What do you do by yourself?

"I do nothing by myself..."

Pssh! I have heard that we're not supposed to do anything on our own so many times it makes me sick! Like a good engineer (and a good American male!) what I always wanted to know is, "how is that possible?" And let me tell you something. Nobody ever told me! That is until one day when I was in my spiritual direction class, and Prof. Gonzalez got to talking. One of the things he taught us was the power of questions, ok? Questions control what we focus on and how we focus on it. What that means is they also control how we feel at any given point in time. That's pretty powerful, don't you think? Exactly!

Anyway what Prof. Gonzalez taught us that day was 3 very special questions. Questions that, if used consistently, could change your life forever. Sounds like a big claim, right? Well just hear me out and see if I'm right or not, ok?

First question: Father, what is your hope for me (today, in this moment, in this situation)?

That'll rock your world won't it? And we're only on the first question. Just imagine if you started everyday asking the Father what his hope is for you. Or what if you ended your day that way? What if you used it throughout the day? Do you think something would change then? I bet it would. I bet a million dollars it would. (I don't have a million dollars, you all know that, but you know what I mean, ok?)

Second question: Spirit, what are you doing in me right now?

Now is that going to change the way you handle a situation like standing in line, Mr. Impatience? You bet it will! And I'll tell you what else, it's great in any situation where you start to feel stuck. Just whip out the Holy Spirit, and some major "Holy Ghost Power, Power of the Holy Ghost" (You've all seen The Apostle, right?) will shift your attitude in a jiffy. Still, what good is inspiration if it's not backed up by action, you know? So the

Third Question: Jesus, what would you do in my place (right now, in this situation)? (Yes, I know WWJD, but this is better because you get to talk to Jesus, ok?)

That's when things really start to change, when we take action. Somebody once said, "Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result." If we're not happy with our lives (aka "results"), then let's do something new today. And maybe the place to start is with some new questions.

Bonus tip: Don't freak out if at first you get silence, or like a blank stare, or worse your brain chimes in "nothing" or "I don't know". That's all totally normal. You can just soften the question with the word "could": Father, what could be your hope for me today? Spirit, what could you be doing in me right now? Jesus, what could you do in my place here? Stay out of the pressure-cooker, ok? This is easy. Just have fun with it, and things will be better, ok? Right!

God bless,
Live from your hearts,

Scott

PS. I've actually been developing a whole "life ascetics system" based on these three questions. When I get a little further along, I'm sure I'll have plenty more to share with you all, or if you can't wait, get back to me and we can try to set up something on a more personal level, ok? Awesome! Enjoy today, and enjoy the power of questions too!

Who turned out the lights?

"I am the light of the world"...

Ok, this guys must be pretty full of himself... in a really humble way, right? I mean come on, "I am the light of the world". When was the last time you heard a Christian say that? When was the last time you said that, huh? Really, while we're on the subject, I wonder when was the last time you gave yourself some recognition for doing anything great. --What, well I don't do that.-- Really? Interesting. Why not? -- Because it's not right. You're not supposed to. It's-- Are you sure about that? Who says? Where is it written? Did the guy who called himself "the light of the world" and claims to be THE EXAMPLE of all upright human behavior say that? Hmm... Maybe the world has sold us a bag of... never mind. You know what I mean, right?

And here's the thing, do you do a better job when somebody recognizes you for it (even if that person is God), yes or no? Of course the answer is yes (Yeah, right, sounds prideful doesn't it, but it's true. Let's see life how it is, ok?). Next question, have you ever done something great and not had anyone notice (maybe it seemed like not even God), yes or no? I'm willing to hallucinate that the answer is "YES..." (said with a little bite there, huh? Well, somebody's a little bitter I guess, aren't they? That's all right. We'll sweeten you up in a second here, ok?) Next question, how much did that make you want to do a great job the next time? --It didn't! -- I know. That's my point. Now stick with me. What would have happened if you'd acknowledged yourself for doing a great job?-- Nothing!...-- Uh huh. Are you sure about that?-- Well, maybe I would have given it another shot.-- Uh huh.-- Actually maybe I would have gone at it even harder... -- Yeah, now you're getting it. Wow, you are brilliant...-- Hey, you know what, I don't have to wait for people to recognize how great I am, do I?-- Nope (smiling) you sure don't. And you don't have to wait for any of those great mystical experiences either (like those come every day, right?). -- So you're saying I can do this any time I want? -- hey, I didn't say that, you did, ok? -- Yeah, (going into a light trance with a little smile on your face) yeah, that's right.-- Hey just one more thing that I've been dying to share with you, all right? -- yeah, what's that?--

