Just for today

There is a lesson to the following message. I offer my prayers for the children of the world who need someone to care for them. I offer thanksgiving to the father for those children to whom he has given good parents. I beg forgiveness for those parents who fall short of God's plan. I guess we all do to some extent.

As for the tracking mentioned in the message, this is wishful thinking. If anyone has firsthand knowledge otherwise, let me know. None the less we should do what is important to do, for today.

Please read and forward to as many people as you can. You'll understand after reading this.
To My Child (don't delete ~ its being tracked)

Be sure and read to the bottom portion.....

Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.
Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.
Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.
Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles..
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not eve! n a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.
Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.
Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys..
Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you!
Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.
Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.
Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.
Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.
I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.
And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day......! ........

Hi. I am a 29 year old father. Me and my wife have had a wonderful life together. God blessed us with a child too. Our daughter's name is Rachel, and she is 10 years old. Not long ago did the doctors detected brain cancer in her little body. There is only one way to save her and that is an operation. Sadly we don't have the money for the operation. AOL and Zdnet have agreed to help us. The only way they can help is this:
If you send this email to other people, AOL will track this email and count how many people get it. Every person that opens this email and sends it to at least 3 people will give us 32c. Please help us. George Arlington

Beliefnet.com -- Confessions of a talented--and tired--telephone psychic.

Beliefnet.com -- Today's Inspiration Reading: "Bells Are Ringing!
What really goes on behind a psychic hotline? Confessions of a talented--and tired--telephone psychic.
By Dougall Fraser

Everything that a struggling 20-year-old psychic could do, I did. I read at a psychic fair at a women's university while religious protestors waved signs out front. I read at bookstores and coffeehouses. Around this time—in the late 1990s—psychic phone lines were tremendously popular... It was my dream to work on a psychic hotline. It seemed too good to be true—I could work from home and do what I loved. I was hearing at the psychic fairs that some people were making $2,000 or $3,000 a month working psychic lines, plus bonuses. That was big money to me."

This article confirms what we know to be true - you cannot worship God and money. It was interesting that the author was sincere about his psychic abilities. I do not find redemption within myself. God knows what he knows and gives me everything I need.

Orson Scott Card on Star Wars and Revenge of the Sith Jedi religion faith force -- Beliefnet.com

Orson Scott Card on Star Wars and Revenge of the Sith Jedi religion faith force -- Beliefnet.com

The article has some important points:
1. George Lucas should stay out of religion, although he can tell a good story.
2. There is no room for evil in my God - and no excuse for it in anyone else's.
3. One should know the whole story before weighing judgement.

Here is an analogy - Jesus was tempted by Satan, much like Anakin and the dark side. Jesus never saw evil as an option in his mission, even though temptation was convincing. Anakin saw evil as a way to save his love... however, the evil consumed him entire.

I'll stick with Jesus, thank you.

Giuliani Pressured to Abandon Loyola Speech

Giuliani Pressured to Abandon Loyola Speech

Generally I like Rudy. He was a rock on 9/11. But when it comes to the successor of the Rock(Peter) in the person of Benedict XVI, I 'd sooner lean on him.

A place like Loyola should keep it's Catholic identity as one of it's crown jewels, the type of jewel that is today scorned or even thrown before pigs. So, stand up for life.

And if Rudy really thought about it, as he stood for those lives on 9/11 he would stand for the babies too.

ZENIT News Agency--Terri Schiavo's Parents Greet Pope

The following article keeps Teri in our thoughts:

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, You gift us each day with Faith Hope Love and Life, given to us unconditionally. Have mercy on your people who consider the Law of the Land above your law. Grant to us your people a conformance of our law to your law so that we may bring ourselves to live in your heavenly kingdom, as we profess daily when we prayer "Your Kingdom Come...".

Thank you for the gift of your Pope and his continued promotion of the culture of Life. Thank you for the ultimate sacrafice of Jesus, without whom there would be no hope of everlasting life. Thank you for the gift of voice to pray to you and the gift of grace which allows me to bring my prayer before you. I offer my prayers and thanks through Jesus your son, anbd the prompting of teh Holy Spirit.



ZENIT News Agency--The World Seen from Rome
Terri Schiavo's Parents Greet Pope

VATICAN CITY, MAY 18, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI greeted the parents of Terri Schiavo, the American woman who died as a result of a court decision to remove her feeding tube.

At the end of today's general audience, held in St. Peter's square, the Holy Father greeted Bob and Mary Schindler, who showed him a photograph of their daughter.

The Schindlers, who were among the 25,000 pilgrims attending the audience, arrived in Rome with members of the recently created association "Missionaries of the Gospel of Life," founded by Father Frank Pavone.

