The New American Bible for Catholics: With Revised New Testament and Revised Book of Psalms by Confraternity of Christian Doctrine
Book Reviews
Availability...the Problem and the Gift
Author: Robert J. Wicks
Rating: 4
Review: The last chapter, and a few tidbits throughout made this book worth reading. The rest of the book was hard to get through, and wasn't something I always agreed with. I think a Priest should read it, but there are probably better books out there to read first.
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
Author: St. Ignatius
Rating: 5
Review: Even if you do not partake in the exercises, the reading is worth the buy. (Although you should do the exercises as well!!) There is a lot of good information, even if a bit dated in one instance, that all Catholics should be aware of.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Author: G.K. Chesterton
Rating: 2
Review: In a book of 149 pages supposedly on the the topic of Saint Francis of Assisi, you would think that you would start hearing about the life of Saint Francis before page 94. This book was more on the Author's thoughts of the time, and less on St. Francis. From page 94 to the end he did finally start sharing some of the life of St. Francis, but it left me wondering how much of what he wrote was solid or conjecture based on his ideas of the time of St. Francis. Not a book I will recommend to anyone.
Back in May I announced that I had started the process of converting to Catholicism. What I didn’t say on that day, was that I had applied to the Brothers and Sisters of Reconciliation, a Secular/Religious Order of Friars and Sisters, to become a Postulate to the Order. On the 27th of May 2007 I was accepted as a Postulate and gave private vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience, pending Novitiate status once Confirmed in the Church. So, for the past several months I have been doing my initial studies to become a Friar, and once accepted as a Novitiate, will take my second Private Vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. Once I am fully in the Order as a Professed and Vowed Brother/Friar, in one year roughly, I pray that I will be allowed to begin my studies to become a Priest.
During this study time I have come to learn the “Liturgy of the Hours”, which are a series of prayers and readings seven times a day that are read and prayed by all Religious and Priest within the Church. Many Lay people are once again participating as well. I have read the the Bible via three different translations from the Original Greek and other original languages, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the book of Canon Law for the Church, and MANY other books. (Look at side bar of current readings, pending readings and an updating list of book reviews of all of the books I have read.)
This has been a strong formative time for me, and I have learned a lot! I continue to grow in God and in happiness with each passing day.
After about three weeks of having no soda of any kind or at any time, I went to a movie last night (Mad Money, good movie…) and had a soda because I wasn’t going to pay $4.00 for a small bottle of water. Well, I drank 3 sips from the coke, which I use to drink daily at least a six pack, and didn’t like how sweet it was or the taste in general. So, I wasted the $4 bucks, but it showed me I shouldn’t have been drinking soda all along anyway…
Kinda surprised me that I lost the taste for soda after so short a time! It also showed me that the movie theaters need to have things other than sodas to sell, and other than EXPENSIVE water…
Ok, I kept exercising and doing my thing and by the evening of that first night I was better, and today the pain is mostly gone. Good timing as tomorrow I do the same set again. This working out is making me feel much better. Haven’t lost any weight or inches yet, but I have lost some fat and toned up already some! Lots more fat to remove and toning to do though!
And lots of reading. This past holiday season has messed up my reading and I am WAY behind where I want to be!! Time to get back on the reading boat now that the decorations are down at church, the traveling, for now, is over, etc!
Well, yesterday, with a trainer, I was at the gym doing triceps and biceps, after a 20 minute walk at 4 miles an hour. My arms are killing me today. I can not extend or bend them beyond a partially bent position without extreme pain! I think I went too far and too hard. And I knew better when I was there doing it! I know you need some pain to get gain, but I think I went a bit beyond what I should have done. Time to back down and do it my way, or more my way anyway…
But it feels good to be in the gym working out daily (different parts each day of course!). Now to add the pool back into the mix again!
Well back in Dec of 2006 I set goals for 2007. I didn’t fair too well…
Goal1: Get weight down to 210.
Status 1: Not so good.. I got down to 220, and over the last three months, got “lazy” and am back up to 260ish…
Goal 2: Finish and Publish my first book….
Status 2: Started studies in Theology and Philosophy, and have basically changed my life plan significantly. I think I’ve written about two chapters in my book… Contemplating getting a Ghost Writer…
Goal 3: Re-Establish connections from the past.
Status 3: Again, not as great as I had hoped. I’m talking to about three people of the fifteen or so I wanted to get back in touch with. Partially attributed to my studies, but not fully…
So, Goals wise, my year was not so good. Else wise, I had a pretty good year. Made some new friends, such as Debbie, and several people at Saint Henry’s Catholic Church. I have gone to some great shows with the folks at St. Henry’s, and I have spent some great time with Debbie getting to know her and her family!
One other sad thing that happened this past year is that I lost my great friend, companion and pet, Kodi, whom I loved dearly. I will miss our jaunts to the malls, movies, and search and rescue calls.
So, what are my goals for 2008:
Goal 1: HIT 210 lbs!!
Status 1: Working out already, and eating better already…
Goal 2: Become confirmed in the Catholic Church, and live a more religious and righteous life.
There are a couple of other goals I am contemplating, and will update this post, or post a new post when I get them worked out.
Hope you all (what probably two readers?) have a great New Year, had a great Christmas, and that you and your families are healthy and happy!
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This working out is making me feel much better. Haven’t lost any weight or inches yet, but I have lost some fat and toned up already some! Lots more fat to remove and toning to do though!