The B-52's - Legal Tender

A "get rich quick" scheme to avoid.

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Test Your Experience

From Today's Office of Readings:

From the life of Saint Ignatius from his own words by Luis Gonzalez

Put inward experiences to the test to see if they come from God

Ignatius was passionately fond of reading worldly books of fiction and tales of knight-errantry. When he felt he was getting better, he asked for some of these books to pass the time. But no book of that sort could be found in the house; instead they gave him a life of Christ and a collection of the lives of saints written in Spanish.

By constantly reading these books he began to be attracted to what he found narrated there. Sometimes in the midst of his reading he would reflect on what he had read. Yet at other times he would dwell on many of the things which he had been accustomed to dwell on previously. But at this point our Lord came to his assistance, insuring that these thoughts were followed by others which arose from his current reading.
While reading the life of Christ our Lord or the lives of the saints, he would reflect and reason with himself: “What if I should do what Saint Francis or Saint Dominic did?” In this way he let his mind dwell on many thoughts; they lasted a while until other things took their place. Then those vain and worldly images would come into his mind and remain a long time. This sequence of thoughts persisted with him for a long time.

But there was a difference. When Ignatius reflected on worldly thoughts, he felt intense pleasure; but when he gave them up out of weariness, he felt dry and depressed. Yet when he thought of living the rigorous sort of life he knew the saints had lived, he not only experienced pleasure when he actually thought about it, but even after he dismissed these thoughts, he still experienced great joy. Yet he did not pay attention to this, nor did he appreciate it until one day, in a moment of insight, he began to marvel at the difference. Then he understood his experience: thoughts of one kind left him sad, the others full of joy. And this was the first time he applied a process of reasoning to his religious experience. Later on, when he began to formulate his spiritual exercises, he used this experience as an illustration to explain the doctrine he taught his disciples on the discernment of spirits.

Discerning of spirits is a hallmark of St Ignatius' teachings. Your thoughts can be examined, measured, accepted, or rejected by your own discernment. Your thoughts are not you and do not neccesarily come from you. And you can choose which to keep and believe and which to not; which thoughts energize you and bring you joy and which do not..

Peace today!

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The Atomic Dog

This clip is like an episode of "Nerd's Gone Wild". Not sure what the military want's with this but here it is...:)

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I Rejoice Exceedingly

From Today's Office of Readings:

From a homily on the 2nd letter to the Corinthians by Saint John Chrysostom

I rejoice exceedingly in all my tribulations

Again Paul turns to speak of love, softening the harshness of his rebuke. For after convicting and reproaching them for not loving him as he had loved them, breaking away from his love and attaching themselves to troublemakers, he again takes the edge off the reproach by saying: Open your hearts to us, that is, love us. He asks for a favour which will be no burden to them but will be more profitable to the giver than to the receiver. And he did not use the word “love” but said, more appealingly: Open your hearts to us.

Who, he said, has cast us out of your minds, thrust us from your hearts? How is it that you feel constraint with us? For, since he has said earlier: You are restricted in your own affection, he now declares himself more openly and says: Open your heart to us, thus once more drawing them to him. For nothing so much wins love as the knowledge that one’s lover desires most of all to be himself loved.

For I said before, he tells them, that you are in our hearts to die together or live together. This is love at its height, that even though in disfavour, he wishes both to die and to live with them. For you are in our hearts, not just somehow or other, but in the way I have said. It is possible to love and yet to draw back when danger threatens; but my love is not like that.

I am filled with consolation. What consolation? That which comes from you because you, being changed for the better, have consoled me by what you have done. It is natural for a lover both to complain that he is not loved in return and to fear that he may cause distress by complaining too much. Therefore, he says: I am filled with consolation, I rejoice exceedingly.

It is as if he said, I was much grieved on your account, but you have made it up for me in full measure and given me comfort; for you have not only removed the cause for any grief but filled me with a richer joy.

Then he shows the greatness of that joy by saying not only I rejoice exceedingly but also the words which follow: in all my tribulations. So great, he says, was the delight that you gave me that it was not even dimmed by so much tribulation, but overcame by its strength and keenness all those sorrows which had invaded my heart, and took away from me all awareness of them.

Blessings today!

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You Worry And Fret

Today's Gospel : Luke 10:38 - 42

In the course of their journey Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’

This verse is often cited as an example of the actice and contemplative life. While both are commendable, Christ is a saying only one is needed. To sit at the feet of God and listen. Peace to you.

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Mike Steele Explained

Michael Steele is saying he'd been had.

BALTIMORE - Lt. Gov. Michael Steele insisted on Wednesday that a Washington Post columnist was trying “to stick his finger in my eye and in the eye of the president” when he quoted Steele’s remarks criticizing President Bush and the Republican Party, attributing them to an unnamed Republican Senate candidate.

In a column by Dana Milbank in Monday’s Post, an unnamed candidate, later confirmed as Steele, was quoted as being highly critical of the Iraq war, the handling of Hurricane Katrina, and the Republicans in Congress. He said running as a Republican is “an impediment. It’s a hurdle I have to overcome ... I’ve got an ‘R’ here, a scarlet letter.”

Steele and his aide complained that all his positive references to President Bush were left out of the column.

Well...duh. Who told Mike that the media was a Republican's friend? Scarlet letter indeed...

