Prayer Request

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Just received this e-mail about my friend Gabe, from his sister who is organizing a benefit show to raise some funds. I would appreciate if you pass it on after prayer.

"In case you do not know the story, Gabe and his fiance gave birth to a beautiful girl, Payton in March. 20 minutes after her birth Gabe's aorta split and he had open heart surgery. In the process Gabe had several strokes and he hasn't been able to communicate or move his legs. The strokes caused a lot of damage to his brain, he will need a lot of therapy and prayers."

Gabe is the sax player in the above piece

thanks and God bless,
mike

Facebook page about Benefit here
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Organized or . . . .

Dana Carvey "Squatting Monkeys Tell No Lies" - watch more funny videos

Sadly, that's pretty much the feeling I got as an Evangelical

St. Leopold Mandic

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“Remember that you have been sent for the salvation of people, not because of your own merits, since it is the Lord Jesus and not you who died for the salvation of souls....
I must cooperate with the divine goodness of our Lord who has deigned to choose me so that by my ministry, the divine promise would be fulfilled:
‘There will be only one flock and one shepherd’”
St. Leopold Mandic
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Why, oh why must it come to this?

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Can't we embrace the things that we share?

Don't dentists hate us, while making millions from us
(kinda like that Dan Brown guy and Madonna)

O.K., McDonalds prefers one of us,
while Taco Bell prefers the other
But don't we have WAWA and 7/11 in common?

Yes, yes, our flavorings may be a tad different,
but don't we share the same excessive sugar, sodium, and caffeine levels?

Sure belches are better with Pepsi,
while Coke is the flatulence favorite,
but neither are welcome during
a wedding ceremony or first date.

One of us believes that only red and white are necessary for pure design, where the other feels lead to place blue above all, with only a gentle nod to red and white.
But in both cases, or twelve packs, are the red and white still not there!

We share in the same basic recipe of carbonated battery acid that so many folks desire on a daily basis, and our goal must be for all people to be united in this thirst (due to both our high levels of sodium).

With the Red Bulls advancing from the East, and the Bottled Waters of the West and South, can us true soda-ites we really afford to picker over trivial matters?

Really, can't we all just get along?

*Sponsored by the Ecumenical Cancel on Tooth Decay

The Fab 3?

A recently uncovered photo of John-Paul, George, and Ringo; once known as "the Beat-attitudes", before leaving Poland for Hamburg.

"The commies made lousy fish n' chips" Ringo once noted as the main reason for the move.

It seems that the II in John Paul II was prophetic, as it would take two men to fill this fisherman's sandals . . . .hmmm, what could it all mean? Surely the next Dan Brownose pulp will fill us in.
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To honor and be honorable

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Many folks my age are caught in that dual role of still trying to honor their parents (even if that means, like some of us, praying daily for the dearly departed), as well as hopefully trying to be honorable parents themselves (ie., resisting the desire to pack the kids off to a school until they are 30).


Other than a daily chat with St. Joseph, me thinks a few minutes honoring today's saints, Mary's mother Ann and her father Joachim, is also what helps us as good parents and good daughters or sons.

"Joachim and Ann—whether these are their real names or not—represent that entire quiet series of generations who faithfully perform their duties, practice their faith and establish an atmosphere for the coming of the Messiah, but remain obscure." Saint of the Day

The above description of our Lady's parents should in fact be a description for every parent. Not like the modern trends of trying to be your kid's "friend" (they need parents, they gots friends!), or the other side of the coin, the selfish couples that put their wants before their children's needs (these folks are a sadly a plenty in the status enslaved DC area, so pray a lil' harder for yer friends down thatta way).

While it is truly to honor God that we honor our parents, it is also helpful to our lil' ones if they see something in their parents worth honoring.

St Joachim & St. Ann pray for the parents
St. Ann & St. Joachim pray for the children
Mary,mother of God, pray for us all

*Image from St Anns in Arlington VA

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All for the One

A digital mash-up salute to my mentors and brothers
God bless the Mass'keteers!
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Cash or Credit?

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"The only choice that Planned Parenthood
really cares about is
Cash or Credit"

a blatantly honest and perfectly succinct comment from a friend last night. Not one of us religious right-winger types, but someone who once worked in the abortion industry.

During our talk, I was also reminded about how 25 years earlier, another High School friend was repeatedly told she was pregnant at various "family centers"in our area, although she was a virgin. Part of a journalism assignment given at her Catholic high school (see, they weren't all run by leftist wackos in the 70s & 80s), it was my first true knowledge of how broken our world was/is .We have all heard stories of doctors/clinics performing more routine procedures (tonsils, appendix, etc.) that weren't necessary,but performed just for the money. The evil in this is of course is that there are women walking around us this very day carrying the burden of killing their child, when in fact there wasn't a pregnancy. How many have never felt worthy of motherhood or marriage, or have even taken their own life - all because some quack needed new rims for his BMW.
This is the noble art of abortion after all.

