The Devil’s Surprise: Mary’s Heel

 

Mother of Life by Nellie 

 “God sure is clever,” my friend, Nellie Edwards and I often say to one another.  It is understood between us as an understatement of God’s often subtle and surprising ways.

I imagine that Satan has been surprised a few times by God’s cleverness.  The devil chose Hell rather than to humble himself.  How ironic that God saved us through his own humility.  

“Two Gifts: A Baby and a Miracle” by Maureen Merritt Bergman

                                                 

Mo and Alan with Victor

         Thirteen years ago, Mo Bergman rejected a doctor's suggestion to abort her baby because of physical abnormalities. Instead, she turned to God and the situation changed dramatically.  She is turning to God again and asking for healing for her son.  Here is her story excerpted from Amazing Grace for Families with an update on their current challenge.

     I was so excited at the possibility of being pregnant that I bought and used three over-the-counter pregnancy kits. I just could not wait and kept taking the test before the minimum waiting time.   When the results finally confirmed what I had suspected, I ran into the living room to tell my husband, Alan.  We hugged and cried tears of joy.

A Mother’s Perspective on the Fate of her Daughter’s Murderer

       Clayton Lockett’s disturbingly botched execution in Oklahoma a few weeks ago has re-ignited the debate over capital punishment.  Vicki Schieber had a successful career in finance and two beautiful children.  She had always been against capital punishment. Such an opinion is easy, however, when you don’t have skin in the game. But then her daughter was murdered and it became painfully personal.

No More Porn, No More Contraception, No More Fear

Chad Judice had a good thing going: a beautiful wife and a teaching job that he loved at a Catholic school seemed to complete his life.  The idea of fatherhood seemed too much.  So when his wife became pregnant with their first son, it scared him.  She was thrilled; he was not.  Why mess with a good thing? 

But what could he do except to put on the happy face of an expectant father.  He relieved his stress by being critical and irritable to his wife.  Then, there was the pornography.  It’s not a big deal, he told himself.  I’m only human. 

Fatima Still Matters

May 13 is the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima. In a world growing more skeptical of God and cynical of religion, there is Fatima.  It is where our Blessed Mother appeared to three shepherd children and where a public miracle was witnessed before tens of thousands.

In Fatima, two anti-Catholic socialist newspapers sent reporters to witness how foolish it was that so many people came out believing there would be a miracle. Instead, the papers carried reports of an amazing miracle witnessed by all who were there.

Former Actress Stars in Live Action Abortion Video

  

Emily Letts during abortion

Abortion counselor Emily Letts is being celebrated for starring in her own abortion video.  Her intended message to pregnant women: Come follow me! Having your baby removed is a breeze.

Emily, who works at a New Jersey abortion clinic, had sex with someone with whom she did not want to raise a child and  a new human being was created.  She decided to end motherhood through a surgical abortion.  The former actress decided to make a video capturing the moment that her baby would be separated from her life-sustaining uterus, although we only see Emily, not the actual abortion.  For this accomplishment, Emily is featured in the latest issue of Cosmopolitan magazine—the magazine that does not just sell sex but promotes killing the results. 

Curious George vs St. Faustina

 “I have a problem with Curious George,” a friend announced to me at a party.  “I’m not sure about reading those books to my children.”  Christa is the mother of three young boys.  Her comment surprised me.  My children had loved the popular book series.

Is it a Sin to Put Yourself Down?

     “Oh, I’m so inept!  I can’t do anything right!”  There are endless variations of the self-deprecating rants. They are dressed up like humility but smack of pride. 

     The person announcing his failings probably does not boast and is instead seeking a humble path, but he unwittingly travels by way of pride.  Whether boasting or bemoaning one’s own characteristics, both put the focus on self.