Live the best Single Mingle Christian Sharing Lifestyle [even if you are married ;) ]: March 2008

Monday, March 31, 2008

LOVE LETTER - One Bread, One Body, 3/31/2008

We at Presentation Ministries wish you a very blessed and holy Easter.
Praise Jesus our risen LORD!

Read about your Risen Life in Christ
http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/RisenLife.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, March 31, 2008, Annunciation

Isaiah 7:10-14, Hebrews 10:4-10, Psalm 40, Luke 1:26-38
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/033108.shtml

LOVE LETTER

"You shall conceive and bear a Son and give Him the name Jesus. Great will
be His dignity and He will be called Son of the Most High." —Luke 1:31-32

Today we remember the astonishing fact that God became a baby — a tiny
human being attached to the wall of a teenage girl's uterus. The almighty,
infinite God became human flesh smaller than your fingernail. No one ever
imagined it or prayed for it.

God's Incarnation was so astounding that to the present day we don't know
what to think of it. Why would He do such a thing? The only response we
can make to the mystery of the Incarnation is: "God is Love" (1 Jn 4:16).
He does the unimaginable because He is Love. He became a man because He is
Love. He let Himself be crucified and put to death because He is Love. He
gives us His body and blood in Holy Communion because He is Love.

The announcement of the Annunciation is: "The virgin shall be with Child,
and bear a Son, and shall name Him Immanuel" (Is 7:14). The Holy Spirit
came upon Mary and the power of the Most High overshadowed her, hence her
holy Offspring was called Son of God (Lk 1:35). "The Word became flesh"
(Jn 1:14). Love became a human being. Alleluia!

Prayer: Father, thank You for loving us so much as to give Your Son so
that whoever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life
(Jn 3:16).

Promise: "We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of
Jesus Christ once for all." —Heb 10:10

Praise: "Sick, our nature demanded to be healed; fallen, to be raised up;
dead, to rise again. We had lost the possession of the good; it was
necessary for it to be given back to us. Closed in the darkness, it was
necessary to bring us the light; captives, we awaited a Savior; prisoners,
help; slaves, a liberator. Are these things minor or insignificant? Did
they not move God to descend to human nature and visit it, since humanity
was in so miserable and unhappy a state?" (Catechism, 457) Alleluia!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
February 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati,
August 14, 2007

The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

Sunday, March 30, 2008

PM eNewsletter Divine Mercy Sunday

For more on the teachings of Father Al Lauer see the home
page of Presentation Ministries? Please take a look.

http://presentationministries.com/home/home.asp

March 30th, Divine Mercy Sunday

Today, Christ, You show us Your heart with the rays of love
flowing from them.

We see Your heart issue the blood and water, that feeds
and puifies us all.

Let us all learn how to say Your chaplet of Mercy, and say
it every day if possible at the 3:00 p.m. hour.

Let us come to try to comprehend how great a love You
have for us, that Your heart still sends forth rays of healing love.

Let us all endeavor to set our hearts free of the tangles of life,
and set our hearts on Your heart.

Let us be able to grace and help others through the chaplet
of mercy.

Let us again see in the picture of You, the depth of Your love,
and the openness of Your heart.

It burns with the fire of love for each of us, and it never stops
calling us to that union of oneness that You want to share
with each of us.

Let us see in Your eyes the forgiving presence, and look of love.

Let us all come and see the love of the Lord that You have for
each of us. Amen and Amen.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving us totally.

__________________________________________________

One Bread, One Body

This weeks readings and reflections

Sunday CONFESSION

http://presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp?d=3/30/2008

"Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive men's sins, they are
forgiven them." —John 20:22-23

In the evening of the day on which Jesus rose from the dead,
Jesus came to His disciples, showed them His nail-scarred
hands and wounded side, breathed on them, gave them the
Holy Spirit, and sent them out (Jn 20:19-22). Jesus sent His
disciples out not to just make a general announcement of His
resurrection but to specifically invite us to confess our sins
and be forgiven (see Jn 20:23; Lk 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31;
10:43; 13:38).

One of the first acts of the risen Christ was to begin to develop
the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the forgiveness of sins.
One of the first things we need to do this Easter season is to
repent and go to Confession. When we have removed the
planks of sin from our own eyes, we can then remove the
specks from the eyes of others by calling them to repent,
forgive, go to Confession, be forgiven (Mt 7:5), and immerse
ourselves in the limitless mercy of God.

Without Confession, our celebration of the Easter season will
be aborted and not come to full term. With Confession, we will
meet the risen Christ, be sent to proclaim the forgiveness of
sins, and celebrate the risen Christ for the full Easter season
and for eternity.

Monday LOVE LETTER

http://presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp?d=3/31/2008

"You shall conceive and bear a Son and give Him the name
Jesus. Great will be His dignity and He will be called Son of
the Most High." —Luke 1:31-32

Tuesday WHAT!?!

http://presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp?d=4/1/2008

"The community of believers were of one heart and one mind.
None of them ever claimed anything as his own; rather,
everything was held in common." —Acts 4:32

For more readings and inspiration from Presentation Ministries,
check us out at
http://presentationministries.com/home/home.asp

Share an OBOB e-mail with a friend today! It's easy and
quick and it will make Jesus smile!

http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obobDriveEmail.asp
__________________________________________________

Brochures

" Over 90 Biblically based brochures. Many on topics you
don't usually hear addressed."

This Week's Featured Brochures

· Through the New Testament in Easter

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/NTEaster.asp

· A Prophetic Lent

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/APropheticLent.asp

· The Secret of Confession

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/SecretConfession.asp

· Risen Life

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/RisenLife.asp

"Why do you search for the Living One among the dead? He
is not here; He has been raised up." —Luke 24:5-6

Alleluia! Jesus is risen! He's alive! "O death, where is your
victory? O death, where is your sting?" (1 Cor 15:55) We
as Christians have personally had the most overwhelming
experience imaginable. The One Who loves us so much,
Who would do anything for us, was brutally murdered by
crucifixion. To have a loved one die is traumatic enough
without it being a violent murder. Amazingly, this Victim
came out of the grave on the third day. We who love Him
are transformed from a shattered life to victory, from
weeping to joy, and from mourning to dancing (Ps 30:6, 12).
Imagine a dead parent, spouse, or friend walking in the
room right now. This would be a shadow of what happens
when we meet the risen Christ.

We may think we cannot meet the risen Jesus because
His body is no longer with us but is ascended to the right
hand of the Father. This is irrelevant. The physical body
of the risen Christ had little effect on those that
encountered Him. Mary Magdalene thought He was the
gardener (Jn 20:15). The two disciples on the road to
Emmaus walked about seven miles with Him and still did
not recognize His glorified body (Mk 16:12). What they did
notice was their hearts burning as Jesus explained the
Scriptures to them (Lk 24:32). This was the beginning of
meeting the risen Lord (Lk 24:8; Jn 20:9). Then, together
with the breaking of ..............................

