Life As It Happens: July 15, 2009

Obama’s New Deal


As a caregiver for my 85-year old father, I feel compelled to challenge, you, Mr. President, to switch places with me for one week before you make one more decision that will affect this country.

Why?

Because the old US of A is no place to grow old in and…

Medicare is pulling back tremendously.

Ha! You say, ‘Let’s go to universal medicine’ because… it’s better?

Give me a break, Mr. President, will you please!

Ahum, sorry… sometimes I tend to get a little worked up, y’know…

Apparently my dad, who’s left with only 20% of his heart can’t get a prescription for oxygen without a lot of bureaucracy [still no oxygen yet he’s been rushed to the hospital four times in two weeks) and,

better yet,

he’s had diarrhea for the past 4 months but Medicare will not cover the runs… ahum…

Did I tell you, Sir, that my dad served in WWII for 6 years in the United States Navy for you, Sir?

Did I mention that he also was a NY police officer for over 30 years?

And the funny thing, Mr. President…

My dad’s crime, Sir?

He’s worked hard all of his life and now, in the winter of his life, is not allowed to grow old with dignity.

Ain’t that a hoot, Sir?

Well, with all due respect, I am convinced you just have no clue what 'the average joe’s' going through… do you…

so, my challenge to you, Sir?

Switch places with me for one week!

Betcha can’t do it… LOL

I gotta tell you, Sir, that I’m mighty upset with you, you know. How dare you to think you know what’s best for the people who have helped create the land you live so freely in!

My husband and I are tired, Sir, very tired.

Oh, before I forget, did I tell you, Sir, that my husband, who’s successfully been in business for over thirty-five years lost his business,

in which case we lost our wonderful home,

became bankrupt,

and now we’re renting?

Another hoot, huh?

Mmmm…. let’s go over this, Sir: the house we put $80K down on in cash was lost because…

what did your guy Biden say?

‘You guys misjudged the economy’ yet…

you’re just dying to go after another stimulus, aren’t you, Sir…

but you know what? We’re [hubby and me] are not beaten and, yep, we are striving to re-build our lives without government intervention because…

well, I know this is no longer the American way, Sir, but you really wanna know why?

Are you sitting down, Sir?

Okay, here goes: because we are not afraid to fail and are smart enough to pick ourselves up to rebuild our own lives with our own God-given talents (and hard work) so we have something to hand down to our children but…

your screwing up our children’s future!

Oh, my, but you’re all upside down, Sir, now, aren’t you…

Check it out:
this is what I believe in, Mr. President,

I strongly believe that, as Americans, we need to look to God and draw on our own strengths; not Washington's.

[Btw: what the heck was that “change” crap in your campaign anyway? I certainly didn’t buy into that one, but a lot of people surely did and now America's really screwed, isn't she...]

Now what's disturbing to me, Sir, is that you, along with many in our government, totally disregard what ‘we the people’ want. It's disturbing to me that Washington’s arrogance is ignoring us and taking huge strides toward socialism. (by the way, Mr. President, how is Nancy and Harry doing these days…)

As an optimist, I have to tell you, Sir, that I believe there are still Americans within our great nation who believe in the way things are supposed to be. I have to believe that there are still those of us who choose not to be "the common man".

Ooops, if you’ll excuse me, Sir, my dad had yet another accident in his pants. I’ll need some time, so why don’t you grab your I-Pod for awhile… diarrhea is not easy to clean on an adult but…

we’re switching roles for a week, right?

Okay, Sir, thanks, I’m back… now, where was I…

Oh, yeah, Mr. President, so in conclusion, I’m thinking of the piece, "An American Creed", which was written by 1Dean Alfange and published in The Readers Digest October 1952 and January 1954.

Here goes, ‘ya ready?

An American Creed

I Do Not Choose to Be a Common Man

It is my right to be uncommon if I can.

I seek opportunity not security.

I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.

I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.

I refuse to barter incentive for a dole.

I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.

I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout.

I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.

It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid;

to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, This I have done.

Great piece, Sir, huh?

Now, if I may, let me make one suggestion, Sir. Should you decide to take me up on my challenge, (to trade places for one week, remember?) I propose you hand America back to her people (you know – those who really love this nation and know what she stands for) and let America heal as she should…

and, for heaven’s sake, you gotta stop with the apologies, okay – that’s really been getting on my nerves!

Oh, sorry, but there’s one more thing. This abortion thing? Not good – nope – you gotta scratch that one out and stop getting in God’s way – life and death is His thing, Sir, not yours or…

anyone else’s. Oh, yeah, I am a Christian… that’s still okay, isn’t it… not that it matters…

Okay, I think I’ve covered enough for now, so…

we got a deal, Sir?

_____________________________________________________________________
1The Honorable Dean Alfange was an American statesman born December 2, 1899, in Constantinople (now Istanbul). He was raised in upstate New York. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I and attended Hamilton College, graduating in the class of 1922.


The following video, Obama's Health Care Deception - "Public Option" will end up "Single Payer", per their Pl, courtesy of You Tube.



Life As It Happens: July 13, 2009

Narcissism Spells Obama


I want to be a famous Broadway star.

Does it matter that I can’t sing very well?

‘ shouldn’t…

not anymore, anyway…

after all, America knowingly elected an intern to run our nation and, as he’s destroying our nation bit by bit…

a lot of people still think ‘he’s just wonderful.’

So, with that in mind, I [really] think it’ll be a cinch to manipulate people into thinking I’m a lot more talented than I am because…

Reality is really only about perception, isn’t it?

