S&F-Confessions of a Cradle Catholic I: Music
I was born an raised as a Catholic. Even times when I wasn’t active in the church, I still saw being a Catholic as a big part of my life. And part of being...
From the Desk of Joe Cool
S&F-I Want God to Be Pleased in Me
It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open...
S&F-Not Jesus’s Time, Not Ours Either
When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which...
S&F-My Story is Being Written
I have been a very quiet over the past few weeks on my “Shephard and Friend” posts here. Don’t worry, I haven’t had any issues with my faith nor my relationship with God. We...
3/24/25-The Inconvenience of Cancer
I heard an interview with a couple dealing with terminal brain cancer and they described part of living with cancer is realizing that you have a new normal. Rather than thinking of suffering through...
3/15/25-Did You Miss Me?
It has been a couple of weeks since I posted here. Did you miss me? Probably not. I am doing well but I made a conscious decision to take some time away from the...
3/2/25-Its Time for a Change
I try to resist being political in my posts. In today’s world political discussion is less of a discussion and more of a method of separation of people. Everyone is divided on their views...
S&F-The Basics of My Faith
I have been a Catholic all my life. That doesn’t mean that I have gone through different phases in my journey with and for Christ. As a “Cradle Catholic” I attended Church and went...
S&F-The Privilege of Suffering
There is a lot of suffering in the world. I don’t think anyone can dispute that. Dealing with physical pain or emotional distress is part of our life in this world. No one wants...
2/22/25-Cancer (and Life) Update
I realized I haven’t posted in about a while. I promise to get back on track. I thought today would be a good time to just put a little update on how I’m doing...