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By Philip Cottraux Genesis 4:3: And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. Cain was an agriculturalist. His sacrifice may have been the best he had. But it wasn’t what the Lord asked for. Fruit and vegetables cannot atone for sin. Sometimes we can bring the best of what we think God wants. But if it isn’t what He asked for, He won’t recognize it. His brother, Abel, was a pastoralist. Some interpret this story as an allegory for the conflict between agriculturists and pastoralists...

Whether we are playing a game, driving a car, or baking a cake, there are certain rules that must be followed for our safety as well as our success. The Bible teaches that the Christian life is one of constant growth. When you were born again, you were born into God’s family. It is God’s purpose that you will grow into fill stature and become mature in Christ. It would be against the law of God and nature if you were to remain a baby and thus become a spiritual dwarf. In 2 Peter 3:18, the Bible says that we...

MORNING APRIL 27 Brethren, the time is short. Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Death is swallowed up in victory. Whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we...

The Bible teaches that the Christian life is one of constant growth. When you were born again, you were born into God’s family. It is God’s purpose that you will grow into fill stature and become mature in Christ. It would be against the law of God and nature if you were to remain a baby and thus become a spiritual dwarf. In 2 Peter 3:18, the Bible says that we are to grow. It implies steady development, constant enlargement, increasing wisdom. For one to grow properly certain rules must be observed for good spiritual health. 1.Read your Bible daily....

On the Beatification of Chiara Badano, an Italian girl born in 1971 who died of an illness when she was just under nineteen, but who was a ray of light to everyone, as her nickname says: Chiara Luce".

In just a matter of days we will celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord. The Church as mother and teacher calls us on this third Sunday of Advent to pause from our Advent preparation. She proclaims in today’s liturgy, using the imperative case - “Rejoice!” In Latin,“Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete : modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus prope est. Nihil solliciti sitis: sed in omni oratione petitiones vestrae innotescant apud Deum.” In English,“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near....

Hard work, sports and family activities formed the foundation of the Heath household. The entire family often competed in five-kilometer and ten-kilometer races. Hunting, fishing, skiing and camping kept them outdoors year-round. Everyone had chores. Whether they were weeding the family garden, stacking firewood or picking strawberries, Chuck and Sally's children understood the value of work. By age 12, each child was expected to earn his or her own spending money and save for college.

"Personal integrity is making a hard decision and sticking with it. It's about digging down deep and holding onto your faith, even when you don't see the light at the end of the tunnel." - Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska "Life will test your integrity. There is a cost for doing what's right." - Todd Palin, First Gentleman of Alaska On September 3, 2008 at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, Sarah Palin exploded onto the national political scene as John McCain's surprise pick for running mate. Stepping confidently to the podium-and into the history books-as the GOP's first female...

Archbishop Sheen Today! -- Choices we make (Part Two) Barbara Kralis Barbara Kralis October 8, 2004 © Catholic Online 2004 A long time ago, Sister Christine Joseph taught us to make the heroic minute on waking each morning. She taught our first grade class to pray: "Good morning, dear Jesus, this day is for you! I ask you to bless me in everything I think, say and do!" Sister said that our first waking thoughts and words should be of and toward Jesus. Why, in l950, did this wise holy nun teach such a 'state of readiness' to little children?...

Archbishop Sheen Today! -- Choices we make (Part One) Barbara Kralis Barbara Kralis September 28, 2004 Heaven or hell, it is our choice. Which will it be? Will we choose the place and state of perfect and eternal happiness where we will see, face to face, the sight of God? Or, will we choose the place and state of eternal punishment, which consists of the deprivation of the sight of God (pain of loss) and the eternal fires (pain of sense)? Many years ago, comedian Flip Wilson used to lament, "The devil (deb-il) made me do it!" It was a...