A Rolling Stone Gathers No Coconuts...

Keith Richards picks a guitar.

This just in: Keith Richards suffers a concussion after falling from a coconut tree!

BEIJING, April 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has suffered a head injury earlier in the week and remained hospitalized with a concussion, Fran Curtis, a spokeswoman for the veteran band, said in a statement Saturday.

"Following treatment locally and as a precautionary measure, he flew to a hospital accompanied by his wife, Patti, for observation," Curtis said.

The statement gave no further details on Richards's condition or how he was injured. But Media reports said Richards hurt his head when he fell out of a palm tree at an exclusive Fiji resort, a celebrity haven. "Picking coconuts is quite common on the island," said a fellow holidaymaker at the resort. "It's just that Keith had a bit of an accident coming down.”"

Richards was visiting Fiji with his wife after playing a concert in New Zealand on April 18. Along with lead singer Mick Jagger, Richards has been the backbone of the Rolling Stones since the 1960s.

The guitarist has been unlucky in the past during Rolling Stones tours. In 1998 the band had to delay a tour after he fell off a ladder and damaged his ribs and chest.

Another tour was put back when Richards cut his hand on a broken guitar string and the wound became infected.

Wow, when I'm his age I hope I'm agile enough to attempt a coconut tree climb myself. Get well soon K.R. and rock on! :)

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Christ Reveals Himself

Today's Gospel: Luke 24:35 - 48

They told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.

They were still talking about all this when he himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you!" In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost. But he said, "Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts? Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have." And as he said this he showed them his hands and feet. Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded; so he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" And they offered him a piece of grilled fish, which he took and ate before their eyes.

Then he told them, "This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms has to be fulfilled". He then opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, "So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this."

May you "witness" Christ in your midst today! Peace and Blessings!

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A Mystery As Deep As The Sea

From today's Office Of Readings: the dialogue On Divine Providence by Saint Catherine of Siena

Eternal God, eternal Trinity, you have made the blood of Christ so precious through his sharing in your divine nature. You are a mystery as deep as the sea; the more I search, the more I find, and the more I find the more I search for you. But I can never be satisfied; what I receive will ever leave me desiring more. When you fill my soul I have an even greater hunger, and I grow more famished for your light. I desire above all to see you, the true light, as you really are.

I have tasted and seen the depth of your mystery and the beauty of your creation with the light of my understanding. I have clothed myself with your likeness and have seen what I shall be. Eternal Father, you have given me a share in your power and the wisdom that Christ claims as his own, and your Holy Spirit has given me the desire to love you. You are my Creator, eternal Trinity, and I am your creature. You have made of me a new creation in the blood of your Son, and I know that you are moved with love at the beauty of your creation, for you have enlightened me.

Eternal Trinity, Godhead, mystery deep as the sea, you could give me no greater gift than the gift of yourself. For you are a fire ever burning and never consumed, which itself consumes all the selfish love that fills my being. Yes, you are a fire that takes away the coldness, illuminates the mind with its light and causes me to know your truth. By this light, reflected as it were in a mirror, I recognise that you are the highest good, one we can neither comprehend nor fathom. And I know that you are beauty and wisdom itself. The food of angels, you gave yourself to man in the fire of your love.

You are the garment which covers our nakedness, and in our hunger you are a satisfying food, for you are sweetness and in you there is no taste of bitterness, O triune God!

Grace and Peace!

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By The Cross

From today's Office of Readings - From a sermon by Saint Theodore the Studite.

The precious and life-giving cross of Christ

How precious the gift of the cross, how splendid to contemplate! In the cross there is no mingling of good and evil, as in the tree of paradise: it is wholly beautiful to behold and good to taste. The fruit of this tree is not death but life, not darkness but light. This tree does not cast us out of paradise, but opens the way for our return.

This was the tree on which Christ, like a king on a chariot, destroyed the devil, the Lord of death, and freed the human race from his tyranny. This was the tree upon which the Lord, like a brave warrior wounded in his hands, feet and side, healed the wounds of sin that the evil serpent had inflicted on our nature. A tree once caused our death, but now a tree brings life. Once deceived by a tree, we have now repelled the cunning serpent by a tree. What an astonishing transformation! That death should become life, that decay should become immortality, that shame should become glory! Well might the holy Apostle exclaim: Far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world! The supreme wisdom that flowered on the cross has shown the folly of worldly wisdom's pride. The knowledge of all good, which is the fruit of the cross, has cut away the shoots of wickedness.

The wonders accomplished through this tree were foreshadowed clearly even by the mere types and figures that existed in the past. Meditate on these, if you are eager to learn. Was it not the wood of a tree that enabled Noah, at God's command, to escape the destruction of the flood together with his sons, his wife, his sons' wives and every kind of animal? And surely the rod of Moses prefigured the cross when it changed water into blood, swallowed up the false serpents of Pharaoh's magicians, divided the sea at one stroke and then restored the waters to their normal course, drowning the enemy and saving God's own people? Aaron's rod, which blossomed in one day in proof of his true priesthood, was another figure of the cross, and did not Abraham foreshadow the cross when he bound his son Isaac and placed him on the pile of wood?

By the cross death was slain and Adam was restored to life. The cross is the glory of all the apostles, the crown of the martyrs, the sanctification of the saints. By the cross we put on Christ and cast aside our former self. By the cross we, the sheep of Christ, have been gathered into one flock, destined for the sheepfolds of heaven.

Have a blessed Friday! :)

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Stop The ACLU Blogburst - SICK !!

by Jay at Stop the ACLU.

Many of us find it disturbing to hear the sympathetic apologists defend the ACLU's work to protect pedophiles over our children. We watch the ACLU fight for sex offenders to live next to Elementary schools, and playgrounds. We watched in horror as the ACLU defended NAMBLA, under the banner of free speech, to plan and talk about how to rape young boys. It doubles the anger to hear the apologists defend the ACLU with some twisted talk perverting the Constitution.

In Mississippi, billboards of sex offenders and child molesters are being errected, but of course the ACLU oppose this. Of course all of these things we hear excused away by liberal apologists, but lets take a deeper look at the ACLU's agenda. Let’s take a deeper look at the industry that the ACLU wants to defend here.

“It would be a mistake to think that all the children who are being exploited sexually are kidnapped by “kid porn” operators. Many of the children are being sold to people by their parents. In some cases, the parents have agreed to perform incest with their children. Gonorrhea of the throat in infants as young as nine and eighteen months has been reported”.source
This is as sick as it gets folks. But the ACLU believes it is a freedom being denied to people. And before liberals start to ask. Yes, the ACLU has a current policy advocating the legalization of child porn distribution and possession.

"Students of liberty, from John Stuart Mill to Thomas Emerson, have all intentionally excluded children from their formula for freedom. The ACLU does not. Not even when the subject is pornography.Quote from Twilight Of Liberty

In 1982, the ACLU, in an amicus role, lost in a unanimous decision in the Supreme Court to legalize the sale and distribution of child pornography."

The case is...: New York Vs Ferber, 458 U.S. 747
It can be found here.

The ACLU's position is this: criminalize the production but legalize the sale and distribution of child pornography. This is the kind of lawyerly distinction that no one on the Supreme Court found convincing. And with good reason: as long as a free market in child pornography exists, there will always be some producers willing to risk prosecution. Beyond this, there is also the matter of how the sale of child pornography relates either to free speech or the ends of good government. But most important, the central issue is whether a free society should legalize transactions that involve the wholesale sexploitation of children for profit."

The ACLU objects to the idea that porn movie producers be required to maintain records of ages of its performers; this would be " a gross violation of privacy."Quotes from Twilight Of Liberty

I don't think that any other ACLU stance evokes more anger from me, than this one. I mean, how sick can you get? Do these people not have a conscience at all, or are they just plain EVIL? How can one argue this sick, twisted view in the name of "protecting civil liberties?" Please, some liberal out there that loves defending this evil organization...explain this to us. No wonder the ACLU doesn't want the public to have access to its policy guide!

