The end of the Hockey season is here, and for the past three weekends we have been traveling up to Lake Forest to Play at the Winter Club.
This past Saturday, it snowed so much that the kids could not even pass the puck more than 10 feet. The Zamboni came out between the periods to clean the ice, but it did not make much difference. It was crazy, you could not follow the puck, only guess where it was at.
Last night, the team had a game scheduled for 5:30 PM at the same place. All day long I thought the game would be canceled, but it was not. Sue had to drive the kids up there for the game. It rained almost the entire game, and it picked up with intensity as the game wore on. The Evanston Mites lost the game, but they are improving, Joey said the puck looked like a motor boat. Wherever the puck moved, a tail of water followed it.
As we progress week by week and move away from Ash Wednesday and advance in the weeks leading up to Easter, we have to be prepared to do God's Work no matter what the conditions are.
Driving into work today I heard a song on the radio called 'You are still Holy' by Kim Hill. Here is a partial list of the lyrics:
And so I come into Your chamber, And I dance at your Feet, Lord. You are my Savior, And I'm at your mercy. All that has been in my life, Up till now, It belongs to You. You are still Holy.'
Let us become a reflection of God's pure love for us.
Grace & Peace
Tim
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Time to Work Out
Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13
Once we decide to get serious about becoming like Christ, we must begin to act in new ways. Wel need to let go of some old routines, develop some new habits, and intentionally change the way we think.
The verse above shows the two parts of spiritual growth: "work out" and "work in."The "work out" is our responsibility and the "work in" is God's role. Spiritual growth is a collaborative effort between us and the Holy Spirit. God's Spirit works with us, not just in us.
We are all training for the marathon to the foot of the Cross. Work out the details.
Peace
Tim
Once we decide to get serious about becoming like Christ, we must begin to act in new ways. Wel need to let go of some old routines, develop some new habits, and intentionally change the way we think.
The verse above shows the two parts of spiritual growth: "work out" and "work in."The "work out" is our responsibility and the "work in" is God's role. Spiritual growth is a collaborative effort between us and the Holy Spirit. God's Spirit works with us, not just in us.
We are all training for the marathon to the foot of the Cross. Work out the details.
Peace
Tim
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Walking Man
If any person is in Christ, they are a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Twenty Nine Years have passed since I accompanied my parents to 6:30 AM mass for 40 days in a row. I knew I was lucky to be alive, and for some reason, I went to the little chapel at St. John Brebuef in Niles every day during lent. Whenever Ash Wednesday arrives, I remember those early mornings.
As time has gone by, I believe that we do become new in Christ. Every day He calls, every day we respond.
As we travel the Road to Emmaus, we are not alone. Christ is with us, calling us to become a new person.
Peace Be with You
Tim
Twenty Nine Years have passed since I accompanied my parents to 6:30 AM mass for 40 days in a row. I knew I was lucky to be alive, and for some reason, I went to the little chapel at St. John Brebuef in Niles every day during lent. Whenever Ash Wednesday arrives, I remember those early mornings.
As time has gone by, I believe that we do become new in Christ. Every day He calls, every day we respond.
As we travel the Road to Emmaus, we are not alone. Christ is with us, calling us to become a new person.
Peace Be with You
Tim
Monday, February 23, 2009
Incomming Calls are Free
He saved us and he called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace.
2 Timothy 1:9
It's not about our individual success in life. It's about our success in God. We are formed in His image, to do His work. Are we open to his call today?
Grace & Peace
Tim
2 Timothy 1:9
It's not about our individual success in life. It's about our success in God. We are formed in His image, to do His work. Are we open to his call today?
Grace & Peace
Tim
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Bittersweet
Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live Mark 8:35
It was last Friday night, the extended Family came together to support Mom on her Birthday. It was a surprise party, and she is particularly tough to pull one over on her, but we did it.
My brother Tom and his wife Liana were gracious to have the party at their house. We were all there by 5:30 PM. Nana was to arrive somewhere around 6 PM. What we didn't know was that after having lunch in Wrigleyville with Rob & Mary. A burger and a beer tired her out. Getting ready to go out for dinner, she took a nap at home. They got to the party at 7PM.
She was totally taken by surprise. It was only the second time in her life that she had been fooled, according to her.
As the end of the night drew near, we sat in the living room and the words began to flow. She exclaimed that she felt 'So blessed' to have family, friends, and love.
We are blessed when we live our lives for Christ. Start your day at the foot of the Cross. Everything good starts and ends here. We are blessed to know this. We are blessed to have each other.
