Hoping to learn something at CNMC12

So I pondered and wondered whether I should attend the "International Catholic Bloggers’ Summit" at the  Catholic New Media Conference in Arlington.

I just didn't (and really still do not) know if my very small (and very new) presence (and limited ability too) would fit in. Additionally, $80.00 on such an uncertainty is not the norm for my family's budget.

However, after reviewing the program, there's a session that definitely works for me: Starting a Blog Without a Clue.

I do believe that I will find the day helpful, educational, and enjoyable.  I'm looking forward to it, and hope to see some of the much more familiar bloggers in person.

Army Corps of Engineers; I Told You So

Earlier today, I said:

Of course they want to be able to say (and they will, no matter what) "The levees, flood walls, and pumps did what they were designed to do." Trust me, I will link back to this post when they do.

Well, Army Corps spokeswoman Rachel Rodi said the city's bigger, stronger levees were withstanding the assault.

"The system is performing as intended, as we expected," she said. "We don't see any issues with the hurricane system at this point."

Here's the link I promised.  Have a nice day.

Rick Santorum: Americans, Take Heed!

My favorite part of Rick Santorum's speech last night is found at 7:48 to 8:10

CPLC: Helping you answer the difficult questions‏

-by Karen Garnett, Executive Director Catholic Pro-Life Committee

It was 8 years ago, but I still remember the shock as if it was yesterday. The unbelievable news headline read: “Cardinal Ratzinger: It’s OK to vote for pro-choice candidates, if for other reasons.” I was floored by this blatant misrepresentation of our-now Holy Father's words and the Church's teaching prohibiting support of intrinsic evils, and I was galvanized, with every ounce of my energy, to find a way to right this terrible wrong. This moment crystallized for me the dire need for education and clarification of the truth as to what it means to be a Faithful Citizen ... a Catholic American.

This need is even more critical in 2012, as we face attacks not only against the most vulnerable in the womb, but also against traditional marriage and our most precious liberty – religious freedom. On September 8, leaders from throughout the state will be presenting on these issues in English and Spanish (two tracks) at the Render Unto Caesar conference (details below).

You may be saying to yourself: "I know and understand the Church's teaching on Faithful Citizenship. What can this conference offer me?" But it is not enough for us to simply know the truth. We are called to live, proclaim and defend that truth. This conference will equip you to answer that call by:

Helping you answer the difficult questions

Preparing you to discuss the hard issues

Giving you opportunities to be heard

and providing tools to be persuasive. 

Plus much, much more! 

Click here to register and answer the call 

Our focus is naturally on ensuring our consciences are formed properly for the voting booth this year. But our obligation as Catholics, as Americans, is much broader and more profound. We are called to be evangelizers every day of every year, in our private lives and in the public square. Join me on September 8 to become a peaceful and powerful force for the truth. And invite your family and friends!

I look forward to learning and evangelizing with each of you.

Blessings in Christ, for Life,
Karen

Are you a pawn for politicians and parties?

I have to admit.  It's been a pretty rotten day.  First, there's the trouble for friends and family with Hurricane Isaac.  There's national media and others who call New Orleans area (NOLA) residents crazy or demean them in other ways without taking into account all of the facts.

Then, I find myself in a bit of a spitting match with Steve Ertelt of LifeNews.com who I've much respected for his prolife work.

Where I have been calling on Christians and especially Catholics to take a real serious look at the choices we are being presented with in this election, and challenging them to keep the issues of life, faith, morals, and family values alive, well Steve drew the line in the sand for me.

I was absolutely shocked that his response to my position (I can be against abortion without supporting Romney, can't I? I can support SOME of his policy/position without sounding 100% for.) with "No, the choice is Romney or Obama, pick a side."  See it here.

My response to that (and I did respond such) can only be

WOW! I am for GOD before man. I WILL support action before words. I support Romney's stance against abortion BUT not his exceptions. - Me, George Vogt, IV

This whole "I am a robot with blinders on my eyes and fingers in my ears" thing was really getting to me.

Then I saw Lorraine Keeley on facebook post a video by Michael Voris of ChurchMilitant.TV that made my day get much better.  Mr. Voris has a much larger audience than I, and the message sounds familiar.


Thanks Lorraine!

Hurricane Isaac and yes I am upset

Monday, I posted about my Louisiana roots and how Hurricane Katrina blew me to North Texas.

I have been extremely frustrated with the New Orleans mayor and other local officials for downplaying (in my opinion) the need for people in the area to evacuate.  If you follow me on twitter or friend me on facebook, then you know what I am talking about.

Another frustration of mine is with the Army Corps of Engineers.  I could blog about days on this topic but just say they are not in my "favorable" category.  The 2 frustrations are linked as I believe that the reason the New Orleans mayor gave people an exaggerated sense of security is that he and the Corps are gambling with their lives.

As with most things, this comes down to money.  Money, money, and more money.  You see, the United States has invested (rightly so in my opinion) billions of dollars to build the best flood walls and pumping stations they can.  Of course they want to be able to say (and they will, no matter what) "The levees, flood walls, and pumps did what they were designed to do."  Trust me, I will link back to this post when they do.

Fact is, they could have told people to get out because it is better to be safe than sorry.  Frankly, I am shocked at the level of "security" that many (including friends and family) have expressed.  If I keep going on about this, you'll stop reading, so I will just get to it.

Last night, the river was rising dangerously high in Plaquemines Parish.  (Plaquemines is outside of the federal protected area and not part of the rebuilding that I mentioned.) Sometime (my brain is on overdrive) between 10pm and 1am this morning, the Corps said that the "threat to Plaquemines Parish is over" (referring to the aforementioned rising water).  At 5am this morning, I learned that the water did indeed spill over the levees in Plaquemines, and that there was up to 12 feet of water in homes.

