Messages From My Friend

inspirational real life stories celebrating compassion, empathy, and personal triumph during adversity

  • Home
  • About
  • Family
  • Relationships
  • Joy & Loss
  • Cultural
  • Inspirational
  • True North
  • Other Sources

The “Polish Mule”

August 14, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

The “Polish Mule”

Christmas was “The Best of Times, and the Worst of Times”, for my 17-year-old friend.

The “Best of Times”, was dreaming about a New Set of “Hogan” Golf Clubs -The “Woods” made from Persimmon. The “Irons” with stiff steel shafts & forged club faces milled to perfection. Balls hit correctly on the “Sweet-Spot”, felt like hitting butter. The possibility of getting Foot-Joy leather golf shoes was beyond imagination.

The “Worst of Times’ was dreading to deliver boxes of his father’s Homemade “Kielbasa” to dozens of his Father’s Business Customers. These wealthy, cultured Industrialists couldn’t possibly welcome Julian’s “Little Bags of Mystery” into their homes. (Pork Parts, Seasoned with Onion & Garlic (and Julian’s secret spices), encased in animal intestines). It’s disgusting just to describe “Kielbasa”.

Much more to have a 17-year-old self-conscious son deliver it in person to distinguished gentlemen, or their sophisticated wives. (Dozens of deliveries in the city, suburbs, and Southeast Wisconsin were required before Christmas.) The body odor, from a car filled with dozens of boxes of “Kielbasa” in the back seat, lingered well past Christmas, regardless of the number of showers taken, or soap, used. Teenage girls stayed away in droves. They called him, “The Polish Mule”.

My friend’s Ego was scarred for Life.

At his Father’s Funeral, Customer after Customer, shook my friend’s hand to offer their condolences. Each Man & their Wife (without exception) said, “We will miss your father. He was a kind & generous man. We will also miss his wonderful, delectable “Kielbasa” Christmas Gift. It was a delicacy that All of our family & friends waited for with great anticipation at Christmas.”

Now it was the “Best of Times. And Worst of Times”. Again. It was the “Best” to hear the Captains of Industry & their cultured wives praise his father. It was the “Worst” to be embarrassed for being embarrassed about delivering his father’s “Kielbasa”. His father taught him an invaluable Lesson: “Esse quam Videri”: “To be, rather than to appear.” Substance over style. People admire what is True, and Good, and Real. They Thirst for the Genuine Article. (They spot the “Knock-Offs” a mile away.)

The customers knew the enormous Effort and Love that was required for Julian to make his homemade “Kielbasa”:

  •  The kitchen table was stretched to its limit.
  •  Then rolls of brown paper covered the table.
  •  Platters of “Choice” pork products were hand-stuffed into a large meat grinder.
  •  The ground results were spread onto fresh brown paper.
  •  Onion, Garlic, and Julian’s “Secret Spices” were hand-spread over the ground meat with the precision of a “watchmaker”.
  •  The resulting product was hand mixed and stuffed into another machine that pushed the ground delicacy into long tubes of animal intestines, that were twisted & bound, at 8-inch intervals.
  •  The finished product was wrapped in Butcher’s paper, and boxed for delivery.

Julian spent incalculable man hours making enough homemade “Kielbasa” for ALL of his customers. Perhaps, St. Peter got a whiff of “Garlic & Onions” when he shook Julian’s hand, and said, “Merry Christmas, Julian. And Welcome Home, in Heaven.”

The Self-Destruction of the Catholic Hierarchy

March 8, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

The Self-Destruction of the Catholic Hierarchy

The charity of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in the 1200’s and the devotion of Mother Theresa to the Outcasts of Calcutta are the “Faces” of the Gift of Grace flowing through the Body of Christ.

But our Transformation is a journey, with several forks in the road. Our Free Will can choose to turn our face from God and take the path of least resistance (selfishness), on the Road to Perdition.

The selling of Indulgences in the Middle Ages was the Catholic Hierarchy’s loss of Moral Virginity. The Decades of Directing the Spread of Pedophilia Worldwide are the Catholic Hierarchy’s (Bishops & Cardinals) Loss of Moral Legitimacy – to be the “Keepers of the Keys to Heaven”.

“Better for a man to have a millstone tied around his neck and cast into the sea, than to harm one of these (child)”, Christ said. And for clarity & emphasis, Christ repeated, “Better that a man not be born, than to harm a child.” For decades, the Catholic Hierarchy deliberately destroyed the innocence of tens of thousands of trusting children, worldwide – that’s the Face of Satan.

At the beginning of the Pedophile Priest Problem, the Bishops & Cardinals had the opportunity to teach the world about the Power of God’s Grace. God’s Grace was more than sufficient to identify the Pedophile Priest’s 1st abuse of an innocent child. The Bishop could’ve removed that priest from the Parish, and reported the incident to civil authorities. The pedophile priest would then have received punishment or treatment, protecting innocent children from future abuse.

