Water, Bread and Light are three important symbols in John’s Gospel. How do these symbols help the Johannine community to understand the identity of Jesus? The Gospel of John addresses the Johnannine audience’s journey of faith with theological reflections on the origin and identity of the “Word”. The author uses universal symbols of the light, the bread and the water to represent the identity of Jesus to the Johnannine community, thus reinforcing a high Christology. The signs performed by Jesus also assure the readers of his divine identity and sonship.
The Prologue (1:1-18) serves as introduction to the central themes of the Gospel through the “theological, philosophical and anthropological” (R. Brown) exploration of Jesus’ public ministry. The major themes explored are faith and unbelief and the identity of Jesus using the symbols of the “light” and “darkness” (1:5). The “light” is a symbol of belief and the revelation of Jesus to the world (1:9). The symbol of light is influenced by Gnostic philosophies introduced by the Hellenistic influences of the Gentile converts in the Johnannine community.
The Gnostic philosophy believes in the existence of contrasting dualities to represent parallel existence of the two worlds: the spiritual and the material worlds. This symbol assures the Gentile converts that the universal symbol of light represents Jesus who had come as the salvation for the world, not just the “Jews”. The emphasis on belief is intended to address the Johnannine audience who faced hardship and persecution from the Romans and the Jewish religious leaders.
The members of Johananine community were excommunicated from the synagogues due to the introduction of the benediction, birkhat ha minim that forced people to deny their Christian faith. Those who refused to deny their faith were ostracized and isolated from their Jewish faith. This made many Johannine followers question their belief in Jesus, creating a crisis of faith. The author asserts that the light overcoming the darkness is a perfection of their Jewish faith. In the Prologue “the appearance of the World of life brought light” (F. Moloney).
The Gospel introduces a variety of characters who model the different levels of faith; the scholar R. Brown argues that attitudes and reactions of the other characters in the Gospel to the Son mirrors their attitude and reaction to the Father. Those who lack faith such as “the Jews” are in darkness. It is easily identified by the readers when the author sets their interaction with Jesus, in the Gospel, at “night. ” There are also characters of partial faith who recognizes Jesus as a “Rabbi” but do not accept “what they cannot observe or control” (F.
Moloney) such as Nicodemus who visits Jesus in the death of the “night” and fails to grasp the intrinsic meaning of Jesus’ statement (3:1-21). There is also Mary Magdalene who did not recognise Jesus at the tomb until he reveals himself to her (20:11-18). Mary Magdalene’s resurrection account typifies the coming to faith as recognizing Jesus in the full “light” of day. The Johnannine community is encouraged to model their faith on John the Baptist and to come “to testify to the light” (1:6-8) and become “children of God” in order to achieve authentic faith.
The author proclaims Jesus as the “the true light” (1:9) who had come to overcome the darkness of disbelief. As a result the Johannine readers are provided with a distinct choice to live in darkness and refuse the gift of “eternal life” or in unity with the Father and the Son. The author utilizes light symbolism that was familiar to his readers; not only as a means to encourage the Johannine audience toward a decision about the person of Jesus, but also as a literary technique illustrating the gradual process of coming to belief.
The Water in John’s Gospel is used to symbolize the Jewish purification rituals and to ensure the nourishment of those who believe. In the Gospel, Jesus performs his first sign at the Wedding at Cana (2:1-12) when he performs a nature miracle: an act that transgresses the laws of nature by transforming water into wine. According to the scholar R. Brown nature miracles are understood to be acts of power establishing the kingdom of God against Satan’s dominion. The water was stored in the six stone jars which were used for the Jewish “rites of purification” (2:6).
The miracle “sets up the scene for a high Christological and ecclesiological outlook” (R. Brown) by establishing the divine identity of Jesus and the close pre-existing relationship between Jesus the Father and the Son. The Jewish law had outlined the requirements for physical and spiritual cleansing in order to be clean and pure before God. The purification rites were introduced by the Mosaic Law at the Wedding at Cana (2:1-12) and this link is established in this scene and it reinforces the divine origins of Jesus and outlines his mission as the “word” to give testimony to God.
Jesus did not fulfil the limited messianic expectations held by many Jews because he was not a military leader who was to drive out the foreign rulers and was not of Davidic origins. The allusions to the Hebrew Scriptures by acknowledging the Jewish purification rites reinforces the belief that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah that has been prophesized to bring forth judgment when the eschatological concerns are realized. To the scholar F. Moloney, the question of Jesus’ origins betrays the usual misunderstanding that greets Jesus as the revealer.
The author uses the nature miracle to emphasize that correct belief in Jesus as the revelation of God is the perfection of their Jewish faith because Jesus is the “living water”. Therefore everyone who drinks from the water will “never be thirsty” (4:13-15). Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman (4:1-42) shows that Jesus is omniscient, as no one can hide from him, which assures the Johannine community of his divinity and his pre-existence with God. During Jesus’ public ministry the “Jews” and the Samaritans did not associate with each other due their conflicting ideologies on how to worship God.
By showing Jesus reaching out to the Samarian woman, to whom he reveals himself as the messiah (4:26), the author of the Gospel shows that Jesus did not ascend from heaven as for the “Jews. ” Thus Jesus invites all the people of faith to witness the revelation of God through Jesus and become “children of God. ” The “bread of life” offers spiritual nourishment to those who believe; the Gospel employs the literary technique of symbolism to represent the person of Jesus.
Those who achieved correct faith understood the transcendent meaning of the bread and heed Jesus’ warnings not to work for the bread that perishes (6:27). The “bread of life” is the allusion to the manna from Exodus 3:14 when the manna had come from heaven to feed the Jews who were wandering in the desert. The Gospel reassures the audience that “the divine word and wisdom are often presented under the symbolism of bread in the Hebrew Scriptures” (R. Brown). However the manna could only physically nourish the people and it would perish (v. 27), unlike the revelation of God in Jesus.
Jesus’ offering of the bread was the sign that wisdom has come to give food to all who seek because he is the revealer of truth (4: 1-42) as the divine teacher of the people. As he proclaims, “I am the living bread” (6:25). These ego emi statements reveal significant information about the identity of Jesus by symbolically referring to the gift of God which “makes those who believe see natural hunger, thirst and death as insignificant” (R. Brown). Consumption of the “bread of life” promises those who believe that they shall achieve eternal life and become hildren of God who will share the close bond between God, the Father and Jesus. The universal symbols of light, water and bread recur throughout the Gospel of John as they unveil the identity of Jesus; the one who had descended from heaven on a mission from God as the salvation of all people. The author instructs the Johannine audience through the use of the three symbols is the key to the correct faith and provides support and encouragement in their journey of faith. The “living bread” and the “living water” reveal the divine identity of Jesus, who as the light can overcome the darkness of disbelief.
The Importance of Ambiguity in Literature
Ambiguity: The term ambiguity refers to something that cannot be understood or has multiple interpretations. Short stories are often ambiguous for many different reasons, including to add more depth, to create more critical discussion, and to connect with a wider audience. All of the stories that we have read thus far have some elements that can be interpreted in different ways. This can involve the motivations of a character, an interpretation of part of the story, or for understanding the entire story.
Think about all of the texts that we have examined to this point in the semester. Choose 2-3 stories that have some element of ambiguity. Write a paper (900 words) that examines this theme from multiple perspectives using quotes from the texts as evidence. Explain how the character, scene, story, etc. could be interpreted in multiple ways. Then, consider the following: What did this ambiguous element add to the story? Was it effective? What larger ideas/themes does it make us wrestle with?Stories to consider: You will find them in the files below. Also, there is a file that describes the grade based on the essay.
Some requirements:1. The paper should be written in MLA format with a Works Cited (We will discuss in class, Purdue Owl, Bedford 1547-1552)2. Do not use outside sources for this assignment. Only use the assigned short stories (2-3 texts).3. The paper should have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.4. The paper should use the paragraph format discussed in class: Topic sentence (1-2 sentences), Evidence (1-3 sentences), Analysis (2-3 sentences), Then connect to thesis (1 sentence).5. A clear position taken by the writer with strong ethos (authorial credibility). In the thesis sentence, state a position that could be defended/opposed. You should not write: “I believe that Kate Chopin uses marriage as…” Using the first person weakens your argument. Instead you should, write, “Kate Chopin uses marriage as…” In other words, take an authoritative stance on the issue. Avoid using first person (referring to yourself or the reader – I, me, you, we, us, etc.), as it weakens the authorial ethos.6. This essay should be 900 words written in 12 point Times New Roman font with standard Microsoft Word margins. If it is shorter than 900 words, 10% will be deducted for every 50 words short of requirements. Standard Microsoft Word margins (1 inch on bottom and top and 1 inch on sides). It should have standard double-spacing (check this under the layout /spacing tab. Should say 0 before and 0 after).7. The paper must be turned in electronically. The essays are automatically put through plagiarism software. I will then grade the papers and return them. Often, I will return the papers in the order that I receive them, so it pays off to turn in the papers early.
MLA Guidelines for Paper Format
Set margins of your document to 1 inch on top and bottom, 1on the left and right. Set paragraph spacing to 0 Before, 0 After.
Create a header in the upper right-hand corner that includes your last name, followed by a space with a page number; number all pages consecutively with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), one-half inch from the top and flush with the right margin.
Double-space the text of your paper, and use 12 pt. Times New Roman font.
Do not make a separate title page for your paper.
In the upper left-hand corner of the first page, list your name, your instructor’s name, the course / assignment, and the date. Again, be sure to use double-spaced text with no extra spaces.
Double space again and center the title. Do not underline, italicize, or place your title in quotation marks; write the title in Title Case (standard capitalization), not in all capital letters.
Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch from the left margin.


