Free Republic

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem Psalm 86 A Prayer of David. 1. Bow down Your ear, O LORD, hear me; For I am poor and needy. 2. Preserve my life, for I am holy; You are my God; Save Your servant who trusts in You! 3. Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to You all day long. 4. Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 5. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You....

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Matthew 16:23

May 21, 2013 Tuesday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time   Reading 1 Sir 2:1-11 My son, when you come to serve the LORD,stand in justice and fear,prepare yourself for trials.Be sincere of heart and steadfast,incline your ear and receive the word of understanding,undisturbed in time of adversity.Wait on God, with patience, cling to him, forsake him not;thus will you be wise in all your ways.Accept whatever befalls you,when sorrowful, be steadfast,and in crushing misfortune be patient;For in fire gold and silver are tested,and worthy people in the crucible of humiliation.Trust God and God will help you;trust in...

PRAYERS ASCENDING ON HIGHFor All Those Affected By The Catastrophic Tornadoesin Texas And Oklahoma! Heavenly Lord, Please Hold Our Brothers And Sisters In Tornado Alley In The Shelter Of Your Healing Wings! _________________________________________________________________ The Twenty-Third Psalm Mahalia Jackson(Click) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art...

Vatican City, May 20, 2013 / 11:35 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis encouraged bold prayer and faithful trust in God during his homily at Mass today at Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. “A courageous prayer, that struggles to achieve a miracle,� the Bishop of Rome said May 20. “Not prayers of courtesy: 'Ah, I will pray for you,' I say an Our Father, a Hail Mary and then I forget.� Rather, he said, “strong prayer is needed. Humble and strong prayer that enables Jesus to carry out the miracle.� Highlighting the importance of faith in Christ, he told of...

She Prayed by Jayme Durant * When you ask ICR President Dr. John Morris to describe his mother, Mary Louise Morris, he says, “She prayed.” Mary Louise was the wife of ICR founder Dr. Henry Morris, and the mother of ICR’s current CEO, Dr. Henry Morris III. Two of her daughters, Mary Morris Smith and Rebecca Morris Barber, also contribute their time and unique talents to ICR’s work. A third daughter, Dr. Kathy Morris Bruce, serves God’s kingdom as a missionary. Mary Louise invested herself in her husband’s work and in their family. “She prayed extensively,” John says. “Dad started...

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem Psalm 65 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. A Song. 1. Praise is awaiting You, O God, in Zion; And to You the vow shall be performed. 2. O You who hear prayer, To You all flesh will come. 3. Iniquities prevail against me; As for our transgressions, You will provide atonement for them. 4. Blessed is the man You choose, And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple. 5. By awesome deeds...

May 20, 2013   Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time   Reading 1 Sir 1:1-10 All wisdom comes from the LORDand with him it remains forever, and is before all timeThe sand of the seashore, the drops of rain,the days of eternity: who can number these?Heaven’s height, earth’s breadth,the depths of the abyss: who can explore these?Before all things else wisdom was created;and prudent understanding, from eternity.The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdomand her ways are everlasting.To whom has wisdom’s root been revealed?Who knows her subtleties?To whom has the discipline of wisdom been...

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem Psalm 60 For the director of music. To the tune of "The Lily of the Covenant." A miktam of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim and Aram Zobah, and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 1. You have rejected us, O God, and burst forth upon us; you have been angry-now restore us! 2. You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking. 3. You have shown your people desperate times; you have given us wine...

Pray For Our American Heroes and Our Nation Mark 4:22 For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. God Bless America!

May 19, 2013 Pentecost Sunday - Mass during the Day   Reading 1 Acts 2:1-11 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,they were all in one place together.And suddenly there came from the skya noise like a strong driving wind,and it filled the entire house in which they were.Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,which parted and came to rest on each one of them.And they were all filled with the Holy Spiritand began to speak in different tongues,as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heavenstaying in Jerusalem.At...

