What Kind of Man am I?

I have developed a morning routine. The first part of my routine, waking (for the day) at 4:00 in the morning, has raised the eyebrows of the few persons I've shared this with. I can see that distant look on their faces probably wondering what in the world is wrong with me.

It started quite by accident. I woke up one morning and just couldn't get back to sleep. So, I made some coffee and decided to make the best use of the quiet time that I could. I began praying. It stuck.

There are a few variances in the line-up of prayers, but always include the Office of Readings and Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, the daily Mass readings and meditation from The Word Among US, a reflection on the Saint of the Day from Laudate, and some interior personal prayer seeking the help of the Lord to be a better husband, father, and all of the "roles" to which I subscribe in life; in short, to become the man that God calls me to be.

Inevitably

Inevitably, around 6:23, I begin making breakfast for Brandon and Monica so that it is just about ready when they arrive to the table.

Inevitably, things don't go as planned. They are 8 and 5 you know.

This morning? Yes; the inevitable.

First, Monica did not want to wake up. Then she procrastinated getting to the table. Of course she was not happy with what I prepared and mad that I had failed to buy milk after I poured the last of the jug for their breakfast yesterday.

Brandon did not like the way Monica was eating her breakfast and decided that she needed a stern lecture from him regarding the proper consumption of the food in her plate.

Monica (who is 5 going on 16 and believes that if anyone is going to lecture anyone else about how to do something, she's going to be the one doing the lecturing) did not take kindly to Brandon's brotherly intervention.

The arguing started. I intervened. It continued. I got louder. It continued. I got mad and more forceful. It continued. I let them have it. I "told them how the cow ate the cabbage." We had a "come to Jesus meeting." Use whatever little metaphorical quote you like as long as you come to the conclusion that I lost my temper - and had no intention of looking for it either.

Uggg! Brandon became completely still and quiet. The expression on his face completely changed. He quickly took the last few bites he had remaining of his food, gulped down the last of his juice, placed his plate in the sink, and scurried out of the kitchen.

I called him back, and he quickly returned. His face was a bit reddish, and his eyes were watery. I pulled him close and hugged him with the best "I'm sorry that I lost my temper, and I really love you" hug that I could give. He cried. It hurt. I teared.

I Should Be Better

I should be better at this fatherhood business. Brandon and Monica are not my first rodeo in the children's department. There's Joel (27), Amanda (25), and Michael (23); all of whom I have enjoyed and lamented various stages or levels of interpersonal relationships with.

I want to believe that Brandon and Monica have benefited from the difficult lessons I have learned and from my successes and failures in my relationships with my older children.

I know that in many ways, they have. Sometimes though, I believe that has more to do with how inadequate I have been in the past rather than how paternally adequate I am at present.

Inevitably, What Kind of Man am I?

What kind of man am I? Really; because it's not just today. It's not just the children. As much as I would like to deny it, before the day is through, I will inevitably be short-tempered, sarcastic, moody, or outright mean towards my wife. The woman is a saint to put up with me in this marriage. No, she really is a saint. You can read all about it here.

Inevitably (are you seeing a pattern here?) I will say something in a tone or manner to one or both of my parents that I will later regret.

I won't pick up the phone to make a call that I know I should but just can't bring myself to do it.

Instead of praying for that jerk who drives like he owns the road, I'll get mad and yell "You've gotta be kidding me!" I'd feel better if I could just stay calm and let it go.

I'll get mad at friends and acquaintances on social media sites or blogs that make posts that are offensive, inappropriate, or in some way fail to meet the expectations that I have set for them.

I'll become frustrated with some (or all) politicians and the failure of the media to invest itself in real journalism rather than slant its "reporting" in the hopes of milking more of those who invest (money and themselves) into their broadcasts.

Inevitably, I will become upset or even angry at people I know and people I don't know - and over things that matter and things that are really silly as well.

What kind of man am I?

Convicted, Accused, or Left Alone?

Last year I wrote a blog post "Are you convicted, accused, or left alone?"

Those deeply lost in sin are blinded, deaf, and numb to the convictions of conscience. In essence, they're so far gone that even the devil leaves them alone.

The feeling of accusation 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.

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.

Knowing I had hurt Brandon, I had those feelings of accusation.

What kind of man are you!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

When Necessary, Use Words

Was that 2 hours (or better) of prayer this morning all for nothing? If this is the way I am going to react to my children, to my family, to my friends, to anyone, what's the point?

