1. In Chapter 5, Kempis wrote about God’s love. Is it correct to say that love is so closely related to God, that love carries, by its nature, a bit of Godliness? (Day 128)
2. Has the love you have experienced in this life been what Kempis described: “nothing stronger or higher or wider; nothing is more pleasant, nothing fuller, and nothing better in heaven or on earth?” (Day 128)
3. The Little Kempis says, “Do you wish to have the love of God, and peace with the your Christian brothers and sister?” How does the peace you have with other Christians relate to your love of God? (Day 130)
4. In chapter 6, Kempis wrote that we ought to stand with those we love in good times and in bad times. Is this advice a bit dated — or does it still apply? (Day 131)

The Christian Mens Breakfast group meets this Saturday and (almost) every other Saturday at a local restaurant in Davie, FL. Call Tom Truex, or use the CONTACT tab at K-Line.ORG to get more information.

Our discussion will focus on the Chapters listed below, from The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas à Kempis.²

All items listed below are online at ImitateChrist.ORG:

1. Book 3 , Chapter 5 : The Wonderful Effect of Divine Love (May 8, 2012)
2. Book 3 , Chapter 6 : The Proving of a True Lover (May 11, 2012)

Also Posted this Week at ImitateChrist.ORG:

1. Challoner’s Reflections³ on The Imitation of Christ for each of the above chapters.

Footnotes:

1. In chapter 3, Kempis includes a prayer with this passage: “I am Your poorest and meanest servant, a vile worm, much more poor and contemptible than I know or dare to say.” The context of this thought is key to understanding its meaning. (Day 121)
2. John Paul II wrote in CROSSING THE THRESHOLD OF HOPE, “The right to life means the right to be born and then continue to live until one’s natural end.” Many people, apparently including a majority of the Justices on the US Supreme Court disagree. Do you think there are exceptions to the right described by John Paul II? (Day 122)
3. In chapter 4, Kempis refers to the widely quoted scriptural fragment, “the truth will make you free.” But taken out of context, the meaning is completely perverted. It is not just any truth that will make you free–it is the truth of Jesus Christ! John 8:31-32 (Day 124)
4. Kempis wrote in chapter 4, “Let nothing seem important or precious or desirable except that which is everlasting.” Since nothing, apart from God and His Kingdom, is “everlasting,” it is God alone who is truly “important, precious or desirable.” (Day 124)

The Christian Mens Breakfast group meets this Saturday and (almost) every other Saturday at a local restaurant in Davie, FL. Call Tom Truex, or use the CONTACT tab at K-Line.ORG to get more information.

Our discussion will focus on the Chapters listed below, from The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas à Kempis.²

All items listed below are online at ImitateChrist.ORG:

1. Book 3 , Chapter 3 : Listen Humbly to the Words of God. Many Do Not Heed Them (May 1, 2012)
2. Book 3 , Chapter 4 : We Must Walk Before God in Humility and Truth (May 4, 2012)

Also Posted this Week at ImitateChrist.ORG:

1. Challoner’s Reflections³ on The Imitation of Christ for each of the above chapters.

Footnotes:

The movie reviewed here is definitely NOT for children, and probably not for most other people either.

• GENRE: Zombie Horror
• ACTORS: Rob Freeman, Prince David Oseia, Dan Morgan, Glenn Salvage, David Dontoh, Julia Scott-Russell, Katy Richardson, Sergho Dak Jean Gustaphe, Ben Crowe, Anne Davaud
• RATING: R
• PARENTAL NOTE: Not intended for children. Unlike most zombie movies, the language was not overly profane. Other than extreme mayhem and zombie violence, there were no real questionable situations. Graphic killings, including a few disembowelments. No nudity or sexual situations.
• INTENDED AUDIENCE: This movie is intended for fans of the genre, and may not be appreciated by others.
• GENERAL PLOT: (No spoilers) The living try to avoid being bitten by the undead. The undead try to eat the living.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJVdqZww9aE

