Monday
Sunday
The ‘Uncomfortable Truth’ Prayer
Another Pastor with GUTS!
We also have good leaders; if we pay attention… There is hope..
Thought you might enjoy this interesting Prayer given in Kansas at
The opening session of their Senate. It seems Prayer still upsets some
People.. When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open The new session
of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities,
but this is
What they heard:
Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask
Your forgiveness and to seek your direction and
Guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those
Who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we
Have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed
Our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it
The lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it
Welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it
Choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it
Justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our
Children and called it
building self esteem..
We have abused power and called it
Politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions
And called it
ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and
Pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values
Of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts
Today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Amen!
The response was immediate. A number of Legislators walked
out during the prayer in Protest. In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church,
where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with
only 47 of those calls Responding negatively. The church is now receiving
International requests for copies of this prayer
From India , Africa and Korea
Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on
His radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,'and
Received a larger response to this program than any
Other he has ever aired.
With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep
Over our nation and wholeheartedly become our
Desire so that we again can be called 'one nation
Under God.'
'If you don't stand for something,
You will fall for everything.'
We also have good leaders; if we pay attention… There is hope..
Thought you might enjoy this interesting Prayer given in Kansas at
The opening session of their Senate. It seems Prayer still upsets some
People.. When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open The new session
of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities,
but this is
What they heard:
Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask
Your forgiveness and to seek your direction and
Guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those
Who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we
Have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed
Our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it
The lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it
Welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it
Choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it
Justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our
Children and called it
building self esteem..
We have abused power and called it
Politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions
And called it
ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and
Pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values
Of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts
Today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Amen!
The response was immediate. A number of Legislators walked
out during the prayer in Protest. In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church,
where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with
only 47 of those calls Responding negatively. The church is now receiving
International requests for copies of this prayer
From India , Africa and Korea
Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on
His radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,'and
Received a larger response to this program than any
Other he has ever aired.
With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep
Over our nation and wholeheartedly become our
Desire so that we again can be called 'one nation
Under God.'
'If you don't stand for something,
You will fall for everything.'
Monday
learning something..
Over a hundred years ago a university student found himself on a train by the side of a person who seemed to be a well-to-do peasant. He was praying the Rosary and moving the beads with his fingers."Sir, you still believe in such outdated things?" asked the student of the old man."Yes' I do. Do you not?" asked the man.The student burst out into laughter and said, "I do not believe in such silly things. Take my advice. Throw the Rosary out through this window, and learn what science has to say about it.""Science? I do not understand this science. Perhaps you can explain it to me," the man said humbly with some tears in his eye.The student saw the man was deeply moved. So. to avoid further hurting the feelings of the old man, he said: "Please give me your address and I will send you some literature to help you on this matter."The man fumbled in the inside of his pocket coat and gave the boy his visiting card. On glancing at the card, the student bowed his head in shame and became silent. On the card he read: "Louis Pasteur, Director of the Institute of Scientific Research, Paris."
bulletin.orange
Louis Pasteur (December 27, 1822 – September 28, 1895) was a French chemist and microbiologist best known for his remarkable breakthroughs in the causes and prevention of disease. His experiments confirmed the germ theory of disease, also reducing mortality from puerperal fever (childbed), and he created the first vaccine for rabies. He was best known to the general public for inventing a method to stop milk and wine from causing sickness - this process came to be called.. “Pasteurization”. He is regarded as one of the three main founders of microbiology.Louis Pasteur died in 1895, near Paris. He died while listening to the story of St Vincent de Paul, whom he admired and sought to emulate. He was buried in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, but his remains were re-interred in a crypt in the Institut Pasteur, Paris, where he is remembered for his life-saving work. Both Institut Pasteur and Université Louis Pasteur were named after him.
bulletin.orange
Louis Pasteur (December 27, 1822 – September 28, 1895) was a French chemist and microbiologist best known for his remarkable breakthroughs in the causes and prevention of disease. His experiments confirmed the germ theory of disease, also reducing mortality from puerperal fever (childbed), and he created the first vaccine for rabies. He was best known to the general public for inventing a method to stop milk and wine from causing sickness - this process came to be called.. “Pasteurization”. He is regarded as one of the three main founders of microbiology.Louis Pasteur died in 1895, near Paris. He died while listening to the story of St Vincent de Paul, whom he admired and sought to emulate. He was buried in the Cathedral of Notre Dame, but his remains were re-interred in a crypt in the Institut Pasteur, Paris, where he is remembered for his life-saving work. Both Institut Pasteur and Université Louis Pasteur were named after him.
eclectic truths..
eclectic truth.283.09
As Christians, we must be prepared for persecution.
As Catholics; sometimes we face more attacks from members in our Church, than outside of it.
We must appreciate and learn to live in a world, that at times may revolt against us being in it.
+ + +
As Christians, we must be prepared for persecution.
As Catholics; sometimes we face more attacks from members in our Church, than outside of it.
We must appreciate and learn to live in a world, that at times may revolt against us being in it.
+ + +
Saturday
like mysteries..?
+ Image 'artwork' by God
+ From flowers growing in the winter
+ The constellation of stars (of that night) are depicted on Her mantel
+ On a simple cloth in a salty, humid environment; intact for 500 yrs.
+ Sash tied around waist; (local meaning) She is with Child
+ Responsible for 8 million conversions within first seven years
+ Not destroyed by a bomb blast
+ Cloth and colours repelled a spill of nitric acid
+ Black Cross brooch at Her neck
+ Images of people are reflected in Her eyes.. as with real eyes
+ Science has questions, but no explanations..
Thursday
Sunday
if you ask me..
How can anyone ever consider the possibility that Mary had other children and that Jesus had other brothers and sisters? If we do a little reflection, I believe the answers become obvious.
Let’s look at it from a purely human viewpoint. Mary is the only creature on earth and through all of time worthy to be God’s human tabernacle. A purer human did not and will not exist. Mary gave consent and permitted the Holy Spirit to enter, therefore allowing God to truly become flesh.
It is unimaginable that she would be used further to simply reproduce. We are talking about the spouse of the Holy Spirit. After this greatest honor; does anyone actually believe that any mortal could measure up? Preposterous! Mary, the Mother of God, Our Lord, did not concern herself with pursuing personal satisfaction.
Another factor to consider is; Why would Jesus speak from the cross to Saint John and say, ‘behold your mother’, if he had any siblings? This was sort of his will or testament and the opportunity to declare the revised family hierarchy. The answer is this; Jesus is declaring Mary as Mother of all of us ‘brothers and sisters’.
This reverence can be traced back to the early church from the writings of the Church Fathers. Even more surprising; Today most Protestants are unaware of these early beliefs regarding Mary’s virginity and the proper interpretation of "the brethren of the Lord." And yet, the Protestant Reformers themselves—Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli—honored the perpetual virginity of Mary and recognized it as the teaching of the Bible, as have other, more modern Protestants.
I think that Pope Siricius I said it best; “You had good reason to be horrified at the thought that another birth might issue from the same virginal womb from which Christ was born according to the Flesh. For the Lord Jesus would never have chosen to be born of a virgin if he had ever judged that she would be so incontinent as to contaminate with the seed of human intercourse the birthplace of the Lord's body, chat court of the eternal King” (Letter to Bishop Anysius [A.D. 392]).
In this day and age we are reluctant to put people on pedestals; however we should not hesitate when it comes to Our Lady. And for those who say we should not honor Mary I leave you with words from Bishop Sheen, “When I am judged and the worst thing Our Lord tells me is that I loved his mother too much, I won’t be too concerned.”
Let’s look at it from a purely human viewpoint. Mary is the only creature on earth and through all of time worthy to be God’s human tabernacle. A purer human did not and will not exist. Mary gave consent and permitted the Holy Spirit to enter, therefore allowing God to truly become flesh.
It is unimaginable that she would be used further to simply reproduce. We are talking about the spouse of the Holy Spirit. After this greatest honor; does anyone actually believe that any mortal could measure up? Preposterous! Mary, the Mother of God, Our Lord, did not concern herself with pursuing personal satisfaction.
Another factor to consider is; Why would Jesus speak from the cross to Saint John and say, ‘behold your mother’, if he had any siblings? This was sort of his will or testament and the opportunity to declare the revised family hierarchy. The answer is this; Jesus is declaring Mary as Mother of all of us ‘brothers and sisters’.
This reverence can be traced back to the early church from the writings of the Church Fathers. Even more surprising; Today most Protestants are unaware of these early beliefs regarding Mary’s virginity and the proper interpretation of "the brethren of the Lord." And yet, the Protestant Reformers themselves—Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli—honored the perpetual virginity of Mary and recognized it as the teaching of the Bible, as have other, more modern Protestants.
