Articulating Hope

Category: Archive

  • Don’t Be Stumped–Be Creative!

    Don’t Be Stumped–Be Creative!

    Do you ever yearn for simpler times?  The demands of day-to-day life can certainly take a toll on us if we lose focus on what is important.  I frequently hear people express frustration and fatigue at the pace of life.  Some have asked, “Where is the peace?  Where is the fun?  Where is hope?”

    It appears to me that each generation has had its own particular issues of frustration.  It may seem like technology is running roughshod over our lives today, but is it not also pretty amazing at the things we can do?  The modern conveniences we enjoy are numerous.  However, if we end up being held hostage by them we are in serious trouble.  As the saying goes, “Do we own things, or do the things own us?”

    This past weekend at the retreat I was reminded of how many things I take for granted on a daily basis.  Waking up in the middle of the night and needing to go to the bathroom is typically not a big deal.  At home we have a bathroom located in our bedroom.  On the retreat I had to leave the bunkhouse to go to a centralized bathroom and shower facility.  Yes, I was walking outside down a path at 8,400 feet not knowing what types of creatures were in the trees around me.  It also was down to 43 degrees as well.  Although the restroom facilities were nice and well-maintained, walking through the forest to get there was a reminder of the luxury of indoor plumbing—especially when that plumbing is in the same building where you are sleeping.  After making that trip outside through the brisk night air, there was no going back to sleep.  I was plenty early to watch the sunrise.

    So why is it that we frequently lack peace and tranquility in our lives when many of us enjoy fairly comfortable lifestyles?  Have we allowed the cares of the world to consume us?  Have we created a lifestyle that induces stress because we are living so close to the edge of financial ruin?  Are our relationships with family members strained for one reason or another?  Are we holding on to unforgiveness?  Have we dabbled in “New Age” spirituality or occult practices?  Are we holding on to our “favorite” and habitual sins? Basically, what are the obstacles present in our lives keeping us from progressing in our spiritual journey? 

    The Sacrament of Baptism liberates us from sin and configures us to Christ.  The shackles of bondage have been removed and we are free.  We are no longer walking in darkness; we are children of the Light.  The question is, “Have we subsequently rejected the Light?”  My encouragement to you today is to open yourself to the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.  Be set free from sin and united to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.In order to move forward in our spiritual endeavors we are called to be people of prayer. We also would benefit from being very specific prayer in our prayer.  After a thorough examination of conscience can we clearly discern the areas of our life where detrimental obstacles reside?  I encourage you to pray very specifically to be set free from these shackles.  Seek forgiveness.  Seek healing.  Seek courage.  Seek strength. Seek perseverance.  Pray in hope, for hope will not disappoint.

  • Wyoming Catholic Men’s Retreat–WOW!

    Wyoming Catholic Men’s Retreat–WOW!

    How do I put into words what transpired this past weekend at the Table in the Wilderness?  Get over 50 men together and let them sing (or at least make a joyful noise unto the Lord) and watch what happens!  Praising God releases the power of the Holy Spirit in some magnificent ways.

    The Wyoming Catholic Men’s Retreat has been extending its outreach beyond the Casper, Wyoming area over the last few years.  This event is a result of the prayerful efforts of the Shalom (Charismatic) Prayer Group in Casper.  It certainly has spread its wings.  I think we had men present from quite a number of communities this year including Casper, Riverton, Cody, Rock Springs, Rawlins, Laramie, Cheyenne, and even someone from Colorado as well.  The impact on a man’s life to gather with other men striving to be better Christians can be phenomenal.  This retreat is certainly filling a need in that regard.

    Charismatic spirituality has had a profound impact on my life personally.  A Catholic Charismatic Prayer Group in Canon City, Colorado prayed with me many years ago prior to a major cancer surgery.  The power of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit was almost palpable in that gathering.  I went into surgery with a great sense of calm because of what I experienced with this prayer group.  Words cannot adequately describe the sensation of peace  I was given by the Holy Spirit in the midst of such a major crisis.  It is truly a peace that only the Lord can give.

