A Curious Man: Robert “Believe it Or Not!” Ripley

I was so incredibly depressed and disgusted by Ripley's alcoholic bent, womanizing tendencies, and his manipulation of so many people and cultures for his profit, fame, and curiosity that I couldn’t bring myself to finish reading the entire book.

     
Author Neal Thompson's writing is actually quite beautiful,  interesting, and smooth.  The style of the writing and layout of the book are both perfectly fitting for a biography about such an unusual character.  The photos included are very telling.  The problem I had with the book came in the subject he wrote about in such minute detail.  The moral depravity of the man in question is what shocked me more than any of the peculiar people or practices he wrote about or drew during his extensive jaunts around the globe.  

     
I had planned on reading A Curious Man: Robert “Believe it Or Not!” Ripley and joining a Cursillo friend who’s a librarian for the book club discussion he was leading last month.  A series of unfortunate events that took place during the beginning of that week led me to spend most of my time reading spiritual, religious, and hope-filled books instead of forcing myself to make it through the one about Robert Ripley. 

     
The wildly popular cartoonist and world traveler's manipulative manner in his personal and professional relationships showed a complete disregard for the value of human life.  From what I did read it seemed he wasn’t able to recognize or muster an ounce of respect for human dignity.  He’d exploit anyone and anything to satisfy his curiosities, placate his self-centeredness, and indulge in whatever pleasures and distractions fit his fancy at that moment in time.

     
Believe it or not, Ripley’s ego was bigger than any of his dwelling places.  He was without a moral compass of any sort.  He lived his life like the consummate frat boy: drinking all the time, using people, shirking responsibility, dodging the truth, sleeping with all the women he could get.  He led the unexamined life of a spoiled but intriguing celebrity with very eclectic obsessions and far-reaching influence.    

      
I found it quite disheartening to read about the mess he made of things because of his flippant treatment of women and total irreverence for other cultures.  He tainted newspapers and radio with his unconventional fetishes and raging materialism.  His belief that the only higher power greater than himself was a sultry mix of money and fame underlined his desire to remain in a prominent, lucrative, and highly influential place in society no matter what the cost.   

     
At the end of the day and his life, I wondered if he ever really inspired or gave hope to another human being by the way he lived or what he did.  A whole lot of people over a long period of time were fascinated by his reporting, his exotic collections, and skewed view of things, but did he ultimately cause more corruption and scandal, influence greater greed, degrade women, and present a derogatory perspective of other ethnicities and cultures?  It’s hard to know for sure.  Each person’s life is so deeply entwined with those of other people.  I don’t suppose the answers to the following questions would cast him in too favorable a light: how will most remember him? who and what was most important to him? for what purpose did he use his time, talents, and resources?

     
That having been said I realize people can’t really be contained in or fully explained by anything they produce.  Each project is only a glimpse inside, a part of the mystery, a fraction of the wholeness God created.  Our essence isn’t something others can grasp entirely, nor is it something they can take from us.  It is clear to the Lord alone who we really are, who He made us to be.  No one else gets to determine that or define us, though they may try to.

     
There are some inspiring books I’ve read and a great short film I've seen which treat subjects that would have fascinated Ripley in ways that illustrate these individuals are human beings with inherent value and dignity. I highly recommend the following two books as ones that are heartfelt, faith-filled, and inspirational by a man who was born with no arms or legs: Nick Vujicic. 

Life without Limits and Unstoppable 

Nick has done music videos, public speaking, and also is in a great short film called The Butterfly Circus. The story's about people with special talents and abilities being exploited in a freak show setting and how they are rescued, become a family of sorts who join together to entertains others, but without dehumanizing themselves or anyone else.

It occurred to me when reading this book that we have so many opportunities to use our talents to glorify the Lord or instead to cater to our own self-centered desires for pleasure, renown, and success.  The choices we make not only affect those we come into direct contact with but thousands of others who are influenced by the decisions we make for good or evil.  If Robert Ripley had a bucket list, he probably crossed off a number of things on it before he died.  He became famous, got to travel the world, draw cartoons, write, influence many people...But what I’m left to wonder is what was on God’s Bucket list for his life? 

In Case You Were Wondering Where I've Been

     As part of the ongoing discernment I know to be life-long necessity for all who try to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit,  I have been prayerfully listening and making some changes I have felt urged to undergo in how I spend my time, energy, etc.  It has been a tremendous gift and encouragement that Kevin has decided going to daily Mass several times during the week would be his Lenten devotion, because there are few things that remind me of God's love and ability to change hearts and minds than sitting and holding hands with my dear husband at Mass.  

     I've been subbing at school pretty often, still reading a lot (mostly in English but also some French), and Kevin's been doing some odd jobs here and there while still looking for a full-time job with benefits.  We're both still praying and waiting for whatever will be the next big thing we undertake, but right now we're content to be serving on really wonderful Cursillo teams and growing closer to the Lord and each other.   

     I realized in hopping from one blog to the next to try and keep up with what’s going on in the world and the blogosphere, attempting to participate in the right link-ups and get the most visitors to my blog with frequent, timely posts was making my prayer time, faith formation, closest relationships, and my vocation to write (particularly: spiritual reflections, personal letters, and prayers) suffer.  

