Entertaining Angels

Last Night I had a nice meal with some wonderful friends, in the Georgetown part of DC. Scattered around the various tables were other groups of friends or family (or that wonderful mixture of both), many dressed to the nines in what I'm sure may have been newly acquired Christmas gifts. Wine and good cheer was a flowing, and it really was so nice to be in a room filled with so many folks having a genuinely lovely time . . . and then there was me.

I am actually kinda glad for my less than perfect evening, because it stemmed from a that holy nudge reminding me again that being able to afford such a night was a true gift.

On my way to the restaurant that night, me still rather excited to show off my new three piece suit and Ben Sherman polka dot tie, I drove by my brother Bob as he was laying out his blanket near the side door of my parish where he sleeps. I looked at my car's fancy outside temperature gauge to see a "31", and as it was only about 6 pm, I knew my adopted sibling had a long night ahead of him.

Everything became rather surreal after that, as all the fancy clothes, food, and decorations suddenly seemed like some kind of cruel mocking graffiti, with me still holding the spray can in my warm hands. I so deeply wanted to leave the warmth of that charming bistro, to go drink coffee and chat with Bob.

I prayed for Bob and my (our) other homeless siblings, in the full knowledge that truly by the grace of God, I walk a different path.

As I walked by him today after mass, I can not explain the utter embarrassment I felt. What do I do, give away everything, and live in a shelter with the poor? Do I spend more time helping out, or do I go back to school to get a degree in social work so as to have a greater impact?

Whatever I do, or I pray I hope we all do, I know that it is "our Father's work" we are to be about.

Dusting off Mary

This is that rare and wonderful time of year when my Protestant brethren have to put aside their unconscious Cathli-phobia, and acknowledge the woman who's "Yes" was instrumental in our salvation, and who continues to pray for us daily, that we might reflect that affirmative in all we do, as she points us always to her Son.

"Mary is the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of all of us even though it was Christ alone who reposed on her knees . . . If he is ours, we ought to be in his situation; there where he is, we ought also to be and all that he has ought to be ours, and his mother is also our mother"
Martin Luther

I must admit that as an ex-Evangelical, I still find mind self forgetting our Lady, yet still remember the image of our Blessed Mother praying over my earthly mom's hospital bed that night years ago when I prayed my first Rosary. No, it was not a vision, but just a nice comforting thought, that our Lord's mother would care so much for her adopted daughter to pray over her, and be with her when I could not.

As I have written before, one of the greatest gifts I have ever recieved was that on that day our Creator took my mom out of that prison of Alzheimer's, to be at Peace with Him, He did not leave me alone, for He gave me His own mother in return, and I know she prays for me daily.

I am so blessed to know that I have a loving Father in heaven, a brother servant in Christ, and a prayerful mother in Mary. My prayer for this Christmas is that more might unwrap this dust covered package, given to them on the first Christmas.

Hail Mary, full of grace.
Our Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

a Smile and a Tear

A friend sent me a Christmas card with a photo of this adorable blessing of God, and I couldn't stop smiling at this precious face. Sadly, I was then brought to my knees in tears, as I thought of all the other precious faces that the abortion industry is snuffing out this very day (average 4,000 babies a day in the U.S. alone), while we sit and do little to nothing, all in the name of selfish choice and easy sex.

I can't help but think if we had huge posters of this beautiful baby on signs in front of the abortion mills, with words underneath "You would throw this away!", we might change a few minds, save a few lives, and rescue a few souls.

God bless my friends for their "yes" to helping God give us "all" the blessing of this child.
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Behind Every Great Man

"Two thousand years of failure have not taught some
reformers that you can't stop sin by declaring it illegal. Two
thousand years have not taught them that you can't save a
man's soul by force--you can only lose your own in the
attempt. Drunkenness and gambling and secularism and lechery--
various hopeful churchmen have earnestly tried to outlaw them
all; and what is the result? A drunken nation, a gambling
nation, a secularist nation, an adulterous nation. And, often,
a ruined Church."
Joy Davidman (1915-1960)

Mr.& Mrs. C.S. Lewis

O.K.,maybe not

"Why yes, I am from Baltimore, why do you ask?"