    The greatest impact on my prayer life offered by the Charismatic Renewal has been quite simple.  It has been the process of helping me to be cognizant of giving thanks and praise to God in all things.  I will admit that I have struggled with doing that when life is hard.  However, the Charismatic Renewal has kept that aspect of prayer in the forefront of my mind.  I still don’t do it well all the time, but through the grace of God, I think this component of my prayer life has improved overall.

    Each time I have the privilege of leading a retreat or a parish mission I am deeply touched by the openness and candor of people in regard to their spiritual struggles.  It is obvious that we are all on a journey, and sometimes our pilgrimage is filled with a lot of obstacles and potholes along the way.  I am in awe when I see the grace of God provide answers for those striving to overcome the challenges.  I know that some of the men this weekend received insights into some of their own personal challenges.  Our God truly is an awesome God!

    I wish to thank the leadership of the Wyoming Catholic Men’s Retreat.  You created an atmosphere in which we had the opportunity to encounter our God.  Who could ask for anything more?  May God bless each of you abundantly!  On behalf of all the men who reaped the benefit of your hard work, I simply say, “THANK YOU!”

              I couldn’t sleep so I had the opportunity to see the sunrise on both Saturday and Sunday. 

  • Bird Power

    Bird Power

    I stopped to rest for a moment while mowing the grass and I returned to see that I had a little helper.  I didn’t want to scare the bird away so I decided to prolong my break.  I wasn’t too productive while sitting and watching the bird, but it was nice to enjoy a tiny component of nature.  However, I really needed to get the task completed.

    This weekend I will be leading the Wyoming Catholic Men’s Retreat.  I am looking forward to spending time with about 50 faith-filled men from all across Wyoming as they seek to deepen their relationship with the Lord.  I am grateful to Bishop Etienne who will be joining us this evening to celebrate the opening Eucharistic Liturgy.  I am also appreciative that the diocesan vocation director, Fr. Steve Titus, will be with us for most of the weekend as well.

    Stir Into Flame The Gift Of Faith is the title for the weekend retreat.  My hope and prayer is that we walk away at the end of our time together having accomplished that goal.  Please keep us in prayer.  Many men will be traveling great distances to get to the retreat.  Please pray for their safety.  Please pray also for the wives and families at home. May this time away to reflect and pray reap many benefits for each man present as well as his family.

    I will touch base with you again at the end of the weekend.  I hope to have some good pictures to share following the retreat.  

    (If we are lucky we will see some larger creatures while out in the mountains.)

    Have a blessed weekend!

  • God’s Gift Of A Beautiful Sunset

    God’s Gift Of A Beautiful Sunset

    The sunset this evening was gorgeous.  I will never get tired of seeing God’s handiwork.

    These pictures were all taken within a 15 minute time span.  It was an amazing spectacle.

                      The sun was able to peek through the clouds for a little while.

                                                       It was a little brighter to the south.Regardless of the current circumstances of your life, I hope you can still see the glory of God.  My prayers are still with the people of Ferguson, Missouri, the family of the slain journalist, and all who are hurting in any way. 

  • Elections, An Indictment, Riots, and Murder

    There is a Japanese proverb which states, “Vision without action is a daydream.  Action without vision is a nightmare.”  Watching local, state, national, and even world events unfold in recent days shows how true this statement really is.  It even makes me wonder how frequently we have neither vision nor action.  Worse yet, what happens when there is a vision and accompanying action, but the vision is seriously flawed (or evil) in its intentions?

    Primary elections were held yesterday in Wyoming, and I believe that a number of observations can be made in regard to the results.  First and foremost, it is evident that money is very important for the candidate and the success of his/her campaign.  Second, many voters are disengaged and ill-informed about the issues and the candidates.  Third, the Christian principles and values which served as the foundation upon which this republic was founded are seemingly irrelevant in modern politics.  It hurts to acknowledge the reality of where we are in the current age.