     This is why I have not been participating in 7 Quick Takes Friday recently or posting quite as often as I have at other times.  I have been getting back to a more regular chunk of time for daily prayer, journaling, writing reflections, letters, and things more often, and it's been good to process things with pen and paper and decide what I will share, if anything, on my blog.  Writing because I love to write and am inspired is something I don't want to lose and can too often get away from when I have too many of the how to have a wildly popular blog or what you should be writing about or commenting on things going through my head.  

     It's more important to me to have an active prayer life, loving relationships in person, and time to listen and reflect on what God is asking of me, than it is to see how much blog traffic I can get.  I get caught up in the shoulds and coulds ideas, and suddenly, I find myself stressed out, fragmented, unsettled without enough prayer time, disconnected from loved ones.  

     Plus, I figure that if I am dedicated to prayer and open to what the Lord wants of me, then what I write will reach the people that would find it helpful to read and ponder whenever and if ever they happen upon my blog.     

     I stepped back to look at how I have been spending my time by asking and praying about the following: 

1. What goals or motivation have influenced my choices the most? 

2. Does the Lord come first and my relationship with my husband second before everyone and everything else? 

3. What do I need to do differently so that my time, actions, energy, and on what I spend money reflect that God is first and foremost in my life and that our marriage comes before all else?

     I know it’s not a coincidence that I’ve been prompted to ask myself these questions when I am more often around people for whom prayer, faith formation, and acts of service are a way of life.  Certainly, when surrounded by those who do their best to put Christ first, I am more inclined and challenged to do the same thing.  For those reasons, I am incredibly grateful for the local Cursillo community as well as the Christ Renews His Parish contingency from our parish. 

     Earlier this week I had lunch with my mom, and we had an interesting discussion about how the decisions we make—both big and small, public or private—affect other people, especially those closest to us, whether we want them to or not.  I was mentioning how apparent it has been to me that I want and need to be around Christian community who make prayer, ongoing discernment, and faith formation a priority in their lives.  Their example inspires, encourages, and motivates me.

     The other side of that is also true: the time I spend with the Lord (or don’t) affects every single one of my interactions with other people—not just in terms of their faith and prayer lives, but in every aspect of our lives. 

     The best thing I can do is God’s Will both for me and for everyone else.  To be conformed to God’s Will, I have to spend time in prayer, take part in the Sacraments, and be aware and respectful of His Presence in each person and living thing. 

     In order to do this, I need to be aware of my own proclivities, downfalls, and sinful inclinations, so that I draw closer to Christ.  Once I step into the light of Jesus, He then creates in me a new, more loving, gentle, compassionate, tender, and merciful heart.  With a renewed heart and spirit, I am able to be a better, bigger vessel for the Holy Spirit to work in and through. 

     The more I am open to the Lord and fully present to the people He’s put in my life, especially those physically in my presence, the more God’s love will shine in, through, and around me. 

     Lord, so often I look around and see what others are doing and determine in my own mind the value of what they’re doing and how they’re doing it, but I’m much more hesitant to observe and be mindful of my own thoughts and actions.  If I spend too much time looking inward, I easily become discouraged, depressed, doubtful, sorrowful, and afraid.  If I remain focused on You, then love, great mercy, living hope, and compassion will be closer to the surface. 

     God can and wants to work in and through me to bring others closer to Him.  Am I going to rejoice in that and cooperate or resist and refuse to go along? 

     Truthfully, I’ll likely do some of each.  Fortunately, He can bring about good even from my unwillingness and stubbornness in responding to His grace.    

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 139) Women of Faith Rock the World

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Grace is…having two grandmothers who were strong women of faith as examples when I was growing up,

two parents who always pray for me (one still on earth and one in Heaven), a merciful Lord, reaching out to those who are struggling to survive, living examples of people who do the right thing even when nobody's looking, actually believing God has great things planned for your life beyond your wildest dreams…

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One Year Anniversary My grandma past away one year ago today.  She has been an inspiration to me for many reasons seven of which you can read about here, if you like.

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Top 10 Mommy Blog Epic Fails I’ve finally accepted that I don’t have what it takes to have a hugely successful, widely read, and dutifully followed mommy blog.  I know exactly why that’s the case, and since many of these things aren’t likely to change anytime soon, we might as well be transparent about these drawbacks.  Here are the top 10 reasons why my own blog is not a super-colossal mommy blog at the top of everyone’s blogroll and whose notification of new posts pop up in inboxes everywhere and some links to cool successful mommy blogs.

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Stuff my husband says: After I admitted to Kevin that it’s a good thing I looked up the directions before going to pick up my friend and take her to her infusion, because I’d written down an incorrect street name: Coswell as opposed to what it’s supposed to be which is Cogbill  (Apparently the closest Coswell St. is in Alabama.), he says to me in a very patronizing, aww, how cute tone: “I love you.”
I responded: “Don’t!  It’s not a good idea!”
He said: “No, following your directions is not a good idea.”

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King George & the Ducky In honor of the Mass readings for today, I thought I’d direct your attention to one of the most brilliant pieces family friendly filming that takes actual Bible stories and puts them into an animated form that will have your whole family LOL and educated about morality.  Yes, of course, I’m speaking of Veggie Tales King George & the Ducky. 

