Articulating Hope

Author: Vernon Dobelmann

  • FIRE!!!!!

    FIRE!!!!!

    A fire started yesterday in the subdivision below us.  (Missouri readers please note–as you can see from the photo above, a subdivision in Wyoming standards is a bit different than in St. Charles County, Missouri. The “lots” in my subdivision range from 35 to 50 acres.)  The homeowner at the far end of the charred acreage had been burning some yard debris and a spark ignited the prairie. Thankfully, no structures were damaged because of the quick action of multiple fire departments.

    This incident made me stop and pause this morning as I looked out over the site of the fire.  There are times when the consequences of our actions can be quite severe.  An error in judgment about the severity of the wind yesterday resulted in a fire spreading out of control.  We are grateful that the consequences were as limited as what they were.  

    In our day-to-day lives we make many decisions.  Many of these decisions are small and inconsequential.  For instance, will I have orange juice or grape juice for breakfast? Other decisions may impact our lives more dramatically.  Should I marry this person?Do I accept the promotion being offered?  Should I change change jobs?  Should I relocate to another state or another country?  These are major decision which greatly impact our lives.  I hope we prayerfully discern God’s will in such matters.

    What are the consequences of our actions when we choose to walk in the flesh rather than in the Spirit?  Do the words we say in anger or in gossip create deep cuts and subsequent scars in the lives of other people?  Do our uncharitable actions cause heartache and discontent for others?  Do we influence people positively or negatively? Are we building up the Kingdom of God faithfully?

    I encourage you to reflect upon your own faith journey.  Are you guided by faith?  Does your love for God compel you to live righteously?  It matters how we live.  Be a beacon of light to someone today!

                           You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
                                                             (See Matthew 5: 13-16)

  • I Know Someone Greater Than Superman

    I Know Someone Greater Than Superman

    Metropolis, Illinois is the home of Superman.  I recently had the pleasure of stopping in to be sure he was still standing guard over the city.  Indeed, all is well in Metropolis.

    I can remember as a child dreaming of being a superhero.  I wanted to do something amazing with my life.  I wanted to be able to fly, to have bullets bounce off my chest, and to be faster than a speeding locomotive.  I wanted to be Superman.  As I have aged and my perspective has changed, I am now just grateful when I can stand up straight with little or no back pain.  There will be no leaping tall buildings in a single bound.

    The fragile nature of life continues to weigh on my mind.  This hit home on a more personal note today with a relative being diagnosed with esophageal cancer.  The shock of the diagnosis, absorbing all the medical information regarding next steps, and the uncertainty that lies ahead can weigh heavily on the mind of the person diagnosed (as well as close family members).  In these difficult moments we realize with certainty that we aren’t the man of steel.  

    Thankfully, we find strength and hope in Jesus Christ.  He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Each one of us can tap into this spiritual source which is much greater than Superman.  We have the privilege of being able to tap into THE SOURCE!  The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit is with each of us.  Can you imagine what our world would look like if each Christian truly tapped into that grace, that love, that mercy, and that healing power of almighty God?  We wouldn’t need Superman. The transforming love of God is more powerful than anything Superman has to offer.  

    Unfortunately, Christians frequently operate from a mode of mediocrity.  It doesn’t look like we truly believe in the power of God.  Is a cure in store for my friend who was diagnosed today?  I don’t know.  However, I do know he will experience healing.  God will touch him and his family with a fresh fire and extravagant grace in the days ahead. The glory of God will be revealed.  We pray in hope, and hope does not disappoint.

                        My word of hope and encouragement to all who suffer is simply this:
                                                      Walk in the Spirit of God!

  • A Broken World

    The shortness of life and the length of eternity is resonating in my mind after the celebration of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.  That sentiment escalated yesterday after hearing of the death of Brittany Maynard by physician-assisted suicide, the killing of a police officer in Missouri, and reading about the closing events in many cities where the 40 Days for Life campaign concluded.  The culture of death has permeated every fabric of our society.

    It is a cold damp morning in Cheyenne.  Fresh snow covers the ground and clouds fill the sky.  The outside elements reflect closely what I am feeling internally.  There is a sadness in my heart for our world.  We have lost our way.  Leading up to tomorrow’s mid-term elections, there is also a sense of hopelessness.  Political discussions over the weekend revealed a great sense of apathy.  Does it really make any difference in who gets elected?  The world keeps going in a downward spiral regardless of which party is in office.