I think that Pope Siricius I said it best; “You had good reason to be horrified at the thought that another birth might issue from the same virginal womb from which Christ was born according to the Flesh. For the Lord Jesus would never have chosen to be born of a virgin if he had ever judged that she would be so incontinent as to contaminate with the seed of human intercourse the birthplace of the Lord's body, chat court of the eternal King” (Letter to Bishop Anysius [A.D. 392]).
In this day and age we are reluctant to put people on pedestals; however we should not hesitate when it comes to Our Lady. And for those who say we should not honor Mary I leave you with words from Bishop Sheen, “When I am judged and the worst thing Our Lord tells me is that I loved his mother too much, I won’t be too concerned.”
Thursday
take it lightly..
Years ago in Ireland, there was a priest who was very anti-British. Every Sunday he would blast them from the pulpit. He became so notorious that the Pope himself summoned the priest to Rome for an audience.
"Father," said the Pope, "I want that there should be peace between the British and the Irish. You're not helping matters at all. I want you to kiss my ring and swear by the Blessed Virgin that you'll never so much as mention the British in public again."
"But Your Holiness, I - I - " the priest stammered.
"No buts," said the Pope. "Swear it here and now or there'll be trouble!"
"Aye, Holy Father," sighed the father. "All right. I swear it."
The very next Sunday just happened to be Easter, and the priest was back at his pulpit in Ireland, giving his annual Easter sermon.
He got to the part of the Easter story where Jesus said, "And one of you shall betray Me."
The priest continues: "Saint Andrew jumps up and says, 'Is it I Lord?' and the Lord says, 'Nay, Andy darlin', it's not you. Sit down now and dunna worry. Eat your supper.'
Then Saint John the Divine gets up with tears in his eyes and cries, 'Is it I Lord?' And the Lord says, 'Nay, Johnny me boy, it's not you. Sit down now and dunna fret yourself. Eat your supper.'
"Then that dirty dog Judas Iscariot slowww-ly rises to his feet. And he looks the Lord right in the eye and says, 'Blimey, Mate. Ya think it's me?"
+++
A Catholic boy and a Jewish boy were talking and the Catholic boy said, "My priest knows more than your rabbi." The Jewish boy said, "Of course he does, you tell him everything."
+++
How about this one? An old Irishman, McDougal, had a loyal and faithful dog who died. McDougal went to his parish priest and asked, "Father, could you say some prayers in Mass for my dog?" The old pastor said, "McDougal, you know very well that we don't pray for animals at Mass. Why don't you go down to that Baptist church and ask them? I'm sure they'll do it." "Well, ok, Father, I think I'll do just that. Oh, by the way, do you think they'll be offended if I offered them $5,000 to pray for my dog?"
Father exclaimed, "Why, McDougal, you never said your dog was Catholic!"
"Father," said the Pope, "I want that there should be peace between the British and the Irish. You're not helping matters at all. I want you to kiss my ring and swear by the Blessed Virgin that you'll never so much as mention the British in public again."
"But Your Holiness, I - I - " the priest stammered.
"No buts," said the Pope. "Swear it here and now or there'll be trouble!"
"Aye, Holy Father," sighed the father. "All right. I swear it."
The very next Sunday just happened to be Easter, and the priest was back at his pulpit in Ireland, giving his annual Easter sermon.
He got to the part of the Easter story where Jesus said, "And one of you shall betray Me."
The priest continues: "Saint Andrew jumps up and says, 'Is it I Lord?' and the Lord says, 'Nay, Andy darlin', it's not you. Sit down now and dunna worry. Eat your supper.'
Then Saint John the Divine gets up with tears in his eyes and cries, 'Is it I Lord?' And the Lord says, 'Nay, Johnny me boy, it's not you. Sit down now and dunna fret yourself. Eat your supper.'
"Then that dirty dog Judas Iscariot slowww-ly rises to his feet. And he looks the Lord right in the eye and says, 'Blimey, Mate. Ya think it's me?"
+++
A Catholic boy and a Jewish boy were talking and the Catholic boy said, "My priest knows more than your rabbi." The Jewish boy said, "Of course he does, you tell him everything."
+++
How about this one? An old Irishman, McDougal, had a loyal and faithful dog who died. McDougal went to his parish priest and asked, "Father, could you say some prayers in Mass for my dog?" The old pastor said, "McDougal, you know very well that we don't pray for animals at Mass. Why don't you go down to that Baptist church and ask them? I'm sure they'll do it." "Well, ok, Father, I think I'll do just that. Oh, by the way, do you think they'll be offended if I offered them $5,000 to pray for my dog?"
Father exclaimed, "Why, McDougal, you never said your dog was Catholic!"
Saturday
control freaks
I am really having a hard time getting my head around the brazen audacity of the bewildering creeps that decree the need for population control. My initial thought is, ‘Who the hell do they think they are?’
They; who had absolutely ’no say’ in becoming a person, feel privileged to the point of deciding the fate of others. Why would they think their opinion counts for more?
Is it because they have a bigger soapbox, or lots of money, or a job with media access?
In the grand scheme of their scheming, they count for zilch!
In fact, unless you believe in an omnipotent God we all count for zilch.
With No God or the god of Nietzsche (ie: one that died) we are left with poor leadership.
Why are the ones in most leadership positions, the ones who are least capable of doing so?
I swear this ‘flipping’ world is upside-down. The leaders would be better fertilizer, because they are full of crap. Maybe God has a wicked sense of humour and is playing with our heads. We need brains with balance in position of leadership, instead of the empty rhetoric of current day ‘Scribes and Pharisees’. Mouth pieces, full of dead men’s bones!
I’ll say a prayer to God: “Please stop the future derelict thinkers to exist before they get from sperm to egg. Make all the sperm of ‘those thinkers’ be pushed aside, by all the more compassionate thinking, faster swimming sperm.”
Nobility such as Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Ted Turner and Oprah among others met last May under their ‘concern for all humanity’ banner. But the thrust for these meetings were strategies for ‘population control’. Big people with little minds; believe that less people will solve poverty. At times I really wonder if we actually did evolve from the monkey.
Listen to Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg state: “I Thought Roe Would Help Eradicate Unwanted Populations Through Abortion.”(New York Times Magazine July 09)
WARNING; Bone head in the court… the ‘supreme court’ no less.
She actually promotes abortion as a means to control population. Why not just bomb a few places that are underdeveloped until we achieve a nice comfortable level that all the privileged can enjoy. Who knows maybe they already thought of that!
CHINA has solutions too. They have a ‘one child policy’. Pure genius!
Yeah these ideas really work; all this while Europe is disappearing. If current demographics continue; Italians, Germans and Spaniards would not be seen or heard in the near future.
I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m not comfortable with these elite, elitists making policies and controlling medicines, having access to bioengineered disease, and military weapons.
They want to play God, because most think there is an opening for the job.
New Flash to you morons: God Does Exist and you will find out soon enough.
Another News Flash!.. Not even one of you will escape death. Even with all your money and clout, you can’t escape an end of your demise. And you cannot escape answering for your actions.
Privileged and dumber, bolder and older!
The environment, the economy, and now the population sits in the cross-hairs.
I guess we get the ‘leadership’ we deserve!
Frank Mann
Tuesday
who am not..
‘The snorting of his horses, were foretold by Daniel’..
And make no mistake; this is no man of myth, but of flesh and blood.
‘He will be filled with hatred and violence, wearing a mask of goodwill; he will have cunning and deception and will resort to intimidation and the earth will bend beneath his scepter; he will be a learned philosopher, a skillful orator, celebrated in the art of policy and the manufactured sciences; he will repel mockery and ridicule like a snake shedding skin. His rein will be magical, filled with trickery and fame.
Why?
..’this will be permitted to all who have not believed the truth but have delighted in iniquity and will be condemned. God will permit them to be attracted to this false messiah, according credence to his deeds and doctrine, and to follow him in this fiendish life.’
..‘As he succeeds in overcoming the virtuous by a persecution carried to the extreme limit, he will be allowed free rein to all kinds of injustice, and there will be no freedom except for evil.’
Monday
Saturday
Tuesday
what is faith?
When we see an object, light bounces off it, then reaches our eye and is refracted by the cornea and lens and focused into an image on the retina. But the image made on the retina is upside down and reversed. It's up to the brain to make sense out of it.
We can believe that our eyes work without knowing how they work!
Do we run for cover every time we see a 150,000 pound object fly over our head? Or do we trust that the plane will continue to fly?
If we are in an underground cave at 9:00am; do we know or think or trust that the sun is shining outside?
If we do not believe in such things as birds, will they suddenly fall from the sky?
Have you ever watched something extraordinary happen and wonder if what you saw really happened? Sometimes we can blink and something or someone disappears? At least that’s what we thought we saw.
Something that you previously thought was impossible.
