Wisdom Dwells in Us Sirach 24:1-12

 Brother, welcome to Exodus.

We continue our series on Bl. Karl of Austria, "The Emperor of Peace," with a presentation by Fr. Boniface Hicks, OSB, our upcoming spiritual guide for Exodus 90. Tune in to learn more about the last Catholic Emperor and how he serves as a model of holiness for men in the modern world. 

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God. Seek the eternal wisdom that dwells among God’s people today. Take one minute of silence now, praying for God’s blessing on you, your family, fraternity, and all Exodus Men.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring love. Where there is offence, let me bring pardon. Where there is discord, let me bring union. Where there is error, let me bring truth. Where there is doubt, let me bring faith. Where there is despair, let me bring hope. Where there is darkness, let me bring your light. Where there is sadness, let me bring joy. O Lord, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love, for it is in giving that one receives, it is in self-forgetting that one finds, it is in forgiving that one is forgiven, it is in dying that one awakens to eternal life. Amen.

Wisdom makes her abode in the communion of saints.

A Reading from the Book of Sirach

Wisdom will praise herself and is honored in God, and will glory in the midst of her people. In the assembly of the Most High she will open her mouth, and in the presence of his host she will glory. In the midst of her people she is exalted; in holy fulness she is admired. In the multitude of the chosen she finds praise, and among the blessed she is blessed, saying: “I came forth from the mouth of the Most High, the first-born before all creatures. I ordained that an unfailing light should arise in the heavens, and I covered the earth like a mist. I dwelt in high places, and my throne was in a pillar of cloud. Alone I have made the circuit of the vault of heaven and have walked in the depths of the abyss. In the waves of the sea, in the whole earth, and in every people and nation I have gotten a possession. Among all these I sought a resting place; I sought in whose territory I might lodge.

”Then the Creator of all things gave me a commandment, and the one who created me assigned a place for my tent. And he said, ‘Make your dwelling in Jacob, and in Israel receive your inheritance, and among my chosen put down your roots.’ From eternity, in the beginning, he created me, and for eternity I shall not cease to exist. In the holy tabernacle I ministered before him, and so I was established in Zion. In the beloved city likewise he gave me a resting place, and in Jerusalem was my dominion. So I took root in an honored people, in the portion of the Lord, who is their inheritance, and my abode was in the full assembly of the saints.

Reflection

We hear today that Wisdom will praise herself in the assembly of the Most High. In this, we see again that wisdom is a divine reality, intimately connected with God himself and given to us to share. Before we act or speak, we’re called to listen to this divine Wisdom to attune ourselves to her voice in the depths of our being.

Wisdom comes forth from the mouth of the Most High, echoing the creation narrative of God speaking the world into existence. This connection between Wisdom and creation reminds us that the entire universe is infused with God’s wisdom. And this can help liberate us from a narrow, self-centered perspective and renew the wonder of childhood. We’re invited to see the world through the lens of divine Wisdom, recognizing God’s fingerprints in nature, in human creativity, in our lives, and the unfolding of history.

The image of Wisdom covering the earth like a mist speaks to her all-pervasive nature. Just as mist can fill every crevice and coat every surface, divine Wisdom is available to us in every situation and circumstance of our lives. This spurs us to be ever more attentive, seeking God’s wisdom not just in moments of quiet reflection, but in all of daily life, in our work, our relationships, and especially in our challenges.

Wisdom’s dwelling in the pillar of cloud hearkens back to God’s guidance of the Israelites in the wilderness. Wisdom is not static, but dynamic: watching over, guiding, and protecting us on our journey through life. For Exodus men navigating the complexities of modern life, Wisdom is the pole star showing us the path to our heavenly Father through the way of the Lord.

The description of Wisdom’s journey through creation, seeking a resting place, culminates in her choosing to dwell in Israel, specifically in Jerusalem. This localization of Wisdom’s presence doesn’t limit her but rather emphasizes the importance of community and tradition in our pursuit of wisdom. It challenges us to root ourselves in a community of faith, to engage deeply with our spiritual heritage, and to recognize the value of the shared wisdom of the tradition handed down to us.

The image of Wisdom taking root among God’s people challenges us to consider. How deeply rooted are we in divine Wisdom? Are we like trees planted by streams of water, drawing continual nourishment from God’s presence? Or are we more like tumbleweeds, blown about by every wind of doctrine or cultural trend?

For leaders, whether in our families, workplaces, or communities, Sirach’s portrayal of Wisdom offers great guidance. We’re called to lead not trusting in our own powers, perseverance, or wit, but by cooperating with the all-powerful and wise God. True greatness comes not from our own abilities, but from joining ourselves to God’s wisdom and purposes.

Remember, brothers, that the pursuit of Wisdom is not an abstract intellectual exercise, but a lived relationship with the triune God. Allow God’s wisdom to permeate every aspect of your life, shaping your character, guiding your decisions, and transforming your relationships.

Let’s be men who are known for our pursuit of divine Wisdom. With so much superficial opinion and malign influence surrounding us, let our lives stand as testimonies to the enduring power and relevance of God’s wisdom.

Wisdom makes her abode in the communion of saints.

Let us pray.

Eternal Father of Lights, we praise you for the gift of Wisdom, who delights the children of men. You have ordained wisdom as an unfailing light in the heavens, sent to cover the earth like a mist. May we, illuminated by your Holy Spirit, recognize the voice of wisdom, and provide a dwelling place for her in our hearts. Let us be counted among the blessed in whom she finds praise. As we journey through this earthly life, Let wisdom be our constant companion and guide that we may dwell in the full assembly of the saints, and find our portion in you, our eternal inheritance. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, your Wisdom and Power made flesh. Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Wisdom brings gladness

Brother, welcome to Exodus.

St. John Henry Newman, whose feast we celebrate today, passionately sought the truth, even when it upended his life. He followed God's prompting into the fulness of faith handed down to us through the apostles, giving up his prestigious position and friends in Oxford. Newman models the cost and rewards of seeking God's wisdom above all things, enabling him to become a shining light to others. 

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of God. Seek God's wisdom and let it guide your words and actions today. Take one minute of silence now, praying for God’s blessing on you, your family, fraternity, and all Exodus Men.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me bring love. Where there is offence, let me bring pardon. Where there is discord, let me bring union. Where there is error, let me bring truth. Where there is doubt, let me bring faith. Where there is despair, let me bring hope. Where there is darkness, let me bring your light. Where there is sadness, let me bring joy. O Lord, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love, for it is in giving that one receives, it is in self-forgetting that one finds, it is in forgiving that one is forgiven, it is in dying that one awakens to eternal life. Amen.

Wisdom brings gladness and a crown of rejoicing.

A Reading from the Book of Sirach

The man who fears the Lord will do this, and he who holds to the law will obtain wisdom. She will come to meet him like a mother, and like the wife of his youth she will welcome him. She will feed him with the bread of understanding, and give him the water of wisdom to drink. He will lean on her and will not fall, and he will rely on her and will not be put to shame. She will exalt him above his neighbors, and will open his mouth in the midst of the assembly; she will fill him with a spirit of wisdom and understanding, and clothe him with a robe of glory. He will find gladness and a crown of rejoicing, and will acquire an everlasting name. Foolish men will not obtain her, and sinful men will not see her.

She is far from men of pride, and liars will never think of her. A hymn of praise is not fitting on the lips of a sinner, for it has not been sent from the Lord. For a hymn of praise should be uttered in wisdom, and the Lord will prosper it.

Reflection

Sirach paints a vivid picture of the relationship between wisdom and those who seek her, offering us a profound insight into the nature of true freedom and fulfillment. As men striving to live lives of purpose and integrity, these words challenge us to reconsider our understanding of wisdom and its role in our spiritual journey.

The passage begins by describing the man who fears the Lord and holds fast to the law. This fear isn’t a cowering dread, but a reverent awe that recognizes God’s sovereignty and goodness. It’s a posture of humility and openness, acknowledging that true wisdom comes not from our own intellect or experience, but from God Himself. Before we act, before we speak, before we decide, we’re called to turn our hearts toward God, seeking understanding as sons at the feet of our all-wise Father.

