Why I Have Created "Stepping Stones!"

"Stepping Stones" is a pathway of motivational and spiritual quotes to help keeps us focused "on the path" to a more fulfilling and healthy life.  It is easy to see the value of stepping stones when walking through a garden or up the way to an entrance - they are just as necessary to follow in our daily travels through life.  Zig Ziegler once said:

"People often say that motivation doesn't last.
Well, neither does bathing -
that's why we recommend it daily ."

— Zig Ziglar: Author and motivational speaker

Additional "Stepping Stones" are located in April 2012 Postings

Deacon Tom’s

“FAMOUS” BAKED Beans!

Recipe from the 

"Man Cave"Cookbook

Up-dated rescipe with new flavor - it's now even better!  

See May 2012 Post 

"Stepping Stones"

Ideas Worth Remembering!

"Learning is the beginning of wealth.
Learning is the beginning of health.
Learning is the beginning of spirituality.
Searching and learning is where
the miracle process all begins."

— Jim Rohn: was an American entrepreneur,
                      author and motivational speaker

Jim Rohn is one of the best motivational speakers and writers I have ever had the privilege to meet. He has a good grasp on what it takes to succeed in any endeavor you may wish to undertake! 

See all the published "Stepping Stones" in the April 2012 postings.

TEAM Spirit !

Tom & Pam now have a web site for TEAM Spirit ! 

What you will find there:

Did you know that the Olympic athletes that won 134 medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London were using Shaklee Nutritional Supplements!  Check-out the video on Sports Nutrition.

Also, you will feel better, be healthier and have more energy – check-out the video on the Vitalizer guarantee! 

Where to find it:

www.TEAMSPIRIT.myshaklee.com      

Free Advice

The following was written by a person named Bo Short.  I have no idea who Bo is, but his words are true wisdom! 

Now, here’s Bo . . .

You know what they say (I am not sure who "they" are) about “you get what you pay for,” but I hope that this "free" advice is helpful.

This is a result of a conversation with a 40-something year old gentleman recently who said:

"I do not know if I want to do this."

If you are on my team, another company, or simply thinking about your future please accept this respectfully. Do not make your decision about embracing an opportunity based on whether or not it is something you "want" to do. You do not buy a drill because you want a drill. You buy a drill because you want a hole.

Success is generally derived from doing things you do not want to do . . . things others will not do . . . but by doing the things others are unwilling to do - you can live like most people will never live.

Keep in mind, the question should be: "

Will this get me what I want in life?"  

If so, do it - regardless of whether or not you want to do it!

If you told me digging ditches 8 hours per day would make my dreams come true I would simply ask for a bigger shovel so I could get there faster.

What do you want, not what do you want to do.

If you know the "why", the "how" will present itself . . . usually in the form of something you may not want to do.

Do it anyway! 
(And, do it any "way" that gets you to your goal!)

I wish you all the best in whatever you pursue.

Always lead, Bo

Thanks Bo, it’s all so true!

  

Remembering Our Family Dogs

        This has been a tough year for my family and neighbors who have experienced of the loss of a faithful and loving companion, their dog. 

Our dogs – they were our friends – our partners – our defenders.

We were their life, their love, and their leader.

They will always be our faithful and true companions.

We owe it to their memory to be worthy of such devotion.

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

Oh faithful dog, you most blessed creature!

You had constant loyalty as your finest feature.

It seems to me a most wondrous fair,

To mark the intelligence in your thoughtful stare.

And to note the fierceness in your eagle eye,

Your calm repose upon my bed did lie.

Your bounding eagerness, in times of play -

Showing your delight in each and every new day.

Whenever we meet a stranger upon the road.

With dauntless courage and a ready bark,

You always defended your post against the dark.

Alas! That your life should prove less long than mine.

Yet, when your weary end inevitably drew near,

I was there, with heavy heart, to help you meet it without fear.

  He gave us eyes to see them,

And lips that we might tell,

How great is God Almighty,

Who has made all things well.

