Individual Yet Integral-How the Gifts of the Spirit Make Us Whole

“You are the only person on earth
who can use your ability.”

~ Zig Ziglar

Isn't it wonderful to be made in the image of God, yet given your own special set of abilities, the Gifts of the Spirit that make you a separate, yet integral part of the body of Christ? Is the brain more important than the heart, or the fingers more important than the toes? I would say definitely not! They all have their place in the body, to operate a system, to pump all of the fluids, to do work and be able to grasp and finally, to help us keep our balance when we stand walk or run. It is the same with us as a whole, but separate being, making up the body of Christ.

Some of us are administrators, some of us are teachers, some of us are artists and yet others are exhorters...all very important jobs within the body, all important vocations to pursue to His glory. So delight in your gifts, delight in the gifts of your brothers and sisters and most of all. delight in our wonderful Father in Heaven Who put this whole system together. For we are all distinct and wonderful in His creation, but we are even more wonderful as part of His body.

God's grace be with you,

Fr. Charles Butler

1 Corinthians 12

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b]

11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

But the greatest of these is love

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13

Love, arguably humanity's greatest gift, supported and promoted by God Himself' Love, the glue that binds us all together, the Essence of God and the Way of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

In my work with the homeless, love seems to be the most significant ingredient to success. Homeless people are met daily with averted glances, practiced indifference and outright hate-filled hostility. When I approach them with a smile, a paternal pat on the shoulder of handshake I am usually received well, as most want love, and many are downright starved for it. I think that many of them are more happy to gain acceptance and love than the goodies we distribute.

Love...life's greatest reward (And no, I will not continue with the Loveboat theme). I feel so grateful to be loved by so many. I have a great family of blood and marriage, and an even bigger family of the heart, all of you out in FB land with whom we interact, share encouragements as well as loses. My family of the heart, over 400 of which took the time to send me a birthday greeting this week and last.

I am truly thankful for the love I am given, first by my Lord, then my beautiful wife Beth. Then by my children and parents in law, whom I have really adopted as my own. I am grateful for you all, that God gave me a family of the heart, which includes you, my friends. I am also thankful that He has given me the privelige of loving you.

So go forth my friends and family, just go out and share the love...it's one of the things we are given in abundance, which we in turn can give away in abundance as well. Giving away love doesn't even cost you, but you can receive even more love in return. Thank you for your love, it is a blessing.

So my friends, for this Holiday Season, let's go out and spread the love!

God's grace be with you,

Fr. Charles Butler

Today many of us are gathering for meals with friends and family, in order to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives and to treasure our bonds with each other. Take time to really consider how blessed you are; so much of the world is either at war or in poverty. In other countries people are dying as they struggle for freedom, or being killed for their faiths, or fighting to keep their homes safe. Many in our country are without homes, without jobs, or without loved ones to share with. So as you sit with your friends and family, in your safe home, with food set before you, give thanks. Give thanks for the home, the food, the people, how blessed you are to be in the country you live in, but most of all for God's grace unto you.

Give thanks.

And try, as personalities might start to irritate each other, to stay above quarreling. Let gentle words turn away wrath, and focus on why you love each other and gather to celebrate.

God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles

So, my friends, did you worship God by your actions today, or mammon? Did you take people's holidays from them yesterday by participating in the sacrilege of shopping on Thanksgiving? Were you rude to the service people today who had to suffer through our country's annual worship of money and cheap goods?

Are you planning on spending Advent and Christmas thoughtfully, with friends and family, or by partaking in a buying frenzy for things no one really needs? Or will you seek out faith services and family time? Will you make time to volunteer? Will you be giving heartily to charities? Will you seek out the homeless to offer them help and cheer?

This is a sacred time of year; how you spend it shows where your priorities are. Do you value God, family, friends and charity, or do you worship the things of this world?

God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler

God is calling you to do more than set up a nativity scene in your home, or light an advent candle, or attend services this Christmas season. He is calling you to spread His love and grace to the world, to bring the joy of the first nativity and the hope of the second coming into the lives of those around you. Will you answer His call?

