This section comes from chapther 3 (pp. 14-20), of God's Science: A New Look at the Bible, Stars and Universes.
Throughout generations the Bible has been the most widely read book. Inspired prophets clearly sought the will of God and revealed what they considered to be the truth. Yet, can an individual explain truth very much beyond the cultural and then personal level of understanding? Symbols and metaphors can communicate to a degree, yet interpretations are always neccessary. Fortunately, today's science provides clear ways of describing reality. With proper understandings, real scientific data that illuminates reality can be seen spiritually embedded within the Bible. Before beginning an account of the creation based on the Milky Way Model [currently called the Celestial Cosmology], I will trace some core understanding located in the Bible.
Concerning the "Bible," in the book title God's Science: A New Look at the Bible, Stars and Universes, the "new look" refers to interpreting sets of scriptures in a unique way. Of course others have written about and/or acquired similar understandings, but seen in terms of this cosmological model, this can be considered a fresh, new look. Quotes from the Bible will proceed from a) God creates spirits in Preexistence, to b) Satan and his followers choose to reject God and embody evil, to c) the two Biblical accounts of the creation, and to d) the celestial potential of human beings.
"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone — while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?" (Job 38:4-7)
The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you" ... May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all mankind … who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the spirit of man within him … chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. (Jeremiah 1:4-5; Numbers 27:16; Zechariah 12:1; Ephesians 1:4)
One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. … Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. … And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. (Job 1:6, also 2:1; Revelations 12:3, 4, 7-9)
“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." ... How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn [the translation of Lucifer]! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." (Luke 10:18; Isaiah 14:12-14)
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. … Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: `Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" (Matthew 4:1, 8-10)
Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. ... You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (Corinthians 11: 14-15; John 8:44)
If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. (James 3:14-16)
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10)
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ... Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
(1 Peter 5:8; James 4:7-8)
While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." …
"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
(Luke 8:4-8, 11-15)
This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. (1 John 3: 10-11)
[The accounts are located in the very beginning of the Bible in Genesis 1-3. The first version recounts the creation in six days with a seventh day where God rests. In the second version, God appears to create man "from the dust of the ground," before any plants or animals. With Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the serpent entices Adam and Eve to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. This in turn causes the fall of Earth from God.]
God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. …
God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." … Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. … And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day. …
God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. … And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day. …
God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day. …
God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. … And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
The second account of the creation begins in Genesis 2:4, directly after the first account. After a slightly different version concerning the creation of man and woman, God's perfect creation becomes infected by the actions of the serpent. Evil from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is experienced. Earth and humanity are traditionally said to have "fallen" from God.
This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens—and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground—the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. … And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. … The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. ... The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, `You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'"
"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"
He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."
And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"
The man said, "The woman you put here with me, she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."
Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?"
The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." ...
And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.
As God mentioned, the human being, "has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil." Humans have the potential to "live forever," and be as God.
[This directly relate to the stars. Stars were and are often referred to as the heavens, and/or intermingling therein.]
(God) determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. ... "Can you bind the beautiful Pleiades? Can you loose the cords of Orion? Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons or lead out the Bear with its cubs? Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God's dominion over the earth? (Psalms 147:4; Job 31:31-33)
There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. The Sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. ... Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (1 Corinthians 15:40-42; Daniel 12:2-3)
"Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
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Today we complete the second week of our 28 Day Self-care challenge! We will be exploring some personal fears, through honesty. A lot of times we have goals that scare us so much we are afraid to even speak on them. Well today we are asking God for one of these goals.
Ask God for something you FEEL is out of your reach
Today we ask for the things that scare us the most. Today we ask for the things we fear may be unattainable. Don't limit your thoughts.. just go for it, and believe that it is possible for you.
Don't forget to download the planner for the next 7 days! We are halfway there!
As always, take care of you!


She sat at the kitchen table in her grandparents’ house, her eyebrows scrunched together in the deepest fear of a seven-year-old girl. Grandma had been telling her about hell and now little Manda begged Jesus not to let her go there.
Fast forward eight years.
She is sitting in a pew, listening to the pastor speak about the punishment for sin. He is about halfway into the sermon but much to Manda’s surprise, he hasn’t even mentioned hell, yet. Instead, he is going on about separation from God. Is she missing something?
Indeed, hell is part of the punishment for sin, but it is only a part of it. There are, in fact, three types of death:
#1. Physical death (we’re born, we live, we die)
“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”
This is what we typically think of when we hear “death”. The heart stops beating, the lungs stop breathing, the body decays. Some die young, some die old. We all die. Death was first introduced in chapter 3 of Genesis (quoted above) when God cursed mankind for the sin of Adam and Eve.
Because we sin, we die a physical death.
#2. Spiritual death (AKA separation from God)
As for you, you were dead in your trangressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
This is what Manda’s pastor was talking about. It’s mankind’s biggest problem. It’s enormous! Everyone is born spiritually dead, meaning that we’re unable to be near God because we’re defiled by our own sin nature. It’s a very dark place. People here, we don’t realize what a terrible thing it is to be apart from God and don’t see their need to be saved.
Because we sin, we are born spiritually dead.
#3. Eternal death (hell… forever)
Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
Hell is a place of torment with no hope, no end and no way out. People in hell are alive in the sense that they are conscious and aware, but it is not worth calling “life”. In fact, the person in hell would die if he/she could, but physical death is not possible.
Because we sin, and if we remain in our sins, we experience eternal death.
To take away:
This is a very heavy topic, but my goal is not for you to leave depressed. I hope instead that you will think about how serious of an offense sin is to God.
If you are a child of God: rejoice; this is what He has saved you from! You are free!
If you are not a Child of God: consider that your sins come at a heavy price. Are you willing to pay it?
Next week’s blog post, will be a follow-up to this one. What can we do about this 3-death punishment? In the meantime:
FOR MORE ON:
- What sin is and why it is so serious: read this post
Now let’s talk
- What’s so terrible about sin that it warrants such serious consequences?
- Which type of death scares you the most? Why?
- How can you escape these deaths?


In the tranquil heart of Makueni, Kenya, a beacon of hope shines brightly amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the forefront of this hope stands Bishop Francis Matua, a figure whose leadership extends far beyond the spiritual realm into the practical realm of community health.
When the first case of Covid-19 was reported in Makueni County in June 2020, Francis Matua had already assumed office as the bishop of the Anglican Church Makueni Diocese. He vividly remembers the experiences and uncertainties brought by the virus saying it brought economic turmoil due to the restrictions imposed by the government.
“We had people who contracted the virus and sadly we lost a number of them. Their families had to bury their loved ones under very difficult circumstances that made it even harder for them to move on.”
“People did not get enough time to mourn, the government restricted the number of people who could attend a burial and the ceremony was conducted in ways that were very foreign to most people.” Bishop Matua recalls the suffering and pain his followers went through.
He remarks that his followers still come to him requesting they conduct proper send offs. The bishop instead offers counselling to the bereaved families.
Being on the forefront witnessing the effects of the virus, Bishop Matua says when the vaccines came it was a big relief for him. He used his position as a religious leader to influence his followers to get vaccinated. He notes that there were a lot of misinformation about the vaccines and the virus itself. Bishop Matua leveraged his platform to dispel myths and address concerns surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines. Through sermons, community gatherings, and outreach programs, he encouraged open dialogue and provided factual information, laying the foundation for informed decision-making.
Bishop Matua getting vaccinated and addressing congregants
“We are in a community that people have beliefs that is backed by nothing but fear. In any gathering I attended I used the opportunity to dispel the myths and misconceptions about the vaccines peddled by fear mongers.”
Bishop Matua’s influence transcends mere words; he leads by example. As soon as vaccines became available, he rolled up his sleeve and received his shot, demonstrating trust in the science and faith in the protection it offered. His actions spoke volumes, resonating deeply with those who looked to him for guidance.
“When I took the vaccine I demonstrated that it was safe for anyone to take it. You could see more people especially men joining the queue to get vaccinated.”
According to him, championing for vaccination corrects false teachings that some people hold about getting healed through faith. “It is nothing about faith but a biological process in our bodies. People had to understand that.”
The Bishop recognizes the importance of reaching out to the younger generation. Through ACK-sponsored schools and vocational training colleges in Makueni, he actively encourages students to get vaccinated, emphasizing the role they play in protecting themselves and their communities. By engaging with the youth directly, he has fostered a sense of responsibility and solidarity, empowering them to make informed decisions about their health.
Beyond the confines of the church, Bishop Matua has emerged as a champion for COVID-19 vaccination services in Makueni County. He has works closely with local authorities, healthcare providers and community leaders to ensure that vaccines are accessible and equitable, reaching even the most remote areas of the region.
As the sun sets over the rolling hills of Makueni, there is a sense of hope and resilience in the air. Bishop Francis Matua’s unwavering dedication to his community’s well-being has not only saved lives but has also illuminated a path forward in the face of adversity. Through his leadership, Makueni has emerged stronger, united in its resolve to overcome the challenges of the pandemic together. As the journey continues, Bishop Matua remains a guiding light, reminding us all that in the darkest of times, even the smallest acts of compassion and leadership can spark a profound transformation.
By Kassim Lupao & Dominic Kosgei


