Aloha Friday Message – March 26, 2010 – Sixth Friday in Lent

March 26, 2010

1013AFC032610 – The Lost Sheep

Happy Aloha Friday, Beloved! Today I am going to begin with the weekly Bible verse. It is Isaiah 53:6. I bet some of you have memorized this one and most of you will recognize it.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all

Now, I need to back up a few verses and set this in context a bit before saying anything else.

1 Who would believe what we have heard? To whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 He grew up like a sapling before him, like a shoot from the parched earth; there was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him, nor appearance that would attract us to him. 3 He was spurned and avoided by men, a man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity, one of those from whom men hide their faces, spurned, and we held him in no esteem. 4 Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken, as one smitten by God and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins, upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole; by his stripes we were healed. 6 We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; But the LORD laid upon him the guilt of us all. 7 Though he was harshly treated, he submitted and opened not his mouth; like a lamb led to the slaughter or a sheep before the shearers, he was silent and opened not his mouth. 8 Oppressed and condemned, he was taken away, and who would have thought any more of his destiny? When he was cut off from the land of the living, and smitten for the sin of his people, 9 A grave was assigned him among the wicked and a burial place with evildoers, Though he had done no wrong nor spoken any falsehood. 10 (But the LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity.) If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him. 11 Because of his affliction he shall see the light in fullness of days; through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear. 12 Therefore I will give him his portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoils with the mighty, because he surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked; and he shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their offenses. (Isaiah 53:1-12    New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)

You will recognize this as Isaiah’s description of the Passion of the Messiah. This is the result of God’s promise of Mercy. He allowed Christ’s suffering and death to be atonement for our sins. He made amends, took the punishment, brought about the expiation for our sins so that we would not have to endure the just punishment for them.

Remember I said God’s Justice precedes God’s Mercy? Here we see what Jesus did for our benefit. He was spurned, suffered, infirm, stricken, smitten, afflicted, pierced, crushed, harshly treated, condemned, chastised, killed, and all of this was done because it pleased God to do so.

Look at the list again, perhaps read it out loud. That is a lot of suffering. Remember when we talked about Abraham and how he had been prepared by God to offer up Isaac? Isaac did not have to endure this kind of suffering because God did not permit it. He was happy to let Isaac go and in doing so He was happy to confirm his covenant with Abraham. That covenant included salvation for Isaac and Abraham, and all of Abraham’s descendants, and through One descendant, it includes the whole world.

Jesus took upon himself all of this suffering as well as our griefs, our sorrows, our transgressions (disobedience), our iniquity (wickedness), and carried those in Himself so that we can be freed from God’s just punishment for all of our disobedience and wickedness. “For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) Christ did not take the title of “sinner.” He did not become “sinful.” He did not change his name to “Sin.” He bore in His body our sin. How did God do that? I don’t know. Why did God do that? It was His decision to allow Jesus to become sin by the mystery of Grace so that when Christ suffered and died He suffered the punishments for our sins and those sins died with Him. Thus He became our righteousness so that through Him we can become God’s righteousness. This entire immensely-long plan was set in place to do one simple thing: Reunite us with God and restore us to original innocence by removing original sin and all its consequences.

Next Sunday is Palm Sunday, and after that comes Easter. As you go through the days between now and Easter, please reflect occasionally (more than once) about the sin you committed most recently. That one (and every sin before and after that one) was forgiven because Christ accepted it inside his Being, suffered all the punishment you deserved for that sin, carried it to the cross for you, and let your sin die with Him. I think that perhaps God has not prepared you to go through all that suffering because He loves you too much. Instead He decided to take that suffering upon Himself through Jesus’ gift of Love. “If he gives his life as an offering for sin, he shall see his descendants in a long life, and the will of the LORD shall be accomplished through him.”

It is God’s will to reunite you with Him. Believe that in your heart and confess it with your mouth, and then make plans for that reunion. (See Romans 8:1-37)

God is merciful and He asks that you try to be like Him by being merciful, too. There is so much to do, so pick something and get down to working on it. Support the relief efforts in Haiti with your prayers, your time, and your money. All of those are much needed there. Perhaps you believe “Charity begins at home.” In your home or your community or your faith family or your city or state or country, be merciful. How? Do you see grief, or sorrow, or disobedience, or wickedness, or suffering, or doubt, or hunger, or illness, or prejudice, or fear, or oppression, or poverty, or any unmet need? Act to bring relief and ask God to bless your efforts.

This week and on through Easter morning, please join me in using The MBN Prayer every day so that everyone who prays for us and everyone who asks for our prayers gives and receives mercy through the sacrifice of prayerful praise.

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Beloved

chick (another wandering sheep)
AGE QUOD AGIS

Lenten Series on Mercy

Follow this series on Corporal Acts of Mercy

Aloha Friday Message – March 12, 2010 – Fourth Friday in Lent

March 23, 2010

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Happy Aloha Friday, Beloved. Here are some additional perspectives on mercy.

MERCY!
Lord, have mercy.
Show mercy
Be merciful
What is mercy? When we read that word in the Bible, how is it used? The first place I could find the word mercy in the Bible is in Genesis 19:16. It occurs in the story of Lot, Abraham’s nephew. The angels sent to Lot to rescue Lot and his wife and daughters take the family by the hand and swiftly transport them out of the city which is about to be destroyed. This was an act of mercy by God. God has granted a favor to Abraham to spare this one family from the justice deserved by the whole region of five cities. What is mercy, and what is justice?

