whenever it is deemed necessary for the task at hand. Courage is the fuel. Healing is the direction. Forgiveness is the balm. Love is the atmosphere Divine.”
― Donna Goddard
That was beautiful and a great apology of how the world sees each other today..The perfect manicured self..It is absolutely the truth the the true self is hidden..Thank you for this reflection and may we all have a blessed week
Thank you, Abel, for sharing your thoughts with us and all of our readers. The hidden self is the most delicate, most protected, and yet the most revealing of any one of us. The more we make peace with that part of ourselves, the more we find happiness in this life. May we all have a great and blessed week!
“Your suffering needs to be respected. Don’t try to ignore the hurt, because it is real. Just let the hurt soften you instead of hardening you. Let the hurt open you instead of closing you. Let the hurt send you looking for those who will accept you instead of hiding from those who reject you.”
― Bryant McGill