[MUSIC] [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND WELCOME, I'M FATHER PACWA, EWTN LIVE WHERE WE BRING YOU GUESTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. AND TONIGHT, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OFFERING THANKS AND PRAISE GIVING TO GOD. AND HOW THAT CAN HELP US TO LIVE A MORE JOYFUL LIFE IN OUR SITUATIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ARE MAYBE PAINFUL AND DIFFICULT. BUT BEFORE BEFORE WE DO THAT, WE WANT TO SPEAK BRIEFLY WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER OF EWTN RADIO, MR. JACK WILLIAMS. WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT EVENT COMING UP IN JUST TWO WEEKS. JACK, WHAT DO YOU HAVE FOR US? >> HOW BRIEF IS BRIEF HAVE TO BE? >> GIDDYUP! >> FALL MEANS A LOT OF THINGS BUT IT MEANS THE CATHOLIC RADIO CONFERENCE THAT WE HOST EVERY YEAR. WONDERFUL PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE PROCURED THESE AM/FM RADIO STATIONS LARGELY AT MOTHER ANGELICA'S BEHEST AND SOME OF THEM HAVE GONE INTO PERSONAL FINANCIAL PERIL TO MAKE THESE THINGS HAPPEN. JUST INSPIRING STORIES THE WAY THEY GET THESE THINGS OFF THE GROUND, GROWING FROM 6 STATION INS 1996 TO 370 PLUS THAT WE HAVE OPERATING IN THE UNITED STATES TODAY. AS SORT OF A THANK YOU, AS WELL AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THESE GOOD FOLKS, WE HOST THE RADIO CONFERENCE EVERY YEAR IN BIRMINGHAM. THIS YEAR, OCTOBER 23, 24, 25 AT THE BEAUTIFUL WINFREY HOTEL HERE IN SUBURBAN BIRMINGHAM. AND IT'S A DAY LONG RETREAT TO THE SHRINE OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT. WE'LL HAVE WORKSHOPS, AWARDS, DINNERS, AND VARIOUS THINGS AND KEYNOTE ADDRESS FROM SHIVERS THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. ANYBODY LIVING IN AN AREA WHERE THEY MAY NOT HAVE AN AM/FM STATION IN THEIR AREA, WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU DOWN HERE IN BIRMINGHAM AND RUB SHOULDERS WITH YOU AND OTHERS, MEET COUNTERPARTS THAT HAVE MADE THIS HAPPEN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. COME DOWN, LEARN WHAT IT TAKES TO GET INTO THE EWTN RADIO FAMILY. >> GREAT WORKSHOPS ON HOW TO DO IT, WHAT'S NEW IN THE EQUIPMENT SO YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH IT. AND IT'S REALLY VERY GOOD. >> AND MOST IMPORTANTLY HOW TO PAY FOR IT. >> Fr. Pacwa: THAT'S A BIG ISSUE! >> BUT THEY CAN FIND ALL OF THE DETAILS IF THEY ARE INTERESTED AT ewtn.com/CRC. SO THAT'S EWTNCRC.COM. >> AND CRC STANDS FOR CATHOLIC RADIO CONFERENCE. >> SO, WE'LL BE BACK IN JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES WITH OUR GUEST, AN OLD FRIEND OF THE NETWORK. AND A LOT OF YOU PROBABLY KNOW HIM. SO, PLEASE, STAY WITH US. [APPLAUSE] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [APPLAUSE] >> Fr. Pacwa: THANK YOU. WELCOME BACK. YOU ARE A LONGTIME VIEWER OF EWTN AND YOU WOULD RECOGNIZE TONIGHT'S GUEST. HE WAS THE HOST OF EWTN'S LIFE ON THE ROCK PROGRAM FOR ITS FIRST SIX YEARS. AND AFTER STEPPING AWAY FROM THE SHOW IN OCTOBER 2002, HE HASN'T SLOWED DOWN MUCH AT ALL. BESIDES BEING A GRANDFATHER HE'S A PILGRIMAGE LEADER AND AUTHOR, TEACHER AND DOES A VARIETY OF THINGS. HE'S HERE TONIGHT TO TALK ABOUT A BOOK IN THE WAY OF OFFERING PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING TO 0 GOD, TWO OF THE MOST POWERFUL KEYS TO LIVING A JOYFUL LIFE. THAT'S WHAT GOD CALLS US TO DO A. AND THIS IS GOING TO BE GREAT TO LISTEN TO BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF UNHAPPINESS OUT THERE IN OUR CULTURE RIGHT NOW. SO, PLEASE, WELCOME THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK, PRAISE GOD AND THANK HIM. BIBLICAL KEYS FOR A JOYFUL LIFE. MR. JEFF CAVINS. [APPLAUSE] >> Guest: THANKS FOR HAVING ME. >> Fr. Pacwa: THANKS FOR BEING HERE, THE BIBLE TIMELINE AND LIFE ON THE ROCK. HAVE YOU A LOT OF WONDERFUL THINGS GOING. IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK AND WE'RE GOING TO DISCUSS THE NEW BOOKS THAT YOU ARE WORKING ON. AND MAKING THEM AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE. NOW, HOW MANY TIMES ARE YOU A GRANDFATHER NOW? >> Guest: I HAVE THREE DAUGHTERS AND MY OLDEST THAT IS THREE KIDS. AND I HAVE THREE GRANDCHILDREN AND THEY ARE VERY ITALIAN NAMES, LIKE DOMINIC, FRANSISCO AND FEEONA. LITTLE IRISH ONE THERE. >> IRISH, FINA. >> YOU LIKE THEM? >> Father: YEAH, I LOVE THEM! NO, I DON'T LIKE THEM. I LOVE THEM. THEY CHANGE YOUR LIFE. AND IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY WHEN YOU WATCH YOUR CHILDREN LOVE CHILDREN, SOMETHING HAPPENS INSIDE. IT'S JUST AMAZING. >> Fr. Pacwa: ONCE THEY START TO LEAK, YOU CAN GIVE THEM BACK. >> I GET ALL OF THE FUN STUFF, HERE YOU GO, WE'RE GOING HOME. >> GET THEM ALL RILED UP AND THEN GIVE THEM BACK TO THE PARENTS. THAT'S PAY BACK! >> THE TWO BOYS, 8 AND 4, WE BROUGHT THEM TO PRO BULL RIDING. >> Fr. Pacwa: OH, YEAH? THAT SOUNDS FUN. >> THEY LOVED IT. THEY CALL IT BULLIN. AND THEY LOVED IT AND IT WAS A LOT OF FUN. >> Fr. Pacwa: GOT TO GET THEM OUT TO ONE OF THE REALLY BIG RODEOS. THAT'S REALLY FUN. BUT ENOUGH OF THAT. AND LET'S TAKE A LOOK THAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, ON PRAISING GOD. I'M SAYING THAT I WAS VERY MUCH MOVED BY A BOOK THAT I READ ABOUT 1973, 1972 BY MERLIN CARRUTHERS. >> FROM PRISON TO