It's about doing a great job. What I gotta say is this: If you do a good job you get good results, right?-- Right.-- Aaant. Wrong. If you do a good job, you get poor results. If you're a good husband, you're wife is bored. If you're a good dad, you're just like all the rest. You're nothing special.-- Well then, I'll do a poor job, so I don't have to worry so much.-- Ok, you do a poor job and what happens?-- Well, I get poor results.-- Aant. Wrong again. You do a poor job and you get PAIN. Pain because they leave you, they fire you, your kids end up on drugs or in jail. You don't want to do a poor job, got it?-- Well then fine, I'll do a great job, ok? (a little bite again)-- Hey, you do a great job and what kind of results do you think you'll get, great?-- Yeah of course. -- Aaant. Sorry man, doesn't work that way. You do a great job, and you get only good results. You get all A's, you get to go to more school (yay!). You're a great husband, and you have an ok marriage. You're a great father and you have decent kids. Is that what you want?-- Well what else is there?-- I'm glad you asked. There is outstanding, exceptional, unreal. That's the standard of anyone who calls themselves "THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD" (aka a Christian). Look, if a poor job is at the level of your feet and a great job is at the top of your head (of course a good job is at the level of your waist, you knew that already didn't you?), then an outstanding job is 1 inch (or 2.54 cm) above your head. That's where you gotta get to because those are the people who get all the rewards, right? Those are the Mother Teresa, the Martin Luther King's, the Gandhi's, the Nelson Mandela's. Jesus. Most people get to great and stop because they get frustrated. Don't be like most people. The reality is being great stinks. The world does not reward being great, it doesn't care. Don't be great. Be outstanding. Be light. Show this world something it's never seen before. Maybe it's a smile. Maybe it's a tone of voice or words of wisdom. Maybe it's a hug or a gentle touch. Whatever it is let your light shine... and give yourself a pat on the back when you do!

God bless,
Live from your heart,

Scott

What did YOU do?

Ok, so what is it? What's the worst thing you ever did? No, don't tell me. Just think about it. Was it a mortal sin? Was it a whole string of mortal sins? When was it that you hit rock bottom? When was it that other people found out? Did they ever find out or were you able to keep the whole thing under wraps, hmm? Maybe they found out and just never told you... Who knows? What I really want you to remember is when did you finally get to hear these words:

"Neither do I condemn you. Go and from now on sin no more." Those are powerful words. Those are the words that can change a person's life. Those are the words that have changed my life more than once. To know that there's somebody out there who is going to love you like crazy no matter what, that changes things doesn't it? Somehow it makes everything better, wouldn't you agree? Totally. Today let's just go back and relive some of those moments where we were touched by God's infinite mercy, where we heard his trembling voice, where we saw the joy in his face that his child had come home...

God bless,

Live from your heart,

Scott

Can you believe this guy?

So I hope you enjoyed going to Joseph yesterday. You did go to Joseph, right? If not, stop and take a second now to let him fill you with all the goodness of Jesus and Mary...

"Can you believe this guy?" Yeah, that's exactly what I'd like to know sometimes. I mean, come on, this carpenter from Nazareth thinks he's God, the Almighty Creator of the Universe. You've got to be kidding me, right? Or from a different perspective: Are you telling me that the Almighty Creator of the Universe decided to incarnate himself as a sweaty wood-worker from some podunk town in the boonies? Mm, I don't know about you, but it all sounds pretty far-fetched to me, ok?

