Just "Whistle Down the Wind" and He Is There For You

This week I was laid off from my job.

People ask me, "How are you feeling?" Am I freaked out? Devasted? Depressed?

The answer is no. I am not worried because I know I am always in God's care. God has planned great things and I can't wait to see what He has in store for me. Everything is all in God's timing...I know I just have to be patient and trust in Him. I am so thankful to God for everything he has blessed me with. I just want Him to work through me and to serve Him with all of my heart. Though I have lost my job, I feel at peace. With God by my side, I have nothing to worry about. I have nothing to fear.

I sang a special song last night for my church choir concert. It's called, "Whistle Down the Wind" by Andrew Lloyd Weber. I chose this song because it is a song Jesus would have sang to us whenever we are lost in the wilderness. Just call out to Him and he is there for us.

The Homeless Are People Too

I used to be always afraid of homeless people. I would try to avoid them and not make eye contact. If a homeless person were to approach me, I'd jump in my own skin and walk away as fast as I could. Why was I so scared of them? Was it because of their dirty appearance? Was it because I feared that they would harm me? The truth was yes...but the real reason why I was afraid was because I was ignorant that the homeless are people too.

Living in a big city Los Angeles, I see so many homeless people everyday. It makes me realize that being homeless can happen to anybody at anytime. With the cost of living rising, It can be so easy to find yourself thrown out in the streets. People say that the poor chose to be homeless. That is not necessarily true. A lot of homeless people have no choice. Many suffer from health problems, especially war veterans who suffer from mental illnesses. Because they do not receive enough funding for health care and other living expenses from the government, many of the homeless find themselves dying out in the streets. While a big cause of homelessness is drug and alcohol addiction, we must realize that these people need serious help. The reason why they turn to drugs and alcohol is because they need to escape their suffering that they are going through. We cannot ignore their existence. They need our support. They need to know that they have hope. They need to be prayed for.

Although I'm not a millionaire, I don't need to be rich to give to the poor. Yesterday on my day off from work, I made bologna sandwiches and spent the day distributing sack lunches to the homeless. A little act such as making sandwiches can mean so much to a person who is used to getting food from the trash. Even smiling or acknowledging a homeless person's presence would make all the difference.


So why should we be so afraid of the poor? They are people like you and I.

As Mother Teresa once wrote:
Who is Jesus to me?
Jesus is the Word made Flesh.
Jesus is the Bread of Life.
Jesus is the Victim offered for our sins on the Cross.
Jesus is the Sacrifice at Holy Mass
for the sins of the world and mine.
Jesus is the Word - to be spoken.
Jesus is the Truth - to be told.
Jesus is the Way - to be walked.
Jesus is the Light - to be lit.
Jesus is the Life - to be loved.
Jesus is the Joy - to be shared.
Jesus is the Sacrifice - to be given.
Jesus is the Bread of Life - to be eaten.
Jesus is the Hungry - to be fed.
Jesus is the Thirsty - to be satiated.
Jesus is the Naked - to be clothed.
Jesus is the Homeless - to be taken in.
Jesus is the Sick - to be healed.
Jesus is the Lonely - to be loved.
Jesus is the Unwanted - to be wanted.
Jesus is the Leper - to wash his wounds.
Jesus is the Beggar - to give him a smile.
Jesus is the Drunkard - to listen to him.
Jesus is the Little One - to embrace him.
Jesus is the Dumb - to speak to him.
Jesus is the Crippled - to walk with him.
Jesus is the Drug Addict - to befriend him.
Jesus is the Prostitute - to remove from danger and befriend her.
Jesus is the Prisoner - to be visited.
Jesus is the Old - to be served.
To me Jesus is my God,
Jesus is my Spouse,
Jesus is my Life,
Jesus is my only Love,
Jesus is my All in All,
Jesus is my Everything.

Amen.

The Human Experience

THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE is unlike any film I have seen before. In a day and age where mankind seems to falter in endless wars and struggles, this film explores the question of humanity. Why are we here? What is our purpose? What does it mean to be human? Two brothers seek to find the answers themselves. Together they embark on three experiences that would change their lives forever--from living homeless on the streets of New York, to helping abused and mutilated children in Peru, to visiting a leper colony in Ghana. Every human being must see this film because it will forever change the way we all see the world.


(www.grassrootsfilms.com)

For all Catholic Artists in Southern California!