I remember when we went to the "legitimate journalists" back then, we couldn't find one reporter interested. Granted, we were a bunch of over zealous kids, but you would think someone would have at least wanted to let us tell our story.

The odd thing with the above friends is that the ex-pro-abortionist was swayed not by a religious conversion but by the fact that folks inside the clinics were usually very callous and shallow people, but the ones praying outside the clinic were generally very nice and even respectful. Actions over words - a good little reminder.

On the other hand, my Catholic ex-virgin friend (now mother of three), was last seen sporting an Abortion Prez sticker on her Volvo.
Ugh!, just more Obama change I didn't want.
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Leaving the Guest House : part 1

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If there is a greater ecumenical work of Christian apologetics than C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity", I have not read it. If any atheist/humanist/whateverist with even the slightest open mind were to read it, I dare say I might see them at mass within the year. . . and yes, it is the book given to a certain atheist a dozen years ago which eventually lead him to his knees, his Savior, and the church Christ founded (oh, and started him writing an annoying lil' blog).

The opening page should start like an old pirates warning

"Abandon all un-Hope all ye who enter"

As to it's ecumenical character, it is without a doubt, one of the few books that all of our Christian bretheren can agree on, and even widely promote as first reading (along with the gospels) for any of our wayward friends.

Lewis' own preface beautifully explains this goal:

"I hope no reader will suppose that 'mere' Christianity is here put forward as an alternative to the creeds of the existing communions - as if a man could adopt it in preference to Congregationalism or Greek Orthodoxy or anything else. It is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms. If I can bring anyone into that hall I shall have done what I attempted. But it is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in. For that purpose the worst of the rooms (whichever that may be) is, I think, preferable. It is true that some people may find they have to wait in the hall for a considerable time, while others feel certain almost at once which door they must knock at. I do not know why there is this difference, but I am sure God keeps no one waiting unless He sees that it is good for him to wait. When you do get into your room you will find that the long wait has done you some kind of good which you would not have had otherwise. But you must regard it as waiting, not as camping. You must keep on praying for light: and, of course, even in the hall, you must begin trying to obey the rules which are common to the whole house. And above all you must he asking which door is the true one; not which pleases you best by its paint and panelling. In plain language, the question should never be: 'Do I like that kind of service?' but 'Are these doctrines true: Is holiness here? Does my conscience move me towards this? Is my reluctance to knock at this door due to my pride, or my mere taste, or my personal dislike of this particular doorkeeper?'"

Lewis was indeed one of the instruments the Holy Spirit used to lead this silly boy into the hall, and to try a few doors, and eventually a nice little Christian adolescence in the Guest House.
to be continued
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A lil' light outside Bawlmer

Just wanted to share this image by an artist I visit for work.
40x30 oil on canvas

Visiting Alan is always a treat, as not only is his work impressive in itself , but he has a few styles he works in which adds to the "what will I see this time?" of each trip. Check out his gallery, I especially like the recent works from Chincoteague.
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The Da Vinci Commode

A person in the publishing industry (toilet paper stocker in a NY Borders), twittering on the condition of anonymity (also on their Facebook and myspace pages), has disclosed some of the new mysteryies and secrets that will be revealed in Dan Brown's upcoming thriller "The Da Vinci Commode".

Seems Mr. Brown's love of history (or his story) has lead him to uncover even greater conspiracies than the type of diaper that was used on the child Jesus. Now delving into our own countries background, our courageous writer is about to break wind of the stories behind some of the greatest lies us school kids were ever told.

*spoiler alert

1) While many already know that George Washington grew marijuana (Brown sites references from "Dazed and Confused", among others), he reveals here that "not inhaling" is actually a secret sign of the diabolical Society of Jackie Masons, which former President Bill Clinton was a secret member.

2)Brown infilltrates, and stays an active member, in a secret green paper worshipping subsect of the Jackie Masons, known as the "Holly Wood Greedy Bastages"

3)Finally, he illuminates on the cryptic message " Dan Brown is a toothless doofus" that was found on the underside of Elvis Presley's toilet, the very one that is believed to have been installed by DaVinci's plumbist ancestors, the Mario Brothers, and on which the King "died"
. . .or did he?

sadly, more to follow
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The Abortion President

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Wondering:
should I have shirts made,
or wait to die by natural causes (O:
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Happy Thoughts

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"Happy thoughts about God
won't help ya get into heaven
anymore than
happy thoughts about the gym
will get ya in the Olympics"
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Last Days : the Soundtrack

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Thought this was a good contender to be included in the companion CD to Brother Athos' book "A Little Guide to Your Last Days"

. . . to quote the ol' Bawlmer Catechism on why God made us

"God made me to know Him, love Him,
and serve Him in this world,
and to be happy with Him for ever in the next.

