Hear me, O house of Jacob, all who remain of the house of Israel. My burden since your birth, whom I have carried from your infancy. Even to your old age I am the same, even when your hair is gray I will bear you. It is I who have done this, I who will continue, and I who will carry you to safety.
The word of the Lord.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
The Next Few Weeks
I'm taking a class at St. Thomas the Apostle taught by Gayle Somers on Finding the Church and the Eucharist in Exodus. I come home every Wednesday about to pop for excitement about what I'm learning. The Catholic Church is so completely Biblical!
I'm taking notes so that I can eventlually share some of the wonderful things I have learned. But the homework for the next two weeks is pretty heavy, so I probably won't get a chance until the class is finished.
So stay tuned!
I'm taking notes so that I can eventlually share some of the wonderful things I have learned. But the homework for the next two weeks is pretty heavy, so I probably won't get a chance until the class is finished.
So stay tuned!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Life Teen founder, ex-priest, Dale Fushek, writes “tell all” book
Life Teen founder, ex-priest, Dale Fushek, writes “tell all” book The sad story continues. And you wonder why statues of Mary weap? I don't.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Captain Kirk deals with a strange alien culture
I swiped this off Patrick Madrid's blog. I love the facial expressions.
Finding Strength In The Cross
"It is not surprising that Jesus fell down three times under the weight of the cross and the pain of His wounds as He walked to Calvary. But what is incredible is the fact that He got up - THREE TIMES! His love for us is what enabled Him to wipe away the blood that was dripping into His eyes, embrace the cross, and get back on His feet. Jesus probably used that huge wooden cross as leverage as He was getting up... a significant point to reflect upon. Suffering can be a springboard to a new and higher level of living. Contrary to what society tells us about suffering and how we need to avoid it at all costs, it is a cleansing and renewing process that changes your life for the better, if you allow it to. Your cross is heavy and painful, difficult to handle, but it can prop you up, too. Contemplate Christ on the road to Calvary... the beatings from the soldiers, the trail of blood, the falls... His motivation was love for us! Try to offer your suffering up for someone you love and ask Jesus to give you the grace to persevere. ...but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 1 Peter 4:13" divorcedcatholic.org
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Social Security
This is an email I got recently that I thought was worth passing on. I apologize for the ugly formatting, but it's hard to import an email on blogger and have it come out nice and neat. But I thought the information needed to be passed along.
History Lesson on Your Social Security Card
Just in case some of you young whippersnappers (& some older ones) didn't know this.
It's easy to check out, if you don't believe it. Be sure and show it to your family
and friends. They need a little history lesson on what's what and it doesn't matter
whether you are Democrat or Republican. Facts are Facts.
Social Security Cards up until the 1980s expressly stated the number and
card were not to be used for identification purposes. Since nearly everyone in the
United States now has a number, it became convenient to use it anyway and the
message, NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION, was removed.
Our Social Security
Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social
Security (FICA) Program. He promised:
1.) That participation in the Program would be
Completely voluntary,
No longer Voluntary
2.) That the participants would only have to pay
1% of the first $1,400 of their annual
Incomes into the Program,
Now 7.65%
on the first $90,000
3.) That the money the participants elected to put
into the Program would be deductible from
their income for tax purposes each year,
No longer tax deductible
4.) That the money the participants put into the
independent 'Trust Fund' rather than into the
general operating fund, and therefore, would
only be used to fund the Social Security
Retirement Program, and no other
Government program, and,
Under Johnson the money was moved to
The General Fund and Spent
5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed
as income.
Under Clinton & Gore
Up to 85% of your Social Security can be Taxed
Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are
now receiving a Social Security check every month --
and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of
the money we paid to the Federal government to 'put
away' -- you may be interested in the following:
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----
Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the
independent 'Trust Fund' and put it into the
general fund so that Congress could spend it?
A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the democratically
controlled House and Senate.
----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --
Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax
deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?
A: The Democratic Party.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -----
Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social
Security annuities?
