Bob Nicholas

I am working on a project and am struck by these quotes from Will Durant. Durant was a promoter of history and philosophy. He lived from 1885-1981 and wrote a series called The Story of Civilization. I recall him from my college days and will be again reading his series soon. I love history and especially history regarding empirical societies.

Durant said, “We Americans are the best informed people on earth as to the events of the last twenty-four hours; we are the not the best informed as the events of the last sixty centuries.” He said this prior to 1981. Imagine what he would say now….

Durant also said, “A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.” This is something I like to call, an inconvenient truth. We never want to admit that what we are doing is harming us. Why would we? However reality tells us that we are destroying ourselves.

A new survey noted on the USCCB website, http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2008/08-206.shtml, states that 82% of Americans support the limitation of Abortion. You can and should read the article to see the other stats.

My point is this. Despite this survey showing support for the limitation on abortions, the pro-death movement is pushing their agenda of chaos.

The attack on the sanctity of marriage continues as the gay and lesbian groups challenge laws voted on by the majority.

The attack on children continue as our liberal government continues it’s failure to (1) properly manage and provide a good education and (2) to provide in many areas proper liberty for people to home school or to use their tax dollars to educate their children privately.

We are being attacked. So, should we sit down and watch it happen like in the past, or should we consider doing something about it. Here is my proposed 5 step solution to the madness.

Step 1: pray. Yes, simple but true. How can you fight with the Truth when you don’t know Him? So, pray.

Step 2: Walk the walk. Go to Church, lead your family to Christ, be a light to the nations. You can’t show others how to do it unless you can yourself. The statement “those who coach, can’t play” is not true. Those who coach well are ones who know how to play well.

Step 3: Be formed in righteousness. Have trouble admitting you are wrong? Find a new faith. The Christian is armed with humility and trust. We must be formed in His image.

Step 4: Fight! Fight! Fight! Don’t let up. When you are attacked, fight back with charity. Speak the truth. Do not allow yourselves to be conformed to this world!!!

Step 5: Win Win Win. When you win, stand tall, not in pride for self but in joy of God. Sing His praises to the nations and always always celebrate the wins. Remember, the wins we see are small, the war is already won by Him.

So, that’s my 5 minute message of the day. Pray, walk, formed, fight, win.

Our cheerleaders wear habits. Join the team, save the world.

“Not everything that can be counted counts; not everything that counts can be counted.” - St. Augustine.

I am reading an article in the latest issue of Columbia, the Knights of Columbus magazine. This quote has stuck with me all evening.

How often we compare ourselves to others in matters of faith. Do you ever envy others for their “holiness” or their prayer life? Funny how we count ourselves in matters that are not quantifiable.

I’m struck tonight on the wisdom of St. Augistine’s quote and how well it relates to Paul’s writing and exhortation for us to be in the world but not of it. While we can count our money and other worldly success, should we? Is it important?

Tonight I’m praying that I have the clarity to seek the Truth of what must be counted and to orient my life accordingly. As the Advent prayer states:

Lord grant us the clarity to see the way to walk, the Truth to speak, and the life to live for Him, our Lord Jesus Christ.