Saturday, May 28, 2011
I'll Be Back Around June 6th
I'm taking a break from blogging so I can concentrate on packing and moving. I'm really hoping that this apartment works out so well that I won't have to move for YEARS! I truly hate moving and the older I get the harder it is for me. Please pray that I get enough help with the move. It's not easy to find folks willing to move furniture and my library on a hot summer Saturday. God bless and thanks for reading!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Move Over Segovia!
I stole this from Patrick Madrid's blog. I've been an Andres Segovia fan for decades, but this kid is giving him a run for his money!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Harold Camping Tries Again! I just can't stop laughing!
Yup, he's gonna try again. Now we can count down to October. Remember that song "They're coming to take me away, ha ha!" For some reason that song just popped into my head.
Obama Plants a Much Needed Tree In Ireland (of all places!)
Darn, she had a good shot and perfect shoes but she blew it!
My Take On The Casey Anthony Trial
More than a year ago I was reading an article on the death of little Caylee Anthony at the hands of her mother Casey Anthony. It was a piece concerning the family relationships between Casey and her brother and father. Out of the blue it struck me. Caylee is probably the child of one of them; either the brother or father. There has never been any revelation as to who Caylee's father is. Also, in recent weeks there has been some speculation in the press prompted by some letters that Casey wrote in prison about the possibility that she was sexually abused by the male members of her family. What really tipped me off was how exclusive their family was. No matter what it was the five of them. It was like a five way marriage rather than a typical family. That is a telltale sign of incest.
So here is my pre-trial prediction: One of those two men fathered little Caylee and she either ended up dead because of Casey's anger toward the man who abused her, or she ended up dead because the biological father didn't want to be discovered. After all, all it would take is a DNA analysis of Caylee to figure out who her father was, and that has been a taboo subject till now.
Feel free to comment with your predictions and may justice be done and mercy be abundant.
So here is my pre-trial prediction: One of those two men fathered little Caylee and she either ended up dead because of Casey's anger toward the man who abused her, or she ended up dead because the biological father didn't want to be discovered. After all, all it would take is a DNA analysis of Caylee to figure out who her father was, and that has been a taboo subject till now.
Feel free to comment with your predictions and may justice be done and mercy be abundant.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Obama Making Enemies and Offending Friends
From The London Daily Telegraph Editor On Foreign Relations
Let me be clear: I'm not normally in favor of boycotts, and I love the American people. I holiday in their country regularly, and hate the tedious snobby sneers against the United States . But the American people chose to elect an idiot who seems hell bent on insulting their allies, and something must be done to stop Obama's reckless foreign policy, before he does the dirty on his allies on every issue.
One of the most poorly kept secrets in Washington is President Obama's animosity toward Great Britain, presumably because of what he regards as its sins while ruling Kenya (1895-1963).
One of Barack Hussein Obama's first acts as president was to return to Britain a bust of Winston Churchill that had graced the Oval Office since 9/11. He followed this up by denying Prime Minister Gordon Brown, on his first state visit, the usual joint press conference with flags.
The president was "too tired" to grant the leader of America 's closest ally a proper welcome, his aides told British journalists.
Mr. Obama followed this up with cheesy gifts for Mr. Brown and the Queen. Columnist Ian Martin described his behavior as "rudeness personified." There was more rudeness in store for Mr. Brown at the opening session of the United Nations in September. "The prime minister was forced to dash through the kitchens of the UN in New York to secure five minutes of face time with President Obama after five requests for a sit down meeting were rejected by the White House," said London Telegraph columnist David Hughes. Mr. Obama's "churlishness is unforgivable," Mr. Hughes said.
The administration went beyond snubs and slights last week when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton endorsed the demand of Argentine President Cristina Kirchner, a Hugo Chavez ally, for mediation of Argentina 's specious claim to the Falkland Islands, a British dependency since 1833. The people who live in the Falklands, who speak English, want nothing to do with Argentina . When, in 1982, an earlier Argentine dictatorship tried to seize the Falklands by force, the British -- with strong support from President Ronald Reagan -- expelled them.
"It is truly shocking that Barack Obama has decided to disregard our shared history," wrote Telegraph columnist Toby Young. "Does Britain's friendship really mean so little to him?" One could ask, does the friendship of anyone in the entire world mean anything to him?
"I recently asked several senior administration officials, separately, to name a foreign leader with whom Barack Obama has forged a strong personal relationship during his first year in office," wrote Jackson Diehl, deputy editorial page editor of the Washington Post, on Monday. "A lot of hemming and hawing ensued." One official named French President Nicolas Sarkozy, but his contempt for Mr. Obama is an open secret. Another named German Chancellor Angela Merkel. But, said Mr. Diehl, "Merkel too has been conspicuously cool toward Obama."
Mr. Obama certainly doesn't care about the Poles and Czechs, whom he has betrayed on missile defense. Honduras and Israel also can attest that he's been an unreliable ally and an unfaithful friend. Ironically, our relations with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have never been worse. Russia has offered nothing in exchange for Mr. Obama's abandonment of missile defense. Russia and China won't support serious sanctions on Iran. Syria 's support for terrorism has not diminished despite efforts to normalize diplomatic relations. The reclusive military dictatorship that runs Burma has responded to our efforts at "engagement" by deepening its ties to North Korea.
And the Chinese make little effort to disguise their contempt for him.
