Tag: courage

God is the Potter. We are the Clay

Living with Passion Through God’s Transforming Love

Throughout Sacred Scripture, God often compares Himself to a potter and His people to clay. The image is both beautiful and humbling. A lump of clay cannot shape itself. It cannot determine its final form. It must place itself completely in the hands of the potter.

The prophet Isaiah reminds us:

“Yet, O Lord, You are our Father. We are the clay, and You are our potter; we are all the work of Your hand.”

God is continually shaping each one of us into the person He created us to be. Every joy, every challenge, every success, every disappointment, and every trial has a purpose in His loving plan.

The Blessing Hidden in Suffering

The world teaches us to avoid suffering at all costs. Yet Christianity reveals a deeper truth.

Suffering, when united with Jesus Christ, becomes a blessing.

This does not mean we should seek pain or enjoy hardship. Rather, it means that God can use every difficulty to strengthen our faith, purify our hearts, build our character, and draw us closer to Him.

Just as a potter presses, molds, and reshapes clay, God sometimes allows difficulties to form virtues within us that could not be developed any other way.

Patience is formed through waiting.

Courage is formed through fear.

Compassion is formed through suffering.

Faith is strengthened through trials.

What appears to be a burden today may become the very means by which God prepares us for His greater purpose tomorrow.

Participating in the Passion of Christ

One of the greatest mysteries of our faith is that Jesus allows us to participate in His Passion.

Our Lord suffered for the salvation of the world. Through His Cross, He redeemed humanity and opened the gates of Heaven.

When we unite our suffering to His, our pain is no longer wasted. It becomes prayer.

A lonely day can become a prayer.

An illness can become a prayer.

Financial struggles can become a prayer.

The loss of a loved one can become a prayer.

Every cross we carry can be joined to the Cross of Christ for the salvation of souls.

What a remarkable gift! God allows us to cooperate in His work of redemption.

Offer It Up

Many Catholics were taught a simple but powerful spiritual practice:

Offer it up.

When suffering comes, instead of asking only, “Why is this happening?” we can ask, “Lord, for whom shall I offer this?”

Offer your suffering to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Offer it for those who are struggling.

Offer it for family members who have drifted from God.

Offer it for the Church.

Offer it for the conversion of sinners.

Offer it for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

No suffering united to Christ is ever wasted.

Every sacrifice offered in love becomes part of God’s work in the world.

Don’t Just Live — Live with Passion

Too many people merely exist.

They wake up, go through the motions, and wait for tomorrow.

God calls us to something far greater.

He calls us to live with passion.

To love deeply.

To serve generously.

To forgive completely.

To trust courageously.

To allow His grace to flow through us into the lives of others.

Every person was created for a unique purpose. God did not create anyone by accident. He has given each of us gifts, talents, opportunities, and even crosses that can be transformed into blessings.

When we surrender ourselves to the Divine Potter, we become vessels of His love, mercy, and grace.

A Prayer

Sacred Heart of Jesus,

I place my life in Your hands.

Shape me as the potter shapes the clay.

Help me accept both joys and sufferings as gifts that draw me closer to You.

Teach me to offer my struggles for Your Sacred Heart and for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

Let Your love live within me and work through me.

May I become the person You created me to be.

Amen.

Final Thought

God is still working on each of us.

The wheel is still turning.

The Potter’s hands are still shaping the clay.

Trust Him.

Offer your sufferings to Him.

Live with passion.

Allow God to work through you so that your life becomes a masterpiece of His grace.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” — Ephesians 2:10

If this reflection touched your heart, please share it with someone who may be carrying a heavy cross today. Together, let us trust the Divine Potter and allow Him to shape us into saints.

Rick Herring
“Jesus Christ is my Lord, and I belong to Him.”

Thank you for reading this blog. Please like, subscribe, comment and share with others.

June 14, 2026
This Sunday We Celebrate Penecost
Pentecost: The Birth of Christianity

The Day the World Changed Forever

Fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, a fearful group of believers gathered together in an Upper Room in Jerusalem. This moment, known as Pentecost, would become the birth of Christianity and the beginning of the Church that would spread throughout the entire world.

