This week: The latest issue of New Evangelists Monthly is ready and calling you. A young boy responds to his mother’s big news. Any day, any minute, could be our last – a video example. Deep thoughts from Nick Offerman. One approach to getting your kids to do simple, responsible tasks. A contraption that allows you to “sit” anywhere, anytime. A quick test of our “secure” borders.

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Issue #21, September 2014, of New Evangelists Monthly is ready for your enjoyment! Scores of faithful Catholic bloggers have contributed their very best pieces from August. Contributing authors this month include: Ellen Kolb, Kathleen Laplante, Michael Seagriff, Christian LeBlanc, Heidi Knofczynski, Arleen Spenceley, Tami Schuelke, David Wong, Matthew P, Steve Smith, Kevin Shaw, Stephen Korsman, Kathryn Cooper, Timothy McCormick, Ellen Gable Hrkach, Birgit Jones, Maolsheachlann O’Ceallaigh, Adam Crawford, Rich Maffeo, Nancy Ward, Tony Agnesi, Blythe Kaufman, Margaret Felice, Chris Capolino, Nancy Shuman, Connie Rossini, Rick Becker, Claire McGrath, Jamie Jo, Melanie Jean Juneau, Barbara Szyszkiewicz, Denise Hunnell, Lara Patangan, Ruth Curcuru, Cindy Hurla, George Sipe, Gregory Watson, Lora Goulet, Allison Salerno, Lisa , Joey Prever, Billie Jo Stoltz, John Donaghy, Thomas and Deborah Richard, David Gray, Dn. Scott Dodge, Liana Eisenman-Wolford, Laura Christine, Theresa Doyle-Nelson, Brantly Millegan, Sr. Margaret Obrovac, Kimberly Lynch, Lawrence and Susan Fox, Fr. Chori Jonathin Seraiah, Rita Buettner, Zoe Jumonville, Fr. John Corrigan, Lisa Laverty, Sr. Maresa Lilley, Fr. Errol Fernandes, Fr. Adrian Danker, John Schroeder, Jacqui Paraguya, Sallie Thayer, Leslie Klinger, Roxane Salonen, Christina Sawchuk, Kim Padan, Rebecca Royse, De Maria , Laura Pearl, Fr. David Berger, Mallory Hoffman, Cyndi Marlow, Philip Kosloski, Jeff Walker, Brian Gill, Shannon Vandaveer, Annie Jeffries, Matt Warner, Rose O’Donnell, Jennifer Hansen, Karee Santos, Emily Hartung, Paul Smith, Tara Baker, Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Jim Curley, Amy Parris and Bartimaeus Timeo.

This monthly “meta-magazine” showcases faithful Catholicism from theology to family life and “everything in between.” Enjoy it now at NewEvangelists.org.

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“I’m pregnant!!!” Imagine the joy and excitement of siblings upon hearing those words. Or maybe not…

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For the most part, we live every day as if there will be many more following it. Plenty of time (see my piece January 2010 piece: No rush, take your time). That is not always true. Any day, any minute, could be our last.

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These are deep thoughts from Nick Offerman. They are non-political musings about the world and everyone in it.

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What parent does not identify with this problem: getting your kids to responsibly perform simple, obvious chores. It is an intractable struggle. Words often fail to get through. How about putting instructional videos on their social media?

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Imagine being able to sit when and where you usually can not. This could be useful for a lot of folks:

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Our borders are secure! …or so says the administration. There are many videos similar to this:

Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was started by Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary to address this blogging need. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Jen for hosting this project!

A wonderful video on why women a veil at Mass. The Giver is a new movie about the perfect utopia we are striving to reach. Native Americans speak-out about the Washington NFL team’s use of the “Redskins” name. How do we work with radical Islam to achieve peace and harmony – a realistic analysis. A black Marine offers his own challenge. Growing racism in America, but it’s not what the media would have us believe. Finally, something odd, very odd.