For the first time in a long time, the President of the United States is actually distrusted by its allies and not in the least feared by its adversaries. Nor is Mr. Obama now respected by the majority of Americans. Understandably focused on the dismal economy and Mr. Obama's relentless efforts to nationalize and socialize health care, Americans apparently have yet to notice his dismal performance and lack of respect in the world community.
They soon will.
--London Daily Telegraph editor -- Alex Singleton
Let me be clear: I'm not normally in favor of boycotts, and I love the American people. I holiday in their country regularly, and hate the tedious snobby sneers against the United States . But the American people chose to elect an idiot who seems hell bent on insulting their allies, and something must be done to stop Obama's reckless foreign policy, before he does the dirty on his allies on every issue.
One of the most poorly kept secrets in Washington is President Obama's animosity toward Great Britain, presumably because of what he regards as its sins while ruling Kenya (1895-1963).
One of Barack Hussein Obama's first acts as president was to return to Britain a bust of Winston Churchill that had graced the Oval Office since 9/11. He followed this up by denying Prime Minister Gordon Brown, on his first state visit, the usual joint press conference with flags.
The president was "too tired" to grant the leader of America 's closest ally a proper welcome, his aides told British journalists.
Mr. Obama followed this up with cheesy gifts for Mr. Brown and the Queen. Columnist Ian Martin described his behavior as "rudeness personified." There was more rudeness in store for Mr. Brown at the opening session of the United Nations in September. "The prime minister was forced to dash through the kitchens of the UN in New York to secure five minutes of face time with President Obama after five requests for a sit down meeting were rejected by the White House," said London Telegraph columnist David Hughes. Mr. Obama's "churlishness is unforgivable," Mr. Hughes said.
The administration went beyond snubs and slights last week when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton endorsed the demand of Argentine President Cristina Kirchner, a Hugo Chavez ally, for mediation of Argentina 's specious claim to the Falkland Islands, a British dependency since 1833. The people who live in the Falklands, who speak English, want nothing to do with Argentina . When, in 1982, an earlier Argentine dictatorship tried to seize the Falklands by force, the British -- with strong support from President Ronald Reagan -- expelled them.
"It is truly shocking that Barack Obama has decided to disregard our shared history," wrote Telegraph columnist Toby Young. "Does Britain's friendship really mean so little to him?" One could ask, does the friendship of anyone in the entire world mean anything to him?
"I recently asked several senior administration officials, separately, to name a foreign leader with whom Barack Obama has forged a strong personal relationship during his first year in office," wrote Jackson Diehl, deputy editorial page editor of the Washington Post, on Monday. "A lot of hemming and hawing ensued." One official named French President Nicolas Sarkozy, but his contempt for Mr. Obama is an open secret. Another named German Chancellor Angela Merkel. But, said Mr. Diehl, "Merkel too has been conspicuously cool toward Obama."
Mr. Obama certainly doesn't care about the Poles and Czechs, whom he has betrayed on missile defense. Honduras and Israel also can attest that he's been an unreliable ally and an unfaithful friend. Ironically, our relations with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority have never been worse. Russia has offered nothing in exchange for Mr. Obama's abandonment of missile defense. Russia and China won't support serious sanctions on Iran. Syria 's support for terrorism has not diminished despite efforts to normalize diplomatic relations. The reclusive military dictatorship that runs Burma has responded to our efforts at "engagement" by deepening its ties to North Korea.
And the Chinese make little effort to disguise their contempt for him.
For the first time in a long time, the President of the United States is actually distrusted by its allies and not in the least feared by its adversaries. Nor is Mr. Obama now respected by the majority of Americans. Understandably focused on the dismal economy and Mr. Obama's relentless efforts to nationalize and socialize health care, Americans apparently have yet to notice his dismal performance and lack of respect in the world community.
They soon will.
--London Daily Telegraph editor -- Alex Singleton
Bring Harold Camping Up On Charges?
If this lady was a follower of Harold Camping, he should be brought up on charges.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Come, Let Us Adore Him!
After this very long and strange day, I come back to my center, my anchor, my resting place. Come, let us Adore Him.
For The Record
I just want to go on records stating that I'm completely disgusted with Arnold Schwarzenegger and I will never see another one of his movies as long as I live.
Friday, May 20, 2011
A Visit to Heaven
I found this blog post and got tears in my eyes. Why can't my brother and I be like this? It would be awesome.
My brother is a Roman Catholic seminarian, and I visited him at Mount Saint Marys Seminary the last couple days to see him installed in his second-to-last office (acolyte) before hopefully being ordained a priest (in about two years). I’ve been hoping to visit John for a long time, and finally got the opportunity.
My Evangelical brothers and sisters typically misunderstand and mischaracterize the Catholic Church, its leaders and theology and practices, so I felt compelled to write this to them, an “open letter” if you will.
First off, much of what Evangelicals believe about Catholicism, what they believe and who they are, is flat out incorrect. I will not dedicate any space here to that, except to say that people don’t listen to each other all that well in the 21st century, even though it’s easier than ever, technologically, to do. We should all try harder.
So let me tell you what I found among the more than 150 seminarians I spent a couple days with.
I found men who love Jesus with a passion and wholeness that I find rare among Christians of any stripe in these days.