Sirach then personifies Wisdom as a mother and a virgin bride, embracing and nourishing those who seek her. This imagery speaks to the intimacy and life-giving nature of our relationship with divine wisdom. It’s not a cold, detached knowledge but a warm, nurturing presence that shapes our character and guides our steps. As we cultivate this relationship with Wisdom, we find ourselves growing not just in knowledge but also in virtue and discernment.

The fruits of this relationship with Wisdom are described in rich detail. Those who embrace her are fed with the bread of understanding and given the water of wisdom to drink. This nourishment isn’t just for our minds but for our souls. It sustains us through challenges, refreshes us in times of weariness, and enables us to see the world through God’s eyes. And having embraced divine wisdom, we will show forth to a spiritually malnourished culture a deep, soul-level sustenance that is profoundly attractive.

Sirach then goes on to describe how Wisdom exalts and glorifies those who hold fast to her. This isn’t about worldly fame or success, but about being lifted up in character and spiritual stature. As we grow in wisdom, we find ourselves standing firm amidst life’s storms, able to navigate complex situations with grace and discernment. This elevation isn’t for our own glory but equips us to be more effective servants of God and others. One of the most powerful promises in this passage is that Wisdom will never abandon those who seek her. In a world full of uncertainties and shifting allegiances, the steadfast nature of Wisdom offers us an anchor for our souls. This promise encourages us to persevere in our pursuit of wisdom, even when the journey is difficult or the benefits aren’t immediately apparent.

As we embrace divine wisdom, we naturally begin to detach from worldly measures of success and fulfillment. We learn to hold our plans and possessions lightly, trusting in the guidance of Wisdom rather than our own schemes. This detachment isn’t about becoming passive or disengaged, but about finding our security and identity in God rather than in temporal things. It means being open to the possibility that God might be leading us in unexpected directions.

In our decision-making, we can practice pausing to seek wisdom before rushing to action. This might mean waiting on a decision that others are pressuring us to make, or being willing to change course when we sense God leading us in a new direction. It means having the courage to choose the wise path even when it’s not the easy or popular one. In our relationships, embracing wisdom means striving to see others as God sees them—as bearers of his image. It also entails responding to conflicts with patience and understanding rather than reactive, escalating anger. It means being willing to offer gentle correction when necessary, and to receive it humbly when offered to us.

Brothers, let’s commit to being men who ardently pursue divine wisdom. We can create space in our lives for deep contemplation and reverent seeking. Let’s have the courage to align our lives with God’s wisdom, even when it goes against the grain of our culture. As we do, we’ll find ourselves growing in true freedom—the freedom to live fully as the men God has created us to be, empowered by His wisdom to make a lasting impact in our world.

Wisdom brings gladness and a crown of rejoicing.

Let us pray.

O Lord, fount of all wisdom and understanding, grant, we implore you, hearts that yearn for your wisdom, that she may come to us as a nurturing mother, and welcome us as a bride in the fullness of youth. May we, strengthened by your grace, stand under your wisdom and never stumble, finding in it our support and our glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who is Wisdom Incarnate and the crown of all the saints, and who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Welcome Retreat, wow ten pm!

He's somebody else you talk to, huh? Someone else that visits you Yeah. You've talked to him for years too? 
Yeah, Jim is the guy who called me John the Baptist. 
When he first said that, I mean, the very first time he said it, he didn't give any detail, but this last month or two, I don't remember where we were, whether it was the witness or the exodus. He said very specifically how he reacted to the very first time he saw me and I wasn't just planting something. 
I was like pulling something out or I was saving some little cricket or some little animal or something and I don't remember what exactly he said, but he walked up and he saw me saving this little insect or a bug or a snail or something and it was very real.  It jumped out at him very strongly and the way he told that story was just so beautiful and I was just so flattered. I've always thought he was a great guy anyway, but for him to be so specific and so detailed was really wonderful. 

 Everybody needs to feel:

1. Belonging, I belong here
2. Worthy, I deserve this
3. Competence, I can do it, self confidence in skills and abilities .

https://www.intouch.org/listen/radio/victory-over-fear

OK, so I realize this last two week has been wicked powerful. I haven’t written anything about how quickly things have changed. I’m not sure where to start.

That would turn into scripture in second Peter chapter 1 versus 20:21. We’re reminded that no prophecy of scripture comes from someone’s own imagination, or someone’s own interpretation. But all prophecy is not produced by the world of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit, so what we have in the New Testament is the result of God‘s promise to His people that is consistent with His character throughout the Old Testament.

We have a culture and a standard of human authors that ensure that what we hold in our hands as a Bible is the word of God. The words of Jesus were given to us by his early church. You see this in Act 2:42 as they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and not to other things. I’ll just pause it right there, they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching. This was the key for which books made it into the New Testament. Where do they have the mark of Apostolic Authority on them. These and these alone would make up our New Testament so there’s three reasons why you should trust the word of God that you hold in your hands, even in a skeptical culture, the Word of God is the power of the promise of God in your life. That’s why you should cling to his truth and let it be a refuge for your life. 

We are thankful for your word today. I pray that you would help us to allow that word deep inside to be that lamp to our feet that lied into our path. Praying for the people in our prayer center who is lifting up what they consider a blocked Spiritual. 

Start with the prayer. 
That's the best part.

Heavenly Father we our grateful for your many graces and blessings, help us to develop a deeper and more profound sense of gratitude for you. Help us to develop our sense of awareness, so that we take less and less for granted and we become more acutely aware of your great grace, and all the benefits you have given us as we pursue our lives, living up to your desires and expectations for us. Help us to be ever mindful that you are ever present. Help us to stay connected to you. Help us to overcome our weaknesses and develop our strengths in relationships and love. As Saint Teresa says, to be your hands and feet on earth and all that we do and that we become a model just as your son was a model when he was here on earth. That we model for people a better life. That we model for people love and healthy relationships and connectivity that we become less and less self-absorbed. Give us the strength and courage to pursue all these things and know that without your great grace, none of this is possible, and we pray these things in your most loving son's name, Amen. 

Oh yes coffee, sorry. 
Well it was kind of funny that was something that happened with Kevin. When he first started coming here for breakfast. I have an espresso machine and I would only use it once a month for guests. Then every time Kevin came here, that was the first place he went. You know, of course I'd start making breakfast or whatever; and I'd follow him sooner or later for coffee too. Then I realized, dang it, it's faster, it's easier. I mean, I'd always just heat water and use instant, you know, I have done that forever. 
And I got the machine just for guests, you know; and since Kevin started, I just decided that it's better to make it using that machine every morning now. I mean, honoring my time with you now, and honoring myself with these gifts from Jesus.

I'm like it's not just better tasting coffee, and it's faster anyway. You know, I am the engineer always wanting to be fast, focused and clear and it's like, dang, it's faster. So it's just interesting how things shift and I thanked Kevin several times for changing my life. Like I’ve started making the big breakfast with the cheese and veggie omelette for myself. And so we had our Welcome weekend retreat this last weekend and I can tell you how crazy the whole week was. 
It really was. I mean Thursday the day before, I had my check clear in the bank at 8am, so I had all my bills paid by ten. At noon, the bank tells me to check bounced. 
So all my bills that I just paid are going to bounce too, and I just like freaked out.

Ussepa island visit

I called the bank and tried to figure it out. Okay, what the heck can I do? I found another thousand dollars and moved some money around, but I'm still in the red. 
I still haven't gotten that check to clear. You know, she wrote me a check when I was in that island, and I deposited it right then online and then waited for the week that it took for it to clear. So it still hasn't cleared and I still don't know what's going on. 
But anyway, so that's the way Thursday morning started and then my iPad died. 

Yes, I was up with Apple until 10 o'clock at night Thursday because everything I had done for the Welcome Retreat was on my iPad. I was like, oh okay Jesus, I guess satan is out to stop me, or whatever it was. 
I was like fine, what’s new. I'm getting slammed and I know Jesus is with me so I will always get through anything. Oh yea, I sent my Witness write-up to the guys, so I could find it in my emails. I still had to put all the music together for the event. Yes, at the Monday meeting I said I could help with the music, so they gave me the list of songs and I started putting them on the iPad, so that I had everything ready. . . Yes, everything ready on the now dead iPad!