May 19, 2013 Pentecost Sunday - At the Vigil Mass   Reading 1 Gn 11:1-9 The whole world spoke the same language, using the same words.While the people were migrating in the east,they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there.They said to one another,“Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire.”They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar.Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a cityand a tower with its top in the sky,and so make a name for ourselves;otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth.” The LORD...

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem Psalm 29 A Psalm of David. 1. Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 2. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. 3. The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters. 4. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. 5. The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars...

May 18, 2013   Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter   Reading 1 Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself,with the soldier who was guarding him. Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews.When they had gathered he said to them, “My brothers,although I had done nothing against our peopleor our ancestral customs,I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem.After trying my case the Romans wanted to release me,because they found nothing against me deserving the death penalty.But when the Jews objected, I was...

There has been some misunderstandings about God and healing that needs to be cleared up. Some people think that God puts sickness on people to teach them something, that is not true. The scripture says that Jesus came to undo the works of the devil (1John 3:8). What is one work of the devil, let's look at Acts 10:38, How God anointed Jesus of Nazereth with the Holy Ghost and power: who went about doing good, and healing all that was oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. So, sickness is not of God it is from the...

Russell Ford’s testimony is captivating, surprising, sobering, and, at times, rather humorous. The following interview is much longer than most CWR features, but we think readers will find his story, perspective, and insights both challenging and encouraging. Also, Russell's recent appearance on EWTN's "The Journey Home" can be viewed on the EWTN website. CWR: For those who might not be familiar with your background, let’s go back to the mid-1980s. Prior to going to prison, were you a Catholic? What were you doing prior to being imprisoned? Ford: No, I wasn’t a Catholic. I hunted bounty after I got...

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem Psalm 32 A Maskil of David. 1. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. 3. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. 5. I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will...

Pray For Our American Heroes and Our Nation Armed Forces Day - May 18, 2013 Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me, “I am your salvation.” Psalm 35:1-3 (NIV) ---- ----

May 17, 2013 Friday of the Seventh Week of Easter   Reading 1 Acts 25:13b-21 King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesareaon a visit to Festus.Since they spent several days there,Festus referred Paul’s case to the king, saying,“There is a man here left in custody by Felix.When I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jewsbrought charges against him and demanded his condemnation.I answered them that it was not Roman practiceto hand over an accused person before he has faced his accusersand had the opportunity to defend himself against their charge.So when they came together...

Isaiah 26:8 O Lord, we Love to Do Your Will! Our Heart's Desire is to Glorify Your Name.

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem Psalm 38 A Psalm of David. To bring to remembrance. 1. O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure! 2. For Your arrows pierce me deeply, And Your hand presses me down. 3. There is no soundness in my flesh Because of Your anger, Nor any health in my bones Because of my sin. 4. For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. 5. My wounds are foul and festering Because of my foolishness. 6....

May 16, 2013   Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter   Reading 1 Acts 22:30; 23:6-11 Wishing to determine the truthabout why Paul was being accused by the Jews,the commander freed himand ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to convene.Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before them. Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees,so he called out before the Sanhedrin,“My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees;I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead.”When he said this,a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and...

I spent a lot of time yesterday sorting out my feelings about Gosnell and his conviction, as well as the way some extreme pro-life people are talking about him. Thanks to a few respected colleagues who took some time with me to discuss in private, I think I’ve worked out the three major feelings I have. I suspect most of my readers will agree with the first two, but have questions about the third: 1 I’m glad limited justice has been served. 2 I’m glad he’s going to prison. 3 Yet, I don’t want Gosnell to go to Hell. I’d...

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem Psalm 42 To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah. 1. As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. 2. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? 3. My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?” 4. When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them...

POETRY I always long to compose poetry to condense my love into most beautiful expressions for God, but time after time, I threw my poem and writing away right after I finished. It is impossible to describe how I love Him because He only knows, already knows, and knows more than myself. How can I describe my beating heart of which all motions are only magical vibrations from its Maker’s. I love Him because He first loves me with unconditional and boundless love. I truly believe my poetry, even never materially written, is constantly recited by Him, Him alone, for...

