Category: Faith

December 24, 2009

The Greatest Gift Ever Given

Filed under: Catholic,Christianity,Faith,Good Stuff,Traditions — Dennis @ 12:01 am

Merry ChristmasIt is perhaps some congenital defect in us, or perhaps just a byproduct of our Western affluence — having lived all our lives in a land where true hardship is virtually unheard of — that we forget the important things. Every year, at about the same time, we obsess over idiocies ranging from stupid judge tricks to immaculate lizard conceptions. 🙄 How all this tomfoolery came about in the first place is anyone’s guess; and it really doesn’t matter anyway.  What does matter is the real “reason for the season” and so, this being Christmas Eve and all, here it is:

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. The journey of the NativitySo all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.

And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Angel and the shepherdsNow there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.

The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”

So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Merry Christmas, everyone; and God bless.

March 10, 2009

Is Islam Killing Free Speech?

Well, no, not yet. But they’re trying their damnedest…

December 23, 2008

Christmas Greetings from the Prime Minister

Filed under: Canada,CPC,Faith,Good Stuff,Military,Traditions,Video — Dennis @ 8:59 pm

Plopped down with no comment because I don’t have time for anything lately…

December 16, 2008

The Best Part

Filed under: Christianity,Good Stuff,Traditions,Video — Dennis @ 8:44 pm

I don’t care how many times I see this, it still puts me in a good mood…

October 8, 2008

A Lesson In Viral Messaging

This isn’t Pat Condell‘s first appearance here. Most folks already know that he’s one opinionated sonofabitch by any standards. Like him or hate him (and I’ve done both), the man does say what’s on his mind and if his YouTube channel is any indication, he’s got a lot on his melon. But then, what can you expect from a guy whose website starts off with “Hi, I’m Pat Condell. I don’t respect your beliefs and I don’t care if you’re offended. Cheers.”

Well, some folks would prefer that Pat just put a cork in it and would like to stick it in themselves, if at all possible. In case you hadn’t heard, one of his recent rants, a little something called “Welcome to Saudi Britain” got yanked from YouTube:

However YouTube, which is owned by the internet search engine giant Google, has removed the video from its site because of “terms of use violation”.

It had been watched more than 40,000 times in the 24 hours after Condell uploaded it.

YouTube has also threatened to disable his entire account if he commits “additional violations”.

A spokesman for the website said: “YouTube has clear policies that prohibit inappropriate content on the site, such as pornography, gratuitous violence or hate speech. Our community understands the rules and polices the site for inappropriate material. When users feel content is inappropriate they can flag it and our staff then review it as quickly as possible to see if it violates our Terms of Use. If users repeatedly break these rules we disable their accounts.”

Surprise, surprise, the net community and others went apeshit over this kind of censorship. Within hours, copies of the vid were all over OhNoYouDontTube and — surprise, surprise, again — YouTube caved and let the damn thing be. Here’s Pat’s take on the whole kerfuffle:

And, of course, what would this post be without the little rant that started the whole big stink in the first place?

September 11, 2008

To Our American Friends

Filed under: Faith,USA,Video — Dennis @ 1:11 pm

For the fallenThings were quieter on the American campaign today. No pot shots, no partisan sniping, no “I endorse this message” commercials on the radio or TV… anywhere. They have more important things on their minds.

Both McCain and Obama have declared today to be off-limits for their respective campaigns. I don’t know about you, but I consider that to be an act of class… on both their parts. Some things are more important than taking swings at each other for a day. Things like the memory of the thousands who were murdered and the brave souls who dashed into the inferno while others ran. Things like the hearts of those who continue to grieve to this day, and the sacrifices of those who have been called to their country’s service in the aftermath.

This is no day for the crass minutiae of politics.

On this day, may the Lord offer his comfort to you all.

Though you may walk through the valley of the shadow of death, be not afraid, for He is with you.
And they are with Him now.

Next Page »