“Give Peace a Chance” is a popular anthem in the anti-war song by John Lennon. This floor-stomping, hand clapping protest song was sung 46 years ago from a ‘bed-in’ with his wife at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal. It’s message and beat took the world by storm becoming one of the most popular songs of all time. It lifted John Lennon into the stratosphere of iconic celebrity. The lyrics position peace in contrast to several ‘isms’, famous names in popular culture, and controversial topics in the 1970’s.
Not much has changed over the years. Maybe the ism’s, names, and topics have changed but the war rages on and on. It’s an endless circle of humanity fighting for power, control and significance, from the highest offices in politics to the everyday comments on social media news feeds.
The question is how should Christians engage the culture around us? Do we adhere to a political ideology and fight for power and control? Do we attach our hearts to public figures that represent our worldview and stand in agreement with them? Do we wage war against the controversial topics of the day in Jesus name? Are these legitimate Christian ‘ways’ or is Jesus calling us to a higher purpose walked out a different way?
I have heard it said that all of our relationships belong to God. That makes me tremble.. Literally! I find myself struggling to remain in peace while hearing how ‘fine sounding arguments of human wisdom” (Colossians 2:4) are deceiving dear friends away from the truth found in Jesus. How do we pilot these relationships? Do we argue truth or do we remain in peace with one another? And what about those we differ with politically or even those of a different faith?
Scripture provides us with sobering words to chew on as we steer through this world and it’s ways. Peace is a major theme in the bible. While the Israelites were captive in Babylon, God directed them to work ‘toward the welfare/peace of the city’ (Jeremiah 27:9). God even told them that they would come out of captivity ‘in joy and be lead forth in peace’ (Isaiah 55:12a)
Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:18 that we have been given the ministry of reconciliation. Reconciliation meaning a change of relation from enmity to peace. And Jesus himself tells us that he has left peace with us.. “My peace I give unto you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
The ministry of reconciliation is given to us as a new purpose for our new life in Christ. A life we acquired through faith to reconcile our relationship with God and others. We are true to our calling when we seek the welfare of our cities, and bring a blessing of peace to ‘faith gentiles’ all around us. I believe ‘how’ we engage and deliver the message of Reconciling Peace matters. I believe Jesus is asking us to operate in peace-filled relationships, as much as it depends on us.
Maybe Jesus is saying; Give peace a chance when he didn’t count our trespasses against us, and humbly went to the cross to purchase our redemption and reconciliation with God. Will we let peace rule in our hearts as we engage with our culture bringing the ministry of reconciliation in Christ into a world increasingly deceived by fine sounding arguments of human wisdom?
I love to read your thoughts below. To receive Myrtle & Cypress Faith monthly blogs in your inbox please subscribe via our subscription form.
God bless you!


We meet every Sunday but we have special service times just for Easter!
8:15 | 9:45 | 11:15 AM
Phenomenal life lessons every Sunday that will open your eyes to a church full of love and the Holy spirit. I had once lost my faith until we came to New Life in Canton but they brought my family and I back to God.
This is an amazing Church and I am honored and proud to be a part of it when I am able to be there. God is truly working wonders through the people here and through the Pastor and his sermons.


The following article was written by Benjamin T. Mast, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Psychological and Brain Sciences, and Associate Clinical Professor of Family and Geriatric Medicine at the University of Louisville.
In this article, Dr. Benjamin T. Mast speaks about his knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and of remembering the power of gospel during this difficult time. His book, “Second Forgetting: Remembering the Power of the Gospel during Alzheimer’s Disease,” is available today, on Amazon.com.
Memories and Alzheimer’s
I’ve met so many people with Alzheimer’s in my work as a clinical psychologist and professor, that sometimes I find myself imagining what it would be like if I were to develop Alzheimer’s someday. Some people seem to suffer day and night, trying to make sense of what is happening. Others seem to have peace, unaware of the pain their family feels as Alzheimer’s seems to take over.
What will I be like? We know that people with Alzheimer’s forget much, but they do not forget everything. What will I remember? Will I remember the birth of my children? Will I remember my beautiful wife and the joy of our wedding day? Will I remember basketball games, field hockey matches and gymnastics meets? Will I remember our trip to the Grand Canyon? An epic bike race with friends? Will I remember the satisfaction of delivering a good lecture? Or the excitement of publishing a new book?
There are some things we think we will never forget. Of course, we don’t know what the future holds…
Faith for People with Alzheimer’s
But will we forget that which we hold most dear? Will I forget the God I love and have trusted for decades? Will I find any hope in the words of the Bible? Will my wife and children feel burden in caring for me? Will their faith offer any hope or comfort? What about my church? Will they remember me when I am too confused or sick to come to services on Sunday? Will they care for me and lovingly try to help me remember all that I hold dear? When I can no longer remember them, will they still be present? Will they pray for me? Will they try to pray with me?
The well-known statistics remind us that one in three older adults dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, and that as many as 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s by 2050. Surveys of Americans also tell us that up to 88% of older people identify as Christians and up to 70% say this is very important to them. There are millions of Christians either living with dementia or serving as a caregiver.
What hope does God offer them? How can they respond to God’s calls and remember him? How can a person with Alzheimer’s remember God when they have trouble remembering things that happened yesterday? What hope is there if they forget?
These are some of the topics I explore in my new book: “Second Forgetting: Remembering the Power of the Gospel During Alzheimer’s Disease.” This is a book for people who are experiencing dementia, caring for someone with dementia, or who are church members who want to better understand how they can step into the challenges of dementia. The scriptures tell us that God has special concern for those who are vulnerable and that he longs for his people (the church) to care for them. Quite simply, I wanted a book that I could hand someone at church that would help them understand Alzheimer’s and how faith and scripture inform the way they might help and care for those affected.
The Power of Gospel During Alzheimer’s
God calls us to remember him in the midst of our difficulty, and I wanted to help people remember God in the midst of the confusing and sometimes terrifying journey of Alzheimer’s. But, even more importantly, I wanted to remind people that even when we forget, God never will. God is always present and he will never forget us.
In reading the scriptures and listening to families tell their stories of faith in dementia, I was amazed at how lovingly near God can be in the midst of Alzheimer’s. God shows his grace in dementia in a variety of ways, when:
- A husband, deep into dementia, who in a moment of clarity thanks his wife for taking such good care of him
- God’s reminder that understands us, even when no one else can
- A husband and wife seeking to live out Colossians 3:17 in the midst of dementia and its behavioral challenges
- God’s unfailing promise to never forget us and to remain faithful, even when we can do neither
- A daughter who feels the comfort of the Lord, knowing that God will be with her mother, even in the nursing home
- An older woman, though confused and often angry, finds peace and connection with God through an old hymn
Nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even Alzheimer’s and all the challenges that it brings. No matter how hard it gets, we are never alone.
If I have Alzheimer’s someday, I hope I will remember the goodness of the Lord, take comfort in his presence and hold onto the hope he has promised me. If I forget, I pray that those who love me, whether my immediate family or my church family, will gently and sensitively help me remember.
If you are dealing with Alzheimer’s or another dementia today, I wrote this book for you. I pray these things for you that you might overflow with hope in the promises of God.
Excerpts from Second Forgetting
One of the frustrating and frightening aspects of dementia is our inability to understand why people do the things they do. We often cannot understand why someone hides money in places and forgets about it. We don’t understand why they wake up yelling in the middle of the night or drive off to an unknown location, hours from home.
Even though a person can become confused because of an impaired memory, that person still has real needs, feelings and longings. This is key to understanding the behavioral challenges that occur in people with dementia. As people lose their ability to communicate with words, they have more difficulty expressing their needs, whether physical, emotional or spiritual. The expression of these needs sometimes comes out in agitated behavior, wandering, crying, or aggression. Caregivers can lovingly serve those with Alzheimer’s by trying to understand the underlying need that is prompting the behavior. Often, we only know and understand this partially. Yet even when we don’t fully know what is in the heart and mind of the person with Alzheimer’s, we can take comfort in knowing that there is One who fully knows us all.
J. I. Packer writes about the comfort we have in being known by God:
“What matters supremely, therefore, is not, in the last analysis, the fact that I know God, but the larger fact which underlies it — the fact that he knows me. I am graven on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:16). I am never out of his mind. All my knowledge of him depends on his sustained initiative in knowing me. I know him because he first knew me, and continues to know me. He knows me as a friend, one who loves me; and there is no moment when his eye is off me, or his attention distracted from me, and no moment, therefore, when his care falters.”
Caregivers often experience frustration — even anger — in trying to know and understand the mind and heart of the person with dementia that they care for. The truth is that there is much we will never know. But God knows. God knows the depths of our hearts and minds, even when they are chaotic and disordered. God knows our secret shame, the guilt of old sins, the pain of bitter disappointments and the dizzying confusion of not knowing who we are, what day it is, or who is taking care of us. Whether you are dealing with dementia or with the physical and emotional demands of caregiving, you can rest in the fact that God knows and loves you fully as a unique individual. Nothing about you — what you’ve done or left undone, what you’ve remembered, or what you’ve forgotten — can change this.
Ultimately, we have the promise that nothing can separate us from the great love of God in Christ. Paul says this in Romans 8:35—39: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hard-ship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Though Alzheimer’s is a frightening and powerful enemy, the promise of God is greater: nothing can separate those who are in Christ from the love and grace of God. Not the plaques and tangles of Alzheimer’s, not the memory impairment observed on psychological testing, not the behavioral problems, the aggression, confusion, or even the apparent forgetting of the Lord can separate us from him.
You may worry deeply about the faith of your loved one, but take deep comfort in knowing that when they turn toward the Lord, he runs toward them. We see this in the response of the father in the parable of the prodigal son. “But while he [the son] was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him (Luke 15:20).” All of this happens before the son can even speak. It’s as if the father knows his son’s heart and is ready to take him back.
Those with dementia need not speak. Not even the disease’s ravages can separate us from God’s radical grace and love. We don’t really know what turning to him looks like in deep dementia, but we can know that God doesn’t require that we have the right words. He looks at what is within, at the heart. We may never know how the person hears him, whether as a still, small voice or gentle whisper deep within (1 Kings 19:12) or as a bright blinding light (Acts 9:3). Some mysteries will never be solved before we reach heaven and meet him face-to-face (1 Corinthians 13:12). But while we wait, God asks us to remember his promises and his presence, so that we can experience his peace that surpasses all understanding.
One caregiver shared this account with me recently:
During my last visit, I was seeking God with questions: “Can she [mother] access you? Can she access her long-held faith? Can she receive comfort from you, Lord?” Her social skills have deteriorated such that we don’t have much of a two-sided conversation. “Can she converse with you and share her fears, needs — things she can’t share with me anymore?” God graciously reminded me that relating to him is not dependent on her ability to access him. His ability to connect with her is unchanged. Do I not believe that the creator and sustainer of the universe is creative enough to be able to cut through her fog and relate to her personally? As she napped (something she does a lot of these days) I prayed that God’s presence would fill her living space. And then I asked him, “What about her last moments? What if she is afraid…?”
In that moment, God answered me: “I’ll be here with her, and she will know it. Have no fear.”
Has a gospel helped you or a loved one through an Alzheimer’s diagnosis? Do you have any tips for our readers? Share your thoughts in the comments below.