In a moment - I don't really know how long in the chronos because it was a Kairos moment - the Holy Spirit (The Comforter) dispelled the accusation and brought me to conviction. That's the point; the point that prayer helped to lead me to "repentance and a desire to get back up and try harder."

I knew that I couldn't let Brandon go to school feeling there was animosity or worse, hostility between us. The silent embrace we shared healed the hurt between us.

Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words. (St. Francis of Assisi) 

Irenic Herald

Remember Joel? Last month, Joel made a post on his own blog (Irenic Herald) titled "The Most Manly Man."

I wasn't surprised to be mentioned since he had done so before. I was surprised though to read what he wrote.

This man is the most imperfect, vulnerable, loving, and honest man that I know. He isn't the best by a long shot, and he accepts that and every day he does his best to be the best child of God, husband, and father that he can be. He knows that we are not complete or successful until we have served the Lord and other people and are resting in God's Kingdom. My father, George Vogt IV, is one of the most amazing men I have ever known, and truly, I have learned so much from watching his failures... but not the failures themselves. I've learned from watching his reactions to all of his challenges in life.

Thank you Joel for reminding me of what kind of man I am.

Irenic - favoring, conducive to, or operating toward peace, moderation, or conciliation (Merriam Webster)

Catechist: God’s Beautiful World

This Sunday, we will facilitate our first 3^rd Grade Faith Formation lesson. The theme of the lesson is “God’s Beautiful World”. This is a preview of the lesson.

God’s Beautiful World

We'll encourage our parents and children to bless themselves with the holy water as they enter the classroom to sign in. There will be an activity sheet for the children to work on once they have found their place to sit.

We will begin with a prayer, get to know each other, and set some classroom rules. Some of those basics are:

                                               i.     Raise hand to speak

1.     Only 1 person speaking at a time

                                              ii.     Hands and feet to ourselves

                                             iii.     Respect others and property

                                             iv.     Please pay attention at all times

                                              v.     Mistakes are okay

1.     It’s always best to try and make a mistake than not to try

a.     NEVER laugh at anyone else’s mistakes

2.     Sometimes, we will have tests at the end of class or for homework

a.     Do not be afraid of the word “test”

                                                                                                     i.     These are to help remember what we learn

                                             vi.     If you do not understand something, please raise your hand before we move on to the next topic

We will also allow the children to set additional appropriate rules.

We'll discover that we can learn about others by observing things that they have made; by the time and effort and love put into their work. We can also learn more about God by observing His creation. Everything that humans “create” are made from things that God has already created. Only God can create something out of nothing.

We’ll look at both of the creation accounts in the Bible (Genesis 1: 1-23 and Genesis 2: 4-24) and discuss how both accounts show the beauty of God’s creation, with the second account emphasizing that people are God’s greatest and most cherished creation.

Next, we’ll learn that a responsibility is a duty or job that you are trusted to do; we are responsible to take care of God’s creation. Beauty and diversity are important parts of creation; humans are special and deserve respect because they are created in God’s image.

Time permitting, we will have our first written review, and close with a prayer.

Will All Go to Heaven?

I may be wrong, but it seems to me that our society has been leaning more and more towards a belief that everyone deserves the same outcome regardless of effort or disposition.

An example may be giving the same award to 10 children who compete in a race, regardless of the outcome of the race. The first place winner receives the same exact "reward" as the tenth place "winner".

Now, I love children, and I think encouragement is a good thing, but think of it this way. Sure, the youngster who finished first may have been born with more natural ability than the child who placed tenth, but then again, maybe not.

Consider the possibility (and in my opinion the likelihood) that the child who finished first actually trained harder, put more time into preparing for the race, and was more determined to win than any of the other children.

Consider that the tenth place finisher may not have trained or cared at all, yet receives the same reward. I believe that we do NOTHING of value for this child. For when he examines his award with that of the other, he learns that it's okay not to train or to care because in the end it will all work out.

What does this teach the child about school work? What does it teach the child about vocation? What does it teach this child about life? What does it teach this child about Faith?

Well, it seems more and more I read or hear about how God loves us too much to deny us eternal salvation. What kind of a God would "punish" people? Surely everyone is going to get to Heaven somehow.

I tell you, this is dangerous talk and dangerous thinking. If you think this way, I strongly encourage you to read the Gospels and see what Jesus said.