PRAISE. >> Fr. Pacwa: EXACTLY. PRISON TO PRAISE. IT WAS JUST A SIMPLE MESSAGE, TO PRAISE GOD IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THE ROUGH ONES. HE DID IT CLEARLY AND SIMPLY. IT WAS GREAT. BUT THIS IS A BOOK TRYING TO GIVE A LITTLE MORE DEPTH TO UNDERSTANDING WHY WE PRAISE GOD. >> YEAH, THINK THAT MERLIN CARRUTHERS STRUCK SOMETHING IMPORTANT BACK IN THE 1970'S. IT WAS A BESTSELLER AND HE WAS BASICALLY SAYING, YOU NEED TO PRAISE GOD IN THE MIDST OF YOUR DIFFICULT SITUATIONS. WHAT WE TRY TO DO IN PRAISE GOD AND THANK HIM, WE GO A STEP FURTHER. A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS IDEA TO PRAISE GOD IS SORT OF JUST TO CHANT CATCH PRAISES, ALLELUIA, PRAISE GOD, GLORY TO GOD, ALLELUIA, AND YOU KNOW THAT'S SORT OF THE LIMIT TO PRAISING GOD. SO, WHAT I WANT TO DO WAS GO DEEPER INTO THE SCRIPTURE AND FIND OUT WHAT DID ISRAEL DO. WHAT DID DAVID DO TO PRAISE GOD. WHAT WAS THE CONTENT OF PRAISE AND WHAT EFFECT DID IT HAVE ON THE PEOPLE WHEN THEY STARTED TO PRAISE GOD. I WAS CHANGED AND MOVED IN MY VOCAB FOR PRAISE WAS KIND OF BABY TALK. THAT IT WAS NOT FILLED WITH A REAL UNDERSTANDING OF WHO GOD IS, WHAT HE HAS DONE, AND BEING ABLE TO SAY THAT AND SAYING, LORD, YOU HAVE BEEN SO AMAZE ANYTHING SALVATION HISTORY BUT ALSO IN MY LIFE. I'M GOING TO PRAISE YOU, EXALT YOU IN THE MIDST OF THIS DIFFICULTY. AND YOU ARE RIGHT, PEOPLE ARE FACING REALLY ROUGH TIMES TODAY, IN THE CHURCH AND OUT OF THE CHURCH. >> THAT'S RIGHT. AND SOCIETY IS EXPERIENCING A LOT OF FRAYING, THE FRAYING ON THE EDGES. TEARING AT A LOT OF CORE. AND THIS IS A SECULAR SOCIETY. THE CHURCH IS IN DIFFICULT TIMES. WE ALSO CERTAINLY SEE THAT THE RESPONSE OF A LOT OF PEOPLE, IN THE CHURCH AND IN SECULAR SOCIETY IS SELF JUSTIFIED ANGER. SELF RIGHTEOUS ANGER. HOW DARE THESE PEOPLE! AND THEN JUST GO ON. THAT KIND OF ANGER IS NOT WHAT YOU ARE RECOMMENDING. >> Guest: NO, NO, NOT AT ALL. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BIBLE -- IT'S FUN TO TALK TO YOU. BECAUSE WHEN I WAS A PROTESTANT PASTOR BEFORE I CAME BACK INTO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, I WATCHED YOU. I LEARNED FROM YOU! >> YOU AND OTHER PEOPLE TRYING TO KEEP AN EYE ON ME. WHAT DID I DO THIS TIME. >> Guest: WELL, NO, I WAS WATCHING YOU ON EWTN. AND WONDERFUL. WHEN YOU GO THROUGH THE BIBLE, THE PERIOD OF THE JUDGES, ISRAEL IS OFTEN SURROUNDED BY ENEMIES ALL AROUND AND THE QUESTION IS, WHAT DO WE DO WHEN OUR BACK IS AGAINST THE WALL. WHAT DO WE DO WHEN WE DON'T SEE A WAY OUT OF OUR PREDICAMENT. AND IN THE BOOK OF JUDGES, THEY ASK, WHO IS GOING UP FIRST FOR US. WHO IS GOING TO START DEALING WITH THE BIG PROBLEM WE HAVE. AND BOTH TIMES, IT WAS JUDAH. AND THE INTERESTING THING, AS YOU KNOW, ABOUT THE NAME JUDAH IS THAT IT MEANS TO PRAISE. AND IT COMES FROM THE ROOT WORD YADAH, WHICH IS TO THROW OR TO CAST. AND IN THE BIBLICAL SENSE, NOT JUST TO THROW OR CAST A WEAPON, BUT TO THROW OR CAST A CONFESSION OF WHO GOD IS, WHAT HE HAS DONE. AND IT CARRIES EVEN THE IDEA OF CONFESSING OUR SINS AS THE PSALMS TALK ABOUT. SO, YOU HAVE IN THE BIBLE THIS IDEA OF PRAISE GOES UP FIRST. AND THE CHALLENGE IS, WHEN YOU ARE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME AT HOME, WITH A HUSBAND AND WIFE OR WITH TEENAGERS OR WHATEVER, WHAT DO YOU DO FIRST. DO YOU THROW POTS AND PANS, YELL, RUN, GO OUT IN THE CAR AND DRINK. WHAT DO YOU DO FIRST? WELL, THE BIBLICAL PATTERN IS, WE TURN TO GOD, LIKE JEHOSAPHAT AND TURNS AND FACED WITH THREE ENEMIES AND HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. >> AND HE WAS IN A ROUGH PART OF THE TERRITORY, A BARREN AREA WHERE THREE ENEMIES WERE ON HIM. AND IT WAS A REALLY DIFFICULT BATTLE. >> AND THE INTERESTING THING, HE CALLED THE CHOIR. HE GOT THE PEOPLE TO PRAISE GOD. THE ENEMIES ALL TURNED ON EACH OTHER. AND WHAT YOU LEARN FROM READING THE BIBLE IS THAT WHEN YOU PRAISE GOD, YOU GIVE HIM AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY. AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY CRYING OUT FOR, PARTICULARLY IN THESE TIMES. WHERE IS GOD IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES. WHERE WHY DOESN'T HE DO THE THINGS HE USED TO DO. THE QUESTION IS, DO YOU GIVE HIM ANYTHING TO WORK WITH. OR WOE IS ME, I'M A WORM. I'M NOTHING OR DO YOU BEGIN TO JUST PRAISE HIM. I REALLY GOD INTO IT IN THE BOOK. THE CONTENT OF PRAISE. >> ONE THING THAT I JUST WANT TO MAKE A LITTLE CLARIFICATION, IN CASE, ANYBODY, HEBREWS, KEEP IN MIND THAT WORD [FOREIGN WORD] IS DIFFERENT THAN THE WORD [FOREIGN WORD] AND YOU KNOW, IT'S A ROOT, A DIFFERENT ROOT. SO, IT'S A WORD THAT CAN MEAN THANK, AND IT'S AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT ABOUT, LIKE YOU SAID, JUDAH. THAT'S THEIR IDENTITY. SO, YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE CONTENT OF PRAISE. YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER THERE WAS A MOVIE, A DUMB MOVIE, ABOUT AN ANGEL WHO GOT BORED IN HEAVEN, HE WANTED TO HAVE MORE FUN BECAUSE IN HEAVEN ALL HE WAS DOING WAS PRAISE GOD, PRAISE GOD. HE GOT BORED WITH PRAISING GOD. SO, IT WAS A SUPERFICIAL HOLLYWOOD -- THERE'S A REPETITION. [LAUGHTER] -- SO THERE WAS A SUPERFICIAL REPETITION OF HOLLYWOOD'S UNDERSTANDING OF HEAVEN AND WHAT PRAISE MEANS. JUST SAYING THE WORD