I found men who struggle with the same kinds of things that we all do, regular guys who are dealing with what we all deal with… with the amazing support of Christ, of their brothers, and of the church.
I found men who can chuck a frisbee way farther than I ever will be able to.
I found a place where worship is very deep, even sublime, and regular and intentional and heartfelt… and amazing, and where prayer is an intentionally regular and essential and practiced part of every day. I found that Jesus was palpably present in every room and hallway.
I ate one of the tastiest meals I’ve had in forever.
I found generosity that is inspiring.
I found a group of guys that, when it’s time to have fun… have some serious fun.
I found real intelligence, insight and wisdom being leveraged for the kingdom of Heaven. Almost any of these guys could probably lead, and lead well, in any secular company and probably make a lot of money.
I found the presence of Christ in community that I was, frankly, a little envious of.
I found a love of Christ’s body on earth that you don’t find very often anywhere.
I found that not everybody will make it, but if they don’t, it is handled with grace and love. I didn’t find any ambition, though, really.
I didn’t actually really hear anybody say anything that wasn’t uplifting and encouraging.
I met leaders and instructors who care for those under their charge with passion and charity.
I found the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit elevated and exalted and magnified in every single thing. I found some things that are not my particular practices, but even those things did nothing but lift up and exalt our Lord.
Men, what a blessing you were to me! I have news for you. Heaven will be just like this!
If these men are any indication of the kinds of people who will emerge as the priests and leaders of the Catholic Church in this new century, there are great days ahead for them, and more and more people are going to experience the Gospel in real, tangible ways.
Note: In the past few days, this post has become almost all of my internet traffic for the entire year, receiving thousands of hits. Thanks for sharing my joy in people who are passionately in love with Jesus and His Church.
But… I have received some comments (VERY few) I am not allowing to be posted here that were, in my opinion, inflammatory or negative. Sorry. It’s my blog… You’re welcome to start your own… but divisiveness among those who love and follow Jesus, especially divisiveness built on prejudice and ignorance and even past hurts, is not something I can stand any more at this stage in my life. My life’s background has included mainline and evangelical Christianity as well as Roman Catholicism (which I grew up in). I know what I speak of, and many of you that are saying the things you are saying are flat out incorrect, and I’m sorry for your hurts or feelings, but they have no place here. Blessings!
My brother is a Roman Catholic seminarian, and I visited him at Mount Saint Marys Seminary the last couple days to see him installed in his second-to-last office (acolyte) before hopefully being ordained a priest (in about two years). I’ve been hoping to visit John for a long time, and finally got the opportunity.
My Evangelical brothers and sisters typically misunderstand and mischaracterize the Catholic Church, its leaders and theology and practices, so I felt compelled to write this to them, an “open letter” if you will.
First off, much of what Evangelicals believe about Catholicism, what they believe and who they are, is flat out incorrect. I will not dedicate any space here to that, except to say that people don’t listen to each other all that well in the 21st century, even though it’s easier than ever, technologically, to do. We should all try harder.
So let me tell you what I found among the more than 150 seminarians I spent a couple days with.
I found men who love Jesus with a passion and wholeness that I find rare among Christians of any stripe in these days.
I found men who struggle with the same kinds of things that we all do, regular guys who are dealing with what we all deal with… with the amazing support of Christ, of their brothers, and of the church.
I found men who can chuck a frisbee way farther than I ever will be able to.
I found a place where worship is very deep, even sublime, and regular and intentional and heartfelt… and amazing, and where prayer is an intentionally regular and essential and practiced part of every day. I found that Jesus was palpably present in every room and hallway.
I ate one of the tastiest meals I’ve had in forever.
I found generosity that is inspiring.
I found a group of guys that, when it’s time to have fun… have some serious fun.
I found real intelligence, insight and wisdom being leveraged for the kingdom of Heaven. Almost any of these guys could probably lead, and lead well, in any secular company and probably make a lot of money.
I found the presence of Christ in community that I was, frankly, a little envious of.
I found a love of Christ’s body on earth that you don’t find very often anywhere.
I found that not everybody will make it, but if they don’t, it is handled with grace and love. I didn’t find any ambition, though, really.
I didn’t actually really hear anybody say anything that wasn’t uplifting and encouraging.
I met leaders and instructors who care for those under their charge with passion and charity.
I found the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit elevated and exalted and magnified in every single thing. I found some things that are not my particular practices, but even those things did nothing but lift up and exalt our Lord.
Men, what a blessing you were to me! I have news for you. Heaven will be just like this!
If these men are any indication of the kinds of people who will emerge as the priests and leaders of the Catholic Church in this new century, there are great days ahead for them, and more and more people are going to experience the Gospel in real, tangible ways.
Note: In the past few days, this post has become almost all of my internet traffic for the entire year, receiving thousands of hits. Thanks for sharing my joy in people who are passionately in love with Jesus and His Church.
But… I have received some comments (VERY few) I am not allowing to be posted here that were, in my opinion, inflammatory or negative. Sorry. It’s my blog… You’re welcome to start your own… but divisiveness among those who love and follow Jesus, especially divisiveness built on prejudice and ignorance and even past hurts, is not something I can stand any more at this stage in my life. My life’s background has included mainline and evangelical Christianity as well as Roman Catholicism (which I grew up in). I know what I speak of, and many of you that are saying the things you are saying are flat out incorrect, and I’m sorry for your hurts or feelings, but they have no place here. Blessings!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Today I saw God...