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The Throne Of the Lord

Today's First Reading : Jeremiah 3:14 - 17

Come back, disloyal children – it is the Lord who speaks – for I alone am your Master. I will take one from a town, two from a clan, and bring you to Zion. I will give you shepherds after my own heart, and these shall feed you on knowledge and discretion. And when you have increased and become many in the land, then – it is the Lord who speaks – no one will ever say again: Where is the ark of the covenant of the Lord? There will be no thought of it, no memory of it, no regret for it, no making of another. When that time comes, Jerusalem shall be called: The Throne of the Lord; all the nations will gather there in the name of the Lord and will no longer follow the dictates of their own stubborn hearts.

Pray for the peace of Israel.

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Keeping The Peace?

Hezzbollah is now being outted as using the UN Peacekeepers as shields in Lebanon, causing Kofi Annan to say, "Code better next time".

Huh?

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Transformed By Its Light

From Today's Office Of Readings :

From the Explanations of the Psalms by St Ambrose

The light of your face has shone upon us

Why do you turn your face away? We think that God has turned his face away from us when we find ourselves suffering, so that shadows overwhelm our feelings and stop our eyes from seeing the brilliance of the truth. All the same, if God touches our intellect and chooses to become present to our minds then we will be certain that nothing can lead us into darkness.

A man’s face shines out more than the rest of his body and it is by the face that we perceive strangers and recognise our friends. How much more, then, is the face of God able bring illumination to whoever he looks at!

The apostle Paul has something important to say about this, as about so many other things. He is a true interpreter of Christ for us, bringing him to our understanding through well-chosen words and images. He says: It is the same God that said, ‘Let there be light shining out of darkness’, who has shone in our minds to radiate the light of the knowledge of God’s glory, the glory on the face of Christ. We have heard where Christ shines in us: he is the eternal brilliant illumination of souls, whom the Father sent into the world so that his face should shine on us and permit us to contemplate eternal and heavenly truths – we who had been plunged in earthly darkness.

What shall I say about Christ, when even the apostle Peter said to the man who had been lame from birth Look upon us? The cripple looked at Peter and found light by the grace of faith: unless he had faithfully believed he could not have received healing.

When there was so much glory to be seen among the Apostles, Zachaeus, hearing that the Lord Jesus was passing by, climbed a tree because he was small and weak and could not see the Lord through the crowd. He saw Christ and he found light. He saw Christ and instead of robbing others of their goods he began to give away his own.
Why do you turn your face away? Let us read it thus: even if you do turn your face away from us, Lord, its light is still imprinted upon us. We hold it in our hearts and our innermost feelings are transformed by its light.

For if you truly turn your face away, Lord, no-one can survive.

Bask in the light of God! Peace.

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Opposites Attract

For Illustration Friday: Opposites.

Doesn't it seem a regular occurrence that the good comes right along with the bad? It is the nature of this dualistic cosmos. Fix your attention on the good and the power of the bad fades away!

Peace.

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Tears For Fears - Sowing The Seeds Of Love

If every band has a "Sgt. Pepper's", this is Tears For Fears'! :)

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Hundredfold Return

Today's Gospel : Matthew 13:1 - 9

That same day, Jesus left the house and sat by the lakeside, but such large crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat there. The people all stood on the beach, and he told them many things in parables.
He said, ‘Imagine a sower going out to sow. As he sowed, some seeds fell on the edge of the path, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on patches of rock where they found little soil and sprang up straight away, because there was no depth of earth; but as soon as the sun came up they were scorched and, not having any roots, they withered away. Others fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Others fell on rich soil and produced their crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Listen, anyone who has ears!’

We all would like to see a hundredfold return on our work for the Lord. Jesus says some will tield sixty and some thirty. There is always a margin of increase though. Praying for your return today...Peace and Blessing.

Please prayer for my alma mater, Bethany College of Missions, as it is going through some changes to continue in it's mission to send and support missionaries in the Lord's harvest field.

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We Are Nobodies

From Today's Office of Readings: 1 Corinthians 4:1 - 16

People must think of us as Christ’s servants, stewards entrusted with the mysteries of God. What is expected of stewards is that each one should be found worthy of his trust. Not that it makes the slightest difference to me whether you, or indeed any human tribunal, find me worthy or not. I will not even pass judgement on myself. True, my conscience does not reproach me at all, but that does not prove that I am acquitted: the Lord alone is my judge. There must be no passing of premature judgement. Leave that until the Lord comes; he will light up all that is hidden in the dark and reveal the secret intentions of men’s hearts. Then will be the time for each one to have whatever praise he deserves, from God.

Now in everything I have said here, brothers, I have taken Apollos and myself as an example (remember the maxim: ‘Keep to what is written’); it is not for you, so full of your own importance, to go taking sides for one man against another. In any case, brother, has anybody given you some special right? What do you have that was not given to you? And if it was given, how can you boast as though it were not? Is it that you have everything you want – that you are rich already, in possession of your kingdom, with us left outside? Indeed I wish you were really kings, and we could be kings with you! But instead, it seems to me, God has put us apostles at the end of his parade, with the men sentenced to death; it is true – we have been put on show in front of the whole universe, angels as well as men. Here we are, fools for the sake of Christ, while you are the learned men in Christ; we have no power, but you are influential; you are celebrities, we are nobodies. To this day, we go without food and drink and clothes; we are beaten and have no homes; we work for our living with our own hands. When we are cursed, we answer with a blessing; when we are hounded, we put up with it; we are insulted and we answer politely. We are treated as the offal of the world, still to this day, the scum of the earth.

