Obama

A Vote for Obama is a Vote for Dead Children!!

I just saw this sign on another blog and it pretty much sums it all up; I doubt there is anything I can say that makes it more clear unless you want to add that a vote for Obama is a vote for minors being allowed to have abortions without parental consent when they still need a parent to go to doctors appointments with them or a note from a parent saying why they were absent from school or to go on a field trip. Give me a huge break! When did Obama become an expert on what is good for American children?

Wake up America!

Abortion is Murder and Murder is against the law.

Why do we let this happen in our country?

Blessed be God Forever!

Rosary for Life

Please follow the link to The Daily Grotto to read Kathy's post and amazing picture of McClain.

Kathy is encouraging others to join her in praying the rosary each day until election day for McCain/Palin and the pro-life movement.

Please join us as we pray for LIFE!!

Thank you Kathy for getting this started.

The more we pray the more the world will know that Life is precious and murder is wrong!

Blessed be God forever!

JMJ

Rosary-Rosary-Rosary-Rosary-Rosary-Rosary-Rosary-Rosary!!!!!

My brother should be landing back in Camp LeJune, North Carolina as I write!!

A prayer of thanksgiving to Our Lord, who gives us all good things!

Today, my brother returns from his second tour in Iraq.

I rejoice that he is coming home safely.

I pray that he will have a smooth adjustment back to our world.

Only God knows what he has seen and what he has experience while in Iraq, he worked hand-in-hand with the Iraqui police.

Please keep him in your prayers as he works through all that he has gone through during his time in Iraq. Please keep his soldiers in your prayers as well.

My parents are there (and as I write he should have arrived by now) to welcome him home.

Pray my parents will have a wonderful homecoming with him, they will have a safe return to Indiana, and it will be a great time of bonding for them with Kevin.

Thank you for your prayers!

I would post his picture, but my internet explorer keeps

MIchelle's Own Words

"They know his heart, they know his spirit, and the thing that I just encourage people is to judge Barack and judge all of these candidates based on what they do, their actions, their character, what they do in their lives rather than what somebody [else] did when they were 8."

-----Michelle Obama speaking with Larry King during an interview

Michelle's words are very touching (honestly) and when I heard them on the interview and then reread them, I know she believes them with all her heart. However, I just wonder what type of heart a person and what type of spirit a person must have to want to so willingly sign the Freedom of Choice Act that would enable babies to continue to be murdered with less restriction, minors 13 or older can have abortion without parental consent, and babies born alive after a botched abortion do not have the protection of medical attention.

It saddens me to think that a person could think so little of life , especially a person that is running for president.

I pray for Obama that he will have a change of heart. Life is precious, life is good, and Life is a gift from God.

Blessed be God Forever!

JMJ

Remember your Rosary!

Economy

Economy is temporary, Life is Eternal.

God is in charge.

What this economic meltdown should teach us is that our hope is not in the things of this earth, but in God.

--Dr. Alveda King

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayers and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests know to God.

Phil. 4:6

Please pray your rosary today for there are so many things that need our prayers!!

Blessed be God forever!!

Another Pro-Lifesite with the facts you cannot ignore!

Just wanted to share with you this new site I found, Second Look Project. Just follow the link to this site. It has all the facts you need to know about abortion. It shows statics. It is a must read for those who doubt the pro-life stance and a must read for pro-lifers to share some statics and facts.

Blessed Be God Forever!

JMJ

Sarah needs our prayers!!!!!!

Sarah needs our prayers for the BIG debate tonight. Please say an extra rosary for her today so that Our Blessed Mother will intercede for her and help her through this debate.

Please see The Daily Grotto (just click the purple area to go to the site) and the nice entry Kathy has wrote on praying for Sarah.

I know all my fellow prayer warriors will join me in praying for her!

Thanks Kathy for your post and your reminder that Sarah needs our prayers!

Blessed be God Forever!!

JMJ

Happy Birthday to my dad!!

Happy Birthday to one of my heroes!!!

Today is my dad's birthday and I want to wish him a very happy and blessed day!

Unfortunately, I live over 600 miles from my parents and will not be able to be with my dad on his special day.

However, he is in my heart and kept close to me each day this way.

There are several reasons why my dad is one of my heroes.

He has accomplished a lot in his life time so far.

He served his country, he overcame obstacles in his life that I know were hard for him, but the main reason he is my hero is that he (along with my mom) taught me to love others and to serve others as Christ did.

Through his example (and my mom's), they taught me the importance of helping people, standing up for what you think is right, and to work hard to always do the right thing.

