"“As often as you celebrate or hear Mass, it should seem as great, as new, as sweet to you as if on that very day Christ became man in the womb of the Virgin, or, hanging on the Cross, suffered and died for the salvation of man.”
Mike Aquilina
Fire of God’s Love: 120 Reflections on the Eucharist, Servant Books"
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Better than a Hallelujah (lyrics) Amy Grant
What offends Jesus, what wounds Him to the heart, is lack of Confidence. My way is all of Love and of Confidence in God. The remembrance of my faults humbles me, and urges me never to rely on my own strength, which is nothing but weakness; still more does this remembrance speak to me of Mercy and Love. When, with all Confidence, we cast our faults into the devouring furnace of Love, how should they fail to be entirely consumed?
~St. Therese~
I leave myself in the arms of Our Lord. He teaches me to draw profit from everything, from the good and from the bad which He finds in me.
~St. Therese~
Saturday, November 27, 2010
German Parenting Book Encourages Incest
By John-Henry Westen
BERLIN, July 30, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Booklets from a subsidiary of the German government’s Ministry for Family Affairs encourage parents to sexually massage their children as young as 1 to 3 years of age. Two 40-page booklets entitled "Love, Body and Playing Doctor" by the German Federal Health Education Center (Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung - BZgA) are aimed at parents - the first addressing children from 1-3 and the other children from 4-6 years of age.
"Fathers do not devote enough attention to the clitoris and vagina of their daughters. Their caresses too seldom pertain to these regions, while this is the only way the girls can develop a sense of pride in their sex," reads the booklet regarding 1-3 year olds. The authors rationalize, "The child touches all parts of their father’s body, sometimes arousing him. The father should do the same."
If you haven't thrown up yet and wish to read the rest of the article click here.
BERLIN, July 30, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Booklets from a subsidiary of the German government’s Ministry for Family Affairs encourage parents to sexually massage their children as young as 1 to 3 years of age. Two 40-page booklets entitled "Love, Body and Playing Doctor" by the German Federal Health Education Center (Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung - BZgA) are aimed at parents - the first addressing children from 1-3 and the other children from 4-6 years of age.
"Fathers do not devote enough attention to the clitoris and vagina of their daughters. Their caresses too seldom pertain to these regions, while this is the only way the girls can develop a sense of pride in their sex," reads the booklet regarding 1-3 year olds. The authors rationalize, "The child touches all parts of their father’s body, sometimes arousing him. The father should do the same."
If you haven't thrown up yet and wish to read the rest of the article click here.
University of Michigan Uses Tax Dollars to Install Foot Baths for Islamic Ceremonial Foot Washing
Click the image for the story.
I can't help but wonder what the University Administration would say if a group of students requested the use of a classroom for a Rosary Prayer group. Any guesses?
Taqiyya - Lying For Islam
This is why I cannot trust a Muslim.
Think about it. Christians are instructed to love our enemies and to be honest even at our own detriment. We are told to spread our religion by love and by feeding the poor and by turning the other cheek. Muslims are instructed to spread their religion by the edge of the sword if necessary.
While our nation is bending over backwards to be kind and respectful (to the point of absurdity) to Muslims, Christians in Muslim countries are going through this:
This is the home of Coptic Christians after a visit from Muslim neighbors. Read about it here.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Obama's Grandmother Prays He Will Become A Muslim
Was Mother Teresa A Christian?
"Anonymous said...
I would not determine what conversion means based on mother theresa's quotes. Conversion, according to the Bible is accomplished by God alone, not our own ideas.
John 1:12-13 'But as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born (meaning spiritual birth or born-again), not of blood (meaning physical birth), nor of the will of the flesh (meaning good works,sorry mother theresa), nor of the will of man (meaning your own decision to be converted), BUT OF GOD. God saves His saints without any works or good deeds on their part. It is a sin issue....Christ died for Sinners...not self-righteous religious people. The Word of God will show the way, Christ alone saves."
It's not often that I address this kind of comment, but I think it is a perfect example of Protestant thinking and making Sacred Scripture say whatever you want it to say. As Stephen pointed out in a subsequent comment, God does not come along and "zap" us with salvation. He has given us free will and we must consent to His working in our lives. Now I will also say that our consent is a result of His actual grace working in our lives, but He does wait for our fiat before He comes into our lives and brings new life.
One thing I found very telling about anonymous' comment was the parenthesis. This is a perfect example of what I call "we knows." They are parameters placed on a scripture that attempt to force the passage to fit a certain theological belief system. Where does this passage say that the word "born" means "spiritual birth or born again?" Where does it say that the will of the flesh means "works." It doesn't!
We see this sentence falling between a discussion of Jesus coming to His own and His own not receiving Him. Now, who did Jesus come to and who did not receive Him? Jesus said many times that He had come to the house of Israel. He even hesitated to heal some people who were not Jewish, mentioning that they were foreigners and that He had come to the Jews. So what we are discussing in the passage is the Jews and how they did not receive Him. But some chose to receive Him and to them He gave the power to become children of God. I've always found it interesting that He gave the power to BECOME children of God, not that He zapped them and they became children of God. He opened the way to them, they had to respond with the power He gave them.
