Kung Fu Baby

Move over Karate Kid! Make way to Kung Fu Baby, Bruce Lee's protege in the making. He can surely knock you off your feet with those karate moves...and make you smile.

St. Michael Prayer

(Original prayer composed by Pope Leo XIII to St. Michael the Archangel whose feast we celebrate today along with the other Archangels - Gabriel and Raphael.)

“O Glorious Prince of the heavenly host, St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and in the terrible warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come to the aid of man, whom Almighty God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of Satan."

“Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. That cruel, ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold, this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity."

“These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where the See of Holy Peter and the Chair of Truth has been set up as the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be."

“Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious power of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly find mercy in the sight of the Lord; and vanquishing the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen."

SSA in Children

George Rekers and Don Schmeierer have written well on ways of preventing homosexuality in children. Their books cover many insights into the factors leading to same-sex attraction. In addition, one can make a few suggestions based upon studies of the background of many people who deal with SSA. First, the growing male child needs to identify with either his father or some other significant male person in his life. Likewise the growing female child should identify with her mother. In single-parent homes, one notes an absence of any meaningful male with whom a growing son can identify. The child may, however, identify with some other significant male person outside the home, and in that case it is very likely that he will develop as a heterosexual.

Second, the mother in such a home must avoid overmothering, that is to say, attaching herself too closely to her son so that he is not able to have a life of his own. Naturally, either in divorce situations or in home where the father is not present to his children, and usually not to his wife as well, the mother tends to fill the vacuum. This may lead to the kind of relationship with her son which, in turn, is conducive to homosexual proclivities.

Third, parents should give attention to the very early preschool behavior of their children. A boy who does not take part in scrambling or physical games with his peers, who is constantly being protected by his mother from the neighborhood "roughnecks," who is buried in books whith high academic achievement, has some of the characteristics of the development toward SSA.

The point to be made is that all three kinds of conditions together constitute the possibility for the development of male homosexual tendency.

Several factors that contribute to the genesis of a homosexual condition in the female are an experience of the father as non-caring and even brutal toward the mother and perhaps even the child. The little girl may begin to lok at femininity as weak and not worth emulating. The girl may also experience being regarded as a boy by the parents. Sometimes - and this is true also in the genesis of male homosexuality - a spirit of coldness between the parents contributes to the child's inability to identify with and model self after persons of the same sex.

One may suggest that very few persons with SSA come from homes where the parents, by mutual love, have created an atmosphere of caring for each child. As Irving Bieber observed, after his associates and he had made an exhaustive study of 101 males with SSA, not one of them had come from a home where there was a happy relationship between the father and the mother (Homosexuality: A Psychoanalytic Study, New York, Basic Books, 1962). We would be wise to help young married couples to learn how to truly love each other and their children. Then both parents will be careful to treat each other with love, respect, and affection in the presence of the children, and they will know how to affirm their child as male or female.

(Source: Same Sex Attraction: Catholic Teaching and Pastoral Practice by Fr. John F. Harvey, OSFS)

The Importance of a Pure Heart

Forwarded e-mail:

There is some truth to the old bumper-sticker adage, "Lead me not into temptation. I can find it myself." We all do a pretty good job of putting ourselves in the way of temptation. While we love to blame it on the devil or on other people, the fact is that we often place ourselves unnecessarily in temptation's way.

Maybe you have felt that if you could somehow remove yourself from all outward enticements, you would never sin again. But that simply isn't true. The problem is within us.

The Bible tells us, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV).James wrote, "Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires.These evil desires lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death"(1:14-15 NLT).
That is what Jesus spoke of in the Sermon on the Mount. He addressed areas of sin that are widespread in our culture today, including lust.

Rather than focusing on externals, Jesus dealt with the heart, saying that if our minds are filled with lustful thoughts, it is as though we have actually committed the deeds themselves. It is still sin before God, and God wants to change our hearts.

Jesus said, " 'You have heard that the law of Moses says, "Do not commit adultery." But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart'" (Matthew 5:27-28 NLT).

There are so many things in our culture today that push this sin. We can't escape it. Everywhere we go, there is something--from billboards to television commercials to web site pop-up ads--that feeds the fire of lust.