Learning How to Die - Jon Foreman

I'm gonna miss you
I'm gonna miss you
When you're gone
She says, I love you
I'm gonna miss you
And your songs

And I said, please
Don't talk about the end
Don't talk about how
Every living thing goes away
She said, friend

All along I thought
I was learning how to take
How to bend not how to break
How to live not how to cry
But really
I've been learning how to die
I've been learning how to die

Hey everyone
I've got nowhere to go
The grave is lazing me
He takes our body slow

And I said, please
Don't talk about the end
Don't talk about how
Every living thing goes away
I said, friend,
All along I thought
I was learning how to take

How to bend not how to break
How to live not how to cry
But really
I've been learning how to die
I've been learning how to die
Die, die
I've been learning how to die
I've been learning how to die
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Artscape Tonight

Second priest murdered in Cuba

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"It appears that he was gagged, handcuffed, stabbed, and partially burned in a bed in the house next to the Church, in the Havana neighborhood of Regla"

read the whole Spero/Fides article here

After doing a search for this story, I found a 1/2 a paragraph posting in USA Today, but no other large circulation rag (large circulation being 4 or 5 nowadays). Thankfully most Christian sources did mention this recent event.

Naturally, after prayer for both priests, I couldn't help ponder what mainstream media would have to say if the story read "2nd Abortionist killed in . . ." or "Another Gay male found . . .", and would they still be sticking there noses up in the air at us wacky folks that know Cuba to still be the enemy of freedom , liberty, and human dignity.

Please pray for Fr. Mariano Arroyo and Rev. Eduardo de la Fuente
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Cult of the Emperor

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Interesting quote from Bender, found in the comments section of a recent First Things blog article on our Abortion President and his plan to appoint 32 various Czars within his new Reich.

"He has a rubber-stamp Congress, a suddenly hands-off judiciary, and a sycophantic press.

And it is not enough.

He must have absolute power, total authority, beyond even theoretical checks and restraints. There is a word for such maximum leaders, whose only limit on power is themselves. We’ve seen it before in human history, more than once, but few could have imagined that we, here in the “land of the free,” would ever willingly and enthusiastically put on the yoke of tyrannical dictatorship."

pray for President Obama

pray for our leaders,

and pray for us all

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Quote o' da day

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"Joy is the Fruit of Appreciation.”

Matthew Kelly
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Crux Gloria

"This sculpture speaks to the intense desire God has for us to be reconciled, united as one family journeying with Him through eternity".

Those are the words of Tomas Fernandez, the sculptor of this awe inspiring 37 ft steel cross located about a half hour outside DC, in Purcellville, Virgina.

On the grounds of St. Francis de Sales parish stands this massive symbol of answering "yes" to our Heavenly Father. While the first, more profound, "yes" came in the Garden of Gethsemane, in our Savior's words "not as I will, but as you will", another "yes" would be murmured one early morning, a few thousand years later in Madison County.

Fernanandez recalls having a dream in 1988, where God appeared and told him "to design what became the "Crux Gloria," an image of a solid cross except for the figure of Christ dramatically silhouetted inside." Obeying his Father's call, he would go on to build several of these, including a heavenly comission for one to be placed in St. Petersburg, Russia. The design is also to be part of a larger piece entitled "Beyond Forever", a 100 foot long complex of walls and figures which he will place in the center courtyard of the future Arts Center.


The feeling I had the first time I saw the "Crux Gloria", was very similar to my first reaction when I entered St. Peters' the first time. In both, I realized that the beautiful art I was seeing, were manifestations of creative hearts crying out "I Love you" to our God.

I pray today we all find some way to voice a similar exaltation to the One who loved us first, and who loves us most.

Funeral for a (few million) friends

I thought it was fitting that the Abortion Pres and his entourage were seemingly dressed for a funeral when meeting Pope Benedict, considering how many more innocents Obama would like to see erased from history in the noble names of selfishness and convenience.

I do wonder if Mr. Popularity bothered to read the documents the Holy Father gave him, or just chucked them in the trash in the typical open minded fashion of his minions.
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Pass the Salt

Dance, Billy Dance!

Warning: starts with some "F" bombs

One of my Favorite Songs, in one of my favorite scenes, of one of my favorite movies.