God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler

As you stroll the stores this time of year you cannot help but hear the Christmas carols piped through the sound system in the establishment; or perhaps you listen to them at home, or sing them at your church services. Some of them are old and treasured, some are new and fun to learn, some are holy and some are secular. I love the songs that focus on faith and family, for that is what this time of year is for my wife and I- a celebration of Christ's birth and a time to treasure family and friends.

One of the more popular of the "new-old" carols (as opposed to carols from the Victorian age and before) is "Drummer Boy." The song tells the story of a poor boy who has no gift to give the infant Christ child except a song he plays upon his drum. So he plays his best and is rewarded by the holy child's smile.

This time of year we hear a lot about "Keep Christ in Christmas" and "Remember the Reason for the Season" and many people happily tell each other Merry Christmas as they go about their shopping and holiday busy-ness. Yet I wonder how many of them truly slow down to consider what the full mystery is of the holy season we are celebrating; that Christ, the Word, part of the Triune God, very God of very God, became flesh and was born in the humblest of settings, to a poor family, so that He might live as one of us, and die on behalf of us, so that we might become co-heirs with Him and be the adopted children of God. Wow. Just thinking about it is humbling; that God should love us so!

This holy season of Advent and Christmastide (Christmas and the 12 days afterward), take time to celebrate the great gift God has given to us. And perhaps stop to consider what gift can YOU give to God; will it be your time, given to the church or a charity? Will it be your generosity to the needy? Will it be your humble devotion? Like the poor drummer boy of the song, all of our gifts pale to the great gift God has given unto us, but we should still bring what we can to the manger and the cross. When we bring our very best, even if it is but little, God smiles upon us. When we do our best job for His glory, we delight Him. When we show our love to the least of these, we give our love to Him.

What will you give to God in love?

God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler

Today marks the second Sunday of Advent. On this Sunday, we remember the words of Isaiah the Prophet and of John the Baptist, who both told of the coming of the Lord. They urged the people to turn away from sin and to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord.

How, this week, will you prepare your heart for the Lord's nativity? How will you shape your life to be ready for His message? For He calls us to be ready, to be humble, to be giving and to be loving. He calls us to turn away from that which the world values and to focus on Him instead. The world this week will be telling you to rush about, to buy many things, to focus on the commercial aspect of this holiday season. Christ calls you to slow down; to refocus and to recommit. To prepare your heart for His kingdom and to value what He values. He calls you to set aside room in your heart, and schedule, for the sacred. He calls you to set aside time for family. He calls you to value the lonely, and to help the needy. He wants you to see the vulnerable as having infinite value; for God Himself came down as a vulnerable child to a teen age mother and a confused, scared adopted father; to be immigrants in a foreign land, without a home of their own. In the faces of the poor, the needy, the outcast, lonely and scared of today we can see reflections of God; for He chose to be like them. How will you treat them this week as you prepare your heart for Christ?

God's grace be with you, and His compassion fill you,
Fr. Charles Butler

Feeling like you've got a lot on your mind this time of year?

Imagine how Joseph felt:

*His betrothed was pregnant..and not by him, but by the Holy Spirit of God. And an Angel told him it was true!

*The government decided to raise taxes and wanted everyone to return to the town of their birth....asap!

*He had to plan on how to get his heavily pregnant bride to be 80 miles away, over rocky terrain, hoping the baby doesn't come early, and praying there will be accommodations when they got there. And then he had to put that plan in action, get them there, and scramble to find a stable (the Inns were all full) as the baby was ready to arrive!

*All the while trying to wrap his mind around the fact he was going to be the man who taught the Son of God what it meant to be a good man.

Are your problems in a better perspective now? Slow down and relax; find time to enjoy your family and friends, for that is what this time of year is about. Not the hustle, not the shopping, not the traffic and lights and hurry, but relationships. Spend some time this week with those you love; call the ones far away, and seek out the ones near by. Take time especially to seek out God, for it was for love of you that His Son was born and thus we celebrate the Nativity.

God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler

Last Sunday we lit the Advent candle of Peace and many of us will relight it each night this week; as we do so we remember God's promise that peace will be when Christ returns, and the promise that Chris'ts peace is given to each believer. 

In our world there is conflict; we see it on the news each night, we read it on our iphones and newspapers, we experience the lack of it within our own families. This is a troubled world, and we too often are a troubled people.

