Musical Retreat with John Michael Talbot

Please join this retreat by listening to this playlist by this amazing Fransiscan monk.

This playlist (40 songs) from John Michael Talbot is provided by youtube's user ChristMyLight. God bless him.

TO get started, grab yourself a comfortable chair ans start watching the convert.

Read this quote from a book by Dan O'Neil: "Signatures: The Story of John Michael Talbot"

As the house lights gradually faded to a dim glow, silence cloaked the hall. The melodious notes of the skilfully played instrument suddenly filled the air and a long, narrow shaft of light pierced the darkness, falling on the robed figure that leaned into the microphone with closed eyes and uplifted face.

"Sing alleluia to the Wonderful Counselor..." the voice drifted through the place like sweet incense. More than eighteen hundred listeners hung on everyword, every note, until the song concluded, then roared in unrestrained approval. Flash bulbs and strobes poped by the score.

"I hope you didn't come here this evening to be entertained. I left that business about ten years ago." Smiling, he paused a moment and urged, "Let us enter into the presence of God in the song. Saint Augustine said, 'He who sings well, prays twice.'"

Ephesians 5

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25






Happy Anniversary, my love.

What is that in your hand?

Rick Warren, a pastor and an author of best-selling book, reflects on his own crisis of purpose in the wake of his book's wild success. He explains his belief that God's intention is for each of us to use our talents and influence to do good. His talk at TED is very inspiring.

I know he has been attacked by both Catholics (by having Protestant values) dan Protestants (by 'getting too close' to Catholicism). However, watch the video clip below, and tell me if his message doesn't struck a cord in your heart.



God bless him.

Advent 2009 - Exmas and Crissmas

It is the time of the year again. Silly season, as some people might say. Christmas mostly means shopping, vacation, presents and parties. I like to quote from C.S. Lewis on his writing “Xmas and Christmas: A Lost Chapter from Herodotus.”. Note that Niatirbians = Britainians = us.

“In the middle of winter when fogs and rains most abound, (the Niatirbians) have a great festival called Exmas, and for 50 days they prepare for it (in the manner which is called,) in their barbarian speech, the Exmas Rush.

“When the day of the festival comes, most of the citizens, being exhausted from the (frenzies of the) Rush, lie in bed till noon. But in the evening they eat five times as much as on other days, and crowning themselves with crowns of paper, they become intoxicated. And on the day after Exmas, they are very grave, being internally disordered by the supper and the drinking and the reckoning of how much they have spent on gifts and on the wine.

“(Now a) few among the Niatirbians have also a festival, separate and to themselves, called Crissmas, which is on the same day as Exmas. And those who keep Crissmas, doing the opposite to the majority of Niatirbians, rise early on that day with shining faces and go before sunrise to certain temples where they partake of a sacred feast.”

I like to be able to be prepared for Crissmas, not Exmas. Advent means coming or arrival. What is coming? The invasion of grace, the arrival of the Redeemer, the Great Mystery where The Big Boss humbling Himself, becomes like one of His creation in order to save them.