VISIONS

 

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AMAZON REVIEWS

Patt O'Neil

5.0 out of 5 stars I was so touched by the story, I cried.

Reviewed in the United States on 23 October 2024

For such a fast read, this book was amazing. As a Catholic, the story touched my heart deeply and should be read by other Catholics. If the reader is not a Catholic, it should be read anyway for the way it deals with our understanding of God’s forgiveness of sins, spiritual support through the worst of times, and the strength a good parish can have even if you are doubted by your peers.

This book is the first in a series about the main character. I read a later book and enjoyed it so much I had to go back to the beginning to follow the progression of his career. This book does not preach, it just carries the reader along on what could be if they believe.

Martha J. Orlando

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Be Nearsighted When You Can Have Visions!

Reviewed in the United States on 13 May 2018

Do you believe that God still performs miracles in today's jaded and fallen world? What would your reaction be to three children stating they had met Jesus in a park? Would you believe without question? Or would you be led into doubt and disbelief instead? In Visions, Moubarak explores these all-too-human questions through the eyes of Catholic priest, Father Ignatius, and the ecumenical community at large. You will be irresistibly drawn into the believable characters, and sympathize with their questions and insecurities, while at the same time, be compelled to examine your own heart as to its spiritual health. This novel is a must-read for every Christian, and I would highly recommend it, too, for those who are questioning their beliefs in Christ, our Savior.

Martha Orlando, author, A Trip, a Tryst and a Terror, Children in the Garden, The Moment of Truth, Revenge!, Redemption, Revelation, all available on Amazon

Catherine

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Series On Father Ignatius

Reviewed in the United States on 19 July 2024

The father Ignatius series is a fun and easy read, Victor Moubarak is an excellent write, love all his books.

A voice in the wilderness

 

If I were to describe an event which happened when Queen Elizabeth first visited the USA, or when President Reagan won the election, or when a particular team won the football championship, or in the same month your cousin Elma got married, you would be able to pin-point the exact year I am talking about. Because these events are recorded in history and you can look them up as to when they happened. 

But of course we do not refer to events' timing in this way, do we? These days we say the actual year the event happened, or if we want to be precise we give the exact date of a royal visit or an election or whatever. 

But it wasn't always so. At the time of Jesus people referred to dates by stating when certain things happened. That is because they did not measure time and years as we do now; and also in order to pin-point a certain period of time that people can relate to. They also had different calendars like the Jewish, Greek and the Roman calendars, compared to now when we all refer to the same dates A.D. (Anno Domini). 

Let's read this bit from Luke 3:1-6:

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.  

Note the many references: Caesar had ruled for 15 years, Pilate was Governor, Herod and his brother Philip were rulers, and so was Lysanias. Annas and Caiaphas were high priests.

By placing all these milestones in history together historians can pin-point almost precisely when John the Baptist started his mission. Around the year 28 or 29 AD as an educated a guess.

The reading continues:

He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”

So not only do we pin-point the time period, but also the place where this happened - all the region around Jordan.

What do we learn from this? Simply that it is a fact which happened in history. The writer (Luke) is not telling a fairy story, "Once upon a time," but has taken care to research his facts and state precisely when and where what he is saying happened. He is providing evidence for his readers at the time which they can check independently to prove for themselves that these events happened.

The Bible is full of such references of times and places where things happened and the names of the people involved. Names like Herod, Pilate, Caiaphas, Simon of Cyrene, Joseph of Arimathea and so many others. Besides, the Sanhedrin (Jewish judicial and administrative council in the ancient Land of Israel that served religious, civil, and criminal functions) kept written records of Court cases and there is written evidence of Christ's arrest and trial. 

Which proves that the Bible is based on true facts. It is not a fairy story. Jesus, the Son of God, was born as a human here on earth and lived amongst us. He died and was resurrected and many testified to this. It is fact; not a fairy story.

Makes you think, doesn't it?

What would you have said?

 

Today, in the Catholic Church, is the feast of The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The day when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and announced that she will have a child and she will call Him Jesus. Luke 1:26-38

Let us consider for a moment the momentous gravity of this event.  

Imagine the Angel Gabriel had appeared to you ladies with such news. How would you have reacted? Honestly now. Would you have believed it, let alone agreed to God's request?

I know if an Angel appeared to me right now I'd fall off my chair, let alone entertain a discussion with him.

Mary agreed to God's request and as time went by she knew in advance what was to happen to her precious Son. 

Can you imagine yourself knowing what is to happen in your life day by day?

