Mary @ MindSay

12-17-2007

 

This Christmas, There’s Room in the Inn for Mary and Joseph

 

Travelodge, a British hotel chain, is promising a free night’s stay to couples named Mary and Joseph.

 

"The 'gift' of a free night's stay is to make up for the hotel industry not having any rooms left on Christmas Eve over 2,000 years ago when the original 'Mary and Joseph' had to settle for the night in a stable," the company says on its Web site.

 

The offer is good at any of the chain’s 322 hotels in the United Kingdom. Any couple able to show proof of identity will receive one free night in a family room. The offer is good from Christmas Eve to Jan. 5.

 

"We've had a lot of interest," hotel spokeswoman Shakila Ahmed told CNN. "I think people like the fact that it resonates with the Nativity story at a time when the actual meaning of Christmas often becomes forgotten in festive overkill."

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Stuart Shepard, director of digital media for Focus on the Family Action, imagines a brand-new holiday in his Stoplight video commentary.

Perhaps few things are more important than knowing the Lord's will for your life.  We could learn a few things from Mary, the mother of Jesus.

 

Mary's journey was filled with: a) an announcement from Gabriel (not just any angel), b) a visit from shepherds, c) gifts from wise men, d) prophetic words from Simeon and Anna, e) surprises at the temple, f) public controversy and confirmation, then finally, g) her son's death and resurrection.  She stewarded the "plan" well, though she may not have fully understood it all.

 

How did events from the past inform Mary about the future?  What signs should she have been looking for?  How did she know she was in the middle of His will?  These answers must have been difficult to come by, but they started with the simple response of this young Jewish handmaiden: "I am the Lord's servant," (Luke 1:38 NIV).

 

Humility releases the grace of God (Proverbs 3:34).  Absolute vulnerability to the Creator and Sustainer of life opens unparalleled opportunities of discovery.  He has a plan for you—and if you could even imagine for a minute what the picture might look like, it would bring a smile, for it would reveal a future filled with hope!

 

--from a devotional letter by Glenn Burris

 

By ANDREW DeMILLO, Associated Press Writer Thu Sep 27, 1:36 AM ET LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Six Catholic nuns have been excommunicated for heresy after refusing to give up membership in a Canadian sect whose founder claims to be possessed by the Virgin Mary, the Diocese of Little Rock announced Wednesday. The Rev. J. Gaston Hebert, the diocese administrator, said he notified the nuns of the decision Tuesday night after they refused to recant the teachings of the Community of the Lady of All Nations, also known as the Army of Mary. The Vatican has declared all members of the Army of Mary excommunicated. Hebert said the excommunication was the first in the diocese's 165-year history. "It is a painfully historic moment for this church," Hebert said. The six nuns are associated with the Good Shepherd Monastery of Our Lady of Charity and Refuge in Hot Springs. Sister Mary Theresa Dionne, one of the nuns excommunicated, said the nuns will still live at the convent property, which they own. "We are at peace and we know that for us we are doing the right thing," the 82-year-old nun said. "We pray that the church will open their eyes before it is too late. This is God's work through Mary, the blessed mother, and we're doing what we're asked to do." At a news conference, Hebert said the nuns "became entranced and deluded with a doctrine that is heretical." He said church officials removed the Eucharist — which Catholics revere as the body of Christ — from the monastery on Tuesday night. Hebert said the sect's members believe that its 86-year-old founder, Marie Paule Giguere, is the reincarnation of the Virgin Mary and that God speaks directly through her. Excommunication bars the nuns from participating in the church liturgy and receiving communion or other sacraments. The diocese said the action was taken after the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a declaration dated July 11 that the Army of Mary's teachings were heretical and automatically excommunicated any who embraced the doctrine. Hebert said the diocese had known for years that the nuns were following the sect and said church officials in the past had encouraged them to come back into the fold. According to the Catholic News Service, the Army of Mary was founded in Quebec in 1971 by Giguere, who said she was receiving visions from God. Dionne said she does not know if Giguere is the reincarnation of the Virgin Mary, but said she believes God communicates through the sect's founder. "She is doing only what God and Mary tells her to do," Dionne said. A spokesman for the Army of Mary called the excommunication of the nuns and the other members of the sect an injustice. Father Eric Roy said Giguere has not claimed to be the reincarnation of the Virgin Mary, and said the 86-year-old Quebec woman "receives graces" from the Virgin Mary and God. "The Virgin Mary took possession of her soul. I would rather say it that way," said Roy, superior general of the Sons of Mary, an associated group. ___ On the Net: Army of Mary: http://www.communaute-dame.qc.ca/ Diocese of Little Rock: http://www.dolr.org/

Ok- I am new to this. This is the first blog for me.... anyway- we are remodeling our house and I am so done with it. Been working on the house for a year and 5 months now. I've had a baby during this time and can you believe still trying to run my Mary Kay business?  Anyway, frustration is way up there. I'm pretty sure that I would have went to a lower gear with my business since I had a baby anyway, but with the remodel it is ridiculous.  I can't really have new customers come by for makeovers or anything since there are boxes everywhere and dust, dust and more drywall dust- everywhere.  Thank God for my website, at least I am still attracting new customers that way (have to pay the bills).

Is anyone else out there remodeling their place?

Well, bye for now. I'm not really sure what you're supposed to do with a blog. So... bye for now!

 

A new film that explores the legalization of marijuana is coming out next month!  It’s called “Totally Baked: A Pot-u-mentary”. 

 

It's a hilarious 'Pot-u-mentary’ that delves deep into the age old question “Should the Weed be Freed?” Combined with side-bursting sketches, real interviews, and an interesting story line that sews it all together, Totally Baked proves to entertain as well as educate.

A veritable ‘Teach & Chong’ in its field, Totally Baked hits on both the pros and cons for the legalization of Marijuana while still maintaining a care-free and uproariously funny tone guaranteed to please the viewers. It neither condones or condemns the smoking of Marijuana but simply asks the questions, exploring the truth about marijuana. “Should Marijuana be legalized? If so, why? If not, why not? ” Totally Baked encourages its viewers to have more than an opinion on the legalization of weed, but an educated perspective. And it’s all done in a humorous way.

 

Order early at www.totallybakedmovie.com to receive your DVD to become part of the 4/20 screenings hosted around the world. Remember on 4/20 “The World will Laugh as One.