· The Secret of Fasting

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/SecretFasting.asp

· Scriptural Stations of the Cross

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/ScripStat.asp

· Lent and the Renewal of Our Baptismal Promises

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/LentRenewal.asp

http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/brochures.asp
__________________________________________________

PM Internet Prayer Requests
http://www.presentationministries.com/prayer/prayer.asp

Please pray for my sister Yvonne that she be open to the
Lord's amazing grace and be successful in her battle to
overcome alcoholism.
(T.R., Litchfield, CT, 3/29/2008 3:02:22 PM)

I need help. Please obtain for Harry, on Apr. 9th, that we
wins his case. He has been honest and forthcoming in the
matter, an the company is being vindictive. Please obtain
that he triumphs. Thank you. Also, please pray I can
obtain the job I am trying for, I have good references, but I
need help from Heaven.
(S., Flagsraff, Az, United States, 3/29/2008 1:42:03 PM)

Please pray for Ms Mamta.that the lord would protect,
deliver her from the situation in which she is in. The person
with whom she is forcibly getting married by her mother.
She does not want to marry him. She is all alone by herself
cause no one is standing by her side. She is terribly
disturbed , worried ,in fear, helpless and broken from within.
The person with whom she said that she would marry
some years ago is controlling her. Right now she is not
even engaged or married to him. He has beaten her on the
road and in the commercial area and the mother is just
blind to all this. She wanted to marry a man of God but
maybe its not Gods will for her to marry him. But at least
pray for her deliverance, protection from this person of
whom she is very afraid. She is afraid of her mother too.
Pray that all may come to an agreement and get us married.
(A., Nagpur, Maharastra, India, 3/29/2008 12:12:54 PM)

Lord please order my father-in-law to get up and walk right
now. I have faith in you and believe that he will be healed if
you wish. Lord, touch him right now and give him a second
chance. Mother Mary and St. Joseph please intercede for
this to happen right now.
(A., 3/29/2008 11:44:32 AM)

I pray for spiritual healing of the R family and for financial
recovery. I pray for all the disabled in America.
(EM, 3/29/2008 11:32:00 AM)

I pray JJ is offered and job and is able to work in Osaka
very soon.
(SL, VA, 3/29/2008 10:28:14 AM)

Please follow link to additional prayer intentions.
http://www.presentationministries.com/prayer/prayer.asp
__________________________________________________

MP3 4 You

The internet ministry for PM is highlighting our downloadable
tapes online. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
are featured as well as The Acts of the Apostles Part 1 thru 4.
Take a moment and check the link below
http://presentationministries.com/tapes/tape.asp?pubID=269
__________________________________________________

Small Christian Communities

We believe the Lord is calling us to build hundreds of more
communities by raising up leaders who will form communities

PM's Small Christian Community Network
Learn about the Communities in our Network

http://presentationministries.com/community/hbcNetwork.asp

Small Christian Community Resources
Introduction to Small Christian Community

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/IntroCommunity.asp

"Unless the Lord Build the House..." — Psalm 127:

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/UnlessTheLordBuild.asp

Building Small Christian Communities (Team Manual)

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/CommunityManual.asp

Building Small Christian Communities (Guide Book)

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/CommunityGuidebook.asp

For more information contact: community@presentationministries.com
__________________________________________________

Bible Telephone Line 2 NEW NUMBERS!

Atlanta 770 521-8570
Cleveland 440 572-4366
Cincinnati 859 291-7000
Columbus 614 470-0020
Dayton 937 640-2740
Indianapolis 317 767-5413
Long Island 631 574-2413
*Los Angeles 213 455-0872
*Miami 305 356-7638
__________________________________________________

Listen Online!
Inspired teaching on the daily Scripture readings of the
Catholic Church by Fr. Al Lauer

Best of Daily Bread Radio Program
http://www.presentationministries.com/dbread/dbread.asp
__________________________________________________

Pope Benedict XVI

Wednesday General Audience
Jesus' resurrection is "certain proof" of his teachings,
says Pope
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=12153

Vatican City, Mar 26, 2008 / 09:36 am (CNA).- Over 30,000
people swelled St. Peter's Square today to take part in the
weekly general audience with Pope Benedict, who arrived by
helicopter from his Castelgandolfo residence. The Holy Father's
dedicated his discourse to the period of Easter, and more
specifically, to the fact that Jesus' resurrection is "'certain
proof' ... that what He says is true".

"The entire liturgy of the Easter period proclaims the certainty
and joy of Christ's resurrection", the Pope began. This is "the
central truth of Christian faith in all its doctrinal richness and
its inexhaustible vitality".

Christ's Easter, he went on, "is also our Easter because in
the risen Christ we are given the certainty of our final
resurrection. ... The death of the Lord shows the immense
love with which He loved us, even to the point of sacrificing
Himself for us. But only His resurrection is 'certain
proof' ... that what He says is true".

"It is important to reiterate this fundamental truth of our faith",
explained the Holy Father, "the historical truth of
which is ......................

Catholic News Agency, March 26th, 2008
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com
__________________________________________________

Pope Benedict XVI, Shepherd of Truth

Notable quotations from Pope Benedict XVI and official
teachings of the Roman Catholic Church

VOCATIONS AND MISSION

"LIVE THE GOSPEL IN A RADICAL WAY"

There have always been in the Church many men and women
who, prompted by the action of the Holy Spirit, choose to live
the Gospel in a radical way, professing the vows of chastity,
poverty and obedience.

"CONSTANT EDUCATION"

So that the Church may continue to fulfill the mission
entrusted to her by Christ, and not lack promoters of the
Gospel so badly needed by the world, Christian communities
must never fail to provide both children and adults with
constant education in the faith. It is necessary to keep alive
in the faithful a committed sense of missionary responsibility
and active solidarity with the peoples of the world.

(Source: Message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations
[April 13, 2008], dated December 3, 2007)

http://presentationministries.com/BST/bst2008-03.asp?navlink=latest
__________________________________________________

PM Ministry List

" The Lord works through PM in many different ways. Below
you can find information about some of our ministries.

Bible Institute http://presentationministries.com/bibleinst/bi2005Home.asp

Word Gifts Ministry

http://presentationministries.com/general/prophecies.asp
__________________________________________________

2007 RETREATS
Online Registration

2008 RETREATS

Apr 4 - 5
Seek First the Kingdom

Matthew 6:33 states: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and
his righteousness, and all these things will be given you
besides." This retreat will help put priorities in a "right order."

Apr 7 - 9
Bible Study ~ Letter to the Hebrews

The key verse for the letter to the Hebrews: "Fix your eyes
on Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest Whom we acknowledge
in faith" (3:1). Come and learn more!

Apr 10
Day of Meditation and Adoration

As the springtime of the year arrives, come to Jesus in
adoration, give Him your heart, and He will give you His
Most Sacred Heart. Each new flower, every budding tree
is an "I love you" from the Lord…come and meditate in the
midst of the renewal of creation!