Many people don't understand the Catholics' devotion to Mary, the Mother of God, and often believe that our love for her is wrong and somewhat sacrilegious. They quote bits of the Bible like:  

Christ said ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me.’

Or Paul message in his letter to Timothy when he says, "there is one God, and there is one mediator who brings God and mankind together, Christ Jesus."

I'll admit that many Catholics don't understand their devotion to Mary (or the Saints) either. Over the years many confuse devotion for adoration. To be clear, we should worship God alone and there is only one way to God; and that is through His only Son Jesus Christ.

The devotion to the Saints is a sign of respect and love for their role in the life of Christ; and in establishing His Church here on earth. It is not and should not be an act of worship.   

The way I see it is this: God chose Mary to be the Mother of His only Son. He obviously had, and still has, high regard for her. Do you think He is upset for the love and respect I have for her?

Or for Joseph? Or any of the other Saints?

Something to think about ...

 

Did you know that King David predicted in details the crucifixion of Jesus one thousand years before Jesus was born and six hundred years before the Persians invented this horrific method of execution?

And Isaiah too, seven hundred years before Christ, predicted the same thing.

Psalm 22 was written by King David roughly a thousand years before the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. It depicts aspects of crucifixion well before this method of execution was devised and used by the Romans.

In Psalm 22 Verses 3-5 describe the man on the cross as more than a man. It address him as Israel’s God:

"Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; In you our ancestors put their trust ... ... ... "

The Psalm describes many physiological effects associated with death by crucifixion—asphyxiation and heart failure, along with extreme dehydration. 

See verses 14–15, 19):

"I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth ... ... ... All my bones are on display."

The fact that these effects of execution by crucifixion were predicted long before crucifixion was invented or employed makes the predictions all the more remarkable. 

Note also in verses 17–18:

"People stare and gloat over me. They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment."

And in verses 7–8:

"All who see me mock me; They hurl insults, shaking their heads. 'He trusts in the Lord,' they say, 'let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him. ' "

Here's another significant detail often missed. The Psalm identifies the executioners as Gentiles. The Jewish leaders had no authority to kill Jesus. Only the Romans (Pilate) had that authority. It is he who condemned Him to death. Note the word "dogs" in Verse 16. This was the term used by the Jews when referring to the Gentiles.  

"Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet."

Note also that the psalmist declares the means of execution: the piercing of the victim’s hands and feet.

Like so many of David’s psalms, this one turns from sorrow to joy. Verses 27–31 declare that people from all over the world will hear about the crucifixion and Resurrection. 

"All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him. Posterity will serve Him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!"

 ISAIAH 53 Verse 3 onwards (abridged) 

He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.

Like one from whom men hide their faces,

He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Surely He took on our infirmities

and carried our sorrows;

yet we considered Him stricken by God,

struck down and afflicted.

But He was pierced for our transgressions,

He was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,

and by His stripes we are healed.

We all like sheep have gone astray,

each one has turned to his own way;

and the LORD has laid upon Him

the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted,

yet He did not open His mouth.

He was led like a lamb to the slaughter,

and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,

so He did not open His mouth.

... ... ... 

He was assigned a grave with the wicked,

and with a rich man in His death,

although He had done no violence,

nor was any deceit in His mouth.

Another Day in Paradise

 

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE 

(FOR US)

Phil Collins

HAPPY ADVENT 

AND

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

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Bible Study made easy with humour

 

Mevely asked me yesterday if I was writing a Bible Stories book for children. The answer is "No" but however, just for you, my readers, here is a quick summary of some stories you may not know.

In the beginning, God created the universe ... (Genesis 1:1 onwards - this is way before Phil Collins).

Then God created Adam and gave him the task to name all the animals, birds and creatures of the sea. Adam was enthusiastic at first and as the animals passed by he said in monosyllables "Ant, bee, cat, dog, cow, pig ..." and so on. In time, he became more adventurous and used longer words, "giraffe, horse, llama, lion, tiger, panther, zebra ..." and so on.

But there were many animals and birds, not to mention all the fishes in the sea, still to be named. So Adam grew tired and he could hardly keep his eyes open. When the next animal walked by him he said half-asleep, "Hippopotamus amphibius or Choeropsis liberiensis or Hexaprotodon liberiensis depending on the size of the animal." At which point God hit Adam on the head with a dead bat and said "Don't be too clever, lad!" And that's how we got the word Hippopotamus.

A bit later Adam grew tired of being alone. So he asked God, "I wish I had some company other than these dumb animals!"

God scratched His beard and asked, "What do you want?"