So here is what it comes down to: we need to do everything we can to stay out of the way of temptation.

For example, if you are watching TV and a scene comes on that you know will only feed lust, here is an idea. There is this thing you hold in your hand called a remote control. Usually, in the upper right or left-hand corner of this object, there is a red button labeled, "power."If you push that button, something miraculous happens: the image goes away. Use that button. Turn the TV off.

If you are in a movie theater and a scene comes up that would encourage lust, instead of thinking, "This is so horrible. Look at that. I can't believe that," get up and walk out of the theater. Better yet, find out what the film is about before you go inside to see it in the first place.

Here is why maintaining a pure heart is so important for believers. If the only thing that is stopping us from committing a certain sin is the fear of getting caught, then when circumstances change in such a way that we feel we can pull it off, we will indeed go and commit that sin.

We need internal incentive, not just outward deterrents. We need a motivationto do the right thing that is based on a fear of displeasing and dishonoring the Lord. We need a motivation that comes from a desire to not sin against God.

The Bible tells us to bring "every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV). Why? Because our thoughts can turn into actions.
It has been said, "Sow a thought; reap an act. Sow an act; reap a habit. Sow a habit; reap a character. Sow a character; reap a destiny.

Each of us needs to periodically look at our lives and say, "Are there any things that I am doing or people that I am spending time around or places that I am going that would encourage lust in my heart and mind?"

Maybe it is something you have been doing, music you have been listening to, movies or television shows you have been watching, or Internet sites you have been visiting that are feeding the fires of lust. These will never satisfy you. They will only make things worse.
Do whatever is necessary and give up what is necessary to keep yourself from falling into sin. Do what you need to do. Take extreme measures, because THE HEART OF THE MATTER IS THE MATTER OF THE HEART. If we can get our hearts changed, then our actions will change as well.

Finish The Year Strong Challenge

We're now in the "ber" months and it is barely less than a 100 days before we say goodbye to 2008. Before the year ends I encourage everyone reading my blog to recall their New Year's Resolutions (if any) or if you do not have I encourage you all the more to make one worthwhile goal you want to accomplish by the end of the year, hence the name of my challenge (Finish The Year Strong Challenge). For me it means getting leaner and reclaiming the "six-pack" abs by year-end. Everyday I'm challenging myself to exercise more and eat right to attain my goal. It can be anything really - whether you want to go places you've never been before or serve the less fortunate it's all up to you. Anything that can make this last quarter of the year fruitful is fine. The mechanics are simple. First you write down your goal/s and commit yourself to achieve it. The only competitor is yourself and it's time bound. Make sure your goals are attainable and realistic and exciting enough to keep you going every day. Consider this as your Christmas/New Year's gift to yourself.

Are you up for the challenge? Stop complaining and making excuses. Challenge yourself and make things happen...one day at a time.

Computer Life

Quote for the Week

"In our daily lives we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy."

Anonymous

Specific SSA Pastoral Problems

As briefly as possible, I should like to present suggestions for special pastoral situations. The first is concerned with parents who want to know either how to cope with the problem of homosexual tendency or to prevent its occurence in family life. (I am basically restricting my advice to parents and relatives of persons with SSA.) Often persons with SSA do not reveal their same-sex attractions until well into adulthood. For good reasons some never do. Parents usually react along the lines of "What did I do wrong that my son or daughter should be gay?"

The best pastoral response is to put the parents at ease. Usually they are not. Certainly, in no way were the parents aware that perhaps, and only perhaps, something in their relationship to their son or daughter was awry, and that it contributed to the development of homosexual tendency in the child. Why, then, should one burden parents with theories about the causal factors in homosexuality? The only prudent and honest approach is to point out that no one knows with certainty what caused the development of homosexuality in their child.

