Regret Not, Fret Not, Live Now

By Craig Kappel

How would you like to read and meditate on a book that was designed to inspire you to live fully in the present. A book that reinforces faith, hope, and love from a Catholic and Christian perspective. A perspective that is inebriated with sacramental life and God's covenant arrangements. A book that regards life like it a bold adventure. A book that is filled with promise and hope, and supports and encourages you all the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 6, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503548695

Craig Kappel

I was baptized and raised a Catholic. I went to parochial schools. After graduation from high school in l970, I got mixed up with drugs and then a cult. For five years I became a Bible thumper. Then I had a nervous breakdown. Things no longer felt right. Something was missing. After periods of time out from the world in hospital settings, I had started to attend Mass again. Slowly I was recovering from a terrible trauma. I had delusions, rapid mood changes, identity problems, and a lot of confusion and anxiety. I went back to college and graduated with a degree in University Studies. I took classes in the Social Sciences, Philosophy, Religion, English, Communications, and Music.

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Copyright © 2015 by Craig Kappel.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Scripture quotations taken from the Revised English Bible, copyright © Cambridge University Press and Oxford University Press 1989. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Rev. date: 04/13/2015

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CONTENTS

Preface And Brief Biography

Moving Ahead

The Lesson Of Jonah

The Lesson Of Lot’s Wife

Getting A Grip On Our Purpose

Our Inner Environment

Who Is In Charge?

Powerful Possibilities

The Battlefield Of Life

The Patience Of Joseph And The Triumph Of Prayer, Persistence, And Perseverance

Covenants And Oaths

Some Initial Covenants With Man

The New Covenant And The Breaking Of The Bread

The New Covenant And The

Forgiveness Of Sins

Courage And Faith

God’s Grace Equals Strength

God Knows Our Hearts

God’s Word Is Affective

Faithfully Trusting And Waiting In God’s Power

David’s Faith Overpowers Goliath

Elijah’s Faith Makes Fire And Rain

Relying On God’s Promises

God’s Image Vs Personal Image

The Path Of Love

The Pure Intentions Of A Faithful Heart

The Courage To Do God’s Will

On Fear And Anxiety

Pity And Compassion

Simple Faith

Seeds Of Faith

God’s Will Extinguishes Our Fears

The Signs Of Jesus

The Light Of The World

Perplexity And Haziness

On Sin And Reconciliation

On Healing Our Wounds

Life Is Not Always Fair

The Cross Of Suffering

The New Covenant And Law

On Proper Thinking

New Covenant Is Written On The Heart

Early Church Baptism

The Law Of Stone And Its Fickle Followers

The Covenant With Abraham

Circumcision As A Sign Of The Covenant

The Birth Of Israel And The Promise

Faith And Endurance

Back To The

Israelites And Joshua

Our Personal Detours

King David’s Sin

A Psalm: For David

The Law And The New Covenant Revisited

The Power Of Supplication

Keep On Knocking

Trust And Patience

Having Simple Faith In God’s Will

Judging Our Associations

Where You Go I Will Go

Consolation

Love Has No Fear

Expectations

Sharing Our Gifts And Talents

We Are The Branches Of The Vine And Living Stones

On Mercy And Forgiveness

We The Lost Sheep

Heroes Of Israel’s Past

Praise And Thanksgiving

Songs Of Thanksgiving

Praise The Lord Psalms

Fighting The Battle And Finishing The Race

You

Desiderata

PREFACE AND BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

H ow would you like to read and meditate on a book that was designed to inspire you to live fully in the present. A book that reinforces faith, hope, and love from a Catholic and Christian perspective. A perspective that is inebriated with sacramental life and God’s covenant arrangements. A book that regards life like it a bold adventure. A book that is filled with promise and hope, and supports and encourages you all the way.

I was baptized and raised a Catholic. I went to parochial schools. After graduation from high school in l970, I got mixed up with drugs and then a cult. For five years I became a Bible thumper. Then I had a nervous breakdown. Things no longer felt right. Something was missing. After periods of time out from the world in hospital settings, I had started to attend Mass again. Slowly I was recovering from a terrible trauma. I had delusions, rapid mood changes, identity problems, and a lot of confusion and anxiety. I went back to college and graduated with a degree in University Studies. I took classes in the Social Sciences, Philosophy, Religion, English, Communications, and Music.

A few years ago I decided to write a book—a Bible based book dealing with anxiety and regret—and how to deal with it and alleviate it from a Biblical perspective. I went to work on Regret Not, Fret Not, Live Now. The book’s entire impetus is designed to keep one in the present and to teach and emphasize our need to rely and depend on God for support and deliverance from the trappings and snares of life’s difficult situations and circumstances. It’s an uplifting book that takes one on a journey through Bible-based principles and guidance that helps one cope with our problems and anxieties. One is confronted with oneself in an intimate, gentle, and supportive way. God’s ways surround one in such a way as to lift one from the quagmire of life’s trials and difficulties. You will be poised to climb the mountains of life. It is basically a Biblically-based pep talk (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Biblical perspective is linked to every topic with reinforcing Bible texts that are unified and organized to support that specific topic. The design is such that it will help release one from any web one may be entangled in. Momentum is built because the reading is easy and captivating. It wraps around and grips one’s soul. I promise that the experience of reading and meditating on the material of this book is highly engaging and edifying. One realizes a revived thirst and longing for God and you will desire more and more.

As you read, please pause often and meditate on the spiritual inspirations that you encounter. Try to ponder and read slowly. Limit your reading to just a few pages a day. Be sure to have your Bible handy as there are scriptures for you to look up. To aid you, I have quoted most of the scriptural references. Let God’s healing words and the sentiments I add seep into your soul. We need to drink slowly so that the force of God’s word is felt and appreciated.

Thank you for considering my book. I hope that my experiences, linked with a Biblical and Church perspective, will inspire a vigorous hope and encourage an increased vitality in you to enable you to live life to the fullest.

Most of the Scripture References in this book are from The Revised English Bible with the Apocrypha, unless otherwise noted.¹

MOVING AHEAD

"M y friends, I do not claim to have hold of it yet. What I do say is this: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what lies ahead, I press towards the finishing line, to win the heavenly prize to which God has called me in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13-14).

We are not called to just live this life. We are called to the glory of eternal life. This life is our avenue to eternal life. The apostle Paul realized and appreciated this fact: From Paul, servant of Christ Jesus, called by God to be an apostle and set apart for the service of His gospel (Rom. 1:1)—and again: "… including you who have heard the call and belong to Jesus Christ" (Rom. 1:6):

+ For God did not make death, and takes no pleasure in the destruction of any living thing; He created all things that they might have being. The creative forces of the world make for life; there is no deadly poison in them. Death has no sovereignty on earth, for justice is immortal … (Wis. 1:13-15a).

+ He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There shall be an end to death, and to mourning and crying and pain, for the old order has passed away" (Rev. 21:4)!

The problem we have is that we get stuck at times dealing with the affairs of this life and forget that we are ALREADY on the road to eternal life. We are not to be preoccupied with the affairs of this world. We are to be focused and to keep our eyes on the prize: "Were you not raised to life with Christ? Then aspire to the realm above, where Christ is, seated at God’s right hand, and fix your thoughts on that higher realm, not on this earthly life. You died; and now your life lies hidden with Christ in God, when Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you too will be revealed with Him in glory" (Col. 3:1-3):

+ Eternal Life is not only something that Christians hope for and expect in the future. It is also something that they actually possess in seed-form in the present.²

+ Then comes the end, when He delivers up the Kingdom to God the Father, after deposing every sovereignty, authority, and power. For He is destined to reign until God has put all enemies under His feet; and the last enemy to be deposed is death (1 Cor. 15:24-26).

Paul explained the frustration of the spiritual battle we have in our struggle to do God’s will. He gives credit to God for the victory in this ongoing battle: Wretched creature that I am, who is there to rescue me from this state of death? Who but God? Thanks be to Him through Jesus Christ our Lord! To sum up then: left to myself I serve God’s law with my mind, but with my unspiritual nature I serve the law of sin (Rom. 7:24-25):

+ Psalm Chapter 144: God Helps Us With The Battle Of Life Towards Victory And Happiness]

So, we sin and make mistakes. We are fallible. We can get into real difficult and treacherous circumstances at times which can cause us to be spinning our wheels. Adversity and trials can lead to ruts and we can become scarred in our walk with Jesus. We then stagnate and stop moving forward the way we would like to. We have become frustrated. And the frustration leads to consternation and regret, and sometimes, even despair.

Regret is a poison that robs one of much joy. Regret is basically remorse over past thoughts, words, and actions. It is being caught up and obsessing over the what ifs of our life experiences:

+ Stop dwelling on past events and brooding over days gone by. I am about to do something new; this moment it will unfold. Can you not perceive it? Even through the wilderness I shall make a way, and paths in the barren desert (Isa. 43:18-19).

God is there for our mistakes. He provides us with the grace to overcome and conquer our obstacles on our eternal way. We just sometimes don’t notice it. And sometimes we don’t do anything about it. We pout with anxiety—we worry. And this is exactly what God wants to free us from. "… Do not be anxious, but in EVERYTHING make your request known to God in prayer and petition with thanksgiving. Then the peace of God, which is beyond all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6):

+ Always be joyful; pray continually; give thanks whatever happens; for this is what God wills for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thess. 5:16-18).

+ Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: Rejoice (Phil. 4:4; New American Bible)!

+ The Lord has eyes for the righteous, and ears open to their prayers … (1 Pet. 3:12a).

