http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/ministry-religion/ en-us Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:55:26 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417804/posts Churches that are no longer churches, but condominiums, stores, or mosques. A Catholicism in danger of disappearing. A reportage from Amsterdam with an interview with Cardinal Simonis: "We have to start over from the beginning"ROME, December 30, 2009 – Until half a century ago, Dutch and Flemish Catholicism seemed to be in solid shape, strong in its traditions, active in mission. One of its symbols was Fr. Jozef Damiaan de Veuster (1840-1889), an apostle to the lepers on an island in the Pacific, who was proclaimed a saint by Benedict XVI last October 11. A few days ago, just before... L'Espresso http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417804/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:55:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417766/posts "As soon as worldly people see that you wish to follow a devout life they aim a thousand darts of mockery and even detraction at you. The most malicious of them will slander your conversion as hypocrisy, bigotry, and trickery. . . ."Philothea, all this is mere foolish, empty babbling. These people aren't interested in your health or welfare. 'If you were of the world, the world would love what is its own but because you are not of the world, therefore the world hates you,; says the Savior. We have seen gentlemen and ladies spend the whole night, even... Patrick Madrid http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417766/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:07:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417660/posts Whom have I in heaven but thee?  So cried Asaph the psalmist. It is an astonishing moment in the history of man, for Asaph had looked upon the wicked and seen how they prospered. His feet had well nigh slipped, he says. Yet he held fast to two truths that had been revealed to him. The first is that the wicked, by their very deeds, become hard of understanding, and in the end go down to slaughter, like the witless beasts. The second is that, in a way that batters down the fortress of death itself, the just man... Inside Catholic http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417660/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:40:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417361/posts When was the last time you felt God was really doing something new in your life? How many of us have our testimony as an historical narrative but have no current revelation of the Spirit’s work in our lives? Is there a momentum carrying you into whatever buffer zone still remains between you and Jesus? Do you think I am speaking of something mystical, something that God is doing specifically to bring you to a greater level of obedience, trust, and worship? Are you living in yourself or in Him, and is your spirit soaring over all your problems or... Following Judah's Lion http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417361/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:08:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417192/posts Ever since the the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston decided to close 70 churches in 2004, parishioners at five of the churches have refused to leave. The stalemate has cost the archdiocese more $600,000 a year. And that amount could rise. Monica Brady-Myerov reports.Parishioners at St. Bernard Church in Newton, Mass., sit in the pews in November 2004 to protest the Boston Archdiocese's plan to close churches in a money-saving effort following sexual abuse lawsuits that cost the archdiocese millions of dollars. Bob Moon: Back in 2004, the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston decided to close and sell 70 churches. The... Public Radio http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417192/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:33:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417162/posts In an interview with Newsweek's Eleanor Clift, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi criticized the Church for its position on abortion and gays rights and stated that her Bishop has "tried to change my mind" Pelosi responds to questions about abortion in the health-care bill and her insistence that the original pre-Stupak bill did not fund abortion and says of the Bishops "they are not willing to accept facts." It was reported that you were negotiating with the conference of bishops. I talked to one of the cardinals. I said to him that I believe that what we are doing... CMR http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417162/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:58:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417053/posts I was an associate pastor in New York City in the early 1980’s, and one of the other pastors had been a member of the motorcycle gang called the Pagans. They are a large and notorious gang that has a record of violence and drugs. This man, named Tom, began to date a backslidden Christian and led her into a sinful lifestyle. The girlfriend’s mother was a strong believer, and God had burdened her heart not only for her daughter, but for this man Tom. One day, led by the Spirit, this little woman marched right into the Pagan’s clubhouse... Following Judah's Lion http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417053/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:57:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417077/posts A media campaign has been launched in eastern Idaho against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The "Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons" campaign was started by the Truth in Love Ministry... Five billboards have been placed in heavily Mormon southeastern Idaho... SNIP The "Feeling Worthy?" message "targets a foundational fact of Mormonism, the need for all Mormons to achieve worthiness in order to receive eternal life," according to campaign literature. The campaign says God's truth is "the concept of free and full forgiveness through Christ" rather than the "earned forgiveness taught in Mormonism." "There is an... Idaho Statesman http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2417077/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:35:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416435/posts The Conservative movement of today basically consists of individuals with various personal beliefs (both religious and ideological), but conservatism in general sadly rejects outright the absolute authority of the Bible, the Holy Word of Almighty God. It is a “bestselling” book widely reverenced, but too many Conservatives reject its Divine authority and preeminence. These “Subjective Conservatives” cannot see out of this box called time, and thus they are oblivious to the realities of Holy Scripture truth. This includes the coming establishment of the literal Kingdom of Almighty God on earth, as well as their own eternity destiny (John 3:3-5; Romans... The Ignorant Fishermen Blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416435/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:23:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416408/posts It went almost unnoticed, but on December 5th, Benedict XVI articulated one of the most stinging rebukes that has ever been made by a pope of a particular theological school. Addressing a group of Brazilian bishops, Benedict followed some mild comments about Catholic education with some very sharp and deeply critical remarks about liberation theology and its effects upon the Catholic Church.Apart from stressing how certain liberation theologians drew heavily upon Marxist concepts, the pope also described these ideas as “deceitful.” This is very strong language for a pope. But Benedict then underscored the damage that liberation theology did to... CE http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2416408/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:33:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415978/posts <p>ST. MEINRAD, Ind. - The nation's sixth-largest Catholic seminary is reporting its highest enrollment in two decades as more men flock to the southern Indiana campus to pursue the priesthood.</p> <p>The influx of students has left the St. Meinrad School of Theology straining to find classroom and living space for the new seminarians and other students at the campus 65 miles west of Louisville, Ky.