Apr 11 - 12
Life Style in the Spirit

For many centuries, the Lord has directed us to renew
our Baptismal promises. To do this authentically, we
must be in a state of constant conversion, constantly
growing closer to the Lord. Come and find out how you
can become more deeply aware of just how much God
loves you and how you can respond more completely!

Apr 15 - Jun 3
A "Life in the Spirit" Seminar (This retreat will be held at
Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center, Norwood, Ohio)

Life in the Spirit is an opportunity for you to "step away"
and take the time to deepen you personal relationship
with God...which may change your life!! All Sessions
held at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center, Room #116,
Norwood, Ohio ~ Tuesday Evenings ~ 7:30pm – 9:00pm
~ Beginning April 15, 2008 ~ For Six Consecutive Weeks
~ Through June 3, 2008

http://presentationministries.com/pjdc/retreatSchedule.asp
__________________________________________________

--------------------------------------------------

Visit Presentation Ministries at http://www.presentationministries.com

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

CONFESSION - One Bread, One Body, 3/30/2008

We at Presentation Ministries wish you a very blessed and holy Easter.
Praise Jesus our risen LORD!

Read about your Risen Life in Christ
http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/RisenLife.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday, March 30, 2008, Second Sunday of Easter, (Mercy Sunday)

Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 1:3-9, Psalm 118, John 20:19-31
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/033008.shtml

CONFESSION

"Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive men's sins, they are forgiven
them." —John 20:22-23

In the evening of the day on which Jesus rose from the dead, Jesus came to
His disciples, showed them His nail-scarred hands and wounded side,
breathed on them, gave them the Holy Spirit, and sent them out (Jn
20:19-22). Jesus sent His disciples out not to just make a general
announcement of His resurrection but to specifically invite us to confess
our sins and be forgiven (see Jn 20:23; Lk 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31;
10:43; 13:38).

One of the first acts of the risen Christ was to begin to develop the
Sacrament of Reconciliation for the forgiveness of sins. One of the first
things we need to do this Easter season is to repent and go to Confession.
When we have removed the planks of sin from our own eyes, we can then
remove the specks from the eyes of others by calling them to repent,
forgive, go to Confession, be forgiven (Mt 7:5), and immerse ourselves in
the limitless mercy of God.

Without Confession, our celebration of the Easter season will be aborted
and not come to full term. With Confession, we will meet the risen Christ,
be sent to proclaim the forgiveness of sins, and celebrate the risen
Christ for the full Easter season and for eternity.

Prayer: Father, may my first Confession in this Easter season be
life-changing. On this Mercy Sunday, may I experience the depth of Your
ocean of mercy as You reconcile me to Yourself.

Promise: The brethren "devoted themselves to the apostles' instruction and
the communal life, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." —Acts 2:42

Praise: Praise the risen Jesus, the pure, spotless Lamb of God! Jesus,
Mercy of God, I trust in You and praise You forever.

(For a related teaching, order our leaflet "The Secret of Confession" or
on audio AV 44-3 or video V-44.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

Saturday, March 29, 2008

AMAZING GRACE - One Bread, One Body, 3/29/2008

We at Presentation Ministries wish you a very blessed and holy Easter.
Praise Jesus our risen LORD!

Read about your Risen Life in Christ
http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/RisenLife.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, March 29, 2008, Easter Week

Acts 4:13-21, Psalm 118, Mark 16:9-15
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/032908.shtml

AMAZING GRACE

"The questioners were amazed." —Acts 4:13

People who have met the risen Christ are amazing. "Observing the
self-assurance of Peter and John, and realizing that the speakers were
uneducated men of no standing, the questioners were amazed" (Acts 4:13).
Almost everyone must have been amazed that the risen Jesus "first appeared
to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons" (Mk 16:9). How
could Peter who denied Christ three times, stand before thousands of
people, preach fearlessly, and lead three thousand people to Christ at one
time? Amazing! How could the persecutor Saul change into the apostle Paul?
He must have met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3ff).
Amazing grace!

What about Barnabas selling his farm and donating the money from the sale
to the Church? (Acts 4:37) That's amazing, especially for people who think
tithing is a big commitment. When Stephen was stoned to death, we can't
help but be amazed that he forgave his enemies (Acts 7:60).

One of the most amazing things of all was that Gentiles, such as Cornelius
and his family, received the Holy Spirit and thus were obviously included
in God's kingdom (Acts 10:44). This was unthinkable to the Jews after
centuries of strict separation from Gentiles. The Lord even raised up a
church of Gentiles, the church of Antioch (Acts 11:20ff). Absolutely
amazing! The amazing people who have met the risen Christ prove how
utterly amazing is His resurrection from the dead.

Prayer: Risen Jesus, so transform my lifestyle that others are amazed at
me.

Promise: "Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all
creation." —Mk 16:15

Praise: Jake was once drug-addicted and homeless. Jesus set him free from
his addiction. Now Jake has found peace in a religious order.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

Friday, March 28, 2008

STARTING OVER? - One Bread, One Body, 3/28/2008

We at Presentation Ministries wish you a very blessed and holy Easter.
Praise Jesus our risen LORD!

Read about your Risen Life in Christ
http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/RisenLife.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, March 28, 2008, Easter Week

Acts 4:1-12, Psalm 118, John 21:1-14
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/032808.shtml

STARTING OVER?

"I am going out to fish." —John 21:3

Jesus told Peter to leave the fishing business and follow Him (Mt 4:19).
Even after meeting the risen Christ several times, Peter denied Christ
again and went back into the fishing business. Peter denied Jesus, the
Light, and chose the night. "All through the night they caught nothing"
(Jn 21:3). Peter was naked (Jn 21:7, NAB) and not clothed with power (Lk
24:49), righteousness (see Eph 6:14), and life in Christ (Eph 4:24). Peter
chose night, nothing, and nakedness.

Jesus, in all His mercy, forgave Peter another three times and proceeded
to again start from the beginning with Peter. Jesus asked Peter three
times if he loved Him (Jn 21:15-17). Then Jesus did what He had done when
He first met Peter: He commanded Peter to follow Him (Jn 21:19). A few
days after this, Peter received the Holy Spirit at the first Christian
Pentecost and led three thousand people to be baptized into Jesus (Acts
2:41). Peter became the first leader of the Church and a fearless witness
for Jesus (see Acts 4:8ff).

Have you squandered your Christian life? Have you lost your first love?
(Rv 2:4) Have you forced Jesus to start over with you? If you repent,
there is hope. Even if you're starting over, the risen Lord can make you a
great leader in His kingdom. Repent!

Prayer: Lord, have mercy on me again.

Promise: "This Jesus is 'the Stone rejected by you the builders Which has
become the Cornerstone.' There is no salvation in anyone else, for there
is no other name in the whole world given to men by which we are to be
saved." —Acts 4:11-12

Praise: After continuous failures and battles with drug addiction, Larry
opened up to receive prayers to begin his life anew.