I am saying all this not just to make you ashamed but to bring you, as my dearest children, to your senses. You might have thousands of guardians in Christ, but not more than one father and it was I who begot you in Christ Jesus by preaching the Good News. That is why I beg you to copy me.

I truly love the reversals in this passage. There is something to be said about how we choose to respond to things. How many times are you cursed and respond with blessing? This kind of response will not only change your heart but your experience as well. Peace to you.

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Hezbollah Rallies Support In Boston

Solomonia has an interesting blog about a pro-Hezbollah rally in Boston. Being the only "Zionist" in the crowd with a video camera earned him this ribbon for bravery:

Yes there are Hezbollah supporters in Boston and LA and Baltimore. But take care while visiting a "peace" rally because, as you can see from Solomonia's videos, they may "rip your face off" "because we hate you".

H/t to Michelle Malkin who is also covering the Hez cells awakening.

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The Sign

Today's Gospel : Matthew 12:38 - 42

Some of the scribes and Pharisees spoke up. ‘Master,’ they said ‘we should like to see a sign from you.’ He replied, ‘It is an evil and unfaithful generation that asks for a sign! The only sign it will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the sea-monster for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here. On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here.’

There are all kinds of signs of God in the universe. Seeing them is often difficult and asking for them, in this case is considered "evil" and "faithless". And even then sometimes the "sign" that is given is not the one expected. It is better to have faith than to seek signs.

Peace and blessings.

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Drawn Out Conflict

Apparently your position really does matter on this!

Hat tip to Real Clear Politics.

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Peace Through The Cross

Today's Second Reading : Ephesians 2:13 - 18

Now in Christ Jesus, you that used to be so far apart from us have been brought very close, by the blood of Christ. For he is the peace between us, and has made the two into one and broken down the barrier which used to keep them apart, actually destroying in his own person the hostility caused by the rules and decrees of the Law. This was to create one single New Man in himself out of the two of them and by restoring peace through the cross, to unite them both in a single Body and reconcile them with God; In his own person he killed the hostility. Later he came to bring the good news of peace, peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near at hand. Through him, both of us have in the one Spirit our way to come to the Father.

True peace with God came with a heavy price tag. And Christ footed the bill. Now there is no barrier, no hostility, just peace. May that peace be with you today.

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Gnarls Barkley - Crazy

I remember when I lost my mind...no wait a minute, that was someone else.

All my Rorschach inkblot tests turn out this way too!

OTB: This is an open trackback post. Does that make me crazy? Probably.

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The NY Times and Intel

Remember the Baltimore terrorist cell? Michelle Malkin and the National Review are covering the sentencing of Uzair Paracha, one of the cell members. He got 30 years thanks to the Terrorist Finance Tracking Program.

This is an example of why the NY Times reckless disregard of our National Security interests should be condemned across the board.

Look at it like a hunting expedition. The Times people obviously are not hunters. When I'm hunting something...I don't really want them to know I'm there. Luckily we caught this one. But how many have we lost to the Times?

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My Soul Is Melted With Love

From Today's Office of Readings

From a homily on the Gospels by Gregory the Great

She longed for Christ, though she thought he had been taken away

When Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and did not find the Lord’s body, she thought it had been taken away and so informed the disciples. After they came and saw the tomb, they too believed what Mary had told them. The text then says: The disciples went back home, and it adds: but Mary wept and remained standing outside the tomb.
We should reflect on Mary’s attitude and the great love she felt for Christ; for though the disciples had left the tomb, she remained. She was still seeking the one she had not found, and while she sought she wept; burning with the fire of love, she longed for him who she thought had been taken away. And so it happened that the woman who stayed behind to seek Christ was the only one to see him. For perseverance is essential to any good deed, as the voice of truth tells us: Whoever perseveres to the end will be saved.

At first she sought but did not find, but when she persevered it happened that she found what she was looking for. When our desires are not satisfied, they grow stronger, and becoming stronger they take hold of their object. Holy desires likewise grow with anticipation, and if they do not grow they are not really desires. Anyone who succeeds in attaining the truth has burned with such a great love. As David says: My soul has thirsted for the living God; when shall I come and appear before the face of God? And so also in the Song of Songs the Church says: I was wounded by love; and again: My soul is melted with love.

Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek? She is asked why she is sorrowing so that her desire might be strengthened; for when she mentions whom she is seeking, her love is kindled all the more ardently.

Jesus says to her: Mary. Jesus is not recognised when he calls her “woman”; so he calls her by name, as though he were saying: Recognise me as I recognise you; for I do not know you as I know others; I know you as yourself. And so Mary, once addressed by name, recognises who is speaking. She immediately calls him rabboni, that is to say, teacher, because the one whom she sought outwardly was the one who inwardly taught her to keep on searching.

Seek Christ with passion, as Mary Magdalene did, and you will recognize him when he speaks! Peace and Blessing.

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Cynthia McKinney Celebrates

It's a Hoe Down! Put on your boogie shoes!

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Why Christians Don't Vote for Democrats

A book review for Active Christian Media.

Why Christians Don't Vote for Democrats by Richard Miller is a book that argues in depth about religious predjudice of Secular Democrats. As we know there are many Christians that do vote for Democrats. Mr. Miller points out on the various levels that Democrats (and all branches of government) have departed from the faith of the founding fathers, in fact having turned radically against it.