A lifelong journalist, Clark DeLeon used to write a daily article for the Inquirer, but with the decline in readership, he only writes an occasional piece for them. Clark is also a tour guide at Independence Mall, and sometimes takes people to Kensington to see Rocky's fictional home. Before I saw Clark in Dirty Frank's around 1984, I had read him. Everybody did.
The mural on the outside walls of Dirty Frank's shows famous Franks, thus Frank Sinatra, Frank Zappa and Pope Francis, etc.
"The commentators are talking about his message as being more favorable to a liberal approach, but actually, it has nothing to do with being liberal or conservative. I love what he said about the aim of government. The aim of government is to seek the common good.
I think the Pope's visit has an effect, but I don't think it’s gonna affect Washington. It affects people, meaning the rest of the world, in America, wherever he touches. He has a proven touch. I mean, he’s touched Dirty Frank’s. He’s on the wall of Dirty Frank’s. You know Popes don’t go on walls at Dirty Frank’s but now you have one.
I’m a cultural Catholic, which means I went to Catholic school, my kids are baptized Catholic. I don’t go to church, but I feel a basic connection to the Catholic church. It’s like an ethnicity. It’s the food I eat. They eat fish on Fridays. It’s the way I grew up.
There’s a lot to the Catholic Church that I admire, and a lot I can’t stand. Pope Francis represents what I admire.
He can’t just turn around and say, ‘Change everything,’ but I think he’s moving in that direction, and people should be pleased. It’s the symbolic power of this papacy… He’s representing poor people, the people that are least powerful. The history of the Latin American church, the Jesuits especially, they were the first ones to stand up against the European conquerers, they stood for the indigenous people, and he comes from Argentina, so he’s a part of that tradition.
He’s a very good politician. He knows who he is. It means he knows his position. He was a different guy in Argentina. People called him dour. He had a very serious and frowning face. Today, you see the Pope in your mind’s eyes and he’s smiling, so maybe he was liberated by becoming Pope. Maybe he realizes, now is the time I can be on my mission and he feels the freedom to do it. When he was elected Pope, the first thing he did was pay his hotel bill. He went to Rome and took a small room, he didn’t take the palace, then he served mass the next day at the Vatican to the guys who were like the janitors. When the people in charge found out, they were like, the Pope doesn’t do that, but he says mass everyday, to the workers at the Vatican. I like him for that."


It is certainly not easy to live a Christian life, especially when we are bombarded with all sorts of temptations and worldly attractions. If we are not careful, we may end up trapped in such temptations and worldly attractions, and risk ruining our relationship with God. So how does a Christian overcome such temptations, values and ways of the world?
The answer can be found in today's reading, where St. Paul reminds us: "Now you are able to appear before him holy, pure and blameless – as long as you persevere and stand firm on the solid base of the faith, never letting yourselves drift away from the hope promised by the Good News..." The keywords here are to persevere and stand firm. This means that we must do our very best and not give up, even if we fall, since Jesus gives us many oppotunities to pick ourselves up and try again, especially by going for confession to cleanse away our sins. May we remain steadfast in our faith, and continue to trust and depend on Jesus, and let Him be our help and guide.


2012 MGOCSM of Philadelphia Lenten Retreat
The MGOCSM of Philadelphia would like to invite you all to our Lenten Retreat on March 16th, 2012 at St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church 1009 Unruh Avenue Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 6:30PM to 9:30PM. This year's speaker will be Dn. Nicholas Siniari, a member of the Coptic Orthodox Church. The topic is 'Fasting in the Orthodox Concept'. Dinner will be provided. After the retreat, we would also be having a session for confession. Click here to view flyer.
Lent, MGOCSM, Retreat
The Northeast American Diocese accepts news releases and articles. The suggested length is 400 words, but submissions of
any length will be considered. Submissions may be sent via email firstname.lastname@example.org.
Please note that e-mailed articles should be pasted or typed into the body of the message; please do not send attachments.
We read all submissions promptly and will contact you within three business days if we are going to publish your article.
If you have not heard from us within three business days, please assume that we will not be able to publish your article.


Tasha Levert, PhD, Executive Director
Tasha is a Licensed Professional Counselor in North Carolina. She earned a Bible degree from Mississippi College before attending the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and earning an MA in Marriage and Family Counseling in 1999, a ThM (Master of Theology) in 2002, and a PhD in Marriage and Family Counseling in 2005.
Tasha has served as a professional counselor in multiple venues since 1999. After starting out in Baton Rouge, LA, she continued her counseling ministry with CentrePointe Counseling in Baltimore, MD, from 2003-2010. Tasha served Rahab’s Hideaway, a ministry for victims of human trafficking, in Columbus, OH, from 2011-2013. In 2013 she transitioned to New Orleans, LA, where she began her private practice, Broom Tree Counseling. In 2017, Tasha and her family relocated to North Carolina and back to Denham Springs, Louisiana where she currently serves the people of the Greater Baton Rouge area.
Tasha is married to Tim, and they enjoy eating, traveling, dancing, dreaming, and playing with their kids. They have three teenagers and a lazy schnauzer named Tabasco. Tim is the lead pastor of Mustard Seed Church of Denham Springs. For more information on Tasha’s speaking/writing/worship leading ministries, visit tashalevert.com.


Well, if anyone was expecting something Halloween related today, you’re going to be disappointed. Thats because today, thanks to a friend telling me, its the 500th anniversary of the day when Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses to the Church door in Wittenberg, Germany. Well supposedly is, there is some feeling that it didnt actually happen, but 500 years on, proving it, or disproving it is nigh impossible, so lets just accept it for now. But yes, regardless of how it was done, it happened, and the Roman Catholic Church, which had reigned supreme in Europe until then, got a nasty surprise! Yes, the Reformation era had begun.
I’m not going to go through the whole history of everything, my knowledge isnt all that great, and Wikipedia can tell you all you need to know in truth, far better than I can. Equally, lets just say he wasnt perfect. He was anti Semitic, no fans of Muslim people either, but of course, 500 years on, trying to define on what led to those feelings, who knows?
My religious upbringing was a complex one. My Father was of Irish, Roman Catholic ancestry, my Mother came from Irish, Protestant ancestry! How they got together, who knows? All I know is that my Mother had to become Catholic to allow them to be married, but whether matters have changed in the 70 years (nearly) since then, I have no idea. All it meant was that for the first 10 years of my life, I went to a Catholic Church, and indeed, as I was trying to be a boy back then, I even served as an altar boy. Then my father left my mother, and I stopped going to a Catholic Church, and ‘changed teams’ lol. Then somewhere around 16, I left school, and slowly, but steadily, I stopped going to church every week. For a few years, I still went from time to time, but by the time I moved to Somerset in 1983, I’d stopped altogether. I was still Christian, you understand, just not a church going one!
And in truth, thats pretty much where I’ve stayed from that day, until then. I went a few times at Christmas in the past, but other than that, no. And yes, they were all definitely Church of England, not Roman Catholic. The last time I went to church, for a service, was at a Reformed Church, in Albany, to hear said friend preach, and to enjoy the whole service. Since then…
No, I have no time for those ‘fire and brimstone’, so called Christian Preachers in the US. Not that they would have any time for a bi, trans woman anyway, but thats beside the point. I did actually, when in Seattle in 2003, get invited to a service, not realizing it was going to be one of that type of preacher. I had to stifle several giggles, as he proceeded to say terrible things about Gay people during his sermon, I must say. No, the person who invited me didnt know at the time, nor did I tell him afterwards. The amusing thing was, that this preacher was quite keen to help me find a job over there, and that as far as he was concerned, the immigration issues could soon be got around, by his friends. No, I never did take up that offer, never saw him again. In fact I was offered other jobs while out there, but I said no, thinking I wanted to come back to the UK. What would have happened if I’d accepted, I will now never know.
But yes, October 31st may be famous for being Halloween, but its also Reformation Day, and this year, even more so, its 500 years since that incredible moment, for Luther, and history.
The video, yes, I spent at least 15 seconds choosing this one lol. Though my blog title might be more apt today?


