A Catholic Prophecy

I got a tweet from a new follower this morning [Kattoliko Pensireo, @kattolikamente] that I just could not put down (a must read). It was published by Edward Pentin in his ncregister.com blog linked here. (published yesterday)

I have been learning daily, with the advent of daily mass in my life. This is directly credited to my loss of Protestant status, which quite honestly happens when a lay-theologian finds himself undeniably drawn into the overwhelming authoritative content in both his daily reading of Catechism, and EWTN (cable Catholic television). “Live Truth, live Catholic” motto.

aleteia.org

[Photo credit: aleteia.org, “Final Battle by Cardinal Carlo Caffarra”]

“Cardinal (Carlo) Caffarra is saying, ‘Satan is hurling at God the “Ultimate and terrible challenge” ‘(said tweet of Edward Pentin) The article (blog) is linked to it’s source above. And I want to do this because it is prophetically informative.

I am encouraged to hear such a decorated leader in our “universal” Church proclaim his faith in the coming showdown of the devil, Satan, and our loving Lord Jesus’ Church in the world. He spoke in Rome to the Italians, warning of our societies facing a “frightful” war on marriage and family! But urging the faithful to not be fearful and witness for our Lord. . .as, he said, “The victory is already ours.”

The Enemy is waging an anti-creation front that claims his negative assault will be where we will be deceived to think his (humanist) idea is better than God’s creation. 

The archbishop from Bologna (Italy) described this battle on two fronts: Marriage, and Family. And this was also predicted by Sister (Saint) Lucia, that was written over 30 years ago.

The event of his presentation was the Rome Life Forum where a hundred pro-life and family leaders attended near the Vatican and coordinated in sequence with the anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal. 

Cardinal Caffarra assisted the composing of the JPII Institute Studies on Marriage and Family in 1981. “Human history has always been a tale of confrontation between two forces: “The force of attraction”, the wounded heart of the crucified-risen One, and the “power of Satan,” The father of lies, the “murderer from the beginning” who seeks to extinguish truth in the heart of man.” He said.

A BATTLE OF INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS

This assault, as Cardinal Caffarra explains, is concerned with both the interior and exterior levels—within the human heart as one level, and human culture as defined by humanist society, as the other. He made this clear, the Lord’s attractive force, “can only take affect upon those who are profoundly available to the Truth, who live familiar with it.

“Satan has no truth, and seeks to steal, kill, and destroy truth in the heart of man, even by inducing unbelief to him. He is constantly refusing the truth. He causes society to oppose the truth. Satan personally becomes this refusal—he is the opposition.”

“Satan is therefore always working against the Lord’s strong force of attraction to Himself, seeking to neutralize it. And this battle within the human heart becomes manifest in society and culture—leading to the culture of truth and the culture of the lie.”

THE STRATEGY TO DESTROY CREATION

“The two developments in growing confrontation show us in “particular clarity”. The first being “the transformation” of the murder of abortion into a legal and human right. Such legalization of abortion is “calling what is good evil, and what is light shadow.” A Satanic attempt is to produce an “anti-Revelation”, to generate an “anti-creation.”

“Ennobling the killing of the unborn human beings, Satan has “laid the foundations for his ‘creation’: To remove from creation the image of God (as Creator), to attempt to obscure his presence therein.”

“The second development, the “culture of the lie” is the enoblement of homosexuality,” said Cardinal Caffarra. “This becomes a clear fact denying the truth of marriage—the mind of God, the Creator, regarding marriage.”

Marriage has a “permanent structure” in the mind of God, because the Union of man and woman is the “cooperation in the creative act of God.” He said. For this reason, the elevation of abortion to a “human right” and equating a homosexual relationship to “marriage”, begin the destruction of “two pillars of creation”.

“Such Satanic activity is building an actual anti-creation.” Cardinal Caffarra said. “Satan is saying, I am demonstrating that I am capable of constructing an alternative to God’s creation. This is so appealing to (educated) man who desires it and says, this alternative is better than God’s creation.”