    Put the cards on the table.  Progressives are more successful at articulating their message.  Furthermore, the conservative message does not resonate with modern voters even when there is an attempt to articulate it.  The destruction of traditional values once held by a majority of Christian believers has created a new mindset among the general populace.  When the President of the United States makes a statement during the State of the Union speech that he will circumvent the chambers of congress to pursue his agenda, and members of the circumvented group stand and applaud, you know we have a problem.  In Wyoming, the governor ignored the will of the people by stripping the elected Superintendent of Public Instruction of her duties and responsibilities.  Then he replaced her with his own appointee and spent hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars investigating the one removed.  Eventually, the Supreme Court reversed this action.  However, this overreach of power did not affect the voters.  The incumbent governor received more votes in the primary than both of his challengers combined.  Regardless of the political party involved, are people really okay with that kind of power being exerted and their vote being nullified?

    Branch out a little further.  The indictment of Texas Governor Rick Perry shows what can happen when there is vision and action backed by the money of someone like George Soros.  The mainstream media outlets won’t cover this component, but other outlets are starting to connect the dots between the indictment of the governor and a half million dollars contributed by Soros to an organization behind the indictment.  A vision coupled with action toward a sitting governor backed by a lot of dollars creates an interesting political climate.  We’ll see how this one plays out eventually. 

    Let’s reflect on Ferguson, Missouri and observe what happens when action without vision unfolds.  Protesters in Missouri say they want justice.  If they seriously wanted justice there would have been a vision beyond Al Sharpton inciting violence.  Thus, we have had the ensuing nightmare.  Obviously, some will disagree with that assessment.  However, a true vision would not have resulted in a major portion of the city being violated in one fashion or another.  It would have pursued meaningful change based upon facts instead of emotions.

    Finally, the beheading of an American journalist by ISIS should remind all of us about the fragile nature of life in our world today.  ISIS has a vision and they are certainly following it up with action.  Will their flag someday fly at the White House as was stated in their video?

    The long term consequences of our decisions and actions (or inactions) can be immense.  I am gravely concerned that apathy on the part of Christians is having dire results.  Keeping our faith trapped in the walls of our churches and in our homes is leading our nation on a path straight to hell.  Being content with freedom of worship rather than the freedom of religion to which we have an unalienable right is devastating the moral fabric of our society.   If the Church does not influence the moral values of society we are certain to continue our downward spiral in moral decadence and decay.

    John Maxwell has a profound statement.  “If you think you are a leader and no one is following you, you are just going for a walk.”  It is time for faith-filled and Spirit-led leaders to lead.  This isn’t just for the ordained.  It is for all Christians who share in the life and mission of Jesus Christ.  Be a person of prayer, study, and action.  Be a Christian leader!

    “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.”
    ~Hosea 4:6

    “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice…”
    Proverbs 29:2

    “When a land has been given into the hands of the wicked, God blindfolds its judges.”
    Job 9:24

  • Ferguson–Fragmentation and Frustration

    Ferguson–Fragmentation and Frustration

    “Freedom without truth leads to disorder, injustice, and social fragmentation.”  This line from the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace document entitled, Vocation of the Business Leader sums up fairly well the recent events in Ferguson, Missouri.  The level of social fragmentation has been highlighted by the unrest and violence happening night after night in this community.  There has been a complex interplay between good and evil, as well as truth and falsehood.

    Social problems are nothing new in our society.  Urban neighborhoods are known for things such as crime and poverty.  Black on black crime has been prevalent for years.  Unemployment, the breakdown of family structures, addictions, and a multitude of other issues can lead to despair and hopelessness.  The resulting frustration can bubble just below the surface for years.  Then, an “opportunity” presents itself to release the frustration and anger in some dramatic ways.  The result is chaos and further fragmentation.

