8/09/2006
Mike Wallace
I was browsing the news and came across this short report regarding Mike Wallace and the Iranian president. I wonder if Mr. Wallace would have been impressed with Hitler, Stalin, or Pol Pot?
8/02/2006
prayers
To all who read this, I have a mission for you. My good friend and his family are engaged in a life or death struggle with cancer. Their 14 month old daughter has a rare form of liver cancer that is already in stage 4. She is very sick and needs answered prayers if she is to win this fight. There is a website where you can keep up to date on her story here.
7/26/2006
Irish Monks
In an incredible find, a 1000 year old psalm book has been uncovered in an Irish bog. Catholic monks in Ireland devoted their lives to copying Scripture and are credited with helping to preserve the faith over the centuries through their efforts. The book was reported to be opened to psalm 83. Here is psalm 83, very interesting. Is Someone trying to tell us something...?
Psa 83:1[[Vulgatte 82:1] canticum psalmi Asaph [Vulgate 82:2] Deus ne taceas ne sileas et non quiescas Deus
Psa 83:2[[Vulgatte 82:3] quia ecce inimici tui tumultuati sunt et qui oderunt te levaverunt caput
Psa 83:3[[Vulgatte 82:4] contra populum tuum nequiter tractaverunt et inierunt consilium adversum arcanum tuum
Psa 83:4[[Vulgatte 82:5] dixerunt venite et conteramus eos de gente et non sit memoria nominis Israhel ultra
Psa 83:5[[Vulgatte 82:6] quoniam tractaverunt pariter contra te foedus pepigerunt
Psa 83:6[[Vulgatte 82:7] tabernacula Idumeae et Ismahelitarum Moab et Aggareni
Psa 83:7[[Vulgatte 82:8] Gebal et Ammon et Amalech Palestina cum habitatoribus Tyri
Psa 83:8[[Vulgatte 82:9] sed et Assur venit cum eis facti sunt brachium filiorum Loth semper
Psa 83:9[[Vulgatte 82:10] fac illis sicut Madian et Sisarae sicut Iabin in torrente Cison
Psa 83:10[[Vulgatte 82:11] contriti sunt in Aendor fuerunt quasi sterquilinium terrae
Psa 83:11[[Vulgatte 82:12] pone duces eorum sicut Oreb et Zeb et Zebee et Salmana omnes principes eorum
Psa 83:12[[Vulgatte 82:13] qui dixerunt possideamus nobis pulchritudinem Dei
Psa 83:13[[Vulgatte 82:14] Deus meus pone eos ut rotam quasi stipulam ante faciem venti
Psa 83:14[[Vulgatte 82:15] quomodo ignis conburit silvam et sicut flamma devorat montes
Psa 83:15[[Vulgatte 82:16] sic persequere eos in tempestate tua et in turbine tuo conturba eos
Psa 83:16[[Vulgatte 82:17] imple facies eorum ignominia et quaerent nomen tuum Domine
Psa 83:17[[Vulgatte 82:18] confundantur et conturbentur usque in saeculum et erubescant et pereant
Psa 83:18[[Vulgatte 82:19] et sciant quia nomen tuum est Dominus solus tu Excelsus super omnem terram
That's how it appears in the archeological discovery anyway, here is an English language translation:
Psa 83:1 A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. O God, do not keep silence; do not hold thy peace or be still, O God!
Psa 83:2 For lo, thy enemies are in tumult; those who hate thee have raised their heads.
Psa 83:3 They lay crafty plans against thy people; they consult together against thy protected ones.
Psa 83:4 They say, "Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!"
Psa 83:5 Yea, they conspire with one accord; against thee they make a covenant--
Psa 83:6 the tents of Edom and the Ish'maelites, Moab and the Hagrites,
Psa83:7 Gebal and Ammon and Am'alek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
Psa 83:8 Assyria also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. [Selah]
Psa 83:9 Do to them as thou didst to Mid'ian, as to Sis'era and Jabin at the river Kishon,
Psa 83:10 who were destroyed at En-dor, who became dung for the ground.
Psa 83:11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmun'na,
Psa 83:12 who said, "Let us take possession for ourselves of the pastures of God."
Psa 83:13 O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind.
Psa 83:14 As fire consumes the forest, as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,
Psa 83:15 so do thou pursue them with thy tempest and terrify them with thy hurricane!
Psa 83:16 Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
Psa 83:17 Let them be put to shame and dismayed for ever; let them perish in disgrace.
Psa 83:18 Let them know that thou alone, whose name is the LORD, art the Most High over all the earth.