D'art's Holiday Shopping Reminder

.A thought, as we all ponder spending plastic $$$$$$ on things

our loved ones probably don't want or need.
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Rest in His Peace

CASEY CALVERT 1981-2007


Casey Calvert, the 25-year-old guitarist for Dayton-based Christian emo band Hawthorne Heights, whose body was discovered on HH's tour bus in D.C. on the second night of the band's tour. Posting on their official website, they stated:

"Today is probably the worst day ever. It's with our deepest regrets that we have to write this. Casey Calvert passed away in his sleep last night. We found out this afternoon before soundcheck. We've spent the entire day trying to come to grips with this and figure out as much as possible. At this time we're not sure what exactly happened. Just last night he was joking around with everyone before he went to bed. We can say with absolute certainty that he was not doing anything illegal. Please, out of respect to Casey and his family, don't contribute or succumb to any gossip you may hear. We don't want his memory to be tainted in the least. Casey was our best friend. He was quirky and awesome and there will truly be no others like him! His loss is unexplainable. As soon as we know more we will let you know.

To Write Love On Her Arms is a cause that Casey was very passionate about. Starting today, they will honor him with a specially designed t-shirt. Its hard enough when you lose someone you love, but when that person is the primary bread winner in the house, it makes things even tougher and adds even more stress to an already bad time for those left behind. 100% of the proceeds from this shirt will go to help support Casey's wife, Ashley. Please show your support for Casey and his family. We also ask that you please take your time to learn what TWLOHA is all about; Casey would have wanted it that way! Thank you! Hawthorne Heights"

GK forda Day

" If Christianity should happen to be true--that is to say,
if its God is the real God of the universe--then defending it
may mean talking about anything and everything.
Things can be irrelevant to the proposition that Christianity
is false, but nothing can be irrelevant to the proposition
that Christianity is true.
[All] things not only may have something to do with
the Christian God, but must have something to do with Him
if He lives and reigns."

G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)
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Slaves to Culture

Watching the newly released DVD for "Amazing Grace"over the weekend, I couldn't help but once again see the similarities between Abolitionists and the Pro-life movement.

Both have their roots in Christianity (granted more and more history books try to down play or remove that fact altogether); in both is the theme of a person's God given dignity, and in both we anguish over the damage done, not only to the slaves and murdered babies, but also we mourn for those pawn's of the enemy who are inflicting the damage (and rejoice with God, if one might turn towards the Light and the Truth).

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places"

Ephesians 6:12

A while back,I read a Yahoo article on a slave passage found in George Washington's Philadelphia home, and a local Attorney's attempt to self promote by raising a stink about a whether or not it should be a separate exhibit (which I kinda agree with), I was left with a few ponderables (my blog, my words).

Besides my first silly question of "Will the house have a brass (or brash) sign reading- George Washington Slept Here?", I started to think about how politicians have to navigate around the culture of the day. The first Pres himself was quoted as saying "I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery", and since it was said he had a sincere faith, I take him at his word. Why he didn't do more, probably had to do with with him trying to make sure this new government did not get more power than it should, so to keep us all from becoming a different kind of slave (kinda like what we have now with over half our income going to DC, to pay for ????????).

The sad fact that slavery was part of the cultural norm (among those who could afford it), also plays a big part, as politicians, even great ones, are always looking to the "lowest" common denominator. Thinking about this, I fast forward to now, and how every President since "Roe vs. Wade" should also be judged the same.

Ronald Reagan was an important leader, but almost 20 million babies were murdered in their mothers womb, during his presidency. The same goes for Bill Clinton or George W., regardless of your opinion of either man (granted abortion is down now, but thanks more to all our "free love" disease scarred bodies, keeping women from getting pregnant). Pro-life or Pro-choice, these men went about their day, while the abortion industry served lattes in their own lil' private neighborhood Auschitz's.