The book is very blunt and opinionated on things like the use of tax dollars for secular schools which Christians are force to pay but not use for private Christian education, secular jounalists and their loopy interpretations of the church and the Bible, and the values espoused by the party in question.

This is a book one should read and then give to their local democratic candidate. Democrats have started to dialogue about spirituality in the last few weeks...people like Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton...in an attempt to connect with voters of faith. This book shows they have a long way to go to be convincing.

Richard Miller is married to a Republican and has three daughters, two of which are Democrats. He graduated with a BA degree in ministry from Bethany Bible College. "Why Christians Don't Vote For Democrats" is Richard's second book and was published by Xulon Press.

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Master Of The Sabbath

Today's Gospel : Matthew 12:1 - 8

At that time Jesus took a walk one sabbath day through the cornfields. His disciples were hungry and began to pick ears of corn and eat them. The Pharisees noticed it and said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing something that is forbidden on the sabbath’. But he said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry – how he went into the house of God and how they ate the loaves of offering which neither he nor his followers were allowed to eat, but which were for the priests alone? Or again, have you not read in the Law that on the sabbath day the Temple priests break the sabbath without being blamed for it? Now here, I tell you, is something greater than the Temple. And if you had understood the meaning of the words: What I want is mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned the blameless. For the Son of Man is master of the sabbath.’

Practice Mercy! Peace and Blessing.

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Ben Cardin Overkill

At yesterday's Clam Bake, the Ben Cardin campaign swarmed Crisfield, like hippies at a love-in. While Michael Steele has been accused by his opponent of pandering to the black vote, Ben Cardin's group canvased the sidewalk in front of the housing projects with election signs.

At least Gov. Ehrlich had the dignity and class enough to hire a plane to fly overhead with a banner about real issues...better schools and lower crime...instead of acting like political vandals.

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Traveling Light

Today's Gospel : Matthew 11:28 - 30

Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.’

Who hasn't labored and been overburdened. Christ's promise is rest for our souls. Amen to that.

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Cynthia McKinney Fails To Avoid Runoff

Crazy Georgia Representative Cynthia McKinney fails to get enough votes to avoid a runoff against former DeKalb County Commissioner Hank Johnson for her House seat.

"We've been here before, but you know what? It is impossible to keep a good woman down," McKinney told cheering supporters, shortly after dancing and laying a tambourine.

I intend to fight the good fight. I will continue to tell the truth and I will challenge anyone who dares to destroy anything about the work that I do. ... This battle is now engaged, and we intend to win."

Dancing like a gypsy and talking like a militant. Alrighty then. :)

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Crisfield Clam Bake Today

Today is the 30th Annual Clam Bake in Crisfield. You can enjoy local seafood, businesses, and political candidates for an admission price of $35. If you go, avoid getting steamed yourself by drinking lots of fluids. What's that? Is beer a fluid? Careful there...Although it's great with steamed crabs, beer doesn't hydrate.

:)

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Mere Children

Today's Gospel : Matthew 11:25 - 27

At that time Jesus exclaimed, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’

Peace and Blessing.

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Wrong Race Bobblehead!

Oopsie!

BALTIMORE -

Orioles players have joked in the past that they didn't look like their bobblehead dolls. But when a recent shipment of Brian Roberts bobbleheads arrived, team officials knew something was wrong.

Roberts, who is white, had dark skin. It wasn't just a deep tan.

"It didn't look like Brian Roberts. The coloring was bad," Orioles spokesman Bill Stetka said. "I didn't actually see it. I've heard various versions that it was very dark and bluish."

Really, this time it's not about race. Everyone knows all the best players are bluish anyway...right? :)

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Jesus' Miracles

Today's Gospel : Matthew 11:20 - 24

Jesus began to reproach the towns in which most of his miracles had been worked, because they refused to repent.

‘Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. And still, I tell you that it will not go as hard on Judgement day with Tyre and Sidon as with you. And as for you, Capernaum, did you want to be exalted as high as heaven? You shall be thrown down to hell. For if the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have been standing yet. And still, I tell you that it will not go as hard with the land of Sodom on Judgement day as with you.’

The miracles of Jesus are to draw people to God, whether in an act of repentance or and act of joyful praise. Miracles are all around us if we would choose to see, but they must be kept in the perspective for which God gives them. Have a blessed day!

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Audio Adrenaline - Hands And Feet

Amen to that!

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Take Nothing For The Journey

Today's Gospel : Mark 6:7 - 13

Then Jesus summoned the Twelve and began to send them out in pairs giving them authority over the unclean spirits. And he instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff - no bread, no haversack, no coppers for their purses. They were to wear sandals but, he added, "Do not take a spare tunic". And he said to them, "If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district. And if any place does not welcome you and people refuse to listen to you, as you walk away shake off the dust from under your feet as a sign to them." So they set off to preach repentance; and they cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.

It seems to me that the Twelve's mission was prsuccinctcinct. Take nothing with you, visit the lost, if you arereceivedieved, kick the dust off your feet. Not very PC or people friendly. We on the otherhand, develop programs,systems and methods that cater to the "Unchurched" when sometimes siproclamationation of Gospel truth should do.

Be His hands and feet!

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Poll: Americans to Vote Democrat

A new poll by the AP of 1000 people suggests that Americans are ready to vote for Democrats.

WASHINGTON - Republicans are in jeopardy of losing their grip on Congress in November. With less than four months to the midterm elections, the latest Associated Press-Ipsos poll found that Americans by an almost 3-to-1 margin hold the GOP-controlled Congress in low regard and profess a desire to see Democrats wrest control after a dozen years of Republican rule.