I have always been a bit of a "spit fire" when it comes to what I believe and standing up for it. I can remember when I was back in elementary school and they were discussing the closing of my small little Washington School. I was so upset that I was ready to protest on the steps of the school.

Instead of telling me I was foolish, my parents were supportive (do you remember this mom and dad)?

I think this is why I don't hesitate now to protest at an abortion clinic, to work at a soup kitchen, or to flood my elected officials with my letters (let me tell you, Hillary Clinton probably was not happy when I moved to NY).

Growing up with a father like mine taught me that you can make mistakes, just learn from them (yes, you must turn off the electricity in the whole house before touching any electrical wires or you might black out the whole neighborhood), that family is important (we spent so much time with my grandparents and every Sunday morning after church at my Grandma Werline's eating doughnuts and my dad has always stood by me, no matter how much I did not deserve it, and he always stands by his siblings, wife, son, friends, etc.) , he has taught me to make a difference no matter how small it may be, to always believe in people especially when others don't, and to be yourself---others will like you that way.

Most of all, my dad (along with my mom) have given me a strong faith background. I cannot tell you what it means to me to have my parents and my family the same faith.

What a blessing!

I could go on and on, but he knows what he has taught me and knows the he has shaped me into being the person I am today (yes, he even has a hand in my radical views on life, even if he doesn't realize it).

Happy birthday Dad!

I love you more than you will know and you are one of my heroes!

Blessed be God Forever and God Bless my Dad forever!

JMJ

I will say my rosary today for you, Dad!

New SIte I found-- Must to check out!!!!!!

Art work taken from the Prayers for Our Country, the United States of America.

Freedom isn't Free is the title at the top of this sites page. Further down you will see, Prayers for Our Country, the United States of America.

Just click on on the of underlined, purple words and it will take you to the site.

At the site, you will find Prayer for Our President, Prayer for a Moral Country, Prayer for a Better Economy, Prayer for a Wise Government, Prayer for Offering the Daily Rosary for the United States of America, and many more prayers.

Please take the time to check this site out.

Remember, it is our responsibility to pray for our government, our president, and our country.

Again, I will use the writings of Seth from Catholic Land Writer in which he discusses Bishop Scranton's pastoral letter on the obligation of Catholics to defend the Right to Life.

Bishop Scranton emphasizes that, "Being 'right' on taxes, education, health care, immigration, and the economy fails to make up for the error of disregarding the value of a human life.

Don't forget to also check out the 40 Days for Life Site as well. You might even be motivated to sign up for a peaceful vigil outside an abortion mill in your area. In fact, I challenge all of you who read this blog to give an hour for life!! I know my family and I are doing this and it would be great hear about those of you who are doing so as well.

Please also take the time to check out the Catholic Vote site. For Catholics who are dedicated to the teachings of our Faith or should I write, the teachings of Christ, then this site is for you. If you are not a Catholic in line with the teachings of Christ through is Church, this site is especially for you.

As Tom Booth wrote in one of his songs, "I will chose life, I will chose love, I chose to serve Him."

Choosing Life shows love; showing love is serving Him.

Blessed Be God Forever!

JMJ

Don't forget to talk to your mother today,

Pray the Rosary!

Catholic Carnival 192

A Call to Conversion

I have been blessed with being able to, for my first time, host Catholic Carnival 192 during turbulent times in our country, while the40 Days for Life event takes place from coast to coast, and the Year of St. Paul.

It seems as if "A Call to Conversion" on most events that surround our world today can no longer be ignored.

According to http://www.newadvent.org/ , conversion refers to a moral change, a turning or returning to God and to the true religion.

I feel one of the greatest conversions was of St. Paul.

After Jesus' Ascension, Paul wrote in Acts 8:3 that he "was trying to destroy the Church; entering house after house and dragging out men and women, he handed them over for imprisonment." If God can convert Paul, then I see much hope in our country and in our world for conversion on all matters of moral and political issues.

Catholic Writer discusses conversion experiences. He makes an excellent point that the conversion experience is for us to grow in our relationship with God, not so much to grow in our knowledge of the channel we had our conversion experience.

This is an enriching article that I am sure many of you will walk away from yearning to be closer to Our Lord.

Catholic Matriarch in my Domestic Church aka Catholic Mom writes about Fr. Thomas Reese, SJ and how he tries to suggest that it is enough to reduce the number of abortions without making abortion illegal. Catholic Mom points out how he is horribly mistaken. To keep abortion legal means to deny the unborn human person the dignity to which he is entitled.He remains vulnerable to those who are more powerful. Once we decide one class of persons is disposable we are all at risk.

