Miracles Happen: Let's Pray for a Miracle on Tuesday -- A Trump Win With No Violence!

This is being passed around on Facebook and it is too goose-bump inspiring not to share as widely as possible. As we get ready for the Feast of All Saints, remember that Jesus Christ still lives with us here on the earth. We can go to our king in the golden throne of the tabernacle and waiting for us at the altar. We can bow before Him asking, "Lord, what do you want of me?" Then we can listen as He tells us -- sometimes in words, more often in circumstances like those in this story.

He uses our arms to hug the lonely, our hands to feed the hungry and thirsty, our feet to walk in His footsteps, our lips to offer counsel and consolation to those in need, our ears to listen when just listening is what's needed. What opportunities are waiting for us today and will we see them and respond? "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening."

Stephan Wenz

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DID GOD RIDE THE BROOKLYN SUBWAY

A Miracle for Sunday: Jamie Ogg, Miracle Baby!

The Miracle in Moore, Oklahoma

Whenever a natural disaster strikes, the God haters come out of the woodwork blaspheming Him for not intervening and saving everyone or chalking it up as one more proof that He doesn't exist. The tornado in Moore, OK is no exception. On one atheist's blog, vitriolic comments blaming God were legion. But the reality is, Moore proves the power of God, because despite the tragedy and the devastating material loss the outcome is a miracle. The 1.3-mile wide tornado swept through the town leveling 13,000 homes, but the death toll as of yesterday was 24! That is nothing short of a miracle. 

And the people of Moore, a working class city where "churches outnumber bars", are already rebuilding. As one local resident said, “In California you have earthquakes, in New York, you have hurricanes. Everywhere you’ve got something. We just choose this over everything else. It’s a good place to live. It’s home.” As one Facebook user said in a video he posted showing his home before and after the tornado, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away." Many who spoke to the media after the tornado attributed their survival to God.

One elderly woman describing what happened expressed her sorrow that her little dog was under the rubble. Just at that moment he popped his head out from the ruins. Her tearful response as they were reunited was to say she thought God had only answered one prayer, that she be all right, but he answered both prayers. Her other was for her little dog. It was a touching scene.

Stories are coming in all over about the heroes of Moore: about teachers who shielded their students with their bodies and a nurse who wheeled a mom and her newborn baby down to the hospital cafeteria where they protected the infant between them as they hugged and prayed.

And then there are the stories from those on the ground helping in the aftermath. Mercy Chefs arrived a day after the storm with hot meals. Steve Elliott of Grassfire joined them to help describing his experiences:

Yet the most amazing thing of all that I saw yesterday was not the storm's wrath but the unwavering resiliency and hope in the hearts of the people of this community. 

One man was standing over the ruins of his mother-in-law's house when I asked him if that was his house. "No, this is my mother-in-law's house," he told me. Then he pointed to the left and said, "My house is by that white truck." 

I looked in the direction he pointed. There was no house by the white truck. It had been leveled by the storm. He then told me he had come back to get his employee badge out of his destroyed truck so he could go back to work.

And that's what the people of Moore are doing. Getting to work to clean up and rebuild. They are the salt of the earth. So join in praying for these courageous folks. They illustrate what's really important -- not the stuff we own, but the stuff we're made of!

You can do something practical by helping Mercy Chefs feed folks while they clean up.  To feed the hungry is the first corporal work of mercy. And of course pray for all the families impacted. May God give them courage and peace as they put their lives and homes back together.

Wintley Phipps, Amazing Grace, and the Pentatonic Scale

I think it's interesting that I learned about the pentatonic scale on Pentecost. It's also called the "slave scale" because Negro spirituals are all based on it. You can also learn a little about the history of the famous hymn, Amazing Grace. If you've seen the film, Amazing Grace, you already know.

Ben Carson really stirred things up....

...at the National Prayer breakfast. Did you see his presentation? It was great, although President Obama's body language didn't seem to agree. Since then, Carson's talk went viral and he has been all over the internet. You'll understand after you watch him in action. And read the article below the video to get the rest of the story!



Ben Carson vs. Obama

Did You Watch Nick Wallenda Cross Niagara Falls?

Our family did and it was so inspiring. We heard him constantly praising God and praying to Jesus. But that disappeared from the media coverage. Honest bunch, eh? Wouldn't want to offend anybody -- except almighty God.

Jesus "Omitted" from Niagara Falls Crossing

The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven!

Many saints had amazing experiences: apparitions and locutions, visions of hell, visits to Purgatory and conversations with the poor souls. Now here's the story of a badly injured little boy, Alex Malarkey, who "saw" things happen at the scene of an accident that left him a quadriplegic. He saw his dad fly out of the car and be caught by angels and saw the ambulance take him away. But Alex had already been airlifted from the scene of the accident. I just ordered this book and can't wait to read it. Angels really exist and some special souls are given the gift of meeting them: Abraham, Tobiah, Joshua, and Mary all had encounters with angels. Padre Pio and Jean Vianney both had special relationships with their guardian angels. Why not a little boy today?

