Ouran musical curtain call… Tamaki’s actor makes Kyoya’s actor do finger hearts

(from this tweet!!)

Wonderful review and beautifully put into words why I loved this film.

EDIT: In case captions do not work for you here you go!

[[On Wednesday night I attended the New York Film Festival and witnessed a cinematic masterpiece, the film that last month won the top prize as the Best Film of the Venice International Film Festival. It’s called “Joker” — and all we Americans have heard about this movie is that we should fear it and stay away from it. We’ve been told it’s violent and sick and morally corrupt — an incitement and celebration of murder. We’ve been told that police will be at every screening this weekend in case of “trouble.” Our country is in deep despair, our constitution is in shreds, a rogue maniac from Queens has access to the nuclear codes — but for some reason, it’s a movie we should be afraid of.

I would suggest the opposite: The greater danger to society may be if you DON’T go see this movie. Because the story it tells and the issues it raises are so profound, so necessary, that if you look away from the genius of this work of art, you will miss the gift of the mirror it is offering us. Yes, there’s a disturbed clown in that mirror, but he’s not alone — we’re standing right there beside him.

“Joker” is no superhero or supervillain or comic book movie. The film is set somewhere in the ‘70s or ‘80s in Gotham City - and the filmmakers make no attempt to disguise it for anything other than what it is: New York City, the headquarters of all evil: the rich who rule us, the banks and corporations for whom we serve, the media which feeds us a daily diet “news” they think we should absorb. This past week, a week when a sitting President indicted himself because, in true Joker style, he was laughing himself silly at Mueller’s and the Dems’ inability to stop him, so he just quadrupled down and handed them everything they needed. But even then, after ten days of his flaunting his guilt, he was still sitting with his KFC grease-stained nuclear codes in the Oval Office, so he told

Captain Sketchy to fire up the helicopter, the sound of its blades revving up, meant only to alert the reporters to scurry outside for the daily “press conference” — Trump walks outside into the deafening cacophony of the whirlybird and publicly and feloniously asks the Peoples Republic of China to interfere in our 2020 election by sending him dirt on the Bidens. He and his magic carpet of hair then walked away and, other than the citizen howls of “CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?!”, nothing happened. As “Joker” opens this weekend, Joker, Jr. Is still still sitting at John F. Kennedy’s desk in the Oval Office on the days he shows up to work, dreaming of his next conquest and debauchery.

But this movie is not about Trump. It’s about the America that gave us Trump — the America which feels no need to help the outcast, the destitute. The America where the filthy rich just get richer and filthier.

Except in this story a discomfiting question is posed: What if one day the dispossessed decide to fight back? And I don’t mean with a clipboard registering people to vote. People are worried this movie may be too violent for them. Really? Considering everything we’re living through in real life? You allow your school to conduct “active shooter drills” with your children, permanently, emotionally damaging them as we show these little ones

that this is the life we’ve created for them. “Joker” makes it clear we don’t really want to get to the bottom of this, or to try to understand why innocent people turn in to Jokers after they can no longer keep it together. No one wants to ask why two smart boys skipped their 4th-hour AP French Philosophy class at Columbine High to slaughter 12 students and a teacher. Who would dare ask why the son of a vice-president of General Electric would go into Sandy Hook Elementary in

Newtown, CT and blow the tiny bodies apart of 20 first-graders. Or why did 53% of White women vote for the presidential candidate who, on tape, reveled in his talent as a sexual predator?

The fear and outcry over “Joker” is a ruse. It’s a distraction so that we don’t look at the real violence tearing up our fellow human beings — 30 million Americans who don’t have health insurance is an act of violence. Millions of abused women and children living in fear is an act of violence. Cramming 59 students like worthless sardines into classrooms in Detroit is an act of violence.

As the news media stands by for the next mass shooting, you and your neighbors and co-workers have already been shot numerous times, shot straight through all of your hearts and hopes and dreams. Your pension is long gone. You’re in debt for the next 30 years because you committed the crime of wanting an education. You have actually thought about not having children because you don’t have the heart to bring them onto a dying planet where they are given a 20-year death-by-climate-change sentence at birth. The violence in “Joker”? Stop! Most of the violence in the movie is perpetrated on the Joker himself, a person in need of help, someone trying to survive on the margins of a greedy society. His crime is that he can’t get help. His crime is that he is the butt of a joke played on HIM by the rich and famous. When the Joker decides he can no longer take it — yes, you will feel awful. Not because of the (minimal) blood on the screen, but because deep down, you were cheering him on - and if you’re honest when that happens, you will thank this movie for connecting you to a new desire — not to run to the nearest exit to save your own ass but rather to stand and fight and focus your attention on the nonviolent power you hold in your hands every single day. Thank you Joaquin Phoenix, Todd Phillips, Warner Bros. and all who made this important movie for this important time. I loved this film’s multiple homages to Taxi Driver, Network, The French Connection, Dog Day Afternoon. How long has it been since we’ve seen a movie aspire to the level of Stanley Kubrick? Go see this film. Take your teens. Take your resolve.]]

Michael Moore

October 5 at 8:13 AM

·

On Wednesday night I attended the New York Film Festival and witnessed a cinematic masterpiece, the film that last month won the top prize as the Best Film of the Venice International Film Festival. It’s called “Joker” — and all we Americans have heard about this movie is that we should fear it and stay away from it. We’ve been told it’s violent and sick and morally corrupt — an incitement and celebration of murder. We’ve been told that police will be at every screening this weekend in case of “trouble.” Our country is in deep despair, our constitution is in shreds, a rogue maniac from Queens has access to the nuclear codes — but for some reason, it’s a movie we should be afraid of.

I would suggest the opposite: The greater danger to society may be if you DON’T go see this movie. Because the story it tells and the issues it raises are so profound, so necessary, that if you look away from the genius of this work of art, you will miss the gift of the mirror it is offering us. Yes, there’s a disturbed clown in that mirror, but he’s not alone — we’re standing right there beside him.

“Joker” is no superhero or supervillain or comic book movie. The film is set somewhere in the ‘70s or ‘80s in Gotham City - and the filmmakers make no attempt to disguise it for anything other than what it is: New York City, the headquarters of all evil: the rich who rule us, the banks and corporations for whom we serve, the media which feeds us a daily diet “news” they think we should absorb. This past week, a week when a sitting President indicted himself because, in true Joker style, he was laughing himself silly at Mueller’s and the Dems’ inability to stop him, so he just quadrupled down and handed them everything they needed. But even then, after ten days of his flaunting his guilt, he was still sitting with his KFC grease-stained nuclear codes in the Oval Office, so he told Captain Sketchy to fire up the helicopter, the sound of its blades revving up, meant only to alert the reporters to scurry outside for the daily “press conference” — Trump walks outside into the deafening cacophony of the whirlybird and publicly and feloniously asks the Peoples Republic of China to interfere in our 2020 election by sending him dirt on the Bidens. He and his magic carpet of hair then walked away and, other than the citizen howls of “CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?!”, nothing happened. As “Joker” opens this weekend, Joker, Jr. Is still still sitting at John F. Kennedy’s desk in the Oval Office on the days he shows up to work, dreaming of his next conquest and debauchery.

But this movie is not about Trump. It’s about the America that gave us Trump — the America which feels no need to help the outcast, the destitute. The America where the filthy rich just get richer and filthier.

Except in this story a discomfiting question is posed: What if one day the dispossessed decide to fight back? And I don’t mean with a clipboard registering people to vote. People are worried this movie may be too violent for them. Really? Considering everything we’re living through in real life? You allow your school to conduct “active shooter drills” with your children, permanently, emotionally damaging them as we show these little ones that this is the life we’ve created for them. “Joker” makes it clear we don’t really want to get to the bottom of this, or to try to understand why innocent people turn in to Jokers after they can no longer keep it together. No one wants to ask why two smart boys skipped their 4th-hour AP French Philosophy class at Columbine High to slaughter 12 students and a teacher. Who would dare ask why the son of a vice-president of General Electric would go into Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT and blow the tiny bodies apart of 20 first-graders. Or why did 53% of White women vote for the presidential candidate who, on tape, reveled in his talent as a sexual predator?

The fear and outcry over “Joker” is a ruse. It’s a distraction so that we don’t look at the real violence tearing up our fellow human beings — 30 million Americans who don’t have health insurance is an act of violence. Millions of abused women and children living in fear is an act of violence. Cramming 59 students like worthless sardines into classrooms in Detroit is an act of violence.

As the news media stands by for the next mass shooting, you and your neighbors and co-workers have already been shot numerous times, shot straight through all of your hearts and hopes and dreams. Your pension is long gone. You’re in debt for the next 30 years because you committed the crime of wanting an education. You have actually thought about not having children because you don’t have the heart to bring them onto a dying planet where they are given a 20-year death-by-climate-change sentence at birth. The violence in “Joker”? Stop! Most of the violence in the movie is perpetrated on the Joker himself, a person in need of help, someone trying to survive on the margins of a greedy society. His crime is that he can’t get help. His crime is that he is the butt of a joke played on HIM by the rich and famous. When the Joker decides he can no longer take it — yes, you will feel awful. Not because of the (minimal) blood on the screen, but because deep down, you were cheering him on - and if you’re honest when that happens, you will thank this movie for connecting you to a new desire — not to run to the nearest exit to save your own ass but rather to stand and fight and focus your attention on the nonviolent power you hold in your hands every single day. Thank you Joaquin Phoenix, Todd Phillips, Warner Bros. and all who made this important movie for this important time. I loved this film’s multiple homages to Taxi Driver, Network, The French Connection, Dog Day Afternoon. How long has it been since we’ve seen a movie aspire to the level of Stanley Kubrick? Go see this film. Take your teens. Take your resolve.

Fuck yes, to all of this!

The ROZZ-TOX Manifesto (a 1980 artifact with end of the millenium resonances)

Gary Panter

Item 1:

The avant-garde is no corpus. It merely lies in shock after an unfortunate bout with its own petard. It feigns sleep but one eye glitters and an involuntary twitch in the corner of the mouth belies a suppressed snicker.  The giggle of coming awake at one's own funeral dressed in  atomic TV beatnik furniture. A mutant with a mission.

