These Scripture Texts Have Lit My Path

(James 2:24) "See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone."
I try always to remeber that it is okay to have faith, but it is not the only element to faith. Often times its much easier to say you believe in God and the bible then to also live out God's word.

(Psalm 31:4) "You are my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead and guide me,"

I realize that God is whom I can depend on and I have always looked for his help in any problems I have.

(Proverbs 27:1) "Boast not of tomorrow, for you know not what any day may bring forth."

I know that from my experience with my mothers near death heart surgery time is not to be taken lightly. Each day is a blessing and we should be thankful for all the days the Lord has given us.

(1 Corinthians 12:31-13:8) "Love is patient: love is kind. Love never fails."

Love is the greatest force in the world and I think this scripture says it all.

These Sufferings Have Seasoned Me

The first real suffering I had experienced in my life was when I broke my left leg in the 8th grade. It was more physical suffering rather then psychological.

I yelled at the top of my lungs when I fell from the stairs, landing on the ground with a large bulge in my knee. I was in the fetel position screaming. It hurt bad! The ambulance ride was excrutiating, even with morphine. I ended up having surgery to fix a seperated piece of my shin bone. It was bad and a little sad, but in comparison to the injuries I recieved in football to the opposite knee; the first injury seemed like nothing.

Two years in a row I ended up dislocating the same knee cap doing the same football drill. Honestly it sucked because I had to suffer through pain and I couldn't participate thru two entire seasons. Ultimatly I ended up not playing senior year because the doctor said I would run the risk of popping it again. Every day both knees cause me pain. Some days are better than others, but I will always have bad knees to deal with.

These Influences Have Shaped My Life

My mother has really shaped my life the most. She has been the one who taught me about my Catholic faith, about manners, and about life in general. She has been the biggest example of faith, hope, and love. She is a great roemodel and an inspiration for me pursue my own relationship with God. She supports me in almost everything I do. She is stern when she needs to be and gentle at other times. She is always there for me when ever I need her. When ever I need to talk with her she is always willing to listen and give her input. I can have any type of conversation with her and she always has something to say. Her and I are one in the same when it comes to talking, when you get us started we will never shut up. She is the one person that I try to emulate in my life.

These Persons Are Enshrined Within My Heart

There are many people that have had a big influnce on my life that will always have a place in my heart. Its really difficult to talk about some of these people, because many have passed away.

When my friends mother passed it came suddenly. I did not expect that anything like this was going to happen. She was so very happy all the time and had a strong faith in God. I did not see her all the time mostly on Sundays at mass, but when I did see her she treated me as though I was one of her sons. My friend took it the hardest when she died. I don't think anyone really expected her to pass so suddenly. She was sick, yes, and had been battling an unknown illness for some time, but she was getting better. Yet suddenly she was gone. It was traumtic and heartbreaking. I feel terrible that I never got to show how much I appreciated her. My friends suffering is a constant reminder of how blessed I am to be able to spend as much time as possible while I still can with my mom.

These Things I Regret About My Life

When my mom underwent her heart surgery I felt regret immediatly for not taking the time to care for her better. I felt bad that I didn't show her enough love. I regreted all the times I caused her trouble and stress. I regreted lying. Most of all I regreted all the times I could have shown her just how much I appreciated her. So many times I think people take for granted the people they love. We encompass our lives so much in pleasing ourselves and we end up forgetting how important our loved ones really are to us. I know that I always used to take for granted my mother when it came to my laundry, meals, and money. You end up feeling terrible for all the times you obliviously take advantage of someone without saying thanks. I am blessed to still have my mom with me, but her suffering has forced me to come to terms with my mistakes and work on being more responsible and appreciative of not just my mom, but of everyone I meet, because anyone you meet can disappear without a trace.

