The Jewish Nun

"We bow down before the testimony of the life and death of Edith Stein, an outstanding daughter of Israel and at the same time a daughter of the Carmelite Order, Sister Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, a personality who united within her rich life a dramatic synthesis of our century. It was the synthesis of a history full of deep wounds that are still hurting ... and also the synthesis of the full truth about man. All this came together in a single heart that remained restless and unfulfilled until it finally found rest in God." These were the words of Pope John Paul II when he beatified Edith Stein in Cologne on May 1, 1987.

Who was this woman?

Edith Stein was born in Breslau on October 12, 1891, the youngest of 11, as her family were celebrating Yom Kippur, that most important Jewish festival, the Feast of Atonement. "More than anything else, this helped make the youngest child very precious to her mother." Being born on this day was like a foreshadowing to Edith, a future Carmelite nun.

Edith's father, who ran a timber business, died when she had only just turned two. Her mother, a very devout, hard-working, strong-willed and truly wonderful woman, now had to fend for herself and to look after the family and their large business. However, she did not succeed in keeping up a living faith in her children. Edith lost her faith in God. "I consciously decided, of my own volition, to give up praying," she said.

In 1911 she passed her school-leaving exam with flying colors and enrolled at the University of Breslau to study German and history, though this was a mere "bread-and-butter" choice. Her real interest was in philosophy and in women's issues. She became a member of the Prussian Society for Women's Franchise. "When I was at school and during my first years at university," she wrote later, "I was a radical suffragette. Then I lost interest in the whole issue. Now I am looking for purely pragmatic solutions."

In 1913, Edith Stein transferred to G6ttingen University, to study under the mentorship of Edmund Husserl. She became his pupil and teaching assistant, and he later tutored her for a doctorate. At the time, anyone who was interested in philosophy was fascinated by Husserl's new view of reality, whereby the world as we perceive it does not merely exist in a Kantian way, in our subjective perception. His pupils saw his philosophy as a return to objects: "back to things". Husserl's phenomenology unwittingly led many of his pupils to the Christian faith. In G6ttingen Edith Stein also met the philosopher Max Scheler, who directed her attention to Roman Catholicism. Nevertheless, she did not neglect her "bread-and-butter" studies and passed her degree with distinction in January 1915, though she did not follow it up with teacher training.

"I no longer have a life of my own," she wrote at the beginning of the First World War, having done a nursing course and gone to serve in an Austrian field hospital. This was a hard time for her, during which she looked after the sick in the typhus ward, worked in an operating theatre, and saw young people die. When the hospital was dissolved, in 1916, she followed Husserl as his assistant to the German city of Freiburg, where she passed her doctorate summa cum laude (with the utmost distinction) in 1917, after writing a thesis on "The Problem of Empathy."

During this period she went to Frankfurt Cathedral and saw a woman with a shopping basket going in to kneel for a brief prayer. "This was something totally new to me. In the synagogues and Protestant churches I had visited people simply went to the services. Here, however, I saw someone coming straight from the busy marketplace into this empty church, as if she was going to have an intimate conversation. It was something I never forgot. " Towards the end of her dissertation she wrote: "There have been people who believed that a sudden change had occurred within them and that this was a result of God's grace." How could she come to such a conclusion?

Edith Stein had been good friends with Husserl's Göttingen assistant, Adolf Reinach, and his wife.

When Reinach fell in Flanders in November 1917, Edith went to Göttingen to visit his widow. The Reinachs had converted to Protestantism. Edith felt uneasy about meeting the young widow at first, but was surprised when she actually met with a woman of faith. "This was my first encounter with the Cross and the divine power it imparts to those who bear it ... it was the moment when my unbelief collapsed and Christ began to shine his light on me - Christ in the mystery of the Cross."

Later, she wrote: "Things were in God's plan which I had not planned at all. I am coming to the living faith and conviction that - from God's point of view - there is no chance and that the whole of my life, down to every detail, has been mapped out in God's divine providence and makes complete and perfect sense in God's all-seeing eyes."

In Autumn 1918 Edith Stein gave up her job as Husserl's teaching assistant. She wanted to work independently. It was not until 1930 that she saw Husserl again after her conversion, and she shared with him about her faith, as she would have liked him to become a Christian, too. Then she wrote down the amazing words: "Every time I feel my powerlessness and inability to influence people directly, I become more keenly aware of the necessity of my own holocaust."

Edith Stein wanted to obtain a professorship, a goal that was impossible for a woman at the time. Husserl wrote the following reference: "Should academic careers be opened up to ladies, then I can recommend her whole-heartedly and as my first choice for admission to a professorship." Later, she was refused a professorship on account of her Jewishness.

Back in Breslau, Edith Stein began to write articles about the philosophical foundation of psychology. However, she also read the New Testament, Kierkegaard and Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises. She felt that one could not just read a book like that, but had to put it into practice.

In the summer of 1921. she spent several weeks in Bergzabern (in the Palatinate) on the country estate of Hedwig Conrad-Martius, another pupil of Husserl's. Hedwig had converted to Protestantism with her husband. One evening Edith picked up an autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila and read this book all night. "When I had finished the book, I said to myself: This is the truth." Later, looking back on her life, she wrote: "My longing for truth was a single prayer."

On January 1, 1922 Edith Stein was baptized. It was the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus, when Jesus entered into the covenant of Abraham. Edith Stein stood by the baptismal font, wearing Hedwig Conrad-Martius' white wedding cloak. Hedwig washer godmother. "I had given up practicing my Jewish religion when I was a 14-year-old girl and did not begin to feel Jewish again until I had returned to God." From this moment on she was continually aware that she belonged to Christ not only spiritually, but also through her blood. At the Feast of the Purification of Mary - another day with an Old Testament reference - she was confirmed by the Bishop of Speyer in his private chapel.