Why the councils of Nicea in 325AD and 787AD are so important to understand in respect to how Christianity is “mostly” practiced in our time
I understand that it is “risky business” to bring forward a subject of this type in these times. What I am attempting to do is to draw together information that might help “ordinary” people to better understand the political evolution of Christianity as it seems to exist today. I have elected to take the simplest method that I can in order to convey my message. I am not pretending that the contents of this blog are authoritative!
You will find that I have attached two files to this blog. File 1 provides insight into the “inner workings” of both councils. I have done this in case my readers have little knowledge about what both of these councils were all about. File 2 is much more comprehensive document that I have cut and pasted from a major work that I located online several years ago. This file is the defining document of this blog.
I consider that the first council of Nicea is the more important of both these religious assemblies. I say this for the following quoted reason. [I have italicised and emboldened the text that I feel you should most consider].
“The Council of Nicea was a landmark in several ways. It is generally thought of as the first ecumenical council, because it was the first council which brought together representatives from throughout Christendom, including those of opposing theological viewpoints. And it is theologically significant in that the doctrine of the Trinity emerged from the council as a mark of orthodoxy which still holds to this day.
But perhaps of even greater significance is that it was the first church council sanctioned by the ruling political entity. The emperor’s role in the council seems to have been nothing but positive, but the council signaled the beginning of an often stormy relationship between church and state which was to dominate the course of western history for over a thousand years until the Reformation in the 16th century. The relationship between church and state has continued to be an important political issue to the present day. Although there were unquestionable benefits to the church-state relationship, such as an end of persecution and freedom to proselytize, there were also some negative aspects. In particular, a potential for doctrinal despotism was created. With the support of the state, the church was able to dictate orthodoxy and to enforce conformity by making it a crime to express anything, publicly or privately, which contradicted the official position. This was to have a chilling effect on freedom of religion and freedom of expression, and would in time lead to rampant corruption. The church which had once been persecuted now became the persecutor. The Reformation, in which millions of believers seceded from the Catholic Church, was the eventual result. But at Nicea, at least, there was cause for celebration for the “army of martyrs” who were in attendance.”
Item 1: The introductory file
Item 2: The primary discussion document [written by various different authors]


Lee Stokes, founder and Senior Pastor of Destiny Christian Center in Greensboro, NC, received the vision of the ministry while serving as Executive Director and singles ministry pastor of Faithworld in Orlando, Florida. God instructed him to teach the Word of God to help people know that they in fact “Reign in Life” through the One, Christ Jesus.
Pastor Stokes has served in full-time ministry since 1986 when he was youth pastor at World Harvest Church (under Rod Parsley) in Columbus, OH. Pastor Stokes taught bible study and witnessed many giving their lives to Christ.
Established on January 9, 2000, Destiny Christian Center was recognized as one of the fasted growing churches in North Carolina. The churches standard of excellence is to teach the Word of Grace so that believer’s see Jesus in all the loveliness of His person and the perfection of His work, and to make Him (Jesus) known through the preaching of the True Gospel.
Pastor Lee Stokes is married to Co-Pastor Shonia Stokes and has three children, Brooke, Seava, and Lee Stokes III (Tre).
Pastor Shonia is an anointed teacher and speaker with an awesome testimony. Her desire is for Christians to experience the Love of God, and understand who they are in Christ Jesus.
Pastor Shonia challenges women around her to become women of excellence, freedom, purpose, prayer and grace. She emphasizes feeding on the truth’s of God’s Word. Women are finding their Destiny in Christ and experiencing a deeper Christian life because of Pastor Shonia’s ministry.


Portraits of Jesus from Luke and John by Mary Nelle Schaap Download PDF EPUB FB2
According to the book, the gospel of Luke portrays Jesus as the savior of the world as he writes that salvation comes with Jesus. Luke chapter two verses twenty nine to thirty give a picture of what of his portrayal. Luke addresses God and requests him to release his servant, Jesus in peace for his eyes have seen the salvation.
According to. Table of contents. Preface List of Abbreviations 1. Portraits of Jesus in the Gospel of John: A Spectrum of Roles - Craig R. Koester, Luther Seminary, USA 2. The Human Jesus in the Gospel of John: The Word Made Flesh - Marianne Meye Thompson, Fuller Theological Seminary, USA 3.
Jesus the Jew in John's Gospel: “Scripture Cannot Be Broken” - Wendy E. North, University of. John presents us with Jesus as I AM: the living, perfectly divine Son of God. He is the Word of God, the Creator who breathed life into the world, and who still works among us through the Holy Spirit.
With these four accounts emphasizing a different portrait of Jesus, we can see more of His completion, His beauty, and His dimensional divinity. Get an answer for 'What are the portraits of Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
How do they differ. ' and find homework help for other The Bible questions at eNotes. Get an answer for 'Portraits of Jesus According to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Give three elements for each evangelist. Briefly explain. Everybody knows the Gospel writers have different interests, and present their portrait of Jesus accordingly.
Matthew is into the Torah and fulfilment of Jewish prophecy, Luke loves Gentiles, the poor and women, and so on. But I admit to never having noticed the differences between Luke's portrait of Jesus, in which Jesus is portrayed as having Portraits of Jesus from Luke and John book almost scribal level of scriptural expertise.
“Luke,” Richard Hays remarks in one of his books, “is above all a storyteller” (, ). This characterization, brief as it is, highlights what might be the most important dimension of the lens that Union Presbyterian Seminary professor John T.
Carroll brings to the table in his book, Luke: A Commentary, which was published in A number of New Testament scholars—maybe most. In his Gospel, John presented Jesus as the Son of God by painting portraits, pictures, of him.
The author of this volume displays twenty-nine of these portraits for us to look at and even study. The reader who observes these portraits carefully will come to know the Lord Jesus Christ in new and deeper ways.
Jesus lived almost years ago, but even today people all over the world serve Him. We know this man primarily through four Bible books: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
First-hand acquaintance with these writings will help us understand Jesus and His message. This course surveys Mark's narrative of Jesus' life. As you study each lesson, please. For Luke, Jesus is our Compassionate Savior. Luke's image of Jesus is presented Portraits of Jesus from Luke and John book the compassionate Savior of the world, with love and compassion for all.
Who is Jesus really. Four Gospels seem confusing; why is there not just one story of Jesus. What are the unique portraits of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. To what kinds of congregations were these New Testament Scriptures addressed.
These are only some of the questions that newcomers to the Bible are likely to ask. Is it possible to find these answers and appreciate the Scriptures, and deepen 4/5(1).
The whole book is arranged to present Jesus this way. That means the gospel of John has a very different feel from the other three. The way the gospel starts is a good example. Mark begins with Jesus’ baptism. Luke begins with the happenings surrounding Jesus’ birth. Matthew begins with Abraham, and traces the generations down to Jesus.
But. Jesus’ last words on the cross, the story is one focused on purpose and fulfillment not on agony, suffering and death. Perhaps this ordered and purposed account can best be seen in Luke’s description of the final moments of Jesus’ life on the cross. For Mark, the suffering of Jesus forms the focus of his portrait as Jesus’ final.
observes, Luke “was an educated and cultured man, the first real historian to write about Jesus. His book places Jesus not only at the heart of the Jewish world of the first century, but at the heart of the Roman world into which the Christian gospel exploded.” Luke continues his story into this Gospel's sequel, the Acts of the Apostles.
John: The Gospel of the Eternal Son Who Reveals the Father Mark Strauss This week, guest writer Mark L. Strauss, scholar and professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary San Diego and author of "Four Portraits, One Jesus: A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels," provides us an amazing essay on the Gospel of John, the third installment of four.
Jesus brings hope to the oppressed and challenges those in power (Lk 4–) Jesus teaches how his kingdom is different than the world (Lk –) Jesus is killed, practicing what he preached (Lk –) Jesus rises from the dead, validating his claims (Lk 24) More pages related to Luke.
John (next book of the Bible) Mark (previous). However, the Gospel of John tells us that during his time as treasurer, Judas had become a thief, stealing from the treasury funds. Judas has become infamous for his betrayal of Jesus.
Both Luke and John render him to be under the influence of Satan himself (Luke ; John ). Hence why different portraits of Jesus are presented. In Matthewthe infant stories are used to prepare the ground for the theme of Jesus; the new and perfect Moses, the great teacher and interpreter of God’s ways.
A parallel can be drawn between the experiences of the infant Jesus. Would not one book have been enough. God has given us four pictures or portraits of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
These are the four gospel accounts called Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. God could have given us just one Gospel, but four is so much better. Does God want us to get to know His Son, even though, as 1.
John's gospel is different from the other three. In fact, Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called the synoptic gospels because they are so similar. However, John presents Jesus in a different light from the other three.
Additionally, John wrote the epistles of John and the book of Revelation. In each of them, Jesus is presented in a special way. The Four GospelsThe four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John form a powerful and conclusive portrait of Jesus Christ. Distinctly, they are not a biography of Christ’s complete life, but they give the fundamental truth of Christianity: who Jesus is and the great truths of the Gospel.
Just as the four Gospels present different portraits of Jesus, so too do they present different portraits of his mother Mary.
A minor figure in the earlier Gospels of Mark and Matthew, she becomes more prominent in Luke and John. Mary plays a visible role in Mark, the earliest Gospel. She is mentioned by name in Jesus’s rejection at Nazareth. The Gospels record the "greatest story ever told," the events of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
To study the Gospels is to study the foundation of Christianity, and in this Four Portraits, One Jesus course, author and professor Mark Strauss provides an expert yet understandable introduction to these first four books of the New Testament.
Referring to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” John tells us that he would not die but would remain on earth until the Second Coming (see John –23; D&C 7). Four Separate Books Right after the Lord’s death and Resurrection and for many years afterward, each of the books written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John was a.
At the same time, while Jesus utters the pronoun "I" only 17 times in Matthew, 9 times in Mark, and 10 times in Luke -- He says "I" times in John.
The Book of John is all about Jesus explaining His own nature and purpose in the world. The Gospel of John. Christian D. von Dehsen. Ph.D. Carthage College, Kenosha, WI Background. The Gospel of John portrays Jesus as the preexistent Word (, logos) descended from heaven (; ; ) to bring light and life into a world trapped in darkness ().
By tradition, the Fourth Gospel was written by John, the son of Zebedee, often thought to be the mysterious "Beloved Disciple. Luke's birth narrative (Luke ) is written in a finer Greek literary style than the rest of Luke's Gospel and the book of Acts.
false At his last supper, Jesus inaugurated a new _________ celebration for the new age of salvation—the kingdom of God. John D. Barry is the CEO and founder of Jesus' Economy, a non-profit dedicated to creating jobs and churches in the developing world.
He is the general editor of the Faithlife Study Bible and Lexham Bible Dictionary, and has authored or edited over 30 books, including Jesus' Economy: A Biblical View of Poverty, the Currency of Love, and a Pattern for Lasting : John D.
Barry. The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the Synoptic Gospels, because they include many of the same stories, often in the same the periods to which the gospels are usually dated suggest otherwise, convention traditionally holds that the authors were two of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, John and Matthew, as well as two "apostolic men," Mark and Luke, whom Orthodox.
Summary of the book of John: The Gospel of John tells the story of the life and ministry of Jesus through an insider point of view.
Matthew was a disciple of Jesus but not in his “inner circle” like Peter, James and John were. Luke and John were not part of Jesus’ 12 disciples. John is written about Christ; so in John Jesus is a personification of Christ.
Salvation in John generally seems to be through belief, through receiving the Holy Spirit, through becoming a children of God by receiving Jesus’ name. The whole Gospel. Outline of the Book of Luke. The Birth and Preparation of Jesus the Savior - Luke The Message and Ministry of Jesus the Savior - Luke The Death and Resurrection of Jesus the Savior - Luke “Compare and Contrast the Portrait of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of John.” Words | 6 Pages.
Throughout the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, it is apparent that there are similarities as well as differences when it comes to portraying the life and times of Jesus the Christ, the general descriptions of who Jesus was, and the sayings and deeds of Jesus.