This week, as we celebrate the promise of peace in Advent, seek to spread peace within your family and community. Refrain from needless arguments; don't let stress cause you to nit pick at another, smile at the lonely and haggard, show kindness to everyone you can. Then the candle of peace will be lit within you, and perhaps you can help someone else light their candle of peace as well.

May God's grace be with you,

Fr. Charles Butler

"Present for Parent #1, check!, Present for Parent #2, check! Present for Sibling, Present for Child, Present for friend, check, check check!"

This is a busy time of year, and many people about, buying gifts as they check off their lists. "Present for Parent #1, check!, Present for Parent #2, check! Present for Sibling, Present for Child, Present for friend, check, check check!" We lull ourselves into believing that buying presents once or twice, even three times a year is what constitutes a good relationship. "I remembered Christmas, birthday, Mother/Father's Day, etc, so I am a good son/daughter/husband/wife/sibling/friend."

Presents, while nice, do not make a meaningful relationship. Personal involvement in the relationship is what makes it worthwhile; talking, caring, visiting, sharing. Just as a Christian cannot expect their relationship to God to thrive without regular times of prayer and communion, neither can anyone expect the relationships in their lives to flourish without regular doses of good communication (where people actually talk AND listen to one another.)

So in this Advent season, as you shop and hurry around, slow down and take time to call someone you love. Maybe someone you haven't seen in a while, but who is dear to you. Or stop in and visit your parents, siblings or close friends. Share memories and make new ones together. They'll remember the time you put into the relationship far more and far longer than they'll remember the gift.

God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler

As we move into the 12 Days of Christmas

As we move into the 12 Days of Christmas (which starts Christmas night, and run evening to evening) that go to Jan 6- Epiphany, which ends the Christmas season and marks the arrival of the Wise Men with gifts for the Christ Child- let us take time to deeply ponder the meaning of Christ's birth, and that gift which God the Father has bestowed upon all who believe. Let us remember with humbleness the plight of the Holy family and their trust in the Lord Almighty, and their rejoicing in the birth of the Son of God, deity made incarnate, as a vulnerable child. Let us, in our vulnerable states, our needy, wanting and fallen state, come humbly to the Child- giving thanks for the mercy and grace that was given unto us through Him. Let us observe the 12 days of Christmas with rejoicing and with awe.

Christ Born of Mary

That Christ- vast, powerful and almighty- should choose to be born to a poor unwed teenage girl in a humble stable; heralded by angels and greeted by shepherds, in order that you might become an adopted child of God- how that should fill you with joy! Jesus Christ, very God of very God, part of the Triune Godhead, became man so that you, if you but believe and trust in Him, shall have eternal life! That is the great and wondrous message of Christmas; that He loves you so that He came, to a life of humbleness, suffering, rejection and death, so that those who believe in Him will be exalted by His Father, adopted into the Royal family of God, to be in His presence for eternity. Rejoice, for Emmanuel has come, and will come again to claim His own. Rejoice!

Our warmest wishes that you and yours will have a Merry Christmas and a blessed Christmastide (the 12 days of Christmas) from my wife Beth and I. May God bless you all.

God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler

Luke 2:1-20

Christ Born of Mary

2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Glory in the Highest

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Christ, the Ultimate Gift

Life is short. Each day is a gift, and one never knows when they will die. You could be on a trip, and be hit by a car. Or have a heart attack, or a freak accident. Nothing is guaranteed, so each day should be treasured. We should be grateful for the people God places in our lives, and make sure they know it. 

One thing we can be sure of; and that is the love God holds for us We know of thislove because of the gift of Jesus Christ, whose nativity we celebrate in a short few days. When God became man in order to secure our salvation through cross later, it was the ultimate gift. It was God showing us that while each day here on earth can not be guaranteed, His love can be. We can know, through our love and trust in Christ's mercy and grace, that our salvation is secure. What a gift that is!

God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler

Do you want to be a high and holy vessel for God?

Would you be of use to God? Do you want to live a life of honor and glory for Him?

Then turn from wickedness and sin and attempt to live a holy life!