These Convictions I have Lived By

I have always thought and been taught to follow directions as best I can. Not in the sense that I blindly go forth and follow whatever I am told as if I am a mindless robot, but as a human being who wishes to do things right to please others and in the end feel good about an accomplishment. In the classroom I can think of times when I seem to be the only one who follows the directions of a teacher and I end up finishing or answering first with ease, which also makes the teacher happy. I try to think before I act. I listen to how, for instance, someone explains a topic based on their experience and then I act following their guidance, while mixing in some of my own ideas. I am only trying to say that I think about every choice I have in the context of what others have told me and what I think about it. Most often I have found that the times I have followed the advice of others I find my situatation better then the times I say that I can solve the problem alone. I am not saying that I am perfect or anything but I try to do things as perfect as I can to help do the right job for others. I try to live a life of service by listening to my elders and to what I think.

These Beliefs I Have Outgrown

I used to believe alot of things about this world. For instance Santa and the like used to be people I really felt existed and hoped were real. Yet Santa does not hold alot of weight (no pun intended) in the world of reality. Other things have come to my attention now as I have gotten older and I begun to form my own ideas and realizations. I have especially realized that not every thing I have heard is true.

As I have come to understand politics and my own faith I realize that things such as laws and restrictions by government are not always good for humanity, or moral. One law that comes to mind is capital punishment. I had heard talk from many adults that it was good that men were going to pay for their crimes. Many western movies I have seen show that the bad guys diserved to be hanged. So I right out grew to know capital punishment as a just a moral thing to do. I no longer view putting any person to death. I realize that killing a man for his crime is just as bad as the murder he commited. Thou shall not kill/murder. The second commandment. I dont see how it is okay to kill someone for killing. It's still killing even if it is in the law. I try to keep up with new laws and try to compare and contrast my faith to them to judge their morality. Abortion and euthenasia are issues I have alot of concern for.

Recently I have come to an understanding that in many respects government is not the answer to any of our problems in the U.S. I use to be of the persuasion that the government is my friend, however reading the constitution and looking at the declaration it shows how little our forefathers believed in an all powerful governing body such as what ours has become. I try everyday to challenge my own beliefs through lots of thought and research.

These Ideas Have Brought Me Liberation

I love thinking about our very existence. It keeps me up at night, but not in a bad way. I feel so free to think about the world and the mystery that is life. From small organisms and the molecules and atoms that compose them to the large everyday astronomical occurences that fit together so perfectly to make everything possible. I can't get enough of it. It amazes me to think how God plays a role in making everything fit together so perfectly so that nothing falls apart on the atomic level. I just get a certain freedom when I try to interpret and mush everything together to make sense of it all. I am constantly in wonder and awe about everything and I am so glad I have eyes to experience the world. I can't explain the feelings I have when I delve into our very existence, I am filled with joy and tears some times to think how amazing it all is and what it must feel to know how everything works from God's point of view. I am glad that he created us to have curiosity because it is an amazing thing to be able to seek out how life works.

These Insights I Have Gained in the School of Life

Just a few things I have found to be true from my own experience: Life is quick make the most of it and don't waste it selfishly. God is truly good and present in everyones life. We must use suffering to grow and realize we must change. Love takes time to develop. Appreciate and cherish those around you because nobody lives forever. Listen and learn. Learn from your mistakes. It is better to believe in God and find out you were wrong then to not believe in God and find out you were wrong. Life is tough but rewarding.

These Things I love About Life

I love nature and everything about it. Every sound, smell, thing I have touched or sight that I have seen. Winter is my favorite season, and to me encompass' everything that nature has to offer. I love the beautiful snow covered landscapes that are in magazines and photos, but these are things that most people love about the fridged winter months anyway. A true winter experience comes from experiencing the cold arcitic air that wisps across your face when you walk. It stings and hurts, but is comforting at the same time. The feeling of the small snowflakes that land on your hands and head when you take of your gloves and cap. When the sun hits the snow covered ground just right and makes the whole scenery iluminate with an almost angelic atmosphere. It makes me feel like I am looking at a piece heaven. The silence that usually follows after a pack of snow falls from a tree. At times it is fun to eat a bite of some perfectly powdered snow that first stings your tongue, melts, and then taste like water and dirt. Winter encompass almost every thing that I have loved in this life. I find it to be one of the prettiest things I have ever experienced.