The three fold description of birth we see in this passage echos words found in Wisdom 7:1-2 where physical birth is referred to as being of flesh, blood, and the pleasure of a man. So before we go running off and attributing all kinds of theological references to those terms, maybe we should look at how they function in the passage. Having just said that Christ came into the world through flesh and blood (incarnation), we now see flesh and blood men becoming children of God through that power He gave them to become such.
What a beautiful Catholic lesson this is! Christ came into the world through the flesh of Mary, to redeem sinners by His power poured out on mankind and in some mystical way given in increasing measure to those who believe on His name! Keep in mind, that to a Jewish mind, a name is the essence of a person. To know some one's name is to know them intimately. So when we talk about becoming children of God by believing on His Name, we are talking about a solemn commitment to the very essence of who Christ is. God, Creator, and King. It is, as Mother Teresa said, the surrender of our whole selves to Christ and the pouring out of God's divine life into us. It is the marital exchange of complete self donation; Christ to us, us to Christ.
Blessed Mother Teresa, pray for us as we daily make that surrender and grow in holiness through the grace of God. Sola gratia.
I would not determine what conversion means based on mother theresa's quotes. Conversion, according to the Bible is accomplished by God alone, not our own ideas.
John 1:12-13 'But as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born (meaning spiritual birth or born-again), not of blood (meaning physical birth), nor of the will of the flesh (meaning good works,sorry mother theresa), nor of the will of man (meaning your own decision to be converted), BUT OF GOD. God saves His saints without any works or good deeds on their part. It is a sin issue....Christ died for Sinners...not self-righteous religious people. The Word of God will show the way, Christ alone saves."
It's not often that I address this kind of comment, but I think it is a perfect example of Protestant thinking and making Sacred Scripture say whatever you want it to say. As Stephen pointed out in a subsequent comment, God does not come along and "zap" us with salvation. He has given us free will and we must consent to His working in our lives. Now I will also say that our consent is a result of His actual grace working in our lives, but He does wait for our fiat before He comes into our lives and brings new life.
One thing I found very telling about anonymous' comment was the parenthesis. This is a perfect example of what I call "we knows." They are parameters placed on a scripture that attempt to force the passage to fit a certain theological belief system. Where does this passage say that the word "born" means "spiritual birth or born again?" Where does it say that the will of the flesh means "works." It doesn't!
We see this sentence falling between a discussion of Jesus coming to His own and His own not receiving Him. Now, who did Jesus come to and who did not receive Him? Jesus said many times that He had come to the house of Israel. He even hesitated to heal some people who were not Jewish, mentioning that they were foreigners and that He had come to the Jews. So what we are discussing in the passage is the Jews and how they did not receive Him. But some chose to receive Him and to them He gave the power to become children of God. I've always found it interesting that He gave the power to BECOME children of God, not that He zapped them and they became children of God. He opened the way to them, they had to respond with the power He gave them.
The three fold description of birth we see in this passage echos words found in Wisdom 7:1-2 where physical birth is referred to as being of flesh, blood, and the pleasure of a man. So before we go running off and attributing all kinds of theological references to those terms, maybe we should look at how they function in the passage. Having just said that Christ came into the world through flesh and blood (incarnation), we now see flesh and blood men becoming children of God through that power He gave them to become such.
What a beautiful Catholic lesson this is! Christ came into the world through the flesh of Mary, to redeem sinners by His power poured out on mankind and in some mystical way given in increasing measure to those who believe on His name! Keep in mind, that to a Jewish mind, a name is the essence of a person. To know some one's name is to know them intimately. So when we talk about becoming children of God by believing on His Name, we are talking about a solemn commitment to the very essence of who Christ is. God, Creator, and King. It is, as Mother Teresa said, the surrender of our whole selves to Christ and the pouring out of God's divine life into us. It is the marital exchange of complete self donation; Christ to us, us to Christ.
Blessed Mother Teresa, pray for us as we daily make that surrender and grow in holiness through the grace of God. Sola gratia.
Give Thanks To The Lord
"'It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praise to your name, Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning, your faithfulness in the night, With the ten-stringed harp, with melody upon the lyre. For you make me jubilant, LORD, by your deeds; at the works of your hands I shout for joy. How great are your works, LORD! How profound your purpose!'
Psalm 91:1-6, NAB"
Psalm 91:1-6, NAB"
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Pope Approves Padded Pipes for Mugging
Canterbury Tales by Taylor Marshall: Pope Approves Padded Pipes for Mugging (Father Fes...: "I got this from Father Z who got it from Father Fessio. It's absolutely brilliant: Here’s an example of this distinction that parallels what..."
Allow Him To Possess Our Soul
“To give ourselves fully to God is a means of receiving God Himself. I for God and God for me. I live for God and give up my own self, and in this way induce God to live for me. Therefore to possess God we must allow Him to possess our soul.”
Mother Teresa
Come Be My Light, Doubleday
And Protestants say that we don't know what it means to be converted to Christ. Yeah, whatever.