Her article definitely shows that even among our clergy there is a need for a conversion and how our society as a whole needs a conversion of heart when it comes to abortion.

Catholic Mom's article reinforces to the me the importance of the 40 Days of Life event taking place as I write. Please pray for the efforts of 40 Days of Life as all the volunteers try to have a conversion with those seeking abortion or performing abortion. Dave Bereit writes in his daily email:

"Please pray for these precious turnarounds," John Anthony asked, "and for the conversion of all clinic workers and for Eduardo (star of the movie Bella who showed up in Los Angeles at Famiy Planning to help with a peaceful vigil) -- what a courageous witness and backer of courageous words with action!"

To further reach out for conversions in regards to abortions, Christine at A Catholic View writes, "What's Up with You Tube?" You Tube is blocking pro-life videos that expose Sen. Barrack Obama's extremist support for abortion, videos exposing Planned Parenthood's support for Race-Selective Abortions, and Eduardo Verastegui's denouncing of Obama on abortion. However, they were all but fine with the 40 videos of desecration of the Eucharist.

Please read Christine's article and the pray for the conversion of those at You Tube who find that it is okay to block pro-life videos such as the ones mentioned above, but not okay to block the videos desecrating Our Lord in the Eucharist.

As we continue down the road to conversion, Catholic Land writer Seth discusses Bishop Scranton's pastoral letter on the obligation of Catholics to defend the Right to Life.

Bishop Scranton emphasizes that, "Being 'right' on taxes, education, health care, immigration, and the economy fails to make up for the error of disregarding the value of a human life.

Again, a call of conversion is needed for Catholics who do not support the right to life and find other issues more important than life.

Kevin at Exceptional Marriages reflects on the Mass Readings from 9/28. He points out that Our Lord tells us that if one turns from sin to holiness they will be rewarded with the perfect life that is heaven. Conversion is very much a part of turning from sin and keeping our eyes on the Lord. Please read the reflections on last weeks Mass and apply the readings to your own life and your own conversion to grow closer to Our Lord.

To further speak on conversion, Sister Spitfire on her blog Catholic Spitfire Grill speaks on their faith with Jesus Christ and how this is her Catholic identity. She tries to explain the Catholic Mass to those who state that she was being denied a personal relationship with Jesus through her Catholic faith. She reminds us that as Catholics we "find Jesus everywhere we look." Please share her article with your non-Catholic friends who may be tinkering with their own conversion to the Catholic Faith.

Dave at Catholic Journeyman discusses the Fear of God. He discusses Filial Fear, fear of hurting and offending the God who loves us. I also take this quote directing from his article:

I have run into a few Protestants who fully recognise Filial fear, and live it out...the a-C is one of them. He/they have a well formed Conscience and practice their truth which is, in my experience, compatible Universal truth. They are far more Catholic than they would ever admit ...and I quietly smile when I notice this and think "maybe someday they will come home".

May we pray for those who are far more Catholic than they would ever admit that they have a conversion of heart and find the Lord leading them home to the Catholic Church.

We also need to pray for conversion when it comes time for Catholics to Vote during the Presidential Election. Musings from a Catholic Bookstore discusses the Importance of Voting Catholic. It brings up the question of if not voting for one candidate means voting for the other choice. Susie writes about the book Render to Caesar by Archbishop Charles Chaput. Chaput states that it is "absurd to separate our Catholic beliefs with how we vote politically," and, "we can't compromise our beliefs just to fit in with a majority or to soften Christ's message to make it more palatable." His words that Susie brings to us through her blog call for us to come to a conversion of heart if we are not voting by what we believe to be true as Catholics. Susie also shares the link for information on voting Catholic at http://www.catholicvote.com/. I hope you will take the time to check out her article and the Catholic Vote site.

Discussing the Catholic Vote and pro-life issues, Paul writes about The Civic Sin of Omission (or, why any vote not for McCain is Pro-Abortion) at Dying Lying. He quotes Jason Jones who says,“When you live in a constitutional democracy, your civic duty becomes your religious duty." He is so true with the statement that the cause for abortion is one of the ultimate issues of good versus evil in our time. Reading his blog will make you realize that not voting or not voting for a pro-life candidate is a sin of omission.

Patrick at The Paragraph Farmer writes a piece to make clarifications On Praying Protection for Sarah Palin

The Associated Press does not know what to make of a prayer for protection from witchcraft and has tried to make a pastor from Kenya sound like a superstitious bumpkin for blessing Sarah Palin that way, but I see the blessing in a more charitable light common to Catholics and other Christians.