After her conversion she went straight to Breslau: "Mother," she said, "I am a Catholic." The two women cried. Hedwig Conrad Martius wrote: "Behold, two Israelites indeed, in whom is no deceit!" (cf. John 1:47).

Immediately after her conversion she wanted to join a Carmelite convent. However, her spiritual mentors, Vicar-General Schwind of Speyer, and Erich Przywara SJ, stopped her from doing so. Until Easter 1931 she held a position teaching German and history at the Dominican Sisters' school and teacher training college of St. Magdalen's Convent in Speyer. At the same time she was encouraged by Arch-Abbot Raphael Walzer of Beuron Abbey to accept extensive speaking engagements, mainly on women's issues. "During the time immediately before and quite some time after my conversion I ... thought that leading a religious life meant giving up all earthly things and having one's mind fixed on divine things only. Gradually, however, I learnt that other things are expected of us in this world... I even believe that the deeper someone is drawn to God, the more he has to `get beyond himself' in this sense, that is, go into the world and carry divine life into it."

She worked enormously hard, translating the letters and diaries of Cardinal Newman from his pre-Catholic period as well as Thomas Aquinas' Quaestiones Disputatae de Veritate. The latter was a very free translation, for the sake of dialogue with modern philosophy. Erich Przywara also encouraged her to write her own philosophical works. She learned that it was possible to "pursue scholarship as a service to God... It was not until I had understood this that I seriously began to approach academic work again." To gain strength for her life and work, she frequently went to the Benedictine Monastery of Beuron, to celebrate the great festivals of the Church year.

In 1931 Edith Stein left the convent school in Speyer and devoted herself to working for a professorship again, this time in Breslau and Freiburg, though her endeavours were in vain. It was then that she wrote Potency and Act, a study of the central concepts developed by Thomas Aquinas. Later, at the Carmelite Convent in Cologne, she rewrote this study to produce her main philosophical and theological oeuvre, Finite and Eternal Being. By then, however, it was no longer possible to print the book.

In 1932 she accepted a lectureship position at the Roman Catholic division of the German Institute for Educational Studies at the University of Munster, where she developed her anthropology. She successfully combined scholarship and faith in her work and her teaching, seeking to be a "tool of the Lord" in everything she taught. "If anyone comes to me, I want to lead them to Him."

In 1933 darkness broke out over Germany. "I had heard of severe measures against Jews before. But now it dawned on me that God had laid his hand heavily on His people, and that the destiny of these people would also be mine." The Aryan Law of the Nazis made it impossible for Edith Stein to continue teaching. "If I can't go on here, then there are no longer any opportunities for me in Germany," she wrote; "I had become a stranger in the world."

The Arch-Abbot of Beuron, Walzer, now no longer stopped her from entering a Carmelite convent. While in Speyer, she had already taken a vow of poverty, chastity and obedience. In 1933 she met with the prioress of the Carmelite Convent in Cologne. "Human activities cannot help us, but only the suffering of Christ. It is my desire to share in it."

Edith Stein went to Breslau for the last time, to say good-bye to her mother and her family. Her last day at home was her birthday, October 12, which was also the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles. Edith went to the synagogue with her mother. It was a hard day for the two women. "Why did you get to know it [Christianity]?" her mother asked, "I don't want to say anything against him. He may have been a very good person. But why did he make himself God?" Edith's mother cried. The following day Edith was on the train to Cologne. "I did not feel any passionate joy. What I had just experienced was too terrible. But I felt a profound peace - in the safe haven of God's will." From now on she wrote to her mother every week, though she never received any replies. Instead, her sister Rosa sent her news from Breslau.

Edith joined the Carmelite Convent of Cologne on October 14, and her investiture took place on April 15, 1934. The mass was celebrated by the Arch-Abbot of Beuron. Edith Stein was now known as Sister Teresia Benedicta a Cruce - Teresa, Blessed of the Cross. In 1938 she wrote: "I understood the cross as the destiny of God's people, which was beginning to be apparent at the time (1933). I felt that those who understood the Cross of Christ should take it upon themselves on everybody's behalf. Of course, I know better now what it means to be wedded to the Lord in the sign of the cross. However, one can never comprehend it, because it is a mystery." On April 23, 1935 she took her temporary vows. On September 14, 1936, the renewal of her vows coincided with her mother's death in Breslau. "My mother held on to her faith to the last moment. But as her faith and her firm trust in her God ... were the last thing that was still alive in the throes of her death, I am confident that she will have met a very merciful judge and that she is now my most faithful helper, so that I can reach the goal as well."

When she made her eternal profession on April 21, 1938, she had the words of St. John of the Cross printed on her devotional picture: "Henceforth my only vocation is to love." Her final work was to be devoted to this author.

Edith Stein's entry into the Carmelite Order was not escapism. "Those who join the Carmelite Order are not lost to their near and dear ones, but have been won for them, because it is our vocation to intercede to God for everyone." In particular, she interceded to God for her people: "I keep thinking of Queen Esther who was taken away from her people precisely because God wanted her to plead with the king on behalf of her nation. I am a very poor and powerless little Esther, but the King who has chosen me is infinitely great and merciful. This is great comfort." (October 31 1938)

On November 9, 1938 the anti-Semitism of the Nazis became apparent to the whole world.

Synagogues were burned, and the Jewish people were subjected to terror. The prioress of the Carmelite Convent in Cologne did her utmost to take Sister Teresia Benedicta a Cruce abroad. On New Year's Eve 1938 she was smuggled across the border into the Netherlands, to the Carmelite Convent in Echt in the Province of Limburg. This is where she wrote her will on June 9, 1939: "Even now I accept the death that God has prepared for me in complete submission and with joy as being his most holy will for me. I ask the Lord to accept my life and my death ... so that the Lord will be accepted by His people and that His Kingdom may come in glory, for the salvation of Germany and the peace of the world."

