Divine Refuge in the Storm

Applications to seminary and divinity school rise during tough times. After 9/11 and the last down economy, enrollment surged 8 percent.

By Lisa Miller | NEWSWEEK
Published Feb 7, 2009
From the magazine issue dated Feb 16, 2009

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  • Posted By: jay69 @ 03/29/2009 10:40:54 AM

    Great. Just what the country does NOT need - a flood of religious con men and buffoons ready to skim a minimum of 10% off the top of honest people's wages for the equivalent of a bottle of snake oil. These people make the Wall Street crooks look like guys in white hats.

    • Posted By: pdskep @ 03/29/2009 1:49:06 PM

      Keep preaching the good word Rev. Jay.

    • Posted By: pdskep @ 03/29/2009 1:48:49 PM

      Keep preaching the good word Rev. Jay.

  • Posted By: jay69 @ 03/29/2009 10:37:50 AM

    Great. Just what the country does not need - a flood of con men and buffoons, skimming a minimum of 10% off the top of honest people's wages. Organized religion makes the Wall Street crooks look like guys in white hats.

  • Posted By: catspaw @ 03/03/2009 10:20:32 AM

    sms29, just to let you know you can find me over on the political page alot if I'm not here. There is one over there called Holy Roller that we all love to pick on.

    • Posted By: sms29s66 @ 03/03/2009 6:20:22 PM

      That's good info. I am on a mission of opposition to the governor of my state--Louisiana. I have been less than impressed with Jindal for the last twelve years. Hope to read you on the subject some time.

      • Posted By: catspaw @ 03/09/2009 12:18:32 PM

        Sounds good. Sorry, I had to take a break from the broads, they were getting a bit frustrating.

  • Posted By: LMHUTTON @ 03/04/2009 1:56:51 PM

    It is my experience that most Catholic seminary students enter a process of discernment to enter the seminary which takes at least a year. Diocesan vocation directors, who are given the task of preparing viable candidates, need about a year or two to decide whether a candidate is to be recommended to a seminary. Therefore, Catholic seminaries do not accept men who initiate enrollment on their own but must first seek sponsorship from their diocese. This being the case, it would seem that the economy is not the compelling factor, at the moment, for Catholic seminary candidates. It is possible that this might stir a person's desire for ministry but it is certainly not a reason that will sustain seven years of preparation for ordination.

  • Posted By: sms29s66 @ 03/02/2009 10:47:15 AM

    Wow. How did I miss this thread? Now that I'm here, I must comment. The trouble with Christianity is Christians. They are the most intolerant, offensive, defensive creatures I have ever met. I think it comes from attempts to defend what they realize in their heart of hearts is intellectually bankrupt.

    • Posted By: catspaw @ 03/02/2009 12:42:51 PM

      And again, I chased another one off by asking if they have feel the dead that are around them. WOW!

  • Posted By: francois1402 @ 02/23/2009 8:00:37 PM

    Religion has never been good for any society.It is an organized social phenomenon whose primary objectif has never been to bring humanity closer to Good .Immagine a society without religion.such a society would be free of BEN LADEN,THE INQUISITION and all the other atrocities mankind has commited in the name of Good.the factual meaning of religion is confusion. Please stay away from it.

    • Posted By: catspaw @ 02/26/2009 12:39:27 PM

      The problem is to many people get pulled towards the dark without, instead of looking to the light within.

  • Posted By: starwatcher777 @ 02/11/2009 10:00:06 PM

    @bpjack27

    Nobody knows which religion is right, or even if any one is right. Anyone that tells you they "know" is either fooling themselves or trying to sell you something.

    All you can is "believe", this of course logically implies that there must be uncertainty. So since you are uncertain, I think a casual invalidation of others "beliefs" is intellectually dishonest and morally bankrupt.

    • Posted By: catspaw @ 02/12/2009 10:36:42 AM

      Thank you starwatcher777.

      bojack27: How do not know that The One has not given us all these different religions to teach us Tolerence, Understanding and Acceptance of one another. The basis of all these different religions is to "Love Thy Neighbor".
      And until we are able to do that, we will live in this Hell.

