New Beginnings

Part 1. (July 22, 2017)
Wow, over 2 years since my last post on this blog. I hadn't realized it had been that long. Theology of the Body is still a big part of my Catholic focus,  but I've wanted to envision a greater picture of body and soul together. This involves a new look at mindfulness and spirituality through the Catholic lens. The idea here as I expand and find new ways to live out my faith, I'll pass them along to you. Sometimes we can even do this through our secular culture. As Christopher West says, "finding the wheat among the weeds." I'll continue to retool this blog and add new favorite links to websites and blogs as some of the old blog had outdated stuff. Stay Tuned.

 Part 2. (July 23, 2017)
I started writing this last night (Saturday) and 2 concepts came out that resurfaced today and hadn't realized it until now.  The new title of my new blog is New Beginnings which is the title of session 1 for the new "Welcome" program (formally CHRP, Christ Renews His Parish).  The Welcome program is now under the Dynamic Catholic Family and I couldn't be happier!  I am part of the new giving team at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Northglenn Colorado.  Go Team 4!

Today's Gospel reading from Matthew (13:24-43) deals with wheat (good) and weeds (evil) which I eluded to last night.  Sometimes even the weeds are beautiful to look at (purple flowers) but under closer inspection it can certainly hurt if tried to pull by your bare hands.  Usually pain is a warning sign to our bodies. Personally, I can see these pretty purple thistle weeks as lust (pornography). When you look at porn it will certainly hurt your soul and everyone around you.  

From Bishop Robert Barron's Gospel reflections today he says, "When we discover evil, it is always very tempting to go after it with both fists, to take it out. But the warning of the Master here is extremely important. Sometimes, our zeal can lead to far greater problems, precisely because of the way evil is related to the good."

Gift of Self and Marriage

In a culture today where marriage is thrown around like a term from yesterday, here is a profound example of the marriage covenant, "til death do us part" and an example for all of us, whether we are married, celibate, or single.

Here is the link below to the resignation speech of Robertson McQuilkin, where he resigned as President of Columbia International University. He resigned to care for his wife, Muriel, who had Alzheimer's.

The statement which really stands out for me is his commitment to his wife in marriage, and not only the "good times." He says, "Its not that I have to, it's that I get to." 

When I first heard this story back in the late 1990s on my car radio, I had to pull the car over and cried. I wondered if my own marriage could be that strong. My own father at that time had Alzehimer's and my mother cared for him for over a decade.

In the day where the dignity of the human body is being discarded like trash,  we must behold and hold up the dignity of the human body, whether a young body in the best of health or the suffering of the elderly. 

In our themes of the mind, body, and being human...

Check out website, heysigmund.com, Where the science of Psychology meets the art of being human. I just saw this website today as an article was floating around Facebook. There are quite a few good articles here worthy of a read.

Check out this article in the website, titled "The Rules for Being Human": http://www.heysigmund.com/the-rules-for-being-human/

The author is Karen Young, who is a psychologist and blogs at Huffington Post UK. 

here is a snippet from the article.  I suspect most of us do not love our bodies.

1. "We all have a body. Best learn to love it. "

   "There is only one body like yours on the entire planet – and you own it – so that makes it a pretty precious commodity. Look after it and get to know it well. Above all else, love it. You can’t take care of something you don’t like. Either we can treat it well or we can treat it with delicious bad carbs andluscious lazy days on the couch. I’m all for a bit of both. But note to the universe, when it comes to taking care of this body of mine, if exercise had the side of effect of, you know, making me love exercise or something, things would be a whole lot easier, so you might want to work on that."  Karen Young

New Religon of Food by Jared Zimmerer

This is an interesting article in terms of evangelization using food and exercise, and a dash of TOB!

A few excerpts from his blog article...


"We Christians must learn, once again, to put flesh and experience on our message. Pope Francis’ whole modus operandi is to go out beyond our comfortable limits and bring Christ to the disenfranchised, the lost and the forsaken. While we may not be asking others to adhere to strict dietary law, we can also present a way of life that can change and enhance the practitioner, much more than any diet or exercise routine."