</p> AP via the Chicago Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415978/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:25:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415774/posts We just finished celebrating the incredible miracle of God becoming man, and I was reminded by a missionary friend about something Philip Yancey had wrote about the incredible day that; although He existed in the form of God...He emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, and being made in the likeness of men..." Phillip Yancey was looking at his aquarium when he pondered the great Gift God gave us, Himself as a man. This is what he wrote about his thoughts on God's incarnation when he stepped into man's sandals...... “I learned about incarnation when I kept a... An Email from Bethleham http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415774/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:54:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415106/posts Pope Benedict blesses the crowd at St. Peter's square on Christmas day Vatican City, Dec 25, 2009 / 05:10 pm (CNA).- In a message delivered urbi et orbi -to the city and the world- Pope Benedict XVI reflected on the mistery of Christmas, and highlighted that "wherever there is an 'us' which welcomes God’s love, there the light of Christ shines forth, even in the most difficult situations."The following is the Pope's full message: Dear Brothers and Sisters in Rome and throughout the world,and all men and women, whom the Lord loves!"Lux fulgebit hodie super nos,quia natus est nobis... cna http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2415106/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 22:59:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2414824/posts In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you... The Gospel of Luke http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2414824/posts#comment Fri, 25 Dec 2009 04:17:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2414676/posts The origins and meaning of the holiday. St. Francis' stroke of genius. This is how Joseph Ratzinger explained Christmas to the pilgrims who had come from all over the world, just before Christmas Eve. Dear brothers and sisters, with the Christmas novena, which we are celebrating in these days, the Church is inviting us to live in an intense and profound way the preparation for the Nativity of the Savior, which is now imminent. The desire that we all hold in our hearts is that the upcoming feast of Christmas may give us, in the midst of the frenetic activity... chiesa http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2414676/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:22:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2414543/posts In 2002, I had a plane ticket to fly to England to begin a PhD programme in Wesleyan Studies at the University of Manchester, England. I was a Wesleyan-Arminian theologian in the making. I spoke at conferences on John Wesley and wrote several academic publications that were published in the top Wesleyan academic journals including The Wesleyan Theological Journal and The Asbury Theological Journal.1 I even wrote a book entitled Rediscovering John Wesley, about the life, ministry and theology of John Wesley.2 I lived, breathed, believed, wrote and preached Wesleyan-Arminian theology. However, my Wesleyan world began to radically change in... Banner of Truth http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2414543/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:17:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2414364/posts A JUDGE has refused to accept a character reference from a parish priest who tried to prevent a repeat drunk driver from being jailed. Judge Geoffrey Browne said he did not wish to see a letter of reference being offered in his court from a parish priest, although he took into account references provided by a relative of the defendant, and a neighbour. Frank Coen (44), Brackloon, Ballyglunin, Co Galway, was before Tuam District Court on charges of drink-driving and having no insurance. Coen had a number of previous convictions including one for a hit-and-run in 2007, one for drink-driving,... Irish Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2414364/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:43:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2414164/posts "Jesus Loves Strippers." You Tube http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2414164/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:11:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2414068/posts Is the Koran Accurate? How is Islam different than Christianity? Ravi Zacharias explains... You Tube http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2414068/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:44:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2413863/posts “I fell to my knees. I cried out, ‘If there is a God, help me. My life is over.’” That was the agonizing prayer of the young, white felon. Allvoices http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2413863/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:42:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2413472/posts VATICAN CITY, 21 DEC 2009 (VIS) - Today in the Clementine Hall of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father held his traditional meeting with the cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and members of the Roman Curia and of the Governorate of Vatican City State, in order to exchange Christmas greetings. Opening his address, the Pope recalled two events that marked the year 2009 - the conclusion of the Pauline Year and the beginning of the Year for Priests - affirming that both St. Paul and the saintly "Cure of Ars" demonstrate "the broad scope of priestly ministry". "The year now drawing... Vatican Information Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2413472/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:16:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2413451/posts A South Carolina priest missed the $1 million top prize in a poker tournament to be televised this weekend but he won $100,000 for his church and he hopes his participation gives viewers a "fun twist" on their perceptions of the priesthood. (snip) He adds, "God gave me a gift of playing cards — that interest, that hobby — and I could put it to use to help build our church. That just was really exciting for me." (snip) Ordained in July 2007, Trapp is the youngest Catholic priest in the statewide diocese. "A lot of young people out there,... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2413451/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:45:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2413400/posts My Daughter's best friend on her soccer team (U12) was injured at a match on Saturday. She has a spinal contusion diagnosed as Conus Medullaris Syndrome. She is only 11 years old and is paralyzed from the waist down. I do not normally post such things, but she is a wonderful young lady whose life may have just changed forever. Any prayers would be appreciated. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2413400/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:31:17 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2413218/posts A controversy about whether to stand or kneel during the high point of the Catholic Mass has spread from one church in the Belleville Diocese to at least three others. A three-page letter from Belleville Bishop Edward K. Braxton sent Dec. 11 to the Rev. Albert Kreher, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Trenton, orders him to tell his parishioners they must cease standing and instead, kneel during the reading of the Eucharistic Prayer, the point in a Catholic Mass where the bread and wine are believed to be transformed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The message... Belleville News Democrat http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2413218/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:51:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2413062/posts The Pope's plans to visit to a Rome synagogue may be cancelled after moves to push his controversial wartime predecessor towards sainthood. Jewish leaders reacted with anger when he approved a decree recognising the "heroic virtues" of Pius XII, who is accused of turning a blind eye to the Holocaust. They said the Vatican had given them private assurances the procedure leading to possible sainthood would be frozen until wartime archives had been studied further. The timing of the decision has cast a cloud over the German Pope's plan to make his first visit to Rome's synagogue in January. "I... The Telegraph http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2413062/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:01:12 GMT