Since the ACLU thinks that child pornography should be legal, it is not surprising to read that it is against making it a felony to advertise, sell, purchase, barter, exchange, give, or receive child pornography. It is particularly distressed about the prohibition on advertisement, arguing that "the law cannot expect every publisher to decode every advertisment for some hidden and sinister meaning," as if it took a technician-armed with a special decoding device-to ferret out pictures of children ludely exhibiting their genitals.Quote from Twilight Of Liberty

As legislative counsel for the ACLU in 1985, Barry Lynn told the U.S. Attorney General's Commission on Pornography (of which Focus on the Family President Dr. James C. Dobson was a member) that child pornography was protected by the First Amendment. While production of child porn could be prevented by law, he argued, its distribution could not be. A few years later (1988), Lynn told the Senate Judiciary Committee that even requiring porn producers to maintain records of their performers' ages was impermissible.
"If there is no federal record-keeping requirement for the people portrayed in Road and Track or Star Wars," he said, "there can be no such requirement for Hustler or Debbie Does Dallas."Quoted Reference

Is the ACLU completely retarded? I would love to think there was some kind of saving grace for an organization that says it is about protecting civil liberties, but with positions like this...which you KNOW are against the will of the people, I don't know if there is. My head is about to explode just typing this stuff!

Let's take a deeper look at the industry that the ACLU wants to defend here.

"It would be a mistake to think that all the children who are being exploited sexually are kidnapped by "kid porn" operators. Many of the children are being sold to people by their parents. In some cases, the parents have agreed to perform incest with their children. Gonorrhea of the throat in infants as young as nine and eighteen months has been reported". source

This is as sick as it gets folks. But the ACLU believes it is a freedom being denied to people. And before liberals start to ask. Yes, the ACLU has a current policy advocating the legalization of child porn distribution and possession. Yes, the ACLU still currently defends pedophile organization's.

"Mere possession should not be a crime," said John Roberts, executive director of the Boston branch of the American Civil Liberties Union."
Quoted Reference

They are a radically, out of control organization that consistently goes too far, and they must be stopped, before they destroy our Nation. And as for those who support the ACLU, this is the kind of crap your money goes to. As a parent of a 5 year old child, and as a citizen of this great nation, I am outraged! Help us stop this insane organization!

STAND UP! TELL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO SUPPORT THE PUBLIC EXPRESSION OF RELIGION ACT OF 2005

Sign The Petition To Get The ACLU Off The Taxpayer's Dole

This was a production of Stop The ACLU Blogburst. If you would like to join us, please email Jay or Gribbit. You will be added to our mailing list and blogroll. Over 180 blogs already on-board

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Spirit Without Reserve

From Today's Gospel: John 3:31 - 36

John the Baptist said:
"He who comes from above is above all others;
he who is born of the earth is earthly himself
and speaks in an earthly way.
He who comes from heaven
bears witness to the things he has seen and heard,
even if his testimony is not accepted;
though all who do accept his testimony
are attesting the truthfulness of God,
since he whom God has sent
speaks God's own words:
God gives him the Spirit without reserve.
The Father loves the Son
and has entrusted everything to him.
Anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life,
but anyone who refuses to believe in the Son will never see life:
the anger of God stays on him."

Thoughts for your Thursday. Blessings!

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I Robot

For Illustration Friday: Robot

Well I really don't do the robot. But I did sing "Sugar how'd you get so fly" at Tina's 13th birthday. Her friends still talk about that one! :)

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World of Good Wednesday - Hockey's Greatest Family Fund

Hockey fans take notice!!

NHL players donate sticks to help support NHL alumni

The National Hockey League (NHL), the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), and the NHL Alumni Association announced today a joint effort to raise money for former NHL players in need. More than 700 game-used sticks from the last regular-season home game of all 30 NHL Member Clubs will be auctioned on-line to benefit "Hockey's Greatest Family Fund."

The online auction starts today and concludes at the end of May. Sticks from Toronto, Ottawa, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia will start the auction and be up for bid until May 5. Hockey fans can register and bid on their favorite player's stick at auctions.nhl.com. Winning bidders will receive a Certificate of Authenticity.

The World of Good Wednesday Blogburst exists to bring to light the good that people, churches, organizations, and civic groups do in the world. Today we recognize the Hockey's Greatest Family Fund.

If you would like to join the World Of Good Blogburst e-Mail Joe at worldofgoodblogroll@yahoo.com.

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Shania Twain Made Me Do It!

From News of the Weird:

Matt Brownlee, 33, with a long record as a drunk driver, was acquitted of criminal DUI charges in Ottawa, Ontario, after psychiatrists concluded that his latest accident was the result of a sincere belief that singer Shania Twain was helping him drive the car. (A 1996 brain injury might have given him a disorder in which he believes that celebrities communicate with him telepathically.)

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 3-28-06]

and...

Following a hung jury in England's Winchester Crown Court in April, Linda West faces retrial in the 2005 death of her husband, which she said was accidental, in that her gun slipped while she was energetically performing a Shania Twain number ("Man! I Feel Like a Woman") in what she described as the couple's sex game.

[Daily Telegraph (London), 3-30-06]

I knew that "new country" music was trouble since...well the since the Dixie Chicks sang "There's Your Trouble"!! It's all coming together now....

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All Men Are Nothingness

From today's Office Of Readings: Psalm 39

I said, "I will watch my ways,
 I will try not to sin in my speech.
I will set a guard on my mouth,
 for as long as my enemies are standing against me".

I stayed quiet and dumb, spoke neither evil nor good,
 but my pain was renewed.
My heart grew hot within me,
 and fire blazed in my thoughts.
Then I spoke out loud:
 "Lord, make me know my end.
Let me know the number of my days,
 so that I know how short my life is to be".

All the length of my days is a handsbreadth or two,
 the expanse of my life is as nothing before you.
For in your sight all men are nothingness:
 man passes away, like a shadow.
Nothingness, although he is busy:
 he builds up treasure, but who will collect it?

Look to God in this short life.

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Cruising Backwards

Traveling with Tom Cruise or Mission Improbable III

BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhuanet) -- Accompanied by his two adopted daughters, Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise flew into Rome on Monday to promote his new action film, Mission: Impossible III, but he said the real "mission impossible" for him had been leaving his Los Angeles home.

Cruise, 43, said he preferred staying at home changing baby diapers, but his fiance Katie Holmes convinced him to go on the Europe promotion tour.

"I didn't want to leave my daughter, but in the end Katie told me to come and enjoy myself," he said.

Cruise and Holmes have a new-born baby daughter Suri, who was born last week.

Cruise was happy to talk about his first week as Suri's father. He said,"It's teamwork." He does the burping and changing the diapers while Katie does the breast feeding, Cruise further explained.

Cruise and Holmes have been engaged for 10 months. Cruised said,"I'd like to take her to Paris to ask her to marry me."

Cruise has two older children that he adopted during his marriage to actress Nicole Kidman -- 13-year-old Isabella and 11-year-old Connor. Suri is his first biological child.

Wow! That is very touching. But a bit backward. You are supposed to marry her BEFORE you knock her up. And Paris... how romantic. NOW you think of it. Speaking of landmark cities, Tom, perhaps while you are in Rome you should check out a real Church instituted by God and quit the religion created by a science fiction author.

Mission possible...but unlikely.

Also at Wizbang!

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A Share Of Grace

From today's Office Of Readings : Ephesians 4:1 - 16

I, the prisoner in the Lord, implore you to lead a life worthy of your vocation. Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together. There is one Body, one Spirit, just as you were all called into one and the same hope when you were called. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God who is Father of all, over all, through all and within all.
Each one of us, however, has been given his own share of grace, given as Christ allotted it.