Papa will start his birthday today at the foot of the cross, braking bread with Jesus. He lived for the Good News, and he knows that life is eternal.
Grace & Peace
Tim
It was last Friday night, the extended Family came together to support Mom on her Birthday. It was a surprise party, and she is particularly tough to pull one over on her, but we did it.
My brother Tom and his wife Liana were gracious to have the party at their house. We were all there by 5:30 PM. Nana was to arrive somewhere around 6 PM. What we didn't know was that after having lunch in Wrigleyville with Rob & Mary. A burger and a beer tired her out. Getting ready to go out for dinner, she took a nap at home. They got to the party at 7PM.
She was totally taken by surprise. It was only the second time in her life that she had been fooled, according to her.
As the end of the night drew near, we sat in the living room and the words began to flow. She exclaimed that she felt 'So blessed' to have family, friends, and love.
We are blessed when we live our lives for Christ. Start your day at the foot of the Cross. Everything good starts and ends here. We are blessed to know this. We are blessed to have each other.
Papa will start his birthday today at the foot of the cross, braking bread with Jesus. He lived for the Good News, and he knows that life is eternal.
Grace & Peace
Tim
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Today's Goal
I did this as an example so that you should do as I have done for you. John 13:15
Seeing Jesus is what Christianity is all about. To see and imitate Christ, is the sum of who we are.
It is not always easy, but this is our goal.
Peace
Tim
Seeing Jesus is what Christianity is all about. To see and imitate Christ, is the sum of who we are.
It is not always easy, but this is our goal.
Peace
Tim
Monday, February 16, 2009
Put Your Game Day On
It was the end of the season. The last game. We all went to support our young 6th grade son and the team.
I did not understand why there was no Tournament. I remember growing up and everything always ended in a tournament.
As the game continued, the St. A's Red Hawks began to show how much discipline they had leaned over the course of the year. Quick Passes, determination to shoot, rebound, play defense, and have fun.
It dawned on me that we don't need tournaments in our lives all the time. We practice everyday for who we are today.
In the final quarter of the game, with a comfortable lead, the coach encouraged all the kids to attempt a three point shot. He continued to rotate kids in the game, to get everyone a change to make the shot.
With 5 seconds on the clock, the reached the baseline and John Charron shot one up from 8 feet out, it hit the rim and came back down. Johnny grabbed the ball, came out to three point range, turned, and launched one. The buzzer sounded right after the ball left his hands. Hit did not hit the rim. it went right threw the net! He scored a three pointer!
The look of wonder and accomplishment was wonderful to witness. John will always remember that shot and so will those that were there to witness it.
As Christ is our coach, how will we walk in His footsteps today? What do we remember from the playbook, from practice? Can we get it done?
Pray hard, Play hard. No prior tournament experience is necessary.
Grace & Peace
Tim
I did not understand why there was no Tournament. I remember growing up and everything always ended in a tournament.
As the game continued, the St. A's Red Hawks began to show how much discipline they had leaned over the course of the year. Quick Passes, determination to shoot, rebound, play defense, and have fun.
It dawned on me that we don't need tournaments in our lives all the time. We practice everyday for who we are today.
In the final quarter of the game, with a comfortable lead, the coach encouraged all the kids to attempt a three point shot. He continued to rotate kids in the game, to get everyone a change to make the shot.
With 5 seconds on the clock, the reached the baseline and John Charron shot one up from 8 feet out, it hit the rim and came back down. Johnny grabbed the ball, came out to three point range, turned, and launched one. The buzzer sounded right after the ball left his hands. Hit did not hit the rim. it went right threw the net! He scored a three pointer!
The look of wonder and accomplishment was wonderful to witness. John will always remember that shot and so will those that were there to witness it.
As Christ is our coach, how will we walk in His footsteps today? What do we remember from the playbook, from practice? Can we get it done?
Pray hard, Play hard. No prior tournament experience is necessary.
Grace & Peace
Tim
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Relationships
We grow up wanting a relationship. We marry, have children, pets, and two cars. This relationship is bigger than just a single person.
Your marriage and even your friendships with fellow believers in Christ are a reflection of the love we have as a gift from God.
It is easy to live life in a vacuum, separated from God, but it's not about ourselves, its about what with we do with the gift that God gave us and what we do with it.
As you connect with family and friends today, consider how your love is an expression of God's glory acting through you.
Peace & Love
Tim
Your marriage and even your friendships with fellow believers in Christ are a reflection of the love we have as a gift from God.
It is easy to live life in a vacuum, separated from God, but it's not about ourselves, its about what with we do with the gift that God gave us and what we do with it.