One question I have however. They said it was opened to Psalm 83 and then described what in the days that manuscript was written, and in the Vulgate, would have been Psalm 82. Was the Psalm number given in referance to the written content of the page, or was the subject of the Psalm reported based on what is currently known as Psalm 83? The 83rd Psalm in those days would have been what we currently know as the 84th Psalm which is about trusting in and following the Lord.
Psa 83:1[[Vulgatte 82:1] canticum psalmi Asaph [Vulgate 82:2] Deus ne taceas ne sileas et non quiescas Deus
Psa 83:2[[Vulgatte 82:3] quia ecce inimici tui tumultuati sunt et qui oderunt te levaverunt caput
Psa 83:3[[Vulgatte 82:4] contra populum tuum nequiter tractaverunt et inierunt consilium adversum arcanum tuum
Psa 83:4[[Vulgatte 82:5] dixerunt venite et conteramus eos de gente et non sit memoria nominis Israhel ultra
Psa 83:5[[Vulgatte 82:6] quoniam tractaverunt pariter contra te foedus pepigerunt
Psa 83:6[[Vulgatte 82:7] tabernacula Idumeae et Ismahelitarum Moab et Aggareni
Psa 83:7[[Vulgatte 82:8] Gebal et Ammon et Amalech Palestina cum habitatoribus Tyri
Psa 83:8[[Vulgatte 82:9] sed et Assur venit cum eis facti sunt brachium filiorum Loth semper
Psa 83:9[[Vulgatte 82:10] fac illis sicut Madian et Sisarae sicut Iabin in torrente Cison
Psa 83:10[[Vulgatte 82:11] contriti sunt in Aendor fuerunt quasi sterquilinium terrae
Psa 83:11[[Vulgatte 82:12] pone duces eorum sicut Oreb et Zeb et Zebee et Salmana omnes principes eorum
Psa 83:12[[Vulgatte 82:13] qui dixerunt possideamus nobis pulchritudinem Dei
Psa 83:13[[Vulgatte 82:14] Deus meus pone eos ut rotam quasi stipulam ante faciem venti
Psa 83:14[[Vulgatte 82:15] quomodo ignis conburit silvam et sicut flamma devorat montes
Psa 83:15[[Vulgatte 82:16] sic persequere eos in tempestate tua et in turbine tuo conturba eos
Psa 83:16[[Vulgatte 82:17] imple facies eorum ignominia et quaerent nomen tuum Domine
Psa 83:17[[Vulgatte 82:18] confundantur et conturbentur usque in saeculum et erubescant et pereant
Psa 83:18[[Vulgatte 82:19] et sciant quia nomen tuum est Dominus solus tu Excelsus super omnem terram
That's how it appears in the archeological discovery anyway, here is an English language translation:
Psa 83:1 A Song. A Psalm of Asaph. O God, do not keep silence; do not hold thy peace or be still, O God!
Psa 83:2 For lo, thy enemies are in tumult; those who hate thee have raised their heads.
Psa 83:3 They lay crafty plans against thy people; they consult together against thy protected ones.
Psa 83:4 They say, "Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!"
Psa 83:5 Yea, they conspire with one accord; against thee they make a covenant--
Psa 83:6 the tents of Edom and the Ish'maelites, Moab and the Hagrites,
Psa83:7 Gebal and Ammon and Am'alek, Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre;
Psa 83:8 Assyria also has joined them; they are the strong arm of the children of Lot. [Selah]
Psa 83:9 Do to them as thou didst to Mid'ian, as to Sis'era and Jabin at the river Kishon,
Psa 83:10 who were destroyed at En-dor, who became dung for the ground.
Psa 83:11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmun'na,
Psa 83:12 who said, "Let us take possession for ourselves of the pastures of God."
Psa 83:13 O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind.
Psa 83:14 As fire consumes the forest, as the flame sets the mountains ablaze,
Psa 83:15 so do thou pursue them with thy tempest and terrify them with thy hurricane!
Psa 83:16 Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
Psa 83:17 Let them be put to shame and dismayed for ever; let them perish in disgrace.
Psa 83:18 Let them know that thou alone, whose name is the LORD, art the Most High over all the earth.
One question I have however. They said it was opened to Psalm 83 and then described what in the days that manuscript was written, and in the Vulgate, would have been Psalm 82. Was the Psalm number given in referance to the written content of the page, or was the subject of the Psalm reported based on what is currently known as Psalm 83? The 83rd Psalm in those days would have been what we currently know as the 84th Psalm which is about trusting in and following the Lord.
