Friday-"Bible Clubs"

Hi it's Steph again. Zoe has an away field hockey game today, so I'll post.

I found a very interesting article, and decided to share it.

This isn't really a debate, but I would like to know what you think.

Basically, the administrators of a high school in Orange County have been told that they can no longer ban the school's "Bible Club" to meet on school grounds. They also have to be featured in the yearbook and recognized on the school website with their picture and names.

The superintendent, Dennis Smith, says that the school has always not allowed non-curricular based clubs. Suggestions such as the rock-climbing club and community service groups have been denied in the past. He doesn't think this should be an exception.

On the other hand, U.S. district Judge Cormac J. Carney, says that "schools must provide a microcosm of society, along with the freedom for students to be exposed to diverse and challenging views and choose between them. The district's objections seem to be based, at least partially, on a paternalistic desire to control the views and outlets available to students during the day."

What do you guys think?

Read more on this story: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bible4-2008sep04,0,6208549.story

Either go with a policy that has been with the school all along but is controversial, or go with something that offers the school a chance to be diverse but doesn't allign with any school curiculum.

Please comment away!

-Steph
Skittles!_4321

Welcome Back!

Hi everyone! I hope you guys had a productive summer. This blog was such a hit last year, it just needed to be brought back! We will still have videos, debates, links and more this year and I hope you tell all your friends if you enjoy the experience!

Oh, by the way, this isn't Zoe posting! It's Steph, otherwise known as Skittles!_4321. Zoe is really busy with school and stuff, so I'm going to help her out with posting sometimes.

Remember to email the blog's email address anytime you have any videos, pictures, poems, or just general suggestions that you think would be helpful. The address is: whyilovejesusblog@yahooo.com. We would love to hear from you!

Here's today's music video. It's totally NOT LAME.

In Better Hands by Natalie Grant

And this one is the same song, only by a young girl who is extremely good at singing. I think I like this one even better! You tell me.

Anyway, welcome back and we'll be sure to keep you update!

Remember to keep emailing your debate suggestions!

And comment to tell me what you think... :) God bless.

-Steph
Skittles!_4321

Thursday-God is in Control

Hey! Today's song is so beautiful. It's by Twila Paris. I know what you guys are gonna say. Yeah God's in Control out there killing people. No that's not it. Those comments are very unappreciated.

God is in Control by Twila Paris


-Zoe

PS I NEED MORE MUSIC VIDEOS AND IDEAS EMAIL ME! whyilovejesusblog@yahoo.com

Wednesday-Abortion in Poland

Hey! I know we've talked about abortion alot but here's another debate thingy news article. It's short so I don't think I have to summarize it but it's really interesting. So here's the link

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=59025

-Zoe

Tuesday-A Place in This World

Hey! I'm just gonna say it now. Monday is going to be the last regular day post, but I'll still be posting debate topics every once in a while. Just check in weekly and you'll probably find a new post. I just can't post every day because I'm gonna be so busy. Don't worry, I'll keep checking in. I might even try and let you guys post some stuff, but you need to have a gmail account and I'll have to figure that out. Here's the music video

A Place In This World by Taylor Swift


-Zoe

PS Keep emailing me ideas or whatever. whyilovejesusblog@yahoo.com

Monday-Animal Testing

Hey! It's Monday! I'm so tired I just don't know why. It's actually really funny. Well, here's the debate topic:

Do you think animal testing is right? When is it morally right to test things on animals? Why kinds of things should be allowed to be tested on animals and what shouldn't be?

This was submitted by Alexa! Thanks!

-Zoe

Saturday-Asia wants God

Hey! It's Saturday! Today's news article is about the people in Asia wanting God.

Here you go!
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=58910

-Zoe

Thursday-El Shaddai

Hey. Today's Thursday! I'm really tired cause of the humungo track meet we had today but whatever. This is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. So here it is:

El Shaddai by Amy Grant


-Zoe

Wednesday-Fined for Remarks

Hey! Today's news article is a little wierd, but I think it's important to discuss. Here's the link:

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=58861

It's about a lady in France that got fined because she said "The entire population is destroying us, destroying our country, imposing its culture." but I think you guys need to read the debate topic. Look at the bottom of the page and read the comments other people posted.

-Zoe

PS EMAIL ME YOUR IDEAS! I SERIOUSLY NEED THEM VERY BADLY! sorry bout the caps email me at whyilovejesusblog@yahoo.com

Tuesday-Place In This World

Hey! It's Tuesday! Therefore there are only 2 days until the most gigantic track meet like ever! I'm so excited! Well here's the music video!

Place in This World by Michael W. Smith


-Zoe

Monday-God's Creatures

Hey! It's Monday! We have another debate topic today, kinda submitted by anonymous. I just want to remind you, I really need you guys to email me your debate topic and music video ideas. I really need debate topics and videos! If you guys have any new ideas about what to do on wednesdays, fridays and saturdays, email me at whyilovejesusblog@yahoo.com or leave a comment where I can see it (so not on the first post or anything)! Here's the debate topic:

Do we have the right to eat God's creatures (like the animals)?

Okay. You guys just email me bout anything!

-Zoe

Saturday-Excommunication

Hey! Sorry, I would've posted this earlier but my internet wasn't working...again. Well today's news article/discussion is about excommunication from the church. Excommunication is when people aren't allowed to be an active part of the church. they can still believe what they believe but they can't be part of the church. This news article happens to be about excommunication of priests that try to ordinate any woman to become a priest. Here's the link:

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=58760

What do you guys think about women not allowed to be priests?

-Zoe

Friday-Tony Blair

Hey! I'm sorry I couldn't post yesterday. My internet wasn't working :( I couldn't do my homework either (but i managed to get it done before school today!) Well I'm really tired cause i just got back from babysitting a couple of extremely hyper rascals. Anyway...

Here's a news article about that guy, Tony Blair, that used to be the British prime minister:
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=58772

-Zoe

Wednesday-Obedience

Hey! Here's a news article bout obedience in religious life.

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=58707

There ya go! Once again, I got a ton of homework so I have to do it now.

-Zoe

Tuesday-In Christ Alone

Hey! I have a ton of homework so I gotta make this quick. Here's a music video I found.

In Christ Alone by Newsboys


-Zoe

Monday-Sex Before Marriage

Hey! It's Monday and Memorial day! Thanks to all those veterans out there! Here's the debate topic:

Do you believe that sex before marriage is right or not?

-Zoe

Friday-Abortion Debate

Hey! Here's the news article.

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=58609

It's about an abortion debate between important Catholic leaders.

-Zoe

Thursday- Come to Jesus

Hey! What's up? I've been busy and I think I did something to my knee because of high jump in track. Here's the music video Mary recommended.

Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus) by Chris Rice


-Zoe

Wednesday-Gay Priests

Hey! I'm sooo tired and American Idol's on so I have to watch it. Btw, I don't usually watch it, it's just cause it's the finale, but I'd appreciate it if you kept your opinions to yourself about who's gonna win. I can guarantee you it's gonna be david though! haha :)

Here's the news article.
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=58524

-Zoe

Tuesday-What You Own

Hey! This is the last music video I'm going to use from anonymous but I have found some others. I do need more debate topics though! I'm almost out! Here's the video:

What You Own by the cast of RENT


-Zoe

Monday- Cloning

Hey! I have some new debate topics from anonymous. So here's one of em.

Should we allow cloning? What about cloning makes people question it?

-Zoe

Saturday-Same Sex Marriage in California

Hey! I'm very tired today and I really wanna go to sleep but whatever. I'm posting another news article. This one is about the vote in California that made Same Sex Marriage legal. Tell me what you think...

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=58472

-Zoe

Thursday and Friday-Seasons of Love and Homeless People

Hey! Sorry I didn't post yesterday! I had a track meet and got home late and stuff. I was really tired. Here's the video:

Seasons of Love by Cast of RENT

Here's the link for the news article. It's about homeless people being evicted. What do ya think?

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=58436

-Zoe

Wednesday-Aliens

Hey! It's Wednesday! Wish Steph, Becca and me luck for tomorrow because we have a track meet! I hope Steph feels better because she's ummm sick. Here's the news article. It's about people believing in aliens. It's cool check it out.