Mother Teresa
Come Be My Light, Doubleday
And Protestants say that we don't know what it means to be converted to Christ. Yeah, whatever.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
The Calvinist
"'The Calvinist has so filled his mind with the sovereignty of God, that I am afraid his skull has cracked.' - G. K. Chesterton"
The Vatican newspaper has betrayed the Pope
It really bothers me when the media and the liberals of the world start talking about the Catholic Church changing her teaching on something. The Catholic Church has never changed its stand on faith or morals. Never! Yeah, we change how we do things now and then, we might update the Liturgy or move a feast day, but what is right is always right and what is wrong is always wrong. No Pope or Council is going to change what the Church teaches because it is God who teaches and the Catholic Church that is his instrument. Ever wonder why the Catholic Church is the last Christian entity on earth to approve of artificial contraception? Let me tell you, we would catch a lot less flack and experience a lot less persecution if we did. But don't hold your breath folks, because it isn't up to the Catholic Church or Catholics. God has promised that he will direct his Church into all truth. He makes the decisions, we carry them out. So don't get all pumped up about B16 changing anything. Ain't gonna happen.
Kresta In The Afternoon: The Vatican newspaper has betrayed the Pope: "The Vatican newspaper has betrayed the Pope by Phil Lawler, November 22 Pope Benedict has not changed the Church’s teachings, or even intim..."
Kresta In The Afternoon: The Vatican newspaper has betrayed the Pope: "The Vatican newspaper has betrayed the Pope by Phil Lawler, November 22 Pope Benedict has not changed the Church’s teachings, or even intim..."
If you ever wondered what side of the fence you sit on...
If you ever wondered what side of the fence you sit on, here is a great test!
If a conservative doesn't like guns, he doesn't buy one.
If a liberal doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.
If a conservative is a vegetarian, he doesn't eat meat.
If a liberal is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.
If a conservative is homosexual, he quietly leads his life earning the respect of others.
If a liberal is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.
If a conservative is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
A liberal wonders who is going to take care of him.
If a conservative doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels.
A liberal demands that those shows he doesn't like be shut down.
If a conservative is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church.
A liberal non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.
(Unless it's a foreign religion, of course!)
If a conservative decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
A liberal demands that the rest of us pay for his.
If a conservative reads this, he'll forward it so his friends can have a good chuckle.
A liberal will delete it because he's "offended."
Stolen from http://commentarius-ioannis.blogspot.com/2010/11/if-you-ever-wondered-what-side-of-fence.html
If a conservative doesn't like guns, he doesn't buy one.
If a liberal doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.
If a conservative is a vegetarian, he doesn't eat meat.
If a liberal is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.
If a conservative is homosexual, he quietly leads his life earning the respect of others.
If a liberal is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.
If a conservative is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
A liberal wonders who is going to take care of him.
If a conservative doesn't like a talk show host, he switches channels.
A liberal demands that those shows he doesn't like be shut down.
If a conservative is a non-believer, he doesn't go to church.
A liberal non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.
(Unless it's a foreign religion, of course!)
If a conservative decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
A liberal demands that the rest of us pay for his.
If a conservative reads this, he'll forward it so his friends can have a good chuckle.
A liberal will delete it because he's "offended."
Stolen from http://commentarius-ioannis.blogspot.com/2010/11/if-you-ever-wondered-what-side-of-fence.html
Wisdom
"“Wisdom is not facts or technical knowledge or brilliance or genius. Wisdom is having God’s mind. Wisdom comes when his grace transforms the way we think so that he can put our talents and knowledge to good use.”
Michael Scanlan, T.O.R.
Let the Fire Fall, Franciscan University Press"
Michael Scanlan, T.O.R.
Let the Fire Fall, Franciscan University Press"
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Young Boy strip searched by TSA (Original w/ Description)
You'll touch my Grandson's personal parts over my dead body!
Much Will Be Required
The truth of God's love was shown on the cross of his beloved son, Jesus. And the way to grow in our relationship with God in times of physical or mental stress is to strengthen ourselves by doing the things that God desires. It is a sign of great holiness when one is resigned in everything to the will of God. Everything that God wills is for our good. He knows how to console us when we least expect it. If anyone hurts you, look on him as someone of great value and, with the eyes of one who loves, see him as the person chosen by God to clothe you in holiness and in the patience, silence, and meekness of Jesus Christ.
If you can learn to see God's will as a source of strength, taking every difficulty you go through as something which comes not just from circumstances but from the loving hand of God your creator, you will soon be speeding along the short road to holiness.
The troubles we have in life, if we see them as part of God's loving plan and accept them as being what he wants for us, will actually help us to grow in knowledge of love of him. Even when things are at their worst, keep your peace of heart and accept whatever God send you as being for your good. God is your guide, your father, your teacher, your husband.
In everything that happens the best thing you can do is abandon yourself to his will.
Saint Paul of the Cross
Saint Paul of the Cross (+1775) was an Italian priest, mystic, and the founder of the Passionists.
If you can learn to see God's will as a source of strength, taking every difficulty you go through as something which comes not just from circumstances but from the loving hand of God your creator, you will soon be speeding along the short road to holiness.