" Your body speaks a language. What language are we speaking as the body of Christ if we live in the cyclical danger of mental preparedness but never physically go out and bring others into our mission? Can those who you bring into your life tangibly see the virtues you profess?"

http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/blog/the-new-religion-of-food/4786/

More Theology of the Body from Bishop-Elect Robet Barron

This video was first published on August 2, 2011 and Fr. Barron discusses Saint Pope John Paul's early works, including Love and Responsibility and how it relates to our culture today, and ties in with the themes of Theology of the Body.

He talks about the physics of the soul. Every moral act produces 2 effects.
1. produces immediate consequence (short term)
2. helps to produce your character and is shaping your soul (long term) and person you are becoming.

Sex, Love, and God from Bishop-Elect Robert Barron

Video was first published on January 7, 2013 from Word on Fire website.

Quotes from the short video...

"Love is an act of will for another, not a feeling"

What is Marriage in light of the Catholic Church?  "That our relationship might become an iconic sign of God's love for the world"

Theology of the Body and mental illness

We tend to hide under the covers when it turns to mental illness and we act so different  when we are dealing with a physical illness of the body versus someone dealing with a mental illness. We are mind and soul together, and we can not discard one without effecting the other. I found a great article by Richard Beck on Incarnational Theology and Mental Illness which I will link below. This all ties in well with Theology of the Body. Mr Beck states that "our theological reflection must attend to embodiment, and this includes mental illness." He continues to state that "my hope is that not only will we become more accepting of the bodies of others, but that we'll expand our understanding of spiritual formation, coming to see how attending to and caring for the body in mental illness; is as spiritual as bible study and prayer."

http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2014/08/incarnational-theology-and-mental.html

In some circles some have speculated that we may all be a little "crazy."

In Eckhart Tolle's book, A New Earth, he states "The normal state of the mind of most human beings contains a strong element of what we might call dysfunction or even madness." Christians would call this original sin.  He goes on to say "our very intelligence is tainted with madness"

So we may need to look deep into ourselves about our own "madness."

Here’s a reply from TCA columnist Father Ray Ryland, Ph.D., J.D:
In one passage Scripture seems to distinguish “spirit” and “soul”: “May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thes 5:23). But we must make no sharp distinction between the two.
The human soul is “the innermost aspect of man, that which is of greatest value in him, that by which he is most especially in God’s image: ‘soul’ signifies the spiritual principal in man” (Catechism, No. 263). The word “spirit” points to the fact that we are created for “a supernatural end” (No. 367). The two terms are complementary.
- See more at: https://www.osv.com/TheChurch/EternalLife/Article/TabId/738/ArtMID/13694/ArticleID/13910/Difference-Between-Soul-and-Spirit.aspx#sthash.Rsl3Jvwp.dpuf

Here’s a reply from TCA columnist Father Ray Ryland, Ph.D., J.D:
In one passage Scripture seems to distinguish “spirit” and “soul”: “May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thes 5:23). But we must make no sharp distinction between the two.
The human soul is “the innermost aspect of man, that which is of greatest value in him, that by which he is most especially in God’s image: ‘soul’ signifies the spiritual principal in man” (Catechism, No. 263). The word “spirit” points to the fact that we are created for “a supernatural end” (No. 367). The two terms are complementary.
- See more at: https://www.osv.com/TheChurch/EternalLife/Article/TabId/738/ArtMID/13694/ArticleID/13910/Difference-Between-Soul-and-Spirit.aspx#sthash.Rsl3Jvwp.dpuf

It is hard to be charitable when...