" In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." 2 Timothy 2: 20-21

In every home, there are treasured vessels; special china that is used for feasts, precious bowls that have a place of honor. There are also vessels that we use for daily works, such as everyday plates, regular glasses or garbage cans. They are serviceable, but not put to the highest work. And then there are vessels we buy for one time use; the aluminum baking tin or paper cup. They are discarded after their purpose has been filled.

God can, and does, use everyone for His will, glory and purposes. An evil man may be used by God to strengthen the resolve of a godly man. Pharaoh was used by God as a backdrop in which to show God's power. Moses, however, was treasured by God and used throughout his life for God's good works.

Do you want to be a high and holy vessel for God? One that shows God's light and glory over and over again? Then seek after Him, purify yourself, and live by Scripture.

"“For you will certainly carry out God's purpose, however you act, but it makes a difference to you whether you serve like Judas or like John." CS Lewis.

God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler

My Appeal to Ferguson

There has been a lot going on around the situation in Ferguson. The left and the right all have their opinions. I also have mine, which is somewhere in between.

So as a Priest, I am appealing to the better natures of Children of God. Know, that as I love you, God loves you more. Know, that as you seek justice, God wants it more. Know, that individually, God knows the numbers of your hairs, and loves you deeply.

I pray that my friends from Ferguson and surrounding communities don't act rashly. That my beloved Brothers and Sisters from that area are not carried away by agendas that only empower elements that care nothing of them, only their own agendas.

Yeah, I'm a middle aged white guy, but you only need look at my feed here to see that color doesn't matter to me, because we all have the same kind of souls, issued directly by God our Father, and those souls hold no skin pigment.

There are many wonderful people in Ferguson, the North County and beyond. I used to work amongst you, I continue to pray and help amongst you. I ask you not to ruin your lives. I ask you to exercise discretion.

Go ahead and demonstrate, if you feel you have to. Our country was founded on the principles of free speech and freedom of assembly. One of my forefathers actually signed the Declaration of Independence and I believe in those principle.

All I ask, Brothers and Sisters of Faith, is that you demonstrate peacefully. Show those who doubt you that they are wrong about you. Show them that this too, shall pass.

If you need prayer, or anything else I can do, message me.

God's Grace Be with You,
Fr. Charles Butler

Will You Have a Joyous Christmas Season?

We are rapidly approaching the "season of shopping." It would be more comforting to me, as a pastor, to say that the bulk of the Western world was approaching the season of gratitude, thanksgiving, Advent and joy; but the truth is, most people will fixate on an overindulgence of consumerism from now until Christmas.

So many will pollute the holiday of Thanksgiving with shopping, and Black Friday is a holiday of mammon, not of God. Advent will not be spent, by many, in joyful preparation to celebrate the birth of Christ, but as a rush to buy too many things, go to too many events, and collapse in exhaustion as soon as Christmas comes.

I urge you, Brothers and Sisters, to slow down this holiday season. Let Thanksgiving be about gratitude and giving thanks to our Lord for all of our blessings. Let Advent be about celebrating the coming Nativity, making memories with loved ones, and concern for the least of these. Could we all slow down a little more and give a little more?

So many won't be in the festive spirit as they face hunger, cold, homelessness or loneliness. Can you make it a gift to Christ, in these upcoming weeks, to give a little more to charity? Can you volunteer at a meal to feed the hungry? Or to give time to the lonely? You can help make this season more joyous for others in the name of Jesus; which will make the season more meaningful to you.

God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler

Need versus want, is there a difference?

I'd say there is a VERY BIG difference...We in the "First World," as some would call it are very blessed by the standards of worldly need. The vast majority of us have a safe home in which to live for we and our families, plenty of food to eat, and the warmth of a stove, fireplace or central heat to keep us from freezing. So our needs, for the largest part, the foundation of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs have been met. But wait, we might say, I don't have everything I need...I lack a lot of things...I might say I need a new pickup, but God has provided me a perfectly serviceable car which not only get's me from point A to point B, it even has heat and air so I can do so comfortably. I simply WANT a new pickup. I might say...I need new tools, when the tools I have can be used for a very long time...I WANT new tools.

Blessings abound, we have what we need. God might even give you some of the things you want if you ask nicely...He wants us to enjoy life in abundance, but He does not like excessiveness. That's where so many prosperity preachers have it wrong, they are really teaching excess, not biblical abundance.

