CHRISTUS Children's’ Post

Remembering is more than not Forgetting. “Without Memorial Day, there is no other holiday.” Joe Mantegna   Let that quote sink in. There is a complex irony to the celebration of Memorial Day. It is an irony that requires reflection to be appreciated.  Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and represented a haphazard way to honor American war dead by placing flowers upon their graves.  The evolution into Memorial Day transformed it into a celebration that looks simultaneously at the sadness of past ultimate sacrifice and the hope of a future pleasant summer of joy. With its combination of sadness and joy, past and future It defines perspective. Our Republic is going through a time of troubles. We have done so in the past. By nature, young people live in the present. Their lives are filled with activities driven by compliance and mollified by the need to establish independence. The process of teaching, interaction, and experience that parenting and educational institutions create is by and large less an environment in which the energy of the present can be channeled to benefit from the expertise of the past to help create the better future. The abdication of this responsibility to a commitment to mediocrity of thought amplified by assigning no implications to actions is a sign of social rust. So, as we celebrate this Memorial Day, let the gratitude for the sacrifices of the past that allow us to craft a better future abound. It is more of a responsibility than a gift.

🎄 It's 24 days to the merriest day of the year. What is your wish for #Christmas? For #Ukrainian children, and the rest of the children all over the world, the best gift is #peaceandlove, going home to their country and seeing their families and friends, celebrating without the fear of air alarms and days of uncertainty. "Our vision for every child, life in all its fullness; our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so." Check out more of our videos in our YouTube Channel https://lnkd.in/eKjnfxie.

Here are 5 things to look for in a church from Dennis Rainey. Check out that last one ⬇️ 1. Scriptures 2. Power of community 3. Worship 4. Opportunity for involvement 5. A church that builds men Read/listen here: https://conta.cc/472gRce Read Be the Church the Next Generation is Looking For on our blog!

Memorial Day My thoughts on best ways to honor the day D MULLETT SMITH MAY 23, 2024 As a youngster there were parades with flags waving and visits to cemeteries and flags on the resting place of those fallen soldier. In my great grandfather��s day, there were visits to cemeteries and flags placed on the graves of fallen soldiers. Also patriotic speeches. Some communities would have concerts in the park. My personal preference is remembering why these brave people gave their lives so that we could live in the country they loved so much. Remembering why they loved their country and praying that their sacrifice would not be in vain. All those whom I have known and read about, fought to ensure the freedoms we have been blessed with by our Constitution and especially the Bill of Rights. The freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The right to free speech, freedom to worship according to our own conscience and understanding of God. The right to own what we work for and keep our families safe without some official breaking into our homes or spying on our private lives. This is only a few. It is not my opinion that anyone died to leave the country in a static condition but with the freedom to be creative, inventive, productive in the interests of each individual unimpaired by intrusive leadership with the sole exception of carrying out some criminal activity. On the other hand we have leaders now who are declaring many of our freedoms as criminal activities. Somehow there is a confusion now between what a crime really is. Even words are being twisted in meaning to sound as if they mean what was never considered in the first place. It is worse than the multiple languages brought on those trying to build the Tower of Babel. I propose for this Memorial Day to pause, try to appreciate the original concept of our founding documents. Try to acknowledge our differences in our beliefs and words and make some effort to appreciate each other’s rights to those differences without trying to impose our own on each other. If we stop imposing our own beliefs on each other, perhaps try to understand to some extent, the other person’s beliefs, allow freedom of thought and speech, but protect our own rights in the same fashion as we want others rights to be protected, we might find some middle ground for all to survive in freedom. There does come a degree of conflict when the beliefs of one includes reducing the population by forcing others to take a product that secretly is intended to cause or promote this reduction is a form of imposition violating the Bill of Rights. Several of our leaders have become masterful at double speak. The rest of us should become better at understanding what is really being said and find it is laughable. How absurd to believe such confusion of words and their meanings. Let’s really honor those who gave so much so that we could be free!

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As we draw closer to the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, check out this article on Fr. Roger Landry, a priest from my diocese, the Diocese of Fall River, who will be accompanying the Eucharist on one of four processions that will begin in May and end in Indianapolis right before the Congress!

At first glance the view was breathtaking, but it quickly put into perspective the gospel need in the area. https://lnkd.in/guEEnrn8

How much do you know about St. John of Avila, one of the newest Doctors of the Church? Known not only for his evangelization and effort promoting vocations, but also for his notable influence on his contemporaries, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Peter of Alcantara, St. John of God, and others! For a bit more on his life - https://lnkd.in/gfHVp-AT

Well, today we've finally made public (In this mornings worship service) that the Abou-zeids will eventually be leaving Victoria. We don't know where but we know that it will need to be before the winter weather sets in. The primary mover for our decision is that for me to be in good health I simply need a warmer climate and more sun than we are used to here in Vic. Our attention now will be focussed on the welfare of the Church I have been privileged to lead for the past 8 plus years, so that Elevate Church is set up for ongoing effectiveness. We are leaving Elevate Church on a high as they are in the best position they have ever been in both financially, in unity and numerically yet the right person will be able to make many improvements so the future is bright and in The Lord's hands. We have an endless array of opportunities before us and will be seeking God on the next steps. For example will we Church plant again, will I change careers (health studies in some way) or business... who knows, will I lead another Church/organisation, perhaps another run at politics? As I said we are open to adapt to whatever God has for us moving forward but we still have a huge desire to make a difference in this world that we live in. There could be an option to continue to provide oversight for Elevate Church (depending on who is either found or rises up locally) even travelling back to support occasionally. (If we Church plant then the Churches could support each other) If only it was sunnier/warmer here and I didn't have multiple conditions which negatively impact me during Winter then we would have theoretically been at Elevate Church for the rest of our lives. We have never been a part of such an authentic Church, with such great people our time here has brought so much clarity for both what I believe and what is effective for the culture of a local Church. Basically people are mature enough to handle authenticity and Biblical challenge. We have plenty of energy and weren't in anyway tired of leading so this announcement is bitter sweet. I've spent 33 years in ministry and been fortunate to learn by working in Churches that have varied greatly in their approach, I've also wondered if how we went about things was the most effective approach. Many times my thoughts were agreed on in principal but I was often told that it just doesn't work practically. These past 8 years have proven otherwise and to all who have belonged to Elevate over the years, I am truly grateful.

What is Christmas really? Who is Santa? Do Christians own Christmas? What is your story? How does your life represent your values? What are you known for? Here is a new blog. https://lnkd.in/eg2jTbs6