On the other hand, "Do we judge a man before hearing what he says and seeing what he does?" Yeah, that seems a little unfair. Ok, so let's give this guy a shot. Let's check out this man Jesus. And you know what, when you take a look beyond the looks, the man's got credentials. "No one ever spoke like this guy..." I mean, the guy's got skills, right? No, it's more than that. He's not just passionate or eloquent. Yeah, he is that. He's got presence. But this is something else. It's like, it's like he's gotten inside you and knows what you're all about. He really does seem like he's got it all figured out. He knows just where we are (in the midst of a battle between good and evil), where we need to go (return to ME with all your hearts), and how to get there (love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself). I mean, what else is there, are you following me?

And then, take a look at what he does, not just what he does, but why he does it. Right, you know he performs some great miracle: heals a blind man, raises a child from the dead, casts out demons, multiplies bread. Why? He doesn't do it to get brownie points or free publicity. Actually he seems to hate all the attention and publicity. But he loves people too much to say no. Isn't that the truth? He loves us too much to stop. So he just keeps loving and healing and setting free. And he's teaching, always teaching, except when it's late at night. Then he goes and prays for hours and hours all alone with this one he calls "the Father." Incredible! Can we believe this guy? If not him, who, right?

Today, let's bet on Christ. Bet that he knows what's best for us, what's right and what's wrong. Let's bet that he's going to go beyond all we ever thought possible or asked for. And let's follow with a "YES" that frees us to love like crazy, ok? Great, make today a great day.

God bless,
Live from your heart,

Scott

meat cleavers and visible unity

Hey this is a bonus reflection that I had yesterday. It's not on the email list. It's just for you blog-followers:

Sometimes, I wish I carried around a meat cleaver, ok? Let me tell you why. I'm a big believer in visible unity for God's Church. Yeah, I hear y'all when it comes to loving one another and all that jazz. Everybody needs to love everybody. Right. I totally agree, and everybody should belong to the one Visible Body of Christ.

Here's what I mean. If you told me that you were just fine in your Church and that visible unity was a pipe dream, here's what I'd like to do. Remember that meat cleaver, right? So what I'd like to do is take your hands-- you've all seen that scene in Blood Diamand, haven't you?-- Ok, so give me your hands and here's the deal. I say visible unity is necessary. You say it's not. Let's do an experiment. I'm gonna take this cleaver and I'm gonna sever the visible unity between your hands and the rest of your body, and-- Are you crazy!?-- What? I just want to see what would happen.-- You can't chop my hands off.-- But I thought that-- No. No way, man. You are not chopping my hands off you lunatic. -- Well wait a minute, you just said-- I don't care what I said, you can't chop my hands off.-- So what are you saying, visible unity is necessary?-- Yes! Hello!-- Well then, friend, why don't you think about becoming Catholic?-- Hey that's not fair.-- Yeah, you're right. It's honest though.-- Well, I'll think about it.-- Hey can I see those hands of yours again?...

God bless,
Live from your heart,

Scott

What you need to know about Joe...

What you need to know about Joseph is this: Go to him! I'm serious, because the guy comes through. He has what it takes, right? I mean, do you think that God would choose a chump for a dad? I don't think so... No way, man. Joseph is a man's man. He's one of those guys who makes you kinda go: Woah, that was intense. Yeah, he can be calm, gentle, loving, and all that stuff, but when the going gets tough, let me tell you, Joseph comes through. Do you have any Joseph experiences? I'd love to hear about'em.

Teresa of Avila went nuts for Joseph. At one point she was healed of this weird illness that she couldn't shake, and she attributes the whole thing to Joseph. At one point in her autobiography she says something like, "To some saints God has given power of influence over a specific area of life, but to Joseph he has given power over all." Just like Pharoah with Joseph in the Old Testament, this Joe has the keys to the kingdom (He's the Son of David, right?). I know, Peter has the keys. You see God must have made more than one copy, because he loves the spread the wealth...

And that's exactly what Joseph does. When things get tough, he spreads the wealth. Whatever is tough in your life, whatever "famine" you're going through. Go to Joseph, and he will open the granaries of Divine Grace for you...

God bless,
Live from your heart,

Scott

What are you looking at?

"You search the Scriptures but I'm right here!"