The Tudor period was not one of church building; rather, the lead and stone was taken from abbey churches for the gentlemen’s seats or yeomen’s farms; as the antimonastic feeling developed, and the ideal of life moved from that of the cloister to that of a religious family life, ruined abbeys and monasteries began to appear everywhere; soon there would be no nobles, abbots and priors; the squire, lawyer, merchant and yeoman were the “new men”, who threw off the old feudal ideals, became Protestants, exalted marriage and the religious home, and dedicated work and farming to God.
There were many household improvements in family dwellings, and chimneys were built instead of the old reredos, in much more ordinary homes than before; pewter was used instead of wood for plates, but there were still no forks and no china.
In Harwell, the church, having been completed already by 1310, when a new chancel replaced the older one, was not altered; but bells were added, or old ones replaced, and these are still proudly used by Harwell’s bellringers.
The ring of six, the oldest in existence, was rehung and increased to eight in 1932.
The oldest bells are inscribed as follows:
Third Humfrie Loder gave this bell, 1611, WY Fourth Praise ye the Lorde, 1590, JC Fifth This bell was made 1611, WY Sixth This bell was made 1612, WY Seventh This bell was made in the Yeare of our Lorde, 1597, JC Tenor This bell was made 1612, WY
The initials refer to William Yare of Reading and his father-in-law, Joseph Carter.
The new religion which came into effect after the Reformation not only allowed but encouraged the clergy to marry and have their families. A new house for the incumbent was built in Tudor times, on the site of the present (1984) Rectory, so presumably the authorities must have intended their clergyman to live in comparative comfort with his family, though not all the parishioners would have been very happy about the new situation. Anthony Fletcher gives a very good idea of conditions in the church at this time, in chapter seven of his book Elizabethan Village:
“The prayer book that we still use now was then very new to people… Henry VIII (1509 -1547) ordered that a Bible in English should be put in every church for anyone to read for himself After a few years people with little education began to have such strange ideas from reading the Bible themselves that the King ordered that only gentlemen might read it, to their families at home.
In Edward VI’s reign (1547 – 1553) the churches were stripped of all the crucifixes, statues and rich altar cloths.
Then came Queen Mary (1553 -1558) who restored the old ways, and many people were glad … Joan Alison, who died in January 1558, left: to the high altar of Harwell 4d. to the rood light and the bells 2 bushels of barley.
On 28 November of the same year Queen Elizabeth rode into London. Mary had died eleven days before. Again a new government sent out its orders to the villages. Once again the Pope was banished and England became Protestant. Images of saints were to be destroyed, churches were to be bare again. In Berkshire as in other counties the changes were carried out slowly and reluctantly.”
Through all the changes ordained by the great, many ordinary Harwell people kept a simple faith; yeoman families could sit near the front of the church, but most of the husbandmen and labourers had to stand for the service; there was a fine of 1s. for anyone in a household not attending church on Sunday; Margaret and John Jennens had ten or eleven children to shepherd into place; there is a memorial to them in the church dated 1599. John Jennens was a yeoman:
“He made a steady profit from selling his corn at the local markets and was able to build himself a comfortable house in Jenning’s Lane. His inventory showed that when he died in 1599 his goods were worth £273. There were some eight or ten yeoman families in Harwell at this time. Most of them were not as rich as John Jennens, but they occupied new and large houses of five or more rooms. … There were the Popes, the Wises and Keats. … When Thomas Pope died (in Harwell) in 1539 he owed £6 to the Bishop of Winchester in rent, and he had not paid his farm servants up to date… but by about 1590 his grandchildren were among the richest farmers in the village, and able to call themselves yeomen.”
However, not everyone in Harwell was a yeoman:
“Most of the cruck cottages with their yards and outhouses… were occupied by husbandmen like John Woodley, men renting only twenty or thirty acres of land.”
These men had houses of only two rooms, one for living and one for sleeping, with stools where yeomen had chairs, and wooden platters instead of pewter. Yet this house was comfortable compared with the labourer’s small dark cottage where his family had to cook, eat, live and sleep in the same room.
At this time, the richest yeomen in Harwell were the Loders. In only four generations they rose in social status from husbandmen to gentlemen. This is their pedigree, included not for snobbish reasons, but to show which of them was the author of the well-known Farm Accounts.
Richard Loder paid rent for Prince’s Manor farm in 1525, but under Queen Mary he was able to buy the property; his son John grew up on a large and flourishing farm of about 300 acres of arable land, with an enclosure of sixty-five acres for sheep on the Downs, at a place called Awfield, now probably Aldfield; he also held extensive orchards and paddocks, and large barns and outhouses were part of the farm.
The Robert Loder (Robert III) whose farm account book we have, inherited all this too, and gave us the first book produced in Harwell not written by clergymen or lawyers; he kept it from 1610 – 1620; although it is an account of expenses, Robert Loder meant to account for more than money; he had to keep his figure accounts, but if these were not always quite accurate, it was because of his interest in accounting for the farm. His methods must have improved the land and kept it in good heart in spite of setbacks, and he learnt all the time by his mistakes. At the opening of his book he writes:
“A Book (for my) Remembrance: what seed and barly I yearly sowe and (how mu)uch I wennow and sell in the same yeare. Item what h(ay) I ha(v)e yearely growing: Item what I make per annum of the Leases which I let in the Hame; and what of those in the South March (Marsh); Item how my quite rentes are yearely pay’d me; Item of the valew in some yeares of my aples and cherries). Item of the quantitie of wolle which I have yearely growing; and how many shep I sheare for it…”
By the end of the ten-year period he had done what he set out to do; and he learnt that it was better profit in all ways to grow wheat than barley. Barley was made into malt for beer, which was drunk a great deal, as the drinking water was not to everybody’s taste, and there was no tea or coffee; wheat of course was milled for flour, which was essential for bread. Besides wheat and barley, he grew pulses and vetches; in his orchards were cherries, pears, apples and damsons. His horses were of vital importance to the farm; they needed food, care and harness, but they were used for all traction and for riding, and produced valuable dung for the fields.
His pigeon-house was another source of income, and he needed all his profits, for though he began his farming life as a bachelor, he soon married. His household furnishings included a safe, courtcoubert, chair for his chamber; also pieplates, a dripping pan, a bolt of sackcloth and a “musterd mill”; groceries needed were candles, oatmeal, salt, fruit (raisins, currants and prunes), spices (cinnamon, cloves, mace), starch for Whitsuntide, rice and sugar; his confidence led him to remark “I think it were a good course to buy salt and sope and fruit (yf we could) at London.”
The English weather was a topic in 1613, as today: “This was the wettest yeare that had bine knowne in many yeares before, for in this was the great landflode.” Wet weather caused ravages among the sheep, which suffered rot.
Predators made off with some of the profits: mice attacked the stored grain, “wants” (moles) made “wanting” the fields costly, and there was a suspicion of misplaced funds at home: over £5 was lost.
“What should be the cause hereof I know not, but it was in that yeare when R. Pearce and Alce were my servants, and then in great love (as it appeared too well). whether he gave it to my horses… or how it went away) God onely knoweth.
Memorandum et Cavendum est hoc.
It may be, possibly, that I mistoke the setting down of X qtrs (or some) at one time or other; which I doe not think, because I never did, to my knowledge.”
Charity was an obligation: “1612. Payments to the pore of our towne” at Easter and at Christmas, and these payments recur throughout the ten years of the accounts. A more sinister tax had been taken in 1611: “What I paid towardes the House of Correction.” However, there were ways of dodging unpleasant duties: “I give the Baylye yearely a bushell of mault (to keep me from Sessions)”.
His successes and failures he set down to Almighty God, sometimes with a certain wryness:
“the Lord blesseth as it pleaseth Him, His mercies be magnif_ied for these and all other His blessings, for they are more than we doe deserve. Amen.”
Anthony Fletcher, in his book Elizabethan Village, shows that we can learn much about life in Harwell from Robert Loder’s accounts.
Figure 3.3 Loder Family Tree.(missing image)