A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the
'tie-breaking' deciding vote as President of the
Senate, while he was Vice President of the US
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
Q: Which Political Party decided to start
giving annuity payments to immigrants?
A: That's right!
Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party.
Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65,
began to receive Social Security payments! The
Democratic Party gave these payments to them,
even though they never paid a dime into it!
------------ -- ------------ --------- ----- ------------ --------- ---------
Then, after violating the original contract (FICA),
the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want
to take your Social Security away!
And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it!
History Lesson on Your Social Security Card
Just in case some of you young whippersnappers (& some older ones) didn't know this.
It's easy to check out, if you don't believe it. Be sure and show it to your family
and friends. They need a little history lesson on what's what and it doesn't matter
whether you are Democrat or Republican. Facts are Facts.
Social Security Cards up until the 1980s expressly stated the number and
card were not to be used for identification purposes. Since nearly everyone in the
United States now has a number, it became convenient to use it anyway and the
message, NOT FOR IDENTIFICATION, was removed.
Our Social Security
Franklin Roosevelt, a Democrat, introduced the Social
Security (FICA) Program. He promised:
1.) That participation in the Program would be
Completely voluntary,
No longer Voluntary
2.) That the participants would only have to pay
1% of the first $1,400 of their annual
Incomes into the Program,
Now 7.65%
on the first $90,000
3.) That the money the participants elected to put
into the Program would be deductible from
their income for tax purposes each year,
No longer tax deductible
4.) That the money the participants put into the
independent 'Trust Fund' rather than into the
general operating fund, and therefore, would
only be used to fund the Social Security
Retirement Program, and no other
Government program, and,
Under Johnson the money was moved to
The General Fund and Spent
5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would never be taxed
as income.
Under Clinton & Gore
Up to 85% of your Social Security can be Taxed
Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are
now receiving a Social Security check every month --
and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of
the money we paid to the Federal government to 'put
away' -- you may be interested in the following:
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ----
Q: Which Political Party took Social Security from the
independent 'Trust Fund' and put it into the
general fund so that Congress could spend it?
A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the democratically
controlled House and Senate.
----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --
Q: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax
deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?
A: The Democratic Party.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -----
Q: Which Political Party started taxing Social
Security annuities?
A: The Democratic Party, with Al Gore casting the
'tie-breaking' deciding vote as President of the
Senate, while he was Vice President of the US
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
Q: Which Political Party decided to start
giving annuity payments to immigrants?
A: That's right!
Jimmy Carter and the Democratic Party.
Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65,
began to receive Social Security payments! The
Democratic Party gave these payments to them,
even though they never paid a dime into it!
------------ -- ------------ --------- ----- ------------ --------- ---------
Then, after violating the original contract (FICA),
the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want
to take your Social Security away!
And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Religion Will Be Extinct In 9 Countries?
Articles like this aggravate me. If they are right, then the final purging of the Church has begun. But it is so mind blowing to me to realize that the majority of people don't believe in a god of any kind or see a reason to depend on anyone other than themselves. What do you think?
Monday, March 21, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
New Features
As you may have noticed, There are three tabs under the blog title and picture. Home page is obviously the main page that you arrive on and where all the new posts land. But the other two tabs are new features I've recently added.
Abba's Little Girls is a section where I will be posting the stories of people who have experienced the healing grace of God after suffering sexual abuse or any kind of abuse as children. After spending three years writing the Out of Darkness series in an attempt to bring a methodology of healing to the Catholic Church, I came to realize that healing had always been in the Catholic Church and indeed really flows from the Catholic Church into all areas of Christianity. So this section is where others can share their stories of healing.
Then the next section is actually just a copy of my rough draft for what I was planning on publishing as a book. As I said, I came to realize that this wonderful new healing methodology that I wanted to bring to the Catholic Church was really just a weak facsimile of what had always been present in the Catholic Church. I was reinventing the wheel! But I still feel that any time someone can share a story of healing, it helps others to seek God's help in finding healing in their own lives. So this section, which is will continue to refine, is where I will be presenting my own story.