PRAISE, THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. >> Guest: NO. EVEN THE WORD ALLELUIA IS REALLY KIND OF A COMMAND TO PRAISE. THE ALLELUIA IS NOT IN ITSELF THE WAY WE PRAISE GOD. IT'S ACTUALLY A COMMAND. PRAISE GOD. >> Fr. Pacwa: AND IT'S A PLURAL COMMAND, A PLURAL IMPERATIVE. Y'ALL PRAISE GOD, PRAISE THE LORD. SO, IT'S TELLING EVERYBODY TO GET -- >> I LOOKED UP IN THE CATECHISM PARAGRAPH 236, BASICALLY TWO THINGS, REALLY IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. ONE IS THE THEOLOGY AND THE OTHER IS THE ECONOMY [FOREIGN WORDS] AND IT GOES DEEPER TO SAY, KNOW THE MYSTERY OF THE TRINITY AND TO BREAK IT DOWN EVEN FURTHER, TO KNOW THE HEART OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. TO KNOW THE HEART OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER. AND THEN, THE ECONOMY, BIG FANCY WORD FOR, HIS PLAN, HIS DEEDS, WHAT HE DOES. SO, STUDYING THE BIBLE GIVES YOU A SENSE OF WHO HE IS AND WHAT HE'S DONE. AND THAT PROVIDES A FOUNDATION ON WHICH YOU CAN TRUST HIM BECAUSE HE'S NOT ONE WHO CHANGES. IN FACT, THAT WAS A BIG PROBLEM AND BIG ARGUMENT YEARS AND YEARS AGO, CENTURIES AGO, NOMINALISM. ARE THERE ANY ABSOLUTES, CAN GOD CHANGE? AND ST. THOMAS SAYS, NO, HE DOESN'T CHANGE ON A DIME. YOU CAN DEPEND ON GOD. HE HAS REVEALED HIMSELF IN WORDS AND IN DEEDS. SO, THE SCRIPTURES BECOME REALLY THE CONTENT OF OUR PRAISE, KNOWING WHO HE IS AND WHAT HE HAS DONE. THAT'S WHAT WE CAST. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DECLARING IN THE MIDST OF OUR DIFFICULTIES, LORD. YOU ARE FAITHFUL. YOU ARE FAITHFUL WITH DAVID, WITH GENTLEMEN HOSE PHAT AND YOU HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL IN MY LIFE AND I'M GOING TO PRAISE YOU, I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU GLORY. IN FACT, ISAIAH SAYS, GOD GIVES US A GARMENT OF PRAISE RATHER THAN A SPIRIT OF HEAVINESS. SO, LIKE YOU SAID AT THE OPENING, THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE DEALING WITH THE SPIRIT OF HEAVINESS IN THEIR PREDICAMENT AND GOD GAVE YOU A GARMENT OF PRAISE. AND THE GARMENT IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO PUT ON. YOU ARE THE ONE THAT HAS TO BEGIN TO PRAISE GOD. BUT I HAVE LEARNED OVER THE YEARS, THAT MY, THE CONTENT OF MY PRAISE WAS ACTUALLY SHALLOW. IT WAS PRAISE GOD, ALLELUIA, PRAISE GOD. AND I HAVE A LITTLE STORY THAT REALLY ILLUSTRATES THIS. I HAVE BEEN MARRIED 41 YEARS. >> Fr. Pacwa: PRETTY GOOD START. >> Guest: YEAH, AND SO IF MY WIFE. SO, WE WERE ABOUT SIX YEARS INTO IT. I COME HOME EVERYDAY AND SAY, HEY, LOVE YOU, BABE. AND I COME HOME NEXT DAY, I SAY, LOVE YOU BABE. EVERYDAY. AND THEN, MUST HAVE BEEN MONTHS INTO IT AND SHE STOPS ME. AND I CAME HOME, I HAD SAID LOVE YOU, BABE. AND SHE SAID, WHY. I'M, LIKE, UH-UH OH. YOU KNOW, POP QUIZ. BECAUSE I LOVE YOU, BABE. AND SUDDENLY I WAS HIT WITH, I GOT TO COME UP WITH SOME KIND OF CONTENT HERE, SOME KIND OF REASON RATHER THAN JUST SAYING THIS CATCH-PHRASE. SO I SAT THERE AND I THOUGHT BIT, I SAID, YOU KNOW, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. YOU ARE SO FAITHFUL. SO KIND AND MERCIFUL. AND I JUST WENT THROUGH THIS LIST AND I GOT CHOKED UP AND I HAD A RETREAT FOR MEN. I USED TO BE A PASTOR BEFORE I CAME BACK INTO THE CHURCH. I HAD A RETREAT FOR MEN UP IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA. WE GOT SNOWED IN. NO FOOD. SNOWED IN, COULDN'T GO ANYWHERE. AND I THOUGHT, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO? MARRIED MEN HERE. SO I THOUGHT, OKAY. LET'S GO AROUND THE ROOM, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT OUR WIVES. IN OTHER WORDS, BRING CONTENT TO IT. AND THE FIRST GUY STARTS OFF AND HE SAYS, OH, YEAH, PEG, QUITE A WOMAN. YEAH. PEG. THEY DON'T MAKE HIM LIKE THAT ANY MORE. PEG. AND HE WAS STRUGGLING. FINALLY, HE SAYS, MAN SHE'S A GOOD WOMAN. AND HE STARTS CRYING. AND HE SAID, YOU KNOW, I SHOULD PROBABLY TELL HER SOME OF THESE THINGS. AND WENT AROUND THE ROOM. AND EVERY GUY STARTS CRYING TALKING ABOUT THEIR WIFE AND PUTTING CONTENT TO THEIR PRAISE, WHY THEY LOVE THEM AND WHAT IT MEANT. AND WE GOT BACK. AND THE WOMEN WERE, LIKE, HAVE ANOTHER RETREAT! THIS IS AMAZING. >> Fr. Pacwa: SEE, THERE'S AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT THERE, THAT ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE WHAT IS THE THING THAT EVOKES THE PRAISE AND TO DESCRIBE IT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SAYING, OH, I LOVE YOU, MY DEAR VERSUS READING ONE OF SHAKESPEARE'S SONNETS. AND GIVING THIS INCREDIBLE DESCRIPTION OF WHY THE LOVE EXISTS. AND VERSUS, JUST IN THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE, AND YOU WANT TO GROW BY BEING MORE SPECIFIC ABOUT WHAT IT IS THAT OUR LORD IS DOING. >> WE BECOME MORE MATURE IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD. WE DON'T STAY AT THE GOO GOO, GA-GA LEVEL, YOU KNOW, WE LEARNED TO EXPRESS THAT. AND YOU KNOW, LOTS OF PEOPLE DON'T DO THAT. LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE UNCOMFORTABLE IN GOING TO ADORATION. THEY GO TO ADORATION AND THEY SAY, OH, WHAT DO I DO? AND WHAT DO I SAY. SOMETIMES YOU DON'T SAY ANYTHING, YOU JUST SIT IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE AND THAT'S ONE OF THE BLESSINGS OF BIBLE STUDY, YOUR