Further complicating the GOP outlook to turn things around is a solid percentage of liberals, moderates and even conservatives who say they'll vote Democratic. The party out of power also holds the edge among persuadable voters, a prospect that doesn't bode well for the Republicans.

But a Democratic takeover of either the House or Senate would be disastrous for the president, leaving both his agenda for the last two years in office and the chairmanship of investigative committees in the hands of the opposition party. To seize control of Congress, the Democrats must displace 15 Republicans from House seats and six Republicans from the Senate.

"We still have wind in our face. It's a midterm election in the president's second term," said Rep. Tom Reynolds, R-N.Y., chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. "Today is a little bit better in the atmospherics of Washington than it was maybe a month ago."

To which DNC Chairman Howard Dean said:

Think people! Remember what this party is. Change is good...but not this kind, at this time.

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Who Is Filled With Love?

From Today's Office of Readings :

From a letter to the Corinthians by Saint Clement

We are blessed if we fulfil the commands of the Lord in the harmony of love

Beloved, see what a marvellous thing love is; its perfection is beyond our expression. Who can truly love save those to whom God grants it? We ought to beg and beseech him in his mercy that our love may be genuine, unmarred by any too human inclination. From Adam down to the present time all generations have passed away; but those who were perfected in love by God’s grace have a place among the saints who will be revealed when the kingdom of Christ comes to us. As it is written: Enter your chambers for a little while, until my wrath and anger pass away; and I shall remember a good day and raise you from your graves. We are blessed, beloved, if we fulfil the commands of the Lord in harmonious, loving union, so that through love our sins may be forgiven. For it is written: Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputes not iniquity, and in whose mouth there is no deceit. This is the blessing that has been given to those who have been chosen by God through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

We should pray then that we may be granted forgiveness for our sins and for whatever we may have done when led astray by our adversary’s servants. And for those who were the leaders of the schism and the sedition, they too should look to the common hope. For those who live in pious fear and in love are willing to endure torment rather than have their neighbour suffer; and they more willingly suffer their own condemnation than the loss of that harmony that has been so nobly and righteously handed down to us. For it is better for a man to confess his sins than to harden his heart.

Who then among you is generous, who is compassionate, who is filled with love? He should speak out as follows: If I have been the cause of sedition, conflict and schisms, then I shall depart; I shall go away wherever you wish, and I shall do what the community wants, if only the flock of Christ live in peace with the presbyters who are set over them. Whoever acts thus would win great glory for himself in Christ, and he would be received everywhere, for the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. Thus have they acted in the past and will continue to act in the future who live without regret as citizens in the city of God.

This is unique sentiment. I know that the majority of believers are satisfied with service in the church. This reading speaks to the small percentage that like to start a ruckus. Be filled with love today. Peace and Blessing.

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The Baltimore Terrorist Cell

HotAir.com is "venting" about the American Jihadist Adam Gadahn and his connection with a terrorist cell in Baltimore. Yes, Baltimore. And what's more, one of the plotters posed as a doctor at the decidedly Jewish Sinai Hospital. Michelle Malkin, who talks about their methods and who is missing, asks "Don't think it can happen in your city?"

Think it can't happen in Delmarva? They've already got a hangout...

UPDATE** from Pompano Beach Florida : Why we should care...

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As You Go

Today's Gospel : Matthew 10:7 - 15

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘As you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You received without charge, give without charge. Provide yourselves with no gold or silver, not even with a few coppers for your purses, with no haversack for the journey or spare tunic or footwear or a staff, for the workman deserves his keep.
‘Whatever town or village you go into, ask for someone trustworthy and stay with him until you leave. As you enter his house, salute it, and if the house deserves it, let your peace descend upon it; if it does not, let your peace come back to you. And if anyone does not welcome you or listen to what you have to say, as you walk out of the house or town shake the dust from your feet. I tell you solemnly, on the day of Judgement it will not go as hard with the land of Sodom and Gomorrah as with that town.’

I love the way this verse starts. It comes across as a kind of guide to evangelism yet it tells you as you go be doing this...

Sounds natural to me. :) Peace.

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The Piper's Last Call

Music fans...Pink Floyd's founder Syd Barrett is dead at 60.

Here is the 1960's psychedelic song Arnold Layne:

weird...RIP.

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Dive by Steven Curtis Chapman

This is one of my favorite CCM songs. I don't know what made me think of it, unless I was thinking of going to the beach. Not a bad idea really.

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Sow Integrity For Yourselves

From Today's First Reading : Hosea 10:1 - 12

Sow integrity for yourselves,

reap a harvest of kindness,

break up your fallow ground:

it is time to go seeking the Lord

until he comes to rain salvation on you.

A Beautiful Word. Peace and Blessing.

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Hunger Strike: The Cindy Sheehan Method

Mmmmmm Donut!

Michelle Malkin is covering the Hollywierd fast to bring the "troops home fast" from Iraq. She is impressed particularly with Cindy Sheehan's suffering. ;P

The Beverly Hills crowd seems to be handling it nicely!

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American Speedos

Summer is here and I was having a conversation with a friend yesterday about the glories of speedos and thongs worn by inappropriate people at the beach. We came to a concensus that wieght and level of physical ugliness should factor into your choice to or not to wear one. I think you should NEVER wear one, but when you are overwieght, or excessively skinny, it can be a scenic disaster. And we decided that nothing is worse than that.