How many books have you read in the last year about your faith? How much have you spent reading about Jesus? Maybe not that much for some of you. Maybe a ton for others, right? But the point is this: How much time do you spend with Jesus every day? He's right there. It's so easy. The problem is that the law of familiarity sets in, you know? When things are easy to get, we don't even bother, right? (Unless it's free food college students, or a free t-shirt. Wow, those were the days, you know.)

If you want happiness, if you want a full life, go to Jesus. Talk with him. Walk with him. Learn from him. Yeah, books are nice, but we don't need more books. We need a relationship with the Savior of the World.

Don't just read this today. Look to Jesus. Talk with him. And if you've got questions, find out what he's really saying, don't just ask somebody coming in "his own name" (Protestant ministers beware!... and then check out the Coming Home Network: http://www.chnetwork.org/. Ask the Church, and if you don't know where to start, check out the catechism. It's all there for free... http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc/index.htm Then get back to more time with Jesus, because that's what you're here for, right?

God bless,
Live from your heart,

Scott

Who's your daddy?

"He called God his Father, making himself equal to God."

Yeah, he did something a lot crazier than that. Check this out: "I am going to my Father and your Father... when you pray say, 'Our Father...' " Can you believe that? He's calling God our Father, making us equal with God. In fact this is what life is all about. John of the Cross says we're called to be "gods by participation." All the church fathers talk about man's "deification," his becoming like God. I mean, if you had to say what the meaning of your life is, what would you say? (Seriously, answer this question before reading on...) I'm not kidding. Think about it before you read any further, ok? Thank you. You did do it right? I sure hope so. If you did think about it right away, congratulations for being someone who puts the word into practice!

I don't think "God" is the first answer that comes to mind, but check out what my good buddy Wittgenstein says, "The meaning of life, we could call that God. To pray is to think about the meaning of life." And it's true, what we think about, we become, right? What are you thinking about all day? Is it God? Is it taxes, and money, and kids' clothes, and crazy co-workers, and getting cut off in traffic, and... I bet the list goes on for a while doesn't it? That's why it's so important every day to shut all that out and come back to the point of it all: G-O-D. Our Father. That's the goal. Every day. Not that other stuff, becoming little gods walking around the earth, spreading life and love to all who find themselves in our wake. Let's go for it. Today. Every day. Right now. Whatever it takes.

God bless,
Live from your heart,

Scott

Do you want to be healed?

So tell me, do you?

"Uh, well, you know, it's like..." Yeah, I know, I've got my stories too. What stories do you tell yourself about why something can't happen, why it can't work out? No, I'm serious. Stop for a minute and think. What's something that's messed up in your life right now, ok? What is the story you tell yourself about why it's messed up? Or better, what are the stories, right? because we've got more than one, don't we? Mine usually starts with, "Well, you know..." and then it goes on with things like "now isn't the right time. They wouldn't understand. They don't know me. What if they judge me? How can I be sure it'll all work out? What if something goes wrong?..." and it goes on and on, are you following me? I call these incantations (actually it's spelled in-can't-ations) or spells. We put a spell on ourselves. A hex. A curse. (PS. You could write some of yours down so you know what to avoid in the future. The best way is to say, "You know what you're right. Now I am the voice..." and then speak the truth about that situation.)

Jesus came to set us free, and he begins with a question: "Do you want to be healed?" We can go into our big long story (Note: I'm not here to point fingers. I do this all the time... but I'm getting better!), but the truth is, he is here in our lives right now to heal us. "Do you want to be healed?" Let that roll around in your brain today, and I'll talk with you guys again tomorrow...

God bless,
Live from your heart,

Scott

PS. Thanks for all the blog encouragement, and a special shout-out to the one who said "You=fabulous." I really appreciated it...

and he started walking

"That guy believed the words Jesus spoke to him and began walking..."