CONTENT, YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF GOD THE FATHER, IT GROWS IN AN AMAZING WAY. IT'S LIKE LOOKING THROUGH A KALEIDOSCOPES. REMEMBER THAT? YOU LOOK AT IT, TWIST IT AND IT'S COLORFUL. AND THEN YOU LOOK AT THE BIBLE, YOU ARE SEEING ALL OF THE GLORY OF GOD IN SO MANY WAYS. I LEARNED A BIG LESSON WHEN I WAS GROWING UP. AND IT ALL CAME BACK TO ME WHEN I WAS STUDYING FOR THIS. IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, WE ALL GOT TOGETHER. WE PLAYED OUTDOORS. GOOGLE IT. WE PLAYED OUTDOORS. WE DIDN'T STAY INDOORS AT ALL. LITERALLY, WE WERE OUTDOORS ALL THE TIME. SO, THERE WERE BULLIES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WE KNEW WHO THEY WERE. ZIMMERMANS, YOU HAD TO DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO. AND ONE DAY THEY ARE PLAYING WIFFLEBALL IN THE BACKYARD THEY WERE GONE. AND SO ONE DAY THEY SHOWED UP. AND THEY BULLIED ME A LOT. BUT I'M SURE THEY ARE FINE NOW. AND THEY PUT A LADDER ON THE BACK OF THE GARAGE AND THEY SAID, CAVINS WE DARE YOU TO GO UP THERE. AND I DIDN'T I DIDN'T WANT TO GO UP THERE. AND THEY WERE CALLING MINGS SISSY AND DARE YOU. AND MY FRIENDS ARE SAYING, JUST GO UP THERE, THE ZIMMERMANS WANT YOU UP THERE. AND I GOT UP THERE AND THEY PULLED THE LADDER AWAY. >> Fr. Pacwa: OF COURSE! I SAW THAT COMING. >> Guest: YOU ARE SMARTER THAN ME. AND SO I STARTED CRYING, PLEASE, PUT IT BACK UP, GUYS. AND THEN WE LIVED THREE HOUSES AWAY. AND I SCREAMED AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS, DAD. AND THEY ARE, LIKE, OH, CALL DADDY, CALL DADDY. AND I YELLED DAD AND THEY WERE TEASING ME. ABOUT A MINUTE LATER, MY DAD RAN AROUND THE CORNER AND HE STOOD THERE AT THE GARAGE. AND THEY RAN. AND MY DAD LOOKED AT ME, WHAT ARE YOU DOING UP THERE. AND I'M, WAILING, YOU KNOW, AND I TELL HIM. BUT THE POINT OF THE STORY IS, THERE WERE 20 DAD'S IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. I YELLED DAD AND MY DAD CAME. HE KNEW ME. AND I ONLY YELLED IT BECAUSE I KNEW IF HE COULD HEAR ME, I KNEW WHAT HE WOULD DO. I KNEW HIS HEART. AND I KNEW HIS WORKS. AND I KNOW HE WOULDN'T COME AND SAY TO ALL OF THESE GUYS, THAT'S MY SON. WHAT AN IDIOT, LOOK AT THAT. BUT I KNEW HE WOULD NOT SAY THAT. I KNEW HE WOULD COME TO MY RESCUE. IT'S A SIMPLE STORY. BUT IT EVEN TOUCHES MY HEART TODAY TO SAY, I CAN CALL ON MY HEAVENLY FATHER, I CAN YELL, FATHER, JESUS. AND I KNOW HIM. I KNOW HIS HEART. I KNOW HIS WORKS AND HIS DEEDS, I KNOW I CAN TRUST HIM WITH ALL MY HEART. >> Fr. Pacwa: THERE'S ANOTHER IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THIS. THAT IS, IN TERMS OF GIVING CONTENT. THE ABILITY TO DO WHAT ISRAEL DID, THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU LIKE TO BRING OUT, WITH THE PSALMS, IT'S NOT JUST THAT WE'RE TO PRAISE, BUT THE PSALMS GIVE THOSE REASONS FOR PRAISE FROM THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL. THEY LOOK BACK ON THE HISTORY. AND THIS IS WHAT YOU DID FOR US AT SINAI WITH THE DIFFERENT ENEMIES AND SUCH. AND PART OF THIS EXERCISE, THINK, AS PART OF OUR PRAYER IS TO BE ABLE TO LOOK BACK AT OUR OWN LIVES, SEE WHERE THE ACTIONS OF GRACE HAVE OPERATED AND A LOT OF TIMES, IT'S NOT IN THE PLACES WHERE WE EXPECTED THEM. JUST LIKE WITH ISRAEL. THEY WERE PRETTY UPSET WHEN THEY GOT UP TO THE RED SEA AND THE EGYPTIANS ARE COMING AFTER THIS THEM. AND THEY WANTED TO REALLY LYNCH MOSES. BUT LATER ON, THAT BECOMES THE GREATEST EVENT OF SALVATION IN THE HISTORY. IT'S THAT ABILITY TO LOOK AT OUR OWN LIVES TO SAY, WELL, THOSE WHO LIKE COUNTRY MUSIC, GARTH BROOKS DID A GREAT SONG, THANK GOD FOR UNANSWERED PRAYERS, THAT THE THINGS THAT YOU PRAYED FOR DIDN'T HAPPEN AND ENDED UP BEING REALLY SAVING YOUR LIFE. SO, IT'S THAT KIND OF LOOKING BACK AT WHAT GOD DID EVEN WHEN YOU DIDN'T EXPECT IT. AND PRAISING HIM FOR THAT. THAT'S A KEY ELEMENT. >> THAT HAPPENED TO ME SIX YEARS AGO. I WAS SITTING THERE, JUST ANOTHER DAY, I HAD BEEN TO THE DERMATOLOGIST A WEEK EARLIER. I HAD A COUPLE OF THINGS BURNED OFF MY HEAD, IRISH SKIN. AND HE SAID, YOU ARE DUE FOR A SCAN. AND I SAID, I DON'T HAVE TIME. I HAVE A MEETING IN DOWNTOWN. AND HE SAID, JEFF TAKES FIVE MINUTES. 10 MINUTES. AND SO, I SAID, WHATEVER. AND HE SAID, HE FOUND SOMETHING ON MY BACK. AND HE SAID I WANT TO TAKE THAT OFF. AND HE SAID, I'LL LET YOU KNOW. THAT WAS ON MONDAY. FRIDAY I'M SITTING AT THE KITCHEN TABLE, IT WAS THE DOCTOR. AND WHEN THEY START OFF BY SAYING, ARE YOU IN A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN TALK. YOU DON'T LIKE THAT. YEAH, I'M ALWAYS IN A PLACE. I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN. SO, I SAID, YEAH. AND HE SAID, THE TESTS CAME BACK AND HE SAID, IT'S NOT GOOD. YOU GOT MELANOMA. I DO? YEAH. AND I SAID, WELL, I'M GOING TO TEACH AT A FOCUS CONFERENCE IN FLORIDA. CAN I DO IT A WEEK AFTER THAT. AND HE SAID, JEFF, THIS IS VERY SERIOUS, YOU NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THIS. AND I SAID, HOLD ON. MY WIFE AND MY ASSISTANT WAS THERE. AND I WENT IN THE BACK AND I TALKED TO HIM. AND I SAID, HOW BAD IS THIS. AND HE SAID, YOU NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THIS IMMEDIATELY. AND SO WE TALKED AND I HUNG UP. AND I WENT AND STOOD BY THE SHED IN THE BACKYARD. AND YOU KNOW, IT HITS YOU. AND I SAID, WOW. WOW. AND