Poem, Chuck Riegler

The following poem was sent to me by a friend of Chuck Riegler. Chuck is a retired high school teacher and youth counselor. His poem is worth sharing.

Clarence

MY Faith, My Anchor

By Chuck Riegler

I’m sailing on this sea of life, just trying to find my way.

I ask of You this morning, to steer me through the day.

I sometimes seem to drift about, just moving with the tide,

Forgetting of Your presence, that You are at my side.

Believing that I know what’s best, I’m captain of this boat,

Forgetting also You’re the One who keeps this ship afloat.

But when I sail the troubled waters and my ship is tossed about,

I turn to You in desperate need, and cries for help I shout.

But what I need to realize is where my strength comes from,

To praise You not only when the sea is rough, but also when it’s calm.

For what I fail to understand, am just too blind to see,

Is that You will always hold a lifeline out to me.

And far beneath my keel, so deep I cannot say,

You’ve got me anchored firm and fast, and won’t let me slip away.

The Fuller Center for Housing

Here is an opportunity to instill Christian values and donate to a good cause at the same time.  

The Fuller Center for Housing provides housing, similar to Habitat for Humanity, with a special caveat.  Their Bicycle Adventures, of which there are six this year in the US, get funding from the riders.  Each rider donates $4,500 which goes toward building the houses.

Scholarship programs are offered, and one has been set up in my name, Clarence Gilles, to which people can contribute to help the less affluent, mostly college students, cover up to ½ of the donation needed to go on an adventure trip.  Different churches put them up for the night and feed them on the route.    

All, of the money goes to sponsoring young riders and all, of that money ends up building homes for those in need.  Fuller is a 503C Christian organization.  This year a friend is donating, to each participant, a copy of my book “On My Way.”  The book will be used for group studies on these trips.

For more information on scholarships and how to donate, click below.

Any amount would be appreciated, and if you know of someone who would like to go on a trip, please froward this information to them.  Riders of all ages are regulars on these trips.  Participation by young people is especially necessary to introduce them to this rewarding and enriching program.

Clarence Gilles

Lighting Candles

During Lent many Christians increase focus on Christ through prayer, the sacraments and acts of charity.  Below is an excerpt from the book On My Way.

During the Easter Vigil the priest takes the Easter candle and lights the candles of those near Him. The candle lighting spreads throughout the church. As more and more candles are lit the once small light grows into a glow which illuminates the entire church.

When we share the gospel or use our gifts to spread the love of God with those we meet, our light takes root in them. Now others are touched by God’s love which is uplifting for them and encourages them to share kindness with those they meet.

Each time God’s love is shared in any form, a smile, a helping hand, a special moment, a sharing of the gospel, a spontaneous gesture or a donation, it illuminates those we touch. They then take the light we gave them and share it with others. Soon our neighborhood, family, church, workplace, and world will be illuminated. It does not take long for God’s love to spread. All it takes is us sharing God’s love and gifts each and every day. At the end of the day, we will never know how many candles were lit because of our actions in sharing the love of God.

How many candles will you light tomorrow, along with using the spontaneous opportunities God places before you?

The sharing of God’s love is a gift, a gift from God to us, from us to others. It is when we listen to His voice and do His will with love that we become one with Him and His joy shines like a beacon from within.

---

Under True Stories on the website under Lighting Candles are two stories that are pertinent to the 40 days of Lent. The stories are not conversion stories, but they provide inspiration on ways to introduce others to a deeper relationship with Christ and His universal church

"Faith in Action" Interview

Recently I was interviewed by Catholic Radio Faith in Action cohosts Brigid Ayer and Jim Ganley about how to get to know Christ and reflection on your spiritual journey into the New Year. The interview did not go smoothly at first.

Holy Spirit where are You? Holy Spirit where are You? That's what I was screaming in my mind as I picked up my I-phone from the floor. I had just dropped it as I was frantically trying to call the radio studio. In an effort to increase the volume so I could better hear Jim Ganley, the host of the "Faith in Action" Catholic radio program, I cut him off.  He was just starting to give the opening prayer when I lost the call.  