Here's video of a man calling in to WWL in New Orleans to say that he, his baby, and father are trapped in their attic.  For him, the threat is certainly not over.  Pump station operators are trapped as well.






Here's the video of Mayor Landrieu telling locals to "shelter in place" instead of "Play it safe, and leave."

Surprise! The Obama administration doesn't "get it".

Surprise!  The Obama administration doesn't "get it".

HHS revises mandate third time; foes say it misses the point

Washington D.C. (CNA/EWTN News).- A slight revision of the federal contraception mandate offers some additional protection for certain religious employers but is not sufficient to ease religious freedom concerns, said a lawyer who is working to challenge the mandate in court. Hannah Smith, senior counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, told CNA on Aug. 27 that the Obama administration is governing by “sloppy executive fiat” and is failing to address the underlying problem with the controversial mandate.

She explained that for the third time in seven months, the federal government has rewritten the guidelines for the “safe harbor” that offers a one-year reprieve from the mandate to some non-profit religious organizations that object to its demands.

“They’re making it up as they go along,” she said. “They haven’t really thought through these issues carefully.”

Read the full story here.

The Pope says something that I thinks calls politicians out

I have to say that this reminds me of politicians who change political positions at the drop of a hat or who say they are for or against this or that for political gain but with insincerity in their heart.

Pope Benedict: insincerity is 'the mark of the devil'

VATICAN CITY, August 26 (CNA/EWTN News) .- Pope Benedict XVI said Sunday that a lack of sincerity in life is “the mark of the devil” as witnessed in the decision of Judas Iscariot to continue following Jesus Christ even after he had ceased to believe in him.

“The problem is that Judas did not go away, and his most serious fault was falsehood, which is the mark of the devil. This is why Jesus said to the Twelve: ‘One of you is a devil’,” said the Pope in his midday Angelus address to pilgrims at Castel Gandolfo Aug. 26.

The pontiff said that Catholics pray to the Virgin Mary to help them to believe in Jesus as St. Peter did and “to be always sincere with him and with all people.”

The Pope continued his recent weeks’ reflections upon Jesus’s “Bread of Life” discourse as delivered in the synagogue of Capernaum.

After Christ declared himself to be “the living bread which came down from heaven” many of those who had followed him, records St. John in his Gospel, “drew back and no longer went about with him.”

Asked by Jesus if they too will leave, St. Peter replied on behalf of the Twelve “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

The one exception, said Pope Benedict, was Judas Iscariot who “could have left, as many of the disciples did; indeed, he would have left if he were honest.” Instead, he chose to remain with Jesus. Not because of faith or love, said the Pope, but out of a secret desire to take vengeance on his master.

Read the full article: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=25556

Silence of the Flock?: 40 Days Before Hurricane Katrina

I just posted about my evacuation from Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina,

Well, I recently discussed with a couple of friends that not long before that, I got mad about an atheistic movie playing in my home town.  In fact, I wrote a letter and with the approval of my pastor, delivered it to about 50 local churches.  I went to as many Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, non-denominational, etc churches that I could find.  I asked them to post it or to read it to their parishioners, congregation, etc.

I'm guessing that some of you are thinking I was being my normal out-of-control self, or maybe just rolling your eyes, but it is what it is.

Ironically (or NOT), 40 days later, I was finishing up preparations to evacuate.  I find the whole thing very interesting, if nothing else, now.  Even though the movie is no longer of significance, I think the question raised in the letter is still (and maybe more so) relevant.  See what you think.

Here's the transcript of the letter:

Silence of the Flock?

“Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient.” (Ephesians 5: 6) 

Last Friday morning, I was having breakfast with a friend, when he shoved an article from the Lagniappe section of the Times Picayune in my face saying, “Can you believe this!!?” The article was a piece on “The God Who Wasn’t There”, listed first as a “documentary” and then a “movie” which “merits a PG-13 rating”.

The movie portrays Jesus as a “myth, another hero tale modeled on a classic paradigm”, and the theater  Chalmette Movies 9, proudly claims “partnership” with the New Orleans Secular Humanist Association.

I have to say that I was very upset that this movie was playing at the theater in our own community. How did we let this happen? Are we that silent in our community that this movie is not only being shown (for nine days), but is proudly touted on the theater's “movie line” as the top billing? In case you haven’t noticed, a large majority of this theater's patrons are our children (and grandchildren).

This was still weighing on my mind when I got home, so I decided to visit the theater to voice my disappointment. I spoke with a lady who identified herself as “one of” the managers of the theater. I (calmly and politely) expressed to her that I was not pleased that the theater chose to play this movie in our hometown, telling her that while they had a right to play what they wanted to, that neither I nor my children would frequent the theatre in the future as my only recourse in protesting their decision.

She proceeded to tell me, “We’re showing the movie because another group asked us to play it. We’ll play anything here. Last week, we played a Mormon movie. We’ll play Christian movies too.” I told her that I appreciated her honesty, but the fact that they would play “anything” really didn't make me feel better about the situation, and that I would urge others who thought as I do to also stop frequenting the theater.

So here we are…I am asking you to consider taking 5 minutes of your time to go to this theater (there is not a phone number to call that will allow you to speak with anyone or to leave a message.) and in a Christian-like manner, politely inform them that you too are not pleased with their decision to play the movie.

“For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.” (Ephesians 6: 12)

Hurricane Isaac Reminds Me of How I Got Here

I recognize that while many who have known me are familiar with my roots in Louisiana, there are many who may not be.  With Hurricane Isaac taking a very similar path as Hurricane Katrina, and with the possibility of landfall on the anniversary of Katrina, I thought this would be a good time to re-introduce the story of how I came to North Texas.

On August 28, 2005 at 4 AM, my wife, our then 9 month old son, and I evacuated from our house in Arabi, Louisiana. Arabi is a small community in St. Bernard Parish which rests near the Mississippi River. You may not have heard of St. Bernard, but you may be more familiar with our neighbors immediately to the west; the “Lower 9th Ward” of New Orleans. 