The troubles we have in life, if we see them as part of God's loving plan and accept them as being what he wants for us, will actually help us to grow in knowledge of love of him. Even when things are at their worst, keep your peace of heart and accept whatever God send you as being for your good. God is your guide, your father, your teacher, your husband.
In everything that happens the best thing you can do is abandon yourself to his will.
Saint Paul of the Cross
Saint Paul of the Cross (+1775) was an Italian priest, mystic, and the founder of the Passionists.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Happy 5th Anniversary, Lord!
Today is the 5th Anniversary of my Consecration. Click the picture for the narrative.
The 'Israelification' of airports: High security, little bother - thestar.com
The 'Israelification' of airports: High security, little bother - thestar.com
I've always heard that the air port in Israel is very no-nonsense. I found this article interesting because as a previous article stated, profiling is not a bad word, it's effective.
I've always heard that the air port in Israel is very no-nonsense. I found this article interesting because as a previous article stated, profiling is not a bad word, it's effective.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Selwyn Duke -- Profile Muslims or Pat Down the Masses?
Selwyn Duke -- Profile Muslims or Pat Down the Masses?
This is an excellent article about the common sense of racial profiling. Yes, I said racial profiling. Give it a read.
This is an excellent article about the common sense of racial profiling. Yes, I said racial profiling. Give it a read.
TSA Sexual Assult
Read this mother's traumatic experience being search at the air port with her baby.
I will leave you with this thought: “It is acceptable and encouraged that a TSA government official can do something to an American citizen that US military personnel cannot do to a member of the Taliban.”
I will leave you with this thought: “It is acceptable and encouraged that a TSA government official can do something to an American citizen that US military personnel cannot do to a member of the Taliban.”
"How I Solved the Catholic Problem" -- Confessions of a Protestant missionary to Guatemala
"How I Solved the Catholic Problem" -- Confessions of a Protestant missionary to Guatemala
Awesome story! One of a few I've heard involving the conversion of Protestant Missionaries to Catholic countries.
Awesome story! One of a few I've heard involving the conversion of Protestant Missionaries to Catholic countries.
Family waits to see if mother, accused of blasphemy, will be hanged - CNN.com
Family waits to see if mother, accused of blasphemy, will be hanged - CNN.com: "Family waits to see if mother, accused of blasphemy, will be hanged"
Keep in mind, this is not a band of extremists. This is the law of the land! This is what Sharia will mean to America if we don't stand and say, No!
Keep in mind, this is not a band of extremists. This is the law of the land! This is what Sharia will mean to America if we don't stand and say, No!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Sharia Law In America?
This article is one of several I've seen lately that indicate that in several places in the USA muslims have moved immigrated in large numbers and are insisting on living as they lived in their home countries. It begs the question: "Why did you move here if you don't want to live as Americans?"
But I believe I know the answer to that one. They had no intention of coming here and assimilating. They came here as seeds of Islam. Their intention is take over, not baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and Chevrolet. (Is that how you spell Chevrolet? Around here it's just a Chevy.)
But I believe I know the answer to that one. They had no intention of coming here and assimilating. They came here as seeds of Islam. Their intention is take over, not baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and Chevrolet. (Is that how you spell Chevrolet? Around here it's just a Chevy.)
Priests Are Fathers
"“Priests are fathers because they give new life, divine life, through baptism; but their obligation does not end with the pouring of the water. They go on to nourish the life of their spiritual offspring through the Eucharist. They discipline their ‘children’ through penance. They instruct through their preaching and teaching. In short, they raise their congregations to full Christian maturity as contributing members of God’s household (Eph 2:19).”
Scott Hahn
Many Are Called, Doubleday"
Scott Hahn
Many Are Called, Doubleday"
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Into The Desert
"“Don’t think all is lost when your feet feel the hot desert sand, your cheeks the burning sun, your stomach the pangs of hunger. The Holy Spirit is leading you where Jesus went, and there he will show you what demons you need to face. But fear not. The very same Spirit who led Jesus into the desert is leading you, and he will empower you with his word to stand as champion over the world’s greatest enemy.”
George T. Montague, SM
Holy Spirit: Make Your Home in Me, The Word Among Us Press"
George T. Montague, SM
Holy Spirit: Make Your Home in Me, The Word Among Us Press"
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
The World Has Gone Mad
A Catholic nun being groped by a woman from TSA, and apparently a Muslim woman from TSA. Doesn't this picture make you feel like someone slipped you some LSD or something?
We Adore You, O Christ!
"“When the friars asked [St. Francis] to teach them to pray, he said: ‘When you pray, say ‘Our Father…’ (Luke 11:2), and ‘We adore you, O Christ, in all your churches in the whole world and we bless you because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.’ He also taught them to praise God in all creatures and from all creatures, to honor priests with special reverence and to firmly believe and simply profess the true faith as held and taught by the Holy Roman Church.’” St. Bonaventure
Alan Schreck, Ph.D.
Rebuild My Church, Servant Books"
Alan Schreck, Ph.D.
Rebuild My Church, Servant Books"
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Ever Ancient Ever TRUE!
I was reading an article on Jihad Watch this morning that really broke my heart and also confirmed my belief that what the world needs is the Catholic Church.