I am vehemently against the death penalty. Now stay with me…this is not a post about my opinion regarding that. You can disagree or agree with me on that some other time. I did want to share a little bit about why I take the words of prolifers so seriously. I have heard so much vitriol spewed from the mouths of “Christian prolifers” since the Gosnell trial has concluded. I feel like I must address it. When I was confirmed as a Catholic, I chose Mary Magdalene as my confirmation saint. I felt an immediate connection to her. She had...

I received a call from a local hospital shortly after 3:00 p.m. informing me that my son David had been beaten up and brought there by ambulance. They were performing X-rays and CT scans. It appears that he suffered a concussion. My wife is at the hospital and I will be following her there in the next few minutes.

CCP is an evil tyranny China has been seized by the Chinese Communist Party It is an evil tyranny Far worse than the nazi party Of the 20th century Many Chinese are suffering misery They are suffering slavery Under this evil tyranny Of the 21st century Because of the people's ignorance They have seized the opportunity What a mockery of the God of Balance And they have erased every trace of human decency I pray that our Beloved Yahushua will fight with me Against this evil tyranny I pray that our Beloved Yahuvah will fight with me Against this lawless...

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem Psalm 62 To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. 1. Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation. 2. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved. 3. How long will you attack a man? You shall be slain, all of you, Like a leaning wall and a tottering fence. 4. They only consult to cast him down from his high position; They delight in lies; They bless with their mouth, But they curse inwardly. Selah...

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need. .Psalm 118:25 We beseech Thee, O LORD, save now! We beseech Thee, O LORD, make us now to prosper!

REGRETS Dearest Lord, receive here my regrets, my sorrows for having offended You. I am so sorry; there is nothing I can do to undo the damages I have inflicted on Your all-loving heart and on souls. I can only now beg Your forgiveness and mercy which I know You will grant me with fullness of joy and kindness. My Lord is slow in anger and full of compassion; He knows full well my poverty, my miserable weakness, my total dependence upon His generosity. I come to You, O Lord, like a beggar for Your riches, like a gravest sinner...

May 14, 2013 Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle   Reading 1 Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers and sisters(there was a group of about one hundred and twenty personsin the one place).He said, “My brothers and sisters,the Scripture had to be fulfilledwhich the Holy Spirit spoke beforehandthrough the mouth of David, concerning Judas,who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus.Judas was numbered among usand was allotted a share in this ministry.For it is written in the Book of Psalms: Let his encampment become desolate,and may no one dwell in it.and:May another take...

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem Psalm 26 A Psalm of David. 1. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. 2. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 3. For thy loving-kindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. 4. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. 5. I have hated the congregation of evildoers; and will not sit with the wicked. 6. I will wash...

May 13, 2013 Monday of the Seventh Week of Easter   Reading 1 Acts 19:1-8 While Apollos was in Corinth,Paul traveled through the interior of the countryand down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them,“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”They answered him,“We have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”He said, “How were you baptized?”They replied, “With the baptism of John.”Paul then said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance,telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him,that is, in Jesus.”When they heard this,they...

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem Psalm 41 To the Chief Musician.A Psalm of David. 1. Blessed is he who considers the poor; The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. 2. The LORD will preserve him and keep him alive, And he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. 3. The LORD will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed. 4. I said, “LORD, be merciful to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.” 5. My enemies...

Pray For Our American Heroes and Our Nation Psalm 3 A Psalm of David. 1. Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. 2. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. 3. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. 4. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. 5. I laid me down and slept; I awoke; for the LORD...

May 12, 2013 Seventh Sunday of Easter   Reading 1 Acts 7:55-60 Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit,looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of Godand Jesus standing at the right hand of God,and Stephen said, “Behold, I see the heavens openedand the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”But they cried out in a loud voice,covered their ears, and rushed upon him together.They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him.The witnesses laid down their cloaksat the feet of a young man named Saul.As they were stoning Stephen, he called...