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Gimme Shelter I haven’t seen it yet, but I plan on seeing it soon and have only heard amazing things about it.  I couldn’t even make it through watching the trailer without tearing up:

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Day of the Little Way On Feb. 4, Catholics everywhere are invited to join an unprecedented movement on Twitter and Vine called the Day of the Little Way. Inspired by St. Therese of Lisieux, the Day of the Little Way asks Catholics to embrace the New Evangelization by living out your faith in 140 little - but powerful - characters all day long!

The Day of the Little Way encourages Catholics to use the hashtag #LittleWay all day long on Twitter and Vine as a way to share their small stories of faith, prayers, quotes, inspiration and encouragement online. By uniting under one hashtag, Catholics not only demonstrate solidarity in their faith, they also open the door for dialog with people online in a new way. As Pope Francis stated in his recent Communications Day message, “A culture of encounter demands that we be ready not only to give, but also to receive…Let our communication be a balm which relieves pain and a fine wine which gladdens hearts.”
    
Ironically enough, I don’t have a Twitter account, but I did read the book that inspired this movement, and I’ll be posting the review of it on February 4^th.  Check back, then you can tweet it for me ;)   

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 111)

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In Need of a Pint The past couple weeks have been pretty tiring for a variety of reason: not enough sleep, little ones teething, emergency vehicles outside our bedroom window at all hours, several projects and assignments to work on and prepare for, along with the usual stuff, and Kevin not feeling well at all.  Last Friday and today, I’ve arrived with not as much energy as I would like or reasonably need to keep up with three little ones for several hours.  I’ve been reminded, yet again, that God sends us angels when we need some extra help or encouragement. 

     When the usual suspects cooked up the usual chaos last week, Cathy, their grandma, who is my “other mother” (Kevin and I have been “adopted” by their family) stopped by after going to daily Mass.  She brought me a strawberry banana smoothie and she stayed for a bit to visit with the girls and me.  I had no idea she was coming, so I was tremendously grateful when I answered the door and saw who it was. 

     Later that afternoon, another angel showed up, my youngest sister.  Though she’d spent hours helping to take care of our nephew that day, she lovingly agreed to bring me what I wanted for a quick fix to make it through a long day: a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Coffee Heath Bar Crunch.  

     God loves me through the wonderful people He’s put in my life.  Thanks for the pick-me-ups and the cold, sweet treats!   

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Cutting Down, Scaling Back I still don’t think it has completely sunk in that I won’t get to see, talk with, or e-mail my friend Michele Morris who is entering a cloistered monastery in a few weeks.  She’s been sending me some text messages and photos this week since she left Virginia with no plans to return.  I miss her already, and I’d really rather not think about her absence.  I know that God will keep us connected through prayer and the letters we can write and she can receive at Christmas and Easter.  I also am grateful that He’ll bring other people into our lives to help us grow closer to Him and vice versa.  Here's Michele's FB message from Wednesday: “So, finished packing for my train ride home. This is everything I own. or rather everything I own is contained in these three bags (minus wintry stuff and shoes I mailed to the Monastery). Kinda freeing, actually. But also, very bizarre. I mean really weird. This. is. really. happening.”

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You Had Me at Hi The Lord saw fit to remind me that He’s still working and that the Holy Spirit is moving in and through people here.  A friend I met through Michele and Cursillo called today, and it put such a big smile on my face and warm feeling in my heart that she picked up the phone to check in and see how things have been with us.  Betty told me how excited she’s been that her husband is going through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program at church.  When she spoke with unbridled enthusiasm that her husband had decided to join the Catholic Church after many years of not believing God even existed.  Of course, it made me think of Kevin returning to the Church, after many years away.  The Holy Spirit rocks, and when we cooperate, the results are truly miraculous!

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Yo Ho, Let’s Go! Sunshine and her sometimes willing sidekicks enjoy Jake and the Never Land Pirates, among a myriad of other Disney creations.  This week when playing with half spheres that fit together, she told me that she was making breakfast for everyone.  She’d put a little something in each of what she was calling bowls.  It was a charming game of make believe when she caught me completely off-guard by asking: “Can we all celebrate our balls?”  I laughed, knowing she meant that as a completely innocent question, but I just had to text her mom about her exclamation, figuring she could use a laugh, too.  I was even more amused when it occurred to me that we’ll eventually have to teach Sunshine that a hardy “Yo ho, let’s go!” isn’t really a socially acceptable greeting if you’re not actually a swashbuckling pirate (animated or otherwise). 

     Of course, this also made me think of the time Hank, who used to help his dad in the garden, called out very loudly at the church playground: “Where my hoe?!”  I knew what he meant but cringed thinking other people thought I’d taught him to talk like that, so I shouted back: “You mean, where is my gardening tool?” once I finished laughing.  

