Proverbs, Chapter 1, Verse 33
But whoever obeys me dwells in security, in peace, without FEAR of harm.”
We must move toward inward peace!
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
In modern times, with all the violence that is going on in the whole world and with America at the center of any response to terror and terrorists, and rogue nations how should we respond?
First and foremost, we must be without fear; for the Lord is our King. We should search our hearts and seek to retain a heart of peace. Our response must be measured and used with no malice. We must stop evil but not with hatred. We should love the humanity of our enemies, pray for them and do good to them if we can.
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink." (Romans 12:20)
According to the CIA world fact book many of the countries in which we
have the greatest troubles have the lowest per capita income per person in the
world. For example, per capita in the US is $62, 200 a year versus $1700
in North Korea (note the US is 17th in per capita (Hong Kong is 19); it is
interesting to note the number one nation in per capita is Liechtenstein (big
money launders) at $139,100). Our enemies are hungry and used or abused
by ruff creatures of men. Imagine what could happen if we could use the
great economic power of this country and other countries of goodwill to raise
the good men in these regions up: to feed the hungry, give drink to the
thirsty: to empower men of goodwill and remove the ruff creatures of men from
power.
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The
People of the "poor" - those who, humble and meek, rely solely on
their God's mysterious plans, who await the justice, not of men but of the
Messiah - are in the end the great achievement of the Holy Spirit's hidden
mission during the time of the promises that prepare for Christ's coming. It is
this quality of heart, purified and enlightened by the Spirit, which is
expressed in the Psalms. In these poor, the Spirit is making ready "a
people prepared for the Lord."
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"Prayer
is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things
from God." But when we pray, do we speak from the height of our pride and
will, or "out of the depths" of a humble and contrite heart? He who
humbles himself will be exalted; humility is the foundation of prayer, only
when we humbly acknowledge that "we do not know how to pray as we
ought," are we ready to receive freely the gift of prayer. "Man is a
beggar before God."
Great American Smokeout[1]
The
Great American Smoke out is an informal holiday aimed at encouraging citizens
to quit or plan to quit smoking. Smoking is a habit that involves consumption
of tobacco smoke, which has been shown to cause a variety of cancers, most
notably lung and mouth cancer. Lung cancer is currently the leading cause of
Cancer death in the United States and the most preventable type of cancer
worldwide. The Great American Smokeout is promoted by the American Cancer
Society and is held on the third Thursday of November each year in an effort to
reduce cases of preventable cancers, reduce secondhand smoke and improve the health
of all Americans.
Great
American Smokeout Facts & Quotes
·
The
holiday began in 1970, when a man in Massachusetts asked people to give up smoking
for one day, and donate the money saved to the local high school scholarship
fund.
·
According
to the Center for Disease Control, smoking is responsible for 1 in 3 cancer-related
deaths, and 1 in 5 deaths from any cause. Worldwide, tobacco use causes
more than 5 million deaths per year.
·
The
Center for Disease Control state that life expectancy for smokers is 10 years
less than that of non-smokers.
·
The
Center for Disease Control states that middle-aged man who smokes, triples his
risk of dying from some type of heart disease.
·
More
Doctors Smoke Camels than Any Other Cigarette - line used in 1949 commercial
for Camel Cigarettes.
Great
American Smokeout Top Events and Things to Do
·
If
you are a smoker, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for support in quitting. You can
also get help from organizations like smokefree.gov and ucanquit2.org.
·
Organize
a sporting event like soccer or softball as a
way to have fun and otherwise help smokers take their minds off of smoking.
·
Talk
to someone you know who smokes and challenge them to quit for the day.
·
Give
out sugarless gum to otherwise smokers as friendly gesture to promote an
alternative.
·
Watch
movies and documentaries that aim to uncover the tobacco industry and impact of
tobacco addictions:
1) The Insider (1999)
2) Addiction Incorporated (2011)
3) Dying for a Smoke (1992)
4) Smoke & Mirrors: A History of Denial (2000)
St. Michael Helper of the Sick and Dying[2]
Saint Michael the Archangel was
the protector of Israel and is also traditionally known as “The Medicine of
God.” Saint Michael as the military captain of the church of God has a great
interest in the happenings of his people, their calamities and he does not
overlook their calls for his aid. Let us therefore have recourse to him in
times of sickness. He will most certainly come to our assistance bringing the
healing graces of the Redeeming Blood. Yet, if it is the will of the father
that we depart from this world Saint Michael does not abandon us for he is
especially our advocate at our hour of death and assists at every deathbed for
it is part of his office to receive the souls of the elect on their quitting
the flesh. When the last hour of our earthly career draws near we are
confronted by that awful moment when our soul must leave the body which it has
loved so much, to pass through the narrow portal of death, satanic hosts like
raving lions will make a last attack upon our souls. But we need not fear (but
be at peace) if during life we have had devotion to the Precious Blood and have
been faithful in venerating St. Michael and imploring his aid. He will cover us
with his strong shield and lead us safely through the midst of our enemies.
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: Absent
Fathers (Physically & Spiritually)
·
do
a personal eucharistic stations of the cross.
·
Litany
of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
"Faith cannot
save without virtue"
·
Rosary
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