Escaping the path of Hurricane Katrina, we took our dog, a few changes of clothes, and some personal belongings that we could fit in the car.

Living in an area which is 13 feet below sea level, it was not the first time that we had “run the drill” so to speak. In fact, it wasn’t even the first time that we had evacuated that year. However, this time just felt a little different. Still, as we drove away, we did not realize that it would be the last time we would call that place “home”.

We tried not to think about what could be in store for Louisiana and other areas in the Gulf region, so when we were not praying, we tried to keep the conversation light. We had gone to the Vigil Mass the evening before, and we joked about the choice of the closing Hymn, “Rain Down”.

For much of the next week, from a Houston hotel room, we watched the events which followed in the aftermath of Katrina. It was really hard to watch. There were pictures of places that were familiar to us our whole lives, now completely submerged by several feet of water. There were pictures of rescues, some too late. There were images and sounds of complete and utter chaos. There were scenes of people living in subhuman conditions, and while many organizations and agencies were able to get in, it seemed no one was able to get out. Some St. Bernard officials remained throughout the storm and were posting updates on the internet. Their reports were even worse than what we were watching on television, and they gave a pretty dim prognosis for the recovery of the area.

With all of these things and more in mind, we discussed our options and prayed for guidance. After a couple of days, we decided that we would not return, and that we would head to “Dallas” as we previously referred to this area. My Godfather and his family have lived here for several years, and we had just visited the area the year before. Ironically, I remember that at the time we thought it might be a nice place to live…”some day”. That hypothetical “some day” was now upon us, and while we were uncertain about a great number of things such as housing, employment, and little things like that, we were definitely at peace and comfortable with our decision.

We decided to let my parents know of our plans. My parents, as well as most of my family, also lived in St. Bernard and had evacuated to Memphis. As I placed the call, I was a little concerned about how my mom might respond to us moving so far away. When she answered the cell phone, my mom said, “Hold on. Your dad is on the phone with Paren. I think he’s talking about moving to Dallas.”

On a temporary basis, we all rented a house in The Colony. All of us, my mom, dad, wife, infant son, the dog, and I quartered in the same house. As you can imagine, that in itself presented its own challenges and situations. Although we had made the move, “at peace” with the decision, the tensions and pressures of various sorts began to mount. It was around that time that I read these words from St. John Chrysostom. 

The waters have risen and severe storms are upon us, but we do not fear drowning, for we stand firmly upon a rock. Let the sea rage, it cannot break the rock. Let the waves rise, they cannot sink the boat of Jesus. What are we to fear? We brought nothing into this world, and we shall surely take nothing from it. Though the waves and the sea and the anger of princes are roused against me, they are less to me than a spider’s web. For I always say “Lord, your will be done”; not what this fellow or that would have me do, but what you want me to do. That is my strong tower, my immovable rock, my staff that never gives way. If God wants something, let it be done! If he wants me to stay here, I am grateful. But wherever he wants me to be, I am no less grateful. 

The following weekend, we found our way to St. Francis of Assisi in Frisco. We knew that we had found our new church home as the choir sang "Rain Down."  (You can't make this stuff up.)

A month later, we purchased a house in the area, became involved in our new Church parish, and have seen how God has shaped our lives in ways that we did not expect and could only have happened here and now.  I don't know what we would do without the friendships that we have made through our church "family". Grateful? Indeed!

Please take a moment to pray for the physical and spiritual well-being of the people in the Gulf area.

Note: The majority of the content in this article was taken from my lay witness during a Stewardship drive at St. Francis.  Also, this article has been edited, but most of the content was originally posted several years ago here on DFW Catholic.

Drought Affects Altar Bread Prices

I can't say that I saw this one coming:

Midwest drought to impact altar bread prices 

Greenville, R.I. (CNA).- Manufacturers of altar bread are preparing to face rising costs of wheat flour as grain prices fluctuate in the wake of a severe drought that continues to plague the Midwest and Western Canada, although they expect to pass along only a minimal price increase to their customers.

In Clyde, Mo., Benedictine Sister Rita Claire Dohn, manager of the altar bread ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, has witnessed a 25 percent increase in the price of wheat flour since the convent last received a delivery two months ago.

“That’s pretty steep when there isn’t a large profit margin,” Sister Dohn emphasized, adding that the convent is the largest religious producer of altar breads in the world. The sisters offer their altar breads wholesale to many smaller convents that resell the life-giving breads to support their community.

Read the full article here.

Karen Garnett of the CPLC slams Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood

Karen Garnett of the CPLC (http://prolifedallas.org) slams Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood in a response published in the Dallas Morning News.

Richards claims the PP lawsuit against Texas is not about PP.

Here is Karen's response:

According to Cecile Richards, the lawsuit brought by Planned Parenthood against the Texas government “has never been about Planned Parenthood.”

This is nonsensical spin to the absurd. Cecile, it’s about Planned Parenthood. It’s about the challenged, now enforceable, law redirecting taxpayer funds away from Planned Parenthood and the truth lying behind its corporate veil. It’s about Planned Parenthood performing over 325,000 abortions last year, making up 51 percent of its clinic income. It’s about Planned Parenthood’s reported requirement that all of its affiliates perform abortions by 2013. It’s about the taxpayer-funded Planned Parenthood facilities which do not perform abortions but nonetheless refer for abortions — to whom? Planned Parenthood. It’s about Planned Parenthood’s abortion and “family planning” facilities feeding off each other, operating in the same building and cross-marketing their “services” to the same customers. It’s about Planned Parenthood choosing to shut down its “health centers” while breaking ground on a $6.5 million abortion center in Fort Worth.