Grace and peace be yours today!

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If I Were A Carpenter...

...I wouldn't hammer naked!

From the Baltimore Examiner

OAKLAND, Calif. - A carpenter who keeps his clothes clean by working in the nude was arrested after a client returned home early and found him building bookcases in the buff.

Percy Honniball, 50, was charged with misdemeanor indecent exposure this week for the October incident.

He told officers he stripped before crawling under the client's house to do electrical work because he didn't want to soil his clothes, police said.

Honniball said Thursday that working in the nude gave him a better range of motion and that a skilled craftsman can work clothing - and injury - free.

"In certain situations such as demolitions where you are smashing rock you want to be clothed and protected because this rock can harm you," he said.

Honniball was caught working naked in Berkeley three times in the last six years and put on probation for violating a city ordinance. Honniball said he doesn't plan to do work in his birthday suit again.

Police said he apologized to the startled homeowner, but was fired. The homeowner paid Honniball for the finished work, but deducted $200.

"He kept out that amount to change his locks," Oakland Police Officer Jesse Grant said.

Since we seem to be on a "sun" theme today, I'll just say, you can never take enough off to beat the heat, even while framing. Or, for this guy, maybe you can!

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Mr. Golden Sun

For Photo Friday : Golden

From the land of fog delays we don't see Mr. Golden Sun this morning. It is very thick with fog in our county but only Dorchester County is delayed. When the last fog delay in Somerset County happened it was a clear blue sky. I don't get it. Maybe that's why they say Crisfield is the town at the end of the world ( or at least 413)!

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A Dwelling Place For The Sun

From Today's Morning Prayer: Psalm 19

The skies tell the story of the glory of God,
 the firmament proclaims the work of his hands;
day pours out the news to day,
 night passes to night the knowledge.

Not a speech, not a word,
 not a voice goes unheard.
Their sound is spread throughout the earth,
 their message to all the corners of the world.

At the ends of the earth he has set up
 a dwelling place for the sun.
Like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
 it rejoices like an athlete at the race to be run.
It appears at the edge of the sky,
 runs its course to the sky's furthest edge.
Nothing can hide from its heat.

Blessings today from God and warmth from Brother Sun. :)

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The New Osama Tape Is Serious

But this isn't it...

What'd you expect from this American "crusader-zionist" blogger anyway?

Get the real story here and here.

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A Word On Humor and "Self-Censorship"

It is widely known in the blogosphere that censorship is applied unevenly with regard to religions. I tried to upload "It's In The Koran" for private use to Youtube.com and I received a tos violation on it. I did a little research and found that if you search Bible Humor you get a page of stuff some offensive some not. Search Koran Humor and you get zilch. Jesus Humor--pages, Mohammed Humor--none! Oh...Muhammad Humor got 4 hits one was a comedian, the rest was a bunch of videos of a cat boxing like Muhammad Ali. Google did even worse.

I was thinking...Maybe a disclaimer like those on the Bible Humor page would have made it acceptable...

Noodlez's The Movie of Jesus-

This project is about the paradox of Jesus, and about if Jesus wasn't as smart as he everybody thinks he is, then like a real life footage if Jesus doing 2nd grade Math, but if this video offends anybody, then I'm sorry, but this is all in the spirit of fun, so again, sorry. I was the narrator and Ryan H. was Jesus. I thought this video was funny, so enjoy.....

Beat Kids at a church

Using fear tactics to control the weak? HIGH FIVE.

Look, this is something that if you are religious WILL offend you. (also if you have no sense of humor)But before you go flagging it please consider whether you should determine something to be inappropriate for EVERYONE based on what you personally find to be offensive. That is a selfish, irresponsible thing to do. ask yourself, would jesus flag this video or would he turn the other cheek like he does in the bible. he might even get a laugh out of this. i bet he had a sense of humor, i mean, look at the platypus.

The Beat Kids has a point-is censorship selfish? Well it does seem one-sided as far as Google and Youtube are concerned.

Just to recap--Jesus and Bible Humor=OK.

Mohammed and Koran Humor=Not Ok.

This is ok:

This is NOT:

Visit glumbert.com for more funny videos.

Also at Wizbang!

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Sunday Nugget - We Have Seen The Lord

From Today's Gospel: John 20:19 - 31

Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe’. Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him:

‘You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’

One thing that can be said of Jesus that cannot be said of the rest of the worlds religious leaders --He is Risen! More than three thousand people saw Him after He resurrected. The other religious figures? When they died they were dead and gone.

Peace and blessings.

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Jinn and Tonic- Baby Beating OK in Britain?

Michelle Malkin is reporting that it's ok to abuse babies if you are a Muslim in Britain.

A BANGLADESHI woman who shook a baby boy so violently that he suffered brain damage walked free from court yesterday because a judge conceded that she did not know how to behave in the West.

Rahella Khanom, 24, caused the five-month-old boy in her care to suffer fractures to his breast bone and ribs as she tried to rid him of evil spirits, Southwark Crown Court was told.

The injuries inflicted on the child over several weeks had caused one side of his brain to shrink. It was believed that the boy would have been screaming in agony for eight weeks because his injuries went untreated.

Khanom, from Poplar, East London, said that she had wanted to purge the baby of evil spirits as it cried and cried. She was not found to be mentally ill.

The court was told that Khanom, a Muslim, did not understand that shaking a helpless baby would not exorcise an evil spirit.

Apparently she was practicing this! Yes exorcising a Jinn (or Genie) is sometimes a difficult task for Muslims. For Christians, prayer, sacred scripture, a little holy water and a spirit generally must come out. For Islam, here is the formula: When a spirit is not obeying you...like everything else in Islam...resort to violence...

Beating the Possessed Person

"Some times it is difficult to get rid of shaitan from the body of the possessed. By reading Quran or by requesting the devil to get out, may not be enough. Hence, one (qualified) has to curse the devil and beat the person while reading Quran.
Curing a possessed person and the removal of the jinn may require the afflicted individual be beaten many times. Such beating will fall on the jinn while the possessed human does not feel these blows on his body. When a demented person regains consciousness he would be a witness to those around him that he did not feel the pain of the beating. At the same time there will be no effect or any trace mark from the beating on the body."

What?! But the fractures? The swelling and brain shrinkage? She must not have been qualified. Neither was the British Court. Ignorance is bliss when you are afraid to confront the religion of peace.

And we've got people who complain about Christian Homeschooling...scheech! Pray for the children of Islam.

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Friday Night Video - Advice For the Young At Heart by Tears For Fears

Buy more vinyl at Records By Mail.

Tears For Fears was one of my favorite 80's bands. This song is not my favorite by them but this song, like many of their others, always makes me think...even now. But that's the point of art, isn't it?

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His Love Is Forever

From today's Office Of Readings: Psalm 136

He led his people through the wilderness,
 for his love is for ever.
He struck down great kings,
 for his love is for ever.
Sihon, king of the Amorites,
 for his love is for ever.
And Og, the king of Bashan,
 for his love is for ever.

He gave their land to his people,
 for his love is for ever.
A heritage for Israel his servant,
 for his love is for ever.

He remembered us in our affliction,
 for his love is for ever.
He rescued us from our enemies,
 for his love is for ever.
He gives food to all creatures that live,
 for his love is for ever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven,
 for his love is for ever.

And forever is a long long time!!Amen to that!

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Promised Land Ministry Of Offense

"All of Israel is a military base," he said at the time. "All the Israeli people are soldiers in the Israeli army."--Jamal Abu Samhadana, Palestinian Authority Interior Minister and Terrorist

Security job goes to Gaza militant wanted by Israelis

JERUSALEM -- The Palestinian Authority appointed one of Israel's most-wanted militants to a top security post on Thursday, a move that Israeli and American officials denounced as a sign that the Hamas-led government still supports terrorism.