Of Our Purpose
Sometimes God teaches me a lesson and I think, maybe that one was just for me and I shouldn’t worry about blogging it. But sometimes He won’t let me go until I share it. This is one of those lessons.
I few weeks ago, fresh in the mire of grief following a miscarriage and D&C, still worn out and slow after surgery, while my husband was at the men’s retreat I insisted he still attended and my mother was at the grocery store making a chocolate run, I had my first moment completely alone in nearly a week. And where I thought my heart had been healed by hope, left there to truly wander in my own mind and heart, I broke down in tears.
This renewed crack in my emotional barrier had somewhat been forced open by a beautiful post by a sweet soul serving the Lord overseas. I know she has had her own journey and there have been many hardships, but sometimes when you see the wonder-filled side of ministry, it’s hard to feel the loneliness and misery that sometimes comes with it. In that moment, what I saw was a woman living her purpose. God had called her to this ministry field and, though, again, there have been many questions and moments of tears on her side, there is no doubt she is where she was meant to be. And God was gracious enough to give her a glimpse into the why of all she has gone through. This is her purpose.
And I suddenly remembered only a few weeks prior when I had considered the longing my heart had always had to also serve overseas, and how God had continually taken that desire from me and said, “Not right now.” With a new life blossoming inside of me, there was the realization, if I were overseas right now, I would not have been here, where this family longing for a little one, needed me. I would not have actually been in the place God wanted me. He had me here for a purpose.
But in that lonely moment on my couch, wiped clean of all remnants of a life and death held within my womb, I asked myself, if this – this carrying of a child to grow another family – had been my purpose – my reason for being told I could not go where my heart longed to go – what, now that this life has gone, is my purpose?
Why all of this?!
If my purpose in this season of my life is to bear a child and I have no child within me, what happens to me? Do I even have a true purpose at this point?
Those were the thoughts that flooded my mind in that moment of grief finally breaking through and releasing. Releasing all of what I had held on to and dreamed of and thought of myself.
And as He can only do when we have finally surrendered, broken down the walls and cried out, why?! and then sit in the silence of that question, God spoke.
In this life we all seek a purpose – a reason we were placed on this earth. And so many of us see this purpose as something we can do – our talents, our abilities, our passions. These are our purpose – to follow these. To do. And, more importantly, to do something we can see a result from. To know, in some way, that our actions and abilities and talents actually impacted someone in some way. If we can feel that, if we can see that, then we have accomplished a small part of our purpose. And if we can’t . . . we wander and wonder and search. We need a reason to be here.
But we weren’t created to do. We were created to be. We were created to worship.
God does not need us to accomplish any particular task. In His beautiful grace He often does allow us, His creation, to partake in the wonder of His glorious and miraculous work in this world. But He has never needed us to do anything – because if He wants a work accomplished He is more than able to do it Himself. Any part man plays in His wonderful work is sheer grace.
He did not create us because He needed us. He created us to see His work and His beauty and live in awe of it. We were made to worship.
And if you are pausing in the middle of whatever it is your life is called to be right now – if you’re pausing in the middle of serving, in the middle of grieving, in the middle of rejoicing – to stop and look to Him and simply sit in awe of Who He is and what He has done, then you are living your purpose.
Yes, in that moment of awe He may speak to you – he may give you the grace of a task that can be done to further His purposes and His work. But do not forget. The glory is His. And your sole purpose – your soul purpose – is to belong to Him and revel in the glory of His grace.


At present the Central Coast's Traditional Latin Mass Community of Saint Junipero Serra is served by Fr. Hughes Beaugrand at the request of the Most Reverend Richard J. Garcia, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Monterey in California.
The Traditional Latin Mass Community of Saint Junipero Serra serves those members of Christ's Faithful who worship in accordance with the traditional Latin Liturgy (or Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite) of the Catholic Church. The Sacred Liturgy is celebrated with the Roman liturgical books of 1962. Not merely its lawfulness, but the continued importance of the traditional Latin Liturgy for the faith and life of the Church, already affirmed by St. John Paul II in 'Ecclesia Dei,' was further emphasized and guaranteed by Pope Benedict XVI, in 'Summorum Pontificum.'
The traditional Latin Liturgy is centered on God as its core. The Traditional Latin Mass as it has developed through the centuries, under the gentle influence of the Holy Spirit, bears treasures of language, music and ritual that raise our hearts and minds to the presence and action of Almighty God, in order to praise Him and to witness to the Gospel message given to us by Christ Jesus our Savior.
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Fr. Beaugrand has sent out a reminder that we should all carry a missal to Mass. If you do not have a missal, he has a friend who is an editor for Angelus Press who can reduce the price of a missal from the Angelus Press company from $65, not including tax and shipping, to $45 tax and shipping included. For more information on how to obtain this discount, please talk to Fr. Beaugrand.
* Fr. Beaugrand will be saying Mass at 12:30 this Sunday, October 16, at St. Paul's. NO COFFEE SOCIAL, (see below for activity instead). * He will ALSO be saying Mass at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 17, at St. Paul's. He will need assistance in setting up the altar for Latin Mass standards, and then re-setting it for St. Paul's Mass standards. * Meeting/potluck on Sunday, October 16 from 2-5 pm: It will be held at the Shell Beach Veterans' Memorial Building, 230 Leeward Ave, Shell Beach. It is between the 101 freeway and the ocean, off of El Camino Real, in a residential zone. Cars will park on the streets due to no parking lot. The hall is rented between 2 - 5 pm only. The cost of the hall is $126. The pizza will cost about $140. If 75 people attend, about $4/person would cover the building and pizza. Please also contribute some money to pay for Fr. Beaugrand's gas. Main meal is pizza. If your name begins with A to L, please bring a salad. If your name begins with M to Z, please bring a dessert. Soda--Lori; water--Gary and Patty; and coffee-Elsie and Celine, will be provided. Paper supplies--Lori and Celine Set-up is at 2 pm with pizza arriving shortly thereafter. Clean up begins at 4:30. We must remove the bags of trash from the hall because of classes held there the next day. *Please also pray for Mary Borlandelli, that she may return home from the convalescent home she currently lives.
Sunday, October 9, 2016
It has been confirmed that Fr. Beaugrand will say Mass on the 16th of October. Details are still being worked out, but stay tuned for more information in the coming days.


Do Not Abort
I was awaken this morning to this thought that I went to prayer on. Something to think about.
We are hearing much about “abortion” this day and time. We find this subject in the headlines, in articles, on signs, etc. The News has been showing where people are protesting against it. Of course we know that when someone has an abortion (no matter the reason) an innocent life is taken! There is always an emotional trauma that is tied to this action carried out that has to be healed within the individual.
But if I could give you a thought to think about. That which I talked about is natural abortions. But what about all the people in the Body of Christ who are having “SPIRITUAL ABORTIONS?” Not much is being said about that! As a Christian, we should be concerned about these types of abortions too; because that being aborted has life to it also!
In John 10:10 Jesus talks about a thief that would come. Who is the thief that Jesus is talking about? It is satan. His plan is destruction and he accomplishes that through a mission “to steal and kill and destroy.” That is made clear. BUT in the same verse Jesus said, “I came that they (YOU) may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” Anything that would be taking LIFE away from you or someone else is from satan the thief, not from Jesus. Jesus is the giver of LIFE, not death!
What is it that the enemy (satan), the thief, is attempting to steal from you? What is it that satan is putting pressure on you to abort in your life? Is it a dream, a vision, a desire, a prayer, a hope, an expectation, a miracle, a healing, a breakthrough, a calling, a ministry, a connection, a marriage, a relationship, salvation for your family, a job, etc.? What is it that you are being tempted with to “abort” out of your personal life?
I must tell somebody tonight, even though the temptation has come “to abort” what has been conceived within you; you must stand strong and resist the enemy of your soul. He wants you to have a ‘SPIRITUAL ABORTION”! Why? Because the thing within you that you are giving birth to is tied to the Will of God and your God-ordained Destiny! Guard what has been conceived! Do not weaken and fall for the temptation you are being pressured with! Stand strong and firm IN CHRIST and continue to embrace the word of God! Persevere in prayer until something changes! Your God is faithful to perform that which He has spoken to be for your life!
Isaiah 66: 9 (AMP) ““Shall I bring to the moment of birth and not give delivery?” says the Lord. “Or shall I who gives delivery shut the womb?” says your God.”
This word is for you who have been feeling the pressure from the enemy to get you to “abort.” I come as a midwife tonight to your side to help you get through this. You will NOT fall prey to the enemy and “abort” that precious living thing within you! It is BIRTHING TIME for you and you are taking on a New Strength to be able to birth forth that which you have been carrying within you! You will begin to hear a New Sound within your spiritual hearing! A sound of PUSH! PUSH! PUSH! IT’S DELIVERY TIME!