Item 2:

There are twenty years left in the twentieth century. Twenty years to reap the rewards and calamities that have been put in motion in this period. At this time a current of aesthetic function is emerging: the inevitable culmination of concepts and experiments pioneered and conducted in this century. We declare society an amusement park and one to be dead reckoned with.

Item 3:

A deadly texture and tone have taken the cereal Nirvana: a misanthrope born of capitol realities, tendencies, and inter-office memos. Sightless businessmen-posed-entertainers shovel up tons of soulless Saturday morning animation. Would that you could make cost effective the rubbery genius that was the Saturday morning of our youth.

Item 4:

We say enough to the instigators of game show design for we are sick and dizzy. Show us the backs of these monstrous facades, for even bare plywood is a healthier texture. Oh you seekers of the new who run terrified from history into the clutches of an eternal life where no electric shaver can be built to last.

Item 5:

Close the bars! We require well lit media centers that serve soft drinks and milk. We require that top-40 radio stop it. And this for extant executive entertainers: We know when to laugh. Machines don't, and it is irritation to hear them laugh at the wrong time. They laugh at nothing and nothing isn't funny.

Item 6:

Find the evil doers, the merchant peddlers of Pavlovia who use our unmentionable parts against us. Will you hide behind a scrim of two-dimensional phosphorescence when Biology exacts its reward?

Item 7:

Profound faith in glamour is a surefire way to not see that you kill what you eat. We believe and worship a two-dimensional world. No god printers save us when we stand naked and brainless before an uncompromising and impartial physicality. We are sick now/get wise to the media. Join the art police. We call for posting of cow pictures in every fast food franchise. And for vegetarians, recordings of screaming vegetables at every salad bar.

Item 8:

Beautiful and effective communicative marketing and aesthetic media are not innately evil; merely seductive. However, seductive aesthetics and media are prone to undermine common sense and vision in a capitalistic culture. Our own creations have shamed us. Teaching us that the hand and opinion of the individual are not as legitimate as that of opinion transmuted and inflated by broadcast ... especially when that opinion is on 80-pound coated stock, in full color ... or when that opinion steals invisibly and incomprehensibly into a box in our homes. Would that society reveled in certain varieties of vandalism and disarray. May we mow our lawns and remain civilized.

Item 9:

It is unfortunate and unacceptable what vile and lazy do-nothings are given unwarranted credence for mouthing such foul and mean clichis as "rip-off" and "sell-out." They have no understanding of our economy and the time it takes society to go. Confess and shut up! Capitalism good or ill is the river in which we sink or swim. Inspiration has always been born of recombination.

Item 10:

In a capitalistic society such as the in which we live, aesthetics as an endeavor flows thorough a body which is built of free enterprise and various illnesses. In boom times art may be supported by wildcat speculation or my excess funds in form of grants from the state or patronship as a tax write-off. Currently we are suffering from a lean economy. By necessity we must infiltrate popular mediums. We are building a business-based art movement. This is not new. Admitting it is.

Item 11:

Business 1. To create a pseudo-avant-garde that is cost effective. 2. To create merchandising platforms on popular communications and entertainment media. 3. To extensively mine our recent and ancient past for icons worth remembering and permutating: recombo archaeology.

Item 12:

Waiting for art talent scouts? There are no art talent scouts. Face it, no one will seek you out. No one gives a shit.

Item 13:

Market saturation was reached in sixties - everyone knows that. Fine Elitist Art is of diminishing utility. There is not more reward for maintaining or joining an elite and sterile crew.

Item 14:

Elitist art cannot help the emergent complex through its painful and potentially stupidly dangerous adolescence. Start or support primitive industry, propaganda to no dogma, and environmental jarrs.

Item 15:

Law: If you want better media, go make it.

Item 16:

We are born capitalists and manufacturers of alternative goods and services. We are made propagandists and propose an antimedia to no dogma. We call for popular environmental manipulators, primitive industry, an avant-garde placed squarely in the entertainment field, for archaeologists and synthesizers.

Item 17:

A call for mutant intuition and wrestling is real. A current that synthesizes ideas and entertainment .. an antimedia that creates, participates, and services and broader-based lunatic fringe and one that is capable of finishing the century outright. An avant-garde that has no mean diversion and stocks the supermarket.

Item 18:

Our lack of popularity in high school was led us to think and thinking has lead us to this. No war is waged here; only a strain, a virus, a toxoid, a Rozz-Toxoid. The emergent complex asks for just twenty years of your time. Now, stand and sing ...

Final Note:

Capitalism for good or ill is the river in which we sink or swim, and stocks the supermarket

I had so many dreams, and ambitions for you. 

...since the moment you were born really. Your little fingers curled around mine. My tears were the first you felt against your own cheeks.  Then, they were of happiness.  Now, of profound grief.  You’re still alive, here. Eight years old and beautiful. The world loves you as I knew they would. Your charisma, charm, ...and the manipulation. Your Father and I wanted to see you grow into the wonderful person we know you are inside, but instead the darkness came...and it took you.  Instead of fearing it, you embraced it. You are. In every way. My Son. It’s confusing, being proud at this fearlessness, as you met it head on as I did. But then also, the utter and incredible dismay that follows after you tried to kill the dog. Then, your older sister.  She regularly screams ‘the thing in that room, is NOT my brother”.  But I tell her it is you, you’re just....sick.  It doesn’t comfort her. Nothing ever can again.  The night you laughed under the door and started screaming ‘I hear you’, you lost everyone. Their faith, their trust.  Except mine.  Mine, I give foolishly. I am your Mother. What choice do I have? I see the good in you. I see the illness. I see the darkness. It takes one to know one.  I try, desperately to instil within you that your choices are what define who we are, that we do not have to give in to these impulses. And you only nod, and try to get something from me.  I am not a fool, I know you haven’t loved me, or your Father for years now. In your recent hospitalization, we drove two hours a day, every day, to come see you. You didn’t cry when we left. You asked us to leave so you could ‘continue to work on your behavior’.  Two nurses quit after meeting you. Because they said they were not prepared for what you showed them. Two other little boys were maimed. I had to apologize to their mothers. Over and over. They won’t be the last. I am sure. It feels inevitable.  After we took you to the Children’s Hospital, and left after twelve hours of working with Doctors, getting you an MRI, blood tests, talking to Crisis Prevention, Child Protective Services (begging them to help our family, and your sister from you). . . I went home and your Father and I looked at all of your baby pictures.  We sobbed together for hours. We wondered if this was the right choice? Doubt, filled our minds. Had we done the right thing? Were you alone? Scared?  The next day, I went to do your laundry to bring you sweat pants at the hospital. In your basket, I found a stolen knife.  It was of course, the right decision.  Our lives are literally enslaved to watching you at every hour. There are cameras here, when there otherwise would not be.  Oh honey. I would do anything to help you. To reach you. To show you your vast potential. They say your IQ is 149. And you’re gifted.  I didn’t need numbers to tell me that, little guy. You’ve always been the brightest star in my orbit. By far.  I wanted to see your first dates (who ever they turned out to be with), I wanted to see you graduate, or succeed. I wanted to see you grow. I wanted so many things and now I feel foolish.  My expectations and hopes taste like ashes and we live in constant fear.  You are relentless, in pushing to leave this nest. The world isn’t ready for you, Son. Not yet. Perhaps, not ever. Not like this, at least.  You’re on four medications. Abilify, Strattera, Guanfacine and Depakote. Enough to tranquilize a bull, and it doesn’t dent you. I get your blood checked every five days because I am afraid they are killing you. But, when you’re off of it, you try to kill us.  There’s no manual for this. DCS, came and went. Social Services, came and went. All of them utterly horrified and too afraid of you to help you. Every psychiatrist quits. No program is accepting you.  What the *FUCK* am I supposed to do?  I can’t reach you. You don’t want to be reached. When I say I love you, you immediately ask me for something.  $3,453 is the total we’ve spent on vet bills since you poisoned the animals, put metal in their bowls, or put down metal in the yard for them to step on. And yet that’s nothing to the debt in our hearts. I was fortunate to have the bank account to support this, your hospitalization, but now...I am broke.  There’s not an end. Not a beginning. No one understands what you are like, and what we are up against.   Your teacher called yesterday, to say that you’re her favorite. She loves you. She understands you. But... she doesn’t. Does she? I went through your bag, and you’ve stolen over a gallon zip-lock bag of food out of her room. Personal things out of her desk. As a woman, how can I unleash you onto the world? Knowing this is how you treat women? You’ve broken three little girls noses. I am scared...to death. Sick. Every hour. Every minute. With fear. Fear for you. FEAR FOR THEM. ALL OF THEM.  As your mother, I am your *LAST* bastion. I am your last advocate. I fight to remind people you’re not ‘evil’. You’re unique, and very ill. They think you’re specifically a genetic sociopath, with a genius IQ. They tell me you have extreme agitated bipolar mood disorder with psychotic impulses. That psychopathy rules you and you thrill seek.  At eight years old.   I grieve, because you used to be the sunshine that held this family together. Now you are the darkness that shrouds us all. You wake up at two am and whisper “I hear you...” under the door. And laugh, periodically, to make sure we’re all good and scared.  You’re so extroverted and charming. I can see your future, clearly. Every door will open for you. If you stopped getting them slammed in your face.  I tell you over and over, our actions define us. You can think anything you want, but please, choose life and your own life when you consider your impulses.  You say you don’t want to. You -like- this.  I am not religious but now I pray every night. To anything. Any time I think of you I just start begging all of the universe to help you. To stop you. To pull this out of you. To Empower You to make better decisions. To make you see how beautiful you are and what you can offer this world.  I spend $600 every 10 days on your medications. $150 three times a week on Therapists and your Psychiatrists. I can’t sleep because I now have three jobs, and my soul is sick because I swear to you baby, I’d do this forever if I thought for a minute it would help you.  But I can’t help you.