But if you continue to badger the point; you’ll eventually chalk it up to a vivid imagination.
Why do we believe in things we cannot understand?
Faith is believing the intangible, and being absorbed into the mystery.
‘Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.’ Heb11:1
We can believe that our eyes work without knowing how they work!
Do we run for cover every time we see a 150,000 pound object fly over our head? Or do we trust that the plane will continue to fly?
If we are in an underground cave at 9:00am; do we know or think or trust that the sun is shining outside?
If we do not believe in such things as birds, will they suddenly fall from the sky?
Have you ever watched something extraordinary happen and wonder if what you saw really happened? Sometimes we can blink and something or someone disappears? At least that’s what we thought we saw.
Something that you previously thought was impossible.
But if you continue to badger the point; you’ll eventually chalk it up to a vivid imagination.
Why do we believe in things we cannot understand?
Faith is believing the intangible, and being absorbed into the mystery.
‘Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.’ Heb11:1
Friday
Year of the Priest: Pope Benedict Writes a Letter to Every Priest
'O, how great is the priest! ... If he realized what he is, he would die.' (St. John Mary Vianney)
ROME (Catholic Online) - Pope Benedict XVI has sent a tender, personal and theologically beautiful letter to every Catholic priest in the world. On June 19, the Solemnity of the Most sacred heart of Jesus, he will inaugurate a "Year for Priests." The year will be dedicated to prayer for the sanctification and renewal of the clergy. Using the words and witness of the saintly Cure of Ars, St. John Mary Vianney, as a backdrop for this letter to his beloved priests he has broken open for all the depth and beauty of the priestly vocation. He has also invited all of the faithful to fully participate.
see article link
ROME (Catholic Online) - Pope Benedict XVI has sent a tender, personal and theologically beautiful letter to every Catholic priest in the world. On June 19, the Solemnity of the Most sacred heart of Jesus, he will inaugurate a "Year for Priests." The year will be dedicated to prayer for the sanctification and renewal of the clergy. Using the words and witness of the saintly Cure of Ars, St. John Mary Vianney, as a backdrop for this letter to his beloved priests he has broken open for all the depth and beauty of the priestly vocation. He has also invited all of the faithful to fully participate.
see article link
hospital for sinners
We can walk into a hospital and see people with all ranges of afflictions. Patients are preparing for a minor procedure and some for a life threatening operation. Walk around and you will find happy and sad people; those recovering or welcoming a newborn into their life, as well as those at the crux of end of life situations. Hospitals are full of many people with many reasons looking for a cure or a hope or alleviation of pain.
Besides the patients we can see the doctors, nurses and the hospital administration as well as those visiting. All walks of life are there, from destitute to the extremely wealthy. The hospital is a place that provides treatment for the sick or injured and those requiring assistance for health related issues.
It could be said, if we looked at the Church in an allegorical sense; that it is not a house for the saints, it is a hospital for sinners. We go to Church to be close to God, and many travel with a heavy heart. We go to receive diagnosis and be healed from our sickness of sins. To be nourished and spiritually strengthened with hope in our heart. We receive the medicine of the sacraments and enjoy ‘beginning of life’ and ‘end of life’ celebrations.
The priests and nuns can be our spiritual doctors along with other parishioners.
I remember a story from our priest when he was confronted by a person in a public setting. The person recognized he was a priest and came up to him and said “the Catholic Church is full of hypocrites”. He answered, ‘Yes, and we always have room for one more’.
Our Church is not reserved only for the pious. Sinners make up our Holy Catholic Apostolic Church, and none should be turned away. The ‘hospital’ will always remain open. We have our Lord’s promise, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matthew.16:18). Now we know that the gates of hell are definitely trying to prevail, both from outside and inside the church; but we can always enter this hospital for sinners, our beacon of hope.
Monday
one in three people in Britian are stupid..
at least that's what this blog says.. Acts of the Apostasy: 1 In 3 People In Britain Are Stupid#links (and i agree!)
Blind to the Light
We are a generation that is more concerned with looking at everything through I’s instead of the eyes…
Saturday
Protestant Pastor: 'I Saw Catholics Arrested for Being Catholic'
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (Christian Newswire) - Vision America President Pastor Rick Scarborough said he was sickened by what he saw when those protesting Obama's speech at Notre Dame were arrested on the campus.
"I wept when I saw my friends arrested and taken to jail," Scarborough disclosed. "They almost broke the arm of a priest who appeared to be in his 80s, by dragging him on the ground."
Scarborough, who's a Southern Baptist preacher, said he was in South Bend in solidarity with Catholics who are protesting the upcoming commencement speech at Notre Dame by the most anti-life president in history. ..more
"I wept when I saw my friends arrested and taken to jail," Scarborough disclosed. "They almost broke the arm of a priest who appeared to be in his 80s, by dragging him on the ground."
Scarborough, who's a Southern Baptist preacher, said he was in South Bend in solidarity with Catholics who are protesting the upcoming commencement speech at Notre Dame by the most anti-life president in history. ..more
Friday
Thursday
Sunday
Mother's Day 2009
A day for kisses, hugs, holding of hands..
For smiles, laughter, timed by the sands..
Time for thanking, presents, exuding love
For prayerful intentions mirrored above
And under the radar
Beyond these headlines
The answers are forming
Not waiting for deadlines
But real is this knowing
That x is the y
Women do battle
And Men do die
So stop, reflect and see the beauty
The act, the scene, the plan, the duty
Mothers.. God’s Secret Weapon
Monday
ramblings..
on reality or illusions thereof..
When we decide, we are exercising a human trait that elevates us from the animal kingdom. We cease becoming an arranged action of molecules. Science can explain the material composition of our bodies; but the process of thought straddles between a physical and spiritual realm.
Thought is an unseen process from a composite group of molecules. We cannot say that our arm decided to lift a glass of water to take a drink, yet we believe our brain can. We know our brain (an organ of the body) is capable of orchestrating this ‘lifting of this glass’; and also consists of a conscience. Yet it doesn’t consciously tell us to breathe or for our heart to continue pumping while we sleep. We see ‘as far as the eye can see’; but the mind has no such limits.
We know some things by instinct, some things by experiences, some by the sciences and some by our desire or study; but how do we explain the moral code that exists in our heart? How can we know that a moral code exists in our heart, since it doesn’t show up on a ‘cat’ scan or ex-ray? Does this infer our soul or being?
Now, back to ‘lifting the glass’. The parts of our body move in a controlled sequence of actions and we acknowledge the effects of gravity and anticipate a sensation we recall from a previous act. Animals may do similar things by instinct; but they do not scan such a variety of choices: like pouring the water on someone’s head, or throwing the glass across the room, or mixing it with scotch!
As I write my thoughts and you read the words; you are in a way, reading my mind. But be assured, not beyond these words.
Animals can act or react instinctively, but a human makes the path an individual trail.
Put a ball on an angled surface and it will roll, not because it wants to but because it must. Add a soccer field and players and the ball becomes hope for a nation. Each human person has a bit of the creator inside that beckons us to become an integral character of this puzzle we call life.
When we decide, we are exercising a human trait that elevates us from the animal kingdom. We cease becoming an arranged action of molecules. Science can explain the material composition of our bodies; but the process of thought straddles between a physical and spiritual realm.
Thought is an unseen process from a composite group of molecules. We cannot say that our arm decided to lift a glass of water to take a drink, yet we believe our brain can. We know our brain (an organ of the body) is capable of orchestrating this ‘lifting of this glass’; and also consists of a conscience. Yet it doesn’t consciously tell us to breathe or for our heart to continue pumping while we sleep. We see ‘as far as the eye can see’; but the mind has no such limits.
We know some things by instinct, some things by experiences, some by the sciences and some by our desire or study; but how do we explain the moral code that exists in our heart? How can we know that a moral code exists in our heart, since it doesn’t show up on a ‘cat’ scan or ex-ray? Does this infer our soul or being?
Now, back to ‘lifting the glass’. The parts of our body move in a controlled sequence of actions and we acknowledge the effects of gravity and anticipate a sensation we recall from a previous act. Animals may do similar things by instinct; but they do not scan such a variety of choices: like pouring the water on someone’s head, or throwing the glass across the room, or mixing it with scotch!
As I write my thoughts and you read the words; you are in a way, reading my mind. But be assured, not beyond these words.
Animals can act or react instinctively, but a human makes the path an individual trail.
Put a ball on an angled surface and it will roll, not because it wants to but because it must. Add a soccer field and players and the ball becomes hope for a nation. Each human person has a bit of the creator inside that beckons us to become an integral character of this puzzle we call life.
Thursday
Monday
i have a dream..
I had a nightmare, where I was in a hospital, and I knew babies were being aborted, and that someone around this same time was being raped. I couldn’t stop it, and I knew there were gun shots going off somewhere at that moment.