"Today I saw God work and I thought, 'so that's what you've been up to.' Always more, always better than I could have expected." - Tim Ellis, poet, musician, husband and father.
I've had that same thought so often. I nag, I plead, I cry and then I turn a corner and see what He's been up to all along and feel so sad that I didn't just trust Him. Thanks for the reminder, Tim.
I've had that same thought so often. I nag, I plead, I cry and then I turn a corner and see what He's been up to all along and feel so sad that I didn't just trust Him. Thanks for the reminder, Tim.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Bill Gothard and A Matter of Basic Principles
I spent the past few weeks gritting my teeth through a book called "A Matter of Principles, Bill Gothard and the Christian Life." I have no need of additional reasons to be thankful that I am Catholic, but this book provided quite a few bonus reasons while shedding a great deal of light on my own upbringing and where some of the twisted thinking I was raised with probably originated.
I always find it frustrating listen to or reading protestants argue over what is Biblical and what is not. Neither have a shred of authority to speak in the first place and both are the product of one sect or another that sees scripture differently. I don't often waste time with protestant authors anyway, but I was very interested in seeing what was really going on with the Bill Gothard cult anyway. I was surprised that it was as weird as it is. I was surprised that someone so legalistic breaks his word at every turn and stiffs good Christian people as a matter of practice. I really feel bad for some of the people he has misused over the years.
But what I was not surprised about was the kinds of things he teaches. My father used some of his ideas to keep me under his control. He twisted scripture as painfully as Gothard does in order to keep keep the upper hand in our family. I was not surprised about the concept that daughters were "engaged" to their fathers until their fathers gave them away in marriage. That concept, which my father stretched 1 Cor 7: 36 and following to try to prove, was definitely used as a control mechanism. I was told that I was to live with my family and obey my parents until I was married. When I finally reached out for counseling, my counselor naturally suggested that I remove myself from the family home and away from the situation so that healing could begin. I remember my dad with his big black Scofield on his lap reading his passage to me and telling me that I was not capable or permitted to live on my own unless I was moving under the authority and protection of a husband.
I had forgotten the stuff about confession of sins to our fathers. Now here is a really interesting concept. More than once, Gothard stumbled upon some truth and then failed to follow through and find his way home to the Catholic Church just as the discipleship group at my former protestant church did. I remember being so offended that someone called our literature "unscholarly" because I had benefited from following some of the basic practices found in it. As far as I was concerned our big beige notebook was a gift from God just as Gothard's folks keep their big red notebooks right next to their Bible not just strategically but in authority. Neither of them are authoritative or scholarly, but they seem to collect a large following from folks who are so impressed that implementing a few basic principles can change lives. They fail to consider the life transforming power of the authoritative teaching office of the Catholic Church from which their Bibles came.
But I digress from the confession of sins to the father of the family. Now here is a truly Catholic principle, twisted to become a family practice rather than a practice of the visible Church. Confession is in deed a Biblical principle, but certainly not the way Gothard sees it. In the Old Testament the father of the family was the family priest back before the Levitical Priesthood was established. Gothard likes to go back into the Old Testament and try to force believers in Christ to live as tribal Jews from before the Tabernacle. He doesn't even make a good dispensationalist, let alone an authority on the Christian life.
Then there's the taboo about contemporary music, the edict about girls with wavy hair (not curly, not straight), courtship, and the list goes on and on. And he still calls his teaching "basic" principles? What does he not pontificate about?
What really gave me hives was the authors constant use of the term Biblical and his reliance on men of good reputation as the only kind of authoritative teaching office available. I find it so heartbreaking to see well intentioned people have no real shepherd, no true, Christ given authority to base their interpretation of scripture on. The words on the page, no matter how Sacred and God-Breathed, cannot and will not interpret themselves. The meaning of the words of Sacred Scripture is Sacred Tradition and without that God given interpreter and the Magesterium safeguard the Church there is not authority to rely on. The same Holy Spirit that breathed the words of Sacred Scripture, guided the Church in the development of Sacred Tradition and lives still in the Magesterium to safeguard the gospel and guide the faithful into all truth. How heartbreaking it is to me to witness the bantering of anchorless believers adrift on the sea of this teacher's opinion and that printed commentary and of all things, Gothard's prayer time in which God tells him how to interpret scripture, Lord help us all!
So inspite of my preference for recycling, this book is destined for the garbage so that it doesn't contribute to the confusion of anyone without moorings.
I always find it frustrating listen to or reading protestants argue over what is Biblical and what is not. Neither have a shred of authority to speak in the first place and both are the product of one sect or another that sees scripture differently. I don't often waste time with protestant authors anyway, but I was very interested in seeing what was really going on with the Bill Gothard cult anyway. I was surprised that it was as weird as it is. I was surprised that someone so legalistic breaks his word at every turn and stiffs good Christian people as a matter of practice. I really feel bad for some of the people he has misused over the years.
But what I was not surprised about was the kinds of things he teaches. My father used some of his ideas to keep me under his control. He twisted scripture as painfully as Gothard does in order to keep keep the upper hand in our family. I was not surprised about the concept that daughters were "engaged" to their fathers until their fathers gave them away in marriage. That concept, which my father stretched 1 Cor 7: 36 and following to try to prove, was definitely used as a control mechanism. I was told that I was to live with my family and obey my parents until I was married. When I finally reached out for counseling, my counselor naturally suggested that I remove myself from the family home and away from the situation so that healing could begin. I remember my dad with his big black Scofield on his lap reading his passage to me and telling me that I was not capable or permitted to live on my own unless I was moving under the authority and protection of a husband.