God’s Grace would have evident to all for providing the clarity of mind & tenderness of heart of the Hierarchy to identify a problem and provide an effective remedy for all parties concerned.

Instead, consumed by Pride to cling to the Power & Privilege of their Pointy Hats & Crooked Sticks, the Bishops & Cardinals were obtuse to their Destruction of the FAITH IN CHRIST, in the Sanctuary of Souls, of millions of children, their parents, and disgusted Catholics – worldwide.

For example, Archbishop Weakland stole $240,000 from Church Funds to pay “Hush Money” to conceal his Crime & Sin of Transfers. There was no concern for his victims. (It was all about him.) There was No “Nathan to David” – “Moment of Truth”. There was only Self-Serving, Self-Righteous, Self-Acquittal in the Protective Catholic Hierarchy Bubble, insulated from outside scrutiny.

Weakland’s successor, Archbishop Listecki, never bothered to legally collect the stolen church funds, which may have forced Weakland into Bankruptcy.Instead, Listecki continued to invite Weakland to a place of honor in important Community Church Functions. Some Penance Indeed.

The Catholic Hierarchy is the modern-day Judas. Christ made No Distinction between Hs Brutal Executioners and Saul persecuting Believers in Christ. Likewise, there is No Distinction between Judas betraying Christ, and the Catholic Hierarchy betraying the innocent Altar Boy’s Trust in Priests. That blatant betrayal in Trust cost the children’s’ Faith in God, and all things Holy.

Bishop Barron wrote a laughable defense that “The Devil made them do it”. (That was Flip Wilson’s joke in the 70’s.) Satan barely had to nudge the Hierarchy to commit their heinous WORKS to keep their Power & Privilege. Blaming Satan, rather than blame the Hierarchy’s arrogance to ignore God’s Grace to resist temptation (for 20 years) is the “Good Old Boys’ Club” Defending the Indefensible. The Hierarchy’s disgusting actions speak so loudly, that I can’t hear what Bishop Barron is saying. 

The “Anguish of the Abused” pains God’s Heart. The loss of millions of souls betrays Christ’s standard “To Love one another, as I (Christ) love you”. The Bishops & Cardinals were more concerned about people kissing their rings, than about washing the people’s feet. The Hierarchy forfeited their positions because their WORKS ignored the Gift of Grace to love others.

The “Keys to the Kingdom” need to be transferred to the Parish Pastor & Priests and Parishioners, as Members of the Mystical Body of Christ, (with Christ, thru the Pope, as its Head) ministering to one another – by administering & receiving the Sacraments. ALL of the Hierarchy’s Functions can be performed by Priests, Deacons & Laity. It’s just a matter of Organizational Management Change.

The Gift of Grace is the gyroscope of our soul that returns us to the “Road less Traveled” (Love of God & others), by Repentance. Repentance asks God, “To create in me a new clean heart”. God does. No sin, no matter how vile or frequent, can exceed the Forgiveness, of the welcoming embrace, of the outstretched arms, of the Redemptive Cross.

All of the Catholic Hierarchy Participating in the Perpetuation of Pedophilia worldwide (including those who knew what was happening, but remained silent & did nothing are “Accessories after the Fact”) will have their sins forgiven through Genuine Repentance. But they Must NEVER Have Their Power or Prestige Positions RESTORED, because their WORKS were cast to the bottom of the sea.

The Gift of Grace forgives our sins and continues to transform us to love God & others, in the Mystical Body of Christ – (Horizontally, as Originally Constructed – Only Vertically through Christ). The Gift of Grace provides Justification and Transformation through the Participation in the Mystical Body of Christ (where members of different talents are All valued the same by God.

The Catholic Hierarchy was rotten to its Core. From top to bottom, inside-out. The Hierarchy eschewed Christ’s disdain for those seeking personal places of Honor. Christ told the Apostles, “The First shall be Last, and the Last, First”, in response to the Apostles jockeying for the “Best Seats of Honor” around the table with Christ.

That’s why Christ organized the Mystical Body of Christ, Horizontally: ALL MEMBERS with different Talents, performing different functions, are all viewed the Same by God. The Only Vertical Member was Christ, as the Head of the Body. The power of the Gift of Grace flowed through each member, one to another, sufficient for each to perform their function. Because Grace is a Gift from God, there is No Personal Honor performing more complex, important duties. All functions, great or small, Honor God.

Like the Flash Mob Below, of various musicians playing a variety of instruments, accompanied by a chorus of professional singers & audience participants, ALL producing ONE Harmonious, Honoring Praise of God.