Except maybe this!

There are some flags that should be burned! Ugh!

For Photo Friday : summer

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Like Sheep Without A Shepherd

Today's Gospel : Matthew 9:32 - 37

They had only just left when a man was brought to him, a dumb demoniac. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb man spoke and the people were amazed. ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel’ they said. But the Pharisees said, ‘It is through the prince of devils that he casts out devils’.

Jesus made a tour through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and sickness.

And when he saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest’.

Maybe you could even ask the Lord to send YOU. Peace and Blessing. :)

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Meanwhile...Back In Londonistan

I debated with a friend last week who said there were many places better than America to live. He mentioned England. I mentioned Islamic Jihad. Can't say I didn't warn him.

Cleric: Flag of Islam to fly from Big Ben

Islamic fundamentalist Omar Bakri, who led extremist group in London and escaped after bombings in city, warns that Britain will turn into 'Islamastan'
by Roee Nahmias

Islamic fundamentalist cleric Omar Bakri has warned that "the day will come that the flag of Islam will fly over the Big Ben and the British Parliament."

Bakri made the comments during an interview with the London-based Arabic-language daily al-Sharq al-Awsat. The interview was published over the weekend when Britain marked a year since the terror attacks on the London Underground. Bakri, who is originally Syrian, was the leader of al-Muhajiroun. He escaped London after the 7/7 attacks, and was banned from returning to Britain.

Bakri presented himself as a spokesman for the World Islamic Front for Jihad Against Jews and Crusaders, headed by Osama Bin Laden.

Bakri's organization supported Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the territories, and also held contacts with Hizbullah.

In a document released by the media analysis organization MEMRI, Bakri's ideology is presented, according to which believing Muslims living in Britain will turn the country into Islamastan.

Bakri elaborated that "what is called today Londonistan is actually Kufferstan, in other words the land of infidelity. I think that loyal Muslims in Britain will turn it on the day of days, with the help of Allah, into Islamastan, in other words into Dar al-Islam (Land of Islam), as the first Muslims did in Ethiopia and Indonesia. Then the big Islamic dream will be realized, and we will see the flag 'there's no god other than Allah' flying from the Big Ben and the British parliament, with the help of Allah."

'Don't assimilate into infidel society'

When asked what his advice was for Muslim youths in Britain and his students who life far away, he answered: "I advise Muslim youth in general, and to my beloved students especially, not to assimilate into the ignorant British society, but at the same time not to become distant from the people. They must work to make the hearts turn to Allah, to instruct on doing good and forbidding the evil, to obey Allah and to keep away from the infidels."

Asked whether he thought London was safe today, after the disappearance of most of the movement's fundamentalist sheikhs, Barki answered: "The finding of the wise of Islam and the advertisers of the Islamic movement is the valve of security of Britain and not the opposite, as the naive people think."

"Britain is not thought of as safe since it advertised the anti-terror laws in 2002. There's no doubt that the disappearance, arrest, or expulsion of most of the scholars of Islam and its advertisers will turn Britain into an unsafe country, in danger of attacks by those who think it must be fought, due to its participation alongside the Untied States in the war of the global crusaders against Islam and Muslims."

When asked whether he planned to return to Britain any time soon, Bakri answered: "I don't think of returning to Britain as long as it does not retract its terror laws, through which it is applying terror on peaceful Muslims in Britain, with the excuse of fighting terror. The return of people like myself is forbidden according to Islamic law, since it calms under the act of 'surrendering as a hostage.' Islam has forbidden Muslims from surrendering as a hostage… to the infidels."

And if you think they don't have similar aims for America, just watch this: Hamas (you know, the duly elected Palestinian cabinet members/terrorists) Leader speaks at mosque.

**Update**--so guess who's in Iran?

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Christ The Healer

Today's Gospel : Matthew 9:18 - 26

While Jesus was speaking to them, up came one of the officials, who bowed low in front of him and said, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and her life will be saved". Jesus rose and, with his disciples, followed him. Then from behind him came a woman, who had suffered from hemorrhagege for twelve years, and she touched the fringe of his cloak, for she said to herself, "If I can only touch his cloak I shall be well again". Jesus turned round and saw her; and he said to her, "Courage, my daughter, your faith has restored you to health". And from that moment the woman was well again.

When Jesus reached the official's house and saw the flute-players, with the crowd making a commotion he said, "Get out of here; the little girl is not dead, she is asleep". And they laughed at him. But when the people had been turned out he went inside and took the little girl by the hand; and she stood up. And the news spread all round the countryside.

Today's gospel readings is a study in faith and healing. The official was sure of Jesus' resurrect his daughter. The woman hemorrhage was sure of Jesus' power to heal. And we can be sure of Jesus' power today as well.

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What Is This Wisdom?

Todays's Gospel : Mark 6:1 - 6

Going from that district, Jesus went to his home town and his disciples accompanied him. With the coming of the sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, ‘Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?’ And they would not accept him. And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house’; and he could work no miracle there, though he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

It is amazing what a lack of faith can do.

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Hall & Oates - Method Of Modern Love

I heard this the other day for the first time in years. I love Daryl Hall's Miami Vice jacket. Enjoy.