While in the Cologne convent, Edith Stein had been given permission to start her academic studies again. Among other things, she wrote about "The Life of a Jewish Family" (that is, her own family): "I simply want to report what I experienced as part of Jewish humanity," she said, pointing out that "we who grew up in Judaism have a duty to bear witness ... to the young generation who are brought up in racial hatred from early childhood."

In Echt, Edith Stein hurriedly completed her study of "The Church's Teacher of Mysticism and the Father of the Carmelites, John of the Cross, on the Occasion of the 400th Anniversary of His Birth, 1542-1942." In 1941 she wrote to a friend, who was also a member of her order: "One can only gain a scientia crucis (knowledge of the cross) if one has thoroughly experienced the cross. I have been convinced of this from the first moment onwards and have said with all my heart: 'Ave, Crux, Spes unica' (I welcome you, Cross, our only hope)." Her study on St. John of the Cross is entitled: "Kreuzeswissenschaft" (The Science of the Cross).

Edith Stein was arrested by the Gestapo on August 2, 1942, while she was in the chapel with the other sisters. She was to report within five minutes, together with her sister Rosa, who had also converted and was serving at the Echt Convent. Her last words to be heard in Echt were addressed to Rosa: "Come, we are going for our people."

Together with many other Jewish Christians, the two women were taken to a transit camp in Amersfoort and then to Westerbork. This was an act of retaliation against the letter of protest written by the Dutch Roman Catholic Bishops against the pogroms and deportations of Jews. Edith commented, "I never knew that people could be like this, neither did I know that my brothers and sisters would have to suffer like this. ... I pray for them every hour. Will God hear my prayers? He will certainly hear them in their distress." Prof. Jan Nota, who was greatly attached to her, wrote later: "She is a witness to God's presence in a world where God is absent."

On August 7, early in the morning, 987 Jews were deported to Auschwitz. It was probably on August 9 that Sister Teresia Benedicta a Cruce, her sister and many other of her people were gassed.

When Edith Stein was beatified in Cologne on May 1, 1987, the Church honored "a daughter of Israel", as Pope John Paul II put it, "who, as a Catholic during Nazi persecution, remained faithful to the crucified Lord Jesus Christ and, as a Jew, to her people in loving faithfulness."

What is Palm Sunday?

Here is a fantastic contemporary video interpretation of the events that took place during passover.

What is Palm Sunday?

Palm Sunday is the commemoration of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Jesus rode on the back of a donkey, while the crowds around him threw down their robes while waving palm branches and shouting: "Hosanna to the King of Kings. Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord."

GPS on kids? Why not?

Well, after a frightening phone call today from my youngest son's school, I have begun to wonder if I should track him with a GPS.

It started when the school called, telling me that my son was not in his first period class. Keep in mind, this is elementary school, not middle or high school. So before I completely panicked (ok, who am I kidding? I was already freaking out) I called the school, spoke to the woman who answered the phone explaining the phone call I had just received and she politely told me to "hang on, let me see what's going on." About 5 long, agonizing minutes go by and she comes back to the phone telling me that she is "trying to locate his teacher." So then more alarm bells are starting to pop up. Finally she returns to the phone to tell me that his teacher "made a mistake" thinking that he was not in class, when indeed he was and was just fine.

I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that call could have gone so much worse. My son could have been missing....wandered off, hurt himself and no one knew where he was, or worse. Then I wondered, should I imbed him with a chip so I could find him? Yes, that is a bit extreme, but at that moment, all I would have wanted was to know for sure that he was safe and WHERE he was.

Well, my son, nor any of my children, will not get a GPS placed anywhere near him, now that I have calmed down and know my son and the rest of my children are safe, but perhaps a t-shirt with his name in GIANT neon letters. Or perhaps I should get his teacher new glasses?

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word

Pregnant with Anticipation

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Yeshua. (Matthew 1:21)

Expectant parents spend a lot of time thinking about their child-to-be. They ponder what the baby will look like. They make guesses about when he or she will arrive. They dream about what their child's personality will be like. They pray for their child's future and wonder what life path he or she will take. Parents-to-be spend nine months both physically pregnant and also pregnant with expectations.

Mary's pregnancy must have produced exponentially more expectation for her. Not only was Mary pregnant, but she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. She likely spent her time not only imagining what Yeshua would look like, but also pondering the mysteries of a virgin birth, the responsibility of raising the promised Messiah, and the prophesies that predicted his sacrifice. She was pregnant with extra expectation.

As we move closer to Christmas, it would be good for us to grow pregnant with extra expectation as well. Spend some time pondering the mysteries surrounding Christ's conception and birth. Wonder at the way God chose to reveal himself to the world. Dream about what the world would look like if people truly lived according to the ways of Christ's kingdom. Pray for the peace that the "Prince of Peace" came to bring. As we encounter Christ this Christmas, may we find that he exceeds every expectation we ever had.

Grow my anticipation as the celebration of your birth approaches, Lord Yeshua. Amen.

This Week in *hic* History

The date is December 5, 1933...the headlines read: "Prohibition Ends At Last" and bartenders wait for the rush!

The 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment and bringing an end to the era of national prohibition of alcohol in America. At 5:32 pm EST, Utah became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, achieving the requisite three-fourths majority of states' approval. Pennsylvania and Ohio had ratified it earlier in the day.

The movement for the prohibition of alcohol began in the early 19th century, when Americans concerned about the adverse affects of drinking began forming temperance societies. By the late 19th century, these groups had become a powerful political force, campaigning on the state level and calling for national liquor abstinence. Several states outlawed the manufacture or sale of alcohol within their own borders. In December 1917, the 18th Amendment, prohibiting the "Manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes" was passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. On January 29, 1919, the 18th Amendment achieved the necessary three-fourths majority of state ratification. Prohibition essentially began in June of that year, but the amendment did not officially take effect until January 29, 1920.

In the meantime, Congress passed the Volstead Act on October 28, 1919, over President Woodrow Wilson's veto. The Volstead Act provided for the enforcement of Prohibition, including the creation of a special Prohibition unit of the Treasure Department. In its first six months, the unit destroyed thousands of illicit stills run by bootleggers. However, federal agents and police did little more than slow the flow of booze, and organized crime flourished in America. Large-scale bootleggers like Al Capone of Chicago built criminal empires out of illegal distribution efforts, and federal and state governments lost billions in tax revenue. In most urban areas, the individual consumption of alcohol was largely tolerated and drinkers gathered in "speakeasies" the Prohibition-era term for saloons.

Prohibition, failing fully to enforce sobriety and costing billions, rapidly lost popular support in the early 1930s. In 1933, the 21st Amendment to the Constitution was passed and ratified, ending national Prohibition. After the repeal of the 18th Amendment, some states continued Prohibition by maintaining statewide temperance laws. Mississippi, the last dry state in the Union, ended Prohibition in 1966.

So the next time you have a drink.....well, think about what your grandparents had to deal with in order TO drink.

Dear School Personnel, Community Members, Teachers, Parents and Neighbors

To Whom it May Concern,

I am the parent of a special needs child. I was overwhelmed, confused, heart broken and struggling to unravel the complexities before me.

Please do not pass judgement of me without knowing why I did not attend the school PTA breakfasts or community picnics. Please take a few minutes to understand why I did not take you up on your offer to have lunch or grab a cup of coffee. Although we see each other in the supermarket or at school functions, I don’t think you really ever knew me, actually, I can guarantee that you did not know me because just as my child was different, so was I.

I was in survival mode to keep my family in tact and to give my child the best quality of life possible.

I was presented with parental decisions that have torn me apart and kept me up more nights than I can possibly remember.

I had spent most days of the week at therapy and doctors appointments and most nights up researching treatments and medication options.

I was forced into isolation at times due to the stigma and misconceptions that are epidemic in our society.

I became proficient at prioritizing my life and learning to let the little things go, to look at others with compassion instead of tabloid material and to turn a blind eye to the stares or ignorant comments.

I did the best I could.

I survived.

I am one of the lucky ones, my child has blossomed and has exceeded all our expectations.

I have now become strong, I have become confident and I have become a fierce advocate for parents of special needs children. The growth did not come without much pain and many tears but it came.

So I ask you, please...

The next time you see a parent struggling with a raging child, a child terrified to go into school, a child making odd movements or sounds, a child that seems to be in a world of their own… .Be kind. Give a smile of recognition for what that parent is going through. Ask if there is anything you can do to help, give them a pat on the hand or offer for them to go ahead of you on line.

The next time you have a birthday party for your child remember that their child has a hard time with a lot of sensory issues and social situations. Please send their child that invitation and know that more times than not they will not be able to attend but appreciate being included. Understand that in order for their child to go to the party they may need to stay for a little while and please make them feel welcome. When they let you know that their child cannot make the party consider inviting that child for a one on one playdate or an outing at the park.

The next time you are grading homework papers please understand that their child struggles, some with learning disabilities others with the exhaustion of their disorders or the obsession with perfectionism. The Perfectionism is not necessarily to have the answers right but to have it “feel” right for them. They have spent hours doing what most can do in ten minutes. A paper returned with red circles and comments only hurts a child’s self esteem and causes school anxiety. Please understand that when they see the school come up on their caller ID their hearts sink, remember to tell them about all the gains their children are making as well as their deficits. Take a minute before that call and know that they appreciate all you do and want a collaborative relationship in their child’s education.

The next time you are in the teachers lounge, please do not discuss their child. Please do not make negative comments about their parenting or their child’s behavior, it gets back to them and it gets back to other parents in their community.

The next time you pass the cafeteria and see their child sitting alone please consider inviting that child to eat lunch in your classroom and be your helper that period. Consider working with a guidance counselor to set up a lunch buddy group in a different area.

The next time they are at the CSE meeting planning their chid’s IEP know that they are educated, informed and confident knowing special education law. Know that they have found the courage to stand up to conformity and will explore every option to give their child the differentiated educated that will show their gifts and not just their disabilities. Understand that educating a child with special needs is one of the most difficult tasks a parent can face, know that the last thing they want is an adversarial relationship. Please show them the same respect they show you.

The next time you are creating an educational plan please take into consideration that their child may have specific interests or obsessions. Foster those interests, instead of taking away that art class for a resource class consider adding an art class instead. Think outside the box, these parents do.

The next time you see that child in a wheelchair unable to speak or control their movements, don’t stare, don’t look away, say hello. Do not assume that because this child is nonverbal that they are not intelligent or do not understand the awkwardness that you feel. Take a moment out of your day to show kindness, support a parent enduring incredible pain and just give them a smile.

The next time your child comes home telling you how Johnny or Susie is so weird, take the time to teach about differences. Take the time to talk about compassion, acceptance and special needs. Please remember that your child learns from you. Be a role model, mirror respect and discourage gossip.

The next time you hear a comment about how out of style these kids are, educate about tactile sensitivities and the fact that these kids cannot tolerate many textures and fits. Imagine what it would feel like to have sandpaper in your stilettos or tight elastic holding on your tie.

The next time you see an out of control child do not assume it is bad parenting. Understand that many of these disorders have an organic basis, are biological and are real illnesses. When you hear the words mental illness, take out the “mental” and remember ”illness”.

Know that it is this generation that can stomp the stigma and create a world of acceptance.

The next time other parents are talking about “Those Kids” be our heroes, stand up for us.

The next time you see a special needs child know they are not just special in their needs but in their brilliance as well.

Take the time to meet our children. Take the time to know us.

