Children & Spirituality - great Resources

Teaching  your children about God?
Want your child to grow up godly and wise?
Minister in Church, wanting to offer families children-friendly worship?
There are excellent resources at 
https://freechildrensministrylessons.com/

With thanks to freechildrensministrylessons.com

The Individual is not to be Forced to Act in a Manner Contrary to Personal Conscience - Dignitatis Humanae

Psalm 18I  love you, O Lord, my Strength. 

The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer, 

 my God, my Rock in whom I take refuge, 

.

The individual is not to be forced to act in a manner contrary to personal conscience
Many are facing difficulties regarding the perceived overlap between religious freedom and personal civic duty.
Religious Freedom Definition; Freedom of Religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or in private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching practice, worship and observance.
Personal Civic Duty Definition; The responsibilities of a citizen.

What happens when, in the course of personal civic life, an issue arises that the citizen perceives as one which has connotations for personal religious belief?
A personal dilemma ensues, in which the person needs must make a decision as to what action to take.
This action is filtered through the person's conscience.
The Definition of Conscience is an inner feeling or voice viewed as acting as guide to the rightness or wrongness of one's behaviour.

DECLARATION ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM 
DIGNITATIS HUMANAE 
ON THE RIGHT OF THE PERSON AND OF COMMUNITIES 
TO SOCIAL AND CIVIL FREEDOM IN MATTERS RELIGIOUS 
PROMULGATED BY HIS HOLINESS
POPE PAUL VI 
ON DECEMBER 7, 1965

Excerpts from the Prophetic Dignitatis Humanae;

1. A sense of the dignity of the human person has been impressing itself more and more deeply on the consciousness of contemporary man,(1) and the demand is increasingly made that men should act on their own judgment, enjoying and making use of a responsible freedom, not driven by coercion but motivated by a sense of duty . . .

Religious freedom, in turn, which men demand as necessary to fulfill their duty to worship God, has to do with immunity from coercion in civil society . . .

2. This Vatican Council declares that the human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, in such wise that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits.

The council further declares that the right to religious freedom has its foundation in the very dignity of the human person as this dignity is known through the revealed word of God and by reason itself.(2) This right of the human person to religious freedom is to be recognized in the constitutional law whereby society is governed and thus it is to become a civil right.

It is in accordance with their dignity as persons-that is, beings endowed with reason and free will and therefore privileged to bear personal responsibility-that all men should be at once impelled by nature and also bound by a moral obligation to seek the truth, especially religious truth. They are also bound to adhere to the truth, once it is known, and to order their whole lives in accord with the demands of truth. However, men cannot discharge these obligations in a manner in keeping with their own nature unless they enjoy immunity from external coercion as well as psychological freedom . . .

3. Further light is shed on the subject if one considers that the highest norm of human life is the divine law-eternal, objective and universal-whereby God orders, directs and governs the entire universe and all the ways of the human community by a plan conceived in wisdom and love. Man has been made by God to participate in this law, with the result that, under the gentle disposition of divine Providence, he can come to perceive ever more fully the truth that is unchanging. Wherefore every man has the duty, and therefore the right, to seek the truth in matters religious in order that he may with prudence form for himself right and true judgments of conscience, under use of all suitable means . . .

On his part, man perceives and acknowledges the imperatives of the divine law through the mediation of conscience. In all his activity a man is bound to follow his conscience in order that he may come to God, the end and purpose of life. It follows that he is not to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his conscience. Nor, on the other hand, is he to be restrained from acting in accordance with his conscience, especially in matters religious. The reason is that the exercise of religion, of its very nature, consists before all else in those internal, voluntary and free acts whereby man sets the course of his life directly toward God. No merely human power can either command or prohibit acts of this kind.(3)

11. . . .He acknowledged the power of government and its rights, when He commanded that tribute be given to Caesar: but He gave clear warning that the higher rights of God are to be kept inviolate: "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's" (Matt. 22:21).

12. . . .Thus the leaven of the Gospel has long been about its quiet work in the minds of men, and to it is due in great measure the fact that in the course of time men have come more widely to recognize their dignity as persons, and the conviction has grown stronger that the person in society is to be kept free from all manner of coercion in matters religious.

Exegesis;
Pope Paul VI directly addressed the right of the individual and communities to Social and Civil Freedom in matters Religious.
The Prophetic Pope affirms the following;
Contemporary people have a sense of their own dignity.
The demand was increasingly made that the individual should act on own judgement with responsible freedom.
The individual should be free from coercion when acting on own judgement, and should be motivated by a sense of duty (sense of responsibility).
The individual is not to be forced to act in a manner contrary to personal conscience.
The individual has the right to religious freedom.
Immunity from external coercion and psychological freedom is needed when searching for truth, especially religious truth.
The highest norm of human life is the divine law whereby God orders and governs the universe.