I had forgotten the stuff about confession of sins to our fathers. Now here is a really interesting concept. More than once, Gothard stumbled upon some truth and then failed to follow through and find his way home to the Catholic Church just as the discipleship group at my former protestant church did. I remember being so offended that someone called our literature "unscholarly" because I had benefited from following some of the basic practices found in it. As far as I was concerned our big beige notebook was a gift from God just as Gothard's folks keep their big red notebooks right next to their Bible not just strategically but in authority. Neither of them are authoritative or scholarly, but they seem to collect a large following from folks who are so impressed that implementing a few basic principles can change lives. They fail to consider the life transforming power of the authoritative teaching office of the Catholic Church from which their Bibles came.
But I digress from the confession of sins to the father of the family. Now here is a truly Catholic principle, twisted to become a family practice rather than a practice of the visible Church. Confession is in deed a Biblical principle, but certainly not the way Gothard sees it. In the Old Testament the father of the family was the family priest back before the Levitical Priesthood was established. Gothard likes to go back into the Old Testament and try to force believers in Christ to live as tribal Jews from before the Tabernacle. He doesn't even make a good dispensationalist, let alone an authority on the Christian life.
Then there's the taboo about contemporary music, the edict about girls with wavy hair (not curly, not straight), courtship, and the list goes on and on. And he still calls his teaching "basic" principles? What does he not pontificate about?
What really gave me hives was the authors constant use of the term Biblical and his reliance on men of good reputation as the only kind of authoritative teaching office available. I find it so heartbreaking to see well intentioned people have no real shepherd, no true, Christ given authority to base their interpretation of scripture on. The words on the page, no matter how Sacred and God-Breathed, cannot and will not interpret themselves. The meaning of the words of Sacred Scripture is Sacred Tradition and without that God given interpreter and the Magesterium safeguard the Church there is not authority to rely on. The same Holy Spirit that breathed the words of Sacred Scripture, guided the Church in the development of Sacred Tradition and lives still in the Magesterium to safeguard the gospel and guide the faithful into all truth. How heartbreaking it is to me to witness the bantering of anchorless believers adrift on the sea of this teacher's opinion and that printed commentary and of all things, Gothard's prayer time in which God tells him how to interpret scripture, Lord help us all!
So inspite of my preference for recycling, this book is destined for the garbage so that it doesn't contribute to the confusion of anyone without moorings.
Fly To Jesus
Esther posted this on facebook and I thought it was beautiful. I love the simplicity of the song and how it describes a soul's "yes" to God under all circumstances. So as we pile into the old car and head for Mass this morning, we will be driving to Jesus who is life!
Trusting the Good Shepherd
Friday, May 13, 2011
Esther's Graduation
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Another Comment to Debbie by Tom Skinner
I have a good friend whose story of reversion to the Catholic Church brings tears to my eyes when I think about it. God is so good and so busy in lives. Anyway, he wrote a response to Debbie's comment that I asked permission to use as an individual post. So here is his response:
I thought I would comment on your post, but I did not want to over tax your comment section. I could hear you speaking aloud when I read, and your generous heart comes through wonderfully in your writing. I believe that my own writing is a bit more blunt, probably a side effect of my time in the military. I have always had a soft spot for the Gospel of Matthew, it is what I wrote my term paper on in my High School, New Testament class. So, to start out:
Matthew 16:17-19
17Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 18And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
So, close to 2000 years ago, Jesus named Peter to be the foundation on which he will build his church. Further, he gives Peter and the Apostles authority on earth, which will be confirmed in heaven. The Apostles chose their own successors, and down through the centuries, this line has been unbroken. That seems traditional to me. So when we examine 2 Thessalonians 2:15
15Therefore, brothers, hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter or ours.
We know that Ephesians 5:23-33 states:
23For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body. 24As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything. 25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her 26to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, 27that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28So (also) husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
29For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church, 30because we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man shall leave (his) father and (his) mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." 32This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.
These passages all state church…singular, not churches, plural. God is the head of one church, and on earth, the authority rests with the Bishop of Rome, the heir to St. Peter. Any other church, no matter how well intentioned, have no standing in authority, and as such, are not confirmed in heaven. As their leaders/ministers/pastors and whatnot cannot trace any lineage back to true the true church, then it is sad to say, but nothing they have done, even in the name of God, is completely valid. In 2 Timothy 4:3-5
3For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers
4and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths. 5But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry.
Just as it says in Matthew 7:15-27
15"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. 16By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 20So by their fruits you will know them. 21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?' 23Then I will declare to them solemnly, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.' 24"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. 26And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand 27The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined."
(Note, that I highlighted a section which could point back to someone building a “church” that was not on rock, aka St Peter.)
Maybe this is what upset her, as for all her research, she cannot reconcile that she has put all efforts into what is probably one person’s opinion of Christ’s teachings, based on another person’s opinion of Christ’s teachings, based on another person’s opinion of Christ’s teachings, etc, etc back to someone that had a falling out with the Catholic church, for whatever reason.