After reducing the guilt quotient in the minds of these parents, the next step for parents is to learn to accept the homosexual condition of their son or daughter without moralistic remonstrances. The child knows that the style of life he or she has been living in not in accord with sound moral teaching, and it will do no good to denounce him or her for it. This does not mean, however, that the parents must approve the lifestyle or homosexual behavior in order to hold on to the love of the child. They can say that, on the one hand, they will always love their child as their son or daughter, but, on the other hand, they disapprove of the lifestyle. It is not advisable to carry the conversation any further. As an adult, the young man or woman knows that he or she is free to seek counsel, but it is not wise to urge the child to talk with some special priest friend, who, the parents think, will dissuade their son or daughter from his or her course of action. (The priest may even confirm him or her in it.)

Eager as parents may be to give such advice, it is better simply to show their child that they really love him or her, even though they cannot approve of the homosexual lifestyle. Parents should continue to correspond with their son or daughter, always praying for a change of heart in their child.

(Source: Same Sex Attraction: Catholic Teaching and Pastoral Practice by Fr. John F. Harvey, OSFS)

Sugar Free

I got this advice from a men's mag: Eat less sugar. For the diabetics and the overweight this should be obvious. No soda, juice, sweetened teas and coffees, sugary cereals and candy. For the rest of us it is wise to follow this advice. I for one have been quite picky when it comes to eating sweets lately although I must admit that resisting the "sweet temptation" is not as easy as you might think - especially when you're hungry. Here comes the tricky part actually. Did you know that sugar hides behind such names as:

1. Barley malt
2. Brown-rice syrup
3. Corn syrup
4. Dextrose
5. Evaporated cane-juice invert syrup
6. Fructose
7. Fruit juice
8. Galactose
9. Glucose
10. High fructose corn syrup
11. Honey
12. Lactose
13. Maltodextrin.
14. Maple syrup.
15. Molasses
16. Organic cane juice
17. Sorghum
18. Sucrose
19. Turbinado

Whew! That's a long list to watch out for. Experts suggest that we substitute high-protein snacks such as cheese or eggs in preference to starchy ones like bagels, chiffons, cakes, etc. Also, consuming fruits may also satisfy your sweet tooth cravings minus the guilt. Next time you go and buy something from the grocery be sure to check the sugar content using the above checklist.

Maskman Finale

Maskman Finale Episode Part 1



Maskman Finale Episode Part 2




You cannot imagine the excitement I felt after I learned that the finale episode of Maskman is now on YouTube! I waited for almost two decades to watch this finale episode. The evil and cruel emperor Zeba is finally defeated and as one might expect it's a happy ending of course. Do you know whatever happened to Princess Igamu and Princess Eyarl? How about Oyubur and Fumin? You better watch this one out.

The Tale of the Cracked Pot

Forwarded e-mail

A water-bearer carries two large pots on a yoke across his shoulders up the hill from the river to his master's house each day. One has a crack and leaks half its water out each day before arriving at the house. The other pot is perfect and always delivered a full portion of water after the long walk from the river.

Finally, after years of arriving half-empty and feeling guilty, the cracked pot apologized to the water-bearer. It was miserable. "I'm sorry that I couldn't accomplish what the perfect pot did."

The water-bearer says, "What do you have to apologize for? "After all this time, I still only deliver half my load of water. I make more work for you because of my flaw."

The man smiled and told the pot. "Take note of all the lovely flowers growing on the side of the path where I carried you. The flowers grew so lovely because of the water you leaked. There are no flowers on the perfect pot's side."

We all have cracks in our lives, some big and others small. Those "cracks" are not totally useless after all. We have to think how we can turn our flaws to something beautiful like the beautiful flowers that the cracked pot nourished. We can all be better one day at a time. We just need to make a decision not to be discouraged by our faults but rather look into the wonderful and nice things we have and make the most of it.

Who Is My Neighbor?

I am writing this from my own personal experience with a heavy heart. Almost a week ago God taught me a lesson I will never forget for the rest of my life and the Parable of the Good Samaritan is His vivid reminder to me of that incident. I already confessed this yesterday in our Sacrament Sunday and I begged the Lord pardon for my fault.