Jamal Abu Samhadana is a Gaza Strip militant who survived an Israeli assassination attempt and leads a group still actively involved in launching rudimentary rockets into Israel.

In his new job with the Interior Ministry, Samhadana will help oversee a new team of militants the government said would be called on to contain unchecked lawlessness in the Gaza Strip.

Samhadana's appointment could increase tensions between the Hamas-dominated Cabinet and the more moderate Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Abbas and Hamas have been wrestling for control over the 60,000-member security forces.

This month, Abbas appointed a strong ally to a top post in the Interior Ministry, a move viewed as directly undermining Hamas' appointee as interior minister, Said Siyam.

Now Hamas is turning to Samhadana.

"This is ... a demonstration of the true nature and the true tactics of this particular Hamas-led government," said U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.

As leader of the Popular Resistance Committees, Samhadana has established himself as one of the more combative and popular Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

During the second Palestinian uprising, Samhadana's group staged three attacks that for the first time exposed the vulnerability of Israeli tanks.

In 2003, Palestinian police arrested four members of the group and accused them of orchestrating a 2003 attack on a U.S. diplomatic convoy that killed three Americans. But the suspects were later released for lack of evidence, and the United States has long criticized the Palestinian government for not pursing the case.

A year later, Israel tried to assassinate Samhadana by launching a rocket at his car while it was traveling through the Gaza Strip.

Last fall, members of Samhadana's group claimed responsibility for the assassination of a former Palestinian security chief, Moussa Arafat, who was a cousin of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Samhadana denied that his forces were behind the killing.

Since then, the group has continued to launch rockets into Israel from the northern Gaza Strip.

Last fall, Samhadana said all Israelis were legitimate targets. "All of Israel is a military base," he said at the time. "All the Israeli people are soldiers in the Israeli army."

On Thursday, a spokesman for the Popular Resistance Committees said Samhadana's appointment wouldn't affect the group's tactics.

Separated at Birth:


Hamas/Palestinian Leader Ismail Haniyeh and Jamal Abu Samhadana

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The Lord Is With Me

From today's Office of Readings: Psalm 118

In my time of trial I called out to the Lord:

he listened, and led me to freedom.

The Lord is with me,

I will fear nothing that man can do.

The Lord, my help, is with me,

and I shall look down upon my enemies.



It is good to seek shelter in the Lord,

better than to trust in men.

It is good to seek shelter in the Lord,

better than to trust in the leaders of men.

Sweet shelter indeed. Peace to you.

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Stop The ACLU Blogburst - There By Invitation

AP report-TUCSON, Ariz. The state has rejected a complaint filed by the A-C-L-U about Minuteman patrols in southern Arizona.

Minuteman volunteers are patrolling all month on a ranch south of Three Points, looking for illegal immigrants who they can report to the Border Patrol.

The A-C-L-U complained to the state Land Department, pointing out that that some of the ranch actually is leased state land. Therefore, it argued, the volunteers are on state land without state permission.

But Deputy State Land Commissioner Richard Hubbard says the volunteers can continue their patrols without permits because they've been invited by the ranch leasing the land and agreed to do ranch work.

Rancher Pat King says she has a contract with the Minuteman group to monitor cattle, pick up trash and fix fences.

Trumped! For now...we'll have to see if the ACLU will push this any farther. I have a feeling they will fight for the "legal" rights of a border crosser over that of the rancher. It's just their style.

This was a production of Stop The ACLU Blogburst. If you would like to join us, please email Jay or Gribbit. You will be added to our mailing list and blogroll. Over 180 blogs already on-board

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Elvis Spotted

For Illustration Friday: Spotted

So many icons so little time. Don't get me wrong. I love Elvis and jelly donuts. I also use Ebay and my iguana reads the Enquirer...if ya know what I mean. :)

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World Of Good Wednesday - Dad's and Daughters

I've been a member of Dad's and Daughters for many years. They have always been very insightful and have kept me up to date on social issues regarding young women and our cultures tendency to try and shape them. Included today is their current newsletter on Daughters and Proms.

Prom Tips for Dads of Daughters

High school Proms can be filled with excitement, dread, fun, uncertainty—and all at the same time! For many fathers, Prom is one more reminder of how quickly their little girl is growing up—and a reminder of the hazards facing her out in the big bad world.

Here’s how one father and mother are feeling about it:

“We feel pressure and anxiety about Prom’s expense, co-ed parties afterwards at a ‘new friend's’ house, the level of how much ‘looking good’ is the focus on these events, how it takes on the flavor of a mini-wedding, etc. It seems that a fun dance often becomes a struggle about the huge expectations of what Prom means to the new teen culture. And we’re also concerned with the "lenient parents" vs. "rigid parents" among parents of the couples in our daughter’s Prom group. We're middle of the road, but we find many other parents are either too overbearing or way too lenient.”

The national advocacy nonprofit Dads & Daughters offers these tips to help Dads and their Daughters and Stepdaughters get the most out of Prom time.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. It’s her Prom, not yours. Dad functions best when he’s a good coach who listens closely to where she’s at, rather than imposing his emotions or fears on the situation.

2. Does “Dad” mean “Detective?” Yes. It’s more than okay to meet her date ahead of time. Make it a low-pressure meeting, like encouraging her to invite her date over to do homework some night. Promise her you won’t act like a prosecuting attorney (and then keep that promise), but let her know you care about her friends because you care so much about her.

3. Keep your head when, all around you, others are losing their shoulder straps. Wearing “sexy” clothes (and dyeing hair) is normal adolescent behavior. It can be a daughter’s self-directed experiment in self-definition. Dad’s job is to let her know that he loves her for who she is, now and forever. Meanwhile, you are not a dork if you set a dress code, but be willing to compromise or (even better) develop a dress code together.

4. Beauty is in the eye of her Dad. Always remember how important your opinions are to your daughter or stepdaughter. A girl needs to know that her Dad thinks she is beautiful inside and out. Tell her she glows by just being herself -- and that the dress, hairdo and flowers are extra to her true, inner beauty.

5. Both be in the know about the “Nos." No booze, no drugs, no hotel rooms, no riding without seatbelts. No exceptions. Then make sure she knows that, no matter where, when, or what the situation, you will come get her immediately if she finds herself in an uncomfortable or unsafe circumstance. And that there will be no lecture until at least the next day. Make a pact that you will let each other know where you are and who you’re with, all evening, no exceptions. Be sure she has access to a phone to reach you.

6. Yes, Dad, Prom costs money. So set a budget early. Talk honestly with each other about the cost of tickets, a dress, flowers, parties, etc. Then work out a realistic plan for what you can afford together, letting her share some of the load.

7. Simple is the new black. Many kids and families (and, sadly, some schools) invest so much in Prom that it seems like a bigger deal than a wedding. While teens want to fit in, they also like to be different. So offer the “simple” approach to Prom as her way to be radically different. Skip the limo (drive her yourself), skip the Vera Wang (many a fine dress hangs in thrift and consignment shops), and skip the Royal Banquet (suggest the old-fashioned idea of post-Prom bowling or eating at the local diner in tuxes and gowns).

8. Save the first dance for Dad. Make sure she knows how to slow dance with class and style. Practice with her to some songs from your Prom days.

9. Lock in on lock-ins. If the school hosts a post-Prom overnight lock-in, make sure you know what will be happening there and get her commitment to observe all the rules (including the one about having fun). If you volunteer to chaperone, make the following deal with a fellow chaperone: “I promised my daughter that I wouldn’t hover around her and her date. So, if you keep a close eye on my kid, I’ll cover your flank by keeping a close eye on your kid.” Only let her attend a non-school post-Prom party if you know the host family very well, they have a substance-free policy, and they know there’s going to be a party!

10. C’mon over! You can avoid the post-Prom party minefield by having your daughter and a handful of her friends (and even their dates!) over to your house for a relaxed, substance-free, and well-chaperoned get-together.

