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03 03 03

To many people of the world, 3 is a Sacred Number.
3 is a Trinity.
3 times 3 is 9 which is a triple Trinity as well as the number of completion.

Therefore:
The third of March 2003 is considered a special day and has been set aside as a World Day of Prayer.

For myself, I will pray for peace. I am not wise enough to understand peace nor how it will come about, but I will pray for that end. GOD has the wisdom to understand and knows what is needed to bring about Peace In The World.

"Oh GOD, make it so."

Rondout

Reprinted from More From Rondout

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Subject: PRAY BEFORE IT STARTS

A torch has been lit today to be passed along to your e-mail friends...asking them to pass it along....and along....and along. We can do something about the threat of war; both in Iraq and with terrorists. In the Old Testament, God's armies were always led by the priests. When the waters parted in the Jordan, it was the priests' feet which first hit the turbulent river. In the New Testament, Christians are also referred to as priests...all Christians. We must, therefore, go in first. As the possibility of war approaches with Hussein and Iraq, we are asking the priests to step in first.....ahead of our military. Let us be setting up camp for our soldiers' entrance into the conflict. How? By prayer. Let us be sending in "prayer missiles," "cruise and scud prayers" to target enemy plans. "Patriot prayers" to shoot down incoming threats. We should be praying for two things: (1) that the enemy leaders become confused, disoriented, and distrustful of each other; that their entire system of attack fall apart, and (2) that in God's wildest ways, these enemies would become aware of His deep love for them and the war Jesus has already fought for them, personally, on the cross. God had Gideon reduce his army from 32,000 to 300 men. He then equipped them with nothing but trumpets, pitchers, and torches. What an odd combination to fight off well-armed soldiers. When Gideon gave the command, the Bible says the enemy fled crying and turned on each other...all because God messed with enemy plans. Prayers were started for this about a month ago. On CNN last weekend a report came out that although Hussein has nothing to lose, his generals do. Is confusion beginning to develop? Please pray for God to set the stage for defeat of all those who intend to do harm. When our men and women of uniform arrive on the scene, may they be surprised at how God had camp set up before they ever got there. Would you please do two things? (1) pray, and (2) pass this along to those you know will pray. May we build an e-mail army of over a million in force...beginning with you.

Early on in life we learn our fragility, and the wisdom that comes with realizing that our flesh is not immortal never leaves us. Some fears are fundamental and ever with us: those of sickness, loneliness, and death. We always fear losing that which we love.

At times these fears take on a grander dimension. We are not merely afraid of heart disease, but of history. There are tides in human affairs, as we learned in school. Suddenly, they threaten to wash us away. Our children ask questions to which we do not have good answers. Our anxiety is catching; they feel it too.

At such times there is a powerful temptation for clergy to dress up their political conclusions as religious mandates. Many take to the pulpit to deliver political prescriptions as if they were holy writ. But we clergy are no more informed about geopolitics than anyone else. Being a rabbi does not grant me insight into the possible consequences of invasion of Iraq, the potential for more terrorism, or any other political or violent repercussions. So what hope can I offer? What has a great tradition to say to the human heart, to the wounded spirit?

This is what Judaism teaches during perilous times:

Human knowledge is limited.

Despite the swagger of pundits, the wisest often get things wrong. No political leader is infallible, not Pericles, not Bismarck, not Lincoln, not Churchill. There are those who know an invasion will be a catastrophe. If they are wrong, they will not, one can be sure, publicly repent of their mistake. Others know an invasion will be successful. They too, no matter the outcome, are unlikely to beat their breasts in public. Human beings are often too confident, and usually too adept at rationalization to simply admit when they were wrong.

Therefore a religious leader ought to counsel humility in a time of uncertainty. Those who argue against your position on war are not (necessarily) stupid, or callous, or evil. They may even be right--we have no way of knowing. God is omniscient. We are not.

At the same time, think of the Kurdish mothers who saw their children die of gas poisoning at Saddam Hussein's command. Think of those who fear his tyrannical whims. On each side, there are horrific tales and possibilities. We are not permitted to be callous, no matter our position. To minimize civilian casualties means too easily accepting that innocent, terrified people will be crippled, will die. On the other hand, the world well knows that in some situations inaction is far more perilous.

Evil is real.

No one who is at all familiar with history -- and certainly with Jewish history -- can doubt the real force of evil in the world. We may debate over tactics, but we are not permitted to be fatally naive. Judaism is not a tradition of absolute pacifism. While abhorring war, it recognizes the absolute need to fight at times to counter cruelty or injustice.