“Such demonic activity  is constructed around a profound contempt for man.” Cardinal Caffarra explains that man is not capable of “elevating himself to the splendor of the Truth”, and so Satan continues to tell God banalities about man, and that God’s Truth doesn’t exist.”

THE GOSPEL COMBAT SOLUTION

The faithful are called to testify: “to announce openly and publically” through such actions as this weekend’s March for Life in Rome, and proclaim divine revelation—speaking exclusively to the “Gospel of Life and Marriage”, and doing this as if in a courtroom.” The alternative is to remain silent or saying other things—but at the same time, Christians should not be “uncaring of all souls.”

“Loving the sinner and hating the sin, in just the way that medicine oftentimes “proposes a cure excluding the illness”, is needing to take the next level: “Christians should hunt-down the sin”, he said, “track it down in the hidden places of its lies, and condemn it, bringing to light its insubstantiality”.

“Christ is witness, quoting St. John, ‘When I am lifter up from the earth, I will draw all people to Myself.'” He said.

Afterward, the Cardinal mentioned the letter he had received from Sister (Saint) Lucia when he was facing trials in forming the Pontifical, John Paul II Institute for studies on Marriage and Family. He said he will never forget what she wrote him, “There will come a time when the confrontation God and Satan’s kingdoms will take place over marriage and family.”

He said she underscored that those who are going to work for marriage and family, “will undergo trials and tribulations”, but added: “Do not fear, Our Lady has already crushed his head.” Cardinal Caffarra concluded that his talk was based on Sister (Saint) Lucia’s words. The conviction of what she said in her day, is being fulfilled in our day.”

May the Lord bless and keep you all,

Charles

@wordlifejournal

[Editor’s note: Permission to transcribe a copyrighted article is granted according to fair-use provision of US Copyright Law that says, nothing stollen for prophet, nothing lost, and all credits are given. Also the English translation of the original Italian piece allows some variation of interpretation. I have license from LIBRERIA EDITRICE VATICANA.]

Easter at Chubb Lake

A view of the mile-high lake in Summer of the boat dock (lake weeds in foreground ) [autodesk.blogs.com]

HOLY WEEK EVOKES FAVORED MEMORIES FOR ME

Background: All my journeys began when eleven years old, 66 years ago. I was delivered by dad and thrown into a bunch of neighborhood boys. I had been a Cub Scout and now I was fresh meat for the big and bold  counselors to form me into Boy Scout material. But the place was hundreds of miles from home and thousands of feet above sea level.

SUMMER CAMP FOR A PRE TEEN IS AN ABSOLUTE GOD-SEND
I am inspired to write this today, Palm Sunday, when hearing the homily of Archbishop Pierre in the huge basilica in Washington DC. I am learning about Catholic theology because I sense God’s presence in places like this, I am thinking to share as much as I can remember of my experience back then and also our place here and now we call Chub Lake.(EWTN) [cathedral.org]

Over all these years, my personal life and work was influenced by all the Boy Scout lore I was exposed to. The people who most influenced me, were my Dad, his cousin and Boy Scout Commish, Uncle Dick Sims, camp director, Dick Hacke, his son Danny, and a few counselors, like Art and Richard Walenta, and Reggie Carolyn; the very popular camp cook, Manny; also, fellow  campers like cousin Rick Sims, and friend, Dennis Johnson. (Remember?)

THE THEOLOGY OF EASTER IS MUCH MORE THAN SUMMER CAMP

The Boy Scouts teach boys to obey God’s Law. We boys needed to know such things. And summer camp was a place to start. I still sing the camp songs they taught us. They were crazy and fun. Songs sung about what we did and who we are and even parts of our bodies (“Vas is dis my son”). We learned reverence too. Counselor Richard led devotions, being a seminarian.

What is it about family and the rich resources that bring up boys to be willing to become men? Isn’t it much like a tree that grows from a single seed within which are all the branches and what they need to develop into maturity. The example of fine young men who teach boys to seriously accept the camp program; to form a young conscience with honor and duty.