Shaking, I tried to redial, but the phone dropped right out of my hand. When I finally got back to the station, they lost the call and I had to call back again. Now 5 minutes had gone by. Brigid Ayer must have already done the introduction of the guest speaker, me, but I was no longer there.  This was the mother of stress tests.  

I was frantic. Would they now be asking me a QUESTION? When I was finally back on the air, they could tell I was stressed. Then they said not to worry because the program was being pre-recorded. They asked if I wanted to do the interview at another time. I said, "No."  Jim said, "Okay then, we will take it up again where Brigid is doing the introduction."

Prior to the program they gave me a list of 14 questions to prepare for. While answering my first question, I mentioned Cursillo. When the question about Cursillo came up, it was a surprise, as it was not on the list. I knew then that we would be winging it. After listening to the program and hearing what was said, I knew the Holy Spirit was there.

Completely drained, I heard Him say, I am with you always.

Here is the link to the podcast program.

Clarence

January 6, 2022 The Epiphany of the Lord

Peace and love with the Lord.

Clarence

Lou Holtz Commencement Speech

Lou Holtz is a legendary college football and a gifted motivational speaker.  His short message is loaded with truth.

Click on ink below:

Clarence

C. S. Lewis Stepson Interview Story

I wanted to share this intriguing interview of C. S. Lewis stepson where he tells the story of his relationship to the great writer and the effect on his life journey and conversion. Definitely worth the 28 minutes.

Clarence

The Relationship

I decided to post this story because I thought it might help some good relationships get even better.  I am sure it will surprise some people.  It is under the True Stories tab.

Gil

"The Older I Get" by Alan Jackson

A friend sent this 3 minute music video to me. I have listened to it many times in the last couple of days. It speaks to me, maybe it will speak to you. The video is very special. Enjoy it my friend.

Clarence

The Chosen

Have you seen The Chosen yet?  The first eight episodes were released last year during Season 1.  It is a fantastic depiction of the life of Jesus as it would have been like at the time of His ministry.

Season 2, episode 1, was released Easter Sunday.  The story is contiguous so it is suggested you first view the eight episodes of Season 1 before you view season 2, which will unfold this year.  Each episode is 45 to 55 minutes.  It is available on the The Chosen app, U-Tube, Facebook, and other platforms.

This is a God inspired must see program.  It is free at the following links on U-tube:

Clarence

How Do You Visualize Jesus?

The images of Christ: 

In Mark’s gospel we meet the human Jesus.

In Matthew’s gospel we learn from Jesus the Teacher.

In Luke’s gospel we see Jesus as compassionate and forgiving.

In John’s gospel we come in contact with His majesty and divinity.

By His life, death and resurrection He has purchased for us eternal life.

When I have trouble falling asleep, I try to visualize the image of Jesus in this picture. To me it denotes peace, love, compassion and hope. I am comforted. This is my go to Jesus.

Christ Painted by the late Deacon Ned Ostendorf

The crucified Christ feels like a piercing of heart and soul. This image drives me to my knees as I wipe away tears because of what He endured. I can’t bear to linger here, but I must for my soul.

Crucified Christ on the Cross at Our Lady of America, Rome City, IN

Clarence

Do Good For the Glory of God - Part 6

What is the greatest commandment?

Luke 10: 27   He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

The following two verses may bring the greatest commandment into focus.

John 3:36   “Those who know me will have eternal joy, those who disobey me have my eternal wrath.”

Revelations 22-12    “Behold, I am coming soon!  I will give recompense to each, according to their deeds”

We live in a world that is motivated by prospect of gain and fear of loss. 

We experience the prospect of gain by who we support in government, our jobs, our education, our homes and our investments.  In the world we prepare for the fear of loss with insurance, unions, healthcare and plans for safety. 

Where salvation is concerned, we almost always are counting on prospect of gain.  We can attain heaven by having a personal relationship with God, by going to church, doing good deeds and praying.  If done out of love, they bear much fruit and favor with God, who gives us grace.  A more compelling but often overlooked motivation is fear of loss.  Despite all of God’s signs and the incredible interventions of the Spirit, it comes down to free will and the First Commandment.  Where does obedience to God rank in your relationship to family, children, grandchildren and a comfortable life? 