Ultimately, it’s about Planned Parenthood favoring its abortion business over the low-income women it claims to serve. Texas has had enough. No organization in the business of killing unborn children deserves a single penny of taxpayer funding — that’s Planned Parenthood, Cecile.

Karen Garnett, Executive Director, Catholic Pro-Life Committee, Respect Life Ministry of the Diocese of Dallas

The entire DMN article may be found at here.

Fr. Frank Pavone on the Passing of Joan Appleton

Fr. Pavone

Staten Island, NY - Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, today issued the following statement on the passing of Joan Appleton, a former abortion facility nurse who went on to found and lead the Society of Centurions of America, a group that provides counseling and financial aid to those who leave work in the abortion industry.

“I was very sad to hear that Joan had died. I learned a lot from her over the years about the corruption in the abortion industry and the needs of former abortion providers like herself.

“Together with her and Pro-Life Action Ministries, I have had the joy of ministering to those who have left the abortion industry. In Joan's memory, we at Priests for Life will redouble our efforts to expand the Society of Centurions, ministering to former abortionists and their staff, and inviting those still in the industry to repentance and healing.”

Priests for Life is the nation's largest Catholic pro-life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.

The Real "Fair and Balanced": Obama Supports the Death of Babies Born Alive

I've been trying to present an honest approach here about what we face in the "choices" presented to us in this presidential election and what that means to us, and how we have allowed ourselves to get to this point.

Make no mistake, these are ridiculous choices with the candidates spewing lie after lie about each other and what they themselves stand for.

Also do not be mistaken that I could support in any way a person who even comes close to embracing the pro-death policies that Barack Obama does.  He is the most anti-life, anti-marriage, anti-religion, anti-free-speech, pro-despotism president this country has ever seen.

This man has not only supported the killing of unborn babies (which is what abortion really is as we have allowed the practice to sound "sanitary"), but he has supported the practice of allowing babies that have been born alive to die.  You may have seen another "sanitary" word being thrown out there, "infanticide". Obama has supported this at least three times.

This is pure evil.

Polys, Henos, and gods from another universe?

Are Mormons polytheists (worship many gods) or henotheists (believe in many gods but worship one), who in the case of Mormonism used to be a Mormon male from another planet or universe who lived a good life and is now being rewarded by his godhead and the worship from many others?

Since there is a possibility that a Mormon may be the next President of the United States, I believe this is a valid and important topic.

40 Days for Life-Dallas Cast the Vision Meeting

40 Days for Life-Dallas Cast the Vision Meeting

August 28, 2012 7:00 P.M. Gaston Oaks Baptist Church 8515
                                             Greenville Ave Dallas, 75243 (Map)

Learn from Lauren Muzyka, National Campaign Strategist
                        What is 40 Days for Life?
                        What makes this prayer campaign unique?
                        Why thousands are participating worldwide?
                        And why you should too!
                        Plus practical pointers for those returning to the campaign
                        and organizing groups

Click here for Event Flyer

Fall Campaign Dates: September 26-November 4
Contact Us: 40days@prolifedallas.org 972-267-LIFE (5433)

www.prolifedallas.org/40days

The Weighting Is The Hardest Part

I've been writing about examining all candidates with a prayerful and properly formed conscience and keeping faith and morals in the political discussions.

There can be such a will of some people to defeat a particular candidate that they don't even want to hear or read anything, and I mean anything, that might cause them or others to do anything but march on in a robotic trance, with blinders on their eyes and fingers in their ears.

As Christians, we have a greater responsibility and allegiance to God than to any politician, political party, and even to our country.  Of course our country is important, but as Christians we are responsible to cooperate with God in our witness to others first, hopefully transforming the country through God's Grace.

The most common responses I have received so far have been:

Romney "is pro-life".

-Well, there's more to being pro-life than being anti-abortion.  And Romney is not always anti-abortion. And even when he is, I do not see such conviction that I believe that he will actually do anything other than say he is pro-life. There's more on this, but you can do a little research on your own right? (Of course we know Obama is definitely pro-abortion and even pro-infanticide so do not misinterpret or distort what I am saying.)

What " if your vote results in dramatic worsening of the situation for pretty much everything you care about (a bigger evil staying in power)?" and "A vote for a third party candidate is a vote for Obama."

-That is part of the discernment that one needs to consider. But it's a part and needs to be taken to prayer and considered in the whole of the process. When our conscience is clear, we will proceed with assurance and peace, not fear. The Lord does not give us a Spirit of fear.

"I know Romney is not perfect. He was not my first nor second choice in the primaries but he he is better than Obama."
-My intention is to get people to think about the weight of their vote on their souls before the weight of politics. Honestly, it's not for me to judge someone who wrestles with the full grasp of facts and takes that (hopefully with prayer) into the voting booth.

I was going to rant on a bit more about this, but Lisa beat me to it.  (Ah, good for me and for you.)

No, it's not easy, but it is your responsibility.  And although Tom Petty's song "The Waiting" was definitely composed with a different end in mind, the chorus of that song reminds me of this process.  Here it is (with my changing of that one word <2x>):

The weighting is the hardest part
Every day you see one more card
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The weighting is the hardest part
(The Waiting, by Tom Petty - with editorial liberty)

So try not to get angry about any of this, just think and pray and discern until you truly feel at peace that you have taken into account all of the information. Soon, the weighting will be over.

Love: It Is What It Is

Something a little different for today.

Several years ago, my Mom embraced the phrase, "It is what it is." Something about that has always caused a negative reaction from me. However, after years of her ignoring my request to stop using the phrase, I gave in.  If you can't beat them, join them.  Well, okay, not in everything, but it is my Mom you know.

Most Christians are familiar with St. Paul's exhortations of "love" in 1Corinthians 13.  However, even these lines contain teaching in the negative, such as "love is not...".

In all relationships, and especially in marriage, it can be difficult to always see the positive as long as our focus is on ourselves instead of the other person.