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Here Comes the Boom Kevin and I enjoyed this movie as well as the bonus features.  Actually, it’s the last movie that Michele came over and watched at our place.  She’s not terribly into boxing or fighting (neither am I), but she appreciates a good story, a good laugh, and actors that are willing to put it all on the line, so she liked it as well.  It was weird that evening, because I knew she only had a few days left to watch whatever movies she felt like, so we let her choose whatever she wanted.  A heartfelt comedy was definitely the best choice for the evening.  Boom, here comes the trailer:  

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Beware of Floss I know kids are ingenious when it comes to getting into things.  They never cease to amaze me at the lengths they’ll go to when they see something they want or feel like experimenting with something they have.  The latest and greatest alternative use for dental hygiene products was demonstrated to me this past week.  Sunshine, while sitting on the toilet, grabbed a little box of floss from the bathroom counter.  I’m in the other room with her sisters, so I don’t know she’s done this until I walk in to see what’s taking her so long, especially once her usual chattering and singing has ceased.  I come in to find that she has somehow (still haven’t tried it myself) disassembled the thing of floss and was holding the blade in her hand.  I’m not sure what she intended to do with it after that, but I wasn’t waiting to find out.        
    

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Facilitator’s Guide I’m working on a Facilitator’s Guide for the John Paul 2 High series of books, and I’m interested to know what study guide or facilitator’s guide have you as a parent, teacher, religious education instructor, librarian…found most helpful.  I have lots of ideas of what to include, but it would be nice to have a few ones that people really like to glean from. 

     As part of working on this project and because I’ve been feeling the nudge to get back to writing the Young Adult novel I started a number of years back, I’ve been reading lots of YA fiction.  It has been interesting to see what’s covered in terms of topics, issues, conflicts, and abuse in recently published novels.  I usually will find the books that have won awards, then I’ll check out other things by the same author.  Each time I come across something that is a major plot-line, character trait, and/or conflict in the YA novel I’ve written, I wonder if it’s time to polish the manuscript and start sending it out to see what happens.  Lord, please be abundantly clear what writing projects outside of those I'm already committed to I should focus on at this time.          

                  

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Pray for Us

     It’s hard to believe that one year ago today, on the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, my dear sister in Christ, Michele Morris held the début of Teresita, the one woman, one act play she wrote based on the life and vocational discernment of St. Teresa of Avila.  Michele’s academic and professional background is in theater, acting, and directing, as well as evangelizing through plays and skits.   

In Search of the Right Saint

     For a while, Michele had considered writing a play about another saint, someone far more obscure that she’d have to dig hard to find out about, but when she spoke with Fr. Dan Brady, a local priest who has performed the one-man play Damien written by Aldyth Morris a number of times in our area, he suggested she write her play about St. Teresa of Avila.  With that suggestion and inspiration, she gathered a variety of resources about the saint’s life, including information about her personality, family relationships, vocational discernment, faith, education, and perseverance in entering a religious community as soon as possible.  She researched St. Teresa of Avila’s life through books, letters, poems, biographies, and historical information in preparation for writing her original play named Teresita. 

Asking the Tough Questions

     As Michele Morris has been discerning her own lifelong vocation, she has asked the Lord many times
throughout her life a question that appears over and over in her play: “What do You want of me?”  This question is the refrain directly from a poem written by St. Teresa of Avila called “In the Hands of God.”

     The poignant poem and pertinent refrain are ones I’ve returned to often over the past year as I spend time in prayer discerning what the Lord wants of me in my life, where He is leading me and my husband in our vocation of marriage, and how that changes what we do now and how we prepare for the future.  

     In response to the tough questions Michele has asked the Lord and the answers she's received from Him, she left Richmond, Virginia, for good on Sunday, July 14, 2013 after living here for eighteen years.  After signing over her car and visiting some friends, she'll be heading down to her hometown of Deland, Florida.  From there, she and her mom will fly out to the West Coast.
     On August 6, 2013, Michele will officially enter the Carmelite Sisters by the Sea cloistered monastery and become a postulant.  I plan to publish some more posts regarding her faith journey, the play she wrote, and the many ways she has touched people's lives in profound ways, so please check back for more.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 105)

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Thank You, God! I'm very grateful to the Lord for getting my sister Theresa safely to Burkina Faso, and for the really amazing, uplifting, wonderful people He's used to show me His love this week. Thanks Laura, Kevin, and Gwen for being open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and willing to share your gifts and just be who you are!

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Fun with French I couldn’t resist the opportunity to have some fun with French.  Since I took French from fifth grade through college, and I spent an academic school year my junior year at Hollins studying in Paris, France, I offered to have some conversations in French with my sister before she went back to Burkina Faso (where she’s studying West African dance this month).  She wanted to brush up on the basics and learn some key phrases that wouldn’t likely be in a textbook.

     I began with one of the few things Kevin learned to say in French before he came over to visit me:

Est-ce que tu m’épouseras?   Will you marry me?

This was not my response when he asked, but is one I suggested for my sister to use if it turns out to be a more appropriate answer in her circumstances.

Non, ma mѐre va me tuer.    No, my mother will kill me.

     Actually, when Kevin said, “Je t’taime du fond de mon coeur Patricia Niermeyer.  Est-ce que tu m épouseras?”  To read the whole story and the entire French phrase post, click here.

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Heartbreaking News One of our recently ordained permanent deacons, Joe Marotta, died suddenly and unexpectedly this week. He was married and the father of five young children.