As you connect with family and friends today, consider how your love is an expression of God's glory acting through you.
Peace & Love
Tim
Monday, February 9, 2009
Where will Today lead us?
God wants you start with the faith you have; and based on the example of the mustard seed, you don’t need a whole lot of faith to do great things for God. You just need a little.
So here’s a trustworthy equation:
Little Faith + Big God = Huge Results!
· You take your little faith; “Lord, I believe! Help me with my unbelief!”
· And you place your faith in our big God,
· And then he’ll show you how he works out huge results.
Grace & Peace
Tim
So here’s a trustworthy equation:
Little Faith + Big God = Huge Results!
· You take your little faith; “Lord, I believe! Help me with my unbelief!”
· And you place your faith in our big God,
· And then he’ll show you how he works out huge results.
Grace & Peace
Tim
Friday, February 6, 2009
National Signing Day
Every day, the one section of the news paper that I pick up first is the Sports section. Always has been that way. Not that I don't read the whole thing, but for some reason I like sports first. The Chicago Tribune was no different than any other news paper in the country yesterday. It was National Signing Day for College Football recruits.
Colleges all across the country were so proud of their recruiting classes. Pictures of young men signing letters, putting on jerseys, and telling stories about how difficult the choices were. I stared at their faces, they are just kids.
As I sat there reading, I could not help but think that this small part of their life, the years they play college football, will be over before they know it. Then what?
Michael Phelps found out this week that when you stray off track, trouble finds it's when into your life.
As we send our kids off to school, I hope we can say they are playing on Christ's Team. We play forever, and the rewards are unlimited when we start every day at the foot of the Cross. He is our Coach and Mentor.
Have a great weekend playing with your Team.
Grace & Peace
Tim
** Happy Birthday Tom Dormin - 39 Yrs Old
Colleges all across the country were so proud of their recruiting classes. Pictures of young men signing letters, putting on jerseys, and telling stories about how difficult the choices were. I stared at their faces, they are just kids.
As I sat there reading, I could not help but think that this small part of their life, the years they play college football, will be over before they know it. Then what?
Michael Phelps found out this week that when you stray off track, trouble finds it's when into your life.
As we send our kids off to school, I hope we can say they are playing on Christ's Team. We play forever, and the rewards are unlimited when we start every day at the foot of the Cross. He is our Coach and Mentor.
Have a great weekend playing with your Team.
Grace & Peace
Tim
** Happy Birthday Tom Dormin - 39 Yrs Old
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The Spirit Lives
By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 1 John 4:13
Many things out of our control pull us away from who we are. They continue to happen. A fire at Holy Name Cathedral, the untimely death of 10 year old student in Evanston, the ailing economy and yet the struggle to live and move forward continues.
Lift your head up, today brings a new day, and new hope.
The Holy Spirit is with each of us. Be silent, listen, pray and find your direction.
Then make lunches for the kids, get the kids to school, do the laundry, go to work, cook dinner, walk the dog, help kids with homework, pay the bills, and clean the house.
It is hectic, but the Spirit is Alive in each in each of us. How else can we get through the day?
Grace & Peace
Tim
Many things out of our control pull us away from who we are. They continue to happen. A fire at Holy Name Cathedral, the untimely death of 10 year old student in Evanston, the ailing economy and yet the struggle to live and move forward continues.
Lift your head up, today brings a new day, and new hope.
The Holy Spirit is with each of us. Be silent, listen, pray and find your direction.
Then make lunches for the kids, get the kids to school, do the laundry, go to work, cook dinner, walk the dog, help kids with homework, pay the bills, and clean the house.
It is hectic, but the Spirit is Alive in each in each of us. How else can we get through the day?
Grace & Peace
Tim
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Inquiring Minds
For several months, our 6th grade son has asked this question. "Dad, at the end of Mass, why do we say - The Mass is over, go in Peace to love and serve the Lord, Thanks be to God?"
He is very literal. Does it mean "Thank You" as in we are grateful for having come together to worship, or does it mean "Thank God, the Mass is over?"
This past weekend, he wanted to know why the Pastor used waxed candles to bless the throats of the Parishioners on the Feast Day of St. Blaise.. I tried to look up the wax candle bit on Goggle, but I could still not find an answer.
We accept things on this side of Heaven, knowing that we will come to understand everything when we rest in eternal salvation.
Grace & Peace
Tim
He is very literal. Does it mean "Thank You" as in we are grateful for having come together to worship, or does it mean "Thank God, the Mass is over?"
This past weekend, he wanted to know why the Pastor used waxed candles to bless the throats of the Parishioners on the Feast Day of St. Blaise.. I tried to look up the wax candle bit on Goggle, but I could still not find an answer.