Modeled after CU New York City, Catholic Underground - Hollywood is the first CU on the west coast.

*************
The So Cal Catholic Underground
Los Angeles - Hollywood
Every Third Saturday of the Month
8:00pm - 10:00pm
St. Victor's Catholic Church
8364 Holloway Drive
West Hollywood, CA

*************
The first part of the evening is Eucharistic adoration, and begins with Vespers (Evening Prayer). This is the universal prayer of the Church - prayed by the Catholics throughout the world in every time zone and in every language. After Vespers, there is a time of simple praise. This provides a window for each person to personally encounter Jesus Christ. The beauty of the darkened Church illumined by candles helps us enter the mystery of our Lord's presence in the Eucharist. The Holy Hour ends with solemn Benediction.

The second part showcases Catholic artists. Here we experience the “New Evangelization”. The Underground is literally underground! In the lower part of the church, come experience music, poetry, visual art, dancers, film, drama, and meet the talented artists dedicated to this call!

For more information, email: SoCalCatholicUnderground@gmail.com .

What TRUTH Means To Me

At last night's bible study, we were discussing this question:

How would you define TRUTH?

According to the dictionary, TRUTH is defined as:

1.	the true or actual state of a matter:

2.	conformity with fact or reality; verity: the truth of a statement.

3.	a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like: mathematical truths.

4.	the state or character of being true.

5.	actuality or actual existence.

6.	an obvious or accepted fact; truism; platitude.

7.	honesty; integrity; truthfulness.

8.	(often initial capital letter) ideal or fundamental reality apart from and transcending perceived experience: the basic truths of life.

9.	agreement with a standard or original.

10.	accuracy, as of position or adjustment.

11.	Archaic. fidelity or constancy.

Which of these definitions do you consider the way you see truth? Each one of us has our own perception of "truth." Does something have to be scientifically proven to be considered true? Does something have to be seen in the material world and have physical tangibility to be considered true? The theories and laws we read in our text books are changing everyday. Would we still regard those theories and laws as true?

I agree with all the definitions listed in the dictionary, but they are not necessarily the way I see truth. I define truth as what you believe is real--real in not just the physical world but in the spiritual world too. I define truth as something that has meaning and purpose in my life.

People point out that the Bible have many historical and scientific inaccuracies. For instance the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John do not align in the events of Jesus' life. The earliest Gospel was written at least thirty years after Jesus' death. Because of the details that are not scientifically or historically proven, does this mean that the Bible isn't true? I believe that though the Bible should not be taken literally for every detail, it is the truth to me. Though the Scriptures may not be scientifically or historically proven, they hold powerful messages and teachings of truth that provide meaning and purpose in my life.

We do not need to have literal, concrete, scientific and historically proven details to validate truth in our lives. We don't need to conduct a science experiment or solve a math problem to find the truth. The truth--what we believe and have faith in-- is written on our hearts. If only we just stop for a moment and realize this, will find it.

The truth goes beyond the physical world. Life is truth. Love is truth. God is life and love. God is the Ultimate Truth.

Honoring Mary at the 2008 Pasadena Chalk Fest

This was my first year at Pasadena's Chalk Festival. This is what my group of friends and I made in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

Giving Life A Chance

Just this past Wednesday, June 11, 2008 my new niece, Catherine Joy was born. She is the third daughter of my oldest sister, Misty who is also blessed with two beautiful girls, Elizabeth and Maya. It's amazing how so much love and joy is in this tiny bundle. To be given life and to live life with love are the greatest gifts from God.

I went with lunch with my coworker the other day and she told me the story of when she was pregnant with her daughter. When she was six months into her pregnancy, doctors told her that her unborn child was in danger--they could not find the baby's stomach in the ultrasound. Because of this, doctors offered my coworker the option of abortion. Devastated from the news, my coworker broke down...She knew it was not in her hands to decide whether or not her child was going to live or die--It was only in God's hands. Thanks be to God, Haley was born with a stomach, and though she had some health problems from birth, Haley was able to gain the strength to survive. Today, Haley will be turning two years old at the end of November--and is full of life and love. Having her daughter, changed my coworker's life completely. It taught her to never take anything for granted, especially human life.

Human life is the most precious of all. We would only know its value once we give it a chance.

BELLA -"A Love Story Beyond Romance"

"Bella" is a touching story about what really matters in life, LOVE.

It is a must see for everyone.



(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ9AkTrbxgk)