The Rules

Saw this today on Facebook and I remember being told something very similar to this in my first year at veterinary college.  I  thought today that they weren't bad rules for spiritual formation either.  Especially number 11, which is the main reason I'm still a Catholic.  I've found a lot in my faith to love, which is as it should be.  I've found a lot that drives me crazy too, which is probably also as it should be.  I've found that ignoring the tough questions is never a solution but prayer, patience and discussion of said questions often is. 

Number 3 I believe is actually a direct paraphrase of St Paul. 

^"Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil." (1 Thes 5:19-22)
  
 

European elections

Just saw this reposted by a friend.

"I do like a polling card that can touch the floor when you hold it. So, the choices were: Socialist, Neo-Socialist, Crypto-Socialist, United Reformed Socialists, Real Socialists, TRUE Socialists (leader, Bob Crow, Deceased), Film Socialisme, UKIP, Not-Quite UKIP, Get Out Of Europe Free, Ex-UKIP, Get Out of Europe AND the United Kingdom, The Green Party, The Greener Than Green Party, Christians United Will Never Be Defeated, Tom O'Connor, Independents United Against Other Independents and the Conservative Party....yet people say there's no one to vote for!"

Sad thing is, judging by my ballot paper today, I don't think he was joking....

No idea who the author of this is, but since they want it passed on I'm happily doing so.  Sad.  Really very sad.


OBITUARY FOR THE LATE MR. COMMON SENSE
Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense,who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and Maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6 year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.
Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get Parental consent to administer Calpol, sun lotion, or a band-aid to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.
Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.
He is survived by his 3 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I'm A Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.
A moment of silence.