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=58428

-Zoe

Tuesday-Apologize

Hey! Today's music video is a song that you guys have probably all heard but I found a different version. It's called Apologize by One Republic but this is the first version before Timbaland changed it. Sorry if i spelled timbaland wrong or whatever. Here's the song:

Apologize by One Republic


-Zoe

Monday-The Apocalypse

Hey! :) Today's debate topic day! This is the last one I have that has been submitted so I need you guys to send me more. I'm getting desperate you guys! Email any ideas you have to whyilovejesusblog@yahoo.com. Here's the debate topic:

Do you believe in the apocalypse (the end of the world)? Why or why not? When do you think it will happen? Why will it happen? What will happen when it happens?

-Zoe

Friday-Mother Nature

Hey! Today I'm gonna switch it up a little bit. We've been reading "To Build a Fire" by ummm what's his name in language class. And we've been talking a lot about Mother Nature.

What do you think about Mother Nature? Does she exist? What about Father Time? Does he exist? If they do exist, why do you think so? If they don't, why do you think they don't?

I think that the way we've been talking about Mother Nature in class is wrong because it's like our teacher is teaching us to believe in Mother Nature. What do you think?

-Zoe

Thursday- Ya know?

Hey! Guess what? I need people to send me ideas about music videos! I have no idea. Just send me the name and artist of the song and I'll check it out (and probably use it cause of the shortage)! Well just email me at whyilovejesusblog@yahoo.com because otherwise you guys are getting nothing... (well at least on tuesdays and thursdays)! :)

-Zoe

PS EMAIL ME! whyilovejesusblog@yahoo.com

Wednesday-News Article

Hey! This has to be really quick cause it's late and I still have homework. So here's a news article.

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=58275

It talks about Christians coming together and being one.

-Zoe

Tuesday- Christ's Ascension

Hey! It's Tuesday! :) I don't have any music videos that people recommended so I'm just going to post a news article.

Here's the link:
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=58206

It talks about how Christ's Ascension is "a real not theoretical truth." What do you think?


-Zoe

Monday- Sin

Hey! I've got a big project due in the morning so I have to make this quick but this debate topic was submitted by Steph a while ago. Here it is...

Is breaking the law a sin? What is a sin? Who sins? What happens to you if you do sin? Should people depend on God to forgive their sins?

-Zoe

Saturday- Tomorrow's Reading

Hey! It's late and I have to go to bed soon. Well it's actually not that late and I don't have to go to bed too soon but whatever. I'm reading tomorrow at the 10:30 mass at my church. I'm just going to post my reading. :)

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

After Jesus had been taken up to heaven the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away.
When they entered the city they went to the upper room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

There you go! :)

-Zoe

Friday-Communion for Politicians

Hey! It's Friday and I'm sooo glad cause I'm really tired!!!!!!!!!! Today's news article is about Communion for Politicians that are Pro-abortion. Tell me what you think...

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=58176

:)

-Zoe

Thursday- You Are My All In All

Hey! This is one of my favorite songs. We sing it and do hand movements to it at church and the little second graders are going to sing it at their First Communion! They're going to be sooo cute! Well here's the song!

You Are My All In All


There you go! :)

-Zoe

Wednesday-How To Pray the Rosary

Hey! It's Wednesday! :) I'm going to teach you guys that don't know how to pray the rosary how to pray the rosary.


The Basics of the Rosary
The Beginning:

Begin by touching the crucifix and pray The Sign of the Cross.
Pray The Apostles Creed
On the first rosary bead, pray the Our Father
On each of the next three beads pray the Hail Mary
Glory Be and Fatima Prayer

The Mysteries:
The Rosary is divided into five groups of ten beads called decades. One Hail Mary is prayed on each bead for a total of ten per decade. During these prayers, we meditate on different aspects of Our Lord's life and Passion, which are called Mysteries.
The First Mystery of the Rosary
Announce the Mystery
On the first bead, pray the Our Father and the first Hail Mary.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary

Glory Be and Fatima Prayer
The Second Mystery of the Rosary
Announce the Mystery
On the first bead, pray the Our Father and the first Hail Mary.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary

Glory Be and Fatima Prayer
The Third Mystery of the Rosary
Announce the Mystery
On the first bead, pray the Our Father and the first Hail Mary.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary

Glory Be and Fatima Prayer

The Fourth Mystery of the Rosary
Announce the Mystery
On the first bead, pray the Our Father and the first Hail Mary.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary

Glory Be and Fatima Prayer
The Fifth Mystery of the Rosary
Announce the Mystery
On the first bead, pray the Our Father and the first Hail Mary.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary

Glory Be and Fatima Prayer
Conclusion of the Rosary:
Hail Holy Queen, the Final Prayer, the Sign of the Cross

So... that's how you pray the rosary. I found this on http://www.catholiccompany.com/content/How-to-Pray-the-Rosary.cfm because I really didn't feel like explaining it.

-Zoe

Tuesday- Invincible God

Hey! It's Tuesday! I found this video on my own because no one recommended any! I need you guys' recommendations! Oh and Roni, you can send me those debate topics and I'll reply whether I'll use them or not... :) Here's the Video

Invincible God by Martha Munizzi ( I like her last name :) )


Oh and the first line says nobody like you not nobody likes you. yes i got confused too!

-Zoe

Monday- Right to Kill

Hey! Sorry I haven't posted in a week. It's cause I went to Canada and junk because it was April vacation. Well here's the debate topic for today... Steph sent it to me!

When does a person have the right to kill? Terrible injustice? Self defense? Revenge?

-Zoe

Thursday- Any Other World

Hey! It's Thursday and seeing that April vacation starts tomorrow, I won't be posting anything until the Monday after next because I'll be on vacation. Here's the video Becca recommended.

Any Other World by Mika


Sorry it's the Lion King video but I really liked this version cause the other versions I found were pethetic (yes i spell pethetic with an e on purpose.)! So I decided to use this one! I'll probably still be able to comment but not to post or anything.

-Zoe

Wednesday-Darkness

Hey! I've gotta do this quick because I have the mechanical baby again for school. Well, here's the passage from Living Faith for Kids!

I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. John 12:46
Think of the darkest place you've ever been. Was it in your closet? The basement? When you were camping and had only the stars for light? Did you get very scared in the dark, or was it okay.
We rearely have a change to experience full darkness because usually there's at least a little light around to help us see our way---a night light, a street light outside or even a neighbor's porch light. But the real light in our lives in Jesus' love for us. God will always help us find our way, no matter how dark things can seem for us.
God of all light, thanks for showing me the way in my life.

-Zoe

Tuesday- My Savior, My God

Hey! Sorry it's so late but I went to go see Horton Hears A Who! It's so hilarious. My friend told me I remind her of Katie. Haha Well anyway... here's the video

My Savior, My God by Aaron Shust


-Zoe

PS Email me at whyilovejesusblog@yahoo.com

Monday- Pledge of Allegiance

Hey! This debate topic was recommended by Steph! Here it is.

A little while ago, a hot debate topic was whether to keep "Under God" in The Pledge Of Allegiance, which is stated by children at public schools regularly every morning. Do you think that "Under God" should be kept in The Pledge? Should it be printed on our money? Are we religiously discriminating towards people who don't in fact believe in God? Are we setting the stereotype that everyone in America believes that we are "Under God"? Or do we as a people have a right to present that The United States trusts in God, and is that behavior acceptable? Does being politically correct get in the way of freedom of speech on this matter?

There you go!

-Zoe

Saturday- vocation, grace, deceit, guardian

Hey! Here are the definitions I got from my Sunday missal that somehow relate to the church readings of today. (THESE DEFINITIONS WERE FOUND AT catholicreference.net)

vocation: A call from God to a distinctive state of life, in which the person can reach holiness. The Second Vatican Council made it plain that there is a "Universal call [vocatio] to holiness in the Church"

grace: In biblical language the condescension or benevolence (Greek charis) shown by God toward the human race; it is also the unmerited gift proceeding from this benevolent disposition. Grace, therefore, is a totally gratuitous gift on which man has absolutely no claim. Where on occasion the Scriptures speak of grace as pleasing charm or thanks for favors received, this is a derived and not primary use of the term.
As the Church has come to explain the meaning of grace, it refers to something more than the gifts of nature, such as creation or the blessings of bodily health. Grace is the supernatural gift that God, of his free benevolence, bestows on rational creatures for their eternal salvation. The gifts of grace are essentially supernatural. They surpass the being, powers, and claims of created nature, namely sanctifying grace, the infused virtues, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and actual grace. They are the indispensable means necessary to reach the beatific vision. In a secondary sense, grace also includes such blessings as the miraculous gifts of prophecy or healing, or the preternatural gifts of freedom from concupiscence.
The essence of grace, properly so called, is its gratuity, since no creature has a right to the beatific vision, and its finality or purpose is to lead one to eternal life.

deceit: A deliberate effort to conceal the truth, whether in speech, writing, or action. It is commonly said to spring from avarice, which offends against justice. But it may also be the result of pride, where a person's lack of humility leads him to act deceitfully in order to obtain or maintain a false recognition from others. In canon law, those who enter a novitiate by deceit enter invalidly. And in general an action entered into through deceit may be declared null and void and indemnity may be obtained.

guardian: In ecclesiastical law, a person officially responsible for the care of someone who cannot manage his own affairs, as a child during its minority or one who is emotionally or mentally handicapped. The Church now permits clerics and religious, under special circumstances, to act as guardians. The superior of a Franciscan friary is also called a guardian.

-Zoe

Friday- News Article

Hey! It's Friday! I'm really glad too cause I don't have to go to school tomorrow. I do have to wake up early though because I have a baton competition tomorrow. Wish me luck! haha

Here's the news article. It's about the 200th Catholic Anniversary in the US.
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=57698

-Zoe

Thursday-My Immortal

Hey It's Music Video day! Steph kept reminding me to use this song but i always forgot the name of it so she finally sent me the name. well here you are

My Immortal by Evanescense


-Zoe

Wednesday-Do you have a fortress?

Hey! Sorry yesterday's post was so short but I had the mechanical baby and it was going crazy and stuff. Today I'm posting a section from my Living Faith for Kids booklet.

"Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety. You are my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake you will...guide me." Psalm 31:3-4

Do you have a fortress? Maybe you have a tree house in the backyard. Maybe you like to build forts by covering chairs with sheets. Wherever and however you find a safe place, that is your fortress.
For the psalmist (and for us too), God is a fortress of safety. No matter where we are or what we do, God is watching over us, ready to lead us on. Isn't that a great feeling?
Thanks, God, for always being there.

-Zoe

Tuesday-Sinnerman

Hey! I'm sorry this post is gonna have to be short cause i have a mechanical baby for school and my heads about to explode cause it won't stop fussing. Here's the video Sinnerman suggested by Steph!

Sinnerman by Nina Simone


Sorry this is the best one I could find!

-Zoe

Monday-Abortion

Hey! Today's debate topic day! This one is another one from Roni!

Do you think abortion is wrong or right? In what situations? Explain your opinion on abortion in your comment.

I realized that I haven't told any of the new members my email address. This is my email address. You guys can email me about anything...
whyilovejesusblog@yahoo.com !

-Zoe

Saturday- eternity, signs, patriarch

Hey! Sorry I have to make this quick. Another early morning tomorrow and I'm gonna try and get some homework done too! Here are the definitions!

eternity: in its full sense, duration of being without beginning, succession, or ending. Only God possesses the fullness of eternity, since only he always existed (no beginning), has no succession (no change), and will never end (no cessation). It is defined Catholic doctrine that God possesses the divine Being in a constant undivided now. His eternity is the perfect and simultaneous total possession of interminable life.
Rational creatures share in God's eternity, but only approximate it, by participation. Angels have a beginning, and they have a succession of past, present, and future, but they have no cessation since they are pure spirits that will never die or cease to be. Human beings likewise have a beginning and they have succession, but unlike the angels they will die in body, to be later resurrected, while the souls live on forever. In God's absolute power, however, angels and human souls could be deprived of existence. Their eternity depends on the goodness and will of God.

signs: Something that leads to something else. It may be an arbitrary or conventional sign that has a connection with what is signified only by agreement among people, as a flag symbolizes a nation. Or it may be a pure sign that leads to the knowledge of something without itself being first known, as our ideas lead to the knowledge of real objects. Instrumental signs give meaning or understanding, as words lead to the knowledge of things and of mental status. Manifestative signs show the existence of something else, as a person's external behavior indicates his or her personality and training.
Each of these types of signs may be either natural or supernatural depending on whetehr its basis is founded on natural reason or divine revelation.
The whole of the Church' liturgy is built on the function of word, action, and object signs as symbols of the sacred. But among the sacred signs the most important are the sacraments, which not only manifest the special presence of God but actually confer the grace they signify.

patriarch:The father and ruler of a family, tribe, or race in biblical history. A name commonly applied to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Also a prelate who has the honor of being called the prince of fathers but is without jurisdiction except in virtue of some particular law. He holds precedence over primates, metropolitans, and bishops. In the order of their dignity, the Patriarch of Rome leads those of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem. In the East there are patriarchs of the Armenian, Maronite, Melkite, and Chaldean rites, with minor patriarchs of Venice, Lisbon, the West and East Indies. The power and importance of patriarchs, except that of the Pope, have diminished since the Eastern Schism. They have the right to ordain all bishops of their patriarchate; consecrate the holy chrism; summon synods; send the omophorion (pallium) to their metropolitans, and hear appeals from lower courts. they are the highest rulers in their churches. The Sovereign Pontiff alone is over them.

These definitions are all from CatholicReference.net!

-Zoe

Here's the news article of the day!

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=57579
It's about a Hybrid-Embryo breakthrough.

Friday-News Article!

Friday... Today I'm just going to post a news article because I have to go to a Church thing early in the morning and I want to get some sleep so I'm going to make this quick! Here's the news article from cwnews.com (Catholic World News)!

http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=57631

This also has to do with the change in the Good Friday prayer. It has many peoples' opinions so I'd like it if you guys read it. Post what you think.

-Zoe

Hey! I forgot to post the news article yesterday but here is today's and it has to do with the saturday post and the whole Catholics praying for Jews thing. Here's the link:
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=57598

The video today is Word of God Speak by Mercy Me


Tell me what you think! :)

-Zoe

Wednesday-Living in the Light

Hey! There's been a ton of response to the Saturday post and that makes me really happy! Here's a section from my Living Faith thing, not for kids cause that ended in March...

For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his workds might not be exposed. John 3:20

I remember looking for an apartment back in my college days when money was tight and my choices were limited. Despite that, we thought something with a little character would be nice. We arranged to see this place late one evening. It was in an older, "historical" section of town and had been a single-family home that was now converted into several units. We met the landlord who was obviously quite proud of his work on the building. We entered through a back door into the kitchen. As the lights were switched on, you could see and hear a platoon of cockroaches scurrying for cover. Needless to say our landlord was a bit crestfallen.
John's Gospel today reminds me of that apartment. Bad, creepy, crawly things do their best work under cover of the darkness, hidden from view. Sometiem we are more comfortable in the shadows, unwilling to confront the darker places in our hearts. Good things, like Jesus' message and truth flourish in the open.
Dear Lord, help us live in the light.

THIS WAS NO WRITTEN BY ME!

WRITTEN BY PAUL PENNICK. PUBLISHED IN LIVING FAITH

-Zoe

Tuesday-

Hey! It's Tuesday, which happens to be April Fools Day! I hate April Fools Day so don't expect any tricks or anything!

Here's the Video

True Colors by Phil Collins



Here's the link to the Catholic News Article of the Day:
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=57562

-Zoe

Announcement!

I decided to post a daily article from cwnews.com or Catholic World News. Here's today's. I'd like you guys to say what you feel.

Today's Catholic World News is something that is kinda weird. People are always thinking that Catholics are the majority of the world by a lot. Now that's not so true. Visit this link to see what I mean:
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=57525

-Zoe

Monday- WOW and God

Hey! I just realized that Saturday's post was the 100th post of the blog! Nice job you guys. I never thought that this would last this long, even though I really wanted it to! Yeah! Today's debate topic is from Roni! Sorry about the debate topic on Friday and Saturday... I just had ideas and I really wanted to know what you guys thought! Now the debate topic:

Who or what is God? Is it a He or a She or neither? Where does He or She live?

Alrighty! I gotta go!