We accept things on this side of Heaven, knowing that we will come to understand everything when we rest in eternal salvation.
Grace & Peace
Tim
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
What's in a Name
In 1972, after receiving a less than a stellar grade on a spelling test from Mrs. Barber, at St. John Brebuef School in Niles, I had to have my test signed by my parents. I forgot and it was time to turn the test in. Looking for a way out, I asked the smartest girl in the room, Mary Lee, how to spell Mrs. Patton. I knew I had the Patton part down, but was not sure about how to spell Mrs. I learned that morning, that Mrs. is spelled "Misses". And so I forged my Mom's signature on the test. Oh sure I got caught, but I don't recall the consequences. I just remembered the love from my Mom.
This week, our second grade son came home from school with a similar problem. He had scored 18/24 on his spelling test. We have been practicing and trying to improve each week. On my way home from work, I got a call from the older brother. "Hey Dad, Joey asked me if I could sign your name in cursive on his spelling test." I could only laugh. He is trying the same scheme I tried 37 years ago. I do give him credit though, he found someone that knew how to spell my name correctly.
There was no punishment, only a discussion about right and wrong.
In the experience, I can only hope and pray that he will continue to seek the truth in his life.. There is one Truth.
His name is easy to spell . J-E-S-U-S.
Grace & Peace
Tim
This week, our second grade son came home from school with a similar problem. He had scored 18/24 on his spelling test. We have been practicing and trying to improve each week. On my way home from work, I got a call from the older brother. "Hey Dad, Joey asked me if I could sign your name in cursive on his spelling test." I could only laugh. He is trying the same scheme I tried 37 years ago. I do give him credit though, he found someone that knew how to spell my name correctly.
There was no punishment, only a discussion about right and wrong.
In the experience, I can only hope and pray that he will continue to seek the truth in his life.. There is one Truth.
His name is easy to spell . J-E-S-U-S.
Grace & Peace
Tim
Monday, February 2, 2009
Happy Birthday
See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children, and we really are! 1 John 3:1
Being God's Children allows us to see Him as our Heavenly and Earthly Father.
As children, one of the things we look forward to is Birthday Parties. In the Patton House, February was and is a big birthday month:
Greg - 2/2; Charlie 2/2; Laura 2/11; Mom 2/13; Uncle George 2/13, Papa 2/18, and Grandpa Stan 2/28. I may have missed 1 or two.
Over the years we have tried to gather to celebrate the birthdays on a regular basis.
Our children are still talking about last February in 2008. We were celebrating the birthdays, and my Dad stood up to read a poem that he had written for the occasion. The poem was in honor of my mother. I can't remember the words, but I do recall the emotions.
As he stood reading, he trembled and cried as he cited his love and thanks for his wife of 50 years. They were and will always be best friends. He was normally not a crier at such events, but this was different. We knew his health was not improving on a daily basis, although he could still get out and clear the driveway of 8" of snow on any given day.
Our children from time to time will ask us why Papa was crying that night. When you love someone so much, and you have to say goodbye, tears come from your heart. They are not your words, but they are the words of the Holy Spirit.
We come from God, and we return to God. We always belong to Him.
Love your families like Christ loved Children. It is a special place to be, and the memories that come from the walls of your house will last a lifetime.
Tim
Being God's Children allows us to see Him as our Heavenly and Earthly Father.
As children, one of the things we look forward to is Birthday Parties. In the Patton House, February was and is a big birthday month:
Greg - 2/2; Charlie 2/2; Laura 2/11; Mom 2/13; Uncle George 2/13, Papa 2/18, and Grandpa Stan 2/28. I may have missed 1 or two.
Over the years we have tried to gather to celebrate the birthdays on a regular basis.
Our children are still talking about last February in 2008. We were celebrating the birthdays, and my Dad stood up to read a poem that he had written for the occasion. The poem was in honor of my mother. I can't remember the words, but I do recall the emotions.
As he stood reading, he trembled and cried as he cited his love and thanks for his wife of 50 years. They were and will always be best friends. He was normally not a crier at such events, but this was different. We knew his health was not improving on a daily basis, although he could still get out and clear the driveway of 8" of snow on any given day.
Our children from time to time will ask us why Papa was crying that night. When you love someone so much, and you have to say goodbye, tears come from your heart. They are not your words, but they are the words of the Holy Spirit.
We come from God, and we return to God. We always belong to Him.
Love your families like Christ loved Children. It is a special place to be, and the memories that come from the walls of your house will last a lifetime.
Tim
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