Roasted honey red stretch

Friday, November 20, 2009

The Barrow Wight

I listen to the singing of the Barrow Wight

As I lie helpless upon the slab

The Cold seeping up from my feet

Into my heart, fogging my brain

I reach across to my best companion

Upon the slab next to me

But cannot see him, or find his hand to grasp

I cannot remember the song

To summon the fellow in the Bright Blue cap

Long years of Westernesse lie upon me

The bright jewels scattered about are useless baubles

With no sun to illuminate them

In this Barrow Mound

S

Saturday, October 24, 2009

The Bed of Pain

God speaks to us in many ways, one of them, noted in scripture, is The bed of pain.

I have been home for over a week with severe Bronchitus. It is very similar to the time I had pneumonia. I have been stuck in the house, alone most of the time, with no one to talk to but cats. Now cats ARE wonderful companions but they are a little bit selfish and lazy. They never bring me breakfast or lunch or any other meal in bed, or any of the other accouterments of a good nurse.

So, as in most of my life, if there is a significant change, i look up and say "Why God? What are You doing? What do you want from me?".

This time HE took his time letting me know(or was it me not listening...). But I am starting to get the message, that He wants more of my time and to make some course corrections.

I really wish i was not so dense and heard His voice without the "bed of pain" but I am not....Sigh...

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Apart From Me You Can do Nothing.


From today's reading in Luke 5:

After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
“Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
Simon said in reply,
“Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets.”
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat
to come to help them.
They came and filled both boats
so that the boats were in danger of sinking.

So many times in our lives we are working so hard for God. But have we asked God what He wants us to do? The disciples found that when they followed Jesus Instructions the catch was overwhelming!

I have been chagrined to find that my efforts get nowhere, but when i commit them to God He makes them bear fruit. Sometimes He lets me know i am fishing in the wrong place and sometimes, I believe, He just needed me to acknowledge His Lordship in what i am doing to bring forth a blessing.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Are You a Pharisee?


Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.


I have heard this story from Luke 10 all my life. I always imagine that if i saw a car accident, or some poor victim lying in the sidewalk, of course, I would help them. But what if Jesus meant ANY situation like this?



As I was driving to work yesterday and pondering my relationship with a difficult co-worker, this parable came to mind. I realized that God was speaking to my heart. That He was saying that my petulant, and immature co-worker was the man in the story. No, he had not fallen in with robbers, or had he? The more I thought about it, the more i realized that God was opening my eyes for hte first time to show me that he had. That the poor the wretched and the lame are not always that obvious.


That my co-worker had fallen in with the worst robber of all! He had been robbed of his correct sexual identity, his dignity as a person, and a loving heart. Instead of disdaining him, I should not be the Pharisee and pass by on the other side of the road. But I should be the hero in Luke 10, the proverbial "Good Samaritan". My grumbling and shunning this person was making ME a Pharisee.



God forgive me, all my life I believed that I would be the "Good Samaritan" in this story, but instead I have been the hated Pharisee!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

A quote



"Man is not a lost atom in a random universe" (Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 29).

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Monday, July 13, 2009

Friday, July 10, 2009

Live Tiger Evangelism


I thought that i had blogged this long ago, but i cannot find it.

Years ago a priest recounted this story during a homily at mass at the Cathedral parish here, I cannot recall which Priest for certain. But let me say that my theory of evangelism is based on the saying of St. Francis of Assisi "Preach the Gospel at all times, when necessary, use words."

Actually this method of evangelism works to bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and also to save a marriage or love someone back to health. It comes from this story.

There was a farmer who felt that he was struggling with his marriage and needed some help. he went on a quest to seek out a wise man that he had heard could make a powerful potion to heal ills of the heart. The wise man lived far away at the top of a mountain. The farmer traveled to the mountain and climbed up to the home of the wise man to seek his advice. Upon explaining his problem to the wise man, the wise man fell into deep thought for a time while the farmer waited. At last the farmer pleaded "can you make me a potion to win back the love of my wife"?

At length the wise man spoke and said "Bring me the whisker of a live tiger and I shall grant your wish". The farmer left discouraged. How could he take the whisker from a tiger, while it was still alive!?

On the way home he had lots of time to think and he formulated a plan. He knew that a Tiger lived in a cave near the top of a hill near his farm. Upon arriving at his home he cut off a nice large steak from the side of beef in his cooling house and went to the foot of the hill.

He placed the steak at the foot of the tiger's hill on a piece of cloth and went home. The next day he went back with another steak. He found the first one gone, not even a bone left behind! He placed a second steak a little ways onto the path up the hill and went home.

The third day he brought another steak and placed it a little further up the hill, advancing only a few feet. He continued for weeks to feed the tiger and advance slowly up the side of the hill toward the tiger's den. After 3 weeks of patient feeding he placed the steak within site of the Tiger's den, in all this time he had not seen the tiger at all.

The next day he came back to see the Tiger watching as he placed the meat a little closer, and he realized that the tiger knew that it was him who had been providing these rich meals. As he advanced closer and closer to the den the tiger became more accustomed to his presence and did not even bother to hide any more but watched impassively.

Finally the day came when he walked boldly up to the front of the Tiger's cave and the Tiger came out and gobbled up the meat as soon as the man walked away. The farmer placed the meat in this location for 5 more days until the Tiger came to him for the meat and took it from his hand. He did this 3 more days and on the 4th day he took a small pair of scissors with him, and as the Tiger ate from his hand he reached down gently and nipped a whisker from the Tiger and the Tiger only crinkled his nose a bit and finished eating.

Triumphantly the farmer took his treasure to the wise man and presented it to him proudly. The wise man remembered him and gazed for a bit at the whisker. Then he asked patiently how the farmer had obtained the whisker. When the farmer recounted his tale in full, the wise man smiled.

"My son" he explained "In this same way that you obtained the whisker from the live Tiger you will win back the love of your wife. Go and use the same patience and generosity with her and win her again!"

"Preach the Gospel at all times, when necessary, use words". And to St. Francis advice i would add pray, and trust the Holy Spirit to guide you.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

The Codex Sinaiticus and Me



A number of years ago the Dead Sea Scrolls visited the Public Museum of Grand Rapids ( http://www.centuryone.com/2122-7.html ) I got together a few freinds and my children and we went to see this awesome exhibit! It took my breath away to be inches from the Isaiah Scroll! Isaiah is a particular love of mine in scripture.

In fact, the Bible is a particular love for me. My favorite thing to study and book to read! Over the past 30 some years since i had a powerful experience of God in my life, i have sought to memorize as much of it as possible. When scripture is read at mass, many sections are like old friends to me, giving my peace and comfort.

Today The British Library has announced that a project to scan the Codex Sinaiticus in total and post it online is complete! The Codex dates primarily from the 4th century but some parts are even from the First Century.

Whereas the Dead Sea Scrolls are Hebrew scrolls of the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament), along with some additional psalms and documents from Qumran, the Codex is the First known Complete Christian Bible. It was written all in Koine Greek(the vernacular).

In viewing the actual pages today a similar sense of awe and wonder consumed me. This is a gift of God to humanity, written lovingly by some anonymous monks, scribes who we do not know and have never been canonized as saints. I thank God for them!

Paul said "without faith it is impossible to please God", I believe that faith is what brings us closer to God. We all sin, we all fall short of perfection and need to be redeemed daily, but unless we trust in the infinite mercy of God we will never understand Him or His Love letter to us--the Bible! http://www.codexsinaiticus.org/en

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Respect


Our society is going through a drought of respect! It really has been building for a long time, or should I say tearing down for a long time. I thought i saw the beginnings in the 80's when the "reality" talk shows became big. The ones where people got on TV to tell about thier spouses sins and yell at their neighbors. They gloried in enticing children to come on television and complain about their parents; likewise the mentally ill and morally deficient revealed their depravity with pride on Jerry Springer and other similar shows.

The ripples could be seen then, my children picked up from other kids to complain about their teachers. I firmly believe that God puts authority in our lives to teach us, train us and sometimes to chastise us. I told my kids that Ii would weigh their teachers word on any dispute more heavily than theirs, and that I expected my children to put up with the idiosyncrasies of various instructors as lessons in coping with difficult people and obedience.

I have looked on various managers and employers similarly in my own life. If they were unjust, scripture tells me that I must be just and learn my lesson from God.

Today I observed a 5 year old girl strike her mother for refusing to purchase her a stuffed dog, when the mother firmly and without anger of any sort insisted the girl put the dog back and refused to buy the plastic necklace for her that was already on the counter, I took the time to let the mom know that she was doing the right thing(when the girl was not in earshot).

But coming on the heals of a conversation yesterday with a friend on how to counsel her freind whose husband was committing adultery, it concerned me! I think the societal lack of respect may have reached crisis proportions! More and more men and women are casting off all moral restraint to enter into fornication or adultery at the expense of love, family, children, even their own futures! Clothing also reveals a lack of respect, letting underwear show, and body parts that should not see the light of day be flaunted before all!

Commercials, television, movies and music, glory in showing anger and disdain for other human beings. Sexuality is treated only in the most base sense, a way to USE another human being for your own recreation!

Respect needs a 911 call to the Almighty!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Don't Fall Into the I am not Religious Trap!


In our search for genuine, heartfelt authentic Christianity, many believers have fallen into a dangerous trap of the Evil One! Perhaps they have seen people who keep religious practices but do not have their hearts upon God. Perhaps they did not find God as a young person because their parents or the Church failed them. But the Fault is NOT in the Church! The Church is Jesus Bride! The Church is the Kingdom of heaven that Jesus desires to bring to earth! The Church is the only place that will challenge us to "work out our salvation in Fear and trembling!

Without the Church, I am outside, in the dark with no oil for my lamp(see Matt 25) when the Bridegroom comes for His bride!

I am Religious(at least I try to be!) and I will not be ashamed of the body of Christ, or of His Cross!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

The Greatest of Gifts!


My sin has taught me something! When i chose to refrain from partaking of the gift of the Holy Eucharist because I was not in a state of grace, I learned a little bit of a yearning for God. A hunger for the God's most precious gift to humanity grew in me.

Once I was reconciled to God through the gift of Confession and absolution, the Bread, that only HE can give was more precious to me. Now my eyes are more open to see the REAL FOCUS of the mass. Not music, which i love, and long to partake in! Not liturgy, that holds our attention so much at times! Not even the homily or the scripture that is so precious to me!

It is the Very Gift of God, that by a miracle of grace becomes bread and wine, that we may consume, the very Life of Jesus Christ!

Friday, June 19, 2009

The Heart of God!


Today is the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus! In today's reading the heart of God is laid bare for all to see!

The first reading is a sad one from Hosea, it speaks of the tender parental love that God has for His people, how he nurtured them and taught them and expected love in return and was disappointed! How, like a good father, he restrains his Disappointment and seeks to show pity on them once more.

The Gospel reading today, gives us a glimpse of the Cross, the final moments when a sword peirced the heart of the One Who Loves us so! We pierced that heart and continue to do it, each time we turn our backs on right and truth! And yet that Heart chooses to continue to be our perpetual sacrifice, given on the altar of Catholic and Orthodox Churches all over the world each day, until the coming of the GREAT day of the Lord!

Lastly, Paul, who has glimpsed somewhat of the Love of God's heart, gives us a heartfelt prayer that should be ours all our lives, because it will transform us!

14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.~Eph 3

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Obama: beginning to scare citizens

Obama: beginning to scare citizens

Obama: beginning to scare citizens

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA


By Lou Pritchett

Dear President Obama:

You are the thirteenth President under whom I have lived and unlike any of the others, you truly scare me.

You scare me because after months of exposure, I know nothing about you.

You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy League education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible signs of support.

You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally you are not an American.

You scare me because you have never run a company or met a payroll.

You scare me because you have never had military experience, thus don't understand it at its core.

You scare me because you lack humility and 'class', always blaming others.

You scare me because for over half your life you have aligned yourself with radical extremists who hate America and you refuse to publicly denounce these radicals who wish to see America fail.

You scare me because you are a cheerleader for the 'blame America' crowd and deliver this message abroad.

You scare me because you want to change America to a European style country where the government sector dominates instead of the private sector.

You scare me because you want to replace our health care system with a government controlled one.

You scare me because you prefer 'wind mills' to responsibly capitalizing on our own vast oil, coal and shale reserves.

You scare me because you want to kill the American capitalist goose that lays the golden egg which provides the highest standard of living in the world.

You scare me because you have begun to use 'extortion' tactics against certain banks and corporations.

You scare me because your own political party shrinks from challenging you on your wild and irresponsible spending proposals.

You scare me because you will not openly listen to or even consider opposing points of view from intelligent people.

You scare me because you falsely believe that you are both omnipotent and omniscient.

You scare me because the media gives you a free pass on everything you do.

You scare me because you demonize and want to silence the Limbaughs, Hannitys, O'Relllys and Becks who offer opposing, conservative points of view.

You scare me because you prefer controlling over governing.

Finally, you scare me because if you serve a second term I will probably not feel safe in writing a similar letter in 8 years.

Lou Pritchett


Note: Lou Pritchett is a former vice president of Procter & Gamble whose career at that company spanned 36 years before his retirement in 1989, and he is the author of the 1995 business book, Stop Paddling & Start Rocking the Boat.

Mr. Pritchett confirmed that he was indeed the author of the much-circulated "open letter." "I did write the 'you scare me' letter. I sent it to the NY Times but they never acknowledged or published it. However, it hit the internet and according to the 'experts' has had over 500,000 hits.
I think Mr. Pritchett is speaking for many of us. Please use the Share button below to pass this on.

Love,
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Sunday, May 24, 2009

We are not Obama Haters


There may be some misunderstanding among those who see this blog and others who have strong opposition to the President being honored at Notre Dame. This is NOT about hating Obama, the man.

To hate President Obama would be almost as wrong as killing the unborn. Our opposition is to the culture of death, that is being furthered by this man's policies. It has no place being honored at a Catholic Institution, and our Bishops have already said this. Specifically forbidden the giving of honors to politicians who are anti life. And Yes Obama is Anti life!

In case you have been sleeping since the election, within a very very short time after the election the president started implementing the promises he has made to Planned Parenthood that would increase their profits and further their annihilation of poor minority children. He started with the rescinding of the Mexico City policy, which forbade the use of American monies to kill the unborn in foreign lands. This policy is estimated to have saved the lives of several million babies since its implementation.

Next, the President, in a purely political move, authorized the use of taxpayer monies to fund completly unnecessary research on live human embryos to harvest thier stem cells. This research is unnecessary because of breakthroughs in stem cell research that prove that no infants need be killed to further the noble cause of stem cell research.

In his march to aid profits for the death mongers at abortion mills Obama has started removing restrictions to abortions which help women wait a bit and think through the implications of killing thier own child. In addition he has made plans to do away with parental notification for abortions, a law that protects young women from major surjical procedures without proper background history for the medical caregivers. This law helps save the lives of the mothers-to-be.

Think about it, when a lady becomes pregnant she is considered a mom-to-be, doesn't that say that we know there is a baby in her womb? When pro-abortionists promote thier cause they say that they want to help make abortion less common? WHY? If it is just a blob of tissue then who cares? But if it is, after all, as scientists tell us, the taking of life, which exists from the moment of first cell division, then yes it should be rare!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Friday, May 15, 2009

A New Hero

  • May 15: A protester of President Obama's Notre Dame visit during graduation ceremonies on Sunday is arrested and hauled away by police.
  • May 15: Protesters of Obama's graduation visit to the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.
  • May 15: Protesters march against President Obama's visit to Notre Dame.
  • May 15: A protester is subdued by police on Notre Dame's campus in South Bend, Ind.
  • May 15: A protester of Obama's visit to Notre Dame is restrained by police on the campus in South Bend, Ind.
  • May 8: A truck adorned with anti-abortion protest signs is seen during a protest at Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. University of Notre Dame students who plan to protest the school's awarding of an honorary degree to President Barack Obama on campus during commencement Sunday are calling for a peaceful, prayerful approach.
  • May 8: Anti-abortion protestors led by Alan Keyes cross the path of pro-Obama Notre Dame students in South Bend, Ind. University of Notre Dame students plan to protest the school's awarding of an honorary degree to Obama on campus during commencement Sunday.
  • May 8: A truck adorned with anti-abortion protest signs is seen during a protest at Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.
  • May 8: Notre Dame senior Matthew Degnan
Notice that Mr. Degnan has his hands behind his back. That is because he got arrested today while praying on Notre Dame Campus!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

St. Plurks Potato Soup



This soup was developed with the help of the best cooks at St. Plurks Online Parish!

1/3 C butter
A large bunch of Green onions, chopped, tops and all
6-7 medium potatoes (i used russets), clean and chop(leave skins on)
4-5 Chicken bullion cubes
2 quarts water
1 Cup dry milk powder
Pepper to taste
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Saute' the green onions in the butter on med low heat, for 15 to 20 min. Add potatoes, bullion cubes and water, and let simmer until potatoes are done(not too soft). Add dry milk powder and stir well, pepper to taste and crumble in bacon and simmer a few more minutes.

Great with Corn bread!


Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Monday, April 20, 2009

Easter Sunday


You may think this post is late in coming. Its not. I have lots of time. Easter, for Catholics, is so important it is our longest holiday of the year, it has a preparation period of 40 days of reflection and penitence, then one week of commemoration(holy Week), and now we are in the 50 days of Easter, which ends at Pentecost.

During Lent we sing no Alleluias, During Easter we sing them all the time. We just finished yesterday the Octave of Easter, eight days of readings surrounding the events of Easter itself. Yesterday was considered both "Doubting Thomas Sunday" and "Divine Mercy Sunday". The first for the gospel reading that we read on that day, the upper room visits of Jesus, first without poor maligned Thomas, and then with him and his profession of faith.

Divine Mercy Sunday has a number of meanings, but primarily celebrates the Mercy of God in granting us forgiveness for our sins.

So Happy Easter.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Holy Saturday


The day of silence. Traditionally(no that is not a bad word but a word that indicates we have a rich heritage as Christians), Holy saturday is the day when Our Lord is missing from the earth. The Pauline Revelation tells us that He descended into hell and defeats Satan and takes the keys of death and hell from him on this day.

It is a day of waiting for us. For the disciples it was a day of confusion and dwindling hope.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Good Friday


Good Friday for Catholics is a day of fasting and abstinence. We fast all day and when we do bread our fast we abstain from meat. Throughout lent, which is the time set aside for repentance and examination of our life compared to Christ's, we are setting ourselves aside to seek God and take a good look at our lives and how we may become more like Him.

On Good Friday we are devoted to commemorating Christ suffering for our sakes. If you take the time to do this you do find that your life is changed. The reminder of Jesus suffering for you cannot help but humble you and make you take a good look at your life. We must ask ourselves, am i living a life worthy of such sacrifice?

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Holy Thursday


Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday (for the Maundatum Novum, or the New Commandment in English), commemorates the institution of the Holy Eucharist. On this night, on the first night of passover, Jesus fulfills what he referred to throughout his lengthy discourse in John 6.

In John 6:66 many of His followers left Jesus because they could not accept His teaching that they should eat His flesh and drink his blood. Here at the Last Supper one more of Jesus followers falls away because of this teaching, Judas. Judas cannot accept the suffering, humble Messiah. He looses faith just like the ones at the end of John 6.

The parallels of Jesus giving us His body and blood to eat and drink with that of the Passover story, are rich and closely intertwined with the Institution of the mass. A close study of Jewish practices explains all the parts of the mass juxtaposed over the Last supper that Jesus spends with His disciples, carefully teaching them some of His final life essays in their class on Church building. The final essay being His death and Resurrection.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Passion Sunday


Sometimes known as Palm Sunday because the Gospel chosen for this Sunday starts with Jesus triumphant entry into Jerusalem just prior to passover. Historically this is Passion Sunday in which the whole passion narrative is read as the Gospel. It is a longer mass, because all 4 scripture readings are longer and we have some additional special prayers and readings.

The 2000 year history of our faith is rich in symbolism and rituals based in our Jewish roots. Many of the prayers of the Church can easily be seen as Jewish prayers and blessings. The early Church almost immediately had to go underground because of severe persecution throughout the Roman world. So symbols and signs, like the Ichthus, and the Crucifix were identifiers to other Christians. Possessing these symbols could also bring death! However denying them would be unthinkable and many Christians that remain unnamed perished as unnamed martyrs of the Faith!

Let us never be ashamed of the Church or it's practices, many have died to bring them down to us! As Paul Says "I am not ashamed of the cross of Christ". The earliest crosses had the crucified Christ proudly displayed on them, which spoke the gospel message without words! Other symbols of Christ came later, in our history but are still revered for their connection to Jesus, of whom we should never be ashamed to identify ourselves.

As Gamaliel said of the early Church " For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." (Acts 5)

Saturday, March 21, 2009

A reprint from The Voice Magazine Online


Pro-Life Pastor Walter Hoye Sentenced to Jail
Published by TheVoiceMag February 20th, 2009 in Breaking News and Culture.

Pro-life Pastor Walter Hoye was found guilty of violating “The Bubble Law,” a city law that provides an 8-foot buffer zone between pro-life protesters and women entering the abortion clinics. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and ordered to stay 100 yards away from the clinic where he was arrested for the next three years.

According to the Oakland Tribune, Pastor Walter Hoye, is the first person charged and found guilty of the city’s two-year-old law and must also pay $1,130 in fines and remain on probation for three years after either serving his 30 days in county jail or entering an alternative program run by the sheriff’s department.

Pastor Hoye’s case, has garnered national attention from Christians and pro-life supporters, many of whom traveled from as far as Dallas in support of the beloved pastor, who they said was having his First Amendment rights taken away. Some believe that he was especially targetted by the abortion clinics.

As reported by the Tribune, the courtroom’s atmosphere was charged and filled with both pro-choice and pro-life activists. Supporters of both groups also crammed the hallways of the courthouse before the hearing and shouted at each other as they jockeyed for a seat.

The ruling was made by Alameda Superior Court Judge Stuart Hing.

The tensions flared after the hearing. One pro-lifer wrestled with sheriff’s deputies as he shouted at the judge, condemning him for placing Hoye in jail, while others sang “We Shall Overcome.” Many Christians were shocked at the news of Pastor Walter Hoye’s arrest and believed he was convicted wrongly.

“It is my prayer that God’s name be glorified and the life of His Son Jesus Christ be revealed in me,” said Hoye while he awaited his sentence.

“It’s not an issue of pro-life or pro-choice, it’s about the ability of a man to stand up and speak his truth,” said Dion Evans, shortly before he was restrained by sheriff’s deputies as he shouted at the judge.

Judge Hing said he received stacks of letters in support of Hoye. Perhaps they helped to reduce the sentence. Pastor Hoye was facing up to two years in jail and $4000 in fines.

Alameda County Deputy District Attorney Robert Graff, who tried the case, argued that Hoye was not an innocent man standing on a sidewalk with a sign but someone who violated a city law.

“To suggest that he was merely holding a sign on the sidewalk does not speak to the totality of what is going on here,” Graff said. “This is a balancing of rights here. These people’s rights have to be balanced as well.”

Hoye’s defense attorneys, paid for by the Life Legal Defense Foundation, argued, at times with tears in their eyes, that the law was unconstitutional and that a punishment of jail was cruel and unusual.

Graff, who agreed Hoye should not be placed in jail, suggested the Judge place him on probation for 3 years with an order to stay 100 yards away from the abortion clinic. Graff said, “If Hoye did not agree to that, he should be sent to county jail for two years.”

Hing sentenced Hoye to 30 days in jail with the option of entering a sheriff work-release program that allows him to do sheriff-sponsored community service in exchange for jail time.

Hoye was warned with a threat that if he was found approaching women at the abortion clinic in the future, he would be in violation of his probation and could face additional time in jail.

Meanwhile, Life Legal Defense Foundation is challenging the city’s law in federal court.

Copied in toto from http://www.thevoicemagazine.com/blog/breaking-news/pro-life-pastor-walter-hoye-sentenced-to-jail/

NOTE: as soon as we get the information to write in suport of Pastor Hoye I will post it here!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Infant Stem Cell Research


32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me...
37 Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
39 When did we see you sick...?
40 The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'~ Matt 25

Yesterday President Obama signed into law permission for the use of infant stem cells for research. Why do i use the term "infant" instead of embryo? Because an embryo is a tiny infant. It is human life, and to research on human life is reprehensible. It is the stuff of the most horrible science fiction of the past.

When we used to read science fiction 30 or 40 years ago about harvesting humans to feed or enhance other humans we knew instinctively that it was evil. Today they change the words and make it sound noble.

I call upon those that are diabetic or disabled in any way that could "benefit" from these appalling research methods to let it be known that they refuse to be party to the killing of the innocents.

Friday, February 27, 2009

Today's Gospel


Today's gospel reading is short but very interesting, this one never struck me before. It is the first Friday of Lent, for Catholics it is a day of abstinence from meat. This past Wednesday was a day of fasting and abstinence. We have already had psalm 51 on both days as the psalm reading, calling us to repentance and reconciliation with God. So in that light here is the reading for today:

The disciples of John approached Jesus and said,
"Why do we and the Pharisees fast much,
but your disciples do not fast?"
Jesus answered them, "Can the wedding guests mourn
as long as the bridegroom is with them?
The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them,
and then they will fast." ~Matthew 9:14-15

What struck me here is that Jesus disciples never fasted! I never thought about that before. But it occurs to me that they had the power of God with them at all times. He could overcome anything that came up, He raised the dead, cast out difficult demons and with a word calmed a storm.

We however, need to set ourselves aside, away from our physical wants and to connect in a stronger way with God to see miricles in our lives. Come Lord Jesus.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Who said..

"No parent should ever have to choose between
work and family; between earning a decent wage and
caring for a child.”~Bill Clinton(you were thinking Mother Theresa weren't you?)

Saturday, February 21, 2009

More on Faith


It is interesting, after going through that entire blog entry with my musings on faith, today's readings are about faith! The first reading is the great faith chapter Hebrews 11. I love this chapter. I listen to the scripture readings in the NIV when I stream them in my devotions. But the one verse i memorized from the KJV, From memory: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." In the NIV it is rendered thus: 1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.(ibs.org).

This chapter is an excellent summary for me. It recounts various patriarchs and how their faith in the promises of God sustained them or inspired them. Near the end of the passage there is mention of Barak. I did not remember reading about Barak. So i looked him up. He was the commander of the Israeli army under the judge Deborah. Since he was listed as a man of faith, i read the account. It seems that Barak had to trust that Deborah was truly hearing from God, and upon her word of the surety of his victory went out and attacked the army of Sisera and they were routed by God. They inexplicably fled before his troops.

All this is to say that I know that God is powerful, and that He raised Jesus from the dead and did many powerful miracles. But do I truly believe all that Jesus said? Jesus told us that we would do greater miracles than He did. And yet I am continually held back by the whisperings of the evil one in my ear "you are not good enough, God could not care for you..." In believing this am I any different than Eve? I think that God's love is not big enough to cover my faults and sins. How arrogant of me! God made the heavens and the earth. He owns all the cattle on a thousand hills. He made the stars and the whirlpool nebula!

I am reminded of a children's bible school song i learned somewhere:

He's still workin' on me
Makin' me what i outta be
It took Him just a week
To make the moon and stars
The sun and the earth and
Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient
He must be
'Cause He's still workin' on me.

The psalm today is the clincher--it is psalm 145, here are some excerpts to close this entry:

8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.

9 The LORD is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made.

14 The LORD upholds all those who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time.

16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways
and loving toward all he has made.

18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.

Thank you Jesus.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Thoughts on healing


In the Gospel readings this past couple weeks we are going through the book of Mark. I have really been struck in a different way about Jesus teachings on faith. I sense that God wants His people to have faith for healing and deliverence in a greater way. I have had a growing sense that as this time of great evangelism is upon us, those of us that God has spent the last ten, twenty and thirty years preparing in the Spirit are going to be called upon to stretch in the wisdom and gifts that we have been given. We are going to have to learn to rely on God's voice, not methods or formulas, and have greater faith in Him to touch lives.

Here in Mark 1, obviously very early in Jesus ministry, He proves that He has great power, there is a demon cast out of a man and then they leave the synagogue:

29As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. 31So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

32That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33The whole town gathered at the door, 34and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

This is the God we rely on. Who heals with a touch and the voice of command.

Those who had simple faith are healed like this man: " 40A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
41Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" 42Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured." This man surely had faith in Jesus and Jesus immediately responded to that faith.

Then, of course there is the man who was healed NOT because of his own faith but because of the faith of his friends!:

Mark 2~ 3Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."... He said to the paralytic, 11"I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

Then in Mark 4 Jesus rebukes his disciples for their lack of faith(and the light perhaps starts to dawn for them that he is the Messiah!)

35That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

39He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

40He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

41They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

In chapter 5 of Mark, Jesus tackles tougher problems, the demon possessed man who had a legion of demons and then He raises Jiarus daughter from the dead.

In Chapter 6, Jesus again encounters a lack of faith: 4Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 5He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6And he was amazed at their lack of faith." notice that even though He is God incarnate, He cannot heal when there is a lack of faith!

In chapter 7 Jesus encounters a woman who will not take "no" for an answer. He even calls her a dog and she is not deterred " 27"First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."28"Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs."29Then he told her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter." 30She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

This last one struck me for many reasons. First because I often fall for the lie that i am not good enough for God to bless. This woman told Jesus that she was at least good enough for the Crumbs from his table and that would be enough for her.

Next,it hit me for the first time,that Jesus drove out THIS demon without being present with the patient,or even speaking a word of command. He just told her, that her child was free. I believe that God wants us to learn to trust Him more and learn to tap into His power in greater ways.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Ponderings on the Sorrowful Mysteries

Image: The Polish Pieta-note the size of Jesus wounds




I had these thoughts today as I prayed through the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.

The First Sorrowful Mystery The Agony in the Garden: The Agony in the garden represents the loneliness of separation from God that Jesus accepted in order to take on our sins. Sin separates us from God, this was probably the first time that Jesus ever felt that separation and he begged his disciples to stay awake with him, because he felt such profound loneliness.

The Second Sorrowful Mystery The Scourging at the Pillar:
The scourging of Jesus in the outer court of Pilate's palace represents bodily suffering, Jesus took on the pain that we feel from sickness, disease, cancer, leprosy, Multiple sclerosis, beatings, abuse and all the other pains known to humankind. He took it all upon his body.

The Third Sorrowful Mystery The Crowning with thorns.
I believe that the crowning with thorns represents mental anguish. Both from mental illness and also from temptation and disappointment and all other agonies of the mind.

The FOurth Sorrowful Mystery The Carrying of the Cross. I believe that this represents the drudgery of bearing our day to day life. The boredom the waiting, the persevering in all things for the sake of God and family and friends. Though we at times seek a better life in the hereafter with God, we must take up our cross each day and bear it with the help of the Holy Spirit our Comforter.

The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery The Crucifixion.
This represents the final triumph of Jesus. He passed through death for our sakes in order to accept the sting of death and brave hell for us. He conquered both so that those who die in Christ will suffer neither. Praise be to Him! The Sacrifice Lamb!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

A legacy

Michael Dubruiel was a Catholic Author and wife of the famous Blogger Amy Wellborn of Charlotte Was Both Blog. It is very poignient to read the last column that he was preparing for his Diocesan newspaper, just before he collapsed and died suddenly at age 50 right after his workout at the local Gym. Here is his column.




The Last Column

February 4, 2009 by Amy

{(Michael had been writing a column for the Diocesan newspaper called “Some Seed Fell” and posting them after publication on his blog. His sweet secretary Allison just sent me the last column he wrote, being published this week, that he wrote Monday night.)~Amy Wellborn's comments on her blog http://amywelborn.wordpress.com/ }

While in Washington, D.C. several weeks ago, I ran into an old friend, Father Benedict Groeschel, CFR, with whom I have collaborated on several books. We met after a Mass for pro-life leaders at Trinity College. It was exactly five years and 10 days from that night in Orlando, FL when Father Benedict nearly lost his life in a tragic accident, and almost four years to the day that I spent a week with him in New York, assisting him in putting the finishing touches on a book that he co-authored with Bishop Baker.

Working with a very frail Father Benedict at the time, I was reminded of an interview that he had given some years earlier at EWTN with Doug Keck on Booknotes. During that interview, when Father Benedict’s book Arise From Darkness was first published, Doug asked Father Benedict to elaborate on something that Father had called the “big lie” in his book. The “big lie,” Father Benedict said, (and I’m paraphrasing him at this point), is to think that if we say all the right prayers and live correctly, then nothing bad will ever happen to us. Sadly, there are many good people who have lost their faith by believing such a lie, and that makes it a big one indeed!

One only has to think of Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, and how much He suffered on the cross, to correct one’s view on this matter. In our own day, there are many whom we know have lived saintly lives, many who have prayed much, and yet have suffered too.

This brings me to another incident that I learned from Father Benedict while working with him four years ago in New York. I was waiting for him to make some corrections on a text when I noticed what looked like a wedding program. I asked him if it was for a relative or a couple he had married. He replied that it was neither, but told me the story of the person behind it.

Diana was a young Puerto Rican woman who grew up in a very faith filled home. Even though they were poor, her mother taught her at an early age to trust God above everything. By the time she was old enough to go to college, Diana found a way to pursue her education - again something that she credited to her strong faith - and became the first member of her large family to graduate from college. She then married and was hired by a large investment firm in New York.

Even though her job kept her busy, she found time to attend Mass everyday. When her friends threw parties, Diana made up goodie bags for them that included candy and make-up, but also a prayer book and holy water. When a member of her family couldn’t pay their bills, Diana secretly paid them. When someone in the family got into trouble she bailed them out of jail.

One night Diana had a strange dream. In the dream Jesus appeared to her, dressed in a white robe, standing on a cloud of smoke. He was beckoning her to come to him, telling her not to worry, that he was going to take her with him. Then it seemed to her that the whole world disappeared from beneath her and she awoke. She told her husband about the dream the next morning, but he didn’t want to hear about it—it scared him.

The next few nights, the dream repeated itself. She told her mother, who wondered what it could mean.

A month later on September 11, 2001, Diana was at work at her investment firm in the World Trade Center on one of the top floors. She phoned her husband and mother on her cell phone after the second plane struck the tower below her. She reminded them of the dream, just before the tower crumbled.

What is the opposite of the “big lie”? Trust.

When questioned by an English journalist about the future of the Religious Order that he co-founded, Father Benedict gave a simple reply, “We have no plans, except to be led by God.”

None of us knows what the future holds, but hopefully we can embrace what is inscribed in our coinage, “In God we Trust.”

ARRANGEMENTS

Viewing

Sunday, February 8

5-8 pm

7pm Vigil Service

Fr. Brian Flanagan, Diocese of West Palm Beach

Craig Funeral Home

1475 Old Dixie Highway
St. Augustine, FL 32084
Office: (904) 824-1672

MASS OF THE RESURRECTION

Monday, February 9

11am

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine

35 Treasury Street
St. Augustine, Fl
904-824-2806

Most Reverend Robert J. Baker, celebrant

Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., homilist

~Sparks

Friday, February 6, 2009

Cooleration

Is that a word?

Love my new group. Randomly, i ran into an old aquaintance from around the diocese on a Catholic web site, and messaged him hello. We struck up a bit of a conversation and he mentioned that he was doing the music at a local parish on Sunday evenings with a band. I mentioned that i was a strong vocalist looking for a gig. He then asked if i could practice friday nights and I can.

Sometimes my life just does not cooperate with Choir or mass times for Church very well and i am catch as catch can. But lately my boss at my one job has had mercy on my giving me virtually every sunday off. Which is has been pretty much unheard of in my life for the past 12 years except for a period of unemployment in 2006(for about 7 months). And i am free on all the scheduled friday nights coming up.

So i started tonight and love it. The leader of the band is firm but kind--i need that as i can make mistakes but can also be hard on myself. The musicians are awesome and talented and the boss has a way of bringing out the best in everybody. He also is a talented songwriter. We are doing some of his songs and they are very good. And he coordinated all the songs with the scriptures for this week very nicely.

This song is one i have only had rare exposure to but I am starting to love it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isve04xCYyY&feature=related


Pax Christi Tibi(to quote the most intelligent man i know)

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

My Version of Truckers Stew

1 lb of ground beef (or venison or sausage) browned
1 lb of bacon cooked in 1/2-1 inch chunks
2-3 onions
2 cans pork and beans
1 can each of kidney and black beans
2 cans of green beans
2 cans of butter beans(or 1 can butter and one lima--we just love butter beans)
1 1/2 Cup Ketchup
3 T vinegar
4 T mustard(yellow or brown)
2 C brown sugar
salt to taste

Brown your meats and the onions, drain. Add beans, if you are using a crock pot, drain the beans before adding, if stove top you will need the liquid. Add rest of ingredients and simmer in crock pot for the whole day(6-8 hours) or approx 3 hours stove top stirring occasionally.




Notes: This is not a health nut soup, you may want to limit it to speacial occasions :-)

Monday, February 2, 2009

Fallible Men

Was reading a section in the book "The Biblical Basis for the Catholic Faith" by Salza on how fallible men can have infallible teaching(not all the time but when lead by God's Spirit). It was pointed out that, of course we know David was an adulterer and murderer, and Moses a murderer. Peter made mistakes, and the writers of the Bible were all fallible men with infallible writings.

However I had never really noticed this before, in passing the author mentioned that the high priest Caiaphas, though he was a very corrupt man, made an infallible prophecy. So i set out to find it this morning right after my scripture time.

I found this account of it in John, with John's commentary: "49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish."

51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life."~John 11.

This explains a lot to me that i have pondered over the years. I have personally been scandalized when a certian extremely prominant Christian Singer left her husband to marry another famous celebrity and had refused to listen to her music, though it was very good, ever since. There was also a very popular priest years ago who had a powerful healing ministry that left the church in disobediance to get married. Then I wondered about all those healings--of course they were real, and his wonderful books on healing.

These are only a couple of people who have caused scandal in the body of Christ that affected me personally. But i remember that Warren H. Carroll pointes out in the Founding of Christendom that God's anointing is real even if the person subsequently turns his back on God.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

A Poem

By Studdard Kennedy

When Jesus came to Golgotha, they nailed Him to a tree.
They crowned Him with a crown of thorns, red were His wounds—and deep.
For those were crude and cruel days, and human flesh was cheap.

When Jesus came to Birmingham, they only passed Him by.
They would not hurt a hair of His, they only let Him die.
For men had grown more tender, they would not wish Him pain.
They only passed down the street, and left Him in the rain—the winter rains that drenched Him through and through.

And when all the crowds had left the street.
Jesus crouched against a wall, and sighed for Calvary.

Tortured by Despair

Torture, that is what depression that has degraded all the way to despair does to a person. Torquemada could not do as good a job on the body as despair does to the mind. I have observed this firsthand. People who are unable to prosper in life becuase of this inner torture. It is as painstaking to watch as the torturer works someone over with despair, stripping them of the will to live,love and laugh. You cringe, you try to reason with them, you attempt to pull them out of it. But a wise friend of mine pointed out to me long ago that people with a pile of old junk in their possession will cling fearcly to it because it is their pile of junk and it is familiar and they cannot see anything else over their pile.

Our problems can loom so large that we cannot see the pot of gold the Lord Has for us becuase of them.

I just read in a novel that a cynic is a frustrated idealist. When i googled it, i found that many people quote this but no one ascribes it to anyone. I think it is true though. It seems as if all cynics i have met are actually tenderhearted souls who have been gravely squelched.

The world is a cruel place suited best for politicians with Teflon exteriors. I certainly don't think that i will lack for work when i receive my masters in counseling. But can i really make a difference, that is the real question? Can I pry the junk out of a frustrated idealists hands and hand him a pot of gold? Perhaps with the help of the almighty. For nothing is impossible with God.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

How to respond to the President(a reprint from Andy Levy)

My “To Don’t” List for the Right
by Andy Levy

The only thing worse than bad winners are sore losers, and we’ve had enough of them for the past eight years. So with that in mind, in the wake of today’s historic inauguration, here’s my Handbook For The Loyal Opposition, 2009 edition - a “To Don’t List,” if you will. Or even if you won’t.

DON’T question the motives - question the policy. When you disagree with Obama’s policies, say so, and make it clear why. But remember that President Obama is doing what he thinks is best for the country, as President Bush did. Both men love America and want what’s best for her. End of story.

DON’T make it personal. We don’t need another Derangement Syndrome. We don’t need people doing things like emphasizing Obama’s middle name in a derogatory fashion. How anyone would think that’s beneficial to their cause, or to the country as a whole, is beyond me. Also, it’s not even clever. Neither are smushwords like BusHitler, or sillywords like Rethuglicans and Dhimmicrats.

DON’T cozy up to and champion foreign dictators and despots. Sean Penn is an ass. No reason to be like him. ‘Nuff said. (Corollary: Don’t cozy up to and champion foreign dictators and despots and then act outraged when people question your patriotism.)

DON’T pretend you’re being brave when you criticize your government. Not while people in other countries actually, y’know, DIE, when they do that.

DON’T use the word “divisive.” At this point, all that word means is “You disagree with me,” and the English language gets mangled enough these days.