    The facts of the original incident in Ferguson are still coming to light and we would do well to be informed before passing judgment in either direction.  However, I think these last ten days have given Christians something to think about.  Are we isolating ourselves from the problems of the world?  Do we look at the issues of Iraq, Israel, and the Ukraine as something “over there” and there is little I can do?  Do we look at the issues a little closer to home in Ferguson, Missouri and breathe a sigh of relief that it isn’t in my neighborhood?

    Quite simply, how are we bringing the love of Christ to our own communities?  How do we respond to the needs of the poor and those who are hurting—regardless of their race or religion?  Is there consistency between the faith we profess and the way we live our daily lives?  Each one of us is either going to be part of the solution or part of the problem.  Developing attitudes of apathy and complacency will not serve us well in the long run.  Being content with the status quo can result in devastating consequences. 

    Bottom line for today–Are we building up the Kingdom of God through our “witness of faith, the confidence of hope, and the practice of love?” 

  • Cheyenne Frontier Days # 118 Is Complete

    Cheyenne Frontier Days # 118 Is Complete

    Cheyenne Frontier Days # 118 has come to an end
    The normal routine is certainly just around the bend
    Many of the volunteers will return to their regular jobs
    The lucky ones will take some time to rest from the mobs

    These ten days have been jam-packed with events and fun
    The weather cooperated with warm temperatures and sun
    It takes a lot of people to make this event work–that’s a fact
    Over twenty-three hundred volunteers if you want to be exact

    It is hard to describe what happens to our city during these days
    But for residents using their lawn as a parking lot it really pays
    The aggravation of the nightly concerts may take a toll
    They are really loud–but hey–let the good times roll

    The feeding of the multitudes happens each and every year
    The lines can be extremely long and winding but have no fear
    There is no menu to review and there is no need to order at all
    You receive pancakes and “jack-a-lope ham” so please don’t stall

    Government sequestration did not keep the Thunderbirds away
    A little foggy, but their demonstrations always brighten the day
    Close off the streets and let the parade take complete command
    A total of four times my son got to march with the South High Band

    Indian Village, shopping, food, carnival rides and so much more
    It doesn’t take long to spend a lot of money and walk away poor
    In the end it was quite enjoyable and many people had a ball
    That’s why Cheyenne Frontier Days is the “daddy of em all”

  • Ames Monument

    Ames Monument

    We recently had relatives from Missouri visiting us so I decided to do some touristy things with them.  No, we didn’t go to Yellowstone National Park or to the Grand Teton National Park.  We didn’t go to Fort Laramie or Register Cliff.  I splurged and took them between Cheyenne and Laramie to see the Ames Monument. Do I know how to treat my guests or what?Actually, we had been doing things associated with Cheyenne Frontier Days but decided to take a little break and enjoy a quiet ride.  It wasn’t the monument that attracted me to turn off the interstate and onto the gravel road.  It was the clouds.  A storm was preparing to move in and I wanted to get a closer look.  The monument ended up being a great place to enjoy the changing weather pattern.  The cloud formations rolling in from the mountains, and the subsequent lightning strikes, were a phenomenal showpiece.  As you can see in the photo above the clouds just came and covered us.While we there I read the various signs and learned a little history about the Union Pacific Railroad. However, it was most enjoyable to see the beauty of God’s creating hand.  “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.”(Psalm 48:1) 

  • Heaven or Hell–Smoking or Non-Smoking?

    Heaven or Hell–Smoking or Non-Smoking?

