The Pickle Jar

The pickle jar, as far back as I can remember, sat on the floor beside the dresser in my parents' bedroom. When he got ready for bed, Dad would empty his pockets and toss his coins into the jar. As a small boy I was always fascinated at the sounds the coins made as they were dropped into the jar. They landed with a merry jingle when the jar was almost empty. Then the tones gradually muted to a dull thud as the jar was filled. I used to squat on the floor in front of the jar and admire the copper and silver circles that glinted like a pirate's treasure when the sun poured through the bedroom window. When the jar was filled, Dad would sit at the kitchen table and roll the coins before taking them to the bank.

Taking the coins to the bank was always a big production. Stacked neatly in a small cardboard box, the coins were placed between Dad and me on the seat of his old truck. Each and every time, as we drove to the bank, Dad would look at me hopefully. "Those coins are going to keep you out of the textile mill, son. You're going to do better than me. This old mill town's not going to hold you back." Also, each and every time, as he slid the box of rolled coins across the counter at the bank toward the cashier, he would grin proudly, "These are for my son's college fund. He'll never work at the mill all his life like me."

We would always celebrate each deposit by stopping for an ice cream cone. I always got chocolate. Dad always got vanilla. When the clerk at the ice cream parlor handed Dad his change, he would show me the few coins nestled in his palm. "When we get home, we'll start filling the jar again." He always let me drop the first coins into the empty jar.

As they rattled around with a brief, happy jingle, we grinned at each other. "You'll get to college on pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters," he said. "But you'll get there. I'll see to that."

The years passed, and I finished college and took a job in another town. Once, while visiting my parents, I used the phone in their bedroom, and noticed that the pickle jar was gone. It had served its purpose and had been removed. A lump rose in my throat as I stared at the spot beside the dresser where the jar had always stood. My dad was a man of few words, and never lectured me on the values of determination, perseverance, and faith.

The pickle jar had taught me all these virtues far more eloquently than the most flowery of words could have done. When I married, I told my wife Susan about the significant part the lowly pickle jar had played in my life as a boy. In my mind, it defined, more than anything else, how much my dad had loved me. No matter how rough things got at home, Dad continued to doggedly drop his coins into the jar. Even the summer when Dad got laid off from the mill, and Mama had to serve dried beans several times a week, not a single dime was taken from the jar. To the contrary, as Dad looked across the table at me, pouring catsup over my beans to make them more palatable, he became more determined than ever to make a way out for me. "When you finish college, Son," he told me, his eyes glistening, "You'll never have to eat beans again - unless you want to."

The first Christmas after our daughter Jessica was born, we spent the holiday with my parents. After dinner, Mom and Dad sat next to each other on the sofa, taking turns cuddling their first grandchild. Jessica began to whimper softly, and Susan took her from Dad's arms. "She probably needs to be changed," she said, carrying the baby into my parents' bedroom to diaper her. When Susan came back into the living room, there was a strange mist in her eyes. She handed Jessica back to Dad before taking my hand and leading me into the bedroom. "Look," she said softly, her eyes directing me to a spot on the floor beside the dresser. To my amazement, there, as if it had never been removed, stood the old pickle jar, the bottom already covered with coins. I walked over to the pickle jar, dug down into my pocket, and pulled out a fistful of coins. With a gamut of emotions choking me, I dropped the coins into the jar. I looked up and saw that Dad, carrying Jessica, had slipped quietly into the room. Our eyes locked, and I knew he was feeling the same emotions I felt. Neither one of us could speak.

This truly touched my heart. I know it has yours as well. Sometimes we are so busy adding up our troubles that we forget to count our blessings.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life, for better or for worse. God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others.

"The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or touched - they must be felt with the heart" --Helen Keller

- Happy moments, praise God.
- Difficult moments, seek God.
- Quiet moments, worship God.
- Painful moments, trust God.
- Every moment, thank God.

[Contributed by Claude Lebel]

August 27 2008 two moons and december 21 2012 Apocalypse????

This is from a forwarded e-mail.

August 20, 2008 — JP

The first is a hoax. Today is August 26
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2006/25aug_marshoax.htm

And to second well - yes/no?. The year 2012 is rumored to be the end of the world. But do not worry. Do not be scared. It is a false rumor. I assure you that the world will not end on 2012 December 21 but it will end one day. Remember that if there is a beginning, there is an end.