     Another gentleman who went to be with the Lord this week was in his thirties, had cancer, and has left his wife and two young children behind.

     Please keep of these gentleman, their families, and friends in prayer. 

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Tuesdays with Memories I watched my nephew Ezra for a bit Tuesday morning, went to Mass at St.Peter's, and got some organizational things done at home, along with some writing, and work on the YA novel that's next in the John Paul II High Series. I've gone through scores of pictures this week.  As anyone who knows me, knows I have a bazillion, especially from high school on. Kevin and I are thinking of doing a wall of photos of the two of us throughout our relationship, our favorite places, and such. I'm putting the mass quantity of pics into categories and in photo boxes. The next photo phase will likely involve mailing people prints of themselves and friends that I have that would make them smile, laugh, and remember when...

   

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Daily Prayer Lately, I have had pretty much the same prayer routine in terms of what I read/do in the morning and evening.  I usually do the morning prayer included in the Magnificat, the daily readings and reflection before I leave for work, the evening prayer once I get home, and sometimes also do the night time prayer, but not always.  Of course, I pray spontaneously throughout the day, too.  I've found it helps me to have some regular things I do or I am not as grounded in prayer as is wise and helpful in getting through the day with the right focus.

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Home Tonight I finished reading Home Tonight: Further Reflections on theParable of the Prodigal Son by Henri J.M. Nouwen on Pentecost Sunday.  It gave me a great deal to think, pray, and write about as well as meditate on. 

     As is often the case with Nouwen’s books, I am again very aware that I’m being challenged through these heartfelt personal reflections to accept the love, forgiveness, and mercy of the Lord on a deeper level than I ever have before.  This task is rather daunting because it’s really difficult for me to accept love, especially unconditional love and forgiveness when I know (to some extent) how little I deserve it… To read the full review, click here.
     

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Push It Real Good! This week the girls were extremely excited about having the opportunity to play in a laundry basket big enough for them to fit inside of.  It was funny watching them climb in and out, as the twins are not quite tall enough to step over the sides and get in without stumbling.  Vivi, who is quite a fan of pillows and blankets, snuggled up in the laundry basket as well.

                  

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

Home Tonight: Further Reflections on the Parable of the Prodigal Son

I finished reading Home Tonight: Further Reflections on the Parable of the Prodigal Son by Henri J.M. Nouwen on Pentecost Sunday.  It gave me a great deal to think, pray, and write about as well as meditate on.  Truthfully, I read through it without stopping each and every time to do the journaling exercises, because I wanted to get the overall message of the book, as Nouwen has for many years, been one of my absolute favorite authors.  I plan to go back and do the journaling meditations over time.  Being a writer, they take me much longer than they might take other people because as long as the ideas keep coming, I keep the pen moving. 

   
As is often the case with Nouwen’s books, I am again very aware that I’m being challenged through these heartfelt personal reflections to accept the love, forgiveness, and mercy of the Lord on a deeper level than I ever have before.  This task is rather daunting because it’s really difficult for me to accept love, especially unconditional love and forgiveness when I know (to some extent) how little I deserve it.  There’s a lot in me that still believes certain lies: that my worth comes more from what I do for others, can offer them, and help them with more than it has to do with my innate value as a Beloved Daughter of God.  We are all God’s Beloved Children, and I know intellectually that favor cannot be earned and isn’t based on performance.  I really don’t understand that kind of love—especially when it comes to God and others loving me—but by golly, I’m sure going to keep trying if not to understand it, at least to absorb it.

   
Nouwen writes and reflects intimately on the love of God and the many roadblocks we put up that keep us from accepting it on the deepest level.  I highly recommend reading this book as well as one of my all-time favorites of his The Return of the Prodigal Son.

I received a free copy of Home Tonight from WaterbrookMultnomah in exchange for an honest review to share on their Blogging for Books site.  To purchase, Home Tonight, click here.  If you love free books, reading, and have a blog, you might be interested in signing up.  Check it out here.

Salt and Light: The Commandments, the Beatitudes, and a Joyful Life

I enjoyed this detailed explanation and reflection on the Ten Commandments as the foundation of the faith and the Beatitudes as the crowning moral pillars that lead us towards the love of God.  The writing is interesting as well as accessible.  As someone who has studied and read a fair amount about God’s Top Ten, I still found new, refreshing insights into these basic requirements for living in the Lord’s love.  The reasons why these guidelines are important and some specifics about how they are meant to be lived out in this day and age keep the reader engaged. 

    
Current events and modern-day examples of the Ten Commandments are given, and in most cases are ones with which the general population of practicing Catholics would be familiar.  The Fifth Commandment and the Fifth Chapter of the book are “Against Murder.”  Here’s a taste of the laying-it-on-the-line statements this man makes based on what’s in the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and various papal encyclicals: “…one who favors just war or the legitimate application of the death penalty while always opposing abortion and euthanasia is no more ipso facto a hypocrite than a surgeon who cuts into living flesh to save a patient is the moral equivalent of Jack the Ripper” (pg. 46). 