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

  

If you can... (anonymous)

... start each day without caffeine, ready to greet the world,
... get going without pep pills,
... always be cheerful, ignoring aches & pains,
... resist complaining & boring people with your troubles,
... eat the same food everyday & be grateful for it,
... understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,

... take criticism & blame without resentment,
... ignore a friend's limited education & never correct him,
... resist treating a rich friend better than a poor friend,
... face the world without lies & deceit,
... conquer tension without medical help,
... relax without liquor,
... sleep without the aid of drugs,
... say that, deep in your heart, you have no prejudice of any kind,

Then, my friend, you are almost as good as your dog!

It's the Circle of Life

And it moves us all

Through despair and hope

Through faith and love

Till we find our place

On the path unwinding

In the Circle

The Circle of Life!

In memory of all our faithful dogs.

THE 26 "DO I's"
Turning "Do I's into i-Do's

As the political name calling and accusations

continues to grow at an unsettling pace -

maybe it's time to consider what it is

that we as individual citizens can do

and have the power to do!

 Questions of Conscience in Light of Catholic Social Teaching ¹

v  LIFE AND DIGNITY OF THE HUMAN PERSON

• Do I respect the life and dignity of every human person from conception through natural death?

• Do I recognize the face of Christ reflected in all others around me whatever their race, class, age, or abilities?

• Do I work to protect the dignity of others when it is being threatened?

• Do I feel committed to protecting all human life, ensuring that every human being is able to live in dignity?

v  CALL TO FAMILY, COMMUNITY, AND PARTICIPATION

• Do I try to make positive contributions in my family and in my community?

• Do I have the beliefs, attitudes, and make choices that support and strengthen the institution of the family?

• Do I make the effort to be aware of problems facing my local community and work to be involved in the effort to find solutions? Do I stay informed and make my voice heard when needed?

• Do I support the efforts of poor persons to work for change in their neighborhoods and communities? Do my attitudes and interactions empower others?

v  RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Do I recognize and respect the economic, social, political, and cultural rights of others?

• Do I live in material comfort and excess while remaining insensitive to the needs of others whose rights are unfulfilled?

• Do I take seriously my responsibility to ensure that the rights of persons in need are realized?

• Do I urge those in power to implement programs and policies that give priority to the human dignity and rights of all, especially the vulnerable?

v  OPTION FOR THE POOR AND VULNERABLE

• Do I give special attention to the needs of the poor and vulnerable in my community and in the world?

• Do I live a life disproportionately concerned for my own good at the expense of others?

• Do I engage in service and advocacy work that protects the dignity of poor and vulnerable persons?

v  THE DIGNITY OF WORK AND THE RIGHTS OF WORKERS

• Do I as a worker, give my employer a fair day’s work for my wages? As a business owner, do I treat workers fairly?

• Do I treat all workers with whom I interact with respect, no matter their position or class?

• Do I support the rights of all workers to adequate wages, health insurance, vacation and sick leave?  Do I affirm their right to form or join unions or worker associations?

• Do I make purchasing choices take into account the hands involved in the production of what I buy? When possible, do I buy products produced by workers whose rights and dignity were respected?

v  SOLIDARITY ²

• Do I spend my time in such a way that reflects a genuine concern for others?

• Do I lift up vulnerable people throughout the world in my prayer, or is it reserved for only my personal concerns?

• Do I see all members of the human family as my brothers and sisters?

v  CARE FOR GOD’S CREATION

• Do I live out my responsibility to care for God’s creation?

• Do I see my care for creation as connected to my concern for poor persons, who are most at risk from environmental problems?

• Do I litter? Live wastefully? Use energy too freely? Are there ways I could reduce consumption in my life?

• Do I try to find ways I could change my daily practices and those of my family, school, workplace, or community that would better conserve the earth’s resources for future generations?

1. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, "To receive in truth the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest, his brethren" (no. 1397).

2. Solidarity is undoubtedly a Christian virtue. It seeks to go beyond itself to total gratuity, forgiveness, and reconciliation. It leads to a new vision of the unity of humankind, a reflection of God's triune intimate life.... (Sollicitudo Rei Socialis is an encyclical promulgated by Pope John Paul II on 30 December 1987,)  It is a unity that binds members of a group together. All the peoples of the world belong to one human family. We must be our brother's keeper, though we may be separated by distance, language or culture. Jesus teaches that we must each love our neighbors as ourselves and in the parable of the Good Samaritan we see that our compassion should extend to all people.  Solidarity includes the Scriptural call to welcome the stranger among us—including immigrants seeking work, a safe home, education for their children, and a decent life for their families.