When the poor man (Lazarus) died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.' (Luke 16: 22-24)

The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all who cause others to sin and all evildoers. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. (Matthew 13: 41, 42)

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matthew 25: 41)

I don't dwell on hell, but I certainly believe in it's existence. Jesus seems to clearly state that such a place or  state exists. Even if the way He described it was just in a manner we could understand, it doesn't sound like anything that I would want anyone to experience.

And that is exactly why I say it is dangerous to believe or to lead others to believe (especially to lead others to believe) that no matter what they do or do not do, all will go to Heaven.

I saw this blog post from Fr. Dwight Longenecker in which he asks regarding those who die after a lifetime of rejecting Christ

"Shall they not be held accountable for the fact that they did nothing? They did not care enough for their soul to even begin asking the questions?"

Some may have true impediments. Some may just not be able to accept the truth for whatever reason, and some may reject what they believe to be true because it doesn't fit into their life choices.

I once fit into that category. I always believed the Catholic Faith was true. I certainly did not have the understanding that I believe I do now (and hopefully continue to develop), but after attending Catholic schools for 13 years and living in a household with good examples, I still chose to choose me and my own wants over the Faith.

Oh, sure I made the silly arguments that God wanted me to be happy so this can't be bad (at least long enough to try to really convince myself), but even after I "got over" those notions, my love for self far outweighed any love or hunger for God.

During that time, many people would say things like "well, as long as you're not really hurting anyone or doing anything really really bad, God will understand."

I thank God that my friend Mike Lecompte once loved me enough to say "You know you're going to hell, right?"

Sure, that might not be the right approach for some folks, and it's certainly hard to hear (and I'm sure to say), but telling yourself or others that all will go to heaven no matter what is much worse I believe.

"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few." (Matthew 7: 13,14)

Do you love God above all things?

This past Sunday's Gospel reading from St. Luke included the conversation between Jesus and a "scholar of the law". The scholar asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, and Jesus turns the tables on him by asking what is written in the law. The scholar replies

“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

We have a new priest at our parish. He has a facebook page that he has been fairly active on, and I hope he continues. I noticed on Saturday evening that he posed the question, "Do you love God above all things?" His question has about 35 "likes" and only 3 answers, one of which is mine.

I think this is something we really don't like to dwell on. I think we like to think that we love God above all else, but do we really?

My response is

"I strive to love God above all things but my actions are a testament to how far I still have to go."

I'm just being honest. If I really loved God "above all things" I would focus less on myself, what is happening to me, and how it affects me. I would stay focused on what my vocation as husband and father means, and the lives of my wife and children would be much better for it.

Loving God above all things means putting God first. I can't say that I do that. Probably every sin is rooted in not placing God first.

This doesn't mean that I feel defeated or have to go around pouting about it. It just means that I should take some time each day to recognize how I could have loved God a little more that day and strive to do better the next.

And maybe a better response is "sometimes", because yes, there are many times when I put all other things aside. I'm not a total spiritual failure. :-)

Who's Number One in your life?

Viva la Vida: A Glimpse

Noticing I was home and at the computer, she looked over my shoulder at the screen. "What are you doing?", she asked. It was a fair enough question since I had been gone for a couple of hours and had not bothered to announce my return. I really didn't want to answer, fearing another exchange would distract me from my purpose, "I'm looking for a priest."

Her response was quick, "You're looking for a priest? I thought you just came back from church!" Still scrolling, I responded, "Yes, but I'm looking for a particular priest." I could feel the eye-roll behind my neck as she silently ambled away.

I was so relieved that the questioning has ceased. After all, I wasn't sure our relationship could stand the strain that would be caused if I told her God "told" me to find this priest. It could have ended up in an all-out donnybrook.

Just then, I saw his name. There he was, and now he was the pastor of a local parish. I got goosebumps. His parish was what was supposed to be my parish. The priest that God sent me in search of lived about 4 blocks from my house.

My conversion was continuing.
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This is a glimpse of a blog post yet to come. I have decided to blog more about many of my life experiences. I'm sure that it will be helpful for me to do some reflecting, and perhaps you will find it enjoyable.

It won't be chronological or all-inclusive, and I'll be careful not to indict anyone else (too much). I've decided to use "Viva la Vida" (Live Life) as the intro for these posts. Yes, it's partly because I love the Coldplay song, and I'm going to find a way to work it in occasionally.

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The Anchoress Made Me Feel Uncomfortable

Elizabeth Scalia (The Anchoress over at Patheos) made me feel uncomfortable. This is actually a good thing though. Years ago, someone told me "If you're comfortable with where you are in your relationship with God, you're probably not where you should be." Perhaps I have once again become a little too comfortable.