So this morning, I thought I would just take those verses, and make them all positives, so that I can say this is what love is instead of this is what love is not. (My changes are in bold.)

You win Mom.  It is what it is.

Love is patient, love is kind. Love is trusting. Love is unassuming, it is authentic, it is respectful, it seeks the interest of the other, it is even-tempered, it forgives injury, it regrets wrongdoing and rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love always succeeds.

My 4 Year Old Schools Me on Forgiveness

Yesterday, I received a lesson in forgiveness and compassion.  That lesson was taught to me by my youngest child, Monica.  Monica is four years old, and I joke about her "multiple personalities", but her heart is pure gold.

I have learned many lessons from my five children throughout the years, and this is not the first from Monica, but it really was beautiful.

Monica, Brandon (7), and I were at the water park yesterday.  Both of the children had told me that they were having a great time, "best ever" to be exact.

We were in the children's playground area, complete with multiple sprinklers, water drops, and a variety of junior water slides.  Brandon was exploring some of the slides on the larger scale, while Monica was enjoying the smallest.  It's worth noting that earlier, I had worked with Monica to build her courage up enough to go it alone on the slide.

Monica would sit at the top of the slide and prepare herself to come down, "One, two, three!" before heading down the few feet that it took to reach the bottom.  She continued to work up her courage, eventually learning to close her mouth before splashing into the water at the bottom of the slide, then gradually feeling comfortable enough to get out of the slide without my assistance.

Then, Ethan arrived.  We did not know Ethan before "that" moment.  Ethan was an energetic boy, approximately Monica's age.  The other children had been patient with Monica as she sat at the top of the slide longer than most.  But Ethan was not patient with her.  At all.  As Monica started, "One, T..." Ethan gave her a hard push down the slide.  Monica, who has a flare for the dramatic, was not happy to say the least.  She cried.  She cried loud and hard as she came to me for consolation, which she got of course.  Ethan's grandma was nearby, and I was surprised that he did not receive correction.

After Monica's next turn, Ethan came down head first right behind her, slamming into her back.  Same reaction from Monica, but this time Ethan did receive correction from his grandma.  "Don't come down head first Ethan."  Yep, that was it.  If you are a parent, you have an idea of what was going through my mind at this point.  There were a few more similar incidents after that, none receiving any correction at all.

Soon, Monica and Ethan were both standing in the water at the bottom of the slide after yet another similar incident.  Monica told Ethan, "It's not safe to come down too fast."  Ethan responded my pushing her down. Both Ethan's grandma and I arrived to attend to the children, and she did reprimand him for the shove, but there were no consequences for Ethan beyond that.  "Not exactly how I would handle that!" was what was going through my mind.

Then came my lesson.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?" (Matthew 5: 43-46)

Soon after another similar episode, Ethan ran out ahead of Monica, not watching where he was going, right into some older boys also not watching where they were going.  He fell down, and it was obvious he was hurt.  Monica ran to him.  I saw Ethan's grandma scurrying towards him, and then stop. Monica was rubbing Ethan's head, asking him if he was alright, then extending her hand to him to help him up.  He accepted Monica's assistance, and the two of them walked toward the steps of the slide....together....holding hands.

I am grateful that Ethan's grandma allowed that scenario to play out as it did. I believe that several lessons were learned in those moments. I know that I was personally humbled and at the same time, very proud of my four year old daughter.

Ethan was "still Ethan" after that, but was kind to Monica and even slowed down a few times, long enough to listen to her many philosophies of childhood life and play.

When it was time for us to leave, Monica told Ethan goodbye, and the two shared a hug.

As we walked away, I told Monica how proud of her I was and what a good example she had set.  But I know God was saying to her, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Do Human Rights Exist?

My friend Kyle Cupp says that human rights do not exist, or at least that is the title of a recent blog post at Journeys in Alterity.

Now, Kyle is a very intelligent fellow, much more so than I, and he has an ability to make reasonable arguments for or against controversial topics or opinions. I suspect that he was not the first guy one would have chosen as an adversary in Debate class.

Worth noting is Kyle's enjoyment of language and its use, and it is of the use of "rights language" that he says, "I wouldn’t shed a tear to see it become a dead language."

And it is of this language that Kyle states, "but it’s much more abstract than, say, the concept of virtues (habitual dispositions toward the good) or the concept of moral obligations that arise in certain circumstances and situations."  He continues, "You can at least point to what those concepts refer to in the real world; you can’t show me a natural or human right."

My own deficiencies and mental inferiority previously noted, I disagree with this line of thinking.

First of all, Kyle is comparing apples and oranges by comparing what the "concept of virtues" refers to with not being able to "show" him "a natural or human right".  One can also not be "shown" temperance, prudence, courage, or justice any more so than a right.  Moreover, I believe that the use of these words are closely related and perhaps even interwoven with the use of the word "rights".

For instance, show me "justice".  Try to describe what "the concept of" justice refers to without at some point using the word "right" or "rights".  It seems a bit tricky at the least.

I could ramble on I guess, but I think it comes down to the fact that "rights language" has been distorted, misused, and abused much like the use of "freedom language" has.

True freedom has been given to man from God.  True rights have been given to us by God.  Here also, the language is interwoven as it is our proper or improper use of the freedom God has given to us that affects the rights of others.  In fact, the "language" of rights, virtues, and freedom are all interwoven together.

Freedom is the power, rooted in reason and will, to act or not to act, to do this or that, and so to perform deliberate actions on one's own responsibility. Human freedom is a force for growth and maturity in truth and goodness; it attains its perfection when directed toward God. 

Freedom makes man responsible for his acts to the extent that they are voluntary. Progress in virtue, knowledge of the good, and ascesis enhance the mastery of the will over its acts.