+ To you I shall bring a thank-offering and call on the Lord by name (Ps. 116:17).

+ It is good to give thanks to the Lord, for His love endures forever… (1 Chron. 16:34 +).

+ Guard your heart more than anything you treasure, for it is the source of all life (Prov. 4:23).

God wants for us to have peace of mind. Even in the midst of our trials and temptations: "So far you have faced no trial beyond human endurance: God keeps faith and will not let you be tested beyond your powers, but when the test comes He will at the same time provide a way out and so enable you to endure" (1 Cor. 10:13).

The folly of life is that we keep making mistakes and sometimes we repeat the same mistakes. The glory of life is that God can turn each and every mistake into a blessing and a success if we let Him. We have to choose His mercy for our mistakes, His love for us, and His concern and compassion for our predicaments. We can choose to have hope in His loving providence and the promises that He made to us: "In this way He has given us His promises, great beyond all price, so that through them you may escape the corruption with which lust has infected the world, and may come to share in the very being of God" (2 Pet. 1:4):

+ Providence is the care God takes of all existing things (St. John Damascene). Entrust the past to God’s mercy, the present to His love, and the future to His Providence.³

+ Let us strive to make the present moment beautiful. Let us especially regret the smallest amount of time that we waste or fail to use in loving God.⁴

+ You no longer have the time that is past. Nor are you sure of the time that is to come. Hence, all you do have is this present point in time and nothing more (St. Catherine of Siena).

PRAYER: Timeless Lord, teach me to be grateful for every moment of time that You allot to me. Grant that I may always make the best use of my time.⁵

+ I have dearly loved you from of old, and still I maintain my unfailing care for you (Jer. 31:3b).

The choice on our part also requires effort on our part, and a reliance on God’s grace. "With all this in view, you should make every effort to add virtue to your faith, knowledge to virtue, self-control to knowledge, fortitude to self-control, piety to fortitude, brotherly affection to piety, and love to brotherly affection" (2 Pet. 1:5-7).

To be victorious in the Christian way is to reach the pinnacle of love to which we were called and to endure to the end. This is an endurance race and not a sprint. So we need to pace ourselves for the long haul. A slow, steady, deliberate pace is preferred over a hurried, hectic, frantic pace. The apostle Paul is one who paced himself properly. He kept his eye on the prize and pressed forward with steadiness, prudence, and moderation—and the gifts of the spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.⁶ Because he endured to the end, he was able to rejoice and exclaim:

+ As for me, my life is already being poured out on the altar, and the hour for my departure is upon me. I have run the great race, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. And now there awaits me the garland of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on the great day, and not to me alone, but to all who have set their hearts on His coming appearance (2 Tim. 4:6-8).

+ At the games, as you know, all the runners take part, though only one wins the prize. You also must run to win. Every athlete goes into strict training. They do it to win a fading garland; we, to win a garland that never fades. For my part, I am no aimless runner; I am not a boxer who beats the air. I do not spare my body, but bring it under strict control, for fear that after preaching to others I should find myself disqualified (1 Cor. 9:24-27).

+ Take your share of hardship, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. A soldier on active service must not let himself be involved in the affairs of everyday life if he is to give satisfaction to his commanding officer. Again, no athlete wins a prize unless he abides by the rules (2 Tim. 2:3-5).

We need to work with God. His grace is contingent on our efforts. When He sees us trying, He will make success of our attempts to please Him. Ours is the effort, His is the success. When we feel defeated, we need to turn to Him in prayer and resolve, and He’ll turn our failures into successes. We need to approach Him with our difficulties and all our concerns. He is always there for us. …when they return back to Him, He will respond to their prayers and heal them (Isa. 19:22). He will forgive those mistakes of ours and all of our sins: I have swept away your transgressions like mist, and your sins are dispersed like clouds; turn back to me for I have redeemed you (Isa. 44:22). He is always prepared and willing to offer us new beginnings.

God is faithful and will deliver us from our entanglements despite our repeated failings, blunderings, foolish meanderings, and repeated mistakes. Every day we make some new mistakes and at times we get distracted by our old mistakes from the past. It seems that we are easily caught up in worrying or working on our mistakes somehow. Correcting our mistakes can be beneficial for us. But, if we become overly obsessive about our failings, and don’t forgive ourselves, as God does, we can incur additional harm upon ourselves. Sometimes we want to run away from our troubles or obligations, and sometimes we do. When we reconcile ourselves with God—He will work to readjust us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. He will also help establish us in good relationships—and help us manage our work and finances.

+ PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me to organize my time and manage my schedule according to your priorities and according to your will for me— Thank You.