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Have you seen women wearing a veil at Mass and wondered what is all about? This excellent video explains why:

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This looks like a good movie (released 2 weeks ago). It’s called The Giver and is about the secular utopia we are inching toward:

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If you have been watching the news, when those of a certain political persuasion are not race bating or inflaming a non-existent “war on women,” they join hands with native Americans whose #1 issue is obviously the insensitivity of the Washington Redskins. Thank goodness somebody is finally doing something to alleviate this suffering:

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Dr. Bill Warner of the Center for the Study of Political Islam discusses the implications of jihad and what it takes to effectively deal with it:

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This black Marine has makes a challenge of his own (oorah!):

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Have you noticed a new, growing racism in America. Has the media, backed by the administration, already determined guilt without the need for any credible investigation or an actually fair hearing?

Will officer Darren Wilson be treated fairly? It will take a miracle and a lot of money. If you are inclined to justice, help him to present a defense against the mighty forces arrayed against him.

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From the Convert Journal “just odd” desk: Two 30 year-old guys record one’s mom and aunt engaging in idle chit-chat. Then they lip-sync to it.

Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was started by Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary to address this blogging need. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Jen for hosting this project!

A beautiful, vibrant church may be crushed. An amazingly evil abortion bill is proposed and solidly supported by 1 easily identifiable group. Many presidents from both parties have spoken on their Christian faith in the past, here is one. A black man rants about Ferguson, but from a different perspective than many. Antisemitism is the only explanation for the 1-sided support of Palestine (Hamas). Two good analysis videos are offered. The quality of Hamas staged scenes is slipping (the world will likely lap it up anyway).

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The beautiful Holy Innocents church in New York City may be closed. It is vibrant, growing, self-sustaining and the only daily traditional Latin Mass available. I suspect it is that last fact which endangers it as no other credible reason has been offered. Take a look, this is brief:

Please consider signing this respectful petition to Cardinal Dolan.

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ATTENTION DEMOCRATS: every voting Senate Democrat voted for S. 1696 last month. It was one of the most radical abortion bills ever before them. Its purpose was to, in one sweeping gesture, wipe out almost every pro-life law passed by states. We are talking about laws requiring informed consent, restricting partial-birth abortion, medical safety standards and use of public funds. They called it the Women’s Health Protection Act but a better name would have been the Gosnell Prerogative Act or The Real War on Women Act. Every single Democratic senator who voted (51 – only 1 did not vote) voted for this:

These are not evil people. Many are very nice, responsive to their constituents and support responsible government programs. Yet, when it comes to killing children in the womb, they can be counted on to support the most egregious proposals put before them. The people are not evil but their actions are extremely so. NOTHING trumps life. Will you vote for people who do everything in their power to make this possible?

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A president speaks from the heart on Christian faith:

Real hope and change, not what we have now.

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An angry black man speaks about Ferguson, MO and the sorry state of black America.

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Why are so many people protesting against Israel with so much anger, while nary a peep is heard against Muslims anywhere?

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The quality of Hamas staged scenes is slipping. Here we have a display of victims of “Israeli aggression” upon the innocent and peace loving people of Palestine. The martyred are lying in an impressive display in their burial shrouds:

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The hypocrisy surrounding the Hamas attack on Israel is incredible. Do people really not know any of the history? Do they even care about truth? Here, Pat Condell gives a good summary of the big picture which somehow is being completely hidden:

Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was started by Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary to address this blogging need. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Jen for hosting this project!

This week: The latest issue of New Evangelists Monthly is ready and calling you. A question on “discriminating” against homosexuals in marriage. The Chosen program’s clip on happiness (right now). A surprising quote from Richard Dawkins. A reunion makes a young dog so happy he faints. The Bell Telephone picture phone remembered. Hamas has their very own version of Sesame Street (really).