You may remember a while back when a terrorist wannabe in Arkansas drove by a military recruitment office and fired at two soldiers standing outside, killing one and wounding the other.
This kid was raised in a baptist family. He grew up singing the old (a couple hundred years or so) hymns and hearing the Bible preached by one preacher or another. But like so many of today's youth, he went looking for something to fill the longing of his heart. In correspondence with an author who eventually compiled his letters and interview, we read "During a visit to a Nashville mosque, he watched the synchronized movements of 50 to 75 people as they bowed and prostrated themselves in prayer. He was amazed."
When I read these words something jumped out at me. I believe that inside all of us is the desire for something ancient and ever new; something that has stood the test of time; something that unites people in a common worship of the unseen God. We long for the ancient Liturgy and ultimately for the heavenly Liturgy. This kid had his first encounter with something that went back farther than his Baptist roots. He saw a tradition of worship that went back more than a thousand years. He saw worshipers worshiping with their bodies and in motions and words that have been passed down for centuries. To him, he saw something more genuine and time tested than what he has seen Sunday after Sunday since childhood.
Unfortunately, what he saw was a religion, that regardless of its ancient roots and traditions is still an innovation created by Satan to deceive millions. What he was really longing for was the Church down the street that he was probably told was full of pagan idol worshippers - the Catholic Church. He longed for liturgy and for Sacred Tradition and for the prayers (the Mass) that have been passed down for two millennia. But ignorance and deception kept him from knowing what was down the street. So his restless heart attached itself to a counterfeit. How very sad.
On the way to Mass this morning, my daughter's friend was texting her and asking her about Mass. He is a Protestant and sadly deceived as to the reality of the Catholic Church. He asked her if the Latin Mass was for the Latinos in our Mosque. I figured he was kidding. But when she asked him what he meant he actually thought that our Churches were called Mosques. This kind of ignorance is not really that uncommon among Protestants.
I was not much different before I began to study the true beliefs of the Catholic Church. I remember only a matter of a month or two after I began reading Catholic sources that a former Catholic in my Protestant Church held a seminar (term used loosely since the seminar was really just a bashing session) on what the Catholic Church teaches. I was eager to know what my church taught about Catholicism since I wanted a well rounded view in my pursuit of truth. I took the chart they provided home and within a couple of weeks I was able to either refute or explain every claim made in that chart. This was after only a matter of weeks of study. The sad part was that I then realized that the whole congregation there that night were all deceived by ridiculous errors that have kept Christ loving Christians out of Catholic Churches for years out of complete ignorance.
Meanwhile, our youth is longing for something tried and true. Something that rings with timeless Tradition and Prayers that have been said the same way for millennia. They cannot be satisfied with the cheap imitation they have witnessed all their lives. And unfortunately, some of them have been deceived by ancient lies from other religions, just as their parents have been deceived by novel lies of schismatics.
It's time Catholics learn their faith and how to teach their faith. It's time to be bold. It's time to love others enough to risk their unfavorable reactions to exposure to the Splendor of Truth in the Catholic Church.
You may remember a while back when a terrorist wannabe in Arkansas drove by a military recruitment office and fired at two soldiers standing outside, killing one and wounding the other.
This kid was raised in a baptist family. He grew up singing the old (a couple hundred years or so) hymns and hearing the Bible preached by one preacher or another. But like so many of today's youth, he went looking for something to fill the longing of his heart. In correspondence with an author who eventually compiled his letters and interview, we read "During a visit to a Nashville mosque, he watched the synchronized movements of 50 to 75 people as they bowed and prostrated themselves in prayer. He was amazed."
When I read these words something jumped out at me. I believe that inside all of us is the desire for something ancient and ever new; something that has stood the test of time; something that unites people in a common worship of the unseen God. We long for the ancient Liturgy and ultimately for the heavenly Liturgy. This kid had his first encounter with something that went back farther than his Baptist roots. He saw a tradition of worship that went back more than a thousand years. He saw worshipers worshiping with their bodies and in motions and words that have been passed down for centuries. To him, he saw something more genuine and time tested than what he has seen Sunday after Sunday since childhood.
Unfortunately, what he saw was a religion, that regardless of its ancient roots and traditions is still an innovation created by Satan to deceive millions. What he was really longing for was the Church down the street that he was probably told was full of pagan idol worshippers - the Catholic Church. He longed for liturgy and for Sacred Tradition and for the prayers (the Mass) that have been passed down for two millennia. But ignorance and deception kept him from knowing what was down the street. So his restless heart attached itself to a counterfeit. How very sad.
On the way to Mass this morning, my daughter's friend was texting her and asking her about Mass. He is a Protestant and sadly deceived as to the reality of the Catholic Church. He asked her if the Latin Mass was for the Latinos in our Mosque. I figured he was kidding. But when she asked him what he meant he actually thought that our Churches were called Mosques. This kind of ignorance is not really that uncommon among Protestants.