We've all had that experience, right? At least everyone on this list has had that experience. Jesus speaks, and you just start walking. It makes no sense at all... For instance I can remember the time I decided to go to U of I instead of my dream school, Notre Dame... or like the time I broke up with my last "official girlfriend"... or what about when I decided to leave the frat house and go live in the rectory (with the priests? right in the midst of the scandals coming out in the press? Yeah, good timing, huh?)... What times are you remembering right now? Is now one of those times? If you had to guess what Jesus would say to you today (and just by guessing $100,000 would go to your favorite charity while not guessing would mean no pay out), what would you say? What would it be? To be more loving with someone? more caring? more listening? more patient? Maybe Jesus just wants you to put a big silly grin on your face this morning and leave it there... That'd be nice, wouldn't it? Well, whatever it is, give it a shot... The worst thing that could happen is you'll end up ridiculously happy... "and he began walking..." What a concept...

God bless,
Live from your heart,

Scott

which son are you?

So which son are you? The young punk who blows everything and ends up in rehab, or the old fuddy duddy who never gets to have any fun because he's too busy keeping his nails clean and "following the rules"?

...I hate that question. I hate it because it's not true! Neither one is true. Yeah, ok, there have been times when I've blown it, just like you, right? I'm gonna hallucinate that the answer is, "Oh yeah, big time." Well ok. And haven't there been moments in your life when you were so into the rules, so into your to-do list, so in to "having to" that you forgot to enjoy life and just spend time with Dad? Oops, there I go hallucinating again, I just heard another "yes." Well so what? Does that mean you ARE the older son? No. Does the other experience mean you ARE the younger son? Nooo.

Who ARE you really, Christian? Oh, that's right, another Christ. And where is Christ in this parable? B16 tells us that Christ is the father in the parable. That's who you really are, the father. That's who we all are, the tremendous, life-giving, lover who will do anything to bring others into his feast of life. Are you following me? That's what it's all about. That's what we're here for, isn't it? And I bet there are times when that's exactly who you've been and you've loved every second of it. You are your Father's son (or daughter, ladies on the list).

How would our lives be different if we really believed, "Son, you are with me always, and all that's mine is yours"? How would our faces be different, our voices, our posture? How differently would we treat people? What new things would we think about and appreciate? What new questions would we ask and what new feelings would we feel? Now is the time. "Son you are with me always, and all that's mine is yours." (For those of you who know them, this makes a great incarnation. For those who don't try repeating this with some emotion today. How often? So often it gets stuck in your head...) "Son you are with me always, and all that's mine is yours."

God bless,
Live from your heart,

Scott

no prophet in his own home

I'm back from my week of mission in northern Italy and ready to rock...

"No prophet is welcome in his own home..."

I think most of us say this with a tinge of regret or even a stomachache and a strange, pained look on our face. Jesus doesn't seem to be saying that here at all. For him it's just a statement of fact, tinged with a sense of adventure. Yeah, because even if his own family and friends won't listen, the true apostle (and Jesus is "the apostle and high priest of our faith" in the Letter to the Hebrews) always finds a way. He goes elsewhere to make it happen. "Ok, you won't listen, let me go talk to those people. Maybe if they change their hearts, you'll begin to change yours." St. Paul did this, leaving the synagogue to go preach to the gentiles. St. Teresa of Avila refounded the carmelites, not just reformed them... (In all the documents of her time, they call her "foundress").

Are you not being heard? Maybe its time you went elsewhere to spread the Gospel. I mean, could this be God's invitation to do something beyond the boundaries you've placed on your mission. Some people say, "when you miss your dream, you get your destiny." Josemaria Escriva says, "Fail? You cannot fail. You have gained experience..." Could this be your chance to learn from experience and fulfill your destiny?

God bless,
Live from your heart,

Scott

Fruit

Hey, are you bearing fruit in your life? How can you tell? You know, some of us are probably bearing fruit and don't even realize it. Some of us may not be bearing fruit at all and think we're doing great. The question is: How do you measure your fruitfulness? Go ahead. Think about it. I can wait...

Ok, now, whatever you said, how have you done this week? If you haven't born any this week, when was the last time you bore fruit? And, if you're going to have to wait another 10 years before bearing fruit, then why not change what it means for you to bear fruit so you can BE FRUITFUL NOW? Maybe it's smiles rather than deep conversions. Maybe it's laughter rather than commitments to daily meditation. Whatever it is, make it happen today, and every day, because God is waiting for fruit...

God bless,
Live from your heart,

Scott