11. Breaking up doesn’t mean the party’s over. If she breaks up with her date before Prom, encourage her to go with one or more other friends, even if there isn’t any romantic interest. But most of all, respect how she’s feeling, hear her out, support her, and follow her lead.

12. We’ll leave the light on for you. Wait up until she gets home, and then enjoy the fruit of your trust in each other—the great stories she’ll tell about the Prom (but don’t take it personally if she wants to tell Mom more than you—because she may well tell you later, if you stay open to her).

For more tips, encouragement, and expertise in fathering healthy daughters and stepdaughters, visit our website.
Dads & Daughters provides men with tools to be better fathers and advocates for our daughters.

The World of Good Wednesday Blogburst exists to bring to light the good that people, churches, organizations, and civic groups do in the world. Today we salute Dadsanddaughters.org.

If you would like to join the World Of Good Blogburst e-Mail Joe at worldofgoodblogroll@yahoo.com. Blogs already participating include :

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Thirsting for God

From today's Morning Prayer: Psalm 63

Sing a new song to the Lord, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its maker, and the sons of Sion delight in their king.
Let them praise his name with dancing, sing to him with timbrel and lyre,
for the Lord's favour is upon his people, and he will honour the humble with victory.

Let the faithful celebrate his glory, rejoice even in their beds,
the praise of God in their throats; and swords ready in their hands,
to exact vengeance upon the nations, impose punishment on the peoples,
to bind their kings in fetters and their nobles in manacles of iron,
to carry out the sentence that has been passed: this is the glory prepared for all his faithful.

May the Lord show you His favor today.

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U2 Is Number One

The Group U2 was voted the number one lyric in a VH1 poll.

U2's One is named Number One lyric
A lyric from U2's 1991 song 'One' has been voted Best Lyric in a new poll.

The poll of over 13,000 music fans, including Noel Gallagher and Jon Bon Jovi, by music channel VH1 put the line "One life, with each other, sisters, brothers" in first place.

The Smiths' 'How Soon is Now?' ("So you go, and you stand on your own/And you leave on your own") was in second place while part of the chorus of Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' ("I feel stupid and contagious/Here we are now, entertain us") was in third.(Read More...)

Congrats to them-- For all they've accomplished, I wonder if they still haven't found what their looking for. In a way I hope not, if that is what inspires them to keep writing and performing great music.

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Love Like Brothers

From today's Office Of Readings: 1 Peter 1:22 - 2:10

You have been obedient to the truth and purified your souls until you can love like brothers, in sincerity; let your love for each other be real and from the heart; your new birth was not from any mortal seed but from the everlasting word of the living and eternal God. All flesh is grass and its glory like the wild flowers. The grass withers, the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains for ever. What is this word? It is the Good News that has been brought to you.

Peace and Good to you.

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Guard The Borders Blogburst - A Welfare State With Illegals

Crossposted at Euphoric Reality.

A Welfare State With Illegal Immigration Offers Businesses a Better Deal Than Slavery

by Darnell MaGavock at Indpendent Conservative

Let me start by saying I don’t endorse either slavery or illegal immigration. But looking at things from the economic standpoint of a company that hires illegals today versus the use of slave labor in the 18th and 19th centuries, illegal immigration offers companies a better deal than any slave owner ever had. The reason is the modern day welfare state that is known as America.

During American slavery, the slave owner was responsible for the total care of the slave. Although slave masters did this “on the cheap” they had to provide housing, food, clothing and medical care for the slave and their entire family. This resulted in the institution of slavery being more of a loss than gain over time. The only other option was to grant freedom to slaves who were a great expense, but that involved the strain of possibly breaking a family. Separating families often resulted in the other slaves trying harder to escape to be with loved ones. Non-profitable slaves were not sellable, because nobody else wanted the burden. This was the slave master’s dilemma, that people like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin figured out. They realized that slavery was not financially good over time - because the “free labor” was not really “free”, given the need to provide full care to the slave labor force. This was in addition to the expense of buying a slave in the first place.

Today’s employer of illegal immigrants does not have any of the hassles experienced by slave owners. The employer of illegals offers them a very small salary and no benefits. Which means such an employer never runs the risk of going cash-flow-negative on labor costs. They can adjust wages at will, because they will always find an illegal that is willing to accept the rate. This is the reason Cesar Chavez once disliked illegal immigration. If one set of illegals tried to “strike” for better wages, the company would simply replace them with new illegals that were willing to accept the pay rate offered to them.

So the employer of illegals has no direct issues with having to fund housing, medical or the expense of educating the children of illegal immigrants. These are expenses that American taxpayers have been funding. Government (funded by taxpayers) helps illegals secure home loans and encourages banks to give them out. Government (funded by taxpayers) is picking up the medical expenses of illegals. Government (funded by taxpayers) is educating the children of illegal aliens.

You may have seen the CNN Special “Immigrant Nation: Divided Nation”. If you did, you saw profiles of illegals that live in my county of Gwinnett Georgia. The show often tried to make granting amnesty to illegals look like a good thing, but like the slave master’s dilemma, even the tax paying illegals do not come close to covering the expenses involved in caring for them.

Excerpts from, Transcript of CNN Special Report - Immigrant Nation: Divided Nation

…
HINOJOSA: Ten years ago when I first came to Georgia, I asked people if there was a Latino neighborhood, or barrio. I got a lot of strange looks.

Now I’m here in the heart of just one of the many Latino barrios in Georgia. I can get some of the best tacos outside of Mexico right here 24 hours a day. The home of Martin Luther King, the state that gave us the civil rights movement, is now home to half a million Latinos, a 300 percent increase in a decade.

…
HINOJOSA: Estimates vary, but somewhere between 7 and 20 million people are living in this country illegally, one of the largest populations of undocumented immigrants in the world. Most of them come across this border. According to the U.S. government, over 1 million were caught last year alone.

This latest wave of immigrants has spread far beyond the southwest and the West Coast. Latino immigrant communities are now fixtures across the nation, especially in the south, in places like Gwinnett County, Georgia.

…
HINOJOSA: Rosa first came to Georgia two years ago, all alone.

Last year, unable to bear the separation any longer, Rosa paid a smuggler $5,000 to wade her children across the river at night, but they were caught at a checkpoint and immediately deported. Rosa faced a difficult decision.

ROSA (through translator): I told my daughter, you have two options. I either stay in Mexico with you, or I will leave for the States for another year in preparation to bring the two of you. Then my daughter told me to return to the States so I could bring them eventually.

…
HERCHEK: I’m afraid that America could become a third world country. We’re importing poverty by millions every year.

…
HINOJOSA (on camera): The numbers say it all. Ten years ago, these schools served very few Spanish-speaking students. In 2003, one out of 10 students listed Spanish as their primary language, $26 million will be spent in Gwinnett County in English language services.

…
HINOJOSA: Federal law says people are entitled to emergency medical care, whether or not they’re in this country legally. In one year Georgia paid $58 million in emergency Medicaid reimbursement for undocumented immigrants.

…
The smugglers will be paid almost $6,000 by Rosa if they were successful, would show border agents false papers for the children. They didn’t make it.

Despite their fake papers, Junior and Rosita were detained. The smugglers were arrested. The children were returned to Mexico and reunited with their grandmother. Despite the set back, Rosa vows to try again.

ROSA (through translator): I will keep trying to bring them. The sooner the better. If in 15 days I find someone to bring them here, then we will try again with them.
…

Unlike slavery, with illegal immigration the burden of expenses is carried by the entire nation. So instead of individual plantation owners having to endure the expenses of supposedly cheap labor, it is a burden carried by taxpaying Americans.

It is my family that endures pain, while waiting behind illegals for medical care. It is my tax dollars that pay for education of illegals, that by school rules have 6 years to learn English and many drop out before ever finishing school. So they take up much space and expense, while not even learning much during the process. While school time is spent on illegals, it diverts resources and teaching time away from children in a legal family. And I’m not even going to get into the issues with gangs. (That would require its own post.)

