Thursday, May 15, 2008
Hello folks. A real variety this week.
One of my jobs in life is to ask questions; below find some that you might want to ponder. Don’t rush it.
The “innerview” word comes from an actor I was interviewing years ago, and at the end of the interview, he wept and then said, “You don’t do interviews Scott, you just conducted an 'innerview' of me."
An Innerview of You
By Scott Ross
“When you get everything you want, will you have everything you need?”
“Where do you go from the highest?”
“Why do we attempt to sell that which we were given free?”
“How do the poor pay?”
“What comes out of you?
When the pressure comes on you?
“Do you react, or respond?”
“If you knew you were going to die for someone, how would you live toward them?”
“Are we helping people or leaving them helpless?”
“Do you live according to trends or truth?”
“How can you hear the sound of a different drummer if you are not listening?”
“Do we barter the truth for trifles?”
“Is there a contradiction between my outward actions and my inner intentions?”
“How can we presume to teach the next generation if we don’t choose to remember we were once like them?”
“Have you ever done as you like, and then afterward, didn’t like what you had done?”
“If your next act were your last—what would it be?”
“In attempting to attain success, (so called) were truth and integrity compromised?”
“Are we in love with our own theologies, dogma, and opinions, or truth?"
“How do you live when no one is watching?”
“Like wheat, we appear to be bright and shining on the outside. But when we are crushed, what appears— wheat or tare?”
“Are you living by Kingdom principles or by a generic American Christianity?” (Maybe neither)
Here’s a wonderful story from Jim Caviezel the actor who portrayed Jesus in The Passion of the Christ and I interviewed. We are pursuing an update on this story as we speak.
With Adoption of Second Disabled Child Jim Caviezel Makes Good on Pro-Life Convictions
"You have no idea the blessings that you have coming" says Caviezel to parents considering adoption
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/apr/08042907.html
I have personally experienced four types of skin cancer, including Melanoma, which is considered the “silent killer.” I embrace the Scripture, “The sun won’t strike you by day;” but I still wear a sun block and cover up.
Fair warning to all, please don’t take it lightly.
Skin cancer can sneak up on the most savvy
Monthly skin checks, vigilance are key to catching problems early
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24415128
A Beach Bum No More
Finally, I guess this personal story sent to me recently is part of the reason I’m still on the planet doing my job!
“Well, the story actually starts before that night in Orlando, Fla. in 1972. I was 20 years old, a college student, a "beach bum" surfer, and a "partier". I was working part time in a newspaper mail room in Orlando, and a fellow worker would witness to me from time to time. I avoided him, but for some reason I kept the tracts he gave me. (I disliked Christians, and arrogantly considered myself an atheist and an intellectual.)
On a Saturday night in late winter or early spring, I had gone out looking for a "party", but unusual as it was, I wasn't drunk or high on drugs that night. I was driving home by myself and stopped at a traffic light when the Scott Ross radio show came on the local rock radio station.
Scott Ross started talking about Jesus, and in that moment, I had a supernatural visitation by the Holy Spirit. God spoke to me inwardly and said, "Chris, this is your last chance. You know it’s true. You know that Jesus Christ is real. Repent and believe." I was overcome with conviction as I knew I was in the presence of God. I wept openly, and as best I knew how, began to cry out to God to forgive me and save me. As I did, a joy unlike anything I had ever known swept over me. I hardly remember the drive home.
When I got home, I ran around in the front yard yelling, "He's real! He's real! My younger brother thought I had "flipped out" on drugs. I went inside and got one of the tracts that my co-worker had given me, then drove up to a pay phone and called him. It was after midnight. I stayed up all night reading the New Testament, and went to church with John on Sunday.
A few weeks later, I was filled with the Holy Spirit. I was able to share my testimony with my former girlfriend (Joanne), who was then heavily in the drug and rock music scene in Tampa (at USF). She was saved, and about a year later we were married. We are now both 56 years old, and by God's grace still serving Him. In fact, I am more in awe now of His amazing grace and how He would choose to save a wretch like me than I was in 1972!
Thanks, Scott, for proclaiming the name of Jesus - it was the Word of Truth that God used that night to reveal the truth of the Gospel to me, and I haven't been the same ever since!”