Gay Agenda Defeated
In a narrow decision, the Washington State Supreme Court struck a blow to same sex "marriage" activists and struck down a King County superior court decision which had declared the 1998 Defense of Marriage Act, (DOMA) to be unconstitutional.
It was by no means a strong refutation of gay activists and their attempt to destroy the family by attacking marriage, but it was defeat for the gay lobby non the less. It's funny how the people who cry loudest that "you can't legislate morality" are the ones who try the hardest to legislate immorality. Any way you slice it, their philosophy is devoid of reason.
It was by no means a strong refutation of gay activists and their attempt to destroy the family by attacking marriage, but it was defeat for the gay lobby non the less. It's funny how the people who cry loudest that "you can't legislate morality" are the ones who try the hardest to legislate immorality. Any way you slice it, their philosophy is devoid of reason.
7/25/2006
Seahawks
Training Camp Opens in just four days!!!
I feel really good about this season. With the addition of Julian Peterson at outside linebacker and the return of Ken Hamlin at free safety our defense should be improved over last years. Considering that it took the defense about 1/3 of the season before it really came together under the field leadership of Lofa Tatupu it may actually be much better. Who knows, we may be turning some heads this year with our defensive play. We were tied for the league lead in sacks and we have all the main pieces returning.
Offense may be slightly worse at running the ball with the departure of Hutch and with Alexander having a big fat contract all wrapped up. Our passing game could also suffer with the loss of Juravicius. Maybe Nate Burleson will tear it up though... who knows. Our receiver corps was pretty banged up all last year and we did ok though so maybe it will actually be improved this year.
GO HAWKS!!!
7/24/2006
A year of storms and darkness
I'd like to take this opportunity to address the reality of suffering, death, hardship, and grief.
So far this year has been filled with more than it's share of those things for me. I founded a fire department honor guard and color guard about 5 years ago, so I get called periodically to to perform at funerals and memorial services for fallen firefighters. The year started with the line of duty death of a firefighter from Ocean Shores. His brother also happens to be a firefighter in my local group so my honor guard was part of his memorial service. I even got to do a reading at the memorial. Then a longtime local firefighter who worked for the Federal Fire Department on the Navy base and used to volunteer at the department where I work, died from a cancer caused by exposure to work related contaminates. My honor guard provided services at his memorial also. And again, I did a reading. Just two weeks ago we provided a color guard for a firefighter in Port Angeles who died in a plane wreck off duty. The first two guys both had young children and the third had just put in his retirement papers.
A former co-worker just died unexpectedly two weeks ago and was found by his teenage son. A family member's Mom is very ill with Cancer and appears to be near her time to pass from this life and enter in to eternal glory with Christ our Savior. And distressingly, my good friend and brother firefighter's 14 month old daughter was just diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer and began aggressive chemotherapy over the weekend.
It gives me pause and causes me to reflect on end of life issues, suffering, the pertinance of faith and so on...
I like this prayer from the book "Arise from Darkness" written by Fr. Benedict Groeschel. Fr. Groeschel is a Dr. of Psychologly as well as being a Fransiscan Monk and was a close colaberater of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and her missionary activities in New York.
The following is the prayer written at the end of Chapter 6: When Death Robs Us
O Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind that death may not be my enemy, that I may not fear it in an unseemly way for a Christian, that I may not run from death, so that when death comes and takes those dear to me, I may welcome their release from this valley of tears although I am myself deeply moved and even deprived by their departure from this world. Let me know that death reminds each of us of the infinite reality of life with you. Let me see all things in the perspective of death and everlasting life. And let me not be filled with grief either at the anticipation of my own death or the experience of the death of those dear to me. Rather, strengthen my faith, that in the midst of this changing world I may always come closer to you, who never change and who await me and those dear to me together with the Father and the Son in life everlasting. Amen.
So far this year has been filled with more than it's share of those things for me. I founded a fire department honor guard and color guard about 5 years ago, so I get called periodically to to perform at funerals and memorial services for fallen firefighters. The year started with the line of duty death of a firefighter from Ocean Shores. His brother also happens to be a firefighter in my local group so my honor guard was part of his memorial service. I even got to do a reading at the memorial. Then a longtime local firefighter who worked for the Federal Fire Department on the Navy base and used to volunteer at the department where I work, died from a cancer caused by exposure to work related contaminates. My honor guard provided services at his memorial also. And again, I did a reading. Just two weeks ago we provided a color guard for a firefighter in Port Angeles who died in a plane wreck off duty. The first two guys both had young children and the third had just put in his retirement papers.