God never paves our path with temptation or free invitation to indulge our unrighteousness or insecurity or “youthful lusts.” In fact He warns us to “flee youthful lusts which war with the soul.” God does not lead a man and wife together by lust, or enticement of our flesh. He draws them together by His Spirit. His answer to prayer does not lead to temptation. Answers to your prayers which lead to temptation were not issued from the Kingdom of God but from the kingdom of darkness. To the contrary: Jesus told us to pray “Lead us NOT into temptation” It’s really not all that confusing. You must step off of the throne, away from the mic, and get out of that director’s chair. Don’t confuse your own or satan’s ideas for those of Almighty God’s. It’s really not all that confusing. The problem is with your obedience, and who really is Lord in your life. You may give Jesus lip service as being “the Lord” but you are only deceiving yourself; not Him. He knows who is His Own and who is not; He knows of whom He is Lord and who is his own lord. He doesn’t alter Himself to suit you. Do you really want to do things your own way? Do you actually believe that because you came up with a brilliant answer to a perceived problem – that God gave you that idea, or that He approves of it? Not if it is born of any sort of fear, starry-eyed blindness, self preservation, unrighteousness, injustice, or temptation. Are you patting yourself on the back, thinking you’re some kind of self-sacrificing hero? Think again. Be honest, and stop lying to yourself. If it gives even more opportunity for the enemy to pull one of God’s children deeper into sin, or throws wide the gate to temptation – Jesus had nothing to do with it. You missed Him. But it is not too late. There is a way that seems right to a man; but its end is the way to death. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and He will lead you in paths of righteousness – if you will only give up, and give it to Him.
Sex outside of marriage is sin. God cannot bless it. It is not going to accomplish any good in your life. When you indulge in sin, it always, only, leads you away from God. Sexual sin is poison; it is satan’s trap. Satan hates you. The wise resist temptation; they don’t ignore God’s voice or embrace temptation and sin. God does not wink at sexual sin. He does not bless it. He does not redeem it. If Jesus died to free you from the consequences of sin, why do you think He doesn’t care now whether or not it has a hold on you? He does not use sexual sin to draw two people closer to each other. It might feel good for now, but it is only going to steal, and kill, and destroy your relationship if not repented of. If you are drawn closer to someone because you have crossed lines and given over to the lust of the flesh, you are absolutely going in the direction your enemy wants you to take. That direction is 180 degrees from the path of blessing, joy, fulfillment, victory, prosperity, power, and all the things your Maker wants for you. Stand firm, and be a good soldier. Follow the Voice of your Lord. He will lead you in such a way as that can never compare to the path your enemy pressures you to take. If you are indeed saved, you will never have true peace and true joy until you turn from your sin and back to Him; He will always draw you to Himself and away from your sinful choices. Because He loves you. You might change your mind about following Him, but He will never stop leading. When you chose to give yourself to Jesus, He promised to never let you go. You will find no real fulfillment when you’ve taken on a yoke of sin. If you think you can stagger under that yoke until you reach your desired destination and then remove it and be in a good place? You are woefully mistaken. It doesn’t work that way. Put on your spiritual armor, Child of God; hear and obey your Savior.
God has not changed. Do not allow the enemy to deceive and entice and indulge you off of God’s path for you. NOTHING is worth it. You can’t see another way? GOD DOES and He longs to show it to you. If only you will stop where you are, and turn your heart toward His. He is not angry with you. He is not distant. He will not punish you- He punished Jesus and there is zero wrath against you who have given your lives to God through Jesus. He is a good, good, good Father and He is very eager to show you that if you only choose to turn back to Him. Taste and see that the Lord is good! You will be blessed when you take refuge in Him! What He will give you to replace what the enemy has offered you is incomparable! If this were not so, 1) God would be a liar 2) Everyone who has ever turned to Him and obeyed and trusted Him would be desperately miserable. They would be serving an evil overlord, bound to service by fear. That is not God the father of Christ Jesus- that is satan, the father of Muhammed! If God were not really really good, people who walked with Him would not praise Him. They would not sing songs of love to Him. There would be no free, heartfelt worship and praise of God – anywhere. The Psalms would never have been written. All the people whose example and lives we learn from in the Bible would have been grossly evil, wicked, and sadistic. No. The people who know peace, and who live in the security of being His child – they have all turned from their own ways, no matter the cost, and welcomed Jesus as Lord in that area.
God’s plan is MUCH BETTER than satan’s plan for you!
Brothers and sisters – in the Name and for the sake of Jesus – I plead with you to do what is right and leave behind that which ensnares you. I promise you, the reward will be greater than the cost. Repentance doesn’t mean “to stop sinful behavior” – it means that you acquire God’s perspective on a matter. That kind of repentance is the sweetest thing I have ever tasted. I urge you to come to the Living Water and taste the sweetness of God’s kind of repentance and the freedom and soul prosperity it brings.


Sinach is a multiple award-winning song writer, recording artiste, producer and anointed international worship song leader. She promotes the gospel of Christ with the sole purpose of lifting up the spirit of the hopeless, to minister to millions bringing healing, hope, encouragement, strengthening of faith through her inspiring songs. Her passion for the glory of God has reflected in her writings, production and delivery under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. As an international worship leader serving in Christ Embassy Church, Sinach has been privileged to witness first-hand the outpouring of the Holy spirit and amazing miracles take place in the lives of people at the Healing school, crusades and conventions all over the world with her Pastor, Rev Chris Oyakhilome where she has led millions of people in praise and worship, inspiring music ministrations in; Africa, North America, United States of America, United Kingdom and many more. Minister and anointed Sinach organizes the “SINACH LIVE IN CONCERT”, a series of worship concerts which has taken place in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, USA, and in different parts of the world with her team.


Who We Are
The Parish of Saint Monica serves all of Atlantic City. It is the union of the city's previously independent five Catholic churches: Saint Nicholas of Tolentine, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Saint Michael, Holy Spirit, and (Old) Saint Monica. Sunday and daily Mass are celebrated in the churches of Our Lady Star of the Sea and St. Nicholas of Tolentine. Mass is celebrated occasionally in St. Michael's Church. All three churches are available for weddings and funerals. The parish has special ministries to Hispanic, Vietnamese, and black Catholics.
The parish supports Our Lady Star of the Sea School, the only Catholic school on Absecon Island. It is staffed by the Sisters of Mercy and lay faculty. A Catholic Charities office is located at St. Michael's.


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Many people everywhere are struggling through life with the effects of damaged emotions. There are individuals who are psychologically unstable, who have endured a great deal of negative things, causing untold damage that needs to be dealt with. Some of us have difficulty in relating to others because of the hurts in our lives. This affects the way we communicate and also the way we handle ourselves. This is one reason why we intentionally or unintentionally hurt others. Until we are healed from our pains, we will always have difficulty in facing life.
Through many years of helping others through this process I have come to realize that we are experts at building walls and stuffing things into dark corners, pretending they never happened. Wounds in our heart take place when we allow unresolved past, unforgiveness, discouragement; feelings of rejection control our lives. The hurt in our hearts will be revealed during conflicts in relationships and times of crisis.
Individuals can spend many years of their life in an abusive relationship environment, but as soon as they get away from the situation, they act as through nothing was wrong and never told anyone what had gone on in their private life. Why do we want to bring things like that into the open? We are afraid of what people will think. We are afraid of being rejected, misunderstood, or unloved by those we care about or that they might have a different opinion of us if they really knew all about us.
Life realities can bring some common scars that can bring us to spiritual defeat and failure. What follows are some suggestions for breaking the cycle of abuse in your life and for beginning the recovery and healing process. They are easy to understand, but difficult to implement.
Even though our problems may have been brought on us because of something done against our will, we have no excuse for allowing the problem to persist against our will. We can grow and take control of our life. Our past experiences may have made us the way we are, but we do not have to stay that way. With professional help and by following these suggestions you can break the cycle of abuse in your life and begin your healing journey. As you reach out to God and others, you can experience God’s redemptive purpose in your life and become a channel of healing in the lives of others. Jeremiah 29:11 “I know the plans I have for you, declare the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Make this your slogan.