Friday morning, I woke up at dawn again, even though I was only asleep a couple hours and I started putting everything together and got out there. 
I mean, I was there early. We were supposed to get there at 4 o'clock to help setup, and I was out there at three. That whole weekend was really powerful. Everybody got a lot out of it including each one of us. There were essentially 10 people on the team and then 24 guests. 
The whole group was 34 and each one of us had a table of six, so me and Todd shared a table of six guys. It was over about lunchtime on Sunday and we stayed there until five or six cleaning up and sitting there talking about it and everything.

Each one of us had noticed somebody at our table who really had a powerful experience with the Holy Spirit where they recognized, “hey, I need to step into this more.” The next Tuesday morning there were two new guys at our Exodus 90 group from the Welcome Retreat. 
So that was positive too. When I did my witness presentation, I was the last one Saturday night. I think I didn't even start talking until like 10 o'clock. 
Yeah, so I was so fried. All I could do was read the paper and I skipped paragraphs and I skipped paragraphs and I skipped, just because I just wanted to make sure I finished it. I really felt like crap. 
I didn't feel like I did what I needed to do. I didn't feel good about it at all. Three or four guys said something to me specifically, so it was cool because it resonated with someone.

When I prayed about it the next day, the message I got was that the one comment that Jim told me, made it all worth it. He and I have been through a lot over the whole experience. He was one of the guys that was there at the first year of the Exodus 90 group and I remember when he first saw me, he always used to joke that I was John The Baptist. 
He actually saw me planting mangroves, because he lived in the neighborhood. When I bike out and I play in the mangroves and stuff, that's like down the street from his house and so he had seen me out there a few times and walked up to me. It was interesting because he said that specifically in one of our meetings, how he ran into me out there. 

He said this guy reminded him of John the Baptist playing in the woods, taking care of the bugs and the bees out in the wild. And I always thought that was the greatest compliment I'd ever got. And he repeated it a few times. 
I mean he said the story about how his first experience in seeing me outside and running into me there. You know, because I literally had a big grey beard and my hair was long

and bushy. I really looked like a homeless guy, and for them to receive me so well, always made me so happy. Then for Jim to be willing to say something to me after my botched witness made it all worth it, because he recognized the most important statement that he's going to use the word of Jesus in his prayers more to make sure that he's clear on, you know, talking to Jesus.

I just was thrilled and the other thing that was really been my challenge is trying to understand where I am and what I'm doing here, and why? With my botched witness and everything else I couldn’t understand anything. When I got home that Sunday, I sat down to eat and finally going through my email, the thing that popped up was a video of RFK stepping down from running as president! Uh, what's his name? 
Robert F. Kennedy and running for president as an independent getting his name on the ballot across the country. 

That Sunday, he announced that he was going to endorse Trump instead, which really sounded off the deep-end crazy. But in his speech, half of it was talking about health and nutrition and how the industry, you know, the food companies were all created by the cigarette companies. When the cigarette companies first got sued, they took all their cigarette-science and all their addiction research over to make all the foods addictive. So half of his speech was my mom's sermon, which was just like a big confirmation that I said what I needed to say at the right time. Here the truth is coming out, in the national media already. And I was just so happy about that because after my presentation I felt like I missed the mark because I just wasn't awake. You know, I just didn't feel good about it.

But then to come home and the first thing I hear was it’s all good. 
So it's interesting because then, you know, I had some crazy dream again. I went and helped this lady again and she asked for my itemized invoice and she lost it. She's like, what do you mean? I'm paying for this? 
What do you mean? I'm paying for that? I'm like oh my god, give me a break just write your check and get this over with and she complained and complained and I was like, oh fine I'll take that off. 
I don't care, you know, just she yelling and screaming and whining and what was it 10 bucks taken off? Give me a break you owe me two grand you know she still hasn't paid it yet and I got a message from Leslie who said it has all blown up and she's like we'll talk tomorrow about it. 

And so it's interesting because what came to me was, it is just satan trying to stress me out. Lol, like I said that I had some crazy dreams that Monday Tuesday and I had spent yesterday at the college again. I was sitting with a professor and I actually sat there with her and I graded the first assignment and she was so happy because she's falling behind. She's got my husband out of hospital, but she hasn't really looked at anything and she was so worried about the class that she had to do that night, so she was putting everything together for it. And I said, okay I'll just do the grades on this one. 
And she was thrilled and so we sat and had lunch together and talked it all through.

I do the same thing Wednesday again and I still haven't gotten paid by them either. I don't know if I'm getting a salary. It was funny because I said that to Kevin. Yea, Kevin and I went out for a beer because we haven't had breakfast in a couple weeks. 
Yes both of us busy with the Welcome Retreat and then something else happened and so let's just go out for a beer. And I think it was Tuesday night? Yeah, Tuesday and we went out for a beer. 
You know, we had Tuesday with the men's group in the morning. And then we went out for a beer and he was telling me that, I shouldn't do anything for Bonnie until she pays me. So that's sort of still up in the air. 
And then he says I should write the college dean. You want to find out if you're getting paid, you should at least write them and ask what's going on? You know, tell them what you're doing, tell them what you're working on, tell them what's going on and at least tell me when do I get paid something? 


I was like, that's a good idea. Because, I mean, I just started and my first day of work was supposed to be the 12th, so it's been two weeks. Usually they'd send a paycheck every two weeks. 
So I assume I should get something Friday or I don't know. So everybody I've talked to says that the adjuncts in the state don’t get paid anything, or as little as possible. 
I've been living on a shoe string anyway, and maybe the shoe string gets a little longer, maybe it's still just a shoe string.

But it's funny, because I know I told you about my bankruptcy attorney, who hasn't done anything yet. I got another mortgage bill in the mail. I sent that to him and he said that we could have lunch on Friday, so I guess I'll talk to him tomorrow and find out what he's doing or whether there is anything to do. And then there is another attorney that's dealing with the Airbnb mess and he called me and had me signed some contingency agreement which had me stressed out for a week as well, because I didn't know what it was. But what was cool is that there's an attorney in the men's group that looked at it. Oh yeah, this is standard, he said. It all looks the same as we always use. 
And I was like, okay. And I don't know where that is and where that's going and I still don't have my phone working. 

Yea I switched my iPhone to another company and I'm still having troubles. 
I mean, you can see I've got this zoom app working, as they installed the Wi-Fi, but they're supposed to transfer the phone and now it doesn't look like they can transfer the iPhone. So what the heck am I doing here? Okay am I going to do a small claims to get my two thousand dollars from working with this lady. 
Then do I need to do something else to get my iPhone fixed? Do I need to just do all this legal stuff that keeps coming into my face? I'm like wondering if that is what I need to do? And it was weird because when I first talked to this guy who asked me about the Airbnb claim and this attorney walks up to me and says, hey, you know, I could help you with that. 


I know, I was like, really? And he's like, well, you've got damages. You've got a claim you can file against AirBNB and I was like, oh, okay. 
And I listed out everything for him and I gave it all to him and and I was like, is there anything I can do to help? And he says, you know, you could help me if you could find other claims that were the same or, other issues that have been filed against Airbnb? I don't know, I just dealt with all this legal crap anyway. 
So I know how to get into the system and I know how to find things so I got into the clerk’s office and I searched for Airbnb and I found a couple things and then I guess every county has a clerk’s office, so I'll just found another one. And I found another one in Miami and I found one in California and some others. 

I thought it was some other state in the westcoast and found another one in a northeast, you know, just trying to find clerks offices that'll give you the case data for free, not all of them will do that. 
Some of them will sell it to you or, you have to pay to get in, or you have to pay for a subscription or it's only for legal people or whatever. But some are like you know it's public record, help yourself. And it was interesting because I found like four or five cases against AirBnB where they had never verified the person involved, whether it was the landlord or the tenant. Whoever it was that did something wrong, had never been verified, had never been checked and weren't a real person or they weren't part of what everybody believes.  What Airbnb sells is that they verify or check the people who engage. So using their program you know that you have a real person coming into your house because they are a member of Airbnb and Airbnb certifies who they are. 


And every single case I found had the same problem, where the person wasn’t a real person or it wasn't who they said they were, and AirBnB never checked it and what was interesting about it was that every case that I found got to discovery, got to wear the evidence was going to be presented to the court and then it was closed. And it was like the next page was the case dismissed, or case closed. And so they're paying it off before anybody sees the evidence. 
It's like, oh, they're doing the same thing every single time because they don't want anybody else to know about the scam that they're pulling. And it was so obvious how they were playing the game. 