(This coming Pentecost, start over with Jesus by being filled with the
Spirit. Order our leaflet on "Praying for a New Pentecost" or our audio
tapes AV 92A-1, AV 92A-3, AV 92B-1 or video V-92A, V-92B.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Christian Bubble

Source: Phil Cooke

I often make fun of what I call the "Christian media bubble." For those non-believers in the audience, that simply means people who live inside Christian radio, publishing, TV, or music. For an earlier generation, people of faith actually interacted with the surrounding culture. But 30-40 years ago, when we noticed the Christian audience was a buying audience, we stopped preaching to the world, and started preaching to each other. As a result, now we have entire industries built around "Christian" radio, television, publishing, or recording.
Is this a bad thing? Not necessarily. People of faith have every right to read books about Christianity, hear Christian teaching on the radio or TV, or hear someone sing specifically Christian songs. After all, we have the food network, sports networks, movie networks – even gay networks. So I have no problem with having a specifically religious network.

The problem happens when that becomes our only world. I have friends who only buy Christian music, watch Christian TV, or listen to Christian radio. They'd rather watch a poorly produced Christian movie than a really well made secular film.

So what's the problem? People are free to enjoy whatever they want, right? The problem with living "in the bubble" is that we stop doing what Jesus called us to do. The Great Commission is about going into all the world, not just the "Christian media" world.

At the risk of generating some hate mail, I'm particularly uncomfortable with what's called "safe" media. "Family safe" is something you hear a lot on Christian radio and TV. But try as I might, I just can't find anything in the Bible that calls us to live "safe" lives. It wasn't very safe for Jesus to say the things he did. People who have boldly preached the gospel throughout history have been beaten, tortured, and burned at the stake, so why would I expect the media expressing that story to be "family safe?"
So what are we supposed to do? Especially when we like some of the stuff in Christian media?

First, it's about balance. I work in Christian media, and I'm not talking about dumping it all. But I am talking about getting out for an occasional breath of fresh air.

Second, protect the kids. But don't do it by saying "no" or shutting off the outside world. Take the time to teach your kids about life. Watch TV with them, see movies together, and help them discover how to navigate the culture.

Third, understand that culture happens. We're never going to be "family safe" – especially if you're committed to sharing God's message of hope with the world. Just ask the house church pastors in China, or Christian leaders in Darfur. Following Jesus is costly and involves a risk.

Fourth, we're not "taking America back." We're not going back to the picket fence era of the 1950's and I'm sure quite a few African-Americans believers are fine with that. The culture is moving forward, and we need to do the same.

Finally, popping the bubble will deepen your own faith. Listen to a little rock and roll, opera, or jazz, go to an art museum, read a good classic novel, go see an action movie or love story. Start looking for God in the most unlikely places, and you'll be shocked to find that Jesus shows up outside the places we normally think are "Christian."

Jesus spent his time where the people were – in the marketplace, social gatherings, on the road, and in the homes of friends.

"ONLY SAY THE WORD" (see Lk 7:7) - One Bread, One Body, 3/27/2008

We at Presentation Ministries wish you a very blessed and holy Easter.
Praise Jesus our risen LORD!

Read about your Risen Life in Christ
http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/RisenLife.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, March 27, 2008, Easter Week

Acts 3:11-26, Psalm 8, Luke 24:35-48
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/032708.shtml

"ONLY SAY THE WORD" (see Lk 7:7)

"Recall those words I spoke to you when I was still with you." —Luke 24:44

Some people think Easter 2008 isn't as good as the first Easter. They
think they would be transformed by the risen Jesus if only they could see
and touch His glorified body. However, a sensory experience of the risen
Christ is not what makes Easter.

At the first Easter, the risen Jesus invited the apostles to look at and
touch His hands and feet (Lk 24:39). He even ate a piece of cooked fish to
prove to the apostles that they were seeing His body and not just a vision
(Lk 24:42). These sensory experiences did not give the apostles faith in
the risen Christ. Faith comes not through sensory experiences but by
spiritual hearing, and this kind of hearing comes from receiving God's
word (Rm 10:17).

After Jesus failed to instill in the apostles faith in the resurrection
through vision, sound, and touch, He "opened their minds to the
understanding of the Scriptures" (Lk 24:45). In this way, the two
disciples on the road to Emmaus came to believe in the risen Christ after
failing to recognize Him despite walking with Him for several miles (Lk
24:32).

Peter also emphasized meeting the risen Christ through the word. At the
first Pentecost he preached the word, not even mentioning Jesus'
resurrection appearances to him (Acts 2:14-36). This Easter can be as good
as the first, because Easter depends on faith, faith comes from hearing,
and hearing is from the word of God.

Prayer: Father, may the word burn in my heart this week (Lk 24:32).

Promise: "God raised Him from the dead, and we are His witnesses." —Acts
3:15

Praise: By confirming words that God speaks through others, Rachel knows
the Lord is specifically hearing her prayers.

(Devote yourself to the ministry of the Word. For encouragement, order our
tapes on the "Bible Teachers Series. "Our six-tape audio series starts
with AV 117-1. Our three-part video series starts with V-117.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

GIVING LIFE TO A "CULTURE OF DEATH" - One Bread, One Body, 3/26/2008

We at Presentation Ministries wish you a very blessed and holy Easter.
Praise Jesus our risen LORD!

Read about your Risen Life in Christ
http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/RisenLife.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, March 26, 2008, Easter Week

Acts 3:1-10, Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9, Luke 24:13-35
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/032608.shtml

GIVING LIFE TO A "CULTURE OF DEATH"

"When the people saw him moving and giving praise to God, they recognized
him as that beggar who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple.
They were struck with astonishment — utterly stupefied at what had
happened to him." —Acts 3:9-10

Fifty days after Jesus' resurrection, about three thousand people believed
that He was risen from the dead and that He would also raise from the dead
those who believed in Him (Jn 6:40). The rest of the people of the world
were confused and enslaved by their ignorance of the afterlife and their
fear of death (Heb 2:15). How could a few thousand people reach the rest
of the world with the good news of Jesus risen? We currently find
ourselves in a similar situation. Today, the Lord is calling the
one-and-a-half billion Christians in the world to reach four billion who
do not know or believe in Jesus, "the Resurrection and the Life" (Jn
11:25).

In a few short years, the early Church reached millions of people with the
good news of the risen Jesus. They did this by the power of the Spirit. In
the Spirit, they preached the good news of Jesus. Signs, wonders, and
healings accompanied their preaching (Mk 16:17-18). Sometimes the Lord
first healed people to give the Church an opening for proclaiming the
risen Christ (see Acts 3:11-12). Often the Lord punctuated the Church's
preaching with a healing as an exclamation point.

Let's reach our "culture of death" with the message of resurrection and
life. Receive the Holy Spirit! Proclaim God's word! Heal in Jesus' name
(see Acts 3:6). Jesus is risen! Alleluia!

