Mustard Seed Planting

SOAP: Scripture verse, Observation, Application, and Prayer.

S - "My son, if you wish, you can be taught; if you apply yourself, you will be shrewd.  If you are willing to listen, you will learn; if you give heed, you will be wise.  Frequent the company of the elders; whoever is wise, stay close to him.  Be eager to hear every Godly discourse; let no wise saying escape you.  If you see a man of prudence, seek him out; let your feet wear away his doorstep!  Reflect on the precepts of the Lord, let his commandments be your constant meditation; Then he will enlighten your mind, and the wisdom you desire he will grant." (Sirach 6: 32-37)

O - One of the greatest lessons we can teach our children is to have a love for the learning process.  Especially on this Thanksgiving holiday, we can be thankful to God for sending us graces to see his ways better.  Wisdom is greatly needed and, through out all of history, many leaders have come up with a short supply.  Our children need to know that their parents have the authority to direct them in the way of truth.  It is God who is the author of life and has the final say in what is good and what is bad.  We need to teach our children the ways of the Lord and instill in them the discipline needed to be good listeners and to develop the skills needed to complete their assignments in a neat and joyful manner.  This does not happen over night.  It is a process that takes patience and time.  Let's teach our children to be eager to hear God's word and to be cheerful and diligent in their work and service to others.  Let Christ infuse a goal of searching for Christian truth and reaching out to help those in need into the mindsets of our children.

A - I have found that the younger the child, the more work goes into instilling an attitude of cheerfulness while they work.  By the time they reach a certain age, children become conditioned to perform exceptional work with great attitudes if we persevere.  It is a gradual process to gently discipline a child to see the value in having a good work ethic and pleasing God at the same time.  Christ can become the supreme motivator and inspiration for our actions.  When this happens, God will enlighten our minds to pursue virtue.  Everything seems to be created in systems.  Therefore, your family is a system of life and love which should be spread throughout the world.  The input into your familial system should consist of God's word and prayer every day if possible.  It is the most vital part of our days.  Let your 'feet wear away the doorstep of God.'  These items can be spiritually, mentally, and physically processed in your familial system through out the day. This process will produce the greatest output known to mankind.

P - I pray that all Christian parents take time to turn to the Lord to direct their footsteps as they go through out their days.  Especially on this day of Thanksgiving for all the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon our country.

SOAP: Week 9 - Sirach

SOAP: Scripture verse, Observation, Application, and Prayer.

S - "Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant."...."A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure.  A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth.  A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds; For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself." (Sirach 6: 6, 14-17)

O - Have you a friend that is a good confidant?  If so, you are truly blessed.  When I first started homeschooling, I felt like I was the only one in the world choosing this way of life.  Little by little - God introduced me to more homeschooling families.  The families all supported each other with wonderful activities for the children and mothers.  Little by little - I met new families with mothers who could be good friends.  Today, I am glad to say that I have a real friend in one of my homeschool mothers.  It took years to find a confidant like this friend.  I greatly admire her and her family.  It is wonderful to see homeschooling moms be able to support each other in holy friendship. 

A - Always be a good listener when your friends are talking to you.  Oftentimes, it is hard to listen when children are making too much noise or need attention.  I guess the younger the children are - the more attention they need.  Moms with older children can be a great help to mothers with a lot of young ones.  Be there for them and support them.  Do not remain in a situation where you form a kind of 'click.'  Share your gifts and treasures and be known for your love of the faith!

P - I pray that homeschooling mothers will find joy and peace in each others company to support and uplift one another without over scheduling their activities together.

SOAP: Week 8 - Sirach

SOAP: Scripture verse, Observation, Application, and Prayer.

S - "A kind mouth multiplies friends, and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings." (Sirach 6: 5)

O - It is so important to build each other up with encouragement.  Have you ever met someone who likes to throw little daggers into their conversations?  I guess it is an attempt to belittle someone or make themselves look the better.  This form of communication is a 'red flag' to rely on a someone else who respects others.  This is why it is so important to reach out and give encouragement to others rather than putting them down.

A - Greet others with a friendly hello, good morning, or smile.  Be thankful for your friendships and words of compassion will flow through your veins as you communicate.  This is why I like to write about what I am thankful for during the week on this blog.  It is a great way to build up and encourage with gracious attitudes to have about life.

P - I pray that strong friendships can flourish in all our countries virtuous communities so that encouragement is fostered which builds confidence and trust.

SOAP: Week 7 - Sirach

SOAP: Scripture verse, Observation, Application, and Prayer.