I have a customer that is located next door to a Planned Parenthood, which is also near several little restaurants and cafes. People are hanging out with friends, sharing a tiramisu with two forks, laughing about who they woke up with on Sunday morning ,while a child's life (and a mother's soul) is being destroyed only a few doors down.

Are we any different from the people during the time slavery was legal, who maybe talked about it at parties, but did little to stop it? I must say we are only different, in that I fear we are much worse.

"It is a poverty to decide that a child must die
so that you may live as you wish. "
Mother Teresa

Lord, I thank you for your faithfulness and love

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,
he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.
As he was entering a village, ten persons with leprosy met him.
They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying,
“Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!”
And when he saw them, he said,
“Go show yourselves to the priests.”
As they were going they were cleansed.
And one of them, realizing he had been healed,
returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;
and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.
He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply,
“Ten were cleansed, were they not?
Where are the other nine?
Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?”
Then he said to him, “Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you.”
luke 17:11-19
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God bless the Last Ones

"Something very unusual happened at a Special Olympics for those with a learning disability. Two sprinters, both of them suffering from what is called Down’s Syndrome, raced side by side. One of them pulled away, then suddenly stumbled and fell. His companion stopped, lifted him up, massaged his knees, embraced him. Together they shared podium honours. Emotion swept the stands. Spectators had been given a lesson in love."

From the Irish magazine The Word, Stephen Redmond, S.J., writes movingly of Dr. Jerome Lejeune, the doctor who discovered the cause of Down syndrome, whose cause is up for sainthood.(thanks much to Dawn Eden for posting this).

The Last Ones - Matthew West

My friend Taylor she's an angel Ten years old and beautiful She's a living, breathing miracle
And she proves it everyday 'Cause the odds were stacked against her from the day that she arrived here And the doctors told her mom and dad she'd always be that way And I confess when I first met her I was thinking life's not fair But then she wrapped her arms around my neck And it all became so clear

God bless the last ones

One day Taylor sent me a picture from her Special Olympics race And I could tell just by the looks of it she was coming in last place But she crossed that finish line with a smile upon her face as if to say

God bless the last ones

Maybe the last ones are the lucky ones The ones who got this whole thing figured out 'Cause when they go looking for something beautiful They start looking from the inside out

On our way into the restaurant we passed a homeless man He was half drunk and half asleep with a paper cup in his hand And I confess when I first saw him I was thinking life's not fair But then Taylor reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck And it all became so clear

God bless the last ones

I wish we could all be the lucky ones The ones who've got this whole thing figured out Maybe the next time we go looking for beautiful we'll try looking from the inside out

God bless the last ones

Queen of Peach?

Up in Balwmer, where dem Ravens ain't doing too well, their fans are so saddened, they seem to have missed the spell check. From an upcoming Events page at Raven's Roost #52

Annual Holiday party

Saturday, December 29, 2007

6:30 PM

Our Lady Queen of Peach Church Hall

10001 Bird River Road

Middle River, Maryland 21220

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I guess "Heaven and Earth" includes fruit of the vine (O:

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"The heavens proclaim the glory of God"

Today's First Reading

"All men were by nature foolish who were in ignorance of God,
and who from the good things seen
did not succeed in knowing him who is,
and from studying the works
did not discern the artisan"
Wisdom 13:1

Ya mighta thought it was written today, huh?

"But either fire, or wind, or the swift air,
or the circuit of the stars, or the mighty water,
or the luminaries of heaven, the governors of the world, they considered gods.
Now if out of joy in their beauty they thought them gods,
let them know how far more excellent is the Lord than these;
for the original source of beauty fashioned them.
Or if they were struck by their might and energy,
let them from these things realize how much more powerful is he who made them.
For from the greatness and the beauty of created things
their original author, by analogy, is seen.
But yet, for these the blame is less;
For they indeed have gone astray perhaps,
though they seek God and wish to find him.
For they search busily among his works,
but are distracted by what they see, because the things seen are fair.
But again, not even these are pardonable.
For if they so far succeeded in knowledge
that they could speculate about the world,
how did they not more quickly find its Lord?"