Terri Schiavo's parents visited Cardinal Renato Martino, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, on Tuesday, to thank him for speaking out in favor of Terri's life during the legal battle.

At the end of the audience, the Pope also personally greeted the sick and handicapped in wheelchairs.

CSI Forensic Science Quest Pictures of Jesus Shroud of Turin

CSI Forensic Science Quest Pictures of Jesus Shroud of Turin

Guess what! The picture on the shroud are much older than medieval.
I will most likely be returning to this subject again, but I happen to believe that the shroud is authentic. If it is not authentic, then my faith is not shaken because God infuses our physical world with reminders of him, predominantly natural signs. The occasional sign that goes beyond nature (super-natural) is a sign that God is still in charge around here.

The Connecticut Post Online - Preschool expulsion rate alarming

The Connecticut Post Online - News: "Preschool expulsion rate alarming
1st study shows troublesome data, especially in state"

What does something like this tell us?

1. Maybe we should liet the 3 and 4 year olds be kids.
2. If we insist on 3 and 4 year olds behaving more maturely then we need to have someone who will change their behavior on their case.
3. Parents shouln't be so anxious to push their toddlers away. If there are talents to be cultivated, the parent should have an active role in that - not the dumping off of a kid somewhere but having a hand in teh budding talent.
4. Preschool is what it is and shouldn't take itself too seriously. So what if the 4 year old can't do precalculus?
5. If they are expelled now, what is next? Expelling a child from school does what, exactly? One can't be expelled from life!

A little patience love and guidance. After all, Jesus said let the little children come unto me. He didn't say the well behaved children, the quiet children, the happy children. Just the children, in all the flavors available.

The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers author interview with Amy Hollingsworth on Beliefnet -- Beliefnet.com

The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers author interview with Amy Hollingsworth on Beliefnet -- Beliefnet.com: "He did tell me that he considered the space between the television set and the viewer holy ground, and that whatever he said or did on the show could be translated by the Holy Spirit into what the person needed to see and hear."

Hello Neghbor. Wow!
Bring this into your own life.
The actions that we all go through on a given day can be the Holy Ground where people we meet can experience God's love.

Guess what!
God does not do things with half a heart! His graces will come right back at you!

I think that God uses what he can to touch us, and that can be the simple touch of a trusted neighbor.

Sometimes he just wants to say "You are special". Sometimes he uses you to say that to someone else.

Prayer on the Execution of Michael Ross

Lord God of Life and Love, I come to you as a son who falls short of the example you have given us in our Lord Jesus. For as much as I have tried to hold life sacred, I have not been able to share that gift with the people who have put under the jurisdiction of our local government, many of whom claim to be your people.

You have told us, no longer an eye for an eye, yet, we demand a life for a life. You have told us to turn the other cheek, but we turn a hand of chastisement. Lord God, I ask your forgiveness on your people who have put to death this guilty man. We ask that your punishment of our sins be not recompenserate to our action here, for he was killed in the name of all of us.

I ask your mercy on all who call upon you. Everlasting life was gained through the death sentence of your Son. May no one who calls upon him be denied when there is remorse for sin.

Father forgive us and have mercy! We ask this in your Son's name from beneath His precious blood. Amen.

DARRELL SCOTT TESTIMONY

The following article was sent to me by a friend who laments a time he will never know, a time we can romanticize and wish for, kind of like a TV land rerun. 1948 will never return. The world of 1948 is gone but it is the spirit of 1948, the spirit of post war hope, which has to translate and process the surreal but true events of today.

The lesson we see before us is that we cannot turn our back on God's word. This goes beyond freedom. Freedom says we are free to live and free to die. By putting His word first, by respecting life, love and family, is the only way we will survive. It is the word of God which came long before freedom, and it was freedom to live in this word, that our fathers lived and died for. Do not forget the word and teh freedom which is it's ultimate fruit.

DARRELL SCOTT TESTIMONY
Our national leaders didn't expect this. On Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript:

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.

"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used.. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.
"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.
I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy-it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. "I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today:

Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage,
You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question "Why?"
You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!


"Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and reek havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. "Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.
"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes-He did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA - I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone!
My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"

Do what the media did not - - let the nation hear this man's speech. Please send this out to everyone you can

The Teacher

What do you make?

"The Teacher"
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.
He argued, 'What's a kid going to learn from someone who
decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?'

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about
teachers: 'Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.'

To corroborate his point he said to another guest; 'You're a
teacher, Susan. Be honest. What do you make?'

Susan, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness,
replied, 'You want to know what I make?

I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I make a C feel like the winner of the Congressional Medal
of Honor.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute
silence.