The issues I see here in Gwinnett County, Georgia will only get worse with anything that encourages illegal immigration or makes them feel they will be rewarded. And the issues will get worse for America. The nation will not be able to sustain the expense of this dilemma for much longer. It is causing the nation to engage in a race to the bottom and then we all lose.

America’s borders need to be secured and the only means made for immigration should be via the current legalization process. What employers of illegals see as a “resource” is really a great expense. Immigration requires regulation to prevent this nation’s collapse.

__________________________________________


This has been a production of the Guard the Borders Blogburst. It is syndicated by Euphoric Reality, and serves to keep immigration issues in the forefront of our minds as we’re going about our daily lives and continuing to fight the war on terror. If you are concerned with the trend of illegal immigration in our country, join the Blogburst! Send an email with your blog name and url to euphoricrealitynet at gmail dot com.

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Fire Narcs On Ohio Player

Okay...not these guys...

Hey, now, huh-huh

Hey, hey, hey, no, (Ow, now)

Hey, now, huh-huh

Hey, hey, hey, no

Fire (Uh) [Uh]

Fire (It’s all about) [Uh, uh]

Fire (Woo, woo, woo)

Fire

Fire

Ohio Players

(Williams/Satchell/Bonner/Jones/Middlebrooks/Pierce/Beck)

This guy...

From the Examiner:

WADSWORTH, Ohio - Firefighters dousing a fire in a new home were confused when the man they thought was the owner suddenly left - until they found $700,000 worth of marijuana plants in the basement, officials said.

"It seemed so strange to me" that the man left, said Wadsworth Fire Chief Ralph Copley. "If it were my home burning, I'd want to be there."

After firefighters extinguished the fire, which started in the attic early Friday morning, they found 239 marijuana plants filling one-fourth of the basement, which was wired throughout for indoor plant growing, authorities said.

"It was unreal," Copley said. "In 24 years, I've never seen a fire quite like that."

The Medina County Drug Task Force and firefighters on Friday confiscated items from the home, including peat moss, 1,000-watt bulbs and large reflecting discs. The basement had no fire damage.

The marijuana-cultivating system was wired to the home's electrical system in a way that bypassed the meter, said Michael Barnhardt, acting director of the task force. Such wiring would help a grower avoid the large electric bills that clue in investigators, he said.

Copley said the cause of the fire was unknown, but it did not appear to be related to the marijuana operation or electrical wiring. It caused about $150,000 in damage.

The home, bought for $229,000 less than one month ago, is owned by a Lan Le. There is no telephone listing under that name in the northeast Ohio city 30 miles south of Cleveland.

I don't know what to say except maybe "don't bogart that basement my friend".

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The Lord Is Our Protector

From today's Office Of Readings: Psalm 3

But you, Lord, are my protector, my glory: you raise up my head.

I called to the Lord, and from his holy mountain he heard my voice.


I fell asleep, and slept; but I rose, for the Lord raised me up.

I will not fear when the people surround me in their thousands.

Rise up, Lord; bring me to safety, my God.

May the Lord protect you today. We all have our share of weirdness going on. I have mine today, please remember me in prayer.And please remember to pray for Alicia also.

Pax Et Bonum

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Full Season So Far

For Photo Friday: Full

...as long as we are checking. The crabbing season started off with a bang on April 1st with many of the crabbers catching their limits right away. That means either there are lots of blue crabs in the bay this year or there is some fluke "pocket" of crabs. Most crabbers are cautiously optimistic that this will be a good year. But just in case it's not some of them have been coming in with slack bushels. I don't know how many bushels I've had to top off this year but it seems like alot more than last.

It's hard not to be picky about crabs--that's an inside joke!

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Should Catholics Apologize For Dante?

I have read Dante's Divine Comedy at least times. I don't know why but I just keep coming back to it. It is a wonderful piece of religious contemplation and social commentary in the form of an epic poem.

In the Inferno chapter of Dante's trilogy The Divine Comedy, Mohammed is described as being one of the "Sowers of Discord," showing his entrails to Dante and Virgil in the Eighth Circle of Hell:

Inferno XXVIII, 19-42.

The poets are in the ninth

chasm of the eighth circle, that of the Sowers of

Discord, whose punishment is to be mutilated.

Mahomet shows his entrails to Dante and Virgil

while on the left stands his son Ali, his head cleft

from chin to forelock.

Now Michelle Malkin reports that the Muslims are getting upset because a Catholic magazine has published a political cartoon using this description and they are calling for apologies. I say don't apologize until they apologize for destroying other great works of religious art:

Even more at Michelle Malkin.

Also at Wizbang!

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Hallelujah! He Is Risen!

"Christ is now alive and he walks with us. What an immense mystery of love!"-Pope Benedict XVI

Today's Gospel: John 20:1 - 9

It was very early on the first day of the week and still dark, when Mary of Magdala came to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the tomb and came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved. ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb’ she said ‘and we don’t know where they have put him.’
So Peter set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first; he bent down and saw the linen cloths lying on the ground, but did not go in. Simon Peter who was following now came up, went right into the tomb, saw the linen cloths on the ground, and also the cloth that had been over his head; this was not with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in; he saw and he believed. Till this moment they had failed to understand the teaching of scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

Peace be with you. Happy Easter!

PS. And Happy Birthday Pope Benedict XVI.

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Holy Saturday - The Lord's Descent Into The Underworld

From today's Office Of Readings:

From an ancient homily for Holy Saturday.

Something strange is happening – there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.

He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: “My Lord be with you all”. Christ answered him: “And with your spirit”. He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light”.

I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated. For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.

See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.
I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.

Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.

Peace and Good to you this day!

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Open TrackBack Saturday-NYCPD Nab Suspicious Stereo

From the Examiner:

NEW YORK - The police bomb squad, responding Friday to a call of a suspicious device inside a parked minivan in midtown Manhattan, blew out the vehicle's windows - only to find out the item inside was simply stereo equipment, police said.


The incident occurred when police received a 911 call from a passer-by who spotted the device inside a red minivan parked outside 4 E. 67th St., said police spokesman Dennis Laffin. It was a canister about the size of two shoe boxes, with a digital display of changing numbers and some loose wires visible.

"It looked suspicious," Laffin said. "I think anyone would have thought something was strange."

The police bomb squad responded after the 8:22 a.m. call, blowing out three side windows and the back window with a water propelled charge, Laffin said at the scene. A police robot was sent inside the van to take pictures of the device; the photos led police to determine the package was nothing more than stereo equipment.

The van's owner, a Bronx resident, has yet to hear the bad news about his windows.

Oopsie...Have a nice day!

Trackback Here:

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No Hard Feelings For South Park

Well it seems that as much as South Park jabs at world religions, some Arabs have no hard feelings about it. Check out these obvious rip-offs of SP characters on a regional airlines- AirArabia web site. Refresh page for more characters.

h/t-thanks Right Thinking from the Left Coast.

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Good Friday-The Power Of Christ's Blood

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

From today's Office of Readings : The Catecheses by Saint John Chrysostom, The power of Christ's blood.

If we wish to understand the power of Christ’s blood, we should go back to the ancient account of its prefiguration in Egypt. “Sacrifice a lamb without blemish”, commanded Moses, “and sprinkle its blood on your doors”. If we were to ask him what he meant, and how the blood of an irrational beast could possibly save men endowed with reason, his answer would be that the saving power lies not in the blood itself, but in the fact that it is a sign of the Lord’s blood. In those days, when the destroying angel saw the blood on the doors he did not dare to enter, so how much less will the devil approach now when he sees, not that figurative blood on the doors, but the true blood on the lips of believers, the doors of the temple of Christ.