I STOOD BACK THERE. AND I DID EXACTLY WHAT YOU JUST SAID. I STARTED TO REVIEW THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD IN MY LIFE A HUNDRED PERCENT. AND I RAISED MY HANDS IN THE BACK AND I SAID, GOD, I HAVE TRUSTED YOU ALL OF MY LIFE. I HAVE NO REASON TO NOT TRUST YOU, EVEN IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO ME. I REJOICE IN YOU, I GIVE YOU PRAISE FOR LIFE AND IT COMPLETELY CHANGED MY PERSPECTIVE. AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT PRAISE. IT DOESN'T CHANGE GOD. HE'S THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER. IT CHANGES YOU. IT CHANGES YOU. >> Fr. Pacwa: THAT'S KEY. YOU CAN THINK BACK. I HAVE DONE IT WITH MY NIECE AND NEPHEW AND OTHER KIDS. AND MY PARENTS DID IT WITH ME. WHEN YOU GET SOMETHING, THEY WANT YOU TO SAY THANK YOU. NOW, WHAT DO MY PARENTS GET OUT OF THAT. NOT ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR. BUT THEY KNOW THAT IT'S GOOD FOR ME TO BE THANKFUL. AND THAT'S THE KIND OF THING THAT WE SEE THERE THAT WE ARE MADE BETTER. WHEN OUR CHILDREN ARE BETTER, THAT THEY HAVE THANKED YOU FOR EACH THING THAT YOU GIVE THEM. >> A THANKFUL HEART. >> Fr. Pacwa: YEAH. AND THEY BECOME PEOPLE WHO ARE MORE APPRECIATIVE. AND THE ALTERNATIVE THAT WE SEE AN AWFUL LOT IS WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE TAKE ON THE ATTITUDE, WELL, I DESERVE THAT. >> Guest: ENTITLEMENT. >> Fr. Pacwa: RIGHT, THE ENTITLEMENT MENTALITY IS PRETTY COMMON. >> Guest: AND IT'S ACTUALLY UGLY AND NOT VERY GOOD. AND GRATITUDE AND THANKSGIVING, THOSE ARE THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE TO BE AROUND. THEY ARE SO THANKFUL, SO FILLED WITH GRATITUDE AND PRAISE, YOU GET AROUND THEM AND YOU SAY, I WANT TO HANG AROUND YOU. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING. >> Fr. Pacwa: YEAH, AND THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO PRAISE GOD. AS MERLIN CARRUTHERS SAID, PRAISE GOD IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES. YOU DON'T PRAISE GOD DESPITE THE THINGS ARE BAD OR DANGEROUS. YOU KNOW, SORRY, YOU HAVE MELANOMA. DESPITE THAT. YOU PRAISE GOD FOR IT. BECAUSE YOU CAN TRUST THAT IF HE CAN REDEEM THE WORLD BY THE DEATH OF HIS INNOCENT AND INFINITE SON, THERE'S NOT MUCH ELSE THAT HE CAN'T USE. SO, WE LET HIM DO THAT. SO, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU, GO TO JEFF CAVINS DOT COM AND LEARN SOME OF THE THINGS THAT'S BEEN UP TO. WHEN WE COME BACK, WE WANT TO GET YOUR QUESTIONS AND YOUR COMMENTS. SO, PLEASE, STAY WITH US! [APPLAUSE] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [APPLAUSE] >> Fr. Pacwa: ARE YOU READY FOR SOME QUESTIONS? GIDDY UP. LET'S START WITH JOANNE. JOANNE, WHERE ARE YOU CALLING FROM? >> Voice: NAPLES, FLORIDA. >> Fr. Pacwa: THAT'S A PRETTY TOWN. WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION? >> Voice: MY QUESTION IS, I DO BELIEVE IN THIS CONCEPT AND MY WONDERFUL DIOCESAN PRIEST TAUGHT ME THAT. I LOST MY HUSBAND OF 53 YEARS. AND HE TAUGHT ME TO FIND THE JOY. MY QUESTION IS, HOW DO YOU HELP FAMILY MEMBERS WHO DO NOT CHOOSE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. >> Fr. Pacwa: ALL RIGHT. SO, DEALING WITH FAMILY MEMBERS WHO DON'T WANT TO PRAISE GOD FOR STUFF. >> Guest: WELL, OFTENTIMES, WHEN THERE'S A PROBLEM, WE TURN IT ON OURSELVES. I HAVE A PROBLEM, FEEL SORRY FOR ME. I'M GOING SILENT, I'M GOING TO THE OTHER ROOM. YOU GUYS DON'T UNDERSTAND. THIS ONLY HAPPENS TO ME. AND IT'S A REPETITION, YOU KNOW, ON AND ON. AND IT'S ABOUT ME. I THINK ONE OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO, FOR EXAMPLE, IN TEACHING CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS IS TO MODEL TO PRAISE GOD AND SHOW THEM WHAT IT IS. AND YOU CAN'T GET INSIDE SOMEBODY TO CHANGE HEIR WILL AND MODEL IT, SHOWING THEM WHAT PRAISE IS, I PERSONALLY THINK IT'S CONTAGIOUS. AND MY WIFE IS SO GOOD AT IT. MY WIFE TURNS IT INTO, I SAY, OH, THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS TO ME. AND SHE SAYS, YOU NEED TO GO TO ADORATION FOR AN HOUR. AND I SAY, YOU NEED TO GO TO ADORATION. AND YOU KNOW, IT'S SILLY. ACTING LIKE THAT. AND THEN I'LL GO TO ADORATION AND I COME BACK A DIFFERENT MAN. >> Fr. Pacwa: SO SHE WAS RIGHT. >> Guest: RIGHT. AND LOVINGLY ENCOURAGING ME AND YOU KNOW, IT WAS THE RIGHT THING. AND THAT'S WHAT YOU DO WITH KIDS. AND HONEY, I KNOW YOU ARE BEING TEASED AT SCHOOL AND I KNOW PEOPLE ON FACEBOOK ARE SAYING SOMETHING, AND I KNOW PEOPLE ON INSTAGRAM ARE NOT SAYING GOOD THINGS AND I WANT TO YOU PRAISE GOD AND I'LL HELP LEAD NEW THAT. AND THE ROLE OF THE PARENTS IS TO WALK WITH THEIR KIDS THAT WAY. >> Fr. Pacwa: AND THERE'S ANOTHER APPROACH TOO THAT I THINK MAY BE HELPFUL WITH SOME INDIVIDUALS. SOME OF THEM, HAVE YOU TO ASK THEM, ALL RIGHT. NOW, YOU'RE FOCUSED ON HOW BAD IT IS. NOW, ARE YOU HAPPIER AS YOU ARE CENTERING ON HOW HAPPY YOU ARE? HOW IS THIS MAKING YOU BETTER? WELL, WHAT'S GOING ON WITH YOU. A THIRD APPROACH, MY DAD WAS VERY GOOD ABOUT THIS. HE SAID, DON'T YOU FEEL SORRY FOR YOURSELF? DON'T YOU FEEL STORY FOR YOURSELF. THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEBODY WHO IS WORSE OFF. FOLKS WHO ARE ALL UPSET BECAUSE THEIR LATTE DIDN'T FOAM. >> NO PATTERN ON THE TOP. >> Fr. Pacwa: YEAH, RIGHT. SOME PEOPLES' PROBLEMS