    Our dilemma in society is not simply a political quandary.  It is a moral and spiritual battle which we face.  Unfortunately, many Christians don’t recognize spiritual warfare for what it is.  We have allowed Christianity to be lulled into complacency under the guise of tolerance.  The weeds that have been sown are running rampant at this point in time.

    How is the good of society served when we legalize and even celebrate things like abortion as “sacred ground”?  How can anyone watch an ultra-sound and then come to the conclusion that it is okay to eliminate the life inside the mother?  Why do we need 40 Days for Life campaigns to raise awareness about an issue that should be taken for granted?  Babies should be allowed to live.  How does a physician give medications to a person to commit suicide, and do this with a clear conscience?  How does a physician justify such an act with the oath to “do no harm”?  The killings in our cities, school shootings, the assassinations of law enforcement officers, bombings and beheadings all make headline news.  The deeper spiritual component behind all of these immoral actions is almost never touched upon.

    The two great commandments are the guiding light of our actions.  Love God with your whole heart, mind soul and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.  We do this effectively by being rooted in prayer.  Give God adoration, glory, and praise.  Allow God to speak to you in the depths of your heart.  Gain wisdom and insight from the Holy Spirit.  Be empowered to live out your baptismal call to holiness.  Our world is experiencing severe brokenness.  We need faithful people now as much as ever to be “salt and light.”

    This is the day the Lord has made.  let us rejoice and be glad in it!  (Psalm 118:24)

  • All Souls Day

    What a joy it was to look out early this morning and see the gorgeous pre-dawn sky in its vast array of colors!  Getting an extra hour of rest with the time change was an added benefit.

    This view made me think of the great gift of salvation.  I wonder what it was like when Jesus rose from the dead.  What does it look like now when a deceased person enters the glory of heaven?  I am certain that the beauty we see here on earth is only a glimpse of the grandeur of heaven.

    In the Catholic tradition we set aside November 2 as All Souls Day.  There is a lengthy history and tradition of people praying for the dead.  Several hundred years before the coming of Christ we see an example in the second book of Maccabees chapter 12, verses 41-45 where Judas prays for the deceased in atonement for their sins.  In the second century we see references to praying for the dead in The Acts of Paul and Thecla.  We also see it in the second century in the Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity.  In the fourth century Monica asked her son Augustine (who was a priest) to remember her soul in his Masses and prayers after she died. 

    The essence of praying for the dead on November 2, can be traced as far back as the date 998 A.D.  St. Odilo of Cluny established this tradition in the Cluniac monasteries. It eventually spread to Rome, and indeed we continue to honor this practice even today.  Obviously, there is a lot of disagreement over this pious practice.  However an in-depth study of the history of the church, as well as studying the theological understanding of redemption in the light of faith, can certainly provide food for thought and meditation.

  • Stop and Smell the Flowers

    These roses were blooming last week right in front of my mom’s apartment.  As we move into the month of November I am grateful for the beautiful fall season that we have had through October.  On this Feast of All Saints Day may the glory of God shine within each of our hearts.  We are called to be saints.

    God chose us in Christ before the world began to be holy and blameless in His sight.
    (See Ephesians 1:4)

  • Bridges Out Of Poverty

    I had the opportunity to attend an all-day seminar on Wednesday at Laramie County Community College entitled “Bridges Out Of Poverty.”  This training was centered around the work and research of Ruby K. Payne, PhD. It has been more than 30 years since receiving my undergraduate degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice, but some of the same issues that I studied back then continue to perpetuate themselves year after year, decade, after decade, and from one generation to the next. Breaking the cycle of poverty is a complex and daunting task for all involved.  This training reminded me of the many challenges that stand in the way of breaking free.

    There are a variety of institutions which strive to make a difference.  These include governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, private enterprises, and many church congregations as well.  Coordinating these efforts to accomplish more than a band-aid approach is an arduous endeavor in and of itself.  How do we utilize resources in the most productive manner possible?  What role does the Church play?

    The Cathedral of St. Mary provides sack lunches Monday through Saturday for anyone wanting one.  There are no questions asked.  Lunch is simply provided if a person wants one.  The parish also provides assistance with rent and utility expenses.  There are processes and interviews associated with seeking this type of financial aid.  The parish works with other organizations and institutions in the community to address additional areas of concern for the poor and homeless as well.  This includes, but is not limited to, education, employment, money management skills, health care, and transportation needs.