Answering the Atheists

Stan Guthrie has a Reader's Digest version of "why he is a Christian" over at Christianity Today, and had me a pondering that we all should write a similar list, as well as challenge our non-believing friends do the same, than swap lists and have an interesting, and loving, conversation afterward.

Do some Writing

"We do not regret because of this situation; we will pass through this punishment with joy. We have joy because of the prayers of believers, and our hope is that we can be salt and light here in this prison."

(the words of) Evangelist Daniel, who along with more than 40 Christian leaders, is serving five years in prison in Indonesia.

From Voice of the Martyrs

"Hello Friends.

Since our last communication with you, the PrisonerAlert for Evangelist Daniel has been viewed over 27400 times, and over 1400 letters of encouragement have been sent. What a blessing this must have been to Evangelist Daniel -- and what a message it will have sent to the officials, that this person is cared for internationally.

Now imagine what could happen if we could double, triple or increase by ten or one hundred-fold the number of people, around the World, that are praying and writing on behalf of those imprisoned and persecuted for their faith.

You can help. Please forward this email to those you know have a heart for God's people and encourage them to sign-up too. It's the work of friends telling friends that will bring the greatest response to those who need it most. As the email does its work, you can revisit the chart below to see the effect that you have had.

Thank you in advance for partnering with us on behalf of those who suffer for the Lord."

da'oodle

Wisdom :Today's reading

God formed man to be imperishable;
the image of his own nature he made them.
But by the envy of the Devil, death entered the world,
and they who are in his possession experience it.

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.
They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord shall be their King forever.
Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:
Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.
Wis 2:23-3:9

It makes me a little sad to read passages this beautiful, in the knowledge that the words were removed from Protestant bibles. I am thankful that the ol' constipated monk couldn't remove all the books he wanted (James, Revelation, etc.)

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sea'doodle

Something about Mary : Part III

"Do whatever he tells you"

These are the last recorded words of Mary in the scriptures, which are a perfect bookend to her first words "I am the Lord's servant! Let it happen as you have said." A humble servant, who's "soul magnifies the Lord", perpetually pointing us to Christ.

The scene is the Wedding at Cana, the first public miracle of the Messiah, turning water to wine (as he would one day turn wine into Himself). Read the interaction between mother and son.Miracle at Cana

1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; 2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.
3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to Him,
“They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her,
“Woman, what does that have to do with US? My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

The three main points here are:

1) Mary's words to do whatever Jesus says.

2) That Jesus first points out that this has nothing to do with them. All of Christ's miracles were done for others, never for himself, nor did Mary ask this for herself either. Surely Mary had other times that she could have selfishly asked for her son's intersession (Joseph's death for one), but in humility never did (the handmaid of the Lord).

3) That the first miracle of Christ comes at the request of His mother. As Jesus never sinned, he kept (and continues to keep) the 5th Commandment, and honors His mother. This tells us that we too can bring our needs to our Blessed Mother, with the confidence that she will pray to her son on our behalf (but that we don't pray to her). Jesus will always honor His mother, and listens to her prayers for us.

Although my focus at this time was Mary, there is so much more one can/should take from John 2. That Jesus wishes us to enjoy life, that marriage is special, that if water can become wine how can we deny wine becomes Jesus? that Jesus is the New Wine, that this is the first time His disciples "believed" in Him. Listen to Father Larry Richards homily for the week (January 14, 2007) about this reading.

If I was a theologian, instead of a dashingly handsome Sales Rep, I think I could write about a weeks worth of blogs on this chapter. So I challenge you to not read, but study this chapter yourselves.

