Mathetes Award

Esther of A Catholic Mom in Hawaii and Kaila of Ego me bene habeo and Joey of Catholic Homeschooled Teens have kindly chosen me to be one of their 5 recipients of the new Mathetes Award.

What is a Mathete?
A brand new award being is being passed out. It is the Mathetes Award, created by Dan King of Management by God to recognize those who take to heart the Great Commission and further God’s Kingdom by creating more disciples for Him. According to Dan mathetes is the Greek word for disciple.The rules for the award, as posted by it’s creator are as follows: In the spirit of this award, the rules are simple.Winners of this award must pick five other “disciples” to pass it on to. As you pass it on, I just ask that you mention and provide links for (1)this post as the originator of the award (Dan King of management by God), (2) the person that awarded it to you, and then (3) name and sites of the five that you believe are fulfilling the role of a disciple of Christ.

I very much thank these bloggers for their kindness, because according to the description I certainly don't believe I live up to it. But anyway, (before everyone starts crying) I will now list off the great bloggers who I believe have wonderful Apostolates and are spreading the word of God faithfully through their blog!

And they are...

1. Nick of Mysterium Fidei

2. Soutenus of A Catholic Notebook

3. Mac McLernon of Mulier Fortis

4. Jimmy Akin of (you won't believe this) JimmyAkin.org

5. John Paul of Abyss of Love

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)

That Would be Big Rule # 3...

"#453. How does one keep Sunday holy?

Christians keep Sunday and other days of obligation holy by participating in the Eucharist of the Lord and by refraining from those activities which impede the worship of God and disturb the joy proper to the day of the Lord or the necessary relaxation of mind and body. Activities are allowed on the Sabbath which are bound up with family needs or with important social service, provided that they do not lead to habits prejudicial to the holiness of Sunday, to family life and to health." (From the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church)

Movie Review: Pathfinder

A while ago a co-worker of mine told me that I should watch this film called Pathfinder, and so the other day I bought the film (since there was a deal at Hastings) and watched it yesterday. Unfortunately, I somehow (accidentally) managed to buy the unrated extended version which I thoroughly regret as you will see below. The story is a legend that 600 years before Columbus discovered America, vikings came and tried to settle in America, but were somehow defeated. In the movie, a young viking boy refuses to help his men fight the natives (therefore was rejected and left) and is adopted by an Indian family. They raise him, but 15 years later the Vikings return and attempt to wipe out every Indian village they can find. This boy may be the only hope in defending these Indians.

OK, I've laid out the story and maybe it sounds like it has some potential. The movie first of all has terrible character development and it is awkward in how it plays out. One scene will jump to the next scene (with different scenery) and it gets quite confusing. There are occasional points in the film where there is dialogue between characters, but it never lasts. The acting was fine, but mostly there was little to act in this film as it is mostly fighting and violence.

The Vikings could pretty much be compared to orcs or monsters. They are brutal and kill every Indian they can get their swords on. The violence too, is not just plentiful but graphic as well, which is very unfortunate. Overall with all the battle scenes (which were pretty much just genocide scenes) it got very tiring and sicking with seemingly very little purpose to all of this. This is a very un-inspirational movie, and I cannot even begin to compare it to some good films like The Gladiator and The Patriot, that although these latter had quite a bit of violence there was an inspirational story line and excellent acting throughout.

I read the reviews for Pathfinder but of course I couldn't find a review on the unrated and extended version. This version possesses more graphic battle scenes and it has a "sex" scene added in which I had to quickly skip.

Overall, I cannot honestly think of a worse movie that I've ever seen. I may very likely end up throwing this one in the trash because yes it was that bad!

5 Star match up...

Acting: 3 stars. Like I said, there was little "acting" in this film as it is mostly fighting.

Entertainment: 1 star. Read above.

Sexual content: 1 star. Tribal clothing is revealing sometimes, 1 scene of attempted rape, and 1 sex scene

Violent content: 1 star. Very graphic violence, torture, and killing in every way possible before modern weapons.

Language content: 3.5 stars. A few bad words scattered throughout.

Other immoral content: 5 stars. The above pretty much covers everything.

Over all rating: 2.4 stars

Not worth watching once...

Blessed are the Pure of Heart, for They Shall see God!

