As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was reflecting on the gift of WAITING. Time is such an important and valuable part of our lives. We spend a lot of our time WAITING, waiting in traffic, waiting in line, waiting to hear from a friend, waiting to finish an exam; the list goes on and on. We cannot deny that WAITING is a part of that valuable time.

But WAITING is an art. We must learn to WAIT PATIENTLY, knowing that God’s plan is unfolding in perfect time. The Scriptures are full of people who waited patiently for God to reveal His plan. Abraham and Sarah waited to have a child they so longed for. Noah waited for the waters to recede. Paul waited in the prison cells. And we, too, are invited to wait for God’s perfect timing. We may get restless or uncomfortable, but we need to deal with our frustrations by learning to practice the ART OF WAITING.

Today, I am going to practice the art of WAITING joyfully. I’m going to trust that God is working in each and every area of my life for HIS glory. Waiting doesn’t mean I can’t continue to live in HIS presence. It just means HE has a greater plan, and HE wants me to trust HIM!

Have a blessed day!

In this engaging and insightful session of Reflections, guest speaker Craig Harrison explores what it truly means to develop a Spiritual Mindset and align our daily thought lives with Christ.

Anchored in Romans 12:2 – “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind” – Craig bridges Scripture and neuroscience to demonstrate how our minds possess the lifelong capacity to change and grow. Through lighthearted personal stories, relatable humor, and honest reflection, this presentation offers practical spiritual tools for stepping off the treadmill of daily anxiety, breaking free from negative thought patterns, and living anchored in the present moment.

Key Themes & Highlights:

• Neuroscience & Scripture: How neuroplasticity aligns with biblical truth, showing that we can train our brains to capture negative thoughts and reframe them through God’s promises.
• Three Transformative Practices: Practical guidance on implementing sacred pauses before reacting, welcoming sacred interruptions throughout the day, and stepping into sacred presence.
• True Stillness in Prayer: Moving beyond rushed routine to practice true quietude (Psalm 46:10), gratitude, and authentic connection with God.
• Releasing the Burden of Control: How trusting God’s sovereignty frees us from feeling responsible for fixing every situation or managing everyone else’s happiness.

Watch or listen to the full presentation above to discover how renewing your mindset can bring deep spiritual peace, joy, and freedom to your everyday walk with Jesus.

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was reflecting on the word EMBRACE, which means to support, to welcome, or to hold closely in one’s arms. You might remember that during the pandemic it was recommended that we stay six feet apart. That was devastating. There were many grandparents missing the embrace of their grandchildren and loved ones often died in the hospital alone. But because we were not able to embrace others, it lead many to embrace the Lord. And HE always embraces us!

In Ecclesiastes 3:5 it says, “There is a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; a time to EMBRACE and a time to shun embracing”. Not even a pandemic could keep Our Lord from EMBRACING US!

Today, take a moment in prayer, close your eyes, and feel the arms of our Lord around you. His EMBRACE brings you peace, security, and love. EMBRACE the day, EMBRACE the trials, EMBRACE the BLESSINGS, and know that you are not alone!

Have a blessed day!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking of the POWER OF THE SPOKEN WORD. Being given the gift of speech, we have the power to lift people up or to destroy them with our words. I read a quote from a philosopher, Zeno, who said, “Better to trip with the feet than with the tongue.” He goes on to say that we can always get up after we fall, but must remember that what we have said can never be unsaid, especially if it is cruel or hurtful. And James 1:19 says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”

When we follow Jesus, we learn to control what we say. Sometimes in anger and frustration, we say things we don’t mean. From the same mouth we can praise our God one moment and yet tear down another human being the next.

Today, let us strive to be followers of Jesus, careful of what we say so that we can build up HIS kingdom!

Have a blessed day!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about the word KNOWLEDGE. When we let ourselves be guided by truth, we gain knowledge. Each of us learns lessons in our own time. On our journey, we have to go at our own pace while letting others go at theirs. Jesus is working in our lives daily to show us where we need to change and grow, to teach us to love more, to trust more, to be more alive.

Today I am going to let myself and others do things at their own pace. I will slow down enough to experience the blessings and challenges of the day. I will listen for the voice of Jesus and follow HIS guidance. I will trust HIM and let HIM set the pace. I will not compare my journey with that of others, but will live in the PRESENT MOMENT, listening to Jesus and letting him guide me!

Have a blessed day!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about the battle between FAITH and FEAR. In the crazy world we live in today, it seems that fear can creep in and take over. Call it fear, anxiety, worry, it’s all the same!

Samuel Rutherford once said, “The secret formula of the Saints is: when I am in the cellar of affliction, I look for the Lord choicest Wines.” And Norman Vincent Peale said, “Worrying is accepting the responsibility that God never intended you to have!” So, there is really nothing for us to worry about; we must TRUST in the Lord.

Today is a great opportunity for us to SURRENDER all our WORRIES and our FEARS and Trust in JESUS. It is going to be a great day because God has all kinds of wonderful plans for us.

Be happy, DON’T worry! And have a blessed day.

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was reflecting on the life of St. Francis. Today is his Feast Day. I have always felt very close to this special saint. I was blessed to serve Saint Francis Parish for more than twenty years, and I have made over forty visits to Assisi, where Francis lived in Italy. Even my middle name is Francis!

Francis was an amazing person, embracing a life with only one purpose, to point others to CHRIST. That is the purpose we all share. One of the basic precepts of our Catechism says that our purpose is to KNOW, LOVE and SERVE GOD! In our daily walk, we must ask ourselves what we are doing to better know, love and serve HIM.

To know HIM means to study HIS WORD, TO PRAY, and to seek a relationship with HIM! To LOVE HIM means to spend time with HIM and to LISTEN to HIM. Το SERVE HIM means to put the lives of others before our own!

Have a blessed day. Saint Francis, pray for us!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was reflecting on living in the PRESENT MOMENT. Right now, it’s still dark outside. I can hear the trains behind me in the far distance. I can hear the traffic. I look forward to hearing the birds come out and to seeing the sun rise. I look forward to the neighbors going by and waving. I look forward to the world waking up. But I still want to be in the PRESENT MOMENT.

There are times when we experience something special, like the beautiful ocean or a spectacular mountain, or a magnificent sunrise; those are extra special moments. If only we could stay at these places where we find God, but we were not made to stay there. These special times are simply meant to be moments of INSPIRATION! We need to find that place of peace in the day-to-day chores, the everydayness of washing dishes, or cleaning the yard, or driving, because our God lives in them.

On this beautiful morning, I am going to strive to be PRESENT in the MOMENT! I’m going to strive to see God in my everyday activities. I’m always grateful for those special moments where HE reveals HIMSELF in a unique way, but we grow when we can see HIM in every MOMENT. Look for HIM today. HE IS right in front of you!

Have a blessed day!

As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about the word GENEROSITY. Generosity begins by being aware that we have been given so much by our Lord! Think about the generosity of the FATHER. Think about all the times that HE has raised you up. Think of all of the things HE has given you in this lifetime. Think about the people that HE has brought into your life to lift you up. And think about John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten Son, that whoever believes in HIM shall not perish, but have eternal life!”

We can be generous because we have a God who has taught us to be giving firsthand. Today, let’s recognize the many blessings we receive and share those with others in the spirit of GENEROSITY. God is already generous in giving us a new day; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Have a blessed day, and Happy Feast Day of the GUARDIAN ANGELS!