And so when I put all this stuff together and I sent it to the attorney, he was happy as could be. So all we have to do is file, and when we get to discovery, we'll get paid. So, what he said last week is that he sent them a letter a month ago, and he's got to prepare the case and file it so that's the next show.  I'm like okay, I guess I could do the same thing with everything else, you know, my water system isn't working, my air conditioner isn't working. 
I've got so many things that are just so screwed up and the iPhone is still not working. I realized that I’ve been trying to get T-Mobile to fix their system. I finally bought the new 5G phone and the 5G didn't work either and talking to the the rep or talking to the technical guy, who told me  they haven't had 4G working for years.

He's like “yeah, we shut it off years ago,” and I'm thinking so they shut it off two years ago, and you're accepting my monthly payment on a 4G phone? Hold it. 
You know, if you're going to shut off the service, you got to at least, tell your customers that you're not supporting this anymore, not take my check every month and tell me that it works. Then when it doesn't work, they play with the settings to “fix it” but never really fix it. So this is looking like more crazy stuff and I’m thinking, is that what I need to do with my time? Is that why I'm a back in school again? 
To get back into research again, and back into all this stuff again.

It's interesting because the professor that I'm working with actually took classes with my major professor at USF. When I taught his class last year, she said they already knew each other. 
They've worked together before. And so, I mean, I don't know if she's going to stay there for another month or be out. I mean, yesterday her husband called her like three or four times. 
And I don't know, but it seems he's got dementia because you could tell that she was like babysitting or something, and you could tell that she was really careful speaking with him and being very careful or very clear. Like this is where you're going to find your lunch and this is what I left for you and this is . . . I could tell she's definitely got her hands full, so I don't know if that means that she's going to be there for another month or another year or who knows? 

So now you know all the chaos I've been dealing with. It's been fun and it's interesting as this morning the Family Focus and the Charles Stanley Podcasts both pointed to the gifts of the spirit. 
And if you're in peace and if you're in joy then you're going to right way. And if you find yourself in worries and fear, you're not going the right way. you know the spirit. 

Yes, not the gifts of the spirit, but the Fruit of the Spirit. Oh Right, right. Yeah, yeah, they are two different things, yeah, yeah, so so it's amazing that uh Dick knows what he's talking about. Well, that's what came out with the Chat GBT love story too. It was all the same things we've talked about from the very beginning. Which is wonderful. 
Well, the nice thing about it, once people get it, the comment always comes “it can't be that simple.” And yes, it can and yes, it is just that simple. 
It's not easy to be love based, but that's the essence. That's the simplest form. And then it's kind of a rebuilding project that now we have to rebuild life around the idea and reality of love. 
So it makes life simpler and actually brings the fruit of the spirit that much easier in simpler. 

Yeah, brings us to where we belong in our truth, into our own growth and everything that keeps impressing on people is that once you get the concept of our spirituality, you essentially begin to live a transcendent life; compared to the life of fear and chaos that the secular life offers. 
It's like you rise above and become as several authors will say, you become an observer and you simply know. If you're in the crowd, you rise above the crowd, and now you can see things, you know, because you are at a higher level, a higher vantage point. 

Yes, and that's part of our challenge. I mean, that's kind of why I’m was so happy to see someone else repeating my welcome message. 
I mean, literally the next day and it has been on the national news. I mean, I copied the YouTube link to the welcome team. I think I sent it to you as well or to the men's group. Oh you know, Kevin has read and it a few times, and it was interesting because Kevin was in the Welcome Retreat. He was one of the people that came because he never had gone through welcome himself. 
So that was something that he said too, that three or four guys that were on his table decided they needed to get back into the Catholic Church. And so he was he was really happy to see it affecting other people so strongly. It was his first experience with welcome and he really enjoyed it a lot too. 


He had read my witness a few times before and over beer the other night he commented at how he always perceived it as changing our culture, as opposed to just changing his own diet. Wanting to change is one thing to recognize, simply that half the food in the store is poison. It's another thing to help your neighbors or help your family and everybody else recognize how much of the food in the store is really poison. And it's interesting to see it shift to where it's a political issue now or it's gotten to be a political issue now. 
That comment that Kevin makes about it being out of reach and now it doesn't look like it's out of reach anymore. It's something that's shifting in our culture. 

I still am kind of perplexed by that because those big food companies are still buying out the small little companies, you know, like Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream used to be a hundred percent real. 
And they've been bought out by big companies and now it's got toxic waste in the ice cream. I also heard the same thing happened with Brags, you ever hear about Brags Apple Cider Vinegar? They changed a few things after the family finally sold out to some bit conglomerate. So now it is not the same, and it's not real anymore. 
And it's scary, even if you could outlaw the poison and the food. 
Do you really think they'd change their process enough to make a difference? 

Yeah. Right, you know it's all about profit... And so once that's your God, so to speak, then everything has to line-up accordingly to the to the bottom line. 
And so, yeah, the ethics, morals, and everything is available for compromise when that is your focus. That's why we have so many things that are out of whack. I remember seeing that in the government, every job that I had in the system you would you see how everybody's got rules and guidelines, but there's always something somewhere where they twist it. 

I saw it in the county. 
I saw it in the city. I saw it in the university and it's like built into the system, where they write all the rules for everybody else, but that doesn't mean we follow them all. And it's just built into the system to allow that deception. This comes back to what Kevin said: can we really change anything? 
I mean, you'd have to really shut it all down and start over. Is it realistic to shut down all the companies and all the governments and all the everything and start over. I don't know. 
You know it's starts at a very low level, somebody develops a crusade to bring the truth and it boils down to how many people will embrace the truth and encourage people take care of yourself first. You know, that whole mentality, if you're on an airplane and there's a problem, you put the oxygen mask on yourself first because you can't help anybody if you are in distress. And so, you know, it goes back to that where you can't give what you don't have. 
So it's like you have the knowledge now of the food, the poison, and all of the corruption and that sort of thing. And so then you begin to spread the word two people who will listen and slowly, but surely, that's how the organic food started to be really recognized and that our food supplies are crap. And further, we try to operate under the organic banner and then that got corrupted, and we can still make attempts, which is getting harder and harder. 
I mean, you gotta go visit the farmer and you gotta sit down and talk with him and find out what he's doing and it's just crazy. It really is, you know, and I mean, I was talking to someone just yesterday about the cows and how difficult it is to find real beef and and where there's still someone that takes care of it and doesn't add toxic crap, it's scary how much the big giant companies have taken over all the butchers, so all the butchery shops are owned by the big industry. So you may get your perfect beef all the way up, but when it's chopped up and packaged, it gets covered with poison and they spray it, they color it, and they all kinds of crap. 


Oh, great, those little mama and pop places aren't around anymore that know how to do it the right way. And it's crazy trying to reach more people and trying to set up a system to connect more people and that's really all we can do. That's where it has to start, people with good ideas have to develop the same leverage that big corporations use. And technology helps kind of level the playing field somewhat. 
That to me is what scaling it is all about how do you reach more people? 

How do you get your message out there to people that are interested in your message. You know, that's part of what our spirituality is all about, bringing the good news to others and there's a lot of good news to bring, particularly in light of all of the chaos and corruption that's going on in the world. 
So That sounds overbearing, so much to do, so much still out of reach, or I guess it's not so much out of reach anymore, but it's still cooperating with God because if we try to do it on our own, then we get overwhelmed. 
But when we do it with God, it's like there's much more peace about the business of the right thing to do. 

Then you focus on this that is what you can do. Yes, this is as far as I can go and if God wants me to do more, he'll give me new ideas. 
Um, you know, that's kind of why I'm thinking about scaling. God put it on my heart that way. You can do more. So you mentioned, email chimp. I think it has a blog with it and I know it has a calendar feature built into it too. You know, it's like the bigger you get the more it costs and with what I'm trying to do, your first 500, I think is free with mail chip, it's like first 500 and then three more tiers. Well, okay, but everybody needs or wants more than 500 and so once you start into the paid tier, it's like you have to be really careful of what the limitations are and then it's like a big game to them, and it feels like a great game of gotcha. 


Well, that's kind of what's happened with all the industries altogether. I mean, technically speaking blackrock and vanguard own just about everything. And if you look at what that means, I personally think that all the houses for sale in this area are them buying up land, buying up property and they're buying up all the farms and they're buying up the business, and I mean they're printing their own money so they don't care. 
They'll buy up everything and the more control that they can put over things, the better. 