Last night in a parking lot, I mistakenly had bought 2 parking tickets for the same space. Instead of just pocketing the extra ticket I gave the ticket to the next car which came into the lot. "There, I've done my good deed for the day, right? Apparently the two men had just bought their own ticket, so I mentioned to them to give it to the next car which came into the lot. They in turn sold the ticket for $5 to the next gentleman. This was the same ticket which I had given it to them for free. Arrrgh!!! I went on with my evening not in a giving and charitable mood, but one of anger and frustration. Is this how I expected to be transformed during these days of lent? Apparently, I still have a lot of work to do. How dare my good deed go down the drain as other thoughtless human beings made decisions that trumped my own? Bottom line: I am a better person than them. I tried to be charitable and doing a good deed, and where does it get me? Where does this come from? One word, ego. I let my ego, self centered look on others take control of who I am. Words Of I and me, dot my own conversion with myself. Would Jesus have let this episode cloud his mind with hostility? I think not. He would always be self giving and not concerned how it would affect himself. I am reading a book called "A new Earth" by Eckhart Tolle. He talks about needing to transform our own minds to a higher level. Much of this revolves are letting go of the ego, a very hard thing to do. He says; "you do not become good by trying to be good, but by finding the goodness that is already within you...and allowing that goodness to emerge." Eckhart Tolle, A new Earth.

Lenten reflections

There are two that I am following this Lent. Matthew Kelley and Robert Barron. Here are the links that you can sign up and get daily messages.  Great stuff!

Matthew Kelly's Best Lent Ever!

http://dynamiccatholic.com/bestlentever/blog-overview/


Robert Barron's Lenten Reflections

http://www.lentreflections.com/

Full Circle to the Truth

Full circle to the truth was a phrase uttered in one of the early X-FILES television episodes in finding truth through faith. This phrase has led me on a journey as I discover my own faith and how certain attractions within the Catholic Church have led me back along the circle. The circle of my faith started with the "That Man is You" a Catholic Men's program which led me to the wonderful teachings of Pope John Paul 2's Theology of the Body. This in turn drove my curiosity and fascination with several saints, especially St Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross.  Now after a spell of silence for a variety of reasons I have to go back at least and address the blogs from late this summer of "Whose thoughts are they"? 

Could it be a coincidence that almost at that same time, uninvited thoughts were entering the mind of a loved one close to me?

5 months later my outlook on what we may call "intrusive thoughts", mental health and suicide have completely turned around my opinions and views on these topics.  I have been humbled to my knees by taking such a narrow, tunnel visioned view on mental health.

5 months ago I would have convicted and found guilty James Holmes for the murders in the Aurora movie theater.  He claimed insanity, but he knew and planned the whole thing out in advance. How could he be insane with such a detailed plan?  

5 months ago in an earlier blog, I talked about smelling cigarette smoke when there was in fact no smoke around. These are called olfactory hallucinations (phantosmia). Compulsive hair pulling is something I have also done since a child. Who knew this had a name as well; Trichotillomania.  

2 months ago, three suicides from members of the local high school rocked our community.

I had referenced Robin Williams suicide and wondered how could he have done such a thing to himself and the family that loved him? Certainly an eye opening past 5 months in trying to come up to speed with knowledge and insight into mental health disorders. I have been reading everything I can find on the topic and have come across some fascinating pieces which I will address in blogs to come.

The main reason for this initial blog was centered around the themes of Theology of the Body. In the central context the main themes stemmed around our sexuality,  as God created us male and female. To take the whole body in context, body and spirit together and not as separate entities.  From the Catechism of the Catholic Church; " The unity of soul and body is so profound that one has to consider the soul to the form of the body:...spirit and matter, in man, are not two natures united, but rather their union forms a single nature." (CCC, 365)

In a recent blog last summer by Richard Beck quotes "mental illness requires incarnational theology and reflection. "Theological reflection must attend to embodiment, and this includes mental illness." Despression is about our bodies. But the Gnostic impulses within Christianity often obscure that fact. The brain is an organ of the body as much as our stomachs and livers."

During 2015 I plan to steer this blog and concentrate on mental health and how it relates to Theology of the Body.  Within our culture there is still much scorn and silence on this topic and I feel compelled to further the truth on mental health.

The future of humanity through marriage and the family!