"Cos time is short
and life is cruel
But its up to us to change
This town called Malice".

Be Frank

Godfrey: May I be frank?
Molly: Is that your name?
Godfrey: No, my name is Godfrey.
Molly: All right, be frank.

From "My Man Godfrey" 1936

on politics

What, I can't quote myself?

"Lean to the left, lean to the right,
But what matters most
Is that your gaze be fixed upward!"

Seek first the kingdom
Matthew 6:33

Answer: Sunrise to Sunset

Question: When should we worship?

Paul Wright - Sunset to Sunrise

Father in heaven, forgive me for sinning
I know I need a new beginning.

Father in heaven, forgive me for sinning
I know I need a new beginning my world is spinning.

From sunrise to sunset help me not forget
all that you've done for me.

From sunset to sunrise help me keep my eyes
upon Your glory.

Say ah yea (ah yea)
say alright (alright)
every sunset (sunset)
every sunrise (sunrise).

Oh I need ya, oh I need ya right now.
You came down from heaven above to
show me Your way, You way is to love
so help me love love and not judge or hold a grudge sayin...

Screwtape Forward

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A good friend and I were discussing C.S. Lewis and "the Screwtape Letters" yesterday, especially the audio version with Monty Python's John Cleese as Screwtape, so I posted this lil' bit to hopefully inspire others to go out and get a copy of the book or audio.

Food for (open minded) Thought

"Let's remember that "liberation" led us down a path full of consequences that hold us in much tighter chains than morality ever did".

University of Wisconsin freshman Sean McCormick (a good Irish name), in his extremely well written article on promiscuity and the myth of sexual "liberation", in the Spectator.

Biblical Humour

not a "Tame Lion"

"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver.

"Don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you?
Who said anything about safe?
'Course he isn't safe.
But he's good.
He's the King, I tell you."

Christ is not, nor is the Gospel, a "Tame Lion" (O:
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St. Maria Goretti

"Even if she had not been a martyr,

she would still have been a saint,
so holy was her everyday life"
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Living out John 15:13

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Caught the end of a WWII Documentary last night, on the life and witness of Desmond Doss, the first Conscientious Objector to ever win the Medal of Honor. Although he refused to carry a gun, as a medic he would openly go out under fire to bring aid to wounded soldiers . . .sometimes even enemy soldiers.

While he made it out of the war alive, did he not lay down his life each and every time he put himself in harms way for the sake of his brother?

"On May 21, in a night attack on high ground near Shuri, he remained in exposed territory while the rest of his company took cover, fearlessly risking the chance that he would be mistaken for an infiltrating Japanese and giving aid to the injured until he was himself seriously wounded in the legs by the explosion of a grenade. Rather than call another aid man from cover, he cared for his own injuries and waited 5 hours before litter bearers reached him and started carrying him to cover. The trio was caught in an enemy tank attack and Pfc. Doss, seeing a more critically wounded man nearby, crawled off the litter; and directed the bearers to give their first attention to the other man. Awaiting the litter bearers' return, he was again struck, by a sniper bullet while being carried off the field by a comrade"

"Greater love has no one than this,
that one lay down his life for his friends".
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Darn, that was gonna be my title (O:

Don't worry, be Catholic (O:

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Must admit, that for the rest of the day, I will be trying to re-work "Don't Worry be happy", into a mini Catholic anthem, but that is for another post. This video below, is barely a video, but the audio is more than worth the 2 and 1/2 minutes of yer time, especially if you need a little cheering up.

"God made you special, and He loves you very much"

Desire to Succeed

"Success is 99% Failure"

Soichiro Honda
founder of Honda Motor Company

A key component that every successful business person seems to have, is that knowledge that they could, and should, be doing more. As I travel around listening to many of my shops bemoan the state of the economy, it seems the owners of the successful ones only want to talk about how they are adapting (and how my company can help).

Success is truly based on not dwelling on either your successes or failures, but learning from both (looking at Honda's quote above, and remember how gawd awlful ugly early Hondas were, and how they are now . . . don't see them tin cupping the pres, do ya?).

The odd thing is that while just about everyone will agree with the above statement, most people also fall for the great lie that they are "basically a good person and worthy of heaven".

Read the lives of the saints and I dare you to find even one that considered them self ready for heaven, or ever thought "well I can stop now, I think I'm basically holy enough, and God has to admit I am way better than old so and so".

So D'art's rule o the day:
"If you think you're good enough for heaven, ya probably ain't!"

"Therefore, since we are surrounded
by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders
and the sin that so easily entangles,
and let us run with perseverance
the race marked out for us."
Hebrews 12:1

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