I was not much different before I began to study the true beliefs of the Catholic Church. I remember only a matter of a month or two after I began reading Catholic sources that a former Catholic in my Protestant Church held a seminar (term used loosely since the seminar was really just a bashing session) on what the Catholic Church teaches. I was eager to know what my church taught about Catholicism since I wanted a well rounded view in my pursuit of truth. I took the chart they provided home and within a couple of weeks I was able to either refute or explain every claim made in that chart. This was after only a matter of weeks of study. The sad part was that I then realized that the whole congregation there that night were all deceived by ridiculous errors that have kept Christ loving Christians out of Catholic Churches for years out of complete ignorance.
Meanwhile, our youth is longing for something tried and true. Something that rings with timeless Tradition and Prayers that have been said the same way for millennia. They cannot be satisfied with the cheap imitation they have witnessed all their lives. And unfortunately, some of them have been deceived by ancient lies from other religions, just as their parents have been deceived by novel lies of schismatics.
It's time Catholics learn their faith and how to teach their faith. It's time to be bold. It's time to love others enough to risk their unfavorable reactions to exposure to the Splendor of Truth in the Catholic Church.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
The Depth of the Splendor – St. John Chrysostom’s View of Liturgy | Called to Communion
The Depth of the Splendor – St. John Chrysostom’s View of Liturgy Called to Communion: "o I wonder, on this feast of St. John Chrysostom, if any Reformed brethren of mine sense the emptiness of their services, in terms of how they call upon God. Feeling such a vacuum where my whole body, mind and soul was engaged in prayer and adoration to God during a liturgy was one of the strongest attractions to Tradition that I felt as I considered the claims of Catholics, and at times I think it is more powerful than the most pithy intellectual reflection found in a book or blog posting here or elsewhere."
Friday, November 12, 2010
Guaranteed to make you sick
Guaranteed to make you sick
A recent "Investor's Business Daily" article provided very interesting statistics from a survey
by the United Nations International Health Organization.
Percentage of men and women who survived a cancer five years after diagnosis:
U.S. 65%
England 46%
Canada 42%
Percentage of patients diagnosed with diabetes who received treatment within six months:
U.S. 93%
England 15%
Canada 43%
Percentage of seniors needing hip replacement who received it within six months:
U.S. 90%
England 15%
Canada 43%
Percentage referred to a medical specialist who see one within one month:
U.S. 77%
England 40%
Canada 43%
Number of MRI scanners (a prime diagnostic tool) per million people:
U.S. 71
England 14
Canada 18
Percentage of seniors (65+), with low income, who say they are in "excellent health":
U.S. 12%
England 2%
Canada 6%
I don't know about you, but I don't want "Universal Healthcare"
comparable to England or Canada .
Moreover, it was Sen. Harry Reid who said, "Elderly Americans
must learn to accept the inconveniences of old age."
SHIP HIM TO CANADA OR ENGLAND !
He is "elderly" himself but - remember his health insurance
is different from yours as Congress has their own high-end coverage!
He will never have to learn to accept "inconveniences"!!!
AND THE WINNER IS VERY INTERESTING!
The percentage of each past president's cabinet who had worked in
the private business sector prior to their appointment to the
cabinet. You know what the private business sector is... a real
life business, not a government job. Here are the percentages.
T. Roosevelt........ 38%
Taft.....................40%
Wilson ................52%
Harding..................49%
Coolidge.............. 48%
Hoover................. 42%
F. Roosevelt......... 50%
Truman..................50%
Eisenhower........... 57%
Kennedy.............. 30%
Johnson.................47%
Nixon................... 53%
Ford..................... 42%
Carter.................. 32%
Reagan...................56%
GH Bush................. 51%
Clinton ................. 39%
GW Bush................ 55%
And the winner of the Chicken Dinner is:
Obama................ 8% !!!
This alone can explain the incompetence of this administration! ! ! ! 8 %
Yep! That's right! Only Eight Percent!!! - the least by far of
the last 19 presidents!! And these people are trying to tell our
big corporations how to run their business? They know what's
best for GM...Chrysler... Wall Street... and you and me?
How can the president of a major nation and society...the one
with the most successful economic system in world history -
stand and talk about business when he's never worked for one?
or about jobs when he has never really had one??! And neither
has 92% of his senior staff and closest advisers! They've spent
most of their time in academia, government and/or non-profit
jobs - or as "community organizers" when they should have been
in an employment line.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Ponder, Chew, Reflect
"“Have you ever watched a cow chew its cud? I have. When Pope Benedict asks us to ruminate on the Word, that’s what he is talking about. Ponder, chew, reflect on the meaning over and over and over, then put yourself in some of the Gospel scenes, and ask yourself honestly what you might have said or done if you had been present. You’ll see some things that will surprise you, some things that will challenge you about yourself.”
Sister Ann Shields, S.G.L.
To Be Like Jesus, Servant Books"
Sister Ann Shields, S.G.L.
To Be Like Jesus, Servant Books"
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Calvin's (and my brother's) Errors
My tireless research assistant sent me this this morning and I think it's a great article. I love this section especially:
When one however takes the written Word given by the living Voice, and steals it from its Author and interprets it in light of his own reason, then he becomes a heretic. It leads him to his own destruction. Such has been the predicament of Protestantism since its inception. Cardinal Manning wrote of this abomination, '...men had rejected the divine voice by the struggling indocility of their will, the word departed from their lips. They clutched at it with jealousy, and they found in their hands the written word alone: Litera occidit, spiritus autem vificat. The letter that killeth was left behind, the spirit that giveth life departed. The word was interpreted no more by the light of the Holy Ghost, no more by an infallible Guide, but by the interpretations of man and the light of the human intellect.'