I would like to share with you briefly about the Mayan calendar and Nostradamus' prediction of the end of the world. I also would like to share with you what certainly will happen very soon as told to us by the Holy Spirit. After this certain event happened, there will be a spiritual awakening of people and earth's inhabitants will experience peace for a long time.

Nostradamus and the book of Revelation
Nostradamus' prophecy of when the world will end is far into the future, past about AD 3700. This is in agreement with what I heard and learned from the Holy Spirit—that there will only be about 144,000 around AD 2200, peace reigns for a thousand years while the Devil, or Satan, is chained up and locked up in the abyss till around AD 3200 (Revelation 20:1-7), and then Satan will be let loose from his prison to deceive the descendants of the elect for about 500 years (Revelation 20:7-10). After that, the end will come (Revelation 21:1).

Mayan calendar
The Mayan's Mesoamerican Long Count calendar forms the basis for a New Age belief, first forecast by Jose Arguelles, that a cataclysm will take place on or about 2012 December 21 (Wikipedia). Mainstream Mayan scholars consider "cataclysm" or "apocalypse" as a misinterpretation for to the Mayan scribes, it literally means uncovering or revealing.

The Long Count has 360 days in a year called "Tun". A "Tun" has 18 months or "unials" and each "unial" has 20 days. Twenty (20) Tuns is a Katun and 20 Katuns is a Baktun (144,000 days or about 400 solar years). Thirteen (13) Baktuns is a "Great Cycle" of 1,872,000 days (5,200 Tuns or about 5,125 solar years). The Great Cycle in the proleptic Gregorian calendar started on 3114 BC August 11 (day 0.0.0.0.0) and ends on 2012 December 21 (day 13.0.0.0.0) – winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The Great Cycle restarts the next day (day 0.0.0.0.0). The representation of the Great Cycle of the Mayan Long Count calendar is as follows: (13 Baktuns.20 Katuns.20 Tuns.18 Uinals.20 days).

A thousand years of peace
In Revelation 20:2-7 of the Holy Bible, it tells us about a period of a thousand years of peace. Has this occurred already since the time of Jesus? Not yet. That will still come. Those that give predictions of the world's end, such as 2012 and numerous times during the past, are pseudo-preachers. Have they talked to God directly? If so, give proofs.

Inevitable physical death
But there is something that will certainly happen—and that is our physical death. This is what we should prepare for. It may come when least expected. We do not know the day and the hour. It will come like a thief in the night. So we just have to be prepared all the time. Search for the true God and when we find Him, follow His commandments and remain in Him until our last dying breath.

Survival kit – faith in the true God
This is all that we have to do. It is faith in the true God that we can take with us when we depart from this world. If we denied Him, He will deny us also before the Father in Heaven and send us to Hell. This is very scary – to live in Hell forever. If we knew Him and loved Him and followed His commandments, then He may reward us to live with Him eternally in His kingdom in Heaven. This is the survival kit that we should have.

2012 is 20 + 12 = 32, age of Jesus when crucified
Did you know that in his/her boredom, "Thanks for reading this" theorized in Yahoo Answers, Religion & Spirituality section, that 2012 could be 20 + 12 = 32, the approximate age of Jesus when He was crucified and died? I answered that he/she is correct in his/her theory. When Jesus died, He was actually 32 solar years old, equivalent to 33 lunar years. This is found in the results of a study that I did to check if what the Holy Spirit said regarding the crucifixion of Jesus on August 17 is correct or not. Details are in http://www.geocities.com/peacecrusader88… Is this a sign that God is warning us of the impending calamity around 2012, like the end of the Mayan's calendar cycle? But I repeat, 2012 is not the end of the world yet.

The 144,000 marked good people
The Holy Spirit also told us that beings from another planet will take only the marked good people out of this world. I asked Him if it's a million. He said much less than that. Then I asked if the number is the one mentioned in Revelation and He affirmed it. A few weeks ago this year, 2008, as I was reading Revelation, I came across Revelation 14:3 to wit (King James Version): "And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth." "Redeemed from the earth" means saved from the earth. And there were 144,000 of them. This must be what the Holy Spirit was referring to several years ago.

Advice of the Holy Spirit
His advice to all: leave their wicked way of life and change their way of thinking. We should come back to the true God before it's too late. (I read in Isaiah 55:7 this message, to wit (KJV): "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.") Be good then so that we may be considered to be among the 144,000 who will be saved, and later will restart and repopulate this world. The Holy Spirit told us to tell people about this prophecy even though they accuse us as being out of our minds, crazy or lunatics. He assured us that this will happen, similar to Noah's prophecy of the Great Flood which took a hundred years before it was fulfilled. The ark was the vessel used to save Noah and his family and the animals. This time, another kind of vessel will be used to save the elect.

World War III to start at Spratly Islands
What is also certain to happen very soon (in about 2012 or earlier) is World War III and this is a nuclear war. This "calamitous war" (as Nostradamus called it) will start from the Philippines, at Spratly Islands in particular. The Spratly Islands lie on the southeast part of the South China Sea mostly near the coast of the Philippines. The Holy Spirit told us that the Philippines is the wick of a gas lamp. Once the wick is lit, it will be on and aglow. He told us about this prophecy about two decades ago. He said that the troubles in the Philippines will spread to the whole world until mankind is almost annihilated and a few will remain. Spratly Islands are being claimed wholly by China, Taiwan and Vietnam; and partly by Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines. The area is considered a tinderbox, a flash point. It is very rich in oil and gas resources, estimated to be more than the reserve of Kuwait. The high price of oil may trigger the grabbing of these islands and start the war.

Certainty of WW III
Four independent prophecies point to the certainty that this will happen. These are Nostradamus' prophecies to happen around this time (quatrains 6:24 and 2:62) , the 56th Chinese prophecy of Tui Bei Tu (the past 55 prophecies have already been fulfilled) found at http://www.alexchiu.com/philosophy/super… and Wikipedia, Revelation 9:18 of the Holy Bible, and those that the Holy Spirit revealed to us. If you are interested in the details about these prophecies, please send me your request via email.

Spiritual awakening after the war
After the calamitous war, we will have a new age, a spiritual awakening or enlightenment, and peace will reign for a long time in this world. The population would have been reduced by a third and there will be much arable land that will be available. People will be living in planned cities and communities. Would you like to live in a city where the land is free and you are guaranteed possession of the land for 50 years, renewable, and which you can bequeath to an heir?

Come back to the true God now
The Holy Spirit has given His prophecies and these are what will happen. Be rest assured then that the world will not end yet. But please, heed what He advises us to do—to change our wicked way of life and change our wrong beliefs. Come back to the true God now before it's too late. There a lot of lessons to study.

The decision to believe rests upon you
I am just sharing with you what I heard and learned from the Holy Spirit. The decision to believe Him or not depends upon yourself. I am not forcing anyone to believe in what I share. It is not my responsibility to save you or anyone, but the person's. He is the engineer of the house that he is building.

Reassurance of the true God that He will save us
Isaiah 35:4 (KJV) states: "Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you."

Source(s):

Wikipedia
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Bible
Prophecies of Nostradamus
Chinese prophecy of Tui Bei Tu

Verse of the Day

"And we know that in all things God works for the good to those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. " - Romans 8:28

NOW THAT'S GOD

It was one of the hottest days of the dry season. We had not seen rain in almost a month. The crops were dying. Cows had stopped giving milk. The creeks and streams were long gone back into the earth. It was a dry season that would bankrupt several farmers before it was through.

Every day, my husband and his brothers would go about the arduous process of trying to get water to the fields. Lately this process had involved taking a truck to the local water rendering plant and filling it up with water. But severe rationing had cut everyone off. If we didn’t see some rain soon... we would lose everything.

It was on this day that I learned the true lesson of sharing and witnessed the only miracle I have seen with my own eyes. I was in the kitchen making lunch for my husband and his brothers when I saw my Six-year-old son, Billy, walking toward the woods. He wasn't walking with the usual carefree abandon of a youth but with a serious purpose. I could only see his back. He was obviously walking with a great effort ... trying to be as still as possible. Minutes after he disappeared into the woods, he came running out again, toward the house.

I went back to making sandwiches; thinking that whatever task he had been doing was completed. Moments later, however, he was once again walking in that slow purposeful stride toward the woods. This activity went on for an hour: walking carefully to the woods, running back to the house.

Finally I couldn't take it any longer and I crept out of the house and followed him on his journey (being very careful not to be seen...as he was obviously doing important work and didn't need his Mommy checking up on him). He was cupping both hands in front of him as he walked, being very careful not to spill the water he held in them ... maybe two or three tablespoons were held in his tiny hands. I sneaked close as he went into the woods. Branches and thorns slapped his little face, but he did not try to avoid them. He had a much higher purpose. As I leaned in to spy on him, I saw the most amazing site.

Several large deer loomed in front of him. Billy walked right up to them. I almost screamed for him to get away. A huge buck with elaborate antlers was dangerously close. But the buck did not threaten him...he didn't even move as Billy knelt down. And I saw a tiny fawn lying on the ground; obviously suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion, lift its head with great effort to lap up the water cupped in my beautiful boy's hand. When the water was gone, Billy jumped up to run back to the house and I hid behind a tree.

I followed him back to the house to a spigot to which we had shut off the water. Billy opened it all the way up and a small trickle began to creep out. He knelt there, letting the drip, drip slowly fill up his makeshift "cup," as the sun beat down on his little back. And it came clear to me: The trouble he had gotten into for playing with the hose the week before. The lecture he had received about the importance of not wasting water. The reason he didn't ask me to help him. It took almost twenty minutes for the drops to fill his hands. When he stood up and began the trek back, I was there in front of him.

His little eyes just filled with tears. "I'm not wasting," was all he said. As he began his walk, I joined him...with a small pot of water from the kitchen. I let him tend to the fawn. I stayed away. It was his job. I stood on the edge of the woods watching the most beautiful heart I have ever known working so hard to save another life. As the tears that rolled down my face began to hit the ground, other drops...and more drops...and more suddenly joined them. I looked up at the sky. It was as if God, himself, was weeping with pride.

Some will probably say that this was all just a huge coincidence. Those miracles don't really exist. That it was bound to rain sometime. And I can't argue with that... I'm not going to try. All I can say is that the rain that came that day saved our farm...just like the actions of one little boy saved another.

I don't know if anyone will read this...but I had to send it out. To honor the memory of my beautiful Billy, who was taken from me much too soon... But not before showing me the true face of God, in a little, sunburned body.

THAT'S GOD

Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for?

THAT'S GOD!

He speaks to you through the Holy Spirit

Have you ever been down and out and nobody seems to be around for you to talk to?

THAT'S GOD!

He wants you to speak to Him.

Have you ever been thinking about somebody that you haven't seen in a long time and then next thing you know you see them or receive a phone call from them?

THAT'S GOD!

There's no such thing as coincidence.

Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn't even ask for, like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously been cleared, or a coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you wanted, but couldn't afford.

THAT'S GOD. .

He knows the desires of your heart. .

Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it is going to get better, but now you look back on it?

THAT'S GOD!

He passes us through tribulation to see a brighter day.

DO YOU THINK THAT THIS CARD WAS ACCIDENTALLY SENT TO YOU?
NOPE!

Please pass this along and share the Power of God.

In all that we do, we need to totally give HIM Thanks and our blessings will continue to multiply.

NOW THAT'S GOD!!!!!!!!

Don't tell GOD how Big your storm is.

Tell the storm how Big your GOD is!

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

Verse of the Day

"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." (Phil 4:13)

Youtube Censors PRI Investigative Video

source

By Colin Mason
7/2/2008

Population Research Institute (www.pop.org)

Front Royal, VA, 07/02/08—YouTube.com, in what the Population Research Institute (PRI) is calling a case of blatant censorship, has removed a video from its website for the sole reason that it criticizes a pro-abortion journalist.

The video, edited and posted by the Catholic News Agency, shows PRI affiliate Carlos Polo in conversation with pro-abortion activist Eve Reinhardt. Reinhardt had obtained an interview with Polo by assuring him that she was impartial and balanced. Polo, however, discovered that she was affiliated very closely with a hard-left, pro-abortion documentary project, entitled The Decency Gap. Polo brought his own cameraman to the interview and confronted Reinhardt, accusing her of deliberately misleading him.

Shortly after this video was posted, the website for The Decency Gap vanished, and the video was taken down by YouTube. YouTube cited vague “terms of use violations” as their reason for censoring the video.

“As the editor of a news agency that strives to provide people around the world the truth about the Catholic Church and issues of concern to Catholics, I find it frustrating that The Decency Gap project is able to convince YouTube to remove a factual video without any explanation,” David Uebbing, executive editor of the Catholic News Agency told PRI.

“None of the information provided in the video has been contradicted by The Decency Gap,” he continued. “Additionally, the project’s links to the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Marie Stopes International, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and the Peruvian pro-abortion association PROMSEX have not been disproven.”

According to Uebbing, censorship of this kind is nothing new on YouTube. He points to the example of a video posted by American Life League, which was taken down for supposedly “inappropriate content.” This video criticized clips from two online Planned Parenthood ads. But while YouTube removed ALL’s video, it left the original Planned Parenthood ads online.

Catholic News Agency has since reposted the video, labeling it “The Decency Gap / Eve Reinhardt Censored Version,” as well as posting a version on Google Video as well. The video can be found here.

"Stop censoring people with whom you disagree," PRI President Steve Mosher told YouTube. "This is America, not the People's Republic of China."

###

The Population Research Institute (PRI) was founded in 1989 by Fr. Paul Marx, OSB, PhD and is dedicated to: (1) ending human rights abuses committed in the name of "family planning", (2) opposing outdated social and economic paradigms premised on the myth of overpopulation, (3) informing the public about the social and economic benefits of moderate population growth, and (4) promoting pro-natal and pro-family attitudes and policies worldwide. Steven Mosher is the author of numerous books, including A Mother's Ordeal.

- - -

PRI is a 501(c)(3) educational organization. We work to reverse the trends brought about by the myth of overpopulation. Our growing, global network of pro-life groups spans over 30 countries. To date, we have successfully eliminated $750 million in U.S. tax dollars to population control groups or programs.

Father and Son - very touching

A son asked his father, 'Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?' The father who, despite having a heart condition, says 'Yes'. They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying 'Yes' to his son's request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his father, 'Dad, let's join the Ironman together.'

To which, his father said 'Yes.'

For those who didn't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island .

Father and son went on to complete the race together. View the video ....



We eat the fruits of trees planted by our forefathers. What trees have we planted for our children?

Give yourself something to look forward to, EVERYDAY!

Proverbs 15:15, 'Every day is a terrible day for a miserable person, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Happiness is a choice!

Cecil Schondel

Fathers for Good

POWER OF PRAYER

When you read this, say a prayer.


Remember the five simple rules to be happy :

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

No one can go back and make a brand new start. Everyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun
without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

Disappointments are like road bumps, they slow you down a bit but you enjoy the smooth road afterwards. Don't stay on the bumps too long. Move on! When you feel down because you didn't get what you want, just sit tight and be happy, because God has thought of something better to give you.

When something happens to you, good or bad, consider what it means. There's a purpose to life's events, to teach you how to laugh more or not to cry too hard. You can't make someone love you, all you can do is being someone who can be loved, the rest is up to the person to realize your worth. It's better to lose your pride to the one you love, than to lose the one you love because of pride.

We spend too much time looking for the right person to love or finding fault with those we already love, when instead we should be perfecting the love we give. Never abandon an old friend. You will never find one who can take his place.

Friendship is like wine, it gets better as it grows older.

What GOD can do!

A poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store.

She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food.

John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store.

Visualizing the family needs, she said: "Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can." John told her he could not give her credit, as she did not have a charge account at his store.

Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for
whatever she needed for her family.

The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list?" Louise replied, "Yes sir." "O.K." he said, "put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries."

Louise, hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse, took out a piece of paper, and scribbled something. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.

The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed the amazement they felt when the scales went down and stayed down. The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I can't believe it." The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales.

The scale did not balance. So he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more. The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement.

It was not a grocery list. It was a prayer which said:

"Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands". The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store.

The customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said, "It was worth every penny of it." Only God Knows how much a prayer weighs.

Trust In God

by Norman Macleod

Courage, Brother, do not stumble,
Though your path be dark as night;
There’s a star to guide the humble,
Trust in God and do the right.

Let the road be rough and dreary,
And its end far out of sight,
Foot it bravely, strong or weary;
Trust in God and do the right.

Perish policy and cunning,
Perish all that fears the light;
Whether losing, whether winning,
Trust in God and do the right.

Trust no party, sect or faction,
Trust no leaders in the fight;
But in every word and action
Trust in God and do the right.

Simple rule and safest guiding,
Inward peace and inward might,
Star upon our path abiding;
Trust in God and do the right.

Some will hate you, some will love you,
Some will flatter, some will slight;
Cease from man, and look above you,
Trust in God and do the right.

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Other popes who urge you to turn to St. Thomas: Pope Nicholas V • Pope Pius IV • Pope St. Pius V • Pope Sixtus V • Pope Clement VIII • Pope Paul V • Pope Alexander VII • Pope Innocent XI • Pope Innocent XII • Pope Benedict XIII • Pope Clement XII • Pope Benedict XIV • Pope St. Pius X • Pope Benedict XV • Pope Pius XI • Pope Pius XII • Pope John XXIII • Pope Paul VI • Pope John Paul II • Pope Benedict XVI • and scores of other popes. "St. Thomas's teachings have a singular force and virtue for curing the evils with which our age is afflicted." Pope Leo XIII

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Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) was both a scholar and a saint. Educated in Naples, he entered the Dominican Order in 1244 and devoted the rest of his life to comprehending God’s Revelation --- through reason, contemplation, and prayer --- and to living in conformity with that Revelation. In the course of a brilliant career, he preached widely throughout Europe and wrote over 100 volumes. St. Thomas died in 1274, was canonized in 1323, and was proclaimed a Doctor of the Universal Church in 1567.

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NH 03108

Now That's GOD!

I heard a story of a man on business whom I will never know, but I know God wanted me to hear his story.

He was head of security at a company that had invited the remaining members of a company who had been decimated by the attack on the Twin Towers to share their office space.

With his voice full of awe, he told the stories of why these people were alive and their counterparts were dead.

All the stories were just little things. .

You might know about the head of the company who got in late that day because his son started kindergarten.

Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.

The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning.

He took the various means to get to work, but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive.

So, Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone... all the little things that annoy me... I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment.

May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things.

A Tiny Voice Inside

Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for...

THAT'S GOD... He talks to you through the Holy Spirit.

Have you ever been thinking about somebody that you haven't seen in a long time and then next thing you know you see them or receive a phone call or letter from them...

THAT'S GOD... there is no such thing as "coincidence."

Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn't even ask for, like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously been cleared, or a coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you wanted, but couldn't afford…

THAT'S GOD... He knows the desires of your heart...

Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it is going to get better, but now you look back on it...

THAT'S GOD... He passes us through tribulation to see a brighter day...

Please pass this along and share the Power of God...

In all that we do, we should totally give HIM thanks and our blessings will continue to multiply.

This message was sent to me by a close friend and please pass it on to all of your good friends.

Keep this going for an eternity.

NOW THAT'S GOD!!

Keep smiling……. It’s one of the best advertisements for God… it makes people wonder what you’ve got…..

The Awesomeness of GOD!!

IN CHEMISTRY... HE TURNED WATER TO WINE:

IN BIOLOGY... HE WAS BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION:

IN PHYSICS... HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN:

IN ECONOMICS... HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN (not...INCLUDING the WOMEN and CHILDREN) WITH TWO FISHES & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD:

IN MEDICINE... HE CURED THE SICK AND THE BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS:

IN HISTORY... HE IS THE BEGINNING AND THE END;

IN GOVERNMENT... HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE;

IN RELIGION... HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM;

SO

WHO IS HE?

HE IS JESUS!

JOIN ME AND LET'S CELEBRATE HIM;

HE IS WORTHY.

THE EYES BEHOLDING THIS MESSAGE SHALL NOT BEHOLD EVIL, THE HAND THAT WILL SEND THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYBODY SHALL NOT LABOR IN VAIN, AND THE MOUTH SAYING AMEN TO THIS PRAYER SHALL SMILE FOREVER. REMAIN IN GOD AND SEEK HIS FACE ALWAYS.

AMEN

IN GOD I'VE FOUND EVERYTHING!

The Greatest Man in History

Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.

Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.

Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.

He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet

He conquered the world.

He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.

He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!

If you believe in God and in Jesus Christ His Son .. send this to all
On your buddy list .. if not just ignore it.

God's Blessing is Over Flowing!

Have A Blessed Day

and pass this on.

The Next Person Just Might Need It!

Inspiration of the Day

VERSE: God can multiply his favors among you so that you may always have enough of everything and even a surplus for good works. ~~2 Corinthians 9:8

REFLECTION: God rewards all our good works in His own way. This way invariably provides us with an opportunity to accomplish even better works. ~~St. Theresa of Avila

PRAYER: All-provident Lord, help me never to squander Your grace. Let me continually accomplish the good works that You both envision for me and assist me to do.


Shared by:
Oyee Alcantara
El Sobrante, CA

Holy Ghost Power!

This one is definitely between you and God. Don't disappoint. Read to the end



GOD: Angels, do you know what I was just thinking about?

ANGELS: What were you thinking about?

GOD: Christians seem to have forgotten what kind of power they have available and the devil keeps on deceiving them!

ANGELS: God, exactly what are you driving at?

GOD: I have made my children in such a way that when the people of the world are sitting, they would be standing, when the world is standing, they will stand out, when the world stands out, my children must be outstanding and when the devil dares the world to be outstanding, my people will be the standards to be used!

JESUS CHRIST: They (Christians) are also forgetting the words in Ephesians 1:3.

GOD: Please read it out!

ANGEL: PRAISE BE TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JES US CHRIST , WHO HAS BLESSED US IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES WITH EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING IN CHRIST.

ANGEL: So what do we do now since the end is almost near ?

HOLY SPIRIT: My Presence is still among men and I will teach and remind the Christians of all that we have discussed. I will also make sure that they pass this message on!

JESUS CHRIST: I will also keep on interceding for them & stand in for them even in their weaknesses.

GOD: I will also make sure that I give to all those who ask of me, seek me and try to find me The blessings I have promised them through My Son, Jesus Christ will be delivered to all those who discover that I, Jehovah, am ready to bless them! Not because of any special things that they have done, but just because I LOVE
THEM !

JESUS CHRIST: I will also give all My followers who are willing to pass this conversation on, enough strength to carry on!

ANGELS: We are all backing THE TRINITY and even the devil cannot stop us! How funny! Christians are finally taking over and ......

DEVIL (eavesdropping behind the gates): I hope you all heard! I will deploy more troops (demons) and make sure the Christians pray less, read their Bibles less, preach less and make sure this message does not move anywhere! Also.....

YOU SURE HEARD THAT! THE DEVIL WILL MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT PASS THIS ON BUT PROVE HIM WRONG AND SHOW HIM THE POWER YOU HAVE IN CHRIST JESUS AS A CHRISTIAN. PRAY MORE, STUDY THE WORD MORE AND PREACH THE WORD! DO NOT DISAPPOINT GOD! PASS IT ON!


You're braver than you believe,
Stronger than you seem, and
Smarter than you think

Inspiration of the Day

[Jesus] said to them, "There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves." But they said to him, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have here." Then he said, "Bring them here to me . . ."

~~Matthew 14:06-18

When confronted with the Gospel, I often wonder if I am doing enough. It's not a matter of scrupulosity or of believing that my salvation depends on my own efforts. Rather, I listen to the call of Jesus and I look, quite honestly, at the comfort in which I live, and it seems to me that being a disciple requires more than I am giving.

Surely, I think, I must go off and do something else---something grand. But then who would read the bedtime stories?

Yes, the call of Jesus is to also dig deeper and open ourselves to greater, more sacrificial love. And sometimes we're called to leave where we are to do that.

But other times, there is no need for us to go away, no need to do anything but look where I am now, hand what I find over to Jesus, and let him work with what I have, where I am right now.

Jesus, take what I have and bless it so others will be fed.

Amy Welborn

Shared by:

Oyee Alcantara

El Sobrante, CA

For fast, effective, financial relief: You Need A Budget

Memo from God

To:            YOU
Date:             TODAY
From:            GOD
Subject:         YOURSELF
Reference:      LIFE

This is God.  Today I will be handling All of your problems for you.  I do Not need your help.  So, have a nice day.  I love you.

P.S.  And, remember...
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself!  Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME.  All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.

 

Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.

 

If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

 

 

Should you have a bad day at work; think of the man who has been out of work for years.

 

Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

 

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.

 

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

 

Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

 

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.

 

Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!

 

Now, you have a nice day... God
 
God has seen you struggling,  God says it's over.
A blessing is coming your way.

Put A Condom On Greed - 2nd of 2 parts

GLIMPSES
Jose Ma. Montelibano

2nd of 2 parts

continued from yesterday....

Pro choice advocates who appear so tough against the Church's stand on population control claim so much concern for the quality of life of poor families with many children but so muted and meek against the purveyors of corruption which caused poverty in the first place and continues to deepen the suffering of the poor today. Their deafening silence against the agents of corruption make their claim of concern for the poor almost comical.

I do not know whether to laugh or to cry at the hypocrisy being foisted on us. They are all leaders of Filipinos, officers of the State, shepherds of the Church. How can they be so blind, or so deceptive? How can they be less than courageous, less than honest, even when they each try to call our attention and ask for our support for their respective positions? Why can they not break an ugly pattern of centuries, confess to their victims how their corruption brought a rich land and a gifted people to their knees to wallow in poverty?

The poor are not animals in a breeding program, but they end up as such because they are treated as though they are. Their choices, pro or anti, are uninformed because of their level of awareness and understanding. Worse, though, is their level of freedom - which is just slightly better than the carabaos being tested in breding programs. Carabaos, at least, are ensured that their masters will look for the land, the food and the bath they need.

On the other hand, the poor are driven to where they cannot be seen, heard or smelled. The poor are sacrificed to the altar calamities which lessen their numbers more effectively in proportion versus natural family planning of artificial contraceptives. Those who want to engage in population control should just hope that more disasters like floods, typhoons, landslides, earthquakes, fire, sinking ships, and bloody conflicts visit the Philippines.

This is a time for courage, not debate. This is a time when the poor must be attended to and relieved of their fears and hunger. This is a time when conflict among the rich and powerful, including the Catholic Church, directly hurts the poor in their most vulnerable moment. We gripe about the effects of fuel and rice prices, but the poor actually cringe from hunger and fear at a deeper level.

Let us not quibble about what they do in bed; rather, let us give them a bedroom. Let us not quibble about contraceptives or family planning methods to lessen their number of children, rather, let us put condoms over greed and the exploitation of the more powerful and wealthy. And for us who are neither the poorest of the poor or powerful like the Congress or the Church, let us overcome our own reluctance, our attachment to comfort, cross over to the wrong side of the fence, embrace the poor as our own brothers and sisters, and walk with them to freedom and well-being. ***

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GLIMPSES
"In bayanihan, we will be our brother's keeper and forever shut the door to hunger among ourselves."

Put A Condom On Greed - 1st of 2 parts

GLIMPSES

Jose Ma. Montelibano

1st of 2 parts

I cannot believe how former partners in the exploitation of land and people can suddenly turn on each other over reproductive and population control issues but deftly avoid their common guilt. I cannot believe how bishops and politicians can touch on how the poor should behave in their reproductive practices but veer away on the undisputed cause of poverty.

In previous articles, I have twitted the protagonists on the pro-life versus pro-choice controversy that they skirmish on the less essentials in order to distract themselves, and the people, from the most essential. One points to how the bigger number of children aggravate the poverty situation and the hardship of the poor families affected. The other points to fundamental religious tenets about the primacy of life, including the rights of the unborn. Both have valid points, but both remain afraid to do battle against the single biggest cause for what pro choice and pro life condemn.

Population does not cause poverty. A bigger family size can aggravate the suffering of poor families, but poverty also causes a bigger family size. The justification of the loudest pro choice advocates in Congress, and in legislative bodies of towns and cities, in calling for all types of birth control methods, products and devices is poverty. Yet, they are strangely quiet on the only proven cause for the ugliness and massiveness of poverty in the Philippines - corruption.

The Church suddenly finds the courage to challenge some representatives of the States. It called for Catholics to show their support for the pro life stance in a prayer rally which generated 10 -12 thousand instead of 1 - 2 million. And among the embarrassing number of Catholics who joined the pro life gatheri8ng in the University of Santo Tomas, the poor were not present, not even when they were the ones the Church tried to protect the most from the evil of artificial birth control. Perhaps, the poor were trying to tell the Church that they wanted to be protected from greed and exploitation, not condoms.

Just earlier this year, the Church finally articulated what ordinary Catholics and Filipino citizens have long been talking about - the cancer of corruption. After doing so, however, the newfound courage quickly retreated and could not lead the victims of corruption, or the whole Christendom of the Philippines, to an effective initiative against the most public of agents of corruption. Instead, it chose to hide behind the principle of separation of Church and State to wash its hands from having to be the righteous David to the corrupt Goliath. But condoms managed to make the same religious hierarchy shriek in dismay and anger, then call on catholics to do the same.

Who is right - pro life or pro choice? It is difficult to assess as advocates of both have shrank in credibility. Pro life Catholics have tolerated, maybe even participated, in corruption. Corruption has caused our poverty, and poverty has demeaned life that is and not just life that is yet to be. When pro life advocates led by the Church in the Philippines are seen as inutile or unconcerned in the active protection of the poor, their words or claim to being pro life rings hollow, even hypocritical. And because they are not that credible, even the message they give lack credibility.

to be continued tomorrow.......
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GLIMPSES

"In bayanihan, we will be our brother's keeper and forever shut the door to hunger among ourselves."