God the Father’s request for obedience is no less than He asked of Jesus.  We all have a destiny.  Is it worldly, or is it the unseen hereafter?

Karen experienced the power of the Holy Spirit within herself and others as God carried out His will.  She called on Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and in Adoration to find courage, but it was God the Father who came in a cloud, that put her to the test. 

The Transfiguration

Matthew 17: 5   While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.  Listen to him!”

Clarence

Do Good for the Glory of God - Part 5

The grand opening of the restaurant was held in November of 2019, just before the COVID 19 epidemic

God provided the staff of volunteers who all have a role to play in the running and operating of the restaurant.  The only paid staff are the young people who help in various ways.  The ministries He wanted are taking shape.  Even during COVID, the restaurant is flourishing.  Surely, He is going to say, to Karen, “Well done good and faithful servant,” but He doesn’t.  No, He sends the Holy Spirit to encourage Karen to do the next phase of His vision, the splash park, rosary walk and the stations.

John 16:13   When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

Acts: 14: 22 They strengthened the spirits of the disciples and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying, “It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”

1 Peter 1: 13-15  Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?  But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats]; do not be frightened].  But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Clarence

Do Good for the Glory of God - Part 4

God has no limits for those who trust Him

It is so difficult to trust God. We only know what is humanly possible and when God asks us to trust Him, we can’t seem to do it. Karen had experienced God’s divine intervention many times and yet trust was elusive. Trust came as Karen and Jay experienced God’s glory, only then did they surrender completely.

As children we learned to trust that our father would catch us if we jumped off a high pedestal. We learned as babies that he was always there to catch us. As adults we do not have repeated examples of God catching us. We need to think of ourselves as children leaping off a high pedestal into our Father’s arms.

Matthew 18: 3 And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 6: 33-34 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Hebrews 4: 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”

Clarence

Do Good for the Glory of God - Part 3

Spiritual Warfare, Obedience & Trust

All of us are tested by God but few are put to the ultimate test. In Part 3 God puts Karen to the test.

Genesis 22: 1-2 The Testing of Abraham. Some time afterward, God put Abraham to the test and said to him: Abraham! “Here I am!” he replied. Then God said: Take your son Isaac, your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. There offer him up as a burnt offering on one of the heights that I will point out to you.

Paul went into the desert to pray. Karen’s desert was the church where she pleads for help to remove the cross she is being asked to bear.

Mk 1:12-13 At once the Spirit drove him out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for 40 days, tempted by the devil. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

1 Peter 5: 8-10 Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little.

Jesus, asks the Father to take this cup from Him, as does Karen.

Mark 14: 36 "Father," he prayed, "my Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet not what I want, but what you want."

This parable is for all of us.

Luke 9: 22-25 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?

Clarence

Do Good for the Glory of God - Part 2

The Trinity, Trust & Obedience

In Part 2 of her story you will experience the Trinity as Karen, the reluctant servant, discovers the power of the Holy Spirit within herself and others, as God carries out His will. She calls on Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and in adoration to find courage, but it is God the Father who puts her to the test. When we pray the Our Father, we say, “Deliver us from evil.” In the original text it was, “Do not put us to the test.”

Despite all of God’s signs and the incredible interventions of the Spirit, it comes down to free will and how we view the First Commandment. Where does obedience to God rank in relationship to family, children, grandchildren and a comfortable life?

The following verses may shed some light on this part of her story. How do you visualize the Trinity?

Exodus 19:9 (NIV) The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.

Exodus 33:9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses.

Clarence

Do Good for the Glory of God - Part 1

A Reluctant Servant Tells Her Story   

Some people ask how I came to know about the Do Good Restaurant, which opened in November of 2019. It happened in April 2020, when my friend, Chris Bramlage, told me about the Do Good, in Osgood, OH. At the time we were discussing how God asked me to design a website and post true stories to encourage people to look for Jesus in their lives.

I called the restaurant the next week and Karen, the owner, was open to considering an interview. After a couple of attempts, we were able to meet in October 2020 for her story. After giving Karen a brief background about myself, she asked, “Does the Holy Spirit speak to you?” I said, “Sometimes, usually in the middle of the night.” Then I asked her if she had looked at my website or my book. She said, “No.” I said, “Well why did you agree to see me then?” She said, “Because the Holy Spirit told me to.”

