Humbled

http://www.abc12.com/content/news/Building-faith-with-Lego-churches-403302996.html

Humble. That is the word that comes to mind after this story aired the other night on WJRT. A few days removed and I'm still amazed by the support that I have gotten for my work. What people have said about my talent and my willingness to share that talent with others.

I am blessed by all the support that I have gotten over the years with The Lego Church Project. With out the support on any level. This kind of project would not be possible. I am deeply thankful to God for allowing me this chance in my life.

-jm

Sorry for the lack of updates

I've had some stuff going on the given the Thanksgiving holiday and other things that I've had to put my focus on. The plan is to resume regular blog posts next week. Though I have one other short post planned for this morning.

Till then.

-JM

Thoughts on the Mass

I think one of the most amazing and important elements of the Catholic Faith is the Mass. It is something that truly brings millions of people together every weekend. No matter which parish. No matter which version of the Mass is being said. We all come together to give Glory to God. We celebrate the life and passion of His Son Jesus Christ. It is a unified thread that binds us all to something that is greater than ourselves. For me on a personal level this is something that holds deep meaning for me. I love the Mass. Even on days when my hyper active nature takes over and I find it difficult to stay focused.

When ever you walk into a parish. Even one that you have been going to for most of your life. You realize that each parish has it's own story to tell. That with in these wall exists a rich history of people and personal events that tie us all together. The building is only a small fragment of that history. Because with out the people. Their would be no history. We live in a busy age. We lose our focus on what is important to us. Yet I feel that we should make the time to attend Mass. You look at the parishes today and you don't see the same number of people attending as you did say even twenty years ago. Our lives are that busy that we cannot spend at least one Saturday or Sunday for an hour giving praise to God?

It is my hope and prayer that one day our parishes would be filled and our communities would do well. That what ever keeps people away from Mass would change and that more people would come home to the Catholic faith.

-jm

Fear is the tool of evil.

Fear can easily be the best weapon that the evil one can use against us. The reason is that it can make us act in ways that we otherwise would not do or even consider. It can make us hear things that are not even there. Make us lash out when perhaps a calmer course of action is required. No matter what. Fear can cause us to act and create more problems that it would ever hope to solve.

We live in disturbing times. The world has been simmering with anger and hate for a very long time. Far longer than most people even realize. It has been building ever so slowly. To the point that it flashes over and we don't even understand until it's to late. Such is the way it has been since the dawn of time. But what sets that fire is fear. The evil one uses it very effectively. It is one thing to be concerned about our future. Given recent events those concerns are very much legit. However the actions taken are only furthering evil's hold on our nation. We give into rioting and violence because that is the easy way out. In our own hearts we would rather seek out war than to cry out for peace.

If their was ever a time for prayer for our nation. This would be it. Perhaps if we chose to spend more time in the presence of Christ. Then we would not give into our own personal fears for what tomorrow will bring and lash out with such anger and violence. Prayer is a powerful tool of a follower of Christ. It can break down the walls of fear and anger. Bringing peace to a troubled soul. Prayer can bring about wisdom and guide us to peace which clearly needed right now. In my own life prayer has done great things for me. Even if their results are not fully apparent.

Right now prayers are being said for a quick end to the violent storms hitting our nation. Fear is causing people to lash out in ways good people would not commit to otherwise. All the more reason for us to follow the path of Christ.

-JM

I am still here

I haven't written anything in a while because I've been a little under the weather. That and all the chaos leading up to last night has left me more than a little drained.

To be honest I am tried of all of the anger I have seen. All the vile stuff being posted. Some from people who claim to follow Christ. I've seen families stressed to the point of breaking over stuff that is not always in our control.

For me as the dust settles. I will focus on the things that I need to focus on. Taking my time to collect thoughts on a few posts I have in mind. But need to be in the right frame of mind to write. Given that they are issues that I deal with all the time because of the nature of my challenges.

The last thing I want to mention is that if you the reader proclaims Christ in your heart. That you accept Him as your Lord and Savor. Then we need to take the time each day to pray for our nation. Our nation needs all the prayers it can get.

-jm