What a loss! All for the sake of choice. Choice only causes more loss of freedom because it enslaves women and they are unable to see it until long after the choice is made - and sometimes made for them. The evil one is truly cunning - making evil look like it is good. He did it with Adam and Eve and continues to deceive to this day anyone willing to listen to his lies.
What happens when we say no to God (no El)? We say yes to the one who deceives.
"Let it be done according to Thy Word." Thank you, Blessed Mother for your fiat (fiat - Latin for "Let it be"), for without it, where would our salvation be?
Abortion was not unheard of 2000 years ago. And nothing was thought of stoning a woman for being unfaithful - no matter that some man was. (Remember the woman caught "in the very act" of adultery? Why wasn't the guy standing there beside her ready for stoning?) When Mary accepted God's invitation to be the Mother of His Son, she knew that she could be stoned to death. The difference is trust. Mary trusted that God could accomplish not only conception without intercourse, but that He would safely see the pregnancy through and beyond.
It's a matter of trust. Without trust, choice means nothing. Let's not make a god of "Choice". Let us trust instead the God Who gives us the strength to accomplish what seems impossible. There are people waiting to help.
Are you pregnant and in need? Find a local crisis pregnancy center. A good one will be required to have a sign that says they do not offer abortions or abortion referrals. Just google "crisis pregnancy center" and the name of your town or one nearby.
May God bless you for saying "Yes"!!!
Friday, December 3, 2010
A Talent for God
I haven't posted for almost a month now. Part of that time, I was in the Holy Land on a pilgrimage. Now that I'm back, and getting back into the swing of things, I will make time to work on all 3 blogs I have. It's insane, I know, but my blogs express may greatest interests.
- Faith in God
- Scripture
- Pro-Life Movement
- Photography
- Faithbooking
I came across this video of Andrea Bocelli and found out something I did not know. What a talent would have been wasted if his mother had aborted him!
Before I go to bed, I think a little of his music is in order. ;-)
I'm not finished yet!
And just think if Celine Dion, the last of 14 children, had been aborted because "there were too many mouths to feed!"
Just think how many hours of entertainment these two singers alone have provided us! The world would be less of a place without these two wonderful talents! Think of those who have been lost to abortion and what they might have contributed to the world! Lord, have mercy on us!
Labels:
Abortion,
Andrea Bocelli,
Celine Dion,
Talent
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The Haves and the Have Nots
Lia has a new video. It is a logical presentation on the subject of personhood.
Personally, excuse the pun, I think a person is:
Human Beings Once Possessing Self-awareness
However, it seems that some people are quite willing to sacrifice a person if they appear less than human. For example, someone who as experienced a brain injury that causes them to be in a vegetative state may be considered by some to be "less than" a person - if not a "non-person". And so do it may be determined by an apparent lack of self-awareness that they do not warrant the dignity that should be given a human person. This was the case with Terri Schiavo who was starved to death by her husband and the court system in 2005 because they decided that she was not a person any more. Did they stop referring to Terri as she? Unless they stopped calling her by name or referred to her as it, even they continued to at least refer to her as a person.
Human Beings Who Possess the Potential for Self-awareness
The unborn are living human beings with 23 chromosomes from each parent but they are also not considered persons by some people because they do not appear to be self-aware. I would say it is the potential for self-awareness that is important. Most babies do not appear to be self-aware until they have begun to interact with other human beings. This would be when they first smile or follow movement or turn their heads in the direction of their mother's voice. This would imply that a human being must have a certain amount of experience interacting with another human being - another person - before reaching self-awareness. But if you watch a baby in the womb, they smile and frown and cry, indicating that they are in some way they have already begun in some way to relate to others. How early does this happen? We have no way of knowing and so the potential to be self-aware should be included in personhood.
Human Beings Who Possess Self-awareness
If I am asleep, I am unaware of my surroundings. If I am asleep, I may appear to be like Terry Schiavo. I probably would not respond to people if they spoke to me. Does it mean I am not a person. Of course not. It simply means that I am asleep - temporarily unable to respond to others and therefore lacking self-awareness.
What Makes the Human Person?
So, is it current self-awareness that is important to making me a person? Or is it that human beings have the potential for self-awareness that gives them dignity? Or do they deserve to be treated with dignity because they once possessed self-awareness? I would say that it is all three.