My Boy-Scout-formed conscience enabled me to accept faith in God when serving as a Marine on Okinawa (Japan). When on a mission to transport a drowning victim, I ran right into Richard Walenta, who was a chaplain serving at Camp Hansen, to help show our rescue helicopter where to pick up the casualty. I did visit his office to show him honor for his faithful duty.

Such an experience, makes one realize just how small is the world we live in. Or, just how God has predestined all people to get in line. Boy Scouting led me to military duty, and that got me to church old enough to choose God for myself. So far as I know, no one else in our family shares my experience. So I feel a certain obligation to share this certain Good News for all.

THE REAL TEACHING OF THE REAL AUTHORIZED CHURCH

One of my Christmas gifts was the catechism of the Catholic Church. I was inspired to pick it up at the book store, with a sense of wonder. [No church I have ever attended had anything even close.] I perceive more value in this because of my interest and desire to grow in faith. As Saint Anselm said, faith seeks understanding, I learned this studying theology.

The following is organized under three of the four parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: The Profession of Faith, Celebration of the Christian Mystery, and The Life in Christ. [Part four is, Christian Prayers.]

THE CATECHESIS (TEACHING) OF EASTER

Archbishop Pierre quoted Pope Francis saying, Easter is the “coming moments of salvationism.” Easter is defined from AS and ME as aester and eastre as taken from the pagan godess of Spring, Eastre. [Webster] The date is set according to the first Sunday following the full moon after the Equinox (the sun’s crossing the celestial equator). [Google] (Sounds spooky!)

638 “We bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this day he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus.”(Troparion Easter melody) The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ, a faith believed and lived as the central truth by the first Christian community; handed on as fundamental by Tradition; established by the documents of the New Testament; and preached as an essential part of the Paschal (Passover-Easter) mystery along with the cross:

“Christ is risen from the dead! 

Dying, he conquered death; 

To the dead, he has given life.”

[Note here of Christ’s mother Mary was “full of grace” and actually conceived as already redeemed (“predestined sinless”) in order that the sinless One might be delivered through her.(Immaculate Conception) Luke 1:28]

THE HISTORICAL AND TRANSCENDENT EVENT [Part One: Profession of Faith, On the Third Day He Rose from the Dead]

639 The mystery of Christ’s resurrection is a real event, with manifestations that were historically verified, as the New Testament bears witness. In about A.D. 56 St. Paul could already write to the Corinthians: “I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. . .”(1 Cor 15:3,4) The Apostle speaks here of the living tradition of the Resurrection which he had learned after his conversion at the gates of Damascus.(Acts 9:3-18)

The empty tomb

640 “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.”(Luke 24:5,6) The first element we encounter in the framework of the Easter events is the empty tomb. In itself it is not a direct proof of Resurrection; the absence of Christ’s body from the tomb could be explained otherwise.(Jn 20:13; Mt 28:11-15) Nonetheless the empty tomb was still an essential sign for all. Its discovery by the disciples was the first step toward recognizing the very fact of the Resurrection. This was the case, first with the holy women, and then with Peter.(Lk 24:3, 12,22,23) The disciple “whom Jesus loved” affirmed that when he entered the empty tomb and discovered “the linen cloths lying there”, “he saw and believed”(Jn 20:2,6,8). This suggests that he realized from the empty tomb’s condition that the absence of Jesus’ body could not have been of human doing and that Jesus had not simply returned to earthly life as had been the case with Lazarus.(Jn 11:44; 20:5-7)

 THE MEANING AND SAVING SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESURRECTION

654 The Paschal mystery has two aspects: by his death, Christ liberates us from sin; by his Resurrection, he opens for us the way to a new life. This new life is above all justification that reinstates us in God’s grace, “so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”(Rom 4:25; 6:4) Justification consists in both victory over the death caused by sin and a new participation in grace.(Eph 2:4,5; 1Pet 1:3) It brings about filial adoption so that men become Christ’s brethren, as Jesus himself called his disciples after his Resurrection: “Go and tell my brethren.”(Mt 28:10; Jn 20:17) We are brethren not by nature, but by the gift of grace, because that adoptive filiation gains us a real share in the life of the only Son, which was fully revealed in his Resurrection.

 

655 Finally, Christ’s Resurrection – and the risen Christ himself is the principle and source of our future resurrection: “Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. . . For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Cor 15:20-22The risen Christ lives in the hearts of his faithful while they await that fulfillment. In Christ, Christians “have tasted. . . the powers of the age to come” (Heb 6:5) and their lives are swept up by Christ into the heart of divine life, so that they may “live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”(2 Cor 5:15; Col 3:1-3)

HISTORY OF THE SACRED EVENT [Part Two, Celebration of the Mystery]

1169 Therefore Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the “Feast of feasts,” the “Solemnity of solemnities,” just as the Eucharist is the “Sacrament of sacraments” (the Great Sacrament). St. Athanasius calls Easter “the Great Sunday” (St Athanasius, AD 329) and the Eastern Churches call Holy Week “the Great Week.” The mystery of the Resurrection, in which Christ crushed death, permeates with its powerful energy our old time, until all is subjected to him.

1170 At the Council of Nicaea in 325, all the Churches agreed that Easter, the Christian Passover, should be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon (14 Nisan) after the vernal equinox. Because of the different methods of calculating the 14th day of the month of Nisan, the date of Easter in the Western and Eastern Churches is not always the same. For this reason, the Churches are currently seeking an agreement in order once again to celebrate the day of the Lord’s Resurrection on a common date.

(Part Three, Life in Christ)

1339 Jesus chose the time of Passover to fulfill what he had announced at Capernaum: giving his disciples his Body and his Blood: “Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the passover meal for us, that we may eat it. . . .” They went . . . and prepared the passover. 

And when the hour came, he sat at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”. . . . And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 

“This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after supper, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the New Covenant in my blood.”(Lk 22:7-20; Mt 26:17-29; Mk 14:12-25; 1 Cor 11:23-26)

1340 By celebrating the Last Supper with his apostles in the course of the Passover meal, Jesus gave the Jewish Passover its definitive meaning. Jesus’ passing over to his father by his death and Resurrection, the new Passover, is anticipated in the Supper and celebrated in the Eucharist, which fulfills the Jewish Passover and anticipates the final Passover of the Church in the glory of the kingdom. 

1363 In the sense of Sacred Scripture the memorial is not merely the recollection of past events but the proclamation of the mighty works wrought by God for men.(Ex 13:3) In the liturgical celebration of these events, they become in a certain way present and real. This is how Israel understands its liberation from Egypt: every time Passover is celebrated, the Exodus events are made present to the memory of believers so that they may conform their lives to them.

1364 In the New Testament, the memorial takes on new meaning. When the Church celebrates the Eucharist, she commemorates Christ’s Passover, and it is made present the sacrifice Christ offered once for all on the cross remains ever present.(Heb 7:25-27) “As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which ‘Christ our Pasch [Greek for Passover, pasxa] has been sacrificed’ is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out.”(1 Cor 5:7)

WHY WE CALL OUR PLACE CHUBB LAKE

The sun is setting on the second day of Holy Week. I have just shared with you all the Easter teachings Catholics are given to learn to enable their faith to grow. We cannot just hear this and become a member by accepting it as true, and making a public profession of faith. But by making the personal, heartfelt choice to receive Jesus Christ as Savior, you are saved.

Chubb Lake is our homeplace in North Alabama, God’s country! We manage to care for an acre of land among the beautiful Loblolly pines. It’s a place we can boldly sing camp songs where no man or boy or girl has sung before. The old camp is now called Marin-Sierra Camp. Society and culture have invaded my memories, but it was a heavenly place for me 66 years ago.

If you remember anything about Chubb Lake, please comment here, like my Facebook post, or tweet me @wordlifejournal.

May the Lord bless and keep you in your Easter Holiday festivities.

Charles

[Note: Permission to publish portions of the Catechism of the Catholic Church was granted to me by the Secretary Director of the Libreria Editrice Vaticana in writing, January 3, 2017, and so linked.]

EWTN APP

HOPE DEFINED

The view from the top floor of the Crestwood Cancer Institute in Huntsville, Alabama

 
ELECTION RETURNS UPSET BUT DEPLORABLE COLLEGE RULES

This morning we are at Dr. Dang’s Office, here is the view from the Clearview Institute. We have been coming here over a decade, but today, following The election of Donald Trump as President, my heart is singing with hope. [Hope is defined as to expect or confide, trust.] Having a theist as President is gloriously better than an atheist. (Do we know this yet?)

We both voted this time. And even though it was mid morning when we voted, the line was long. A good turnout, but a new process of electronic recognizing, recording of drivers licenses was used. Still, voting in the nearby church building was smoothly run and very peaceful. [Oh, Viv has a blood problem similar to what I had. She is being healed like I was.]

I have got to hear Hillary’s concession speech. (watching) What a graceous lady is she! A veritable act of God. I am so proud of our country. We can rest assured that, a new cabinet, and a republican congress will come to the aid of our country. (As soon as I was alerted in my spirit to google her speech, there she was, live.)

. . .

The sun is setting just now with a deep red glow on the horizon. I am reminded of our prayers having been answered, all our hearts are going to sleep much better tonight. The news media is falling all over itself having to admit the polling that predicted Hillary would win, is broken. Broken if it was done mathematically, like machines don’t lie. LOL

NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS MINISTRY

I have been contacted by email concerning an interest of mine. I was asked to participate on a Christian book publisher panel. An ‘Insider Panel’ they call this. I was given a series of questions to test my knowledge of theology: My understanding of biblical principles that Christian authors create stories from. I am willing to read book proposals.

I have said things like I hold no church office, I’m a college graduate, and willing to take what they offer for the service. The big plus is the editorial experience as well as learning to listen for godly insight. This is all about God and his call in my life. Just the fact that our loving Lord is alive and active for my professional existance for him is encouraging.

Here is an example: The Wycliffe Bible Translators went into collaboration with Christian Muslim groups to produce a new translation of the New Testament. The wording in question by Eric Barger (.com) claims they ‘Yank Father and Jesus as Son of God.’  You can see his website and read their mission statement at this link. Even using Allah as reference to Messiah. 

FAILURE TO TRANSLATE CORRECTLY IS THE ISSUE

This brings up a whole bag of worms. My solution is to research anything said about this from the Roman Catholic Church. The reason for this is not only to discern the usage of the New Testiment Greek, but also, the attempts of Church tradition to define by both Arabic and Hebrew translations, to compare them. Who knows? Scholars may be right (as they often are).

SOME BACKGROUND

“An Arabic version of the Hebrew Bible was made in the tenth century by. Saadia ha Gaon. Only its Pentateuch, Minor Prophets, Isaias, Psalms, and Job have been preserved. In 1671 an Arabic Bible was published at Rome under the direction of Sergius Risi, Archbishop of Damascus. It appeared in numerous later editions. A mutilated reprint of it (London, 1822) was circulated by the Bible Society. To offset this Protestant influence, complete Arabic versions were issued both by the Dominicans at Mossul (1875-8) and the Jesuits at Beirut (1876-8).

“Carshuni (Karshuni) Version.—This is an Arabic version made in Syriac characters for Syrian Christians chiefly of Mesopotamia, Aleppo, and adjacent parts. A New Testament in Carshuni characters containing in two columns the Syriac Peschitto and the Arabic of the Codex of Erpenius was published at Rome (1703) for the Maronites of Lebanon. A Bible Society edition appeared at Paris (1827). [catholicanswers.com]

THE WYCLIFFE DEFENCE

The Wycliffe translation of the text in question is made according to the usage. “Matthew 28:19,” says Michael Carl, “refers to the Father as Allah, which is not doctrinally correct.” Allah means, God according to the Wikipedia article that gives us the history and edymology. Remember, a new language version is supposed to be in the most common, current usage.

Wycliffe consulted Mary Lederleitner seeking the best way to understand the truth about “the Father“:  “Whether or not one believes using the most common term in a receptor language — the familial terms for God — is the only acceptable translation, or there are times when other not so common terms can apply. 

“The titles are preserved in a way that does not tell incorrect meanings — fathers produce sons physically, which is not applicable spiritually as truer usage. The source of the problem is found in the Koran (Qur’an). It explicitly condemns either the Trinity or the Sonship of Christ.” [refer to: An Nisa, Surah  4:171] (note, the context is 4:163-172)

SOME IDIOMS ARE IDIOTIC

After reading the context of the Surah passage referenced above, like reading the Book of Mormon, I’m convinced only of some misguided authority who had to give a biased book report that must honor (what’s his name) who is not god. To say his name means you have to bless it, is religious. To try to please Islamic authorities in telling the Gospel is oxymoronic.

THE QUAGMIRE OF BIBLE INTERPRETATION IS HOLY SPIRIT WORK

The intercessory prayers of the saints is a church solution to such quagmires. Para ministries like Wychliffe Bible Translators are stuck to have to face attacks that the devil can throw at them. Only the church can have authority for the holy tradition that formed the original canon of Scripture in the first place. (See The intercession of the Saints).

The concept that is playing out here is like inviting neighborhood children to have some ice cream in the local church kitchen which seems appealing. Then, within such a sanctified (blessed) environment, God is able to help reach their hearts with desire and reasonable words. A seed is sown in hearts that enables the Truth to usurp closed minds.

Sure prayer and proper scholastic preparation is important, but the authority of the church over the forming of words is critical. Compromise is not sought here, as concensus with a majority and eventual, mutual agreement. We can only approach the truth as the spectacle it is. It is unique but universal. And more, it is alive and capable of convicting.

TRANSCENDING CULTURAL CONFLICTS

“Religious organizations have a major impact on inter-communal and international conflicts. During the Cold War, religious as well as ethnic and nationalist conflicts were relatively neglected in the study of international relations and peace research. After the implosion of the communist block, the escalation of nationalist violence was a surprise. 

“Some expect an escalation of religious conflicts as well. Despite an increase in the attention to the religious dimension of conflicts, it remains an under-researched field. There is no useful typology of religious conflicts; no serious study of the impact of religious organizations on conflict behavior; no comparative research of peace-making and peace-building efforts of different religious organizations.” Said Luc Reychler in his Religion and Conflict article with the International Journal of Peace Studies:

“The world cannot survive without a new global ethic, and religions play a major role, as parties in violent conflicts, as passive bystanders and as active peace-makers and peace-builders. Hans Küngs‘ thesis that there cannot be world peace without a religious peace is right. 

“Representing two thirds of the world population, religions have a major responsibility in creating a constructive conflict culture. They will have to end conflicts fueled by religion, stop being passive bystanders and organize themselves to provide more effective peace services. Religions and religious organisations have an untapped and under-used integrative power potential. 

“To assess this potential and to understand which factors enhance or inhibit joint peace ventures between the Christian religions, but also between the prophetic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), the Indian religions (Hinduism and Buddhism) and the Chinese wisdom religions, is an urgent research challenge.”
I am personally encouraged by the conclusion of this scholar from George Mason University. My view of our world ordering itself into peaceful relations has to be left completely in God’s hands. But, as we know about creation science; God made everything, man was formed in God’s image and likeness — yet given a law that he could not keep. Sin was so created.

HERE IS THE ONLY MESSAGE OF HOPE

With our humanity so caught up in sin, which is separation from God, only one world solution has been provided: Namely the Person of the living Word, Jesus. As the Messiah-Christ, Jesus is our sacrifice for sin that Father God accepts. [The conclusion here is the Good News post of mine that can take you down the Roman Road. Read it and agree.]

Tonight, we are snug in our home with the heat turned on for the first time. Watching the violent reactions of young Democrats on the news is sad, but I prayed with my new pastor yesterday agreeing the protests will be peaceful, God willing and the creeks don’t rise. (Wife was up till 3 am, but I was exercising my hope in trusting for the miracle to happen.)

On that note, we must end this. Please pray for my new involvement with Christian Book Insider Panel. God bless you.

Charles Bundschu

Tweet me: @wordlifejournal

TRANSITIONING

The reverse side of the Patriot Crucifix

A crucifix designed for patriotic prayers of Catholic faith

THE PROCESS OF TRANSITIONING IS THE BUSINESS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE CHURCH

Last week, our neighborhood lost a grandmother who recently moved here from the northern Midwest just to be with local family members who might help her with transitioning to her eternal resting place. When I met her, wife and I were told basically her long bout with cancer was winding down. Her grandson is another neighbor across the street, a short walk away; I was able to friend him online with LinkedIn.

[Also last week, our country elected a prime candidate to become President. A real answer to prayer! But with it has come extreme  division. Where we live in Alabama, there is rejoicing! But where I hail from in California, there is yelling and screaming of protestors. I believe God called me to leave my home, and dwell in His ‘promised land’. . .]

The neighborly relationship we were given, was short-lived because of her poor health, but it made us both think, what a positive attitude she had. She, Mary is her name, wanted nothing more than to get ready to depart. There was nothing for us to do, really. The sister, friend, and grandchildren, (their parent(s)), were all there to help the process along.

Mary was Catholic, while her children were faithful to a local inter-denominational fellowship, not unlike our own. We are inactive members of the large and growing Family Worship Center, here in North Alabama. We find God’s Christian Faith capturing our attention with the online church. The quality of television viewing, like sports, far exceeds attending.

HAVE YOU NOTICED THE GROWING CATHOLIC TV MINISTRY?

I realize that the Lord has prepared us to be a neighbor here, but it has taken years to get to know our neighbors. It is sad but understandable, as we are leasing the property, while the larger lots are occupied by families that have been here forever. We old folks are transitioning, [dying off] and this is the normal way of life: To do this with grace — mercifully.

We lost the patriarch next door over ten years ago. His sons live next door, and in his wife’s house. The gentleman who transitioned next was the owner of the next house. I did meet them both briefly. The owner of our house is easily ten years older than me. He should be transitioning next. Why do I keep saying this? It is a big event and takes a lifetime to get ready.

The word transition was mentioned to me by none other than Mother Mary Angelica of the Eternal Word Telivision Network (EWTN) out of Birmingham, Alabama. She was highly educated in the Catholic University system and earned her doctorate of Sacred Theology. The Lord led her to develop EWTN. I did hear her one day explain that Christians don’t die, they transition.

MY STUDY OF THEOLOGY OPENED THE CATHOLIC CHURCH DOOR FOR ME

“Mary Immaculate was officially declared the patroness of the United States in 1847. For more than 150 years, Catholics throughout the land have placed themselves and all their hopes, dreams and concerns under the special patronage of the holy Mother of God, whose Immaculate Conception is venerated by the piety of the faithful.”(Catholicdoor.com)

“With the new USA Rosary, we hope Americans far and wide will be strengthened in their resolve to be ever more faithful followers of Jesus, while praying a rosary for the United States of America… Antique silver finish with red and blue enamel on the front of the Crucifix, with a portion of the Pledge Of Allegiance, “One Nation Under God”, inscribed on the reverse side.

” The Centerpiece, also in antique silver finish, presents an image of Our Lady, with a map of the U.S. behind Her. The reverse side presents an inscription of Psalm 33:12. The Hail Mary beads are heavy antique copper-finished medals, with an image of the Immaculate Conception on one side and each state’s individual abbreviation on the other side. The Our Father bead medals present the Miraculous Medal in antique finish.”

At $40.00, that item of religious faith sells like breakfast specials!

THE EUTHANASIA PREVENTION EFFORTS

Trends in data for Oregon 1997-2011 Death with Dignity Act (alexschadenberg.blogspot)

Legalized suicide is on the rise. Here is a graph to show how its popularity has grown.

Human beings have choices for exiting their cruel world: 1) Become Catholic [Christian] live to a ripe old age and leave in a civilized manner, or 2) move to Oregon and pay less to take the death pill [legalized euthanasia], or 3) go to the Philippines where they will nail you to your own cross and make you be more understanding of what your life cost Christ. . .let’s see the last first. . .