In the Bible I find two Hebrew words for mercy. One is chesed (KEH-sed). That is the word used in Lot’s story. It is a word that carries a meaning of integrity in judgment and is often associated with God’s covenant with Israel. It is God’s gift of grace arising from His compassion for His chosen people.

Another word in Hebrew is racham (RAHK-am) or rachamim. This is mercy that is associated with tender love, as that between mother and child. It is a word associated with family and the gentle love shown among its members. It comes from the Hebrew word for womb. One of the first places this word occurs is in the story of Jacob when he sends his sons to Egypt where their brother Joseph has gained a position of authority.

In the Septuagint and in the New Testament the Greek word used is eleos. We hear this word echoed in the ancient prayer Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.

I have heard a few sermons in which the speaker states, “Justice occurs when you get what you deserve. Mercy occurs when you get what you don’t deserve.” That seems a bit ragged to me, but it does convey the idea that mercy is associated with justice and with grace – undeserved favor that comes from compassion. It is being sympathetic to the suffering of another. An Act of Mercy is something done with compassion for another who is in distress.

Sometimes mercy is seeing to it that justice is done. To relieve the suffering of those who are oppressed or abandoned or marginalized – that is mercy centered on justice. When we help those who live in fear for their lives because of evil being done to them, we sow justice in the world because of our compassion. We act on the promptings of our conscience to correct something that is wrong.

Sometimes mercy is given when the duty of delivering a just punishment is set aside and replaced with a willingness to be lenient or even to completely forgive the offense. This kind of mercy is also a characteristic of God’s covenant love for His creation.

Other times mercy is deep-felt sympathy for the suffering of another. We are conscious of the suffering of others and have a desire to reduce or eliminate that suffering by giving something of ourselves. We share their suffering.

Why does God want us to show mercy, to love mercy, to act with mercy?

These are ways for us to emulate God, to bring into our lives His image in us. He is inviting us to be what He created us to be: Like Him. God’s integrity is perfect and therefore His justice is perfect. Because His justice is perfect, His love is also perfect because it is given equally to all, even the sinful. Because His love is perfect, His mercy is perfect. God’s mercy rests on and surrounds every soul, every circumstance, every thought, word, or deed in our lives.

In the fifth chapter of Matthew we are given the Beatitudes. Jesus talks about the way to blessedness. It is the way of humility and compassion. It is not the rigid justice imposed by the law. It is the flowing compassion given through love. It is to go beyond that which is required by doing more than is expected and doing so out of humble love and obedience. It is doing good things by exceeding the expectations of others, and exceeding even our own expectations for kindness. The chapter ends with “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

“Alas, I cannot be perfect!” In and of yourself, no, you cannot be perfect. But by the mercy of God, you have been perfected through the death and resurrection of Christ.

“How can God be so vengeful, so cruel, so uncaring that He permits or causes so much suffering in the world? How is that ‘merciful?’?” God’s justice precedes God’s mercy. The Accuser has power in this world, but God’s power is greater. From the time of Creation to this moment, the choices made by everyone between good and evil, God or Satan are subject to God’s perfect justice. But by God’s perfect grace we are spared because of His perfect mercy. All He asks of us is to go and do likewise. Be just and merciful.

Today’s Bible Verse: Genesis 1:1-2

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
1. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Let the Spirit of God create in you integrity, justice, love, and mercy. Then go out and share all of that with everyone.

Pray for the PEOPLE. ALL the people. Use the Prayer for Every Living Soul found on our blog-site.

We learned this week that JP passed away. Thank you for your prayers and condolences. Please continue your prayers for everyone who has asked us to pray for them.

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Beloved

Chick Todd
Age quod agis.

Lenten Series on Mercy

Follow this series on Corporal Acts of Mercy

Aloha Friday Message – March 19, 2010 – 5th Friday of Lent – The Price

March 19, 2010

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Happy Aloha Friday, Beloved!

In the past few weeks we have spoken of two kinds of mercy. The first is the kind of Mercy that comes from God, a blessing that is an act of Divine favor or compassion. We read that God’s Mercy is perfect because God’s integrity and justice are perfect. So too is God’s love and compassion perfect. Perfect integrity, justice, love, and compassion make possible perfect mercy. And the goodness of God makes Mercy a gift to us.

The second kind of mercy about which we have read is the mercy we share with one another. It is the kind of mercy that is the compassionate treatment of those in distress such as works of mercy among the poor, the oppressed, the orphaned or widowed, the abandoned or marginalized, or simply those whom we love because we love God and His gift of mercy.

God’s gift of mercy is so abundant that sometimes we forget it is a gift He has chosen to bestow on us. It is such a generous gift that it is difficult to perceive its boundaries. We are so immersed in, filled up by, and surrounded with God’s Mercy that we may sometimes feel we are entitled to it. God “owes” us His infinite mercy. As that sense of entitlement grows, so too our sense of the blessing of the gift of Mercy decreases. We begin to assume that no matter what we do, God’s Mercy will cover it. True? Yes, but I think perhaps we overlook something. Mercy is a gift. And that brings us to some difficult considerations.

If we believe we are entitled to mercy, we believe we have a right to the benefits specified by God for those who believe in Him who God sent. Some have fashioned this into the belief that we are deserving of to certain privileges such as forgiveness for our sins. We know that the Bible tells us repeatedly that God is merciful, patient, and supremely kind. For example in the Psalms we read (Ps 103:8) “Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger, abounding in kindness.” So, doesn’t that mean God will eventually be merciful with each of us? Let’s look at some other expressions of God’s mercy and His expectations for us to be merciful.