If you desire further proof of the power of this blood, remember where it came from, how it ran down from the cross, flowing from the Master’s side. The gospel records that when Christ was dead, but still hung on the cross, a soldier came and pierced his side with a lance and immediately there poured out water and blood. Now the water was a symbol of baptism and the blood, of the holy eucharist. The soldier pierced the Lord’s side, he breached the wall of the sacred temple, and I have found the treasure and made it my own. So also with the lamb: the Jews sacrificed the victim and I have been saved by it.

“There flowed from his side water and blood”. Beloved, do not pass over this mystery without thought; it has yet another hidden meaning, which I will explain to you. I said that water and blood symbolised baptism and the holy eucharist. From these two sacraments the Church is born: from baptism, “the cleansing water that gives rebirth and renewal through the Holy Spirit”, and from the holy eucharist. Since the symbols of baptism and the Eucharist flowed from his side, it was from his side that Christ fashioned the Church, as he had fashioned Eve from the side of Adam Moses gives a hint of this when he tells the story of the first man and makes him exclaim: “Bone from my bones and flesh from my flesh!”

As God then took a rib from Adam’s side to fashion a woman, so Christ has given us blood and water from his side to fashion the Church. God took the rib when Adam was in a deep sleep, and in the same way Christ gave us the blood and the water after his own death. Do you understand, then, how Christ has united his bride to himself and what food he gives us all to eat? By one and the same food we are both brought into being and nourished. As a woman nourishes her child with her own blood and milk, so does Christ unceasingly nourish with his own blood those to whom he himself has given life.

Peace and Blessing.

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South Park's No Show Mo

The folks at South Park are brilliant. I'm not really a fan of South Park but I have seen a few episodes. This season's shows seem to be a bit more biting as satire goes. Last night's show about "pulling the Mohammed episode" was pure genius. When the "network" ok's the Mohammed episode and Comedy Central "censors" it, the nail is clearly being hit on the head as to how ridiculous the Cartoon Jihad is. The Al Queda response is a hilarious bit of potty humor that would be utterly offensive if it wasn't contained within a show lampooning censorship itself.

Bravo to the artists who are not afraid to poke fun at themselves and everything else.

**UPDATE**In case anyone is wondering, I think this is becoming a hugely clever publicity stunt. Watch for the upcoming South Park episode where Kenny is killed by a blogger whose pen/keyboard is mightier than the "censored" Mohammed's sword.

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Maundy Thursday - Jesus' Last Supper

From today's Second reading, 1 Corinthians 11:23 - 26

This is what I received from the Lord, and in turn passed on to you: that on the same night that he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread, and thanked God for it and broke it, and he said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this as a memorial of me’. In the same way he took the cup after supper, and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of me.’ Until the Lord comes, therefore, every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming his death.

Remembering Jesus at the Last Supper. Peace and blessing to you.

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Stop The ACLU Blogburst - Life After ACLUicide

Crossposted at Stop The ACLU.

I thought it would be interesting and informative to illustrate what our Nation might be like if it caved into all of the radical ideals of the ACLU. It ended up quite scary, and if we were to follow the law of consequence to its end, I'm certain I have only scratched the surface.

On October 27, 1787, Alexander Hamilton predicted that a "dangerous ambition" would one day tyrannize the gangling young American Republic, all the while lurking "behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people." It could almost be said that Hamilton had a prophecy of the ACLU.

Our nation would be quite a scary and dangerous place if it were left in the hands of the ACLU. Creating an accurate picture of what our nation would be like is complicated by the inconsistencies in the ACLU's philosophy, but one can conclude that it would definitely be a much more dangerous society to live in.

To begin with, if our nation were under the ACLU's ideas, national sovereignty would be no more. Our constitution would become obsolete and superceded by International law. This would completely undermine national security, which the ACLU are constantly at odds with.

For instance, the ACLU filed a formal complaint with the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention against the United States, stating that the United States violated international law when it detained 765 Arab Americans and Muslims for security reasons after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on our nation. Eventually, 478 were deported. ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero said, “With today’s action, we are sending a strong message of solidarity to advocates in other countries who have decried the impact of U.S. policies on the human rights of their citizens. We are filing this complaint before the United Nations to ensure that U.S. policies and practices reflect not just domestic constitutional standards, but accepted international human rights principles regarding liberty and its deprivations.”Source

Since the 5th amendment is pretty much already gone under judicial tyranny, one of the first things you can kiss goodbye is the 2nd amendment. The U.N. are already pushing for international gun control laws, and you can bet the ACLU won't fight against that.

ACLU POLICY “The ACLU agrees with the Supreme Court’s long-standing interpretation of the Second Amendment [as set forth in the 1939 case, U.S. v. Miller] that the individual’s right to bear arms applies only to the preservation or efficiency of a well-regulated militia. Except for lawful police and military purposes, the possession of weapons by individuals is not constitutionally protected. Therefore, there is no constitutional impediment to the regulation of firearms.” –Policy #47

Without any means to protect ourselves, lets take a look at crime in the world of the ACLU. To begin with, many of our current crimes would no longer be considered so. They don’t belive in zoning laws, and do believe in fully legalalized, and unregulated prostitution. So there wouldn’t be any law that could keep a prostitution house from being a certain distance from your neighborhood, your Church, or your child’s preschool. This is especially disturbing when they think child pornography distribution and possession should be legal. So, in the ACLU world, we would probably find it much like Amsterdam, child prostitution rampant. Under the ACLU, All drugs would be legal, and Capitol Punishment would completely be abolished.

The 10th amendment would be gone, rendering all states rights to the international community. We would become a welfare state, with our taxes being used to redistribute wealth around the world, as long as the U.N. didn't pocket it in scandals.

Freedom of religion would be eliminated. Churches would lose their tax exempt status, completely pushed out of the public sphere, and forced to comply with international laws that compromise their core values.

In spring 2003, a group from the United Nations Human Rights Commission, of which former ACLU officials Paul Hoffman and John Shattuck are a part, met and discussed a resolution to add “sexual orientation” to the UNHRC’s discrimination list. Homosexual activists at the meeting called for a “showdown with religion,” clearly intending to use international law to silence religious speech that does not affirm homosexual behavior. Source

What a scary and dangerous place this would be if it were given over to the ACLU's vision for America. In no way would it resemble what our founding father's intended. For the sake of our children, and their children's future, Americans can not sit idly by and allow the ACLU's radical agenda to continue. Help us expose the ACLU's radical agenda for the subversive danger it is. Get involved. Donate and support organizations like the Alliance Defense Fund and the ACLJ that are out there fighting the ACLU's agenda. Contact your representatives and Senators and tell them to support Constitution Restoration Act that would put an end to the use of foreign law in our courts. Tell them to support the The Public Expression of Religion Act which would put a stop to taxpayer funding of the ACLU in establishment clause case. Sign Our Petition To Stop Taxpayer Funding Of The ACLU. Pray that America wakes up before its too late.

This was a production of Stop The ACLU Blogburst. If you would like to join us, please email Jay or Gribbit. You will be added to our mailing list and blogroll. Over 180 blogs already on-board

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Organized Mess

For Photo Friday: Organized.

I'm always amazed at the "structure" of traffic. Driving in DC yesterday I was stuck in a well organized jam with mercedes' and lexus' weaving in and out inches from my bumpers. I wondered who they were and if they were attorneys, diplomats or congressmen and if they would be so brazen with law, diplomacy and legislation. That's DC, isn't it? An organized mess.

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World of Good Wednesday Blogburst - The Covenant House

I passed by the Covenant House in D.C. twice today. I have been on their mailing list for a couple of years, giving occasionally, as I can. I wished I could have stopped in but I was in traffic and working so I couldn't. I have been impressed by the ministry aspect of the Covenant House, when so many agencies would downplay the spiritual dimension of philanthropy.