The right to the exercise of freedom, especially in moral and religious matters, is an inalienable requirement of the dignity of the human person.  (from the Catechism <teaching> of the Catholic Church)

And It Continues

So there seems to be much more for CRS and the USCCB to discern and hopefully act upon.

Here's some follow up to my recent posts regarding CRS.

Catholic Relief Services scandal hits the blogosphere 

August 16, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In July, LifeSiteNews broke the story of Catholic Relief Services, “the official overseas relief and development agency of the USCCB,” granting $5.3 million to CARE, a pro-contraception and pro-abortion organization. (continue reading)

Your Money or Your Life?

Have you ever watched a "western" film where the highwaymen overtake the coach and demand of the driver or passengers, "Your money or your life?"  In reality, the phrase is known to date back to the 17th century at least, and generally followed the demand, "Stand and deliver!"  The victims, surprised and stunned, almost always handed over their possessions in order to preserve their lives.

In 1948, comedian Jack Benny presented what would arguably become his most famous "joke" using the line.  Benny is accosted by a mugger who first asks for a match to light a cigarette.  The mugger then demands, "Don't make a move, this is a stickup. Now, come on. Your money or your life."  There's a pause. Benny says nothing.  The agitated mugger now exclaims, "Look, bud! I said your money or your life!"  As soon as the words are out of the mugger's mouth, Benny quips back, "I'm thinking it over!"

I see the same thing happening in our country today.  Only, we are the victims, and the highwaymen and muggers are much more difficult to detect because we don't always see them for what and who they are.

Most of the issues currently being debated in our country are being done so within the realm of politics.  And in my opinion that is exactly what presents a problem for many Christians.  We have been "caught up" into this cloud of going "all in" for one group because of the danger we see in another.  What happens is that we allow others to shape the debate.  Usually that means money.  Oh, it's an important issue, but is it the most important issue for Christians?

"George, morality and religious freedom have been at the forefront of political discussions recently.  What in the world are you talking about?"

In the past few days, I have seen a "flood" of political discussion. Unscientifically, it's been about 95% about money.  And then there's this from Mary K. Ham at Hot Air (emphasis mine):

"the debate should no longer be about contraception and the deferred cancer-causing capabilities of Bain investments. It will be about the budget and the $16-trillion debt, the unsustainable trajectory of the federal government and the promises it’s already breaking to generations to come. It will be about Simpson-Bowles and a federal government that hasn’t even bothered to pass a budget since before the iPad existed. It will be about how four years of grossly increased spending has stimulated us into the worst recovery in American history, unless you happen to be an Obama donor or crony. It will be about how creating new entitlement programs cannot possibly fix the ones that are already broken. And, it will be about whether we value an ever more dependent society or an ever more successful one." (Mary K. Ham)

These are important issues, but it scares me to think that they will become the most important or worse, the only ones in the debate.  We have a duty to help others think about whether it will be "money or life".  We need to keep the issues of morality, religious freedom, and the protection of unborn children from abortion (Hello America!) in this debate.  We need to have honest discussions about how to care for those who truly need help.  We need to have honest discussions about what our country's role is around the world and domestically with regards to the dignity of persons.

Yes, we need to talk about money, but it better be about more than money friends.

The demand has been presented, "Your money or your life!"  The victims of the highwaymen were quick to protect their lives.  Will you be as quick to protect the lives of others and your eternal life?

Will our witness "stand and deliver" the Truth of the Gospel, helping others to at least pause and say, "I'm thinking it over"?

God bless.

* Thanks to Lisa at Catholic Bandita for calling attention to the article mentioned in this post.

The Voices In My Head - Part 4; Show Me the Way

One might wonder why God doesn't just "make" us do what He wants (or wills).  Why can't He just clearly and audibly give us every answer? This opens that line of questioning about why there is evil in the world and the whole "If God is really a loving God, then...." scenario. I'll leave that mostly for another day, but of course the short answer is "sin", and we really don't like accepting responsibility.  It's much easier to blame God.

Ultimately, God's Will is that we all come to know Him and to be saved. (1Timothy 2:3-4)  He desires that we share in His divine nature through Christ. (2Peter 1:4)   He loves us enough to give us the freedom to choose or reject Him, not in one fleeting moment or decision, but throughout our lives and in a multitude of daily decisions.  We have freedom. But we also have responsibility.

Last week, I began writing about conscience; understanding how and where God speaks to us, the need to properly form one's conscience, and the propensity for erroneous judgment.

With these things in mind, the Church helps to guide us, also not telling us exactly what to do in every situation but distinguishing certain criteria when making moral choices.

One may not choose to do evil in order to achieve good.  You know, two wrongs don't make a right.  

Apply the Golden Rule:  "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you." (Matthew 7:12)  

One must be careful not to cause another to sin (Romans 14:21) or to damage another's conscience. (1Corinthians 8:12)  I believe that this "rule" deserves special attention.  There are many people whose faith is weak or fragile for whatever reason or circumstance.  Many want to believe but have their faith shaken by the world that surrounds them, including the actions of Christians.  I am reminded of lines from a Styx song, "Show Me The Way".  May we not bring judgment upon ourselves for causing another to lose their faith.

Every night I say a prayer in the hope that there's a heaven And every day I'm more confused as the saints turn into sinners All the heroes and legends I knew as a child have fallen to idols of clay And I feel this empty place inside so afraid that I've lost my faith  (Show Me The Way; by Styx)

The Voices In My Head - Part 3; Magnetic Morality

In "Counterfeit Conscience", I addressed using the tools available to us as Christians to prepare us to discern the voice of God in out hearts.

The proper formation of one's conscience is a lifelong process and responsibility.  Even one who seeks to make correct judgments in conformity with God's Will is at risk of making the wrong choices; erroneous judgment.  Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are influenced throughout our lives by our family, friends, the media, and the environment we grow up in among many other factors.  So even if we make a sincere effort to understand how God speaks to us and to prepare ourselves using the "tools" available to us as Christians, because of these influences we are still susceptible to erroneous judgement.