The Haves and the Have Nots
If personhood depends on the "haves" - as in currently possessing self-awareness - the "have nots" are in trouble. We must all remember that personhood is intrinsically tied to human nature. We have value as human beings because we ARE persons. And while Horton, the elephant, would say, "A person is a person no matter how small", I think Horton would also say, "a person is a person and that matters all." All persons deserve dignity whether they once possessed self-awareness, or might become self-aware, or whether they are usually self-aware and are only asleep. A person has, had or will have self-awareness as a human being. Has, had and will have are all important terms in defining the human person.
Personally, excuse the pun, I think a person is:
- a living human who once possessed self-awareness
- a living human who has the potential to be self-aware
- a living human who presently possesses self-awareness
Human Beings Once Possessing Self-awareness
However, it seems that some people are quite willing to sacrifice a person if they appear less than human. For example, someone who as experienced a brain injury that causes them to be in a vegetative state may be considered by some to be "less than" a person - if not a "non-person". And so do it may be determined by an apparent lack of self-awareness that they do not warrant the dignity that should be given a human person. This was the case with Terri Schiavo who was starved to death by her husband and the court system in 2005 because they decided that she was not a person any more. Did they stop referring to Terri as she? Unless they stopped calling her by name or referred to her as it, even they continued to at least refer to her as a person.
Human Beings Who Possess the Potential for Self-awareness
The unborn are living human beings with 23 chromosomes from each parent but they are also not considered persons by some people because they do not appear to be self-aware. I would say it is the potential for self-awareness that is important. Most babies do not appear to be self-aware until they have begun to interact with other human beings. This would be when they first smile or follow movement or turn their heads in the direction of their mother's voice. This would imply that a human being must have a certain amount of experience interacting with another human being - another person - before reaching self-awareness. But if you watch a baby in the womb, they smile and frown and cry, indicating that they are in some way they have already begun in some way to relate to others. How early does this happen? We have no way of knowing and so the potential to be self-aware should be included in personhood.
Human Beings Who Possess Self-awareness
If I am asleep, I am unaware of my surroundings. If I am asleep, I may appear to be like Terry Schiavo. I probably would not respond to people if they spoke to me. Does it mean I am not a person. Of course not. It simply means that I am asleep - temporarily unable to respond to others and therefore lacking self-awareness.
What Makes the Human Person?
So, is it current self-awareness that is important to making me a person? Or is it that human beings have the potential for self-awareness that gives them dignity? Or do they deserve to be treated with dignity because they once possessed self-awareness? I would say that it is all three.
The Haves and the Have Nots
If personhood depends on the "haves" - as in currently possessing self-awareness - the "have nots" are in trouble. We must all remember that personhood is intrinsically tied to human nature. We have value as human beings because we ARE persons. And while Horton, the elephant, would say, "A person is a person no matter how small", I think Horton would also say, "a person is a person and that matters all." All persons deserve dignity whether they once possessed self-awareness, or might become self-aware, or whether they are usually self-aware and are only asleep. A person has, had or will have self-awareness as a human being. Has, had and will have are all important terms in defining the human person.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Take It Up with God!
I am writing this post in response to a Facebook friend's situation of someone tearing down her political signs. The scenario went like this over the course of the last few days.
The Old Testament is filled with stories of how the Israelites were unfaithful and how God sent them into exile to learn to be faithful to Him again. If we keep up the way we are, we can look forward to a time of testing in order to learn again to trust and obey God.
Let us quickly turn toward God. Stand up for traditional values this November! Vote for real change and real freedom as the children of God! Vote for LIFE!
LINDA - Now I am MAD and venting to my FB friends. I have the American right to post candidate signs of my choice on my property and some idiots ripped them out last night and scattered them. If they did it for their party, I don't want them in mine!!!!!While the banter was lively, it wasn't without its tension. I later received a message from my sister that really sums this all up. Here is her comment:
SHERILYN - That other party is just crazy!
JANET - I have a feeling we ALL think the "other" party is just crazy, guess that's a part of all our problems
LINDA - you got that right. How many Americans have fought and died for us to vote however we want. How would they feel if they knew how this privlidge is abused! The thing is, I rode up and down the street searching and remarkably, the other party signs were intact...hmmm
JANET - ....and in another neighborhood the "other" signs mysteriously disappear. We are all but mirrors of each other.
LINDA - yes and no..I am not going to retaliate by stooping that low
CAROL - I know how you feel. I pay for my real estate signs and they always come up missing, or someone mows them over and just leaves them lie. I guess its just a part of doing business, but irritates you non the less.
ALICE - dem idiots! can't believe someone would DO that!