Dear Family and Friends,
I'm indebted to Kelly Bellis, Pax Christi/Maine's former web-master for the two attached striking photos of Francis. They were taken during a weekend conference/retreat outside Bangor ME, at an intimate unique center created by Georgia Koskiusko and her husband out in the country. Our good friend, the late Jim Harney was the organizer for that fall weekend, possibly in 2005.
One photo shows Francis listening intently to Jim's mentor from out of state who lead the retreat. The other photo, where Francis looks absorbed in prayer, was taken around 8:00 AM when we were likely listening to our guide during a nature walk.
Lynn and Lee enlarged and framed Kelly's photos for me as a surprise Mother's Day gift. They're perfect icons for my sitting/prayer time.
Last Sunday, at the planting of our "Be loved" Francis tree, -- the beautiful Japanese Stewartia (whose name Rowan now knows,) -- I read some of the passages you wrote to or about Francis. One friend told me afterwards it "rounds out Francis." I've found it an uplifting exercise to cull them from your cards.
Rereading them and your notes has also nourished me. When I read this must-share quote of Dietrich Bonhoeffer last week, it was as if for the first time:
can make up for the absence
of someone we love.
And it would be wrong
to try to find a substitute.
We must simply hold out
and see it through.
That sounds very hard at first
but at the same time
it is a great consolation.
For the gap, as long as
it remains unfilled
preserves the bond
It is nonsense to say that
God fills the gap.
God does not fill it.
But on the contrary
keeps it empty
and so helps us to keep alive
with each other
even at the cost of pain.
Next weekend I'm going on a retreat with Cynthia Bourgeault, the author of Love Is Stronger Than Death. It'll be held at a retreat center at Mount Desert Island in Seal Cover Maine: http://www.alcyoncenter.org/ I'm most grateful to Martin Steingesser and his partner Judy for leading me to this book which applies to me in some important ways.
And so indirectly, they've led me to this upcoming retreat!
With gratitude for love that never dies,
PS There are unsolicited signs that Rowan remembers Francis. Besides reminding me once again (She does this almost weekly!) about dusting his (St.) Francis statue, Rowan made a loving unexpected gesture on Francis' behalf: She had gone to a party where pre-painted eggs, (prepared by the mothers) Polish style, had been emptied of the egg itself and filled with confetti after which the children play with them. She had brought me one on Sunday and tucked it into a larger blue plastic egg.
Well on Thursday, her usual visit day here, making sure I saw her do it, -- she ceremoniously took the egg where I had placed it and put it right on top of the large photo of Francis, (the one she had hugged before) sitting on the dining room table. That poster awaits more work from me when I shrink-wrap it for her future viewing. She did this with an air of satisfaction. I was satisfied too.
PPS: The following week, and for the first time, when Rowan arrived at our home she hugged the St. Francis statue standing in the entryway.
Then a week later, seemingly coming out of nowhere, she said: "Pepere is alive." I let that sink in a moment and then asked: "Rowan, when you said 'Pepere is alive,' what made you say that? "I don't know," she replied. I see that mystery and the limits of human knowledge do not prevent conviction and another kind of knowing, even, and maybe especially, in a child.
So here are your quotes, -- FRANCIS THROUGH OTHERS' EYES, written to and about Francis in emails and cards:
He was, without any doubt, a shining star in the active way he lived his principles. He struck me, every time I had the pleasure of seeing him, as being the kind of thorough-going grown-up we all aspire to be: gentle and confident, able to engage sincerely and comfortably with anyone, either lightly or seriously, as the occasion called for. He stood up for folks who could not speak up well for themselves. Francis leaves inspired memories.
It feels to me that a huge hole has been created in this world. Francis was a treasure, very calm, very loving, emanating warmth and kindness always. I sensed that he didn't have a mean fiber or bone anywhere in his body.
I liked Francis' presence, always, -- his kind way of listening and speaking.
His tender attendance to our dying mother has left us with such enduring affection. All accolades for him will never exceed what he deserves. His graciousness will always be remembered.
Sitting next to yoga often, in yoga class, I always felt such a quiet joy and strength from him. I will never forget his smile.
His eyes shone when he smiled. He had such presence.
I don't think there was ever a person who was not touched in some way by his presence. He lived his life fully and shared openly his spirit with the generosity and caring of a whole human being. As a gentle and quiet man his actions spoke much more than any words could say.
(Many many people spoke of Francis' kindness and gentleness:)
An extraordinary man...a gifted and intelligent man...the kindest, dearest man.....a gentle and loving man (rare, indeed)... truly one of the gentlest souls I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.... a peaceful and reverent man.... Such a kind and gentle spirit has left this world....a gentle spirit with a quiet sense of humor...You are such a beautiful human being, with a quiet, gentle way about you that touches all who come in contact with you... "gentle and holy soul."
He leaves much as an example of what a loving and caring human being looks like -- for others to emulate.
Francis was an inspiration to me, living, in the best spiritual sense, what I envision an authentic Christian life to be. He was also a "good father" to many of us....What a great soul he was! Our community has felt a significant loss. I'm adding my small voice to the collective.
I would guess it was 15 years ago, maybe more, the first time I met you. It was at a vigil in Monument Square. It was cold. You had a sign. You introduced yourself, embracing me, a hug which I soon came to know was your trademark. There were more vigils on even more frigid days on Commercial Street in front of the BIW ship repair facility. While the rest of us shivered, the cold didn't seem to bother you, ever smiling that sweet smile. What an endearing man, my wife said. Endearing is the right word.
I write with admiration for Francis' patience and unbowed humor in his daily encounters with pain...Francis is one of those great souls who shine in our midst, making the world more nonviolent, just, wise and good simply by being their beautiful, godly selves.
A source of inspiration because he modeled the values he espoused.
Francis will always be remembered because of how he lived his life. What a life and ministry he had! His was "a life well spent, an exemplary life well-lived.
As we Quakers say, "Let your life speak." His surely did, -- of love and peace.
I smile recalling Francis as a gentle ray of sunshine whose presence had an amazing and calming effect on people who knew him and came in contact with him.
I was moved to see Francis' special obituary in my newspaper and flooded with such good memories of who and how he was that I want to write you. You met me only briefly, but as a member of Community Psychiatry at Maine Medical Center, and later with Geriatric Psychiatry. I worked with him many times. His humanity, caring and determination to better the lives of those he served shone through always, but my favorite memory is of a training experience we had. He and I (This was in the 70's) were lying at right angles on the floor of some church hall, arm wrestling! The idea was gender equality or empowerment or something, but I remember our joyful competitiveness & the fact that I actually made some headway but the didn't let me win.
Francis was an oasis for me during those moments after mass, or at a gathering of parishioners. There he was, peacefully present among us, silent mostly, and I would sidle up to him and be blessed by a conversation inevitably insightful with a bit of wit and wisdom and a twinkle or two for good measure.
The memory of his idealism, commitment to justice and love for fellow human beings will live on.
I can only hope that the loss of my wife or either of my brothers comes after such a fruitful interval.
Francis' life of great courage, honesty, and gratitude was such a full expression of his intentional life! His was truly a life lived with intention...
Always the rock for Elaine, always kind to all, and now a leader in how to let go with courage, grace, faith and love! You are teaching us all the most valuable lesson we might ever need.
I reflect on the life experiences we have shared together growing up on the farm and looking up to you for guidance, as an older brother. I remember it was you who pushed for higher education for me with my parents and that step in attending St FX has enriched my life experience greatly.
Francis and I first met about 1976. We were both in the newly formed Lifeline Program at USM. He and I would go out for runs together. We would usually run about three miles....For me there was no warming up period with Francis. I liked him right away. And it wasn't long before I admired and looked up to him. He was easy to be with and I greatly respected his points of view.
Thanks for the example of your life of integrity, for your smile, your twinkly eyes and your kindness. Your presence and friendship have meant so much to me.
Francis, -- Great integrity epitomizes how we think of you. You are a man who really pays attention to his inner voices: you have somehow been able to find the strength and courage to " speak truth to power." And you have done so in a way that was not provocative. You were a man who knew right from wrong and while many of us might choose to look the other way, you could quietly take a stand when you knew it was important to do so.
When in Yoga with you and Elaine I always kept an eye on you to make sure I could keep up, and I usually didn't. I loved his presence in yoga class and the sweet way he always consented to demonstrate, to be used as an example.
His was a life of great integrity. I believe the contribution of his integrity to the universe does not end...
Your sweet courageous spirit, humble strength and loving presence have always been gifts to us.
My prayer is that as my time draws closer, I will be able to move forward with the grace and joy (in the midst of pain) I see in you, Francis.
We are both in awe of the grace which you exhibit as you approach the end of earthly life and from this we draw strength of our own to deal with our own feelings around loss of a loved one.
My fondest Francis memories include his vibrant smile and hearty laugh, -- from Camp days to more recent summer family reunions.
In the loss of Francis we have all lost a great advocate but he will long be an inspiration to many.
Francis, you are a prince, always have been.
Francis I have things I need to say to people I love...you taught me how important this is to do......now I sit and quietly watch my little boy and I know how fast I will become the old man...I will do it well and I will show him by example...how to live well, how to love well, how to die well...we are all part of a continuum of life's energy and you will soon shift forms again...I know you will be there...that your energy will flow through those of us still here in the physical realm...Francis, I love you, I will work hard at being my best self...I thank you so very much for sharing your life energy with me...thank you Francis, thank you...
Francis, Love radiates from your eyes and smile whenever I see you. You have taught me so much about living and now you are teaching me how to die with dignity, peace, and love.
I always will remember Francis' gentle spirit and quiet sense of humor. He always made me smile and, as a young kid I thought he would be the perfect "big brother" that I never had.
He is at peace and entered the transition escorted by so much love and peace, he'll assist us when the time comes for our transition.
The way you have confronted your illness with deepening spirituality is such an example to us all.
I feel fortunate to have had you in my life. You are so selfless and giving. I always enjoyed our intellectual conversations and appreciate how well informed you are. I will never forget how you always hugged me each time we got together. This is special because most men in our society are reluctant to hug another man. It demonstrates how secure you are in your identity and the love that you have for other people, regardless of their gender. You have such a great sense of humor. ...I love you and thank you for being who you are: a great male role model.
We frequently talk of the wonderful days when we all did yoga together. We can visualize Francis quietly going about his business of helping you, Elaine, in any way he could while being an active participant in class.
Dear Francis, What a treasured friend you have been...what a wonderful priest without borders you are... your very existence has led many to the God you have loved so well. Thank you so much for sharing that last visit with me even when you were already suffering--and yet could listen patiently to my stories, asking discerning questions, and adding your own insights to enrich the narration. You are a good and just man.
I always learned deeply from you, even when there were no words spoken.
I always felt when Francis looked at me he was trying to peer into my soul. While I’m not perfect I never feared what he would find but I was often curious about his thoughts. I felt that he recognized my strengths and didn’t judge me for my weaknesses. I was always amazed at his patience in Yoga. When his body started to give up (his heart n soul never did) he would continue to help you do demos, even though I could see something just wasn’t the same.