Come to the Island Mass (Fiji Islands) which will be at St. James Catholic Church, Mason, Michigan, Saturday August 11 at 3:30pm.  This will be an outdoor Mass (of course!) with all the music and dancing from the Fiji Islands!!

On Friday, August 10, will be the famous Festival Fish & Chips cooked by the Knights of Columbus

Also, new this year Fijian Beer will be featured in the Beer Tent.

• Music – Friday, Ralph DeVitto Band and Updraft. Saturday,
• Sea Cruisers
• Auction 
• Hot Air Balloon launchings 
• and delicious grilled food!

Friday 5:30pm to 11:00pm

Saturday Noon to 11:00pm

Sunday: Camino Walk/Run 8K & 5K

Weather Forecast:  "PERFECT"

More information at: www.FestivalStJames.com

UPDATE: 8/12/12

Festival was a terrific SUCCESS!!!  Congratulations to the D-J's on their first hot air balloon ride.  "It was TERRIFIC" (fortunately I prayed that God would bless Teresa with a great and safe ride!)

The weather was at times 'perfectly' wet - and then we had some 'perfectly' sunny days!  I guess everyone got what they had been so diligently praying for!

Hope to see you'al at next year's Festival!

More from Deacon Tom’s Cookbook

“Weber Grill Wonders!”  Super Delicious!!!  And SUPER EASY!!

Using a charcoal grill and banking the coals on the sides of the grill (there are metal holders available to hold the coals); a large aluminum roasting pan (available at the grocery store); and two fresh chickens.

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Calories: Who cares!  You will probably have a couple of beers anyway!

Cooking time: About 2 ½ UNATTENDED hours with kettle lid on!

GETTING STARTED:

Fill up charcoal holders and set on fire – when they turn mostly white you are ready to add the chickens.

Place aluminum roasting pan between the lighted coals – this will collect the ‘drippings’ and you can use them to make gravy! That’s right – making gravy from something cooked on the grill!

Before placing chickens on the grill coat them with oil and add a tasty rub of your choice.

Put the chickens in the center of the grill over the roasting pan and close the lid. You can at this time add some mesquite wood blocks or chips on top of the coals for a special flavor – and the smoke smells super great!!

Let it all cook undisturbed for at least 2 ½ hours.

If you want to make gravy (hey, I didn’t say this was “low-cal!”) put the pan of chicken drippings (a.k.a. fat!) on the kitchen stove and bring to a boil.  Add some flour to thicken.  (Flour should be completely mixed in a small amount of water before adding to thicken the drippings – this prevents ‘lumps’ in the gravy).  Add salt, pepper, onion powder and some Lawrey’s seasoning salt to taste. Add additional liquid such as chicken broth, or if you are cooking potatoes by boiling –add the left over potato water to the gravy mixture.

You are going to be so amazed as to how DELICIOUS this chicken is!

Welcome to Tom's World - Tales, Trails and Trials

          For all who are visiting this Blog for the first time – or returning after the busy summer – a hearty Welcome to you all!

          The hoped for purpose of this Blog is to share some thoughts, ideas, and experiences with the anticipation that they will bring some new insight and a new appreciation of this life we share together on this earth – and hopefully in the eternity yet to come.

          I began this Blog while visiting Lake Tahoe this past spring.  My purpose for being there was to preside at a memorial service for a young man who had died from a terrible bout with cancer, leaving a wife and two beautiful small children.  You can read about it in the April 2012 posting.

          So the title “Tales, Trails and Trials” was chosen to reflect the stories, travels and transformations in life.  And along the way, to find some “Stepping Stones” (see April 2012 postings) to guide us on the sometimes unsteady and torturous path of life’s journey.

          A quick review of what you will read here: the gift of Randolph’s life; also, the amazing story of Grant Korgan’s personal determination to overcome being paralyzed from the waist down; the ‘words’ spoken at two marriages I had the privilege to witness, and a couple of my super recipes right from the pages of Deacon Tom’s Cookbook; a look at my recent blood test results that my Doctor told me I should frame; a couple of homilies I presented this summer; and a few other ‘miscellaneous’ items of interest.

          Thank you for ‘dropping-bye’ I hope you will visit again soon!

Oremus pro invicem!

Tom