Honestly, that is part of the reason why I kept my reformatted laptop. I have countless videos and data to publish. And when it went back to the original adobe stuff, it was the last version of adobe that gave you everything on a disk. You know, back in the old days where you didn't pay for subscription, you paid for the software and you had the software. 
That was the last version of their creative suite that they had, and then after that we saw all subscriptions. When that showed up on my laptop, I was like, yeay, but I still haven't touched it. I haven't done anything with it. 

The other thing that came to mind was there's a a couple websites that I found where software developers share tools, places where developers share with each other to build things. 
And that might be something for both of us to explore because they haven't been bought out by Blackrock yet. And so it's a private group and a private developer and someone you could talk to. Okay, this is what I need to do. Let's do it together kind of thing, because almost everybody out there who is developing software needs to have a test case, and needs to have a place to build. If you're bringing in clients then you have something that they don't have and that's an advantage. 
I could send you the one that I found that I loved and I never remember the name of the company.

 

There are several different ones that are very well run and it's public and open source. I still have a bunch of tools that I've picked up from there that they commercialize and kind of don't commercialize. If you're playing with a beta, then it's free, but once you get started buying into it, then it's at least not part of the conglomerate. It's not part of the machine yet, so that might be the best avenue for both of us to engage in technologies that aren't part of the machine. You know, just like just like Airbnb it's just a big machine that has all this tech support from India, and it's just a bank that they're paying, some third party out there that answers the phone every day and fills out a form. 
I mean, that's all they're doing. I think the same thing has happened with Apple. When I spent Thursday night with them on the phone, it was like pulling teeth to get it resolved. And the best they could do is, you gotta take it to the shop. 
So it's like, we can send you new one since it’s underwarranty, so we’ll send you a new one in three days.

So My iPad is still dead. It's an excuse for me to drive to Tampa and I need to drive to Tampa at least to give them a shot to see if they can fix it. I got two or three other things I got to do in Tampa anyway. And I haven't been there in months. I better get out there before things fall apart or whatever. 

When I first moved into Saint Pete, my daughter said that if you got on the bridge before 7:30, it's a 30 minute ride. If you hit the bridge after 7:30, it's an hour ride. You know, it doubles that quickly and it's like the professor said last night, she's used to a two-hour commute to get to school. 
And she's on the north side of Tampa, so she's coming from the far side of Tampa, then across the bridge or across the bay into Clearwater. It was 30 minutes for me to get up to Clearwater from St. Pete. 
But it's insane because they keep adding more roads and the roads get filled-up as fast as they build them. Yes, they fill up with cars as quickly as possible and then you get a rainstorm or something and everything slows down. So it gets crazy very quickly. Honestly, that's why I was so happy to get to Saint Pete because I could get everywhere on my bike and not have any car traffic in my life. 

But if I could teach now, I'm going to have to do what I have to do. 
There’s a teaching gig’s really close, but until I get in there full time, I got to work with this professor and meet her wherever she is and help her with what she's doing. It looks like they've found four classes for me to do, but it doesn't sound like all of them are starting yet. I mean, I think another one starts in October and another one starts in December. 
So it'll be a bit before I'm full time, but at least that's moving forward, and it's something that I enjoy doing. It's something I'm good at doing. So that just feels right.

It's interesting to still have so much free time and so much that I can do what I want to do, even if I don't have any income, it's still just what's happened, with Jesus taking care of me. 
I mean, it's interesting to see my bankruptcy attorney Friday because I don't know where or how much I'm going to be able to pay in the next month. You know if I'm going to be able to, or if I'm going to be able to squeeze out another month or not, I really don't have any idea. You know, I thought I'd have no problem last month, but then, you know, the check bounced and I don't know if that's going to get resolved today or tomorrow or that's going to be another legal thing that I got to deal with. 


Like, I need more of that? You know, that's crazy that this lady can have all these million dollar houses and a two thousand dollar check bounces. Yeah, that's what was crazy as everybody's got their story, their chaos and it all comes together sooner or later. 
But as part of what I was saying is that for me to be put into that circumstance again okay, where am I being led? What am I being guided into? What am I learning this for? 
Do you know, and recognizing the bigger picture where my mom's sermon is literally broadcast the next day, you know, across the country, essentially. And it was more detail and more specific than I was, and that was very strong, very clear and once again it opens the door, where Jesus is guiding me and taking care of me through all this. 

This makes it very clear where I need to focus, where I need to delete. I mean, just like just like building a website. That was the first thing I said to you, a month ago that I had a server. I have a computer sitting up there that I haven't even turned on. And it's waiting for me, and I know it's connected to everything I need to do. It's got word press on it and it was interesting because when the guy put word press on it, he put it on there as a separate tool so I could keep my original and go back and forth if I want to. I remember when he first set it up, he said “I'm just going to copy one of your other blogs and put it all in the word press.” And I was like, oh, okay, go for it. And he set-it all up and I just never have touched it. It's still sitting there. 

I don't know if I told you this, but I bought a Sun Server at a bankruptcy auction, 20 years ago. I walked into the office and they're trying to get rid of everything as quickly as possible, and he had a room full of computers and I saw the sun sitting there and he was like give me an offer on it. 
And I looked it up and this is a twenty thousand dollar machine. And he's like oh yeah, we'll never get that. And I said, okay, I'll offer you three grand for it. 
And at the end of the auction, the server was still sitting there. So I came in and I got it for a thousand dollars and set it up in my house. Well set it up in the garage, but this is right when the Internet started. So I had one of those geeks from the university that knew how to finagle. 
He was actually from Poland and knew how to configure and spoof the network so that they think it's just a laptop, but it's actually a server. And so you can you could get to it through the network and so it was wonderful because I mean, it was like five, ten years of running a server out of my house and then I got another server administrator who took it over and just maintained it for me. 

Then I transferred to another one, somebody gave me an old dell and so I switched it over and the guy still took care of it for years. I had no idea what he did, but it was running clean and smooth. 
I never had any problems, and any time I went to it, I could find what I needed. Anytime I needed anything changed, he changed it for me in a minute then I had to shut it off. I don't know what happened where I had to get rid of it and he said, he'll move everything over here. 
And I was like, oh okay. So my server now is in Australia and he's still taking care of it. I don't know it's got to have a gigabyte on it. 

I might talk to him once a year if I'm lucky. Anytime it is shut down, he has put it back up within hours. I'm not even sure what he does professionally, but I think he likely runs two or three servers for other people as well. 
And it's just, something he likes to do. So it's interesting that, I have something so abundant, just like being in this house that just blows my mind how much I've been given and how much grace that I have where I don't need to worry about the income, which doesn't make any sense, but I try to be realistic. 

There's a lot of that going on now because of the Labor Day weekend, so nobody's working Monday? Monday's a day off? 
Right? Okay. Oh, let's good to know. 
I never have paid any attention to that for years.

I was barefoot for the whole retreat, feet on the ground. 
I put on my shoes and my suit and tie and everything when I presented. It was interesting because somebody commented about my bare feet before and he knew the science behind it, too. And he was like, oh, you're doing this, and I was like, oh good for you, 
You KNOW!? And so that neat to share as it was right before my presentation that we had the reconciliation witness that Father Curtis did. Usually we have the ministers do this witnessing and then they did the confession afterwards. So Father Curtis do reconciliation and they had three other monks in the church to do reconciliation for the 24 people there quickly. I sat down with Father Kevin again. 
So it was kind of neat to sit down, and talk to Father Kevin before I did my witness about Father Kevin. Which really fills me with love and Joy now as I write this story again. 

Yeah, once again, I am in the right place, at the right time, and everything worked out great. So many people connected and resonated this great experience. You know that the first hour or so people were ready to walk out, people want to leave, people get scared, like you know, what the heck am I here for this kind of thing? 
And after the second witness, or after Jim's, you could see that people who were benefiting from it and it really resonated with them through the whole event. So I wouldn't be surprised if he stayed on the team to do the next one, because he really did a lot making things work this time. He was really strong throughout the whole event.