Please pray for me as I go to Kingman to speak at their Confirmation Retreat. Pray for the folks preparing to receive the Sacraments and pray that I will get out of the way and allow the Holy Spirit to speak. Thanks so much.
Abba's Little Girls is a section where I will be posting the stories of people who have experienced the healing grace of God after suffering sexual abuse or any kind of abuse as children. After spending three years writing the Out of Darkness series in an attempt to bring a methodology of healing to the Catholic Church, I came to realize that healing had always been in the Catholic Church and indeed really flows from the Catholic Church into all areas of Christianity. So this section is where others can share their stories of healing.
Then the next section is actually just a copy of my rough draft for what I was planning on publishing as a book. As I said, I came to realize that this wonderful new healing methodology that I wanted to bring to the Catholic Church was really just a weak facsimile of what had always been present in the Catholic Church. I was reinventing the wheel! But I still feel that any time someone can share a story of healing, it helps others to seek God's help in finding healing in their own lives. So this section, which is will continue to refine, is where I will be presenting my own story.
Please pray for me as I go to Kingman to speak at their Confirmation Retreat. Pray for the folks preparing to receive the Sacraments and pray that I will get out of the way and allow the Holy Spirit to speak. Thanks so much.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
What Are You Waiting For?
Do you often find yourself waiting? Waiting for a promotion? Waiting for the latest technology upgrade? Waiting for a circumstance to change? Waiting for someone to change?
What do you do while you're waiting? Do you just wait? Do you place other things on hold? Do you adjust your life around the thing you're waiting for?
God did not intend for you to wait passively. Waiting can be a time that God gives you to focus on Him and all that He has given you. It can be the time when you learn to practice patience and endurance. And it can be a time when you grow most in your faith. Remember that although you're waiting, God is still working. You may not be able to see or feel it, but He is silently at work.
Be assured that He knows your situation and remains in control. Today, make an effort to make your waiting time one in which you praise God as he prepares you for all the good things that lie ahead.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6)
divorcedcatholic.org
What do you do while you're waiting? Do you just wait? Do you place other things on hold? Do you adjust your life around the thing you're waiting for?
God did not intend for you to wait passively. Waiting can be a time that God gives you to focus on Him and all that He has given you. It can be the time when you learn to practice patience and endurance. And it can be a time when you grow most in your faith. Remember that although you're waiting, God is still working. You may not be able to see or feel it, but He is silently at work.
Be assured that He knows your situation and remains in control. Today, make an effort to make your waiting time one in which you praise God as he prepares you for all the good things that lie ahead.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6)
divorcedcatholic.org
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
A Few House Keeping Notes
1. Debbie, I'll get to some of your comments later. I'm swamped right now.
2. Check out the bottom of the blog. You can do some stress relief feeding the fish. I absolutely love that program. How do they make them look so real?
3. I got rid of the leaves as the poll suggested. We're doing purple for Lent.
4. I will be traveling Friday and Saturday, please pray for me. I take this trip every year; I love the scenery, but I always worry a little bit because I drive through the wilderness alone. Well, actually, I'm never alone, but I'm not sure Jesus fill fix a flat tire if you know what I mean.
2. Check out the bottom of the blog. You can do some stress relief feeding the fish. I absolutely love that program. How do they make them look so real?
3. I got rid of the leaves as the poll suggested. We're doing purple for Lent.
4. I will be traveling Friday and Saturday, please pray for me. I take this trip every year; I love the scenery, but I always worry a little bit because I drive through the wilderness alone. Well, actually, I'm never alone, but I'm not sure Jesus fill fix a flat tire if you know what I mean.
More Cherished Than You Could Ever Imagine
As children, many of us dreamed of being a knight or a princess. Girls played dress up, donning Disney-like gowns and tiaras and dreaming of their knights in shining armor. Boys imagined that their backyard play set was a castle and they were rescuing the princess within. We fantasized about how charming and perfect our lives would be.
Were you one of those little boys or girls? Did you hold onto the knight or princess dream as you grew up? In your fantasy, were you loved and cherished like royalty? Did you dream that you would be regal and special in the eyes of your spouse, who would reign over your heart?