Mmm… looking at our country, that’s pretty darn apparent…

except there’s just a teeny, tiny difference between my bogus fame and Obama’s presidency…

my experience, or lack of, wouldn’t really hurt millions of people…

Obama’s has and will.

Penning this post, I wonder if anyone really understands what the “American Dream” really is, or…

worse yet, if it has died.

Second by second, our government is growing while America has been turned upside down. Those in DC haven’t a clue what patriotism is nor do I believe they care.

But…

They [our government] can’t destroy the spirit of those of us who truly love this nation because it us who are the true Americans.

Not too long ago, I happened upon an article written by Chuck Baldwin entitled, “Can You Imagine This Country.” In it he writes:

We hear much today about the American dream. By "the American Dream," most people mean buying a big house, driving an expensive automobile, and making a lot of money. However, this was not the dream envisioned by the Founding Fathers. Remember that, for the most part, America's founders gave up their material wealth and substance for something they considered of far greater worth. Unfortunately, this hedonistic generation knows little of the kind of sacrificial spirit personified in the lives of America's patriarchs.


In the minds of the founders, liberty--with all of its intrinsic risks--was more desirable than material prosperity, if that prosperity was accompanied with despotism or collectivism. So strong was their desire that they were willing to give up the latter in order to procure the former for themselves and their posterity.



How dare Americans today refer to material gain as "the American dream." It is not! It is the freedom to honestly pursue one's goals that should be celebrated. Material gain is only a fruit of freedom, not its root.

Perhaps Obama wants to be recorded in history as not only the first black American President but also the greatest.

For me, unfortunately only one word is synonymous with this man: narcissism…




Life As It Happens: July 11, 2009

Today's post is written by my dear friend, Robert Melaccio, Sr.:

Are Christians To Be Silent About Sin, Injustice, Evil?


Robert Melaccio, Sr.

As a Christian I really have a concern here. Are we who say we are to be silent about sin, wrongs, injustice, facades, charades, fabrications, irresponsibility and everything else this world can throw our way, or are we to be bold and speak out, face it, bring it into the light?

To quote the Pope Asia News 3/18/2009 “ YAOUNDE- “In the face of suffering, violence, poverty or hunger, corruption or abuse of power a Christian can never remain silent.”

What he is speaking to is all Christian who undergo, experience, know of, injustice, irresponsibility, a lack of compassion and caring, mercy and in general tolerating and allowing abuse, exploitation or anything negative or sinful to take place or hold it is encumbered, in my opinion for Christians to take an active stand against that in defense of the innocent, defenseless and all people.

Now if we as Christians are to put into work the lessons of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ then we are to love our neighbor. That is to defend them, help them, take care of them and truly be there for them in all ways even as we love ourselves. If we take that a step further and we are to love our father and mothers, then we cannot by God’s command allow anything to harm, hurt, abuse or destroy them in any way shape or form.

Now as we see these events take place we are not to respond in anger and wrath. No we are to address all things in love, patience, forbearance and long suffering. We are not to enter into conflict but it does not mean that we cannot confront what is wrong, unjust, evil, etc.

Did not Jesus show righteous indignation at what was taking place in His Fathers house? It was wrong, evil and he took direct action to resolve the issue. While we are urged not to take such direct action and show love even for o9ur enemies sometimes force is a required action to stop an injustice. We are not to sit idly by, silently, humbly while evil is done upon people. Yes pray, be humble, be patient but when necessary take action.

Ephesians 4:26 Paul Wrote “be angry and sin not.” It is finished with do not let the sun go down on your anger. [The rest of the story] In other words do not remain in anger. The lessons that are taught are that there is righteous and unrighteous anger and we must recognize the difference. Throughout the bible we are given lessons of God’s anger.

Righteous anger is toward the actions of men that directly or indirectly hurt others. What they do or fail to do. It could be against the conduct, neglect, abuse or disrespect that men use or implement. God does not jump start His anger it grows slowly until patience has worn thin and abuse become intolerable. Yes and one is not happy that it came to anger they are troubled by it. Their soul aches and feels heavy and burdened as if in sin when the sin is only applied when it becomes vindictive, self serving and personal.

Yet if we sense this and repent for the negative God understands why. If we seek vengeance and pursue wrath then we are not righteous about our anger. We have made it personal. Taking action to resolve an unjust is not in my opinion vindictive it may be required to help someone. Do not make it a point to be vindictive.

So can we speak out, should we speak out, must we speak out? I think the answers very clear under what circumstances, when and how the question.

You can read more from Mr. Melaccio on realconsiderations.blogspot.com or e-mail him directly at: tommeltimmy@yahoo.com






Life As It Happens: July 7, 2009

Complacency Will Not Save America


This week has been one heck of an emotional roller coaster [for me].

First, I reconnected with two friends I hadn’t seen for over forty years and through our moments of nostalgia; we all realized that our youth was indeed the “glory days.”

And then there was Michael Jackson’s death. All of a sudden, 1971 really didn’t seem that long ago and I realized that my generation was probably the last of the “free.”

And then…

there’s dad.

My father is 85 and I’ve been his caretaker for the past 12 years. For the past 3 months, I’ve changed more diapers for him than during my daughter’s entire infancy. I’ve also witnessed firsthand at how the medical system really doesn’t care about the elderly and that I, as an artist, am more liable for lawsuits than the medical profession.

Why should I have to fight for ample care for my father when he’s worked hard all of his life while never asking for a dime from anyone?

Why is okay for the medical field to administer incorrect medicine and just say “sorry”?

Why am I told to simply “put him away” when that is NOT what we want?

Why are social worker’s telling us that in order to obtain 20 minutes of home health aid care, we must abandon the home health care we’re privately paying for? Can he not spend his own money as he chooses even if it is for health aids?