I have recently been struggling with temptations against purity and know that almost everyone out there has to a greater or lesser extent. I sometimes wish so badly that I didn't have to fight this fight, but I am willing to for as long as Our Lord wishes it! I was recommended a book awhile ago called The Courage to be Chaste by Fr. Benedict Groeschel. It is a good book from what I have read and below I would like to give an excerpt below that I believe the Lord shoved in my face today, knowing how it would help me!

"To prepare for the hour of trial it is best to overcome less powerful and virulent temptations. Every temptation that is overcome strengthens a person, even if there are subsequent failures. The most dangerous temptation for those trying to be chaste is what I call the "temptation of temptation."

The tempted person's mind is in a state of conflict. It is a painful time when the individual is pulled in opposite directions. He or she has little or no inner peace, is anxious about the immediate future, apprehensive concerning spiritual danger, and angry and frustrated over such a conflict. Then the temptation of temptation comes: 'Oh, get it over with! What difference will one more episode make. Then I will be at peace or at least able to pray with repentance. God will seem near, whereas He seems so far away now.'

If there is any place in sexual temptation where I am inclined to see the effects of the diabolical, it is precisely in this almost pious suggestion. The antidote to this enticement is to recall that every temptation resisted is a great act of worship of God. To put up with temptation and not seek the easy way out is a powerful acknowledgment of the sovereignty of God and of Christ, our lawgiver and king. Resisting temptation means seeking first the kingdom of God. Even if one falls later on, he has accomplished an act of obedient worship that will not be erased." (page 90 of The Courage to Be Chaste by Fr. Benedict Groeschel)

Hotel Rwanda

Last night I was glad to be able to see a movie I heard good reviews about: Hotel Rwanda. The story is about the Rwandan genocide of 1994 (that killed at least 500,000 innocent people) and one Hotel manager's struggle to save the lives of his family and people that have fled to his four-star Hotel for safety from the brutal killings. The movie possesses excellent acting, and although it is not "enjoyable" to watch, it is a movie many people should see. The thing that was so striking in this movie to me was to see how powerful countries (including America) that although they knew this stuff was going on did nothing to prevent the mass killings---at least not until there were hundreds of thousands dead. I encourage you to watch this movie if you haven't already seen it, and to do what you can to prevent injustice to life!

5 Star match up...

Acting: 4.5 stars
Entertainment: 4 stars (Although not exactly "entertaining", it was certainly captivating)
Sexual content: Some immodest dress and exposure though not focused on.

Violent content: Quite grusome (consider what this film is about), but quite restrained compared to many graphic movies today. There is plently of violence seen (though not gory), people screeming, intense moments, and disturbing images. 3 stars
Language content: 1 "F" word, about 6 "S" words and God's name is abused a couple of times. 2.5 stars

Other immoral content: Not any that is uplifted (except perhaps too much drinking). 4.5 stars

Average: 3.7 stars

I've Been Enrolled...

Actually, not in the army of the United States, but I was just recently enrolled in the Brown Scapular! I've written a post on the Scapular earlier, however I had not been enrolled before. My priest graciously heard my confession, and then led a ceremony enrolling me in this wonderful devotion. My commitment is that I must recite the Divine Office daily---namely, I'll be doing morning, evening, and night prayers from the Christian Prayer book I have. I definitely urge all of you to become apart of this devotion if you are not already. What a wonderful way to prepare for death and for the Lord's coming! Below I'm going to give you some instruction I received when I got my scapular. It is called "The Rule of St. Benedict (For Daily Living)". As you may know, the St. Benedict medal is on many scapulars (mine is no exception) and the rule of St. Benedict should be observed by every Christian in my mind. Read for yourself and I think you'll see why. I know I have a lot of these to work on!

It is written: Do all things with counsel, and thy deeds shall not bring thee repentance.

In the first place, to love the Lord God with all one's heart, all one's soul and all one's strength.

Then one's neighbor as oneself.

Then not to kill. Not to commit adultery. Not to steal.

Not to covet. Not to bear false witness. To honour all men.

Not to do to another what one would not have done to oneself.

To deny oneself, in order to follow Christ.

To chastise the body. Not to seek soft living. To love fasting.

To relieve the poor. To clothe the naked. To visit the sick.

To bury the dead. To help the afflicted. To console the sorrowing. To avoid worldly conduct.

To prefer nothing to the love of Christ.

Not to yield to anger. Not to nurse a grudge.

Not to hold guile in one's heart.

Not to make a feigned, (false show of), peace. not to forsake charity.