Oh god. I feel so impotent. All the goddamn time. I couldn’t save your Sister from you. I can’t save you from you.  I love you so much. More than you will ever know. I’ll never stop fighting for you. Even if you step into that darkness you’re creating and wear it the way you used to wear your spiderman blanket like a cape.  Every agency suggests we  “Just give him up”. --but where? To whom? To what?  But... WHEN DID PEOPLE BECOME GODDAMN DISPOSABLE?  YOU. ARE. MY. SON.  For all of these issues, you are only eight. There’s time right? A chance? To turn this around.  I am praying again.  Oh christ...  Someone help us. Help him.  

Saint of the Day – 28 August – St Augustine (354-430) born  Augustinus Aurelius (13 November 354 at Tagaste, Numidia, North Africa (Souk-Ahras, Algeria) – 28 August 430 at Hippo, North Africa) – Doctor of Grace and one of the original Four Fathers & Doctors of the Latin Church – Bishop, Theologian, Philosopher, Rhetoritician, Writer, Preacher, Teacher, Advisor, Reformer, Confessor, Apologist, Apostle of Charity.    Patronages – of theologians, brewers, printers, 7 diocese, 7 cities, against sore eyes, against vermin.   Attributes – Child; dove; pen; shell, pierced heart, holding book with a small church, bishop’s staff, mitre, flaming heart, an allusion to a passage in his Confessions.

Augustine was born in the year 354 AD in the municipium of Thagaste (now Souk Ahras, Algeria) in Roman Africa.   His mother, Monica, was a devout Christian;  his father Patricius was a Pagan who converted to Christianity on his deathbed.   Scholars generally agree that Augustine and his family were Berbers, an ethnic group indigenous to North Africa but that they were heavily Romanized, speaking only Latin at home as a matter of pride and dignity.   In his writings, Augustine leaves some information as to the consciousness of his African heritage.   For example, he refers to Apuleius as “the most notorious of us Africans,” to Ponticianus as “a country man of ours, insofar as being African”and to Faustus of Mileve as “an African Gentleman.”[36]

Augustine’s family name, Aurelius, suggests that his father’s ancestors were freedmen of the gens Aurelia given full Roman citizenship by the Edict of Caracalla in 212. Augustine’s family had been Roman, from a legal standpoint, for at least a century when he was born.   It is assumed that his mother, Monica, was of Berber origin, on the basis of her name but as his family were an upper class of citizens known as honorable men, Augustine’s first language is likely to have been Latin.

Augustine Aurelius still unbaptised and burning for knowledge, he came under the influence of the Manicheans, which caused his mother intense sorrow. He left Africa for Rome, deceiving his mother, who was ever anxious to be near him.   She prayed and wept.   A bishop consoled her by observing that a son of so many tears would never be lost.   Yet the evil spirit drove him constantly deeper into moral degeneracy, capitalising on his leaning toward pride and stubbornness.   Grace was playing a waiting game;  there still was time and the greater the depths into which the evil spirit plunged its fledgling, the stronger would be the reaction.

Augustine recognised this vacuum;  he saw how the human heart is created with a great abyss;  the earthly satisfactions that can be thrown into it are no more than a handful of stones that hardly cover the bottom.   And in that moment grace was able to break through:  Restless is the heart until it rests in God.   The tears of his mother, the sanctity of Milan’s Bishop Ambrose, the book of St Anthony the hermit and the sacred Scriptures wrought his conversion, which was sealed by baptism on Easter night 387.   Augustine’s mother went to Milan with joy and witnessed her son’s baptism.   It was what it should have been, the greatest event of his life, his conversion — metanoia.   Grace had conquered.   Augustine accompanied his mother to Ostia, where she died.   She was eager to die, for now she had given birth to her son for the second time.

In 388 he returned to Tagaste, where he lived a common life of prayer and solitude with his friends.   In 391 he was ordained priest at Hippo, in 394 made coadjutor to bishop Valerius and then from 396 to 430 bishop of Hippo.

Augustine, numbered among the four great Doctors of the Western Church, possessed one of the most penetrating minds of ancient Christendom.   He was the most important Platonist of patristic times, the Church’s most influential theologian, especially with regard to clarifying the dogmas of the Trinity, grace and the Church.   He was a great speaker, a prolific writer, a saint with an inexhaustible spirituality.   His Confessions, a book appreciated in every age, describes a notable portion of his life (until 400), his errors, his battles, his profound religious observations.   Famous too is his work The City of God, a worthy memorial to his genius, a philosophy of history.   Most edifying are his homilies, especially those on the psalms and on the Gospel of St. John.

Augustine’s episcopal life was filled with mighty battles against heretics, over all of whom he triumphed.   His most illustrious victory was that over Pelagius, who denied the necessity of grace;  from this encounter he earned the surname “Doctor of grace.”   As an emblem Christian art accords him a burning heart to symbolise the ardent love of God which permeates all his writings.   He is the founder of canonical life in common;  therefore Augustinian monks and the Hermits of St. Augustine honour him as their spiritual father.

As bishop, Augustine worked tirelessly for his people.   He fought false religious teachings, protected the people from corrupt officials and invaders and cared for the sick, the poor and those in prison.   His many sermons, letters and books reflect the ever-deepening love he felt for God.   He wisely observed:  “You have made us, O God, for yourself, and our hearts shall find no rest until they rest in you.”

He wrote and advised bishops, popes and councils.   His influence on the Church and his fight against heresy were exceptional.   He was loved by many, for he had struggled much and could help others who were struggling.

In 430 Vandals invaded the province.   For three months Augustine inspired Christian hope in his people.   According to Possidius, Augustine spent his final days in prayer and repentance, requesting that the penitential Psalms of David be hung on his walls so that he could read them.  vv He directed that the library of the church in Hippo and all the books therein should be carefully preserved.   He died on 28 August 430.   Shortly after his death, the Vandals lifted the siege of Hippo but they returned not long thereafter and burned the city.   They destroyed all of it but Augustine’s cathedral and library, which they left untouched.

St Bede’s True Martyrology, recounts that Augustine’s body was later translated or moved to Cagliari, Sardinia, by the Catholic bishops expelled from North Africa by Huneric.   Around 720, his remains were transported again by Peter, bishop of Pavia and uncle of the Lombard king Liutprand, to the church of San Pietro in Ciel d’Oro in Pavia, in order to save them from frequent coastal raids by Muslims.   In January 1327, Pope John XXII issued the papal bull Veneranda Santorum Patrum, in which he appointed the Augustinians guardians of the tomb of Augustine (called Arca), which was remade in 1362 and elaborately carved with bas-reliefs of scenes from Augustine’s life. 1 - below - Relics at Hippo and 2 - Shrine at San Pietro.

(via AnaStpaul – Breathing Catholic)

The Greatest Gift You Can Give this Christmas… (Worldwide Evangelistic Outreach)