I had a nightmare, where people were evil, and wanted to kill others. Where even during the time you spend grocery shopping, so many people died, and I knew that someone dear to me, or me, could be one of those people.
Then I woke up, to a world similar to my nightmare, and I wanted the thoughts to go away. I didn’t realize how the world could be if you only notice the bad things, and I figured it was time to try and make a change, because I may just start a chain reaction (quoted from Rachel Scott, from Rachel’s Challenge).
So it made me think, and I drifted back into sleep.
I have a dream, where the world was the opposite of my nightmare, and abortions were illegal, and evil people existed, but were behind bars or couldn’t harm people. The only death would be natural causes.
I have a dream, where the world could come to peace, and realize how useless the pain and stress is.
I have a dream, where you aren’t judged by how you look, but by who you are. Everyone could get along, and rivers would flow free from litter.
Once again, I woke up, to the same world, and got up motivated to get the world the way my dream made it seem. One thing at a time.
~ Lukemeister ~
I had a nightmare, where people were evil, and wanted to kill others. Where even during the time you spend grocery shopping, so many people died, and I knew that someone dear to me, or me, could be one of those people.
Then I woke up, to a world similar to my nightmare, and I wanted the thoughts to go away. I didn’t realize how the world could be if you only notice the bad things, and I figured it was time to try and make a change, because I may just start a chain reaction (quoted from Rachel Scott, from Rachel’s Challenge).
So it made me think, and I drifted back into sleep.
I have a dream, where the world was the opposite of my nightmare, and abortions were illegal, and evil people existed, but were behind bars or couldn’t harm people. The only death would be natural causes.
I have a dream, where the world could come to peace, and realize how useless the pain and stress is.
I have a dream, where you aren’t judged by how you look, but by who you are. Everyone could get along, and rivers would flow free from litter.
Once again, I woke up, to the same world, and got up motivated to get the world the way my dream made it seem. One thing at a time.
~ Lukemeister ~
Saturday
the 'cafeteria catholic'
This is an expression that applies to those calling themselves ‘Catholic’ that want to pick and choose whatever they like about the faith and decide the breadth and width of each topic.
In recent news; some of the chosen people (celebrities) are publically calling themselves ‘cafeteria catholics’ and wearing this as a badge of honour. Comments like ‘I consider myself a Catholic in good standing; but I disagree with a lot of the teachings of the Church’ .. or ‘I don’t believe’.. And then they proceed to spew their narrow minded canned jargon that is emitted by most of these uninformed sheep.
They stand in their cafeteria line and take similar servings from what is processed and served up by the media-celebrity chefs. Or they simply take it upon themselves to decree their opinions.
To put it bluntly.. a cafeteria catholic is a lukewarm catholic.. And noting what scripture tells us in Revelation 3:16 “but since you are neither hot nor cold, but only lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
The Church is established here on earth, by Jesus, to guide us on our journey of life.
We must remember that God created us; and not the other way around!
In recent news; some of the chosen people (celebrities) are publically calling themselves ‘cafeteria catholics’ and wearing this as a badge of honour. Comments like ‘I consider myself a Catholic in good standing; but I disagree with a lot of the teachings of the Church’ .. or ‘I don’t believe’.. And then they proceed to spew their narrow minded canned jargon that is emitted by most of these uninformed sheep.
They stand in their cafeteria line and take similar servings from what is processed and served up by the media-celebrity chefs. Or they simply take it upon themselves to decree their opinions.
To put it bluntly.. a cafeteria catholic is a lukewarm catholic.. And noting what scripture tells us in Revelation 3:16 “but since you are neither hot nor cold, but only lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
The Church is established here on earth, by Jesus, to guide us on our journey of life.
We must remember that God created us; and not the other way around!
Friday
" court jesters"
When the ‘court jesters’ step out of costume; they should remain mute in the public square. The stage is not theirs to command, but theirs to portray.
Let me ask the question: What is a ‘court jester’?
Definition: a clown or buffoon employed by a noble or royal for ‘entertainment’; also called a ‘fool’.
This noted moniker of the past has clearly evolved into the ‘entertainers’ of today.
These ‘jesters’ are actors, ‘hollywood elites’, or so-called ‘celebrities’ that are being paid (actually overpaid) a king’s ransom to entertain society rather than a kingdom. However they (court jesters) feel that being a derivative of this royal lineage gives them a justification and some intelligence via osmosis of privilege; to decree their opinions as if they themselves were ‘royalty’. They espouse topics such as politics, religion (or the lack of), and the environment; However, they declare so in such a gawking, condescending way.
The unfortunate part comes from the fact that we live in a society that is drawn to the entertainment industry like moths to a flame. And in a reversal of fortunes; the ‘jesters’ of today are some of the world’s richest, yet spiritually bankrupt inhabitants on this earth.
All of society has a right to an opinion, but the ‘jesters’ should not be granted self-proclaimed ‘press announcements’ when they are not play-acting. It would be better to dedicate allotted ‘village square’ time to Rose the baker, and Tom the plumber. At the very least, they would give us an opinion of realism.
The ‘jesters’ tirades really show that their depth of character is only as deep as the script they are provided.
Shakespeare’s character ‘Touchstone’ says: “I do now remember a saying: 'The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool’.”
However, we should not look gawk back upon the fools.
For it can be said that Christian’s are fools ‘for Christ’s sake’. The Apostle Paul told Christians in the first century that ‘the saving power of the cross appears as foolishness to those who are perishing’. (1 Corinthians 1:18). While we appear as fools to this world; the secularist ‘jesters’ merely go about fooling themselves and the weak minded.
Note to jesters: Speak your lines with passion whilst you pretend, and do no more than your job. You are given a talent with privileges, therefore be grateful rather than proving to be ungracious and proud.
Your opinion counts as one among millions; not as one to the minions.
Let me ask the question: What is a ‘court jester’?
Definition: a clown or buffoon employed by a noble or royal for ‘entertainment’; also called a ‘fool’.
This noted moniker of the past has clearly evolved into the ‘entertainers’ of today.
These ‘jesters’ are actors, ‘hollywood elites’, or so-called ‘celebrities’ that are being paid (actually overpaid) a king’s ransom to entertain society rather than a kingdom. However they (court jesters) feel that being a derivative of this royal lineage gives them a justification and some intelligence via osmosis of privilege; to decree their opinions as if they themselves were ‘royalty’. They espouse topics such as politics, religion (or the lack of), and the environment; However, they declare so in such a gawking, condescending way.
The unfortunate part comes from the fact that we live in a society that is drawn to the entertainment industry like moths to a flame. And in a reversal of fortunes; the ‘jesters’ of today are some of the world’s richest, yet spiritually bankrupt inhabitants on this earth.
All of society has a right to an opinion, but the ‘jesters’ should not be granted self-proclaimed ‘press announcements’ when they are not play-acting. It would be better to dedicate allotted ‘village square’ time to Rose the baker, and Tom the plumber. At the very least, they would give us an opinion of realism.
The ‘jesters’ tirades really show that their depth of character is only as deep as the script they are provided.
Shakespeare’s character ‘Touchstone’ says: “I do now remember a saying: 'The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool’.”
However, we should not look gawk back upon the fools.
For it can be said that Christian’s are fools ‘for Christ’s sake’. The Apostle Paul told Christians in the first century that ‘the saving power of the cross appears as foolishness to those who are perishing’. (1 Corinthians 1:18). While we appear as fools to this world; the secularist ‘jesters’ merely go about fooling themselves and the weak minded.
Note to jesters: Speak your lines with passion whilst you pretend, and do no more than your job. You are given a talent with privileges, therefore be grateful rather than proving to be ungracious and proud.
Your opinion counts as one among millions; not as one to the minions.
Sunday
Friday
calm in a world of turmoil..
We will certainly find situations around us that have the ability to put us under pressure from conditions that seem outside of our control. Instead of reacting to them and letting them control us; we can learn to take a step back and get control with a calm perspective.
A good way to soothing therapy is to find a quiet place amid the noise. This can sometimes be an easier place to get to than when you’re in a serene peaceful setting. The concentration required at the beginning is sharp and focused and you can get there quickly. It is harder to go deeper into the meditation but this can be used for a quick escape route. We can all use this quick escape because the noise seems endless in this world we travel.
One technique is to gather all the noise and commotions and roll them into a big ball of senseless 'white noise'. The key is to realize the sum of this senselessness. Once we do this it can be pushed or pawned off as more of an interruption. This is where we can focus on the calm. This ‘noise ball’ is reduced in its loudness and it seems farther removed as we drift into a controlled peace. Not to say that we can be startled into a relapse while we’re adrift. But if we show a resolve, we will be rewarded.