The propensity for erroneous judgement is increased by presuppositions of false assertions, an insincere quest for or even absence of the pursuit of a properly formed conscience, bad examples, a lack of true charity, and ignorance of and especially rejection of Christ, the Gospel, and the authority of the Church.

It is true that we are creatures of habit.  The more we become accustomed to making wrong choices, the more comfortable we will be making them.  As I discussed in "Are you convicted, accused, or left alone?", we can even lose any sense of our "moral compass".  However, the more we choose correctly, the stronger bearing we have on magnetic North, or in this case, "magnetic morality".

Hence the more right conscience holds sway, the more persons and groups turn aside from blind choice and strive to be guided by the objective norms of morality. (Gaudium Et Spes)

The conclusion of this series will appear Monday covering a few "rules".

The Voices In My Head - Part 2; Counterfeit Conscience

In Part 1 I began to address the question, "How do I know if it is God speaking to me, or if it is all in my head?", touching on how and where He speaks, and how conscience is the messenger helping to interpret His voice for us.

But for the Christian, conscience needs to be trained.  It requires proper formation.  A properly formed conscience helps us to make choices based on reason, but in conformity with the Will of God.

When I was in the grocery business, we trained our cashiers how to detect counterfeit money.  To detect counterfeit bills, one does not study the counterfeit.  One studies the real bill, seeks to learn all that is possible about what a real bill looks like.  Properly trained to recognize the real bill, the one with true value, the cashier would be better equipped to recognize the worthless counterfeit bill.

It is also important to note that as cashiers became better equipped to recognize truth over counterfeit, the counterfeiters found better ways to trick them.  This brought on changes in the way money is printed; with special portraits, bands and shifting ink, among others.  Cashiers are now also given special pens to aid them in this effort.  Even as they become more and more equipped, given more and more tools to work with, the counterfeiters continue to scheme.

And so it is today, that we Christians have plenty of "tools" and "aids" at our disposal; much more so than our parents and grandparents and so on.  However, the "counterfeiters", the ones who seek to trick us into accepting false reason, are very good at their game.  More importantly, if we become lazy and do not use the tools at our disposal, we will most certainly be duped!

So it is clear to see, that the formation of the Christian conscience is a life long process.  We have to work at it and stay vigilant against the tactics of the enemies of faith.  Like counterfeiters, they seek to distort true faith, masking their lies with half truths.

Thanks be to God!  We have lots of tools.  We have prayer, which teaches us to place our trust in God and to cooperate with His Will.  We have the great gift of the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures and authentic blueprint of faith.  We have the Church through which we exercise our faith, are renewed and refreshed by the Sacraments and by which we join our prayer to the Body of Christ, whose head is Jesus in Whom all Truth resides.

Next time; more about avoiding counterfeit conscience and erroneous judgement.

The Voices In My Head - Part 1

How do I know if it is God speaking to me or if it is "all in my head"?

This is a great question, and one that should be especially considered by one who professes to be a Christian.  Let's face it.  There is no shortage of conflicting thoughts among Christians on just about anything, but especially with regards to faith and morals.

Today, our world is full of noise and "busyness".  Add in the fact that decades of media and political slants have been rather successful at diluting at best and manipulating at worse the "messages" we receive, and it is a little more clear why it has become more difficult for us to discern the "voice" of God in our "hearts".

This is a good place to start.  To be able to recognize God's "voice", we must first understand that He speaks to the "heart", the depths of one's being.  It is where God has already written His law.  (Romans 2:14-15)  It is in the heart that "conscience" must delve to seek out God's true voice.

For when the Gentiles who do not have the law by nature observe the prescriptions of the law, they are a law for themselves even though they do not have the law. They show that the demands of the law are written in their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even defend them.  Romans 2:14-15

Conscience is the judgement or reason by which one weighs the moral merits of one's actions.  The Christian understands it as something more though.  Cardinal Newman described conscience as a "messenger" of God, which "speaks to us behind a veil".

[Conscience] is a messenger of him, who, both in nature and in grace, speaks to us behind a veil, and teaches and rules us by his representatives. Conscience is the aboriginal Vicar of Christ. John Henry Cardinal Newman, "Letter to the Duke of Norfolk," V, in Certain Difficulties felt by Anglicans in Catholic Teaching II (London: Longmans Green, 1885) 

So God speaks to us in our hearts where He has written His law and gives us conscience as a messenger to "interpret" for us so that we are equipped to always do right, right?  Equipped, yes, but owning (or being equipped with) high priced power tools doesn't make you a master carpenter.  There's training involved, lots and lots of training.

In fact, continuing with the carpentry theme, the Christian recognizes that while one's "skills" (or ability to recognize God's voice) increases, his or her stint as a "journeyman" is truly a lifelong apprenticeship.

Next time, I will begin to address this training of or the "formation" of conscience.

Are you convicted, accused, or left alone?

While on retreat a few months ago, a conversation came up with a friend.  It had to do with our human nature of sinning, falling or straying from that perfect path that God has set out for our lives.  We talked about feeling convicted when we know we've done wrong and how we sometimes beat ourselves up over repeated failings.  That "beating ourselves up" part can really be better described as feeling accused.  True conviction most certainly comes from God.  However, feeling accused may be a different story.

Am I splitting hairs?  Well, for sake of the conversation, what we were talking about with regards to "feeling accused" are those thoughts of "See, you're not really a changed person." and "There!  You did it again!  You are so weak!" and "Some Christian you are!", etc.  Since accusation, by the nature I have described here, pulls us down, attempts to chain us to our sinful nature and attempts to cripple us from moving forward with God, it cannot be of or from God.

That conversation resurfaced in my thoughts this morning as I was praying and reflecting on God and how He moves in my life.  I received several affirmations through prayer, scripture, and from a couple of recent conversations with people.  Isn't that alone an affirmation of how God speaks to us?

