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The Terrible Comfort of Hell (and Purgatory, cause, y’know, God is merciful and stuff.)


***WARNING- POSSIBLY INFLAMMATORY STATEMENTS AHEAD. IF YOU’RE NOT TOO AFRAD TO HURT ANYONE’S FEELINGS, READ AHEAD. IF NOT, DON’T READ THIS POST.***

If you’ve been watching the news lately, you probably HAVEN’T heard of Kermit Gosnell. He’s the guy who killed hundreds of babies born alive at his abortion clinic by stabbing them in the neck with scissors. I was going to put a picture of one his victims, but I can’t even look at the pictures. They are so horrible- children who are full-size, who came out alive and screaming, and he callously butchered them. Now, the media desperately wants to cover this up. They don’t want this accurate representation of what not only Gosnell, but every other abortionist in the world does, which is slaughter children. It looks like Gosnell will be getting off pretty much scott-free.

Or will he?

There’s a place that Christians don’t want to talk about. A place that most Christians like to pretend doesn’t exist, because it would mean that some people are actually bad. A place so terrible that the very name is curse word. Hell is controversial- most people would rather believe in a God who loves puppies and rainbows and never sends anyone to hell because he loves us soooo much and no matter what you do, you’ll never go there. These people believe in puppy Jesus.

Cuddles and rainbows and butterflies!

Cuddles and rainbows and butterflies, Batman! It’s puppy Jesus!

This is the guy who never cleared out a temple with a whip, who never insulted any pharisees, who never said “I bring not peace, but the sword.” (Matt. 10:34) Oh no. Puppy Jesus said only one big thing, which was “don’t judge. Cause it’s not nice and stuff.” Then he died and rose from the dead so that everyone on earth could live happily ever after in judgeless peace. Angels sang Kumbaya, the Bible magically fell down from heaven, and life is good.

Groovy!

Groovy!

But the fact remains, that Hell absolutely exists! Yes, Jesus is God and God is love, but that does not mean that he doesn’t condemn those who chose to be condemned. It is because God is so merciful that Hell exists- God loves us SO MUCH that He lets us decide if we want to live our lives without Him. And if we want, we can have an afterlife without Him too. Hell isn’t just about sin being punished- Hell is the everlasting consequence of pride. There is no escape from Hell- every single evil thing you have said or done is counted. You can’t hide or use public opinion to counteract your own sin. It will catch up with you one day.

What does this have to do with Kermit Gosnell? It’s a comfort to those of us who are heartbroken by the evils that he can’t escape them forever. Even if he’s acquitted of these crimes here on earth, one day he will get justice. But hey, hey, you say- that’s not very Christian to wish Hell on someone! Which is why I don’t, and it’s not my job to decide if he goes there or not. Do I wish justice? Heck yes! Can I say that what he did is evil? Yes again! But I don’t wish him to go to hell. Now, a nice, long purgatory stay sounds nice. And if he repented, like the great Bernard Nathanson (abortion doctor who killed an estimated 20,000 children, then repented and became a driving force in the pro-life movement) it would be a cause for rejoicing in heaven and on earth! There is no sin too great for forgiveness- as long as you are truly repentant.

So there’s the comfort, but what’s the terror bit? It’s the fact that I can’t escape, either. Every single time that I have lied, said something cruel, thought something impure, snapped out in anger, and not repented- it’s on my soul. I am deserving of hell as much as Gosnell is right now. But repentance- going to confession, doing my penance, and striving to do better- can give me a clean slate. Nothing compares to how amazing you feel after confession- the feeling of weightlessness, that your sins are forgiven. Now, you may still need purgatory to burn off the last attachments to sin you have, because only that which is 118.5% pure can enter heaven, but the bulk of your sin is GONE. Your robes are washed clean in the blood of the lamb!

So pray, pray, pray, my brothers and sisters, for the conversion of Gosnell. He should at least have the chance to repent, the chance to turn from his evil ways. He will be forgiven, if he but asks, and we will welcome home with open arms! And pray for the end of the wickedness of abortion- life is precious from conception until natural death, and only God should have the power to end it, not any person for any reason.

Thanks for your time.

Love to all!

-Tani

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Habemus Papam!!!!


Blessings and love to our new Pontiff, Francis the first! A little bit of background-

“Cardinal Bergoglio has had a growing reputation as a very spiritual man with a talent for pastoral leadership serving in a region with the largest number of the world’s Catholics.

Since 1998, he has been archbishop of Buenos Aires, where his style is low-key and close to the people.

He rides the bus, visits the poor, lives in a simple apartment and cooks his own meals. To many in Buenos Aires, he is known simply as “Father Jorge.”

He also has created new parishes, restructured the administrative offices, led pro-life initiatives and started new pastoral programs, such as a commission for divorcees. He co-presided over the 2001 Synod of Bishops and was elected to the synod council, so he is well-known to the world’s bishops.

The cardinal has also written books on spirituality and meditation and has been outspoken against abortion and same-sex marriages.

In 2010, when Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriage, Cardinal Bergoglio encouraged clergy across the country to tell Catholics to protest against the legislation because, if enacted, it could “seriously injure the family,” he said.

He also said adoption by same-sex couples would result in “depriving (children) of the human growth that God wanted them given by a father and a mother.”

In 2006, he criticized an Argentine proposal to legalize abortion under certain circumstances as part of a wide-ranging legal reform. He accused the government of lacking respect for the values held by the majority of Argentines and of trying to convince the Catholic Church “to waver in our defense of the dignity of the person.”

His role often forced him to speak publicly about the economic, social and political problems facing his country. His homilies and speeches are filled with references to the fact that all people are brothers and sisters and that the church and the country need to do what they can to make sure that everyone feels welcome, respected and cared for.

While not overtly political, Cardinal Bergoglio has not tried to hide the political and social impact of the Gospel message, particularly in a country still recovering from a serious economic crisis.

Since becoming archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, Cardinal Bergoglio has created new parishes, restructured the administrative offices, taken personal care of the seminary and started new pastoral projects, such as the commission for divorcees. He has mediated in almost all social or political conflicts in the city; the newly ordained priests are described as “the Bergoglio generation”; and no political or social figure misses requesting a private encounter with him.”

 

I like this guy. No, I REALLY like this guy. Long may he reign!!

Love to all!

-Tani

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What in the heck is Humility?


“Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart!” (Matthew 11:29)

This verse always confused me. What was this “humble” that Jesus is talking about? Most people, when they think humility, is thinking about a vague self-depreciation. Many people think that when they call themselves fat or stupid or ugly, they are being humble (or they’re just fishing for compliments. Which is really annoying, so don’t do it.) Though it is important to know that you aren’t the prettiest, slimmest, or smartest person on earth, insulting yourself is unhealthy and even dangerous! People who struggle with anorexia or bulimia have a deeply unhealthy and wrong hatred for their bodies. What they do and say to themselves isn’t humble, it’s wrong!

So now we know that humility isn’t self-depreciation or self-hatred. But what is it? Lets find you readers some quotes. Readers love quotes.

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself- it is thinking of yourself less!” – C.S Lewis

“Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.” – St. Augustine

“Humility enforces where neither virtue, nor strength, nor reason can prevail.” -Francis Quarels

“Humility is not cowardice. Meekness is not weakness. Humility and meekness are indeed spiritual powers. ” Swami Sivananda

And I, myself, will add one here, my own view on humility.

” Humility is not merely knowing your weaknesses, but also knowing your strengths, little as they may be, and offering them up for the glory of God.”

What we see from all of these quotes is that, without humility, the other virtues have no foundation. I mean, if Pride is the root of all sin, then humility has the be the root of all virtues! No, you aren’t the center of the universe, but the One who is the center of the universe came down, humbling Himself, taking the form of His most imperfect creation, and died for you. It’s a beautiful conundrum-  In the eyes of the world, you are irrelevant, but in the eyes of God, you are so momentously important that He is desperate for you to be with Him forever!

But God needs us to be humble, because Pride cannot enter heaven. Ask for humility, but beware! If you ask for humility, He’s going to humiliate you! I know that I’ve been stupidly prideful for the past few weeks, because God has been, repeatedly, humbling me. I’ve had to re-learn that I’m not the prettiest, the best writer, the most knowledgeable about Church history, the funniest, or the greatest friend in the world. Is it worth it? Yes! Being closer to God is worth the humiliation of always saying the wrong thing and having people laugh at you. Though that does really suck. But humility dictates you need to join in the laughter, and stop taking yourself so seriously.

Love to all!

-Tani

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What constitues a love song?


Love is in the air, folks. I say that a lot, being the poor single gal that I am, but it’s true. As human beings, we are hardwired for love. As I said in a post a year back or so, we are made in the image and likeness of God, who is, as the scriptures say, love itself. We are a mirror reflecting the ultimate love!

Most of the time, though, in the this godless society, the only love that we talk about is romantic love. And, sadly, the word love has become synonymous with sex. Blech. Yes, “making love” is a good and holy thing (when confined to marriage) but indiscriminate sex with multiple partners has done nothing to better our society. Just the opposite, in fact. Our music reflects this. Even the great Taylor Swift has turned from her cutesy love songs (Like Mary’s song) and is now doing lust and touch and passion ballads like “Red.” I don’t know how many times I’ve gone searching for a good love song only to have to turn it off half way through because of how nasty it is! It’s all a romantic gal can do to keep sane around here!

You want some lyrics? I’ll give you some lyrics.

“I know what you thinking
That you want me like that
Yeah, you want me like that” (Britney Spears “Seal It With A Kiss.”)

“Grab somebody sexy, tell ‘em hey
Give me everything tonight” (Pittbull “Give Me Everything.” The song where you are supposed to up to some random person and ask them for sex. Good idea. -_-)

“I know you want me
I made it obvious that I want you too
So put it on me
Let’s remove the space between me and you” (Enrique Iglesias “Tonight I’m f****** [sometimes switched to loving] You. Paragon of real love, that.)

“It’s a quarter after one, I’m a little drunk and I need you now.” (Lady Antebellum “Need You Now.” Note- NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER use intoxication as an excuse for making out. EVER.)

There are, of course, dozens more examples that I am simply too pressed on time to search for.  But you get the idea.

But wait, you say. There are just as many songs out there that are more ambiguous. That aren’t explicit, though they use the word “sexy” a few times. How do I know if these are good to listen to or not?

Here’s a good rule of thumb. If a song could be re-utilized as a Christian song, then it is a real love song. Because, in the end, God should be the focus of all our love anyway. If you can use a song as a way for you to talk to God or God to talk to you, then it is entirely appropriate for you to say to your girlfriend/boyfriend. Want some more examples?

“It’s a long way down,
We’re so high off the ground,
Sending for an angel to bring me your heart
Girl, where did you come from?
Got me so undone,
Gazing in your eyes got me singing what a beautiful lady
No “if”s, “and”s or “maybe”s
I’m releasing my heart and it’s feeling amazing
There’s no one else that matters
you love me and I won’t let you fall girl” (Chris Brown “Forever.” I love this song!)

“You never know when you’re gonna meet someone
And your whole wide world in a moment comes undone
You’re just walking around and suddenly
Everything that you thought that you knew about love is gone
You find out it’s all been wrong
And all my scars don’t seem to matter anymore
Cause they led me here to you” (Daughtry “Start of Something Good.”)

“I’m alive, I’m on fire
And my spirit burns with desire
You set me alight, bright eyed
And with no way to hold it inside” (Peter Furler “I’m Alive.” Yes, this is, in fact, an actual Christian song, but it shows the passion and love that we should be focusing on God first, while at the same time being a good song to express romantic love!)

I guess all I should say is listen to the lyrics of songs. I know, that with a lot of these songs the tune and the beat is so catchy and fun and that makes you ignore the poison of the lyrics. But there are a lot of Christian bands that have equally good sound. Skillet and Fireflight are Christian metal, tobyMac and Group1Crew are Christian rap/pop, and Kutless and Anthem Lights are Christian rock. You don’t have to give up your favorite genre in order to give up the venomous words of secular music. And, of course, there are some secular songs that are deeply beautiful and that show real love. These are few and far between, however.

Guard your heart, my friends, but also guard your mind. You really, really dont want those words and lyrics in your head. It eats away at your innocence. Most of us aren’t sweet innocent children who have never heard a curse word worse than damn, but that doesn’t mean that listening to the septic garbage on 93.7KRQ is ok, or that it won’t hurt us. It will. I close, as I have closed many a post, with Phillipians 4:8.

“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable–if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise–dwell on these things.”

Love to all!

-Tani

 

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Celebrating Christmas in a storybook world


First of all, Merry Christmas! Hope you’re having a great holiday!

Christmas is one of my favorite holy days (Easter takes my vote here.) because of this, I have “Christmas Specials” in my stories. Except… How do you celebrate Christmas if your characters aren’t human, and therefore don’t qualify for the whole Jesus thing?

Well, I had to make up a whole new religion for my lovely characters to practice. The national Sokorian religion is Althute. It is a religion of mainly service, as the original Sokorians (the Thranian settlers) were created as a prototype of humanity, primarily for service to God, the physical presence to the angels spiritual one. Holy day is Monday, where everyone gathers in large temples to sing and praise. There are priests, who do most of the work, and priestesses, who are around really only to teach and create. The Sokorians recognize that God became a man, and honor this. They even were present on Christmas Day! However, they do not honor his sacrifice because of the salvation of humanity, but rather because his death turned the tide in the Great War between good and evil. Each Sokorian has free will, and can choose between good and evil, but has no predisposition to either one. Sokorians have a simple bunch of rules (pretty much the Ten Commandments) to follow. Music is their main form of prayer, as in heaven, the Thranians made up one of the heavenly choirs.

So how does this connect to Christmas? Well, for time out of mind, the Sokorians have celebrated Vynacht, a winter festival on the solstice and in the week following it, lasting five days in all. Over the years, as they had more contact with humans, they adopted the Christmas celebration as we know it. They were the ones who brought the tradition of the Christmas tree, as it was a symbol of spring to come during Vynacht. The five days of the festival are full of dancing, feasts, and games.

Most of the fun in Tokore city takes place in the great hall of Tokore castle. A massive structure, in a cruciform shape, the hall accommodates the almost 12,000 military personnel who live in or around it year-round. At the head of the cross shape is a huge curved window looking out at the gardens. In the middle, where the three branches meet, is a huge statue of a woman. From her hands, which are outstretched with palms downward, pours forth two fountains,10 stories tall, which empty into a large circular pool. Around the front end of this pool wraps the dais, with the throne of the queen at the high point. At the level under this is the main table, where the queen and her captains eat. Above the statue stretches the tallest tower in the castle. Around this tower, and the hall, are the Tubes, long covered slides used when someone in the towers needs to get to great hall pronto. The second-greatest roller coaster on earth, (the first being the coaster that takes you down the tallest mountain in the universe, Mt. Cretta, in Algrasar) the Tubes are kept in working order by sorcerers and stone-elementals. Back in great hall, doors to the kitchen and cellars are alternated on the walls with massive fireplaces. The door to great hall is gilded and covered with scroll work and sculptures depicting scenes from folk tales and epics. It stands roughly half the hight of great hall, which is 12 stories tall. This door opens to a small receiving area, where the two staircases that go the the Officers quarters. (Officers, above Lieutenant, can choose to sleep in the barracks or in the personal rooms above great hall and in the four towers.) This room also has a larger door, this one made of Sokorian steel (third-strongest substance in the universe, and the strongest metal.) it is covered in more gold, and depicts creatures both magical and normal. This door leads to the parade grounds. Tokore castle, a sprawling mile across, is a city within a city. But for now, I’m content to only describe the Hall.

Hope this helped if anyone wanted to know more of my storybook world. I know it’s going to help me remember the scenes! :)

Love to all!

-Tani