Invite a Friend to Join us this Christmas
I hope you will invite a friend to join us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus at Ingleside this Christmas.
Here are the details you need to know:
|December 9-11||Christmas Musical Presentations
“He Brings Joy”
Friday at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Sunday at 10:30 a.m., 3:30 and 6:30 p.m.
|No tickets are necessary. Seating is first come, first served. Doors open thirty minutes prior to each presentation. Childcare is provided for 6 weeks – 4K. Christmas cookies and hot wassail follow each afternoon and evening presentation. On Sunday morning, breakfast food and fellowship begin in the Gathering Area at 9:30 a.m. Invite a friend and celebrate Christmas at Ingleside!
|Sunday, December 18
||One service only – 10:30 a.m.
|Sunday, December 18||Christmas Remembrance Service
4:00 p.m. in the Chapel
|This service is designed specifically to comfort and encourage those whose hearts are grieving and hurting during the holiday season. In this service, you will find healing and hope from the Lord.
|Saturday, December 24||Christmas Eve Services
2:00 p.m. – Family Service
3:30 p.m. – Family Service
5:00 p.m. – Family Service
7:30 p.m. – Communion Service
|No tickets are necessary. Seating is first come, first served. Doors open thirty minutes prior to each presentation. Each family service includes a live nativity. The services are 45 minutes in length, and no childcare is provided. Children of all ages are welcome. The candlelight communion service is designed for adults and families with children elementary age and older. No childcare is provided.
|Sunday, December 25||Christmas Day Worship
One service only – 10:30 a.m.
I’m looking forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus with you and your family this Christmas!
Your Pastor and Friend,


Thank you for supporting Notre Dame!!
By making an annual gift to Notre Dame you will be joining other alumni, parents and friends who are helping enable us to bring our mission of a Catholic education to our current and future students.
Giving to Notre Dame High School, Inc. is fast, easy, and secure. Just click on the link below to begin. If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Caroprese in our Development Office at 610-868-1431 or email her at email@example.com. Donate Now
Thank you for your support of Notre Dame High School, Inc. for all current and future students!
You may also donate by sending your check to:
Notre Dame High School, Inc.
Attn: Crusader Drive
317 Church Road
Easton, PA 18045


Dr. James (Jim) Russell Adams
#215, 80 Chippewa Road
Sherwood Park, Alberta T8A 4W6
780-464-1179 Office Phone
780-467-3100 Office Fax
*CLINIC VISION STATEMENT: * This office strives to provide the best
medical care possible to our patients, utilizing the gifts that God has
given us. Our desire is to develop wholeness and minister healing to the
physical, mental, and spiritual needs of our patients, knowing the
three are interrelated. We also seek to display in all ways the
servanthood and love of Jesus Christ.
*WARNING:* Failure to attend website-made appointments results in a $50.00 charge to you for each missed appointment. Cancellations made to 464-1179 at least 12 hours prior to appointment time will not be charged to you.
Book Your Appointment Online
There are 10 on-line appointments set aside for each working day. If the day you want has no on-line booking appointments available, you can call the office to see if one of the other 25 appointment times are available.


Below are the available bulk discount rates for each individual item when you purchase a certain amount
This "Blessed Sacrament" Chalice is a fantastic favor for any first Holy Communion. This ceramic like beauty reverently depicts a hand painted chalice with grape, bible and communion decoration fro an unforgettable communion favor at an affordable price.
Send event guests home with the most ideal gift to celebrate this sacred religious occasion! FavorOnline's ""Blessed Sacrament"" chalice favor is the absolute perfect favor to celebrate a young boy or girl's First Holy Communion. This spectacular item depicts a golden chalice adorned with a cross, grapes, and a bible. Guests are sure to smile as they receive this beautiful and reverent favor!Features and specs:
- Includes: 1 Chalice Figurine
- Measurements: 3 1/2""H x 2""D
- Comes in a Clear gift box tied with a white organza ribbon bow and ""For You"" gift tag
- Gift box measures 2 3/8""L x 2 3/8""W x 3 3/4""H
Add Small Rosary and Personalized Tags to your favor from the product options above for an unforgettable souvenir for a once in a lifetime occasion that lasts forever.


Need help getting back into the Word of God? Have you found yourself distanced from that strong relationship you had with the Lord? If so, i’m here to help.
I know what it’s like to have a lot going on and completely forget or procrastinate putting God first. There are so many distractions these days. For me, settling myself into adulthood has been so stressful. There’s a lot that nobody talks about or really helps you with in this transition…and a lot of older adults don’t understand exactly how difficult it is for us in 2015. It’s hard and feels impossible at times to get everything situated.
It’s these times that we need God the most. I (like many in their 20s) have not put God as a priority like I should. When I say ‘should’ I don’t mean it as it’s the way people in my life expect me to be. No disrespect, but it has nothing to do with anyone but myself and the Lord (sorry y’all…but it’s a personal relationship). I choose the way I want to live, and the way I want to live is with Jesus in my heart…because that is always the best me.
Whenever I find myself distanced from the Godly lifestyle I notice things start to crumble. Problems start coming up. This has happened so many times for me.
I never know where to pick back up when i’ve gone weeks or months without opening my Bible. It’s sorta frustrating having the desire to study His Word, but not knowing where to start.
“The plan is simple but comprehensive—it alternates between the Old and New Testaments to keep the person of Jesus Christ prominent in your reading. The weekly rather than daily schedule eliminates the sense of pressure that comes if you miss an occasional day; you have room to flex with the natural ebb and flow of life. You don’t feel like you’re behind schedule, because you’re not. You can start whenever you want and then use the blanks to record your completion date and track your progress. I find a visual record of progress motivates me to keep going.”
|____ 1. Mark||____ 2. Psalms 1-27||____ 3. Luke 1-12|
|____ 4. Luke 13-24||____ 5. Proverbs 1-15||____ 6. Proverbs 16-31|
|____ 7. Romans||____ 8. John 1-11||____ 9. John 12-21|
So far this plan has been working well for me. I make it a goal to read at least a chapter a day. I’m still in Mark at the moment, but it has already helped me so much.
I lack in the knowledge of Bible stories and scriptures (and how to minister and all that), however I have a very strong spiritual side and desire to love God. Being a Christian isn’t about how many scriptures you have memorized or how many times you go to church. It’s about your personal relationship with the Lord. So, no need to feel intimidated. If you’re just starting out or getting back into it, just focus on building the relationship and keeping hold of your love for Him.
I don’t want to keep dragging this out. I just wanted to throw this out there. I’m not a close-minded, strict, judgmental Christian. I love all people and understand that everyone has their own way of thinking. Just because it’s not my view doesn’t mean i’m not going to be kind and talk to you. It also doesn’t mean i’m going to talk about you behind your back and list the ways you’re wrong. 🙂 Doing so, I expect the same in return.
❤ Maria Magdeline
Reading plan made by John MacArthur at Grace To You.
Copyright 2007, Grace to You. All rights reserved. Used by permission.