Why are we condemned for trying to protect our loved one?

Why was I told that my father’s money “is supposed to support the poor?” (... a slip... oops, silly nurse!)

Why are my “fellow Christian” brothers and sisters rebuking my frustration and anger and wondering why I don't remain passive?

When did everyone become so damn sheeple?

Certainly Jesus wasn’t complacent when He “had it” and “lost it in the Temple:”

"The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, "Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!" -- John 2:13-16

Many Scriptures speak of God's anger. That anger has ever burned against sin. It has been resting upon the world for six thousand years. But the Love of God has in no way been violated by this attitude against the condemned world.

Unlike the ‘70s, society has turned completely upside down. In my day, gay meant "happy" and homosexuals were in the closet whereas today, they’re getting married and having sex in the streets (Folsom Street Fair and NYC). The porn industry was still considered “slutty” whereas today, porn stars are role models (Jenna Jamison). Mainstream proms are slowly turning transgender with a little S&M and…

God’s been shoved out of our nation right before our eyes and we’re still “afraid.”

We’ve lost our America and we’ve lost our rights…

Hey, how did that "American" song go…

mmm… let me think for a minute…

Oh, yeah! Wasn’t it something like, “… Land of the free?”

Christians, listen up!

It’s not God’s wrath we are under but rather the consequences of our own bad choices. It is us, not God, who will destroy America through our own sinfulness!

Complacency and sheeple-mindedness is not going to save our nation.

Is God [really] worth fighting for?

Is our America worth fighting for?

Let's face it, I am counting the moments before I will no longer be allowed to “fight” for my father because, after all…

an 85-year old man is certainly insignificant to society…

as are “abnormal” babies.

And God.

As they are contemplating a second stimulus while CA is handing out IOU’s what will it take to bring us to our knees?

And so, I conclude as I always do…

God help us.



Life As It Happens: July 4, 2009

On This July Fourth...

May We Never Take Our Liberty For Granted. Happy Independence Day, and...God bless America!



Life As It Happens: July 1, 2009

As "Independence Day" approaches, I hand over my post to Fr. John Corapi who expresses my thoughts much more eloquently than I ever could. God bless you all!

Independence Day

by Fr. John Corapi

I have fond memories of the 4th of July going back to when I was probably only four or five years old. We remember the parades, the picnics or barbecues, and the happy gathering of families. During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the American colonies from Great Britain actually took place on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve the resolution of independence previously put forth by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. After debate and revision Congress approved the Declaration of Independence on July 4th.

Of note is the letter John Adams, one of only two Founding Fathers who went on to become president, wrote to his wife Abigail:

"…This day ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

--Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive.
Massachusetts Historical Society

Like so many of the Founding Fathers, Adams recognized that the day of deliverance came from the providential hand of almighty God. I am not sure about large numbers of duplicitous politicians and other so-called public servants today, whether elected or appointed.

Freedom is a great thing, and we do well to celebrate it on the 4th of July. That being said, it’s something rooted in truth, and apart from the truth there can be no authentic freedom.

"If you continue in my word [truth] you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:31-32)

An individual, a country, or a world that does not remain rooted in objective truth cannot ultimately live in freedom.

Some highlights of this reality:

1731: Freedom is the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one’s own responsibility. By free will one shapes one’s own life. Human freedom is a force for growth and maturity in truth and goodness; it attains its perfection when directed toward God, our beatitude [true happiness].



1733: The more one does what is good, the freer one becomes…



One of the most common errors of all time is to confuse freedom and license. Today, frequently under the specious pretext freedom, mankind acts in a manner that is really license. We are not morally free to do whatever we choose to do. Only when rooted in truth and acting in objective truth can we hope to be free.

No one has the moral right to do evil. No one has the moral right to choose to take an innocent life or to engage in actions that are out of accord with right reason or any objective standards of morality we have ever known.

The inevitable consequence of abusing freedom is losing freedom. Soon, if we do not alter our present course, the United States will no longer be the home of the brave and the land of the free. Loss of personal freedoms, one at a time, is already well underway. One day we shall awake from our moral slumber and find that we have become slaves.



We must live in truth and act in truth if we are to remain free. Abuse it and I assure you we shall lose it! Wake up America! God is not a disinterested spectator. Let’s thank God for our freedom, but let’s not sit by idly while the forces of darkness divorce freedom from truth. For, as Jesus says, “The man who sins is the slave of sin.” (John 8:34)



I’ll leave you with the motto of the United States Army Special Forces on this 4th of July:
De oppresso liber! (To free the oppressed)



Indeed, Jesus came to set the captives free. Let’s do our part for our country and our world that we might all remain free in the glorious freedom of the children of God.
God Bless You,
Fr. John Corapi




About Fr. John Corapi

Father is a perpetually professed priest member of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity.

The pillars of father's preaching are basically three:

• Love for and a relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary which leads us into a vibrant and loving relationship with Jesus Christ.


• Great love and reverence for the Most Holy Eucharist--from Holy Mass to adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.


• An uncompromising love for and obedience to the Holy Father and the teaching of the Magisterium of the Church.


Father Corapi's audio and video series on the Catechism of the Catholic Church entitled The Teaching of Jesus Christ has been widely acclaimed and is used throughout the world as a course in religious education and catechesis.

The essence of Father's message is the essential message of Jesus Christ. It is Good News: a message of truth and goodness, love and mercy. It is above all else a message of hope. Father is available to preach retreats, missions, and conferences:

Rev. John Corapi, SOLT
P.O. Box 9440

Kalispell, MT 59901

Life As It Happens: Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Having had been up all night caring for my elderly father, I've decided to post an article written by a dear friend of mine, Robert Melaccio, Sr. My prayer is that Mr. Melaccio's words bless many.