For Him, Chris Cagle
Great stuff! Thanks folks, and I look forward to your responses.
Scott Ross
Friday, May 09, 2008
And greetings to all!
It’s interesting to note that when one pulls back the covers on our so-called civilized veneer, many of the creepy crawly issues of the heart emerge.
Although many would not admit that we harbor any prejudice against any other people group or that it held any influence over us, recent discourse in the political arena has once again produced the “race card.”
A phrase has been coined that describes those that attend church congregations on Sunday morning as participating in and belonging to “the most segregated hour of the week.”
Understandably, many have been unable to relate to Christ the Caucasian, the blue-eyed Aryan. On the flip side, there are those who have identified Jesus as African, or whatever other ethnic persuasion one most closely relates to from our own cultural heritage.
Certainly, there are distinctions of cultures, and we each as individuals have different functions in life; however, a friendly reminder from the Scriptures that He created the “whole family of man” would be healthy for us to revisit.
Plumb Line of Truth:
Christians believe that the Son of God, Jesus Christ, was conceived by the Holy Spirit supernaturally to the Virgin Mary in flesh and blood on this planet as a Jew. Subsequently, as the Son of God, through His death and resurrection:
“He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth.” (Acts 17.26)
“God has shown me (Peter) that I should never think of anyone as impure. I see that God doesn’t show any partiality. In every nation He accepts those who fear Him and do what is right.”(Acts 28; 34-35)
“Jew and Gentile are all the same in this respect. They all have the same Lord.” (Romans 10.12)
“God has no favorites.”(Galatians 2.6; Ephesians 6.9)
“There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians – you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3.28)
“Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.” (Colossians 3.11)
And the future promise of Scripture states that Jesus Christ will return in flesh and blood to this planet just as He left; and when He does, He will be gathering people from “Every nation, and tribe and people and language.” (Revelation7.9: 14.6)
In the meantime, those of us who believe have a mandate to go into the entire world, to every nation, tribe, and people and language,” and/or neighborhood,and tell them about this non-sectarian Savior.
No distinctions.
Just thought we needed the reminder.
Thanks folks,
Scott Ross
Friday, May 02, 2008
Greetings, folks,
On Thursday's American Idol, two things: My personal favorite, Brooke White, was voted off. That’s it for me. However, Neil Diamond appeared on the show as the mentor to the contestants, and he sang a song from his new album, Home Before Dark that will be out in a week or so.
The song he chose to sing is called PRETTY AMAZING GRACE, and it is amazing in terms of lyrical content. You can hear the 5-MINUTE long PRETTY AMAZING GRACE at www.NeilDiamond.com. He was scheduled to do the TODAY show concert today.
This isn’t the first time that Diamond has written and recorded songs with spiritual content in the lyrics. His last album, 12 Songs, released a couple of years ago, contained the song "Man of God." That may be available on a download from his Web site.
Both albums have been produced by Rick Rubin, who produced all of Johnny Cash’s American Trilogy albums just prior to Cash’s death. Cash & Rubin used to celebrate communion on a regular basis while they were working together.
All that to say that throughout the years, my wife Nedra and I have prayed for musicians (among others), since that is the world we were part of. Without reading too much into it, in my opinion something spiritual is happening with Neil Diamond, and so to find out we are pursuing an interview with him.
We’d appreciate prayer for that, but also whether we land that or not, pray that whatever is going on in Neil Diamond’s life would bring forth “real fruit.”
Thanks guys,
Scott Ross
Thursday, May 01, 2008
And a good day to you!
Just watched the news and read some newspaper commentaries, and it's interesting to note how much God's name has entered into the public debate these days. In this age of instant communication, the amount of "stuff" that is flying about can be overwhelming! And when it gets into the arena of religion and politics….watch out!
Although Jesus called His followers sheep, we don't have to be dumb ones. In actuality we are told to "be wise."
What to believe?
We respond to opinions, arguments, dialogue, theologies, and points of view all from our own frame of reference. We see the world through our own glasses. How we see is affected by our upbringing, culture, personal influences, traditions, etc. And for many it is hard to change and accept any other point of view. After all, we are right let everyone else adjust.
We try to conform God to our image of Him, rather than us being conformed to Him who sees us as we are. God and humans are incompatible and somebody is gonna have to change and He says, "I'm God and I never change!"