    
There are quite a few pop culture references that people will easily recognize from their widespread coverage in the mainstream media.  What not as many people might pick up on is the actual teachings of Scripture and those upheld by the Catholic Church since its inception that are built on the foundation of laws found in the Old Testament which were expounded upon when Jesus came to the disciples in the flesh.      

    
Chapter 8 which is titled “The Eighth Commandment Against Bearing False Witness” brings up some hot topics.  For example, Mark Shea claims that it is always wrong to lie, which is why he doesn’t condone the undercover sting operations that Live Action has been conducting under the leadership of pro-life advocate Lila Rose. 

    
Lying is wrong.  I can understand that using deception isn’t right, but isn’t that what people are doing when they go undercover as policemen, detectives, spies, and such?  Is it acceptable on some level if it ultimately serves a greater good or prevents a greater evil?  I agree that there are some situations we can’t really say for sure what would have happened or how someone would have handled it if the aspects of the story were true instead of fabricated for purposes of proving a point.  However, if a couple reasonable, very specific concessions are made for murder, particularly when it comes to “just war” or “legitimate application of the death penalty,” then aren’t there a select type of isolated incidents when lying is acceptable?  Hiding Jews during World War II comes to mind.  Lots of people lied to the Gestapo, but that was for a justified reason and a greater good.

   
Popular speaker and author Mark Shea illustrates how striving to live out the Ten Commandments as well as the Beatitudes leads to joy in life.  Through a look at the values espoused by these rules and how they lead to a fuller, more loving life, Shea makes clear how the basics for a morality on stone tablets given to Moses and Christ’s Sermon on the Mount link together to provide clear ethical guidelines for God’s Chosen People.  Through a close look at Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Shea lays out what it takes and what it means to be the salt and light of the earth in today’s world. 

          
This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from TheCatholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Salt and Light. The Catholic Company is the best resource for all your seasonal needs such as First Communion gifts as well as ideas and gifts for the special papal Year of Faith.  I receive free product samples for writing reviews.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 100)

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First Triple Digit Edition!  I’m pretty excited that I’ve finally made it to 100 weeks of doing 7 Quick Takes Friday.  John, dear brother, merci mille fois for encouraging me to participate in this blog carnival nearly two years ago.  It’s been one of the best blog ideas to keep me writing regularly (in addition to free books to read and review).   

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Book Reviews Abound I am a voracious reader and love books, as any of you who know me are well-aware. The only drawback to reading and reviewing so many books is when it means I have to go through over 50 of my blog posts and change the item links when one of my top two fave bookstores goes out of business. Sorry to see Aquinas and Moore go. If you love books about Christian living and the Catholic faith, check out my blog for reviews on hundreds ofamazing books.

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Praying & Fasting for the Bishops Check out this website!  It has a number of powerful prayers and suggestions for ways we can fast and pray for our bishops as they are called to be true and faithful teachers of the Catholic faith, remain open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and put Your will above everything and everyone else in their lives.

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Chocolate Therapy I am a fan of chocolate as all of my friends know well.  I was feeling kind of bummed when my friend Michele texted and asked if she could stop over and visit.  I said I probably wouldn’t be much fun to hang out with since I was feeling down, but that she was welcome to come by.  While I was outside waiting for her around the side of our building, Michele arrived and went up to our apartment.  She knocked on the door, and she and Kevin were both surprised when he answered and neither of them knew where I was. 

     Michele was on her way back down when I was coming up the steps.  She said she’d brought me something, and that she wanted to present it like she’d planned to if I’d opened the door.  (She is an actress after-all and certainly puts on a good, often amusing show.)  I shrugged and closed the door, then answered it again when she knocked.  I opened it and welcomed her as if she’d just arrived, and she handed me a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Therapy ice cream.  There are fair weather friends, and then there are “you’re having a rough day, how about I surprise you with a pint of chocolate ice cream brought directly to your door” kind of friends.  I’m so grateful to have so many of the second kind of friends.  Though I don’t always show up with ice cream, I definitely try to be that kind of friend to others, too.

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Covenant Eyes This free e-book available to download called Your Brain on Porn includes five scientifically-proven ways porn warps your brain and three biblical ways to renew it.  Having read Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body by John Paul II and related books, I have read other research and commentary involving this sensitive topic and know what effects such a rampant problem with it in our culture and world have done to others perception and treatment of women.  It’s only 15 pages long, and the knowledge within could change your life or that of someone you love.  I saw this advertisement on the National Catholic Register website.  I didn’t know such a company as Covenant Eyes dedicated to internet surveillance, purity, and accountability existed.

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Unhappy Feet Kevin's been having excruciating shooting pains in this feet yet again this week, and the earliest appointment he can get to have the out-patient procedure that will hopefully alleviate the pain is June 3.  I don't think he (or I) can make it that long with him cringing and gasping every few minutes from such severe pain.  We'd both really appreciate your prayers!  Oh, if only a pint of Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Therapy or even a pain-reliever of some kind would help Kevin feel better!  Few things are worse than watching someone you love suffer when there's nothing you can do to help them feel better.
     