It Is The Love Of The World That Destroys, Not God

Robert Melaccio, Sr.

Isn’t it amazing that we humans many times automatically blame God for our woes whenever things do not go right? While many call themselves and profess to be believers they have little to no knowledge of God’s Word but only that they hear or are taught by others. Now that is not the case for all, but the great multitudes that profess a Christian belief. Hence if something is wrong or bad well we tend to blame God.

Now the facts are that God speaks very significantly throughout the Word concerning sufferings and trials. He also speaks multiple times concerning the quest for riches and wealth and what that brings. He even warns the rich and wealthy many times. Yet we humans are trapped by a seeking of the world and its allurement. Yes power, wealth and riches all will be left behind when we die yet many will scramble for it and to attain it during life. We are taught since early childhood this is good.

Success, good and decent measured by position, power, wealth and associates and the awards we heap upon ourselves to wrap us in that perception. Yes and we use what we have gathered our entire life for our own purposes and to increase that perception. Many will say they do it for their loved ones and families but in their heart of hearts they set out the distribution because they know how corrupt wealth can be. Yes and while their hearts and minds are fixed on that wealth they are far from God.

Now God is also very emphatic that it is appointed all men to suffer death. That is all but a few. What do I mean, well some will not die as we know it but will be caught up in the twinkling of an eye to be with the lord when He calls them. Yes and some are to suffer even as Christ suffered and to share in that suffering for all mankind, perhaps even martyrdom? Yet, why would any man want to suffer? Why would any man want to undergo trial? Does not God want us to prosper? Well just what does that mean? The answer in the Word of God and in faith.

You see God has given all we have to us. We do not own any of it, He has given it to us, lent it to us, for His purpose, not ours. So the rich man has wealth to use for God’s purpose or if he chooses for his own. Sadly, while some is given to God, the great majority of wealth is for their personal use.

The poor man can only hope, yet what does he hope for? Does he hope for wealth and things of this world, a home, a car, a computer, just what and all that it brings, or does he hope for God and God’s kingdom? In both cases choices. Of course our humanness, our indoctrination, our fleshly desires play havoc with all men and they fail many times. Yet the believer recognizes the charade of this earth even as Christ did and perseveres even in the most trying of situations. They try to dislodge the desires for this world and focus on God but they are continually tempted because the world’s allurement is all about them.

So when we suffer, as many are doing now in this nation and the world, some, the very few will be content with what they have and undergo. Yes and all the while giving thanks to God each day for their blessings and offering their trials and sufferings to God for others. In penance for the sins of this world and for the soul of others. Yes and in faith they are blessed to suffer even as Christ suffered because they are allowed through Grace to participate in redemption. He takes those sufferings to His cross, carries them and brings them to God the Father.

Yes, and out of these sufferings blessings come forth, for even out of trial and sorrow love and lessons are provided and learned. Finally the focus on God that we need to be saved. We cannot focus on man because we can trust no man. Man cannot and has not throughout history ever been able to bring peace, justice, harmony, love to this world. No only Jesus, our Savior will bring that, a new Heaven and Earth, which only the meek and humble of heart will inherit not the proud or arrogant, deceitful, covetous and greedy.

Now the early church recognized this even undergoing martyrdom for their faith. The Romans, even while killing them in the most horrible of ways were amazed at their bravery while they thought and focused about the world to come, their eternal life they freely gave up this life. What an example faith? Yes and while here on earth they practiced what they professed and believed in. Their works followed them and were a sign to others. It was that sign that brought and spread Christianity to the world. What little they had they shared with each other and those of wealth gave freely of all from their surplus and that they had. They took care of their obligations in this world but gave out of love and because they believed.

Do we see that in Christians today? I dare say the very few, by fact and experience. Of course many will dispute that statement bragging about themselves and their church but reality, fact, truth is what they give in but pittance of what they accumulate. Content with building edifices and using a small amount to show they do well. Their sanctuaries blazing with the adornments of the world, their ministers in number using the wealth of the offering for their personal gain. They administer that wealth and surplus via qualifications, rules and guidelines rejecting whom they desire even while believing they are pious and holy and doing God’s work. They revel in their position and power.

This they deny vehemently yet it is there for all to witness and experience. Now the lesson of this world is if you were to gain it all what good is it if you would lose your soul? Now few enter the gate as God has warned. Why, when so many profess? Those who enter are the ones who’s heart bleeds for others, friend or foe. Those who show mercy to all, even enemies. Who give from their lack and need and not their surplus. Do we not recall the widow’s mite?

The real question is this, if all you do turns to gold, wealth and riches and if this world is all wonderful and you are living the good life and suffer no trials or hardships then how many times do you acknowledge God in your works, your deeds, what you do? How many times do you drop on your knees and pray earnestly and repent and in fear? Do you only thank God when you are at the podium accepting the reward? Is it when you gain more wealth, position or power? Yes and what do you do with it? Do you give your 10% and feel good, or do you do more and how much more? This God knows and sees and one cannot hide. Yes and God warns the rich, at the very end of His Revelation, they will find nowhere to hide, not even under the mountains or rocks.

So I leave you with this thought. Are trials and sufferings from our sin? Can they be a blessing in that God is separating us from the worthless wealth of this world? Could it be that God is calling us to what is the real treasure? I suspect a combination of both.

