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I AM much greater than anything that can be placed on a throne . The way that I AM is much greater than the eye can conceive in itself for it must gather light and a reflection is posed and focused yet as " The Ancient of Days " how can it truly catch something eternal and timeless for I am within myself alone yet constantly expanding . So do not try to piece me together but enjoy me as God Almighty and remember it is my love alone that holds , creates , moves and shapes in an eternal...

Too many political conservatives with biblical values as their base have inadvertently turned their zeal into a religion without realizing it. What happens when political conservatives turn their social activism into a religion?

Featured Term (selected at random): PARACLETE A title of the Holy Spirit. Christ was and remains the first advocate. When he was to leave earth in visible form, he promised "another Paraclete" so that his followers would not be orphans. That Paraclete came on Pentecost. He is the advocate of the Mystical Body, pleading God's cause for the human family, keeping the Church from error, sanctifying souls through the preaching of God's word and through the sacraments. The Holy Spirit, whose function is to teach, bear witness, and "to convince the world of sin," is the love of God...

Benedict XVI's Homily for Solemnity of Pentecost "The Holy Spirit Overcomes Fear" VATICAN CITY, MAY 31, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of Benedict XVI's homily that he gave today in St. Peter's Basilica during Mass for the Solemnity of Pentecost. * * * Dear Brothers and Sisters! Every time that we celebrate the Eucharist we experience in faith the mystery that is accomplished on the altar, that is, we participate in the supreme act of love that Christ realized with his death and resurrection. The one center of the liturgy and of Christian life -- the paschal mystery --...

If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit” (Gal 5:25) Pentecost is one of the major dates in the church’s calendar, along with Christmas and Easter. Our word Pentecost derives from the Greek word for 50. The feast occurs 50 days after Easter. Pentecost was (and is) a Jewish festival celebrated in late spring, 50 days after Passover. Its biblical name is Weeks (Shebuot in Hebrew), because it takes place seven weeks after Pentecost. In Jesus’ time the Jewish feast of Weeks was associated with the gift of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. In...

May 31, 2009                                Pentecost Sunday (Mass during the Day)       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Acts 2:1-11 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,they were all in one place together.And suddenly there came from the skya noise like a strong driving wind,and it filled the entire house in which they were.Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,which parted and came to rest on each one of them.And they were all filled with the Holy Spiritand began to speak in different tongues,as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under...

May 31, 2009                             Pentecost Sunday (At the Vigil Mass)       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Gn 11:1-9 or Ex 19:3-8a, 16-20b or Ez 37:1-14 or Jl 3:1-5 The whole world spoke the same language, using the same words.While the people were migrating in the east,they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there.They said to one another,"Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire."They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar.Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a cityand a tower with its...

The majority of American Christians do not believe that Satan is a real being or that the Holy Spirit is a living entity, the latest Barna survey found. Nearly six out of ten Christians either strongly agreed or somewhat agreed with the statement that Satan "is not a living being but is a symbol of evil," the survey found. Forty percent strongly agreed with the statement while 19 percent of American Christians somewhat agreed. In contrast, about 35 percent of American Christians believe Satan is real. Twenty-six percent strongly disagreed with the statement that Satan is merely symbolic and about...

A new nationwide survey of adults’ spiritual beliefs, conducted by The Barna Group, suggests that Americans who consider themselves to be Christian have a diverse set of beliefs – but many of those beliefs are contradictory or, at least, inconsistent. The survey explored beliefs about spiritual beings, the influence of faith on their life, views of the Bible, and reactions to faiths other than their own. Views on Spiritual Beings The Barna survey asked questions about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Satan, and demons. All 1,871 self-described Christians were asked about their perception of God. In total, three-quarters (78%)...

Going to the Mall About 15 years ago, the Holy Spirit began nudging me to go to the mall to buy some jeans. I was about 25 at the time, and, I liked nice clothes like any other 25 year old, but, I resisted the idea, because I didn't want or need any jeans. I resisted the thought all day. At first I thought it was just me thinking this. He was speaking in a much quieter voice than I was use to. Eventually I realized it was the Holy Spirit prompting me to go. Finally, I said Ok and,...