A former co-worker just died unexpectedly two weeks ago and was found by his teenage son. A family member's Mom is very ill with Cancer and appears to be near her time to pass from this life and enter in to eternal glory with Christ our Savior. And distressingly, my good friend and brother firefighter's 14 month old daughter was just diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer and began aggressive chemotherapy over the weekend.
It gives me pause and causes me to reflect on end of life issues, suffering, the pertinance of faith and so on...
I like this prayer from the book "Arise from Darkness" written by Fr. Benedict Groeschel. Fr. Groeschel is a Dr. of Psychologly as well as being a Fransiscan Monk and was a close colaberater of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and her missionary activities in New York.
The following is the prayer written at the end of Chapter 6: When Death Robs Us
O Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind that death may not be my enemy, that I may not fear it in an unseemly way for a Christian, that I may not run from death, so that when death comes and takes those dear to me, I may welcome their release from this valley of tears although I am myself deeply moved and even deprived by their departure from this world. Let me know that death reminds each of us of the infinite reality of life with you. Let me see all things in the perspective of death and everlasting life. And let me not be filled with grief either at the anticipation of my own death or the experience of the death of those dear to me. Rather, strengthen my faith, that in the midst of this changing world I may always come closer to you, who never change and who await me and those dear to me together with the Father and the Son in life everlasting. Amen.
Long time no blog
I've been real busy lately and haven't made an entry in 7 days. I understand the feds were so concerned they nearly halted all internet information transfers until I could be located. What's that? Oh, the world didn't stop becuase I wasn't polluting it with my "wisdom".
I went up to Anacortes over the weekend to attend a friends wedding. Now, if you've never been to Anacortes you need to schedule a trip. It's a wonderful town with an interesting history. I graduated from Anacortes High School after moving there in the summer between the tenth and eleventh grade. I always remembered that the name Anacortes came from the daughter of Hernando Cortez who was named Anna. Sounds nice but in researching prior to doing this post I discovered that I am an idiot and that the Hernando Cortez angle is an urban legend. For the real history of Anacortes click here.
The Church in Anacortes in my memory was rather modern (this memory is from '85-'87). I can't remember specifics though, probably because we didn't go to Mass every Sunday or Holy Day when I was in High School. But you've all been to those modern looking 70's and 80's churches with no soul. It's almost as if they did everything in their power to make the church as generic as possible. Maybe they were hoping people wouldn't recognize it as a Catholic church and go there by mistake. Those two decades seemed to focus a lot on appearance and emotion and little on substance and faith.
What a glorious surprise when I walked in vestibule at St. Mary's in Anacortes for the wedding. They had just finished a renovation in 2003 and had lots of beautiful statues, icons, paintings and paint schemes. A giant holy water basin right at the entrance to the narthex where Baptism could be done either by emersion or pouring. The Tabernacle and the sanctuary were beautiful. The tabernacle itself was done so as to resemble a Bynzantine triptych.
I applaud the renovation team and hope that all parishes in the Seattle Archdiocese follow suit when they renovate.
I actually got to meet a blogger from another blog that I look at sometimes. I must have come off as some type of stalker when I initially said hi. There was another blogger there who is a seminarian with Seattle's Archdiocese but he left before I could say hi.
I was a beautiful wedding and I will post later on something from the program that I thought was very nice.
Stay Cool
Pyro
I went up to Anacortes over the weekend to attend a friends wedding. Now, if you've never been to Anacortes you need to schedule a trip. It's a wonderful town with an interesting history. I graduated from Anacortes High School after moving there in the summer between the tenth and eleventh grade. I always remembered that the name Anacortes came from the daughter of Hernando Cortez who was named Anna. Sounds nice but in researching prior to doing this post I discovered that I am an idiot and that the Hernando Cortez angle is an urban legend. For the real history of Anacortes click here.
The Church in Anacortes in my memory was rather modern (this memory is from '85-'87). I can't remember specifics though, probably because we didn't go to Mass every Sunday or Holy Day when I was in High School. But you've all been to those modern looking 70's and 80's churches with no soul. It's almost as if they did everything in their power to make the church as generic as possible. Maybe they were hoping people wouldn't recognize it as a Catholic church and go there by mistake. Those two decades seemed to focus a lot on appearance and emotion and little on substance and faith.
What a glorious surprise when I walked in vestibule at St. Mary's in Anacortes for the wedding. They had just finished a renovation in 2003 and had lots of beautiful statues, icons, paintings and paint schemes. A giant holy water basin right at the entrance to the narthex where Baptism could be done either by emersion or pouring. The Tabernacle and the sanctuary were beautiful. The tabernacle itself was done so as to resemble a Bynzantine triptych.