In my opinion when two strangers meet and the conversation somehow turns to God that this is not a mere coincidence. No in my opinion it was ordained by God for is purpose. When someone reads an article rather then turning away, that was not a coincidence but for a reason. Yes and when someone follows up by searching another site, reading more that is not a coincidence or happening, it is to serve God’s plan for His purpose.

Example, this day some will read this and my other articles for the first time. They were drawn to it by God not me. Regardless of the method that got them there, a friend suggesting, a chance happening for the first time they made a choice and opened and read. They read the words of a complete stranger and either rejected them or accepted them. So recognize that your trials are but a small moment of eternity and as it is written those trials in the end times will start with the house of God first and how much more suffering will those who have not been chosen have? God spoke that not I, check it out in His Word. Learn about the times we are in. Learn about the scoffers and those who seek the world. Learn how to identify them. It is all explained in God’s Word. No, don’t trust me, a mere man, that is where we go astray, following the doctrines of men, but trust He who created you and who has given you the beginning and the end, our Lord Jesus Christ and no other.

©2009 Robert Melaccio, Sr. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

You can read more of Robert Melaccio, Sr. at Webgazine.com, Searchwarp.com or his blog.




Life As It Happens: June 26, 2009

We Are The World

Yesterday, I was saddened by the deaths of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. My prayers remain for them and their loved ones.

In thinking about our mortality, I remembered the “We Are The World” project that Michael Jackson created in the 80s and how powerful Jackson's vision was in uniting people of all faiths and colors because…

[Through God] we are the world.

Imagine how much stronger peace can be established if we would abandon our heart's completely to God's will instead of man's.

Today, I dedicate this post for all to pray for reconciliation and world peace. Let’s remember that God intended us to live respectfully in love. God bless everyone.

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.


O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

Life As It Happens: June 25, 2009

A Prayer Before An Abortion

Today my heart is heavy and I am distracted. I try to concentrate on a deadline for work to no avail. My spirit is restless and I need to pray.

Somewhere, at this precise moment in time, a woman is about to have an abortion.

Maybe, just maybe, she doesn't realize that a child - her child - is about to be murdered right now. Or maybe she does....

What about the doctor? Does he realize he is about to take a child's life? Or is it just a "fetus"?

My attention is drawn immediately to Him who is the Healer for all:

Lord, Praise be to You now and for always! Thank You for being my Lord! You are my Absolute and my Everything! I believe in You and Trust You; You are the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Lord, as your simple daughter, I humbly beg You to stop this abortion! Lord, Jesus, You said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Lord, with complete trust in You, I seek, I ask and I knock. You, who can command the sea and wind at will, can do anything, and I beseech you to gently touch the hands and heart of this surgeon right now so that this baby can be saved.

Lord, I lift up both the abortionist and woman to You and ask You to forgive them and free them from any bondage that holds them from Your Truth. Breathe into them Your Divine Spirit of Love and Peace, Lord, so that they may be healed and set free. In Your Most Precious Name I thank You and Amen.

Life As It Happens: June 24, 2009

Society's "un-American"

This morning I was accused of being un-American.

Why?

Because I do not approve of our President’s policies nor do I trust his authority.

So this makes me un-American? Nothing can be further than the truth but so goes the mentality of the sheeple…

Upon politely excusing myself from this tense conversation, I quietly pondered as to what true authority should or shouldn’t be. Let’s face it; we’ve all had problems with authority at one time or another in our lives. Maybe the problems were the result of our own immaturity or, perhaps, the result of what “seemed” to be injustice or ineptitude on the part of those who exercised authority – ei.: a police office writing a speeding ticket due to actual speeding?

Authority will always be a source of problems unless we have a correct idea of its nature and purpose. Webster defines authority as “the power to require and receive submission or assent; the right to expect obedience; the right to command.” But there is more to it than compulsion. The Latin root from which our English word is derived has overtones of originating something, of making something grow. It suggests empowerment or enablement.

Instinctively we know that both good and bad authority exist. To be good, authority must, first of all, have a legitimate origin. That is, the person charged with authority must derive the authority from an appropriate source. Thus the police chief’s authority is good because it is given by the community. The authority of the Mafia leader is bad because it is taken by violence.

In addition to legitimate origin, authority must be properly exercised. Even the chief of police can cause problems if the authority is exercised harshly. Authority does not have to be authoritarian.

What is authority’s purpose? Ultimately, all authority has a community purpose – to do something in and for a group of people. In a civil society, authority exists in order to protect citizens from crime, to see that the laws are carried out and to arbitrate disputed rights. In other words, civil authority makes it possible for citizens to pursue the well-being for which society exists. In an army, authority exists in order to coordinate soldiers so that they can carry out the purpose for which the army exists.

All authority exists in order to keep a community or group in touch with its purpose. Authority preserves and fosters the goal and the activity of the community or group. It removes obstacles, provides opportunities, encourages, defends, restrains and empowers. Authority makes it possible, in various social contexts, for us to do what we are supposed to do and be what we are supposed to be. Far from being a burden to which we must submit, authority is an instrument of liberation.

To me, this administration is simply a group of eager narcissists who are destroying our America.

These “feelings” do not make me un-American; quite the contrary. For me, my only authority comes from my Lord, Jesus Christ. May our America come to her senses and may God help us all.




Life As It Happens: June 23, 2009

Our Father...


Reflecting on our nation's future, my mind wanders towards God's mercy and prayer. Discouraged and tired, I think of The Lord's Prayer; Jesus' own formula for how we should all pray.

True prayer should take us out of ourselves; out of the narrow confines of our self-conscious preoccupation with our own thoughts and feelings. Jesus' prayer immediately does that:

"Our Father who art in heaven." We are out of ourselves, addressing our Father, calling upon God Himself as our Father.