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10

God gives us plenty of abundance, if we trust in Him and appreciate His blessings. Most of us have ALL of our basic needs met, and still have many blessings left over. The Bible does mention monetary wealth directly, but usually in not so glowing terms. So, abundance is far more important than physical wealth, it is a spiritual wealth that money can not buy. You find abundance in the people in your life who are a blessing. God has blessed me abundantly by giving me my wonderful and devoted wife, Beth. Beth turned from a want to a need. At first I wanted her, but through the years of our marriage, I realize that God gave her to me in marriage because He knew I needed her.

I want to have loving friends and relatives; Maslow said that was a need, so God has blessed me abundantly with all of you, fulfilling my need abundantly.

So, you might say, how about the poor who don't even have they're basic needs met? Well, my friends, that is where we come in. God blesses us, then through our caring and generosity, God blesses them, completing a circle of Christian love that started with Christ and has been a long standing tradition.

There are the poor and needy, Christ told us there always would be...this is a major symptom of a sinful, broken world. But until Christ returns to fix it all, we are to be His hands and feet in fulfilling others' needs, lending His abundance to the whole world.

God's Grace be with You,
Fr. Charles Butler

Throughout history, there have been those that God has called to stand in the breach for their country. To defend liberty, protect the innocent, to due their duty with honor and courage, and if need be, to give of their life's blood for their countrymen.

Today we honor such men and women. Who answered their country's call with bravery and nobility of service. Who have stood as a line of protection between those at home, and the enemies that would harm them.

For those that have left us, may their memory be precious to us.

For those who have served, may we give them all due respect and heartfelt thanks.

For those that are serving, may the Lord protect them, strengthen them and bring them home in safety.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.

For my Christian Brothers...A Call to Courage!

For my Christian Brothers...A Call to Courage!

God calls you to stand in the breach. When you see your marriage failing, you are called to stand firm and fight for it. When you see your children slipping away, into bad behaviors; you are called to fight for them. When you see trouble moving into your community, you are called to take the initiative to rebuke and struggle against it.

Imagine this country, this world, if every Christian man rose up and took responsibility for his marriage, for his family and for his community.

Too often has a man sat by and watched his family disintegrate. Too often has a man watched his family prepare for Church services, yet instead of going with them, he turns on the game. Too often has a man watched cruelty and evil being done, and said nothing.

We were not called by God to be men on the sidelines! We are called to action! We are called to be faithful; to our God, to our spouse, to our family, to our Church family, to our communities. God expects more of us than what we have given Him! We have shrugged off responsibility and accountability for now, but God will call us to account, He will demand an answer. He will want to know why you did not guard your family with fervent love. He will want to know why didn't stand for the faith. He will want to know why you were silent in the face of evil.

There are faithful men of God throughout the world who are doing as the Lord has called upon us to do; but the numbers are not what they should be in our own country.

We need men of courage, of honor, of faithfulness and steadfastness to stand against the tide of wanton and empty worldliness and callous evil.

A godly man, who loves the Lord, who cherishes his family, and who serves his community can change lives.

Will you stand up and answer the call God has given you?

God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler

When we recognize our sin, and come humbly to the cross, we are reconciled through Christ to God. Without that reconciliation, we are an enemy to God- for we are embracing sin and God cannot be at peace with sin.

Turn from your sin today and cling to Christ; He is there waiting with outstretched arms. His blood was shed for thee, and shed willingly. Will you not go to Him before it is too late?

God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler

Now that the election is over, will you stop defaming, name calling and hating those of a different political viewpoint? Will you get back to doing as Jesus commanded us to do and love both thy neighbor and thy enemy?

These last few days there have been many Christians on FB acting very un-Christlike; I would not have known you as one of Christ's followers by your postings and hatred. I saw none of Christ's love for others in how you behaved publicly using social media.

For those that did call names, posted half truths, defamed others and acted in hatred (and I saw this from friends on both the left and the right), I hope you will take this time to reflect, confess unto God and repent. And that from here forward you present yourself and the Gospel message which marks you with more clarity, gentleness, kindness and love.

Calling someone names over politics will NOT help win them into God's kingdom; but loving them will.

God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler