Friday, February 19, 2010

Pontiff Suggests Best Gift Children Can Get

Notes Their Need to Be Loved by a Mom and Dad

VATICAN CITY, FEB. 8, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The greatest help that can be given to children is a family where mother and father love them and each other, Benedict XVI says.

The Pope made this affirmation today as he addressed the Pontifical Council for the Family, which is having its three-day plenary assembly through Wednesday.

The Holy Father noted the theme of the assembly, "The Rights of Childhood," chosen with reference to the 20th anniversary of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child.

"In the course of the centuries, the Church, following the example of Christ, has promoted the protection of the dignity and of the rights of minors and, in many ways, has protected them," he said. "Unfortunately, in some cases, some of its members, acting in contrast to this commitment, have violated these rights: a conduct that the Church does not cease and will not cease to deplore and condemn."

The Pontiff reflected on the consequences of Christ's teaching regarding children: that they are models "to imitate to enter the Kingdom of God."

This "has always constituted a strong appeal to nourish profound respect and concern for [children]," he said. "Jesus' harsh words against those who scandalize one of these little ones commit all to never lower the level of this respect and love. That is why the Convention on the Rights of Children was also received favorably by the Holy See, in as much as it contains positive principles on adoption, health care, education, the protection of the disabled and of little ones against violence, abandonment and sexual and labor exploitation."

Family values

Benedict XVI noted how the U.N. convention points to the family as the "natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members, especially children."

"Certainly," he said, "it is precisely the family, founded on marriage between a man and a woman, which is the greatest help that can be given to children. They want to be loved by a mother and a father who love one another, and they need to dwell, grow and live together with both parents, because the maternal and paternal figure are complementary in the education of children and in the construction of their personality and their identity.

"Hence, it is important that everything possible is done to make them grow in a united and stable family."

To protect this model of family, the Pope said, spouses must be encouraged "never to lose sight of the profound reasons and sacredness of the conjugal pact and to reinforce it with listening to the Word of God, prayer, constant dialogue, mutual acceptance and mutual forgiveness."

"A family environment that is not serene, the division of the couple and, in particular, separation with divorce do not fail to have consequences for the children," the Bishop of Rome cautioned, "whereas supporting the family and promoting its good, its rights, its unity and stability, is the best way of protecting the rights and the genuine needs of minors."

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On ZENIT's Web page:

Full text: www.zenit.org/article-28291?l=english

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Today's 1st Reading - February 18, 2010


1st READING
Life is all about choices. It is about showing the world where we stand when it comes to good and evil. We have to make a stand for good against evil. The key here is obedience to God. If we are willing to obey His Word and follow His will, we will always find ourselves on the side of good. If we choose otherwise, we will slide over to the side of evil. I do not want that for myself. What about you?

Deuteronomy 30:15-20
15 Moses said to the people: “Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom.16 If you obey the commandments of the LORD, your God, which I enjoin on you today, loving him, and walking in his ways, and keeping his commandments, statutes and decrees, you will live and grow numerous, and the LORD, your God, will bless you in the land you are entering to occupy. 17 If, however, you turn away your hearts and will not listen, but are led astray and adore and serve other gods, 18 I tell you now that you will certainly perish; you will not have a long life on the land which you are crossing the Jordan to enter and occupy. 19 I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, 20 by loving the LORD, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him. For that will mean life for you, a long life for you to live on the land which the LORD swore he would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Always Hope in God.

As a Christian, you can sometimes feel hopeless as well...and while that's perfectly understandable, it's not exactly necessary. Why? Because there's always hope with God! No situation is impossible to Him, no circumstance too difficult for you to bear with His help. So be strong and take heart today - you can have faith in your future as you remember that the Lord is in control of it all.

Be patient and wait on Him.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

He is God

~He Is God~

He is the First and Last,
The Beginning and the End!

He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be ...
unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!

He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him, The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him, Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him, and "Oprah" can't explain Him away!

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.

His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!

I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.

I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
the power of the powerful,
the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and is to come. And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.

His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me,
never forsake me,
never mislead me,
never forget me,
never overlook me and
never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!

When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!

He is everything for everybody everywhere, every time, and every way.

He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine!

My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...

He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side,
and that means all is well with my soul.

Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Prayer for Finances

(modified for this blog)

God has more than a thousand ways to provide For us, that we know nothing about.

Here is your financial blessing!

It's a simple prayer, you got 30 Seconds?

Don't sleep on this...Someone recently Read this for the first time and
Received exactly enough for a $0 balance On all credit cards.

If you need a financial blessing, continue reading and pray this .

Heavenly Father, most Gracious and Loving God, I pray to you that you Abundantly bless My family and me.

I know that you recognize, that a Family Is more than just a mother, father, sister, brother, cousin, Husband and wife, but all who believe and trust in You.

Dear GOD, I send up a prayer request for Financial blessing for not only the Person who Sent this to me, but for me and all that Is praying this right now.

And that the power of joined prayer by Those who Believe and trust in you is
More powerful than anything!

I thank you in Advance for your blessings.

God, deliver the person reading this right Now From debt and debt burdens.

Release your Godly wisdom that I may be a Good steward over all that you have given me GOD, for I know how wonderful and mighty You are and how if we just obey you and walk In your word and have the faith of a Mustard Seed that you will pour out blessings.

I thank you now Lord for the recent blessings I have Received and for the blessings yet to come, Because I know you are not done with me yet.

In Jesus name Amen...