    I have been to hell and back.  Okay, I have been to Hell, Grand Cayman but I have not been to Hell, Michigan.  I have been to Purgatory, Colorado but have not been to Purgatory, Maine.  It has been more of a challenge to get to heaven.  I have not been to Heaven Heights, Massachusetts nor have I been to Paradise in Newfoundland, Canada.  If I want to see paradise it would probably be easier to go to Paradise, Utah or Paradise, California since they are both closer.  Led Zeppelin was going to lead us on the “Stairway to Heaven,” but apparently it is a difficult road since the band “Spirit” has now sued Zeppelin for “lifting the opening notes of Stairway to Heaven.”In Wyoming we have our own piece of Hell about 45 miles from Casper.  It is interestingly called “Hell’s Half Acre.”  That is interesting because the area encompasses about 320 acres.  (Maybe there was an attempt to minimize hell’s influence to a half acre.)  According to some of the local historians the area was actually known as “The Devil’s Kitchen” back in 1833.  Thus, the area has been connected to the realms of hell in one fashion or another for nearly 200 years. Interesting and odd names for towns and locations can attract attention, but do they make us stop and pause to consider the deeper realities?  A parade float created to resemble a saloon with plenty of alcohol flowing creates an image in and of itself.  Add a sign “Hell’s Half Acre” with a depiction of the flames of hell and the image increases in intensity.  Maybe Billy Joel had a point when he sang, “I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints because sinners are much more fun.”  Then again, he may have never considered the ultimate consequences for living a lifestyle contrary to the teachings of the Gospel. Reflections on the “four last things” used to be a serious matter.  We pondered death, judgment, heaven, and hell and recognized the significance of walking humbly with our God.  In modern culture we seem to see a much more casual attitude regarding these eternal issues.  It almost appears that we don’t even believe in the existence of hell although Sacred Scripture certainly refutes that proposition.


    My closing questions for today are simply these:

    Where do we draw the line in regard to our attitude toward spiritual things?  Do we find ourselves too casual, too serious, or just right?  Do we have an understanding of where to draw the line between the cultural idea of “fun” and outright “blasphemy?”  

  • FREE–The Favorite Word Of Thrifty Shoppers

    FREE–The Favorite Word Of Thrifty Shoppers

    Cheyenne Frontier Days create a very unique atmosphere in the city of Cheyenne for ten days each summer.  The FREE pancake breakfast, which includes “jackalope ham,” is a sight to behold.  Seeing thousands of people lining up and down the street to get their free breakfast is amazing.  This happens not just once, but three times during Cheyenne Frontier Days.  As I made it through the line yesterday they had already served over 8,000 people in less than two hours.  Did I mention it is FREE?As we weaved back and forth up and down the street making our way to the Historic Depot area, I couldn’t help but wonder about the life stories of each of these individuals. People from all walks of life came together for one common purpose–breakfast.  The overcast skies did not dampen the spirits of the attendees, and i

    t was an orderly and pleasant experience.  So what is the huge attraction of this event?  

    There are many components to the success of this venture.  It is well-organized.  It is fascinating to see thousands of people being fed in a matter of minutes.  It is interesting to see the batter for the pancakes being mixed in a concrete mixer.  There is music and entertainment.  It could also be that you just want to say, “I have been there and done that during Cheyenne Frontier Days.”

    Have you ever imagined why our churches don’t have lines like this?  Our churches provide us with much more than a free breakfast.  We have the opportunity to encounter the living God through the proclamation of the Sacred Scriptures.  Why aren’t we seeing our churches flooded with an over-flow of people desiring to be nurtured by the Word of God and to be nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist? We will walk blocks and blocks and stand in line for nearly an hour to receive free pancakes, but our enthusiasm to meet Jesus Christ in Word and Sacrament can sometimes be less than stellar.  How have we arranged our priorities in life?

    As I see stadiums filled with people at sporting events or concerts I sometimes wonder what we have missed in church leadership.  Is there something from a sociological viewpoint that we have neglected in regard to building a faith community centered in a common purpose and guided by God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit?  Why are there so few truly vibrant church communities?
    Obviously, Cheyenne Frontier Days are about entertainment.  The parades, the breakfasts, the rodeos, the concerts, and a multitude of additional events set the stage for an enjoyable time.  (There is also no doubt that the economic boost to the local economy is immense.)  I don’t want our churches to be entertainment venues, but it would certainly be nice to see this type of energy, life, and vitality among the body of believers.  Can you imagine the impact we would have on the world if we would bring the transforming love of Jesus Christ to others with such zeal and exuberance? “Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.  Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.”  (Romans 12:11-12)“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  (Acts 1:8)