I had to put the music all together and they didn't have that on the schedule, all they listed was just witness, witness, witness, witness and they didn't put any names on it. And I didn't realize I was the last one until that day before, when I was laying out the music. We decided last minute we should add more music. 
And I said, well, why don't we put a song for every witness? And so all the witness had to pick a song, and that was cool. Jim was the first one to give a song and he sent me a note asking for “A little help from my friends,” from the Beatles was his and it was so cool because when he said it to me at the the time on the message was 11:03 and I was like oh, he's right on point there. 
And it was funny because I copied it to everybody and I said, okay, look at this. This is what you guys got to do because it was just a beautiful song and they picked a song to play and that's what we did. Played the music while people were doing their exercises and we wanted to sing the song as well, but we just never had the time. And so everybody got to pick out a song and when I made that outline, that was the only time I figured out, who's doing what? 
No, now I got all the names together because, you know, to get the music in the right place. and that's when I found out I was the last one and I was like, oh, I'm doing it at 10 o'clock.

Writing with a pen has always just felt right.  I know I have so much to White and share.  Yesterday I finally had a conversation with Kevin. Of course, the week following my witnessing at welcome started with Lynn asking me to meet with heard a capstone student also named kevin. My new student Kevin had planned to do his project with Dunedin and Forestry. The project fell through so Lynn wanted me to be the stakeholder where the project was about analyzing the sustainability program itself.

On that was a cool idea. Of course, Kevin is a natural resource guy and currently an intern at swfwmd where he is inspecting stormwata ponds. Yes, great connections and lots to talk about

Intentional Soul ministry

Since God is Love as stated in 1 John 4:16 in the Bible and, The Great Commandment tells us to love God and love our neighbor, please tell me about love.

ChatGPT said:
Love, as described in the Bible, especially in the context of 1 John 4:16 and the Great Commandment, is foundational to understanding our relationship with God and others. Let's explore this in a way that connects these teachings to our daily lives and spiritual growth.

1. God is Love:
1 John 4:16: "God is love, and those who live in love live in God, and God in them." This verse profoundly reveals that love is not just an attribute of God but His very essence. When we say "God is love," we're saying that everything God does is an expression of His love. His creation of the world, His relationship with humanity, His commandments, and His plan for salvation all flow from His loving nature.

Implication for Us: If God is love, then to know God is to know love. This means that our journey toward spiritual maturity is essentially a journey toward greater love—love for God, love for ourselves as His creation, and love for others.

2. The Great Commandment:
Matthew 22:37-39: Jesus sums up the Law and the Prophets with the command to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" and to "Love your neighbor as yourself." This commandment encapsulates the entire purpose of our existence: to live in a relationship of love with God and to extend that love to others.

Loving God: Loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind means giving Him our full devotion, seeking to align our will with His, and living in a way that reflects His love in our daily actions. This involves prayer, obedience, and a desire to grow closer to Him through the sacraments, Scripture, and the Church's teachings.

Loving Our Neighbor: Loving our neighbor as ourselves is a natural outflow of loving God. When we truly understand and experience God's love, we are compelled to share it with others. This love isn't just a feeling but a choice to seek the good of others, even at a cost to ourselves. It's about compassion, forgiveness, patience, and actively working for the well-being of those around us.

3. Types of Love in Scripture:
Agape: This is the highest form of love, often described as selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. Agape is the love God has for us and the love we are called to extend to others. It seeks nothing in return and is characterized by a deep sense of commitment and care.

Philia: This is brotherly love, the affection between friends. It's a mutual, warm, and supportive love that builds community and fosters deep, meaningful relationships.

Eros: This is romantic or passionate love. While it's often associated with physical desire, in the context of marriage, it can also reflect a deeper, spiritual bond that mirrors God's covenantal love.

4. Living Out Love:
Practical Application: In our daily lives, love is more than just a feeling; it's an action. We show love through kindness, patience, forgiveness, and service to others. This can be as simple as offering a listening ear, helping someone in need, or praying for others.

Spiritual Exercises: In the context of The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, love is seen as a driving force for discerning God's will. Ignatius encourages us to ask, "What have I done for Christ? What am I doing for Christ? What ought I to do for Christ?" These questions guide us to live out love in a way that aligns with God's purpose for our lives.

5. Catechism of the Catholic Church on Love:
CCC 1822: "Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God."

CCC 1823: Jesus makes charity the new commandment. By loving His own “to the end,” He makes manifest the Father’s love which He receives. By loving one another, the disciples imitate the love of Jesus, which they themselves receive. Whence Jesus says: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love" (John 15:9).

6. Challenges and Growth in Love:
Struggles: Loving others, especially those who hurt or oppose us, can be challenging. Yet, these challenges are opportunities for spiritual growth. When we choose to love in difficult situations, we become more like Christ, who loved us even to the point of death on the cross.

Growth: Love grows through prayer, reflection, and action. By regularly examining our hearts and asking God to fill us with His love, we can become more capable of living out the Great Commandment.

Conclusion:
Love, as understood through the lens of Christian faith, is both the essence of God and the ultimate goal of our lives. The Great Commandment calls us to love God with our entire being and to extend that love to others. By embracing this call, we fulfill our purpose and reflect the divine love that God has for each of us.

How does this understanding of love resonate with your experiences and your ministry, Dick?


Give me as complete a list as possible the attributes of love.

ChatGPT said:

The attributes of love, especially as understood within the Christian tradition, are richly described in Scripture and the teachings of the Church. Here’s a comprehensive list based on biblical texts, particularly 1 Corinthians 13, Galatians 5, and various other passages, along with insights from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC):

1. Patience (Long-suffering)
1 Corinthians 13:4: "Love is patient."

Love shows endurance through trials and challenges. It doesn't rush or force but waits with a calm and composed spirit.

2. Kindness
1 Corinthians 13:4: "Love is kind."

Love is tender, compassionate, and always seeks to do good to others. It manifests in actions that support, uplift, and encourage.

3. Generosity
1 Corinthians 13:4: "Love does not envy."

Love celebrates the success and blessings of others. It is not jealous or resentful but finds joy in the well-being of others.

4. Humility
1 Corinthians 13:4: "Love does not boast; it is not arrogant."

Love is not proud or self-centered. It recognizes the worth of others and is willing to take a lower place, putting others first.

5. Courtesy (Gentleness)
1 Corinthians 13:5: "It is not rude."

Love is respectful and considerate. It shows good manners and treats others with dignity.

6. Unselfishness
1 Corinthians 13:5: "It does not insist on its own way."

Love seeks the good of others rather than being fixated on personal desires or needs. It is self-giving and sacrificial.

7. Even-Temperedness (Not Easily Angered)
1 Corinthians 13:5: "It is not irritable."

Love controls its temper and doesn't quickly react with anger. It remains calm and composed, even when provoked.

8. Forgiveness
1 Corinthians 13:5: "It keeps no record of wrongs."

Love is quick to forgive and doesn't hold grudges. It chooses to let go of past hurts and offenses.

9. Rejoicing in Truth
1 Corinthians 13:6: "Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth."

Love is aligned with truth and integrity. It takes delight in honesty and righteousness and does not find pleasure in evil or deception.

10. Bearing All Things
1 Corinthians 13:7: "Love bears all things."

Love endures difficulties and hardships for the sake of others. It covers and protects others, offering support without complaint.

11. Believing All Things
1 Corinthians 13:7: "Love believes all things."

Love is trusting and always believes the best about others. It doesn't easily fall into suspicion or doubt.

12. Hoping All Things
1 Corinthians 13:7: "Love hopes all things."

Love is optimistic, looking forward with hope and expectation for good, both for oneself and for others.

13. Enduring All Things
1 Corinthians 13:7: "Love endures all things."

Love perseveres through trials and remains steadfast in the face of difficulties, always committed and unwavering.

14. Never Failing
1 Corinthians 13:8: "Love never ends."

True love is eternal and unending. It doesn't give up, wear out, or fail, but continues in every circumstance.

15. Self-Control
Galatians 5:23: As one of the fruits of the Spirit, love manifests in self-discipline and control over one's passions and desires.

16. Joy
Galatians 5:22: Love is closely tied to joy, a deep-seated happiness that comes from being in right relationship with God and others.

17. Peace
Galatians 5:22: Love fosters peace, a sense of harmony and tranquility within oneself and in relationships.

18. Goodness
Galatians 5:22: Love seeks to do good and be good, reflecting the moral character of God.

19. Faithfulness
Galatians 5:22: Love is faithful, showing loyalty, trustworthiness, and reliability in relationships.

20. Meekness
Matthew 5:5: Love is meek, not weak, but gentle and submissive to God's will, and not given to pride or self-assertion.