      • Posted By: bojack27 @ 02/17/2009 5:16:59 PM

        Posted By: catspaw @ 02/12/2009 10:36:42 AM
        Thank you starwatcher777.

        bojack27: How do not know that The One has not given us all these different religions to teach us Tolerence, Understanding and Acceptance of one another. The basis of all these different religions is to "Love Thy Neighbor".

        It is good to see that you being a catholic refer to God as ???The One??? trying to be politically correct is compromising Cat! How can you claim to embrace Christianity yet you deny the doctrine that it has made clear that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

        So who is ???The One??? ? Which religions believe in ???The One???? Are you watching the ???Matrix???? LOL???. The basis for all religions is to hinder mankind from reaching God???Selah! What is pure religion to God?

        • Posted By: catspaw @ 02/18/2009 10:35:20 AM

          "God is within, Heaven is at hand, and We live in hell"

          Who said I am Christian? I refer to The One, because that is what I have felt in my heart since I was young. I have also felt Mother Earth and Father Sky watch over me and guide me to The One since then time. My ancestory is mostly Europe, but I'm also Native American and Afican American. And from Europe, I feel my ancestory before the Christian spread the word. If you can understand, I AM A WITCH. I see more and feel more the you can ever understand.

          • Posted By: bojack27 @ 02/18/2009 1:41:00 PM

            So what type of witch are you Catspaw?

            The different types of Witches:

            Kitchen Witch: It practices by home and hearth, mainly dealing with practical sides of the religion, magick, the elements and the earth.

            Ceremonial Witchcraft: Mainly use ceremonial magick (obviously) in their practices. They commonly use Qabbalistic magick or Egyptian magick in their rituals.

            Satanic Witch: This deosn't exist. Why? Witches don't believe in Satan remember.

            Celtic Wicca: Goes by the elements, the Ancient Ones and nature. They are usually healers or respect them highly. They work with plants, stones, flowers, trees, the elemental people, the gnomes and the fairies.

            Eclectic Witch: Doesn't follow a particular religion or tradition. They study and learn from many different systems and use what works best for them.

            British Traditional Witch: A mix of Celtic and Gardenarian beliefs. They train through a degree process and the covens are usually co-ed.

            Alexandrian Tradition: They are said to be modified Gardenarian.

            Gardenarian Tradition: Follow a structured root in ceremony and practice. They aren't as much vocal as others and have a fairly foundational set of customs.

            Dianic Tradition: Includes a lot of different traditions in one. Their prime focus now-a-days is the Goddess. It is the more feminist side of 'The Craft'.

            Pictish Witchcraft: It's originally from Scotland and is a solitary form of The Craft. It is more magickal in nature than it is in religion.

            Hereditary Witch: Someone who has been taught the 'Old Religion' through the generations of their family.

            Caledonii Tradition: Also known as the Hecatine Tradition, it's the denomination of The Craft with a Scottish origin.

            Pow-Wow: Comes from South Central Pennsylvania and is a system based on a 400 year old Elite German magick. They concentrate on simple faith healing.

            Solitary Witch: This is one who practices alone, without a cover etc.. following any tradition.

            Strega Witches: Originally coming from Italy are the known to be the smallest group in the US. It is said their craft is wise and beautiful.

            • Posted By: catspaw @ 02/19/2009 2:40:45 PM

              I'm a Green Witch. My husband's Sensei calls me Green Dragon.

              Oh, by the way, my husband and I have been together for 14 yrs, his Sensei has been dead for 22 yrs.

              • Posted By: bojack27 @ 02/20/2009 4:42:24 PM

                Catspaw,

                If you are trying to add shock value to your postings it will not work with me.....be careful when you engage spirits because every spirit is not of God!

                • Posted By: catspaw @ 02/20/2009 5:29:53 PM

                  You didn't comment on the type of with I am. Why? and still have not answer my question, "Do you feel the spirits of your family around you?"

    • Posted By: logicteacher @ 02/15/2009 4:21:02 PM

      Have you ever looked at what the 5 or 6 mainstream religions believe and the evidence for their beliefs ?