He was known as Father of Literacy in Kerala and Kalathinu Munpe Nadanna Navodhana Nayakan, Daivs Dasan Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara is popularly known as Chavarayachan Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara was born on 10 February 1805 at Kainakary. He is the first canonised Catholic male saint of Indian origin. The Congregation of Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) is the first indigenous religious congregation in the Catholic Church of India. It was founded by Fr. Thomas Palackal, Fr. Thomas Porukara and Fr. Kuriakose Chavara on 11 May 1831. The first Prior General of this congregation was St. Kuriakose Chavara at Mannanam. Originally it the name of the Congregation was ‘Servants of Mary Immaculate’ In 1958, the name was changed to ‘Carmelites of Mary Immaculate’ (CMI). After the death of others, Chavara took up leadership on 8th December 1855 A similar one for women, the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (C.M.C.) It was founded in 1866, 13 February at Koonamavu On 29 November 1829, St. Chavara become a priest St. Chavara celebrated his first Holy Qurbana at St. Andrew’s Catholic Forane Church Arthunkal, Alappuzha He was the first vicar general in the Syrian church. Kuriakose Chavara started an institution for Sanskrit studies at Mannanam in 1846 Chavara took the initiative to start a school in a nearby village called Arpookara Fr. Chavara admitted the untouchables to schools and provided Sanskrit education to the lower castes He took initiative to start educational institutions along with Church. The schools in Kerala are commonly called Pallikudams because school attached to Church (Palli) Kuriakose Chavara implemented mid day meal for the poor students from lower caste in the schools at Mannanam and Arpookara This inspired Sir C P Ramaswamy Iyer to recommend this to King for being implemented in all government run schools Pidiyari was the charity practice of Kuriakose Chavara. He encouraged people to make daily small donations to help the needy through Pidyari scheme. It supported the Midday meal Kuriakose Chavara popularized in schools An organization formed by Kuriakose Chavara called “Unnimishihayude Dharma Sabha” who took care of the Pidiyari collection Kuriakose Chavara started St. Joseph’s Press at Mannanamin 1846. It was the third printing press in Kerala. It was the first press founded by a Malayali without the help of foreigners. Nasrani Deepika was printed from this press. The first book printed in this Press at Mananam was Njanapeeyusham The oldest existing Malayalam newspaper in circulation Nasrani Deepika at 1887. Atmanuthapam Maranaveettil Padunnathinulla Pana, Anasthaciayude Rakthasakshyam, Dhyana Sallapangal and Nalagamangal were written by St. Chavara. Prior Mango is a variety of mango popularized by Kuriakose Chavara Kuriakose Elias Chavara died on 3 January 1871, aged 66, at Koonammavu. His canonization was on 18 March 2014 by Pope Francis St. Chavara Museum, Archives and Research Centre- Mannanam St. Chavara Kuriakose Elias Museum-Koonammavu Chavara National Museum- Vazhakulam Chavara Museum and Art Gallery- Alappuzha Jeevitham Thanne Sandesham: Vishuda Chavarayude Jeevitham- Prof. M.K. Sanu Chavarayachan Oru Rekha Chitram- K.C. Chako.
The post Kerala Rennaissance for Kerala PSC: St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara appeared first on Direction E-learning.


“Bruce Fite's music makes an instant connection with kids. "Don't Put Your Cat in the Washing Machine" continues to be a top request each and every week on the Kids' Cookie Break! Bruce makes music the whole family can enjoy!" - Lisa Landis, Host of The Kids' Cookie Break, WJTL - FM 90.3, Lancaster, PA
I’m Bruce Fite and I help churches provide fun-filled, engaging family entertainment by performing award-winning, original Christian music that everyone will LOVE!
My goal is to inspire your congregation and community by filling their hearts with joy and encouragement while living out their faith! I’d love to talk with you about your upcoming events and see how I can serve your church family.
Click the button below to tell me about your event. You can also call, text, or email Bruce!
Call 📞 or Text 💬 610.368.6574


Wow, I forgot how much I enjoyed blogging! There have been so many times over the past month where I thought, I should blog about that...but obviously I didn't. A lot has happened and a lot has changed since my last post. Those of you closest to me please overlook this as I clue in the rest of my blogger friends.
Chris and I have been praying for direction of the Holy Spirit over the last 3 years, specifically as to where He would lead us to minister. It seemed at times, like my pastor has said before, like the heavens were silent. But just recently God has poured open the heavens and clearly showed us where we are to be! And we could not be more thrilled!!!
To make a long, but interesting and exciting story, short, several weeks ago we (Chris) accepted the full time senior pastor position at the Nazarene church in Sedalia, MO. We moved here last week and are still trying to get settled in. The church has been through many tough times over the last few years but has had time to heal and is looking forward to seeing what Jesus will do now! And we are too!!
Please keep Chris and the girls and I and the Sedalia church in your prayers.
And I promise to try and do better at keeping you on the up and up...
Lots of Love!


Let me talk to the Dads today. As 2013 begins and you begin to think about what the new year will hold and what changes you should make, let me ask you to consider a few things.
You are the chief warrior of your home. You are the Commander In Chief of the little army God has placed under you. I want to encourage you to step up and lead your family successfully through this evil world, so that when your soldiers advance on their own they will still be serving the Lord.
I can only speak to Dads today from my own life experience, not as an expert. I grew up on a farm in Iowa with little money. We were not an influential family and no one took much notice of us. But today as I look at the life my siblings and I live now there must have been something done right that was important beyond finances and influence. There are four of us siblings and all of us serve the Lord and we all married spouses that serve the Lord. None of us had a baby out of wedlock, have been divorced, did drugs, were homeless or been to jail. We are not perfect, of course, but there must have been something that caused us to choose to serve the Lord. I guarantee it wasn’t because our parents were perfect or even lived out their Christians lives without being hypocrites. They themselves had sins they openly struggled with. There must have been something deeper.
Let me give you a few reasons why I believe we serve the Lord.
1. We went to church. We went to church Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night and any time there was a special event. We learned that church was important. My parents never made us go but it wasn’t an option either. It is just what we did every Sunday. No one ever questioned whether we were going that week, we just went faithfully. (No, we weren’t the pastors either and we drove 40 miles ONE WAY to church.)
2. Nothing was more important than God. We were actively involved in sports, drama, Girl Scouts, and music at school but those events never overshadowed our church life. We were all A students, but we never missed church to stay home and do our homework. (We are all college graduates I might add.)
3. We were involved in church. We learned the Word of God through the Assemblies of God Bible quiz program. We participated in every program the AG had to offer from Royal Rangers for our brother to Missionettes for us girls. We played in the church orchestra and sang in the adult and youth choirs. We went to church camp in the summer and youth convention in the Fall. God was able to get ahold of us because we were in a place to hear him. We didn’t have much money and I’m not sure who paid of us to go to camp but I know we always went.
4. We prayed together. Our parents prayed for us even when we did not want them to. I know my mom prayed and extended family members were praying for us, too.
These are very simple things but yet it seems faithfulness to church and God are the hardest things to accomplish. We commit to sports, clubs, school, etc. to the point where our kids know those are important. They would never miss a sport team event and they know it. Without even saying it our children learn what is important to us. You don’t even have to say it out loud, they just know if there is a sports event on the calendar you will be there. But if they see a church event on the calendar they ask if they are going. Are sports bad? No. Clubs? No. School? No. It all comes down to priority.
So Dads let me address you as the Commander of the great army God has placed under you. Where are you leading your army? To sports games? To club meetings? To movies? That’s OK, no condemnation. Will you lead them to prayer meeting so they can see you cry out to God on their behalf? Will you teach them faithfulness to church by leading them there? Will you lead them into the things of God? Will you lead them to read the Bible? Will you lead your army into the uncharted waters of a Daniel Fast and show them that fasting and prayer work? Will you stand up and be the man of God that God has ordained for you to be? Where you lead your family they will go. You are the leader. They are watching.
You do not have to be perfect. You don’t have to have it all together. You just need to acknowledge your leader the Commander In Chief of all the Commander In Chiefs!!! Or King of Kings as the Bible calls Him!


You know, it’s really easy to give people advice, but it’s a lot harder to actually act on it yourself. So when you guys read these posts or watch my vlogs, please don’t think I’m saying anything lightly. I know how hard it is to do what God calls us to do.
- Go to the Lord in prayer
- Sing praise and worship music
- Spend time studying God’s Word
- Rebuke the enemy
- Change my thought patterns
- Live by faith, not by sight
But here is the truth about discouragement: it increases apathy. My husband and I have both been feeling incredibly discouraged the past few days since Saturday actually. If it’s a test, I don’t know if we’re passing. We’re trying – God knows we’re trying. But discouragement drains away all my motivation to do anything that I know I need to do, even cleaning my home or making dinner or working on this blog or my books.
All those things I listed above? When I’m feeling like this, when I’m feeling discouraged, I don’t want to do them. I feel tired, listless, and like I just want to give up. I mean, what’s the point right? I’ve already done those things in the past and nothing in my life has changed. I’ve been faithful, I’ve been determined, I’ve been obedient, but things either don’t change at all or they get worse.
So, what do we do when we feel this way? We do it anyway. We can’t go by our feelings. I don’t feel like doing any of that, but I know I need to or I’ll just slip further into discouragement which will eventually turn into depression and, while not impossible, getting out of depression is harder than getting out of discouragement.
This isn’t going to be a long post. I don’t think it’s going to be filled with profound wisdom. Rather, it’s meant to encourage you and to encourage me that when we feel discouraged when we know what we need to do but don’t feel like doing it, make yourself do it anyway. We’re not going to feel any better by giving in to the discouragement. We have to make ourselves, I have to make myself as soon as I finish writing this post, do what I know I need to do. And you know what? The discouragement may not lift immediately. It may not lift today at all. But I have to keep trying, keep being faithful, keep doing what I know I need to do regardless of how I feel or what my life looks like or whether or not anything changes. We need to do what’s right just because it’s right.
Please pray for me guys. I really need and appreciate your prayers. And if you have any prayer requests, put them in the comments below so I can keep you in my prayers as well!
I love you guys! Thank you so much for reading and for being faithful followers of Jesus and of my blog. Have a blessed week!