Strange Stuff…
John the Apostle warns about false prophets who belong to the world, so they speak from the world's viewpoint; and the world listens to them. But John goes on to say, "We belong to God; that is why those who know God listen to us. If they do not listen to God, they don't listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception." (1 John 4.5-7)
We need to be on guard and not be led away (and this is the insidious one) by "the wolves among us." The Scriptures warn us to be aware of:
- "Doctrines of men." (Colossians 2.22 )
- "Doctrines of devils." (1 Timothy 4.1)
- "Many strange doctrines." (Hebrews 13.9)
- "Those who are proud, knowing nothing, destitute of truth." (1 Timothy 6.4-5)
- "Those who reject the truth and turn to myths." (2 Timothy 4.4)
- "Those who rebel against right teaching
- Engage in useless talk, deceiving people.
- By their wrong teaching turn whole families away from the truth."
And here is a major part of their motive: "They just want your money." (Titus 1.10-11)
The Apostle Peter adds "In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money." (2 Peter 2.1-3)
Below the Bottom Line
The antidote to lies is TRUTH.
Truth is the prism through which we look at life.
The truth can be known; it is attainable, practical, and applicable to all aspects of life itself.
Truth can be translated into the personal integrity of the heart and conscience and with your mouth is as basic as "Let your yes be yes, and your no be no." (Jesus Christ - Matthew 5.37)
Truth is absolute and it can be measured:
"They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really teaching the truth." (Acts 17.11)
" Rightly handle the Word of Truth." (2 Timothy 2.15)
And ultimately, Truth is a Person: "I am the TRUTH!" (Jesus Christ)
As Paul the Apostle said, "Remind everyone of these things." (2 Timothy 2.14)
That we are trying to do.
Thanks, folks,
Scott Ross
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Greetings and salutations one and all.
I recently had a conversation in regard to obeying God and following on to know Him. Most of my struggles throughout my life have been in regard to obedience; I am very good at making up excuses NOT to do something or procrastinating and putting it off until another time when it might be more convenient for me.
The trouble is that often my will and God's will are at cross purposes and somebody's will is gonna be done here. And this is where the wrestling match begins.
Evidently I am not the only one to go through this. What follows is a list of people who had all the excuses, arguments, and shortcomings as to why they couldn't measure up. See who you identify with and then you can do your own reading as to where they ended up and whose will was done. Maybe you have a better excuse.
Man’s Reaction to God’s Call
(Other than Scripture the source for this outline is unknown)
- Moses –“I cannot.”
- Gideon – “How can I?”
- Isaiah – “Woe is me.”
- Jeremiah – “I am but a child.”
- Peter – “I am a sinful man.”
- Paul – “In me dwells no good thing.”
And then there was:
- Moses stuttered.
- David's armor didn't fit.
- John Mark was rejected by Paul.
- Hosea's wife was a prostitute.
- Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning.
- Jacob was a liar.
- David had an affair.
- Solomon was too rich.
- Abraham was too old.
- David was too young.
- Timothy had ulcers.
- Peter was afraid of death.
- Lazarus was dead.
- John was self-righteous.
- Naomi was a widow.
- Paul was a murderer. So was Moses.
- Jonah ran from God.
- Miriam was a gossip.
- Gideon and Thomas both doubted.
- Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.
- Elijah was burned out.
- John the Baptist was a loudmouth.
- Martha was a worrywart.
- Mary was lazy.
- Samson had long hair.
- Noah got drunk.
- Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse?
- So did Peter, Paul—well, lots of folks did.
Not very religious or spiritual were they?
The fact is, “We have each gone his own way.” Isaiah 53.6
What's your excuse?
See ya,
Scott Ross
P.S.: I just want to add that it is exactly ten years ago this month that the disease known as Menier's came upon me, resulting in continual, perpetual dizziness and vertigo. There is no natural cure. I tried to use that as an excuse for a while for not doing some things, but God's answer was, "My strength in your weakness." And thanks for the prayers.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Hello all,
In response to the deluge of e-mail comments I received regarding the performance of "Shout To the Lord" on the American Idol TV show last week, a friend e-mailed this bit of background information:
"Do you know the story behind 'Shout to the Lord'? Darlene Zschech needed one more song to 'fill out' her CD. She sat down and wrote that song in one short sitting… taught it to the choir and they recorded it… The producer (Russ Fragar) told me once that they'd selected another song on that album to be THE song… and this one EXPLODED when the CD was released! He said they never imagined something like that would happen, but that song is what put the Hill Song Church on the map!