Another technique is to allow the noise to swirl about you. Imagine it whirling around you like a tornado but you remain unfazed; your hair doesn’t even move. The noises and motions seem almost amusing to you as you sink into a calm crevice that cannot be disturbed.
And if you need a helping hand just say this prayer: “Lord, let there be nothing that you and I together can’t handle”.
A good way to soothing therapy is to find a quiet place amid the noise. This can sometimes be an easier place to get to than when you’re in a serene peaceful setting. The concentration required at the beginning is sharp and focused and you can get there quickly. It is harder to go deeper into the meditation but this can be used for a quick escape route. We can all use this quick escape because the noise seems endless in this world we travel.
One technique is to gather all the noise and commotions and roll them into a big ball of senseless 'white noise'. The key is to realize the sum of this senselessness. Once we do this it can be pushed or pawned off as more of an interruption. This is where we can focus on the calm. This ‘noise ball’ is reduced in its loudness and it seems farther removed as we drift into a controlled peace. Not to say that we can be startled into a relapse while we’re adrift. But if we show a resolve, we will be rewarded.
Another technique is to allow the noise to swirl about you. Imagine it whirling around you like a tornado but you remain unfazed; your hair doesn’t even move. The noises and motions seem almost amusing to you as you sink into a calm crevice that cannot be disturbed.
And if you need a helping hand just say this prayer: “Lord, let there be nothing that you and I together can’t handle”.
Saturday
microwave society
For many, the haze of adolescence descends into our mind and causes a cloud of unknowing. There are a few ways to find faith through this fog and they are usually kindled by a direct or an indirect nudge from God. Form this nudge we can either study ourselves into the Church, or come from an interior perception. But in each case the final decision to accept or decline this gift is ours to make.
And what helps us to decide?
We can gain inspiration from others blanketed in the faith, or from the Church herself; because a truer model does not exist.
The lure of instant satisfaction and pleasure tempts us to put off this transformation. We live in an ‘instant’ or ‘microwave society’ looking for immediate results and unearned satisfaction. What causes some to remove the blindfold and see the truth? We need to come to our senses and realize that this life itself is but an instant when compared to eternity. If we take the effort required to think or ponder this we will come to the same conclusion.
And what helps us to decide?
We can gain inspiration from others blanketed in the faith, or from the Church herself; because a truer model does not exist.
The lure of instant satisfaction and pleasure tempts us to put off this transformation. We live in an ‘instant’ or ‘microwave society’ looking for immediate results and unearned satisfaction. What causes some to remove the blindfold and see the truth? We need to come to our senses and realize that this life itself is but an instant when compared to eternity. If we take the effort required to think or ponder this we will come to the same conclusion.
Monday
get with the times..
Just recently I was told to ‘Get with the times’!
This seems to be a popular forward thinking ‘modern’ motto, but it’s so unbecoming of human characteristics. In actuality it’s usually a lazy person’s retort towards someone who reminds them of the effort required to make choices with integrity.
I’ll paraphrase from some words of Chesterton that come to mind.
‘You can live your life like a stick floating on water, that travels wherever the wave moves it;
or you can choose to swim on your own journey..'
Sometimes the travel might be against the waves and sometimes with it, but never be swayed to choose because of the popular opinion. Only a lifeless thing floats with the tide of popularity. Make the effort to choose your path with integrity.
I looked up the quote and it goes: “ A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it.” .. I guess he wasn’t with the times either when he penned that in 1925. Incidentally ‘Chesterton’ is a very good read for all times.
This seems to be a popular forward thinking ‘modern’ motto, but it’s so unbecoming of human characteristics. In actuality it’s usually a lazy person’s retort towards someone who reminds them of the effort required to make choices with integrity.
I’ll paraphrase from some words of Chesterton that come to mind.
‘You can live your life like a stick floating on water, that travels wherever the wave moves it;
or you can choose to swim on your own journey..'
Sometimes the travel might be against the waves and sometimes with it, but never be swayed to choose because of the popular opinion. Only a lifeless thing floats with the tide of popularity. Make the effort to choose your path with integrity.
I looked up the quote and it goes: “ A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it.” .. I guess he wasn’t with the times either when he penned that in 1925. Incidentally ‘Chesterton’ is a very good read for all times.
Tuesday
how is it impossible?
Consider the maxim ‘with God, nothing is impossible’.
This begs the question; Can God create a rock so heavy that He cannot pick it up?
It is easier to see our abilities in relation to our creator, but becomes rather ridiculous when we try to explain God with our limitations.
Let us ponder this a bit later.
Another question could be:
If God knows our destiny, why does He let bad people come into this world?
In essence, this gives us an answer to our first question.
God gives us life along with the ability to make choices, and although He inevitably knows our destiny He leaves our decisions to us.
He gets out of our way unless we ask Him to be our way.
So, can He make a boulder so heavy that even He cannot lift?
The answer is of course, yes!
But then in this same instance, He could lift it!
How is this possible?
If He chooses to make a rock so heavy that He cannot lift it, then so it shall be.
If He chooses now to lift this rock, then so it shall be.
We should not limit the answer to a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
The answer is positioned in the ‘choice’.
This pattern can be attributed to the initial question we pose about God.
God made us in His image and we inherit this ability and opportunity to choose.
Decisions, for humans are a fundamental component of life.
With decision comes the possibility to change, and with God all things are possible!
For God exists in the eternal now; unaltered by our deficient how!
This begs the question; Can God create a rock so heavy that He cannot pick it up?
It is easier to see our abilities in relation to our creator, but becomes rather ridiculous when we try to explain God with our limitations.
Let us ponder this a bit later.
Another question could be:
If God knows our destiny, why does He let bad people come into this world?
In essence, this gives us an answer to our first question.
God gives us life along with the ability to make choices, and although He inevitably knows our destiny He leaves our decisions to us.
He gets out of our way unless we ask Him to be our way.
So, can He make a boulder so heavy that even He cannot lift?
The answer is of course, yes!
But then in this same instance, He could lift it!
How is this possible?
If He chooses to make a rock so heavy that He cannot lift it, then so it shall be.
If He chooses now to lift this rock, then so it shall be.
We should not limit the answer to a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
The answer is positioned in the ‘choice’.
This pattern can be attributed to the initial question we pose about God.
God made us in His image and we inherit this ability and opportunity to choose.
Decisions, for humans are a fundamental component of life.
With decision comes the possibility to change, and with God all things are possible!
For God exists in the eternal now; unaltered by our deficient how!
Thursday
review of new book i'm reading..
If you love reading mystery stories, this book is for you. It contains murders, sex and violence. At times it makes me feel insignificant and other times I feel as though I’m the single focus of the words I’m reading. If you enjoy war stories, failures, success stories, love and romance then pick up this book. I’m sure we’ve all picked up and read from a bible at some time or another. If not, we’ve heard passages read from someone at a Church wedding or funeral service. The main point is, we all have access to scriptures; But how many of us have really read it? Most Protestants really delve into this book but if you are a cradle Catholic like me, you’re comprehension is probably ambiguous at best.
I have finally taken the advice of my spiritual advisor. I’m reading the entire bible and when finished I will work on a study of this book. I challenge all cradle Catholics and those so inclined to take this suggestion. What I am discovering is a plethora of wisdom from readings that I heard read every week but didn’t appreciate. It takes us on a time-travel and gives witness to the story of humankind in relation to our Creator.
There is nothing missing in the bible. It inspires us with an abundance of faith or teaches us the shortcomings that a lack of faith will bring. And as stated in scripture: “There is nothing new under the sun.” Ecc.1:9
There are songs, hymns, prayers, spiritual guidance, as well as battles between good and evil. It even gives advice on hygiene. It lays out guidelines for a legal system, and gives specific instructions to build a place of worship. No other book covers everything like the bible does and I truly mean everything! I think Dostoevsky put it proper when he penned, “Good heavens, what a book it is, and what lessons there are in it! What a book the Bible is, what a miracle, what strength is given with it to man! It is like a mould cast of the world and man and human nature, everything is there, and a law for everything for all the ages. And what mysteries are solved and revealed!”(from ‘Father Zoissima’ in Brothers Karamozov).
Pick it up and read it again for the first time. Read each story as if you’ve never read it before and I pray you will begin to appreciate the treasure you hold in your hands.
I have finally taken the advice of my spiritual advisor. I’m reading the entire bible and when finished I will work on a study of this book. I challenge all cradle Catholics and those so inclined to take this suggestion. What I am discovering is a plethora of wisdom from readings that I heard read every week but didn’t appreciate. It takes us on a time-travel and gives witness to the story of humankind in relation to our Creator.