I applaud the renovation team and hope that all parishes in the Seattle Archdiocese follow suit when they renovate.
I actually got to meet a blogger from another blog that I look at sometimes. I must have come off as some type of stalker when I initially said hi. There was another blogger there who is a seminarian with Seattle's Archdiocese but he left before I could say hi.
I was a beautiful wedding and I will post later on something from the program that I thought was very nice.
Stay Cool
Pyro
7/17/2006
John Paul II
7/16/2006
7/14/2006
Rising Awareness?
This writer seems to understand the problem. Similar statements have been made by the last two Popes. Pope Benedict XVI is picking up the pace and frankness of this call to the faith in Europe.
Pyro
Pyro
7/11/2006
Aquinas on Marriage?
Found this interesting defense of marriage at this blog. It's modeled after St. Thomas Aquinas' writings.
Retaliation?
It's ok, they're just getting even.
What do islamic militants and the Western liberals have in common? It's always someone elses fault, usually your own.
I guess it's a matter of perspective if you're the oppressor getting what you deserve or a helpless victim who needs government assistance and can't be blamed for anything.
Pyro
What do islamic militants and the Western liberals have in common? It's always someone elses fault, usually your own.
I guess it's a matter of perspective if you're the oppressor getting what you deserve or a helpless victim who needs government assistance and can't be blamed for anything.
Pyro
7/10/2006
Test Tube Father
In case you weren't paying attention, the first mammals have been "reproduced" using artificial sperm created from embryonic stem cells. It is being hailed as a breakthrough that could help wipe out male infertility. How wonderful!! It really is a brave new world. There's no need for women or men having babies anymore, in fact, it will be preferred that they don't. In a laboratory scientist will be able to control all aspects of the future being. No more birth defects like freckles or flat feet. If a war is coming you just up the production of people for the fight. In fact, maybe people could be produced for the express purpose of being warriors!
The future's so bright I gotta wear shades.
What was it Paul VI said about reproduction?
Or how about John Paul II?
Pope Paul VI actually predicted that if people didn't embrace the traditional Christian teaching on contraception that four major things would occur. Those are... (thanks to Janet Smith from Univ. Dallas)
1. lead to conjugal infidelity and the general lowering of morality
2. the man" will lose respect for "the woman" and "no longer (care) for her physical and psychological equilibrium" and will come to "the point of considering her as a mere instrument of selfish enjoyment and no longer as his respected and beloved companion
3. widespread acceptance of contraception would place a "dangerous weapon... in the hands of those public authorities who take no heed of moral exigencies (China's and other country's forced abortion programs when you have excess pregnencies)
4. Pope Paul's final warning was that contraception would lead man to think that he had unlimited dominion over his own body (we see this not only in sterilizations but in test tube babies and now cloning)
Pyro
The future's so bright I gotta wear shades.
What was it Paul VI said about reproduction?
Or how about John Paul II?
Pope Paul VI actually predicted that if people didn't embrace the traditional Christian teaching on contraception that four major things would occur. Those are... (thanks to Janet Smith from Univ. Dallas)
1. lead to conjugal infidelity and the general lowering of morality
2. the man" will lose respect for "the woman" and "no longer (care) for her physical and psychological equilibrium" and will come to "the point of considering her as a mere instrument of selfish enjoyment and no longer as his respected and beloved companion
3. widespread acceptance of contraception would place a "dangerous weapon... in the hands of those public authorities who take no heed of moral exigencies (China's and other country's forced abortion programs when you have excess pregnencies)
4. Pope Paul's final warning was that contraception would lead man to think that he had unlimited dominion over his own body (we see this not only in sterilizations but in test tube babies and now cloning)
Pyro
Good News From Iraq
The Iraqi government has requested that the UN revoke American forces immunity from the Iraqi legal system. This is in light of recent crimes that some soldiers have been accused of. I see this as a positive thing, not throwing our citizens at the "mercy" of the Iraqi courts, but that they must be close to being able to stand on it's own if they are ready to do something like this.
Pyro
Pyro
7/09/2006
Sonar settlement
Seems that our submarines will be able to use active sonar after all in the excercises off Hawaii. The whales aren't innocent in this whole thing however. I remember on one patrol when a whale rammed my submarine after hitting us with his SONAR.
Pyro
Pyro
Inconceivable!!
