Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Dear Father PaulDear Father Paul: Please ask your readers to give to Katrina relief! We (those of us who are blessed with roofs over our heads, etc.) can not just sit by and do nothing in this crisis. John, Fayetteville
Dear John: You said it better than I can. The poorest among us are way better off than the people we've seen on our TVs in the past few days in the Gulf Coast area. I call on every person reading this to do (at least) something financially. Come on Americans, let's show the world what kind of people we really are. Forget the finger-pointing and the blame game; that can come later. The easiest way to help is to just log on to www.google.com then click on the "Katrina Help" icon. You can type in the amount you want to donate then add your credit card number to this secure site and you are done. Takes about three minutes! Publix and Kroger are also taking donations at check-out and they will give you a tax receipt on the spot. Our fellow Americans need help now, today, not next month!
Dear Father Paul: My best friend lies a lot. It's almost like a sickness with her. I'd like to help her, without preaching. Angie, Fayetteville. Dear Angie: Lying is all too common. Who among us (me included) has not told a lie at one time or other? One study said that 91 percent of Americans confess to "regular" lying! That same study indicated that nearly 45 percent see "nothing wrong" with lying. Wow! Certainly a person who lies a lot needs our help and love, not a sermon. That's what is so good about God. He takes us (and your friend) right where we are and through his love and forgiveness helps us deal with these kind of flaws. Lying started with the devil. The Bible calls him "the father of lies." Most lies involve at least a little truth. That's what makes lying so insidious. God doesn't like lying; in fact, it is one of his "big ten," along with murder, idolatry, stealing and adultery. I'm trying hard not to "preach" here, Angie, but God hates lying for a reason. Lying has probably caused more hurt, injury and death to the human race than all of the wars put together. Because there are always consequences to lying, God doesn't want us to lie. He's not trying to spoil our fun, he just wants what is best for us. He simply doesn't want to see his children get hurt, and lies hurt people! Your friend has gotten into the "habit" of lying and habits are hard to break. Psychologists tell us that it takes from six to ten weeks to "break" a habit. Help your friend make the decision to stop, then help her get through each day without telling a single lie until she puts together enough days to have broken the habit. Call her every night if necessary. She'll bless you for caring and helping.
Church Of The Holy Cross's 11-week evening class on "Renewal Of The Mind And Inner Healing" starts Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at our Fayetteville location. The class deals with depression, anger, anxiety, rejection, hopelessness and many other emotional afflictions. The course is free and is open to the community. If someone you love suffers from any of these, let them know about this class and encourage them to attend. Call 678-457-3050 for information and to register.
Father Paul Massey will answer your question in the newspaper. Write him at P.O. Box 510, Fayetteville, GA 30214 or paulmassey@earthlink.net You do not need to give your name or address. |
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