Click here to listen in 100 languages During this time of year, the thoughts of many people turn toward the matter of gift-giving and receiving. Collectively, we spend a good deal of money and time going from store to store to get the "perfect" gift for people we love or people we simply want to impress. However, God gave the entire world the greatest gift it would ever receive when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world in the form of a baby in a manger. Many people at that time -- and many people today -- overlooked the utter importance of this wonderful gift. This gift, which arrived in the humble town of Bethlehem and was born to two ordinary Jews, was the means by which God intended to deliver the world from the pain, suffering, and death that came about because of sin. Jesus Christ began His career as a humble preacher, and He only preached for three years, but His words and actions echo down to us today because they have earth-shaking significance. He is the Saviour of the world who died to deliver us from our sins and the punishment of sin. Millions have decided to believe in Him so that they can escape the eternal punishment of sin which is Hell and have an eternal Home in Heaven. So, while you are thinking about what gifts you can give or what gifts you may receive, allow me to share with you what some of the world's most noted individuals have said about Jesus Christ -- the gift God gave to the world. As you listen, I encourage you to consider giving your life to Jesus Christ, for that will indeed be the greatest you can give to Him. Historian Kenneth Scott Latourette said, "As the centuries pass, the evidence is accumulating that, measured by His effect on history, Jesus is the most influential life ever lived on this planet." Scientist, educator, and inventor, George Washington Carver, said, "The Lord has guided me, and without my Saviour, I am nothing." Historian, Philip Schaff, said, "Jesus of Nazareth, without money and arms, conquered more millions than Alexander the Great, Caesar, Mohammed, and Napoleon; without science and learning, He shed more light on things human and divine than all philosophers and scholars combined; without the eloquence of school, He spoke such words of life as were never spoken before or since, and produced effects which lie beyond the reach of orator or poet; without writing a single line, He set more pens in motion, and furnished themes for more sermons, orations, discussions, learned volumes, works of art, and songs of praise than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern times." Margaret Thatcher, former prime minister of Great Britain, said, "That Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, when faced with His terrible choice and lonely vigil, chose to lay down His life that our sins may be forgiven. I remember very well a sermon on Armistice Sunday when our preacher said: 'No one took away the life of Jesus, He chose to lay it down.'" India’s greatest citizen and political leader, Mahatma Gandhi, said, “Jesus Christ, who was completely innocent offered Himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including His enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act." Bono, lead singer for the rock band U2, said, "When people say ‘Good teacher,’ ‘Prophet,’ ‘Really nice guy,’ -- this is not how Jesus thought of himself. You’re left with a challenge, which is either Jesus was who he said he was or a complete and utter nut case. I believe that Jesus was the Son of God... When you align yourself with God’s purpose as described in the Scriptures, something special happens to your life." French emperor and military leader, Napoleon Bonaparte, said, "I know men; and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for him." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the main leader of the Civil Rights Movement in America, said, "By opening our lives to God in Christ, we become new creatures. This experience, which Jesus spoke of as the new birth, is essential if we are to be transformed nonconformists . . . Only through an inner spiritual transformation do we gain the strength to fight vigorously the evils of the world in a humble and loving spirit." Entertainer and musician, Billy Ray Cyrus, said, "A lot of people think Christianity is about always being perfect. It's actually the opposite of that. It's realizing that we're all humans, and that's why God sent his Son to this earth—to save people." Scottish novelist, Robert Louis Stevenson, said, "When Christ came into my life, I came about like a well-handled ship." Actress Angela Bassett said, "When you realize that every breath is a gift from God. When you realize how small you are, but how much He loved you. That He, Jesus, would die, the son of God himself on earth, then you just weep." The 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan, said, "No matter where we live, we have a promise that can make all the difference -- a promise from Jesus to soothe our sorrows, heal our hearts, and drive away our fears. He promised there will never be a dark night that does not end... And by dying for us, Jesus showed how far our love should be ready to go: all the way." Reagan also wrote, "This uneducated, property-less young man has, for 2,000 years, had a greater effect on the world than all the rulers, kings, emperors; all the conquerors, generals and admirals, all the scholars, scientists and philosophers who have ever lived—all of them put together. How do we explain that—unless He really was what He said He was?" Historian H.G. Wells said, "I am a historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless Preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history." Major League Baseball player, Adrian Gonzalez, said, "[Christ has given me] a different perspective in life – in my marriage, in my attitude on the field, and in everything else, including [trying to be] the best husband to my wife as possible and striving to be the best person I can be... I have success in baseball, but I know that is because of the Lord. I know my preparing and my hard work definitely play a part, but it would not be done without Christ." Russian President Vladimir Putin said, "Why did Christ come into the world? To liberate people from sickness, troubles, from death. In its essence, Christmas is a holiday of hope." Philosopher and physicist, Blaise Pascal, said, "Without Jesus Christ man must be in vice and misery; with Jesus Christ man is free from vice and misery; in Him is all our virtue and all our happiness. Apart from Him there is but vice, misery, darkness, death, despair." Basketball great, Julius Erving, said, "After searching for the meaning of life for over ten years, I found the meaning in Jesus Christ. When I gave my life to Jesus Christ, I began to understand my true purpose for being here. It's not to go through life and experience as many things as you possibly can and then turn to dust and be no more. The purpose of life is to be found through having Christ in your life, and understanding what His plan is, and following that plan." President Theodore Roosevelt said, "(My) great joy and glory that, in occupying an exalted position in the nation, I am enabled, to preach the practical moralities of The Bible to my fellow-countrymen and to hold up Christ as the hope and Savior of the world." Nobel prize-winning physicist, Albert Einstein, said, "As a child I received instruction both in the Bible and in the Talmud. I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene. No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life." NFL quarterback, Sam Bradford, said, "I really don’t see a reason why you wouldn’t want to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. I mean, not only was He the greatest human being to ever walk the earth, He’s everything that I want to strive for. He’s everything that anyone should ever want to strive for. Everyone who’s on this earth was blessed because of Him. To come into this world and to deny Him the opportunity to have a relationship with you, is almost a slap in the face to Him." English writer and media personality, Malcolm Muggeridge, said, "Christ is the only answer to an insane world. They will not understand that the trouble with the western world civilization is not economics, but more—good and evil! They are thinking they can make things work by policies, inventions, but man will never live on this planet without God!" R&B singer, songwriter, and producer, Smokey Robinson, said, "I know the strength that Christ gives me. I know what He did for me. I know that He is my way out and my way in. He’s my way out of all this havoc and my way into paradise. He suffered for me and for everybody. It’s so simple. God loves us so much. He said, “I’ll tell you what. I’m going to make it real simple for you. I’m going to send my Son, Jesus Christ. He’s going to take on all your iniquities and all your sins. He’s gonna die in your place so you can have everlasting life. All you’ve got to do is accept Him as your Saviour." Professor, and author, Wayne Grudem, said, "It is by far the most amazing miracle in the whole Bible – far more amazing than the resurrection and more amazing than the creation of the universe. The fact that the infinite, omnipotent, eternal Son of God could become man and join Himself to a human nature forever, so that infinite God became one person with finite man, will remain for eternity the most profound miracle and the most profound mystery in all the universe." New York Times bestselling author, John Grisham, said, "I came under conviction when I was in the third grade, and I talked with my mother. I told her, ‘I don’t understand this, but I need to talk to you.’ We talked, and she led me to Jesus. The following Sunday I made a public confirmation of my faith [in Jesus Christ]. In one sense, it was not terribly eventful for an eight-year-old, but it was the most important event in my life." Chinese political and military leader, Chiang Kai Shek, said, "How I wish that all people would read the Bible, worship and believe in the One and Only True God! The Bible which is God’s living, inspired and true Word teaches us about the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Bible also declares that we can attain righteousness by our faith in His Son Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself through His death on the cross, and shed His blood as an offering for sin. God’s righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ exalts a nation. That has been proven historically. Christ is freedom’s rock. His love covers a multitude of sins. Everyone who believes on Him shall receive eternal life!" Super Bowl winning Coach Football coach Tom Landry said, "This is really the most important factor in my life, my faith in Jesus Christ. When you accept Christ, He becomes first in your life. It's this priority that gives me peace." Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw, said, "I am no more of a Christian than Pilate was, or you are, gentle hearer; and yet, like Pilate, I greatly prefer Jesus of Nazareth to Amos or Caiaphas; and I am ready to admit that I see no way out of the world’s misery but the way which would have been found by His will." Dear friend, do you know this person named Jesus Christ? No gift you have received or ever will receive can compare to the gift God has made available to you through His Son. And the greatest gift you can give is your life to Jesus Christ by accepting Him as your Savior and receiving salvation from your sins and the punishment of sin which is hell as many of those I just quoted and millions of others have done. This Christmas season, allow me to show you how you can receive the greatest gift ever given - which the Bible refers to as an “unspeakable gift” - salvation through Jesus Christ and then how you can give the greatest gift you can give to Jesus Christ which is your life. 1. Accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 7:20: “For there is not a just man upon earth that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Romans 3:23 reads: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” In fact, I am the chief of sinners, so don’t think that you’re alone. 2. Accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…” 3. Accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” The Bible says in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” 4. Accept the fact that you cannot do anything to save yourself! The Bible states in Ephesians 2: 8, 9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.” 5. Accept the fact that God loves you more than you love yourself, and that He wants to save you from hell. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” 6. With these facts in mind, please repent of your sins, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and pray and ask Him to come into your heart and save you this very moment. The Bible states in the book of Romans 10:9, 13: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Dear friend, if you are willing to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, please pray with me this simple prayer: Heavenly Father, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I now believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen. If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door“. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” God loves you! We love you! May God bless you! And Merry Christmas!

The Greatest Gift You Can Give this Christmas…

During this time of year, the thoughts of many people turn toward the matter of gift-giving and receiving. Collectively, we spend a good deal of money and time going from store to store to get the “perfect” gift for people we love or people we simply want to impress. However, God gave the entire world the greatest gift it would ever receive when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world in the form of a baby in a manger. Many people at that time — and many people today — overlooked the utter importance of this wonderful gift. This gift, which arrived in the humble town of Bethlehem and was born to two ordinary Jews, was the means by which God intended to deliver the world from the pain, suffering, and death that came about because of sin. Jesus Christ began His career as a humble preacher, and He only preached for three years, but His words and actions echo down to us today because they have earth-shaking significance. He is the Saviour of the world who died to deliver us from our sins and the punishment of sin. Millions have decided to believe in Him so that they can escape the eternal punishment of sin which is Hell and have an eternal Home in Heaven. So, while you are thinking about what gifts you can give or what gifts you may receive, allow me to share with you what some of the world’s most noted individuals have said about Jesus Christ — the gift God gave to the world. As you listen, I encourage you to consider giving your life to Jesus Christ, for that will indeed be the greatest you can give to Him. Historian Kenneth Scott Latourette said, “As the centuries pass, the evidence is accumulating that, measured by His effect on history, Jesus is the most influential life ever lived on this planet.” Scientist, educator, and inventor, George Washington Carver, said, “The Lord has guided me, and without my Saviour, I am nothing.” Historian, Philip Schaff, said, “Jesus of Nazareth, without money and arms, conquered more millions than Alexander the Great, Caesar, Mohammed, and Napoleon; without science and learning, He shed more light on things human and divine than all philosophers and scholars combined; without the eloquence of school, He spoke such words of life as were never spoken before or since, and produced effects which lie beyond the reach of orator or poet; without writing a single line, He set more pens in motion, and furnished themes for more sermons, orations, discussions, learned volumes, works of art, and songs of praise than the whole army of great men of ancient and modern times.” Margaret Thatcher, former prime minister of Great Britain, said, “That Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, when faced with His terrible choice and lonely vigil, chose to lay down His life that our sins may be forgiven. I remember very well a sermon on Armistice Sunday when our preacher said: ‘No one took away the life of Jesus, He chose to lay it down.'” India’s greatest citizen and political leader, Mahatma Gandhi, said, “Jesus Christ, who was completely innocent offered Himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including His enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.” Bono, lead singer for the rock band U2, said, “When people say ‘Good teacher,’ ‘Prophet,’ ‘Really nice guy,’ — this is not how Jesus thought of himself. You’re left with a challenge, which is either Jesus was who he said he was or a complete and utter nut case. I believe that Jesus was the Son of God… When you align yourself with God’s purpose as described in the Scriptures, something special happens to your life.” French emperor and military leader, Napoleon Bonaparte, said, “I know men; and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for him.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the main leader of the Civil Rights Movement in America, said, “By opening our lives to God in Christ, we become new creatures. This experience, which Jesus spoke of as the new birth, is essential if we are to be transformed nonconformists . . . Only through an inner spiritual transformation do we gain the strength to fight vigorously the evils of the world in a humble and loving spirit.” Entertainer and musician, Billy Ray Cyrus, said, “A lot of people think Christianity is about always being perfect. It’s actually the opposite of that. It’s realizing that we’re all humans, and that’s why God sent his Son to this earth—to save people.” Scottish novelist, Robert Louis Stevenson, said, “When Christ came into my life, I came about like a well-handled ship.” Actress Angela Bassett said, “When you realize that every breath is a gift from God. When you realize how small you are, but how much He loved you. That He, Jesus, would die, the son of God himself on earth, then you just weep.” The 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan, said, “No matter where we live, we have a promise that can make all the difference — a promise from Jesus to soothe our sorrows, heal our hearts, and drive away our fears. He promised there will never be a dark night that does not end… And by dying for us, Jesus showed how far our love should be ready to go: all the way.” Reagan also wrote, “This uneducated, property-less young man has, for 2,000 years, had a greater effect on the world than all the rulers, kings, emperors; all the conquerors, generals and admirals, all the scholars, scientists and philosophers who have ever lived—all of them put together. How do we explain that—unless He really was what He said He was?” Historian H.G. Wells said, “I am a historian, I am not a believer, but I must confess as a historian that this penniless Preacher from Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of history. Jesus Christ is easily the most dominant figure in all history.” Major League Baseball player, Adrian Gonzalez, said, “[Christ has given me] a different perspective in life – in my marriage, in my attitude on the field, and in everything else, including [trying to be] the best husband to my wife as possible and striving to be the best person I can be… I have success in baseball, but I know that is because of the Lord. I know my preparing and my hard work definitely play a part, but it would not be done without Christ.” Russian President Vladimir Putin said, “Why did Christ come into the world? To liberate people from sickness, troubles, from death. In its essence, Christmas is a holiday of hope.” Philosopher and physicist, Blaise Pascal, said, “Without Jesus Christ man must be in vice and misery; with Jesus Christ man is free from vice and misery; in Him is all our virtue and all our happiness. Apart from Him there is but vice, misery, darkness, death, despair.” Basketball great, Julius Erving, said, “After searching for the meaning of life for over ten years, I found the meaning in Jesus Christ. When I gave my life to Jesus Christ, I began to understand my true purpose for being here. It’s not to go through life and experience as many things as you possibly can and then turn to dust and be no more. The purpose of life is to be found through having Christ in your life, and understanding what His plan is, and following that plan.” President Theodore Roosevelt said, “(My) great joy and glory that, in occupying an exalted position in the nation, I am enabled, to preach the practical moralities of The Bible to my fellow-countrymen and to hold up Christ as the hope and Savior of the world.” Nobel prize-winning physicist, Albert Einstein, said, “As a child I received instruction both in the Bible and in the Talmud. I am a Jew, but I am enthralled by the luminous figure of the Nazarene. No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life.” NFL quarterback, Sam Bradford, said, “I really don’t see a reason why you wouldn’t want to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. I mean, not only was He the greatest human being to ever walk the earth, He’s everything that I want to strive for. He’s everything that anyone should ever want to strive for. Everyone who’s on this earth was blessed because of Him. To come into this world and to deny Him the opportunity to have a relationship with you, is almost a slap in the face to Him.” English writer and media personality, Malcolm Muggeridge, said, “Christ is the only answer to an insane world. They will not understand that the trouble with the western world civilization is not economics, but more—good and evil! They are thinking they can make things work by policies, inventions, but man will never live on this planet without God!” R&B singer, songwriter, and producer, Smokey Robinson, said, “I know the strength that Christ gives me. I know what He did for me. I know that He is my way out and my way in. He’s my way out of all this havoc and my way into paradise. He suffered for me and for everybody. It’s so simple. God loves us so much. He said, “I’ll tell you what. I’m going to make it real simple for you. I’m going to send my Son, Jesus Christ. He’s going to take on all your iniquities and all your sins. He’s gonna die in your place so you can have everlasting life. All you’ve got to do is accept Him as your Saviour.” Professor, and author, Wayne Grudem, said, “It is by far the most amazing miracle in the whole Bible – far more amazing than the resurrection and more amazing than the creation of the universe. The fact that the infinite, omnipotent, eternal Son of God could become man and join Himself to a human nature forever, so that infinite God became one person with finite man, will remain for eternity the most profound miracle and the most profound mystery in all the universe.” New York Times bestselling author, John Grisham, said, “I came under conviction when I was in the third grade, and I talked with my mother. I told her, ‘I don’t understand this, but I need to talk to you.’ We talked, and she led me to Jesus. The following Sunday I made a public confirmation of my faith [in Jesus Christ]. In one sense, it was not terribly eventful for an eight-year-old, but it was the most important event in my life.” Chinese political and military leader, Chiang Kai Shek, said, “How I wish that all people would read the Bible, worship and believe in the One and Only True God! The Bible which is God’s living, inspired and true Word teaches us about the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Bible also declares that we can attain righteousness by our faith in His Son Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself through His death on the cross, and shed His blood as an offering for sin. God’s righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ exalts a nation. That has been proven historically. Christ is freedom’s rock. His love covers a multitude of sins. Everyone who believes on Him shall receive eternal life!” Super Bowl winning Coach Football coach Tom Landry said, “This is really the most important factor in my life, my faith in Jesus Christ. When you accept Christ, He becomes first in your life. It’s this priority that gives me peace.” Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw, said, “I am no more of a Christian than Pilate was, or you are, gentle hearer; and yet, like Pilate, I greatly prefer Jesus of Nazareth to Amos or Caiaphas; and I am ready to admit that I see no way out of the world’s misery but the way which would have been found by His will.” Dear friend, do you know this person named Jesus Christ? No gift you have received or ever will receive can compare to the gift God has made available to you through His Son. And the greatest gift you can give is your life to Jesus Christ by accepting Him as your Savior and receiving salvation from your sins and the punishment of sin which is hell as many of those I just quoted and millions of others have done. This Christmas season, allow me to show you how you can receive the greatest gift ever given – which the Bible refers to as an “unspeakable gift” – salvation through Jesus Christ and then how you can give the greatest gift you can give to Jesus Christ which is your life. 1. Accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 7:20: “For there is not a just man upon earth that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Romans 3:23 reads: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” In fact, I am the chief of sinners, so don’t think that you’re alone. 2. Accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…” 3. Accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” The Bible says in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” 4. Accept the fact that you cannot do anything to save yourself! The Bible states in Ephesians 2: 8, 9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.” 5. Accept the fact that God loves you more than you love yourself, and that He wants to save you from hell. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” 6. With these facts in mind, please repent of your sins, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and pray and ask Him to come into your heart and save you this very moment. The Bible states in the book of Romans 10:9, 13: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Dear friend, if you are willing to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, please pray with me this simple prayer: Heavenly Father, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I now believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen. If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour! For more information to help you grow in your newfound faith in Christ, go to Gospel Light Society.com and read “What To Do After You Enter Through the Door“. Jesus Christ said in John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” God loves you! We love you! May God bless you! And Merry Christmas!