Last week, as I stepped out of our house on my way to our weekly Courage meeting, I met this dirty, poor woman carrying what seems to be as bags of trash. She is a "taong grasa" I guess. All of a sudden, she dropped down and lost consciousness. At first I thought she was suffering from heat exhaustion because that day the sun was scorching hot and seconds later she started convulsing - an epileptic attack! It was my first time to witness such a medical emergency. I was two to three steps away from her, all dressed up and deodorized, and in a hurry. I stood there for a moment while watching her convulse, frozen in time. Many thoughts were racing in my head. Should I help her or should I ignore her as if nothing happened? The poor woman meanwhile continued to have the seizure attack. A few meters away from us, there were a number of onlookers and "uzis" who only watched the scene unfold, as if they were watching some spectacle of sort. Like me they were just watching, perhaps waiting for me to do something since I was the one closest to the epileptic woman. A woman reluctantly approached out of curiosity and then went away. In all honesty I felt embarassed to be caught in that situation. I was also convulsing I guess because I was standing there not knowing what to do. In my mind I was very much struggling and confused.

In an instant I pretended as if nothing is happening and so I went away just like that. While hurrying towards the bus stop I felt my conscience nagging me - "why didn't you do something to help the poor woman?" This was reverberating in my head at that time and so I decided to go back to the scene - well actually I looked back from afar to see how the woman was doing. I was filled with shame and guilt then. Fortunately, the seizure stopped and the woman regained consciousness. A pedicab driver assisted the woman, who was then lying flat on her back in the middle of the street, and took her to the side to rest and recover. I felt relieved somehow that nothing bad happened to her and so after this incident I went back to the bus stop.

Inside the bus this unexpected event continued to bother me. Honestly, I felt some awkwardness in responding to that woman. First, she's dirty and smelly all over. Had she been a "normal-looking person", I could have probably responded to the call of the situation. But in her case I did not. Secondly, I must admit I didn't know how to respond to such an emergency. I feared that I might cause further harm to the person or worse I might be blamed after if something terribly bad happened to her like if she died on the spot or whatever. It scared me to death. I want to think that I'm not the only one guilty here. The idle onlookers are as guilty as I am too. It so happened that I was the one closest to her when she had the seizure attack, but they (the onlookers) nevertheless were responsible too.

I learned a very important lesson from this incident. I came to realize that I acted like the priest and the Levite in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. I ignored and left her there out of my awkwardness to extend help. I did not want to be bothered by such thing. Clearly, I did not act like the Good Samaritan who went out of his way to help the man although sometimes I pretend to be one. This made me realize how little charity I have for those unfortunate people that we see around us everyday. Because we're caught in the busyness of our own lives, we tend to neglect to care for them and think about their needs. Our needs always come first and I'm no exception to that. That poor, ill-clad, smelly woman carrying rubbish around is also my neighbor - not just my family, relatives, co-workers, or friends. They, the forgotten and the abandoned, must serve as a reminder to us that fulfilling the second greatest commandment, which is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves, is not "selective"; it must encompass everyone - even our own enemies.

So I hope you've learned something from my experience. You might want to read this article about how to respond to an epilepsy attack.

"Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?" He said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise." - Luke 10:36-37

Community of Support: Courage and Encourage

The support group Courage was established in 1980 in New York City, and has since grown into an international ministry. Courage has come to play a vital role as an authentically Catholic spiritual support system which persons with SSA can draw strength from in their efforts to live chastely. The goals of Courage are as follows:

1. To live chaste lives in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church's teaching on homosexuality.

2. To dedicate our entire lives to Christ through service to others, spiritual reading, prayer, medication, individual spiritual direction, frequent attendance at Mass, and the frequent reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist.

3. To foster a spirit of fellowship in which we may share with one another our thoughts and experiences and so ensure that none of us has to face the problems of homosexuality alone.

4. To be mindful of the truth that chaste friendships are not only possible but necessary in chaste Christian life - to encourage one another in forming and sustaining them.

5. To live lives that may serve as good examples to others.

Courage meetings focus on the five goals above, and often use an adapted version of the Twelve Steps of A.A., which applies to the steps to the issue of homosexuality. The priest-leader or moderator of the group will give a short reflection on some particular aspect of homosexuality and then give a teaching on how Catholic spirituality can aid one in dealing with that issue. Members are given a chance to share with the group, if they so wish, about how the topic at hand applies to their own life and how he or she is dealing with that issue. The Courage support group setting can be a huge source of strength, because the person with same-sex attractions will not be alone in his or her struggle, and will also have the moral support and fellowship of those who share his or her goal of chastity and spiritual growth.