ME - You shall know a tree by its fruits! Amen?
TIM - why don't we all just join the "other party", then we could be like china and work 16 hour days for $3/week with no bennies. our products could be in walmart too. wow i think i'm going to run for something now lol.
CINDY - I'm almost afraid to ask but so curious, who is the "other party" you suspect did this?
JANET - To each of us, the other party IS the "Other" party. If we all joined the "other" party, we'd still be in the exact same fix we're in now, two extreme groups with a growing abyss between. Perhaps a wiser way would be for us all to become more central rather than more divided in our thinking?!
JANET - Linda, I never meant to imply you'd personally do it, just that in other areas the same thing happens, only the party-name changes.
LINDA - Janet I can see we are related. Laid back but passionate about some things. Having an opinion is way better than doing nothing. You go girl
ME- It would be great if everything had a center position, Janet, but some things are just black and white. Regarding the pro-life vs. abortion issue, either the baby lives or dies. It's plain and simple as that. If you are on the left, you probably support abortion and if you are on the right, you oppose it. A center position doesn't exist. Truth will always be truth and lies will always be lies.
Someone moved Linda's signs and no matter what party they stand with, they are opposed to the party which the signs represent. I personally think we need to get everyone out of Washington and get representatives working in the area they represent. We should be voting on the issues instead. More would get accomplished. With the technology we have today, politicians shouldn't have to go to Washington to do their voting either. It's archaic.
Just my 2 cents!
TIM - ok, i'm voting for theresa.
LINDA - boy, I had no idea. Every once in awhile you hit upon a good conversation starter. That was fun!
ME - Funny, Tim, I was going to vote for you! LOL
TIM - well ok, i'm back in the race. i now have 6 votes; you and me plus 4 in the cemetery down the street. that's how it works around here lol. linda, religion and politics will get you a responce from everybody. VOTE 4 TIM!!! EVERYONE ELSE IS A LIAR, CHEATER, AND LOSER.
I have observed that being "liberal" tends to get us outside the zone that is "best for us" as outlined in that great book. The more we move to the center the more liberal we get. So to me being liberal is in part a political way to rationalize freedom to sin. An ugly word to some, sin is also known as doing what we want to while ignoring our conscience and how those actions affect others and the environment. A perversion of freedom! Even professing conservatives rationalize liberal tendencies when it suits them… Don’t get mad at me. Take it up with God!We have become an ungodly nation. We have lost our way. We have lost faith and reason. Without faith and reason, what is left? Nothing but relativism - the privy to decide what is right and wrong for ourselves - and therefore play God.
The Old Testament is filled with stories of how the Israelites were unfaithful and how God sent them into exile to learn to be faithful to Him again. If we keep up the way we are, we can look forward to a time of testing in order to learn again to trust and obey God.
Let us quickly turn toward God. Stand up for traditional values this November! Vote for real change and real freedom as the children of God! Vote for LIFE!
Labels:
Abortion,
Politics,
Voting Pro-Life
Deep Seated Problems with Obama's Health Care Bill
How slick can our president get? Can anything good come out of Chicago politicians?
What is not explicitly omitted is permitted. Our tax dollars will indeed go to pay for abortions. Vote for life on Tuesday.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Introducing Kayleigh Elizabeth
It has taken me a while to recover from our last trip. My husband and I flew to Washington to see my oldest son and his family with their newest edition, Kayleigh Elizabeth. She was 3 weeks old then.
It was a great family time. Kayleigh is such a good baby - just eats, sleeps and poops! LOL It just felt so good to hold her. Kayleigh is the first girl since the previous generation since I had 3 boys. She is simply a treat for all of us. Even big brother, Drake, is taking things in stride. He loves on his baby "ti-ter". I even have proof!
After a visit from my nephew who is in residency in Seattle, we made a trip over to a harvest festival near Olympia, the state's capitol. We had a grand time. Drake loved the pumpkin patch and the petting zoo. We even took a ride on a wagon pulled by a tractor. It was glorious! I think I will just let you enjoy it in photos. After all, they do speak louder than words.
Here we have arrived at the site of the harvest festival.
There were apples, corn and pumpkins to buy and eat.
Picking a pumpkin is hard work
At the petting zoo with the goats - baa-aa-aa!
Oh the fun of an old fashioned wagon ride!
Look at the joy and delight on this little face.
A pose with mom before buying apples and corn to take home
- and, oh, a hot dog to eat.
