Archive
MySpace
I started a MySpace page (as CatholicKermit, of course), but didn’t like it because the layouts are so “busy” and lack structure (unreadable backgrounds & fonts, crazy pictures sizes, etc). Now, I’m finding some friends that use it religiously, so I’m starting to see how easy it makes chatting.
Today, I found a bunch of bands and Christian DJs that I met at the Cornerstone Music Festival Dance Barn, like Scott Blackwell, Kenny Mitchell, DJ Lorraine, Andy Hunter, the Dance Chapel guy and more. The band news for some artists is better updated than their official websites. — I’ll give it another try.
Evan Almighty
Tonight, I saw the movie, “Evan Almighty.” It was great … better than I thought it would be. I don’t even remember any cheap shots at Christianity. They could have pushed “faith” a little more than “works,” but we need to take what we can get out of these big movie studios like Universal & Sony. I especially liked small details like God’s nametag “Al Mighty” or Evan’s wife named “Joan” (of Arc) and the real estate agent “Eve Adams.” Truly a great film.
Church history, #2 Paul the Troubleshooter
As I revist the book, The Story of the Church: Peak Moments from Pentecost to the Year 2000, chapter 2 is “First-Century Adjustments,” focusing on Paul the Apostle. It has always confused me how Paul was the “go-to-guy” to answer any questions of theology & the Christian life. He wasn’t even one of the original 12 apostles, but spoke with such authority, even declaring himself an apostle. His conversion story (Acts 9) is amazing enough. But even more unbelievable is how fast the Christian community embraced him and bestowed authority to dictate Christian “policy,” an even greater testament to grace and the submission to the Holy Spirit.
Paul is a master cameleon of evangelization, able to adapt the gospel message to any culture. He was well-versed in the Hebrew Scriptures (OT), had a heart for his audience, walked in their shoes, and presented the challenge of the Gospel in their “language.” — everything a Christian is called to do. A great example is Paul’s sermon to the Athenians in Acts 17:16-34. It seems so supernatural … because it is … it’s only possible through the Holy Spirit.
That reminds me of a line from the “Fishers of Men” priesthood video when it’s said, “It’s not natural to be a priest … it’s a supernatural calling.” — You can’t disagree with that.
WordPress problems
I started blogging for free at WordPress.COM (here) and loved it. Then I wanted my own domain (easier to find @ CatholicKermit.com) and signed up with GoDaddy because it includes free access to various programs, namely WordPress.ORG (which is fee supported). I wanted the extra customization that comes with WordPress.ORG and loved the extras & widgets & more. BUT … I’ve been having troubles (see my support questions) and considering giving up. So I’m back at WordPress.COM until I feel confident enough to go back. I still have CatholicKermit.com, but I redirected the “blog” to here.
MPAA film ratings
Today I saw an independent documentary on the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) called This Film Is Not Yet Rated (2006). Basically, it’s questioning the NC-17 rating criteria of the MPAA, which was started by multiple film studios in the 1940’s. They’re suspected of rating independent film stricter that film of major studios as a way of minimizing competition, cloaked behind “protecting the viewing public.” As an industry regulating itself, you’ll always have problems without alternative choices. The government should not step in (if it can help it) because the cries of “censorship” will only be worse. There should be multiple “independent” (if that exists) reviewers. It’s never gonna be perfect, but you need to create some accountability (or the government will make you wish you did). There are some good movie rater websites used by parents that could be models or alternative choices that I have seen over the years, but I need to find and add them here. If there are serious inproprieties on the MPAA, I’m especially concerned that a voting Catholic clergy member is on the board … we shouldn’t be endorsing this nonsense. — Anybody? Kermit?
YES pics available
Francis (Broward Youth Coordinator) from the Miami Office of Youth has posted some pictures from the Y.E.S. Retreat a couple weeks ago. All 11 pictures can be found here. This is just a reminder to me to GET THE VIDEO DONE! — Slacker
Exorcism outs the Devil
One of the greatest “gifts” God gave to the Church was the power of exorcism. What most people think about when you say exorcism is actually a “major exorcism” where the Church determines a demon has possessed someone’s body (but not taking their free will) and a priest (approved by the bishop) does the rite of exorcism (usually done in 5 minutes, but may take several months). I didn’t explore my ignorance about exorcism (because I thought it may invite bad stuff) until I saw a DVD available called “Interview with an Exorcist”.