(reposted with permission from http://thelifeunexpected.com/archives/1705)

Jesus' Family Tree

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. ~ Matthew 1:1

It appears to be a long, boring list of names. Perhaps you only skimmed through it, or maybe you stopped reading soon after you began. It's hard to read through a full biblical genealogy. But genealogies are included in the Bible for good reasons, and this one is no exception. This genealogy reminds us that the story of Jesus' birth begins with the stories of those who came before him, stories that contain some seedy characters. There was Tamar, who tricked her father-in-law, Judah, into giving her a son. There was Rahab, who was a known prostitute. There was King David, who initiated an affair with the wife of Uriah. Jesus' birth narrative included prostitutes and adulterers. It's the kind of story someone might cover up, or at least leave out some details. But Matthew 1 contains the full, raw story. Why would God allow the whole story to be told? Because it's important to remember why Jesus was born: to bring restoration, forgiveness, healing, and new life. The place where we hide - where there is sin and remorse and guilt - are the places where the Messiah wants to show up.

We all have parts of ourselves that we don't want others to know about. We hide events from our past and sins we indulge in the present. The Christmas story can touch even those places. Spend some time in confession today, being honest with God about something you've been hiding. Then receive forgiveness from the God who can wave a redemption story into the seediest of plot lines.

Come, Lord Jesus, into the dark places of my life. Amen.

So Many Churches

There is one body and one Spirit. (Ephesians 4:4)

Why are there so many different churches and denominations?

One way to respond to this question would be to trace the events that led to the formation of each major Christian group -- the split in 1054 between eastern and western churches, the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, the Wesleyan revivals in the 18th, and the rise of Pentecostalism in the 20th. We could explain the various splits that have happened within major denominations. But this approach hardly helps people who are confused by this fragmenting.

For some, the answer lies in human sinfulness. The factors that lead to different church groups include struggles for power and personality conflicts; political, economic, and ethnic forces have played a part as well. On this view, the existence of various churches is a witness to our sinful divisions.

However, I do not believe that the existence of various churches is in itself evil. It can be the occasion for sin when different denominations operate with a pride of superiority. But it's also possible for Christians in one denomination to look upon those in other groups as genuine brothers and sisters, and to cooperate with them in the service of Jesus Christ.

Let's not apologize for our diversity, but then let's not defend division either. Let's make the fullest contribution we can to the group to which we ourselves belong, even as we welcome all others who name the name of Christ.

Unite us in your love, Oh God.

Tick Tock....

Who's clock is that you hear?

You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. (1 Samuel 13:13)

God's timing is always right, because God is always right! Think of the times in Scripture when the people chose impatiently to take matters into their own hands. Adam and Eve eating from the forbidden tree, Aaron making a golden calf, David sleeping with Bathsheba, Jonah fleeing to Tarshish, Peter cutting off the ear of Malchus. Do you remember the consequences that followed?

The fruit of the Spirit includes patience (Galatians 5:22). Paul writes that love is patient (1 Corinthians 13:4). In our text for today, Saul does not demonstrate patience and trust in God's timing; instead, he takes matters into his own hands. His motivation to do so includes challenges we may face in our own lives: fear and stress, as the people began deserting Saul while his enemies loomed on the horizon. The Evil One uses such things to tempt us to disobedience.

Saul broke the command of the Lord, and it resulted in the prophetic loss of his kingdom and the appointment of a new king (1 Samuel 13:13-14). Imagine hearing what Saul was told: "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God." What could we potentially lose through disobedience?

The better choice is to faithfully trust in God's timing and obey his commands. God gives us his word so that we have direction, boundaries, peace and joy.

Mighty Savior, help me to keep my eyes and heart focused on you rather than foolishly taking matters into my own hands. Amen.

2011 Halftime Show

Sofia took a pom clinic for a week, and this is the culmination of that week...the halftime show at the September 30 Nike Invitational Bolingbrook Raiders game. Sofia is in the 2nd row on the end....the tiny one....she did a FANTASTIC job!

9/11 Memorial Concert

For those of you that wanted to hear or be at the concert last Sunday. Please follow this link to the "embrace" page and have a-listen.

He calls it "love"...we call it stalking.

Regardless of what its called, its still scary and illegal.

Recognizing someone as a stalker is quite impossible. They do not look like monsters. Many can initially appear quite charming, while others seem awkward and socially inept.

Profiles of stalkers have not been clearly delineated, but can overlap with characteristics offered in the domestic violence literature. The most common type of stalker (Simple Obsession) includes those individuals who were prior intimates that may have engaged in domestic violence. There are several psychological characteristics: mood, anxiety, and/or substance abuse disorders, low self esteem, social insecurity, narcissism, intense jealousy, and morbid infatuation.

Listed here are the current findings describing stalkers:

Most are male.

There is an increased likelihood of prior criminal, psychiatric, or substance abuse histories.

Immigration may play an interactive role -- these individuals may be experiencing acculturation stress and/or culture shock and suffering a sense of loss of one's culture of origin.

Stalkers have higher intelligence than other criminals.

Defense mechanisms play a significant role in the form of denial, minimization, devaluation, and projection of blame onto the victim.

Axis I disorders are evidenced as substance abuse, mood disorders, sexual dysfunction or schizophrenia.

Axis II disorders are primarily of the following: narcissism, borderline, paranoid, and dependent personality -- with antisocial personality also possible, but not as common. The schizoid personality disorder has been related to erotomania.

Loss within at least seven years of the stalking behavior (i.e., relationship dissolution, job termination, or potential loss of a child or an ill parent) is very common.

Regardless of the above, its wrong. The victim sadly, only has rights if the stalker has physically harmed them. It seems the stalker has the upper hand. Fight back! Document every incident as factually as possible. Contact the police! Make a report so that its on hand. And lastly ....be ever vigilant! Don't think just because things are quiet that its over.

Also know...you are not alone! Reach out for help! There are many agencies as well as your own friends and family who are willing and eager to help. Utilize them!

Today in History

The year is 1959, the day, September 6....the very first Barbie doll was sold by the Mattel Toy Corporation. The original Barbie, along with her pals, Ken and Skipper, are now collectors items, although new versions are continually being produced.

But how did this all start?

The story takes place in the 1930s. It's a story that starts out sounding like one we've all heard before.

A young girl meets a boy and they fall in love. The girl graduates from high school. She has visions of a great career in the real world and wants to go to college. Her parents are not overly enthusiastic about college since it is more traditional for a girl to get married and raise a family. The girl goes to college anyway and marries the boy too. This married girl and boy are Ruth and Elliot Handler. They raise two children, Barbie and Ken.

In the mid 1940s, the young ambitious duo Ruth and Elliot Handler, owned a company that made wooden picture frames. Elliot and his partner Harold Mattson built the samples and Ruth was in charge of marketing them. Elliot began to use the scraps of wood from picture frames to make doll furniture. This was the beginning of their toy business. It was in 1945 that Ruth and Elliot Handler joined with their close friend Harold Mattson to form a company that would be known for the most famous and successful doll ever created. This company would be named Mattel, MATT for Mattson, and EL for Elliot. Mattel continued to grow from a very profitable business into a corporate giant.

In the mid 1950s, while visiting Switzerland, Ruth Handler purchased a German Lilli doll. Lilli was a shapely, pretty fashion doll first made in 1955. She was originally fashioned after a famous cartoon character in the West German Newsletter, Bild. Lilli was made of hard plastic with molded on shoes and earrings. She was available in 11 1/2" or 7 " in heights. Her hair was long and pulled back into a ponytail. There was a large wardrobe available for this doll. Lilli is the doll that would inspire Ruth Handler to design the Barbie doll.

Ruth knew what she wanted Barbie to look like. With the help of her technicians and engineers at Mattel, Barbie was born. Ruth then hired Charlotte Johnson, a fashion designer, to create Barbie's wardrobe.

It was in 1958 that the patent for Barbie was obtained. This would be a fashion doll unlike any of their time. She would be long limbed, shapely and beautiful, all of this and only 11 1/2" tall.

Paper fashion dolls of the times would give way to a three dimensional beauty with a wardrobe of unsurpassed quality. Ruth and Elliot would name their new fashion doll after their own daughter, Barbie. Barbie dolls' soon to be boyfriend Ken, would be named after their son, Ken.

In March of 1959, Barbie doll would make her way to the New York Toy Show and receive a cool reception from the toy buyers. She would be viewed as risky to buyers since she was not the typical style selling baby doll of the times. Upon seeing Barbie on store shelves, the public decided differently. By 1960, the mood would change and the orders started pouring in to Mattel. It took several years for Mattel to catch up with the demand for Barbie. Within ten years, the public purchased $500 million worth of Barbie products.

Barbie has undergone a lot of changes over the years and has managed to keep up with the current trends in hairstyles, makeup and clothing. She is a reflection of the history of fashion since her introduction to the toy market. Barbie has a universal appeal and collectors of all ages enjoy time spent and memories made with their dolls.

So...for all those Barbie enthusiasts, happy birthday Barbie. You look great for your age!

Sister Wives and Polygamy

What's with polygamy and Mormonism anyway?
The questions surrounding polygamy are virtually endless. One term that has become almost synonymous with the word “polygamy” is the word “Mormon.” Any person with an elementary understanding about the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons) will tell you, “Mormons don’t practice polygamy.” But what about those who claim to be Mormons, and yet still practice it? Better yet, why?

A brief history of Mormon polygamy
As early as 1831, Joseph Smith Jr., the founder of the Latter-day Saint movement was asking questions about plural marriage. Latter-day Saints consider themselves to be “Restorationists”; that is, restoring the beliefs and practices of the early Christian church and the Bible through modern theological applications. Plural marriage was believed to be a part of the practices of the ancient prophets, as illustrated through such Biblical passages as Genesis 16: 1-11; 25:1; 29:8; 30:4, 9, 26; Exodus 21:10; Deuteronomy 17:15-17; 21:15; 2 Samuel 2:2; 5:13; 12:7-9; 1 Kings 11:1-4; 2 Chronicles 13:21; 24:3; and Isaiah 4:1.

Joseph Smith began practicing plural marriage as early as 1833 to 1835 by marrying Fanny Alger; a relationship that quickly dissolved without much notice from lay members of the Church initially, though Oliver Cowdery, a major figure in Mormon history would later refer to the relationship as a “dirty, nasty, filthy affair.” In 1843, a revelation to Joseph concerning certain aspects of plural marriage in relation to Mormon temple practices and theology was received. Joseph would be killed within a year by a mob of critics and dissenters who counted plural marriage among their list of grievances against him.

The "Principle"
Even after Joseph’s death, plural marriage was not set up as a commandment among practicing Mormons. In 1852, Brigham Young, Joseph’s successor, would make the practice known to the Church as a whole. Within ten years, the first legislation banning plural marriage was passed in Congress. Most Mormons never practiced polygamy, as only 15-25% were ever involved in it. While the Territory of Utah had several thousand emigrants arriving each year, statehood was not possible as long as plural marriage was being practiced among the Mormons. Utah had also granted women the right to vote, which angered anti-polygamy lawmakers in the east. In 1890, an Official Proclamation to the Church was read by Mormon Church President Wilford Woodruff, setting in stone a system of policies that would eventually prohibit polygamy among the Mormons.

Why did it end?
Eventually, questions would arise concerning the validity of Joseph Smith’s first revelation. If Joseph was told by God to practice polygamy, why would God prohibit it later? There are a number of factors that must be applied in properly answering this question. It may surprise some readers of this blog to know that the Book of Mormon, the “keystone” of the Mormon religion, relatively frowns on polygamy. Jacob, an ancient prophet in the Book of Mormon narrative condemned the unauthorized practice of plural marriage; that is, those who felt they were justified in taking additional wives without a revelation or approval from God. Said Jacob:

“Wherefore, my brethren, hear me, and hearken to the word of the Lord: For there shall not any man among you have save it be one wife; and concubines he shall have none; For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts. Wherefore, this people shall keep my commandments, saith the Lord of Hosts, or cursed be the land for their sakes. For if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me, I will command my people; otherwise they shall hearken unto these things.” (Jacob 2: 27-30)

Thus the feasible reason to justify plural marriage according to the Book of Mormon was for the purpose of “raising up seed,” otherwise, monogamy was always the commandment. What then, about the revelation? Was it meant to be eternal? Was it temporal? Aren’t the laws of God higher than the laws of men? Why did polygamy stop? A revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants answers this question completely.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of the sons of men to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work, and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and hinder them from performing that work, behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offerings.” (D&C 124:49)

As far as plural marriage was concerned, all that had been required among the Mormons had been complete. They had fought legislation for over 30 years. Church leaders were forced to go into hiding, many of whom spent time in prison for the practice. Church property was being confiscated and the Church was being disenfranchised. Wilford Woodruff’s Official Declaration reconciled the demands of the United States’ Government and the freedom of worship among Latter-day Saints. Those who practiced the principle were no longer required to live in plural marriages.

The rise of Mormon fundamentalism
Polygamy still continued among the Mormons after the 1890 manifesto. In 1904, LDS Church President Joseph F. Smith (himself a polygamist) ended the practice completely by releasing a second manifesto. Soon, all those who entered into plural marriages after the second manifesto were excommunicated. The new policy did not sit well with a small number of Mormons, particularly those who were already living the principle.

Eventually, splinter groups formed in spite of the new policies. All Mormons who were found participating in these groups were excommunicated. Those who joined these splinter groups are known as fundamentalists, or “Mormon fundamentalists.” The two largest fundamentalist splinter groups are the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the Apostolic United Brethren, also referred to as “The Work,” “The Priesthood,” or “The Group.” The AUB is much more open to media outlets than the FLDS and are much less oppressive, not typically wearing “prairie burkas” that have been associated with other fundamentalist groups. The group forbids underage marriage, assimilates relatively well into surrounding communities and allows children to attend public schools due in large part to the late Owen Allred, a former leader of the sect.

Where do the Brown’s fit into this picture?
Sister Wives - First Sneak Peek
Kody, the family patriarch was raised in Northern Wyoming. His father in turn, joined the Apostolic United Brethren while Kody was a teenager. Kody subsequently joined the sect and married Meri (raised in a polygamist home) Janelle (formerly LDS raised in a monogamous home) and Christine (raised in a polygamist home). From the first episode, Kody has done a good job at distinguishing the differences between his own sect and that of the mainstream LDS Church which prohibited plural marriage over a hundred years ago, a comparison he likens to “Catholics and Protestants.”

The only other mention of the LDS Church was made by Janelle, who of course was raised in an LDS home, became friends with Kody and Meri, and subsequently joined the sect and married Kody after she experienced what she called a “spiritual witness.” The family has daily prayers, formatted similarly to prayers said in typical Latter-day Saint homes. The children kneel and “fold their arms” like typical LDS families, which may be an influence from Janelle’s LDS upbringing. The Brown family policy is that “love should be multiplied, not divided.”

Sister Wives chronicles the Brown family’s adjustment to Kody taking a fourth wife, Robyn, who was raised in a polygamous home and is a divorced mother of three. As a side note her home featured a painting of Christ by the popular Latter-day Saint artist Greg Olsen. Given the fact that Olsen’s paintings can be found in homes of those of virtually any faith, the existence of such a painting is not conclusive evidence that Robyn is a member of the LDS faith.

What does this all mean?
In my opinion, members of the LDS Church should not be concerned with Sister Wives or the misconceptions and caricatures that are often associated with polygamy and the LDS Church. While I do not support the practice of plural marriage by fundamentalist sects, as a Latter-day Saint I feel that as long as proper clarifications are made between the groups, there should be no relative repercussions from inquiring minds as future episodes of Sister Wives continue to unfold. Latter-day Saints and inquiring minds need only know that plural marriage, as it was practiced from 1852-1904 is no longer practiced by the Church today. There is no relationship whatsoever between the LDS Church and the Apostolic United Brethren.

Where are they now?

Have you ever wondered what happened to that favorite star from that favorite TV show or movie you used to love so much? Well, the other day, I was speaking to a friend and he mentioned all those old shows we used to love to watch on say....Saturday mornings? One show came to mind, and I wondered...hmm...what happened to Buck Rogers?

If you're like me, a child of the 70s and 80s, you remember a show called "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century." That devilishly handsome, if not misplaced Buck, who "woke up" in a different time period than his own. Well, we know what happened to Buck, but what happened to the actor who played him?

That actor is Gil Gerard. When Gil's name is mentioned, I instantly think of that show. While he appeared in a number of movies and TV roles, I believe this is the role he is most identified for.

Gil's past: He was born January 23, 2943 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He attended the University of Arkansas but dropped out before graduation. He landed a job as an industrial chemist. He became regional manager of a large chemical company headed by governor Wynn Rockefeller in a few years. His employers said they would name him the firm's vice president if he went back for his master's degree so he quit rather than tell everyone that he didn't have a college diploma. He studied drama in New York by day and drove a cab at night. One night Gil picked up a fare who showed a lively interest in the problems of unknown, unemployed actors. Before he left the cab, he told Gil to report in a few days to the set of Love Story, which was being filmed on location in New York. When Gil arrived on the Love Story set, he was hired as an extra. Later that day, he was singled out for a 'bit' role, which eventually wound up on the cutting room floor. Oddly enough, he started his career in the soap opera 'The Doctors' 1973-1976. He married Connie Selleca in 1979 (they later divorced in 1987) and fathered a son, Gil. He then married Bobi Leonard in 1988 and divorced in 1989.

Well, you ask, where is he now? Gil started his own company Prudhomme Productions. He now enjoys directing and producing more than being in front of the camera. He appears all over the world at various Sci-Fi conventions. He is also active in charity work. He supports the Special Olympics, working with Los Angels Mission (an organization that helps the homeless), and takes part in the Hack-N-Smack celebrity golf tournament that supports melanoma research.