THE LESSON OF JONAH

J onah was human like us. God had asked him to Go to the great city of Nineveh; go and denounce it, for I am confronted by its wickedness (Jonah 1:2). But what did Jonah do. He tried to escape the Lord and went off into a different direction. He got onto a ship and later the sea grew turbulent and the ship’s crew was afraid it might sink. They knew Jonah might be responsible for this because he was trying to escape his responsibility to God. So he offered to be thrown overboard, and he was. The sea grew calm and the sailors sacrificed and made vows to Jonah’s God. Meanwhile, God caused Jonah to be swallowed by a whale where he remained for three days and three nights.

Finally Jonah came to his senses. In my distress I called to the Lord and He answered me; from deep within Sheol I cried for help, and you heard my voice. You cast me into the depths, into the heart of the ocean, and the flood closed around me; all your surging waves swept over me. I thought I was banished from your sight and should never again look towards your holy temple. … But you brought me up, Lord my God, alive from the pit. As my senses failed I remembered the Lord, and my prayer reached you in your holy temple. Jonah then promised to fulfill his vows to the Lord (Jonah 2).

Even after he preached to the people of Nineveh and they all repented in sackcloth and ashes, Jonah still had a lesson to learn. He grew angry because he really didn’t think he was needed for this duty. God could have done it Himself. But God, through the illustration of a gourd, which He used to comfort Jonah, and which He later took away; demonstrated to Jonah the significance of our relationship with God and other humans; and our duty and responsibility towards them and towards God … and that what we do or don’t do … our actions create a consequence. We matter. We can make a difference. In cooperation with God’s will, we form a partnership with God and are made instruments of Him to His glory and honor (Jonah 3 and 4):

+ No one who sets his hand to the plough and then looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God (Luke 9:62).

+ REFLECTION: On earth we are wayfarers, always on the go. This means that we have to keep on moving forward. Therefore be always unhappy about what you are if you want to reach what you are not.

If you are pleased with what you are, you have stopped already. If you say; It is enough, you are lost. Keep on walking, moving forward; trying for the goal. Don’t try to stop on the way, or to go back, or to deviate from it (Sermon 169, 18).

PRAYER: Lord, guard us from all danger and carry us to Yourself. And You will be our strong support from childhood to old age; for when our strength is Yours, we are strong (Confessions 4, 16).⁷

THE LESSON OF LOT’S WIFE

T he story of Lot and his family is another good example for us about the necessity of moving forward and forgetting the things behind. The Lord said, ‘How great is the outcry over Sodom and Gomorrah’ (Gen.18:20)! He sent His angels there to check out the situation. The wickedness was terrible indeed. God planned to destroy both Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham said, ‘May I make so bold as to speak to the Lord, I am nothing but dust and ashes’ (Gen. 18:27). So, Abraham intervened in behalf of the two cities.

God sent two angels there to see if there were any righteous there. Lot met them at the gate of Sodom and invited them to his house. While there they were surrounded by the whole town. The people of the town wanted to defile the angels of the Lord. The angels closed the door to Lot’s house and struck the residents blind. Then the angels talked to Lot’s family and urged them to leave the town at dawn because God was going to destroy the city. The son’s in law refused to go. But, Lot and his wife and two daughters decided to go with the angels.

After they had brought them out (of the city), one said, ‘Flee for your lives! Do not look back or stop anywhere in the plain. Flee to the hills or you will be destroyed’. ‘Lot replied, ‘No, sirs! You have shown your servant favor, and even more by your unfailing care you have saved my life, but I cannot escape to the hills; I shall be overtaken by the disaster, and die. Look, here is a town only a small place near enough for me to get to quickly. Let me escape to this small place and save my life.’

Lot was allowed to go to that place by the angels. The place was then called Zoar. The sun had risen over the land as Lot entered Zoar, and the Lord rained down fire and brimstone from the skies on Sodom and Gomorrah. He overthrew those cities and destroyed all the plain, with everyone living there and everything growing in the ground. BUT Lot’s wife LOOKED BACK, and she turned into a pillar of salt (Gen. 19:1-26).

Thus it was, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, He took thought for Abraham by rescuing Lot from the total destruction of the cities where He had been living (Gen. 19:29):

+ Luke 17:26-37: [The Days Of Noah And Lot Typified]

+ PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I know you always got up after a fall with your cross. Help me please to imitate your example and encourage me to always get up and move forward with the help of your grace and mercy. Thank you.

GETTING A GRIP ON OUR PURPOSE

I alone know my purpose for you, says the Lord: well-being and not misfortune, and a long line of descendants after you. If you invoke me and come and pray to me, I shall listen to you: when you seek me, you will find me; if you search wholeheartedly, I shall let you find me, says the Lord. I shall restore your fortunes … (Jer. 29:11-14).

The glory of our present human circumstances does not exist in our being perfect, but exists within the context of our imperfection. We are constructed in a way to be able to strive against the odds. It is this striving that makes life a bold adventure and builds our character. We are as if born to climb mountains, ford rivers, and survive