God does not assure all will be painless.

Here is the true task. We seek solace in the certainty that God has given us the might to rise to the challenge, to do better than we have done. What we do to ennoble our lives is our choice until the time that our souls are held in God's hand.

So we gather together in community. Expressing each our own viewpoints, we also take each other's hands, and pray for courage, justice and ultimately, for peace. It is said that as he lay dying the great poet Goethe said, "Light, light -- more light." When the Spanish author and philosopher Miguel de Unamuno heard that story he retorted, "No, warmth, warmth, more warmth! For we die of the cold, not of the darkness. It is not the night that kills, but the frost."

We pray for a world of warmth, and a world of peace.

BOSSEY, Switzerland (AP) - Christian leaders Friday condemned a possible war against Iraq as ``immoral and unwise'' and praised U.S. and British churches for standing up to politicians in their countries.

The WCC represents 350 to 450 million Protestant, Orthodox and other non-Roman Catholic churches in more than 100 countries.

An attack on Iraq at this stage would ``lower the threshold'' for using violent means to solve international conflicts, the committee said.

``War against Iraq would be immoral, unwise, and in breach of the principles of the United Nations Charter,'' the executive committee said. It called for a day of prayer for peace in Iraq at the beginning of Lent - March 5 in most Protestant churches and March 9 in the Orthodox tradition.

The committee said it is equally concerned about Iraqi violations of human rights and it called on Iraq to comply with U.S. Security Council resolutions.

Churches around the world, and especially in the United States and its allies, have called on the U.S. government to pull back from war in Iraq.

The National Council of Churches in the United States has requested a meeting with President George W. Bush, and a delegation from the U.S. council met earlier this week with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The WCC executive praised the churches for their ``courageous stance'' in standing up to the political leaders in their countries.

Reprinted from Beliefnet

WAR-TIME PRAYER

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"
(Philippians 4:6-7, NIV).

Ravi Zacharias shares how, "At the historic Amsterdam Conference for Itinerant Evangelists in 1986, a renowned Korean speaker, Billy Kim, told the story of an American soldier hiding in a bunker during the Korean War. When his commander ordered him to rescue some of his fallen mates on the front lines, the soldier nodded his head, took a covert glance at his watch, stalled till his commanding officer was out of sight, and simply made no move. Several minutes went by, and a colleague reminded him of his rescue assignment. Again he looked at his watch and delayed. Finally, he leaped out of the bunker and fearlessly began carrying his compatriots to safety.

"At the end of the day, a friend asked him to explain his actions. The soldier said, 'I was afraid because I knew I was not ready to die. I waited until my fear would be overcome--remembering that at a certain time every hour my mother had said she would pray for me. Then I knew that no matter what awaited me, I could face it.'"

Prayer does matter. Prayer does change things. Prayer is a powerful means of connecting to God of the Eternal. How thankful we should be for all that pray for each other, daily. How thankful I am that I can pray every day for my loved ones and commit and trust them to God and his care. And how thankful many a serviceman/woman is that every day loved ones and friends at home are also praying for them.

And at this time when the possibility of war is looming over our heads, let us faithfully pray not only for the leaders of the United States but also for those of the United Nations, and also for the leaders of Iraq that a just settlement can be made without having to go to war.

"Dear God, thank you that your Word encourages us to pray without ceasing. Help us to do this and also to pray according to your will so that we have the assurance that our prayers will be answered. And we pray today for the leaders of the United States, the leaders of the United Nations, and thke leaders of Iraq that a just settlement will be made without having to go to war and risking the lives of innocent people. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

Reprinted from Insprational Angels

INVADING IRAQ DEPT.

I wonder if George W. knows about this? I wonder if we are calling collect? I wonder is this is considered war-spam? Is this a wonder-ful reality or what? Maybe Bush will soon announce the end of the war he never acknowledged starting.

---

"The United States is sending e-mails to the commanders' private accounts, calling them on private cell phones, urging them to consider overthrowing Saddam Hussein."

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/wnt/World/iraq030217_warbegun.html

Reprinted from CAUS

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hjnnnnnnnnnn

The Prayer of St Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred . . . . . let me sow love
Where there is injury . . . . . pardon
Where there is doubt . . . . . faith
Where there is despair. . . . . hope
Where there is darkness . . . . light
Where there is sadness . . . . joy

Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled . . . . . . . as to console
To be understood . . . . . . as to understand,
To be loved . . . . . . . . .as to love
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned,
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life

Baha'i Prayer for Peace

Be generous in prosperity,
and thankful in adversity.
Be fair in judgment,
and guarded in thy speech,
Be a lamp unto those who walk
in darkness, and a home
to the stranger.
Be eyes to the blind, and a guiding light
unto the feet of the erring
Be a breath of life to the body of
humankind, a dew to the soil of
the human heart,
and a fruit upon the tree of humility.