Soon it was time to return home to Texas. We took the ferry across the Puget Sound over to Seattle. It was only heavy fog at first, but it soon began to clear.The sun shining on the water through the low lying clouds was magical!
The sense of mystery changed from moment to moment.
Passing close to the shoreline, we could see a little of the fall foliage through the mist.
Soon, the Seattle skyline appeared in the distance. It was beautiful!
I can hardly wait until I see my son and his precious family in January!Since we returned home, we have seen professional photos of the family that are just precious. See them here.
Labels:
Family,
Grandchildren,
Seattle,
Travel
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Freedom in Truth
The Truth will set us free. He promised it. I believe it!
"If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." ~ John 8:31-32
When we do not have the truth we become slaves to the latest trends.
Do not winnow with every wind, nor follow every path: the double-tongued sinner does that. ~ Sirach 5:9
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Happily Ever After
It seems to be one thing after another in my life these days. I am SO busy!!! First I had the CRHP Renewal Weekend. Then last week I was busy baking cakes and helping make last minute preparations for my niece's wedding on Saturday. Again it's that family tradition of celebrating with family-baked cakes. This time, it was not only the bride's cake but the groom's cake as well. And one of my sisters did all the silk flowers.
We got off to a slow start early in the week because we were looking for identical pairs of earrings for the bridesmaids. We hit 5 Beall's stores in 2 days and found 4 pair - all at different stores. Then we got down to baking the cakes - groom's cake first. We froze the layers so that when we put on the frosting, the cakes wouldn't crumb into the frosting so much. It's a process. What can I say?
The groom's cake was a basic devil's food cake. But it had the most incredible chocolate frosting that was like a thick chocolate amaretto mousse - almost a gnocche. We could have thinned it, but we decided to put on a textured frosting rather than smooth it on. It fit the venue of a wedding in the woods at Angel Mountain. The center of the tiers had a layer of frosting mixed with strawberry jam. Mmmmmm! Good! When we finally put the tiers together, we topped it off with chocolate covered strawberries. Now how's that for decadence?
The bride's cake got a late start too. We were just not getting things off the ground on Wednesday, so I spent the day making batches of white frosting and refrigerating them. So it was Thursday - after getting new hair styles - before the white cakes were baked and frozen.
My sister - the mother of the bride - took a cake decorating class last spring and she used all the technology she learned to make the cakes the best they could be. So the cakes would cook more evenly, it included using moistened bake even strips pinned to the sides of the layers - then wrapped in foil - and rose nails placed in the larger layers. Patricia even timed the mixing of the layers. I'm not sure I would like baking everyday cakes like this, but the finished product was excellent!
We iced the cake with a basic pure white buttercream frosting flavored with almond extract. The layers were filled with frosting mixed with strawberry jam. Once the tiers were stacked, the final touches were added - gum past flowers made by my sisters. The flowers were a mixture of orchids, roses and freesias. They look pretty real, don't you think? The only thing I would have done differently would have been to put pearls of frosting to separate the layers and I would have put the bottom tier directly onto the cake stand.
When all was said and done, the bride and groom were happy and that is all that matters. May this be the first of many cakes that will celebrate their lives together.
This was definitely a family affair.
Mary Ann with her husband, Ken. She arranged all the silk flowers as well as worked on the gum paste flowers for the cake. She also worked on the final assembly of the cakes
Susan, with her husband Kenny. Susan helped make the gum past flowers, added the cocoa to make the chocolate frosting, and she helped frost the cakes.
Karen helped with the gum paste flowers and the final assembly of the cakes. She is her with her husband, Butch.
Sarah, another niece, pictured here with her husband, Daniel, dipped the strawberries and worked on final assembly of the groom's cake.
My son, Chris, with his wife, Diane, who sifted powered sugar for the frosting and ironed table clothes.
Of course, there is my sister, Patricia, the mother of the bride (on the right). I didn't get a photo of her with Ragan at the wedding, so separately will have to do. Too bad I didn't get one of Patricia in her dress. It was beautiful! And so was Belinda's!
Well, actually, I did get one, although it isn't very good of Patricia. I think I was confusing the guys here. They should have been looking at the main photographer. I was just a back-up.
May Belinda and Marshall live happily ever after!
Labels:
Family Traditions,
Food,
Wedding Cakes,
Weddings
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
To the Prince of the Heavenly Host
Happy Feast of St. Michael the Archangel!