That dream may not have come true in your marriage. But you need not give it up entirely. You are more worthy and more precious then the knight or princess of your dreams. Allow Jesus to reign over your heart. Christ is our King and we are his princes and princesses, heirs to His Kingdom. You will be more loved and more cherished than you could ever imagine!
For by one sacrifice, he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. - Hebrews 10:14
divorcedcatholic.org
Were you one of those little boys or girls? Did you hold onto the knight or princess dream as you grew up? In your fantasy, were you loved and cherished like royalty? Did you dream that you would be regal and special in the eyes of your spouse, who would reign over your heart?
That dream may not have come true in your marriage. But you need not give it up entirely. You are more worthy and more precious then the knight or princess of your dreams. Allow Jesus to reign over your heart. Christ is our King and we are his princes and princesses, heirs to His Kingdom. You will be more loved and more cherished than you could ever imagine!
For by one sacrifice, he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. - Hebrews 10:14
divorcedcatholic.org
Monday, March 14, 2011
Honest Repentance
"“Honest repentance brings us two surprising discoveries: that repentance is not depressing at all, and that it is the key to the joy of the Lord.”
Michael Scanlan, T.O.R.
Let the Fire Fall, Franciscan University Press"
Michael Scanlan, T.O.R.
Let the Fire Fall, Franciscan University Press"
Saturday, March 12, 2011
The Nation of Israel and the Catholic Church
The Catholic view of the Jewish people in the economy of God's Salvation
The Bible says:
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (Romans 2:28, 29)
The true Israel is not Israel "in the flesh" (i.e., ethnic Judaism) but Israel in the spirit. There is a constant theme in the Bible that the elder son will be replaced by the younger son as the true heir of God's promises. When Cain (the eldest) killed Abel, the legitimate descent from Adam was transferred to the descendents of the younger son. The same was true of Ishmael and Isaac, and Esau and Jacob. We also see it with the first kings of Israel where Saul and his son Jonathan were replaced by David and his descendents. And so it is not surprising that Jesus gave the keys of the Kingdom to Peter and the apostles (Mat 16:18), thereby giving the keys of old covenant to the people who follow Jesus (Israel of the new covenant). The New Israel are those who follow Jesus. Jesus is God and he had the authority to do this.
This is a great article. Read on . . .
The Bible says:
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (Romans 2:28, 29)
The true Israel is not Israel "in the flesh" (i.e., ethnic Judaism) but Israel in the spirit. There is a constant theme in the Bible that the elder son will be replaced by the younger son as the true heir of God's promises. When Cain (the eldest) killed Abel, the legitimate descent from Adam was transferred to the descendents of the younger son. The same was true of Ishmael and Isaac, and Esau and Jacob. We also see it with the first kings of Israel where Saul and his son Jonathan were replaced by David and his descendents. And so it is not surprising that Jesus gave the keys of the Kingdom to Peter and the apostles (Mat 16:18), thereby giving the keys of old covenant to the people who follow Jesus (Israel of the new covenant). The New Israel are those who follow Jesus. Jesus is God and he had the authority to do this.
This is a great article. Read on . . .
Friday, March 11, 2011
Alive and Beating
The New Testament helps us to understand Jesus more and more so that in our difficult times, we can take consolation in the fact that He loves us. We watch Him weep with tenderness for Lazarus before He raised him from the dead. We observe Him handle sinners with great love and care, and notice that when He was alone, He was always in loving conversation with His Father. But sometimes the story we read doesn't translate to our every day life because of the pain we are experiencing. So Jesus reaches out even further to help us see His love for us...
In the recent past, a Eucharistic miracle took place in Buenos Aires in which a consecrated host began to bleed. A prominent doctor was called to take a sample of the host and have it blind tested at a lab, meaning it was submitted without being identified for the scientists. The lab tests revealed that the specimen was tissue from the left ventricle of a human heart and that the specimen was "alive and beating." Further testing with a top cardiologist revealed that this heart tissue was taken from a man who had been tortured and severely beaten.