• REVIEW: This film is almost non-stop zombie violence, from start to finish. The violence is “realistic” and extreme. The zombies in this movie are the slow moving variety, as in the original Romero films, Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, and Day of the Dead. No running zombies here. Personally, I think that fast moving zombies are a bit scarier, but there are those who disagree. There is an subtle element to this movie–never explicitly mentioned, but which, in the end increases the terror level by at least a thousand percent. Specifically, although extremely slow (think of a minimum wage sales clerk at a low end department store, who is working with a hang-over), the zombies are innumerable, and relentless. They just never stop coming, albeit slowly, no matter where you go. There is no rest, and you can’t hide. If you stop to rest, a few will show up, looking to gnaw on your limbs. Wait long enough (a few minutes in most cases) and their zombie friends with join them. There will be dozens of the undead in a matter of minutes. Remember the 1994 movie, SPEED? It’s the movie, where the people couldn’t stop the bus, because it was rigged to explode, if its speed dropped below a certain level. THE DEAD is the zombie version of SPEED, in slow motion. You can’t stop. You can’t rest. If you do, you’ll die. …before you rise again as one of the undead.
• RECOMMENDATION:¹ This is a zombie horror movie. Many people will be highly offended by every movie in this genre because of the graphic violence, gore, language and other questionable elements. However, if you are a fan of this genre–You need to watch this movie. It is one of the best zombie movies I have seen in a long time. In fact, I call it one of the best films ever made. Terrifying, realistic, and eXtreme. You can’t ask for much more in a zombie movie. In short, this is a MUST SEE MOVIE! Highly recommended.
• RATING (out of 5 stars): ★★★★★

FOOTNOTE:

1. In section 359 of THE LITTLE KEMPIS, the author wrote, “Your conversations should be brief and devout. It is better to be silent, than to talk without caution.” Do you agree? (Day 113)
2. Kempis recommends in chapter 1 that we listen to God, and ignore the gossip and idle chatter of this world: “Blessed are the ears that catch the accents of divine whispering, and pay no heed to the murmurings of this world.” Is this good advice? How do we put it into practice? (Day 114)
3. Kempis urges in section 197 of THE LITTLE KEMPIS, “It is difficult to take time, and exercise moderation, with every word you use and every duty you perform.” Is this advice a recipe for never getting ahead in today’s world? (Day 115)
4. In chapter 2, Kempis says God alone can perfectly instruct us. Without God, not even the the great prophets could instruct us. (Day 117)

The Christian Mens Breakfast group meets this Saturday and (almost) every other Saturday at a local restaurant in Davie, FL. Call Tom Truex, or use the CONTACT tab at K-Line.ORG to get more information.

Our discussion will focus on the Chapters listed below, from The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas à Kempis.²

All items listed below are online at ImitateChrist.ORG:

1. Book 3 , Chapter 1 : The Inward Conversation of Christ with the Faithful Soul (April 24, 2012)
2. Book 3 , Chapter 2 : Truth Speaks Inwardly Without the Sound of Words (April 27, 2012)

Also Posted this Week at ImitateChrist.ORG:

1. Challoner’s Reflections³ on The Imitation of Christ for each of the above chapters.

Footnotes:

1. It is unpopular to willingly bear any burden–especially not a burden as heavy, and
   inconvenient as a cross. As Kempis writes in chapter 11, “All desire to be happy with
   Him; few wish to suffer anything for Him.” (Day 107)
2. In chapter 12, Kempis reminds us there is no more noble path than in following
   Christ, even if that path leads to death of one’s mortal body. (Day 109)
3. Kempis wrote in Chapter 12 that no person is fit to enjoy heaven unless one is resigned to suffer hardship for Christ. “Nothing is more acceptable to God, nothing more helpful for you on this earth than to suffer willingly for Christ.” Why is Kempis putting so much emphasis on suffering? (Day 110)
4. Who was “a man of Cyrene, Simon by name?” (Day 111)

The Christian Mens Breakfast group meets this Saturday and (almost) every other Saturday at a local restaurant in Davie, FL. Call Tom Truex, or use the CONTACT tab at K-Line.ORG to get more information.