Susan Boyle's "Mum" Was Advised to Abort

Susan Boyle wowed the world when she sang "I Dreamed a Dream" on Britain's Got Talent. Her Cinderella story thrills millions around the world. Now she tells in her recent book how doctors advised her mum to abort her and said she'd never amount to anything. “What they didn’t know," she wrote, "was that I’m a fighter and I’ve been trying all my life to prove them wrong.” (Read more here.... )

And she has! The dream goes on for Susan Boyle, and for all who see her as an inspiration and proof that the dream can come true!

Inspiration for Sunday: Use the Talents You Have!

When trials and tribulations come along you have two choices. Moan and groan about what you don't have and you've lost or work as hard as you can with what you have. The young men in the videos below are both blind and lost their sight to cancer. But look at their spirits!  I wish the stories had explored faith a little, but that's not on the media's radar screen. I'd love to know more about these families and their relationship to God. Because with God, all things are possible!

The Butterfly Circus

You will love this short film featuring Eduardo Verástegui and the man with no limbs Nick Vujicic. Compare the heroes of this short film with the anti-heroes of Twilight. Eduardo Verastegui and Nick Vujicic are men of God who witness to the wonder of life and service of others. If you haven't heard Eduardo's conversion story, it's amazing -- also his testimony of counseling outside abortion mills. Skip the soulless vampires and focus on the real deal! If you haven't seen Eduardo's film, Bella, it's one of the most powerful films I've ever seen about offering real hope to women in crisis. Butterfly Circus is filled with the message of hope and transformation. It's worth the 20 minute investment and what a film to share with children! I'm buying it for all my kids for Christmas (Shh...don't tell.)  Enjoy!

Facing the Giants of Fear in Your Life

Last night my husband and I watched the film, Facing the Giants. This overtly Christian movie was written, directed, and produced by members of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany Georgia. Giants was their second film. The third was Fireproof which showed in 800 theatres nationwide and spurred a New York Times bestselling book. Giants tells the story of an underdog high school football team and their coach who through trust in God, hard work, and dedication become winners both on and off the field. In a cameo appearance University of Georgia coach Mark Richt stresses the Christian message of the film - that it isn't worldly goals that make us winners, but commitment to Jesus Christ.

That this moving film was made through the movie ministry of a Christian church is amazing. Fireproof was the leading independent film of 2008 so this little group of believers are showing that David really can stand up to the Goliaths in Hollywood. This film reminds me of one of my favorites - Rudy, about a young man who is determined to make the Notre Dame football team despite his small stature. The same determination that, in real life, inspired Rudy Ruettiger is visible in this inspiring movie. I plan to buy it for my own little football player, a ten-year-old grandson. I only wish he had a coach like the fictional Grant Taylor.

Little Martyr of the Eucharist

Thanks to Jane for sending this story which inspired Fulton Sheen's vow to make a holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament every day for the rest of his life. He kept it.
"The Catholic Church, in her 2000-year history, is never wanting in awe-inspiring stories of heroism and martyrdom.

"From the persecutions of ancient Rome to the Communist atrocities of the 20th century, the Church always had faithful sons and daughters who exhibited extraordinary courage and resolve in face of the most extremes of adversities. One little known story though no less edifying is that of a little Chinese girl-martyr at the time when China had just been run over by the Communists. It is the poignant tale of a little girl’s faith, zeal and keen Catholic sense overcoming fear and oppression.

"The narrative that follows is an adaptation of the English translation of an unnamed priest’s first hand account of the events that happened during the Communist takeover in China (presumably around 1949.) The story was extracted from a collection of beautiful Eucharistic stories and miracles compiled by Fr. Karl Maria Harrer and published originally in German (Die schönsten Eucharistischen Wunder.)":

Uncertain times

When the Communists first came into town, the parish priest started to feel uneasy about his fate not knowing how the intruders would act. During each day that passed, he paid keen attention to every din or commotion that transpired outside the church as he knelt in prayer inside. He was on edge expecting to be executed at any moment.

Just a day after the unwelcome band of soldiers arrived, someone paid him a visit. Thinking it was the police, he was struck with terror. Could this be his end? But contrary to his worst fears, the man at the door turned out to be cordial. As they conversed in Chinese, he was told to proceed with his daily routine. As they parted, his guest accepted a cigar, bowed and eventually left seemingly contented.

Days, weeks and months passed without any untoward incident. He would run into soldiers in the streets but they would only look at him with a straight, cold face but not without a dose of curiosity. Once, he felt perturbed when a certain inspector dropped by to see him.