Though there are many different versions of what happened, in society and politics in the era following the beginning of the "3rd great awakening" ("mass" conversions to Christ, 1830s to 1860s) it began very small and individualistic and that beginning had only one theme. That theme was not theological, not denominational, and not looking for specific answers to specific issues. It was centered on a simple, root-of-man's-problems issue. It sought for individuals to do one thing, as individuals or in groups, in any way they sought to make the time for it. The one thing they were to focus on...

Very few of us have had the benefit of learning the Sabbath and the special type of Christianity that this group shares growing up. Most of us have had to learn it after figuring out what we had been taught growing up (or indoctrinated with, if you prefer) and what most Christians teach/believe is a little off of the mark, so to speak. Those of you who have grown up in this lifestyle probably have had to come to grips with it as well as you have heard and experienced other beliefs from your friends. My kids are pretty young...

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know...this incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:18c Power. You don’t have to go far today to see what the world’s power can produce. It’s the power to control lives, power to distribute millions of dollars with a signature, power to command a hundred thousand soldiers to take out the bad guys, power to put a United States Senate seat up for the highest bidder. There are also positive examples of power: power to raise millions for worthy causes, power to...

'''Yahwah''' '''Yahwah''' is God’s personal name based upon the ancient Semitic language. Take note that the letter 7 in Biblical Hebrew was known as waw and pronounced as w, as in Yhwh, “Yahwah.” In Modern Hebrew 7 is known as vav and pronounced as v. The derivation of Yahwah is from the ancient Semitic words HaYah and HaWah. HaYah means “The Life or The Living.” HaWah means “The Beginning or The happening.” This is a partial list of words associated HaWah: Be, is, was, became, happened and appeared. '''Yahwah reveals His name to Moses''' '''Exodus 3:13-15.''' 13 And Moses said...

SPIRITUAL PROGRESSION by Pam Clark (pamclark@prophetic.net) The woman at the well had faulty doctrine. Jesus revealed a lot of incredible truth to her. He told her that He was the Messiah, something others had really wondered about for centuries. He told her that God is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship in Spirit and in Truth, implying it was more than just form and ritual. This was incredible doctrine. He also told her worship was a matter of the heart, more than just a physical location. He demonstrated the power and doctrine of forgiveness - and He...

SYDNEY, Australia, JULY 19, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Although it's not easy to understand the role of the Holy Spirit in one's life, Benedict XVI says one can be certain that the Spirit is the silent and hidden guide toward unity and reconciliation.The Pope said this at the World Youth Day vigil Saturday night at the Randwick Racecourse in Sydney. Giovanni Maria Vian, director de L'Osservatore Romano, said the discourse of the Holy Father was "one of the most beautiful texts of his pontificate." The Pontiff said the words of Christ taken as the theme of World Youth Day 2008 -- "You...

...Remember the culture wars? This week the Democrats sued for peace. On Friday evening, email queues lit up everywhere with people reacting to Barack Obama's thoughts on life being nasty, bitter and short in small-town America. Time was not long ago that a Democratic candidate could have said such folk cling to guns and religion and are hostile to "diversity" with nary a peep from his party. Before midnight, Hillary was paddling down Whiskey River with the boys at Bronko's. Then on Sunday evening, the white flag really went up over the culture war's battlefield. ...Campbell Brown to Sen. Clinton:...

In July of last year, Hillary Clinton gave an interview to New York Times reporter Michael Luo about her faith. It’s a fairly in depth interview. Well, for your listening pleasure, The Brody File found the actual audio from the interview and it’s real interesting. Reading the transcription of the interview is one thing but hearing Hillary Clinton talk about her faith is very different. Listen here. You can read the transcription here. At the time, the article got significant play but some of the quotes from the whole interview never got used in the article. Here are some key...

Gifts of the Holy Spirit    FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS I recently received the Sacrament of Confirmation as an adult. Although I know that I received the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and know their names, I do not really know what they are. Could you please explain them in one of your columns?  The revelation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is rooted in the prophecy of Isaiah about the coming Messiah: "But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom. The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon...

Jesus said, ‘When he, the Spirit of truth. has come, he will guide you into all truth’ (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. He is truth essentially in himself, and he is the one who leads the church into all truth. But what does Jesus mean by ‘all truth’? He does not mean ‘all truth’ absolutely. The Holy Spirit’s work is not to lead us into all historical, geographical, astronomical and mathematical truth. The Holy Spirit is to lead us into all truth concerning the mysteries of the kingdom of God, of the gospel, of the...