God Bless,
Zoe

Saturday- Resurrection of the Lord

Hey! It's Saturday. I have definitions for you guys!

Jerusalem: Ancient city in Palestine, the religious and political center of the Jewish people, situated on the crest of a chain of mountains that cross Palestine from north to south. Originally called Salem, it was the capital of King Melchizedek about 2100 B.C. (Genesis 14). First mentioned in the Book of Joshua (10, 15), the inhabitants were known as Jebusites. When the Promised Land was parceled out, Jerusalem was assigned to the tribe of Benjamin. Its most famous rulers were King David, who brought the Ark of the Covenant into the city, and his son Solomon, who built the first Temple. A second Temple was built in the sixth century B.C., and the third (and last) was the work of Herod the Great, who ruled as a vassal of Rome from 37 to 4 B.C. The Christian history of Jerusalem begins with the short ministry of the Savior, culminating in his death, resurrection, and ascension. The Apostles lived and taught there for some time after Pentecost, and met in Jerusalem for their first council about A.D. 49. The Apostle St. James the Less was the first Bishop of Jerusalem, where he was condemned by the Sanhedrin and martyred in A.D. 62.

Israel: The name given to Jacob by an angel at the Jabbok ford. He was on a journey to hold a reunion with his estranged brother, Esau. During the night a stranger wrestled with him till daybreak and then said to him, "Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because have been strong against God." Was the stranger an angel? Jacob himself thought it was God. He named the place Peniel "because I have seen God face to face and I have survived" (Genesis 32:25-32). Later in Genesis, God appeared to Jacob once again and repeated the statement, "Your name is Jacob, but from now on, you shall be named not Jacob but Israel" (Genesis 35:9-10). This was enough in itself to show the unique niche he occupies in Jewish history: he is the personification of the nation of Israel.

Galilee: Of the three provinces that made up Palestine (Galilee, Samaria, Judaea) Galilee was the one farthest north. Approximately fifteen hundred square miles in area, it had both fertile plains and rugged mountains (Luke 4:16). Jesus grew up in Galilee, in a small village in the southern part, and most of the Apostles were Galileans (Matthew 4:18; Acts 1:11). He did much of his preaching there and many of his miracles were performed in Galilee (Matthew 4:23). (Etym. Latin galilaea; from Greek galilaia, from Hebrew galil, circle, district.)

Okay... I have another question for you that kind of has to do with Easter.

In church, on Good Friday, the church comes together and has a special mass. In that mass, we say a prayer that says that we pray that Jews will come to their right of mind and find the Lord Jesus Christ. A Jew was against this statement and had the Pope change it. I still say it at my church but the Pope doesn't. Do you think that the Jew should have intervened in the Pope's and all Christians' prayers? After all, the Christians, including me, were praying for the Jews and I don't think that anyone should deny prayers that they are receiving. What do you think?

God Bless,
Zoe

Friday- Another debate question

Hey! It's Friday. I have a good idea for a debate question so this is a special edition of Debate Question Monday! I had an idea for this question in my social studies class.

Should gays be allowed to serve in the military? How do you feel about the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy?

There you are! Sorry I have to cut it short!

God Bless,
Zoe

Thursday-Runaway Love

Hey! I have to post this quick cause I'm working on a project for school and I gotta type it up on the computer but this is a really good song and it has a lot of meaning in it. Really listen to the lyrics and you'll get it!

Runaway Love by Ludacris and Mary J. Blige


Sorry I dunno if I spelled Mary J. Blige right but whatev.

God Bless,
Zoe

Wednesday-Friends

Hey! It's Wednesday so I'm posting a little passage from Living Faith for Kids. Here it is!

Wednesday March 26th Easter Wednesday

While he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him... Luke 24:30-31
Friends enjoy being with one another. If you care about your friends, you want to spend time with them. Jesus cares about each one of us---that's the clear message of the Gospel---but we need to see signs of his caring. That's why Jesus gave us his presence in the Eucharist. It is one of the most beautiful signs of Jesus' love for us.
When we receive the Eucharist, his presence within us gives us strength to do what is right and good.
Thanks you, Jesus, for coming to me in the Eucharist.

God Bless,
Zoe

Tuesday-Strong Tower

Hey! Okay, before you get to see the video, I need to apologize to Gaylord. Gaylord, the only reason that you don't have a flashing name icon is because I couldn't find any icons that have Gaylord on them and so I MADE you one. I don't have photoshop or anything so I can't make it flashy. I'm sorry!

Okay, the video today is Strong Tower by Kutless. I heard it on Christian Radio and I really liked it.

Strong Tower by Kutless



There you go. and once again, Gaylord, I am sincerely sorry from the bottom of my heart!

God Bless,
Zoe

Monday-Gays

Hey! It's Monday so I gotta post the debate topic! RONI submitted this one. We've already talked about it a while ago but here ya go!

Do you think that gays are well...right? What do you think about Gay Marriage?

Okay that's it cause I don't really know how to expand on this question so that's it!

-Zoe

Good Friday and Holy Saturday-Sorry and Stuff

Hey! Sorry I didn't post yesterday. It's kind of a day where you don't do anything but pray. I didn't post for the same reason I don't post on Sundays. This post is just gonna count as the Saturday post too. Now I'll just post some stuff about Holy Week and Easter.

Holy Week is the week before Easter starting on Palm Sunday until Easter. The Church goes through the Passion of Christ. It consists of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Holy Thursday celebrates the Last Supper, in which Jesus gives his body and blood to the disciples in the form of unleavened bread and wine. Good Friday celebrates the journey and death of Jesus on the cross. Holy Saturday is a day of, well... waiting. We wait until Easter when Jesus rises. As I just said, Easter is the celebration of Jesus's rising from the dead.

Well, that's all the info I can give you now but if you have any questions go ahead and ask.

-Zoe

Holy Thursday-While You Were Sleeping

Hey! It's Holy Thursday and I just got back from church. Our priest reenacts the Last Supper and so he asks 12 men, acting as the 12 disciples, to have their feet washed by him. He's getting old, though, so it's kinda scary watching him struggle to get up and get back down but he's an amazing priest! I love him soooo much. They needed more men so my dad went up and it's always really funny cause he had to do it for the past couple of years. I think that he secretly enjoys it! haha Today you guys get another video and I had to search for this one a little because I didn't have any more submissions for music videos. I don't mean to get annoying but this is another Casting Crowns song! Don't hate me, Steph. I know you hate em! I really like this video! I just happened to find it! Here it is

While You Were Sleeping by Casting Crowns


There you go! Do you guys want the lyrics, well here you go!

Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you're lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight
Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping
Oh little town of Jerusalem
Looks like another silent night
The Father gave His only Son
The Way, the Truth, the Life had come
But there was no room for Him in the world
He came to save
Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today
Jerusalem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping
United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we're lying in the dark
There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night
America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping
United States of America
Looks like another silent night

There you go! I got these lyrics at azlyrics.com

-Zoe

Wednesday- Betrayal

Hey! Today's Holy Wednesday! That means that it's part of the Holy Week. I have a passage for you from my Living Faith for Kids booklet.


He who has dipped his hand into the dish with me is the one who will betray me. Matthew 26:23
When I was in the fourth grade, I was betrayed by my best friends. I was crushed and all alone, and for a while I never wanted to see or speak to them again.
Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, was close enough to share the same dish with him at the Last Supper. It must have hurt Jesus so badly. Jesus even said, "It would be better for that man if he had never been born."
Sometimes we can be hurt the most by the ones we love the most. It's not easy to forgive them, but Jesus leads us down the path where we must pick up our burdens and carry them.

There you are! I didn't write this so don't think I did.

-Zoe

Tuesday-Let It Be

Hey! Today's music video day so here's the music video! I hope you guys liked last week's video submitted by Roni and I hope you will like Steph's music video for today!

Let It Be by the Beatles

There you are!

-Zoe

Monday-Limbo of Infants

Hey! Today is debate topic day and also the day that I declare the winner of the Debate topic contest! We had many entrants and you will know the other debate topics in the coming mondays.

THE WINNER IS...
ALEXA!
Her debate topic about the "limbo of infants" won her first place! Here it is...

