Letter to a girl who might run away again

Sunday, July 24, 2011, about 11 pm

Dear _______,

I would like you to think about _____ and about our Lord Jesus. You and I have been taught since we were small that Jesus came into this world and suffered and died for the good of our souls, and did it all out of love for us. I would like to remind you what He suffered and how much He suffered.

After His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was arrested, taken before Caiaphas and in the morning, brought before Pilate, who had Him scourged by Roman soldiers, who showed no mercy at all. A Roman scourging could lay the flesh open to the bone.

Would ______ endure as much for you?

Then he was led under heavy guard to the hill of Calvary, where they crucified him. He took three hours to die, in unbelievable agony.

You might never have seen a Crucifix, a cross with Jesus on it. Here are some for you to look at and think about.

Would ______ endure as much for you?

Best wishes, blessings, and prayers from Bob

I just had an idea

In some parts of this country, there are enclaves of certain groups, where non-members of that group are discouraged from entering - discouraged by persuasion, intimidation, or violence.
They choose to withdraw from the mainstream, give them what they want. Fair is fair.

Build walls.

If non-members can't get in, then members can't get out. They can behave as they like inside the walls, and will not be interfered with or harmed, but they can't get out.

At all.
For any reason.
Don't even think about it.

An Act of Humility

(I found this in an old, well-thumbed prayer book, Imprimatur 1914, published about 1923.)

O GOD of sanctity ! who am I, that Thou shouldst come to me ? " The heavens are not pure in Thy sight, " and wilt thou dwell in my heart ? " Lord! I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof. " The consciousness of my unworthiness would prompt me to exclaim : "Depart from me, O Lord ! for I am a sinner. " But oh, the wonderful condescension of Thy love ! Thy pressing invitation encourages me, and dispels my fears. " Here I am, for Thou didst call me. " Come, then, O Jesus ! take possession of a heart that wishes to belong to Thee. " Behold ! They that go far from Thee shall perish. " But, O my God ! this house of my heart is too narrow for Thee : do Thou enlarge it ; it is falling to ruin : do thou repair it ; it has been defiled my sin : do Thou cleanse and purify it. " Look Thou upon me and have mercy on me. Oh, heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee ! Let Thy tender mercies come unto me, and I shall live ! Lord ! I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof ; say but the word, and my soul shall be healed. "

The Center of All Things

This is the center, the peak, the turning point of human history,

the place where all roads meet.