Jim Branch

The Blue Book is finally available on Amazon! Tell your friends.

“There are very few people who realize what God would make of them if they abandoned themselves into his hands, and let themselves be formed by his grace.” ~Saint Ignatius

We can live our lives in fear and anger or we can live them in joy and gratitude. It’s a choice. The world is filled with amazingly wonderful people. If we stop ranting and raging and blaming for a second we might actually meet some of them. Or, better yet, become one of them.

Heart, be not proud. Eyes, be not arrogant. Ego, be not concerned with being great or doing great things. Be stilled and quieted, my Soul, like a weaned child in its mother’s loving embrace—peaceful, content, secure, at rest. Put your hope in the Lord, O man, today and everyday

“There are very few people who realize what God would make of them if they abandoned themselves into his hands, and let themselves be formed by his grace.” ~Saint Ignatius

“Don’t be afraid; just believe.” ~Jesus (Mark 5:36)

Come, O Light! Shine in our darkness!

Signing off on X for a while. Blessings to all.

“The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Ps. 46:7, 11) “God of Jacob” is a reminder of His deep, personal, and loving faithfulness to his people. Thus, my flaws, struggles, and imperfections do not define me—God’s unfailing love does.

“You are my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.” (Mt. 3:17, MSG) God’s words to Jesus are his words to us as well. May we live our lives out of that reality.

“God said ‘Let there be light’ and there was light. This very day the Lord has acted. May God‘s name be praised.”

“For all that has been—Thanks. For all that shall be—Yes.” ~ Dag Hammarskjöld

“Make yourself nothing, just like I did.” ~ Jesus Philippians 2:5-8

“Neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins and both are preserved.” (Mt 9:17) Wise words for the New Year. What does this look like for me?

A New Year’s prayer: “No more me, only Thee.”

“Be loved, be free, be yourself, be mine.” #Jesus

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” In other words, if God is not all we need, it will be impossible to love. We will constantly be trying to extort love out of others. O Lord, be all I need, so that I can truly love.

‘Tis the season when we celebrate the gift of Jesus. Receive him and enjoy him today.

“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” It won’t be long now.

The Annunciation reminds us that life with God is not about getting attention, but about disappearing. Getting lost in the magnificence of his love.