Sunday, April 29, 2018



Zephaniah


Zephaniah’s prophecy of judgment on Judah and Jerusalem emphasizes, perhaps more than any other prophecy, the devastation and death that divine judgment will bring. Described as the day of the Lord, the Day of Judgment is pictured as a time of darkness, of anguish and distress, of destruction and plunder of cities, and of threat to all life, human and animal alike. The major sins motivating this judgment, in Zephaniah’s view, are Judah’s worship of other deities and its unjust and abusive leadership.[1]

APRIL 29 Fifth Sunday after Easter
FULL PINK MOON

Zephaniah, Chapter 3, verse 7
7I said, “Surely now you will fear me, you will accept correction; They cannot fail to see all I have brought upon them.” Yet the more eagerly they have done all their corrupt deeds.

Zephaniah writes of the wickedness of Jerusalem and God’s desire for its leaders to accept His correction in the end it takes the act of God to set the world right. The prophet calls for the people of Judah to change their hearts for real change begins in the heart. Transformation happens from the inside out. John Maxwell[2] recommends we practice the following to enhance our own leadership:

1.      Work in the areas of your strength. We are most intuitive in the areas of our gifts and interests.
2.      Explore the opportunities in front of you. Our intuition comes most alive when we size up the options near us.
3.      Discern root causes for the issues you face. Work to get past superficial answers and solve root issues.
4.      Analyze past successes. Study your victories and see if you find a pattern that reveals how you won them.
5.      Listen to your gut. Effective leaders lead from their soul. Both your heart and your head have answers.

Fifth Sunday of Easter

The liberty of the New Covenant and its perfection in prayer and the Spirit

GOSPEL. John xvi. 23-30

At that time Jesus said to His disciples: Amen, amen I say to you: if you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it you. Hitherto you have not asked anything in My name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full. These things I have spoken to you in proverbs. The hour cometh when I will no more speak to you in proverbs, but will show you plainlyof the Father: in that day you shall ask in My name: and Isay not to you, that I will ask the Father for you: for the Father Himself loveth you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came out from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again I leave the world and I go to the Father. His disciples say to Him: Behold now Thou speakest plainly, and speakest no proverb; now we know that Thou knowest all things, and Thou needest not that any man should ask Thee. By this we believe that Thou comest forth from God.

Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare[3]

Remember the attacks in Syria


Day of Remembrance for all the Victims of Chemical Warfare commemorates the victims of chemical warfare and serves to reaffirm the world's commitment to eliminate chemical weapons. Thus, the day also serves to promote peace, security and multilateralism. Although, chemical weapons have been banned for some time by the Geneva Convention, they are still infrequently used. The United Nations proclaimed the Day of Remembrance for all the Victims of Chemical Warfare in November of 2005. It has since been celebrated on April 29th, the same date on which the Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force in 1997. The day aims to destroy chemical weapons and further gain adherence to the Convention's articles in order to achieve a safer and more peaceful world.

Remembrance for Victims of Chemical Warfare Facts & Quotes

·         Chemical weapons were used for the first time on a large scale in battle during World War I at the battle of Ypres in 1915. The chemical that was used as a weapon was chlorine gas.
·         90% of the world’s declared chemical weapons stockpile of 72,525 metric tons has been verifiably destroyed.
·         There are three different schedules of chemicals:
1) Schedule One: these are typically used in weapons such as sarin and mustard gas
2) Schedule Two: these are used in weapons such as amiton and BZ
3) Schedule Three: these are typically the least toxic chemicals and are used for research and the production of medicines.
·         For the risks that the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest security threat we face. – Madeleine Albright, American politician and diplomat, first woman to be secretary of state.

Remembrance Victims Top Events and Things to Do

·         Watch a documentary or movie on the perils of chemical warfare. Some popular options are: Science at War: Laboratory of War, Chemical Warfare Watch, Avoiding Armageddon: Chemical Weapons, and Total Recall.
·         Read a book on the widespread dangers of chemical warfare. Some good suggestions are: War of Nerves, Chemical and Biological Warfare: America’s Hidden Arsenal, and a Higher Form of Killing.
·         Spread awareness on social media by using the hashtags #peacenotwar and #remembranceforallchemicalwarfarevictims
·         Visit the site of some of the chemical weapon use. Some ideas, the Battlefields of Ypres, the Battlefields of Passchendaele and the Tokyo Subway.

Full Pink Moon

According to the almanac today we are having a Full Pink Moon; plan to spend some time with the women in your life and develop a true friendship.

Daily Devotions

·         Drops of Christ’s Blood
·         Novena to the Holy Face Day 5
·         Please pray for me and this ministry

Comments

Popular Posts