Here’s a few facts that clarified my misconceptions. Although a demon may possess a body, it does not control a person’s free will. All priest are taught the rite, but the bishop must approve doing one. A priest prepares more for the the sacrament of reconciliation than the rite of exorcism. Priests have been known to successfully perform exorcisms in the state of mortal sin (it’s not a battle between the priest & a demon, it’s between GOD & the demon). Any prayer denouncing the power of Satan is a prayer of exorcism. Although a majority of possessions includes some occult practices, even a Christian believer can be possessed (although less likely).
I think I was more afraid of exorcism due to my own ignorance than I am today. I would recommend more knowledge & understanding to those who may empathize. A new book supplements the DVD just came out. More Catholic resources on exorcism are HERE. The movie The Exorcism of Emily Rose is also pretty good.
I saw an episode of Showtime’s Penn & Teller’s Bullsh*t about exorcism (season 5#5). They had some ridiculous (non-Catholic) “exorcists” that made the whole rite into a joke, concluding there is no such thing as demonic possession. They just affirm Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey), “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist.”
This is WHY exorcism is a “gift.” In an exorcism, Satan is manifested (revealing his existence) and the supreme power of God over evil glorifies our Lord. — but I don’t want to be the person in the middle (possessee).
Devil’s lies
I forgot what I was watching yesterday, but I started reflecting on the line from “The Usual Suspects“ by Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey), “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist.” I think lots of people, including Christians, deny the existence of the Devil and, therefore, sin. Besides this line, I thought the Devil has “3 great lies,” but I can’t think the last one. #1 is that “the devil doesn’t exist (therefore no sin),” #2 is that “we have more time (therefore salvation can wait),” and #3 is ? … is it “that we are gods?” I can’t remember and I don’t even know if the Catholic Church simplifies it this way. I found a Protestant sermon on the “8 Lies of the Devil“ that I’m reading now. — Anybody know the 3? Kermit?
time & space
Some scientific notes I took from the first 2 audio sessions “Learn the Bible in 24 Hours” by Chuck Missler (protestant fundamentalist) to help me understand some concepts of time & space. (For an excellent 24 hour Catholic Bible study, check out Jeff Cavins’ The Great Adventure). I hope I don’t mis-paraphrase any points:
(*) Despite many misconceptions, we have concluded within the past century, that “the universe, time, length & mass are finite, NOT infinite“. Time is subject to gravitational forces.
(*) “Twin Astronauts, part 1.” 1 astronaut travels to Alpha Centauri (the next closest star to the Sun 4.5 lightyears away) at HALF the speed of light, 9 years one way + 9 years back = 18 years. However, the traveling twin is 2 years & 9 months younger than the other.
(*) “Twin Astronauts, part 2.” If 1 astronaut travels to Alpha Centauri at the speed of light, 9 years + 9 year = 18 years. However, the traveling twin only aged 46 days. Wow!
(*) “Eternity IS NOT lots of time.” Therefore, God (eternal) is outside the dimensionality of time altogether. We see time as a series of events, like watching a parade pass by. God uses his ability to be outside of time to send us a message and authenticate it by fullfulling prophecy.
(*) Space is NOT an empty vacuum.
(*) The ability to “bend time” may be seen in Hebrews 1:12 & Isaiah 34:4 when created things (like skies, heavens, earth) will be “rolled up” like a scroll or cloak, and “will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end.” Interesting.
(*) There are actually 10 dimension, but we can only conceptualize 4 of them. Hyperspaces (spaces in more than 3 dimensions) can only be visualized by 2 types of people, well trained mathematicians and small children (WHAT?).
(*) The only known visual of a 4th dimension is seen in Salvador Dali’s 1954 Crucifixion (Corpus Hypercubus) by using a tesseract. (I’m getting a headache staring at the picture looking for the 4th dimension)
There are several other tidbits of facts. These are just a few that jumped out at me.