And this other centeredness continues:
"hallowed be Thy Name." God's name defines who He is and we pray that His name always be Holy with reverence, respect and adoration of whom we are daring to address.

"Thy Kingdom come," Praying for God's Kingdom to come is saying yes to all of salvation history and yes for all that is yet to come in the plan of God.

And then perhaps the hardest prayer of all:
"Thy Will be done." God's Will! To say yes to that is to accept the totality of what has happened, is happening and will yet come to pass as it is willed by the Father. And that means suffering and sorrow as well as happiness and joy.

This whole first part of The Lord's Prayer has been addressed to the Father and has been wishing for Him everything He wants from man:

That He be our Father,
that His Name be holy,
that His Kingdom come, and
His will be done.

And we pray for all of this not to My Father, but to Our Father because we are one with all mankind whose common Father is our personal Father as well.

Only then do we pray for ourselves and for all of mankind.

"Give us this day our daily bread." We trust in our Fathers loving providence to care for us from day to day. We live and pray in the present and God answers our present needs, not those future needs we imagine are coming.

"And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." No prayer is possible without forgiveness. We must forgive those who offend us if we are to expect God to forgive us our offenses. A heart that cannot forgive is a closed heart and God will not enter there.

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." We acknowledge our fallen nature and our dependence on God. Only in Him can we be victorious over evil, and only a humble awareness of our need for Him will keep us from succumbing to temptation.

"For His is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever, Amen." As we began with praise, we end with praise; and everything in between flows from that praise.


Father God, on behalf of our nation, have mercy on us; America needs you.




Life As It Happens: June 22, 2009

Random Thoughts For Monday, June 22

I believe that in order to truly minister to God’s people, one must be open to being ministered to. By accepting this condition with each of our brothers and sisters, we say “yes” to the suffering with, “yes” to the rejoicing with and, “yes” to walking with one another -- the very essence of the Gospel.

Although structured ministry is important, it is very easy for us to forget the importance and simplicity of all the life giving gifts we each have that bring us closer to God and to one another.

One of our gifts of faith is that we are people who hope against hope – we, as Christians, believe that crucifixion ends with resurrection and that this world will give way to the Kingdom of God – a “new creation.”

I believe the prophets who say that justice and peace will reign no matter how unjust the circumstances may seem.

And so, my prayers continue for our dear America and the world. May God help us.





Life As It Happens: June 21, 2009

Random Thoughts For Sunday, June 21

Today I think of the many “war stories” I’ve heard from some very special people this week.

You know, the kind of thing ‘like when bad things happen to good people’.

Sometimes life just doesn’t seem fair…

But then I think about one of the difficult truths concerning “this we call life”:

God does not call us to ultimate personal happiness and total fulfillment here and now. We all await the fullness of life in a future not yet fully disclosed to us. So we live in the tension between the kingdom already here and the kingdom still to come.

Our faith teaches us that God’s love for us cannot be totally expressed in the present circumstances of this world and that 'the best is yet to come'. Individual sacrifice here and now is therefore not the last word. The heavy demands which faith and morality sometimes seem to make on us do not render faith and morality irrelevant or unrealistic or destructive. Those of us suffering and failure here and now does not mean that God has abandoned us or that our human existence is without meaning anymore than success and temporal well-being are a sign of holiness and ultimate success.

Society’s voices tell us that our every desire deserves immediate satisfaction; that lack of comforts is an injustice perpetrated upon us. Our society claims that the real meaning of life lies not in struggle toward ideals but in a state of pleasant self-sufficiency. Our society tells us that success comes from the right breaks and our own hard effort. These are all pleasant to hear but the trouble is they are not true because faith tells us otherwise. Our faith teaches us that discomfort is not the final outrage, that a wrong kind of self-sufficiency can destroy us, that whatever is of real value in life is the result not of achievement but of gift.

The voices we hear at every moment from our culture are sometimes difficult to disregard. It’s hard to accept the demands of self-sacrifice, to carry out our pledges of faithfulness, to accept the suffering that comes with caring about other human beings, to struggle to understand the importance of God’s word when society keep telling us that we are wasting our time.

Society tries to convince us that we are foolish to choose God’s ways when we can have unlimited sex, drugs and rock and roll right now.

I believe that sometimes life is hard for some because God wants to give us so much.

Huh? Does that make sense?

Okay, let me explain…

God wants to share His very own life with us; He wants to give each one of us eternal happiness with Him; He wants to enable us to look on the world the way He does, He wants us to love one another the way He loves us; He wants us to respect ourselves as He respects us. God does give each one of us the ability to accept these gifts but acceptance is not without its demands.

God’s gifts may demand that we allow some certain satisfactions to take second place, that we extend ourselves in ways which seem to exceed our capacities, that we conduct ourselves in ways seemingly excessive, unintelligent or even harmful to non-believers. Our refusal to countenance abortion, our respect of the life of every human being, our faithfulness to what we perceive to be the will of Jesus – all of this stems from God’s abundant gifts. Many people whose lives touch ours may judge us unrealistic or even foolish and…

sometimes we may be tempted to make those same judgments ourselves. Yet God’s gift’s can never destroy us. If they make things tough for us, it’s because they put us in tension with our human limitations.

In the final analysis, the effort we exert, the pain we suffer, the difficulties we face are all the price of growth: growth from selfishness toward generosity, from mindless participation in an unhealthy god-less society, from the limitations of humanity toward sharing the life of God.

Simply said, God calls all of us to be like Himself. Our model is Jesus Christ whose life was a life of total self-giving to His heavenly Father. His life evoked rejection and suffering and execution as a criminal but ended in resurrection and glory.

