God and Me and Sometimes in Between: Volume 2

By Tombo

Sometimes life seems orderly and full. Other times, it seems confusing and empty. Then there are the times in between, when life is fine but somewhat fuzzy, when we're sure about some things but uncertain about others.

It is during these "in between" times that we need to seek a better connection with God. And in his thought-provoking book, Tombo delivers spiritual insights and encouragement that enable you to do just that.

God and Me and Sometimes in Between is a collection of inspirational messages that focus on God's love and available blessings. The empowering, uplifting, and entertaining test will help you overcome insecurity, loneliness, and doubt and bring more clarity to your life.

You need to trust in God, seek his assistance, and move forward. The more you trust in God and pray for help, the less in-between times you will encounter. When you do, you will know it is only temporary and better and clearer times are ahead of you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9798887515618

Tombo

Tombo is an elementary school teacher. He is an active member of his church and volunteers for his local St. Vincent de Paul Society. He currently resides in Arizona, where he enjoys sports and regularly participates in retreat activities with other members of his church.

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God and Me and Sometimes in Between

Volume 2

Tombo

ISBN 979-8-88751-560-1 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88751-561-8 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Tombo

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

SECTION 1

U. R. UNIQUE

BODY PART/PUZZLE PIECE

CHARACTER TRAITS

DON'T COMPARE

GOD CREATED YOU

GOD HAS CHOSEN ME

LOOKING AT THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

SUPERHERO

THANK YOU FOR GIVING TO THE LORD

YOU ARE ONE OF GOD'S WORKS OF ART!

SECTION 2

GOD'S LOVE FOR US

BLESS US O LORD

BLESSINGS

CALL ON THE LORD

CHILDREN OF GOD

CHRIST GIVES STRENGTH

CLOUDS

COMFORT FROM GOD

GIVING

GOD AND RAINBOWS

GOD BRINGS COLOR INTO YOUR LIFE

GOD IS LIKE A CONVENIENCE STORE

GOD IS LOVE

GOD ON VOICE MAIL?

GOD'S GRACE ALWAYS OUTSHINES OUR SINS

GOD'S CHILD

GOD'S LOVE AND ME

GOD'S LOVE EXPRESSED IN CREATION

GO! GO! GO!

GRACE, SUFFICIENCY AND GOD

HOLY SPIRIT

HOW GREAT THOU ART

I AM HERE

I HAVE LOVED YOU

I AM

I LACK FOR NOTHING IF I AM HIS AND HE IS MINE

IS GOD YOUR FRIEND?

JESUS IS YOUR EVERYTHING

LONGER THAN

MIRACLES

NAILS

NOT YOURS

OUR CREATOR GOD ACTIVE IN OUR DAILY LIVES PROVIDING SUPPORT

PEACE, GOODWILL TOWARD MEN

POURED OUT

PRECIOUS

SEEING LIFE CLEARLY

SIMPLE?

SHUT UP AND DANCE WITH ME

SUCCESS

THANK YOU, LORD

UNLOVED?

WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST

WE ARE THE REASON

WHERE ARE YOU, GOD?

WHERE IS GOD?

WHISPER

WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?

WORRY AND TROUBLES

YOU ARE ALWAYS WITH ME

SECTION 3

PRAYER

ALONE PRAYER

ADVENT

BIBLE READING

EASY PASCHAL MYSTERY

I'M NOT WORTHY

A GATHERING OF GOD'S PEOPLE MEAL PRAYER

NURTURING

OUR FATHER

PRAYER

PRAYER (ACROSTIC POEM)

THE PERFECT PRAYER?

PRAYER—HOW AND WHY

PRAYER AND GOD

PRAYER AND TIME

PRAYER POWER

A PSALM FOR GOD'S PEOPLE TODAY

RESPONSIVE OUR FATHER

SOME THOUGHTS ON PRAYER

WHAT IS YOUR TYPE OF PRAYER?

WE ARE MANY PARTS

YOU TAKE AWAY MY LONELINESS

SECTION 4

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

ALPHABET

THE APPLE NEVER FALLS FAR FROM THE TREE

ARMED AND DANGEROUS

BACK TO NORMAL

BEWARE OF THE GLAMOUR OF EVIL

CAN YOU MOVE MOUNTAINS?

CHANGE

CHILDREN

COME HOLY SPIRIT

COME TO THE TABLE OF LOVE

COMPANIONS ON THE JOURNEY

DEATH, ACCEPTANCE, AND GROWTH

DECISIONS

DEPEND ON GOD

DEVELOP

THE DEVIL'S TOOLS FOR SALE

DINING WITH JESUS

DISTURBING THE COMFORTABLE

DO YOU?

DOERS OF THE WORD

EDUCATION OR LOVE?

FAITH

FEAST OR STARVATION?

FELLOWSHIP

FISHERS OF MEN

FORGIVENESS

FORTRESS

FOUR TO ONE RULE OF LIFE

FRIENDS PROVIDE LIFE AND COLOR IN THE TAPESTRY OF LIFE

FROG LOVE?

GINGERBREAD MAN

GOALS FOR YOURSELF

PRAY, SEEK GOD

GOD AND BUTTONS

GOD AND POSSESSIONS

GOD AND US

GOD CAN'T BE GIVEN A JOB HE CAN'T HANDLE

GOD CAN USE US

GOD FORGETS THE PAST; IMITATE HIM

GOD HAS CHOSEN ME

GOD HAS PROMISED

GOD IS LIKE NUMBER 3

GOD OR MONEY?

GOD VERSUS EVIL

GOD WITHIN US

GOD, THE GOSPEL AND ME

THE GOOD SHEPHERD

A GRAIN OF WHEAT

REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY; GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL

GUIDED BY MERCY AND NOT GUILT

HANDS FOR CHRIST

HAPPY DAY

HOKEY POKEY

HOLY GOD

HOLY SPIRIT INDICATOR

HOLY SPIRIT

HOW SHOULD I ACT?

I ASKED GOD

I WANT TO WALK AS A CHILD OF THE LIGHT

I WILL BE

I WISH I HAD…

IF GOD IS YOUR COPILOT, SWAP SEATS!

IT'S NOW OR NEVER

JESUS CAME NOT TO ERADICATE SUFFERING, BUT TO FILL IT WITH HIS PRESENCE. (PAUL CLAUDEL)

JUST ONE

KEY TO HEAVEN

LIFE

LIGHT, LIFE, PLANTS, AND US

LISTEN

LIVING?

LOOK AT THE BIRDS

LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE RIGHTPLACES, AND YOU'LL FIND GOD!

THE LORD IS MY LIGHT

LOVE EVERLASTING

LOVER/LOSER

LUCKY NUMBERS

MONEY?

MY GOD AND I

MY LIFE

ONE PERFECT DAY

OUR ARMS ARE THE ONLY ONES GOD HAS TO HOLD US

OUR CALL TO LOVE

OUR ROLE

PEACE

PRIORITIES

A PROPHET HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS SOMEONE CALLED BY GOD TO DISTURB THE COMFORTABLE AND TO COMFORT THE DISTURBED

READ MY WORD

REFINERS OF SILVER

RIGHT WHERE WE ARE

RULES FOR BEING HUMAN

SCRIPTURE QUOTES AND LESSONS OF LIFE

THE SAVIOR AND THE DONKEY

SEEING LIFE CLEARLY

RISE AND SHINE

SHORTCOMINGS

SIGN, SIGN—EVERYWHERE A SIGN

SIGNS AND SYMBOLS CAN TELL US A LOT ABOUT LOVE, LIFE, AND GOD

SILENT NIGHT, HOLY NIGHT

SING TO THE MOUNTAINS

SMART?

SONG OF DOUBT AND CONFUSION

SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS

TYME

TELL THE WORLD THAT JESUS LOVES YOU

10 PERCENT

THANK YOU FOR THE PAIN, LORD

THANKFUL

THE LESSON

TIME AND THE SEASONS

TIME

TO BE LIGHT

TREASURES IN HEAVEN

TROUBLES

UNIQUENESS, YOUR ROLE, AND PRAYER

VALUE

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE

WAIT A MINUTE

WE COME TO SHARE OUR STORY

WE DON'T CHANGE THE MESSAGE, THE MESSAGE CHANGES US

WE DON'T NEED CHRISTIANS

WE STAND WITH YOU, WE PRAY FOR YOU, O HOLY CHILD OF GOD

WERE YOU THERE?

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

WHAT KIND OF FARMER ARE YOU?

WHAT KIND OF FOOTPRINTS WILL I LEAVE?

WHEN THINGS LOOK BAD

WHY READ THE BIBLE?

WHY WORRY?

WHY YOU SHOULD READ THE BIBLE

THE WORLD AND I

WORRY, FAITH, LOVE

WOW

WRITE YOUR PLANS IN PENCIL, THEN GIVE GOD THE ERASER

YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD—CALL HOME!

About the Author

SECTION 1

U. R. UNIQUE

You are unique. You are a marvelous creation. You are a one-of-a-kind jewel. There is no one, past or present, who is exactly like you with the same likes, dislikes, feelings, or opinions. God made you to be like no one else. Enjoy and share your God-given gifts and talents with all those people you meet now and in the future.

We have different gifts, according to the grace give us. If a man's gift is prophesizing, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not replay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:6–18)

BODY PART/PUZZLE PIECE

Two, Four, Six, Eight

Who do we appreciate?

You! You! You! You!

Too often we don't appreciate our self-loving creation of a generous God. You are unique. You are a one of a kind, a jewel, something rare and precious.

Instead of thinking of the things you cannot do, look at what you can do. You can be a good listener even though you don't have a ton of money. You can bring a warm smile or gentle hug to someone who is hurting, even though you are not a powerful figure in politics. You can provide advice to a troubled heart even though you have no clout in your town.

God expects you to use the talents you have been given. You have something to offer and should not compare yourself to your neighbor or friend. It takes a variety of abilities to make a vibrant community. No community can be alive with just doctors or just politicians or just business people. A community needs all kinds of people willing to work together to have a society which meets the needs of the people of the community.

Take away your abilities and the community suffers. Refuse to do your part in your own unique way, and some need will go unanswered. If you think someone else will make up for your lack of support to the community, you insure some goal will go unfulfilled. You are important and your involvement will be missed.

You need to realize how important you are. See your gifts and talents as part of a puzzle that creates a community. A puzzle is incomplete when one or more pieces are not there. Take time to enjoy being the puzzle piece you are, uniquely shaped and indispensable to the enjoyment of the whole picture.

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. (Romans 12:4–6)

CHARACTER TRAITS

God has been very generous to us bestowing on us many qualities. We are called to share those qualities with others. We are also called to develop and enhance those talents. God wants us to be wonderful, loving people. So look at your talents, thank God for them, and then see how you can improve upon them. Then examine your neighbors and friends and look for similar traits in them, knowing God has blessed them also with many fine attributes.

Character traits (nouns and adjectives)

able, ambitious, accurate, agile, accepting, adaptable, adventurous, agreeable, alert, angelic, appealing, artistic, athletic, attentive, aware, balanced, basic, beaming, beautiful, believable, believing, benevolent, bouncy, brave, brilliant, bright, busy, calm, clever, cheerful, clean, confident, creative, considerate, cooperative, caring, cool, courageous, curious, dependable, dedicated, determined, devoted, devout, diligent, discrete, dutiful, energetic, entertaining, enthusiastic, economical, effervescent, friendly, faithful, fair, forgiving, fast, funny, gentle, generous, grateful, gracious, helpful, honest, humorous, humble, heroic (hero), interesting, intelligent, informative, instructive, intriguing, joyous, joking, jolly, jogger, jumper, kind, keen, knowledgeable, loyal, loving, leader, lively, loving, madcap, magnetic, melodious, merciful, moral, nice neat, neighborly, noble, organized, original, obliging, observant, patient, peaceful, punctual, persistent, polite, popular, responsible, respectful, risk-taker, reasonable, real, relaxed, resolute, resilient, righteous, sensitive, serious, strong, stout, sporty, smart, sweet, spunky, talented, thoughtful, truthful, trusting, understanding, unusual, unique, valuable, vibrant, versatile, warm, watchful, weaver, willing, whistler, willing, worshiper, young, zestful

DON'T COMPARE

Don't compare yourself to anyone else. Take delight in learning about yourself. God has great things planned for you. Whatever you need God will provide. You need to be concerned only with the will of God and not worry about what people think you should do.

So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Hebrews 13:6)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16)

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:8)

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7)

GOD CREATED YOU

God created the universe. He made us in His own image. Our Lord knows even the hairs on our head so we must be really important not only to Him but also to all His creations. We owe it to God to appreciate the uniqueness that we are. God doesn't make junk. So enjoy who you are-a loving creation of our awesome Lord.

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O Lord, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. (Psalm 36:5–9)

Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100:3–5)

GOD HAS CHOSEN ME

God has chosen me. God has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. God has chosen me to bring to birth a new kingdom on earth.

These words by Bernadette Farrell remind us that God has chosen us for a purpose. We are here to accomplish His goal of helping people to His kingdom. We are to set examples, encourage growth, and champion the downtrodden. We are to be Christ's light to the world. We can accomplish that by using the unique talents God has given us. Ask yourself how you can best demonstrate to the world that God's kingdom is near. Begin today to put a plan into action. Continue to ask God for the courage to meet the challenges you will encounter. Continue to stretch your abilities. Relax and allow God to use you in the manner He chooses.

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put will put their hope. (Isaiah 42:1–4)

LOOKING AT THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Are you exhibiting the gifts of the Holy Spirit? You may be surprised that you are doings things in your daily life which are examples of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Here are some possible ways you are exhibiting those gifts. You may find others that you do that fit in the categories listed below.

LOVE

I have used my gifts and talents to help others.

JOY

My neighbor's good fortune was a good reason to celebrate.

PEACE

I remained calm during the accident knowing that God would help me through this experience.

FAITHFULNESS

I have eagerly participated in the mass including being a reader of the Gospel. I have worked diligently in the ministries I am involved with at my church.

