ACT Ministries Blog

Absorbing God’s Word

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” – 1 Peter 3:8

Applying God’s Word

In the summer of 1987 my friends, who managed a local retreat center, asked for my help replacing 100+ mattresses and box springs at the center.

When I arrived, I was introduced to and paired up with Francis. We shook hands and went to work. As we worked, I tried to engage Francis in conversation, but he just nodded and smiled. When we finally stopped for lunch, Reverend Francis Dorff broke his silence saying, “I’m sorry for not speaking. This is my first day back in the outside world. I’ve been cloistered in silence for the last seven years.”

It was a humbling experience, but I’ll never forget how kind, understanding and compassionate Rev. Fran was with me. He gave me one of his published books titled “The Art of Passing Over”. I’ve read and referenced that book multiple times. Reverend Fran passed away in 2017 at age 82, after a fulfilling life of teaching contemplative prayer.

Accounting of God’s Word

How many times have I been silenced by the holiness of others? 

Absorbing God’s Word

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing.” Hebrews 10:24-25

Applying God’s Word

Last week our entire family went on a long awaited vacation to Oahu, Hawaii. It was planned originally in August of 2014, but cancelled due to my late wife Joanne’s sudden death.

The vacation was wonderful for a number of reasons, but one of the highlights was our attendance at St. Rita Church last Sunday. This is a tiny church nestled in the middle of a small town named Nanakuli (population 12,000). It’s Pastored by Rev. Paulo Kosaka and supported by a congregation of loving people.

After finding a seat, we were welcomed by smiling parishioners who placed shell leis around our necks. We experienced the presence of God in the warmth of hospitality, through the worship songs sung in beautiful Hawaiian melody and in the joy-filled sermon from the Pastor.

Accounting of God’s Word

Do I make an attempt to attend church when I’m in another city/town? Is my church at home, hospitable?

Absorbing God’s Word

^“Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15

Applying God’s Word

This scripture makes each of  us look in the mirror and ask, “Does my life consist of an abundance of possessions?” That question challenges me to a deeper personal reflection about how/what God is calling me to share in the days to come.  

The next convicting question that comes to me is, “Am I a good steward and generous with all that God has given me?” I’m trying to be. I’m not wealthy in comparison to those who are, but I am wealthy in the eyes of many who are poor. In 2015, I gave away almost every possession I had acquired over forty-five years and started over.

I’m still working at age 78. God continues to use my time, talent, money and possessions for His work. Some days, I’m really good at it and other days I’m not.  

Accounting of God’s Word

Am I greedy? Am I working for God or for myself?

Absorbing God’s Word

“At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.” 2 Timothy 4:16

Applying God’s Word

Like most of you, I’ve had numerous seasons of loneliness throughout my life. That said, God has usually blessed me with an acquaintance or two, which helped ward off a deeper darkness associated with feeling all alone. I don’t think I was ever really deserted, but that was my perception, especially in high school. I was so consumed with self-pity that I didn’t realize the “popular” kids my age had no idea how I felt.

I was really moved by the incredible maturity of a high school senior named Molly Shafer from Waunakee High School in Wisconsin. It’s a 2 minute video clip about the distance Molly experienced between herself and her unaware classmates. It clearly demonstrates how small acts of kindness can produce buckets full of love and acceptance.

Accounting of God’s Word

What action do I take when I experience a deeper darkness associated with feeling all alone? Do I reach out to others?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”   2 Corinthians 9:7

Applying God’s Word

I haven’t always been a cheerful giver. In fact, I use to measure out my giving and tithe exactly 10%. Then Jesus moved into all the areas of my life, which included my finances. He’s become my Chief Financial Officer. It’s exciting to say the least, but very SCARY!

Recently, a restaurant server we know shared that his boss cut everyone’s hours. This man is married with five children. He asked if we had any odd jobs at our house that he could do to make extra money. That next Saturday, he worked three hours doing the things we needed done around our house. When I asked, “What do we owe you?” He said, “Whatever’s fair.” God put it on our hearts to pay him three times more than what he would have made per hour as a server.