There is nothing missing in the bible. It inspires us with an abundance of faith or teaches us the shortcomings that a lack of faith will bring. And as stated in scripture: “There is nothing new under the sun.” Ecc.1:9
There are songs, hymns, prayers, spiritual guidance, as well as battles between good and evil. It even gives advice on hygiene. It lays out guidelines for a legal system, and gives specific instructions to build a place of worship. No other book covers everything like the bible does and I truly mean everything! I think Dostoevsky put it proper when he penned, “Good heavens, what a book it is, and what lessons there are in it! What a book the Bible is, what a miracle, what strength is given with it to man! It is like a mould cast of the world and man and human nature, everything is there, and a law for everything for all the ages. And what mysteries are solved and revealed!”(from ‘Father Zoissima’ in Brothers Karamozov).
Pick it up and read it again for the first time. Read each story as if you’ve never read it before and I pray you will begin to appreciate the treasure you hold in your hands.
Saturday
Friday
a smorgasbord of advice from a father..
I feel compelled to share this with you...
My Dear Child,
Man must work to exist..
We are all called to earn our keep and sometimes we choose to shrink from these responsibilities but are required to catch up at a later date.. As we mature we realize there is no escaping this if we desire to live an image of a fulfilled life. It’s a sort of ‘pay now or pay later’ scenario.
And remember that a procrastinator eventually will run out of runway…
Instead of living life with a ‘life is short’ mentality...Live as if we ‘only get this one life’ and when we are called to account for it, there are no do-overs... And though this life is short …
The next one's forever…
If someone lives without God in their heart, they live for themselves. That means a truly satisfying life is not possible because we were made by and for God. A pointless rollercoaster ride and seemingly short life awaits those who live by themselves anticipating short bursts of satisfaction.
I can’t expect you to have the same conviction of faith as I have because of two reasons: firstly your age / secondly you didn’t have as good a teacher as I did. I can only stand on the shore trying to look like a beacon for your waywardness; because I will be held accountable for you. Faith is a gift of ‘grace’ and to those it is given also falls a burden of responsibility. If in your heart you proceed doing something you know to be wrong, you will be asked to pay account. (Luke.6 24-25 "But woe to you that are rich, for you have received your consolation. "Woe to you that are full now, for you shall hunger. "Woe to you that laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.)
If you turn your back on this gift, remember you cannot hide from God.
So how do you know what is right? Ask the conscience of your heart that shapes the benchmark of your faith.
As part of my duty and commitment as your Father, I must be accountable for you and to you. Therefore I need to stress these things when I feel that your soul is challenged and you need guidance. When you were young we put up gates so you were kept from falling down stairs; now I feel the obligation to point out further places that can cause you to fall.
Sin is very attractive in today’s world. It can be dressed up with acceptable or fun things so we don't really notice them as they gnaw away and plant the seeds of our demise. Remember that SIN is magnetic to our human nature.
Don't be a cafeteria Catholic; picking out what suits you.
From Our Catechism:
o Lust is a disordered desire for enjoyment of sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself and isolated from its procreated united purpose.
o Pornography consists in removing real or simulated sex acts from the intimacy of partners, in order to display them deliberately to third parties. It offends because it perverts the conjugal act (the intimate giving of spouses to each other). It does grave injury to the dignity of its participants and immerses all who are involved in the illusion of a fantasy world.
As you sow, you shall reap…!
If we eat junk food; our body processes it and our health reaps its rewards.
What we ingest; we process and convey these results...
Eat too much and you’ll feel full; Starve, and you’ll crave food.
Drink too much alcohol, and become inebriated...
So our mouth, as the orifice to our body becomes the gatekeeper...
It is also this way with our eyes, our ears, our intellect...
If we ingest the secular’s version of life; we grow to that end.
The news media, the games, the movies, the music, the books we partake and intake all contribute to our composition.
When we exercise we supposedly increase our lifespan; when we pour over pornography our judgment is murky.
If we drink too much water we will drown!
Now we can eat most of the right things mixed with some of the wrong things and what is the resultant? Our immune system is gradually weakened and we can accept more of this watered down version.
Once we accept a lower standard, the bar remains lower and we can find it too difficult to rise up again...
Our body with all our senses; our intellect with all our potential are affected by what we allow in. We need to alert the ‘gatekeeper’ of our body and soul to be on guard.
If we live ‘good’ we exude ‘good’.
We cannot look to the news media to feed us our religion. We cannot ask a celebrity to give us advice (actually we can but don’t expect to be their priority). If our romance waits for us in the form of a romance novel, then we need to look elsewhere. If our excitement lies only in waiting for a new movie we need to fill the voids. We are created with some parts missing and we search to fill this emptiness...
Don’t ask a mechanic to give us medical advice... look into our heart, then out of this world and find our missing part that will make us whole and will calm our restlessness.
with love.. Dad
My Dear Child,
Man must work to exist..
We are all called to earn our keep and sometimes we choose to shrink from these responsibilities but are required to catch up at a later date.. As we mature we realize there is no escaping this if we desire to live an image of a fulfilled life. It’s a sort of ‘pay now or pay later’ scenario.
And remember that a procrastinator eventually will run out of runway…
Instead of living life with a ‘life is short’ mentality...Live as if we ‘only get this one life’ and when we are called to account for it, there are no do-overs... And though this life is short …
The next one's forever…
If someone lives without God in their heart, they live for themselves. That means a truly satisfying life is not possible because we were made by and for God. A pointless rollercoaster ride and seemingly short life awaits those who live by themselves anticipating short bursts of satisfaction.
I can’t expect you to have the same conviction of faith as I have because of two reasons: firstly your age / secondly you didn’t have as good a teacher as I did. I can only stand on the shore trying to look like a beacon for your waywardness; because I will be held accountable for you. Faith is a gift of ‘grace’ and to those it is given also falls a burden of responsibility. If in your heart you proceed doing something you know to be wrong, you will be asked to pay account. (Luke.6 24-25 "But woe to you that are rich, for you have received your consolation. "Woe to you that are full now, for you shall hunger. "Woe to you that laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.)
If you turn your back on this gift, remember you cannot hide from God.
So how do you know what is right? Ask the conscience of your heart that shapes the benchmark of your faith.
As part of my duty and commitment as your Father, I must be accountable for you and to you. Therefore I need to stress these things when I feel that your soul is challenged and you need guidance. When you were young we put up gates so you were kept from falling down stairs; now I feel the obligation to point out further places that can cause you to fall.
Sin is very attractive in today’s world. It can be dressed up with acceptable or fun things so we don't really notice them as they gnaw away and plant the seeds of our demise. Remember that SIN is magnetic to our human nature.
Don't be a cafeteria Catholic; picking out what suits you.
From Our Catechism:
o Lust is a disordered desire for enjoyment of sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself and isolated from its procreated united purpose.
o Pornography consists in removing real or simulated sex acts from the intimacy of partners, in order to display them deliberately to third parties. It offends because it perverts the conjugal act (the intimate giving of spouses to each other). It does grave injury to the dignity of its participants and immerses all who are involved in the illusion of a fantasy world.
As you sow, you shall reap…!
If we eat junk food; our body processes it and our health reaps its rewards.
What we ingest; we process and convey these results...
Eat too much and you’ll feel full; Starve, and you’ll crave food.
Drink too much alcohol, and become inebriated...
So our mouth, as the orifice to our body becomes the gatekeeper...
It is also this way with our eyes, our ears, our intellect...
If we ingest the secular’s version of life; we grow to that end.
The news media, the games, the movies, the music, the books we partake and intake all contribute to our composition.
When we exercise we supposedly increase our lifespan; when we pour over pornography our judgment is murky.
If we drink too much water we will drown!
Now we can eat most of the right things mixed with some of the wrong things and what is the resultant? Our immune system is gradually weakened and we can accept more of this watered down version.
Once we accept a lower standard, the bar remains lower and we can find it too difficult to rise up again...
Our body with all our senses; our intellect with all our potential are affected by what we allow in. We need to alert the ‘gatekeeper’ of our body and soul to be on guard.
If we live ‘good’ we exude ‘good’.
We cannot look to the news media to feed us our religion. We cannot ask a celebrity to give us advice (actually we can but don’t expect to be their priority). If our romance waits for us in the form of a romance novel, then we need to look elsewhere. If our excitement lies only in waiting for a new movie we need to fill the voids. We are created with some parts missing and we search to fill this emptiness...
Don’t ask a mechanic to give us medical advice... look into our heart, then out of this world and find our missing part that will make us whole and will calm our restlessness.
with love.. Dad
Tuesday
follow your leader
Many follow their dreams and will surrender themselves and do whatever it takes to accomplish this task. People feel a twitch that is usually driven by some sort of zeal towards self-satisfaction. Society seems intent on this mode of dream-chasing, and life-improving, and life-extending.
We can watch people on TV get their teeth, face, breasts, wardrobe, and face made-over. We can see others get a completely made-over house (but not home). Commercials show us how to get rid of wrinkles, weight, acne, and debt. We watch infomercials that promise easy money, free gifts, or an appliance that does virtually anything we desire.