Solar System distances
As I study into time travel, I need a better concept of distance, at least in our Solar System. I found a good illustration in chapter 2 of “30 Days to Understanding the Bible” by Max E. Anders (protestant resource). He starts his model in the middle of the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Here it goes:
(Sun) a beach ball – 2 feet in diameter — at the center
(Mercury) a mustard seed — walk a city block away
(Venus) a BB — walk another city block away
(Earth) a pea — walk another city block away
(Mars) a mustard seed — walk another city block
(asteroid belt) sprinkle some grass around
(Jupiter) an orange — walk a quarter of a mile away
(Saturn) a golf ball — walk another third of a mile
(Uranus) a marble — walk a mile away
(Neptune) a cherry — walk a mile away
(Pluto) a marble — walk another 2 miles away
This model is about 10 miles in diameter from Sun to Pluto. Now, to better understand distance even better, let’s place Alpha Centauri (the next nearest star to our sun) with another beach ball 6,720 miles away from the “Sun” in Japan.
This is not only helpful with concepts of science. Understanding the size, location and distances give us perspective into geography. This is also an important concept when studying Scripture. It is helpful to know names, locations and distances between important geographical locations, otherwise comprehension gets lost or ignored, leaving our faith to appear unrelevent and archaic. We should embrace the sciences to glorify God. — plus it’s kinda cool!
Déjà Vu & time travel
After watching the movie Déjà Vu (with Denzel Washington), I got to thinking about the theory of time travel:
Many in the scientific community believe that backwards time travel is highly unlikely. Any theory which would allow time travel would require that issues of causality be resolved. What if one were to go back in time and kill one’s own grandfather? (see grandfather paradox) Additionally, Stephen Hawking (Homer Simpson called him “Wheelchair Guy“) once suggested that the absence of tourists from the future constitutes an argument against the existence of time travel—a variant of the Fermi paradox.
The more theories I read, including wormholes and traveling faster than the speed of light, the more impossible is sounds. Let’s get real. If the speed of light is 3 x 10^8 m/s or 186,282 miles/sec, how can we get the human body to move that fast?
strength = weakness
In order to call yourself a true Christian, I think you need to honestly answer the question, “Do I trust God?” Many answer “NO” or avoid the question by hiding behind personal strengths or weaknesses. For example, if someone has great knowledge & intelect to debate various sides of an issue, the “strength” may become a substitute for faith, ultimately becoming a “weakness”. On the other side, the “weakness” of having limited knowledge may encourage more trust in God, resulting in a “strength.”
What brought this on? A teen on the YES Retreat challenged and humbled my lack of knowledge in the area of philosophy. His private school education and “independent” readings of Thomas Aquinas, Neitche and other philosophers got me lost in conversations at times. He even asked, “Can God create a rock that is so heavy that God could not move it?” Uhhhh … yes … no … yes? I don’t know. (if you’re reading this, I’d like an answer) My humility turned into a concern for his young (and growing) dependence on knowledge, that may cripple a faith in God if not balanced right. I know we each have a “void” we fill with our own comfortable “strength,” but some things make us “too smart for our own good” which pridefully answer the ultimate question with “NO.” — This is why I’m afraid of taking 2 years of philosophy.
clothes shopping
I got the schedule from St. John Vianney seminary a couple weeks ago. It included a list of things to bring. I need a black suit, 4 pairs of black pants, 5 white polo shirts, 2 long sleeve white shirts, black socks, 2 black ties and “sufficient underwear” among other things. — I don’t look good in black.
Oceans 13 was good
I saw it tonight. I don’t think I could get tired of this series, while Pirates 3 was it for me (long, boring, and long).
evil love of money
A friend wanted to name his new son Maximus (& mom wouldn’t have it). Was there a saint named Maximus? Indeed there was. St. Maximus is an Eastern Orthodox saint and had some thoughful words on passions. Keeping in mind 1Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all evils …,” St. Maximus says …
“There are three reasons for the love of money: pleasure-seeking, vainglory, and lack of faith. And more serious than the other two is lack of faith.
“The hedonist loves money because with it he lives in luxury; the vain person because with it he can be praised; the person who lacks faith because he can hide it and keep it while in fear of hunger, or old age, or illness, or exile. He lays his hope on it rather than on God the Maker and Provider of the whole creation, even of the last and least of living things.”
“There are found kinds of people who acquire money, the three just mentioned and the financial administrator. Obviously only he acquires it for the right reason: so that he might never run short in relieving each one’s need.” 400 Chapters on Love, 3.16-19
Putting these quotes together makes me stop, think and pray over my own intentions.