In her blog post "Failing…in love again", Elizabeth writes:

"Be careful what you ask for in prayer. God takes you at your word, and He is an abidingly patient but thorough teacher, with unsoundable depths."

I know this all too well. I have experienced this in my own life. As I reflect on a "me" I hardly recognize, I am reminded that God calls to us, even at (especially at) our darkest and loneliness moments. The truly sincere heart that reaches out to God and is willing to finally "let go" will truly be blessed. But there is always some "pruning". And it is not us, but God who must do the pruning.

Pruning: To cut away what is unwanted or superfluous; To cut off or cut back parts of for better shape or more fruitful growth -Webster

In August, I posted "Hurricane Isaac Reminds Me of How I Got Here" in which I shared the story of my family's exodus from Louisiana to Texas during Hurricane Katrina.

In that post I linked to a lay witness I gave several years ago in my parish, during which I revealed:

"I attended Catholic schools from Kindergarten through High School. My parents were involved in our Church and in the schools I attended. We never missed Mass, and God was not a Sunday-only topic in our home. Despite those things my own Faith formation still fell short and, suffice to say that somewhere along the way I re-fashioned God to fit my own needs. It wasn't something I was conscious of, and I am fairly certain that it wasn't evident to others around me until I had made certain choices in my life and had closed myself off to them or anyone else. By the time I was ready to admit to myself that I had dug a pretty deep hole, it was already caving in. By my own actions, I had separated myself from God, from His Church, and the Sacraments."

I have been contemplating writing more about some of the events, or choices rather, that have led to where I am now in my relationship with God. But that's where Elizabeth's post got to the "uncomfortable" part. I started thinking about that "me I hardly recognize", and I remembered....

I remembered that prayer, that simple prayer with a most sincere heart;

"God, do for me what I am afraid to do for myself. Take away what you don't want me to have, and give me only what You Will."

Am I brave enough to pray that prayer today? Uncomfortable.

Soul Wars; Let "The Force" Use You, Luke; A New Hope

Today is the Feast of Saint Luke the Evangelist.

In the epic movie "Star Wars; A New Hope" the hero, Luke Skywalker, hears the voice of friend and mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi telling him, "Use the Force Luke." Luke channels and thus controls the power of the Force to combat the Evil Empire and its agents. Among these is the feared Darth Vader.

In the following episode, "The Empire Strikes Back", in a very dark moment, Luke learns that Vader is actually his father. It is in this moment that Vader tells Luke, "Search your feelings Luke. You know it to be true." Luke thought he was ready for the confrontation with "the dark side", but Vader knows that Luke has not properly trained as a Jedi.

Who can forget Yoda's admonition, "Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will."

Being a fan of the entire Star Wars series, I have become fond of many quotes (And aren't those light saber battles the best?). I admit, almost anytime I hear the name Luke, the "use the Force" quote pops into my head. So this morning as I prayed Morning Prayer on this feast, I could not overcome the "thoughts in my head".

Unlike the hero in Star Wars though, Saint Luke does not "use the Force" in an attempt to control it, thus bringing about his own will. No, Saint Luke allows himself to be used by the true Force, Almighty God.

As Christians, we are all called to allow God to use us to His desire, His plan for us and the world. There may be nothing new in what I have said here, but I think it deserves a true "search" of our hearts (not our feelings).

I think we can be guilty of trying to "use" God sometimes. You know, when we are praying in any manner other than "Thy Will be done". Guilty? I sure am.

The Holy Spirit, our friend and mentor, is speaking alright. But we are not being directed to manipulate God to fight our own battles. We are being directed to be used by God in the battle for souls. And it is not in "feelings" that He speaks to us. It is in our hearts.

Like the Jedi, we Christians must also train for the battle. It is important that we seek to properly form our consciences, lest we find ourselves unfit and not ready for the confrontations of life nor the ability to properly discern when "the dark side" is distorting the truth.

God wants us to know that He is our Father. But He wants us to choose Him freely, not manipulated by the feelings or emotions of a moment, but by life-long conversion. And He wants us to know that He is more powerful than "the dark side". He has the power to save us from being "forever consumed". It is God Who truly gives us a new Hope.

And as we cooperate with the Grace of God more and more in our lives, we are able to wield the real light saber, the light of Jesus Christ, not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, the powers, the world rulers of this present darkness, and the evil spirits in the heavens.

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This "episode" is dedicated to my son Joel.

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.