M. lermontov-таймиев or the mystery of the birth of the poet ... speech, прозвучавшее on international conference on лермонтову in pyatigorsk. Maryam вахидова. ... for life, with the world, with the eternity you I secrets this does not selling! .. M. lermontov. "confession" in contrast to Pushkin and thick with their rich Heritage, lermontov, mainly came to US in his work. more preserved letters, more similar notes, conflicting memories interested современниц, прозревшие ex post; if written off with the works of the poet memories most of his contemporaries and in more detail presented in the official documents the last hours of life poet, not contributing any certainty and in this tragic hour poet. м.е. saltykov-shchedrin, familiarized with notes сушковой, concluded that "... the main material for biography lermontov and now remain solely it works" ... 3 "... poetry L. inextricably linked to his personality, it is in full terms of poetic autobiography ... - read we are in encyclopaedic dictionary brockhaus and Efron. so let's together and try to read this poetic autobiography ... _____________________" ... great that no one heard from him anything about his father and mother. party we knew his father was drunk, спившийся with a circle, and player, and the history of the mother - a novel ... "а.ф. tyrant, a former Juncker (" of the notes "with. 149). let's start with poems, written by poet on the death of his father. that we know about Yuri петровиче лермонтове? very scarce information, smoothly перетекающие from one source to another, and in no way вяжущиеся with the way the father, who appears in front of US in the verses poet. judge for yourself. was born in 1787," he graduated from the first cadet Corps in St. Petersburg, in 1804 in the rank of Ensign released in кексгольмский пех. Regiment, later served in the same case educator, in 1811 sickness retired in the rank of captain. "(лэ, with. 242) campaigner, not the Warrior! officer, but also the only. but whom referred to in verse." terrible the fate of the father and son ... "?" live розно and separated die "father and son could until grandmother took care of grandson. but Michael grew up, and Yuri Petrovich almost every year comes to him to Moscow. that for the" lot alien exile on the home ... "was Yuri Petrovich and that for the" feat "your he" свершил "if, спившись, died from consumption? when лермонтоведы are trying to bind these words to the value of" completed his life way, "I want to remind them that it is a brilliant poet, which do not need to look for the word to Express what he wants to say. (below we learn about what feat in question, but from the others. verse.) only a very desperate researchers can afford to see in the following lines арсеньеву:" God forbid to as yours, calm was the end of / order, who was all muk your reason for! "who address then the following line:" ... I eh guilty in the fact / people угасить in my soul wanted to fire divine ... "? (Wed. in the" epitaph ":" ... you in the people only evil изведал ... ") is not someone one, and people whose желанья were" vain, "as:" we do not found enmity one another, / though both have become sacrifice suffering! "what mutual enmity father and son could Kindle арсеньева? is it that make suffer both, but this suffering could put an end during their annual meetings in Moscow, if it comes to Yuri петровиче! as it was necessary to read the following and continue to insist on your:" ... you light convicted. but what is the light? / a crowd of people ... "when and how light quarreled Yuri P., favorite secular young ladies, handsome man with subtle manners, roisterer and the ILO, according to the same researchers? but reading further, we know that it turns out that the one who really is dedicated to the poem, none other, as" the spirit of hell or Paradise "! забывший Earth," as has been forgotten Earth "!" ay! Yuri Petrovich! where you? "- you can search arbitrarily in these words in order to whom originally not addressed poet, responding to the death of his father! dreamed to hear that he loved his father, and not from someone, and from him personally, son wants to at least now to get the answer to your question:" ужель are now quite I do not do you like to you? "" now, "when the father in the world, where there is no secrets, and may know what mouth facing to him, шепчут:" at least, I love "! as there is not remember poem" baby "(1840), in which the researchers also not converge, whom it: to the boy this treatment poet or to the girl? son of general граббе (Pa efremov) or daughter V. лопухиной-бахметевой (Pa висковатый) destination? (лэ, with. 464) or the one and not the one. just child!" ужель are now quite I do not do you like to you? .. "- a question to which the son of-the poet could not get the answer. but the father said. after nine years old, according to denoted date that in this case непринципиально! lermontov, when he saw someone else's baby, presented themselves at its place and the fact that could tell him his native father in this minute. as early as 1832 in verse." no, I do not Byron, I other ... "poet felt that before starting, it before and кончит, but in his soul:" in the Ocean, / hopes broken load is "(it is in the age of 18 !!!) and wondering:" ... who / crowd my tell a thought? "is responsible categorically and uniquely:" or poet, or no one! .. "(others. version: I am - or God - or no one! - in which the researchers confused. relegating accents, they initially not true read this phrase. not as answer the question raised above, and as an independent phrase продиктованную excessive pride! not because if lermontov gave immediately two roughing option, clarifying the meaning of invested them in the word:" I "?) so that's" experience "their" secret "great our soul lermontov trust poet in yourself!" or no one! "means that do not even he himself as a man! which coincides with the third option:" Ile genius my or no one! "that without обиняков указует the fact that the documentary confirm you can not find, - only in poetry, and only in the creative things! this his confidence that the mystery of his mother is known only to him and with it will die, gives US the base of suspecting poet in the fact that it is he could destroy her blog, and to do so he could in front of the last duel, when it was to meet the correct death! leave known to all the similarity of Michael with his mother. speaking of its not extinct love for his mother, whose features of he finds a baby, now father asks son," and you, you do you like to do me? "." at least, I love! "- heard in this issue response of the father-son, with a profound tenderness склонившегося to this baby. here they are and объяснились. but what kind of hints," clear "белинскому and проигнорированные лермонтоведами? caressing child, which can only hear by virtue of its age, but may not respond, father hurry to give him his warm, its tenderness, love, but all of this sneak from all and from the one image which in his chest saved" faithful dreams. "(parents baby live on decent distance that only in dreams can be together!) father understands that it is also loves it, and that their baby it in prayer whispers and his name, but he is willing to save her secret, only would they with baby were happy and покойны:" ... you it / or whom more pray not taught? / бледнея maybe it pronounced / name, now forgotten you ... / not вспоминай it ... that name? - sound empty! .. "his name not just" taboo "in its society, it is difficult to remembered. on a foreign language it - more" name ", which baby still not repeated would, whether it older." God forbid, in order for you, it remains a mystery "- poet if wants to protect the baby from that pain that experienced himself as a child, reading blog mother. he was" shocked "," stunned "this reading so that again" laid low in bed with fever and refused feet "- write researchers. and because so clear words poet facing to this милому child, not ведающему what passion boil in the heart accident father," but if somehow, ever, accidentally / get to know you it - ребяческие days / you remember, and it, child, not прокляни! "he child (Misha) will grow, and poet write about it, calling his name" Sasha ":" he had either brother or sister / and secret muk it no one was in charge of ". even grandmother арсеньева. it does not спускала eye with favorite grandson, she lived them, breathing them performed all him vagaries, спускала all pranks, and he will write about me:" I son of suffering ... "! what a sense of a suppressed the mother of the child, what" blind sobs deceived love "(B. belinsky) it глушила in itself, and what" moans outbound blood heart "(he) rush out in this poem, we learn listening her (mother poet, mom child) poetic response to all our silent questions. that's one of the blog entries м.м .:" Oh, villain, villain, alien party ... / разлучила other nice you me / разлучила with heart joy and peace ... / but with love you can't Sunder, .. / her расстанусь is only if / as опустят in the mother cheese the land of me. / in order eh, my friend, смыкались we with you, / in order eh and the heart of joy gave taste, / to poor изныло of longing ... "(T. thick. chapter 6 and 9) all so happened: lowered Mary михайловну in crude the ground, and parted it forever with his love in the incomplete 22 years, being married for beautiful young officer, is it allegedly loved, but with which, as we can see, do not want to live! nothing has not yet bound Mary михайловну with Yuri Petrovich so much to these poems, as is considered to be, it is devoted to him. villain - not Napoleon, and" alien party "in which is her favorite. way can not Russian girl called the Russian the Earth, someone else's side, the more - villain! Napoleon - in Russia! alien party - разлучила her with someone you love," смыкаясь "with which it" вкусила "joy! not вкушала, and вкусила. it was a very short-term joy, but the melancholy led her to premature death ... in the tender poetic the age of lermontov falls on the Russian reader with the Caucasus poems and poems," Caucasian captive "(1828)," circassians "," the Demon "," черкешенка "(1829)," the Caucasus "," the Caucasus, "(1830)," каллы "(1830-1831)," I love chain Blue mountains "," Blue mountains Caucasus, welcome! .. "(1832)," Ishmael Bay "(1832, according to adopted dating)," village бастунджи "(1833-1834)," Haji-абрек "(1833-1834) ..." even though I fate on the dawn of my days / Oh, South Mountain, отторгнут from you ... "- read we are in verse." the Caucasus. "note:" on the dawn of ... days ", that. ie. - with the birth!" отторгнут "- means taken away forcibly! but! -" from the young years boils in my blood (not in the shower! not in the heart !, and in the blood!) / your heat and storms your rush rebellious! ... "(" village бастунджи. "посвященье) in вырыпаева read in any way they do not commented:" in the Church books marked even 6 month Misha .... "that prevent вырыпаеву write out of the Church of books (!) year of birth baby? as it is not seem strange, but herzen believed that lermontov died Thirty years. though most герцену in 1841 it was only 29. not revelation whether mother in her diary ошеломившие it, prompted the poet write, referring to the Caucasus in his poems, once again and again repeating how to spell:" in the North, in the country you someone else's, - / I heart your always and everywhere your ... / or: "... your mountains I traveler no stranger: / as the son of you it (verse) bless / ... they me in infancy wore ... my soul not understand the world. him / soul is not necessary ... / and it something (in soul - м.в.) unavailable mind / live воспоминанья on the far / the Holy land ... no light or noise the Earth / shall not going to kill ... I am your! I everywhere your! .." ("village бастунджи"); "... the young years to you dream my / chained destiny inevitable, / in the North, in the country you someone else's, - / I heart your always and everywhere your ... / and now here in полуночном edge / all of you dream and sing" (dedication to the poem "Demon"); and again, "welcome you, the Caucasus Gray / your mountains I traveler no stranger: / they me in infancy wore ... / as I loved the Caucasus my stately, / your children of warlike mores ..." ("Ishmael Bay"); Interestingly, one of the early poems lermontov "Haji-абрек" (written by them to 19 years!) is devoted to the famous Bay Bulat. not in the historical context are interested in his бейбулат, and погибающим for his wife, he once stole from the old father, but did her happy and rich! in the mouth of the heroine lermontov invests words, justify Act бейбулата. despite the fact that the father безутешен, the daughter of happy and convinced that: "Fatherland for heart no! .. / happiness only there, / where like to US, where believe US!" (Wed. verse. "goodbye": believe me, Fatherland where like US ... and words Zara in the "Ishmael-Bay": for me Fatherland only there, / where like to US, where believe US! ..) why лермонтову needed for his poems the name of the well-known in Russia rebel - "nice" бейбулата - "a thunderstorm Caucasus" (A. Pushkin)? why couldn't for this classic Caucasian plot to take a fictitious name? answer we receive in other works poet. learning in the Noble guest House, and then in the cadet school, with only children's experience and memories of the distant Caucasus, lermontov, trying to pen, writes not that around him as well as to what he can not do not think. not because if he hid written even from the very close friends, destroyed written, and was "furious" when without his knowledge, sneak was printed his "Haji-абрек"? plunging in Caucasian subjects and images, he created around your world, from which was "отторгнут» «on the dawn of his life." not because if he раздражался when someone tried to penetrate in this world? not because if he eschewed their однокашников so as not to fulfill their curiosity about his stay in the pension, and then at the University on one office with разночинцами? not because if it, being the first student in the pension and University, and could not get higher secular education or in Moscow, or in St. Petersburg? criticism - according to the German F. боденштедта, found that lermontov "too willfully and persistently floats upstream and behaves as a hostile set up a foreigner in his motherland, which he all required." (allocated - м.в.) in 1829, the L. writes verse. "repentance": the first appeal to the topic "illegal" love believe researchers. only do about it? judge for yourself. to the ass comes Virgin (see. below: Virgin and in the "азраиле") "confess sin heart", but not for the sake of forgiveness and save the soul, as it is made in Christianity. Virgo категорична: "no, not that I am here for the hope ...", it took to a solution and a hurry only "confess" his life. "so that do not kill with him / all that is in the life of I love!" - she says. what it? дослушаем confession. Virgo than ever strong spirit. it does not need of comfort. this is not pop, and Virgin says ass: "... harder be ... скрепися, / know that there blow the fate of; / but over me not молися ..." she корит yourself for that "ardent passion вожделенью" not opposed, for that (as a Christian) betrayed yourself "геенскому мученью." then we know that it was not just a passion, it was still love, if not ... "soon disaster learned / and nobody its; / I love trading; / or was in charge of her," - says Virgo, not trying to find itself words justification. it is not about selling a woman. here at all the other bargaining! she thought about me, their love, but there was a fruit of the love of to-ROM it does not meant, as was юна and was looking for comfort! now not only it should give birth in sin, but the baby it has to live with this brand! that's what referred to above in the words: "so that do not kill with him ..." remember here drama lermontov "strange man," the original version that is finished on July 17, 1831. (!) recognition of the mother son in his sin and his reaction to heard, there are organic artistic a whole with "repentance." if the verse. we can hear the only flour mother, then in the drama we witnesses muk and mother and son: "the nature of arms against me, I wear a seed of evil; I created to destroy the natural order ...". Virgo also can not to wear a their mental flour, she came to the confession just to speak. it has decided to get away from the life, and it means to take the per capita another sin, over a heavy! it consciously yourself punishes for its a mistake, his sin, and all that it is necessary, - to its just listened! pop can only dilute hands: "if таешь you in the suffering, / if the spirit of your изнемог, / but not молишь in покаянье: / not forgive the great God! .." (see. a .: "... in tears died away my mother ..."; "baby": "the suffering of her up to date changed ..." the same type of women!) Virgin itself is not forgive, it a shame in front of God! so enter psychology согрешившей, but decent women feel the its sin-shame, it was necessary to grow at least until the early youth pores, pores conscious of love and стыдливости and лермонтову here 16-17 years old, but in no way 14-15-ть when a sense of aggressive, демонстративнее are expressed those who are no longer a child, but has not yet a young man. likely to the author is still was impressed by reading entries his mother, but emotional children's explosion changed here youth tolerance to the suffering of that which is deliberately left of life, being today a little over it, by age. to 1828 lermontov relates the beginning of poetic activity. 1828 year dated verse. "fall", "error Cupid", "цевница"; poem "Caucasian captive", "Corsair". but only in the beginning of 1837, the Russian suddenly прозреет and hear 9 years пробивавшегося to it poet, on the power of talent standing next to the first poet century! why? genius of raznochinets was out of the field of view not only the highest light, but also the literary Olympus, разглядевшего genius Pushkin still on the лицейской bench! verse. "the day will come - and the world convicted ..." researchers found подражательным веневитинову (1829), and were dating simply: "after 1829, the". try to specify the date of writing verse. and to determine what writes lermontov? poet believe that be sure to "the day will come" when the world of his condemn and he, "stranger in native edge / on the spot penalty - proud, though despicable ..." кончит his life. he knows that was guilty in front of people, not in front of her to which addresses, and "hard" waiting for "the one hour." if the addressee verse not change soul, the poet sure, "death not разрознит" them, because the "other there is a country where prejudices / love not охладят." (and really is. in Chechnya historically there was a тайп гуной as a result of marriages, prisoners between Chechens and Cossacks, which is well known all хастатовы and Shang-weight!) when the same "news bloody примчится / about the death of my / and how victory will have fun / crowd of others," - poet entreats her at least "единою слезою" honor his cold dust, not only because he its loved, but the main thing: it is only her "opened / mysterious soul and мученья, / which victim was." how terrible secret told poet her one, we can judge on the final rows verse., in which one heavy, full of despair exhale-curse, ready to escape from his chest and mouth, if ... "but if if over my disgrace / laugh become you / and возмутишь unrighteous укором / and speech slander / обиженную shadow - not wait for mercy; / a worm, for the soul of your / I прилеплюсь, and every moment отрады / несносен will be her / and will remember the previous carelessness, / not knowing resurrect, / and will be the life you debt as eternity, / and all are not going to live." if it is even someone opened, it does not found peace of mind, as it should it would be to happen. on the contrary, it is completely lost peace, and because can be merciless to the one for which do not поручится that it does not посмеется over them. worse if it fails to keep him mystery, he calls his personal disgrace. imagine that this verse. - his response to "news bloody» about the death of бейбулата July 14, 1831, which the crowd of people in Russia perceived as a victory over Chechnya. and that's this minute L. understands that can настать that day, when and how the son of rebel, the world condemn, it will be someone else's for all and презренным. but what he court of these people, the main thing to the one which he trusted, telling about the secret of its origin, "speech libel" not offended "обиженную shadow." death бейбулата gave him push to lose all the situation with the secret of his birth, but even then he understands that no one should know about it! by the way, on the date of death Yuri Petrovich! Gregory V. арсеньев may 20, 1832, the delivers petition тульскому provincial leader in which, according V. мануйлова, the first time officially is mentioned "on his father's death poet, which, apparently, died at the end of 1831 or the beginning of 1832» why V. manuilov immediately not specified date of the Church book? and location then took this specific date of death yu.p. - "October 1, 1831?" not poems whether the poet, written on the death of his father, forced to лермонтоведов bind one to another? "one of the human noise ... / increased the shadow of alien I" he writes in the beginning of 1830. but as all changes when it comes to Caucasus. in the same 1830 July 8, he will write autobiographical note: "Mountain Caucasian for me sacred ..." перекликающуюся with verse. "the Caucasus." here (when he said about the Caucasus) we do not find anything alien L. and no one another's for his soul. even song mother, he remembered, even more привязала it to the Caucasus, "for this I love the top of the rocks / I love the Caucasus"! verse. "passage" researchers and compilers the two-volume (M., "true", 1988) bypassed your comments. Yes and how you can comment on what is contrary to the official biography of the poet, "to life hope fearing, (a suddenly who разоблачит? - м.в.) / live as Stone between the stones / pour out of suffering скупясь: / let сгниют chest my. (see .: ... and poet, or no one!) ... / stored fire ethereal / with days infancy in me. / but told him fate, (not grandmother, and the fate! rock!) / as lived, killed in silence .... / for the secret of doom I neglected / and the way of love and the glory of the way, (and poisoned his life these thoughts! .. neither to whom not particularly привязывался, no one loved and with contempt treated your lit. creativity!) ... / poorest in broad beings Earth, / stay I am in the range of people / forever лишась the merits of their / and virtue of its! (not destined he was to find the dignity of nobleman, and all that he has, it is his virtue) ... / two of life in the US to the grave is, / is terrible spirit: it is a stranger to mind; ... / he точит life as a Scorpio. / he believed I - and well! .. / всмотритесь in the eyes, in the pale color; / a person my you could not / say that I am 15 years." here there is no sign of the question. author says he is not 15-ть years! location, they say, you it took if in my face it is clear that I am over! according to our data, poet 18! "confession" dates from 1830-1831 years. Leo Nazarov ("лэ, with. 201) links plan poems with a record of the poet related to the summer of 1831." write a note young Monk 17-TI years. with childhood it in a convent, in addition to the sacred books not read. passionate soul languishing. ideals .... "but" confession "not a child in a convent, and criminal before the execution of deprivation of honor the one that loves! what happened in Chechnya the summer of 1831? July 14, read in абузара айдамирова," on the conspiracy the King's authorities аксайским Prince salad гиреем эльдаровым killed the patient бейбулат таймиев. "so." confession. "in the monastery prison young Hispanic waiting for penalty." why, for that, / did not know and to know could not no one. "but it was accused in crime, and he did not make excuses, because knows well, that is not God's court it has overtaken." all the people, people, my father ... "- he says old man, who came it confess, (Wed .:" you in the people only evil изведал ... ") - because" неправой execution "you can shed his blood, but" warm them again not destined / heart, withered a long time ... "law, on which the Hispanic yourself for money - approved his heart:" one / he heart full Lord; / and the mystery of terrible my / I always сохраню ... "again mystery and again" terrible, "which is not open to anyone! if all know what it judge and executed, so it is not a mystery. himself Hispanic not has closed in itself, and ardently defends even before the death of his right to love. it would seem what is the secret? not in the name of a girl? its position in society or its place in its society:" ... the clothes власяной / I people, as well as other! "Hispanic sure himself elder, when he saw it" decided used as sin, / rejecting all the law and honor / you would be happy to перенесть ... / my suffering, my shame! .. "(Wed." Ishmael Bay ":" was in charge of it that not be able to her spouse, / that shared their our law "!) recall and" repentance. "again - it, she - sin, shame! and it, like a Virgin in the" repentance, "not prays of Salvation:" let forever мучусь; no trouble! / after all, it is not встречусь ever! / ... / that without the Earth and Paradise? "she how to see his only!" know, maybe its really no ..., - he says old man, calling his call "stained with blood butchers", as for him: "it does not here - and all nothing! .." клянясь in front of the creator that do not guilty nothing, it is ready to take for her death, but it should know requests he elder, "what a secret fatal my / I do not separated for people ... / who loved? father of the Holy, / here is that will die in me, with me; / for life, with the world, with the eternity you / I secrets this does not selling!" this is how it was necessary to cherish name and honor the one which do you like to readily to take penalty, only to it remained незапятнанной, the net! what feat in the name of love! "... and he died - and buried." not killed, died, and died. as a Warrior! as бейбулат, fallen at the hands of the enemy as Ishmael Bay to-рого Russian accused in the tragedy of his bride allegedly them "обольщенной." but the storm feelings caused by chest Chechen the news about the death of a girl gives and his secret feelings, "only knows he Yes God single, / that under спокойною mask / then took place in it. / стеснив дыханье, up face / ... lay it on the ground crude, / how is the Earth, and dark, and dumb!" (poem "Ishmael Bay") in the night the death of the Spaniard to its monastery wind brought "burial the sound of": "in her face no one used couldn't / open sadness and alarm ... / in the eyes was Paradise, and in the heart hell!" she listened to-noise ratio of wind, "as if had to принесть / he we love Ile death news! .." she it also loves, but why then, the main thing who accused it in such a terrible crime? when the noise of wind she heard "dull the sound of", you issuing "weak Creek," she subsided. "double-of the chest one / not crashes sound this! .. / love and life he took a" - the end of the poem. it executed, and without it does not want to live. how to see they loved each other, but who he is, the third who managed to get up between them? поищем answer in the "азраиле." "азраил" said an early "fantastic romantic" poem lermontov because, in the Center of poems - fallen Angel азраил. agree with the researchers with a small amendment: this poem, located in the same number with autobiographical works poet, but with the elements of fiction. note on the following part to the comment poem: "in фи¬нале lermontov unexpectedly translate narration in ирони¬чески reduced plan (B. удодов): Virgo that seemed to meet the азраилу reciprocate, on the will of the mother has to marry ..." (!!! that's where the pure sentence this yet sounded!) why лермонтову not to say that the Virgin marries other? why need to specify: "on the will of the mother", which, in contrast to the father is usually happens on the side of the daughter? read more: "on seems to effect poems had to take place in Palestine to the destruction of Judah" and in parentheses: "(groom Virgin - Warrior.)." remember this specification. continue to: "but ремарка" cross on the chest she "(де¬вы) destroys this localization ..." (!!!) nothing happened in лермонтоведов how do not twisted with comments, and, as a result, they threw all attempts, and not giving to understand that this to do? but of all, that previously US mentioned already could be effortlessly see what would like to say and told US author in this small poem, but update for yourself time her writing. in the notebook 20th its a copy of follows verse. "1831-January." and then, and other friend lermontov A. zakrevsky entered on August 15, 1831 in album yu.n. бартенева. goes, "азраил" written "to August 1831" !!! (лэ) that QED. July 14, killed бейбулат - (Warrior!), what be sure to responded official Russian Press! and lermontov it is with the summer of 1831 falls on the potential reader a dozen poetry things dedicated to his father that researchers and biographers not slow attributed yu.p., deceased of consumption not then in 1831, not that in 1832 St! .послушаем themselves heroes of the poem: - I was late, азраил. so if you name, my friend? - asks Virgin (again - Virgin!). азраил. that up to названья? call me your любез¬ным ... (see .: "baby": ... бледнея maybe it pronounced / name now forgotten you ... / that name? - sound empty! "- м.в.) Virgin. who you? азраил. exile, being a strong and побежден¬ное ... (бейбулат, shifted in 1810 on the Russian side, could call themselves defeated.) Virgin. ... вверь I their grief, who are you? location? Angel? Demon? (it is the first sees it another breed men! Wed .:" spirit of hell or Paradise / you Earth forgot ... ") азраил. nor is no more. at the request of the Virgin азраил tells her his story. (reject a fantastic part of the creation of the world ...):" ... / we had a lot of; wonderful edge / we populated, (Chechnya? - м.в.) only he / as your long forgotten Paradise / was преступленьем desecrated. (war?) / I have the power of the great had ... (бейбулат really had a great power on all the Caucasus, not only in Chechnya!) but powerful азраил jealous of Angels that "blithely was carried out days / did not know the secret worries, / they light mind ... / love sinful not suffered, (it is B., fallen in love Christian and came with her in illegal link)" and began to loud I repine, / my рожденье curse / and said, all-powerful God / you know about the future could / why did me? .. / and if I really created, / to игрушкою serve as a ... (it is and самоощущение and L. the very! God made it рожденье!) / and punishment in response / fell on the head of my. (did not Kara, and punishment! - not God, and people condemn!) / Oh, not to say what, there is no! ... / and now I live between you, / immortal, the death I like to ... / доверчивое the heart of I / used to not find a long time; .. / but no, you crying. I love ... ". Virgin. ... I came here to you and I say goodbye, my Dear. my mother says that покамест this should I go to get married. my fiance nice Warrior ... (here L. swaps бейбулата and yu.p., which does Warrior, especially nice, not be called!) азраил. that's woman! it hugs one and gives his heart another! ... (not that if felt yu.p., переступив threshold Manor House in тарханах, not this is made his" soon "охладеть to his wife?) to the 1831 attributed and verse." Russian song, "in the second part of which we read:" ... recently cute схоронен, .. / бледней snow appear he / and say: / "you changed" - it in person / and her заветно ring / will show! .. what verse or poem not take, in L. the same type of men and women. is it and it! and the same fatal relationship between them and circumstances, which is stronger than their! with all their strong sense, despite their mutual of love, they are doomed to the separation and death! and not to his fault! .. so it was in the life: Maria and бейбулат die, and put asunder their mother Mary - арсеньева. and in this song: "... Virgo ... afraid to the porch get off ..." and the fear of ghost cute ... note that he it still mil! .. although it to him changed! by its whether will answer to this question - in the "азраиле." the main thing lermontov not accuses it in her misfortunes, but in all the above things there are some third force that invisible present and is responsible misery of both. "strange man," - call арбенина poet in this autobiographical the play, epigraph to which are taken the words of Byron "dream": "a woman, he loved was обвенчана with another, but he loved it is not more ...", and in dying recognition марьи (!!!) dmitrievna the son of Vladimir once again, we observe familiar flour: "I guilty: youth was my виною ... (see." repentance ") I first loved other: if my husband would like, I forgot to the former. few years tried I win this love, and one minute decided to my fate ... my Act makes you despise me, and not one me ... (yourself? - м.в.) with the humiliation I fell at his feet ... I hoped that he generously forgive me ... but he drove me from home ... (left, they say, leaving his son - м.в.) you do not look at me? ..) Vladimir in despair, but all your monologue he says" myself ":" ... the nature of arms against me, I wear a seed of evil; I created to destroy the natural order ... here dying mother - and in the language of my there are no reassuring words, no! .. "and although the play the author is strongly repeats that арбенин son of his father, though damn them, the word mother and storm feelings in the chest son in no uncertain terms give to understand that the only illegitimate child is" the destruction of natural order "against which itself" the nature of arms "! here again one third, which ppm knew before his marriage! verse." let I someone like to ... "- originally consisted of three stanzas; third stanza wore autobiographical character that sounds as a continuation of monologue арбенина:" I son of suffering. my father / did not know the rest of the end. / in tears died away my mother; / from them was only I ... - / unnecessary member of the feast human, / младая branch on the stump dry ... »« violently зачеркнутые "in the draft embodiment, and later recovered, they are too eloquent to them to comment." I saw the shadow of Bliss, but it is ... "- also referred to 1831, and it L. are still unhappy:" no! clean Angel (mother poet?) not guilty in the fact / that there spot longing in mind my; / and every year wider the spot; ... about my father! where you? where I find / your proud spirit, бродящий in heaven? (no pride in спившемся yu.p. there was no! - м.в.) / in your world are such a different way / that elect prevent secret fear. / there is a Paradise of heaven! - star say; / but where well? that's a question - and it a poison; (he was the son of a Muslim, living in the Orthodox state in the Christian family!) / he made the fact that in the women's heart I / wanted to find отраду of life. "poet can not get married on any girl, which will love until you will open her their origin and it poisons it from it, not just not having a nobility roots, but the son of the enemy Russia, can renounce as soon as will be known its origin! but he is proud and the Caucasus, and his father.

Thought for the Day – 11 June 2017 – The Solemnity of the Holy Trinity

The Trinity dogma is not the result of poetic fantasies or of philosophical elucubrations. Nor it is a rational theological formulation that offers the pretext of saying that it is a mystery so detached from our lives that more than one Christian feels quietly authorised to ignore it.   The Mystery of the Trinity is a great mystery which surpasses our minds but speaks deeply to our heart because it is, in its essence, nothing but the explication of the profound expression of Saint John: “God is love” (1 Jn 4: 8,16).   If God is love, he cannot be loneliness in Himself.   In order to have a love affair, it must be at least two.   To love only oneself is not love, it is selfishness.   God Love is, at least, one who always loves and one who has always been loved and reciprocates love:  an eternal Lover, an eternal Beloved and an eternal Love.

The Lover is God, the Father in love, infinitely free and generous in love, motivated to love by no other thing than love.

The eternal Beloved, is the one who always welcomes love:  He is eternal gratitude, grace without beginning and end.  He is the Son in love.

Love is the Holy Spirit, in whom Their love is always open to self-donation and to “go out of their being”.   Therefore, the Spirit is said to be a gift of God, a living source of love, a fire that powers in us the ability to reciprocate Love with love.

This mystery of love is concrete and close to us more than we think and we live it in practice when, above all in the most important or critical times where we most need God, we make the sign of the cross.   By marking this holy sign, almost without being fully aware, we call upon the One and Triune God , saying, “In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”.   Not only do we invoke God Trinity to help us but we praise with the prayer “Glory to the Father, and to the Son and the Holy Ghost … Amen”. St. Teresa of Calcutta often recited as follows: “Glory to the Father-Prayer and to the Son -Poverty and the Holy Spirit- Zeal for souls. Amen-Mary. “   (JUNE 9, 2017 ARCHBISHOP FRANCESCO FOLLO)

How can we put the sign of the Cross into practice? Here are some ways you can make the sign of the Cross a part of your daily life.

1.   Immediately after waking and before sleeping – making the sign of the Cross immediately after waking and before sleeping is as ancient as Christianity. It is a powerful way to consecrate our day to Our Lord.

2.   When passing a Catholic Church – there is a beautiful Catholic tradition of crossing oneself while passing a Catholic Church in order to recognize Jesus present in the tabernacle and to show Him honour and love.

2.   At the Name of the Holy Trinity – in Catholic prayer, the name of the Holy Trinity is often invoked.   To show honour to the Holy Trinity, it is a good idea to Cross yourself when saying the Glory Be or any other time the Name is invoked.

3.   In reparation for blasphemy – the name of God is abused frequently in daily conversations.   If you want to make an act of reparation to God for this abuse of his Name, you can quietly make the sign of the Cross.

4.   Before entering a room or house – G.K. Chesterton, the famous Catholic convert and all around genius, was said to have made the sign of the cross before entering any room. This Catholic custom also applies to entering a house and many have Holy Water fonts next to the door for blessings oneself when entering or leaving the home.

5.   Blessing people or things – a small sign of the cross can be traced on the forehead of a child or upon an object which you wish to bless.

6.   When afraid – in old movies that involve Catholicism, you will often see people cross themselves when in the presence of death, upon receiving bad news, or when generally afraid.   Sadly, this custom has fallen out of use but it is an excellent way to drive away fear and to inspire courage.

There are countless other ways to employ the powerful sign of the Cross.  The point is, we should use this powerful sign frequently and reverently, paying attention to what we are doing.

“Let us not then be ashamed to confess the Crucified.   Be the Cross our seal made with boldness by our fingers on our brow and in everything; over the bread we eat and the cups we drink;  in our comings in and goings out; before our sleep, when we lie down and when we awake;  when we are in the way and when we are still.   Great is that preservative;  it is without price, for the poor’s sake;  without toil, for the sick, since also its grace is from God.   It is the Sign of the faithful and the dread of evils;  for He has triumphed over them in it, having made a shew of them openly;  for when they see the Cross, they are reminded of the Crucified;  they are afraid of Him, Who hath bruised the heads of the dragon.   Despise not the Seal, because of the freeness of the Gift; but for this rather honour thy Benefactor.”

– St. Cyril of Jerusalem