God can turn our stagnant hearts to intoxicating wine, but if we keep it bottled up, never sharing, than surely it will turn to the kind of vile vinegar they gave Christ on the cross.

"I am just a cup of water
That You can turn to wine
I am just a crippled beggar
That's left his bed behind"

Strange Occurrence :Sunrise

Cutest Dog

Something about Mary : Part II

"make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them".

Continuing on with Mary being made special, I now ask y'all to go to the book of Exodus, starting at chapter 25 and reading through all of the next few chapters.....yes, I said ALL. These chapters screamed out to me once I became Catholic, and first heard someone refer to our blessed Lady as the Ark of the New Covenant.

Struggling through these lengthy technical passages early in my Christian walk when I did the "Bible in a year" study, and of the old Testament details of God's specific design for the first Ark of the Covenant (that big scary box from the 1st Indiana Jones flick), almost ended my reading of Exodus (if not the whole Old Testament).

Why did I need to know all these details?
Why was God sooooo specific?
Why the use of all these precious materials?
What the heck is a cubit?

These unanswered questions stuck with me, hanging out in the back of this condemned warehouse I call a brain, somewhere between "What will we look like in heaven" and "What's up with these ear hairs".Then someone said Ark of the New Covenant to me, and it all made complete sense, and I saw the reason for the extensive blueprint of the Ark and the Tabernacle. God was giving us a glimpse in to how special he would make Mary. The first Ark housed the Ten Commandments, but the new Ark would house and give birth to the Word made flesh.

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us"

I had heard Catholic apologetics ask the rhetorical question "if you were God, how would you make your own mother", and Exodus gives us a bit of that answer. She would be made special, of precious materials, and with pain staking details.

So, to all my wonderful non-Catholic friends who have skipped over parts of Exodus, because they appeared to have little meaning, I suggest you give it another try , pondering if maybe the ol' musical Monk might be onto somethin'.

Funny thing is, Catholic and reformers having been saying the same things for hundreds of years.

"I believe... he [Jesus Christ] was born of the blessed Virgin, who, as well after as she brought him forth, continued a pure and unspotted virgin."

John Wesley, Anglican priest and founder of the Methodists

Evening Wisdom

"The one who dies with the most remotes wins"

Just redoing some audio stuff, and twas shocked by my abundant remote collection, especially as that as a kid, I was considered my dad's TV remote (O:

Something about Mary : Part I

Christmas is a big day for our Blessed Lady, not only because it is the celebration of the birth of her only child, but also because it is one of the rare days where Protestants shake off the well cared for shackles of their Catholi-phobia (fear of appearing Catholic) and actually admit Jesus even had a mom (yes , yes, I know Christmas is over, but until I pay off the credit card bills, I can keep referencing it). We see her in church front Nativity scenes, on cards from Aunt May and Uncle Lu (don't mention the twins), and even in reruns of the WWMM's favorite TV special "The Little Drummer Boy". Come December 26th, she's again packed back up, stuffed in the attic, and shall not be mentioned again until at least Thanksgiving.

Catholi-phobia is really the only explanation I can think of for Mary's post Christmas disappearance, as Marian doctrine had little to do with the Reformation, with the likes of Calvin, Wesley, and Luther all speaking of our Lady as Mother of God, Mother of Us all, and Ever Virgin.

"Mary is the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of all of us even though it was Christ alone who reposed on her knees . . . If he is ours, we ought to be in his situation; there where he is, we ought also to be and all that he has ought to be ours, and his mother is also our mother" Martin Luther

Unlike his modern devotees, Luther didn't skip over Jesus' last few precious words (John 19:26-28) where he gives Mary to us as mother. Jesus knew everything that was to happen, so it if this was just a statement to John on provision of his mother,he could have easily prepared them both long before this emotionally wrought event.