As we encounter tough times, our Christianity calls each of us beyond merely surviving moral dilemmas unscathed. As Christians, our calling is to be faithful to what God is calling us to be and our task is to grow in our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Random Thoughts For Friday, June 19

Interestingly, the more I read the news, the more my mind wanders towards God.

When will America realize her need for God? I honestly don’t know; America is being a stubborn nation and as such may have to suffer the consequences of her own god-lessness.

Why can’t people understand that it is only through God that we will obtain true freedom and peace? I have come to realize that perhaps not many really “know” God after all…

When I think of God, I think of Him as a God who saves and as a God who is interested in every single one of us. I also believe He cares about all the silly little incidentals of each of our lives.

In other words, God is a “lover”.

When we love people, we are interested in everything about them – even the smallest details in their lives. I believe that God is like that for all of us; even when no one else notices us, God does because we are interesting to Him.

But God is more than interested in us; He saves us. His love is always redeeming. One who really loves, loves us in spite of our imperfections and sins and so God loves us. But He, like no other lover, can and will redeem our imperfections and sins.

God is the one who is always there; it is man who abandons God.

God never fails to be present when we need Him and presence is what it means to care. It is precisely at this point that I believe much of our faith is tested. We call out to God and ask Him to be with us, but He seems so far away. What we are really asking is for God to reveal Himself to us, and that He will not do. He has revealed Himself through Jesus Christ and Jesus promised to be with us always through His Spirit that dwells in our hearts. That Spirit’s presence is only known through faith, not through some tangible manifestation that makes faith unnecessary. God is present to us now only through faith, and only faith knows that He is with us: that He cares and that He is interested.

Isn’t that the way with human love as well? We have to believe that the one who loves us cares; we have to believe in that person because there is often misunderstanding and doubt and we can interpret non-presence as non-caring. Often the other does not know the depth of our need at this moment or our hunger for a friend’s interest in some project that is dear to us. This in no way means he or she doesn’t love us or doesn’t care. God does know, of course, but because He does not reveal Himself as we would like Him to, we interpret His felt absence as a real absence and not caring.

It is our own complexity that makes God complex? He is simple and means every word He utters. The non-belief is in us. We project our own and others’ failures to love selflessly onto Him. If, however, we live by faith, our own lives become simple, as simple as the word that God has given us. And that word is love.

God is love, St. John says, and those who abide in love abide in God and God in them. (see 1 John 4:16)






Life As It Happens: June 16, 2009

Random Thoughts For Tuesday, June 16

Feeling out of sorts today, I send off an e-mail that states exactly how I feel:

Sometimes… I get so angry but have to always remember that it's God who's in control; not us - my mind is scattered today - too much information; wish I could hide and renew a bit but can't…

If truth be told, I am overwhelmed today by world events and my head and heart are indeed in conflict. Too many tell me, “It’s all in God’s hands…” and then I think…

How often do we say that something is “in God’s hands" and want to believe it?

For me, one of the most difficult aspects of prayer is that it demands so much faith and trust in God.

Do we really believe that He is listening to us? Isn’t it easier to do things ourselves than to put it in His hands? Sometimes, it seems hard enough just to stop working or worrying long enough to spend time with God in prayer, let alone having the trust to turn over our lives to Him and let Him handle our worries.

Our life with God is supposed to be an intimate relationship that works much the same as the relationships we have with others. If we feel as though we have to do everything ourselves, we find ourselves not only doing everything alone but after awhile, are very much alone. Because we lack the trust to ask for help, eventually, we become isolated and it becomes difficult to talk or listen to others.

If, however, we work with others and let them share with us, we grow in an awareness of our essential communion with other people; and because we have shared responsibilities and play, sorrow and joy, we find it much easier to communicate verbally and non-verbally as well.

From this very human fact of our experience, we should learn something about our relationship with God. Because He is the most important relationship in our lives, we should trust Him and let Him into the practical, day-to-day side or our lives. We should let God act and not shut Him out. If we do allow Him in, our relationship takes on all kinds of new dimensions. We have much to talk to Him about because He has been sharing the whole day with us. Sine He’s been there with us, we can also be silent together in the day’s failures and/or successes.

In order to reach this stage, however, we have to be able to put some things in God’s hands and trust Him. For most of us, this is easier said than done.

The person who can put things in God’s hands and trust Him grows daily in the knowledge that for him who loves God, all things work together unto good. Out of the great sorrows and pain of my life come goodness, beauty and insight I never had before. French novelist, Leon Bloy (1846-1917) once said that there are places in the human heart which do not yet exist, and into the heart comes suffering, that they might have existence. Out of such a heart prayer rises naturally as thanksgiving for the wholeness of everything that is, as a hymn to God who draws good even out of what was thought as evil.

Most of our own anxieties about communing with God, I believe, come from what preachers, authors and acquaintances say they experience. The constant “high" that many share, is usually very different from the darkness and emptiness we often feel. In truth, God comes to each one of us in His own way and time and in the manner best suited to each person. He doesn’t come according to a manual or primer of prayer, but according to our need and readiness for Him.

Even when faith is low, many of us keep praying because contrary to what many “pray-ers" proclaim, common sense tells us that God is more loving and aware of who we are and what we need that those advisers in the spiritual life who are more like Job’s accusers than wise men of the Spirit.

God loves each and every one of us. If only we could hold to that above everything else. We long to believe it but others sometimes make us doubt it because they don’t seem to care. And, of course, what we can see and hear and touch affects us more that what we believe. It is only when belief conquers experience that we are truly men and women of faith.