These things, if understood in a prudent fashion can be good things, but they are being promoted as an elevated ingredient of modern life. They can make the spectators feel less valuable, or less desired if they don't enlist in this essential cornucopia.
The limitation is that our appetite will never cease, and we would forever be chasing that next rainbow. However the problem is, this is all a temporary fix. We are all traveling to the same ending no matter how many faces we put on. That is, unless we believe our Lord's promise: "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand." (John10:28)
We can remind ourselves not to over-indulge with these words from 'Blessed Henry Suso', "Worldly people often purchase hell at a very dear price by sacrificing themselves to please this world."
We can watch people on TV get their teeth, face, breasts, wardrobe, and face made-over. We can see others get a completely made-over house (but not home). Commercials show us how to get rid of wrinkles, weight, acne, and debt. We watch infomercials that promise easy money, free gifts, or an appliance that does virtually anything we desire.
These things, if understood in a prudent fashion can be good things, but they are being promoted as an elevated ingredient of modern life. They can make the spectators feel less valuable, or less desired if they don't enlist in this essential cornucopia.
The limitation is that our appetite will never cease, and we would forever be chasing that next rainbow. However the problem is, this is all a temporary fix. We are all traveling to the same ending no matter how many faces we put on. That is, unless we believe our Lord's promise: "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand." (John10:28)
We can remind ourselves not to over-indulge with these words from 'Blessed Henry Suso', "Worldly people often purchase hell at a very dear price by sacrificing themselves to please this world."
Wednesday
'RC' or 'cc' ? ..
We challenge the laws when they challenge us!
The law that rubs us the wrong way or interferes with our plans or thoughts are the ones we spend time quarrelling about. It is like that in society and in the Church.
This is the reason for the ‘cafeteria catholic’ syndrome.
We might generally agree with the Church except for a few nagging issues.
In order to justify things we become the ‘pope’ for our little own ‘church’.
We belong according to our schedule, and moral issues as we see fit.
That is the great thing about being a ‘cafeteria catholic’; we are never wrong.
Sin becomes a thing of the past.
Why drudge up all these transgressions?
‘We’ (the cafeteria ‘we’) will only recall some sins of past Church members to help us rationalize our ‘modern thoughts’. The inquisition, or bad popes, or a corrupt priest can help to defend our opinion.
But we must always remember and remind ourselves that there is only ‘One’ that may judge and God is not accepting applications. Even His Vicar does not judge, he serves!
This might take some of the fun out of the ‘life is short’, or ‘if it feels good, do it’ mantras.
But it is short when compared to forever…and it’s living a lie as a peripheral Catholic.
We can do our due diligence now and let the flames of purification mold our being.
Yes we can still choose like the ‘cafeteria catholic’; but decide for our ‘self’ rather than our selfish tendencies.
The next time you find yourself in that ‘cafeteria’ line look around and see how many other ‘little popes’ are standing in their own ‘little churches’. Decide instead for a different banquet; where priests and the ‘Vicar’ serves and Our Lord awaits…
Monday
the invisible war..
TV stations on satellite or cable or free
Media blogs on computers, ‘blackberrys’ you’ll see
Music on your head, your phone, or ipod
Movies at theatres, car, on demand you nod
Gaming for junkies, computer nerds and sport fans
Pictures snapped in every place not imagined..or planned
What is this sword’s edge we live on?
On what side shall we go?
Do we get split down the middle?
Halved or uneven, do we know?
Pick a topic
And think it through
Run from the noise
And choose what is true
What are these choices?
Why are they harried?
If options could form us
Would they be varied?
Off in the distance
Alone in the notion
Urge excess unending
Aligning this potion
These choices may drown us
The amounts are legion
This surplus screams prudence
In all of our regions
The battle is storming
This incoming tide
Our ship taking water
For the life of our ride
So batten the hatches
Bolt all the doors
Ready the castle
For the invisible war
Tuesday
Monday
what's our mark?
What is the most important text, symbol or mark on a tombstone?
Some would say, the maxims added by the family; like ‘A loving father and husband’, or ‘Forever Remembered’. Some would say perhaps that it is our surname that explains our life’s ‘DNA’. Still others would insist that it is the day of our birth; the day we sprang to life in this world.
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But what of the dash or hyphen that’s engraved between the date of birth and the date of death? That little inconspicuous mark says nothing but contains everything. This mark signifies our entire life. And only God knows precisely what this mark stands for.
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Another important (maybe more so) mark on the tombstone is the date of death. In the Church, we celebrate a saint’s feast day on their anniversary of death not birth? This date marks the day of entrance into eternal life. It should actually be referred to as the date of our re-birth rather than death!
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I’ll explain using words from Bishop Sheen; ”To a pagan, this world is everything and death deprives him of all there is; to the Christian, this world is only a scaffolding through which souls climb to the Kingdom of God. All during life, the pagan is moving toward death; but the Christian is moving backward. He starts with the fact that he must die and render an account of his (life) stewardship; knowing that he will die, he plans his life accordingly.”
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In essence we (as Christians) live our life in reverse. With God time is irrelevant, so the direction of it is also extraneous. By the act of living, we move towards the beginning of our undying life. Therefore if we looked at our life in reverse; beyond our birth is really an end or using the thesaurus suggestion for ‘end’, our ‘death’. To summarize, our beginning in this world is actually our end, with no end going forward! All clear now?
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I guess this is more to ponder..
Some would say, the maxims added by the family; like ‘A loving father and husband’, or ‘Forever Remembered’. Some would say perhaps that it is our surname that explains our life’s ‘DNA’. Still others would insist that it is the day of our birth; the day we sprang to life in this world.
+
But what of the dash or hyphen that’s engraved between the date of birth and the date of death? That little inconspicuous mark says nothing but contains everything. This mark signifies our entire life. And only God knows precisely what this mark stands for.
+
Another important (maybe more so) mark on the tombstone is the date of death. In the Church, we celebrate a saint’s feast day on their anniversary of death not birth? This date marks the day of entrance into eternal life. It should actually be referred to as the date of our re-birth rather than death!
+
I’ll explain using words from Bishop Sheen; ”To a pagan, this world is everything and death deprives him of all there is; to the Christian, this world is only a scaffolding through which souls climb to the Kingdom of God. All during life, the pagan is moving toward death; but the Christian is moving backward. He starts with the fact that he must die and render an account of his (life) stewardship; knowing that he will die, he plans his life accordingly.”
+
In essence we (as Christians) live our life in reverse. With God time is irrelevant, so the direction of it is also extraneous. By the act of living, we move towards the beginning of our undying life. Therefore if we looked at our life in reverse; beyond our birth is really an end or using the thesaurus suggestion for ‘end’, our ‘death’. To summarize, our beginning in this world is actually our end, with no end going forward! All clear now?
+
I guess this is more to ponder..
Thursday
.. jottings and thoughts
About Lent
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A reminder of sin in our world..
A reminder of holiness in our world..
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But just like the offer of God’s grace..
We’re far too busy to accept the offer..
While we spend time in search for happiness..
We’re busy in the pleasure of our pleasures..
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The scientists have got it all wrong..
Life revolves around us..
We (humans) are at the center and life spins about us..
We resist grace because it gets in the way of our ‘selves’..
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We try to feed this passion to ‘ourselves’ at the detriment of all else..
We can believe that we are free; however we’re headed for an ambush..
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The trap tightens and pulls us to its vortex..
We don’t try to pull away..
We’re like bugs attracted to the headlights..
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But Lent can save us..
It can cleanse our souls..
Sacrifice for others, meditate for enrichment..
Look to open up to the grace that awaits us..
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God’s grace is best received on an empty soul..
Start with the sacrament of confession..
Then soak it up and share..
Wednesday
Tuesday
pondering..
Each life, its own merits
Each life, its own reward
No suffering goes unnoticed
No innocent cries unheard
Shall retribution be silent?
Not to punisher, nor the punished
For the unseen goes on seeing
Tabulations do carry on
Straining to gather reason
Reason to intersect faith
An insect meets our footprint
And sees our huge design
We lift this bug to our hand
Purposely peer at this pest
How could a bug grasp our mind?
How could its being fathom ours?
We look to the heavens and wonder
With such an unsolvable stare
We look with the eyes of an insect
Grasping with might and with dare
Still nothing is clear revelation
Accountable, unsettled, but true
We live with an unknowing sureness
Explain to the bug now, would you?
Monday
'yourverse'
What would a world be like if we could create one?
Let us imagine that on the day that you die and meet God you are given a reward for having lived a faithful life. And let us imagine that God gives you the power to create your own unique universe, complete with planets, solar system and life in this system. Let’s call your unique universe ‘yourverse’.