As a Catholic, we are called to spread the good news of Christ, but as Christ would have himself, with love and humility. That, I believe is what a lot of the problem is. Modern people confuse humility and being humble, with lacking conviction. This falls in with how society teaches these days, in that “everyone has a valid opinion…” “there is no single right answer…” which in my own view is the Evil one’s greatest triumph of the last century, aside from getting much of society to believe that he doesn’t really exist.
I thought I would comment on your post, but I did not want to over tax your comment section. I could hear you speaking aloud when I read, and your generous heart comes through wonderfully in your writing. I believe that my own writing is a bit more blunt, probably a side effect of my time in the military. I have always had a soft spot for the Gospel of Matthew, it is what I wrote my term paper on in my High School, New Testament class. So, to start out:
Matthew 16:17-19
17Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. 18And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
So, close to 2000 years ago, Jesus named Peter to be the foundation on which he will build his church. Further, he gives Peter and the Apostles authority on earth, which will be confirmed in heaven. The Apostles chose their own successors, and down through the centuries, this line has been unbroken. That seems traditional to me. So when we examine 2 Thessalonians 2:15
15Therefore, brothers, hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter or ours.
We know that Ephesians 5:23-33 states:
23For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body. 24As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything. 25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her 26to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, 27that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28So (also) husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
29For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church, 30because we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man shall leave (his) father and (his) mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." 32This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.
These passages all state church…singular, not churches, plural. God is the head of one church, and on earth, the authority rests with the Bishop of Rome, the heir to St. Peter. Any other church, no matter how well intentioned, have no standing in authority, and as such, are not confirmed in heaven. As their leaders/ministers/pastors and whatnot cannot trace any lineage back to true the true church, then it is sad to say, but nothing they have done, even in the name of God, is completely valid. In 2 Timothy 4:3-5
3For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers
4and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths. 5But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry.
Just as it says in Matthew 7:15-27
15"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. 16By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 20So by their fruits you will know them. 21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?' 23Then I will declare to them solemnly, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.' 24"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. 26And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand 27The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined."
(Note, that I highlighted a section which could point back to someone building a “church” that was not on rock, aka St Peter.)
Maybe this is what upset her, as for all her research, she cannot reconcile that she has put all efforts into what is probably one person’s opinion of Christ’s teachings, based on another person’s opinion of Christ’s teachings, based on another person’s opinion of Christ’s teachings, etc, etc back to someone that had a falling out with the Catholic church, for whatever reason.
As a Catholic, we are called to spread the good news of Christ, but as Christ would have himself, with love and humility. That, I believe is what a lot of the problem is. Modern people confuse humility and being humble, with lacking conviction. This falls in with how society teaches these days, in that “everyone has a valid opinion…” “there is no single right answer…” which in my own view is the Evil one’s greatest triumph of the last century, aside from getting much of society to believe that he doesn’t really exist.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Dear Debbie - A Response though quite tardy
Below is a comment that I promised to respond to quite a while back. Since I am again packing to move (yes, it does seem like I do that a lot) I will be brief but to the point and we will not continue this classic wrangling between Catholic and Protestant. But there are some important points I want to make about this comment before we close the book on this exchange.
First of all, I find it odd and a bit arrogant to start a message with "since I have the gift of ...." If that is all Debbie has to appeal to as authority for what she is about to say, I don't feel compelled to stop and take heed of what she is saying against the Church that Christ established and endowed with His Authority to teach. Actually, as a Protestant, I was told many times by those in leadership that I had the gift of discernment. I was told that I had a sort of spiritual intuition that was faithful to scripture and obviously born of the Holy Spirit. I was told that, that is, until that spiritual gift led me to the Catholic Church. Then I was suddenly in rebellion. But I would not expect you to kneel at the feet of my word because I had been told that discernment was my gift.
Before I go on, here is Debbie's comment:
Patty, Since I have the gift of exhortation (please read Paul's letter to the ROMANS 12:8) I must respond to your post. Whether you print it or not is between you and God. He knows the heart and it will be revealed at the Bema Judgment of Christ. (2COR 5:10) I have every idea about what the Catholic Church is all about. I was raised in one until I was born-again. I went through Catholic school completing high school and remained a Catholic until I was born-again. All my biological family members are devout Catholics and I had two aunts who devoted their lives in ministering as Teresean nuns. So you presume wrong about me. Scripture NEVER says I must be in proper relationship to the Catholic Church, but in proper relationship to God and His Lamb. Please show me the Chapter and verse from the Word of God? When I was born-again I started reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. I couldn't stop and finished it in about three months time. I had never done that before and wondered why so little of it was shared with me in the Catholic Church? After reading it annaully from front to back for 20 years, it has become a part of my heart, mind and soul. The primary teacher of Bible doctrine is the Holy Spirit; "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." (2JOHN 2:27) Are you really saying that the Holy Spirit is a ravenous wolf? I can't understand why you would have a problem printing this since most of it is the Word of God. The Holy Spirit said this, not me; "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (ACTS 17:11) I considerit a noble pursuit and spend quite a bit of time each day translating Scripture word by word, verse by verse and Book by Book. I desire truth. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (JOHN 14:6) I'll be waiting to meet you in heaven. MARANATHA
Whole Bible in three months? Did you sleep?