Turning the tables

One beautiful summer’s day, just when things seemed to be settling down, the dreadful gang of communists finally descended on the town to turn things upside-down. Four soldiers and the inspector unceremoniously barged into the priest’s school house.

The inspector announced to the shocked schoolchildren that sweeping and drastic changes would be implemented from then on. In one fell swoop, the fearsome commander and his cohorts began tearing down the crucifix, holy pictures, blackboards and statues from the walls and laid them on the desks.

In a stentorian voice, he barked orders at the terrified children to put the articles in a box and to take them to the toilet while he threatened them with his handgun. In spite of the harsh treatment, the children resisted but eventually complied reluctantly.

An icon of resistance

But deep back in the room, sat a little girl in her desk; unmoving, with hands folded, and lips tightly shut. As the inspector caught sight of her, he immediately rushed in her direction and shouted curses at her. Mad as hell, he threatened her, “Take this!” But the girl only looked down and hardly flinched thus sending the rest of the terrorized children to gawk with bated breath.

Amidst the ghastly silence, a shot rang out shattering glass and driving the children into tears and screams. The violent disturbance attracted curious townsfolk to gather in front of the school.

The inspector kept on shouting furiously. And yet the little girl remained silent, still frozen like a statue, a big tear rolling off her cheek. At the point of losing composure at the girl’s staunch yet quiet defiance, he turned his ire at the crowd and snapped, “Go find this girl’s father and bring the townspeople here in the church!”

Desecration of the Hosts

As the church filled with people, the little girl’s father was ushered in with hands bound behind his back and placed to the right of the communion rail. Immediately, the girl was forcefully shoved into the communion rail.

The inspector spoke to the crowd and mocked the people’s belief in the Real Presence. And in a malicious and sarcastic tone, he announced that they were tricked into believing that God is present in the tabernacle. In fact, he told them he and his gang of soldiers would stamp on the Hosts with their boots to show nothing would happen.

Then the soldiers rushed on to the tabernacle and forced it opened with their revolvers. The tense crowd watched in silent disbelief. The inspector seized the ciborium, took the lid off and scattered the Hosts on the sanctuary floor.

Egging on his soldiers, he ordered them to go and step on the Hosts. And without hesitation they carried out the dastardly act. Not content with that, he taunted the crowd, “Do you still believe in those fairytales your priest told you?”

Turning to the child’s father he asked him if he still believed. No sooner did the father say yes did the inspector order him to be hauled away.

Dispersal

A non-commissioned officer then entered the scene who spoke with the inspector. They reached an agreement and the inspector submitted to higher authority. The crowd was told to disperse leaving the little girl alone in the communion rail.

The soldiers incarcerated the priest in the church’s coal bin where a small opening allowed him to see the area of the sanctuary where the Hosts lay strewn on the floor as well as the little girl who was leaning on the wall.

A beautiful lady

While peering through the opening, the priest saw a lovely young woman clad in beautiful garments enter and smile. As she hugged her, she said, "Poor child! Poor little one, what have these men done to you? Come with me. Will you?" The child broke into sobs and sought comfort in the woman’s arm and they left.

Witnessing a marvel from his cell

As time went by, the priest lost track of hours and days while imprisoned in the coal bin. He endured the stillness of the surroundings and at times he heard sounds he wasn’t used to. One morning, he heard the door open quietly. Through the little opening, the priest saw the little Chinese girl sneaking ever so carefully into the sanctuary, kneeling and bowing in homage. As she lowered her head, she took a desecrated Host with her tongue. She raised her head, folded her hands, closed her eyes and prayed in silence. Several moments later, she arose and departed.

Every morning the priest witnessed the uplifting scene that became a source of comfort inside the dark and somber environs of his makeshift prison cell. There he eagerly waited the break of dawn expecting to see the sweet, enchanting, little girl receive and adore the Host. Though it occurred many times, he couldn’t recall how often times she came to practice the soul-stirring daily ritual.

A Heroic Death

But alas, the day of final reckoning arrived. As the little heroine went through her daily pious exercise one morning; knees bent, hands folded and absorbed in deep prayer, the church door behind her burst open. Tumultuous screams stirred the air and a shot rang out.
As the priest hurriedly looked through his peephole, he saw the pallid little girl crawl agonizingly along the floor as she reached a Host to receive Holy Communion. When the soldier drew near to check on her, she tried in vain to pull herself up and to fold her hands. Instead she fell on her back and hit her head on the floor with a thud. The little Chinese girl-martyr lay dead motionless on the floor. For a moment, the soldier stood hesitant not knowing what to make of his deed and its fatal outcome. Finally, he turned around and stormed out of the church.
Set free

The moving yet harrowing scene left the priest in a state of shock. While he pondered on that painful experience, his prison door opened and the same soldier went in to announce that he was free to go.