ARE VERY SERIOUS AND OTHER PEOPLES' PROBLEMS ARE REALLY SUPERFICIAL. THEY REALLY DON'T AMOUNT TO MUCH. THEY MAKE A BIG DEAL OUT OF IT BECAUSE THEY, ANOTHER CHARACTERISTIC DEVELOPING IN OUR CULTURE IS THE NEED TO FEEL LIKE, I'M A VICTIM. I GOT TO BE SHOWN AS SOMEBODY WHO IS SUFFERING. AND SOMETIMES, THESE RICH HOLLYWOOD OR OTHER RICH HOLLYWOOD TYPES SAYING HOW BAD IT IS. AND THE FOCUS IS REALLY A LOT BETTER TO GO TO PLACES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE IT WORSE OFF THAN YOU. >> Guest: THAT STRAIGHTENS YOU UP REAL QUICK. >> Fr. Pacwa: SPEND TIME WITH THEM. AND THEN, THERE'S SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY POOR. AND SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY, VERY SICK. AND GO TO A CHILDRENS' HOSPITAL. GO TO A PLACE WHERE YOU HAVE CRACK BABIES. THEIR MAMMAS WERE ON CRACK AND SEE. GO THERE AND BE WITH THEM. LEARN FROM THEM. THAT WILL SORT OF GET YOU OUT OF YOUR OWN LITTLE WORLD. >> Guest: I HAVE A QUICK LITTLE STORY. I WAS UP AT THE NORTH AMERICAN MARTYRS SHRINE IN CANADA. AND YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO THOSE JESUITS. I MEAN, YOU WANT TO READ DESCRIPTIONS OF TORTURE AND GIVING THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST AND WE WENT UP THERE AT THE MOTORCYCLE, WE SPEAK AT CHURCHES. WE WENT THERE ON THAT DAY AND IT WAS REALLY HOT. AND THERE WAS A PRIEST HEARING CONFESSION. AND IT WAS SO SO HOT IN THERE. I'M SITTING THERE LOOKING AT THE SKULL OF A JESUIT WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR CHRIST. AND I'M GOING, MAN I'M HOT IN HERE. I'M SO HOT IN HERE, I GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE. AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT HIT ME, YOU SELF-CENTERED LITTLE THING. IT HIT ME, YOU DON'T HAVE IT BAD. LOOK AT THIS, AND I LOOKED DOWN AT THE PRIEST, I MARCHED DOWN TO THE PRIEST AND I SAID, FORGIVE ME BECAUSE I AM SO SELF-CENTERED. YOU ARE RIGHT, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GO INTO ANOTHER ENVIRONMENT AND YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE IT PRETTY GOOD. >> Fr. Pacwa: COMPARED TO HAVING A BUNCH OF WOMEN CHEW YOUR FINGERS OFF. I MEAN, LIFE GETS A LOT BETTER AFTER THAT. MA'AM, WHERE ARE YOU FROM? >> Voice: I'M FROM BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA. >> Fr. Pacwa: GOOD TO HAVE YOU. WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION? >> Guest: JEFF, IN MANY OF YOUR BOOKS, THERE ARE EXERCISES THAT HELP US TAKE WHAT YOU HAVE SAID AND PUT IT INTO ACTION. ARE WE GOING TO EXPERIENCE THAT SAME THING IN YOUR NEW BOOK? >> Guest: YES, YOU ARE. I HAVE A WHOLE CHAPTER ON 10 PRACTICAL THINGS TO DO. AND ONE IS, YOU HAVE THESE SMART WATCHES AND SMART PHONES AND THINGS. WELL, ISRAEL FELT PRAISE WAS SO IMPORTANT, THAT THEY SET CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY TO PERPETUALLY PRAISE GOD. THAT'S HOW IMPORTANT IT WAS, IT WAS A NATIONAL THING. AND IN THE BOOK OF DANIEL, OF COURSE, DANIEL SAYS THERE ARE SET TIMES WHEN HE'S GOING TO OFFER PRAISE TO GOD. AND THESE SMART PHONES, WHY NOT SET A COUPLE OF ALARMS DURING THE DAY TO JUST REMIND YOU, TAKE A MOMENT IN THE MIDST OF YOUR DAY AND BEGIN TO PRAISE GOD AND I THINK TO GO THROUGH, BEGINNING TO PRAISE GOD FOR THE LITTLE THINGS. ST. THÈRÉSE OF LISIEUX, THE LITTLE WAY, IS START TO LOOK AT THE LITTLE THINGS. THINK I TALKED ABOUT THIS IN THE BOOK. VI TALKED ABOUT IT BEFORE. ONE DAY WITH MY DAUGHTERS, AT DINNER, WE WERE HAVING DINNER AND I WENT OVER AND I GOT THE SALT. AND I PUT IT ON THE POTATOES LIKE THIS. AND I WAS TALKING TO THEM OF THE. AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT HIT ME. DID YOU SEE THAT GIRLS? I CAN TALK TO YOU AND I CAN DO THIS. AND WE ARE SO MARVELOUSLY MADE! AND THEY ARE, LIKE, DAD, YOU ARE SCARING US! AND I SAID, NO, NO, LOOK AT THIS. I PRAISE YOU, GOD, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. AND THE JEWS HAVE A BLESSING FOR EVERYTHING. BRHAH. AND THERE'S EVEN A BLESSING, WHEN THEY USE THE RESTROOM, A BLESSING TO GOD WHAT THEY CALL CLEAR PIPES. BECAUSE 15 MILES FROM US, THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT CAN'T EVEN USE THE BATHROOM. AND WE JUST PRAISE GOD STARTING THERE. AND WHEN THE BIG THINGS COME ON IN YOUR LIFE, YOU ARE USED TO THIS, YOU ARE LIVING A LIFE OF PRAISE. >> Fr. Pacwa: NO, YOU DO GET GRATEFUL FOR A LOT OF SMALL THINGS. AND ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE REALIZE BEING WITH PEOPLE WHO SUFFER A LOT. OR IF YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH SOME DIFFICULTY, YOU BECOME VERY APPRECIATIVE FOR THE SMALL THINGS BECAUSE THEY ARE REALLY NEAT. NOW, THERE'S A VIEWER THAT HAS CALLED IN FROM CONNECTICUT, THEY DIDN'T WANT TO BE ON LIVE TV. SO, THEY ASKED, IS IT POSSIBLE THAT JUST BY PRAISING GOD THAT CAN HELP SOMEONE TO OVERCOME SINFUL HABITS, LIKE, DRINKING TOO MUCH? >> Guest: YES, THINK THE ANSWER IS YES. THE BATTLE THAT ISRAEL IS FACING, JEHOSAPHAT AND THAT, AND THEY HAD THE ENEMIES, AND JESUS TOOK ON THE BIGGEST ENEMIES, SATAN AND SIN AND HE WAS VICTORIOUS. WE HAVE STRUGGLES IN OUR LIFE. AND WE DO NOT HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN THE BATTLES. WHAT PRAISE DOES, IT OPENS UP THE PLAYING FIELD AND WE GO FROM OUR LIMITED