Prayer: Father, I will do anything to reach as many as possible with the
good news of Jesus risen (see 1 Cor 9:19).

Promise: "Were not our hearts burning inside us as He talked to us on the
road and explained the Scriptures to us?" —Lk 24:32

Praise: Laura, a new college graduate, took a year after her studies to
spread the Good News of Christ's love by serving the poor in a foreign
land.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

VICTORY GARDEN - One Bread, One Body, 3/25/2008

We at Presentation Ministries wish you a very blessed and holy Easter.
Praise Jesus our risen LORD!

Read about your Risen Life in Christ
http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/RisenLife.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, March 25, 2008, Easter Week

Acts 2:36-41, Psalm 33, John 20:11-18
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/032508.shtml

VICTORY GARDEN

"She supposed He was the gardener." —John 20:15

Mary Magdalene stood at the foot of Jesus' cross on Good Friday (Jn
19:25). "In the place where He had been crucified there was a garden," and
in this garden Jesus was buried (Jn 19:41). Jesus had earlier prophesied
that "unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains
just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit" (Jn 12:24).
This garden at Calvary contained the ground in which the dead body of
Jesus was sown. Jesus' dead body was put down, but what rose was glorious
(1 Cor 15:43-44). Jesus risen body was mysteriously different than what
was buried (1 Cor 15:37ff).

Mary Magdalene had followed Jesus for some time (see Lk 8:1-2), and she
was still following Jesus even after His death. If anyone could be
expected to recognize Jesus, it would be Mary. Nevertheless, Mary
Magdalene couldn't recognize Him by sight. She thought He was the gardener
(Jn 20:15). However, Mary eventually recognized Jesus because:
* she was seeking Him (Jer 29:13-14; Mt 7:7),
* she took the narrow gate through the cross of Calvary (Mt 7:13) to
find Jesus, and
* she entered through the Gate of the crucified Jesus (Jn 10:9), and in
so doing, found a garden instead of a desert (Jn 19:41).

In the end, Mary was right. Jesus is the Gardener (Jn 20:15). When we lay
down our lives for Him and give Him our all (Lk 9:23), Jesus gives us His
risen life. He pours out the Holy Spirit upon us (Rm 5:5) so that we grow
and bear fruit. "Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). Live
the risen life and grow "in the garden of God" (Rv 2:7).

Prayer: Jesus, may I seek You as Mary Magdalene did.

Promise: "I have seen the Lord!" —Jn 20:18

Praise: It took Dennis sixty years but he finally acknowledged that Jesus
is Lord.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

Monday, March 24, 2008

NON-STOP - One Bread, One Body, 3/24/2008

Praise God! We just opened new Bible Telephone Lines in Miami, FL (305)
356-7638 and Los Angeles, CA (213) 455-0872. Call and listen to the
4-minute message which includes Bible teaching on the Eucharistic readings
and prayer for listener's requests.

There are also lines in other cities. See link below for a list:
http://www.presentationministries.com/bibleline/bibleline.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, March 24, 2008, Easter Week

Acts 2:14, 22-33, Psalm 16, Matthew 28:8-15
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/032408.shtml

NON-STOP

"God freed Him from death's bitter pangs, however, and raised Him up
again, for it was impossible that death should keep its hold on
Him." —Acts 2:24

Alleluia! Today is the second day of fifty days of glory. Easter is not
just a memory but is as real as an empty tomb and Jesus' glorified body
raised from the dead. Alleluia!

He is risen! Alleluia! Satan could not stop Jesus from rising. However, he
can try to stop us from proclaiming Jesus' resurrection to the world. He's
so desperate he will bribe us to shut up or even lie about the
resurrection — if not in our words then by our refusal to let the risen
Jesus change lives (see Mt 28:12-13). Satan may even try to convince
people we are drunk or crazy (Acts 2:13), as he attempted to convince
people at the first Pentecost. However, when we witness for the risen
Christ by proclaiming God's word and live the radically new risen life, we
defeat Satan and bear witness with power to Jesus' resurrection (Acts
4:33).

Jesus has risen from the dead, but are we still buried in our tomb of
fear, selfishness, and sin? If we repent, roll away the stone of sin, and
rise to tell the world the good news of the risen Christ, then we defeat
Satan and have reason to expect our bodies will rise with Jesus on the
last day. If we won't let Satan stop our resurrection witness, we won't
let him stop our resurrection.

Prayer: Father, may I not let the good news of Jesus' resurrection be put
under the bushel of sinful silence (see Lk 8:16).

Promise: "You will not abandon my soul to the nether world, nor will You
suffer Your faithful one to undergo corruption." —Acts 2:27-28

Praise: Margaret returned to the Church on Easter Vigil and, by the grace
of God, her husband and children entered in with her.

(Be a resurrection witness to others by using the Bible. For
encouragement, order our series on "Biblical Counseling "on audio AV
13A-1, AV 13A-3, AV 13B-1 or video starting with V-13A.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

Sunday, March 23, 2008

PM eNewsletter Easter Sunday, Resurrection of the Lord

For more on the teachings of Father Al Lauer see the home
page of Presentation Ministries? Please take a look.

http://presentationministries.com/home/home.asp

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

As it has been written,

"Come after Me and I will make you fishers of men."
—Matthew 4:19
"Stay with this task whether convenient or inconvenient
— correcting, reproving, appealing — constantly teaching
and never losing patience" (2 Tm 4:2).

My editorial ministry is to spread the word of Christ through
Presentation Ministries to all that will hear. We, you and I,
are part of a family of over 4000 readers around the world. I
ask, why not 8000? Will you help and share this
eNewsletter with at least one friend in Christ, today, now?
Share with them how different your life has become since
focusing on the Word, daily.

Then encourage them to join us at Presentation Ministries
for the weekly eNewsletter and the daily readings and
reflections of One Bread One Body.

May God continue to bless you and all you care for.

YBIC eNewsEditor@presentationministries.com

P.S. As of 8-Mar-2008, I have received requests for 57
sample eNewsletters. Thats a good start. Praise Jesus!

March 23rd, Easter Sunday, Resurrection of the Lord

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, thank You for this amazing gift of
love that You have showed us this day.

Rise and shine as the sun.

Rise and glow with the fathers love, glow with the
brillance of Your transfiguration.

Show them Your hands and Your side, and let them
not doubt, but believe.

Let them see You as You really are, the true Son of
the living God.

Let us see, in Your resurrection, the fact that someday
we too will rise with You forever and ever.

Let us be awed at the gift of eternal life You have given us.

Let us be of great joy at the future walks we will do with You.

Let us be excited at the love that You have given to us
and Your church.

Let us see You in the breaking of the bread, and see You
in Your Adoration Body.

Let us sit in peace and joy, and be in love with You more
and more.