Without any hesitation, he scampered towards the sanctuary to see the lifeless little girl. As he knelt besides her, the soldier approached him and uttered, “Sir, if in every town there was such a little girl, no soldier would ever fight for the Communists!”

Fortunately, the priest still had time to give the little martyr a decent burial. As he left the cemetery and walked along the road, a man approached and invited him into his car. He dropped him off at the border.

Edifying example

The story above moved Archbishop Fulton Sheen to make a vow to pray a holy hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament for the rest of his life. But who wouldn’t be? Indeed, the little Chinese girl’s zeal to receive and adore the desecrated Hosts on the sanctuary floor is really worth emulating much more in our days when lukewarm Catholics take for granted the Real Presence in the church tabernacle. Her acts of reverence put to shame those who present themselves before the Blessed Sacrament in questionable attire or those who fail to show respect by observing silence. May this little Chinese girl-martyr be a shining and glorious example for all of us. May she spur us to make a firm resolve the next time we visit a church to thank Our Lord Jesus Christ for the privilege and opportunity to adore Him FREELY in the Blessed Sacrament!
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References/resources

1. HARRER, Karl Maria, Die schönsten Eucharistischen Wunder, Heft 1-5 (je 48 Seiten) Miriam Verlag, The Little Chinese Girl-Martyr of the Holy Eucharist, http://www.frpaulnewton.com/alittlechinesegirlmartyr.html
2. LUCIA, Rev. Martin, Let the Son Shine Out, http://www.cardinalkungfoundation.org/ar/LetTheSonShineOut.php

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A Song for Times of Trouble

My daughter put me onto this song and the Christian group that sings it. Give this to a young person who needs inspiration. (And maybe to a not too young person as well.) "The voice of truth tells me not to be afraid." I'm also adding Facing the Giants to my netflix list. It looks like one for the family.

A Christmas Tale of a Little Wise Man

I have a friend who has a grandson, Brendan (12), who's been battling leukemia for several years. He also has Downs Syndrome. His mom and grandad both have email lists of prayer warriors and I am fortunate to be on them. So when Brendan has a crisis I get a prayer alert and updates about what they are going through. I've been amazed and edified at the courage of this young man and his family. But I've also been blown away by Brendan's incredible wisdom. I wish I were as spiritually smart as this little victim soul.

My friend sent an email last year sharing a comment Brendan made about why he's going through this on-going battle with cancer. He told his mother that he's helping Jesus with his suffering so that more people will get into heaven.

Recently, Brendan's family had another scare. Brendan is undergoing chemo, but he had an unusual episode where he went catatonic. His eyes rolled up in his head and he just went unconscious which scared his poor mom out of her wits. After going to the emergency room and trying to figure out what was happening, they ended up talking to the psychiatrist who has worked with Brendan before to help him and his family cope.

Here's what my friend, a long-time pro-life activist, sent out to the list:

On Thursday, my grandson, Brendan, was at a clinic in Fairfax for chemo treatment through his central line, implanted months ago to use for administering his chemo. The line began to leak. We had hoped it had been repaired earlier in the week. The old central line was removed surgically, Friday at 12:30 , and a new one put in. This was done with great risks, but the surgery turned out to be successful.

After the surgery, a hospital psychiatrist visited Brendan about his fainting/catatonic fits he goes into when he’s stressed out.

A few minutes after the pleasantries, the doctor asked Brendan why he thought he was having these episodes. Brendan paused, turned and looked the doctor straight in the eyes and said: “Jesus blinds me with his light.” The doctor asked him if he thought this was a good or bad thing. Brendan said it is good because, “Jesus takes over fighting the cancer for me so I can take a rest. Then I wake up and I’m ready to fight cancer more.” This is an exact quote.

The doctor’s jaw dropped. He looked at Brendan’s parents who were speechless but indicated they had never, ever suggested this to him. The doctor said: "In all my 20 years as a doctor treating kids with psychological issues, I’ve never heard such a beautiful response from a kid…and to hear it at Christmas time. Wow!”

The doctor asked Brendan’s parents if they were ok with this and if so, to tell Brendan it was ok with them and they won’t worry about him when it happens again -which they did. The doctor told Brendan he’s great and that he was going to tell the hospital chaplain about “this wonderful patient."

All this, I am convinced, is attributable to your spiritual help. A million thanks to you for this help.

During this Christmas season will you take Brendan and his family to the Christmas crib and pray for the complete success of his chemo treatments? I have no doubt that you will be in this little saint's prayers as well because he has a spirit of gratitude for all the goodness of the people around him.

Christmas is about both giving and receiving. When the wise men travelled to Bethlehem they brought gifts for the Christ child, but what He gave them was worth far more. Your prayers for Brendan and his family will bless you beyond measure.