S - "Be not a lion at home, nor sly and suspicious at work.  Let not your hand be open to receive and clenched when it is time to give." (Sirach 4: 30-31)

O - Opus Dei has a wonderful concept called 'Unity of Life.'  This means we do not act one way at work and a different way at home.  We apply Christ-centered love to all areas of our lives.

A - One should never just keep taking from someone without providing them a thank you or some kind of feedback to encourage their efforts to continue and improve their relationship.  When one is too quiet, they become unapproachable and cause relationships to suffer.  This is why it is so important to be giving in our communications with eachother unless, for safety reasons, silence is required.

P - I pray that good friendships can flourish through life-giving efforts in the way people communicate with eachother.

SOAP - Week 6: Sirach

SOAP: Scripture verse, Observation, Application, and Prayer.

S - "My son, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts.  Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.  For great is the power of God; by the humble he is glorified." (Sirach 3: 17-19)

O - Humility inolves recognizing that God and virtuous others are actually responsible for the achievements in our lives.  When someone is truly humble, they do not start every sentence with "I."  "I did this" and "I did that..."  They have a true desire to put others first as Christ has taught us.  Some people are aware that being a 'giver of gifts' wins over affection from others.  We have to be wary of those who are kind to the poor for the sake of popularity - by drawing extra attention to themselves.  It is the true 'giver of gifts' that loves because it is their whole way to life.  They do not try to help others with selfish attention-seeking motives.

A - If we remain humble in our affairs, we will glorify God.  God is love and we will be remembered for the love we poured out to others in our lives.  We do not need to take the most important seat every where we go.  It is better to take more of a back seat at first so that with one's dedication and commitment through time will be seen in the light of day (transparency).  They will be able to earn respect and more of a leadership role in affairs through their actions and good deeds.  Our track record can speak for itself.  Our past accomplishments speak loudly as to what our future can hold.  This is why it is so amazing to me why so many arrogant politicians have attained office.  How are people/voters blind to those that are too proud?  It is a mystery/dilemma.  Although, I believe it is more of dilemma than a mystery - if you have ears, please hear and vote wisely!

P - I pray that all Americans will be committed to keeping arrogant politicians from holding office.  We need to bring a committment to serve others back into the spotlight of our country.

SOAP - Week 5: Sirach

SOAP: Scripture verse, Observation, Application, and Prayer.

S - "For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, it will serve as a sin offering - it will take lasting root.  In time of tribulation it will be recalled to your advantage, like warmth upon frost it will melt away your sins.  A blasphemer is he who despises his father; accursed of his Creator, he who angers his mother."  (Sirach 3: 14-16)

O - Why would God give us such a strong command to show honor to our parents in this verse?  Doesn't it point out that children and parents are intimately and intricately connected to love and guide eachother for all their earthly lives?  Of course, it is the parent that chooses to give this love to their child initially.  It is the child that learns from their parent how to return that love.  This love is all learned in the midst of important family relationships and environments.

A - I would urge all parents to know their children extremely well to determine when the best time is to encourage more independence and to strengthen the bonds of love between parent and child.  Too many children grow up blaming their parents for all their problems.  This happens when children have been put into environments at too young an age that does not strengthen parental relationships and a strong faith life.  Analyze when the best time to let your young child enter a school environment and be sure they have a solid foundation that proves a committment to putting God and family first.  Homeschooling has become a viable option for our family and has given my children very strong characters that can not be swayed by detrimental factors.  We all start out young and partake in a delicate growth process to adulthood.  These earlier years are critical in establishing important virtues for our success and happiness.  As parents, we need to nurture these early years in the lives of our children.

P - I pray that all parents take the time and opportunity to establish a strong loving bond and strong faith life for their children.

SOAP - Week 4: Sirach



SOAP: Scripture verse, Observation, Application, and Prayer.

S - "He who reveres his father will live a long life; he obeys the Lord who brings comfort to his mother."  (Sirach 3: 6)

O - It is so important for children to honor their parents.  Children should put their family before their friends.  When children put friends first at too young of an age, they lack the God-given wisdom that comes from parents to lead and direct them.  It is natural when a child is older to start becoming more independant.  Nevertheless, I observe too many younger children who think they know it all when they are too young.  Children need to know what their duties are toward their parents as Sirach 3 explains or they can be mislead in life.

A -  No wonder teachers in the school system can have a hard time teaching children when the children lack the discipline that only a parent can instill in their young child.  God has designed parents to be the primary educators of their children, especially while they are young.  If the education system takes up too much of your valuable time with your young child, try another approach where you have more time with your young child.  For example, homeschooling is a wonderful way children learn to have a valuable work ethic.  Anyone can teach academics to elementary age children.