Looks like Mexico has encountered the same situation with their leftists that Washington encountered in the last Gubernatorial election. Some people just can't accept losing. Why is it when liberals/leftists lose an election they refuse to acknowledge that their views/positions are what the voters were rejecting? The same thing happens with failed school levies, the teachers and their cronies come out with all types of statements asserting that the voters just didn't understand. Boo Hoo!! They can't believe for a second that their ideas and plans are what the voters reject. It's like that line from the movie "Princess Bride" when Vizinni keeps saying "Inconceivable!" whenever something he doesn't like happens and finally Inigo replies "You keep on using that word. I do not think it means, what you think it means."
Pyro
7/05/2006
odds, texas hold em, 4th of July, virginity
Why is it that if a person is taking a test and there are two possible answers and the person guesses at the answer, they usually get it wrong? It should be a 50-50 chance of getting it correct but, it never works out that way. In the Navy we had a saying, we called it 50-50-90. When you had to come up with an either/or answer, you had a 50-50 chance of being wrong 90% of the time.
I was playing Texas Hold'm over my Independence Day vacation. I entered a tournament with my Dad and brother at the local Indian casino. It was a horrible tournament with lots of dumb rules. I made the final table and was playing very well. Suddenly, my 50-50-90 curse struck! I was in early position and went all-in (ten times the blind) with pocket Kings, I was called by the small blind who had pocket 9's. Everyone else folded. I had about a 90% chance of winning. I lost when he flopped a third 9. Bad luck is one thing, but for that guy to even give me any action was crazy. I don't mind being unlucky, but to be unlucky against someone who doesn't know how to play or bet just drives me up the wall. Two days later we had the annual family Hold em tournament. It's a friendly family game between uncles, brothers, dads, cousins, nephews, aunts, moms, grandparents/children. A nice relaxing game that pays the top three at a 50-30-20 rate. The champion pocketed about $120.00. I went from being chip leader to being out because of two bad beats. Both times the person (my nephew) filled an inside straight to beat my better hand. The second time he got runner runner!! I'm cursed! But it was fun, I don't mind losing to family, and he was pretty happy.
The temperature was 100+ in the shade every day. We spent lots of time sitting under shade drinking Corona's and eating barbeque. The kids had a blast playing in water all day and running around "Grandmother's". Bed time was usually 11:00 pm, that was when the kids finally got tired. Also, 11:00 pm was when the temperature finally got below 90 degrees. My boy and his cousin, who is about a year older, made their first independant trip to the local convenience store together. The store is in sight and about 3 blocks away. My brother and I sent them on a mission with the wagon. They were to retrieve 10 bags of ice. We gave them about $5.00 more than the price of the ice and told them they could do what they want with the change. They came back 30 minutes later with 10 bags of ice, 3 bags of marbles, a bag of water balloons, and a bag of chips. They were very pleased with themselves. We were pleased with them also.
Finally, I was presented with the temptation of getting in to a theology debate over the perpetual virginity of Mary. My folks have a friend who, as I understand, was raised Catholic but is now in some type of Pentacostal style church. She had a question for my Dad regarding the subject because she was reading a book that stated Catholics believed in the perpetual virginity of Mary. She was simply wondering if the book was accurate. I was called over to field the question. (GETTING SIDETRACKED HERE) You see, since my reversion to the Catholic Church, which involved lots of study of doctrine and theology, I can't be around my family without being asked faith/doctrine questions. Some of my relatives refer to me as "St. Pyro" or " The Deacon". I guess because of how serious I am about practicing the Catholic faith. Sometimes I'm asked questions because there is a sincere desire to understand, sometimes it's because the questioner wants to have a debate. In the past I enjoyed feeding either motivation. Now I choose not to debate, though I want to with every fiber of my being. But I do answer the seeking information questions (END OF SIDETRACK). So this person asks if the perpetual virginity of Mary is a true Catholic doctine. I told her that it was, and that it wasn't just Catholic "doctrine" but that it was Orthodox doctrine as well. I even informed her that Martin Luther and other Protestant Reformers professed it. She then countered with the "fact" from Scripture that Mary had other children (in fact Scripture never discusses Mary having other children, it refers to some other individuals as being the "brothers/bretheren" (english translation) of Jesus). I mentioned that two of the four "brothers" were named elsewhere in scripture as the sons of a different Mary and Clopas or Alphaeus. I began to explain the correlation between the Old Testament Ark of the Covenant and Mary as the New Testament "fulfillment" of the Ark of the Covenant. She wasn't interested and stated that as a faithful Jewish woman she would have done her duty and had other children with her husband. I then disengaged and ended with restating that what she read in her book was accurate and that yes Catholic teaching was that Mary was a perpetual virgin.