Let us celebrate a love that is impossible to understand,
yet a love that calls all of us to let go, and let You be Lord
of our lives. Amen and Amen.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving us totally.
__________________________________________________

**** If you would like to send a copy of this eNewsletter
to a friend anonymously, you may send the email address
with the appropriate time zone to me at the link below. This
would be a one time copy, not a subscription ****
eNewsEditor@presentationministries.com
__________________________________________________

One Bread, One Body

This weeks readings and reflections

Sunday NEW AND NOW

http://presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp?d=3/23/2008

"They killed Him, finally, hanging Him on a tree, only to
have God raise Him up on the third day." —Acts 10:40

Alleluia! Today is one of the greatest days in our lives.
This is the first day of the fifty-day Sunday, the Easter
season. Alleluia! When we believe in our hearts that Jesus
is risen from the dead (see Rm 10:9), everything is
transformed and made new. Life is no longer overshadowed
by death. The fear of death no longer enslaves us (Heb 2:15).
Death has lost its sting (1 Cor 15:55). Death is not our
enemy but our friend; it is not so much the end, but the
beginning.

We have "full confidence that now as always Christ will
be exalted through" us, whether we "live or die" (Phil 1:20).
For, to us, " 'life' means Christ; hence dying is so much
gain" (Phil 1:21). "Now all is new!" (2 Cor 5:17) We need
not wait until our death to share in Christ's resurrection.
We can share in Jesus' resurrection now. Through
baptism and a life of faith, we have already "been raised
up in company with Christ" (Col 3:1). We set our hearts
"on what pertains to higher realms where Christ is seated
at God's right hand" (Col 3:1). We are "intent on things
above rather than on things of earth" (Col 3:2). Now the
main purpose of life is to be a witness that Jesus is risen
from the dead (see Acts 10:41-42).

Alleluia! Easter is new and now.

Monday NON-STOP

http://presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp?d=3/24/2008

"God freed Him from death's bitter pangs, however, and
raised Him up again, for it was impossible that death
should keep its hold on Him." —Acts 2:24

Tuesday VICTORY GARDEN

http://presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp?d=3/25/2008

"She supposed He was the gardener." —John 20:15

For more readings and inspiration from Presentation Ministries,
check us out at
http://presentationministries.com/home/home.asp

Share an OBOB e-mail with a friend today! It's easy and
quick and it will make Jesus smile!

http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obobDriveEmail.asp
__________________________________________________

Brochures

" Over 90 Biblically based brochures. Many on topics
you don't usually hear addressed."

This Week's Featured Brochures

· Through the New Testament in Easter

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/NTEaster.asp
· A Prophetic Lent

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/APropheticLent.asp
· The Secret of Confession

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/SecretConfession.asp
· Risen Life

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/RisenLife.asp

"Why do you search for the Living One among the dead?
He is not here; He has been raised up." —Luke 24:5-6

Alleluia! Jesus is risen! He's alive! "O death, where is your
victory? O death, where is your sting?" (1 Cor 15:55) We as
Christians have personally had the most overwhelming
experience imaginable. The One Who loves us so much, Who
would do anything for us, was brutally murdered by crucifixion.
To have a loved one die is traumatic enough without it being a
violent murder. Amazingly, this Victim came out of the grave
on the third day. We who love Him are transformed from a
shattered life to victory, from weeping to joy, and from
mourning to dancing (Ps 30:6, 12). Imagine a dead parent,
spouse, or friend walking in the room right now. This would
be a shadow of what happens when we meet the risen Christ.

We may think we cannot meet the risen Jesus because His
body is no longer with us but is ascended to the right hand
of the Father. This is irrelevant. The physical body of the risen
Christ had little effect on those that encountered Him.
Mary Magdalene thought He was the gardener (Jn 20:15).
The two disciples on the road to Emmaus walked about
seven miles with Him and still did not recognize His glorified
body (Mk 16:12). What they did notice was their hearts
burning as Jesus explained the Scriptures to them (Lk 24:32).
This was the beginning of meeting the risen
Lord (Lk 24:8; Jn 20:9). Then, together with the breaking
of ..............................

· The Secret of Fasting

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/SecretFasting.asp
· Scriptural Stations of the Cross

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/ScripStat.asp
· Lent and the Renewal of Our Baptismal Promises

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/LentRenewal.asp

http://www.presentationministries.com/brochures/brochures.asp
__________________________________________________

PM Internet Prayer Requests
http://www.presentationministries.com/prayer/prayer.asp

Lord you had intervened personally in my interview today,
which happened after a jobless period of 10 months. Lord I
pray for a positive outcome as I like the company and the
job profile in hand. I pray Thee to have mercy on all your
children who are left without a job. Lord please do not deny
your everloving blessings upon us. Thank you Jesus!
(A., 3/22/2008 3:03:34 PM)

I seek Your mercy, O Lord. I am thirsty for Your Spirit, for
the rivers of living water You have promised to me. Pour
out Your Spirit in my life and let me experience You in a
fresh, new way. Amen Heavenly Father, thank You for the
gift of Your Holy Spirit, the geatest gift I could ever be given.
I pray for a greater outpouring of the Spirit in my life and in
my world. Amen Your Child Charlotte
(C.G., Franklinton, North Carolina, United States, 3/22/2008 9:23:39 AM)

Please kep my husband and I in your prayers that things
go well with our tax dilema - Never was it known that
anyone who implored your help- was left unaided - Mary,
My Mother, intercede for me now that we can make it
through this. Lord hear my prayer.
(L-C., 3/22/2008 8:48:54 AM)

Please pray for Terez and JEff and our love... Please pray
for our upcoming marriage...and our child.
(T., Philadelhipa, PA, United States, 3/22/2008 6:08:06 AM)

Things are improving but still feel this weird pressure on my
back especially in deep prayer; I sense I need deliverance
here. Easter Blessings and thanks.
(T., i, i, Iceland, 3/22/2008 2:01:06 AM)

I pray my daughter's skin problems clear up now and permanently.
(SL, VA, 3/21/2008 5:11:54 PM)

I pray the results of my husband's lung scan are totally and
completely normal and healthy with no signs of disease or
illness.
(SL, VA, 3/21/2008 5:11:15 PM)

Please follow link to additional prayer intentions.
http://www.presentationministries.com/prayer/prayer.asp
__________________________________________________

MP3 4 You
The internet ministry for PM is highlighting our downloadable
tapes online. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
are featured as well as The Acts of the Apostles Part 1 thru 4.
Take a moment and check the link below
http://presentationministries.com/tapes/tape.asp?pubID=269
__________________________________________________

Small Christian Communities

We believe the Lord is calling us to build hundreds of more
communities by raising up leaders who will form communities

PM's Small Christian Community Network
Learn about the Communities in our Network

http://presentationministries.com/community/hbcNetwork.asp

Small Christian Community Resources
Introduction to Small Christian Community

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/IntroCommunity.asp

"Unless the Lord Build the House..." — Psalm 127:

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/UnlessTheLordBuild.asp

Building Small Christian Communities (Team Manual)

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/CommunityManual.asp

Building Small Christian Communities (Guide Book)

http://presentationministries.com/brochures/CommunityGuidebook.asp

For more information contact: community@presentationministries.com
__________________________________________________

Bible Telephone Line 2 NEW NUMBERS!