Our discussion will focus on the Chapters listed below, from The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas à Kempis.²

All items listed below are online at ImitateChrist.ORG:

1. Book 2 , Chapter 11 : Few Love the Cross of Jesus (April 17, 2012)
2. Book 2 , Chapter 12 : The Royal Road of the Holy Cross (April 20, 2012)

Also Posted this Week at ImitateChrist.ORG:

1. Challoner’s Reflections³ on The Imitation of Christ for each of the above chapters.

Footnotes:

Titanic, 1912

• April 10, 1912 From 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., passengers board the ship. Then at noon, the Titanic leaves the dock at Southampton, England for its maiden voyage. First stop is in Cherbourg, France, where the Titanic arrives at 6:30 p.m. and leaves at 8:10 p.m, heading to Queenstown, Ireland (now known as Cobh).
• April 11, 1912 At 1:30 p.m., the Titanic leaves Queenstown and heads across the Atlantic for New York.
• April 12-13, 1912 The Titanic continues on her journey as passengers enjoy life on the luxurious ship.
• April 14, 1912 (9:20 p.m.) Captain Smith retires to his room.
• April 14, 1912 (9:40 p.m.) The last of several warnings about icebergs is received in the wireless room. This warning never makes it to the bridge.


Left to Right: William McMaster Murdoch, Charles A. Bartlett, Henry Tingle Wilde and Captain Edward John Smith (see notes below)


*First Officer Lieutenant William Murdoch, died with the Titanic.
*Captain Charles A. Bartlet oversaw the outfitting of the Titanic’s for it’s maiden voyage, including the selection of her officers. He was not abord the Titanic when it sank.
*Chief Officer Henry Tingle Wilde, died with the Titanic.
*Captain Edward John Smith. This was likely his last command before retirement. He died with the Titanic.
• April 14, 1912 (11:40 p.m.) The lookouts spot an iceberg directly in the path of the Titanic. First Officer Murdoch orders a hard starboard (left) turn, but the Titanic’s right side still scrapes the iceberg. Only 37 seconds passed between the sighting of the iceberg and hitting it. Historians do not agree on the exact maneuver ordered by Murdoch, nor the nature and extent of the collision with the berg.
• April 15, 1912 (12:05 a.m.) Captain Smith orders the crew to prepare the lifeboats and get the passengers and crew up on deck. No “abandon ship” order is given in order to avoid panic and greater loss of life. The number of lifeboats are insufficient for the number of passengers and crew. Many passengers were apparently unaware of the seriousness of their position until all lifeboats had departed.
• April 15, 1912 (12:45 a.m.) The first lifeboat is lowered into the freezing water.
• April 15, 1912 (2:18 a.m.) The Titanic snaps in half. This point was vigorously disputed by historians until the Ballard’s 1985 expedition located the wreck at the bottom of the Atlantic, and obtained photographic evidence that the boat had broken into two pieces.
• April 15, 1912 (2:20 a.m.) The Titanic sinks.
• April 15, 1912 (4:10 a.m.) The Carpathia picks up the first of the survivors.
• April 15, 1912 (8:30 a.m.) The Carpathia picks up survivors from the last lifeboat.
• April 17, 1912 The Mackay-Bennett is the first of several ships to travel to the area where the Titanic sank to search for bodies.
• April 18, 1912 The Carpathia arrives in New York with 705 survivors