When making decisions in daily life, each person needs to weigh up personal decisions to be made in the light of his or her own personal informed conscience. 
Sometimes a situation may arise which reflects a change in societal norms, and this may challenge the individual with situations arising therefrom.
It is important to remember Jesus the Master's Teaching; "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's."
To God we owe our allegiance and obedience to His Word according to our own conscience.
If our conscience strongly advises us not to participate in an action or situation which would go against our deepest and most cherished religious beliefs, then we must need follow our conscience in all things that do not lead to sin.

We individually, and we alone, will stand before Almighty God at the Judgement Seat
No one can make that decision for us. We individually, and we alone, will stand before Almighty God at the Judgement Seat after we make our journey from this life to the next.
We need thus to protect our eternal destiny and make informed and wise decisions in this world which we can calmly accept as the best decisions to have made, when we speak to God in the next world.
As Pope Paul VI has guided us in Dignitatis Humanae, we cannot abrogate the right to another to make our personal decisions for us.
We - individuals made in the Image and Likeness of Almighty God - must make decisions that will bear up to the standards God set for us when He made us like Him.
Sometimes we are faced with a situation- in which our spiritual and practical duty is clear to us in line with our conscience - when we feel the difficulties of possible coercion from external factors to change our mind.

God, the end and purpose of life
Our duty is clear.
In all activity an individual needs to follow personal conscience in order to come to God, the end and purpose of life.
It follows that the individual may not be forced to act in a manner contrary to personal conscience, especially in matters religious.
The reason is that the exercise of religion consists in internal, voluntary and free acts whereby the individual sets the course of personal life directly toward God. 
Dignitatis Humanae affirms that no merely human power can either command or prohibit acts of this kind.
We thus need to follow our informed and balanced conscience in matters religious, when our decisions do not lead to sin.


NOTES
1. Cf. John XXIII, encycl. "Pacem in Terris", April 11, 1963: AAS 55 (1963) p. 279; ibid., p. 265; Pius XII, radio message, Dec. 24, 1944: AAS 37 (1945), p. 14.

2. Cf. John XXIII, encycL "Pacem in Terris", April 11, 1963: AAS 55 (1963), pp. 260-261; Pius XII, radio message, Dec. 24, 1942: AAS 35 (1943), p. 19; Pius XI, encycl. "Mit Brennender Sorge", March 14, 1937: AAS 29 (1937), p. 160; Leo XIII, encycl. "Libertas Praestantissimum", June 20, 1888: Acts of Leo XIII 8 (1888), p. 237-238.

3. Cf. John XXIII, encycl. "Pacem in Terris", April 11, 1963: AAS 55 (1963), p. 270; Paul VI, radio message, Dec. 22, 1964: AAS 57 (1965), pp. 181-182.

Declaration on Religious Freedom 'Dignitatis Humanae'
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651207_dignitatis-humanae_en.html

Do you want to leave the Abortion Industry? Here is help

Workers in Abortion Industry are Impacted by Abortion
Reaching out to assist Abortion Clinic Workers leave the Industry
In June 2012, Abby Johnson and her husband started the 'And Then There Were None' Ministry.
This Ministry reaches out to assist abortion clinic workers to leave the industry.
ATTWN assists abortion clinic workers through four integral aspects; emotional, spiritual, legal and financial.
Abortion workers in the industry are faced with practical issues if they wish to leave the industry.

Personal situation interwoven in praxis of the industry
Often their personal financial situation is interwoven in the praxis of this industry, and if the abortion industry worker decides to leave, there are practical issues to face:
- Am I qualified to do another type of work?
- If I am not qualified for other work, what other work can I train in?
- Will my link to abortion industry work have an effect on my application for other work?
- How will I support myself/ my family while I am undergoing the transition from abortion industry work to another career?
- If I have to take a severe reduction in payment in my new type of work, how will I pay mortgage/ electricity and lights/ car expenses if relevant/ school fees or university fees of children if relevant/ food costs/ medical costs/ loans?
- Will I need counselling after leaving the Abortion Industry?
 Will I receive help with facing regrets and pursuing a new spiritual and emotional life post abortion industry?
- I may lose many meaningful friendships within the abortion industry if I leave.
What assistance will I have to assist me to make the transition to building a new group of friends post abortion industry?
How will I cope with losing an entire circle of relationships, my job, my income as I move to a post abortion industry situation?
- Possibly my partner or family weren't aware of my close links in the abortion industry.
How do I cope with this situation?
- I wish to begin worship in a spiritual community/church, or wish to relink into my former spiritual community/church.
How do I go about this?
- Will there be a dislocation in my emotional and psychological life, as I break from one entrenched way of life, trying to build another life? Will I be able to do it? Where can I get help in the post-dislocation time?
- How can I deal with my post-abortion industry work regrets?
Is there anyone who can help me?

The above are just some of the questions which an abortion worker may face upon deciding to leave the industry.
There are surely many more.
Abby Johnson and those who minister with her in 'ATTWN' reach out to abortion workers to assist them to leave the industry.

