Month: April 2012

Coptic Christians – Cave Church, Cairo

Peanut Gallery: Garbage City, Cairo is the home of many of the Coptic Christians living in Cairo. They are the city’s garbage collectors… such as it is. But where do they go to church and what makes it special?

Our family in the Middle East recently visited their church – Cave Church. It seats 20,000 and has an amazing history. Here’s a link to their website – translation leaves something to be desired. And here’s some more background information from Wikipedia.

But the reason I’m posting this is our family took pictures of the Cave Church. Check out the link for more pics and narrative –

Three Joshua Trees.

Catholic Bishops Take on Obama

Now the bishops have made clear that the contraception mandate must be rescinded, because, in their view, even a more expansive exemption cannot sufficiently protect religious freedom.

Catholic Bishops Take on Obama.

7:05 AM, APR 23, 2012 • BY VINCENT PHILLIP MUÑOZ

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has taken a bold stand for religious freedom. In a recent statement, titled “Our First, Most Cherished Liberty,” the bishops call for repeal of contraception coverage mandated by the Department of Health and Human Services. The clarified position sets up a dramatic confrontation with the Obama administration—and would, if the bishops prevail, help preserve the religious liberty of all Americans.

The HHS mandate requires employers to provide insurance coverage for contraception and sterilization services. It is, according to the bishops, an “unjust law.” They write: “It cannot be obeyed and therefore one does not seek relief from it, but rather its repeal.”

The statement is a rebuke of President Obama and the so-called accommodation his administration proposed in February. It also raises the stakes between the president and the leaders of America’s Catholic Church.

The bishops call on Catholics in America, “in solidarity with our fellow citizens,” not to obey the law. Continue reading “Catholic Bishops Take on Obama” →

PDL 4 – Made to Last Forever

“[God] has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT

“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’”
Matthew 25.23 NLT

Day 4 of 40: I’m writing this at the auto repair shop. This is one of several visits over the last couple of weeks since our “brush with death” accident in Florida.

Our car spun off the road during heavy rain and into a ditch… and, by God’s grace, a “soft” collision. There was $6000 worth of damage and we had some bumps and bruises… but we walked away… wondering “What was that all about?”

So… eternity has been on my mind.

Over the years I have been working for that eternal “well done.” I’ve tried to make the most of what I’ve been given, thought of myself as a steward, multiplied investments at every level, and generally left things better than I found them.

And eternity is on my heart and mind right now. I’ve cut back on a lot of activities that have no eternal value as far as I can see. I’ve eliminated a lot of stress – “spin outs” excepted – and live a pretty simple life. So I’m ready to place myself at God’s disposal… again.

The question of the day is: In light of eternity, what one one thing should I stop/start doing? Fair enough.

My best answer right now – stop thinking about myself (how I can use my gifts, experience, etc)… and start thinking about others (how can I help the people around me).

God may place something else on my heart… but for now, that’s a start.