Not to swear, lest perchance one forswear oneself. (to swear falsely)

To utter truth from heart and mouth. Not to render evil for evil.

To do no wrong to anyone, and to bear patiently wrongs done to oneself.

To love one's enemies.

Not to render cursing for cursing, but rather blessing.

To bear persecution for justice sake.

Not to be proud. Not a wine bibber, (habitual drinker).

Not a glutton. Not somnolent, (inclined to sleep).

Not slothful. Not a grumbler.

Not a detractor, (slanderer). To put ones hope in God.

To attribute to God, and not to self, whatever good one sees in oneself

but to recognize always that the evil is one's own doing, and to impute it to oneself.

To fear the day judgement. To dread Hell.

To keep constant guard over the actions of one's life.

To desire eternal life with all spiritual longing.

To keep death daily before one's eyes.

To know for certain that God sees one everywhere.

When evil thoughts come into one's heart, to dash them at once on the rock of Christ and to manifest them to one's spiritual advisor (confessor).

To keep one's mouth from evil and depraved talk.

Not to love much speaking.

Not to speak vain words or such as move to laughter.

To listen gladly to holy reading.

To apply oneself frequently to prayer.

Daily in one's prayer, with tears and sighs, to confess one's past sins to God. To amend those sins for the future.

Not to fulfill the desires of the the flesh. To hate one's own will.

not to wish to be called holy before one is holy, but first to be holy, that one may more truly be called so.

To fulfil God's commandments daily in one's deeds.

To love chastity. To hate no man.

Not to be jealous. Not to give way to envy.

Not to love contention, (conflict). To shun vainglory, (boastfulness).

To reverence the old. To love the young.

To pray for one's enemies in the love of Christ.

To make peace with one's adversary before sundown.

And never despair of God's mercy.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET!!!
Please pray for all the victims and their families!

Christian Terrorists?

The New York Times recently published an interesting article (found here) about certain religious books (including many Christian books) that are being banned from some prison libraries because the "Bureau of Prisons" wants to prevent "recruiting grounds for militant Islamic and other religious groups." Okay, I understand the idea being careful in watching what Islamic material is going in there. Islam is a religion that believes in violence. I know I may be "politically incorrect" by saying that (which I am happy to be) but that is just the way it is. For those people who have studied Islam a little they can find that out pretty easily.

However, what about Christianity (and Judaism for that matter)? Why is Christianity being considered dangerous? If Christ was in our culture there probably wouldn't be so many people in prison anyway and there would be a heck of a lot more peace. Likely the 9/11 tragedy wouldn't have occurred if our Nation was a Godly one. However, the Enemy (you know who I'm talking about?) is triumphing here even more by placing limits on religion in our Country. The First Amendment in America guarantees freedom of religion. How could this be called freedom? Our nation is so obsessed with "separation of Church and State" (which is just horse turd to begin with) and yet I find this so ironic. Here the state is determining how the Church is to act here, but yet if the Church DARE step in one inch in State affairs that will not be tolerated.

And we think we live in a free country?

ATTENTION VOTER(S)...

Please inform me as to how my blog is "Too liberal"! Thanks!

One Word, No Explanations Meme

I was tagged by Esther for this one....

1. Yourself: Weird

2. Your spouse: Nadie

3. Your hair: Wacko

4. Your mother: Patient

5. Your father: Teacher

6. Your favourite item: Rosary

7. Your dream last night: Unimportant

8. Your favorite drink: Tea

9. Your dream car: Runs

10. The room you are in: Office

11. Your ex: None

12. Your fear: Evil

13. What you want to be in 10 years: Priest

14. Who you hung out with last night: Parents

15. What you’re not: Perfect

16. Muffins: Blueberry

17. One of your wish list item: laptop

18. Time: 10

19. The last thing you did: Talked

20. What you are wearing: Clothes

21. Your favorite weather: Moderate

22. Your favorite book: Come Rack! Come Rope!

23. The last thing you ate: Chicken

24. Your life: Challenging

25. Your mood: Content

26. Your best friend: Christ

27. What you’re thinking about right now: #27

28. Your car: Old

29. What you are doing at the moment: This

30. Your summer: Busy

31. Your relationship status: Single

32. What is on your TV: Junk

33. What the weather is like: Beautiful

34. When was the last time you laughed: couple minutes ago

I tag anyone who leaves a comment here if you haven't already done it!