      • Posted By: bojack27 @ 02/17/2009 5:00:16 PM

        I don't think this person has ever looked in depth what other religions teach.....

        • Posted By: catspaw @ 02/18/2009 11:28:46 AM

          He's looked into to them more then you have!

          • Posted By: bojack27 @ 02/18/2009 1:20:26 PM

            Catspaw, if he looked into them more than i have he would know the doctrine of each belief leads to a different god. I have studied alot of religions and have talked to many people of different faith (not on the blogs but in person) and most who claimed to be something do not even know the foundation of what they are claiming to be.

            I have talked to Wiccans, Bifaith, Atheist, Satanist, Muslims, Jews, Catholics, and some I don't have a clue to what religious beliefs that they go by.. but one thing for sure is I'm always curious to find out more about their belief than they are about mine....which is Chrisitianity......

            • Posted By: catspaw @ 02/18/2009 2:22:07 PM

              That's funny bojack, by my own words, you thought I was Catholic. You say you talk to people about their religion and the don't even know anything about it. What do you know about your religion? I understand Christianity by what my Grandma taught me. Not by words, but by the way she lived, she taugh me what it truly means to be Christian. Do you?

              I see you spouting so many words but not Accepting anybody elses ways, because they do not fit your mold. I'm learning, I'm growing, I'm understanding, I'm accepting. You only see one path, when there are so many that wind through the forest.

              Do you feel the spirits of your family around?

    • Posted By: bojack27 @ 02/17/2009 4:58:28 PM

      Posted By: starwatcher777 @ 02/11/2009 10:00:06 PM
      @bpjack27

      Nobody knows which religion is right, or even if any one is right. Anyone that tells you they "know" is either fooling themselves or trying to sell you something.

      Hmmm I will say this to you since I don???t know what angle you are approaching my statement from. I stated what the differences in the religions of the world were and you replied that either I???m being self deceived or I???m a snake oil salesman???lol. So I will say this in response to your posting. I know this for sure, I will never count on what I can do to get myself into heaven! This would definitely be self deception or me trying to sell God something on judgment day.

      All you can is "believe", this of course logically implies that there must be uncertainty. So since you are uncertain, I think a casual invalidation of others "beliefs" is intellectually dishonest and morally bankrupt.

      First and foremost I???m not uncertain! This is another difference in what religions teach ???uncertainty??? for example: Islam doesn???t believe in sin and therefore have a works mentality of balancing out what good one does over the evil and therefore God will be merciful and let them into paradise. Most other religions teach a path to enlightens ones mind that doesn???t give assurance to most of its followers because only a select few will reach this level of intellect. Christianity gives assurance in not what we (you and I) have done but rests this upon the cross and what Jesus has done for us.

      As for my casual invalidation of others ???beliefs??? making me intellectually dishonest and morally bankrupt! Just shows me that you haven???t studied enough religions to argue that all reach the same point when their doctrine dictates otherwise!

    • Posted By: bojack27 @ 02/17/2009 4:57:12 PM

      Posted By: starwatcher777 @ 02/11/2009 10:00:06 PM
      @bpjack27

      Nobody knows which religion is right, or even if any one is right. Anyone that tells you they "know" is either fooling themselves or trying to sell you something.

      Hmmm I will say this to you since I don???t know what angle you are approaching my statement from. I stated what the differences in the religions of the world were and you replied that either I???m being self deceived or I???m a snake oil salesman???lol. So I will say this in response to your posting. I know this for sure, I will never count on what I can do to get myself into heaven! This would definitely be self deception or me trying to sell God something on judgment day.

      All you can is "believe", this of course logically implies that there must be uncertainty. So since you are uncertain, I think a casual invalidation of others "beliefs" is intellectually dishonest and morally bankrupt.

      First and foremost I???m not uncertain! This is another difference in what religions teach ???uncertainty??? for example: Islam doesn???t believe in sin and therefore have a works mentality of balancing out what good one does over the evil and therefore God will be merciful and let them into paradise. Most other religions teach a path to enlightens ones mind that doesn???t give assurance to most of its followers because only a select few will reach this level of intellect. Christianity gives assurance in not what we (you and I) have done but rests this upon the cross and what Jesus has done for us.