Vacation Bible School 2017
Are you ready for a totally awesome VBS adventure? Welcome to a place where kids will build, explore, and discover that they were made by the ultimate creator...GOD! Join us at "Maker Fun Factory". Today's kids are SO creative. This VBS shows kids what a unique and wonderful creation they are. Everything is hands on and interactive, even the decorations. We want kids to know that they were intentionally created and that God has a really big plan for their lives.
- Enter all your information
- Pay online with card or at church with cash or check
- Download, print, and sign the "medical release form"
- Return "medical release form" to Beachside church office
Calvary Chapel Beachside 19400 Beach Blvd #26 Huntington Beach, CA 92648
- KIDS VBS T-Shirt (included): $0
- VOLUNTEER VBS T-Shirt (included): $0


Holy Week is one of the most important celebrations of the Catholic religion. The days preceding the crucifixion of Jesus Christ are commemorated and his subsequent resurrection on Easter Sunday. At present, many traditional festivals are celebrated around this date, some of which have international fame among parishioners.
Surely if you have Easter holidays or your family celebrates these days, you have ever heard of Ash Wednesday or Good Friday, but do you know what happens on the days of the holy week? If you are not very clear, we will tell you what is celebrated each day of Holy Week so that you understand the importance of this tradition for Catholics around the world.
What is Holy Week? For Christians, Holy Week means commemorating the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. This period is characterized by a strong liturgical activity within Catholic Christianity because for the parishioners. These days are a way to remember the history of their religion, redo their Christian vows, and confess their sins. Holy Week does not coincide historically with the events narrated in the Gospels. It is, instead, a symbolic period to commemorate the last days of Christ’s life and his subsequent resurrection.
This year 2021, Holy Week begins on Sunday, March 28, and runs one week until April 4. While it is true that the first day of Holy Week is Palm Sunday, we cannot forget that just 40 days before this special day, Ash Wednesday is celebrated. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in the Catholic calendar and symbolizes the nullity and penance of persons before their creator. The famous ash of this day is obtained from the burning of bouquets of the previous year.
Let’s see what is celebrated each of the following days of Holy Week to better understand the meaning and importance of this celebration.
For some Christians, Holy Week begins on Sorrow Friday, the Friday before Palm Sunday. On this day, also called Passion Friday, the pain of the Virgin Mary during the crucifixion of Christ is commemorated.
This day is usually celebrated between Catholics and Orthodox. The Virgin of Sorrows is usually worshiped while singing the Stabat Mater, a prayer dedicated to the pain of the Mother of God. Some believers suspend the consumption of meat from this day until the end of Holy Week.
Palm Sunday represents the beginning of Holy Week and the end of Lent, making this day one of the most important in Christianity. On this day, the moment in which Jesus proclaims himself King of the Jews is honored and is received by the inhabitants of Jerusalem with bouquets made of palm leaves to welcome him to the city.
In Catholicism, this Sunday is commemorated with a mass in which the bouquets of each person are blessed, thus symbolizing the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem. For the Catholic Church, this day and the rite of bouquets have as their meaning the glory and suffering of the death and resurrection of Christ.
This is followed by Holy Monday when the day Jesus expelled the merchants from the Temple of Jerusalem is commemorated. In addition, the Anointing that Mary, the sister of Lazarus, made to Jesus in his house is also commemorated.
The Gospel tells that six days before Passover, Jesus went to the house of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. During dinner, Mary took expensive perfume and anointed Jesus’ feet and hair with it.
As with other days of Holy Week, on Holy Monday, processions take place in different parts of the world. The processions of Andalusia are especially well known, an autonomous community where Holy Week is celebrated in style.
Processions continue in different parts of Spain and South America. In the Gospel, it is Holy Tuesday when Jesus of Nazareth anticipates Judas’s betrayal and thus communicates it to his disciples, who, perplexed, ask Jesus to identify who the traitor will be. Thus, Jesus hands Judas a piece of greased bread and tells him, “What you have to do, do it right away.”
This day marks the end of Lent and the beginning of Easter. It is this day in which it is remembered that Judas met with the Jewish assembly of wise men to plan the betrayal of Jesus Christ in exchange for thirty pieces of silver.
Holy Thursday begins the Easter Triduum (days in which the Christian liturgy commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as we have said). On Holy Thursday, the last supper of Jesus with the disciples is remembered, where the Eucharist constitutes him, and Jesus carries out the washing of feet for his disciples.
We come to the celebration of Good Friday, one of the most intense days of Christianity. It is on Good Friday (the following day of the Easter Triduum) when the passion of Christ is commemorated, as well as his crucifixion and, finally, his death. According to tradition, during these 24 hours, Catholics fast and refrain from eating meat and other desires considered worldly.
Also called Saturday of Glory, Holy Saturday is commemorated the day after Jesus’ death and awaits his resurrection, which is why some refer to Holy Saturday as the Easter Vigil.
The Easter Vigil carried out from the early hours of Saturday to Sunday represents the prelude to the most important celebration of Christianity. The priests wear white or gold as a sign of joy for the resurrection of the Lord.
Thus we arrive at the celebration of resurrection Sunday, also called Easter Sunday or Glory Sunday. It is considered the central feast of Christians and, on this day, the resurrection of Jesus is commemorated three days after being crucified.
The origins of Holy Week are diverse, but for Christians, they have their bases in the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, John, and Luke, mentioned in the Bible. Each of the apostles recounts his own experience through the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ, three of the most important events for Christianity.
According to Christian tradition (based on sacred texts), this period comprises the specific events that we have mentioned in the previous section. It is worth mentioning that the origin of Holy Week is not understood without talking about the Jewish Passover, since it is in the book of Exodus where we understand that Jesus (the Messiah) is the Passover Lamb, sacrificed to redeem all the sins of the world.
It is also interesting to talk about other historical sources not officialized by the Catholic Church, which assure that Holy Week has its origins in the pagan festivities of the Goddess Astarte, corresponding to the Greek goddess Afrotidta. According to legend, this goddess fell from the sky into the Euphrates River inside an egg, which is why. At the beginning of Holy Week, in many countries of the world, celebrations such as the Easter Rabbit are held; a party that consists of painting and hiding eggs for children and adults to find.
You may also like to read, How to meditate: the most common questions about meditation


Danielle & Trevor were married at Holy Rosary Church in Moxee and their reception was at a friends house in the back yard. It threatened to rain all day, but thankfully it didn’t and the wedding and reception were flawless. We loved the live band at the reception; they were fantastic singers and musicians and everyone was dancing and having a great time. It’s not often that we see a cake smash but Trevor couldn’t hold back. I was glad to see Danielle do the same:).
We had a great time photographing your wedding day and we wish you both the best!
Wedding Photography: Kira Baron Photography | www.kirabaron.com | 509-969-2708
Venue: Holy Rosary Church | Brad & Janelles house
Band: Brides Uncle’s band
Cake: Brides Aunt Lori
Dress: maggie sottero
Hair: Cousin’s friend
Make-up: Cousin’s friend


We believe it is not by accident you are visiting our site today. Time is quickly running out, please don’t waste this opportunity, this could be a divine moment for you. The information contained here can be life changing for those who stay and read it. Today, by God’s power you can start over in life and leave here a brand new person changed forever!
The greatest event of the 21st Century is about to happen; Jesus Christ is returning! He is first returning for His people; the born again believers who are looking for his return. “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up in the air with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1Thess 4:16-17)
Can you imagine CNN and all the major networks covering this story? Hundreds of millions of people will be missing from earth; as they will all disappear in one second. The world will be thrown into shock, fear and great despair with nobody knowing what will happen next. Then great tribulation and catastrophic judgment will fall upon the world for seven years till Jesus returns physically to reign and rule on earth.
Today almost all major Bible prophesy scholars, Bible teachers and main line church leaders agree we are in the last of the last days, just before Christ’s return. The Bible says we will not know the day or the hour, but we will know the season. Jesus gave many signs to look for: earthquakes, famines, wars, and all of these we see happening today. A strong imminent sign of Jesus’ soon return is the Middle East crisis we are now facing and how quickly it is fulfilling the prophecy foretold thousands of years ago in Ezekiel 38 and 39. This prophecy states that in the end times, Iran and a coalition of Middle East countries along with Russia will invade Israel. The Bible says that no nation will come to Israel’s defense and that God himself will intervene and destroy these invading armies. We are witnessing each day the increasing intensity of threats toward Israel by Iran and its Middle East neighbors as they march forward to fulfill this end times prophecy. As no other time in history, Jesus’ soon return is being rapidly ushered in by the fulfilling of Bible prophecy as we watch daily the news.
God has given us much detail in the Bible of what the world would look like just before His Son’s return so none of us would miss it. God wants all of us to be ready. Listen to His heart from the Bible, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3: 9). Today while there is still time, we can get ready for Jesus’ soon return by receiving God’s forgiveness and new spiritual life which He has for each of us.
People tend to divide themselves into groups: good people and bad people. However all of us have disobeyed God at one time or another in our lifetime. Have you ever told a lie? Our conscience tells us that we have all said or done things wrong in our lives. Listen to God’s word from the Bible, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God says that every person who has ever lived has sinned. Unfortunately, this includes us all. No matter how good or how bad we have been, we all need God’s forgiveness because God says we have all sinned.
God in His word says “I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3), “I tell you the truth, unless, a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3: 5). “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit” (John 3: 6). Since God is a Spirit, only God can give birth in the Spirit. The Bible clearly says, you cannot enter the kingdom of God unless you are born of the Spirit. If you want to go to Heaven, you must be born of the Spirit. This applies to everyone, good or bad, as everyone must receive this new life from God.
God longs for everyone to come to Him and to receive His forgiveness and this new Spiritual life. It doesn’t matter how much you have messed up your life with sin and wrong choices, it’s never too late. Salvation is free and comes only by believing God and His plan. Jesus is returning very soon; receive God’s forgiveness and new life today before it’s too late.