I will take that even further, in that the Protestant view paints our God as a vile uncaring monster, for if Mary was just another slob like us, living in the spiritual death of original sin, how cruel to make her watch her innocent babe beaten to hamburger meat and than nailed naked to a cross. If she was not to play a bigger (and continual) part, than any loving God would surely have taken her up to heaven once Jesus reached manhood, instead of giving her a ringside seat to the live production of "the Passion of the Christ".


So is God cruel? I say an emphatic "NO"

Do I call Mary mother? humbly and happily I say "Yes"

Should you? . . . .

Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of death.
Amen

. . .to be continued,

Psalm 34:4-8

I sought the LORD, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.
taste and see that the LORD is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Church of the Warm fuzzies

"Common experience declares how momentary and how useless
are those violent fits and gusts of endeavors which proceed
from fear and uncertainty, both in things spiritual and things
temporal, or civil. Whilst men are under the power of actual
impressions from such fears, they will convert to God, yea,
they will turn in a moment, and perfect their holiness in an
instant; but so soon as that impression wears off (as it will
do on every occasion, and upon none at all) such persons are
as dead and cold towards God as the lead or iron, which but
now ran in a fiery stream, is now when the heat is departed
from it" ... John Owen (1616-1683)

I think it is almost comical that the above quote was written by an early reformer, as it in so many ways describes one of the problems I so often saw in my old "warm and fuzzy" Evangelical church. Sadly too many Christians have bought into the false doctrine that church should "feel good", and worse, that they have to walk around in a kind of Ned Flanders perpetual "oakly dokly-ness".

We have become a church drunk on (what we "feel" is) the Spirit, with only a passing nod to the Truth, which inevitably leads to a heck of a spiritual hangover. We worship God in Spirit and Truth, and the true Spirit is Truth, not just a happy, smiley "emotion". I truly see a correlation between this,and the high number of Christian suicides (especially in Evangelical churches), of unprepared people easily discouraged when the good feeling wears off .

Truth is a rock, not a marshmallow.

I can't tell you how sad I get when people refer to singing worship as a "Sacrifice of Praise" , as I doubt doing something you like is much of a sacrificial act. It wasn't until I became Catholic, and Sunday Mass became a requirement (a Mortal sin to miss Mass in fact), that I understood the true meaning. Mass (or Sunday service), is our time to give to God, whether we want to go or not. God owns all of our time, yet only requires this one day a week. How selfish to only attend church if we feel good, or have someone to go with, or like the pastor that day, or dig who's leading the worship team.

When I think of the early Christians who risked death to receive the Eucharist, but we can't even get our flabby American butts outta bed for an hour on Sunday, I literally feel sick to my stomach (and yes, I have been guilty of this selfish act too). I have honestly felt like slapping someone who jokingly says "yeah, I kinda overslept", or "just felt like staying in", or some other such silliness that would get ya fired if you tried it on Monday.

I am not saying we shouldn't enjoy Church, but our enjoyment is never to be our goal or motivation. I love Mass, I love Adoration, I love Bible Study, I love to pray . . . .but because I love to honor the One who asks all this of me.

In Truth we should be seeking to give God enjoyment, by visiting, and praising, Him in His house.

Seeya in church,
WWMM

The more things Change . . .

3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:3-6

Luke 6

"But I tell you who hear me:
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also.
If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic."
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Scary, huh?

Couldn't decide who was more frightening; the Wicked Witch or the Flying Monkey?, either/or, both are proponents of Hell on Earth.

Tricked or Treat!

Idolatrous Rex

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A recent fossil discovery in the Midwest has proved to explain the empty walls and altars, while leaving room for plasma screens, in the Mega-churchs of North America. The newly named Idolatrous Rex appears to be a small, single sighted creature, often found with an abundantly underlined Bible, but without any religious symbols found anywhere in it's meeting or dwelling place (save for a strange "fish" emblem , below a Baltimore Ravens or LAX sticker, often found on it's SUV).