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The Ear of the Heart "Religious life is often painted as something entirely different from what it is. To be obedient and humble should be simply to stand in truth, unhampered by one's ego. If we can escape the need for recognition that is so built into human nature, we can free ourselves from our inhibiting patterns. It can be a blessed freedom—also a terrible freedom." —Mother Dolores Hart, OSB From her new book The Ear of the Heart  Here's the book trailer describing this woman's journey from Hollywood to a cloistered convent: 

                  

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 83)

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“Don’t Leave, I love you!!” was one of the cute things I remember my youngest sister shouting (with drama and sincerity) when people would get ready to head out.  That’s basically how I’m feeling about her going back to OSU after we’ve gotten to hang out together and as a family over the past couple weeks.  I guess I need to figure out when and how I can get up to OH to see her since she might not be back for a while, and she still hasn’t given me the West African dance lessons I want.  Someone gave me what I consider a really nice compliment many years ago: “For a white girl, you got rhythm.”  I really would love to learn West African dance which my sister has been studying in and out of Africa.        

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Baby Shower My sister and brother-in-law are expecting their first child this February.  My mom's best friend (aka in years past as our "other mother") threw a baby shower for her.  It was neat that she hosted it at her house, because my sister and her husband got married in the backyard at that very house by the pastor from their church.  Just as on the day of their marriage, there was a lot of love and hope for the future present.  It's also the same place where our "other mother" and another family friend threw me a bridal shower many moons ago.  

           

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Extending Family Two close family friends from Africa were at the baby shower for my sister.  Both women have been like second mothers to us.  Here's a photo of my mom, Madrine (from Kenya), Theresa, and Bouchra (from Morocco).

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Humility on the Homefront At one of our family gatherings, I made mention of needing to get home before it got too late so I could do my 7 Quick Takes and work on my audition piece.  Theresa asked what 7 Quick Takes are.  I laughed and explained the tradition I have been doing for 83 weeks now.  Truthfully, I've been super-excited to have over 26,000 people from 161 different countries visit my blog (and my husband thinks it's really cool as well), but as is so often true of bloggers and writers in general, most of my family doesn't read much of what I write.  C'est la vie, ou c'est ma vie.            

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What Goes Around There are few activities I believe that would make me more repentant and compassionate towards my younger sisters than having the challenge of encouraging the oldest child in a family to be a good, loving sibling.  When I see how insistent, forceful, and possessive toddlers can be, it makes me want to apologize especially to the sister closest to me in age for being such a brat when I was little.  Even knowing that it's quite normal for toddlers to guard their turf and toys, I bet I came across as pretty harsh since I was an intense kid as it was, which likely made the usual "it's all about me" syndrome more pronounced, especially when it came to a cute blond hair, blue-eyed baby who arrived on the scene when I was 2 and 1/2.

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Audition Piece Turned In I've mentioned in the previous two volumes of my Quick Takes that I've been working on an audition piece.  I turned it in this past weekend, and it is very likely that I'll know by the end of this coming weekend if I'm going to be the fourth writer of the young adult series in addition to helping them with copy editing future books.  Check back to find out if I made the cut or will just be making cuts (copy editing) by tuning in next week.    

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Our Parish's Seminarians We have two seminarians from our parish who started at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, MD this past fall.  John, our dearly beloved brother in Christ and best friend, you probably already know about if you’ve read this blog before.  The second young man from our parish is originally from Ghana.  He and John came by to visit me while I was nannying the girls (who are actually John’s nieces).  Henri shared some great stories with us about what it was like to grow up in Ghana.  We were all riveted.  

Head over to Conversion Diary, to read Jen Fulwiler's wonderful tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday.  Then click here to go to the 7 Quick Takes hosted by her friend Hallie this week.  (Jen's in the hospital and could use our prayers!)

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 82)

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Our Family’s Style Meals We’ve had a number of family meals this week as part of celebrating Christmas and the fact that Theresa is home from The Ohio State University for a mere couple of weeks.  Kevin, who had a really awful case of bronchitis over Christmas, was finally able to join us for a family meal this evening now that he’s recovered.  Everything else I went to on my own, but at least my dear husband got plenty of quiet time to rest, reload his 5000 songs to his MP3 player, and eat some of the best leftovers of the entire year.     

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I Am the Body Beautiful!  I was reminded of this awesome song this week when we watched a rather bizarre movie that is in all honesty pretty amusing.  We got the soundtrack to the movie this was on: “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar” and would dance, sing, and lip sync to this song over and over.  It’s one of the ways my youngest sister and I (while I was in high school) could make my other sister laugh—a significant feat when said-sister had broken her leg in five places, had a full-leg cast and was confined to bed and wheelchair. 

           

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Creative Baby-proofing A certain little someone who is exceptionally good at getting into things that she shouldn’t (usually while I’m feeding her twin a bottle and/or assisting the toddler who is potty training) has been working hard this week.  Not only is she pulling up on anything and everything at a mere 7 months old, but she also managed to grab the cord on the Verizon box that’s behind the gate to the stairs and pull it out enough to chew on it.  While over in that corner, she found an extra outlet cover and was about to snack on that, too.  In an attempt to preserve my sanity and safeguard the area for a little longer, I grabbed what was handy-a purple ribbon and a little pink and purple Minnie mouse fold-up chair.  Once I gathered the cord and tied it with the ribbon, I secured the excess so it couldn’t be pulled through the gate, by anchoring the ribbon with the chair, then put the extra outlet cover up out of reach so it wouldn’t become a choking hazard. 