The setting was the same Upper Room where Jesus had celebrated the Last Supper with His Apostles before His crucifixion. Present were the Apostles, disciples, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus. The doors were locked tight because they were afraid. The Pharisees and Sadducees, who had demanded the death of Jesus, still held power and influence. The followers of Christ feared persecution, imprisonment, and even death.

Yet Jesus had promised them something extraordinary. Before ascending into Heaven, He told them to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. They prayed together faithfully, waiting for the fulfillment of Christ’s promise.

Then suddenly, everything changed.

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

Without warning, a mighty sound like a rushing wind filled the entire house. It was loud enough to draw attention throughout the city. Then appeared what Scripture describes as tongues of fire resting upon each person gathered in the room.

The Holy Spirit descended upon them with power.

Fear disappeared instantly. The timid followers of Christ were transformed into bold witnesses of the Gospel. The Apostles began speaking in different languages they had never learned, empowered by the Holy Spirit so that people from every nation could understand the message of God.

Jerusalem was overflowing with visitors at that time. Jewish pilgrims from across the known world had gathered for the City. Many heard the sound and rushed toward the Upper Room to discover what was happening.

A great crowd gathered in amazement. They could not understand how these ordinary Galileans were suddenly speaking in the languages of many different nations. Some were astonished, while others mocked and accused them of being drunk.

But this was not confusion. This was the power of God.

Peter’s Powerful Sermon

Then Peter, once the fisherman who had denied Jesus three times, stood boldly before the crowd filled with the Holy Spirit. No longer afraid, he proclaimed the truth about Jesus Christ with courage and authority.

Peter explained that Jesus was the promised Messiah foretold by the prophets. He preached about Christ’s crucifixion, Resurrection, and victory over death. He called the people to repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.

His words pierced the hearts of the listeners.

That very day, about 3,000 people were baptized and added to the community of believers. What began as a frightened group hiding behind locked doors became the living Church of Jesus Christ.

Pentecost marks the birth of Christianity because it was the moment the Gospel began spreading openly to the world. The Holy Spirit empowered ordinary men and women to accomplish extraordinary things for God.

The Meaning of Pentecost Today

Pentecost is not merely an event from ancient history. It remains a living reminder that God still fills His people with power, courage, wisdom, and love through the Holy Spirit.

The same Holy Spirit who transformed the Apostles can transform us today. Fear can become courage. Weakness can become strength. Division can become unity. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are called to carry the light of Christ into the world.

Just as the Apostles emerged from the Upper Room to proclaim the Good News, Christians today are called to step out in faith and share the love of Jesus Christ with others.

Pentecost reminds us that Christianity was never meant to remain hidden behind locked doors. It was born to change the world.

Scripture References
- Acts 2:1-41
- John 14:16-17
- Luke 24:49
Suggested Closing Prayer

“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Give us courage to proclaim the Gospel and strength to live according to Your will. Amen.”

Thank you for reading this blog. Please share with others,

Rick Herring
thmjmj @thmjmj8875

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May 23, 2026
Lead Me in the Way You Desire
Trusting God When We Do Not Understand

There is a prayer so simple, so humble, and so powerful that it can change a life:

“Lord, if this is not Your will, take it from me. Lead me in the way You desire.”

Those words are not words of defeat. They are words of surrender. They are words of trust.

In a world that teaches us to cling, control, and chase our own plans, this prayer invites us to open our hands and let God lead.

When Our Plans Are Not God’s Plans

We often pray for what we want:
- A door to open
- A relationship to work
- A dream to come true
- A burden to be lifted
Yet sometimes God whispers, “I have something better.”

Scripture reminds us:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord…
— Book of Jeremiah 29:11

And in Book of Proverbs we are told:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

Faith is not always knowing where the road leads.

Faith is trusting the One who leads.