While it is rumoured that this creature was a follower of "The Way", there seems to be no physical evidence of this among the stadium seating (with cup holders) within it's meeting place, nor among the hundreds of family photographs which litter it's nesting habitat. In the writings they seem to love this God/man "Jesus" above all things, but in fact must be terribly afraid of His appearance, as there seems no images of Him anywhere, nor His "wondrous Cross" their Holy writings say saved them from sin and death.

Like the Masons, they could have possibly been a secretive society, not wishing others to see symbols of this "peace that passes understanding" or "unending joy", for fear they might steal it, although their Sacred writings seem to suggest they are to "spread the Good news". The huge televisions in the corporate areas, we assume were used to scare the collective into submission, by letting the "leaders" appear bigger than life (their writing calls it "exalting"), and who we are guessing are the Pharisees their book mentions.

While much further study needs to be done, we have concluded that it was most likely their single-sightedness (and use of birth control) that lead to their ultimate demise.

originally posted in March

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frame

Found a better destination

Destination Ursa Major - Superdrag

John Davis, the singer for power-popsters Superdrag (soon at the 9:30 Club here in D.C.), came to know the Truth a few years back, and when I came across this vid, and read the lyrics, could tell that even then he was a searching.

I'm so sensitive to light
I may never get it right
all the bloody stupid miracles and lies
guess it's up to you to have it exorcised
what did I do? nothin is true
whatever is over now
sober is over now
I may never get away
I'm rejecting yesterday
only hoping my trajectory is high
now there will be no more pissing you goodbye
what did I do?...

destination
ursa major

destination
ursa major

Sure sounds Catholic to me

"No nation, and few individuals, are really brought into
[God's] camp by the historical study of the biography of
Jesus, simply as biography. Indeed, materials for a full
biography have been withheld from men. The earliest converts
were converted by a single historical fact (the Resurrection)
and a single theological doctrine (the Redemption) operating
on a sense of sin which they already had... The "Gospels" came
later and were written not to make Christians but to edify
Christians already made."

C.S. Lewis

Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season;
correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful
instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up
with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they
will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what
their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears
away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
2 Timothy 4:2-4

The too often the average Christian

James 1: 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Rev 3:16 'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold,
I will spit you out of My mouth.
.

Hollywood Prayer Network

Upwardly Mobile Monk

While it is a given that most monks are indeed upwardly mobile in that their destination is heaven, yer monkster (gonna miss that moniker) is just taking the first step towards the mezzanine.

My mentors over at the Three Mass'keteers have extended an invitation (at sword point no less) , offering me joint posting with these three wise sages. I, of course, have accepted, and this blog will go into a somewhat dormant stage as I aspire to create thought provoking posts over at the new (and with God's grace, improved) Four Mass'keteers blogstop.

This is a multiple blessing, as I do truly respect these fine Christian men (and am honored and humbled to stand cyberly next to them), as well as trying to keep up my own blog with an increased work load has been a bit rough, also the new (and I pray, permanent) love interest God has blessed me with is of a tad more importance than my youtubing of caterpillars (O:

Please pray that I continue to let God type with my fingers, words that might inspire, affirm, or just(ly) entertain my fellow siblings in Christ.

1 4 all, all 4 1
cheers!
.

One Question about Mary

.
As I learn more about our Blessed Lady, I have to again ask the question to those who ignore her (or worse).

If she was only to be the portal for Christ's Earthly entrance(which honestly is still of a huge magnitude), why would He keep her around until His exit?

If she were to play no other part in salvation history, it would appear that our Lord is quite cruel to have His own beloved mother watch him die on the cross, when He could have easily had her arrive in heaven before Him, like He did with St. Joseph.

Just a thought . . .and one none of my Protestant brethren have yet to answer, or worse, even considered.
.

Walkin' with God and a Devil

While my apartment is one step away from being labeled a hovel, it is also thankfully one step away from Rock Creek Park. I literally walk across the street and I am in the park.