From their website:

In communities experiencing chronic poverty, high rates of teen unemployment, family instability, and community violence, many youth have a sense of hopelessness about their futures. Some youth become involved in illegal activities and engage in high-risk, unhealthy behaviors such as drug use, prostitution or gang activity. To support our young people in their efforts to empower themselves, CHW has two special support systems for the youth we serve-the Legal Services and Advocacy Program and the Pastoral Ministry Program. The Legal Services and Advocacy Program provides advice, counsel and, when needed, secures legal assistance for our youth. In addition, CHW engages in advocacy work on behalf of our youth and develops young people-through the Youth Congress-- to become their own self-advocates around issues of education, child care, and economic empowerment. The Pastoral Ministry Program recognizes that spirituality is an integral component of the life and well being of each of our youth. Through group and individual counseling, CHW's pastoral minister seeks to reverse the long-term effects of abuse, neglect, and trauma which has been a factor in the lives of many of our youth. The gift given by the Pastoral Ministry program to our young people is the daily reminder that each of them has the God-given power to improve their lives.

The World of Good Wednesday Blogburst exists to bring to light the good that people, churches, organizations, and civic groups do in the world. Today we salute The Covenant House of Washington, D.C. for their spiritual service to their community.

If you would like to join the World Of Good Blogburst e-Mail Joe at worldofgoodblogroll@yahoo.com. Blogs already participating include :

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A Solemn Thanksgiving

From today's Morning Prayer: Psalm 65

To you we owe praise, O God, in Sion;

to you we will fulfil our vows, in Jerusalem.



It is you who answer prayers:

to you must all men come,

because we are sinners;

even if our transgressions overwhelm us,

you will blot them out.




Amen to that!

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Dirty Politics In Maryland

The Dems are making up the rules as they go. From the Baltimore Examiner:

Vetoes vetoed by Dems

Len Lazarick, The Examiner

Apr 11, 2006 7:00 AM

Annapolis - For the 34th time since he became governor three years ago, Democratic legislators have voted to override vetoes by Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich.

In almost straight party-line votes, lawmakers voted to approve bills over Ehrlich’s objection to establish early voting procedures that Republicans say help Democrats get elected and encourage fraud by not asking voters for photo identification. They also voted to override vetoes of a bill that targets Ehrlich Cabinet secretaries if he wins re-election and one that would toss his chief fundraiser off the University System Board of Regents.

The debate was almost entirely dominated by Republicans trying to sustain the governor’s vetoes, though a couple of Democrats did join them in supporting Ehrlich’s stand.

Sen. Allan Kittleman, R-Howard, said that the “voter’s rights” bill was “incredibly bad,” taking power away from local election boards, always in the control of the governor’s party, and giving it to the state election administrator, a Democrat.

The Maryland legislature Democrats are showing themselves to be a rubberstamp towing of the party line. They are afraid that Maryland is becoming less and less of a blue state and are trying to illegally pick up votes. Oh wait it wont be illegal if they change the laws, will it? [sarcasm mine]

File under: Maryland GOP

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Raising Speed

For Illustraton Friday: Speed.

Here's a familiar tale. Our little one is now in the crawling stage. He is no longer scooting on his belly, so our parental lag time is considerably shortened. He is so quick that he now follows his siblings down the hallway nearly as fast as they go. His only obstacle is obstacles...but he is learning the concept of going "around".

:)

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Trustful Prayer In Time Of Adversity

From today's Office Of Readings:Psalm 31

In you, Lord, I put my trust: may I never be put to shame.

In your justice, set me free,

Turn your ear to me,

make haste to rescue me.

Be my rampart, my fortification;

keep me safe.



For you are my strength and my refuge:

you will lead me out to the pastures,

for your own name’s sake.

You will lead me out of the trap that they laid for me –

for you are my strength.


Into your hands I commend my spirit:

you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.

You hate those who run after vain nothings;

but I put my trust in the Lord.

I will rejoice and be glad in your kindness,

for you have looked on me, lowly as I am.

You saw when my soul was in need:

you did not leave me locked in the grip of the enemy,

but set my feet on free and open ground.

With thoughts for you all. Peace.

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Guard The Borders Blogburst - National Day Of Illegals

Crossposted at Euphoric Reality.

Monday, April 10, has been dubbed by pro-illegal activists as the National Day of Action for Immigrant Justice. After two weeks of both large-scale and ad hoc protests, they are trying to bring it all together before their big Walk Out on May 1st.

There are more protests scheduled around the nation - more than 100 have been registered at www.april10.org. Find out what’s going on in your town or city – you’d be surprised by some of the locales of the organized protests.

While the rest of America goes on with making a living and having a life, these rallies could very easily be fizzling out or, on the other hand, gaining momentum and proliferating. (Personally, I'm wondering just how many days of work and school these people can skip before it starts to hurt.) Either way, Americans want to know what is being said and done by these interlopers at the rallies. We must keep an eye on things, because our faint-of-heart senators won't. They are on an ill-deserved two week vacation, after all.

Several members of the Guard the Borders Blogburst are planning to observe the rallies in their areas and report back with photos, quotes, and/or more. So this edition of the Blogburst will be presented in two parts; today's notice and a follow-up on Tuesday with what we glean from various rallies across the nation. Stay tuned for that.

In the meantime, let's make sure that our senators have a stack of NO AMNESTY faxes and phone messages when they get back from vacation. They still have a lot of debating to do, and we need to be sure that they are absolutely clear on where we, as Americans, stand on the issue.

To send in a free FAX, go to NumbersUSA. Or click here for all the contact information for your congressional representatives.

_________________________________

This has been a production of the Guard the Borders Blogburst. It was started by Euphoric Reality, and serves to keep immigration issues in the forefront of our minds as we’re going about our daily lives and continuing to fight the war on terror. If you are concerned with the trend of illegal immigration facing our country, join our blogburst! Just send an email with your blog name and url to euphoricrealitynet at gmail dot com.

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Credo: Believing In Something To Die For by Ray Pritchard

A review for Active Christian Media.

Ray Pritchard has written a readable book about the Apostles' Creed. I'm beginning this review this way because most books on the Creed are heavy in academics and historicity. Pritchard's book is not that but a line for line personal/theological commentary on what it means to be Christian.

It amazes me that a document such as the Apostles' Creed has become somewhat lost to some sections of Christianity. Not because of not believing what it contains but because of an mistrust of documents beyond that which is authored by a biblical writer.

Kevin McCullough of MuscleHead Radio, said of the Creed, "Most of my generation and younger (under thirty) have no concept of the truths found in 'The Creed.' Yet never has there been a day when a generation needed it more." This is no more apparent in a week where the worlds of science and discovery are trying to prove that Jesus walked on a "sheet of ice" and that Judas and Jesus were best buds, according to the recently discovered Gnostic text "The Gospel Of Judas". The Gospel of Judas was mentioned and denounced by Irenaeus as an "invented history" of a long line of heretics and rebels against God. Do we need the documents of the Early Church to help find our way? I say resoundingly "YES"!.

The Creed covers in brief authoritative statements the belief of Christians. Professor Pritchard expounds on each of these with conviction and clarity. I especially enjoyed his section on the hot-button "Holy Catholic Church" and "The Communion of Saints". On these points of theological division, Pritchard provides commentary that is unifying and concise. He adds that a friend helped narrow them down to this: "The Holy Catholic Church teaches that the church spans the globe. The Communion of Saints teaches that the church spans time."

Credo is a great book for reacquainting ourselves with the basic truths of the Christian faith. When all is said and done, sometimes there is nothing more refreshing than a good recap.

Ray Pritchard is Senior Pastor of Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Illinois. He has been a professor and guest lecturer at many schools and is a frequent guest on nationally broadcast radio programs. He has ministered extensively overseas, preaching in India, Nepal, Paraguay, Colombia, Haiti, Nigeria, Switzerland, Russia, and Belize. He has written more than twenty books.

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