Adam replied, "I wish I had another person like me ... but not totally like me if you understand what I mean. I like her to be beautiful. I want her to love me and to be faithful and loyal to me. To be always with me. To be able to cook and clean when things get a little untidy; but not when sports is on TV. And generally to be the best companion and friend any one in the world would wish for. "

"Good Lord!" said God mentioning Himself, "you're not asking for much are you? To have a wife like that would cost an arm and a leg!"

Adam hesitated and then replied, "All right ... what do I get for a rib?" 

And that's how God created woman.

So Eve was created and lived with Adam. One day she asked him, "Adam ... do you love me?"

"I married you didn't I?" he replied turning the volume up higher on the TV. "Women like re-assurance every now and then!" she said coyly. So he said as he lit his pipe, "OK ... I love you!"

And that's why women today always want re-assurance despite all the flowers and chocolates men buy for them from the gas station when they fill up their cars.

And now another story. Noah was a farmer and he was the first man to ever plant a vineyard. He made wine, drank it, and became drunk. He then took off all his clothes, and lay naked in his tent. His son Ham saw Noah naked and he took photos with his cell-phone and posted them on Facebook. (Genesis 9:20-22 - still before Phil Collins).

In Olden times in the Old Testament people used to fight a lot; and that was before organised wrestling and boxing matches on TV. So there was a referee called Moses who wrote a book of rules on how to live, how to behave and even how to fight. This is what he said: If two men are having a fight and the wife of one tries to help her husband by grabbing hold of the other man's genitals, show her no mercy. You can read this in a rule book called Deuteronomy 25:11; and make sure you do not touch a man's bits unless he is your husband.

In another book of rules we read:  Aaron ... shall put both his hands on the goat's head and confess over it all the evils, sins, and rebellions of the people of Israel, and so transfer them to the goat's head. Then the goat is to be driven off into the desert by a man appointed to do it. The goat will carry all their sins away with him into some uninhabited land. Leviticus 16:21-22. And that's how we get the saying scapegoat.

There once was a man called Samson who was very strong and fought the Philistines. One day he went and caught three hundred foxes. Two by two, he tied their tails together and put torches in the knots. Then he set fire to the torches and turned the foxes loose in the Philistine cornfields. He burnt not only the corn harvested but also that in the fields, and the olive orchards as well. The Judges wrote about it in Judges 15:4-5. This is terrible behaviour and someone should have reported him to the Animal Protection people; but they had not been established yet - still before Phil Collins. Because Samson destroyed the corn fields and olive orchards, olive oil is so expensive in the shops these days.

Another person worth mentioning is a young lad called David. One day, the nation of Israel was called to fight the Philistine army that had gathered for war. A great Philistine giant named Goliath that stood at over nine feet tall came to the front of the Philistine battle line each day for forty days and mocked the Israelites and their God. Goliath called to them to fight but King Saul and the Israelite were scared and did nothing. 

So tiny little David volunteered to take him on. He took a sling with him and a few stones, put a stone in the sling and swung it at Goliath's head. The stone hit Goliath and he fell to the ground and David killed him. Had David taken with him his girl-friend's bra instead he would have been able to kill two giants at the same time. Anyway, David was not popular with anyone after killing Goliath, because they all had bet a lot of money that Goliath would win.

 

 SERIOUSLY THOUGH

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Thinking idle thoughts whilst supper is getting ready

 

Whilst reading a Bible stories book it suddenly dawned on me that there's an anomaly in the little cartoon graphics depicting Adam and Eve. They are often depicted with fig leaves attached to their appropriate places. How did they attach the leaves I wonder? Elastic bands? Double-sided sticky tape? Velcro?

How did they know which bits to cover after they had sinned? Why did they not cover their elbows? Or feet or their head? Can you imagine if they had covered their head, today we would all be going around naked with underpants on our head instead of a hat. Ha ... what a sight that would have been!

If I was naked in Paradise and suddenly met a snake I would immediately cover my tender parts in case he had a bite. And if the snake spoke to me I would most probably poop in my non-existing pants, rather than engage in conversation with him.

What present did Adam and Eve give each other on their Christmas? Wait a minute ... they did not have Christmas then did they? It came much later. They did not have Easter or Thanksgiving either, did they? Or birthdays ... did they know when they were born? With no celebrations whatsoever they must have been a miserable lot. No wonder they sinned.

One day Eve felt a little miserable and asked Adam, "Do you love me?"

He replied, "Is there anyone else to love?" And that started another row between them. 

Another thing Adam and Eve did not have was navels. Yes ... no belly buttons for either of them. I wonder where they kept their belly button lint! Wait a minute ... if they were naked they would have no accumulation of lint would they?