GENTLENESS

Others have received my respect when expressing their ideas. I have been careful to avoid bruising their egos.

SELF-CONTROL

I have bitten my tongue instead of giving a sarcastic response to my coworker with whom I have difficulty working.

PATIENCE

I have helped my child learn his multiplication tables by practicing with them for three weeks.

KINDNESS

Nursing home residents have experienced my friendly ear several times this month.

GOODNESS

I have set aside money I would have spent on my favorite sport to give to the poor.

Continue to work on your gifts and talents and share them with the people in your community. Are there any Gifts of the Spirit you can improve upon? Where, with God's grace and guidance, can you be more involved? How will you add to the above list?

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

SUPERHERO

Wouldn't it be fun to be Superman, Batman, Supergirl, or Wonder Woman? Think of all the adventures you would have saving the world. You would be busy fighting crime day in and day out, 24-7. You would have job security to the nth degree.

People would look up to you. Newspapers would glorify your name. Facebook, Twitter, and all the medias would be telling of your exploits and good deeds. Your picture and name would be everywhere. Yet you would have your private life as an unassuming average citizen. What joy, what bliss, what a rush!

Your self-worth would be high. Your image in the mirror would cause you to smile. You'd know you are a positive influence in the lives of others.

The truth is you are called to be a superhero. You are called to be you. God has made you and you belong to him. You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb. I praise you, so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works! (Psalm 140:13, 14).

God has instilled in you traits which are unique, only you possess. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness (Romans 12:6–8). God has designed you to use your talents to make the world a better place which sounds like what a superhero does.

Will you leap off tall buildings? Hopefully not. Will you stop speeding bullets with your bare hands? Not this day nor the next. Will you fly to the latest crisis? No, your car or public transportation will have to be your mode of travel.

Your superhero modus operandi is to be yourself in all your God-given ways. You are to show your compassion to others, being a helping hand to your relatives and friends often during the year. Providing a shoulder to cry on and a gentle ear to talk to will be an immense help when people try to deal with deaths of loved ones or a calamity in the family or community. Your reassurance and assistance will aid people in coping with their situations. Your presence will be sought after and needed.

Your thoughts and prayers, both verbal and written, can soothe frayed nerves. People will appreciate your attentiveness and thoughtfulness. Your kindness will help them deal with the situation and provide a cushion when most needed. Life for them will be more tolerable all because of your simple, but heartfelt actions.

Your smiles, greetings, well wishes and prayers will be part of your super powers which you can eagerly share with those whom you come in contact with during your day. They are small gestures with huge dividends to those on the receiving end of them. They make a difference in the lives of people.

Superheroes sometimes make mistakes. So will you. But the heroes usually overcome their errors with determination and resourcefulness. They are successful because they don't give up, they continue to apply their skills and eventually the situation is resolved in a positive manner. When you make a mistake, ask for forgiveness and seek God's help and guidance. Learn from your errors and resolve to do better in the future. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).

Will you get tired and frustrated in your mission to be assistance to those in need? Absolutely! You can recharge your battery by calling on God to sustain and encourage you. Even when we are too weak to have any faith left, he remains faithful to us and will help us, for he cannot disown us who are part of himself, and he will always carry out his promises to us. I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power (2 Timothy 2:13; Philippians 4:13). With God's love and grace, you will have new energy and purpose which you can apply to assisting others.

Superheroes are born with the powers they use to the betterment of others. You are born with unique traits just like them. God has been generous in his designing of your being, lavishing you with his great love. He has provided you with many gifts, which when used properly, can support and encourage others when they need it most. You can be instrumental in the well-being of friends, neighbors, loved ones and even strangers. Your super powers will go a long way in making the world a better place to live and work.

When you get up today, look in the mirror. Adjust your hair and superhero cape. Resolve to be the best you (superhero) you can be just for this day. Ask God for all the grace you need to apply your skills in making the day better for all those to whom you come in contact. Pray to be open to your opportunities to help others. Pray for guidance, pray for patience, and pray for yourself and others. I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:1, 2).

THANK YOU FOR GIVING TO THE LORD

Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed. Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am so glad you gave. These words from the song Thank You by Ray Boltz remind us not to get discouraged. When we pray for someone, give guidance, provide assistance, or help someone out in some way, we hope that the person will make an improvement in their life. Too often we don't see that change. We don't see the fruits of our efforts and that creates frustration. We think that our actions make no difference in the life of the people we are concerned about.

We must remember that change is not due to us, but rather from God working through us. We have no power to change anyone. We merely are a tool (like a bamboo stalk used to irrigate a field). We provide the effort (bamboo stalk) and God creates change (growth through irrigation). Even if our help doesn't seem to provide the means to change, the effort is not wasted. God will decide if, when, and where change occurs.

The person we are worried about has a free will. He or she