When we feel convicted, we are feeling that tug of the Holy Spirit which helps us face the truth that we have sinned and need to be reconciled with God.  But even deeper, it leads to repentance and a desire to get back up and try harder.  Conviction calls us to dig deeper than "I have sinned" but to seek God's help in understanding "What in my life is God calling me to change to help me avoid this sin again?".

But there was a time in my life when I did not feel convicted nor accused.  I lived my life as I wanted, devoid of God.  The scary part is not feeling convicted or accused means that the enemy, the devil saw no need to accuse me or to "beat me up".  He had bigger fish to fry and since I was already in the vat, he could just let me set there while he looked for other prey.

But thanks be to God that the Lord does not just let us "set there".  He's always calling us to Himself.

It's easy now to see where my life was, where I was heading.  It's easy now to see what events in my life God was using to call to me, to bring me home to Him.  I see how He reminded me several times of His presence, of my need for Him.  I also see how God used other people to guide me back to Him.  Some, perhaps unaware of this.  But one person, who has become a very good friend, did know.  He had the courage to tell me the truth.  Oh, others had previously done so as well, but I can have a hard head and sometimes using a cardboard roller just isn't as effective as a sledge hammer.  I needed the sledge hammer, and this friend "let me have it"!

He said "You know you're going to hell, don't you?"

It was like a punch in the gut.  I was mad.  But I couldn't say anything at first.  I was too busy with those words spinning in my head, and then...hitting me straight in the heart.  "Wait, George.  Didn't you elude that accusation does not come from God?"  Well, you're right.  I did.  What "sounds" like an accusation was really the proclamation of the Truth.  (Yes, caps for the Truth, Jesus.)  The difference?  Again, accusation distracts us from God.  This proclamation of the Truth brought on conviction.

"You know, I guess you're right." was all that I could say.  Conviction.  Conviction brings conversion.

That was the beginning of true conversion for me.  So many things have transpired since then.  God is calling us all to conversion every day and every moment.  As a former pastor preached repeatedly, "Conversion is not a one time event or an experience, but a life long process of cooperating with God's Grace to transform ourselves more closely to Christ".

This morning's contemplation was brought on by what's going on in our world these days.

How do we respond?  Throwing around accusations surely isn't the way.  Do we just ignore our brothers and sisters by simply adopting the motto "live and let live"?  That's not exactly allowing God to use us, now is it?  We must proclaim the Truth, charitably but unceasingly.  Sometimes and some persons may require the use of a sledge hammer.  Some may require the cardboard roller.  Some may even need a gentle feather (or whisper).

But to discern what is needed to help others, we must first continue to be attentive to our own conversion, to be more Christ-like.

Many people will try to shut you up by using Jesus' words, "You hypocrite, remove the plank from your own eye."  Sure, but Jesus does not say "leave your brother alone".  The complete command from Jesus is "You hypocrite, remove the plank from your own eye first.  Then you will be able to see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother's eye."

Happy Birthday Mr President And My Prayer

Happy birthday President Barack Hussein Obama II. Just a quick note though.

You were ALIVE 9 months before you were BORN.

We are all "created equal" not just born equal.

My birthday gift to you is my prayer that God will press this truth upon your heart. It is a truth that is not relative nor does it infringe upon anyone's freedom for true freedom comes from God and striving to do His Will. God is always ready to forgive and to renew us. May our country see the evil of abortion as we now recognize the evil of human slavery. Amen.

Happy birthday.

Should Military Voters Receive Preferential Treatment?

Mike Flynn talks about the recent suit filed by the Obama for America Campaign, the Democratic National Committee, and the Ohio Democratic Party seeking to strike down a provision in Ohio state law which grants three extra days for members of the armed forces to vote early in-person.

You can read it here:  Obama Campaign Sues to Restrict Military Voting

Happy birthday little sister

Forty-one years ago on this date my sister was born.  Vicki Lynn Vogt was born about 2 months premature.  By today's standards, she would have had an excellent chance.  However, this was not the case in 1971, and Vicki passed away the next day.

I was four at the time.  I never met my sister, nor have I seen a picture of her. But on a few occasions, I have seen her in my dreams.  We've never spoken in those dreams, but I know that it's her.  

I will be brief (for me that is) and say that it is hard to explain or understand how I can feel the amount of grief that I still sometimes do when thinking about her and what I "missed out" on by her absence from my life.  But when I think about the dreams and the non-verbal exchanges we have had, I am always comforted by my sense of her happiness.

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. - 1Thessalonians 4: 13,14 

Happy birthday Vicki. I have hope in the promise that I will meet you....again.

Prayer of Commendation 

Go forth, Christian soul, from this world in the name of God the almighty Father, who created you, in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who suffered for you, in the name of the Holy Spirit, who was poured out upon you. 

Go forth, faithful Christian! May you live in peace this day, may your home be with God in Zion, with Mary, the virgin Mother of God, with Joseph, and all the angels and saints. May you return to your Creator who formed you from the dust of the earth. May holy Mary, the angels, and all the saints come to meet you as you go forth from this life. May you see your Redeemer face to face.

Revised Liturgy of the Hours in the works

I first became familiar with The Liturgy of the Hours (also known as The Divine Office, Christian Prayer, and less formally as the official prayer of the Church) in 2004.  It is a great way to set an appointment for prayer each day and much more.

While I really enjoy using the four volume set of books, I have lately become accustomed to using the Divine Office App on my iPhone.  It includes audio narration although I prefer to use it at my own pace.

This morning, I noticed some "news" on the app.  This past June, the Committee on Divine Worship met in Atlanta.  Among the discussions were the ongoing review of the Lectionary,  and the development of a plan to produce a revised edition of the Liturgy of the Hours.

You can read more here.