Health, Happiness, and Holiness

Amazon.com (Click Here)

Createspace (Click Here)

Baby-boomers Cause Social Security Crisis in Amercia

 

Lets take a moment to think about the Social Security Crisis. Social Security was a program established to care for the elderly, a safety net. The program was designed to have "The Many" (active working people) contribute to care for "The Few" (elderly). Yet the baby-boomers participated in and promoted to such an extreme in abortion, they killed so many, that "The Many" is now too small to care for the elderly.

The average birthrate in America is 1.2 children per married couple. This is to say, for every 2 people, they are replaced by 1. How can this reproductive rate sustain a program that requires an increasing reproductive rate, yet even more importantly, how can a society sustain itself when it continues to shrink?

Abortion is a killing ideology...... it not only kills the innocent child, the woman's soul, and is killing America.

When will the world open their eyes....... The only cure is "A Culture of Life!"

The Contraception Deception

There has been a well orchestrated deception about life, love, and commitment. This deception has so permeated our culture that everyone has been affected by it. Click on the link to hear the truth about "The Contraception Deception."



Saint Patrick's Day Weekend

Liz and I drove to the City to Celebrate in an Irish Pub.

But there was a long line to get in....

Luckily My Brother Kevin was already inside and had saved us seats.

The Pub was packed.

There was great Irish Music.

A bit noisy...

Liz and I were having a great time.

And then my brother Tim and Angela showed up.

Three Irish Brothers on Saint Pat's Day!

Then we walked across the street to the Celtic Shop.

Where we met two new friends (Patrick and Patrick). 

The tall Patrick said it was his birthday and he was in the store buying a rosary. As we visited, we found out that he is a P.E. teacher at a catholic school. I was able to bless his rosary that he just bought and gave him a special birthday blessing. When the 6'9'' man began to cry, we all felt it! He then stated "This is going to be a great night!"

We thanked the store owner for the Irish hats.

Handsome

We then drove back to Kev's place to eat and have some wine.

Checking the bottle against the inventory list......Hey that is one of the really expensive wines!

Quick get two more....

What an Irishman.

Full of Blarney!

After a good night's sleep, I took Liz to the Cliff House in San Francisco. 

We had dinner here 18 years ago when we were first married.

It is a really nice place.

With a great view.

What a great adventure and time with my wife and brothers.

Happy Saint Pat's Day Everyone!

A Sacramental Marriage

Great Movie - Strong Example of Virtue and True Marriage!

 

After escaping from a Siberian labor camp in the wake of World War II, German soldier Clemens Forell (Bernhard Bettermann) makes his way toward his wife and children, traveling more than 8,000 miles over the course of three long years to reach his final destination. Hardy Martins directs this critically acclaimed adaptation of the best-selling book by Josef Martin Bauer, a true story of survival and courage.

A "Family" Baptism

Baptism "Fast-Motion"

I was asked to Baptize the daughter (Sandra Bernadette Drewsen) of our close friends tonight.

We gathered around the font.

30 or so close friends made this a small and personal experience.

Then the important words, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, and in the name of the Holy Spirit."

Joseph, the baby's brother helped serve tonight.

And the God Parents, AJ and Elyse are also siblings to the baby.

.....and the newest member of the parish, and maybe of the whole Catholic Church at only "5 days Old."

What a beautiful little girl.

Wives - Be Submissive To Your Husbands

I like the old translation of Ephesians 5:22-24 better than the new one. What is the difference? Instead of “subordinate,” the old translation says “wives should be submissive to their husbands…”

Now before anyone starts readying an angry response to me, please read through what I am thinking, OK?

A few years ago I sent out a Christmas card I made that had the following in it:

Christmas

Christ’s Mass

Mass = Mission

Christ’s Mission: The Incarnation (John 3:16)

Let me expand that one more time:

Submissive

Sub-mission

Under-the-mission

What this is saying is that wives need to be “under the mission” of their husbands. What is the mission of the husband according to Paul? Two parts:

1. to die to himself for his wife as Christ died for the Church;

2. so that she can be holy and immaculate — truly beautiful before him and God.