21. Mercy
Luke 6:36: Love is merciful, showing compassion and a willingness to forgive, even when justice might demand otherwise.

22. Sacrifice
John 15:13: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."

Love often requires sacrifice, putting the needs of others above our own, even to the point of giving up our lives.

23. Purity
1 Timothy 1:5: Love issues from a pure heart, meaning it is sincere and untainted by selfish motives or impurity.

24. Righteousness
Proverbs 10:12: "Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all wrongs."

Love is associated with righteousness, seeking to do what is right and just in God's eyes.

25. Obedience to God
John 14:15: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

Love is expressed through obedience to God's commandments, reflecting our love for Him in our actions.

26. Compassion
Matthew 9:36: Love is compassionate, feeling and responding to the suffering and needs of others.

27. Perseverance
James 1:12: Love perseveres through trials, maintaining its commitment and dedication in the face of adversity.

28. Holiness
1 Peter 1:15-16: Love is holy, set apart for God's purposes, and reflects His character.

29. Reverence
Hebrews 12:28: Love involves a deep respect and awe for God, acknowledging His majesty and authority.

30. Mutual Submission
Ephesians 5:21: Love involves mutual submission, where both parties respect and serve one another, particularly in the context of Christian marriage.

Conclusion:
These attributes paint a picture of love as something far beyond mere emotion or sentiment. In the Christian tradition, love is an active, dynamic force that shapes our character, guides our actions, and reflects the very nature of God. By cultivating these attributes in our lives, we grow closer to fulfilling the Great Commandment and living out our true purpose as children of God.

Would you like to explore any of these attributes in more depth or discuss how they might be integrated into your ministry?


It occurs to me that this is the path that Jesus/God meant for us to follow. Would you say that is an accurate statement?

ChatGPT said:

Yes, that is an accurate statement. The path of love, as described by the attributes you've explored, is indeed the path that Jesus and God have meant for us to follow.

Jesus as the Model of Love:
Jesus' life and teachings exemplify perfect love. His actions, such as healing the sick, forgiving sins, feeding the hungry, and ultimately sacrificing His life on the cross, embody the highest forms of love—selflessness, compassion, and sacrifice. By following His example, we are called to live out the same love in our lives.

The Great Commandment:
When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, He pointed to love—love for God and love for our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). This commandment is the cornerstone of Christian life, summing up all the Law and the Prophets. Living out this commandment means embodying the attributes of love, as we discussed, in every aspect of our lives.

Path to Holiness:
The path of love is also the path to holiness. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, we are called to be holy as God is holy. Holiness, in this context, is not just about moral purity but about being set apart for God's purposes, which is fundamentally rooted in love. As we grow in love—expressing patience, kindness, humility, and all the other attributes—we are also growing in holiness, becoming more like Christ.

Union with God:
In 1 John 4:16, we read that "God is love, and those who live in love live in God, and God in them." This indicates that living a life of love brings us into deeper union with God. By following the path of love, we are essentially aligning ourselves with God's very nature and purpose for us.

Love as the Fulfillment of the Law:
St. Paul emphasizes that love fulfills the law (Romans 13:8-10). The commandments—do not steal, do not murder, do not commit adultery—are all summed up in loving one's neighbor as oneself. Therefore, following the path of love is the way to fulfill God's will and commandments.

The Spiritual Exercises and Love:
In the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, the principle of love is central to discernment and spiritual growth. Ignatius teaches that love ought to manifest more in deeds than in words, and the Exercises guide individuals to choose actions that lead to greater love of God and others.

Conclusion:
So, yes, the path of love, as embodied in the attributes we've discussed, is indeed the path that Jesus and God intend for us to follow. It's a path that leads to holiness, fulfillment of God's commandments, deeper union with Him, and ultimately, the fullness of life that Jesus promised (John 10:10).

This understanding not only guides us in our personal spiritual journey but also forms the foundation of how we interact with others, how we serve in ministry, and how we reflect God's love in the world. How does this align with your own experience and understanding in your ministry, Dick?


So, the thought occurs to me that that is not the way society works. Would you say that that is an accurate statement?

ChatGPT said:
Yes, that is an accurate observation. The way society often operates is not in alignment with the path of love as described in the teachings of Jesus and the attributes of love we've discussed. Here's why this might be the case and what it means for us as followers of Christ:

1. Societal Values vs. Christian Values:
Self-Interest and Competition: Modern society frequently values self-interest, competition, and individual success over communal well-being and sacrificial love. The pursuit of wealth, power, and status often takes precedence over the call to love selflessly and serve others.

Consumerism and Materialism: Society is often driven by consumerism, where material possessions and outward appearances are prioritized. This contrasts with the Christian call to simplicity, generosity, and valuing people over possessions.

2. Cultural Norms and Expectations:
Pride and Independence: Cultural norms often encourage pride, self-reliance, and independence, which can lead to arrogance and a lack of humility. In contrast, Christian love calls for humility, recognizing our dependence on God and our need to serve others.

Retaliation and Grudges: Society sometimes promotes retaliation and holding grudges as a form of justice or strength. However, Christian love emphasizes forgiveness and reconciliation, even with those who have wronged us.

3. The Challenge of Loving in a Fallen World:
Broken Relationships: Because of sin, relationships are often marked by brokenness, mistrust, and conflict. The Christian call to love, which includes patience, kindness, and forgiveness, can be challenging in a world where people hurt each other and where love is often conditional.

Injustice and Oppression: Society is riddled with injustices, such as inequality, racism, and exploitation. While the Christian path of love calls us to fight against these evils, it can feel overwhelming, especially when these issues are deeply entrenched.

4. The Call to Counter-Cultural Living:
Being in the World, but Not of the World: Jesus calls His followers to be in the world but not of the world (John 17:14-16). This means that while we live in society, we are called to live differently, according to the values of God's Kingdom, even when they conflict with societal norms.

Salt and Light: In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus calls His disciples to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world." This means that Christians are to bring the flavor and light of Christ's love into a world that often lacks both. This can be challenging, as it often requires standing against the current cultural tide.

5. Living the Christian Life in Society:
Witnessing through Love: Despite the challenges, Christians are called to witness to the love of God in their daily lives. This might mean going against societal norms by showing compassion, forgiving when others would seek revenge, and being generous in a world that values accumulation.

Transforming Society: While society may not operate according to the path of love, Christians are called to be agents of transformation. By living out the love of Christ, we can influence and change the world around us, even in small ways.

6. The Role of the Church:
A Community of Love: The Church is meant to be a community where the love of Christ is lived out and modeled. In a society that often lacks true love, the Church can be a refuge and a beacon of hope, showing what it means to live according to God's ways.

Conclusion:
Your observation highlights the tension between the Christian call to love and the reality of living in a society that often operates on different principles. While this can be challenging, it also underscores the importance of our role as followers of Christ—to be witnesses to a different way of living, one that reflects the love and teachings of Jesus.

How do you see this tension playing out in your ministry, and how do you guide others in navigating this challenge?


In light of that, knowing this is what we are faced with in our lives, how do we make this more engaging, relevant, and compelling to people? This seems to be what my ministry is about.

ChatGPT said:
Memory updated

Making the Christian call to love more engaging, relevant, and compelling in a society that often runs counter to these values is a crucial and noble mission. Here are some strategies and insights to help you achieve this in your ministry:

1. Contextualize the Message of Love:
Relate to Everyday Experiences: Connect the attributes of love to the everyday experiences and challenges that people face. Show how living out love in their daily lives—at work, in their families, and in their communities—can lead to greater fulfillment and peace, even in a world that often resists these values.

Address Current Issues: Engage with current social, cultural, and personal issues that people are dealing with. Whether it’s navigating workplace dynamics, dealing with social justice issues, or managing personal relationships, offer insights on how the Christian path of love can bring healing and transformation.

2. Use Stories and Testimonies:
Personal Stories: Share personal testimonies of how living out Christian love has made a difference in your life or the lives of others. Real-life stories can powerfully illustrate how love transforms and resonates with people on a deeper level.

Parables and Biblical Narratives: Jesus often used parables to convey profound truths in relatable ways. Use these stories to draw parallels with modern life, helping people see the timeless relevance of Jesus’ teachings on love.