What rules or laws would you build into ‘yourverse’? What sort of measuring sticks would you employ. Would time exist as we now know it? What sort of planet would you introduce life into? Could you handle this responsibility, or would you ask God for His recipe? Remember that every decision going forward will have an infinite ripple effect throughout the lives and history of ‘yourverse’ Each and every detail would be related directly or indirectly as well as adversely or favourably. Would you allow Newton’s Law, ‘for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction’? What other laws would you set up to govern yourverse?
Perhaps you’d tolerate the identity of each being? To be fair each being could have their own weighted importance in this grand scheme. Suppose you would permit ‘yourverse’ beings to choices, but with ramifications? Their choices would almost certainly entail some limits. How much power (compared to yours) would you allow these beings to have? Could 'yourverse' enjoy beings that live in complete harmony?
How would you reveal yourself to your beings or would you? With this power to create, let’s also recognize the fact that you would know how things will turn out. If you also realized that inevitable destruction is awaiting your creation, would you offer yourself to your ‘mini-yous’ so they could know hope? Would you become one of them in order to save them all? Of course knowing full well that all will not be saved; some will reject your offer. Would you come as a king or peasant?
Is there to be a ‘final judgment’? What sort of forgiveness is planned? Will you listen to their pleas? Without even looking at any of the details this appears to be quite an overwhelming task.
Maybe we should take the straightforward advice of Johann Wolfgang Goethe: “The greatest act of faith takes place when a man finally decides that he is not God.”
who wins?
No matter the genius.. no words, writings, deeds, philosophy, posterity, fortunes or conquerors have had the effect that Our Lord did with His Sacrificial Life. With no press conference or media hype, a baby came into and changed our world. A simple ‘sport celebrity signing' or ‘movie premier’ generates much more splash but the effect is truly superficial. Never listed as ‘Person of the Year’ or the recipient of a ‘Nobel’ peace prize but generation after generation is loyal unto death.
Christianity does not win the current ‘popular vote’ but enlists more soldiers every day, every hour. No so called ‘world leader’ king, queen or political figure has commanded so much respect with so little ammunition or weaponry. With ‘humility’ and ‘truth’ He conquered our world and we remain indebted. In a world that measures by wealth the real power rests with the humble..
Vocal atheists come and go but no generation of civilization can create a replacement for God. Many have tried, but their clocks wind to a conclusion before their desires are incubated.
Words in any combination or any number of attempts cannot properly describe this conviction of ‘faith’. Faith in God is un-measurable; words are inadequate, belief is implicit and the testimony unarguable.
Sunday
secular catechesis
The problem with the culture of today is that too many people are getting their religion from the news headlines. This is a main-stream dilemma that grows into a way of life, as many adults suffer from attention deficit. We become drawn into this premise as if it is life sustaining. The hustle of living grabs so much of our attention that we merely skim the surface of existence.
Years accumulate, but we lose the opportunity to absorb any meaningful experiences and this leads to hasty judgments in our pre-occupied brains.
If we listen to conversations nowadays the proof becomes positive. Comments in newspapers and call-in radio shows and TV talk shows are filled with the same shallow biases. When the topic of religion is broached, out come the usual barbs. And they are so predictable: they point to some mistakes of the past, and say: ‘sell everything at the Vatican and spend it on the poor’, ‘they should get with the times’, or ‘why would a good God allow all this?’ It really is so monotonous; it‘s as if they are all reading from a sound-bite recording. Trotting out these stone throwing clichés seems to somehow make some people feel larger than they really are.
Some blame goes to irresponsible reporting. Media minds go for the controversy and throw out tag lines to grab attention and ratings. We (busy important humans) are on the run so much as we barely hear the news leads and skim them in our newspaper or listen to Oprah’s gospel hour, and then form an obvious follow-the-leader conclusion.
If this is truly where we get our religion; then we fairly get what we deserve. Society needs to slow down the pace and take time to study or take the interest to find more info before we rush along with the crowd. We (society) are becoming too simple and ‘dumbed-down’. Get behind the stories; instead of throwing insults like ‘take care of your pedophile priests’ you can find that the Church is taking the problem very serious and are dealing with this scandal. The Holy Father has approved changes to entry requirements to the priesthood and made it easier to expedite trials or dismissal of offenders. Remember that the Church is made up of sinners and that includes all present members, myself included.
At issue are the loud mouths that are indeed just that: blow hard loud mouths that enjoy being loud. Most people will let these loud-mouths do our thinking. You’ve heard the expression ‘put first things first’; we need to take the time to decide what should be first! Hint: this usually involves effort.
Claims such as; ‘I am intelligent enough to decide for myself’, come from the same people who will complain to their friend after stepping in dog excrement ‘why didn’t you tell me it was there?’ We should all be intelligent enough to make our own informed decisions but we’ve become too lazy or fatigued to actually do so.
Use the intellect we have and don’t just accept the ‘pablum’ of society’s thoughts. The sleek secular feel good society tries to fill us with instant satisfaction, but the pleasure evaporates as we tirelessly chase the rainbow. If we seek the catechism of civilization, the result is swift, certain and finite.
The thing to remember is that life is temporary because this is not our permanent home. We may say we’re so busy; but the real word’s consumed.
Years accumulate, but we lose the opportunity to absorb any meaningful experiences and this leads to hasty judgments in our pre-occupied brains.
If we listen to conversations nowadays the proof becomes positive. Comments in newspapers and call-in radio shows and TV talk shows are filled with the same shallow biases. When the topic of religion is broached, out come the usual barbs. And they are so predictable: they point to some mistakes of the past, and say: ‘sell everything at the Vatican and spend it on the poor’, ‘they should get with the times’, or ‘why would a good God allow all this?’ It really is so monotonous; it‘s as if they are all reading from a sound-bite recording. Trotting out these stone throwing clichés seems to somehow make some people feel larger than they really are.
Some blame goes to irresponsible reporting. Media minds go for the controversy and throw out tag lines to grab attention and ratings. We (busy important humans) are on the run so much as we barely hear the news leads and skim them in our newspaper or listen to Oprah’s gospel hour, and then form an obvious follow-the-leader conclusion.
If this is truly where we get our religion; then we fairly get what we deserve. Society needs to slow down the pace and take time to study or take the interest to find more info before we rush along with the crowd. We (society) are becoming too simple and ‘dumbed-down’. Get behind the stories; instead of throwing insults like ‘take care of your pedophile priests’ you can find that the Church is taking the problem very serious and are dealing with this scandal. The Holy Father has approved changes to entry requirements to the priesthood and made it easier to expedite trials or dismissal of offenders. Remember that the Church is made up of sinners and that includes all present members, myself included.
At issue are the loud mouths that are indeed just that: blow hard loud mouths that enjoy being loud. Most people will let these loud-mouths do our thinking. You’ve heard the expression ‘put first things first’; we need to take the time to decide what should be first! Hint: this usually involves effort.
Claims such as; ‘I am intelligent enough to decide for myself’, come from the same people who will complain to their friend after stepping in dog excrement ‘why didn’t you tell me it was there?’ We should all be intelligent enough to make our own informed decisions but we’ve become too lazy or fatigued to actually do so.
Use the intellect we have and don’t just accept the ‘pablum’ of society’s thoughts. The sleek secular feel good society tries to fill us with instant satisfaction, but the pleasure evaporates as we tirelessly chase the rainbow. If we seek the catechism of civilization, the result is swift, certain and finite.
The thing to remember is that life is temporary because this is not our permanent home. We may say we’re so busy; but the real word’s consumed.
why?
...For those who ask why are we here?There must be a stimulus that begs the question.There must be a responsibility for our place in time; our source of parents, our family. Why are we on this place called earth? Could it be the result of happenstance? Can science answer this? I think that science has enough problems and has more questions than answers, more theories than solutions. What is fate, or chance or a coincidence? Are these things viable?All of life by default, must have a ’motivator’ and ‘sustainer.’If we are truly asking ‘why’; when life is analyzed we can only look on as an observer. Once life is presented to us, we can only ‘react’ or ‘live’ our lives; we had no say in ‘becoming’We can choose or decide our destiny with one condition; life must be given to us. God is the first nudge or momentum of all life and the ‘continuance’ and ‘constant’ of life. He is Life’s motion and activist.Friedrich Nietzsche proclaimed that ‘God is Dead’; but the reality is ‘Nietzsche’ is dead.Without the perpetual presence of God, the whole universe would be scattered and deficient. The order of life then becomes a chaos that would cease to exist.To paraphrase St.Augustine:’ These questions are written in our hearts and our restless heart hunts for the answers to fill this void.’To the atheist who says: ‘Prove to me that your God exists’; I’d pose the statement, “That is the easier of the two possibilites, It would be harder to prove He does Not!”As G K Chesterton put it so well; ‘If it weren’t for God, there would be no atheists.’
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