It's difficult to address any question about theology without first exploring the topic of authority. Does authority exclusively reside in individual interpretation of Scripture? Is authority shared between a divinely established ecclesial heirarchy and Scripture? Is it possible for an individual to be wrong in their personal theological conclusions derived from studying Scripture? Is it possible for a divinely established ecclesial heirarchy to be wrong when declaring theological truths? Exactly what did Jesus mean when he said "...the Spirit... will guide you into all truth..." John 16: 13.
I understand the difficulty with Mary. When I was away from the Church, I learned to have difficulty with Marian doctrine and the Communion of Saints. For me, I had to understand from where authority came. Only after a person gets a firm understanding of authority can they begin to fully explore all of God's revelation. To fully understand authority requires a trip through Christian history. It's not enough to read what is accepted now by (some) Christians as authoritative Scripture. A person needs to understand how the earliest Christians viewed Sacred Scripture. How they lived their faith life. How they operated in community. How they cooperated with eachother. How they interacted with those outside their communion. How they recognized and dealt with error within the communion of believers. And what they meant when they wrote things down, such as the Apostle's Creed.
Curiously, my folk's friend didn't dwell long on Scripture. She sidestepped the fact that some of the examples of Jesus' "brothers" were elsewhere in Scripture referred to as children of different parents. She began using the extra biblical argument that as a good Jewish wife she would have been having lots of additional children with Joseph after Jesus' birth.
Since I didn't want to argue I didn't try to help her explore the inconsistancy with her tactic. As good Jews, why would Jesus and Mary and John have set up that unorthodox arangement for her care after Jesus' death? Where and when exactly did the duty of a wife in the covenant (old and new) get changed from being fruitful and open to life, to practicing artificial birth control to limit the size of a family? I'm glad she's open to viewing faith matters through the wide lense of cultural conditions, historical context, Scriptural exegisis, and doctrinal continuity. But there needs to be consistency in such things.
When a person looks back through history and researches the pedigree of certain doctrines and beliefs they begin to see just how "Catholic" the Church was since the beginning. And they see just how innovative recent Christian traditions are when they profess things such as Mary and Joseph having many other children.
Blessed Mary, ever virgin, pray for us and lead us to your Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Pyro
I was playing Texas Hold'm over my Independence Day vacation. I entered a tournament with my Dad and brother at the local Indian casino. It was a horrible tournament with lots of dumb rules. I made the final table and was playing very well. Suddenly, my 50-50-90 curse struck! I was in early position and went all-in (ten times the blind) with pocket Kings, I was called by the small blind who had pocket 9's. Everyone else folded. I had about a 90% chance of winning. I lost when he flopped a third 9. Bad luck is one thing, but for that guy to even give me any action was crazy. I don't mind being unlucky, but to be unlucky against someone who doesn't know how to play or bet just drives me up the wall. Two days later we had the annual family Hold em tournament. It's a friendly family game between uncles, brothers, dads, cousins, nephews, aunts, moms, grandparents/children. A nice relaxing game that pays the top three at a 50-30-20 rate. The champion pocketed about $120.00. I went from being chip leader to being out because of two bad beats. Both times the person (my nephew) filled an inside straight to beat my better hand. The second time he got runner runner!! I'm cursed! But it was fun, I don't mind losing to family, and he was pretty happy.
The temperature was 100+ in the shade every day. We spent lots of time sitting under shade drinking Corona's and eating barbeque. The kids had a blast playing in water all day and running around "Grandmother's". Bed time was usually 11:00 pm, that was when the kids finally got tired. Also, 11:00 pm was when the temperature finally got below 90 degrees. My boy and his cousin, who is about a year older, made their first independant trip to the local convenience store together. The store is in sight and about 3 blocks away. My brother and I sent them on a mission with the wagon. They were to retrieve 10 bags of ice. We gave them about $5.00 more than the price of the ice and told them they could do what they want with the change. They came back 30 minutes later with 10 bags of ice, 3 bags of marbles, a bag of water balloons, and a bag of chips. They were very pleased with themselves. We were pleased with them also.