    How does your local community address the needs of the poor and homeless?  It is my hope that we (as Church) continue to do our part to be a bridge out of poverty.

  • Rolling On The River

    Rolling On The River

    I have always admired the Mississippi River.  The writings of Mark Twain captured my attention at an early age, and field trips to Hannibal, Missouri during my elementary school years heightened my interest even more.  I wanted to be part of the adventures of Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, and Becky Thatcher.

    Standing near the Lock and Dam in Clarksville, Missouri last week, and watching a barge make its way through the narrow passageway, reminded me of those childhood fantasies of traversing the mighty Mississippi on my trusty home-made raft.  How exciting would it be to find myself all the way down the river into New Orleans?  The risks seemed minimal compared to the excitement of the adventure.  Ah, youthful naivete! 

    Having time to think and ponder as I stood by the river was refreshing.  I don’t want to ever get to the point where I stop hoping and stop dreaming of what could be.  I will probably never go down the river on a raft, but what are some of the dreams still percolating in my mind?  What do I want to accomplish in my family life?  What do I want to accomplish in my ministry? What risks would I like to take in my personal and professional life?

    I don’t want to limit my imagination with small thinking.  I want to allow the power and grandeur of God to enhance and enlarge my thinking on a grander scale.  I want to trust that the magnificence of the Holy Spirit which empowered the apostles is still the same Holy Spirit desiring to empower faithful followers today.  

    Are you excited about the possibilities in your life?  Let us pray with fervent hearts and look expectantly for the glory of God to shine in our lives.  

                                    Let’s “roll on” with faith, hope, and love. 

  • Is There Music In Your Life?

    I stopped at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee last week on my way to Birmingham, Alabama.  Although I passed by Nashville on a number of occasions in the past on my way to Florida, I never left the interstate to actually go into the city.  I decided it was time to venture off the interstate and see a little bit of the city.  The first stop was at the Grand Ole Opry House.

    It was early in the morning and I was grateful for the peace and quiet.  Although it would be fun to attend a show and enjoy the ambiance created by a musical celebrity, I will admit that I found the tranquility of the morning to be a pleasant experience. There were no crowds of bustling people, no vendors, and no celebrities.  It was only my mom and I, and a groundskeeper off in the distance.  The cool, crisp morning made it perfect for some quiet reflection.

    The large guitars at the entrance of the main sidewalk are eye-catching to say the least. As I admired these over-sized musical instruments I couldn’t help but wonder about the number of people who have come to Nashville through the years in search of fame and fortune.  As the song says, “It’s a long, hard ride.”  How many dreams have been realized in the process?  How many dreams have been crushed?

    Although a career in music was never in the cards for me, I have long held on to a question posed by a teacher many years ago.  She simply asked, “Do you have music in your life?”  She was trying to impress upon a room full of teenagers the necessity of living life with joy and gusto.  She said, “Even if you are singing the blues, it takes life and energy to feel the passion.”  Her words come back to me from time to time when I feel myself getting a little sluggish in my day-to-day routine.

                                                                  How is the music in your life?

  • Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman, Alabama

    Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman, Alabama

    The Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman, Alabama is a very interesting display of handiwork.  It is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites.  The grotto sits on a four acre landscaped park and contains more than 125 miniature replicas of biblical structures and world famous buildings.  It is located at Alabama’s only Benedictine Abbey with a church and monastery.

    Thank you Brother Joseph Zoettl for creating this beautiful work of art.  Pictures really don’t capture the scene, but here is a sample of what I had the opportunity to see.

  • Enjoying The Colors Of Fall

    Enjoying The Colors Of Fall

    This picture was taken along the banks of the Mississippi River in Clarksville, Missouri on Thursday, October 23.  Although the trees outside my office here in Cheyenne have lost all of their leaves already, going southward brought a second chance to see some more fall colors.  

    It has been a wonderful fall season.  Although we received a dusting of snow here in Cheyenne on September 11, the weather since then has just been fabulous.  

    While watching the news on TV can be depressing with reports of attacks in Canada, a hatchet attack here in the U.S., and another shooting in a school, I appreciated the opportunity to disconnect for a while and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.  In the midst of the trials and tribulations of life there is also much good.  What would happen in our world if we each made a commitment to live our lives in a state of perpetual gratitude?  I think it would make a phenomenal difference.  Are you grateful for all of God’s gifts?  Take time today to thank God for some of those gifts.  Be specific. Name the gift and give God thanks specifically for that gift.  I invite you to share your list in the comment section.