Preacher Dan Smith turned a rap song about babes with booty into a spoof Internet hit, and used it to help create a new church for people who hate church. Dan Smith thinks Christians take themselves too seriously. Pastor Dan Smith's 'Baby Got Book' video, a big hit online, helped him start his Momentum Church. "We can be dorks," he says after Sunday service in suburban Cleveland. "We can be Ned Flanders and basically speak jargon that nobody understands." The 33-year-old pastor has made it his mission to turn the notion of earnest, boring, humorless Christianity on its head —...

Br. James Brent, O.P.  Other Articles by Br. James Brent, O.P.Printer Friendly Version   The Ever-Present Pentecost May 25, 2007 St. Luke's account of Pentecost has a subtle way of making a powerful point.In his Gospel, St. Luke almost always marks the end of individual events in the life of Christ with some clear signal to the reader. The first proclamation of the gospel at Nazareth, with its confrontation between Jesus and the synagogue, ends with the words "but passing through their midst he went away" (Lk 4:30). From there the text transitions to the next story. The Transfiguration...

The Advocate vs. The Accuser In a few months I will publish a book on exorcism and deliverance by which I hope to educate the Church Militant on the reality of spiritual evil and the truth of the ChurchÂ’s power against it. On this weekend where our Church celebrates Pentecost, the great Feast of the Holy Spirit, I offer an excerpt from this upcoming book to highlight the influence of the Holy Spirit in defending our cause against the accusing spirit of the devil. If we are to fight for the salvation of souls, we must know our enemy and...

Fruits of the Holy Spirit Repentance The key to the reception of the Holy Spirit is repentance. John the Baptist was preaching repentance for the forgiveness of sins and as preparation for the coming of the Messiah. He was baptising with water as a symbol of cleansing, but He said that the Messiah would be coming after Him, baptising with fire and with the Holy Spirit.[Matthew 3:11]After the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, Peter spoke to the people and exhorted them to repent and to be baptised, so that their sins would be forgiven and that they...

NOVENA TO THE HOLY GHOST Novena to the Holy Ghost The Novena to the Holy Ghost precedes the Feast of Pentecost. It is one of the oldest novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Ghost on the first Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian. To...

The Father as the Source of the Whole Trinity The Procession of the Holy Spirit in Greek and Latin Traditions by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity The Greek and Latin Traditions About the Procession of the Holy Spirit In its first report on The Mystery of the Church and of the Eucharist in the Light of the Mystery of the Holy Trinity, unanimously approved in Munich on 6 July 1982, the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church had mentioned the centuries-old difficulty between the two Churches concerning the...

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS & RESEARCH MINISTRY www.carm.org The Baptist Confession of Faith With Scripture ProofsBaptist Adopted by the Ministers and Messengers of the general assembly which met in London in 1689 Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scriptures 1._____ The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience, although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and his will which is necessary...

"So if any one be in Christ, there is a new creation; the old things have passed away; behold all things have become new" (II Cor. 5:17, New Tr.). An appreciation of the truth contained in the above passage will prove to be one of the greatest possible helps to the believer who desires to live a truly spiritual life. We have thus far considered birth and resurrection as descriptive of the impartation of life to believers by the Spirit, but even these two terms fail to tell the whole story. A third, that of creation, must be added to...

NEW YORK - A new 10-nation survey of Pentecostal and charismatic Christians, considered the fastest-growing stream of Christianity worldwide, shows they are deeply influencing the Roman Catholic and mainstream Protestant churches and are poised to make a big impact on global affairs. p>The poll released Thursday by the Washington-based Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found that "spirit-filled" Christians, who speak in tongues and believe in healing through prayer, comprise at least 10 percent of the population in nine of the 10 surveyed countries. The study also found that followers are more willing than previously thought to bring their...

Translation: he conversions of Muslims in France to Christianity is a subterranean river only now emerging onto the surface. The Catholic Church says little about the subject except that several hundred people raised as Muslims are baptised every year. An estimated 10,000 ex-Muslims have now converted to Christianity in France, about two thirds of them to Catholicism. The numbers have been rising every year according to the Catholic Association Notre Dame de Kabylie. The reason for the relative silence is due to very heavy family and community pressure. To lend mutual support to these ex-Muslims a Protestant prayer group called...