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem Psalm 35 A Psalm of David. 1. Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me; Fight against those who fight against me. 2. Take hold of shield and buckler, And stand up for my help. 3. Also draw out the spear, And stop those who pursue me. Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.” 4. Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor Who seek after my life; Let those be turned back and brought to confusion Who plot my hurt. 5. Let them be like chaff...

May 11, 2013   Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter   Reading 1 Acts 18:23-28 After staying in Antioch some time,Paul left and traveled in orderly sequencethrough the Galatian country and Phrygia,bringing strength to all the disciples. A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria,an eloquent speaker, arrived in Ephesus.He was an authority on the Scriptures.He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord and,with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus,although he knew only the baptism of John.He began to speak boldly in the synagogue;but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him,they took him asideand explained...

A Letter to a congregation I Have Two Moms May 10, 2013 Many of you know that I was a foster child. When I was a kid, I had never met my father and then my mother died when I was five years old. My two sisters and I were passed around a bit in the “system.” It wasn’t so fun. For that story see this blog: http://www.westsideinfo.com/rwt-blog-24708 Then, just before I turned eight, a family with 5 kids of their own took my two sisters and me into their home. My new mother’s name was Gerrie. She is my...

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem Psalm 3 A Psalm of David. 1. Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. 2. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. 3. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. 4. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. 5. I laid me down and slept; I awoke; for the LORD sustained me....

Pray For Our American Heroes and Our Nation “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 4:6 (NIV) ---- ----

May 10, 2013   Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter   Reading 1 Acts 18:9-18 One night while Paul was in Corinth, the Lord said to him in a vision,“Do not be afraid.Go on speaking, and do not be silent, for I am with you.No one will attack and harm you,for I have many people in this city.”He settled there for a year and a halfand taught the word of God among them. But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia,the Jews rose up together against Pauland brought him to the tribunal, saying,“This man is inducing people to worship...

The Riverside School District, located in Lake City, Arkansas, recently announced the cancellation of its 6th grade graduation ceremonies after a parent objected to the inclusion of Christian prayers (video below). According to FoxNews.com, the public school district made the decision after being contacted by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), which said it was acting on behalf of an unidentified “concerned parent.� Sixth grade parent Kelly Adams (pictured) said that a group of Christian parents are going to find a church that will host a substitute graduation with Christian prayers. Adams told KAIT-TV that the town was "mainly Christian"...

Isaiah 25:1 O Lord, I will Honor and Praise Your Name, for You are my God; You Do Such Wonderful Things!

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem Psalm 9 For the director of music. To the tune of "The Death of the Son."A Psalm of David. 1. [a]I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. 2. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. 3. My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you. 4. For you have upheld my right and my cause; you have sat on your throne, judging righteously. 5. You have rebuked the nations and destroyed...

May 9, 2013    Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord   Reading 1 Acts 1:1-11 In the first book, Theophilus,I dealt with all that Jesus did and taughtuntil the day he was taken up,after giving instructions through the Holy Spiritto the apostles whom he had chosen.He presented himself alive to themby many proofs after he had suffered,appearing to them during forty daysand speaking about the kingdom of God.While meeting with them,he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,but to wait for “the promise of the Fatherabout which you have heard me speak;for John baptized with water,but in a...

The autobiography of Mother Dolores Hart (written with her long-time friend, Richard DeNeut), The Ear of the Heart: An Actress' Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows, is now available from Ignatius Press. Here is some of the descriptive copy, from the Ignatius Press site: Dolores Hart stunned Hollywood in 1963, when after ten highly successful feature films, she chose to enter a contemplative monastery. ... Dolores was a bright and beautiful college student when she made her film debut with Elvis Presley in Paramount's 1957 Loving You. She acted in nine more movies with other big stars such as...