PERSPECTIVE TO SUDDENLY GOD'S UNLIMITED PERSPECTIVE. OUR LIMITED STRENGTH WHICH WE KNOW IS SMALL TO GOD'S UNLIMITED STRENGTH TO OUR CONFUSION, TO HIS WISDOM AND PRAISE REALLY TAKES THE ATTENTION OFF OF MY SITUATION, AS FAR AS MY CONTROL OF IT. AND MY INABILITY TO OVERCOME TO GOD'S ABILITY TO DO ANYTHING IN MY LIFE. SO, THINK THAT ONE OF THE BIG PROBLEMS THAT WE GET SO FOCUSED ON OURSELVES THAT WE FALL INTO DESPAIR. >> Fr. Pacwa: WHEN PEOPLE USE THE 12 STEP PROGRAMS, THE FIRST STEP IS TO REALIZE, I'M POWERLESS OVER ALCOHOL. BUT THE SECOND STEP IS TO REALIZE, GOD IS NOT POWERLESS OVER THE ALCOHOL. HE IS STRONGER THAN THE ALCOHOL. AND SOMETHING THAT A PERSON, LIKE, THE ONE FROM CONNECTICUT, MAY WANT TO DO OR IF YOU ARE THE RELATIVE OF SOMEBODY WHO IS ADDICTED TO ALCOHOL OR SOME OTHER DRUG IS TO, EVEN THE RELATIVES HAVE TO ADMIT, WE'RE POWERLESS OVER ALCOHOL TOO. WE CAN'T MAKE THEM CHANGE, LIKE YOU SAID BEFORE. WE CAN'T MAKE SOMEBODY ELSE CHANGE. GOD, THOUGH, IS STRONGER AND SO, WE PRAISE HIM FOR HIS STRENGTH OVER ALCOHOL AND OVER DRUGS. HE IS STRONGER THAN THE ADDICTION. THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST ON THE CROSS, WHICH BY THE WAY IS SOMETHING FOR THE ALCOHOLIC TO THINK ABOUT, WHETHER THEY ARE AN ALCOHOL ABUSER. MAYBE THEY ARE JUST AN ABUSER OR ALCOHOLIC. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY HAVE TO FIND OUT. BUT REMEMBER, WHEN THEY GAVE, THEY OFFERED JESUS WINE MIXED WITH MYRRH. THAT WAS A PAINKILLER, THAT'S WHY THEY PUT THE MYRRH IN IT. IT WAS A PAIN KILLER. IT WAS BITTER BUT IT HELPED TO REDUCE THE PAIN. AND THEY OFFERED THAT TO HIM AND HE REFUSES IT. WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND IS THAT YOU PRAISE GOD FOR THAT ACT OF HIS REFUSAL OF THAT PAIN KILLING ALCOHOL. AND PRAISE JESUS FOR THAT SPECIFIC ACT AND RECOGNIZE, THAT'S WHERE HE WINS THE GRACE FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO OVERCOME ALCOHOL OR ANY OTHER DRUG. THAT YOU PRAISE SPECIFICALLY, AGAIN, AS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THERE, AND THAT WOULD BE A SPECIFIC REALM IN WHICH HE WAS STRONGER THAN ALCOHOL ON THE CROSS. AND THAT'S -- >> Guest: VERY MUCH RELATED TO THAT, IS THIS IDEA OF THANKSGIVING. TODA, GIVE PRAISE TO GOD. AND WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD. AND THANKS COMES OUT OF A HEART OF GRATITUDE. IF SOMEBODY IS STRUGGLING WITH THOSE THINGS, LIKE YOU SAID, THEY CAN THANK GOD THAT HE HAS OVERCOME SIN, DEATH, HELL, AND THE GRAVE. >> Fr. Pacwa: NONE OF MY SINS ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN THE DEATH OF GOD THE SON ON THE CROSS. >> Guest: PRAISE GOD. >> Fr. Pacwa: AND FOR THAT, WE PRAISE HIM FOR THE CROSS. AGAIN, IF WE CAN PRAISE HIM FOR THE CROSS, WE CAN PRETTY MUCH PHRASE HIM FOR ANYTHING THAT WE GO THROUGH. SO, WE HAVE ANOTHER CALLER. HELLO, BARBARA. >> 'Voice: HELLO, FATHER MITCH. HOW ARE YOU? I'M CALLING YOU FROM BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. >> Fr. Pacwa: GREAT. WONDERFUL. WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION OR YOUR COMMENT. >> 'Voice: BOTH. I WAS WONDERING IF JEFF CAVINS BOOK, PRAISE GOD THANKED HIM. IF THIS IS ACTUALLY ANOTHER STEP TOWARD A TALK THAT HE GAVE ON JUNE 24, 1998, WHEN HE FILLED IN ONE NIGHT FOR MOTHER ANGELICA ON EWTN LIVE. AND HE SPOKE ABOUT LOVE AND FORGIVENESS. AND THAT WE WERE ALL CREATED TO LOVE AND NOT TO GET CAUGHT IN THE MOUSE TRAP OF A SCANDALON WHICH IS WHERE THEY PUT THE BAIT TO TRY TO TRAP PEOPLE. THE DEVIL DOES THAT. BECAUSE THAT HAS BEEN VERY, VERY HELPFUL IN MY LIFE OF THE AND CALLED ACTUALLY TO SAY THANK YOU, TO JEFF CAVINS, FOR THAT PARTICULAR HOUR BECAUSE I HAVE USED THAT AT A VERY APPROPRIATE TIME IN MY LIFE. AND ALSO, TO THANK YOU, FATHER MITCH FOR ALL OF THE TALKS THAT YOU GIVE. AND ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU RELATE SOME OF THE POLISH LITTLE THINGS THAT YOU TALK ABOUT, BECAUSE I AM ALSO OF A POLISH HERITAGE AND I FEEL LIKE WE GREW UP TOGETHER APART. >> Guest: AND I JUST GOT BACK FROM POLAND. >> Fr. Pacwa: THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, BARBARA, THAT WAS VERY KIND. >> Guest: WELL, I REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT. IT WAS MOTHER ANGELICA LIVE AND I WAS FILLING IN FOR HER. THE MOUSE TRAP, THE PART WHERE YOU PUT THE BAIT IS CALLED THE SCANDALON, YOU KNOW, WHERE I AM SCANDALIZED OR SOMEBODY HURTS YOU. AND YOU TAKE THE BAIT, YOU ARE CAUGHT. AND THE TRAP IS INTENDED TO BE STRONGER THAN THE ONE IT'S INTENDED FOR. SO YOU GET INTO A TRAP, YOU DON'T KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED. WELL, OF COURSE, YOU DON'T, IT'S A TRAP! DRINKING IS A TRAP. THAT TYPE OF THING. BUT WE CAN PRAISE GOD AND THANK HIM THAT HE CAN FREE US FROM THE FOWLER'S SNARE. HE IS STRONGER THAN THIS TRAP. PRAISE GOD. THERE IS HOPE HERE THAT I CAN GET OUT OF THIS ADDICTION. THAT'S THE EXCITING NEWS. SHE BRINGS UP SOMETHING NEAR AND DEAR TO ME, TOO, THE IDEA OF DON'T TAKE THE BAIT, DON'T GET TRAPPED. BUT IF YOU ARE TRAPPED, PRAISE GOD THAT WE HAVE SOMEBODY STRONGER THAN THE TRAP, WE HAVE JESUS. >> Fr. Pacwa: EXACTLY. HE CAN LET YOU OUT. WE HAVE ANOTHER CALLER, KEVIN. WHERE ARE YOU CALLING US FROM? >> Voice: I'M CALLING YOU FROM QUEENS, NEW YORK. HOW ARE YOU, FATHER