Interesting how God does stuff, isn't it?"
In some recent business dealings with contractors, car dealers, real estate agents, and my reactions each time I pull up to a gas pump, or have to deal with the airlines, these thoughts have popped into my mind:
"Do you know what I want? says the Lord ….balanced scales. Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight. The Lord hates cheating and delights in honesty" (Proverbs 11.1)
The Latin word extortion would apply here, which is defined as "twist." Extortion is an unjust exploitation of people who are unable to defend themselves for whatever reason. It is largely motivated by selfishness and greed. And we wonder why our economy and the nations are in trouble.
On a related matter:
We are supposed to pray for all those in authority. Here is my prayer in regard to some current politicians who hold office and the Presidential race: "Let his days be few, and let another take his office." (Psalm 109.8)
Blowhards
I used to be on radio for many years and loved it; often more so than television; now, however, I almost but never listen any longer. In addition, I find it difficult to watch television with the constant barrage of commercials and talking heads. The cacophony of "blowhards" is deafening. Some thoughts:
"Don't talk so much. You keep putting your foot in your mouth. Be sensible and turn off the flow! When a good man speaks, he is worth listening to, but the words of a fool are a dime a dozen. You will give account for every idle word you speak. By your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned." (Proverbs 10.19-20; Matthew 12.36-37)
And less I add to the dissonance, my prayer for me: "Help me, Lord, to keep my mouth shut and my lips sealed." (Psalm 141.3)
Ah, yes, the "sounds of silence!"
Not everyone will be interested in the following recommendation; but for those who might be interested in Church history over the last one hundred years, The Charismatic Century is a great and informative read.
Co-authored by Jack Hayford, pastor, author, and hymn composer, with a good friend of mine, David Moore, pastor, lecturer, and writer on the history and theology of the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements, this book tells the story of a century long spiritual rainfall.
As the book tells us, this has been and is, as it continues, "the most profound event in modern church history."
I have been fortunate enough to have experienced many of the events described here and have known many of the men and women who God used to impact the nations. "Let it rain!"
(The Charismatic Century - The Enduring Impact of the Azusa Street Revival - Jack Hayford and S. David Moore - Warner Faith - Time Warner Book Group)
OOOps…
Last week I sent out one of these missives to you folks, inadvertently sending it with open addresses rather than the blind copies which is our practice. Many of the addressee's have asked that their names and addresses not be published. Some due to security reasons. I apologize that this occurred as I consider that trust to be sacrosanct. I ask that those of you who may be tempted to exploit these names and e-mail addresses for whatever reasons, please restrain yourself and honor the privacy of the persons and companies unintentionally disclosed.
Thanks for your understanding, prayer, and ongoing comments,
Scott Ross
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
C.E.
I agree... I half cried when Michael Johns was voted out. Right after Ramielle Malugay.... wahhhhh. It should have been that girl Kristy Lee Cook who got axed!!! As you can see, we are REALLY into American Idol. In fact, my youngest daughter even auditioned for the local version. We stood in line for six long hours just to do this. Me, the stage mother. Ha ha ha.
E.P.
Thanks, Scott, as I do not usually watch Idol but thought that “Shout to the Lord” was tremendous; to GOD be the Glory!
Appreciate your keeping us up to “speed”.
A
Scott,
It blew me away as well - and last night they did say JESUS in the first line!
Hey, who knows? Maybe Simon will have a Damascus Road experience on AI! :)
R. S.
A good, reasoned perspective on this:
http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=61234
It's not nitpicking.
(I recall G. Harrison's "Sweet 'Lord'" — not MY Lord, but "a" 'Lord' — that business about "whoever denies my NAME..." I don't think that's been revoked, has it?)
D. T.
Just awesome, absolutely awesome!
Through this Idol performance in the world, the world is being judged and Jesus is being lifted up just as He said: "Now is the judgment of this world, now is the prince of darkness cast out. And if I, if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me."
Contact Scott Ross
April 11, 2008
OK, Guys & Gals….
I don't often do this, but this doesn't happen often either. American Idol opened the show last night with an encore of " Shout To the Lord." Evidently it is the number ONE download from the night before.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6WOzF9ZGA7A
I am receiving lot's of e-mail in response to this, too. And for a few nitpickers of you who said they changed the lyrics and took Jesus' name out, please listen closely; the second word and name they mention is who/what??????
And here is some background on the song for you. No offering will be taken.
AMERICAN IDOLS PERFORMED DARLENE ZSCHECH’S “SHOUT TO THE LORD” ON IDOL GIVES BACK
Bloggers and TV writers are buzzing about the grand finale performance of Idol Gives Back, which was predicted to be one of the most watched television programs of the year. According to those in the audience, the show’s grand finale, which was taped on Sunday at Los Angeles’ Kodak Theatre, has the eight American Idol finalists performing “Shout to the Lord,” the contemporary classic hymn written by Hillsong/Integrity’s Darlene Zschech.
(Tricia Whitehead, Spinhouse Public Relations)
From the first night performance:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6WOzF9ZGA7A
My only complaint: the Aussie singer Michael Johns was voted off last night! In my opinion a real miss.
Thanks for all your comments,
Scott
Contact Scott Ross
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Greetings & salutations, Folks,
I don't know how many of you watched American Idol on the tube last night, but for the second time they featured a special entitled American Idol Gives Back.
This is a worthy cause where they do an "ask" to raise money for the poor and underprivileged of the world. We here at CBN do a similar thing through our telethons and Operation Blessing.
However, what was mind-blowing was Idol ended the show with all the current "idols," accompanied by a choir singing a Christian "hit," “Shout to the Lord!" In the context of that happening on the number-one show in TV land, it was rather amazing. Somebody got approval to do that, and the producers are to be commended.
And it worked, 'cause my wife Nedra jumped up and called in a pledge!
Here it 'tis: “Shout to the Lord” on American Idol
This bit of news:
Bob Dylan receives honorary Pulitzer Prize
Judges note his ‘profound impact on popular music and American culture’
NEW YORK (The Associated Press) - Thanks to Bob Dylan, rock ’n roll has finally broken through the Pulitzer wall.
Dylan, the most acclaimed and influential songwriter of the past half century, who more than anyone brought rock from the streets to the lecture hall, received an honorary Pulitzer Prize on Monday, cited for his “profound impact on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power.”
It was the first time Pulitzer judges, who have long favored classical music, and, more recently, jazz, awarded an art form once dismissed as barbaric, even subversive.
Long after most of his contemporaries either died, left the business or held on by the ties of nostalgia, Dylan continues to tour almost continuously and release highly regarded CDs, most recently “Modern Times.” Fans, critics and academics have obsessed over his lyrics — even digging through his garbage for clues — since the mid-1960s, when such protest anthems as “Blowing in the Wind” made Dylan a poet and prophet for a rebellious generation.
His songs include countless biblical references and he has claimed Chekhov, Walt Whitman and Jack Kerouac as influences. His memoir, “Chronicles, Volume One,” received a National Book Critics Circle nomination in 2005 and is widely acknowledged as the rare celebrity book that can be treated as literature.
According to publisher Simon & Schuster, Dylan is working on a second volume of memoirs. No release date has been set.
© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Here's the lyrics to one of Dylan's songs from his SAVED period. Prayer for him would be good so that those seeds bring forth new life.
BOB DYLAN LYRICS
"Every Grain Of Sand"
In the time of my confession, in the hour of my deepest need
When the pool of tears beneath my feet flood every newborn seed
There's a dying voice within me reaching out somewhere
Toiling in the danger and in the morals of despair.
Don't have the inclination to look back on any mistake
Like Cain, I now behold this chain of events that I must break
In the fury of the moment I can see the master's hand
In every leaf that trembles, in every grain of sand.
Oh, the flowers of indulgence and the weeds of yesteryear
Like criminals, they have choked the breath of conscience and good cheer
The sun beat down upon the steps of time to light the way
To ease the pain of idleness and the memory of decay.
I gaze into the doorway of temptation's angry flame
And every time I pass that way I always hear my name
Then onward in my journey I come to understand
That every hair is numbered like every grain of sand.