The Limbo of Infants is the idea that any babies, or infants, that were never baptized can't go to Heaven if they die, because they still have Adam and Eve's "original sin." Instead, the babies end up in the Limbo of Infants, which is like a purgatory. Although the Catholic Religion hasn't really defined this Limbo, they believe it exists. Debate whether you think the Limbo of Infants exists or not. Do some research on it!

There you are! Debate Away!

-Zoe

Saturday-Palm Sunday Reading

Hey! Sorry I didn't post yesterday but I was going to a baton competition. Just to let you guys know, Steph and I won first place! It was really exciting but well...nvm. Tomorrow's Palm Sunday and I'm reading at church tomorrow. I thought I would tell you guys what Palm Sunday is and then give you the reading I'm going to read tomorrow.

Palm Sunday: The Sunday before Easter and the sixth and last of Lent, and the beginning of Holy Week. On this day the Church commemorates Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when olive and palm branches were strewn in his path. In the liturgy the memorial of this event is included in every Mass, with the procession or solemn entrance before the principal Mass, and with the simple procession before the other Masses on Palm Sunday.

This is tomorrow's reading:
The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them. Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not sheild from buffets and spitting. The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

That's the reading I'm reading tomorrow! So there you go!

-Zoe

Thursday-Capri

Hey! It's Thursday! I'm going out of town tomorrow until Saturday so I'm not going to post tomorrow, just to let you guys know! I might decide to post the Friday post on Saturday but I'm not sure yet!

Okay I hope you guys liked the very powerful video from Roni on Tuesday. Today, Steph sent me a song to use. It's called Capri by Colbie Caillat. I thought it was going to be a stupid song but then I listened to it and looked at the lyrics and it's a beautiful song.

Capri by Colbie Caillat


There you go. Don't check back tomorrow cause there won't be another post here! :)

-Zoe

Wednesday- The Bible

Hey! It's Wednesday! Before I get to the good part of the post, I have some announcements to make.

1. I will NOT post the posts that I missed on Friday, Saturday, and Monday SO STOP ASKING (Becca and Steph)!

2. The contest for next Monday's post is next week and I promise it will be! You guys can enter by emailing your debate topics to whyilovejesusblog@yahoo.com Just to let you guys know, I neeeeeed Debate Topics!

3. If you guys stop sending in Debate topics, the monday posts will be boring. You guys have to do the work if you guys want debate topics!

Okay now the rest of the stuff! This is a passage from my Living Faith for Kids booklet.

If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32
If we are to be followers of Jesus, we need to learn how to remain in God's word. We need to know the story and words of jesus. That's why we have the Bible. It's our instruction book for living. But the Bible is a big, sometimes confusing book. Where do we start?
It's easiest to start with Jesus himself. Today, start reading any of the Gospels, the first four books of the New Testament. They tell the story of Jesus' life and contain everything you need to get started on your journey.
Jesus, let me learn about you today.

There you go! :)

-Zoe

Tuesday-Sorry!

Hey! I'm really sorry I couldn't post on Friday or Saturday or even yesterday because I have a really miserable cold! My parents made me rest because I have huge tests this week. So do Steph and Becca...you guys better study! Well I'm not going to post what I was going to post on Friday, Saturday, or Monday! You guys have to enter more debate topics because the contest is DEFINATLY ending next Sunday! Okay today's Music video day but I'm going to do something different because Roni sent me this video but I can't add it to this page. I have to give you guys the link so here it is. It's very powerful.

http://miniature-earth.com/me_english.htm

There you go. It takes less than 5 minutes and it's definatly worth watching!

-Zoe

Thursday-Fire and Rain

Fire And Rain (James Taylor)

Sorry I can't write much. I have to go rest because I'm sick! Please pray for me! I'm supposed to have a "Live" Stations of the Cross performance tomorrow and I'm really nervouse cause I'm sick. Please Pray For Me!

-Zoe

Wednesday-Forgetting!

Hey! It's Wednesday and this really applies to me. I almost forgot to post this tonight but I was looking through my favorites and I was like "OMG (and by G i mean goodness) I forgot to post on the blog! :) This passage is from my Living Faith for Kids book.

Zion said, "The Lord has forsaken me;
my Lord has forgotten me."
Can a mother forget her infant...? Isaiah 49:14-15

Sometimes I forget to do what I'm supposed to do. I get frustrated when, say, I want to wear a favorite shirt, and I've forgotten to put in with thte other dirty laundry. Or when I spend the day hanging out with my fridns and I forget to do my homework. (I sware I'm quoting from the book and it seriously says this) "Yikes!" <- haha it really says that! :)
But God never forgets us. We may feel deserted, but God is right there, just waiting for us to come to him. Whenever we are bored or lonely, we can call on God and know that we will get his attention.
Is there someone or something you have forgotten?

There you go! :)

-Zoe

Tuesday-Amen

Hey! Today's video day! Video intro time!

What does "Amen" mean to you? Is it just another word or does it mean something? Well today's song is Amen by Kid Rock!

Amen by Kid Rock


This is one of my favorite songs so I hope you guys like it! :)

-Zoe

Monday- Religion and Politics

HEY!!!! I've decided to postpone the contest until next week. I recieved many other entries from people. I still need more! If you guys have any other ideas you guys can also email me those ideas! Send anything to do with the blog to whyilovejesusblog@yahoo.com ! Okay onto today's debate topic!

This debate topic is courtesy of Roni! Thanks!

Do you think that religion and politics should be involved together or do you think they should be strictly religion and strictly politics? It seems that politicians have started to involve religion in politics.

There you go! :)

-Zoe

Remember to enter the contest before next Sunday at midnight. Email me at whyilovejesusblog@yahoo.com

THE CONTEST!

THE CONTEST IS ENDING TONIGHT! AT THE MOMENT I ONLY HAVE 1 SUBMISSION! I NEED A LOT MORE! IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY MORE IDEAS, EVEN IF YOU THINK THEY'RE STUPID SUBMIT THEM! I NEED MORE SUBMISSIONS! EMAIL ME AT whyilovejesusblog@yahoo.com TO SUBMIT ANYTHING!

PLZ SUBMIT ANY KIND OF DEBATE TOPIC! JUST DO IT!

-Zoe

Saturday-Reminder and Definitions

HEY! I have a ton of reminders for you guys.

REMINDERS:

1. First of all, you guys have totally been slacking on commenting! The last comment was posted on last Monday's post! It's been a long time! :)

2. The competition for debate topics is almost over. The deadline is Midnight tomorrow! Email your ideas to whyilovejesusblog@yahoo.com !You guys can always email me any ideas you have for the blog (like music videos, new feature, debate topics, etc.)

3. If you guys want to talk about anything (including Twilight) visit theconnieseries.blogspot.com and you can talk about that stuff there! :) That's Becca and Steph's blog so go ahead talk, but don't forget about this blog! :)

Those are all the reminders I have but try and enter the contest! You could win and have ur debate topic featured on Monday.

Okay definitions...

scrutiny: A close, careful examination or study. The term is applied to the manner of electing a Pope by scret ballot in which every human precaution is taken to avoid error or dishonesty. The formal examination of candidates for sacred orders is also called a scrutiny.

anointed: The meaning of "Christ," derived from the Greek Christos, corresponding to the Hebrew Mashijah (Messiah).

sacrifice: The highest form of adoration, in which a duly authorized priest in the name of the people offers a victim in acknowledgment of God's supreme dominion and of total human dependence on God. The victim is at least partially removed from human use and to that extent more or less destroyed as an act of submission to the divine majesty. Thus a sacrifice is not only an oblation. Where an oblation offers something to God, a sacrifice immolates or gives up what is offered. In sacrifice the gift offered is something precious completely surrendered by the one making the sacrifice as a token of humble recognition of God's sovereignty.


BYE BYE!

-Zoe

Friday-Sunday's Responsorial Psalm

Hey! It's Friday! I'm really glad that I get to sleep in tomorrow! that makes me really excited... I'm featuring the responsorial psalm from this weekend. This weekend is the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Here's the Psalm.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff that give me courage.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

There ya go! I love this psalm. I think it's really amazing...

God Bless,
Zoe

Thursday-Jesus Take the Wheel

Hey! It's Thursday! I'm using another one of Steph's songs that she sent me and recommended for the blog. I've actually never listened to the whole song but it's really good. So here it is...

Jesus, Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood


There you go! It's an amazing song and I hope you guys liked it as much as me. The story it tells is truly sad.

-Zoe

Wednesday-SNOW

Hey! I have a ton of homework to do and my parents will yell at me if I take too long so it's gonna be quick. Once again I'd like to tell you guys about Becca and Steph's blog to talk about anything at http://www.theconnieseries.blospot.com/ !

Here's the passage for today from my Living Faith for Kids book!

[The Lord] sends forth his command to the earth; swiftly runs his word! He spreads snow like wool; frost he strews lik ashes. Psalm 147:15-16

When it starts to snow, especially if it snows very hard, it doesn't take long at all for everything to look different. What may have been bleak and dark is now covered with a coat of gentle white, which helps us to see it in a very different way. Even old, dead weeds can look magical with a bit of snow on them or with a morning's frost.
God's word and love can be like snow. God's love can make the bleakest times in our lives seem far less dark and grim.
God of love, help me to see my life with the eyes of faith.

Well that seems appropriate, since it's snowing really hard here! It's been snowing for a while now and it's been really slippery.

There you are! I gotta go finish my homework!

-Zoe

Tuesday-Heaven and Announcement

Hey! It's Tuesday! I got a list of videos from Steph! I got another email from Roni with a music video that I'll feature soon! Oh and there's another announcement at the end of this post!

Heaven by the Los Lonely Boys


Well there's one of my favorite songs ever! :)

Here's the announcement!
All of you out there that enjoy talking about things like books that shouldn't be discussed on this blog should be discussed on Becca and Steph's blog! It was originally made for a book they're writing so ignore that but you guys can talk about whatever you want on that blog and I won't delete ur comments! Any further comments on any books or anything else will be treated as innapropriate comments and be deleted!

http://www.theconnieseries.blogspot.com/ <- that's the link!

-Zoe

Monday-Hunting

Hey! It's Monday! I got this email like a week ago from Becca and I forgot about it but I'm gonna post it now! :) Here's the debate topic.

What do you think about hunting? Are you for or against it?

There you go! Tell me what you think! Okay here's the info for the debate contest! Here you go!

You can email a debate topic to be featured in March 3rd's daily post! My email's whyilovejesusblog@yahoo.com and you can email me any question that you think has something to do with the blog! The deadline is midnight on March 2nd! Email me any ideas you have! You guys can always email any music video ideas or feature ideas to me! Send me all the debate topics you think about! I'll declare the winner on March 3rd! :)

-Zoe

Saturday-Definitions again...with an ANNOUNCEMENT

Hey! Sorry I'm posting this really late but we have guests and I've been really busy! :) Here are some more definitions of words from my sunday missal and the definitions are provided to you by CatholicReference.net!

love: To will good to someone. Also to please someone, either by sharing with that person what one possesses or by doing what someone wants. Basically there are two kinds of love. The love of concupiscence, or self-interested love, means that another is loved for one's own sake as something useful or pleasant to the one who loves. The love of friendship means selfless love of another for that person's own sake, for his or her good, to please him or her; it is the love of benevolence.

destiny: In general, the preordained order of events. Human destiny, therefore, is the divine ordering of all secondary causes by God leading to the goal of human existence, which is the heavenly possession of God. But always this destiny is conditional, depending on one's voluntary co-operation with divine grace. In pagan terms destiny is the fate to which a person is necessarily predestined.

spirit: That which is positively immaterial. It is pure spirit if it has no dependence on matter either for its existence or for any of its activities. God is uncreated pure Spirit; the angels are created pure spirits. The human soul is more properly called spiritual. Although it can exist independent of the body, it nevertheless in this life depends extrinsically on the body for its operations, and in the life to come retains a natural affinity for the body, with which after the resurrection it will be reunited for all eternity.

life: Inward activity. The essence of a being to act from within; ranging from the life of God, which is identical with his nature, on through all the forms of life in the created universe. The higher a nature the more intimate what comes from it, for its inwardness of activity corresponds to its rank of being. Life is immanent activity, which begins and terminates within the living being.

repentence: Voluntary sorrow because it offends God, for having done something wrong, together with the resolve to amend one's conduct by taking the necessary means to avoid the occasions of sin. To repent is to be sorry for sin with self-condemnation.


Well there you are! Remember that all the definitions are provided by CatholicReference.net ! :)

Talk to you guys on Monday! Oh wait...the announcement!

THE ANNOUNCEMENT
There's going to be a contest to get YOUR debate topic featured on a Monday post! The deadline is midnight March 2nd and the results will be in on March 3rd in the daily post. If you guys have any ideas or suggestions, they don't even have to be topics, send them to whyilovejesusblog@yahoo.com Thanks a bunch! oh and Steph just emailed me about a ton of songs to feature on Tuesdays and Thursdays! Check them out and thanks Steph! :)

-Zoe

Friday-Losing Faith?

Hey! This sunday's going to be the Third Sunday of Lent! I also have a baton competition so pray for me (and Steph)! Here's a little segment from my Sunday Missal. This part happens to be written by Michael Traher. Here you are:

Losing faith on the journey of life? It happens for many reasons: great discouragement, deep hurts, personal failures, sinful choices. Moses' people lost faith in the wilderness, while dying of thirst. By the power of God, Moses commanded water from the rock at Horeb to bring temporary relief to a people who would fail in faith many times before reaching the promised land.
During the season of Lent we are especially invited to drink from the well of Christ's compassionate love. Again and again he satisfies our hunger and thirst for what is most needed in our lives---to know that we are God's beloved.

There ya go!

-Zoe

Thursday-I Can Only Imagine

Hey! I heard this song that I'm featuring today on the way home from the grocery store earlier. I've heard it before but I was really surprised when I heard it on a rock station! I thought it was a little weird to hear a gospel song on the radio (besides on gospel radio)! I really love this song so here you are!

I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me



Here are the lyrics:

I can only imagine what it will be like, when I walk by Your side...I can only imagine, what my eyes will see, when Your Face is before me!I can only imagine. I can only imagine.
Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?I can only imagine! I can only imagine!
I can only imagine, when that day comes, when I find myself standing in the Son!I can only imagine, when all I will do, is forever, forever worship You!I can only imagine! I can only imagine!
Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine!
Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine!
I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine!! Only imagine!!!I can only imagine.
I can only imagine, when all I do is forever, forever worship You!I can only imagine.

There you are! :)

-Zoe

Wednesday-How do you show your love?

Hey! I'm realllllllly tired today so I'm gonna make this quick cause I'm like really stressed. I know I'm really lucky having vacation but tomorrow I have an art class, then an orthodontist appointment and then on Friday I have baton twirling practice for the competition on Sunday and on Saturday I'm serving at churh and then Sunday I'm going to CCD to help little kids then my class then the baton competition. Wow talk about a run on sentence! haha well here we go!

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 20, A LENTEN WEEKDAY
Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death... Matthew 20:18

How do you show your love? Before you get up from the table, do you thank whoever made you dinner? Do you pick up a towel and dry the dishes before you are asked? When your little brother was crying and your mom was trying to make the lunches for school, did you stop to play with him? Did you share part of your snack with someone who did not have one?
Nobody forced Jesus to die for our sins. He had choices just like we do. He knew what was going to happen if he went up to Jerusalem He went anyway.
How did you show your love today?

That was a part of my booklet called Living Faith for Kids!

-Zoe

Tuesday-Iris

HEYYYYYYY! Today I'm going to be showing a video of a song that was recommended to me by Steph! :) The lyrics are really good and I think you guys will recognize the song once you hear it! I didn't even know it was called Iris but I'm not very good at knowing songs names anyway (just ask becca or steph) ! Well here it is! The lyrics will be included after it!

Iris by Goo Goo Dolls



LYRICS
And I'd give up forever to touch you
Cause I know that you feel me so well
You're the closest to heaven that Ill ever be
And I dont want to go home right now
And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
And sooner or later its over
I just dont want to miss you tonight
And I dont want the world to see me
Cause I dont think that they'd understand
When everything's meant to be broken
I just want you to know who I am.
And you cant fight the tears that ain't coming
All the moment of truth in your lies
When Everything feels like the movies
Yeah, you bleed just to know your alive
And I dont want the world to see me
cause I dont think that theyd understand
when everythings meant to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
And I dont want the world to see me
cause I dont think that theyd understand
when everythings meant to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
And I dont want the world to see me cause
I dont think that theyd understand
when everythings meant to be broken
I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am
I just want you to know who I am

There you are! :D

-Zoe

PS Marta, if you're still here and reading this: I never recieved your email. Please try and resend it to whyilovejesusblog@yahoo.com ... thanks!

Monday-Jamie Lynn Spears

Hey! It's Monday and I'm really excited cause today's President's day! aka the first day of vacation! :) I'm really happy that there's no school for Becca, Steph, and I all week! :D

Here's the Debate Question!

Jamie Lynn Spears being pregnant at age 16 is a bad example to set for any kid and I don't think anyone can say otherwise. Do you think that it's a bad choice that Nickelodean (not sure about spelling) made to continue having her on Zoey 101?

I don't want this to turn into a "hollywood" debate! I really just want to know your opinions on this topic! I don't want anyone to talk about what young hollywood is doing and all that junk. k?

Steph and Becca came up with this question at school and then I asked some guys and their replies were "No, she's hot." and "Who cares? She's hot!" Okay, now that made me really mad!!!!!!!!!! Okay, well whatever!

-Zoe

Saturday-2nd Sunday of Lent Definitions

Today is definition day! Well here are the words! I got the definitions at Catholicreference.net!

disciple: One who is learning or has learned. In the New Testament the word describes any follower of Jesus' teaching (Matthew 10:1). During his public ministry it referred as well to his twelve chosen aides, but in the Acts of the Apostles they are always referred to as Apostles (Acts 1:26)

eucharist: The true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, who is really and substantially present under the appearances of bread and wine, in order to offer himself in the sacrifice of the Mass and to be received as spiritual food in Holy Communion. It is called Eucharist, or "thanksgiving," because at its institution at the Last Supper Christ "gave thanks," and by this fact it is the supreme object and act of Christian gratitude to God.
Although the same name is used, the Eucharist is any one or all three aspects of one mystery, namely the Real Presence, the Sacrifice, and Communion. As Real Presence, the Eucharist is Christ in his abiding existence on earth today; as Sacrifice, it is Christ in his abiding action of High Priest, continuing now to communicate the graces he merited on Calvary; and as Communion, it is Christ coming to enlighten and strengthen the believer by nourishing his soul for eternal life.

There you are! :)

-Zoe

Friday- 2nd Sunday of Lent

Hey! This weekend is the Second Sunday of Lent and I also just found out it's Random Acts of Kindness day so make sure you take care of those random acts of kindness as well. Today I'm featuring the second reading today.

Beloved: Bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.
He saved us all and called us to a holy life, not according to out works but according to his own design and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began, but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
(2 Timothy 1:8b-10)

Well I went to the Stations of the Cross today and I realized that the world is going downhill. Just a couple of years ago, the whole church would be filled every Friday to hear the Station of the Cross, and today, there were less than 20 people, not that I counted or anything! I just love how our priest reads the Stations of the Cross with so much passion. It's as if he actually felt the pain and knows the exact emotions of Jesus while he was going through this. He might just be reading a page from a booklet, but it feels like so much more. He does the same thing when he reads the Gospel every weekend. He makes you feel like you're actually there when you listen to it! I think it's amazing.

So I was wondering if you guys really know what the Stations of the Cross are? Tell me what you know about them in your comment cause I'd really like to know what you guys know about the Stations cause they mean a lot to me.

Oh and I forgot to tell you that this kid in my class, thought that Easter was when Jesus was born and I just wanted you guys to know that I think that it's really sad that he wasn't exposed to a religious life ( I don't just mean as a Catholic but in any kind). It's sad that some people are so ignorant...

Well goodbye!

-Zoe

Thursday-Listen to your Heart

Heyy! Well I went to Mary's sister's basketball game and well they lost but whatever! It was a good game. Steph sent me this video a little while ago!

Well here you are...

Listen To Your Heart-DHT


-Zoe

Wednaysday- Lenten Weekday from Living Faith for Kids

It's Wednesday and I got to sleep in this morning cause of the snow and the rain so I figured it was the perfect time to feature these song lyrics!

Rain Down

Rain down, rain down,rain down your love on your people.Rain down, rain down,rain down your love, God of life.Faithful and true is the word of our God;all of God's works are so worthy of trust.God's mercy falls on the just and the right;full of God's love is the earth.We who revere and find hope in our Godlive in the kindness and joy of God's wing.God will protect us from darkness and death;God will not leave us to starve.God of creation, we long for your truth;you are the water of life that we thirst.Grant that your love and your peace touch our hearts,all of our hope lies in you.

(Sorry it's not all spaced and stuff! It's stupid like that!)-

But I'm also posting the thing it says for today in my Living Faith for Kids booklet thingy! :)

Wednesday January 23
The Lord, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will also keep me safe from the clutches of the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:37

One of the things that stands out in this story is how much David trusts God. David is certain that God saved him from his troubles in the past. And David is sure that God will be with him again as he goes into battle. David is so certain that he convinces the king of it. And even in battle, David proclaims his trust in God to his enemy. Maybe it was his trust in GOd that enabled David to do what nobody else believed was possible. Indeed, with God we can do great things!
God, help me to trust that you are always with me.

Alrighty then...

-Zoe

Tuesday-Amazing Grace

Heyy! I've been really busy cause tonight I went to this talent show at my school and stuff so whatever. I've been wanting to use this song for a long time and I found the perfect video for it! Steph I'll use your videos next week.

Amazing Grace- LeAnn Rimes



There you are! I hope you guys liked it!

-Zoe

Monday-OH MY GOD

Okay! It's debate question day and I had no idea what the question was gonna be but Becca and Steph came up with one today at school! Here it is.

Okay...If you don't believe in God, just pretend you do if you wanna answer this question. The question is: Do you think that when people say "Oh my God!" (either positive or negative) is offensive? Or does it ever get annoying when people are like (quoting) "JESUS CHRIST" like when people are mad or something? I think it's just mean, I mean, people just say stuff like that without thinking.

Well that's it! =)

-Zoe

Saturday-Gospel Definitions

Hey you guys! Here are some definitions of words I found for today in my Sunday missal. I added reconciliation because there's been a lot of talk about that lately and so I decided to add that!

honor: Reverence and respect given to some being, whether God or a creature, because of its recognized excellence. So, too, the reverence shown to anything because of its relation to a person who is honored.

repentance: Voluntary sorrow because it offends God, for having done something wrong, together with the resolve to amend one's conduct by taking the necessary means to avoid the occasions of sin. To repent is to be sorry for sin with self-condemnation.

mercy: The disposition to be kind and forgiving. Founded on compassion, mercy differs from compassion or the feeling of sympathy in putting this feeling into practice with a readiness to assist. It is therefore the ready willingness to help anyone in need, especially in need of pardon or reconciliation.

reconciliation:The act or state of re-establishing friendship between God and a human being, or between two persons. Reconciliation with God is necessary after a person has lost the divine friendship through grievous sin. It requires repentance on the part of the sinner and forgiveness on the part of God. The willingness to be reconciled with another person is a necessary condition for obtaining God's mercy.

Well there they are!

-Zoe

Friday-First Sunday of Lent

Okay today I've been busy cause I've had so much stuff to do at school and ya know... Well I decided to share the verse before the Gospel today. This is from the book of Matthew Chapter 4 Verse 4B. Oh and if I ever mention something from the Bible (and you guys don't have a bible) then you can go to http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/ <- that link to access an online bible. It's seperated by books of the bible so you kinda have to know that to get it. :) Well here's the verse before the Gospel.

It states: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory! One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, Kind of endless glory!

Alrighty! There you are! You can check out the Gospel reading of this sunday by going to http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/matthew/matthew4.htm <- that link and reading verses 1-11! those are the little numbers next to all the words just in case someone needed to know that!

-Zoe

Thursday-Lean on Me

Okay today's another music video day. I really need you guys to email me some more suggestions for music videos cause I'm running out. Becca sent me this one. Oh and you can email me at whyilovejesusblog@yahoo.com and make the subject say music video for a music video or debate topic for a debate topic and etc. Thanks. Here's the video.

Lean on Me by Bill Withers


Sorry It's not a very good video but I couldn't find anything better. It weird you'd think they'd make good videos of this song.

Well thanks Becca!

-Zoe

Wednesday-Ash Wednesday

Heyy! It's Ash Wednesday! I went to mass this morning and all the kids at school were like "you have something black on your head!" and I was like I know and it was just really annoying! Then people wanted to know what it was all about and i was like "and you call yourself a catholic" well yeah whatever.

so here's what Ash Wednesday really is...

The first day of Lent. Named from the custom of signing the foreheads of the faithful with blessed ashes. Its date depends on the date of Easter. In the early Church, public penitents were liturgically admitted to begin their penance on this day. And when this fell into disuse, from the eighth to the tenth centuries, the general penance of the whole community took place. This was symbolized by the imposition of ashes on the heads of the clergy and laity alike.

I got that off CatholicReference.net and I highly recommend it! If you have a question, you can search it there and it'll help. I just searched Ash Wednesday cause I don't feel like explaining it!

-Zoe

Tuesday-What If God was One of Us

Okay Steph recommended this video to me and I found this cool version of the video on youtube. It connects it to the Lion King. You know how The Chronicles of Narnia is like telling the story of Jesus and how he died for our sins? Well the way this person explained it, the Lion King kinda does the same thing. This is how they described it:
Mufasa: Jesus, died for our sins
Simba and Other Lions: Followers of God
Wildabeast: (Sorry if it is spelled wrong) Sins
Scar and Hyenas: Non-believers

So that really helped me relate it to Jesus and stuff.

What If God was One of Us by Joan Osbourne


Okay so that's it! :)

-Zoe

PS Remember that tomorrow's Ash Wednesday! It's not a holy day of obligation, but it's kinda important. Well tomorrow I'll explain what Ash Wednesday is and what it signifies so check out the post tomorrow.

Monday-Abstinence or Birth Control

Okay this question's coming from the desk of Steph! She sent me this like 10 years ago and I forgot to post it. So here it is!

Do you think, in public schools, they should teach and encourage contrapceptive use (sexual protection, birth control, condoms etc) or just abstinence (not having sex)?

Okay, I know there's a ton of different stuff you guys could say, so say it! :)

Okay I'm sorry about the whole stripping smiley thing cause umm it just kinda appeared and it didn't show up on my screen so I'm sorry about that! Thanks to Roni for warning me! Some innapropriate comments were posted and they will be deleted immeadiatly!

-Zoe

Saturday-Answer to some questions

Okay, last week on Saturday, I asked you guys if you had any questions about-well- anything! So Roni was the only one that had a question. Check out the other post if you want to hear how other people responded! This is what Roni's question was:

"I'm not sure if I'm quoting this right but I'll try my best. In the bible it says something along the lines that a man will not sleep with a man as he does with a woman. But Christianity is all about love. Why should it matter what form love is in? I was wondering how you draw the line between the two?" -Roni

My Reply:

Well, first of all, I really don't think the Bible says anything like that. Roni, if you could be more specific of where you found this information, I could possibly be able to answer this question. Otherwise, I can do nothing for you. I really need to know the exact lines of the Bible because sometimes when you don't even notice, you can change one word in the quote and it'll mean something totally different.

-Zoe

Friday-Living the Beatitudes

This is in my Sunday Missal book and it's written by Joseph Gunn (not me if you haven't noticed!) This is not my experience, someone else wrote it! k? you guys get it?

"I am thankful for my memeories of those Salvadoran refugees---the gentle, those who mourn, those who hunger and thirst for what is right, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted in the cause of right---those blessed, humble souls who show us how we can live the Beatitudes today." -Joseph Gunn

So that's what I wanted you guys to chat about! I already had a thing on the Beatitudes, so I'm not gonna explain that again, just go to that post!

-Zoe

PS Did you guys notice the new Jesus cursor?



and the new smileys??? Aren't they beautiful??? They'll be a new smiley everyday! hope you guys like it!

Thursday-I'll Stand By You

Okay here's the music video, and I'm sorry it's so late, I was working on a project for school. I also hope you guys like the new Jesus cursor! I plan to change it every week! So check for a new one on...Fridays. Not this Friday cause I just put this one up but the one after it. Well here's the music video...

I'll Stand by You by Carrie Underwood


This is a really sad music video! I thought it was sooooo touching. I hope you guys like it! :)

-Zoe

Wednesday-Israel

Here's another little section of the Living Faith for Kids booklet.

On another occasion he began to teach by the sea. A very large crowd gathered around him so that he got into a boat on the sea and sat down. And the whole crowd was beside the sea on land Mark 4:1

Have you seen pictures of Israel and the Holy Land? Much of it is rocky and barren, with hills and mountains rising up along the Sea of Galilee. Mark tells us that so many people had filled up the hillside and shores of the lake that Jesus got into a boat and sailed out so they could all see him. There were no guns and mortars going off like today. Everyone could hear Jesus clearly. This is what it was like to see God in the flesh amid the earth, sea and sky he had made. Imagine you are there. Picture Jesus. Listen to his words.

There you are!

-Zoe

Tuesday-Fingerprints of God

Hey you guys! I went to this Catholic Convention type thing with my church and there were these workshops where we got to meet people and some of them were nuns. They had a slideshow of pics with this music and I thought it was the prettiest song! it's really pretty! so here you go!

Fingerprints of God by Steven Curtis Chapman

Did you guys like it? It's in the sims form cause that's the only video I could find that was good but I actually like it. Will you guys actually watch it though?? please

-Zoe

Monday-War in Iraq

Okay, before you answer this question, I really need you guys to think about it and make sure you are not being political at all. Okay so here's the question.

What do you think about the war in Iraq? You guys can't be political, but what do you guys think the people in Iraq feel about the whole war situation? How about the innocent people being killed? Don't answer this as a political person. I need you guys to be serious.

Well that's it!

-Zoe

Saturday-Well Lately...

Well lately, all of you have had some questions about different religions. I've decided (well Becca helped come up with this too) that on Saturdays it's all up to you! You guys can ask me any questions about my religion! If you have any questions about other people's religions then comment and hopefully they'll comment back with your answer! Please understand that I'm answering all questions to the best of my ability!

So get asking some questions!

-Zoe

It's Friday!

It's Friday so I'm just going to give you a couple of prayers that you guys can say to get closer to God and Jesus.

All-powerful and ever-living God, direct your love that is within us, that our efforts in the name of your Son may bring mankind to unity and peace. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

That's a sample of the opening prayer we say every week at the beginning of mass.

There you are!

-Zoe

It's Thursday!

It's Thursday so you guys get another video. Becca sent me an email and told me about this song. Apparently, this song was popular a long time ago.

Six Feet From the Edge by Creed



There you are! I'm sooooo glad tomorrow's Friday... Aren't you?

-Zoe

PS What do you guys think?? I think this one has more of a meaning like you guys asked for!

It's Wednesday!

It's Wednesday! I have another thing from my Living Faith for Kids booklet!

The Lord, who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will also keep me safe from the clutches of this Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:37

One of the things that stands out the most in this story is how much David trusts God. David is certain that God saved him from his troubles in the past. And David is sure that God will be with him again as he goes into battle. David is so certain that he convinces the king of it. And even in battle, David proclaims his trust in God to his enemy. Maybe it was his trust in God that enabled David to do what nobody else believed was even possible. Indeed, with God we can do great things!

God, help me to trust that you are always with me!

Hope you liked it! I really like this story/passage/thingy!

-Zoe

It's Tuesday! Edit

Today's Tuesday and that means music video time! This one is courtesy of Steph, even though she's gone and all nice and warm! So Thanks Steph, even though you aren't here!

Jumper by Third Eye Blind



This is a little different cause I got it from mtv.com so here you are! EDIT! Okay I had gotten a video from mtv.com but it didn't work so I ended up finding this one on youtube! It's amazing!

-Zoe

It's Monday!!!

It's Monday and that means another question! Becca submitted this question a while ago but I've had sooo many questions submitted I just got to this one! This question might be weird cause this blog is called "Why I love Jesus" but here it is anyway!

Since there are a lot of Jewish people on this blog (weird, but just the same.), the question is: What are your views on Jesus, what do you really think of him?

There you are! I really liked this question cause it's something I want to know the answer to as well! Thanks Becca!

-Zoe