It'll soon be Christmas and I have all those presents to buy. A friend of mine is so mean and miserable that he wins the title of a modern day Scrooge.

Last Christmas, whilst his children were in bed, he went outside and for a few minutes rang a set of sleigh bells. The children were excited believing Santa Claus was visiting them. He then tooted his car horn a few times and banged hard with a stick against the garage door.

He then told his children that Santa had been killed in a road accident.

He's not like me ... I believe we should open our doors at Christmas and invite a drunken, lay-about person to come in and share our Christmas meal. My neighbours did that last year. They invited me.

Seriously though, as you think about what presents to give your friends, how about a book by someone you can claim you know?

CHRISTIAN BOOKS HERE

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AT CHRISTMAS

Just a thought or two at Christmas.

 

CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS

 

 

PLEASE HELP A CHARITY AT CHRISTMAS

I've never heard of God

 

We have now reached the stage on earth where almost everyone has heard of God. There may be pockets of people here and there who have not heard of God, but by and large the great majority of people have heard of God.

Some of these people may have heard of God but do not really know God. He appeared on their "radar" at some stage in their lives but they never bothered to find out more. Maybe because they're busy, maybe it's inertia; but for some reason or other they did not attempt to find out and learn more.

Others have heard of God and tried to understand and learn more about Him but decided that considering the evidence, or lack of it, God does not exist. They are sure of this and will not be persuaded otherwise. Some amongst this group, not satisfied with their decision and conclusions, have taken it upon themselves to convince everyone to their way of thinking. They see it as their mission in life to persuade everyone that God does not exist and will use every means at their disposal like disdain, contempt and ridicule to back their argument and persuade the vulnerable to their way of thinking.

There are those who "semi-believe" in God. They've heard of Him and decided to keep their head down in case He punishes them, like He did often times as recorded in the Old Testament. 

And there are those who believe in God enthusiastically and have experienced His presence and love in their lives.

Whatever group we belong to, and there are those who fluctuate from group to group; that fact remains that the large majority of the world has heard of God.

Now the thing is this ... let us assume for a moment that God exists and that one day, individually, each one of us gets to meet Him face to face ... regardless of which group we belong to ... what will we say?

What will you say?

Are you symmetrical?

 

As you know, for some reason or other, our bodies are not symmetrical. If you were to draw a straight vertical line down your body from head to toe you will notice that both sides are not the same. Why this should be so I do not know, but a fact it is.

Look in the mirror. The left side of your face is not the same as the right. You'll notice many differences if you look hard enough. The same applies to your whole body.

I stood in front of a full-length mirror and noticed it for the first time ... ... ... that one ear is the size of a tennis racket and the other is much larger and slightly lower. The only way to have them level is to have my head tilted a little.

Once I noticed this anomaly my life changed suddenly. Last week I tripped on my ear and fell down the stairs. I don't know how it happened. I was asked, "did you miss a step?" I replied, "No, I hit every one of them!"

When I went out a gust of wind caught my large ear and I turned round and round like a revolving hotel door. I looked like a pirouetting ballerina dancing on the spot.

One advantage is that I don't have to walk to work any more. I put on my roller skates and as the wind catches my ears I just glide all the way to my office. A bit difficult to stop at the traffic lights though. The other day a police car chased me and could not catch me up. I got home first.

A disadvantage, however, is that if my ears flap in the office or in a restaurant the accompanying wind soon turns into a gale and blows the whole furniture all over the place.

One more thing I noticed whilst standing in front of the full-length mirror that is not the same size and symmetrical ... ... ... my nostrils.

Which part of you is not symmetrical and what can you tell us about it?

Thank you Jesus

 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

TO

ALL OUR READERS

Jesus, I want to take the time right now, 

To tell you how much I thank you

 With this song I bring to you the praise that's due 

For they come from you through your Spirit 

 

Thank you Jesus, oh thank you Jesus 

For the life you gave to me I thank you Jesus 

Thank you Jesus, oh thank you Jesus 

For the peace that's in my heart I thank you Jesus 

 

I can feel the Spirit dwelling inside of me 

Makes my blind heart see the truth from you 

And I can feel the joy you give now overflow 

And it lets me know that you care for me 

 

Thank you Jesus, oh thank you Jesus 

For the life you gave to me I thank you Jesus 

Thank you Jesus, oh thank you Jesus 

For the joy that fills my soul I thank you Jesus

 

Thank you Jesus, oh thank you Jesus 

For the life you gave to me I thank you Jesus 

Thank you Jesus, oh thank you Jesus 

For the joy that fills my soul I thank you Jesus

Heaven is within reach

 

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