In Sunday Morning’s OOR, the third chapter of Paul’s letter to the Colossians contains lots of wisdom for all of us during this new season of renewal – “5 Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. Notice that it says, put to death; not just stop doing these but; put to death in a way that they will not be resurrected.  We are again called to chant, it’s not about me!!!! How difficult is this?  To live life for others, or more important; to live life for God.  After all, marriage relations are supposed to be about each other; trying to help each other become the best versions of ourselves.  After all, isn’t that the commitment we make when we have children; they must be the first priority along with God.  Not newer golf clubs, not a bigger John Deere tractor each year, not graduating from a Saab to a Lexus, to a Cadillac or Mercedes Benz.  That money should be in a college fund and we should all be driving car that don't cost as much as houses did not too long ago.  We need to spend quality time with our Lord instead of countless hours in front of the TV watching the train wreck Wives of every state & county in the US.  The desires that are evil are the longings to have revenge and to hold onto jealousy and distrust.  And the part about putting immorality and impurity to death – don’t get me started – the pornography industry is worth billions, courts are spending time on cases like the to right to wear bracelets that say, I LOVE BOOBIES and stores are selling provocative clothes for 10 year olds!!!!!!!!! (****by the way, I support Breast Cancer research but, wander if there isn't a better way to raise awareness?)

If we keep it up, the next verse will become a reality in our lives - 6 Because of these the wrath of God is coming (upon the disobedient).

7 By these you too once conducted yourselves, when you lived in that way. 8 But now you must put them all away:  anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths.  There is no place for anger in our hearts; not anger that leads to fury, malice, slander, and gossip.  Again, don’t get me started on the proliferation of obscene language that easily rolls out of the mouth of most Americans.  The second commandment is nonexistent in this world and crude and foul language has become an acceptable part of our society.   

9 Stop lying to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all.  You know my friends, we should be praying today for the soul of Osama bin Laden.  Yes, he was the devil incarnate, like Hitler, Mussolini, and Saddam Hussein, but we must pray for our enemies – I think I recall something in the Bible about this; maybe something Jesus said while He was with us.

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. – On Saturday, I attended a Men’s conference where Deacon Ralph Poyo (a fantastic speaker and witness) reminded us that MEN are supposed to be the heads of families: that men are to be the examples of behavior and proper conduct.  Men who exhibit compassion and kindness.  Men who are the complete opposites of TV portrayals of husbands and fathers.  Men who are humble and gentle; men who love their wives enough to say NO to excessive spending and obsession to material things and who will teach their daughters proper conduct when dating and who make it their top priority the salvation of the souls of their family.  Men who cast off fear and shame – Men who look to God and their priests for advice and counsel – Men who are Men; not guys whose priorities are “their buds” & their Buds (Budweiser’s).

14 And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Then in the chapter of Divine Intimacy, we are reminded of the “invitation to the spiritual childhood for attaining salvation: “Unless you be converted and become as little children, you shall NOT enter into the kingdom of Heaven.” 

This is the beginning of the prayer at the end of the DI chapter, “My God, give me a simple, pure heart, free of malice and hypocrisy.  “O Lord, grant me true purity and simplicity: in my looks, words, heart, intentions, works, and in all my interior and exterior acts.  I should like to know, O Lord, what there is in me that impedes these virtues.” Indeed, what is in me that impedes my walk with the Lord.  What do I have to put to death that will keep me from eternal life?