NunEssential

check out Live Action's newest video of more (and not surprising) dishonesty being promoted by Planned Parenthood

okay, this song has been in my head and heart for days! I ponder it often. I think it many ways, it's the song Jesus sings to us. as my friend Josh points out- Jesus thirsts for us. Perhaps many of us buy the lie that Jesus is indifferent to us and doesn't really care about us personally or that He wouldn't even notice us if we were gone-- But the truth is that He never stops thirsting for us, He desires us to be with Him forever and will look for us until our dying day. He doesn't want us to run away from Him. Incredible? Absolutely

all the guys from the Rock and Worship Roadshow sing this great song--- funny! and fun!!

I had the amazing experience of being down in Louisiana this weekend for the Abbey Youth Fest. it totally rocked and Some of the awesome Seminarians and myself. These guys totally rock! I absolutely loved every minute of it. A special thank you to Josh Johnson, Reuben Dykes, Brian Butler and all the awesome people that I met this weekend. thank you for blessing my life. Some of you have asked if have my talks recorded- I do have several cds of various talks, just leave a comment on this blog with your email address (I won't publish your email address or comment) and we will be in touch. God bless you all-  :)

I haven't seen the new movie out starring Bradley Cooper entitled, Limitless but I thought this article about the movie and also about our crazy "bigger, faster, stronger" society was interesting and true. What price do we pay for "more"? What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul?

I absolutely LOVE this song-- its so deep, touching and beautiful. Hope it brings some beauty your way on this first Monday of Spring.....

There are a lot of things happening in today's world. Many of these things are encouraging us to take a deeper look at many of the realities of life. President Obama decides to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act Dr. Bernard Nathanson passes away Jesuit Seattle University offers Planned Parenthood Internships for students these are just some of the many, many things happening in the world, but the combination of these three events really caused me to ponder the truths of our lives and our faith. Why are we here on earth? What does it mean to be human? Can we do whatever we want on earth and find true happiness? These are deep questions, questions that have spanned the minds of thinkers of the centuries. It seems to me that we must take up these questions anew in our minds and hearts. We cannot be lulled to sleep by the seeming "comfort" that the world offers us- for as Pope Benedict XVI said, "The world promises you comfort, but you were not mad...

it is POURING down rain right now as I look out the school window. wow. Here's a video of Jars of Clay singing "Flood" in honor of the rain.......(it's an old school video) :)

"It seems as though, when God wants to express to men what He is like, He makes a very beautiful character. Think of a personality as God's expression of character attributes. Be as fit an expression of Godlike character as you can. When the beauty of a person's character is impressed upon us, it leaves an image which in turn reflects through our own actions. So look for beauty of character in those around you." from the book, Twenty-Four Hours A Day  

"A heart open to beauty never grows old." Turkish Proverb

Just for fun....

Hello Lenten People! Just wanted to wish you all a happy Lent and assure you of my prayers as we journey together through these 40 days of conversion. If you haven't read the Holy Father's message for Lent this year, PLEASE do so . It ROCKS! it's only 4 pages long and readily understandable. It is deep and profound and will give you much to ponder during this time. The bottom line is this: God loves us and wants to free us from the obstacles that we place in the way of His passionate love. We are made His children in Baptism, we are made for resurrection and life. We are made for greatness. As I was pondering this morning- a few thoughts came to my mind. Perhaps one of the best things we can do and grow in during Lent is to go to Jesus free of our masks, deceptions and desires to impress everyone, and just come before Him with no facades and say to Him "Jesus, please show me who I really am." Do we really know who we are? For if we do (and when I speak ...

I have been seeing billboards similar to this around the Seattle area. Checked out the website and although I can't discern the foundation of the group behind it, they do not provide direct links to abortion providers. This website gives information and testimonies of women facing unplanned pregnancies. www.youroptions.com

Clip #2-- a fun moment with Mercy Me :)

The Rock and Worship Roadshow came to Seattle on Saturday and the 4 of went and had a great time. We saw awesome bands like Jars of Clay, Matt Maher and MercyMe. There was one act that was scary and so I sat in my chair and plugged my ears because it was literally piercing my hearing. Eek! but the rest was totally awesome. God bless all those men in the bands who travel the country and world preaching the Good News. Wow. Here is a little clip from the concert which features the lead singer of MercyMe explaining how he wrote the song "Beautiful" (he wrote it for his daughters and he and his wife are expecting their 5th child next month! awesome). In this clip he talks for a while about what we really yearn for in life and then sings the song "Beautiful". Hope you enjoy it. Sorry the quality isn't that great, the video was taken using my phone!

okay, I don't know why, but this song has been in my head for several days. Those of you who are my age will remember this song and the big-hair heavy metal group Slaughter, from the early 1990's (and admit it, you liked them ;)  ) so, for what it's worth, here it is-- feel free to smile and remember your middle school dance. I  have spared you an actual photo of said big hair band, you can google that yourself :)

more from Jon Foreman, playing improv live with a group of young people in Denmark. I love how they all sing a long with him...

I woke up singing this song this morning. A little more from Jon Foreman. whee! :)

Wes Leonard, may you rest in peace. We pray for your soul and for your family and friends during this sorrowful time.

Read the Holy Father's Message for Lent 2011. Our Holy Father speaks the truth to our hearts and urges us to renounce selfishness. Thank God! Letter for Lent on Vatican Website

I had the distinct pleasure and honor to be a part of ICYC in Boise, ID last weekend. The coordinators and the young people that were there changed my life forever. It ROCKED. At the beginning of the Conference, this clip was shown, stating the rules of the event and I laughed so hard at the cleverness and humor of it. I thought it was great and I hope you like it too :) thanks PJ for hooking me up with this clip :)

Here is an awesome song by Jon Foreman and Switchfoot- so deep and beautiful and TRUE. so often we feel lost and dark inside and want to just run away. but that darkness that we feel, the ache, the longing, the void is actually a sign that we were made for eternity. we spend so much of our time trying to fill the longing and the ache with "stuff" from the world- money, affection, power, sex, alcohol, affirmation from others, etc but it never, ever fills the void. when we can be honest within and come to Jesus and allow him to peer within our dark void and put his finger there and massage the brokenness and hardness away, it is then that we go deeper into Him, deeper into the Son. (sun) Jon Foreman, you are a rock star. We don't know each other but I want you to know that I pray for you everyday. Your music is amazing and beautiful and so powerful. God bless you for saying yes to Him and sharing your gift with the world. May you be blessed now and always and I hope I...

Saturday March 12th -- Lenten Day of Recollection, St. Mary's Parish, Marysville, WA. For more info or to attend, click here to contact parish Saturday March 19th - Theology of the Body day retreat, Holy Family Parish, Seattle, WA. For more info click here Wednesday March 23rd - "Raising Happy and Holy Youth" Presentation, Holy Family Parish, Kirkland, WA. 7pm- adults welcome. Thursday March 24th - "Healing Power of Christ" Presentation to St. Theresa Guild, St. Madeleine Sophie Parish, Bellevue, WA. 10-11:30am- adult women welcome Friday/Saturday March 25th and 26th - Abbey Road Youth Festival, Covington, LA. Check it out here

This is a haunting and authentic song about breaking free from sorrow and the longing for a heart that is whole. Sung by Christina Perri