You want to know what I make? I make kids wonder. I
make them question. I make them criticize. I make them
apologize and mean it.

I make them write. I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math and perfect their
final drafts in English.

I make them understand that if you have the brains, and
follow your heart, if�someone ever tries to judge you by
what you make, you must pay no attention because they
just didn't learn.'

Susan paused and then continued, 'You want to know what
I make? I make a difference. What do you make?'

National Day of Prayer

National Day of Prayer .::. Home

Why a National Day of Prayer? Many People have problems getting started praying or committing themselves to prayer. This day brings focus to prayer and again invites us to draw near to God through prayer.

Prayer holds an important place in my life. The answer for me has several facits:

To Dedicate the country to God. God was important to this country throughout history and neither God nor country has given up on this realationship as of yet.

To renew my commitment to prayer. Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of everlasting life. To fufill the desire the Lord has set afire in me - to make my life a prayer.

To open myself to to Spirit so that God may be present to others through me.

To convert our thinking to make every day a day of prayer. But then, shouldn't every day be a National Day of Prayer?

My Lawyer

I'm glad I've arranged for the following representation....:

After living what I felt was a "decent" life, my time on earth came to the end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table. As I looked around, I saw the "prosecutor." He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.

I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him. The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room. I couldn't take my eyes off of Him. As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, "Let us begin."

The prosecutor rose and said, "My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell." He proceeded to tell of lies that I
told, things that I stole, and in the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the
more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told
of sins that even I had completely forgotten about.

As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done?

Satan finished with a fury and said, "This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise."

When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward.

As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty. I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior.

He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, "Hi, Dad," and then He turned to address the court.

"Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished."

Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, "However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted Me as his Savior, so he is Mine."

My Lord continued with, "His name is written in the book of life and no one can snatch him from Me. Satan still does not understand yet.
This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy."

As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, "There is nothing else that needs to be done. I've done it all."

The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips.. "This man is free. The penalty for him has already been paid in full. Case dismissed."

As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, "I won't give up, and I will win the next one."

I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, "Have you ever lost a case?"

Christ lovingly smiled and said, "Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you,
~Paid In Full~

"Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!"

The Mother's Day Clock

I bought my wife Jennie a clock for Mother's Day from ebay. It was really not a ggod transaction, and I received a pretty much broken product. Becuase of this clock however, I got to see some of the best qualities of my wife that make her such a good mom.

She is appreciates any effort to acknowlege her.
She will take good care of that which is entrusted to her care; she will make improvements if neccessary.
She integrates elements of her life into that which falls short, making it more complete.
She sees the beauty in the giver.

This clock will remind me when I see it of her love for God , for me and our children.

Novena to the Holy Spirit

Pentecost is a wonderful celebration at St. James each year. The parishioners are encouraged to wear red, representing the fire of the Spirit, and there is an altar call, which is an inviitation to receive a special anointing for the courage and stregnth to respond to that call. I had not heard about in a Catholic church before St. James.

A novena is prayed from Ascension Thursday through Pentecost and I present it here for review and to remind myself to pray it as well:

Come Holy Spirit
Awaken within me the knowlege
of what you are calling me to do
at this time of my life.

Lead me to your truth
So that I can grow
in my love for Jesus
and be of greater service
to our Father.

Holy Spirit, help me to be open to
your grace and gifts within me.
Give me the courage to allow your
power to transform me so that I
may actively seek to be the Lord's
disciple in the world. Amen

Meditate on these questions, tehn pray the novena prayer again.

Are you doing enough now?

Do you recognize the need to do more or perhaps something new, but circumstances prevent you from doing so?

Are you being called to move in a new direction?
-to enter a new ministry?
-to deepen your faith though studies?
-to confront a relationship?
-to improve the quality of your life?


May anyone who reads thes words, be transformed by them.

Terri's Final Hours: An Eyewitness Account - by Fr. Frank Pavone

Terri's Final Hours: An Eyewitness Account - by Fr. Frank Pavone

This is a sad post. I wish I did not have to post it. However, this world is full of sadness due to the presence of sin.

Terri's story was both eclipsed by and completed by the passing of Pope John Paul 2. If not for his story, we would have heard more from pro life people like Fr. Pavone. The images presented in the above article are not easily forgotten, but against the reported peaceful passing of Terri.

She, her parents and her husband all remain in my prayers.

The lesson is in life. If you choose to ignore it it goes on. If you choose to honor it, it will go on with your own life added in the celebration. Life will give us other opportunites to laugh cry pray shout and sometimes all at the same time. Embrace life in those moments for it is in them you prove the presence of the most high in your own life.