New development
Since Mrs Johnson and her team begain ATTWN in June 2012, they budgeted to help 12 people in the span of a year.
After one year, God has blessed the ministry abundantly, and ATTWN now have up to 79 workers being assisted.
The success of the ministry has necessitated that Mrs Johnson and Ms Jennie Stone, ATTWN's Operations Director hire three part-time employees.
Mrs Johnson and Ms Stone do not take a paycheck from the ministry, however, as anyone who has worked in volunteer charity knows, finances are needed to help carry out an effective ministry.
Due to the high numbers of people contacting ATTWN for assistance, the ministry requires financial assistance/donations to meet the challenges of the numbers applying for assistance to leave the abortion industry.

Wanting to leave the abortion industry? Here is help
ATTWN reach out to abortion industry workers with the following words;
'You didn't want to grow up wanting to work in an abortion clinic.
Maybe you just needed a job to help pay the bills.
Maybe you or someone you care about has experienced an abortion.
Whatever choices in your life brought you to where you are right now, realise that this is not your full potential.
You deserve better than this.
We can help.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE,
LEGAL PROTECTION,
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT &
SPIRITUAL HEALING
are available to you as you transition out of the abortion industry.
It is free.
It is confidential.
ATTWN offers the following confidentially and free of charge:
- up to three months of financial support after a worker resigns
- emotional support during the transition time
- a spiritual advisor of the former worker's choosing
- legal counsel to protect the worker's interests during transition.
If you are in need of the services of this ministry, contact us immediately.

We are here for you. We care.
http://www.attwn.org/ '

Resources for Sidewalk Counselors
http://www.attwn.org/for-sidewalk-counselors/

Abortion Worker? My Letter to You
http://www.attwn.org/abortion-worker/

Report an Incident at your Clinic
http://www.attwn.org/abortion-worker/report-an-incident/

In the spirit of La Lumière du Christ (the Light of Christ) is there anything you can do to help?

IF YOU WISH TO DONATE TO THIS WORTHY CAUSE
http://www.attwn.org/donate/

Contact Details ATTWN
http://www.attwn.org/contact-us/

The JesusWalk Bible Study Series

How did Jesus train His disciples?
He called them to walk with Him, be with Him, witness what He did.
He called the disciples to be His helpers, and talk over His teachings with Him.
Jesus had a deeply interactive Ministry with His disciples.

Today many feel the call to be His disciple, yet do not know where to turn to learn about the Son of God.
If you wish to study the Bible deeply, thoughtfully and personally, there is a wonderful online Resource;

http://www.jesuswalk.com/

Please click into the above link for further information.
Blessings on your walk of faith.

The issue of Funding Good Works, and the Question that is Often Asked

The issue of funding good works from Funds is one which was well known in Jesus' time.
The religious authorities of His day engaged in fundraising from the devout faithful in order to continue the works of the Temple.

The goal for which the Temple Treasury was meant was a good one - the religious, spiritual and good works of the day.
In response Jesus fashioned a whip of cords and used it with skill to drive out the animals; He scattered the money and overturned the tables. 
He took issue not with the goal of doing good for God and His people, but with the tainted means by which the funding was being provided.

Today people of religious belief are faced at times with the question of funding.
The question often asked is; Do we have the moral right to query the greater good of financing global works of compassion and assistance in Jesus' Name, because the funding is procured by means which are not free of negative connotation?

We must turn to the Master for His Guidance through the Word on this matter.
He overturned the tables and challenged His People to return to the original vision God The Father had for we His People. (Holy Bible, New Testament, The Gospel of John Chapter 21, verses 15 to 17).
Jesus gave us clear guidance as to how to use money on earth;
"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Holy Bible, New Testament, The Gospel of Matthew Chapter 6, verse 24.

It therefore follows that - as we follow Jesus' clear example and Words of guidance - we must be faithful in seeking the greater good of global works of mercy and compassion by untainted means of procured funding.

Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Sacred Heart Novena

See link 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDIlMuT5dJo

Photograph taken by Rev Catherine Nicolette of Devotional Picture

symbolising Jesus of Nazareth

Who is the most important person in your life at this moment?

Often we tend to think of people in positions of great authority and power as being the most important people at the time in our society.
And yet ... who is the most important person in your life at this moment?

When we are in an institute and come up to the top of the queue with a query about our anxieties, we are dependent on the personnel behind the desk at that moment.

The way he or she treats us and our query leaves us feeling either empowered and assisted, or humiliated and disrespected.

For each of us, when we collapse and fall gravely ill and are unable to move or self-help, the most important person who wields the greatest power in our lives is the person who is near us at the time. 

When we are a child, our guardian is the most important person in our life at that moment.
The way we are treated can have profound impact on our lives and emotions.

When we are at school, the teacher is the most important person in our life at that moment.

When we are at work, our boss is the most important person in our life at that moment.

How we are treated by the person wielding power in our life at a particular moment can have profound impact - for good or bad.

And just as others have power over us, we have power over others.

At work. In our family. Over our children. Over our life partner. 
How do we use this power?

Years ago, I saw the picture of two young boys. One had his arm protectively around his younger brother's shoulders. The message under the picture read;
I may forget what you did.
I may forget what you said.
I will never forget how you made me feel.

Let us use our power over others to bring them
Happiness
Ease in their difficult times
Love and the bedrock of our faithfulness to them in their lives.