The above YouTube music video is a functional definition of the Mystical Body of Christ.

“Success Is Not Final. Failure is Not Fatal.” – Winston Churchill

September 18, 2021 by admin Leave a Comment

“Success Is Not Final. Failure is Not Fatal.” – Winston Churchill

In addition to his quote in this blog post title, Churchill’s Commencement speech advised college graduates to, “Never, Never, Never, Never, Never Give UP.” Then, he sat down. Churchill’s wisdom mirrors Kipling’s advice in the Poem, “If’: “If you meet with Triumph & Disaster, treat those two imposters, just the same.”

Churchill’s formula for “Success” applies to many human endeavors.

It applies to Our Life’s Purpose described by the diverse observations below. To wit:

  • In the song, “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina”, Andrew Lloyd Weber had Evita sing, “Fortune & Fame are not the solutions they promised to They are illusions.”
  • Solomon, who tasted all the world’s pleasures & treasures, concluded, “ All is Vanity.”
  • Job, in pain & loss, sitting on a dunghill, on the outskirts of town, with his wife & friends jeering him, said, “God knows me.” And, “My Redeemer lives.’
  • In prison, Paul wrote, “I consider everything so much rubbish, that I might gain Christ.”

Clearly, Treasure, Pleasure, and Fame are transient things. Requiring more, more often, to satisfy a fragile ego, pandering to the Social Mores du jour. Fueled by the gratuitous gravitational forces of Pride, Lust Greed, etc. that fester in the soft underbelly of our humanity. That’s the “Opium of the Masses.” And Not, Religion, which Marx labeled.

The word “Religion” comes from 2 Latin words, “Re Ligo” – “To Link Again”. Religion “links again” our relationship with the peace & joy of the companionship of God. We were made in the “Image and Likeness of God” to be “Children of God” & “Heirs to Heaven”.

But Adam sinned (turned away from God’s companionship), and the perfect relationship with God was broken. So, God sent His Son, Jesus, to become man, and suffer & die on the Cross, to re-graft His “Broken Branches” into the “Living Vine”. Then, the original relationship with God was restored.

The sanctuary of our soul experiences the presence of God within it, by simply accepting that God loves us “As Is”. And accordingly, we will love God & others, asking nothing in return.

“Religion” is Not choosing the “Correct One” of the thousands of Christian Denominations, or Islam, or Catholicism, or Buddhism, or any Other “Ism” claiming to be the “Only Way” to know the will of God, by adherence to their Creeds, or keeping commandments, or doing good deeds.

The “Re-Linking” of the relationship with God is an Experience. A Mystical Experience. Well beyond any human enterprise. (“We don’t have a soul. We are a Soul. We have a body.” – C. S. Lewis). It’s our Soul’s Spirit experiencing the infinite Love of God. Reflecting that Love back to God & Others is the gyroscope for our Soul. We will keep Commandments and do Good Deeds by reflecting God’s Love.

The Successful restoration of our Soul’s relationship with God is Not Final: Our flawed Humanity will sin, again and again. But our Failure is Not Fatal: No sin, no matter how vile or frequent, can exceed the forgiveness, of the welcoming embrace, of the outstretched arms, of the Redemptive Cross: “Father forgive them for they no not what they do.” So, “Never, Never, Never, Never, Never Give Up.”

We can repent again and again, “creating in us a new clean heart”. Then, our heart will lie peaceful & calm, when it’s laid to its rest, experiencing the Peace & Joy of the Companionship of God, forever.

Met God. And God said, “My Mercy is Sufficient.”

August 22, 2021 by admin Leave a Comment

I Met God. And God said, “My Mercy is Sufficient.”

My friend shared with me the following profound insight into the Book, “Don Quixote”:

After hundreds of pages of Don Quixote courageously performing acts of unselfish chivalry for what is “Right”, the author dismisses all the previous sacrifice of doing “Good”, and replaces that Principle in the last few pages of the book with: “Don Quixote”, “I met God. And God said, “My Mercy is Sufficient.

This dismissal of doing “Good Deeds”, is congruent to Franciscan Priest, Richard Rohr’s interpretation of the “Letters of St. Paul”: “Ladder Theology is Wrong”. A person doesn’t earn his way to Heaven by Keeping Commandments, Doing Good Deeds, or Knowing Scripture. Belief in Christ’s Merciful Redemption is sufficient

“Ladder Theology” is based on the Pavlovian Principle of: Stimulus. Response. Reward. Our Culture demands a reward for doing a good deed. And nothing for no results. We must earn what we get. That Principle is counter-intuitive to God’s Mercy, Love, and Forgiveness. God’s Forgiveness is “Like the fragrance that the violet sheds on the boot that crushed it” (Mark Twain). That’s why Christ said from the Cross, “Father forgive them (Jewish false accusers, & Roman brutal executioners) for they know not what they do”.