As it is an amazingly beautiful day, I decided on a nice two hour hike as today's form of physical, as well as spiritual, exercise. Walking through the park while pondering the Joyful Mysteries, I bumped into a joyous natural mystery. The little guy above is called a Hickory Horned Devil, and I had never seen a buggie that big outside a zoo. Stopping to watch him make his way across a path, soon caused a little group of other hikers to form, all cheering the little guy on.

Oh dear God, thank you for these little,
and very precious, glimpses of heaven.
.

Antonietta of Jesus

One of the lovely people I was introduced to in Italia was Antonietta Meo, who went to be with our Savior a little over 70 years ago.

In the letters of this wonderful little child of 7, are to be found words of such a great love and faith in our Lord, that it left me longing to take Communion so I could meet this child of the Truth.

"Dear God the Father I love you so much!
Really very much!...
Dear God the Father!...make Christmas come soon and I'll receive Your Son Jesus in my heart!...
Dear God the Father, yesterday evening I didn't write to You because my mum wasn't with me, but this evening I'll write a beautiful letter to You.
Dear God the Father!...tell Your Son that I love Him and also tell Him that I'm waiting for Him in my heart.
Dear God the Father. I wish You set a lot of souls of Purgatory free so that they can go to Paradise and glorify You and I also wish You converted a lot of sinners, especially the Abyssinian.
Dear God the Father, tell Jesus I will make some room for Him in my heart, so that He can sleep well and rest in my heart.
Dear God the Father I ask You to grant me the favour of helping my father.
Dear God the Father make me good. Dear God the Father!...
Many greetings and kisses by Your daughter"

Dear sweet Nennolina please pray for us
that we would live and speak with such a pure heart
.

Roald Dahl Day

Today would have been the 90th Birthday of one of my all time favorite writers of children's literature. Forgiving the dreadful films like Matilda and Burton's Willy Wonka that came after his death, just as we try to forget the terrible crimes that are the post death cinema disasters of Dr. Suess stories, I would hafta say I prefer his books to most of the self-absorbed and pretentious crapola that passed for 20th century adult fiction.

Granted, I have a Shel Silverstein tattoo, so ya coulda kinda sorta guessed I would have such opinions (O:

Check out the Puffin Books/Random House celebration here

*thanks to new mom Stephanie, for the reminder and link!
.

In case any of you were under the misguided notion
that I am in any way mature
(O:

Italy Again !?!

Yep, it is a hard life I lead, but I suffer through it with all the humility you'd expect from a son of Baltimore (O:

Thanks to the advice of a wonderful friend, I will be visiting, and ascending, the Scala Santa on Sunday. I will be saying a special prayer for each step, so please send me any and all prayer requests, and I will dutifully offer up you/our petitions.

Please also pray for a safe and fruitful trip for me,
thanks and God bless,
mike

Brothers and Sisters of the Street

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My dear friend, and a spiritual mentor, Richard wrote me this nice letter about the Bobs in his life, and I thought I'd share it.

"I hope Bob and you continue to bless each other. I've had many interactions with people who were homeless/ mentally ill and often things cut to the truth quickly. Once I spent an entire night hanging out with homeless folks in O'Hare airport (when they were tolerated there) playing guitar and talking with people. Finally, at about 4 in the morning, this guy who I had been talking to (he claimed to have once been a writer and well to do) asked me "Richard, do you trust me?". This appeared to be an obvious lead in to a request for something. I replied "To be completely honest, I just met you and I don't trust people until I've known them for a while." He was set back by this a little and apparently gave up on whatever he was trying to get from me and left. I guess I learned that plain honesty is an important ingredient in any interaction; that it leads to resolution, comfortable or uncomfortable. It is sad that most homeless are mentally ill and have burned out or rejected the supports that most people have to keep them in any kind of structured lifestyle. Mental illness, addiction, and sin are often dark partners; one leads to the other and which came first? which is the dominant force? It's hard to discern with any individual. God knows and we don't.

God Bless you

Richard"

New Designs for My Houston Brother