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Issue #20, August 2014, of New Evangelists Monthly is ready for your enjoyment! Scores of faithful Catholic bloggers have contributed their very best pieces from July. This month brought these great topics: dating, Sonoran, following, through children, catching up, CS and GK, ego, freedom, NFP, intimacy, sacraments, convalidation, water and spirit, provider, loved most, marriage, catholic gay, the dead, celibacy, on Dei Verbum, revenge, blanks, teen advice, support, sparkling, real men, calendar, mission, votives, for nursing, poor book, motherhood, hippies?, married clergy, chastity, ordained silence, on holiday, missionary, self(ie|ishness), sign of the cross, Daddy?, lost sheep, sacred liturgy, St. Bonaventure, pregnancy, teaching, passions, Bl. Frassati, persecution, Ginsburg, Obama orders, rejoicing, holy grandparents, doctrine, gay romance, consecration, working mom, Sarah Harkins, your cool, hope, ways to live, Mass tears, loving presence, ask for, veiling, powerful love, Priscilla and Aquila, always there, morality, happiness, St. Mary Magdalene, compliments, mistakes, future spouse, emotional purity, human dignity, outer space, only God, consolations, justification, maternity, weeds and wheat, body image, hearing, looking away, sand and God, grace in motion, 7 women, chemo, astray, premarital, coffee, Seraphim vs. Francis, transfiguration, self-gratification, one Church, annunciation art, vacation Mass, spilled and song for dad.

This monthly “meta-magazine” showcases faithful Catholicism from theology to family life and “everything in between.” Enjoy it now at NewEvangelists.org.

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Ryan Anderson is asked why is it acceptable to discriminate against homosexual by denying them marital benefits such as joint tax returns?

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The choices we make in our pilgramage in this world ultimately bring us into eternal union with God or separation from Him. That is most important but it is not all they do. Choosing God “sooner than later” brings peace and happiness now that absolutely nothing else can. Chris Stefanick talks about true happiness in this clip from the Ascension Press Chosen faith formation course.

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Loud, well known atheist Richard Dawkins reportedly said this in a 2010 interview with the London Times:

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This is the reunion of a young dog and her owner after 2 years. The dog was so excited, she actually fainted. (WARNING: crying dog may not be suitable for work environments)

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I found this video interesting. Bell Telephone spent $500M in 1964 on the picture phone. It failed big, but came close to building something akin to the Internet.

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Palestinian children learn in school and from their mass media what their duty is relative to Israelis. Here is the Hamas version of Sesame Street:

Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas) program Tomorrow’s Pioneers on neighbors’ rights.

Phone conversation between Nahul the bee and Qais, a boy from Jenin (West Bank).

Nahul the bee, (adult in a giant bee costume): “Listen my friend. Are there Jews where you are?”

Boy (Qais): “No. Not at the moment.”

Nahul: “I heard they come to you every day.”

Boy: “Yes, but not now.”

Nahul: “Listen, friend; do like this with your hands [makes fists], and when they come to you, punch them; make their face red like a tomato.”

Boy: “Allah willing, so that we can liberate Palestine.”

Nahul: “Allah willing.” …

[Nahul talks to TV host, young girl named Rawan]

Nahul: “My friend Qais – anyway, Rawan, I tell him to take a stone, and when the Jews come, to take it and throw it at them.”

Child host (Rawan): “Of course, the Jewish neighbors.”

Nahul: “To smash them.”

Child host: “If his neighbors are Jews or Zionists? Yes.” …

[Child host Rawan talks to Tulin, a girl in the studio.]

Child host Rawan: “Tulin, why do you want to be a police officer? Like who?”

Girl Tulin: “Like my uncle.”

Child host: “Which uncle?”

Girl: “Ahmed.”

Child host: “Is he a policeman?”

[Girl nods]

Child host: “OK, so what does a policeman do?”

Nahul (adult in giant bee costume): “He catches thieves, and people who make trouble.”

Child host: “And shoots Jews. Right?”

Girl: “Yes.”

Child host: “You want to be like him?”

[Girl nods]

Child host: “Allah willing, when you grow up.”

Girl: “So that I can shoot Jews.”

[Nahul the bee cheers]

Child host: “All of them? All of them?”