The search for God ends up in the end to be God’s search for you. You take so many wrong turns just where you might have met Him at some corner of your life. But in the end, He surprises you by finding you looking for Him in the wrong direction. God comes your way, no matter how far afield you are.

That is the story of God; He goes out of His way for his children. You are that important; that is the story of man.







Life As It Happens: June 15, 2009

Random Thoughts For Monday, June 15

I openly admit that I am “a promise breaker”.

Huh?

Well, for every time that I vow not to read the news, I break my promise and guess what?

Yup, I read the news. And guess what [again]?

As hard as I try to remain composed and detached from the realities of this “upside down” world, I tend to get a little “worked up” or…

to be more specific…

I get angry.

Let me put it to you this way:
Thank God that I am not God or I would have destroyed the world (as we know it) a long time ago…

Mmmm… a little emotional am I?

Let me explain:

Amidst all the political nonsense, the following headline appears on World Net Daily:

Kids attend prom from 'sexual hell'
You won't believe how children as young as 12 years old partied

Okay, since I am a mom of a “tween” I naturally read further into this June 12 article by Chelsea Schilling:

“Note: This story contains material that readers might consider graphic and offensive.

Family advocates are outraged by a prom held at Boston City Hall that was open to children apparently as young as 12 featuring cross dressers, homosexual heavy petting, suspected drug use and a leather-clad doorman who teaches sexual bondage classes.

Children from middle schools and high schools across Massachusetts on May 9 attended a Youth Pride Day event ending with a prom inside of Boston City Hall sponsored by the Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Youth, Or BAGLY, a group seated on the Massachusetts Commission for GLBT Youth.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino issued a proclamation welcoming homosexual and transgender youth to the celebration. A man in drag introduced a homosexual activist from Menino's office to read the letter. A video of that proclamation is below….” Read more.

Now I take a break to vomit.

I no longer recognize society any more. Who are we? I get it now more than ever that perhaps Obama is right: America really is no longer a Christian nation…


America is on a rapid downward spiral and evil is winning out especially within our youth. I personally make no apology for sounding off like a “fanatical, right wing extremist.” As I’ve often said, our God is the same God of yesterday, today and tomorrow but it is man who keeps reinventing God.

For those of us who profess to be Christ followers, the time is now to stand together in solidarity and, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we must pray and then act. I now understand the urgency that burned deeply within the spirit of John the Baptist to prepare everyone for the coming of the Lord:

In Luke 3:3-4, we are told, "And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." Also in Matthew 3:1-3, "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

As a Catholic/Christian, my spirit cries out to all of America: “Repent and believe the Good News” (Mark 1:15).

To understand the signs of the times means to accept the urgency of penance, conversion and of faith. For believers, we know that God will triumph. We also know, through faith, that hearts open to God and purified by His contemplation is stronger than guns, weapons and the US government.

As we see and experience continually, the evil one clearly has power in this world; he has power, however, because our freedom continually lets itself be led away from God. But since God Himself took a human heart and has thus steered human freedom towards what is good, the freedom to choose evil no longer has the last word. From that time forth, the word that prevails is this:

“In the world you will have tribulation, but take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

May God help us all -- especially our children.

###

Random Thoughts For Saturday, June 13

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Paul’s list of the fruits of the Spirit is a good summary of the character traits we all want to have. Instead of being worried and anxious, we would like to have a constant sense of peace. Instead of being sad or depressed, we would like to be filled with joy. Instead of being short tempered and irritable, we wish we were patient and gentle. We would like to have complete self-control, so that we won’t do thing that we shouldn’t do.

We view the fruits of the Spirit as qualities that we hope to possess, qualities we will have when the sin in our lives has been eliminated and we are completely filled with the Holy Spirit.

There is another way of viewing the fruits of the Spirit, however – as characteristics of our relationships with one another. The fruits of the Spirit can be understood as flourishing between us, as brothers and sisters in the Lord, as well as with us, as individual Christians.

Paul lists love as the first fruit of the Spirit; elsewhere he provides a description of the love that the Spirit gives us:
“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoings, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (Corinthians 13:4-7)

Most of these marks of love are descriptions of how we should relate to others. When we love others in the power of the Spirit, we are always ready to see their point of view and to trust them; we are willing to put their good above our own; we are ready to excuse and forgive mistakes they make. When we love others in the power of the Holy Spirit, we will not be envious of their good fortune, even if we are experiencing difficult times ourselves. When we are moved by love, we neither resent the successes of our friends nor gloat over their failures.

On the other-hand, when we are motivated by the worst in us, the result is poisonous fruit of “enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy.” (Galatians 5:20-21) These weaknesses “of the flesh” destroy the unity that should exist between brothers and sisters in Christ. Enmities and strife, dissensions and factions splinter the body of Christ; jealousy and anger, quarrels and envy break the bond we have with each other in the Spirit.

Thus, just as the fruit of the Spirit is behavior that furthers our unity with one another, the fruit of self-indulgence is behavior that shatters this unity.

If we view the fruits of the Spirit as bonds between us instead of qualities we have inside ourselves, then we will try to grow in the fruits of the Spirit in a slightly different way. Our focus will no longer be narrowly upon ourselves but upon others and our relationships with them. Our concern will be less with a spiritual self-help program for ourselves than with the good of others and our service to them. We will pay less attention to ourselves and our own spiritual condition and more attention to others, striving to meet their needs and love them with the sacrificial love of Christ. And we will find that the more our focus is upon self-sacrificial service of others, the better our own spiritual condition will be.

The fruits of the Spirit grow in the soil of love; May our America be touched by the Spirit.