P - I pray that all parents realize how precious their children are and know that God has given them their children because he believes they are the best suited to teach them.

SOAP - Week 3: Sirach

SOAP:  Scripture verse, Observation, Application, and Prayer.

S - "Let us fall into the hands of the Lord and not into the hands of men, For equal to his majesty is the mercy that he shows." (Sirach 2:18)

O - We are so blessed to have a God with the greatest sovereign power, authority, and dignity over all creation because, as sinners, we need his mercy too which is equal to his majesty.  When his mercy is equal to his majesty, it brings us to the realization that having true sorrow for our sins will help us receive an over abundant pouring out of his forgiveness and kindness.  Just as God's majesty shows us with every new day how loving he is, knowledge of his mercy gives us the greatest opportunity to come to him in humility.  This mercy is as sure as the sun sets and rises when we express true repentance and sorrow.

A - We should honor God's greatness and splendor found through knowing and loving Jesus Christ every day along with confessing our sins for the wrong we commit.  When we understand that his great majesty can never be diminished, we also see that his great mercy can never be diminished.  The sacrament of Confession is one of the greatest gifts given to us as poor sinners.  It is in this sacrament where God sees our sorrow through the experience encountered by his Son in being our Holy Savior.  The love between the Father and the Son is so strong that we receive graces poured out to us through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Try to make going to Confession a ritual to be cherished and utilized often.

P - I pray that all sinners will attain the knowledge of how great the mercy of God is and come to confess their wrong doings for true repentance.

SOAP - Week 2: Sirach

SOAP - 1) Scripture Verse  2) Observation  3) Application  4) Prayer

S - "Among wisdom's treasures is the paragon of prudence; but fear of the Lord is an abomination to the sinner."  Sirach 1:22

O - In order to be truly wise we have an great model of one who 1) has the ability to govern and discipline themselves by the use of reason 2) has sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs 3) has skill and good judgement in the use of resources 4) and uses caution or circumspection as to danger or risk.  The ultimate model is found in the God-man himself, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Christ used  much prudence in leading his disciples to truth and did not require technology to begin his life long Church which would guide humanity through out all time.  Today, we are spoiled in comparison by being able to accomplish much in a short amount of time with the use of technology.  We need good leaders who will direct others to unite in virtuous causes to bring about a just society like Christ envisioned.  We do not need leaders who will take the lives of others for their own political purposes or get us involved in frivolous affairs.  It is bad when leaders see virtuous means as an abomination and clam up to pretend they are nuetral.  We need leaders who communicate with transparency.

A - We should try to spend our time wisely by attaining mostly that which we need and tithing as a means to serve the poor.  I believe it would be beneficial for every well off family to adopt a poor family to communicate with and help out.  Large service projects directed by bigger entities can do this but an individual family also can have a profound direct impact in teaching and influencing those others who need it.  It would create a bond and unity among members of society that is honored and long lasting.  We should also try to use technology to spread the Good News given to us by Jesus Christ.  It is in thanksgiving and praise that we become virtuous and spread the message of love.

P - I pray that all mothers who care for their families can become beneficial influences in society as they live out true humility in search of wisdom and that others who see their lives as useless (an abomination) can no longer belittle them nor prevent them from spreading their love for the benefit of others.

SOAP - Week 1: Sirach


This is a wonderful blog, but I'm having trouble linking to it.  I have to learn how still.  SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer.

S - "Heaven's height, earth's breadth, the depths of the abyss:  who can explore these?"  Sirach 1: 3

O - What would we do if we knew the answer to everything?  There is so much beauty in our world as a gift from God that we have the opportunity to feel the grandeur of wonder and awe about.  Have you ever heard someone talk as if they knew everything?  Does it hurt your ears?  Don't worry if it does because you may be normal.  Oftentimes, Science is the source that is 'used as a crutch' to bring about false situations to lead others astray.  Science and Religion should compliment each other and work together to bring the realities of our world into better focus.

A - When others speak as if they know everything, do not encourage their boasting but "take it with a grain of salt."  Let them speak if they must, but we should not let them use our system of laws to force their outlandish ideas on others.  Be active politically when you know someone is trying to claim they have knowledge of the unknown just to establish monetary business effects in society to support their cause.

P - My prayer is for leaders everywhere to believe that truth and beauty are found with the realization that God is the Author of all life, and therefore must be looked to in establishing just scientific and business practices that uplift the traditional family which God designed.