Members are also encouraged to fellowship and build good friendships with one another outside of the support group setting, and also to seek out friendships with those who do not experience same-sex attractions.

The Role of Encourage

In 1990, attention was given to the need for pastoral guidelines for the parents and loved ones of those with same-sex attractions. A support group for this need was initiated, and it eventually grew into what is now known as Encourage. Like Courage, Encourage provided authentic Catholic spiritual and moral support for its members. Many Encourage chapters exist in the United States.

The goals of Encourage are as follows:

1. To promote a spirit of compassion and acceptance among the members so that they may share with one another their thoughts and experiences and so ensure that no one will have to face the problems of homosexual loved ones alone.

2. To foster the practice of service to others, spiritual reading, prayer, meditation, individual spiritual direction, frequent attendance at Mass, and the frequent reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist.

3. To encourage loved ones in the development of chaste friendships.

4. To witness by good example to others who have homosexual loved ones.

(Source: Same Sex Attraction: Catholic Teaching and Pastoral Practice by Fr. John F. Harvey, OSFS)

Sports Watch for Men

At last, the sports watch I ordered online has arrived. It's not that I don't have a watch, but I want something light and simple for me to use outdoors everyday without having to fear someone would snatch it. This sports watch is cool, elastic, ultra-lightweight, water-resistant, and comfortable unlike my bulky, heavier watch that I purchased many years ago. I saw this watch on Pinoy Guy Guide blog . I recommend this blog for guys.

Adversity Quotient

I encountered this AQ term while watching TV this morning. First there was IQ (intelligence quotient), and then EQ (emotional quotient), and now comes AQ (adversity quotient). AQ in a nutshell simply pertains to an individual's ability to cope and survive during times of adversity and stress. They say AQ is a strong determinant of one's overall success in life besides the IQ and EQ. Hmmm...interesting. I guess I will need to read more what this AQ is all about.

Community Support

Along with intimate friendship with a few persons, the person with SSA needs a community of support. He must see himself as a vital part of the Christian community with a sense of vocation, indeed a mysterious vocation, but still real. It is the role of the counselor to introduce the person into some work of the Christian community, where he can serve others with love and receive love in return.

There are other elements in the plan of life that the person with SSA should consider:

(1) The first is the need for regular meditative prayer. Morning prayer should include some kind of regular direction of all the day's actions to God, and an effort to prepare for the day. As the shrewd businessman prepares for his day, so also the person desirous of the love of God must make an effort to foresee each day's demands and significant events. We should think seriously about the contingencies that may arise, of the places we may be required to go, and the like. Thus with the help of God we will be better prepared to face challenges and dangers that would otherwise surprise and overwhelm one. We can not only anticipate dangers, of course, but can often arrange to avoid or prepare to overcome them. For instance, to avoid a tempting location or situation, we might plan an alternate activity that will strengthen us in goodness or be of some positive value to ourselves or our neighbor.

Experience has proven his exercise of preparation to be practical in guiding those beset with special problems, like those of drink and sex. Like the recovering alcoholic, a person with SSA must take one day at a time, and should make it a day of activity combined with trust in the grace of God. Whatever the matter used, meditation every day is necessary.

(2) A plan of life should also include daily examination of conscience. This is not meant to be a sterile self-examination of maladjustment but an analysis of motivation in the practice of Christian virtue. It is difficult because of the human tendency to self-deception, in which the person with SSA is usually proficient. The basic motive for the examination should be the desire to please Christ, and not to foster self-righteous satisfaction. Through honest probing one seeks to love God better: "How stands my heart before God?" (St. Francis de Sales)

Here it will be useful to sum up the basic elements in a plan of life:

