Glory of God Prayer Group, St. Cecilia Parish, Wa Diocese, Ghana - Let Your Light Shine

Saint of the Day

We do it to God

There is always the danger that we may just do the work for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the love and the devotion come in - that we do it to God, to Christ, and that's why we try to do it as beautifully as possible. Mother Teresa

He that is evil is a slave

He that is kind is free, though he is a slave; he that is evil is a slave, though he be a king. Saint Augustine

What does love look like?

What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like. Saint Augustine

Courage

Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point. C. S. Lewis

True wisdom

True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us. Socrates

Passion

Passion is the evil in adultery. If a man has no opportunity of living with another man's wife, but if it is obvious for some reason that he would like to do so, and would do so if he could, he is no less guilty than if he was caught in the act. Saint Augustine

Seek to love, not to be loved

Lord, grant that I might not so much seek to be loved as to love. Francis of Assisi

Necessary to possible to impossible

Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. Francis of Assisi

Don't bother about originality

Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it. C. S. Lewis

Be faithful in small things

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. Mother Teresa

All things unholy

I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, he can work through anyone. Francis of Assisi

The gift of overcoming self

Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self. Francis of Assisi

Do not serve with a gloomy face

It is not fitting, when one is in God's service, to have a gloomy face or a chilling look. Francis of Assisi

The souls of the righteous are immortal …

All men's souls are immortal, but the souls of the righteous are immortal and divine. Socrates

You can't get a cup of tea big enou…

You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.   C. S. Lewis

The desire is thy prayers

The desire is thy prayers; and if thy desire is without ceasing, thy prayer will also be without ceasing. The continuance of your longing is the continuance of your prayer. Saint Augustine

Man lives as to make happiness impossibl…

Indeed, man wishes to be happy even when he so lives as to make happiness impossible. Saint Augustine

Charity and wisdom

Where there is charity and wisdom, there is neither fear nor ignorance. Francis of Assisi

Take only what you need

Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others. Saint Augustine

Humility, the foundation

Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance. Saint Augustine

This message has been circulating on the internet and elsewhere about the discovery of a message from God by NASA. This is part of the story:

curiosity roverThe original message

"NASA announced today that its Curiosity Rover has found an unambiguous message from God written on tablets in a Martian cave.

According to an official press release two giant stone slabs the size of small elephants were located deep inside a cavern abutting Aeolis Mons, a large mountain.

Upon one tablet is a copy of the Ten Commandments and the text of John 3:16 written in 12 languages - including English, Spanish, Chinese, Basque and Hebrew. On the other tablet is a simple message in English reading "I am real."" You can read the full message here.

Outcome of my research

I have done a lot of research on this story that NASA has found a message from God on mars but has yet to come across any website that has posted this story without reference to the Daily Currant. All the other websites I have seen this story on have copied it from the Daily Currant, the origin of the story. I have also searched the NASA website but found nothing concerning this story.

My impression

I wish to state emphatically that this story is false. The website where this story that NASA found a message from God on Mars originated from is a satirical website that uses fictional (not real) stories to, as they stated on their website, "ridicule the timid ignorance which obstructs our progress, and promote intelligence - which presses forward." Let me repeat this: their stories are NOT real; they are ALL fictional. So do not believe anything you read from that website. Read their About page to find out what they have said about their stories and the website. You can read more about satire. If you are still not convinced, just ask yourself, "Why didn't the author of the story provide a link to the original NASA story?" Well, ask them if they do have such a link!

Does God exist?

However, don't get me wrong. I wish to state categorically to everyone that God truly exists , whether you choose to believe it or not? You may have a lot of questions you cannot find answers to that make you believe that there is no God, but I bet you, you can also get a lot of questions you cannot find answers to that should convince you that God does exist.

For example

  1. Scientists make discoveries. Who created these things that the scientists discover?
  2. Why haven't Scientists, for so many thousands of years, been able to prevent disasters, like storms, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc, even in the US?
  3. Why haven't Scientists been able to prevent people from dying?
  4. Why haven't Scientists been able to produce human beings from nothing?

I believe if you are not able to answer the above questions and many others, it should convince you that there is a superior being, God, somewhere.

Wise sayings

Let me quote Albert Camus, "I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't and die to find out there is."

Don't be proud of a false knowledge that there is no God when you are not God. Humble yourself. As Socrates puts it, "True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us."

 

Marriage is like FUFU preparation!

In fufu making, we basically use two crops- CASSAVA AND PLANTAIN!In marriage making, it involves two people- MAN AND WOMAN! Two different people are being put together to live as one.The cassava comes from the GROUND; the plantain comes from ABOVE! Two different people with different backgrounds are to live together as one.The cassava is always dirty but the plantain always enjoys the washing by rain water and the direct brightness of the sun.Don't expect your spouse to be like you! Your... Read more>>>

Who pushed me?

A wealthy man had only one daughter. When the daughter was of marriage age, the father sent news around town that all the eligible young men should come to compete in a test which would determine who was fit to marry his daughter. On the set day, all able-bodied young men came out. Some came with paper and pen and others with cutlasses and swords. The rich man took them to his swimming pool and addressed them:“Any of you who can swim from... Read more>>>

About the Faith Outreach Ministry

Introduction to the Faith Outreach Ministry “But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 Background information on the Faith Outreach Ministry Basis of the Faith Outreach Ministry In 1991 the Catholic Charismatic Renewal organised a Life in the Spirit Seminars (LSS) program for some members, and as the Lord promised in Acts 1:8, He poured... Read more>>>

The Father

I begin my day not knowing what went into the night as I slept.I wake up every morning to see the clear beautiful bright sky.I hear the birds of the air sing and fly stylishly across the sky.I see trees wave their leaves in the air.I see animals of all kind around the land.I see people like me doing one thing or the other.I wonder and ponder over it … The FATHER’S love.   Oh yes!  The FATHER’S love:So great, so steep,So... Read more>>>

What does God say about your problems?

A personal reflection on 23rd July 2011{bib=2 Kings 19:1-37} (start at {bib=2 Kings 18:13}) OR {bib=Isaiah 36, 37} {bib=2 Kings 19:3} – When you are in grief, do you pick a boyfriend/girlfriend for help; do you consult another god, do you start looking for a way to extort other people, do you throw your hands up in despair?               – When you are in shame do you show your enemies? {bib=2 Kings 19:6} – What are you going through now? Sickness, joblessness, underpayment, frustration... Read more>>>

In praise of the Lord

Who is it that visits the hot sun without getting burnt?Who else but the Lord of power Who is it that visits the cold moon without being frozen?Who else but the Lord of might Who is it that confines the seas with His hands?Who else but the Lord, the creator of the heavens and the earth Who is it that tames lions?Who else but the Lord Who is it that the winds obey?Who else but the Lord Who is it that waves obey?Who else but... Read more>>>

Pack your things and give them to me to …

Drama this Morning:  My wife and I were having a serious quarrel when I said to her, "Pack your things and ...." At that moment her phone rang, so I had to stop for her to receive the call. It was her dad. The phone was on speaker so I could hear what he was saying. After the usual pleasantries between father and daughter, he said: "my daughter, I have transferred $1,000,000 into your account, give your husband $500,000 out... Read more>>>

Do miracles still happen in the Catholic…

The answer to the question of whether miracles still happen in the Catholic Church has always raised follow-up questions in my mind. Yes, I know that miracles still happen in the Catholic Church, but if so why are so many Catholics still into idolatry, consulting gods and mallams everywhere at the sight of any small problem? Why do many Catholics not hear about these miracles? How important are miracles in the Catholic Church and in our relationship with God? I believe that... Read more>>>

Respect dignities

When we despise dominion and speak evil of dignities we break the divine pattern and bring a tide of curse upon ourselves and those under our care. As those under our authority behold how we treat those in authority over us, they will become fuelled by the same spirit and start to treat us in a similar manner. Once this spirit enters into a community, that community will burst apart at some point fracturing along personality lines. This is the... Read more>>>

Understanding the book of Acts

Analysis of video condemning water baptism for gentiles(Understanding Acts)   It is very helpful to watch the complete video before reading my comments, so that you can have the full picture. Someone referred me to this video when we were discussing about baptism. The video claims that water baptism is not required by gentiles for salvation. I have analyzed the video and given my thoughts on it. I would have loved to post my comments directly on youtube, but comments have been disabled... Read more>>>

The different world of blurred future of…

The world is more than rotten The world has changed completely into what I can’t describe. Will I say rotten? Oh no, it will be an understatement. Some youth say, “We are in the 21st century.” Some also say, “We are the future leaders.” Other youth say, “We are civilised.” Still, others say, “Computer children.” Indeed this twenty-first century has changed. Things are now upside down, which has made the road to righteousness very rough for the youth and difficult to... Read more>>>

When God decides: authority of God

Exhortation during three days fasting and prayers: 28th–30th January, 2009Teacher: Felix Dordaa Mahama Text: {bib=Matthew 20:1-16} When God decides, no one can stand in His way. The message in the above title is what today’s text has presented to us. Jesus has likened the kingdom of heaven (i.e., the operation of God) to the farmer who has hired workers to work in his vineyard. The vineyard owner chose to pay the latecomers as much as he had paid the early comers, and this... Read more>>>

Make your every matter the Lord's

Shall the Lord be defeated in any matter? An Absolute No. But the problem is, is your matter the Lord's matter? If yes, be rest assured that it's settled. For whoever picks a bone with you, picks a bone with the Lord; whoever/whatever is fighting you is seen to be fighting the Lord. Learn to make your every matter the Lord's matter and you have no matter. Take it to the Lord in prayer.   Read more>>>

The 7 UPs

1 . Wake Up !!!Decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." {bib=Psalms 118:24} 2. Dress Up !!!The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart." {bib=1 Samuel 16:7} 3. Shut Up... Read more>>>

Knowing the God you serve: God will forg…

Teacher: Felix Dordaa Mahama Text: {bib=Judith 5:17-21} What if I were God? Would I be able to forgive the many wrongs that people do, even after they confess? When I examine my own thoughts and emotions and when I listen to contributions to the Friday morning toaster programme, I wonder what would happen to us if God were a human; He is so full of mercy and compassion, sometimes I wonder if I were God I would be able to forgive some of... Read more>>>

My prayer for you

I pray that you may prosper, more so in your soul, in the name of Jesus Christ. May Jehova Jire  provide all your needs according to his riches in glory. May he who saved the Israelites from the tyranny of the Egyptian king rescue you completely. May he who is all-knowing and source of all knowledge and wisdom give you the needed grace this day and help you understand the dream you just woke up from. May your enemies look... Read more>>>

Prevailing prayers

Greetings My dear brothers and sisters, I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith and the sustainer of all living beings. Today I want us to look at the subject of prayer and its place in the life of a believer. What is prayer? Prayer is a communication, and the kind that takes place between God and the believer. In fact prayer is the meeting point between divinity and... Read more>>>

Popular prayers

The Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, The Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to... Read more>>>

The Lord's prayer

Our Father, who is in heaven, holy is your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. OR Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give... Read more>>>

Is the Bible the Final Authority?

This article has been inspired by the conflict that exists within Christianity mainly due to the interpretation of the bible (the genuine cases). First of all it is important for us to understand the place of the bible in Christianity before we can properly apply it to Christian spirituality. This article seeks to use the dealings of God with his people Israel, the dealings of Jesus and the apostles with the early Christians, the bible itself and common sense to... Read more>>>