Here is an interesting article on how the Bible is read and taught in the Catholic Church. Did you know that there are three Bible readings and a Psalm at every Mass? Did you know that the Old Testament reading and the Gospel are chosen to teach how the New Testament was hidden in the Old and the Old Testament was revealed and fulfilled in the New? Careful thought goes into the choosing of those reading so that the faithful learn all of salvation history. The entire Bible is covered in near entirety every three years through the A, B, and C cycles. Since you believe that all you need to know to know God and be saved is in the scriptures, I wonder why it is that it took you so long to come to know him. He was there all the time.
Romans 12, I love Romans 12. Yes, we all have gifts.
2 Cor 5:10 We will all be judged according to what we have done, not on what we believe. The demons believe and tremble.
2 John 2:27 I'm going to assume you mean 1 John 2:27 since 2 John has only one chapter. Since this passage is about the spirit of anti-Christ and about those who departed from the Early Church because they were not truly of the Early, and by the way Catholic Church, I am not sure what point you wish to make. If you are saying that somehow you are specially anointed by the Holy Spirit to understand scripture better than the doctors of the Church who originally studied from the Apostles and the Early Church Fathers such as St. Ignatius of Antioch (whose writings played a large part in my conversion) and St. Justin Martyr (who also led my way home) then I would have to caution you again about arrogance and presumption that you have some gift superior to those who gave their bodies to the lions in order to defend such truths as Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist. Two thousand years of intense scripture study trumps three months of speed reading. And don't assume for a minute that these were not truly anointed, regenerated, believing Christians either. Don't make such assumptions until you have read their writings. Their faith and devotion to Christ make most of us moderns look like spiritual wimps.
Acts 17:11 The believers in Berea were Jews. When Paul and Silas arrived in town, they went to the synagogue and taught about Christ. They were Jews, so of course before they place their trust in any new religious development, they would open the scriptures, which by the way would have been the Old Testament for them, and verified everything Paul and Silas were saying. That does not mean their took out their NIV and checked what they were saying against the New Testament. It was not written or canonized yet. Remember to always put yourself in the culture and time of the writing of a book before you assume you know what it is saying. There was no New Testament for the Bereans to check.
John 14:6 Amen to that! My life verse is John 14:21. But for the purpose of this post I'd like to quote John 17:20-21 Jesus praying to the Father before his Passion and death. "I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me."
I want the world to know that the Father sent the Son. But apparently the deep wounds that the Body of Christ has suffered over the countless divisions caused by the belief that every Christian is a final authority about the interpretation of scripture make it hard for the world to believe.
There is One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God and Father of us all.
First of all, I find it odd and a bit arrogant to start a message with "since I have the gift of ...." If that is all Debbie has to appeal to as authority for what she is about to say, I don't feel compelled to stop and take heed of what she is saying against the Church that Christ established and endowed with His Authority to teach. Actually, as a Protestant, I was told many times by those in leadership that I had the gift of discernment. I was told that I had a sort of spiritual intuition that was faithful to scripture and obviously born of the Holy Spirit. I was told that, that is, until that spiritual gift led me to the Catholic Church. Then I was suddenly in rebellion. But I would not expect you to kneel at the feet of my word because I had been told that discernment was my gift.
Before I go on, here is Debbie's comment:
Patty, Since I have the gift of exhortation (please read Paul's letter to the ROMANS 12:8) I must respond to your post. Whether you print it or not is between you and God. He knows the heart and it will be revealed at the Bema Judgment of Christ. (2COR 5:10) I have every idea about what the Catholic Church is all about. I was raised in one until I was born-again. I went through Catholic school completing high school and remained a Catholic until I was born-again. All my biological family members are devout Catholics and I had two aunts who devoted their lives in ministering as Teresean nuns. So you presume wrong about me. Scripture NEVER says I must be in proper relationship to the Catholic Church, but in proper relationship to God and His Lamb. Please show me the Chapter and verse from the Word of God? When I was born-again I started reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. I couldn't stop and finished it in about three months time. I had never done that before and wondered why so little of it was shared with me in the Catholic Church? After reading it annaully from front to back for 20 years, it has become a part of my heart, mind and soul. The primary teacher of Bible doctrine is the Holy Spirit; "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." (2JOHN 2:27) Are you really saying that the Holy Spirit is a ravenous wolf? I can't understand why you would have a problem printing this since most of it is the Word of God. The Holy Spirit said this, not me; "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (ACTS 17:11) I considerit a noble pursuit and spend quite a bit of time each day translating Scripture word by word, verse by verse and Book by Book. I desire truth. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (JOHN 14:6) I'll be waiting to meet you in heaven. MARANATHA
Whole Bible in three months? Did you sleep?
Here is an interesting article on how the Bible is read and taught in the Catholic Church. Did you know that there are three Bible readings and a Psalm at every Mass? Did you know that the Old Testament reading and the Gospel are chosen to teach how the New Testament was hidden in the Old and the Old Testament was revealed and fulfilled in the New? Careful thought goes into the choosing of those reading so that the faithful learn all of salvation history. The entire Bible is covered in near entirety every three years through the A, B, and C cycles. Since you believe that all you need to know to know God and be saved is in the scriptures, I wonder why it is that it took you so long to come to know him. He was there all the time.
Romans 12, I love Romans 12. Yes, we all have gifts.