3. Create Opportunities for Experiential Learning:
Retreats and Workshops: Offer retreats, workshops, or group sessions where people can experience the principles of love in action. These settings provide a safe space for participants to practice patience, forgiveness, humility, and other aspects of love within a supportive community.

Service Projects: Encourage participation in service projects that align with the principles of love, such as helping the poor, visiting the sick, or working for social justice. Engaging in these activities can make the abstract concept of love tangible and real.

4. Leverage Technology and Media:
Social Media and Content Creation: Use social media, blogs, podcasts, or videos to share messages about love in a way that is accessible and engaging. Visual content, quotes, and short reflections can reach people where they are and spark curiosity or deeper reflection.

Online Community: Create an online community where people can share their struggles and successes in living out love. This can provide support and encouragement, making the journey more communal and less isolated.

5. Develop Practical Tools and Resources:
Guides and Devotionals: Create practical guides, devotionals, or daily reflection prompts that help people focus on living out love in small, manageable ways each day. These can be distributed through your website, email lists, or printed materials.

Accountability Partnerships: Encourage participants to pair up with accountability partners who can support each other in their commitment to live out the attributes of love. This can help keep the practice of love at the forefront of their lives.

6. Foster a Community of Love:
Modeling Love in Community: Ensure that your ministry itself is a living example of love. How you interact with people, the way you handle conflicts, and the sense of welcome and belonging you create all serve as powerful testimonies to the love you preach.

Small Groups and Fellowship: Create small groups or fellowship opportunities where people can form deep, meaningful relationships grounded in love. These groups can be a source of mutual support and growth.

7. Encourage Personal Reflection and Discernment:
Spiritual Direction: Offer spiritual direction that helps individuals discern how they can live out love in their unique circumstances. Personalized guidance can help them see how love is relevant to their specific challenges and decisions.

Examine Life in Light of Love: Encourage regular personal reflection on how they are living out the attributes of love. This could be through journaling, prayer, or participating in a regular examen that focuses on love.

8. Highlight the Transformative Power of Love:
Focus on Transformation: Emphasize that the path of love is not just a moral obligation but a path to personal and societal transformation. Show how love can heal broken relationships, create stronger communities, and lead to a more just and compassionate society.

Promise of Fulfillment: Frame the path of love as the way to true fulfillment. In a world that often leaves people feeling empty or unfulfilled, the message that living out love leads to a richer, more meaningful life can be very compelling.

9. Engage the Heart and Mind:
Intellectual Engagement: Provide thoughtful, well-reasoned explanations of why the path of love is the most rational and beneficial way to live, appealing to those who are intellectually inclined.

Emotional Appeal: Don’t shy away from engaging the emotions. Use music, art, and other creative expressions to touch people’s hearts and help them feel the beauty and power of love.

Conclusion:
Your ministry, The Intentional Soul, is uniquely positioned to make the call to love more engaging, relevant, and compelling. By connecting the timeless truths of the Christian faith with the real-life experiences and challenges people face today, you can help them see that the path of love is not only possible but deeply transformative and fulfilling.

Would you like to explore any of these strategies further or discuss how to implement them in your current offerings?




Let's explore resistance to this.

ChatGPT said:

Resistance to embracing the path of love, as taught by Jesus, is a common challenge, especially in a world that often prioritizes different values. Understanding the sources of this resistance and how to address them is crucial for making your ministry more effective. Let's explore some of the key areas of resistance and strategies to overcome them.

1. Cultural and Societal Norms
Source of Resistance: Society often values success, power, independence, and self-reliance over the attributes of love, such as humility, patience, and selflessness. These societal norms can create resistance because the Christian path of love may seem countercultural or even impractical.

Strategy to Overcome: Emphasize how the attributes of love can lead to a deeper sense of fulfillment, peace, and community, which are often lacking in a competitive, individualistic society. Offer examples of how love, when practiced consistently, can transform personal relationships and contribute to a more just and compassionate society.

2. Fear of Vulnerability
Source of Resistance: Loving others, especially in the selfless, sacrificial way that Jesus taught, requires vulnerability. Many people resist this because they fear being hurt, rejected, or taken advantage of.

Strategy to Overcome: Create a safe and supportive environment where people can gradually learn to trust and practice love without fear. Share stories of how vulnerability, when rooted in love, can lead to deeper connections and personal growth. Emphasize the strength that comes from relying on God’s love, which empowers us to take risks in loving others.

3. Past Hurts and Unresolved Trauma
Source of Resistance: People who have been deeply hurt in the past may find it difficult to trust or love others. Past wounds can create barriers to accepting and giving love.

Strategy to Overcome: Offer opportunities for healing through spiritual direction, counseling, and prayer. Encourage participants to bring their pain to God, who is the source of all healing. Provide a community where they can experience unconditional love and acceptance, which can help them overcome their resistance.

4. Misunderstanding of Love
Source of Resistance: Some may have a skewed understanding of love, seeing it as merely sentimental or weak. They might resist the Christian call to love because they associate it with passivity or being a "doormat."

Strategy to Overcome: Teach about the true nature of Christian love, which is both strong and active. Use examples from the life of Jesus to show that love involves courage, justice, and standing up for what is right. Clarify that love is not about ignoring wrongs but about seeking the good of others in a way that reflects God’s truth and righteousness.

5. Discomfort with Change
Source of Resistance: Embracing the path of love often requires significant changes in behavior, attitudes, and even life priorities. Change can be uncomfortable and difficult, leading to resistance.

Strategy to Overcome: Approach change gradually, offering practical steps and encouragement along the way. Highlight the benefits of change, such as deeper peace, stronger relationships, and a more meaningful life. Provide support and accountability through community and small groups, helping people stay committed to the path of love.

6. Cynicism and Distrust
Source of Resistance: In a world filled with corruption, injustice, and disappointment, people can become cynical and distrustful. They may doubt the sincerity of love or question its effectiveness in bringing about real change.

Strategy to Overcome: Counter cynicism with authentic examples of love in action. Share success stories and testimonies of how love has made a tangible difference in people’s lives and communities. Encourage an attitude of hope, grounded in faith, that God’s love is powerful and transformative, even in the most challenging circumstances.

7. Selfishness and Pride
Source of Resistance: The call to love often conflicts with selfish desires and pride. People may resist the demands of love because it requires putting others before themselves and letting go of their ego.

Strategy to Overcome: Teach about the joy and fulfillment that come from self-giving love. Use the example of Christ, who humbled Himself for the sake of others, to illustrate that true greatness is found in serving others. Encourage practices like prayer and meditation that help cultivate humility and selflessness.

8. Lack of Immediate Gratification
Source of Resistance: In a culture that prioritizes instant gratification, the slow, patient work of love can seem unappealing. People may resist because they don’t see immediate results.

Strategy to Overcome: Emphasize the long-term benefits of living a life rooted in love, such as lasting joy, deeper relationships, and eternal rewards. Help people understand that love is a journey and that the fruits of love often take time to manifest but are worth the effort.

9. Spiritual Resistance
Source of Resistance: There is a spiritual dimension to resistance, where forces opposed to God’s love can create barriers in people’s hearts and minds. This can manifest as doubts, temptations, or discouragement.

Strategy to Overcome: Encourage regular spiritual practices such as prayer, fasting, and participation in the sacraments, which strengthen the soul and open it to God’s grace. Offer spiritual guidance and support to help individuals overcome these spiritual barriers and grow in love.

10. Perception of Love as Impractical
Source of Resistance: Some people might see the teachings on love as idealistic but impractical in the "real world," where competition, power struggles, and survival often seem to dominate.

Strategy to Overcome: Demonstrate the practicality of love through concrete examples and case studies. Show how love can be a powerful force in resolving conflicts, building strong communities, and even succeeding in business or leadership. Present love not as a naïve ideal but as a practical, effective way to live and interact with others.

Conclusion:
Understanding and addressing these sources of resistance is crucial for making the Christian call to love more engaging, relevant, and compelling. By meeting people where they are, acknowledging their fears and challenges, and offering practical, supportive ways to embrace the path of love, your ministry can help them overcome resistance and grow in their relationship with God and others.

How do you think these insights might shape your approach in The Intentional Soul ministry, and are there particular areas of resistance you'd like to focus on more deeply?