6 wonderful short videos have been made from the just finished Humanum conference. They are all  on the Theology of the Body Institute web site or you can go just go to Humanum.it


These are wonderfully, well made videos from cultures all over the world. Enjoy and contemplate the meaning of humanity!


http://www.tobinstitute.org/2014/11/17/humanum-conference

The Darkness of the Soul

In Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle, she describes the darkness of the soul.  She writes, "the intention of a person who commits a mortal sin is not to please Him but to give pleasure to the devil; and, as the devil is darkness itself, the poor soul becomes darkness itself likewise"

Further, she describes the soul in sin as "rooted in a pool of pitch-black, evil smelling water, it produces nothing but misery and filth."

All this imagery that Teresa describes reminded me of an episode of Star Trek Next Generation, entitled "Skin of Evil." The creature called Armus, is pictured here. The black creature was left behind by an alien race which had perfected a means of bringing to the surface all that was evil and negative within, erupting, spreading, connecting. In time, it formed a second skin, dank and vile.

In a dialogue between Captain Picard and Armus; Picard quotes Percy Bysshe Shelly from "Prometheus Unbound"...

"All spirits are enslaved that serve things evil."

Armus: "You do not understand. I do not serve things evil; I am evil."
Captain Picard: "Oh, no. You're not."
Armus: I am a skin of evil, left here by a race of Titans, who believed if they rid themselves of me, they would free the bonds of destructiveness.

Back to the Interior Castle, St. Teresa goes onto say; "I know of a person to whom Our Lord wished to show what a soul was like when it committed mortal sin.That person says that, if people could understand this, she thinks they would find it impossible to sin at all..." That person she is referring to is Teresa, herself.

In our fallen world we are all subject to sin and this vile, blackness that can coat our soul. To me that imagery is revolting that are souls can look like Armus. In our world, we have a savior that can free ourselves from the bonds of evil. That savior is Jesus Christ. We need the cleansing, pure water of grace that can clear off the muck and slime from our souls. Pray, Brothers and Sisters that in St. Teresa's words that "surely if you understand your own natures, it is impossible that you will not strive to remove the pitch which darkens the the crystal of your soul."

I am scrubbing as we speak...

Check out this article, "Losing our Touch" by Richard Kearney

Christopher West had passed this article called Losing our Touch by Richard Kearney. It has Theology of the Body written all over it.  Here are some snip its from the article. I would highly recommend your read the whole article with the link here!  http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/08/30/losing-our-touch/?_php=true&_type=blogs&ref=opinion&_r=0



"Are we perhaps entering an age of “excarnation,” where we obsess about the body in increasingly disembodied ways? For if incarnation is the image become flesh, excarnation is flesh become image. Incarnation invests flesh; excarnation divests it."

"For all the fascination with bodies, our current technology is arguably exacerbating our carnal alienation. While offering us enormous freedoms of fantasy and encounter, digital eros may also be removing us further from the flesh."Pornography, for example, is now an industry worth tens of billions of dollars worldwide. Seen by some as a progressive sign of post-60s sexual liberation,  pornography is, paradoxically, a twin of Puritanism. Both display an alienation from flesh — one replacing it with the virtuous, the other with the virtual. Each is out of touch with the body."

"Because to love or be loved truly is to be able to say", “I have been touched.”

Whose thoughts are they? Part 2, "The Smoking Man"

Do we not all have somebody whispering in our ear? The thoughts that say, go ahead eat the extra piece of cake, get that refill of Coke, super size it, I'm too tired to go to church, look at that porn site, run your car off the road, have another beer, one more cigarette". How often do we listen to that voice which may not be our own.  I'm reminded of C.S. Lewis's The Great Divorce, where one particular ghost is trying to get to heaven, but he had a lizard on his shoulder that whispered thoughts of lust. In this story the ghost finally had the courage to listen to the angel and not the lizard. This is a great story to check out when dealing with sin. http://www.covenanteyes.com/2009/04/20/cs-lewis-on-lust. Will we have the courage to listen to God?