I cannot even try to explain this, other than a cult movement or heresy. Here is the link so we can read the news bulletin: Public, live, and real crucifixions in the Philippines (Islands). Question, if someone you don’t know, and could care less about, died for you — and a friend told you he was a sinless Jewish rabbi called to redeem the world — even you . . .

You would think about it, and read up on it, to confirm it actually happened; then, you might be convinced that in accordance to Jewish custom, the death of God’s own Son was prophecied and processed as consistently with the well documented law (Torah). You might choose to be a believer — but you would know you don’t need crucifixion!

God’s death by hanging on a Roman cross was planned and pulled off, as an ordained act of the holy Trinity. It took a team of One God in three Persons to redeem the world of original sin. [note, see Genesis 3, Biblegateway.com]. . . So great a love can convince the whole world this redemption is truly available . . . One believer reaching one unbeliever at a time.

NO ADDITIONAL CRUCIFIXIONS NECESSARY!

If you did check out the Genesis 3 link, (last paragraph) you have just seen the source of the Old Covenant record (Torah) about creation. But to help us understand what it means for present day circumstances, also look here at the best online source unbiased commentary, see The Fall of Man.

(Adam and Eve and a female serpent, at the Notre Dame de Paris, Wikipedia.com)

As a result of the fall, those unbelievers who are separated from our loving Father, even if purely due to optional choice–nobody can be forced to believe the Good News is really an offer of personal redemption and genuine deliverance from destruction and eternal punishment for rejecting the Sovereign Creator’s plan that was made before creation.

THEN WHAT OPTION DOES MAN HAVE OTHER THAN REDEMPTION?

The Euthanasia Prevention efforts in Canada and Oregon, are attempting to help the liberal humanist (secular) following to enable life to be ended naturally (linked here as, catholicinsight.com) And Physicians Alliance Againsr Euthanasia (www.vps-npv.ca) The choice to die is suicide. Anyone is free to choose to end his life. But it is morally wrong.

WHY SUICIDE IS WRONG?

The Philosophy of suicide is an interesting read. I wish to link it here for a general comparison because the reasons for with the reasons against is a valid and convincing perspective. Basically, it is emotionally motivated, selfish, and immoral. Especially when liberals deny the sacredness of life, their relative moralism begins to break down. (en.wikipedia.org)

FINALLY, THE CONCEPT OF HUMAN LIFE IS SACRED

The death of a Christian is the best way to transition. Why this is is explained most authentically by holy Scripture. Let me show just three, Psalms 139:14-16; 2Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:10, 23; 5:8; 6:23; 8:1; and 10:8-10,13.

Hello friend!

Welcome to doingjourneytogether.WordPress.com!

Three men and two women ready to begin their journey (Classmates.com)

Our mission in writing this as a blog, is to share the ministry of the inter-denominational tradition of all Christians. What this means is all denominations need to hear what God has to say to all Catholics and Protestants together. The New Testament Church is the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ is the New Testament Church. Unity brings growth.(photo credit, classmates.com)

This blog is written in two phases. The former and the latter. The former is from 9 Dec.2011 to 22 Apr.2012. The latter is from 5 Dec.2015 to today (31 Aug.2016). The explanation for this is the interim blogs called theology401 and promisedsoil which you can read when clicking on them as they are highlighted, linked here to follow after reading these.

The phase before us here, is basically starting over from the predecessor-blog called climbingtherock.livejournal.com. You can read that by clicking on it when highlighted. The value of that series of full length articles written to compile the men’s magazine called The Journey.  [The demise of that publication was due to emergency storm relief funding.]

Such articles were written by pastors directly, or indirectly from my personal interviews. The men’s ministry was as successful as it was because of its appeal to Christians locally. Being open to all Protestant and Catholic and Jewish members made the Rock Family Worship Center a true Inter-denominational and inter-racial Christian church.

YOU CAN BE SURE TO LEARN OF THE FUTURE OF OUR CHURCH HERE!

@WordLifeJournal