2 Cor 5:10 We will all be judged according to what we have done, not on what we believe. The demons believe and tremble.
2 John 2:27 I'm going to assume you mean 1 John 2:27 since 2 John has only one chapter. Since this passage is about the spirit of anti-Christ and about those who departed from the Early Church because they were not truly of the Early, and by the way Catholic Church, I am not sure what point you wish to make. If you are saying that somehow you are specially anointed by the Holy Spirit to understand scripture better than the doctors of the Church who originally studied from the Apostles and the Early Church Fathers such as St. Ignatius of Antioch (whose writings played a large part in my conversion) and St. Justin Martyr (who also led my way home) then I would have to caution you again about arrogance and presumption that you have some gift superior to those who gave their bodies to the lions in order to defend such truths as Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist. Two thousand years of intense scripture study trumps three months of speed reading. And don't assume for a minute that these were not truly anointed, regenerated, believing Christians either. Don't make such assumptions until you have read their writings. Their faith and devotion to Christ make most of us moderns look like spiritual wimps.
Acts 17:11 The believers in Berea were Jews. When Paul and Silas arrived in town, they went to the synagogue and taught about Christ. They were Jews, so of course before they place their trust in any new religious development, they would open the scriptures, which by the way would have been the Old Testament for them, and verified everything Paul and Silas were saying. That does not mean their took out their NIV and checked what they were saying against the New Testament. It was not written or canonized yet. Remember to always put yourself in the culture and time of the writing of a book before you assume you know what it is saying. There was no New Testament for the Bereans to check.
John 14:6 Amen to that! My life verse is John 14:21. But for the purpose of this post I'd like to quote John 17:20-21 Jesus praying to the Father before his Passion and death. "I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me."
I want the world to know that the Father sent the Son. But apparently the deep wounds that the Body of Christ has suffered over the countless divisions caused by the belief that every Christian is a final authority about the interpretation of scripture make it hard for the world to believe.
There is One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, One God and Father of us all.
Books In My Arsenal
I started receiving Spiritual Direction in 2003. It was the hardest year of my life and God knew I would never make it on my own. So he brought Father Steve in my life and through his ministry, led me out of a very dark time into a place of peace for the first time in my life.
I had a lot of huge decisions to make in 2003 and 2004 and Fr. Steve gave me a little book by Fr. Michael Scanlan called "What Does God Want." It's one of those books I recommend often. Fr. Scanlan uses a list of very practical considerations that should be made in every important decision we make. This list of considerations become a grid of discernment that applies to every choice me make in life, but especially to those decisions that have a direct impact on our spiritual growth or service.
It's a tiny little book, but it's been a faithful guide through the past several years and had led to many good decisions.
I had a lot of huge decisions to make in 2003 and 2004 and Fr. Steve gave me a little book by Fr. Michael Scanlan called "What Does God Want." It's one of those books I recommend often. Fr. Scanlan uses a list of very practical considerations that should be made in every important decision we make. This list of considerations become a grid of discernment that applies to every choice me make in life, but especially to those decisions that have a direct impact on our spiritual growth or service.
It's a tiny little book, but it's been a faithful guide through the past several years and had led to many good decisions.
The Catholic Church in the Book of Exodus
Last time we saw Moses, he was making tracks out of town because he was wanted for the murder of an Egyptian guard. He had killed the man out of anger for the way he was treating one of the Hebrew slaves. While his heart was in the right place, his actions were based on trying to right a wrong in his own strength. So the outsider who wanted to be the deliverer of his people ended up heading for the wilderness of Midian to escape capture.
We see him stopping at a well for water and witnessing the mistreatment of the sheep herding daughters of the Priest of Midian, Jethro. Moses is again an outsider witnessing a wrong being done but this time he responds in a very different way. This time he stood with the shepherdesses and helped them water their flocks, thus discouraging the menacing male shepherds from harassing the daughters of Jethro.
This act of kindness won him an invitation to dinner and a wife! Moses remained in Midian and raised a family with Zipporah, Jethro's daughter.
Meanwhile, back in Egypt, God hears the cries of his children. I'm sure the Hebrews didn't sense that he was hearing them. I'm sure they felt like they were crying out to the empty heavens for years on end. But God always hears the cries of his people and he is never idle in answering.
One day Moses was moving the herd and came upon the strangest sight he had ever seen. A bush that burned but was not consumed. We will take a look at how that bush was one of the first signs of God's sacramental approach to relating to his people.
We see him stopping at a well for water and witnessing the mistreatment of the sheep herding daughters of the Priest of Midian, Jethro. Moses is again an outsider witnessing a wrong being done but this time he responds in a very different way. This time he stood with the shepherdesses and helped them water their flocks, thus discouraging the menacing male shepherds from harassing the daughters of Jethro.
This act of kindness won him an invitation to dinner and a wife! Moses remained in Midian and raised a family with Zipporah, Jethro's daughter.
Meanwhile, back in Egypt, God hears the cries of his children. I'm sure the Hebrews didn't sense that he was hearing them. I'm sure they felt like they were crying out to the empty heavens for years on end. But God always hears the cries of his people and he is never idle in answering.
One day Moses was moving the herd and came upon the strangest sight he had ever seen. A bush that burned but was not consumed. We will take a look at how that bush was one of the first signs of God's sacramental approach to relating to his people.
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