Listen Online!
Inspired teaching on the daily Scripture readings of the
Catholic Church by Fr. Al Lauer

Best of Daily Bread Radio Program
http://www.presentationministries.com/dbread/dbread.asp
__________________________________________________

Pope Benedict XVI

The Easter Triduum renews in us great hope, says Holy Father

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=12112

Vatican City, Mar 19, 2008 / 09:47 am (CNA).- Today is
known as Spy Wednesday, which, according to the tradition
of the Church, commemorates Judas' betrayal of Jesus on
the eve of the last supper. Greeting thousands of young
pilgrims in Rome for Holy Week, Pope Benedict XVI gave
a catechesis on the Easter Triduum, three days that are
celebrated as a single event that form the heart to the
Church and of the liturgical year.

"We have arrived at the eve of the Easter Triduum," he said.
"The next three days are commonly called holy because we
are reliving a central event of our redemption that leads us
back to the core fact of the Christian faith: the passion,
death and resurrection of Jesus Christ."

Lent, the Pope said, prepares us to enter these days in
the same spirit that Jesus entered Jerusalem. In that spirit,
he said we awaken the memory of the suffering that Christ
bore for our sake so that we might celebrate with joy next
Sunday, "the real Easter, which the Blood of Christ covered
with glory, Easter when the Church celebrates the true
origin of all feasts."

Speaking first of Holy Thursday, the Holy Father said .........

Catholic News Agency, March 19th, 2008
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com
__________________________________________________

Pope Benedict XVI, Shepherd of Truth

Notable quotations from Pope Benedict XVI and official
teachings of the Roman Catholic Church

VOCATIONS AND MISSION

"FAITHFUL SERVANTS"

Innumerable missionaries, throughout the centuries, as
faithful servants of the Church, docile to the action of the
Holy Spirit, have followed in the footsteps of the first disciples.

"ALL ONE'S LIFE"

The love of Christ must be communicated ... by example
and words with all one's life.

"TOTALLY DEDICATED"

Among those totally dedicated to the service of the Gospel ,
are priests, called to preach the word of God, administer the
sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation,
committed to helping the lowly, the sick, the suffering, the
poor, and those who experience hardship in areas of the
world where there are, at times, many who still have not had
a real encounter with Jesus Christ.

(Source: Message for World Day of Prayer for Vocations
[April 13, 2008], dated December 3, 2007)

http://presentationministries.com/BST/bst2008-03.asp?navlink=latest
__________________________________________________

PM Ministry List
" The Lord works through PM in many different ways. Below
you can find information about some of our ministries.

Bible Institute http://presentationministries.com/bibleinst/bi2005Home.asp

Word Gifts Ministry

http://presentationministries.com/general/prophecies.asp
__________________________________________________

2007 RETREATS
Online Registration

2008 RETREATS

Apr 4 - 5
Seek First the Kingdom

Matthew 6:33 states: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and
his righteousness, and all these things will be given you
besides." This retreat will help put priorities in a "right order."

Apr 7 - 9
Bible Study ~ Letter to the Hebrews

The key verse for the letter to the Hebrews: "Fix your eyes
on Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest Whom we acknowledge
in faith" (3:1). Come and learn more!

Apr 10
Day of Meditation and Adoration

As the springtime of the year arrives, come to Jesus in
adoration, give Him your heart, and He will give you His Most
Sacred Heart. Each new flower, every budding tree is an "I
love you" from the Lord…come and meditate in the midst of
the renewal of creation!

Apr 11 - 12
Life Style in the Spirit

For many centuries, the Lord has directed us to renew our
Baptismal promises. To do this authentically, we must be in
a state of constant conversion, constantly growing closer to
the Lord. Come and find out how you can become more
deeply aware of just how much God loves you and how you
can respond more completely!

Apr 15 - Jun 3
A "Life in the Spirit" Seminar (This retreat will be held at
Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center, Norwood, Ohio)

Life in the Spirit is an opportunity for you to "step away"
and take the time to deepen you personal relationship with
God...which may change your life!! All Sessions held at
Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center, Room #116, Norwood,
Ohio ~ Tuesday Evenings ~ 7:30pm – 9:00pm ~ Beginning
April 15, 2008 ~ For Six Consecutive Weeks ~ Through
June 3, 2008

http://presentationministries.com/pjdc/retreatSchedule.asp
__________________________________________________

" Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give."
Matthew 10:-8

Do you have an inspirational story to share with our brothers
and sisters regarding walking with Christ?

Could I tell your story or someone's you know next week?
Pray on it.

Until then, "May God Bless you and all you care for."

Email to: eNewsEditor@presentationministries.com
__________________________________________________

--------------------------------------------------

Visit Presentation Ministries at http://www.presentationministries.com

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

NEW AND NOW - One Bread, One Body, 3/23/2008

There are also lines in other cities. See link below for a list:
http://www.presentationministries.com/bibleline/bibleline.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday, March 23, 2008, Easter Sunday

Romans 6:3-11, Acts 10:34, 37-43, Colossians 3:1-4 or, 1 Corinthians
5:6-8, (Vigil readings), Matthew 28:1-10, Psalm 118, John 20:1-9
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/032308.shtml

NEW AND NOW

"They killed Him, finally, hanging Him on a tree, only to have God raise
Him up on the third day." —Acts 10:40

Alleluia! Today is one of the greatest days in our lives. This is the
first day of the fifty-day Sunday, the Easter season. Alleluia! When we
believe in our hearts that Jesus is risen from the dead (see Rm 10:9),
everything is transformed and made new. Life is no longer overshadowed by
death. The fear of death no longer enslaves us (Heb 2:15). Death has lost
its sting (1 Cor 15:55). Death is not our enemy but our friend; it is not
so much the end, but the beginning.

We have "full confidence that now as always Christ will be exalted
through" us, whether we "live or die" (Phil 1:20). For, to us, " 'life'
means Christ; hence dying is so much gain" (Phil 1:21). "Now all is new!"
(2 Cor 5:17) We need not wait until our death to share in Christ's
resurrection. We can share in Jesus' resurrection now. Through baptism and
a life of faith, we have already "been raised up in company with Christ"
(Col 3:1). We set our hearts "on what pertains to higher realms where
Christ is seated at God's right hand" (Col 3:1). We are "intent on things
above rather than on things of earth" (Col 3:2). Now the main purpose of
life is to be a witness that Jesus is risen from the dead (see Acts
10:41-42).

Alleluia! Easter is new and now.

Prayer: Risen Jesus, raise me from the tomb of doubt into the light of
faith.

