***Following Christ Is . . .

continuous pure joy.         

****Living Above the Genius Level

        Here's a video that's a compilation of eight past "CBS Sunday Morning" stories featuring some brilliant and remarkable prodigies and talented individuals. It's almost 43 minutes long, but I think you probably would enjoying watching it. I suppose that most of us wouldn't mind being gifted in some special way. Here are some of my thoughts. If you use your amazing talent just to earn fame or riches, or just to feel good yourself, not realizing that it all came from God, then your achievement is not really on any lofty level. On the other hand, talented or not, anyone who loves and serves Christ faithfully and humbly is truly operating on a level way above all the other levels. Then if you were one of those remarkable geniuses and love and live for the Lord with all your heart, that would be absolutely fantastic!
         

**Stubborn Generation**

        In Matthew 9, when Jesus saw the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd. Today, the people, Christians included, are not that different. Again, only Christ can fundamentally change us. Without getting him involved, yon can talk, complain, cry, and advise all you want and the problem remains. It is tragic that people do not surrender themselves to the Lord to seek direct help from him. If they have no desire to change themselves first, they remain troubled and abandoned like lost sheep. 

**Critical Realization**

        It is God's will that we all come to realize that Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords. When that happens, there'll be heaven on earth. And it's up to each of us to arrive at this realization and become heaven bound.

***Need for a Lord

        Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. I saw that God had created us to need a perfect Lord to follow, and Christ is that one! 

***Now or Later*

         We'll all face the Lord at the end of this life. If you are super smart, you'd face him now, get your eternity all settled, and start living a carefree life. Otherwise, you'd keep living a miserable life and face an unknown future later. The choice should be clear unless ...

**Perfect State to Be In*

        Communion experience. The Lord and I are as one. I remain perfectly still, savoring my rest in him. 

***Our Biggest Enemy***

         It's our ego. Leave it unchecked and it'll destroy your soul. Starve it to death and you defeat Satan as well.

***Beautiful Faith Journey***

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 4, Jesus and his disciples were in a boat crossing to the other side. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?” I can see that having faith in the almighty Lord is such a beautiful and exciting thing! And we are perfect candidates for living a life of abandonment to him.

***Sign You're in Union with God

        You are in union with God when you feel completely at ease with Christ, looking forward to doing whatever will he has for you.