The Prayerful Warriors.
The San Antonio Coalition for Life was created after the National 40 Days for Life Campaign in 2007.
Faithful San Antonians dedicated 960 hours praying for 40 days straight in front of one of the local Planned Parenthood abortion facilities. The power of prayer, the positive impact on lives and most importantly the young lives that were saved made such a powerful impact that the San Antonio Coalition for Life was formed.
Every week, those faithful San Antonians are accompanied by a growing group who fight against the injustice of abortion in San Antonio. Through peaceful prayer, God continues to touch the lives of those who suffer.
Under God’s guidance we strive, with the help and support of the Greater San Antonio Christian community, to end abortion in San Antonio while connecting those who are post abortive to healing and reconciliation services and offering loving, truthful alternatives to abortion and are a resource for those who choose life. We stand peacefully and prayerfully in front of abortion clinics to provide sidewalk counselors to those in crisis pregnancies and witness the injustice of abortion to the public.
Executive Director - Matt Schima - email@example.com - (210)73-SACFL
Matt has been a prayer warrior with the San Antonio Coalition for Life since its inception in 2007. He is a graduate of St. Mary’s University with a degree in Entrepreneurial Studies. There he was the prolife officer of the Catholic Student Group. He has organized numerous events including the Silent Day of Solidarity, a St. Mary’s chapter of 40 Days for Life, Cemetery of the Innocents. He has also been to the March for Life in Washington, D.C. twice, as well as, participated in many prolife leadership conferences. His efforts and the help of his fellow students allowed him to receive the St. Mary’s University Presidential Award which is the highest award of the university. In January of 2012 he organized the Roe v Wade Memorial Day for Life with over 800 in attendance.
He has been a sidewalk counselor and vigil coordinator for the 40 Days for Life campaign with SACFL and has been a board member since 2010. Matt’s hobbies include basketball, tubing in the Comal River and photography.
President - Amy Voorhees - firstname.lastname@example.org
Mrs. Amy Voorhees is wife of 13 years to her amazing husband George and a stay at home mother of five rambunctious boys ranging in ages 13 to 1 years old. She has been active in the prolife movement for over ten years now starting out as a prayer warrior for the Brazos Valley Coalition for Life in Bryan, Texas. She and her husband were privileged to be involved in the very first 40 Days for Life Campaign in Bryan and got to see firsthand the fruits of its efforts.
Since moving to San Antonio in 2007 she has helped to organized eight 40 Days for Life campaigns. In November of 2007 she founded the San Antonio Coalition for Life whose purpose is to provide a constant peaceful and prayerful abortion day presence at the Planned Parenthood on Babcock Road. Since that time over 100 children and families have been saved from abortion- that we know of! In her spare time Amy enjoys music and continues her work toward singing classical and opera music professionally.


AUC News Flashes
Arlington United Church is Becoming Multiethnic! Because we believe that all people matter to God and that God does not show partiality (Acts 10:34), it is our desire to make our church look more like the church in heaven, where people from every nation, tribe, people, and language will be present (Rev. 7:9). To that end we are striving to become bilingual, offering Spanish translations where possible. Come and be a part of an amazing move of God, where the voices and input of all are valued.


First United Methodist Church of Lake Jackson was my church home for the first eighteen years of my life until heading to Lon Morris College. From Lon Morris I went to Texas State graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. While at Lon Morris I was blessed to work at Jefferson UMC as a summer youth director and received my call into the ministry. Immediately after undergraduate studies I attended Perkins School of Theology. In 1987, Shannon and I were married. We are blessed to have five children (2 married - 3 teenagers still at home) and four grandchildren. We home school our children. I have served at Point UMC, New London UMC, Brookshire UMC, FUMC in Grand Saline and FUMC in Teague, and Lake Houston UMC. We began our journey at Woodcrest in July of 2015. My life verse is Psalm 107:1-2 "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say this - those he has redeemed from the land of the foe." I am so grateful that I have been redeemed! spreading this good news and living it out with those around me continues to be a joy as I serve the Body of Christ.


Meet Clay Herd, our Lead Pastor here at EBC. Alongside his wife Brittany and their daughter, they joined the Eubank community in April 2023. Originally from Springfield, Missouri, Clay has devoted 15 years of his life to ministry, serving churches across Tennessee, Kentucky, and Oklahoma. He graduated from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN, where he wholeheartedly embraced his call to ministry. While fulfilling his calling, Clay pursued further theological education at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
As an Expository Preacher, Clay's passion for evangelism and genuine care for people is evident, fueled by his own transformative past. He has a dedication to sharing the message of hope and faith. His greatest desire is for EBC to stand in the gap making it impossible to go to Hell from Pulaski County.


UUFD MINISTRY COUNCIL POLICIES
(Updated May, 2015)
Statement of Purpose
The primary purpose of the Ministry Council (MC) is to provide support and honest feedback to the minister with the goal of strengthening the quality of ministry and overall health of the congregation. The council helps maintain the operations of the congregation by screening potential staff members (excluding called ministers), making recommendations for hiring to the Board, and participating in annual staff review and assessment. In addition, the council accepts directives from the governing board for special projects.
Facilitate communication between the minister and congregation.
Help the minister carry out an effective ministry by being available for counsel.
Strengthen and improve relationships by advising the minister about conditions within the congregation that effect relations between members and the minister.
Communicateto the congregation the nature and scope of the work of the minister, including clarification of role expectations and realistic priorities for the minister and members.
Develop and present recommendations to the governing board related to the minister’s annual contract, including compensation.
Work with the minister to develop ongoing plans for professional growth, including sabbatical leave, and to advocate such plans to the governing board.
Address cases of internal conflict with committees or between individuals as needed.
Perform the human resource function of assessment of staff and make recommendations for hiring to the board.
- Work with the board and minister in the assessment of the ministry of the church.
Membership, Appointment, and Rotation
The Ministry Council consists of 3 or 4 members appointed by the consensus of the minister, current council members and the governing board. One new member will join the council each year with the senior member serving for one year as Ministry Council Chair.
Step 1: The Council and minister submit a list of possible appointees to the board for consideration.
Step 2: The board and minister discuss the list of candidates and prioritize and endorse the candidates.
Step 3: The minister and/or the council chair recruit the new member(s).
Conditions of Membership
Members serve on the council for a term of three or four years, unless serving to fulfill someone else’s term.
Members of the council may not serve on the UUFD governing board.
Members may serve on congregational committees, but may not chair a committee while on Ministry Council.
Meetings will be held at least 4 times per church year.
Members who attend fewer than 75% of scheduled meetings may be asked to step down from the council.
Role of the Chairperson
Roles of the Chairperson include acting as a liaison with disgruntled members and serving as a facilitator to listen and arbitrate conflicts within the fellowship. The chair assists the minister and board with the process of hiring new staff members for paid positions, and the chair and minister make recommendations for hiring to the Board of Trustees.
The chair submits brief reports on the activities of the council to the board, and when necessary, to the congregation.


Pastor Tim started his ministry at Good Shepherd as the ‘developer’ of Good Shepherd’s West Campus, having felt called here in the summer of 2000 to knock on 4,000 doors and begin a worship service at a second location. With the West Campus flourishing, Pastor Tim continues his ministry by focusing on evangelistic efforts for both campuses. Pastor Tim and his wife Chandra have two children, Hannah and Joshua. After graduating from Luther College in 1993 with a BA in Social Work, Tim attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN and received his Master of Divinity degree in 1999. Pastor Tim was ordained in 2000 and called to Good Shepherd. Pastor Tim continues to focus on evangelism. He enjoys spending time with his family and participating in just about any sport.