In my case, my whispering voice in my soul is the smoking man. During the days when the vice of lust was strongest, the smoking man would gather thoughts in my mind.  "Go ahead, look at porn, you're not hurting anyone." However, you know your hooked once start looking at one site. Once you start looking it is hard to stop, jumping from site to site, body to body, using what is not of your own. The addiction growing, the pathways more ingrained in your brain. You tell him to stop but he keeps smoking away and cackling. On occasions I could smell the distinct smell of cigarette smoke in my mouth.  He is my demon. Today, he doesn't come around as often but I must be on my guard.

Over the last several years I have been drawn to Saint Teresa of Avila's "Interior Castle", a castle of our soul, a castle which consists of many mansions.  The lower mansions are filled with self knoweldge where the soul is in battle with sin and as Teresa describes it, "filled with snakes and vipers." In my castle, in the lowest room down a dark hallway, the smoke drifts from a partially open room.  The room is dimly lit, but in the back you can see the shadow of a man, smoking a cigarette and grinning.  Snakes cover the floor but the walls are littered with naked bodies, suggestive poses and a beckoning to enter with their bodies.  Despite my fear of snakes the pull of lust is very strong. This is my fight in this lone room. The room now has a padlock. I gave the key to Jesus. Of course if I ask for the key, he will give it to me, reluctantly. His face will have an expression of sadness and disappointment but I won't care. That is the freedom that God gives us, whether right or wrong.

The whisper is not as strong today but still there. I must continue to be on my guard. Prayer and confession have all helped. Just to remember he is near by has kept me on my guard. The usage of porn today seems to this culture is a matter of fact. I am reminded of a line from the Big Bang Theory, where Howard tells Raj, "why can't you look at porn like everyone else!" Now I love the Big Bang Theory, but that line is probably pretty close to the truth in today's culture. "C'mon everyone's doing it."

How big of a problem is Porn and how does it effect the brain and our soul?  By using Teresa of Avila's Interior Castle imagery of a soul in sin, "the poor soul becomes darkness itself."  I will share more on the journey of our soul through the Interior Castle in my next post.

Whose thoughts are they? Part 1

I have been listening to an audio book called Spiritual Wars by Kris Vallotton and something he said caught my attention. In his lectures, he presented his audiences with the following scenario...

You are driving down a highway and you suddenly have an instant thought to run your car off the road and kill yourself.  He asked his audience how many have had this experience before?

Almost 2/3 of those in attendance raised their hands. In my life I would have raised my hand as well.  This is something I had never shared with anyone before as they would probably think I was crazy for even entertaining these thoughts. How can this be so common?

Mr Vallotton explains that some of these thoughts we have are not are own. Well, who's are they? He quotes Ephesions 6:16 "In all circumstances, have faith as a shield to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Those thoughts are from the devil. I believe we are constantly bombarded by thoughts or flaming arrows of the devil. The question is how often do we act on these thoughts, aka sin!   I believe we are all in spiritual warfare, a game of good vs evil. But is it really a game at all? This is life and the stakes are your soul. Saint Paul talks about this battle against evil and Ephesians 6: 10-11. "Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil."

I keep thinking back to the recent suicide and death of Robin Williams who had struggled with depression and addictions.  I was shocked when I heard the news and could not believe that he could have hanged himself. Did he loose that spiritual battle? Was the devil whispering in his ear? We may never know. His story seemed to have resonated strongly through social media circles during the week that followed. How many of us have had that pull of depression where we think there is no hope? Maybe there is more people out there than we realize and many were wondering if this could happen to me?  Certainly we have all been depressed from time to time but hopefully our friends, family, and faith are enough to pull us out. Some are not so lucky. In the United States alone, according to the CDC, almost 40,000 people committed suicide in 2011.   According to a recent article by Kristin Jones with Rocky Mountain PBS, Colorado and many western states have a much higher than average suicide rate than other parts of the country. She mentions, "Here there are large stretches of unpopulated land where geography can isolate neighbors and social ties."  It appears we can't do this alone, as much as we try, and feel we can handle a life crisis on our own. If we can't we feel it makes us weak.