1. Morning prayers, with at least 15 minutes of meditation.

2. Mass as often as possible during the week.

3. Examination of conscience at least once a day.

4. Some spiritual reading every day, especially the New Testament.

5. Carefully select a regular confessor.

6. Some form of devotion to the Virgin Mary and to the saints.

To be sure, other elements could be included in this plan of life, and thus it may be criticized for being incomplete. But, to avoid misunderstandings, it must be said that it is not enough that if one performs a certain number of external exercises, one will perfect the life of Christ in self, and will be cured of any ailment. No! It is important to stress the conversion of the inner person by appealing directly to human affections. External exercises are proposed as helpful in learning how to love God. St. Francis de Sales reiterated that the way to love God is simply to love Him. There is no secret art. The person begins by loving God; one progresses to a greater love by repeated acts of love. This is not to gainsay the value of reason, prudence and faith, which become more insightful as love moves them.

However idealistic this plan of life may seem, experience will prove that it is also practical. Love of God must be the dominant force in the life of the person with SSA, who otherwise may yearn for the kind of fellowship found in the homosexual subculture. In place of this attraction something better - something infinitely better - must be found to fill the void. In an ascetical plan of life, under the guidance of a spiritual director, with a community of support the person with SSA can find that better way.

(Source: Same Sex Attraction: Catholic Teaching and Pastoral Practice by Fr. John F. Harvey, OSFS)

There's Something About Mary

Today, September 8, is the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - the Promised Woman in the book of Genesis and the Woman of Revelations. I encourage everyone to take time to read The Glories of Mary , an explanation of the Salve Regina, which St. Alphonsus de Liguori wrote in defense of the ancient practice of honoring the Mother of God against those who were criticizing and ridiculing this devotion. I believe personally that true devotion to Mary goes beyond the outward performance of devotions due to Her. All external acts of devotion or piety are meaningless unless we have authentic interior disposition, that is, a true devotee must hold the Blessed Virgin in high esteem as the perfect model of Christian discipleship, must always have recourse to Her in their needs both temporal and spiritual, and above all must endeavor to IMITATE the virtues for which She is very well known for, most notably, the virtues of chastity, humility, and perfect obedience to God's will. Sounds too difficult? Let's all pray for the necessary graces because the spiritual life is a long and arduous journey full of dangers and uncertainties. Let's all remember that authentic devotion to Mary is always Christocentric - it leads us always to Jesus who must be the sole purpose and meaning of every Christian's life - Ad Jesum Per Mariam - To Jesus Through Mary.

St. Alphonsus de Liguori on the Glories of Mary:

"I may be allowed to make a short digression and give my own sentiment here. I would say that when an opinion tends in any way to the honor of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, when it has some foundation and is not repugnant to the Faith, nor to the decrees of the Church, nor to truth, to refuse to hold it, or to oppose it because the reverse may be true, shows little devotion to the Mother of God.

"I do not choose to be counted in that company, nor do I wish my reader to be. I wish rather to be in the company of those who fully and firmly believe all that can without error be believed of the greatness of Mary.

"If there were nothing else to take away our fear of going too far in the praises of Mary, St. Augustine's opinion would be enough. He declares that anything we may say in praise of Mary is little in comparison with what she deserves, because of her dignity as Mother of God."

And after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of Thy womb, Jesus.

Where Are You Now?

Song lyrics | Where Are You Now lyrics

I love this 'oldies but goodies' song by Nazareth. I'm just actually feeling sentimental today. The song is dedicated to all my old pals. Only heaven knows where in the world or (the other world) you are all right now. I wish you're all happy. Missing you here. Have a nice weekend to all.

Sunshine Vitamin

Here's another great reason to wake up early and stretch your body. According to recent studies, there is more to vitamin D than just giving you adequate bone protection - it's a potent anti-cancer vitamin too. Read this article for full details. The good thing about this is you and I can get our free dose of vitamin D daily from the sun (except during rainy days) and get protection from a host of life-threatening diseases especially cancer. I guess that will be enough motivation for me to stick to my daily briskwalking/jogging/push-ups regimen. The best time to get sun exposure I think is around 6 a.m. for 10 to 15 minutes when you don't feel burned. If you're a vampire/night shift worker who do not like the idea of being exposed to early morning sun, you may want to consider taking in vitamin D supplements either from food or pills.