The prayer was composed by Pope Leo XIII in May of 1890 following a vision at the end of Mass. He wrote the prayer down and asked that the Catholic faithful pray it after every Mass. According to Fr. William Saunders, Pope Leo XIII's vision was a prophetic one of the coming century of sorrow and war. After celebrating Mass, the Holy Father fell to the floor. Doctors were called and no pulse was detected, so the Holy Father was feared dead. But as suddenly as he fell, the pope awoke and said, 'What a horrible picture I was permitted to see!' In this vision, God gave Satan the choice of one century in which to do his worst work against the Church and he chose the 20th century. He was so moved by this vision that Pope Leo composed the above prayer to St. Michael the Archangel.
More than ever we should be praying this prayer because we are in a time of serious spiritual warfare. Look at the state of our culture in which the evil one has done what he does best - deceive people into believing that actions that are morally wrong are benign. It is the reason that the culture now embraces abortion and pornography and homosexual behavior as good.
Let us continue to pray this beautiful prayer. And if time permits, please pray the longer version below for the protection of St. Michael that is often used before prayers of exorcism.
In the end, we know who wins. He has promised that:
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle;
be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray:
and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
The prayer was composed by Pope Leo XIII in May of 1890 following a vision at the end of Mass. He wrote the prayer down and asked that the Catholic faithful pray it after every Mass. According to Fr. William Saunders, Pope Leo XIII's vision was a prophetic one of the coming century of sorrow and war. After celebrating Mass, the Holy Father fell to the floor. Doctors were called and no pulse was detected, so the Holy Father was feared dead. But as suddenly as he fell, the pope awoke and said, 'What a horrible picture I was permitted to see!' In this vision, God gave Satan the choice of one century in which to do his worst work against the Church and he chose the 20th century. He was so moved by this vision that Pope Leo composed the above prayer to St. Michael the Archangel.
More than ever we should be praying this prayer because we are in a time of serious spiritual warfare. Look at the state of our culture in which the evil one has done what he does best - deceive people into believing that actions that are morally wrong are benign. It is the reason that the culture now embraces abortion and pornography and homosexual behavior as good.
Let us continue to pray this beautiful prayer. And if time permits, please pray the longer version below for the protection of St. Michael that is often used before prayers of exorcism.
O glorious Archangel St. Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, defend us in battle, and in the struggle which is ours against the principalities and Powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against spirits of evil in high places (Eph 6:12). Come to the aid of men, whom God created immortal, made in his own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil (Wis 2:23-24, 1 Cor 6:20).
Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. But that cruel, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan, who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with all his angels (Rev 12:7-9).
Behold, this primeval enemy and slayer of man has taken courage, Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the name of God and of his Christ, to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.
These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions.
In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.
Arise then, O invincible prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and bring them the victory.
The Church venerates thee as protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious powers of this world and of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude.
Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations.
This prayer was replaced in 1902, a year and a half before the death of Pope Leo XIII, by a much shortened prayer:
O glorious Archangel St. Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, defend us in battle, and in the struggle which is ours against the principalities and Powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against spirits of evil in high places (Eph 6:12). Come to the aid of men, whom God created immortal, made in his own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil (Wis 2:23-24, 1 Cor 6:20).
The Church venerates thee as protector and patron; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude.
Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations.
In the end, we know who wins. He has promised that:
In the days to come the peoples will stream to the temple of the Lord, nations without number will come to it; and they will say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord so that he may teach us his ways and we may walk in his paths…” He will wield authority over many peoples and arbitrate for mighty nations; they will hammer their swords into plowshares, their spears into sickles. Nation will not lift sword against nation, there will be no more training for war. That day – it is the Lord who speaks – I will finally gather in the lame, and bring together those that have been led astray. ~ Mic. 4:1‐6 (NAB)
From Darkness into His Marvelous Light
It's been an entire month since I posted. I have been quite busy helping prepare for a weekend of renewal at my church. The theme of the weekend was 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9.
It is amazing how the theme of the weekend came about. It actually started with an image of a pitcher pouring water over stones. The water was to represent God's forgiveness pouring over the ladies on the team. When I saw that image, I immediately thought of 1 Peter 2:5 because the image of a spiritual house has been an important one to me personally. When I mentioned that the picture reminded me of that, the ladies took hold of it. The imaged evolved then to use water that was not stagnant, but living. It is Jesus Who gives us living water. Living water turns hearts of stone into hearts of flesh - hearts filled with His life - hearts that are filled with His Spirit.
This was interesting, I thought, because the theme of the previous renewal weekend was Ezekiel 36:26.
It is by God's grace that we come to have hearts of flesh - hearts filled with His Spirit so that we live our lives as His people, obedient to His laws, and therefore free. True freedom comes when we are not slaves to our own desires, but servants of God Whose Will has our best interests at heart.
The ladies eventually decided to include verse 9 as part of their theme. Verse 9 is really what a renewal weekend is all about - sharing the wonderful works of God in their lives - their personal conversions - conversions that have brought them out of darkness into His marvelous light.
The night before the Renewal Weekend, we had a prayer service to prepare our hearts for the weekend. It included a reflection on the living stones and the mystery of conversion - on the change of heart that takes us from stones to flesh - to lives lived in the Spirit - to hearts that have become living stones.
We closed the prayer service with the song by John Michael Talbot.
The Renewal Weekend was off to a great start.
.
Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God's sight chosen and precious; and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. . . . you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.This is the banner the team made. The theme was shortened to read " . . . like living stones, be yourselves built into a spiritual house . . . that you may declare . . . Him who called you . . . into His marvelous light."
It is amazing how the theme of the weekend came about. It actually started with an image of a pitcher pouring water over stones. The water was to represent God's forgiveness pouring over the ladies on the team. When I saw that image, I immediately thought of 1 Peter 2:5 because the image of a spiritual house has been an important one to me personally. When I mentioned that the picture reminded me of that, the ladies took hold of it. The imaged evolved then to use water that was not stagnant, but living. It is Jesus Who gives us living water. Living water turns hearts of stone into hearts of flesh - hearts filled with His life - hearts that are filled with His Spirit.
This was interesting, I thought, because the theme of the previous renewal weekend was Ezekiel 36:26.
A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. You shall dwell in the land which I gave to your fathers; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.
It is by God's grace that we come to have hearts of flesh - hearts filled with His Spirit so that we live our lives as His people, obedient to His laws, and therefore free. True freedom comes when we are not slaves to our own desires, but servants of God Whose Will has our best interests at heart.
The ladies eventually decided to include verse 9 as part of their theme. Verse 9 is really what a renewal weekend is all about - sharing the wonderful works of God in their lives - their personal conversions - conversions that have brought them out of darkness into His marvelous light.
The night before the Renewal Weekend, we had a prayer service to prepare our hearts for the weekend. It included a reflection on the living stones and the mystery of conversion - on the change of heart that takes us from stones to flesh - to lives lived in the Spirit - to hearts that have become living stones.
Living Stones! He calls us to be living stones. How is it that He can turn hearts of stone into hearts of flesh – into living stones? How is it that we can turn from those things that harden our hearts to the spiritual things that set us free? It is the mystery of God’s Grace working in us.This is the mystery of conversion that must take place in every area of your life. It is a journey from vice to victory – from sin to sanctity. Only God can bring about this change we call conversion. And because you have experienced conversion – both before and through CRHP – you have been chosen to spread the gospel – the Good News of Jesus Christ. How? By declaring “the wonderful deeds of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”This CRHP Renewal Weekend is only the beginning of a new way of life – a building up of the Body of Christ by doing what Jesus asks – to spread the Good News. So how is it that you will spread the Good News – starting with this weekend? You will proclaim the mystery of how God has transformed your life with the Grace of Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. This weekend is not the end. You are only beginning the journey to continue to spread that Good News. Begin by living the theme of the weekend and the women attending will know what it means to be living stones. Then commit to continue to build up the body of Christ every day of your life.
Tonight, I would like to provide you with an opportunity to offer Him your hearts in a symbolic way. God is a gentleman. He never imposes Himself upon us. He takes our hearts little by little as we are able to offer them to Him. Tonight, offer Him the hardened parts of your heart – the parts of your heart that keep you from being truly free to “declare the wonderful deeds of Him Who brought you out of darkness into His marvelous Light.”
It may be bad habits of laziness or lies – of broken promises or lack of faith. Whatever they are, allow Him to touch those parts of you until they become soft as flesh and you will be living stones.
All take a stone and place it at the foot of the cross with a silent prayer.
You are chosen women, set apart to do His work this weekend. Sow the seeds of faith He has given you. And water them. He will attend to their Growth.
We closed the prayer service with the song by John Michael Talbot.
