Risk it all and Follow Jesus

by David Lins  |  06/30/2019  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

This week’s Gospel reading wraps up with Jesus saying, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

That is a heavy statement. It implies quite a risk. You could lose everything you had yesterday if you go to work for Him today. He is asking us to go “all in” on Him.

Let’s take a moment to ponder “everything.” It includes our profession, our retirement account, our check book, our reputation, our health, our hurts, our hopes, our families, our security, our pride, and so much more.

Can we risk it all and follow Jesus Christ’s plan for us... completely?

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A Faith that took Jesus at His Word

by David Lins  |  06/23/2019  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

Some things are up for debate. Other things are not up for debate.

A few things that are no longer up for debate: the earth is round, humans need water to survive, and molten lava is unhealthy when consumed.

A few things you can debate: the best fans in the NFL, the best flavor in the world, and why we live where it is over 100 degrees for such a high percentage of the year. (I’d argue Green Bay Packer fans, gooey chocolate chip cookies, and we are all crazy.)

There is something else that isn’t up for debate on this Corpus Christi Sunday: the Catholic Church didn’t make up the whole thing about the Eucharist actually being the Body and Blood more than three centuries after Christ’s death.

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The Holy Spirit

by David Lins  |  06/16/2019  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

The sixteenth chapter of the Gospel of John contains an interesting late slice of dialogue. Jesus said to his disciples: "I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.”

He is holding things back from His disciples, but only until they are ready for it.

“But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. Everything that the Father has is mine; for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine and declare it to you."

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Faith and Peace

by David Lins  |  06/09/2019  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

I was speaking with a self-described hoarder recently. She said she wants to get rid of stuff, but then the thoughts of “what if” start flooding her mind. When she moved into her last home, it came with several appliances. She now owned two microwaves and two range ovens. Instead of selling or donating one of each, she kept the extras in her garage in case the other one broke down. This idea that she might need something someday has spread to every corridor of her life and every room in her home.

She finally looked at me and said, “I think I just suffer from a lack of faith.”

The great thing about a lack of faith is how easy it is to diagnose. The exhibiting symptom of a faith deficiency is a lack of peace. Jesus longs for us to have faith so we can know peace.

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For what would you be willing to die?

by David Lins  |  06/02/2019  |  (Being) Catholic Matters

It’s official: I’ve gone viral. Unfortunately, I don’t mean I’ve created some internet content that is making me boatloads of money because it is so popular. I’m talking about “get me antibiotics, spray me down with Lysol, and wear a face mask” viral. As a result, I’m writing this from my home in a room where I’ve been quarantined for the past three days.

There are positives and negatives to most things in life. Let’s start with the negatives: When I get sick, I don’t go halfway. I will spare you the details, but I’ll just say I look like there should be plastic sheeting on every wall and my dirty dishes should be incinerated. Illness that involves coughing, violent sneezing, and more makes sleep next to impossible. I like sleep. I miss sleep.

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