So just because we don't see or hear about an actor from another time, doesn't mean they aren't out there doing their thing. What their "thing" is, well, that's another story.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word,a listening ear, and honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo F. Buscaglia

Actually, there isn’t any art behind it. Just that you were born to be happy, and you can show this happiness with that beautiful smile of yours. C’mon! Let’s see it. :) Okay, good.

To some extent, we all know how to spot a genuine smile, basically this formula:

Genuine Smile = Crinkly Eyes

We are all sensitive to this genuine scale, so why then is it that when we cross paths with a stranger or casual acquaintance in the elevator, we give them a fake smile? That ‘polite smile’. You know what I’m talking about (don’t get me wrong, I do this too, unconscious at grocery stores, on streets, while waiting for something.).

The lesson? Smile with your eyes! Feel it genuinely and it will come out naturally.

A smile is so simple, yet so powerful. Some noticeable effects of externalizing your internal joy are:

• People will be attracted to you – I don’t mean sexually (well, maybe that too), but people will feel drawn to your energy. When you smile more, you will carry an aura and poise that will draw people to you. People will look forward to being around you, knowing only that they feel great around you. People on the street, at work, your friends etc. We all like and want to be around happy and cheerful people, right?
• Optimistic – You’ll feel more positive about yourself and the world.
• Happiness & Joy – A smile is an expression of happiness and joy in you. Like an upward spiral, a smile will boost the happiness you feel.
• Healthy – A smile can affect your internal state, which can have physiological impact on your physical and mental health.
• Approachable – A smile is so welcoming and will make people feel more at ease.
• Making Other People Happy – A smile has the power to make other people feel good about themselves. It’s heart-warming and has the power to cheer up others instantly.
• Smiles Are Contagious – Others can quickly and easily catch it and will experience the above ‘side effects’.

Smile Challenge:

• Smile at Strangers -You know those times when we cross paths with a stranger or accidentally catch someone’s gaze, and we (both) would suddenly look away in awkwardness or pretend we are looking at something else? Well, the challenge is to give them a big smile. A genuine smile, showing teeth and everything. Deepak Chopra talks about giving each person you encounter a small gift. I do this with a smile. Why not? It doesn’t cost us anything. Plus, it’s a lot more fun than feeling awkward and pretending you’re not there. I also love to see people’s reactions when you smile at them, and they aren’t expecting it. Some blush, and others are surprised and smile back, which makes me feel all warm inside.
• Smile at Homeless People and Street Hagglers – I used to work in downtown Chicago near lots of street hagglers and homeless people. People often ask me whether I get ‘harassed’ often. The answer is: sometimes. But they really are very nice, just like the rest of us. They too need attention and acknowledgment. So, give them a gift worth more than money. Next time someone asks you for money, don’t try to ignore them. Turn to them, smile warmly and tell them how you feel. If you don’t feel like giving money, just tell them “Sorry, I don’t have change now. Have a beautiful day!” Similarly, if something is trying to sell you something or ‘hitting-on’ you, simply turn to them, smile and say “No thank you.” I’ve found that it takes more energy to ignore and pretend to be very serious, than it is to smile. So smile! Make someone’s day!
• Smile Fully -You know that half smile we give people when we’re trying to be polite? Like on an elevator, bumping in someone at the front door, or waiting in line. Why not practice giving them a real smile? It’ll be less awkward and you can potentially make someone’s day, or a new friend!
• Smile at Work -Living under a routine, we can easily be in a zombie-like state when coming into work. We zip into work quickly following the same routines we’ve habituated. Our target is to get to work, and we can sometimes forget about the people around us, in other cubes/offices/departments. So, the challenge is to practice beaming with smile as you come into work. Smile genuinely with people you meet. Be completely pleased to see them. Make it a focus for the day, to bring more happiness into the lives of others. Ask them genuinely and infused with energy, “How are ya?” “How was your weekend?” Watch the smiles surface on their face.
• A Small Compliment with Your Smile -When meeting or encountering people. Look for things you admire or like about them, however small, let them know. A small genuine compliment can go a long way to lift people’s spirits.

I’ve found it useful to be conscious of things that make me smile. You might want to spend a few minutes making a list of things that brings a smile to your face.

Some Moments That Make Me Smile are:

• When Cheddar (my cat) does one of his tricks: spin in circles, playing dead, or chases his tail (that’s right, just like a dog… *laughs*).
• When I practice gratitude ‘sessions’
• When I reach mini goals throughout the day.
• When I read comments left by readers.
• When savoring sweet taste of mint chocolate chip ice cream
• When I do my happy dance, and make friends laugh with my ridiculousness.

More Tips To Bring Smiles into Your Life

• Smiling Journal – For two weeks, record the moments that brought out your wonderful smile. If you are ever feel down, flip through this book to be reminded of things that make you smile. Experience those moments and notice your state shift to a positive one. You cannot be both angry and smiling at the same time. I learned in physiological psychology that if the physical action conflicts with that of your feeling, the feeling inside will shift to match that of your outer sensation. One way to shift your emotion is to change your physiology.
• Appreciation – Identify things that you are grateful for. Then focus on those things as much as possible.
• Humor – Make a point to watch a comedy movie. To go a comedy club. Hang out with people who make you laugh.
• Go On a Self Date – When we feel more connected with ourselves, we feel more joy and tend to naturally smile more.
• Find Innocence - Observe a small child or a pet at play with total ease and freedom. Watch their innocence, enjoy their presence and yours. Are you smiling? Do you feel happy for them? That’s because you are connecting with the same innocence within yourself.

What makes you smile? Who made you smile today? Share your joy and happiness in a comment! See you there. *smiles*

Happy Birthday...

Cheddar....

*snuggles*

Take a listen...

Embrace's first track...

enjoy!

Happy 4th of July

I don't think words are needed. Do you?