Here’s a tribute to my personal favorite Commander-in-Chief, Ronald Reagan, whose 105th birthday would’ve been earlier this month ~ as well as to the Challenger Crew, whose crash took place just over three decades ago …
Kline, R. D. (Producer & Director). (2011). Ronald Reagan: An American journey [Motion picture]. Chatsworth, CA: Enduring Freedom Productions. {photo above}
Pope Francis offers his take* on how home influences our faith [my commentary in brackets]:
“Faith opens a ‘window’ to the presence and working of the Spirit. It shows us that, like happiness, holiness is always tied to little gestures.
‘Whoever gives you a cup of water in my name will not go unrewarded,’ Jesus says (Mark 9:41).
“These little gestures are those we learn at home, in the family; they get lost amid all the other things we do, yet they do make each day different. They are the quiet things done by mothers and grandmothers, by fathers and grandfathers, by children, by brothers and sisters. They are little signs of tenderness, affection, and compassion.
“Like the warm supper we look forward to at night [my mom‘s homecooking], the early meal awaiting someone who gets up early to go to work [my dad‘s coffee].
“Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs that make us feel at home. Faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life and life to grow in faith.”
*Pope Francis in the U.S.: Words of Mercy and Hope (2015), Daughters of St. Paul, pp. 22-23 ~ as said at the Closing Mass of the Eighth World Meeting of Families, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA, Sunday, September 27, 2015.
^– I actually used this passage as my pre-brunch prayer of grace with my parents today! –^
Bearing in mind these homely gestures, let’s also consider our cultures and upbringings…
Have you ever wondered why your parents act the way they do then realize that you’re turning out more like them as you grow up?
This handful of special people were my starting five for Team Dr. D, out of a league of supporters throughout my Ph.D. GOD was the commissioner who made sure that I kept going while staying true to Him and myself …
Even as an adult, I still keep learning from my Dad, who always enlightens me everyday, through his example and his wisdom as a prayerfulsoon-to-befirst-time grandfather with whom I attended Church today. Cheers, Pops!
So then, anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded over, and the wind blew hard against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on rock. But anyone who hears these words of mine and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded over, the wind blew hard against that house, and it fell. And what a terrible fall that was!
Do not be fooled. “Bad companions ruin good character.”
~ I Corinthians 15:33
Assignment ~ “study the playbook” (The Bible**) to “know the plays” {for the truth and our service as we proclaim GOD’s Word}
Christ’s message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts.
So Jesus said to those who believed him, “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
~ John 8:31-32
Spiritual Sources
*Grassi, J. E. (2013). Guts grace and glory: A football devotional. New York, NY: Thomas Nelson. (p. 69)
**Rainbow Studies, Inc. (2000). The Catholic Rainbow Study Bible: Good News Translation (2nd ed.). El Reno, OK: Rainbow Studies International.
Who would’ve thought that the advice offered by Belinda Selene in this month’s Seventeen magazine would actually help yours truly (who’s double the title age)?
Apparently, Jessica Alba must be extremely influential with her following ~ she’s now branded produce! | CourtesySeventeen magazine, October 2015
Bottom Line: Public Speaking revolves around our Audience, just as Writing revolves around our Readers!
I’ve already been on-point with making this Neutrogena base for my face as my go-to double-function foundation for SPF coverage andacneprevention/protection! | CourtesySeventeen magazine, October 2015
During our ☼Sunday☼ brunch, we reminisced about my own grandparents, my parents’ parents, and since Papa Jun pointed out an article that he came across in the ☼Sunday☼ paper about older figures influencing the youth, I realized some of the attributes that I’ve acquired from each of my grandparents:
Then when we had our merienda, Papa Jun mentioned how his own paternal grandfather told him stories about how he and his eldest son/my dad’s oldest uncle on Papa Ped‘s side served in the Philippine Army together during WWII, when Japan invaded our native Philippines ~ during which my paternal great-grandfather and my oldest paternal great-uncle had survived the brutal Bataan March as they looked out for one another to dodge the Japanese’s weapons. Listening to my father’s account brought me greater admiration for him and the military heroes of our family from generations before and after.
†GOD† bless all ♥Grandparents♥ and our *Military Heroes* ✌ …
& Go, *Dallas Cowboys* who kick off their regular NFL season in ☼Sunday☼ Night Football!
GTO reminds me of myself: He cares about his students & is a biker!
Before I began teaching at the college level, my 🇺🇸Airman✈️ buddy, who was stationed in 🐎Texas🏇🏽 and 🌺Cali🌴 when I lived in both, introduced me to anime Great Teacher Onizuka (GTO)
Welcome/Mabuhay/¡Biénvenidos! I am a USAF brat who was born in Germany and grew up State-side while celebrating my Catholic and Filipino heritage. ☼Sunny☼ DISPOsition Elaine’s Eye Candy/DISPhotos ~ I love GOD & His creations, so I take photos @ any given opportunity. Elaine DISPOrts ~ I am passionate about sports, which is my research focus on my ... Continue reading →
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