Bless the children

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In the school hallway in Geor­gia, Douglas County, a brutal teen beating was shown in a video. No one reported the beating but a 15-yr-old student was charged with two felonies. The students, afraid of retaliation did not tell anybody what they witnessed. “If you tell anybody, you’ll be bullied too.” One mother hearing of this sent her son back to the Philip­pines. Ceres AlabadoNow you kids, reading this, if you witness any brutal teen beat­ing or bullying, don’t join in, if you are brave enough, report the beating and bullying to a teacher or the principal of the school. Will you do that, instead of join­ing in the bullying and beating of another student? Take note, who knows, you might be the next one to be beaten/bullied, by these stu­dents. Where are you Rockefeller, Bill Gates, Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey – all you multi-billionaires, what can you do to help these bullies and their vic­tims? In one of my past columns here I wrote about the news that some of these victims commit suicide, hang themselves – but they too are committing a sin, both to their parents and elders and to the Lord our God. Because our Lord said, in the gospel, “When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, give him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

“Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heav­enly Father, for he makes the sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and unjust.
“... So be perfect, as the Heav­enly Father is perfect.”

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On Vision TV, Charles Price in his program, Living Truth, said: “A disciple has to be a good soldier. Endure hardship. Toughen up. Be like an athlete. To be a disciple, live by the rules, according to the rules, to the word of God.
“Our Father said: ‘I will never leave you, nor forsake you. Do not be weary in doing good, trust in me, your God.
“Jesus, your Lord God has to live in your life, fruitful and pro­ducing benefit to other people, your friends and neighbours, even your enemies!”

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Keep this always in your minds and heats, kids. Christ rose from being dead and in whose grave we must be strong!

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Did you watch the news on TV or read in the newspapers, that more than 30 people were killed in landslides in southern Philip­pines recently, and thousands
have left homeless. Let us pray for them and for our home country, the Philippines.

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Happy Father’s Day to your fathers, kids! Have you greeted them on June 21st? They say the greatest gift a father can give to his children is himself. Have you enjoyed your years of life with your father? Love your father as you love your mother, for they have loved you too.

Let me quote a page from Our Daily Bread, about Father’s Day:
“Father’s Day is celebrated in many countries worldwide. Al­though the origins, activities, and actual day of observance differ, they all share the common thread of honouring fathers for their role as parents.
“This year for Father’s Day, I’ve decided to do something differ­ent. Instead of wanting to receive a card or phone call from my chil­dren, I’m sending words of appre­ciation to them and to my wife. After all, without them, I wouldn’t be a dad.
“Paul instructed fathers to be a positive part of their children’s development rather than a source of anger and discouragement. He wrote: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and ad­monition of the Lord.”
“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become dis­couraged.” These are passages about loving and honouring each other in family relationships.
“The role of a father changes as children grow, but it doesn’t end. Praise and encouragement are welcomed whether a child is 4 or 40. Prayer is always powerful. And it’s never too soon to mend a broken relationship with a son or a daughter.
“Fathers, now is a good time to tell your children how much you love and appreciate them”
– by David McCasland

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Kids, let your fathers read this. Here in Canada, we celebrate Father’s Day on June 21. Greet your fathers, with a loving kiss and prayers for a longer life and