I've been thinking that the structure of revelation is Sacred Scripture, but the soul of revelation is Sacred Tradition.
Read the rest of the article here.
When one however takes the written Word given by the living Voice, and steals it from its Author and interprets it in light of his own reason, then he becomes a heretic. It leads him to his own destruction. Such has been the predicament of Protestantism since its inception. Cardinal Manning wrote of this abomination, '...men had rejected the divine voice by the struggling indocility of their will, the word departed from their lips. They clutched at it with jealousy, and they found in their hands the written word alone: Litera occidit, spiritus autem vificat. The letter that killeth was left behind, the spirit that giveth life departed. The word was interpreted no more by the light of the Holy Ghost, no more by an infallible Guide, but by the interpretations of man and the light of the human intellect.'
I've been thinking that the structure of revelation is Sacred Scripture, but the soul of revelation is Sacred Tradition.
Read the rest of the article here.
Christian woman sentenced to death in Pakistan ‘for blasphemy’ « Creeping Sharia
Christian woman sentenced to death in Pakistan ‘for blasphemy’ « Creeping Sharia: "Christian woman sentenced to death in Pakistan ‘for blasphemy’
Posted on November 10, 2010 by creeping
Blasphemy, this is the same Islamic sharia-based law that the OIC wants to pass at the United Nations, and force upon the entire world. via Christian woman sentenced to death in Pakistan ‘for blasphemy’ – Telegraph.
A Christian woman has been sentenced to hang in Pakistan after being convicted of defaming the Prophet Mohammed."
Read the rest here.
Posted on November 10, 2010 by creeping
Blasphemy, this is the same Islamic sharia-based law that the OIC wants to pass at the United Nations, and force upon the entire world. via Christian woman sentenced to death in Pakistan ‘for blasphemy’ – Telegraph.
A Christian woman has been sentenced to hang in Pakistan after being convicted of defaming the Prophet Mohammed."
Read the rest here.
We Do Not Sin Alone
"“Just as one’s virtuous act raises others up, so too one’s sinful act has the effect of dragging others down. In other words, there is no sin, not even the most intimate and secret one, the most strictly individual one, that exclusively concerns the person committing it. With greater or lesser harm, every sin has repercussions on the whole human family.”
Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins
Walking With God: A Journey Through the Bible, Ascension Press"
Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins
Walking With God: A Journey Through the Bible, Ascension Press"
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Pursued By His Light
When I first started writing the Out of Darkness series, I was on fire with an idea for bringing the methodology I had experienced as a Protestant to the Catholic world. I was certain that if I shared my story with Catholics there would be a huge demand for the same kind of liberation from sin and bitterness that had followed the introduction of this methodology to my former faith tradition.
Well, God has some wonderful news for me. It just took me the last two and a half years to get the full picture! As I published each piece, I got feedback from one victim after another who had experienced horrendous things at the hands of perpetrators. While none of those victims had gone through the structured program I had gone through, they all experienced the same pivotal changes as the grace of God worked in their lives.
At some point, God had given them the grace of forgiving the person who had offended them. Whether by forgiveness list, as I had, or by a simple moment of grace before the Blessed Sacrament, they had all at some point laid the huge debt that the offender owed them and laid it at Jesus' feet so Jesus could nail it to His Cross. Each of them had released the offender from his debt, and each had found sweet release in becoming free of their anger and bitterness.
Eventually, each had come to the point where they had confessed and surrendered their own sins, whether they had anything to do with the traumatic event or just in their sinful responses to the pain. Each victim had eventually come to a point of surrender to Christ and His purpose for their lives, including and often especially in their suffering.
Some, but not all, had come to the point of being able to respond to their offender in charity and compassion. Depending on whether the offender was a part of the victim's life or whether they were just a stranger who crossed their path only once, each had come to see the offender as a sin sick person in need of God's mercy.
Forgiveness, confession and reconciliation were always a part of every work of healing I heard or read about. God clearly used all those steps of obedience as the healing process for each of His children. But as a perfect parent, He used different methods of bringing each of his children though those steps. Each story was as unique as the victim. Our Abba knew best how to melt hardened hearts, calm terrified minds, cleanse twisted minds, and redeem abused bodies. But just as He never creates the same soul twice, He never went about the healing of a wounded life the same way.
And then there was another surprise! In the methodology that was used with me, there were several novel practices (or so I thought) that were found to be extremely effective: Confession before a witness and obedience to a spiritual leader. These were things that some Protestants felt were too "Catholic." Diane said more than once that the Lord knew we needed a flesh and blood person in our lives to witness our confessions and to hold us accountable for doing what was right. Alas, the Catholic Church had not only been providing for this need since Pentecost, but had also provided powerful teaching about the necessity to forgive for the sake of our own souls, the ocean of God's mercy in the Divine Mercy through Saint Faustina, and personal accountability through the Sacrament of Confession and through the authoritative teaching office of the Church. God's provision had been abundant in His Church, and I had only gotten a taste in the Protestant world.