Buddhist Prayer for Peace

May all beings everywhere plagued
with sufferings of body and mind
quickly be freed from their illnesses.
May those frightened cease to be afraid,
and may those bound be free.
May the powerless find power,
and may people think of befriending one another.
May those who find themselves in trackless,
fearful wilderness---
the children, the aged, the unprotected--
be guarded by beneficial celestials,
and may they swiftly attain Buddhahood.

Hindu Prayer for Peace

Oh God, lead us from the unreal to the Real.
Oh God, lead us from darkness to light.
Oh God, lead us from death to immortality.
Shanti, Shanti, Shanti unto all.
Oh Lord God almighty, may there be peace in celestial regions.
May there be peace on Earth.
May the waters be appeasing.
May herbs be wholesome, and may trees and plants bring peace to all.
May all beneficent beings bring peace to us.
May thy Vedic Law propagate peace all through the world.
May all things be a source of peace to us.
And may thy peace itself, bestow peace on all and may that peace come to me also.

Jainist Prayer for Peace

Peace and Universal Love is the essence of the Gospel preached by all Enlightened Ones.
The Lord has preached that equanimity is the Dharma Forgive do I creatures all, and let all creatures forgive me.
Unto all have I amity, and unto none enmity.
Know that violence is the root cause of all miseries in the world.
Violence, in fact, is the knot of bondage.
"Do not injure any living being."
This is the eternal, perennial, and unalterable way of spiritual life.
A weapon, howsoever powerful it may be, can always be superseded by a superior one; but no weapon can, however, can make Peace.

Muslim Prayer for Peace

In the name of Allah,
the beneficent, the merciful.
Praise be to the Lord of the Universe who has created us and made us into tribes and nations That we may know each other, not that we may despise each other.
If the enemy incline towards peace, do thou also incline towards peace, and trust God, for the Lord is the one that heareth and knoweth all things.
And the servants of God, Most gracious are those who walk on the Earth in humility, and when we address them, we say "PEACE."

Native American Prayer for Peace

Oh Great Spirit of our Ancestors, I raise my pipe to you.
To your messengers the four winds, and to Mother Earth who provides for your children.
Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love, to respect, and to be kind to each other so that they may grow with peace of mind Let us learn to share all good things that you provide for us on this Earth.
You are the one who does not hesitate to respond to our call.
You are the cornerstone of peace.

Shinto Prayer for Peace

Although the people living across the ocean surrounding us, I believe are all our brothers and sisters, why are there constant troubles in this world?
Why do winds and waves rise in the oceans surrounding us?
I only earnestly wish that the wind will soon puff away all the clouds which are hanging over the tops of mountains.

Zoroastrian Prayer for Peace

We pray to God to eradicate all the misery in the world: that understanding triumph over ignorance, that generosity triumph over indifference, that trust triumph over contempt, and that truth triumph over falsehood.

Sikh Prayer for Peace

God adjudges us according to our deeds, not the coat that we wear:
that Truth is above everything, but higher still is truthful living.
Know that we attaineth God when we loveth, and only victory endures in consequences of which no one is defeated.

Christian Prayer for Peace

Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS, for they shall be known as the Children of God.
But I say to you that hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you pray for those who abuse you.
To those that strike you on the cheek, offer the other one also, and from those who take away your cloak, do not withhold your coat as well.
Give to everyone who begs from you, and of those who take away your goods, do not ask for them again.
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Jewish Prayer of Peace

Lord of the World, I stand before you and before my neighbors?
Pardoning, forgiving, struggling To be open to all those who have hurt and angered me.
Be this hurt of body or soul, of honor or property, Whether they were forced to hurt me or did so willingly, Whether by accident or intent, Whether by work or deed?
I forgive them because we are human?
I am ready to take upon myself the commandment, Love your neighbor as yourself.

From Chemo Angels For Jesus

Reprinted from More From Rondout

Surely we are intelligent enough to create the technology to fly to the moon, to go beyond the borders of our own world so why should we not be able to open the love in our heart to heal ourselves and create a peaceful world. I believe we can achieve this and I am not willing to let go of that hope. Creating inner peace is the first step: "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me." The Reiki Creed is a wonderful example of how we can achieve this.