Notice that both the wife and husband are called to give up themselves — in some senses — for the sake of the other. It is how wives and husbands become holy. To give up part of yourself and never take it back is a challenge that all Christians are called to accept. Wives and husbands are called to do that in a most visible way. A way that the world does not understand. Self-sacrifice is not something that comes to the front of our society’s collective consciousness. Yet married couples have the ability to witness to Christ — to both be submissive to Christ — through their marital giving of themselves to each other.

Is it any wonder that marriage is under such an attack? I know this is a hard reading for many. But the beauty of a life lived in submission to Christ is a wonder to behold. And when two people choose to do that together in marriage, all the world can do is stand back and “scratch its head” in amazement that Christ’s life can be lived out in today’s settings.

Article by: Father Frank E. Jindra

Me, Me, Me, It's All About Me!

I often think about our American culture and our view of security and being self-sufficient. I hear over and over that we need to start saving for retirement at a young age and sock away as much as we can because before you know it, we will be retired and the government wont be able to take care of us.

So what does this really mean? Does this mean that we are to put everything extra away for that day in the future?

I often think  that if everyone instead of socking their money and resources away, used them to take care of their own families, brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, then there would be less struggle in life for so many.

In fact, if we would care for each other, there would be a huge shift in our culture and thoughts about retirement.

Think about it. If we lived in a world where we helped each other out day to day, shared what God has given to us with all the members our our families, this concept and behavior would apply to retirement as well.

If our families chose to freely care for each other, what need would there be for huge retirement savings. Aging parents would always be cared for by their children. If fact, the norm would be that once a person could not work anymore to provide for themselves, automatically family would take them in and care for their needs. I have seen this in Guatemala. I have seen this with some of my friends as well. (And their families are the better for it).

What family wouldn't be blessed to have the wisdom, love and support of a Grandfather or Grandmother in their homes.

Why would anyone choose to reject the needs of others? I can only think that by refusing to care for a family member in need is only due to self-centerdness and selfishness. One who plans for the future while neglecting the current needs of family lives in a world that is only focused on themselves. One who chooses to give a blind eye to the needs of family has made idolatry a greater importance than love.

If being honest, they would truthfully say about life, "It really is all about me."

However, It really is very simple.

When we are young we are cared for by our parents. They feed, love us, care for our needs, ensure that we can obtain a trade, and support us. Then we venture out into the world to find our God-given vocation, and serve others while meeting our own basic needs. Our life isn't to be a life primarily focused on meeting our own wants and desires, yes some of that is fine, but the primary focus should be that of service and love. And when the time comes, and we have a family member, or a parent(s) finding themselves in a place where they need help, we graciously bring them close to us, we bring them right into our homes.

What does a person actually need in life? Actually, only food, water, shelter, some clothing, and love. This really isn't a complicated issue. It only becomes complex when the "Me, Me, Me, It's all about Me" complex becomes a factor. Because this complex is the exact opposite of Love and Charity, our real calling in life.

Yes, one can bring all kinds of factors into the mix, health care needs, etc., but the focus isn't about extending our life here on earth forever, it's about preparing for eternal life.

So as you are socking away your money for retirement, take a minute and honestly look at those in your family, extended Family.

Is there anyone in need?

Is your planning for the future really more important than their current need?

Who's money is it anyway? Did God provide?

Look at your parents, could they actually come live with you? Would their lives be helped by loving them in your home?

What have you made the priorities in your lives?

Would God feel that you have chosen wisely.

The Perfect Weekend

Ride a Horse?

Beautiful Horses

At 45 years old I thought it just might be a good time to learn how to ride a horse.

Liz grew up riding horses and said it was like riding a bike.... but it sure didn't feel like a bike to me.

Taking pictures on a horse isn't as easy as one might think.

I had so much fun.... I kept waiting to feel sore, but it never happened. This horse riding thing is easy!

Wet and Wild Time!

Liz and I jumped in a River Jet Boat and flew down the Beautiful Rouge River.

I really enjoyed spending time with Liz.... She is so much fun.

The river was full of rapids.

So did we slow down?

Oh No!

We went right through them....

We traveled at speeds of over 50 miles per hour and.....

The Jet Boat Captain would spin the boat for a high speed 360 degree donut.

Talk about fun!

Not only did we have an adventurous time, but we spotted 5 different bear along the way.

There is just something so special about watching God's creation in the natural environment.