The Courage of “Take It From Me”

Sometimes we hold onto things God wants us to release:
- Worry
- Pride
- Old wounds
- Fear
- Even dreams that are not His will
To pray “take it from me” is brave.

It echoes the prayer of Jesus of Nazareth in Gethsemane:

“Not my will, but Yours be done.”

That is not weakness.

That is holiness.

God Leads Through Closed Doors Too

Some of God’s greatest mercies come disguised as unanswered prayers.

A closed door may be protection.

A delay may be preparation.

A “no” may be guidance.

Many times we understand only later that what we asked God to remove… He removed out of love.

And what He asked us to surrender… He replaced with grace.

Following the Way He Desires

When we ask God to lead us, He often guides in gentle ways:
- Through prayer
- Through Scripture
- Through silence
- Through wise friends
- Through unexpected opportunities
- Through peace in the heart
Often His leading is not dramatic.

It is daily.

One faithful step at a time.

As Book of Psalms says:

“Your word is a lamp unto my feet…”

Notice—a lamp, not a floodlight.

Enough light for the next step.

That is usually how God leads.

A Prayer for Today

You may want to pray this slowly:

Lord,
If this is not Your will, take it from me.
Remove what keeps me from You.
Close doors I should not walk through.
Open the ones You desire.
Lead me in Your way,
Shape me by Your wisdom,
And help me trust even when I do not understand.
Not my will, Lord—
Yours be done.
Amen.

Final Thought

Surrender is not losing your way.

It is finding God’s way.

And there is no safer place than being led by Him.

When life feels uncertain, pray simply:

“Lord, if this is not Your will, take it from me. Lead me in the way You desire.”

That prayer can change everything.

Thank you for reading this blog. Please share it with others.

Rick Herring
April 27, 2026
Are You Exhausted? Perhaps You Are Resisting God
“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

Have you ever felt completely worn out—not just physically, but deep in your soul? You may sleep, take a break, or even escape for a few hours, yet the weariness remains.

Sometimes our deepest exhaustion does not come from how much we are doing. It comes from how hard we are trying to control what was never ours to carry.

There is a quiet but painful truth many of us resist:

Resisting God is exhausting.

The Weight of Refusing to Surrender

We often believe that if we can just try harder, think smarter, plan better, or worry more, we can fix our lives. We cling tightly to our plans, our fears, our schedules, our dreams, and even our disappointments.

We say things like:
- “I have to make this work.”
- “I cannot let go.”
- “What if everything falls apart?”
- “I need to know what will happen next.”
But the harder we grip, the more tired we become.

When we refuse to surrender to God, we live as though everything depends on us. We carry burdens that were never meant for our shoulders. We fight battles in our own strength. We attempt to force open doors God may have closed, or we stand trembling before doors He has not yet opened.

No wonder we are exhausted.

The soul was not created to live apart from trust in God.

What Does It Mean to Surrender to God?

To completely surrender to God is to place our entire being—our hopes, fears, plans, relationships, and future—into His hands.

Surrender is not giving up. It is giving over.

It is not weakness. It is trust.

It is not a one-time act, but a daily decision to yield our control, and even our desires, to the One who knows us better than we know ourselves.

At the heart of surrender is this truth:

“I trust that God’s plans for my life are good, even when I do not understand my current circumstances.”

That sentence captures the heart of surrender.

To surrender is to say:
- “Lord, I do not understand this, but I trust You.”
- “I cannot carry this any longer, so I place it in Your hands.”
- “Your will is wiser than mine.”
- “Your timing is better than my own.”
This kind of trust is not natural for most of us. We want answers. We want certainty. We want control.

But God asks for something deeper than control. He asks for faith.

Why Surrender Brings Peace

The moment we stop fighting God and begin trusting Him, something changes inside us.

Our circumstances may not change immediately. The problem may still be there. The diagnosis may remain. The relationship may still be broken. The future may still seem uncertain.

But our hearts become lighter.

Why?

Because peace does not come from knowing everything.