St. Teresa's Prayer
Christ has no body now but yours
no hands, no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which He looks
with compassion on this world
yours are the feet with which He walks to do good
Yours are the hands,
with which He blesses all the world
Yours are the hands,
yours are the feet
yours are the eyes
You are His body
Christ has no body now but yours
no hands, no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which He looks
with compassion on this world
Christ has no body now on earth
but yours
The Renewal Weekend was off to a great start.
.
Labels:
1 Peter 2,
Ezekiel 36,
Renewal,
Scripture,
St. Teresa Prayer
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
No Matter How Small
For someone so young, Lia Mills of Toronto is very wise. Her logic is perfect on the subject of the unborn being a human being.
Only 18 months ago, Lia started speaking out on abortion and made this video:
About 8 months ago, she came back and spoke out against euthanasia and said that we need to learn from the Dutch who have discovered that palliative care is inadequate. But the answer is not death; it is better palliative care. Euthanasia denies basic rights. When will someone else decide that your life is not worth living?
In the end, abortion is not about choice but a personal preference. She has an interesting take on safe, legal and rare. Safe and legal imply choice but rare implies there is something wrong with abortion. Why? Because there IS something wrong when we are "choose" to snuff out the life of an unborn human being.
So what is Lia up to now? She's making a video on the unborn as a human PERSON! I can't wait to see it!
Only 18 months ago, Lia started speaking out on abortion and made this video:
About 8 months ago, she came back and spoke out against euthanasia and said that we need to learn from the Dutch who have discovered that palliative care is inadequate. But the answer is not death; it is better palliative care. Euthanasia denies basic rights. When will someone else decide that your life is not worth living?
In the end, abortion is not about choice but a personal preference. She has an interesting take on safe, legal and rare. Safe and legal imply choice but rare implies there is something wrong with abortion. Why? Because there IS something wrong when we are "choose" to snuff out the life of an unborn human being.
So what is Lia up to now? She's making a video on the unborn as a human PERSON! I can't wait to see it!
Labels:
Abortion,
Euthanasia,
Human Being,
Human Person,
Lia Mills,
Pro-Life
What Next?
No wonder the Muslim world is laughing at the United States.
What is next? I don't want to think about it.
What is next? I don't want to think about it.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
I Am the Sound of Rain Falling on the Rooftop
This is a funny poem called Litany by former US Poet Laureate, Billy Collins.
More amazing is this little guy! ;)
Can you believe it?
More amazing is this little guy! ;)
Can you believe it?
Labels:
Billy Collins,
Poet Laureate,
Poetry
A Special Place in His Heart
On Wednesday, August 18, 2010, former President George W. Bush and the former First Lady, Laura Bush, greeted 145 soldiers at the DFW Airport who were returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan for two weeks of R&R.
Please take a moment to watch this inspirational video, as President George W. Bush welcomes home these military heroes. It will touch your heart, even if you don't like President Bush. The patriotism of the former Commander in Chief is heartwarming. I don't know what he was putting into their hands, but it was obviously some sort of homecoming gift.
Bert Brady, who assists in coordinating the Welcome Home Project, sent the American Family Association this video. Almost every day, some 40 people show up at DFW to welcome home the soldiers. As they depart customs and enter the main terminal, you can hear the applause by retirees and veterans. More than 750,000 service men and women have been greeted in this way as part of the Welcome Home Project. Some of them specifically ask that their return to the U.S. be routed through DFW.
If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and you would like to greet soldiers returning home, you can get information about gates and arrival times by calling 972-574-0392.
Also, if you would like to send a "Thank You"! to the former President for his support of our military, go to the AFA website. Over 99,000 have signed up since Wednesday.
As always, please remember to keep our troops and their families in your prayers!
Please take a moment to watch this inspirational video, as President George W. Bush welcomes home these military heroes. It will touch your heart, even if you don't like President Bush. The patriotism of the former Commander in Chief is heartwarming. I don't know what he was putting into their hands, but it was obviously some sort of homecoming gift.
Bert Brady, who assists in coordinating the Welcome Home Project, sent the American Family Association this video. Almost every day, some 40 people show up at DFW to welcome home the soldiers. As they depart customs and enter the main terminal, you can hear the applause by retirees and veterans. More than 750,000 service men and women have been greeted in this way as part of the Welcome Home Project. Some of them specifically ask that their return to the U.S. be routed through DFW.
If you live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and you would like to greet soldiers returning home, you can get information about gates and arrival times by calling 972-574-0392.
Also, if you would like to send a "Thank You"! to the former President for his support of our military, go to the AFA website. Over 99,000 have signed up since Wednesday.