It's A Guy Thing - Coming Soon

Just this morning I thought of blogging and featuring articles about improving one's looks and that includes grooming tips, men's fashion, men's health, fitness, etc. I'm not trying to promote vanity here (I think gay guys are naturally vain - like me), but I do believe that looking your best and being in style can boost your flagging self-esteem and improve your sense of well-being. Being an average-looking guy or just another face in the crowd for me is not a legitimate excuse to neglect personality development. It's not the most important thing but I believe it can make you feel like a million bucks in the process and no one's going to do that for you but you. It's like undergoing a makeover one step at a time and whether you admit it or not it's something that you subconciously want to be accomplished in your New Year's resolution list right? Definitely, no "kikay" stuff here. Years ago, I used to read this magazine that is all about guy stuff - from basic grooming tips to the latest techno gadget to dating women. I'm missing Kian Douglas already - this guy is my favorite in terms of giving impeccable grooming advice to straight guys (who never learned the art of shaving their beard properly) among the five queer gay guys of QESG (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy) reality show. Don't you think he's too cute to be in that queer show? Don't you find it strange that there are not too many "straight guys" around to teach these things?

On Legalization of Gay Marriage

"Let us consider our responsibility."

I had just arrived with my son Sam in Argentina. We were inspired, having just finished talking with our friends in Buenos Aires; they had successfully worked with some government officials to block the formation of a civic gay pride day. While serving those with same-sex attraction who seek healing, they are doing all that they can to halt the advance of gay rights in their land.
Then Annette phoned unexpectedly. Usually not a good sign; she brought the news I had been dreading. The CA Supreme Court just voted 4 to 3 to overturn a voter-based initiative that declared marriage as solely heterosexual. Gay marriage is now legal in arguably the most powerful state in the USA.

What does that mean? It means a radical and dangerous redefinition of the most basic and stabilizing relationship on earth. In the USA, marriage used to mean one man and one woman pledged to permanence and fidelity and committed to caring for the children that resulted from their union.

Marriage used to convey the essence of 'the imago dei': God's design for commitment and complementarity in human sexual relationships.

Now marriage has been reconfigured by human hands. The creature has asserted his independence from the Creator in the most brazen way possible. We have asserted how we will image ourselves. The Court has made a way for generations to come to validate rebellion; in our neighborhoods, in our schools, in our churches. 'Family' will now be defined as much by same-sex lovers as by man and woman.

Children will grow up under that state-mandated idolatry: what God defines as evil has now become just and true.

The Court has undermined God's best for the whole of a culture. The decision will resound throughout the nation and the world. Unlike Massachusetts where a gay couple must establish residence in order to marry, CA welcomes all from throughout the nation to marry there. That means that gays will marry in CA, then return to their states and insist that any laws there that define marriage as heterosexual be overturned by the courts. Just as CA did!

What can we do? Wake up. This decision impacts you as nearly as it does the gay couple in San Francisco. You are a citizen in the land. You have a voice. In light of a people coming out of great darkness in the area of sexual brokenness, Paul implored: 'Wake up, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be careful how you live, making the most of every opportunity.' (Eph. 5:14, 15)

He implores us to rise and shine and make known His way for marriage. Gather to pray with others on the basis of Joel 3: 13-17: "Declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly" (v.15). Ask God for mercy on behalf of our land. Get rid of any residual idolatry you still cling to.

If you are considering doing a healing group for the sexually broken, now is the time to go forward. Declare to the community: here is the refuge for those most caught in the crossfire between idolatry and God's will. As we gather together as male and female, we declare: this is God's image for humanity!

Speak up in your churches. Assert at once God's compassion for the broken ones who choose His way and holy fear for those who refuse it for the law of an idolatrous land.

Do everything in your power to overturn the court's decision in CA. CA citizens are now mobilizing to put on the ballot in November a heterosexual only marriage initiative. (For the second time!) Such a bill could overturn the court decision.