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Run Hard

From Today's Office of Readings:

From the Instructions to Catechumens of St Cyril of Jerusalem

Confess your sins at the acceptable time

If anyone here is a slave to sin then let him make himself ready through faith for the new birth into the freedom of God’s adopted children. Let him put aside his wretched servitude of sin and take on the blessed service of the Lord; so that he may be counted as a worthy sharer in the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven. Through confession, strip yourself naked of your old human nature, which is being torn apart by deceitful desires, and clothe yourself in the new nature, which is being mended and made whole by knowledge of the One who created you. By faith receive the guarantee of the Holy Spirit, so that you will be received into your eternal home. Come before the mystical Seal of God’s kingdom so that you may be easily recognised by the Master.

Be counted as part of the holy and spiritual flock of Christ, to be set apart on his right hand and receive the inheritance that has been prepared for you. Those who still wear the rough garment of their sins are on his left hand because they have not come to the grace of God which is given through Christ in the baptism of rebirth. It is not a new physical birth I mean, but a spiritual second birth of the soul. Bodies are born of visible parents but souls are reborn through faith, for the Spirit blows where it wills.

If you are found worthy, you will hear the words Well done, good and faithful servant – when your conscience has been examined and found to be free of all taint of hypocrisy.

If anyone here thinks of putting God’s grace to the test, he is deceiving himself and ignorant of the power of things. Keep your soul sincere and free of hypocrisy because God searches the mind and the heart.

The present time is the time for confession. Confess what you have done, whether by words or by actions, whether by day or by night. If you confess at the acceptable time, you will receive the heavenly treasure on the Day of salvation.

Make yourself pure so that you may be a vessel of more abundant grace. Remission of sins is given equally to everyone but the sharing of the Holy Spirit is given differently to each man, according to the faith of each. If you have expended little labour, you will receive little in the way of reward; if, on the other hand, you have laboured greatly, great will be the reward you receive. It is for your own benefit that you are running this race: run hard, in your own interest.

If you are holding anything against anyone, forget it, let it go. You have come here to receive forgiveness of sins, so you must first forgive whoever has sinned against you.

Run Hard! Peace.

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North Korean Missile Crisis

I think I have the answer!

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Let God’s Grace Reign

From Today's Office Of Readings:

St Augustine on the Predestination of the Saints

Jesus Christ, son of David according to the flesh

The shining example of predestination and grace is the Saviour himself, the mediator between God and mankind, himself a man, Christ Jesus. What merits, of good deeds or faith, did his human nature have beforehand, to make this happen? Please, let me have an answer: how did that man earn the privilege of being taken up into unity of person by the Word co-eternal with the Father and of being the only-begotten Son of God? What good quality of his can have made him deserve this? What had he done, what had he believed, what had he prayed for, to come to this indescribable excellence? Surely it was no action of his, but the action of the Word lifting him up, that caused this man, at the moment that he was coming into being, to come into being as the only Son of God!

Let us see, in our own bodies, how the head is the source of grace that flows through the members, filling each according to its capacity. The grace by which every man, from the moment when he comes to believe, becomes a Christian is the same grace by which that man, from the moment when he came to be, became Christ. The Spirit through whom we are reborn is the same Spirit through whom he was born. The Spirit that brings us remission of our sins is the same Spirit that gave him freedom from sin.

God certainly knew beforehand that he was going to make these things happen. This is exactly the predestination of the saints and it shines out most clearly in the predestination of the Saint of saints. How can anyone deny this who properly understands the utterances of the Truth? For we see that even the Lord of glory is the subject of God’s predestination, in so far as at his incarnation a man became the Son of God.

So Jesus was predestined, so that he who was to be, according to the flesh, a son of David should nevertheless be the Son of God in power, according to the Spirit of holiness – because he was born of the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary. Thus in a unique and indescribable way a man was taken up into God the Word so that he could be at once a son of man and the Son of God – a son of man according to the nature that was taken up, the Son of God because of the only-begotten God who took him up. If it were not like this, we would have to believe not in a Trinity but in a Quaternity.

This predestined elevation of human nature is so great, so high, so exalted that there is no greater height left to which it could be raised. On the other side, the very godhead could not throw itself down lower than it did, to the taking on of human nature with all its weaknesses and a final death on a cross. As he, the one, was predestined to be our head, so we, the many, were predestined to be his members.
Let any merits that men may have be silent here – they died through Adam. Let God’s grace reign, as it does reign: the grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord, the one Son of God, the one Lord. If anyone can find in that man, our Head, pre-existing merits that led to his unique birth, let him look in us, his members, for pre-existing merits that might lead to the rebirth of us all.

Grace and Peace to you today!

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Another Sticky Situation

For Illustration Friday: Sticky

Ok...so call me an optimist.

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I've Always Been A Yankees Fan

A book review for Active Christian Media.

Fans of Hillary Clinton turn back now!

The idea of a book on Hillary in her own words is an intriguing one. What one finds when reading this book by author Tom Kuiper is a collection of quotes that paint an accurate (but unnoticed by the MSM) picture of the former first--"eh hem"--lady.

Published by World Ahead Publishers, book uses testimony of friends, politicians, and "secret service" men, quoting as they knew her. Some of the quotes are from public addresses while some (often vulgar)comments are from private conversations.

My overall opinion of Hillary Clinton is that she is a politician willing to say anything to get your vote or a better approval rating. Her recent comments to a religious gathering outlining how, as a child she would babysit the children of migrant workers at a church while the family worked, prove again the message of this book. Folks from Hillary's childhood neighborhood called Rush Limbaugh's show just yesterday and said when and where she lived there were no migrant workers. Do you think the mainstream media will run with this? No like most of their coverage the only lies they concern themselves with are the ones they think the Bush Administration has told. Don't worry about the Clintons. They are apparently above reproach.