Wachovia is a thief
I finally closed an old youth group bank account with Wachovia. There were actually 2 mergers over the past few years and Wachovia had it currently. Inactivity and “service charges” depleted an account that I wasn’t able to close (because of the way the original account was set up). The little that was left was reimbursement for expenses I prepaid. In the end, Wachovia created rules and charges that ensured they made money at the expense of the weakest (a Christian youth group with little funds). A credit of 3 months of service charges with a negative account status resulting in an insulting $10 back — they can keep it. I won’t forgive them because they weren’t sorry at all. And I will definitely not forget. I’ll never work with them again.
YES video – “rip”
Today I started making room on a hard-drive for 80 GIG of space that I need to transfer (“rip”) from the camera to the computer. Each of the 4 tapes is 1.5 hours and take 20 GIG each. I ripped tape 2 & 4. The little that I watched looked good, not too shakey or dark. I did, however, forget to turn the camera off and times and recorded the floor (and my shoes) as I was walking (I hope there won’t be too much of that). The wheelchair races, Bishop Estevez, football and bingo looked good. — This should be fun.
Review YES Retreat 2007
The Youth Enjoying Service (Y.E.S.) Retreat is a 5 day (June 6-10th) service project experience for high school teens from all over the archdiocese of Miami. It’s is held at the Madonna Retreat House in Hallendale. This year had a small (but very lively) group of 12 teens.
This blog post will be the master directory of all the events & pictures from the video in case the locations change. You can find most of the events on PAGE 3 & PAGE 4 of my archives, but the link to each event is below:
——————– Day #1 / June 6 / Wednesday ——————–
(evening) Welcome + “Human BINGO” + “4 Winds Blow” + Dinner (11 pics)
(talk) “Catholic Social Teaching” (4 pics) — by Gloria Luna
——————– Day #2 / June 7 / Thursday ——————–
(morning) Breakfast + Prayer + Leaving by Bus (3 pics)
(project) St Elizabeth Gardens arrival + games + lunch + BINGO (27 pics)
(dinner) “Class” Dinner (5 pics)
(talk) “Immigration” (2 pics) — by Sr. Ondina Cortes
(evening) End of day sharing + making lunch (6 pics)
——————– Day #3 / June 8 / Friday ——————–
(morning) Breakfast + Prayer (? pics)
(project) Providence Place (? pics) — women’s shelter
(free time) S.W.A.T. training (? pics)
(talk) Monica Santos (? pics)
——————– Day #4 / June 9 / Saturday ——————–
(morning) Breakfast + Prayer (? pics)
(project) Daily Bread Food Bank (? pics) — food pantry
(free time) Football (? pics)
(talk) Convenant House (? pics) — shelter for runaway teens
(talk) “Eucharist” by Bishop Estevez (? pics) — a great surprise visit
(dinner) Dinner (? pics)
(service) Commissioning (? pics)
(nightime) Dancing? + “Mission Impossible” (? pics & 1 video)
——————– Day #5 / June 10 / Sunday ——————–
(morning) Breakfast + Prayer (? pics)
(closing) Closing Mass (? pics)
——————— STATUS of VIDEO EDITING ———————-
July 18 — finished day #2 (35 minutes) – “Class” dinner, immigration,
sharing, & making lunch
July 17 — working on day #2 – finished aerobics & BINGO (10 minutes)
July 03 — working on day #2 – finished wheelchair races (14 minutes)
June 29 — finished editing day #1 (7 minutes). See pics on PAGE 4 (middle).
June 28 — I found a 2 minute video clip on my memorystick. See it here.
June 27 — added blog posts of retreat events (without pictures, yet)
Francis also posted pictures of the retreat on the Office of Youth website.
Y.E.S. D5: Closing Mass
To close day #5 of the Y.E.S. Retreat, families were invited to celebrate Mass.
[pictures coming soon]
NOTE: MASTER LIST of all Y.E.S. events & video status HERE.
SJVCS Seminary Life Album
July '09 -- hospital chaplains @ IPF
Easter '09 -- Miami SJVCS friends
the Son always finds a break in let the clouds
Feb '09 -- school vocation talks @ AMHS
Feb '09 -- cold breakfast with brothers (Matias, Fenly & Randy), now at SVDP and Imad (at SJVCS)
Superbowl '09 -- eating great @ SJVCS
Sept '08 -- Worklist Coordinators?
St Raphael Chapel mural @ SJVCS
Sept '08 -- retreats @ SJVCS
"It's not easy being green"
Catholic Kermit 
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