In the Gospel of Matthew we read: (Mt 5:7) “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Could it be then that God’s gift of mercy is associated with us being merciful in return? In the Gospel of Luke we read, (Luke 6:36) “Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful.” Later in Luke we find this: (Luke 18:13) “But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'”

Do we have to ask God for Mercy? Isn’t it a universal gift? Look at Exodus 33:19: 19 He [God] answered, “I will make all my beauty pass before you [Moses], and in your presence I will pronounce my name, ‘LORD’; I who show favors to whom I will, I who grant mercy to whom I will.” This verse is quoted by Paul in his letter to the Romans: (Romans 9:14-16) “14 What then are we to say? Is there injustice on the part of God? Of course not! 15 For he says to Moses: “I will show mercy to whom I will, I will take pity on whom I will.” 16 So it depends not upon a person’s will or exertion, but upon God, who shows mercy.

Mercy is a gift, but a mysterious gift. Gifts are not the same as rights. We do not have a right to mercy. We do not have a right to salvation. We do not have a right to forgiveness. We are not entitled to any of this. But we often act as if all of this is our entitlement, our right, and our possession. In The World, and overblown sense of entitlement is the cause of much anguish and suffering. Some feel they are entitled to terrorize, maim, and kill their neighbors because God allows – even commands it. Others feel they are entitled to do whatever they want to do because God’s Mercy extends to everyone. In that state of being, they can do good things, they can do evil things, and they can expect that God will reward the good and excuse the evil. He will, but at a price.

The Price was Jesus. All the Mercy in the world is a gift from and through Jesus. Every good gift from above is a gift from and through Jesus. Every moment, every instance, every act of mercy is a gift from and through Jesus. That is how we fulfill the command, “Be merciful just as your Father is merciful.” Even if some who show mercy believe it is derived from and within them, the truth is that their capacity to show mercy is a gift from and through Jesus.

Beloved, be the gift. Be merciful. Ask for Mercy by being merciful for “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

I want to share with you an example of mercy show by some citizens of Kaua`i. I will refer to them ask Kaua`i Volunteers to Haiti – KVH. ( If you use Facebook, please find, and friend, Diane Pierce)This is a group of people including doctors, nurses, and lay people who have gone to Haiti to help the victims of the horrendous earthquake there. They have sent back to us photos and stories of some of the people they have met, the actions they are taking to assist the wounded – especially the children. They ask for our prayers for their work and most especially for the people in Haiti who are still suffering greatly. For all of those people, life is not a short blurb on the national news, or a brief story on page 6 of the newspaper. It is an immense reality of suffering, of hunger, and loss everything from family and home to dignity and life. Pray for the children especially for their suffering is magnified by their innocence. Two children have been especially blessed by the mercy shown through the KVH. Daniel and Patterson have suffered greatly, but the love shown through the KVH has given them hope and healing. Be merciful, Beloved. Pray for these children, for those who are helping the, and for those of us who really can do more to help everyone who is suffering from the effects of disasters whether cause by earthly nature or human nature. Pray for the PEOPLE – including you – who have received the gift of Mercy and ask for the faith, the discernment, the patience and perseverance, and especially the humility to be merciful in turn.

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Beloved…

chick

Today’s Bible verse is 1 Samuel 16:7

(New International Version) 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

(King James Version) 7But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Beloved, when God looks at your heart, will he see there your acts of mercy?

Lenten Series on Mercy

Follow this series on Corporal Acts of Mercy

In Memorium – March 9, 2010 – James E. Petty

March 9, 2010

Aloha Friday Message – March 5, 2010 – Third Friday in Lent

March 5, 2010

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Happy Aloha Friday, Beloved!

Continuing with Mercy, last week I said I would like to look at the spiritual Works of Mercy. Here they are again:

Spiritual works of mercy

1. Admonish sinners,
2. Instruct the uninformed,
3. Counsel the doubtful,
4. Comfort the sorrowful,
5. Be patient with those in error,
6. Forgive offenses,
7. Pray for the living and the dead.

That first one is always the one where the brakes start squealing. Our overly-Politically-Correct society tells us we are supposed to use relativistic ethics or what the “pholks” in the philosophy department call Moral Relativism. It’s along the line of “What’s true for me may not be true for you. There is no universal moral standard by which to judge others, we ought to tolerate the behavior of others even when it runs counter to our personal or cultural moral standards. There cannot be any single objective standard for moral judgments on any matter.” Pontius Pilate sort of hit the nail on the head when he asked, “What is Truth?” Every time I hear this, I remember a story told by Frank Peretti. I first heard it in a tape recording of one of his speaking engagements, and later read it (I think) in The Chair. Check out Frank Peretti: http://www.frankperetti.com/

A radio talk-show host asks, “What truth? How can I know that what you are telling me is true?” Frank responds,

“There’s no way for you to know whether what I’m telling you is true unless you know what the truth is. And there’s no way for you to know what the truth is unless there is a truth that you can know. (If you’re searching for the truth, and there is none, then what are you searching for?) You’ve got to have a truth that true whether you believe it or not. It is a truth that is true whether you like it or not. It’s true whether you even know about it or not. It’s just TRUE: OBJECTIVE EXTERNAL ETERNAL TRUTH THAT STANDS IN AND OF ITSELF.”

— Frank Perretti http://www.frankperetti.com

So “Admonish sinners?” Sure. Not a problem. If you know the Truth, that is. THE REAL, OBJECTIVE, EXTERNAL, ETERNAL, TRUTH THAT STANDS IN AND OF ITSELF is what helps all humankind know the difference between right and wrong, good and bad, acts of sin and acts of righteousness. The Accuser likes to make us think that the lines are blurry and the criteria for differentiation are flexible. Not if you know The Truth. Oh, the Accuser is correct in stating the half-truth (one of his specialties) that as humans we can never know The Whole Truth and Nothing but The Truth because we are human and therefore imperfect.

So how do you do that, admonish sinners? Check out what Paul says about it in Galatians 6:1-10: 1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load. 6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

To Admonish is 1 a : to indicate duties or obligations to b : to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner 2 : to give friendly earnest advice or encouragement to another. Look up ADMONISH (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/admonish). If you know someone who is doing something wrong, tell him or her earnestly in a friendly way to consider the consequences as those are likely to be negative outcomes and encourage them to do things that reap positive outcomes rather than things to satisfy their selfishness.

Short version: If you know persons who are doing something wrong, let them know that the consequences are likely to be negative IF THEY STOP. Not too hard, is it?

Once that “really hard one” is out of the way, actually, the rest of them are not a big deal. Instruct the uninformed? In matters of faith when you can, as well as in matters of practicality when you can. Remember ignorance is usually treatable. Stupidity is often fatal. Save a life! Correct the uninformed and assist the misinformed.

Counsel the doubtful? About matters of faith? Sure, if you are confident in your own faith. If not, hmmm, maybe you could get some counseling? That counts, too. Counsel the doubtful about other things that make them uncomfortable with the truth? Sure! Find out together. Best way to learn is to teach.

Comfort the sorrowful? Of course! Don’t we all do that whenever we can?

Be patient with those in error? About the faith? Sure! You’ve been there, right? About everything else? Why not? Wouldn’t you want them to be patient with you when you’re out of bounds or just being foolish? Can you be a wee-bit more patient with the drivers who obviously have no regard for your safety? J!

Forgive offenses? Absolutely! When you nurture a grudge it takes so much care and feeding to keep it going. Let the thing starve to death by forgiving every offense. For some of us it takes a little longer to get there, but it is definitely worth the trip (and worth the wait if you are expecting an apology).

Pray for the living and the dead? Capital idea! The MBN specializes in praying for the living, and praying for, with, and about the dead is a cultural reality for about as long as there have been humans. Not a problem!

So there you have it, seven ways to enrich your life, and not one of them is complicated or really even mildly scary.

Quickly then, here is today’s installment from 52 Verses. You’ve read it recently, I am sure of that. Galatians 6:9-10
(NAB) 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

(KJV) 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

See? It’s good to do good deeds as often as you can. Spiritual works of Mercy are actually good Good Deeds!

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service.

Pray for ALL the people to know The Truth and know how to act on it; and especially remember these who have requested our intercessions: MN, JB, JM, JP, SD, DG, CW, MG, GW, SC, and everyone else who has asked for our prayers as they deal with cancer. JC continues to be OK, but we are still looking in great faith for that miracle. Justin’s got some new growth in his cordoma, but is still doing all right and going back to school – sort of. Also remember BL, FP, EJ, and others preparing for a full-time commitment to God as their vocation, and MT going through some very difficult life changes.

God loves you, and so do I. Pass it on!

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Beloved

chick

Lenten Series on Mercy

Follow this series on Corporal Acts of Mercy

Aloha Friday Message – February 26, 2010 – Second Friday of Lent

February 26, 2010

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Happy Aloha Friday, Beloved! Today I am thinking again about mercy. Last week I described two kinds of mercy – Corporal and Spiritual. Here are the two lists I sent:

Corporal Works of mercy
1. Feed the hungry,
2. Give drink to the thirsty,
3. Welcome the stranger,
4. Clothe the naked,
5. Care for the ill,
6. Visit the imprisoned,
7. Bury the dead

Spiritual works of mercy

1. Admonish sinners,
2. Instruct the uninformed,
3. Counsel the doubtful,
4. Comfort the sorrowful,
5. Be patient with those in error,
6. Forgive offenses,
7. Pray for the living and the dead.

What do you think of when you see these fourteen actions? When I read this list, I think, “Man! I can’t do all that stuff!” That’s probably true, I can’t do all of it, but I can do some of it. Whenever I look at something God makes available for me to do, especially if it looks difficult, it often helps to remember Abraham. Here’s what I mean.

Abraham started off as Abram, a princely warrior from “Ur of the Chaldees.” The Bible puts him 12 generations from Adam, and 10 generations from Noah. God told him to get up and move across a vast distance to a land God would show him, a land where he would become the father of many nations. He entered into a covenant with God and throughout his remaining life he did some pretty amazing things. One of the things God called upon him to do was to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac. Most of us remember the story.

God told Abraham to take Isaac to the top of a distant mountain. Isaac was to carry the wood for the burnt offering. Abraham prepared the altar, bound Isaac, and was prepared to kill him there. His reasoning was that God had promised him he would be the father of many nations; that God could be trusted to keep his promise; that even though it made no worldly sense to kill his son and his progeny, God would provide a way to keep his promise. As Abraham raised the knife to take Isaac’s life, a messenger of God told him to stop. He had proved his faith. Another suitable sacrifice was provided – a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. Isaac was redeemed, God’s promise was kept intact, and Abraham was ready for the next action God would request.

How could Abraham do that?! How did he have so much faith in God? How in the world was he prepared to take his own son’s life? And there you have it, the word that sets Abraham apart from us: Prepared.

When God calls us to faith, he prepares us to receive that grace, and to act upon it. We are empowered to hear God’s call and believe in our hearts. We are also empowered to profess that faith in word and deed. So, what I am writing about to you is the profession of faith by works of mercy. You have been prepared to do at least one thing on at least one of these lists. In fact, you are probably empowered to do more than one thing. You are prepared to act. What, if anything, is stopping you?

“I’m not comfortable going to the Soup Kitchen. I feel some anxiety about doing that.” OK, how about sending them a check, or buying some nonperishable foods and dropping them off at the Food Bank? Maybe you and a friend can go together, or you can go with your kid.

“If I give money to this or that charity, they will be coming back with letter after letter asking for more. I feel bad about not answering every appeal.” OK. Answer one, and every time you get an additional letter, pray for the people who are asking for funds and pray even more for the people they are helping. Later on, answer another one, maybe from a different appeal. God is just giving you lots of chances to be merciful. Every once in a while, take a chance and do it.

“Gosh! I can’t go minister to prisoners! That scares the daylights out of me!” Well, maybe so, but you can support prison ministries. You can learn about that mission in your community and support the people who are called to serve. And who knows? If you try it, you might like it.

“I go to a funeral every once in a while if I knew the deceased, but I really don’t have the time or stamina to bury someone.” Leave your shovel at home and send a sympathy card to the family, donate flowers or give a gift to the charity they designate, pray for the peaceful repose of souls, or visit a cemetery with your church or civic group and do a little cleaning up.

These are but a few practical examples of doing something you’ve already been prepared to do. Look over that list again. As you read through it now, is there something that sounds doable? Search your heart. Isn’t there some preparation there for doing just that one thing at least once? Not getting any bright ideas? Ask God to show you one of those things for which He’s prepped you. Still nothin’ poppin’? Pray about it for the rest of this week, because next week we’ll think about some of the spiritual works of mercy – the “really scary ones” we usually don’t even want to talk about because we think we can’t handle the assignment.

All of these 14 actions are based on compassion, and compassion is one of God’s greatest gifts to us. Why? Well because He is the epitome of compassion. Who else but God could love us with so much compassion that He forgives our sins and then forgets we ever did anything wrong?

Here is today’s Bible verse. I’ve put this in previous messages. It is another of my favorites. It is about kindness and compassion.

Ephesians 4: 32

NAB: (And) be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.
NIV: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
KJV: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

While you’re thinking about finding your niche in the works of mercy, read up a bit on my old friend, Abraham. He really was quite a guy! ABRAHAM http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham

Please take a minute to pray for the MBN members who are praying for you. Remember JK a skilled artisan coping with MS; DG recovering from surgery; CK dealing with difficult and high-risk pregnancy; JP and JM as well as Justin, MG, C&GW, and SC – in various stages of cancer or remission; and of course the people afflicted by war, terror, disease, famine, and worst of all – indifference. Pray that you will have compassion for all of them and God will ensure your compassion will find them.

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Beloved
~chick

PS: Have you had a chance to visit FUJIOKA DESIGN fujiokadesign.com yet? Very nicely-designed website (Chanson designed it herself and took all the photos), and some really nice jewelry.

Lenten Series on Mercy

Follow this series on Corporal Acts of Mercy

Aloha Friday Message – February 19, 2010 – First Friday of Lent

February 19, 2010

1008AFC021910, First Friday of lent

Happy Aloha Friday, Beloved. Today I am thinking about Mercy. I want to share some thoughts with you about corporal and spiritual acts of mercy and what I am learning about them. I am thinking about mercy because all around me I see much suffering. In response to that suffering I see courageous assistance being offered by some and general indifference by others, but mostly a mix of those two extremes. As I learn more about mercy and share what I learn with you, I hope that you and I together will find new meaning in the words of Micah 6:8

NIV Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

In this passage, justice, mercy, and humility are shown to be a combination of qualities that are pleasing to God, a combination God requires of us as “what is good.”

So, Beloved, I have been looking into what mercy is and how it has a role in our lives. The first thing I learned is that works of mercy – being merciful – affects us body and soul. There are corporal works of mercy, traditionally seven.

1. Feed the hungry,
2. Give drink to the thirsty,
3. Welcome the stranger,
4. Clothe the naked,
5. Care for the ill,
6. Visit the imprisoned,
7. Bury the dead

There are also seven spiritual works of mercy, six taught to us by Jesus, and the seventh added to affirm respect for human life.

1. Admonish sinners,
2. Instruct the uninformed,
3. Counsel the doubtful,
4. Comfort the sorrowful,
5. Be patient with those in error,
6. Forgive offenses,
7. Pray for the living and the dead.

As you can see, being merciful, or as Micah 6:8 puts it “to love mercy,” presents to us with a formidable list of requirements. It seems to me that I would surely need to be both just and humble to tackle this list successfully.

As I researched these acts of mercy, I found that sometimes the order is a bit different, and as one goes farther back in history, some of the meanings have also changed a bit. The most surprising to me was #6 in the corporal works of mercy. At one point in time the wording was “to ransom the captive.” It mean sacrificing something of one’s self to deliver freedom for another – even to the point of exchanging one life for another, taking the place of the prisoner! How extreme that seems to us! But that is precisely what Jesus did for each of us. He is our principal exemplar of Mercy, and the spiritual and corporal acts of mercy are best modeled in Him.

I am going to ask you to join me in thinking about Mercy as we go through this Lenten Season. I have no idea where it will take us, but I will trust the Spirit, and all of you, to assist in learning more about this virtue of Mercy.

I close today with a reminder to pray diligently for the people who are praying for you and especially those who are asking for your prayers. DG is having her surgery today and has asked for you to remember her as she begins her recuperation from a partial mastectomy. Pray also for those who are enduring poverty and hunger, fear and danger, war and terrorism, and everyone who is in and form of oppression whether physical or spiritual.

Here is today’s Bible passage, Ephesians 4:29:

NIV: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

KJV: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Beloved …

Pray for the people. ALL the People.

chick

Lenten Series on Mercy

Follow this series on Corporal Acts of Mercy

Aloha Friday message – February 12, 2010 – SING!!

February 12, 2010

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Happy Aloha Friday, Beloved! Today I am thinking about singing. I love to sing, and I love to listen to others sing. I’ve been doing something with music since I was about 3. It has always been a significant part of my life. I remember a cartoon we Todd Kids watched called I Love To Sing. It was about a little owl from a very musical family. They were devoted to Classical Music, but he loved Jazz. Eventually the whole family came to the understanding that Jazz is music, too; it was a very happy moment for all of them.

Singing is one of those things which sometimes just happen. Kids make up little goofy songs (I told you once some time ago about my sister’s song Me-oh-my-oh, Me-oh-my-oh, Me-oh-my-oh MOE! Repeat ad nauseum). When young men’s fancies turn (and so also for young women’s, too), ’tis a sign of Spring to hear them sing. When we feel joyful or rejuvenated, we … Love To Sing.

I started thinking about singing this week because of the responsorial Psalm from Sunday, February 7. It was Psalm 138. Folks, that is my absolute favorite Psalm! It is the only Psalm I have ever tried to set to music. I purposely have avoided memorizing it so I can read it new each time I see it. I love it because it grabs me with “In the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name.…” In my lyric-adaptation it goes “In the presence of the angels I will sing your praise. I will lift up my hands and I will bless your Holy Name.” When you think about how GREAT God is, how loving, how kind, how forgiving, how GOD He truly is, singing, shouting, jumping, dancing – all at once – seem to be just a natural reaction. You can’t stop singing because you really have to sing.

Here’s David’s take on that:

Psalm 138
1 Of David. I thank you, LORD, with all my heart; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praises, LORD. 2 I bow low toward your holy temple; I praise your name for your fidelity and love. For you have exalted over all your name and your promise. 3 When I cried out, you answered; you strengthened my spirit. 4 All the kings of earth will praise you, LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth. 5 They will sing of the ways of the LORD: “How great is the glory of the LORD!” 6 The LORD is on high, but cares for the lowly and knows the proud from afar. 7 Though I walk in the midst of dangers, you guard my life when my enemies rage. You stretch out your hand; your right hand saves me. 8 The LORD is with me to the end. LORD, your love endures forever. Never forsake the work of your hands!

Now that reminds me of an old Cat Stevens song, “If you want to sing out, sing out.” At least that’s how I remember the title. He wrote that song in the middle of his mania in the sixties, a mania many of us shared then, and it was directed toward finding real peace through expanded consciousness. Some tried everything from Zen to banana peels, acid to astrology, and most never settled on anything substantive. Cat ended up embracing Islam, and successfully at that. His Muslim name is Yusuf Islam, and he continued to write music, work for peace, and became known as a great philanthropist and a Man of Peace. Bear that earlier lifestyle in mind when you read his lyrics from the mid-sixties:

From: http://www.yusufislam.com/songs/

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
‘Cause there’s a million things to be
You know that there are

And if you want to live high, live high
And if you want to live low, live low
‘Cause there’s a million ways to go
You know that there are

Chorus:
You can do what you want
The opportunity’s on
And if you can find a new way
You can do it today
You can make it all true
And you can make it undo
You see ah ah ah
It’s easy ah ah ah
You only need to know

Well if you want to say yes, say yes
And if you want to say no, say no
‘Cause there’s a million ways to go
You know that there are

And if you want to be me, be me
And if you want to be you, be you
‘Cause there’s a million things to do
You know that there are

Chorus

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
‘Cause there’s a million things to be
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are

See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_Stevens

So, when you’ve just gotta sing, SING! SING A SONG!!!….

La, la-la-la-la . . .

Sing, sing a song,
Sing out loud, sing out strong,
Sing of the good things, not bad,
Sing of the happy, not sad . . .

Sing, sing a song,
Make it simple, to last your whole life long,
Don’t worry that it’s not good enough,
For anyone else to hear,
Sing, sing a song . . .

La, la-la-la-la . . .
Sing (sing . . ) sing a song ( sing . . )
Sing out loud, sing out strong,
Sing of good things, not bad,
Sing of happy, not sad . . .

Sing, sing a song,
Make it simple, to last your whole life long,
Don’t worry that it’s not good enough,
For anyone else to hear,
(’cause God will love anything you sing to Him, with Him, for Him, through Him, or about Him!)
Sing, sing a song . . .

Sing, sing a song . . .
Sing, sing a song . . .

La, la-la-la-la . . .

Words and Music by Joe Raposo , 1972

So this week will you sing a prayer to God? The old adage attributed to St. Augustine is “He who sings prays twice.” More precisely the quote which St. Augustine actually said was:

“For he that singeth praise, not only praiseth, but only praiseth with gladness: he that singeth praise, not only singeth, but also loveth him of whom he singeth. In praise, there is the speaking forth of one confessing; in singing, the affection of one loving.” (St. Augustine, Commentary on Psalm 73, 1)
http://www.saint-mike.org/apologetics/qa/answers/church_history/h020303parise.html

So live it up by singing it ^UP^. (get it?) Hum, whistle, make up a tune, yodel, or just drone with a joyful heart. He will absolutely love it, of course, because He absolutely loves YOU!! And there is no choir practice!

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Beloved.

Pray for the people. ALL the People

Chick

This week’s Bible Verse:
2 Timothy 3:16-17
(NIV) 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

(KJV) 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Scriptural singing must really be something special

AND THEN THERE ARE THE LOVE SONGS . . 😉


. . . HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, TOO

Aloha Friday Message – February 6, 2010

February 6, 2010

1006AFC020510

Beloved, let me begin by putting in the scripture reading from last week. I left it out and decided against sending you an extra message midweek.

1COR 15:3-5
(NIV) 3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; 4 that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures; 5 that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.
(KJV 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve

Pretty straightforward summary of the facts, yes? In this statement, Paul is stating rather matter-of-factly that everything went according to the plan. If there was no Plan, then we might be less certain that God had us on His mind when he condemned the Serpent in Genesis.

2PET 1:20
(NIV)20 Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation, 21 for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God.
(KJV) 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

So, for those men and women throughout the ages who came up with their own ideas about how God has revealed Himself to humanity, all they get is an imaginary reward based on their imaginary revelations. That sounds fair to me.

So, what about the AFC message today? How about a couple of cute church stories from the library of stuff you folks send?

Cowboy Joe was telling his fellow cowboys back on the ranch about his first visit to a big-city church.
“When I got there, they had me park my old truck in the corral,” Joe began.
“You mean the parking lot,” interrupted Charlie, a more worldly fellow.
“I walked up the trail to the door,” Joe continued.
“The sidewalk to the door,” Charlie corrected him.
“Inside the door, I was met by this Dude in a suit,” Joe went on.
“That would be the usher,” Charlie explained.
“Well, the usher led me down the chute,” Joe said.
“You mean the aisle,” Charlie said, obviously exasperated.
“Then, he led me to a stall and told me to sit there,” Joe continued.
“Pew,” Charlie retorted.
“Yeah,” recalled Joe. “That’s what that pretty lady said when I sat down beside her.”

And then there is this one:
After the service a young couple talked to a church member about joining the church. He hadn’t met the husband before, and he asked him what church he was transferring from in town .

After a short hesitation, he replied, “I am transferring from the Municipal Golf Course.”

Or perhaps you’ll like this collection from church bulletins:

Please remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.

This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Jones to come forward and lay an egg on the altar.

The beautiful flowers on the altar this morning are to celebrate the birth of David Alan Belzer, who is the second sin of Rev. and Mrs. Julius Belzer.

If any of the members of the congregation have children and don’t know it, there is a nursery downstairs.

Everyone is welcome this Tuesday at 4 PM for an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk will please come early.

At the Ladies Liturgy Society this Thursday, Mrs. Smith will sing “Put Me In My Little Bed” accompanied by the pastor.

This Friday at 5 PM there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All wishing to become Little Mothers, please see the minister in his private study.

This week we invite any member of the congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir.

The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind and they may be seen in the church basement Friday.

This Monday we will be holding a ”Bean Supper” in the church hall. Music will follow.

The topic for our sermon next week will be “What is Hell?” Come early and listen to our choir practice.

This evening there will be a meeting in the south and north ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.

The 2003 Church Retreat will be hell May 10 and 11.

A couple of those are cause for a pause – to chuckle a little bit. You know, we see those T-shirts once in a while that say, “I’m not perfect ’cause God’s still workin’ on me!” It’s a good thing He has a sense of humor, because some of our bloopers are pretty comical. Humor and music are just two of the most wonderful gifts imaginable. They might be slightly outdone by love and friendship. So, if you have a loving friend who sings funny songs…Wow! God has really blessed you GOOD!!

I have one more that I think you may like. Now, it’s a “Mother-In-Law Joke,” but it’s a good story with a good message. My mother-in-law was a remarkable woman, and I still love her very much although she passed many years ago, but I don’t think she was quite as remarkable as this fellow believe his was.

A man, his wife, and his mother-in-law went on vacation to the Holy Land. While they were there, the mother-in-law passed away. The undertaker told them, “You can have her shipped home for $5000, or you can bury her here in the Holy Land for $1500.”

The man thought about it and told him he would just have her shipped home.

The undertaker asked, “Why would you spend $5000 to ship your mother-in-law home, when it would be wonderful to have her buried here and spend only $1500?”

The man replied, “A man died here 2000 years ago, was buried here, and three days later he rose from the dead. I just can’t take that chance.”

Pray for the people, ALL the People. Pray for everyone who prays for you and everyone who asks for your prayers.

DG is going for her surgery in a couple of weeks. Pray they get all the cancer. Please remember CK and her baby; she’s carrying it to term despite having to also carry stillborn twins. BL has shared with us she is thinking about giving her entire life to the Lord; she’s in second grade and she knows enough about it to explain it. DN is finding new meaning in life in service to others. Pray for continuing growth and strength. KV is still healing but doing so in faith makes it an even greater victory. MG progressing well after her stomach surgery and says “It’s working! Keep praying.” NA is still having a difficult time, but praising God all the way. PF is feeling every bit of his 94 years of serving the Lord, but still shares humor and great stories at church. Every Sunday.

I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll pray for everyone on your prayer list – sight unseen – if you’ll do so for someone else’s (with or without seeing the list). Thanks!

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service, Beloved

chick

We’re getting close to the beginning of Lent. I have a series in mind for that. (Betcha you were thinking I was going to say I was giving up writing for Lent. Not gonna happen!) Hope you stay tuned and participate in the process.

Aloha Friday Message – January 29, 2010 – Living With Christ

January 29, 2010

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Happy Aloha Friday, Beloved! I begin today by sharing some news about Justin and JC. I spoke with JC’s mom recently. JC’s sphenoid tumor is still growing, very slowly, but growing. A recent visit with her team of physicians led to the decision to continue prayerful, watchful waiting.
She’s in college on the mainland, and really enjoying it. The headaches and other side effects are still there, but, give thanks to God, her vision remains unaffected. If you still have the prayer for her I sent you last year, please use it with increased fervor. It’s working!

7-year-old Justin is still being treated for cordoma, a cancer of the spinal cord. The cancer is still there, but Justin’s health and activity-level have actually improved. When I spoke to him, he was with his mom and sisters, and being a typical boy. I could not believe how much he had grown. The cordoma has impinged on a couple of the cranial nerves, and that has affected his eyes a bit. Still, he is once again active and not feeling quite so ill. Praise God for this good news, and (dare I say it again?), keep praying. It’s working!

Please accept a giant Mahalo to all of you from the moms of JC and Justin.

So, today I am thinking of things people say to us that are life-changing – often for the good, but occasionally for the not-so-good. I came across sort of a collection of good, positive advice this month in my January Issue of Living with Christ. (That should be a clickable link. Try it.) This periodical contains all of the scripture readings and prayers for daily Mass and also some very good devotional and study material. Very often the section for each daily reading has a quote from a famous Christian. A couple of them this month really caught my attention, so I went through the January issue and looked at all of these quotes.

Collectively, there is a synergistic effect generated by reading them in one sitting. I am going to put a few of them here for your consideration (with permission from Living with Christ). Maybe I’ll add a comment or two as I go along.

Right at the top of the month on January (4th) we have this from Elizabeth Ann Seaton: “We must pray without ceasing, in every occurrence and employment of our lives – that prayer which is rather a habit of lifting up the heart to God as in a constant communication.” Just like we do in the MBN! She was the first to have a community of Catholic religious women recognized in the US, and also the first canonized native-born (A New Yorker) American Saint. It is for this “Elizabeth” that my compadres named our goddaughter M. Elizabeth M.

Next a quote (January 9) from The Golden Mouth of St. John Chrysostom: Our confidence in being heard must be based on God’s love and mercy. Even if we stand at the very summit of virtue, by God’s mercy alone will we be saved.” The Summit of virtue? Man! I’m not even close to the foothills yet! Still, the MBN places a, lot of confidence in God’s love and mercy, trusting that He will know all the degrees of separation between everyone who prays and somehow bring them all to zero degrees of separation. In Him will we all be ONE.

Next (January 11) there is St Robert Bellarmine. “If we wish to learn the art of living well and dying well, let us not follow the crowd, which only believes and values what is seen. Instead let us follow Christ.” We in the MBN are so spread apart! From the US East coast to the shores of the Philippines people are praying for, with, and about us! We believe and value what is unseen. Christ, and the love which comes from God through Jesus by the ministry of the Holy Spirit expressed in the love and prayer we share with others we probably do not know and will not see — except in the moon of course!

On January 15th we read this from St John Eudes: “Our wish, or object, our chief preoccupation must be to form Jesus in ourselves, to make his spirit, his devotion, his affections, his desires, and his disposition live and reign there.” Beloved, pray for the People. All the people. They, too, belong to Him. Like Him, take them ALL into your heart.

And then there is this On January 24th: “Love cannot remain by itself – it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action and that action is service. A mission of love can come only from union with God. From that union, love for the family, love for one’s neighbor, love for the poor is the natural fruit.” I can just see and hear Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (known better by the name Mother Teresa) speaking those words. Beloved, put your love into action, and pray, pray, pray as if souls depend on it – for they do!

Moving ahead to January 28th, St Ephrem of Syria reminds us: “Be a lamp in brightness and make these works of darkness cease.” Finish reading this message and then join with the MBN and “Let your light SHINE!”

And I close with a man who was instrumental in my conversion, first in 1964, then again in 1969, and again in 1985 (each one stronger than the preceding one), Thomas Merton: All creation teaches us some way of prayer.” Think about the MBN. Think about the moon. Think about two of us standing 4,000 miles apart and looking at the same moon, or at the same sunlight, and think about God thinking about us and loving it…

And so, Beloved, I will wrap this up with another appeal for you to use the MBN prayer whenever you can.* I want you to know that many people are praying for you, so I encourage you to pray for them as well as for all of the people for whom your benefactors are praying. Think of it this way:

Christ died for the sins of the whole world. He died for your sins, for the things that you do that offend God. Those things interfere with the fullest distribution of the love He gave you to share with everyone, including the people who sin against you. You see, Jesus made reparation to God for their sins too. So, He died for you and for those who persecute you. Ought we to not imitate Him better by praying not for just those whom we love but also for people who have been or are now causing us pain? And since we know we can extend our prayers to them, can we not also pray for everyone who is praying with us or for us or about us? Should we then go farther and also pray for everyone who will not or cannot pray? Or must we pray only for ourselves and for the few people who are willing to take the time and effort to remember us? Think about it, and then pray about it.

Pray for the People. All the people, including you, me, JC and Justin, everyone in the MBN, and everyone who prays for us, and everyone who asks for our prayers, and everyone who doesn’t ask for our prayers, and everyone we have ever loved, and everyone who loves us, and anyone who has ever loved them, and …yep, even the ones who are opposed to Christ and therefore to us.

Yes, pray for all of those souls, and as long as you’re at it, pray for everyone’s souls too. It’s working!!

Whatever, whenever, wherever, whoever, however, if ever, forever — at your service.*
chick

Quotations from saints and other authors have been reprinted with permission from Living with Christ. All rights reserved. To subscribe to Living with Christ, call 1-800-321-0411 or visit: http://livingwithchrist.us

*If you can’t find your copy of the MBN prayer, let me know. I’ll send it right away!

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