This morning we woke in pitch darkness. Our clocks had been set forward two hours so we are now on Auckland time! Very strange but no doubt it has something to do with Moscow time which is 6 days by train away, and 5,900 Km.
When the sun did rise at 0800 it was very picturesque, especially as we were in sight of Russia.
Our port lecture this morning was on Shanghai, as was the 1300 China presentation.
We arrived off Vladivostok in mid–afternoon and took a long slow journey into port taking the pilot on at 1630. We were alongside at 1730 and were able to go ashore at 2130 with a 2400 curfew.
The long shore view was very hazy and our photos needed some editing.
Wednesday 3 October – Vladivostok, Russia
The capital of Primorsky Territory, Vladivostok has served as Russia's bastion in the Far East since Czarist times. Located on the hills above Golden Horn Bay, the city is the terminus for the Trans-Siberian Railroad. The homeport of Russia's Pacific Fleet, Vladivostok was closed to the outside world until 1992.
Only 20 years of freedom and this city is still coming of age and showing the signs of oppression. There is no running water/sewerage in many homes and the residents need to fetch it from the closes tap. Many houses are rundown. The story of the Catholic Church (and of course other churches in Russia) and the oppression of its believers tells a sad story. Nevertheless there are signs of progress. The APEC Summit this year propelled a lot of change and there are two modern bridges linking the city to nearby islands.
The city itself with its coloured buildings reminded us of that same phenomenon in St Petersburg. It is a hilly city with a traffic problem. The traffic crawls around one large roundabout and on the approaches. No doubt the new bridge creates some of it as there did not seem to be any new roads. It is an industrial city with a smog problem producing the haze.
Our excursion showed us a lot of the city. We first visited the only private Orthodox School Campus (called a Gymnasium). The school offers theology and Slavonic languages as well as a state education. Chinese is the most prominent language taught. The church and much of the campus was built by students and their parents. The children sang for us in the church.
We then visited the Holy Mother of God Catholic Church designed in a Neo-Gothic style by the Russian architect Planson. The church was seized by the Soviet state and converted into Vladivostok's archive. Returned to the church in 1994 (because the state could not afford $20,000 to connect water to the church (to provide heating), the church has been restored to its original use with modern stained glass windows allowing much light to enter. Two American priests arrived in 1992 and have been responsible for the restoration and rebuilding of the church congregation to about 450. There is one member of the original congregation remaining and five were martyred – proceedings are under way to recognise them as the Vladivostok martyrs. Father Dan spoke to us of the church’s history. He learned Russian and is now fluent.
We had lunch at “one of the best restaurants in Vladivostok” and then returned to the ship where we took in the local market, and the Railway Station before re-boarding.
There are four universities in the city. Two of the students were volunteer guides for us. One had been an assistant guide during APEC and was now our senior guide. She still has a lot to learn but her English was quite good (her mother is an English teacher).
Our passports needed to be collected before we obtained clearance to leave; 18 passengers needed to be reminded and two delayed our departure by 45 minutes!
There was a folkloric show at 1715 to an overflowing theatre, a magician later, then a trumpet concert by one of the members of the band, and “Yes/No” was a hoot again.


We have been encouraged and given blessing to continue with all other MIR sponsored events promoting Marian devotion as noted in our mission statement (see sidebar). This includes continuing to take pilgrimages to Medjugorje and other Roman Catholic sites as they are holy places where the Catholic Church and the confessional are present.
Thank you for your continued support of and prayers for The MIR Group.
The MIR Group Board of Directors
Click HERE or on the letter above to go to a larger copy of the letter
Thank you in advance for your support and prayers while we are preparing for this pilgrimage!
(Winner to be pulled May 13, 2014)
14kt yellow gold ladies Miraculous Medal with a decorative border that contains (10) brilliant cut round diamonds hand set in (4) prong 14 kt white gold settings. The total weight is 0:50cts. The color grade of the diamonds is “H” and the clarity rating is Sl1. The chain is an 18 inch 14kt yellow gold Figaro design.
If you have any questions, please e-mail firstname.lastname@example.org
Thank you for your support of The MIR Group
ST. RITA OF CASCIA PEACE MASS
7100 Jefferson Hwy, Harahan, LA 70123
2nd THURSDAY of Every Month
6:30PM CONFESSIONS; 7:00PM Rosary
7:30PM Holy Mass
Under the direction of Jamie Diliberto
Meditations adapted from Fr. Slavko’s book, “Adore My Son With Your Heart” Read by Carol Cancienne
Where: St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
444 Metairie Rd, Metairie, LA
When: the 2nd Friday of every month, 7:00pm
Full House For Opening Ceremonies… They came from nowhere and everywhere, and it was standing room only for the opening ceremony of Maldifest 24! Country by country, at least 50,000 young people from 60 nations all over the world presented their flag at the back altar of St. James Church. The opening Mass was presided over by Fr. Miljenko Steko, the Provincial of the Franciscans in Hercegovina, with 478 priests concelebrating! The theme of this year’s festival is “Faith Working Through Love.”
Watch Live Streaming Video from the 2013 Youth Festival HERE
Peace In Our Hearts Always, a new prayer group for cancer patients and anyone with a serious illness. They will meet every week in Metairie, Kenner and the Westbank.
St. Clement of Rome (Richland & W. Esplanade in Metairie, LA) in the Parish Center
Every Thursday from 7 pm to 8 pm
St. Mary Magdalen, 6425 W. Metairie Ave., Metairie
Every Friday from 1PM to 2PM in the Chapel (accessible from Cardinal St.)
Thursdays at 10 am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church – 1912 Short Street – The New Rectory
This group is also open to caregivers or family and friends of the sick. Please join us as we pray, share, and open our hearts to God’s divine mercy and embrace the love that Our Mother, Mary, wishes to impart on each of us. For more information, Carol 504-832-0057; or contact Mimi at email@example.com or 504-849-2570 or Gayle at firstname.lastname@example.org or 504-348-7729.
This is a widgeted area which is called Home Middle #3. It is using the Genesis - Featured Page widget to display what you see on the Metric child theme demo site. To get started, log into your WordPress dashboard, and then go to the Appearance > Widgets screen. There you can drag the Genesis - Featured Page widget into the Home Middle #3 widget area on the right hand side. To get the image to display, simply upload an image through the media uploader on the edit post screen and publish your page. The Featured Page widget will know to display the post image as long as you select that option in the widget interface.
The MIR Group is a 501 c3 non profit organization which relies on donations to continue our Mission (see above). Please, continue to visit our website www.themirgroup.org for updates on MIR Group activities. Or send an e-mail to email@example.com requesting to be added to our e-newsletter list. We appreciate all monetary contributions to MIR, as we regularly assist in sending youth, seminarians and priests on pilgrimage. Thank you for all of your prayers and know that we pray for all our faithful friends daily.
Peace In Our Hearts Always is prayer group for cancer patients and anyone with a serious illness. This group is also open to caregivers or family and friends of the sick. Please join us as we pray, share, and open our hearts to God’s divine mercy and embrace the love that Our Mother, Mary, wishes to impart on each of us. Read more >
Men’s prayer group. Meets every Wednesday at 12:00 noon at St. Clement of Rome Church. For further information, please contact Robert Hale — 504-650-7575 or Roland Deleon — 504-208-6423


The School of Disciples which started in 1985 is coordinated by the Training Bureau of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. It is a school where Christians of all denominations learn how to be true and genuine Disciples of Jesus Christ how to study to show oneself approved unto God.
The enemy however has never given up. In fact, the Bible says he is now “having great wrath because he knoweth that he hath but – cause he knoweth that he hath but a short time” (Revelation 12:12). That is why the battle is getting fiercer these days, and that is why the Lord commanded His disciples to go and reproduce others like the duplicates of Christ. The victory and survival of the Church and all her members depend on their availability. It is thus for this purpose of their reproduction that by the leading of the Holy Spirit, this school of Disciple is established.
REDEEMERS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Effective and Efficient leadership is undoubtedly one of the greatest areas of need in the church today. The 21st century church is also contending at a slower pace with a rapidly changing post-modern culture. The dearth of good leadership in the secular corporate environment also poses an added challenge for the church. The moral strength and character of the church provides a solid foundation on which to build a strategic global leadership framework for the future.
The subject of leadership has been an area of focus within the church community for many years and leadership training has accelerated worldwide along with the existence of several leadership seminars and conferences. In more recent years, there has been some synergy in the leadership training programs provided within the Christian community and the corporate environment. It is not uncommon for trainers in the secular world to be invited to train church leaders, especially in certain specific areas of focus, for example financial/business management, IRS/Tax compliance and so on.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God, North America (RCCGNA) is a growing missionary church engaged particularly in the planting of new churches (parishes) aimed at reaching local communities for Christ. The process of pioneering these new parishes poses a major leadership challenge to the Church. The RCCG worldwide over the years has developed an effective framework and structure aimed at training workers, ministers and pastors. In spite of this, it is becoming imperative that if the church is to be more relevant to the community, there is need for leadership training programs, which are contextually set within North America. The need to train incoming and/or pioneering pastors provides a further reason for such programs.
To address the issues above as well as others, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, North America has decided to set up a leadership institute to be known as The Redeemer’s Leadership Institute. This institute is registered in the State of Texas as a not for profit organization.
Mission and Purpose
The primary purpose of the institute is to develop Christian leaders capable of taking the church forward in the 21st century. This leadership institute will also engage inter-alia in:
The leadership institute apart from the above will also emphasize the need to return to the established scriptural foundation for spiritual leadership built on the primary fivefold ministry gifts of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher.
To create an educational environment for developing leaders of influence and global impact for the 21st century. “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works – 2 Timothy 3:17”.


STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Music of César Franck freely arranged for organ or harmonium
by Gerard Carter Op. 3
César Franck (1822–1890) wrote twelve major works for the organ and numerous harmonium pieces. He is regarded as the most important composer for the organ after Bach and the greatest composer for the French symphonic organ. The serene anxiety and ethereal beauty of the compositions of the ‘Fra Angelico of the organ’ make them a touching accompaniment to meditations on the Stations of the Cross. Gerard Carter’s free arrangement for organ or harmonium of some of César Franck’s most sublime music makes it available in a practical and convenient form for the Stations of the Cross and for other liturgical, devotional and musical purposes.
Spiral Bound Sheet Music 34 pages 297 x 210 mm
ISBN 978-3-8442-1577-9 RRP EUR 30
Gerard Carter studied César Franck’s organ works with Maître Jean Langlais in Paris in 1980 and played the Chorale no. 1 in E major on the beautifully harmonised, historic Cavaillé-Coll organ in the Basilica of Ste Clothilde, Paris. César Franck presided at the tribune of Ste Clothilde for thirty-two years and composed and performed his greatest compositions on that organ. Maître Langlais was titulaire at Ste Clothilde, succeeding Dr Charles Tournemire who was César Franck’s last pupil. Both Tournemire and Langlais were distinguished organists, composers and teachers. Gerard Carter also studied organ with Mr Alan Moffat who was a prominent Sydney organist and authority on the French symphonic organ and its literature. Gerard Carter is the author of two publications on César Franck’s organ works. He has issued a CD of his performance of Franck’s Chorale no. 3 in A minor and Cantabile on the 1890 Théodore Puget Père et Fils organ at Kincoppal-Rose Bay Chapel, Rose Bay. He has also issued a CD of his performance of the Chorale on the 1883 Hill & Son organ at St Augustine’s Church, Balmain, where he was organist for a number of years in the 1980s. Gerard Carter is currently organist at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Ashfield, where a two-manual organ built in 1962 by George Fincham & Sons, Melbourne, speaks to a magnificent acoustic.


Bible Reading Guides
If you want to study the Bible, it helps to have a plan. Here are links to reading the Bible in a year, 6 months, or websites that help you customize a plan. Visit the site you like best daily, or take advantage of an email service. You're sure to find a plan that will help you study God's Word!
Related content: Check out our spiritual growth articles and resources
Bible Reading Links
An online Bible that enables community and collaboration like never before. Look for their blog and 1 year reading program.
A wonderful variety of Bible reading plans including M'Cheyne One-Year Reading Plan, Literary Study of the Bible, and a chronological plan. Choose to follow your plan on the website, via RSS feed, email, mobile, ical, or print it out!
Subscribe via e-mail, RSS and iCal to your choice of five reading plans in 20 Bible versions.
Bible Reading Plans - use a favorite Bible translation to create your Bible reading plan, track your progress online, highlight passages, and more.
Follow their popular reading plan, or design your own custom online reading plan with choice of books, number of months, and preferred translation.
Multiple plans, translations, and languages available online or by e-mail subscription.
Daily readings by email with selected Bible versions and choice of plans: alternating verse, start-to-finish, or chronological.
A plan to read through the Bible in a year. This plan assigns a portion from a different part of the Bible each day of the week rotating through the epistles, Torah, history, Psalms, poetry, prophecy, and gospels. NEW! Now also available by email.
Fruits of the Vine offers six plans by email for great flexibility. You can choose to read the Bible in 1, 2, or 3 years, or 1 year programs for just the Old Testament, just New Testament, or Psalms and Proverbs.
Read online or have emailed to you daily readings in English and Spanish. The the option for longer readings helps you read the Bible in a year. Short readings give you select verses from the longer reading. You can also sign up to receive a daily verse with beautiful graphic in your inbox daily.
Free software to create custom Bible reading plans for Windows or Palm OS.
One day, one verse. Great to set as your homepage to get afresh verse every day.
Choose a printable plan to read the New Testament in 30 or 90 days. 1 year plan also available.
Printable one year Bible reading plan from four separate places in the Scriptures every day.
Read the Bible online from chronological, historical, Old/New Testament, and blended plans.


- Who inspired King David to conduct a census that led to the untimely deaths of 70,000 innocent Jews?
- Why did Jesus’s parents take him from Bethlehem to Nazareth?
- What did Judas do with his 30 pieces of silver?
- How did Judas die?
- Whose blood was the potter’s “Field of Blood” named after?
- In what order did God create the living beings on our planet?
- When is it permissible to divorce your wife and remarry?
- Who did Jesus tell it’s more blessed to give than receive?
- Who was Joseph’s father?
- Can all sins be forgiven?
C. Adolf Hitler
D. Kanye West
A. To escape a crazed Jewish king’s mass-killing of infant babies, which historians forgot to record.
B. Because they were originally from Nazareth, and were only visiting Bethlehem in the first place to comply with the world’s worst-planned census, which historians forgot to record.
C. Because they had read some long lost scripture (appearing nowhere in the Old Testament, but referenced in Matthew as though it were) that their new messiah was supposed to be a Nazarene.
D. Because they thought Kanye West was opening for them.
A. Gave it back to the priests.
B. Bought a field.
C. Invested in no-load mutual funds.
D. Bought front row seats to see Kanye West.
A. By hanging himself.
B. By falling down in the field he had bought with the bribe money and splitting open.
C. Of old age.
D. He didn’t. He was one of the few people in the crowd Jesus was addressing in Matthew 16:28 and Mark 9:1 who would not taste death before he came back. He’s currently living under an assumed name, “Kanye West.”
D. Kanye West’s.
A. Man first, lower animals second, woman last.
B. Woman first, who gave birth to the first man.
C. Lower animals first, man and woman last (simultaneously)
D. On the seventh day, God created Kanye West, and couldn’t have have rested on that day instead?
B. Only if she cheats on you.
C. Only if you suspect she’s a closet lesbian.
D. Only if she abuses you, either physically or emotionally, such as by making you listen to Kanye West.
A. The apostles and the crowd, during his inaugural sermon that was either on the mount (Matthew 5) or on the plain (Luke 6:17 & 20).
B. Pilate, to make an ironic point about the death penalty.
C. Paul, who never met Jesus during his lifetime.
D. Kanye West.