I agree with Patrick that this was a charitable thing to do for Sarah. I just don't think the media recognizes charity when they see it happen.

So far, we have covered the voting issues and pro-life issues and mentioned St. Paul's conversion and praying for the conversion of others. Let us touch on the conversion of Americans who rely on credit to live day-to-day and the financial problems within our country.

David at the Apostolate of Laity writes a wonderful article on the current financial crisis in this country. He writes of secular materialism and greed. He reminds us that Christ did not die a rich man and that even His tomb was borrowed. He also discusses where the true housing crisis takes place and you will be surprised learn that despite what the media makes you think, it is not here in the United States. I take from his article this information:

For if one has Christ in his heart, then all the financial turmoil in the world matters little, and he has found not a temporary bubble, but rather an ocean of hope and peace.

Those words are what we need to hold close to us and pray for a conversion for those who do not see that these words mean so much.

Conversion can only happen with the use of prayer.

The psalms give us a way to voice the anguishes we have not experienced, the joys that might have never been ours, the fears that besiege and beset those around us. They force us to widen our hearts, and like Christ with Martha and Mary, be willing to go beyond acknowledging another’s pain, and imagine it. The psalms let us weep with each other.

Michelle from Quantum Theology brings us to the psalms where we can find comfort amongst our fears and anguishes. These fears could be due to the loss of a loved one or a loss by a friend (as Michelle as experienced) or the fear of conversion of yourself or others, especially those Catholics who are not in line with the true Catholic Vote.

We can also turn to the Saints for intercession as well. Diana writes about St. Vincent DePaul on her blog 7th Generation Texas. St. Vincent DePaul tells us to ". . . trust in Him, I beg you, and you will have fulfillment of what your heart desires." This quote can be applied to the conversion of heart. Diana also tells her readers that prayer is made of ACTS: Adoration, Contrition, Supplication, and Thanksgiving. Thank you for submitting your excellent post Diana. Diana is a first time carnival entry and I want to let her know how welcome she is.

Could you guess what another form of prayer for conversion could be? Yes, the rosary! To find out more about the history of the rosary, please read Deanna's article on The Rosary at

Not Luke Warm.

Snoring Scholar Sarah writes a book review on Rediscovering Catholicism: Journeying Toward Our Spiritual North Star. She admitts she thought it might be just another "Catholic" book, but once into it she discovers it is a treasure chest of information with "down-to-earth" explanations that you can understand. Sara writes:

He talks of witnessing and salvation with an enthusiasm that’s hard not to catch. This book burns with a fire that comes straight from the Holy Spirit, and the practical advice Kelly gives is perfect for us normal folk. He writes it as a real person, not as someone who assumes that their canonization will take place five minutes after their death.

Sara's book review show that even we practicing Catholics need a form of conversion at times and this books seems to enrich the heart with the, as Sara puts it, fire needed for a conversion for a closer relationship with our Lord!

Brian at Christus Vincit writes about the restoration of a Hammond organ whose church is dedicated to the patroness of sacred music. He writes on to give history or this beautiful instrument and even this quote by Mozart:

Mozart proclaimed the pipe organ the “King of Instruments.” For centuries it has been the chosen means of musical support and inspiration for the church. It is the largest of all musical instruments and can speak with a whisper or a roar. The organ alone can produce both the highest and lowest pitches perceptible by the human ear.

This article reminds me that music is also a form of prayer. Hasn't it been said that singing (with the use of the organ) is praying twice. Yes, we can even use music to motivate conversion as well!!

Prepare for Mass (the greatest form of prayer) the blog of Bob's whose entry for this Catholic Carnival 192 is about the parable of the wicked tenants. This parable seems to reflect so much that goes on in our society today. Bob states, "It is by living in Christ, the cornerstone, that we find the peace of God guarding our hearts and minds." With conversion, we can have Christ as our corner stone.

This brings us to the end of this edition of the Catholic Carnival. I thank you for letting me hostess for this 192nd Carnival. It has been a pleasure and a blessing to read each of the articles that were submitted. I have grown in knowledge and in amazement of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who have so much so share and teach.

Feel free to submit you own articles for the next or any future Catholic Carnivals. You can do so by clicking here.

God Bless each of you that submitted to this Carnival and all of you who take the time to read these submissions.

Blessed Be God Forever!

JMJ

Yours in Christ,
Kimberly