  Pentecost When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.  And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.  Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.  And at this sound the multitude came...

June 3, 2006 Pentecost SundayAt the Vigil Mass Psalm: Saturday 23 Reading 1Gn 11:1-9 The whole world spoke the same language, using the same words.While the people were migrating in the east,they came upon a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there.They said to one another,“Come, let us mold bricks and harden them with fire.”They used bricks for stone, and bitumen for mortar.Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a cityand a tower with its top in the sky,and so make a name for ourselves;otherwise we shall be scattered all over the earth.” The LORD came down...

"Through the Holy Spirit we are restored to paradise, led back to the Kingdom of heaven, and adopted as children, given confidence to call God "Father" and to share in Christ's grace, called children of light and given a share in eternal glory." - St. Basil, De Spiritu Sancto The Holy Spirit Questions & Answers The Gifts of the Holy Spirit (General) The 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit The Charismatic Gifts Saint Ambrose Saint Basil Saint Augustine Dom Marmion Come, Holy SpiritLitany of the Holy Spirit Novena to the Holy Spirit Novena to the Holy Spirit for the...

Did you know that God actually commands us to be joyful? Joy is not an option for a Christian, but must be a part of your daily life if you are to walk with God and grow spiritually. We are not only to rejoice when things are going well, but we are to rejoice at all times, even when things are going badly for us. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  )4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. (Philippians...

1. The Promise of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament 1.1. Ezekiel prophesies that, after the restoration to the land, God would give the Spirit. 1.1.1. Ezek 36:22-27 (see also Ezek 11:18-20) 22 Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. 23 and I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and...

What was the role of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament? The role of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament was not principally different from the role of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. While there are some differences, there's an essential unity between the two Testaments. The Holy Spirit was active in many ways in Old Testament times. First and foremost was the Trinity's part of the work of creation. In the act of creation itself, the Father, the Son, and the Spirit were all involved. The Spirit brooded over the water and brought order and...

Psalm 17 (18): 2-7, 17I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord s my firmament, my refuge, and my deliverer. My God is my helper, and in him will I put my trust. My protector and the horn of my salvation, and my support. Praising I will call upon the Lord: and I shall be saved from my enemies. The sorrows of death surround me: and the torrents of iniquity troubled me. The sorrows of hell encompassed me: and the snares of death prevented me. In my afflication I called upon the Lord, and I cried to my...

Catholic Church Provides Food, Facilities, Medical Services For Gulf Coast People Displaced By Katrina WASHINGTON (September 1, 2005)--Catholic Church facilities nationwide, and especially in Louisiana, Mississippi and East Texas, are responding to emergency and long-term needs by providing shelters, food, medicine and schooling for Hurricane Katrina refugees. Virtually all dioceses nationwide planned parish collections the first weekends of September. In addition, further immediate assistance is coming through everything from Catholic Charities agencies, St. Vincent DePaul Societies, Catholic schools, Catholic hospitals, parishes, retreat centers and families. Examples abound. The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Texas, where well over 30,000 storm refugees relocated from...

THE MOST STARTLING DEVELOPMENT IN WORLD HISTORY Tuesday, May 24, 2005 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1:00 a.m. Eastern Writer's note: You may have more trouble with this column than with anything you have ever read. I can't say I blame you. It took me a lot of research time before I fully accepted the now-well-attested fact that God has been bringing hundreds of people back from the dead in recent years. By Jim Rutz -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © 2005 WorldNetDaily.com As I was leaving New Delhi in 2003, I called an Indian friend, Rodrick Gilbert, who leads a network of house churches with 26,000 former...

“To say that we are able by our own efforts to think good thoughts or give God spiritual obedience before we are spiritually regenerate is to overthrow the gospel and the faith of the universal church in all ages.” - John Owen All men can be divided into two groups. They are either regenerate or unregenerate. All men are born unregenerate (John 3:3-8). ...Spiritual darkness is in all men and lies on all men until God, by an almighty work of the Spirit, shines into men’s hearts, or creates light in them (Matt 4:16; John 1:5; Act 26:18; Eph 5:8;...

by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. Other Articles by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. Does the Trinity Matter? 05/23/05 Many are ready to give a polite nod of some sort to Jesus of Nazareth. Most honor Him as a great moral teacher. Many even confess Him as Savior. But the Incarnation of the Eternal God? Second person of the Holy Trinity? God can’t be one and three at the same time. Such a notion is at worst illogical, at best meaningless. “This was all invented by the Roman Emperor Constantine in 313 AD,” scoffs a motley crew ranging from the Jehovah’s Witnesses to the DaVinci...