As always, please remember to keep our troops and their families in your prayers!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Boycott Letters to Supporters of Planned Parenthood
Write a letter to the corporation that supports Planned Parenthood. Tell them:
Giving money to organizations that promote and provide abortion, even if the money is not used for that purpose, frees up other funds for abortion purposes and gives your stamp of approval to their abortion related activities. By funding Planned Parenthood, you unwittingly support everything they do. You are supporting the work of the abortion industry. Why are you funding Planned Parenthood, allowing them to benefit financially from your patrons who do not believe in what they do?
The words Planned Parenthood sound benign, but PP is, in fact, the largest promoter of abortion in the world. Smaller PP clinics that do not provide abortion "services" refer the woman to another abortion provider. PP in the USA gets about $100 million each year in federal funds alone. Our tax money pays for abortion.
Stats from ALL (American Life League): Updated February 5, 2008
Planned Parenthood’s income break-down for 2006-2007 fiscal year
- PP clinic income: $356.9 million
- PP Government grants and contracts: $336.7 million
- Total profit: $114.8 million
- Total income: $1.02 billion
2006 Planned Parenthood "service" numbers
- Number of abortions (medical and surgical): 289,750
- Total number of abortions per week: 5,572
- Adoption referrals: 2,410
- Ratio of adoption referrals to abortions: 1 per 120
2007 Planned Parenthood Annual Survey
- Total number of PP clinics: 855
- Total number of non-express clinics: 814
- Express clinics: 41
- Total number of PP clinics that perform surgical and/or medical abortions: 287
- Total number of affiliates: 108
- Number of clinics that started doing abortions in 2007: 55
According to Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life:
The clock is ticking . . . In the USA alone,
- One baby is aborted every 26 seconds
- 137 babies are aborted every hour
- 3,304 babies are aborted every day
- 23,196 babies are aborted every week
- 100,516 babies are aborted every month
And the statistics could be higher because all numbers reported are voluntary; there are no laws requiring abortionists to report to any national agency the numbers of abortions they perform. 2005-2008 are estimates of 1,206,200 annually. The statistics are provided by the Alan Guttmacher Institute (a special affiliate to Planned Parenthood), which actively collects the abortion data directly from providers.
National Right to Life compares AGI stats to indicates that the real figures could be worse than AGI reports since they are an affiliate of Planned Parenthood.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Boycotting Planned Parenthood Supporters
Planned Parenthood considers itself the nation's leading sexual and reproductive health care provider. But, in fact, Planned Parenthood counts on failed birth control to support its ever growing abortion industry.
Over the last 18 years, boycotting its supporters has cost Planned Parenthood about $40,000,000. Life Decisions International has just released its new list of corporations that support Planned Parenthood.
New boycott targets include:
Corporations continuing as boycott targets:
Among the charitable groups associated with Planned Parenthood and/or its agenda:
Over the last 18 years, boycotting its supporters has cost Planned Parenthood about $40,000,000. Life Decisions International has just released its new list of corporations that support Planned Parenthood.
New boycott targets include:
- AOL
- Darden Restaurants (Bahama Breeze, The Capital Grille, LongHorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Season 52)
- Franchise Services (PIP, Signal Graphics, Sir Speedy)
- Hilton Worldwide (Conrad Hotels, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inns/Suites, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Hotels, Homewood Suites)
- Ignite Restaurants (Brickhouse Tavern+Tap, Joe's Crab Shack)
- ING (financial services)
- Kohl's (department stores)
- Mrs. Fields (cookies)
- Staples (office/school supplies)
- Toys "R" Us
- Trader Joe's (markets/supermarkets)
Corporations continuing as boycott targets:
- AlphaGraphics
- Wells Fargo (including Wachovia)
- Nike
- Time Warner
- Bank of America
- Walt Disney
- Johnson & Johnson
- Lost Arrow (Patagonia, etc.)
- Chevron
- Nationwide Insurance
Among the charitable groups associated with Planned Parenthood and/or its agenda:
- Lions Clubs
- American Cancer Society
- Easter Seals
- Boys & Girls Clubs
- Ronald McDonald House Charities
- Camp Fire Girls Inc.
- Girl Scouts
- Kiwanis Clubs
- March of Dimes
- Muscular Dystrophy Association
- Rotary Clubs
- Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
- Salvation Army
- YWCA
- YMCA
- America Gives Back (formerly [American] Idol Gives Back)
To get a comprehensive list, go to the Life Decisions International website.
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