      As for my casual invalidation of others ???beliefs??? making me intellectually dishonest and morally bankrupt! Just shows me that you haven???t studied enough religions to argue that all reach the same point when their doctrine dictates otherwise! I also just stated the differences in why we all cannot reach the same point going about it differently.

  • Posted By: catspaw @ 02/19/2009 8:08:13 PM

    Hey bojack, read and learn. understand and accept. We have different names for The One, but we all believe in the same higher power.

    During his prophetic mission, Jesus performed many miracles. The Qur'an tells us that he said:
    "I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you out of clay, as it were, a figure of a bird, and breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God's leave. And I heal the blind, and the lepers, and I raise the dead by God's leave." (Qur'an 3:49)

    Neither Muhammad nor Jesus came to change the basic doctrine of the belief in One God, brought by earlier prophets, but to confirm and renew it. In the Qur'an, Jesus is reported as saying that he came: "To attest the law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you; I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear God and obey me." (Qur'an 3:50)

    • Posted By: bojack27 @ 02/20/2009 4:38:40 PM

      Catspaw,

      Understand that when you try to make the Jesus of the Qur'an and the Jesus of the Bible the same that if a fatal error. Islam preaches or teaches a different Jesus than the one of the bible....therefore when they say that Jesus said this or that it is a lie! The Qur'an and its writters lived 600 years or so after the death fo Jesus and none of them were eyewitnesses or even spoke to eyewitnesses during the time of Christ Jesus.

      • Posted By: catspaw @ 02/20/2009 5:28:02 PM

        Guess what, the words of the Holy Bible were written 300 years AFTER the death of the deciples! You do not see past the nose on your face, you do not hear with anything but the ears that are firmly set between you knees. The God that they speak of in the Qur'an is the God of Abraham, which is the The God of Jesus. But your can't see.

        Also, the spirits came to me, I don't call them, I have always been able to feel and see them, because I use more the just what normal five senses.

  • Posted By: catspaw @ 02/19/2009 8:02:36 PM

    Hey bojack, here is a lesson from the Qu'ran, read and learn. understand and accept!

    'During his prophetic mission, Jesus performed many miracles. The Qur'an tells us that he said:
    "I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I make for you out of clay, as it were, a figure of a bird, and breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God's leave. And I heal the blind, and the lepers, and I raise the dead by God's leave." (Qur'an 3:49)

    Neither Muhammad nor Jesus came to change the basic doctrine of the belief in One God, brought by earlier prophets, but to confirm and renew it. In the Qur'an, Jesus is reported as saying that he came: "To attest the law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was forbidden to you; I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear God and obey me." (Qur'an 3:50) '

    • Posted By: catspaw @ 02/20/2009 10:03:07 AM

      Sorry for the double post.

  • Posted By: Barisha @ 02/10/2009 10:59:55 AM

    This is a very intereting piece. I am a christian and I have come to realise that my belief in a Superior Being has provided unmatched peace and assurance during excruciatingly difficult situations and circumstances. It's comforting to belive that you are not in the stuggles of life alone, but that there is a Greater power who is not only in control of the elements, but loves you with an indescribable love.
    I cannot understand why so many would turn to the study of theology though. This peace which we find as Christians, and all other believers in the supernatural cannot cannot be extricated from religious doctrines or dogmas.

    • Posted By: catspaw @ 02/10/2009 1:54:05 PM

      Do you accept there are other paths to The One besides through Christ?

      In other words, do you accept other world religions?

      • Posted By: bojack27 @ 02/10/2009 5:31:47 PM

        Do you accept there are other paths to The One besides through Christ?

        In other words, do you accept other world religions?

        Cat that is a oxymoron to think that all religions that hold different doctrines, gods, paths, means to achieve their goals and exclusitivity of doctrinal beliefs.

        In other words you are asking are there many gods? The answer to this is yes there are many gods! But there is only one true God! So how can the many gods and their religions lead to the one true God? This is the question that you should ask yourself!

        You say that there are many other paths to the One besides Christ, but what you fail to realize is that not all religions are searching for the so-called One as you have describe HIM. So how can they be on a path to encounter the ONE?