The Reiki Creed

Just for today do not anger,
just for today do not worry,
be grateful and humble,
do your work with appreciation,
be kind to all.

Share YOUR Spirit Of Peace and pass it on.

"Here is a test to see if your mission on earth is finished. If you are alive, it isn't."

~~ Sir Francis Bacon ~~

Reprinted from WrittenWisdom

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental
To reach out to others is to risk involvement
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self
To place your ideas, your dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss
To love is to risk not being loved in return
To live is to risk dying
To hope is to risk despair
To try is to risk failure
But risks must be taken,
because the greatest hazard in life is to do nothing.
The person who risks nothing,
does nothing, has nothing, and is nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow,
but they cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.
Chained by their attitudes, they are a slave,
they forfeited their freedom.
Only the person who risks can be free.

unknown

It takes strength to be firm.
It takes courage to be gentle.
It takes strength to stand guard.
It takes courage to let down your guard.
It takes strength to conquer.
It takes courage to surrender.
It takes strength to be certain.
It takes courage to have doubt.
It takes strength to fit in.
It takes courage to stand out.
It takes strength to feel a friend's pain.
It takes courage to feel your own pain.
It takes strength to hide your own pains.
It takes courage to show them.
It takes strength to endure abuse.
It takes courage to stop it.
It takes strength to stand alone.
It takes courage to lean on another.
It takes strength to love.
It takes courage to be loved.
It takes strength to survive.
It takes courage to live.

~~~ by David L. Griffith

Life is what we make it, and the world is what we make it. The eyes of the cheerful and of the melancholy man are fixed upon the same creation; but very different are the aspects which it bears to them.

Albert Pike

"Whatever you do may seem insignificant to you, but it is most important that you do it."

- M. Gandhi

To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act.

-- Anatole France

"The key for all of us who want to make a difference is to act. To do something, anything. That's the key that will unlock the door to a future unimagined by so many people. Sometimes...we feel powerless, unable to do anything. Just one act, anything you can think of, can restart your engine."

-- W. Mitchell

If the Divine brings you to it, the Divine will bring you through it.

~Unknown

Reprinted from Inspiring Quotes

Ernest Hemingway Quotes:
- Never mistake motion for action.
- When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.
- Definition of courage: Grace under pressure.
- My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way.
- Cowardice, as distinguished from panic, is almost always simply a lack of ability to suspend the functioning of the imagination.

Reprinted from More From Rondout

Subject: Adopt a soldier or add one

I think this is a WONDERFUL ministry! Please go to this website and add your friends and family who are in the military to be prayed for, and if you feel led, adopt a person to pray for as well. I think it's wonderful that these men and women can be prayed for specifically and individually because of this effort.

PRAY FOR THE PRESIDENT'S TROOPS AS THEY MAY BE HEADING INTO BATTLE...

At the request of the President that we pray for his troops, The Presidential Prayer Team has set up a way for people to register their military friends and loved ones (no confidential information is taken) so that the 1.4 million members of The Presidential Prayer Team can "adopt" each military person and pray for them specifically every day.

This service to the military folks you know will be of great value to them and will comfort their families. It is without cost and those praying are given a printable certificate (downloadable to print without cost on the web) that allows them to be reminded daily to pray for the person they've "adopted." Anyone registering or adopting can also receive a beautiful decal (free) indicating their prayer support for our military.

To see how this works, please go to www.presidentialprayerteam.org/troopsadopt.htm and select "adopt" or "register." Thousands have already signed up to adopt military members for prayer in the past week. If you have not done so, we encourage you to adopt a military person yourself.

It is imperative that each member of the military be prayed for, wherever they are stationed. The only way to pray for them is if they are registered first by friends or family, since it is not possible for us to simply use military lists. When registering a service person, no confidential information is taken -- just their name, branch, spouse name, and the number of children they have (if applicable). This helps our team to be specific in their daily prayers for this person and their family.

We URGENTLY REQUEST that you inform your friends and acquaintances so that they can register their military families and friends for prayer by the 1.4 million members of our team. Praying specifically for each member of the military by name is a wonderful way to support our military and our President during these difficult times.

Thank you for your prompt attention to get the word out far and wide about this important prayer campaign.

THE PRESIDENTIAL PRAYER TEAM

P.S. You'll enjoy the customized certificate that can be printed immediately when you adopt a member of the military. Place it on your refrigerator or in a prominent place to remind you to pray specifically for the military service person you adopted.

Reprinted from ChemoAngelsForJesus

Until Thursday, when we'll send out our regular issue, that's all from THE CAT'S MEOW!

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