People say miracles don't happen any more. But each day, through the celebration of the mass and miracles like these, Jesus is trying to show us how much He loves us. He wants us to know how passionate His love for us is and that He thirsts for our love in return. When you are feeling dragged down by the pain of your divorce, contemplate the heart of Jesus, beating with love for you and trying to reach you. His consolation for all that He suffered will be the love you return to Him.
I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20
divorcedcatholic.org
In the recent past, a Eucharistic miracle took place in Buenos Aires in which a consecrated host began to bleed. A prominent doctor was called to take a sample of the host and have it blind tested at a lab, meaning it was submitted without being identified for the scientists. The lab tests revealed that the specimen was tissue from the left ventricle of a human heart and that the specimen was "alive and beating." Further testing with a top cardiologist revealed that this heart tissue was taken from a man who had been tortured and severely beaten.
People say miracles don't happen any more. But each day, through the celebration of the mass and miracles like these, Jesus is trying to show us how much He loves us. He wants us to know how passionate His love for us is and that He thirsts for our love in return. When you are feeling dragged down by the pain of your divorce, contemplate the heart of Jesus, beating with love for you and trying to reach you. His consolation for all that He suffered will be the love you return to Him.
I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20
divorcedcatholic.org
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
St. Thomas Aquinas on Islam
At the risk of being presumed rather caustic–especially considering the heinous acts perpetrated against the Copts this past weekend–I offer this tidbit from St. Thomas Aquinas on Islam.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
May You Rest in Peace, Dr. Bernard Nathanson | LifeNews.com
May You Rest in Peace, Dr. Bernard Nathanson LifeNews.com
This is a beautiful article. May eternal light shine on Dr. Nathanson, and may he rest in peace. Amen.
This is a beautiful article. May eternal light shine on Dr. Nathanson, and may he rest in peace. Amen.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Sola Scriptura and the End of the World
Harold Camping and his brain washed followers are at it again. He predicted the end of the world before, but he was wrong. He rechecked his math and now he thinks he has the real answer. The judgement of God will fall on the earth on May 21st of this year.
Two things grieve me about this situation. One is how terribly shattered these people's lives will be on May 22nd. They have left everything and everyone in their lives to warn the world of the judgement to come. They are so zealous for God, but so grievously deceived. One man, with no authority, has played with number in the scriptures and decided that May 21st is the day. One man, one book and a whole new religion is born. God deliver us from sola scriptura. What a sham.
The other thing is that several of these folks were Catholic at one point. How incredibly sad that they were not taught their faith in such a way that invited them to know and love Christ IN His Church. How unforgivable is it that they felt they needed to wander in the protestant wilderness until they came to faith in Christ but ignorance of His Truth. God have mercy on them and on those they deceive. God help them on May 22nd to come back to the only true authority, the Catholic Church.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
4000 Muslims Chanting 'Allahu akbar'
Jihad Watch: "Egypt: 4000 Muslims chanting 'Allahu akbar' torch church, attack Christian homes
'The father of the Muslim woman was killed by his cousin because he did not kill his daughter to preserve the family's honor, which led the woman's brother to avenge the death of his father by killing the cousin. The village Muslims blamed the Christians.'
Just think about that paragraph, in all its various parts, for awhile."
Read the whole story here.
'The father of the Muslim woman was killed by his cousin because he did not kill his daughter to preserve the family's honor, which led the woman's brother to avenge the death of his father by killing the cousin. The village Muslims blamed the Christians.'
Just think about that paragraph, in all its various parts, for awhile."
Read the whole story here.
Friday, March 4, 2011
A.W. Ketèlbey-"In a Monastery Garden"-"In a Persian Market"
Long before I became Catholic, I used to request this piece from a local radio station. They would play it for me often, especially since I worked at the station. Now I'm quite familiar with monastery gardens. Life is amazing, isn't it?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
I Laughted Till I Was Breathless
Patrick Madrid posted these a while back and I just about ruptured my spleen laughing at them. I advise caution . . .
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