So having spent two and a half years trying to package and provide God's healing grace to Catholics, I have come to realize that all that God gave me in my own healing process was just a prelude to what was coming in my conversion to the Catholic Church. I no longer come to the Catholic world with a nifty new concept for healing; I declare that everything I needed to heal was always here. I am just very grateful to those in the Protestant world who were courageous enough to follow God's promptings and attempt follow God's ancient, tried and true principles of healing and spiritual development. My prayer is that someday they will come to see His wisdom and His faithfulness in His Holy Catholic Church.
Blessed be God forever!
We Have New Life
"“Although we never saw Jesus, we know him and love him. Through prayer, we talk to him and he talks to us. Isn’t that remarkable? Doesn’t that reality prove that we have new life – a life that is not bound by time and space, or by the flesh, our own mind, or human resources?”
Fr. Francis Martin
The Life Changer, St. Bede’s Publications"
Fr. Francis Martin
The Life Changer, St. Bede’s Publications"
Sunday, November 7, 2010
New Jobs
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Christians are Legitimate Targets
Baghdad, Iraq (CNN) -- All Christians in the Middle East are now "legitimate targets," al Qaeda in Iraq announced Wednesday, as the group's deadline for Egypt's Coptic church to release alleged Muslim female prisoners expired.
Read the rest of the story here.
Read the rest of the story here.
Get Back Up
Today, you may be feeling defeated as you read this email. Maybe your relationship with your children is suffering because of the divorce. Maybe you had an unpleasant encounter with your ex-spouse recently. Maybe you are just struggling to make ends meet and can't see your situation getting better anytime soon. Maybe you are hurting terribly...
The Lord wants you to know He has not forgotten you. He sees your suffering and is very close to you. He is still in control and is working to bring good things for you out of these difficult times. When you are feeling defeated, remember Christ as He was flogged mercilessly by the angry soldiers. They couldn't keep Him down. He got back up. As He carried His cross to Calvary, He fell three times under the weight of the heavy burden, but He got back up. Let Christ show you how to get back up and carry on. Open yourself to the graces He has waiting for you and never forget that He loves you and that this, too, shall pass.
I will not leave you orphans! John 14:18
The Lord wants you to know He has not forgotten you. He sees your suffering and is very close to you. He is still in control and is working to bring good things for you out of these difficult times. When you are feeling defeated, remember Christ as He was flogged mercilessly by the angry soldiers. They couldn't keep Him down. He got back up. As He carried His cross to Calvary, He fell three times under the weight of the heavy burden, but He got back up. Let Christ show you how to get back up and carry on. Open yourself to the graces He has waiting for you and never forget that He loves you and that this, too, shall pass.
I will not leave you orphans! John 14:18
His Last Words
"“You know how much we cherish the dying words of a loved one. They express best what he wishes us to know as he is departing from this life. Here are the dying words of Jesus. ‘…Woman, behold your son!’…’Behold, your mother!’ From the cross, the Lord Jesus uttered this command to Mary and to St. John, the beloved disciple. The Lord’s word to Mary at the foot of the cross gave her a new mission of spiritual motherhood toward everyone who lives…He asks us all to receive Mary into our lives as our mother.”
Patti Gallagher Mansfield
Magnificat"
Patti Gallagher Mansfield
Magnificat"
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Introducing The Out Of Darkness Blog
This is Insane!
I find it insane that we have to go to these lengths to preserve our way of life. But we really do. Right here in Arizona we have had "honor killings." Fathers killing daughters for living as Americans and refusing to marry the person their father's chose for them or for not covering their heads or any other reason their fathers feel they should murder their own daughters.
My hat is off to Oklahoma for making this pre-emptive strike against the malignant growth of Sharia in America.
My hat is off to Oklahoma for making this pre-emptive strike against the malignant growth of Sharia in America.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Frontal Attack On The Catholic Church in Iraq
The video to this story is unbelievable. I can't imagine what it was like inside this Church last night. Pray for our brothers and sisters.
Twas The Night Before Elections
T'was the night before elections
And all through the town
Tempers were flaring
Emotions all up and down
I, in my bathrobe
With a cat in my lap
Had cut off the TV
tired of political clap-trap
When all of a sudden
There arose such a noise
I peered out my window
Saw Obama and his boys
They had come for my wallet
They wanted my pay
To give to the others
Who had not worked a day!
He snatched up my money
And quick as a wink
Jumped back on his bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink
He then rallied his henchmen
Who were pulling his cart
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!
'On Fannie, on Freddie,
On Biden and Ayers!
On Acorn, On Pelosi'
He screamed at the pairs!
They took off for his cause
And as they flew out of sight
I heard him laugh at the nation
Who wouldn't stand up and fight!
So I leave you to think
On this one final note—
IF YOU DON'T WANT SOCIALISM
GET OUT AND VOTE !!!!
GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR ONLY HOPE!
Thanks as always, Mim!
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