Brass of the Month
Copyright © 2013 Monumental Brass Society (MBS)
Page last updated 04 March 2015
Copyright: Jon Bayliss
December 2013 -
Heinrich von Spiegel zum Desenburg was the son of Ludolph von Spiegel zum Desenburg, a member of a noble family in Paderborn. He became a Benedictine monk and his first known appointment was as head of the church of Tom Roden, near both the town of Hoexter and the Abbey of Corvey. In 1359, he was elected as 37th Abbot of Corvey with the support of the Bishop of Paderborn, Baldwin von Steinfurt. In 1361 Baldwin, who had suffered from gout for many years, made Heinrich coadjutor, with the right of succession, and resigned immediately afterwards, thus making Heinrich Bishop of Paderborn without the need to be formally elected by the cathedral chapter. Heinrich then swore allegiance to Pope Innocent VI, who had previously opposed his appointment as Abbot of Corvey.
During Heinrich's tenure, Paderborn followed the then-
In contrast to the brass of a slightly later bishop, Ruprecht, 1394, which shows the latter in canon's robes, albeit with a mitre, Heinrich's shows him in the usual pontifical robes of a bishop, with crosier in one gloved hand and book in the other, his mitre on his head. The feature it shares with Ruprecht's brass is the armoured figure underfoot, presumably referring to Heinrich's success as a miltary leader, with his enemy trampled underfoot. Ruprecht's brass takes this imagery further, with a figure in armour under each foot, whereas Heinrich has a lion under the other foot. Heinrich's effigy is cut out, as is not unusual for German brasses of this date, with a renewed marginal inscription and two shields in quadrilobes, once part of a set of four set at the corners of the inscription, completing the composition. The shields in the quadrilobes enabled the brass to be identified after It is set on a pillar on the north side of the nave, over steps leading up to the choir.
The marginal inscription in Latin is a replacement of the original and reads, from the top left corner:
Mille quadringentis bis denis inde retentis
filius invicti moritur festo Benedicti Praesul is Henricus procerum flos pacis amator
Singula vir prudens iusto moderamine gessit
Salvus dum vixit hanc ecclesiam bene rexit cum triplici Speculo proh iacet in tumulo.
This tells us that he died on the 21st March (the feast of St Benedict) 1380 and was an ornament of nobility, friend of peace and a wise man who knew his duties in government. Before lamenting that he now lies in his grave, the inscription puns on his name (Speculum = Spiegel = mirror), saying that he ruled this church well with a triple mirror. This is reflected by the shield showing the arms of Paderborn, which has a smaller shield set in its centre with three mirrors. The other shield has part per fess, in chief a demi lion rampant, in base a field lozengy.
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I was curious to find out who the Patron Saint of Art is for my post today. (A Patron Saint, in the Catholic religion, is a woman or man who lived a holy and virtuous life. They are considered defenders of a specific group of people or of a country. There is a patron for virtually every cause, country, profession, or special interest. Prayers are considered more likely to be answered by asking the patron of that cause to intercede on their behalf.)
The Patron Saint of Art is Saint Luke. He is considered to be the patron, according to tradition, because he painted a portrait of the Virgin Mary. Artistic expression of Saint Luke is represented in Christian art with an easel and painting materials. He is also depicted with an ox or a calf because these are symbols of sacrifice—the sacrifice of Jesus made for the entire world.
As you know, St Luke wrote one of the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles, and depicted much about his character. He loved the poor, wanted the door to God’s kingdom opened to all, respected women, and saw hope in God’s mercy for everyone. In his writings, he wrote about six miracles and eighteen parables not found in the other Gospels. He spoke of Lazarus and the Rich Man who ignored him as well as the eloquent narrative of the life before Jesus was born with his Mother Mary and her visit to Elizabeth.
St Luke painted the image of Mary, on the right side of this blog, the Mother of Jesus Christ. St Thomas the apostle carried it to India about 1950 years ago. Mary has continued to be venerated through this painting. This painting is kept at the main altar in the Church of Mount St. Thomas in Madras, India. The church is erected where St. Thomas was martyred. The apostles encouraged the people to honor Mary as their Mother because Jesus gave Her to be the Mother of us all.
The final painting is without a doubt one of the most venerated Marian icons of the East. (In Roman times canvasses were not used for pictures, but flat boards, which gave rise over the centuries to the Eastern Christian tradition of iconography.) It is called the Hodegetria (she sho shows the way). Today it can be seen in the Tretjakow gallery. She is the protectress of Russia. The title of this icon is “Our Lady of Tenderness” (Eleousa). It was not attributed to be painted by St Luke, but the prototype of the Eleousa was attributed to St Luke and brought by Empress Eudokia from Palestine to Constantinople in 440. Legend says St Luke painted the prototype on the tabletop in Mary’s house under Mary’s supervision. Thus it is considered the model and original of all Marian images.
I Love this icon most of all. The tenderness of the Child Jesus hugging his mother around the neck. Makes me love His Mother, Mary, as my very own spiritual Mother. Thanks St Luke for painting these images for us to remember and worship Jesus more.
The Feast day of Saint Luke is October 18th. (Feast days generally are the commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time celebrating their birth into heaven.)
For more information on other patron saints of interest see St Valentine, St Patrick. Also inspiring is All Souls day with Blessed Fra Angelico. Or see “Human Paintbrush “short film on Don Matis , a Catholic artist.


Some people think that the season of Lent and the ashes of Ash Wednesday are all about reminding us that we are small. After all, we are about to put ashes and dust on our foreheads, and repeat the phrase, “remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” For some, remembering we are dust is about remembering all the ways we’ve acted like dirt, and try again to act like the spirit of God. While repentance is a good thing, and confessing our sins and receiving God’s forgiving grace is an important part of remembering that we are small, these dusty ashes upon your foreheads are not about calling you a dirtbag. They are about reminding you that you are a human being, created by God from the dust the earth. In Genesis 2, God created human beings by scooping up the rich, dark soil, adamah in Hebrew, and (whoosh) blowing life into it. You are of the earth. You are made of the stuff of this world. Like everything else in this world, you will live and you will die this one precious life, in this one fragile body, and then that lifeless body will return again to dust. Among all other creatures and lives, surrounded by all the dirt of the earth, each one of us is one tiny speck in the vast universe. We are so very small.
But that’s not all. Whenever we remember we are dust, whenever we remember that we are adamah, made of clay, we also have to remember what else we are made of. What other ingredient, apart from the earth, comprises humanity at the dawn of creation? (Whoosh) The breath of God. You are dirt and to dirt you shall return, but you are also the breath of God, and to God you shall return. Inside of you dwells the spark of the Almighty God, the power of God’s spirit animates your life. You are filled with the power to love, to give, to serve, to rejoice, to overcome, to hope, to be transformed. Even more, you can transform the world around you by your work and your love, your witness and your welcome, your peace-making and your graciousness. The eternal breath of God breathes in you. You are great.
Every Ash Wednesday, we remember what it is to be human, to be made from dust and the breath of God. The opposing contradictions of great and small, known and unknown, clarity and mystery, life and death—they all are reconciled in each and every human life. We are indeed ambassadors of reconciliation. When our lives reflect our true nature, we are simultaneously reflecting the transient beauty of the world and the eternal beauty of God.
From The Someday Book; full post here.


On a hill and offering stunning views of the river Ebro, rises the Templar castle of Miravet, surrounded by a wall 25 meters high. It is the most imposing fortress built by the powerful Order of the Temple in Europe. The order, however, fell into disgrace after losing the last Christian strongholds in the Holy Land. The French king, in collusion with the pope, got them declared heretics, so that their property could be confiscated. The Catalan king Jaume II followed in the footsteps of the French monarch and laid siege to the fortress of Miravet in December 1307. Inside, the warrior monks resisted for a year. Although they eventually had to surrender, they were able to preserve their lives, unlike their French brothers who died at the stake. Four years later, in November 1312, in the cathedral of Tarragona, the innocence of the Templars was solemnly decreed.


Today I hosted the final session of my Bible study at my home. We shared a Moravian love feast and put some closure to our spiritual journey (at least until the fall when we start again). One of our questions today was, how has this small group changed you or enabled you to further your spiritual journey? How have you been fed and nurtured by this group? One of my dear friends (who is also in this group) said, "being in a group that affirms me and lifts up my life and my choices is so inspiring. Being with this group of women (who range from 28 to 82) helps me to realize that I will survive this point (mother of two toddlers) in my life."
I was struck by her comments on multiple levels. Receiving perspective and support from other women who have been there is so critical. Learning that new stages fraught with their own challenges lie ahead is also critical. It is so easy to get caught up in the fray when you're living in the moment with your children. One day we will be empty nesting moms. One day we will care for our own aging mothers. One day we will find our own health failing. One day we will watch our spouses die. It's not all snotty noses and sippy cups. There is life after laundry.
Being a woman is complicated in so many ways. We are so often called to give of ourselves we forget to take care of ourselves. One of the best ways to take care of ourselves is to form a small group. A close circle. A set of women whom we can call whenever for whatever reason. I have several of these circles and each group serves a different purpose. I do however draw an amazing amount of spiritual strength and comfort from my Bible study group that I do not find elsewhere. I am challenged by these women to get out of my comfort zone. I am comforted by these women when life throws me a curve ball. I am uplifted and spiritually fed by these women who pray for me and share with me their own faith journeys. One of the greatest challenges and greatest joys of being a Christian is the call to "be in community" with each other. When you have a community to give to, joy seems to bubble up from within. When you need to rest in the arms of that community, gratefulness such as you have never felt pours out from all over. I encourage you to find a small group who affirms your worth, your will, and your place in community.


When Cardinal George launched To Teach Who Christ Is in 2013, he envisioned a campaign to strengthen our parishes, Catholic education and faith formation for generations to come. Emboldened by his courage to step out in faith despite his own personal illness, I fully embraced the challenge to continue his work to bring to completion what he began. It is heartening to know that more than 70,000 faithful from across this Archdiocese chose to support their parishes and the important shared ministries of our local Church.
Indeed, the blessings of To Teach Who Christ Is are many. Together, we raised more than $400 million, and the partnerships we developed will be instrumental for future initiatives, like Renew My Church. Thank you for ensuring the vibrancy of our Church!
The campaign has now entered the pledge fulfillment phase. These next five years are equally important to our endeavor, as parishes receive their funds from pledge payments and can then complete the projects they outlined during their campaigns. So much has already been accomplished and, like you, I am excited to see the fruits of our efforts. Please keep us up to date on what is taking place in your parish as a result of of To Teach Who Chris Is, so we can share your good news with others.
Your friendship and generosity are deeply appreciated. Please remember me and this Archdiocese in your prayers, as you are always in mine.
Wishing you every blessing, with kind regards I remain,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Cardinal Blase J. Cupich
Archbishop of Chicago


- ALL NEWS
Women’s Book Study
A Circle of Quiet
by Madeleine L’Engle
Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
February 20 through March 20
Books are now available in the church office for $10.
A light supper will be provided for $8 per person.
Call or email Lesley at 601-982-4703 or firstname.lastname@example.org
with questions or to sign up.