Accounting of God’s Word

Is God my Chief Financial Officer? Am I a cheerful giver?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.” Psalm 128:3

Applying God’s Word

In February of 2012, my friend Mark Valencia, made a CIC/WorkLight weekend with me. Mark, a faithful Christian man is married to a faithful Christian woman named, Eva. They are parents of four wonderful children, Luke, Grace, Faith and Michael. Eva is pregnant again with a little girl and they have named her, Mary. Unfortunately, Eva has been diagnosed with life threatening complications for both herself and baby Mary.

This is a couple who loves one another and their children, deeply. Recently, Mark wrote a song for Eva titled “Don’t Be Afraid”. I personally think it should be number one on the charts. Every time I listen to it, I break down. The link is below. Use full-screen so you can follow the lyrics.

https://youtu.be/WPAKYzYkyVk?feature=shared

Accounting of God’s Word

Please pray for the Valencia family. If you feel moved to help them, here is their Go Fund Me page. https://gofund.me/36c6a345

Absorbing God’s Word

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Applying God’s Word

The words, “Inwardly we are being renewed day by day” are powerful. To me, they mean the depths of my spiritual being are strengthened every day by meditating on God’s word and applying it to my life.

Someone asked recently, “How do you deal with troubled times, Jack.” I said, “Preventative maintenance”. I spend time with Jesus EVERY day, knowing that at some point, I will have to rely on my faith in Him to carry me.

Prior to knowing Jesus, I would slam down a couple shots of Scotch in times of trouble. That resolved nothing. Fortunately, I established a very solid friendship with Jesus by the time my grandson Niccolo died and an even stronger relationship with Jesus when my late wife Joanne, my mother Doris and brother Jim died within a period of seven months.

Accounting of God’s Word

Do I turn to Jesus every day or do I wait until I’m in trouble?

Absorbing God’s Word

^“Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.” Proverbs 3:16-17

Applying God’s Word

Proverbs 3 really talks about the gift of wisdom and more often than not it’s found in true followers of Jesus. One such person, is Louise’s mother, Josephine.

Josephine turns 100 on July 9, 2025. She was married to her husband, Angelo, for 77 years before his death in 2021 at age 99. Josephine’s son, five daughters, their families, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will all be in Chicago to help celebrate what an amazing women she is.

I’ve had the extreme pleasure of getting to know her via FaceTime over the last eleven years. Proverbs 3:16-17 describes Josephine perfectly. Her long life of hard work and service to God, family and friends has blessed her with riches and honor that only God can provide. Her pleasant ways, paths of peace and incredible wisdom are evident whenever and wherever she is present.

Accounting of God’s Word

Happy Birthday, Josephine. Well done good and faithful servant! We love you.

Absorbing God’s Word

“He said, “Listen to my words: “When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams.” Numbers 12:6

Applying God’s Word

I’ve been blessed to experience a few prophetic dreams and visions. I love hearing other people share theirs.

Recently, one of my granddaughters shared a dream that may end up being prophetic. She said that our family was standing in front of an elevator. When the door opened, we got in and pushed the up button. When the elevator door opened, Jesus pleasantly greeted us and handed us each an eel.

After sharing her dream, my granddaughter asked, “Why an eel, grandpa?” Our research concluded that there isn’t any real mention of eels in scripture. We did discover that eels are resilient, adaptable, have a transformative life cycle and can generate a power of electricity. Could this dream be encouraging our family to be resilient, adaptable, transformed and empowered by God? Time will tell.

Accounting of God’s Word

Do I have prophetic dreams/visions? Do I share them with others?

Absorbing God’s Word

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.” Proverbs 3:27

Applying God’s Word

On what was already a very busy day, I squeezed in a call to my financial institution. A young man named Tom, answered. As Tom searched his computer for my information, I asked, “How’s Tom today?” He replied, “I need a career change. All I do every day is respond to complaints.” I asked, “What are you passionate about?” Tom said, “I’d love to work for the Lord.” I replied, “Maybe you’re already doing that.”

I talked with Tom briefly and gave him the web page for “WorkLight” explaining how our ministry mentors people in living out their faith at work. God was empowering me to share the gifts of my time and clarity with Tom. I asked, “Can I pray with you , Tom?” He answered, “Sure.” When I finished praying, I knew God had blessed both Tom and I with the gift of His presence.

Accounting of God’s Word

Am I withholding good from those to whom God wants to bless? Do I know when God empowers me to act?