1. In his commentary on The Imitation of Christ, Goodwin notes that Kempis “has absolutely withdrawn and secluded himself not only from the cares, the sins, the trials, but from the duties, the connexions, the moral and religious fate of the world.” Is it a sin to concentrate on our inner spiritual life to the extent we ignore the world about us? (Day 99)
2. Kempis wrote in Chapter 9, “The devil does not sleep, nor is the flesh yet dead; therefore, you must never cease your preparation for battle, because on the right and on the left are enemies who never rest.” Has Kempis overstated the matter? (Day 100)
3. In Chapter 10, Kempis wrote “The saints who are greatest before God are those who consider themselves the least, and the more humble they are within themselves, so much the more glorious they are.” If this is true, why do so many people seek to be considered “great?” (Day 103)
4. Kempis wrote in Moments with the Consoling Christ, that this present life would be very burdensome without God’s grace. What, if any, evidence do you see of the truth of this position? (Day 104)

The Christian Mens Breakfast group meets this Saturday and (almost) every other Saturday at a local restaurant in Davie, FL. Call Tom Truex, or use the CONTACT tab at K-Line.ORG to get more information.

Our discussion will focus on the Chapters listed below, from The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas à Kempis.²

All items listed below are online at ImitateChrist.ORG:

1. Book 2 , Chapter 9 : Wanting No Share in Comfort (April 10, 2012)
2. Book 2 , Chapter 10 : Appreciating God’s Grace (April 13, 2012)

Also Posted this Week at ImitateChrist.ORG:

1. Challoner’s Reflections³ on The Imitation of Christ for each of the above chapters.

Footnotes:

Victoria Jackson circa 1990

Outspoken Christian conservative, VICTORIA JACKSON, will be appearing and speaking at the Davie Cooper City Republican Club meeting this Thursday, April 12, 2012 at 7:00 pm. You may remember her from Saturday Night Live in the 1980′s and 90′s.

The meeting is at the Bamford Sports Complex at 3801 South Pine Island Road in Davie, FL 33328

According to her bio on IMDB.com:

Victoria was raised in a Bible-believing, piano-playing, gymnastic home with no TV. Her dad was a gym coach so she competed in gymnastics from age 5 to age l8. Was a cheerleader, and a homecoming queen. Attended Florida Bible College; received gymnastic scholarship to Furman Univ., attended Auburn Univ. one year and ended up in Hollywood…

She also appeared in 113 episodes of the TV show, Saturday Night Live.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN6AJWJVoWY

1. Kempis wrote in Chapter 6 about the benefits of having a clear conscience. Is a good conscience a subjective matter? Is it possible to have a good conscience (i.e. a mental state) when we ought to have remorse for our sin? (Day 93)
2. Kempis wrote in Chapter 7, “Cling, therefore, to Jesus in life and death; trust yourself to the glory of Him who alone can help you when all others fail.” You may object to this passage on the grounds that you have friends and family who would never desert you in times of need. Never? What Kempis writes seems harsh in that context. Yet the problem with every relationship with every other human being is that there are human beings involved. (Days 94 & 95)
3. In Chapter 7, Kempis wrote, “Give up all other love for His [God's], since He wishes to be loved alone above all things. Affection for creatures is deceitful and inconstant, but the love of Jesus is true and enduring.” Can’t human love be good and pure too? (Day 95)
4. Kempis wrote in Chapter 8, “WHEN Jesus is near, all is well and nothing seems difficult. When He is absent, all is hard.” Is this summary too simple? Do you agree? Also, when is Jesus absent? (Day 97)

The Christian Mens Breakfast group meets this Saturday and (almost) every other Saturday at a local restaurant in Davie, FL. Call Tom Truex, or use the CONTACT tab at K-Line.ORG to get more information.

Our discussion will focus on the Chapters listed below, from The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas à Kempis.²

All items listed below are online at ImitateChrist.ORG:

1. Book 2 , Chapter 6 : The Joy of a Good Conscience (April 3, 2012)
2. Book 2 , Chapter 7 : Loving Jesus Above All Things (April 5, 2012)
3. Book 2 , Chapter 8 : The Intimate Friendship of Jesus (April 7, 2012)

Also Posted this Week at ImitateChrist.ORG:

1. Challoner’s Reflections³ on The Imitation of Christ for each of the above chapters.

Footnotes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c89IgUz_KX0