Peace comes from knowing God.

When we surrender, we stop demanding that God explain Himself before we trust Him. Instead, we remember who He is:
- He is good.
- He is faithful.
- He is loving.
- He is present.
- He is working, even when we cannot see it.
Scripture reminds us:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” — Proverbs 3:5

God never asked us to understand everything. He asked us to trust Him.

The Daily Practice of Surrender

Surrender is rarely dramatic. Usually, it happens quietly, one day at a time.

Sometimes surrender means:
- Releasing a fear you have carried for years.
- Letting go of resentment.
- Trusting God with your children or grandchildren.
- Accepting that you cannot change another person.
- Waiting patiently when God seems silent.
- Saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
Every morning we have a choice:

Will we cling tightly to our own way and become more exhausted?

Or will we open our hands and trust God with what we cannot control?

The more we surrender, the more we discover that God is trustworthy.

And the more we trust Him, the less exhausted we become.

A Prayer of Surrender

Lord,

I am tired.

I have been carrying burdens You never asked me to carry. I have tried to control what only You can hold.

Today I surrender my fears, my plans, my worries, my future, and my need to understand everything.

Teach me to trust You.

Help me believe that Your plans for my life are good, even when I cannot see where You are leading me.

Give me the courage to open my hands and rest in Your love.

Amen.

Final Thought

If you are exhausted today, perhaps the answer is not to strive harder.

Perhaps the answer is to surrender.

The God who created you never intended for you to carry life alone. He invites you to lay down your burdens, trust His heart, and find the rest your soul has been longing for.

Because resisting God is exhausting.

But surrendering to Him brings peace.

Thank you for reading this article. Please share with others.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com
April 19, 2026
Are You Jesus
Are You Jesus? Carrying On His Work in a Busy World

4

Verse to live:
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” — Gospel of Matthew 6:33

A Question That Changes Everything

Are you Jesus? At first, that question sounds uncomfortable—even wrong. But look deeper. You are not the Jesus, yet you are called to carry on His work. His love. His mission. His way of living.

Jesus didn’t just come to be admired—He came to be followed. And following Him means something radical: letting His life reshape yours.

The Problem: A Life Too Full

Modern life is loud, fast, and demanding.
Your calendar fills up. Your phone never stops. Your mind is always racing.

And somewhere in the noise, the quiet voice of Jesus gets drowned out.

How much of your busyness is preventing you from living the life Jesus is calling you to live?
- Are you too busy to listen?
- Too distracted to care deeply?
- Too guarded to love freely?
Busyness isn’t just a schedule problem—it’s often a spiritual barrier.

What Does It Mean to “Be Like Jesus”?

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To carry on His work means choosing His way daily:
- Love without condition
- Serve without recognition
- Forgive without limits
- Trust God without fear
Jesus lived with purpose, not pressure. He was never rushed, yet He changed the world.

When you “seek first the kingdom,” you’re not adding another task—you’re reordering your entire life.

Letting Your Guard Down

One of the biggest obstacles isn’t just busyness—it’s protection.

We guard:
- Our time
- Our emotions
- Our vulnerability
But Jesus calls you to something deeper: surrender.

Letting your guard down means:
- Being honest with God
- Allowing others to see your real self
- Trusting that God is enough
It takes courage. Real courage.

A Simple Shift That Changes Everything

What if today you made one small change?

Instead of asking:
“What do I need to get done today?”

Ask:
“How can I live like Jesus today?”

That one question can transform:
- Your conversations
- Your priorities
- Your purpose
Prayer

Jesus, give me the courage to let my guard down.
Jesus, give me the courage to let down my guard.

Help me to release the busyness that distracts me from You.
Teach me to seek Your kingdom first.
Show me how to carry on Your work in my everyday life.

Amen.

Final Thought

You may not be Jesus—but you are called to reflect Him.

And in a world full of noise, pressure, and distraction,
living like Him might be the most powerful thing you can do.

Thank you for reading this article. Please share with others.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com
March 26, 2026