1962 Sunday Missal Mass Readings/Pentecost or Whitsunday Colors: RedINTROITWisdom 1: 7The Spirit of the Lord hath filled the whole world, alleluia; and that which containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. -- (Ps. 67. 1). Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered: and let them that hate Him flee from before His face. V.: Glory be to the Father . . . -- The Spirit of the Lord hath filled the whole world . . . COLLECT - O God, who on this day didst teach the hearts of the faithful by the light...

"CHRISTIANITY EXPLODING Worldwide" "THIRD WORLD sending MISSIONARIES" [from 'WorldNetDaily'- http://www.worldnetdaily.com ] Christianity taking over planet? New book makes case it's fastest growing faith on Earth. [-April 28, 2005 © 2005 WorldNetDaily.com ] What is the fastest-growing religion on Earth? Most news reports suggest it is Islam. But a new book makes a compelling case it is a new, or, perhaps, old form of biblically inspired evangelical Christianity that is sweeping through places like China, Africa, India and Southeast Asia. In "Megashift," author Jim Rutz coins a new phrase to define this fast-growing segment of the population. He calls them "core...

The Work of the Holy Spirit Through The Word Perry B. Cotham There is much confusion relative to the Holy Spirit among religious people. There can be no clear understanding of the scheme of redemption without a clear understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit. To be ignorant on this subject is to lead one, in one way or another, into serious errors on the whole plan of salvation.Neo-Pentecostalism, which is based on misconceptions of the Spirit, and is largely emotionalism, is growing all over the world. So it is imperative that we know what the Bible teaches...

Litany of the Holy Spirit Lord, have mercy on us.Christ, have mercy on us.Lord, have mercy on us. Father all powerful, have mercy on usJesus, Eternal Son of the Father, Redeemer of the world, save us.Spirit of the Father and the Son, boundless life of both, sanctify us.Holy Trinity, hear us. Holy Spirit, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, enter our hearts.Holy Spirit, Who art equal to the Father and the Son, enter our hearts. Promise of God the Father, have mercy on us.Ray of heavenly light, have mercy on usAuthor of all good, have mercy on usSource...

Filioque The Western Church commonly uses a version of the Nicene creed which has the Latin word filioque ("and the Son") added after the declaration that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father. Scripture reveals that the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. The external relationships of the persons of the Trinity mirror their internal relationships. Just as the Father externally sent the Son into the world in time, the Son internally proceeds from the Father in the Trinity. Just as the Spirit is externally sent into the world by the Son as well as the Father (John...

IS THERE A MYSTERIOUS DARK FORCE THAT HOVERS OVER THAT SPOT CALLED PINELLAS?There is a mysterious feeling around the Schiavo case, and we wish we knew what it was. The feeling is this: Pinellas County or parts of it seem to be under the oppression of a dark spirit. From Scripture we know that powers and principalities are the real force with which we contend, and that they hover over vicinities (see Daniel and the "prince of Persia").Is there one hovering over towns in that county, towns with names like Pinellas Park and Clearwater?These are places, of course, that figure...

I believe in the one true GOD I believe there is only one true GOD. Only the GOD of the bible is real; others are demonic counterfeits created to draw you away from the one true GOD. The bible doesn’t argue for the existence of GOD because it is his word and the existence of GOD is taken as fact. GOD is the ultimate supreme Spirit in which all things have their source, support and end. It is a scientific fact that matter cannot be created or destroyed. I believe that is because only GOD can create and destroy matter....

The Emerging Elisha Generation James W. Goll The Last Journey Of Elijah And Elisha For the past several months I have been meditating on The Elisha Generation -- the generation of believers who walk in the double anointing. Having co-authored the book on Elijah's Revolution with Lou Engle and then composed The Coming Prophetic Revolution, I am now building on those teachings and reaching forward into what comes next. The following are some thoughts on the emerging Elisha Generation. Let's consider the quest of Elisha to obtain all he could from the Lord and also through the human agency of...