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Try and Stop Me! After rigging up the Verizon box wire so the resident livewire couldn’t reach it, I went back to feeding her sister for less than about 10 seconds before I noticed her sister sitting in the same corner with the box, her back to me, and both of her hands going to her mouth.  I made it over there in time to get the dried pine needle out of her curious little hands before she put the pieces in her mouth.  Today, for the first time ever since I have been taking care of the three girls, I put the most mobile of the twins in the pack ‘n’ play when I had to go upstairs with one of her sisters or out to the kitchen for longer than a few seconds.         

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Quiet Time? Theresa and Mom came to visit me for a little while today.  They came during what I think was the only time this entire week, perhaps this whole month, when all three girls were sound asleep in their beds at the same time.  They walked in, and it was completely quiet.  We talked for a bit, then they went off to do the grocery shopping and start the dinner at my mom’s for the family this evening.  Not five minutes after they left, all three girls woke up, and the usual insanity characteristic of the time between 3-5pm before their mommy gets home ensued. 

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Reminders from Mom My mom is one of the most giving, loving, caring people I know.  She is a charter member of the girls’ fan club, known to them as MissAnn (said as one word).  When she has come and visited me, she’s flat-out said that she often feels overwhelmed by the prospect of taking care of the three girls.  (I admittedly have several brief moments throughout the day when I feel the exact same way, but they pass quickly and are ultimately overshadowed by precious moments infused with undeniable cuteness.)  Knowing it has been a very long, tiring week for a number of reasons, my mom reminded me that it’s not only suggested, but necessary that I do some things to take care of myself during the day, so I don’t get too worn out and run down keeping up with three small children.  Yes, Mom.  You're right.    

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Signed, Sealed, Delivered Last week I asked for your prayers for the audition piece I’m working on to become one of the writers of a Young Adult series that is quite remarkable.  I’m finishing up my latest draft this evening, and plan to e-mail it to them for review by tomorrow evening.  May God’s Will be done, in this and all things!

For many laughs, head over to Conversion Diary and read Jen Fulwiler's 7 Quick Takes Friday for this week.

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 81)

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Christmas Card Cop-out I would like to say a sincere thanks to all of you who sent us Christmas cards! You didn't receive one from us this year not because we don't love you, but because I decided to try and maintain my sanity and a prayerful spirit while Kevin and I have lot going on right now. In other words consider yourself, loved, hugged, and prayed for!   

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Traditions from the Niermeyers There are three pieces that make up the holiday tradition must-do things for our family: 1.) certain Christmas music 2.) decorating the family Tree 3.) making Christmas cookies.  We really get into these three traditions every year, click here for details and a few photos.

           

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Wisdom from White Christmas which it’s our family’s tradition to watch each year.  I wrote this reflection Fall Asleep Counting Your Blessings a few years ago when we didn’t do many of our usual traditions and how they played out for us that Advent season.   

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Teeth R Movin’ This has been an interesting couple of weeks for teeth in the under 3 age bracket of the household where I nanny.  The twins both have their two front bottom teeth starting to peek through their gums the same week when their older sister had to have her top two front teeth removed.  Though it’s made me think of the song “All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth,” I’m not sure it actually applies to any of them at the moment.  Cutting teeth is painful, but having them pulled is not too fun either.  Hopefully the tooth fairy will also bring something nice for the girls’ mommy and daddy this weekend.       

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Remembering Loved Ones Lost I’ve had some dreams about my dad this week.  In one of them, there was a period of time within the dream that I thought my dad was still alive, though he had already died even (in the dream).  Thinking of him along with family and friends who have lost loved ones more recently always reminds me to pray extra for those mourning those dear to them, especially this time of year.  Of course, all of those affected by the recent tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, will be in our hearts and prayers this year.    

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No Family, No Celebration A Christian friend texted me this week to check in and see how Kevin and I were doing.  Talk about a humbling experience, this busy single mom (of a 14 month old little boy who’s super cute!) works full-time and lives a few hours away from us, and she's the one who takes the time to reach out to us to see how things are going.  (Major guilt enter stage right and left.) I asked her what she was doing for Christmas.  She said she has to work Christmas day, and that since she has no family in this country, she usually doesn’t do anything special to celebrate.  How sad is that.  Not sure if Kevin and I will be able to go see them sometime soon, but we’ll certainly be sending something to help them celebrate Christ’s birth and God’s love!  If you know someone without family nearby, try to include them in what you're doing and/or do something special with them between now and New Year's.

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My Audition Piece Over the past eleven days, when I haven’t been chasing little ones or running errands, I’ve been feverishly rereading, taking notes, on the first four books in a YA series, and working on an audition piece I will be sending within the week to a group of authors who are actively seeking a fourth writer for their series of Young Adult novels.  The cool thing is that I’ll be working with them either way as a copy editor (though I’d really love to be the fourth writer, too!)  Your prayers would be much appreciated please and thanks!   

  

Head over to Conversion Diary, to read Jen Fulwiler's wonderful tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday.