Lenten Reflections

Here are some thoughts that I always return to for Lent:


       Then Jesus told His disciples, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?”

-          Matthew 16:24-26

“An immortal soul is beyond all price. There is no trouble too great, no humiliation too deep, no suffering too severe, no love too strong, no labor too hard, no expense too large, but that it is worth it, if it is spent in the effort to win a soul for God.”

-          Author Unknown


From my friend, Brother Shawn:


Lent is a season that calls us:

• to fast from discontent and to feast on gratitude;
  to fast from anger and to feast on patience;
  to fast from bitterness and to feast on forgiveness;
  to fast from self-concern and to feast on compassion;
  

  The dying words of Jeanne d"Arc: "Jesus! Jesus!"

  Mother Teresa: "All for Jesus!"

  St. Ignatius: The greatest act of Love is to yearn that a person possess Christ, and to lead that person to Him."

  His Love and Power to all of you today... - Peace, Doug + 

  
  

Adult Antioch in Stowe, VT - March 2nd-4th 2012

 
To All My Friends in Christ,
 
       An alert to all of you about the upcoming Adult Antioch in Stowe!!! It's an amazing experience of sharing the reality of Christ's Love and the Power of His Spirit alive and with us today. You can't ask for a better setting either in the beautiful surroundings of Stowe Hollow, VT. If you're 18 or older, this experience is a must! Hope to see you there...
 
Peace, Doug +
 
 
Dear Friends in Christ –


We are looking forward to the Antioch Retreat here in Stowe (as we do each year) scheduled for

March 2 – 4, 2012. We hope you have found it to be a peaceful and enjoyable way to further your

relationship with Christ.

This year, we will need to make some changes so that we are able to continue the tradition while

we live here in Stowe.

For the last 14 years, we have joyfully sponsored and subsidized the retreat; however, with

increasing taxes, cost of living, food, utilities, etc., we will need to increase the price. We will also

need to have people commit earlier so that we know who is coming and how many we need to feed.

Though it may not seem difficult from the outside looking in, it can be a real challenge to coordinate

all the details so that things run smoothly. Please consider that we have to plan for meals (decide

what to serve, purchase and prepare it, etc.…), coordinate who stays where and why, prepare the

guest house and have it professionally cleaned after the retreat so it is ready for our next group of

renters.

Changes:

1.) Cost for the weekend will be $60 per person, or $100 per couple. This will be for all

out of town guests who stay on the property, including speakers. I believe this to be very

reasonable for 4 – 6 meals and two nights lodging. Stowe residents attending are not

charged, but will be asked to help supply and/or prepare food for the meals, and assist in

the clean up. If this creates a financial hardship for you (or someone in your group),

please speak to me directly so we can work something out.

2.) People will need to register for the retreat no later than February 15th. Registration will

include sending me a check for the cost, names of those attending in your party, and

anticipated time of arrival. This will make it much easier to plan for and purchase food, and

prepare the guesthouse for visitors.

3.) We will need to cap the number of out-of-state attendees @ 24, first come, first served.

I already have 6 “commitments” for this year.

Though John Dawyot remains the retreat leader, please respond back to me directly via email or

phone (see below) so that I can keep track. I hope you understand the need for these changes

and look forward to seeing you in March.

May God bless you & your family.

Steve

513 Hollow View Road

Stowe, VT 05672

802.253.4673 (Home Office)

epiphanyvt@aol.com

Rick Santorum, I Applaud You! - A Response by Mike Naranjo

Mike NaranjoJan 29, 2012 07:57 PM


I could not agree more! If we were to boo or even disagree with Obama the name calling would start. Clearly those who believe in Christ are closed minded and uncaring.



Those who believe in smaller governments and less taxes are considered greedy and accused of not "not paying their fair share". While I am not a huge Mitt Romney fan I do not like some of the things being said about him. Over the the last 2 years he has paid $6 MILLION in taxes and has given away $7 MILLION to church and charity. Obviously he is what is wrong with how the wealthy pay taxes. Because he made, earned or risked $40 MILLION does mean he should have to give another $6 MILLION to political pork projects.



Sorry I got sidetracked- It is a shame Santorum is too far to the right to be electable. Perhaps Gingrich or Romney can be the voice of the right and not the right now. Perhaps when in office they will stop worrying about the 1% and the billions of dollar they contribute but perhaps addressing the trillions that is needlessly spent. Here is a great place to start- save $150 MILLION annually by stop funding Planned Parenthood, NPR and PBS. The people who want that stuff should pay for it. Those that are opposed to what they stand for should not have to support it with their tax dollars.



Doug- you are a champion for those who cannot articulate what is happening all around. The erosion of values and character. Everyday our world moves in the wrong direction. That is why when someone like Rick Santorum or Tim Tebow stands up for Christ it strikes fear into the hearts of those who prefer darkness to light!



Thanks for listening