Pray that the people will overturn the court's decision. Here in Argentina I am aware that all eyes are on the USA and its decisions concerning gay rights and the definition of marriage. Will we set a precedent of idolatry for our children, in our nation and in every nation on earth? Or will it be one of righteousness and compassion?

Let us consider our responsibility soberly in light of what is happening right now in the land. Let us pray and act now while we have opportunity. Let us not say in 10 years when gay marriage has become the norm: "How did that happen? We are witnessing it happening now, the biggest door opening yet for the reconfiguring of the image of God in the USA.

God have mercy. God give us the greater power to seek to overcome the evil of idolatry with good: man for woman, woman for man.

(Source: Andy Comiskey Desert Stream Ministries Andy Comiskeyemail: info@desertstream. org phone: 866-359-0500)

View of Chastity

People in general - not just those who experience same-sex attraction - have a decidedly negative view of chastity. For most it appears to be a "no-no" virtue, saying, among other things, that any kind of touch is evil. Yet true chastity is concerned with the proper way of expressing our affections. Chastity is concerned "with integrating our sexual and affective loves and pleasures into our person with the loving and intelligent ordering of our sexual desires and longings, of our need to touch and to be touched" (William E. May, "The Nature and Meaning of Chastity," Synthesis Series, 1976, 36).

Because we are the kind of beings we are, we often need to express our emotions by word or gesture. Thus, touching has its place. Certain touches by their nature are reserved to the married couple, but other touches often are acceptable and appropriate to express other forms of affection and friendship, and this applies to those with homosexual tendencies and well as those who are completely heterosexual.

Marriage and its appropriate touches have already been alluded to. This is the most intimate form of human friendship for many. But there can be extremely rich and deep friendships between unmarried persons, and between married people and friends who are not their spouses. These solid friendships are good, chaste, and in every way desirable. Friendships of this sort are most supportive of the maturing person, for they provide love and a sense of self-worth. Such friendships are equally available to maturing persons, regardless of their predominant sexual attractions. The need for good friendships is especially real for persons with SSA, since often many of their sufferings and difficulties stem from their lack of real friends of long standing.

Forming Friendships

One of the prime tasks of the spiritual director, therefore, is to help people with SSA form some lasting friendships with both men and women. The best way is to introduce them to people with SSA who live chaste lives and who have suffered all the ills associated with the homosexual condition. Through good example, those with SSA can be shown that chastity and friendships are not incompatible. This does not mean that in the search for solid friendship there will not be any specific difficulties and temptations related to the condition. The effort to form a stable friendship may lead to a temptation to commit unchaste acts with the friend. In these situations, those with SSA should not give up the attempt to form a chaste relationship: the formation of a stable relationship is so vital that the risk must be taken. The alternative would be to retreat back into the kind of isolation which leads to a promiscuous way of living. As John Rechy shows in his writings, City of Night, Numbers, and Sexual Outcast, the promiscuous "homosexual" is afraid of intimacy even as he seeks it in the wrong way.

The spiritual director must understand this fear in the person with SSA who is trying to lead a chaste life. Because of his sense of helplessness after so many falls, he will be afraid to cultivate deep friendship or intimacy with anyone. Since he has equated intimacy with overt sexual activity, he needs to learn the difference between the two. A person can remain chaste without building walls to isolate himself from other people. It is genuinely possible to learn to tread a middle path between imprudent exposure to sin and alienation from other humans.

There is an important factor, however, which may impede the person with SSA from forming solid friendships, namely self-hatred or narcissism. A psychological counselor can help both the spiritual director and the person with SSA in dealing with this problem, which must be confronted. The acquisition of some measure of genuine self-esteem is the first step toward the formation of true friendships (See Conrad Baars' Born Only Once as a helpful guide on this problem.)

It should be stressed that it is going to take time for the person with SSA to learn to accept and love himself, and in this process the formation of solid friendships is necessary. The person must be affirmed by another in order to love himself properly and to live chastely. Gradually he will perceive that the fundamental need of the human person is not for genital expression but for a sense of being loved deeply by God and by others, and of being able to love them in return.

Source: Same Sex Attraction: Catholic Teaching and Pastoral Practice by Fr. John F. Harvey, O.S.F.S)