GOSPEL READING: Matthew 14:22-33

Sunday August 9, 2026

Jesus Walks on the Water

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

PERSONAL REFLECTION:

There is an image in the Gospel that strikes us - that of Peter sinking and crying out, 'Lord, save me!'

Notice that Peter began to sink when he 'noticed the strong wind' and became frightened.

At first, when Jesus said to him, 'Come', and he got out of the boat, he started to walk on water. He was going to Jesus. His focus was on Jesus. 

But when he shifted his focus from Jesus to the wind and the waves, that is when fear and doubt came over him. That is when he began to sink.

Are we not like Peter?  Focused at first on Jesus. Our gaze is fixed on Him despite the 'storms' in our life. 

But when we lose our focus on Jesus, that is when the storms become bigger and more frightening. That is when fear and doubt overwhelm us. Despite the fact that Jesus is still there with us. 

He is always with us and will never abandon us.

It is only when we cry out, 'Lord, save me!' that Jesus catches us from entirely sinking. 

But if we continue to struggle, even with all our might and will, we cannot escape the power of the storm. It is only when we surrender to Jesus that we are able to rise up from the waves.

In our journey of faith, let us always remember that Jesus is always with us and will never abandon us. In the storms of life, however desperate and overwhelming it may be, let us always fix our gaze on Jesus for He has dominion over all in this earth, including any storm that may pass. And whenever we begin to be distracted and start to sink, let us cry out to Him 'Lord, save me!',  and totally surrender our will to Him; and we will be raised up by His mercy and grace.  --ZBT--

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 17:1-9

Thursday August 6, 2026

The Transfiguration

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

PERSONAL REFLECTION:

The Transfiguration of Jesus gives us a glimpse of what may lie before us beyond this earthly life. 

It gives us hope.

It gives us a prelude of Christ's Resurrection... of life beyond death... of victory over death. 

It shows a state that transcends space and time as we know it, for He was talking with Elijah and Moses. A state that is not confined nor limited by space and time. A state that is divine.

We are invited by Jesus to be with Him in this state. To be in the Kingdom of God. 

To be with Him means to follow Him... to be His disciple. It means to carry our cross, surrender our will, and crucify our ego for the greater glory of God. 

Until we do this and totally commit to follow Him, we will never be truly at peace. Our heart will remain restless. 

Only in Jesus do we find rest, happiness, and peace.  

May we focus our life in following Jesus. May we surrender our will to the Father, and obey His will for us. May we willingly carry our cross and crucify our ego, that we may be transformed by God's love and mercy. --ZBT--

How to frame a sales pitch. 

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/194AvUor4B/

"Good Men Are Not Hard To Find - They Are Hard To Seduce"

There is a common misconception floating around that good men are scarce and elusive creatures that have vanished into thin air. But here's the truth - good men aren't hard to find. They simply aren’t easily captivated by the surface-level charms that many focus on displaying.

A man of substance does not base his choice on passing attractions. He seeks depth, character, someone who aligns with his values and vision. If you’ve been struggling to get the attention of a genuinely good man, it might be time to change your strategy.

What doesn't work:

Tight-fitting clothes and revealing clothes: Yes, these may catch the eye of many, but a good man seeks more than what is on the surface. He seeks a deeper connection than the appearances.

Social media drama: posting exaggerated rants or super select selfies may draw likes, but it won't inspire genuine respect or interest.

Materialism over meaning: flaunting love for luxury or designer labels doesn't impress someone grounded in values.

What works:

1. Character over cleavage: A good man pays attention to how you treat others, your humility and your kindness. A compassionate heart leaves a lasting impression

2. Brains Over Beauty: Intelligence is not about degrees or vocabulary; it's about curiosity, wisdom, and the ability to hold meaningful conversations. Stimulate his mind and you'll gain his admiration.

3. Values over vanity: A man of substance admires a woman with clear values and purpose. Show him your love for growth, your commitment to your faith, or your dedication to something greater than yourself.

4. Consistency over chaos: stability without drama is a magnet for good men. They're looking for someone who can handle life's challenges with grace, not someone who constantly invites unnecessary turbulence.

5. Confidence over Conformity: Be Unapologetically You. A good man respects a woman who knows her worth and isn't afraid to be alone when necessary.

The secret to getting a good man:

A good man doesn't need you to change who you are; he needs you to be who you are - authentically, unapologetically, and with integrity.

He’s not looking for perfection, but someone who complements his own journey, someone with shared values and goals. He realizes the silent strength behind your actions, the way you talk to others and how you carry yourself through the ups and downs of life.

So, if you're striving for a meaningful connection, focus less on fleeting external traits and more on cultivating the qualities that define your inner self. Let your actions, intellect and values speak louder than your clothes or social media.

Be more strategic than pretty. Because when a good man finally notices you, he'll cherish every aspect of who you are — inside and out.

Faith and Goals

"LORD, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today." GENESIS 24:12 NIV

G enesis 24 tells a wonderful story of how faith and goals oper- ate together. Abraham told his servant Eliezer to go into the land of his family to find the right wife for his son, Isaac. The serv- ant knew exactly what he needed to do, but he also knew that he could not make the right choice in his own wisdom. So before he went any farther, Eliezer prayed for God to establish an action plan and grant him success. He then trusted the Lord for his mission. It wasn't very long before he arrived back home with Rebekah by his side.

The real satisfaction of Eliezer's adventure, and of yours as well, exists in seeing the Lord at work in the details of life-the different parts come together in a manner that cannot be explained by any- thing but His divine guidance. Do you desire to experience God's direction in this way? He wants to show you what to do. So don't allow another day to pass without seeking His plan for tomorrow and trusting Him to guide your feet along the path. It is never too late to enjoy the awesome leadership of the God who loves you and who has a perfect plan for you.

Jesus, I want to know Your plan and walk in it successfully. Please guide me, my Savior. Amen.