Many Norwegians Giving Up Beleif in God for Belief in Ghosts-Such A Sad State and Outcome of Secularism

 It seems ghosts are everywhere in Norway and they can even move things around in offices, at least that's what some Norwegians believe.
I  recently read in the New York Times an interesting article titled, "For Many Norwegians, Ghosts Fill A Void," by Andew Higgins. In what I thought was a fascinating article, the writer explains how many Norwegians have given up belief in God and replaced it with a fascination with ghosts.
As stated in the article, "Ghosts, or at least belief in them, have been around for centuries but they have now found a particularly strong following in highly secular modern countries like Norway....While churches here may be largely empty and belief in God, according to opinion polls in steady decline, belief in, or at least fascination with ghosts and spirits is surging....."
A Methodist preacher and professor at the Norwegian School of Theology in Oslo was quoted as saying, "God is out but spirits and ghosts are filling the vacuum" (Professor Fotland).

You can't make this stuff up! How sad for the people of Norway that so many have traded ghosts for belief in God. It's mind-boggling. How can this be? I can't fathom it. Could so many have been so poorly catechized that they could easily walk away from belief in God (and all the benefits that gives to human beings) and replace it with such superficiality? These people could not have had a relationship with the living God, with Jesus....impossible to just trade that for a belief in spirits. And what about all the repercussions of that, through future generations.
Religious rituals are good for human beings, they fill a void, they're sacred and beautiful and psychologists of all backgrounds can attest to the positive value they have for human beings, of all ages.  They offer comfort and security to the human soul and human consciousness.  Yet some people don't experience that or are not open to it. Or rebel against it.
 When you hear of such things in the modern world, you just know it's not a good development.
NJA

Hurricane Patricia and Other Sudden Scary Events-Who Is Prepared to Meet the Lord?

Are you prepared to meet the Lord? If today was the day you were to die and go to Heaven, could you look into the face of God knowing you fought the good fight against sin, evil and mediocrity?
A category 5 hurricane, the most ferocious there is, is bearing down on Mexico. Out of the blue, literally, as it was a tropical storm and then suddenly it grew to a monster hurricane. Climate scientists say that with global warming will come more powerful storms. We hope and pray for the people of Mexico. Hurricane Patricia is the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere.
Then there is the recent warning that the Los Angeles, California area is overdue for a massive earthquake. According to news reports, "There is a 99.9 percent chance that the Los Angeles area will have a magnitude 5 or greater earthquake within the next  3 years." That's pretty scary.
So we just never know. My friend's sister who was suffering from cancer was told by her doctor she wouldn't live much longer. Well she lived another three years, and was able to be present at her son's wedding. We considered that an answer to prayer.  Strangely, that same doctor choked on a pretzel within that year and died. Very sad, but the reality is, we just never know when our day to meet the Lord will come
So be ready! Fight the good fight, resist sin and do a little more to help others, to forgive others and be merciful as God is merciful. It's not easy being a Christian, no less a good Christian but its worth trying a little harder each day to get it right.
NJA

Pope Francis Asks Forgiveness For Recent Scandals, As Only He Can

At the beginning of his General Audience at the Vatican, Pope Francis began by acknowledging the recent scandals at the Vatican and also in Rome and asked for forgiveness. He wasn't specific but he could have meant a few different things that have happened of late. There are so many troubles surrounding Pope Francis. I pray the Holy Spirit guides him and he is open to the movement of the Spirit.
Right outside the Pope's window, Rome itself is embroiled in controversy as the mayor of Rome resigned over a scandal involving his expense account. Marino, a former liver transplant surgeon who became a politician about ten years ago, denies he's done anything wrong.  But he doesn't have the confidence of the people of Rome.
Then there are the recent scandals involving important figures in the Church. Two priests, one who was a member of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, an important Vatican office, are embroiled in controversy and scandal.
Pope Francis is trying so hard to do everything right, to be a positive image for the Church and he is succeeding, but there are problems in the Church. Problems that are usually not dealt with in an open and constructive way. Problems that need to be addressed in an intelligent, pro-active and pragmatic way.
God help Pope Francis as he sorts through these problems with his advisers. Finding solutions will mean "thinking out of the box," and asking the Holy Spirit for guidance. Pope Francis receives so many prayers each day, hopefully those prayers will give him clarity of thought and the knowledge of God's will for the Church.
NJA

Good Versus Evil-"In Our Face"

Last week, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., were filled with sunshine and the best of living faith, living hope, living goodness with the visit of Pope Francis. In an interesting article I just read at the New York Times website, it seems that Pope Francis' first visit to the United States, impressed a lot of people, Catholics and non-Catholics alike. He took America by a "holy storm", his genuineness, his holiness and his goodness permeated the visit and has created an invigoration for Catholicism. That's great.
And so we saw God's goodness and glory last week with the Pope's visit and the Pope's generosity of spirit and his great message of mercy and forgiveness. It gave us hope and for those of us who love the Church, it was a well needed boost of positive energy and news.

But this week, we saw the work of the devil in America. We saw the devil show his ugly face in Roseburg, Oregon, in the horrific killing of innocent college students and a teacher. It's sickening that mentally disturbed people (those with evil thoughts and plans) can get guns and do such damage to innocent lives and families. Those families will never be the same, they will wake up each day to a nightmare that never ends.

The news was such a pleasure to watch when Pope Francis was in America. The news was uplifting, the images pure and good. The Pope kissing babies, hugging people, hanging out with adoring schoolchildren, and worshipping God at Mass, was a joy to behold.

But this week we see the devil at work, in a tragic mass killing of young, bright people. Those innocent victims had hopes and dreams. Those dreams have been destroyed, their lives have been robbed from them.
It doesn't make any sense. My prayers are with the families of those who died and were injured and I also pray that more is done in this country to help the mentally disturbed.
NJA