MITCH. >> Fr. Pacwa: WELL, LOOK AT THAT, RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO EACH OTHER. WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION, KEVIN? >> Voice: I HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE. AS OF LATE, I AM USING THE BOOK OF REVELATION, NOT LOOKING FOR THE FUTURE, BUT SCANNING CHAPTERS 1-22 AND USING ALL OF THOSE PARTS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION WHERE THERE WAS PRAISE AND WORSHIP. AND THERE ARE MANY. USING THAT AS A DEVOTIONAL, THOSE EXACT SCRIPTURE VERSES TO PRAISE AND WORSHIP GOD. AND AFTER I DID THAT, I'VE DONE IT A FEW TIMES AND I FOUND THAT THERE WERE SO MANY DIFFERENT NAMES AND TITLES FOR OUR LORD AND BEING VERY BLESSED IN JUST DOING THAT, OVER AND OVER AGAIN. ONE NIGHT, THE NEXT NIGHT, SCANNING THE BOOK OF REVELATION FROM CHAPTER 1-22. AND JUST USING THOSE PARTS OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP, TO WORSHIP THE LORD. AND THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO SHARE. I'VE BEEN VERY BLESSED MYSELF BY DOING THAT. >> Fr. Pacwa: THAT'S BRILLIANT, KEVIN. THAT'S, I LOVE IT. I LOVE IT. THAT'S A LOT BETTER THAN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE END TIMES. THAT'S USING THE PART. JESUS TOLD US, YOU DON'T KNOW, THE ANGELS DON'T KNOW SO STAY OUT OF IT. BUT UNDERSTANDING MORE ABOUT WHO JESUS IS AND USING THAT. AND THE ANGELS IN THAT BOOK ARE TEACHING US TO PRAISE GOD. A LOT OF HYMNS HAVE BEEN WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES IN THE ASIA MINOR GOING THROUGH REALLY BIG DIFFICULTIES. AND JOHN SORT OF TAKES THEM ON THIS PILGRIMAGE OF, IF YOU WILL, YES, IT'S DIFFICULT DOWN HERE. AND THEN HE BEGINS TO TALK ABOUT SOME JUDGMENTS THAT ARE BEGINNING TO HAPPEN ON EARTH, THEN HE BRINGS THEM UP INTO THE HEAVENLY REALITY AND SHOWS THEM WHAT'S HAPPENING. AND IT WAS GLORIOUS PRAISE. REALLY A ROAD MAP TO THE MASS. AND IT'S AMAZING PRAISE. AND CAN YOU IMAGINE, WE GET TO HEAVEN. I HOPE WE DO. BUT CAN YOU IMAGINE, FATHER, THE VERY FIRST MOMENTS, IF THERE'S MOMENTS IN HEAVEN OUT OF TIME. BUT THE VERY FIRST REALIZATION OF LOOKING INTO THE EYES OF CHRIST IN HEAVEN. THINK ABOUT THAT SOMETIMES. AND I THINK THERE'S NOTHING THAT YOU COULD TRADE FOR THIS. AND THIS IS, WHAT AN EXPRESSION OF PRAISE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IN HEAVEN. >> Fr. Pacwa: YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE, MYSELF INCLUDED ENJOY IS GOING TO MUSEUMS WHERE THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL WORKS OF ART TO SEE SOMETHING BY DA VINCI OR MICHELANGELO OR RAPHAEL AND YOU ARE JUST AWE STRUCK BY THE BEAUTY. AND IMAGINE HOW MUCH YOU LIKE THAT. BUT THEN, INTENSIFY THAT TO INFINITY. THAT'S WHAT IT WILL BE LIKE TO SEE JESUS. THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SUNSET AND THAT WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE ZIGGY CARTOONS. ZIGGY WAS STANDING THERE AND THERE WAS A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET. AND HE STARTS YELLING, AUTHOR, AUTHOR! THAT'S PRAISING GOD. AND A SUNSET WILL BE FADING AWAY, LIKE, SOME FLOURESCENT BULB IN COMPARISON TO THE REALITY OF GOD. AND THAT'S WHAT WE LOOK FOR, PRAISING FOR THAT BEAUTY THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO, NOT MERELY OBSERVE. HEAVEN WON'T BE AN OBSERVER SPORT WHERE YOU BECOME SANCTIFIED COUCH POTATOES BUT YOU ARE GOING TO BE INVOLVED IN THE WORSHIP. >> Guest: YEAH, IT'S GOING TO BE INCREDIBLE. YOU TALK ABOUT ARTWORK, YOU HAVE BEEN TO FLORENCE. >> Fr. Pacwa: YES. >> Guest: AND I THOUGHT DAVID WAS MY HEIGHT. FIRST TIME I SAW IT, I GOT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I WALKED IN THERE AND I WAS OVERCOME. I GOT CHOKED UP. AND I'M, LIKE, OH MY GOSH. THAT IS JUST AMAZING. THAT'S AMAZING. >> Fr. Pacwa: SO, FOLKS, SO YOU UNDERSTAND, IT'S ABOUT TWO STORIES HIGH. >> IT'S JUST AMAZING AND SO BEAUTIFUL. SUNSET, AND WE'RE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A COUPLE YEARS AGO WITH MY DAUGHTER AND THERE WAS A SUNSET LIKE NOTHING THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN BEFORE. I'M, LIKE, LOOK AT THAT. LOOK AT THAT. AND SHE'S ON THE PHONE AND I SAID, LOOK. LOOK. AND SHE SAID, WHAT? AND FINALLY SHE LOOKED AND I SAID, SHE SAID, YOU MEAN THE SUNSET. AND I SAID, YES, LOOK AT THAT! LET'S JUST PRAISE GOD, THIS IS AMAZING. AND THAT'S A PIECE OF ART, YOU HAVE PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. >> Fr. Pacwa: WELL, THAT'S GOING TO BE FADING AWAY COMPARED TO HEAVEN. AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO GO TO JEFF CAVINS DOT COM AS WELL AS GET HIS BOOK, THANK GOD AND PRAISE HIM, BIBLICAL KEYS FOR A JOYFUL LIFE. AND YOU CAN GET THAT AT ewtnRC.com. AND I WANT TO GIVE YOU A BLESSING. MAY ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS YOU, KEEP YOU, CAUSE HIS FACE TO SHINE UPON YOU, AND MAY HE LEAD YOU IN ALL OF YOUR WAYS BY HIS PEACE. GOD BLESS YOU IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN. AS JEFF KNOWS, WE'VE BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME, MOTHER WAS INSPIRED TO LET THIS BE DEPENDENT ON GOD'S PROVIDENCE, SO, YOU ARE THE MEANS. KEEP US RIGHT HERE, IN BETWEEN YOUR GAS BILL, ELECTRIC BILL AND CABLE BILL AND WE'LL PAY OUR BILLS, TOO. [APPLAUSE] [MUSIC]