Every day we are bombarded with thousands of thoughts that go through our mind through our daily lives while driving, working, or with family and friends. Some of these thoughts could be our own, some from God or from the devil. How can we discern?

I will have more thoughts on these flaming arrows in another upcoming blog.

Following "The Heart of Things" by Bill Donaghy

You may remember Bill Donaghy's Pyramid of Intimacy that I posted last year and now he is blogging every day during Lent. He is now part of the Theology of the Body Institute and teaching classes.  He has some great posts, so I have linked his blog under my blog list. Enjoy! The link below takes you to a new "theography"  showing from Eve's no to Mary's Yes. 

http://www.missionmoment.blogspot.com/2014/03/from-eve-no-to-mary-yes.html

Men's Holy Hour to Battle Pornography

Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Northglenn is holding a Lenten holy hour at 8 am, each Saturday during Lent.  I had the chance to go last Saturday and found it a very powerful and moving experience. Given the time of morning and on a Saturday,  the amount of men there was astounding. The hour was combined with adoration and mixed with acoustic guitar and praise singing.

The priest offered some words about pornography, calling it "the single biggest problem facing our society" and as an addictive drug compared to the likes of heroin. I have dealt with my own lust and desires towards pornography in the past and still feel the whispers of the evil one with constant temptations.    

Praise to all men to come speak out against Pornography and a challenge to bring your teenage sons! I 'm still working on my two. A promise of  breakfast after might do it.

Immaculate Heart of Mary
11385 Grant St.
Northglenn.
8 am, each Saturday during lent.

New U2 song, "Invisible"

This new U2 song has Theology of the Body written all over it.  Check it out and pay attention to the lyrics below.

"Invisible"

It’s like the room just cleared of smoke
I didn’t even want the heart you broke
It’s yours to keep
You just might need one

I finally found my real name
I won’t be me when you see me again
No, I won’t be my father’s son

I’m more than you know
I’m more than you see here
More than you let me be
I’m more than you know
A body in a soul
You don’t see me but you will
I am not invisible

That's right
I’ll be in the invisible world

I don’t dream, not as such
I don’t even think about you that much
Unless I start to think at all

All those frozen days
And your frozen ways
They melt away your face like snow

I’m more than you know
I’m more than you see here
I’m more than you let me be
I’m more than you know
A body in a soul
You don’t see me but you will
I am not invisible
I am here

I am here

There is no them
There is no them
There’s only us
There’s only us
There is no them
There is no them
There’s only us
There’s only us
There is no them
There is no them
There’s only you
And there’s only me
There is no them

Coffee shops and Life!

Most every town has a coffee shop, whether a local mom and pop store or your local Starbucks.  Yet these stores are much more than selling coffee. They are about relationships and communion with one other. Whether with your spouse, friends, siblings or just during a business meeting. They are promoting interactions with each other. Yes, there are some who come to do homework, use their laptop or just relax and listen to music. It is a way to leave the busy schedule of the day and step back for a moment.  Yet the solo crowd could have stayed home yet they venture into a shop where people converse and share life moments.  Why do they come here? Why do I?

Last night I visited my favorite coffee shop in Longmont, Colorado called, La Vita Bella. I feel very close to God during these times when I visit this coffee shop; whether it is the light chimes of bells when you first enter, or the inviting music, or the greeting from the Batista. We all want to belong. This place reminds me of Cheers, the comedy about a bar in Boston where "Everybody knows your name."  La Vita Bella has stairs which lead down into the tables.  I usually order the Bella Notte; an espresso made with their homemade dark chocolate. It is to die for and every time I thank God for those wonderful flavors every time I take my first sip.  Last night the place was busy with several groups. One group was either high school or college students huddled around one table, playing  a board game. In today's culture what a wonderful thing to see young adults converse and laugh that doesn't involve alcohol or everyone at the same table engulfed in their smart phone. At another table, sat a group of women conversing, while on the other side a couch was occupied by a guitar player and friends. For some reason, coffee invokes conversation.