WE DON’T NEED “To be willing to march into Hell for a Heavenly cause – To reach the Unreachable Star.”

The “New Impossible Dream” is to accept that God accepts us “AS IS”

God knows that we are Guilty Sinners, but acquits us anyway. Forgives us, anyway. Accepts us “As Is”. God’s 3 attempts in the Old Testament “Covenants with Man” all failed because man couldn’t keep his part of the Bargain. So, God found a different way to re-graft His “Broken Branches” into the “Living Vine.”

God sent his only Son to become man (Jesus) and suffer & die for the forgiveness of all sins (past, present, and future) so that all who believe in Him, shall not perish, but have life everlasting. Christ came to restore the broken relationship with God. That restoration requires Faith & Repentance. Faith in Christ as the Son of God who died to forgive our sins. Repentance “To create in me a new clean heart.” – Psalm 51. Repentance removes the fog of sin which obfuscates the presence of God in the Sanctuary of our Soul.

Faith in Christ restores our relationship as “Children of God” & ”Heirs to Heaven”. Repentance maintains & cultivates that restored relationship. There is No Limit to the number of times we can repent our sins. No sin, no matter how vile or frequent exceeds the forgiveness of the welcoming embrace, of the outstretched arms, of the Redemptive Cross. Our difficulty is to accept that God accepts us “As Is”. Or That: “God’s mercy is sufficient.”

God sent us The Holy Spirit, to serve as the Gyroscope for our soul to continue to enjoy our Companionship with God.

As a result of accepting God’s Merciful Forgiveness, we will love God and each other. As a result, we will keep the Commandments, do good deeds, and know Scripture. Our new relationship with God is best expressed as a member of the “Mystical Body of Christ”.

The “Mystical Body of Christ” is described as “Christ as its Head, and all members of different talents, all valued the same by God. God’s Gift of Grace flows from one member to another. That’s the functional definition of Love: “Sharing what we have with each other, expecting nothing in return”

That’s the Cosmic Beauty of the “Mystical Body of Christ”: Experiencing the awesome awareness of the presence of God within us, and sharing it with others.

This marvelous new relationship with God & each other is majestically & joyously expressed in the Divinely Inspired Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, with Barenboim conducting the West East Divan Orchestra (of 100 Arab & Israeli musicians & the 200 member London Youth Choral Group).

The above YouTube music video expresses the Divine Inspiration of Beethoven’s Creation of his Symphony No. 9

Next Page »

Popular posts

  • Kipling’s Poem “If” – with Biblical Similarities
  • Art: The Portrayal of God’s Creation, Forgiveness, & Reconciliation with Man
  • Science Debunks Darwin’s Theory of Evolution
  • About “Forgiveness”
  • Lessons Learned from the Movie “the Upside”
  • It Takes “Immense Patience” to Find “The True North Compass of Our hearts”
  • A Violin Table Side Serenade on Valentine’s Day
  • Hat Full of Peas Story
  • “I Found One Love”
  • The Breakthrough Effect
  • “The Kissmobile” – Literally, “La Dolce Vita”
  • A Bride’s Choice of Two Men on Her Wedding Day
  • The Meaning of Wishing: “Merry Christmas”
  • About Thriving Marriages & Lasting Relationships
  • Life’s Two Major Tasks

Recent Comments

  • Michael Kilian on The “Our Father”, with Poetic and Biblical References
  • Karen on The Buddhist Tonglen Prayer, with Christian Values
  • Karen on It Takes “Immense Patience” to Find “The True North Compass of Our hearts”
  • J. M. Bruso Jr. on Science Debunks Darwin’s Theory of Evolution
  • Ken on Thanksgiving – Then & Now
  • Michael Schmitz on A Violin Table Side Serenade on Valentine’s Day
  • Michael Schmitz on “I Found One Love”
  • Michael Schmitz on Evidence of the Presence of the Holy Spirit
  • Michael Schmitz on God Speaks to us in Different Ways – Not Just Through the Bible
  • Michael Schmitz on Life’s Two Major Tasks
  • Jeff Schimp on The Meaning of Wishing: “Merry Christmas”
  • Tom on “The Kissmobile” – Literally, “La Dolce Vita”
  • James LeBeau on Making a Difference
  • Jacqueline Jaske on The Breakthrough Effect
  • Ray S. on Civilization Hangs in the Balance

Categories

  • Cultural
  • Family
  • Inspirational
  • Joy & Loss
  • Relationships
  • True North
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • August 2022
  • March 2022
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • June 2021
  • April 2021
  • February 2021
  • September 2020
  • May 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • July 2018

Copyright © 2023 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in