        The difference between Christianity and other religions is Christianity hold true to what God has done to have a relationship with mankind. Other religions hold to what they need to do in order to have a relationship with a god. Two totally different concepts of achieving the desired endstate thus doctrines of appeasement, works, alms, sacrifices and other manmade requirements dictate religious dogma and practices without set means to achieve the desired endstate......Eternity with God in heaven.....Selah!

        • Posted By: catspaw @ 02/18/2009 12:01:34 PM

          You do not see beyond words, I am talking about the feeling in one's heart The one gives. Until you understand your path will be never ending. You will have to continue to live in this Hell...

          • Posted By: bojack27 @ 02/18/2009 1:14:40 PM

            Catspaw, I???m pretty sure that you mean well in explaining you feelings and the path that you are on in life. But the path that I???m on tells me that mere feelings are not enough to understand the path that God or (The One) as you refer to Him has for me. The Hell that you describe is not the hell that I???m familiar with???.so if you would care to elaborate more I???m all ears???..

            • Posted By: catspaw @ 02/19/2009 2:48:19 PM

              You do not see the Hell of murders, rapist, warmonglers, molesters. Hell is a lesson we all must learn not to be; and to hear w/ more then just the ears and to see w/ more then just the eyes.

              • Posted By: bojack27 @ 02/19/2009 6:08:05 PM

                This is not hell to me it is just sin! Hell is being seperated from God for all eternity, it is actually a place that will be thrown into the lake of fire. They say that for some this earth will be the only heaven they ever experience while others will see it as the only hell they will experience.....Selah!

      • Posted By: bojack27 @ 02/17/2009 5:25:30 PM

        What I should have really said is, "Are you call Jesus a liar?" It would seem strange to call the very person you claim to follow a liar ..... in my opinion!

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    • Posted By: catspaw @ 02/19/2009 5:22:44 PM

      ahmedmoh, Thank you for sharing, we

  • Posted By: ahmedmoh @ 02/19/2009 3:42:29 PM

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  • Posted By: ahmedmoh @ 02/19/2009 3:42:06 PM

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  • Posted By: God-imprinted @ 02/19/2009 10:12:48 AM

    I'm finding Divine Refuge in the Storm at Wal-Mart.

    Stocking shelves; third shift. As a pastor, I'm discovering this to be better ministry training than all of my previous schooling.

    People need Jesus at Wal-Mart.

    Jesus at Wal-Mart http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/87915

    • Posted By: catspaw @ 02/19/2009 12:03:48 PM

      Very enlighting, thank you.

  • Posted By: Barisha @ 02/18/2009 9:21:40 PM

    Exactly ! Christianity is not solely about doctrines or dogmas, it's about living a life characterised by love, compassion and sincere empathy for others. As a matter of fact, you do not even have to be christian to exhibit these. It is our responsiblity to as humans to support and uplift each other, to promote equality and tolerance; inspite of the obvious differences in religion( or lack of), race, class, sexuality or sexual orientation, gender or educational status. Let's take the path which leads to unity.

    I would like to add that I am really enjoying these articles written by Lisa Miller. I am patiently waiting for the next.

    • Posted By: catspaw @ 02/19/2009 11:38:36 AM

      So am I, and I am also enjoying your post!!! :)

  • Posted By: God-imprinted @ 02/19/2009 10:21:08 AM

    I've found my Divine Refuge in the Storm working at Wal-Mart.

    Stocking shelves. Third shift. Serving Jesus.

    As a pastor, this experiience surpasses most of my former ministry training. I recommend it for anyone training to serve!

    People need Jesus at Wal-Mart. http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/87915

  • Posted By: delawrenceblue @ 02/13/2009 7:53:49 PM

    My advice to anyone thinking of working for GOD is to do it. You will never regret it.

  • Posted By: Barisha @ 02/12/2009 4:07:00 PM

    An active, practical display of love and tolerance for each other is the most important thing. We must be able to bridge those gaps which have been created by diversity and differences.

    • Posted By: catspaw @ 02/12/2009 8:52:35 PM

      The perfect path of Understanding & Acceptance.

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