The following posting will be a bit different from previous ones. The reason is that it is still evolving. For example, when I first contacted Karen in April, God had not yet approached her to add the splash park, rosary walk or the stations of the cross.

Starting on Thursday of the first week in Lent, we will share weekly continuations of Karen’s fascinating story based upon her encounters with God, the power of prayer in adoration and the intervention of the Holy Spirit.

Exodus 4-10-13 Moses said to Yahweh, 'Please, my Lord, I have never been eloquent, even since you have spoken to your servant, for I am slow and hesitant of speech.’ ‘Who gave a person a mouth?' Yahweh said to him. 'Who makes a person dumb or deaf, gives sight or makes blind? Is it not I, Yahweh? Now go, I shall help you speak and instruct you what to say.

Jonah 1: 1-3 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.

Clarence

Why Does God Make People with Down's Syndrome?

There are two stories: Carol Frient’s son Jacob and Joe & Sharon Olson’s son Matthew.

My friend Jim Frient sent me a letter from, Carol, his Sister-in-law. His brother Jack died from cancer two years ago. In Carol and Jack, God made very devout people who tried to live as Christ lived. They have 11 children. Three with special needs were adopted and are still living at home. Two are blind and of course Jacob about whom this story is written. I am sure Carol could share many stories about any of her children, but she thought Jacob’s story could help people understand that the soul is what is most important.

The second story is from my friends Joe and Sharon Olson and their son Matthew. The name Matthew means, “gift from God.” I myself have not met Matthew, but my daughter and grand children have met Matthew and they will never forget him.

The Lord gave me these stories to remind us that even before we are born God gave us a soul and there is a design and purpose for everyone’s life. No one knows what could have been God’s plan for those who were aborted.

Jeremiah 1: 5

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.

Clarence

Reflections on 2020, A Year Like No Other

Joy to the world our Lord and Savior has come to redeem us

Matthew 1: 23

Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.”

Luke 2: 14

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

The past year it seems we have all gone through an abundance of trials and blessings and some of us had more time to read, pray and reflect.

Here are some thoughts that came to mind this year:

The world is smaller than we thought, and we are all connected to it.

Family and friends are more important than things and events.

Every hug you give and receive is a gift from God and should be cherished.

Internal peace and hope for the future come through Him.

God is with us, so where should our focus be? This song comes to mind.

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let There Be Peace on Earth
The peace that was meant to be

With God as our Father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.

With ev'ry step I take
Let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.

Songwriters: Jill Jackson / Sy Miller  There Be Peace on Earth lyrics © Mccg LLC

May you feel God ‘s presence as He fills your life with His goodness & love.

Clarence & Vi

Patience

It has been a while since I posted a story. The reason is that I have been involved in writing an incredible story on the Do Good Restaurant in Osgood, OH. The story is about Karen Homan and God’s desire for her to build a restaurant for His Glory. The Lord has not allowed me to publish the story yet. He is teaching me patience which is not one of my virtues.

God was pursuing Karen, who did not initially want to do what He asked of her. I on the other hand, have been pursuing God to allow me to tell her story. What is extremely hard to learn is that God is in control. You can’t run from Him nor can you push Him.

During Advent, prepare yourself, your mind, heart and soul by discovering your destiny. Included is a list of virtues at the end of the destiny tab on the website to help you consider the gifts God has given you for His purposes and something to pray for if you lack some of the virtues you desire. As you check off the list of virtues, ask yourself. “How do I or can I use these virtues I have to advance the kingdom of God?”

The story, if released, will reveal the power of the Holy Spirit, the power of prayer, overcoming fear, obedience and true knowledge that God is in control. Maybe you will also get a better understanding of the Trinity, as I did.

Most people want to know their destiny, but with free will, may decide not to spend time thinking about it. Karen had to decide if she wanted to fulfill God’s request and build a restaurant. She had her free will, but was given a verse from the bible, John 3: 36, and after reading it she made her decision. Look it up.

Clarence