Girl: “Yes.”

Child host: “Good.”

[Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas), May 2, 2014]

Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was started by Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary to address this blogging need. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Jen for hosting this project!

This week: Courage has released a wonderful new film: Desire of the Everlasting Hills. Planned Parenthood provides an abortion to a 13 year-old then returns her to her rapist. Despite spending $1 TRILLION per year, the “war on poverty” has failed (but for political advantage, it has morphed into a “war on work”). Matthew Archbold has an interesting observation on the media’s choice of nomenclature. Thailand produces some of the best TV commercials. An “IRS Love Song”: What are the Chances?. World Order produces…   you just have to see it.

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Courage has released (free) a truly excellent film on homosexuality and Catholicism: Desire of the Everlasting Hills. Here it is in its entirety:

Anthony Esolen has written a review of the film at Crisis Magazine. Professor Esolen’s piece is outstanding and I highly recommend it. National Catholic Register also has a good review.

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This is nothing new at Planned Parenthood, but I draw your attention to the suit by the mother of a 13 year-old child. The young girl was taken to PP for an abortion by the step-father who had been raping her since she was 6. PP did the abortion and returned the young girl to her rapist where the sexual assaults continued. Of course, they kept mum about the whole thing in defiance of the law. LifeNews has the story.

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In Economic Activity and Social Justice, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says:

2427 Human work proceeds directly from persons created in the image of God and called to prolong the work of creation by subduing the earth, both with and for one another. Hence work is a duty: “If any one will not work, let him not eat.” Work honors the Creator’s gifts and the talents received from him. It can also be redemptive. By enduring the hardship of work in union with Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth and the one crucified on Calvary, man collaborates in a certain fashion with the Son of God in his redemptive work. He shows himself to be a disciple of Christ by carrying the cross, daily, in the work he is called to accomplish. Work can be a means of sanctification and a way of animating earthly realities with the Spirit of Christ.

2428 In work, the person exercises and fulfills in part the potential inscribed in his nature. The primordial value of labor stems from man himself, its author and its beneficiary. Work is for man, not man for work.

Everyone should be able to draw from work the means of providing for his life and that of his family, and of serving the human community.

Charity providing only for basic needs does not help the poor beyond the very short term. It removes their independence, which some would argue is often a hidden goal. Welfare reform signed by Bill Clinton in 1996 included work requirements. That is, it sought to effect a “hand-up” and not just a “hand-out.” The current administration has significantly undermined that law. People are now far more dependent on the largess of government. For their own political ends, they have in essence launched a war on work:

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An interesting media observation on nomenclature from Matthew Archbold at Creative Minority Report:

Isn’t it funny that a man who wishes to be called a woman by the media is immediately called a woman but pro-lifers still can’t get the media to call them pro-lifers?

And practicing Catholics who publicly speak about the faith are labeled “controversial” while pro-abortion and pro same-sex marriage Catholics are labeled “devout.”

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Thailand has the best commercials. Last September one of my 7QTF notes was on a wonderful advertisement for a Thai telecom company. Here is another Thai commercial for an insurance company:

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I wrote two weeks ago about the unlikely odds of 7 concurrent disk drive failures as the IRS has claimed (1 in 78 billion). I understand they are claiming even more sudden failures of drives sought by investigators. This guy (Remy Munasifi) has taken another, more humorous approach to explaining it – an IRS love song entitled What are the Chances?. (The “chances” are astronomical that this is the obvious criminal conspiracy it appears to be.)

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In my day, way before music videos, acts performed highly choreographed dance in their stage performances to promote their music. One of my favorites was The Temptations.

A modern analog of them might be World Order. Not my cup of tea, but I give them props for their dancing (or whatever it is they do):

They have “music videos” on their YouTube channel, including this one for their Machine Civilization hit:

Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was started by Jennifer Fulwiler to address this blogging need, but is guest hosted this week by Carolyn Svellinger at Svellerella. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Jen (and Grace) for hosting this project!