Mindful

There are 574 posts filed in Mindful (this is page 2 of 58).

‘No room’ in Catholic priesthood for homosexual ‘affection’

Excerpts of the Catholic leader’s new book were published Dec. 3. One writer pulled a quote:

Speaking of homosexual attractions, the pope said, “It’s not just an expression of an affection. In consecrated and priestly life, there’s no room for that kind of affection. Therefore, the Church recommends that people with that kind of ingrained tendency should not be accepted into the ministry or consecrated life. The ministry or consecrated life is not his place.”

So it appears that Francis has positioned himself against men with same-sex attraction entering or remaining in the Catholic priesthood.

Old disappointments

1. Mondays are good days, but the energy level sometimes drags.

2. A good group assembled last night, and the lesson on the first family (Adam and Eve, not the US prez and wife) was well received.

3. The logic that says since God is one, all paths lead to him, is deeply flawed. Better this: God is one, and the path to him is also one—in Jesus Christ.

4. Two Christmas parties this week, one Friday night at a restaurant, the other a big barbecue on Saturday. Does anybody fast for the holidays?

5. Ever get a hankering to watch an old Perry Mason show? Were you disappointed afterwards? Most old shows do.

6. An original verse: A wealth of options makes decisions hard, / To get the choices right there’s more to discard.

7. “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies will be exalted when he punishes, the holy God’s authority will be recognized when he judges” Isaiah 5.16.

Importance determines

“Throughout people’s lives, God calls them to Him. He uses good and bad situations and people’s weaknesses and strengths to bring them by life’s end to the realization that He should be the most important person to them. God is not an egotist, but His importance in people’s lives determines whether or not they become who He wants them to be.”

—S. Kughn, Heart Tree for Empty Nesters, pp. 26-27.

Give in to giving

Watch this award-winning video two minutes long by 20-year-old Egyptian. Nicely done.

Nothing particularly religious about it, but Christians know that great Example of giving and the reason behind what they do.

Three going on four

  1. Ammo Girl wrote, “I wouldn’t go back to high school for a billion trillion dollars.” I agree.

  2. KFC is now in SJC. Never was a favorite place of mine, and even less so for being in a mall. Missus wanted to try it out tonight. Done.

  3. Three good, solid days of work and writing. Can tomorrow be four?

  4. Much rain. Reservoirs ought to be full. I don’t mind the cooler temps that come with it.

  5. Book of a few of this year’s outlines of lessons and studies topped 60 pages today. I started this sometime in the second semester.

  6. An original verse: Addiction binds the body and soul, / The empty eye can never be full.

  7. A Bible verse: “The one who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy” Prov 28.13.

Simplest music

  1. Does age increase injuries to muscles? Asking for a friend.

  2. Started to ask a friend about what his writing plans were for 2019, if he was going to make any changes. Then I thought: I need to start making plans.

  3. Has weather ever been dependable? Beginning to have my doubts. Our memory of it probably isn’t accurate. Nor weatherman’s measurements.

  4. Finally got out a new UPLift email to subscribers today. Have you signed up?

  5. What is the simplest music that might be edifying to God’s saints? Much of our hymnology is hard for people to learn.

  6. An original verse: Lowliness will shrink the ego’s size; / The Lord exalts the man of humble eyes.

  7. A Bible verse: “O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor do I have a haughty look. I do not have great aspirations, or concern myself with things that are beyond me” Psa 131.1.

Why turn away?

Using Jn 6.44 as his text, Ed Mathews wrapped up today’s devotional with this paragraph,

Why do people turn away? Matthew 23:37. They have so much to gain! They have nothing to lose! Their problem is threefold. (1) They evaluate Jesus in human terms. How could a carpenter be the Christ? (2) They argue among themselves. Are their opinions greater than the words of God? And (3) they resist divine kindness. Why do the lost reject the Savior? The decision is up to us, Jeremiah 31:3. He has already taken the first step. Now it is our turn.

The second point notes a great problem. Opinions take the place of revelation. We want to talk instead of listening. We preferring collecting, weighing and sifting rather than accepting and submitting.

Focus question: How can I make the word of God central to my understanding of Christ and to my faith?

Por que participo da aula bíblica

Por que participar da aula bíblica: por Eldred Stevens — Este irmão fiel, agora falecido, sugere, em formato muito breve, 15 motivos por que é recomendável participar de estudos e aulas bíblicas. Leia mais!

Publicamos artigo semelhante algumas semanas atrás, mas nunca podemos ter motivação demais para cuidar da alma e servir a Deus.