I recommend this book, especially as elections approach. Tom Kuiper has done the U.S. citizen a favor by showing a side to Hillary that otherwise might be missed. Even if she herself is not!

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Which Is Easier To Say?

Today's Gospel : Matthew 9:1 - 8

He got back in the boat, crossed the water and came to his own town. Then some people appeared, bringing him a paralytic stretched out on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, ‘Courage, my child, your sins are forgiven’. And at this some scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming’. Knowing what was in their minds Jesus said, ‘Why do you have such wicked thoughts in your hearts? Now, which of these is easier to say, “Your sins are forgiven”, or to say, “Get up and walk”? But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ – he said to the paralytic – ‘get up, and pick up your bed and go off home’. And the man got up and went home. A feeling of awe came over the crowd when they saw this, and they praised God for giving such power to men.

Praise God for forgiveness AND healing.

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Hollywood Hunger Strike

Who ever heard of a "rolling" hunger strike? The usual suspects in the peacenik club are having a hunger strike that is more like a relay race than an effective accompaniment to prayer or protest. The rules are simple: fast for 24 hours and hand it off to another. I can see why folks like Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon and Danny Glover are willing to participate. If they plan it right they can all meet at Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles for breakfast.

More at Michelle Malkin.

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The Lord Provides

From Today's Morning Prayer: Psalm 33

Rejoice in the Lord, you just: it is good for the upright to praise him.

Proclaim the Lord on the lyre, play his song on the ten-stringed harp.

Sing a new song to the Lord, sing out your cries of triumph,

for the word of the Lord is truly just, and all his actions are faithful.

The Lord loves justice and right judgement; the earth is full of his loving kindness.

By the Lord’s word the heavens were made, and all their array by the breath of his mouth.

He gathered the seas as if in a bag, he stored up the depths in his treasury.



Let every land fear the Lord, let all the world be awed at his presence.

For he spoke, and they came into being; he commanded, and they were made.

The Lord confounds the counsel of the nations, throws the thoughts of the peoples into confusion.

But the Lord’s own counsel stands firm for ever, his thoughts last for all generations.



Happy the nation whose lord is God, the people he has chosen as his inheritance.

The Lord looks down from the heavens and sees all the children of men.

From his dwelling-place he looks upon all who inhabit the earth.

He moulded each one of their hearts, he understands all that they do.

"The Lord confounds the counsel of the nations, throws the thoughts of the peoples into confusion." If there ever was a time this is clearly seen, it is now.

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Happiness is...

For Photo Friday: Happiness is...

...a day at the beach!

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Red White And Blue - Lynyrd Skynyrd

I'm taking a couple of days off for the Fourth Of July. I hope everyone has a safe celebration. Here is a video I'd like to share with you:

Hey...If you don't like America, maybe Lynyrd Skynyrd can give ya some advice....

Happy Independence Day...Celebrate Freedom!

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Hospital Sees Double-Six Times!

Hospital Has 6 Sets of Twins in 32 Hours

LANSING, Mich. - It all began with Chastity Keeler, who delivered twin boys. Keeler gave birth at 9:05 a.m. and 9:06 a.m. Tuesday. Over the next 32 hours, five more mothers gave birth to twins at Lansing's Sparrow Hospital.

Sparrow nurses, doctors and officials think that's probably a record for the hospital.

"We have a number of experienced nurses, and it's the first time within their collective memory that we've had six sets of twins born in such close proximity," Sparrow spokeswoman Nan Simons told the Lansing State Journal for a story Friday.

Keeler, of Jackson, said it's a story she'll tell her sons, Nick and Ty, as they grow up.

"That was an extraordinary couple of days, and they were part of it," Keeler said. "They will forever be known in Sparrow history, and that's kind of cool."

Five sets of the twins were boys. The other two infants were girls.

"It's fun for Sparrow to mark a record like this," Simons said. "Six sets of twins: That's a lot of babies."

So what do you call that... a "doctor's" dozen?

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"Dang Me" By The Supremes

The future of American Justice? ;)

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I Am Not Worthy

Today's Gospel : Matthew 8:5 - 17

When he went into Capernaum a centurion came up and pleaded with him. ‘Sir,’ he said ‘my servant is lying at home paralysed, and in great pain.’ ‘I will come myself and cure him’ said Jesus. The centurion replied, ‘Sir, I am not worthy to have you under my roof; just give the word and my servant will be cured. For I am under authority myself, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one man: Go, and he goes; to another: Come here, and he comes; to my servant: Do this, and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this he was astonished and said to those following him, ‘I tell you solemnly, nowhere in Israel have I found faith like this. And I tell you that many will come from east and west to take their places with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the kingdom of heaven; but the subjects of the kingdom will be turned out into the dark, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.’ And to the centurion Jesus said, ‘Go back, then; you have believed, so let this be done for you’. And the servant was cured at that moment.

And going into Peter’s house Jesus found Peter’s mother-in-law in bed with fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
That evening they brought him many who were possessed by devils. He cast out the spirits with a word and cured all who were sick. This was to fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah:

He took our sicknesses away and carried our diseases for us.

We are all unworthy of Jesus...yet we have Him still. Peace today.

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