ICEMANforChrist: Monday, May 15, 2017

This blog is based on references in the Bible to fear. God wills that we “BE NOT AFRAID”. Many theologians state that the eighth deadly sin is fear. It is fear and its natural animal reaction to fight or flight that is the root cause of our failings to create a Kingdom of God on earth. By “the power of the Holy Spirit” we can be witnesses and “communicators” of a new and redeemed humanity “even to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:7 8). This blog is dedicated to Mary the Mother of God.

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Monday, May 15, 2017

1 Chronicles, Chapter 14, Verse 17

Thus David’s fame was spread abroad through every land, and the LORD put the fear of him on all the nations.

Great leaders are great followers of the Lord.

You're Going Down, Philistines[1]

· Back in Jerusalem, David is sitting pretty. He takes on a few more wives and they start producing princes and princesses.

· Obviously, the Philistines are worried. They just got rid of Saul and now some other more powerful, more holy, more awesome king has risen up in his place.

· So they set out to attack David.

· But David (who's pretty smart) asks God what he should do. God tells David it's okay to go out and crush the Philistine army.

· And that's just what David does. Well, he actually beats them into surrendering and then burns them alive, but still.

· When Philistine soldiers attack again, David consults God. This time, Yahweh gives him some specific battle directions and David's victorious. God's pretty good at war games.

· David's victories against the Philistines make him famous and all the other nations start to fear Israel. That's just how David and God like it.

Real Men ask God what they should do[2]

The special need for more frequent Communion is on the part of the men and the older boys. No man can afford to "keep his religion in his wife's name." The man is by nature the head of the family, and the family usually ends up where he leads. He can't expect his family to continue to live a very vital Catholic life unless he sets the example. As an Army captain can't hole-up in some rearline trench and cry out, "Onward, Christian soldiers!", neither can the husband and father expect his wife and children to do much in the Church Militant if he is a non-combatant, "too proud to fight." An interesting evidence of the power of example of the adult male in encouraging devout religious practice was had in England during World War II. In a certain Catholic orphanage the larger boys were refusing to obey the Sisters' directives to approach the Communion rail with folded hands. In the neighborhood of the orphanage was a GI camp whose soldiers soon became heroes to the orphan lads. One day a crowd of the GI's came to Mass in the orphanage and went to Communion, of course with hands devoutly folded as is done in our country. When the orphan boys saw Tex and Bill and Tom properly approaching the Communion rail, the troubles of the Sisters with the boys were over. "Example is the school of mankind, and they will learn in no other."

Mission BBQ Armed Forces Day buildup

Every day Mission BBQ will be honoring each branch of the military service from today through Friday I ask your prayers for each service and all of our force to include police and fire on Armed Forces Day on Saturday.

US Army[3]

As priest-chaplains of the Archdiocese for the Military Services we invite you to join with us in prayer. In times of joy and difficulty, in times of fear and doubt, in moments of distress and in times of peace, a simple prayer that comes from the heart becomes the place of your encounter with God’s love, mercy and protection. So take a few minutes to join in praying with us and for us as you remain in our daily prayers. We hope that these sample Catholic prayers will sustain and support you in your journey of faith as you serve the cause of peace, justice and freedom. Please send us your Prayer Petitions. Your petitions will be remembered by priest chaplains throughout the Archdiocese as well as during daily Mass offered at the Archdiocese for the Military Services, Washington, DC.

Prayer for Troops[4]

Let us pray for our brothers and sisters as they go forth with courage and determination to face the forces of violence, weapons of destruction and hearts filled with hate.

RESPONSE: THROUGH THE DARKNESS BRING US TO THE LIGHT.

For our Commander-In-Chief, President ~~Barack Obama~~ and our political and military leaders that they may tirelessly seek peaceful settlements to international disputes; we pray to the Lord:
That the Lord may preserve the members of our Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force from all harm; we pray to the Lord:

That even in war, we may keep clearly before us the defense of all human rights, especially the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; we pray to the Lord:
That the families, relatives and friends of our military members may be strengthened in this time of concern and anxiety; we pray to the Lord:

That the Lord may help families with men and women in the armed forces to cope with daily challenges in the absence of their loved ones; we pray to the Lord:

That our homeland will be preserved from violence and terrorism; we pray to the Lord:
That the nations of the world will seek to work together in harmony and peace; we pray to the Lord:
That the hearts of all men and women will be moved to pursue true peace and justice; we pray to the Lord:

That violence may be overcome by peace; that weapons of destruction be transformed into tools of justice, and hate give way to true charity; we pray to the Lord:

That grateful for and inspired by those veterans who have given their lives for our country we may bravely face the challenges ahead; we pray to the Lord:

Lord God, Almighty Father, creator of mankind and author of peace, as we are ever mindful of the cost paid for the liberty we possess, we ask you to bless the members of our armed forces. Give them courage, hope and strength. May they ever experience your firm support, gentle love and compassionate healing. Be their power and protector, leading them from darkness to light. To you be all glory, honor and praise, now and forever.

Amen.

Please pray for the intention of my dear nephew Sergeant Major Brian Searcy and a former cadet of mine Sergeant First Class Jason Spraggins who have served their nation with the US Army.