I have gone from rags to riches in the sorrow of the night
In the violence of a summer's dream, in the chill of a wintry light
In the bitter dance of loneliness fading into space
In the broken mirror of innocence on each forgotten face.
I hear the ancient footsteps like the motion of the sea
Sometimes I turn, there's someone there, other time it's only me
I am hanging in the balance of the reality of man
Like every sparrow falling, like every grain of sand.
[ www.azlyrics.com ]
Some words to the times:
Over five years ago when the USA made the decision to commit to the war in Iraq, I was praying about it and this word popped into my mind at the time: Quagmire…. defined as soft miry land that shakes or yields under the foot: a difficult, precarious, or entrapping position : predicament
It appears we are in the muck, and only God's wisdom to our leaders will show the way out. In the meantime our troops and treasure are being expended. "Pray for all those in authority." (Roman 13)
A related subject on “water boarding” or any torture, which is a moral issue – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Jesus Christ)
Finally, could this be a possible living historical metaphor? A black family taking up residence in the White House?
All this food for thought and prayer.
Thanks one & all,
Scott
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Greetings and salutations one and all.
My interview with Tony Orlando is slated to air on The 700 Club this coming Thursday (April 10). One of his big hits: "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree."
Many of you may remember Tony and the two lovely ladies known as Dawn, who accompanied him on his national TV show of the 1970s. Actually, Tony is an old friend of my wife Nedra; and he said that he selected the two women, Joyce and Thelma, who comprised Dawn, based on Nedra. Tony said, "Everyone loved Nedra's group, The Ronettes, but I was in love with Nedra."
Yeah, Tony, but she married me!
Tony had a crash and burn period following the death of his close friend and actor Freddie Prinz of the TV show Chico and the Man. Tony's battle out of darkness into the light of a new "dawn" says it wasn't his fame or fortune that pulled him through.
The Soul of the World
Recently, a friend and companion on the journey, Keith Fournier, sent a piece to me extracted from the words of an ancient second century Christian manuscript entitled “A Letter to Diognetus”. I thought it so poignant that it was worth forwarding to you.
To quote Keith:
We are called, to become the "soul of the world." Or, to use the Biblical imagery, we are to become “leaven” and “salt”, transforming the “loaf” of the culture from within in whatever country they live in.
Examining the words of that first century writing, written to a pagan inquirer to the Christian faith, is helpful. They are as extraordinarily relevant in the first century of the Third Christian millennium as they were in the first century of the First Millennium:
“For Christians are not distinguished from the rest of mankind either in locality or in speech or in customs. For they dwell not somewhere in cities of their own, neither do they use some different language, nor practice an extraordinary kind of life. Nor again do they possess any invention discovered by any intelligence or study of ingenious men, nor are they masters of any human dogma as some are. But while they dwell in cities of Greeks and barbarians as the lot of each is cast, and follow the native customs in dress and food and the other arrangements of life, yet the constitution of their own citizenship, which they set forth, is marvelous, and confessedly contradicts expectation.
They dwell in their own countries, but only as sojourners; they bear their share in all things as citizens, and they endure all hardships as strangers. Every foreign country is a fatherland to them, and every fatherland is foreign. They marry like all other men and they beget children; but they do not cast away their offspring. They have their meals in common, but not their wives. They find themselves in the flesh, and yet they live not after the flesh. Their existence is on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws, and they surpass the laws in their own lives. They love all men, and they are persecuted by all. They are ignored, and yet they are condemned.
They are put to death, and yet they are endued with life. They are in beggary, and yet they make many rich. They are in want of all things, and yet they abound in all things. They are dishonored, and yet they are glorified in their dishonor. They are evil spoken of, and yet they are vindicated. They are reviled, and they bless; they are insulted, and they respect. Doing good they are punished as evildoers; being punished they rejoice, as if they were thereby quickened by life. The Jews wage war against them as aliens, and the Greeks carry on persecution against them, and yet those that hate them cannot tell the reason of their hostility.
In a word, what the soul is in a body, the Christians are in the world...."
“Go into all the world.”
Special Commentary: How the Religious Right lost its ‘Religion’, lost its way and went wrong
By Deacon Keith Fournier
2/14/2008
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)
Thanks all,
Scott