Finally, I was presented with the temptation of getting in to a theology debate over the perpetual virginity of Mary. My folks have a friend who, as I understand, was raised Catholic but is now in some type of Pentacostal style church. She had a question for my Dad regarding the subject because she was reading a book that stated Catholics believed in the perpetual virginity of Mary. She was simply wondering if the book was accurate. I was called over to field the question. (GETTING SIDETRACKED HERE) You see, since my reversion to the Catholic Church, which involved lots of study of doctrine and theology, I can't be around my family without being asked faith/doctrine questions. Some of my relatives refer to me as "St. Pyro" or " The Deacon". I guess because of how serious I am about practicing the Catholic faith. Sometimes I'm asked questions because there is a sincere desire to understand, sometimes it's because the questioner wants to have a debate. In the past I enjoyed feeding either motivation. Now I choose not to debate, though I want to with every fiber of my being. But I do answer the seeking information questions (END OF SIDETRACK). So this person asks if the perpetual virginity of Mary is a true Catholic doctine. I told her that it was, and that it wasn't just Catholic "doctrine" but that it was Orthodox doctrine as well. I even informed her that Martin Luther and other Protestant Reformers professed it. She then countered with the "fact" from Scripture that Mary had other children (in fact Scripture never discusses Mary having other children, it refers to some other individuals as being the "brothers/bretheren" (english translation) of Jesus). I mentioned that two of the four "brothers" were named elsewhere in scripture as the sons of a different Mary and Clopas or Alphaeus. I began to explain the correlation between the Old Testament Ark of the Covenant and Mary as the New Testament "fulfillment" of the Ark of the Covenant. She wasn't interested and stated that as a faithful Jewish woman she would have done her duty and had other children with her husband. I then disengaged and ended with restating that what she read in her book was accurate and that yes Catholic teaching was that Mary was a perpetual virgin.
It's difficult to address any question about theology without first exploring the topic of authority. Does authority exclusively reside in individual interpretation of Scripture? Is authority shared between a divinely established ecclesial heirarchy and Scripture? Is it possible for an individual to be wrong in their personal theological conclusions derived from studying Scripture? Is it possible for a divinely established ecclesial heirarchy to be wrong when declaring theological truths? Exactly what did Jesus mean when he said "...the Spirit... will guide you into all truth..." John 16: 13.
I understand the difficulty with Mary. When I was away from the Church, I learned to have difficulty with Marian doctrine and the Communion of Saints. For me, I had to understand from where authority came. Only after a person gets a firm understanding of authority can they begin to fully explore all of God's revelation. To fully understand authority requires a trip through Christian history. It's not enough to read what is accepted now by (some) Christians as authoritative Scripture. A person needs to understand how the earliest Christians viewed Sacred Scripture. How they lived their faith life. How they operated in community. How they cooperated with eachother. How they interacted with those outside their communion. How they recognized and dealt with error within the communion of believers. And what they meant when they wrote things down, such as the Apostle's Creed.
Curiously, my folk's friend didn't dwell long on Scripture. She sidestepped the fact that some of the examples of Jesus' "brothers" were elsewhere in Scripture referred to as children of different parents. She began using the extra biblical argument that as a good Jewish wife she would have been having lots of additional children with Joseph after Jesus' birth.
Since I didn't want to argue I didn't try to help her explore the inconsistancy with her tactic. As good Jews, why would Jesus and Mary and John have set up that unorthodox arangement for her care after Jesus' death? Where and when exactly did the duty of a wife in the covenant (old and new) get changed from being fruitful and open to life, to practicing artificial birth control to limit the size of a family? I'm glad she's open to viewing faith matters through the wide lense of cultural conditions, historical context, Scriptural exegisis, and doctrinal continuity. But there needs to be consistency in such things.
When a person looks back through history and researches the pedigree of certain doctrines and beliefs they begin to see just how "Catholic" the Church was since the beginning. And they see just how innovative recent Christian traditions are when they profess things such as Mary and Joseph having many other children.
Blessed Mary, ever virgin, pray for us and lead us to your Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Pyro
6/28/2006
Early Independence Day
Because of my work schedule and because I will be away for the holiday, I must do my Independence Day post early. Please forgive my prematurity (I think I just made that word up). I am very fond of my country. For all her flaws she is the greatest country in history. First, let us remember the cost of liberty.
Revolutionary War - 4,435
War of 1812 - 2,260
Mexican War - 13,283
Civil War (Union) - 364,511
Spanish-American War - 2,446
World War I - 116,516
World War II - 405,399
Korean War - 36,574
Vietnam War - 58,209
Gulf War I - 382
War on Terror (Includes
those killed on 9-11-01) - 5,859
* all causualty numbers were taken from official DOD sources here and here. September 11, 2001 casualty numbers were taken from here. I subtracted 19 from the 9-11-01 numbers because I chose not to include the terrorists in the total.
And now some quotes from our first president...
"I am sure that never was a people, who had more reason to acknowledge a Divine interposition in their affairs, than those of the United States; and I should be pained to believe that they have forgotten that agency, which was so often manifested during our Revolution, or that they failed to consider the omnipotence of that God who is alone able to protect them."
"Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
George Wasington, 1732-1799
Commander, Continental Army
President, United States of America
Happy Birthday America!!
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