These times I am usually alone but I marvel at these interactions going on. In a culture where we are occupied by I phones and laptops, the coffee shop offers a venue where we are called to communion with each other. Many times my wife and I have little "mini dates" where we can get away for a an hour and talk about life, families, and building our own relationship.  I would say our marriage is stronger just for the sake of our little "coffee talks"

Last week when I visited La Vita Bella, I had a real conversation with a homeless man, perhaps my first conversation in my life.  In the past if I encountered a homeless person, it would a quick exchange of a dollar or maybe an apple, or piece of my unused lunch; yet only a quick acknowledgement of their existence. Yet they are human beings and as I looked into his eyes that evening, and there was real life; yet filled with hurt and pain. We had a talk. He said at one moment, a date which stuck out to him. "February 2nd; before that date I had everything, and then had nothing." He did not elaborate.  I noticed a small cross on his hat and asked him if he still believed in God. He said, "If I did not, I would not be here."  He did not want a handout, but before I left, I gave him my new Missal for the new church year. He did not refuse. If anything in 2014, I want to be more "out there" in life and not always behind a book or the computer. This was one way to do that.

I invite everyone to go their favorite coffee shop and have a real conversation. Not just to buzz through the drive through or sit and talk on your I phone, but have a real talk. Get deep, go beyond the "how are you..." Give it a try and watch how your life improves! Several of our past talks with my wife revolved around reading Matthew Kelly's book, "Seven Levels of Intimacy." Give it a try. Enjoy a cup of joe with somebody you love, or kick up a relationship with that person alone at the next table.

My 2013 Impacts. Happy New Year Everyone!

1. Theology of the Body 1: Head and Heart Immersion Course. As for my spiritual development and becoming a better person; this was the highlight of the year! This course was taught by Christopher West and was everything I had imagined. It taught me how to pray the prayer of agony, and go to confession and adoration. I could feel the holy spirit working through each one of us through the week. I highly recommend it. Here is a link to their website.  http://www.tobinstitute.org

2.  Teaching Theology of the Body at our local Parish: I was so excited after my TOB retreat that I couldn't wait to spread the word. I would like to do more courses in the future but realized how hard it was to squeeze a program into an already active parish.

3. My Kids Activities.  My two oldest boys are playing high school baseball and I get tremendous joy on watching them compete and watching their games in the Spring and Summer. Watching their skill sets improve on a year to year basis and hoping 2014 will earn a trip to the State  tournament. Go Josh and Matt!  Watching my youngest daughter dance around the house which translates in the annual dance performance at a local High School.

4. September floods in Colorado.  Maybe not a "best" event but certainly had the most impact on my job and our lives along the Front Range of Colorado. As a meteorologist we had never seen anything like the amount of water which dumped during several days during September. Over 10 inches of rain in one week at my house is unheard of. As of one our forecasters was quoted describing this event as "Biblical!"

5. Best Movies I've seen (not necessarily from 2013 but what I watched).

• Gravity 
• 42 
• 12 Years A Slave
• I Am (from 2010)   
• Les Miserables
• Life of Pi

 6. Best Books:

• Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
• Fill These Hearts by Christopher West
• Seven Levels of Intimacy by Matthew Kelly
• Entering the Castle by Caroline Myss
• Reread of Dark Tower 7, by Stephen King

7. Best and most Influential Music  (not necessarily from 2013):

•  Head and the Heart: "Shake"
• Army of Me: new album: "Searching for You"
• Cold Play: "Fix You" and the "The Scientist"
• MGMT: "Time to Pretend"
• Music from Natasha Paremski

8.   Road Trip to the desert Southwest of Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. The Grand National Park tour. Great time with the family in seeing some of the great beauty of the desert.

9.  Coffee dates with my wife: We try to allow ourselves some mini dates together breaking  up the busy schedules of the day. Even if its 30 minutes, a chance to catch up and breath.

10.  Studying the mystics of St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila. There is great vision here that I have yet to unpack.