DON’T use the phrase “speaking truth to power.” EVER.

DON’T move to Canada.

DON’T say you’re going to move to Canada and then stay here. (I know it’s too late for Stephen Baldwin, but not for the rest of you.)

DON’T apologize to foreigners and say things to them like, “I didn’t vote for Obama,” or “He’s not MY president.”

DON’T say or do everything in your power to drive this country apart and then claim you want unity when it’s your guy in power. This is like the convicted felon who conveniently finds God when he’s up for parole.

DON’T call people un-American one week, and then talk about how “We are not blue states or red states, we are the United States” the next. (This rule may only apply to Tom Hanks, but I put it in just to be safe.)

DON’T automatically think people who disagree with you are stupid or evil. Some of them are, of course. But most of them aren’t, and you might actually learn something if you listen to them.

And finally, DON’T use the fact that many on the left behaved abominably for the past eight years as an excuse to behave the same way. America needs adults. And if it bothered you when they did it, it’s a good sign that you shouldn’t do it.

Monday, January 19, 2009

An Ode to Sully

Found this randomly on the web, ok on Mark Shea's blog, but it is the most unique take on the landing on the Hudson!:

Friday, January 16, 2009

A Testimony of a sort...

I have a pretty decent "testimony"(how I met the Lord and gave my life to Him and returned to the Church of my youth), it involves drugs and depression and suicidal thoughts and a dramatic turn a round from life for myself and the world to life fully lived for God.

But I have come to believe that my real testimony is that God can "cover a multitude of sins", or lots of foolish mistakes. A case in point is the way that God continually covers for my forgetfulness and ADD.

Recently I took some of my precious Christmas money from my mom and indulged in purchasing two bottles of clearance bubble bath at Bath and Body Works in the mall where i work one of my jobs. I took it back to work with me and randomly, without thinking, left it sitting on a counter near the cloak room. About two days later i came in to work and asked after my package, noting that i had probably just sat it down somewhere and meant to have our staff put it aside for me but forgot. They had a Bath and Body Works sack in the lost and found and surrendered it to me. I got all the way home before i realized that it was not mine. Someone had purchased some hand lotions and an expensive looking face cream. I returned it to work the next day and explained that this was not mine. In the meantime the customer had picked up my sack and now had my purchase.

I asked about the package several times to find that as of last week the lotions sack had been picked up but mine was not returned. I assumed that i would never see it again and i was out my tiny widows mite for my little indulgence...sad.

On Monday of this week I left my lunch sack behind in the cloak room with my new leather mittens( a birthday gift from a sister in Christ), two pop cans(an important form of income at our house :-)) and a LIBRARY BOOK! I was really worried about being picked up by the library police most of all! All kidding aside, I cannot afford to pay for a lost book, especially with the two missing cans not in my income...

When i next went back to work, i inquired about all of the above, no luck. I searched the cloak room and opened all the unlocked lockers. no luck. Yesterday, when i mentioned to Lindsey, my coworker, at the lost and found desk, about my now lost mittens and book, she remarked "OH yes, someone returned your Bath and Body Works Bag! Now that was funny because I had started earnestly praying ONLY for the return of the book and mittens. The two most important lost items. I scanned the cloak room again for that lost package, thinking i had just missed a spot and still nothing.

When i went to go home last night, late, I looked one more time wistfully for my sack, with my Bath and Body Works sack happily in my hands. AND THERE WAS my sack under the original chair that i sat it on Monday night. I had searched under that chair several times!

To top all this, this morning I could not find my wallet. I went to work without it, trusting i would not get pulled over for anything. When I had been at work almost an hour a lady from the early freight team let me know that she had found my wallet sitting on the chair in the CLOAK ROOM this morning(it was fine, and all money and cards intact)! God truly watches over the foolish and the silly. He is ever faithful to us even when we are not faithful to HIM.


ADD

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Veni Creator Spiritu

That is the name of the song on this vid, it is moving. A friend told me that throughout the years all a priest has to do is put his stole on his neck and stand in a field or on the edge of a camp and men line up for confession. They are acutely aware of their need to be right before God and with their fellowman each day. May we recognize that need in the battles we face.







The words in english of the two most popular verses are:
COME, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.


Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven.
Amen.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

The Sword of the Spirit

Here is a link to the online magazine for the group that i am affiliated with. The Worldwide Sword of the Spirit, is a group of Charismatic Communities around the world. We have communities in the U.S. Mexico, Canada, Honduras, Nicaragua, Brazil, Costa Rica, Lebanon, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Belgium, Russia, Germany and the Philippines and New Zealand, that I know of, and many more that I am not familiar with.

Many of the groups are all Catholic or all Greek Orthodox, There are Protestant Fellowships, and a number of Ecumenical groups, including my own group, several in war torn Beirut, Lebanon and in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where they are a witness to the love of God bringing Catholics and Protestants into embracing fellowship with each other.

My community has several hundred families that are in covenant fellowship with each other. We meet to worship together, and have small cell groups, called households, that minister to our needs as they come up in life. We do not live together or share all things in common. But it is very common for us to share our resources as the Spirit leads us.

In my life as a divorcee, with 2 children, that i brought up alone(they are 18 and 21 now), I have been the recipient of the generosity of the brothers and sisters in Christ far more than i have been able to give.

Just recently i had the heat go out in my home and the sewer line backed up on the same day. One family felt lead to arrange for the sewer man to come out and paid him in my cold house. Then another family decided that they would pay for the furnace man. Both repairs cost around 300 dollars! So my tragedy turned into an example of God's love for me and my daughter!

I have had countless loans of cars and other items to fill our needs. Repairs paid for and money given to us. Meals made for us and things donated to us. There was a time in the past 10 years when i had a pretty good career going and i was a contributor financially to my parish and my Community. But i always needed help with child care and rides for the kids. The people of God are a great blessing! Whether you are giving or receiving. And I am here to tell you it is a lot more fun to give than receive!

http://www.swordofthespirit.net/bulwark/jan09index.htm

The Big Mac