Promise: "Let us celebrate the feast not with the old yeast, that of
corruption and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and
truth." —1 Cor 5:8

Praise: Alleluia! Jesus is risen. He is alive! He lives forever!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

Saturday, March 22, 2008

A DAY WITHOUT JESUS - One Bread, One Body, 3/22/2008

There are also lines in other cities. See link below for a list:
http://www.presentationministries.com/bibleline/bibleline.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, March 22, 2008, Holy Saturday

(no Eucharistic readings),
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/032208.shtml

A DAY WITHOUT JESUS

"I had rather one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere." —Psalm
84:11

The first Holy Saturday was a day without Jesus. He was buried in the
tomb, and, because of the sabbath, His body could not be anointed (Lk
23:56—24:1) or possibly even visited (Mt 28:1).

Today the Church relives that first Holy Saturday without Jesus. The
Blessed Sacrament does not reside in the tabernacle today. There is no
Mass during the day. We identify with Jesus buried in the tomb (see Rm
6:3-4).

Mary Magdalene spent the first Holy Saturday waiting. She longed for the
day to end so she could be at Jesus' tomb. She so loved Jesus that she'd
rather spend a thousand days at Jesus' tomb than one day without Him. She
even arose before dawn the next day to go visit His tomb (Jn 20:1).

The Jewish elders, scribes, and chief priests who conspired to hand Jesus
over to Pilate probably spent their first day without Jesus doing the same
things they did before Jesus came into their lives. That's why they wanted
to get rid of Jesus: because they couldn't live their normal lives if
Jesus was a part of their world.

What about you? How is your day without Jesus? Do you miss Him as did Mary
Magdalene? What are you waiting anxiously for today: the chance to finally
be with the eucharistic Jesus tonight at the Easter Vigil liturgy, or the
chance to finally eat the sweets you'd been without for forty days? Is
forty days without pleasures harder for you to endure than one day without
Jesus? Are you hungry to go back to the life you had before Lent, or are
you hungry to receive the new dimension of risen life Jesus wants to give
you? (Jn 10:10)

Prayer: Jesus, apart from You, I can do nothing (Jn 15:5). You are my
entire life (Phil 1:21).

Promise: (none)

Praise: Praise: (none)

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

Friday, March 21, 2008

GOOD NEWS ON GOOD FRIDAY - One Bread, One Body, 3/21/2008

Read the latest issue of Pope Benedict XVI, Shepherd of Truth entitled
"Vocations and Mission" at:
--> http://www.presentationministries.com/BST/latestBST.asp

Pope Benedict XVI, Shepherd of Truth is designed as a bulletin insert
which you can use at your local church to keep up to date on what the Holy
Father is saying. You are free to reproduce it for this purpose.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, March 21, 2008, Good Friday

Isaiah 52:13—53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, Psalm 31, John 18:1—19:42
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/032108.shtml

GOOD NEWS ON GOOD FRIDAY

"He became the Source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him." —Hebrews
5:9

When we venerate the cross today and kiss the wounds of Jesus, may we be
totally committed to Him, repentant of all sins, and zealous for everyone
to know our crucified Savior's love. If obedience, repentance, and
evangelization are not our responses to Jesus' sacrificial death, the
cross of Christ is "rendered void of its meaning" (1 Cor 1:17). The Lord
wants us to leave church today willing to suffer anything so as to lead as
many as possible to Jesus (1 Cor 9:19).

After what Jesus has done for us, we must be willing to die, if only we
can lead someone to Him. The greatest need of a starving person is not
food but Jesus, the Bread of life. The greatest need of an abused person
is not healing but the Healer. It is certainly true that we probably can't
evangelize someone with an empty stomach; however, eternal salvation is of
the greatest importance. Jesus will provide our daily bread and heal our
wounds.

However, our need is not primarily for what Jesus can do; our primary need
is the need for Jesus Himself. Starving or hurt persons can live forever
in perfect happiness, but those who don't know Jesus are "among the living
dead" (1 Jn 3:14). For those who believe in Jesus with all their hearts,
the Lord turns even the most difficult lives into something glorious (Rm
8:28).

Good Friday will be good when we love Jesus by sharing the good news of
His love for us.

Prayer: Jesus, You gave Your life for me; I give my life for You.

Promise: "He shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their
offenses." —Is 53:12

Praise: (none)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

Thursday, March 20, 2008

The Ultimate Sacrifice

Source: Greg Laurie

I heard a true story about a man who operated a drawbridge. At a certain time every afternoon, he raised the bridge for a ferryboat to go by, and then lowered it in time for a passenger train to cross over. He performed this task precisely, according to the clock.
One day, he brought his son to work so he could watch. As his father raised the bridge, the boy got excited and wanted to take a closer look. His father realized his son was missing and began looking for him. To his horror, his son had come dangerously close to the bridge's gears. Frantic, he wanted to go rescue him, but if he left the controls, he would not be back in time to lower the bridge for the approaching passenger train.

He faced a dilemma. If he lowered the bridge, his son would be killed. If he left it raised, hundreds of others would die. He knew what he had to do. With tears streaming down his face, he watched the passenger train roll by. On board, two women chatted over tea. Others were reading newspapers. All were totally unaware of what had just transpired. The man cried out, "Don't you realize that I just gave my son for you?" But they just continued on their way.

This story is a picture of what happened at the Cross. God gave up His beloved Son so that we might live. But most people don't give it a second thought. How about you? Are you conscious of the ultimate sacrifice God made on your behalf? Will you be sure to thank Him?

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
— John 3:16

Useful link: www.harvest.org

FREE LOVE - One Bread, One Body, 3/20/2008

The March issue of My People Newspaper is now online. Articles include:

Lenten Almsgiving Teaches Love
Arab Christians Have Vital Role
In Defense of Life: "We Cry"
CRS Helps Children Affected By Agent Orange
Prison To Praise
Christians Should Reflect On Meaning Of Pain

http://www.presentationministries.com/mypeople/latestMyPeople.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, March 20, 2008, Holy Thursday

Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Psalm 116, John 13:1-15
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/032008.shtml

FREE LOVE

"As I have done, so you must do." —John 13:15

The night before He died, the Lord instituted the way He would remain with
us forever. He could have remained with us in awesome majesty, in fire and
cloud, as He did with the Israelites (Ex 19:16ff; 40:34-38). Instead,
Jesus set aside His majesty and humbled Himself (Phil 2:6-8). He decided
to remain with us in His eucharistic body and blood.

Jesus' Last Supper took place on the eve of the Jewish feast of Passover.
The first Passover brought freedom from physical slavery and from the
tyranny of Pharoah (Ex 12:39ff). The New Passover (1 Cor 5:7), the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass, brings freedom from slavery to sin, and from the
tyranny of Satan and his kingdom of darkness. We are free from sin and
free for loving one another. Once freed from sin, we are free to put
ourselves aside and concentrate on others, to lay down our lives for our
brothers and sisters in Christ (1 Jn 3:16).

Because we're not used to this, Jesus gave us an example. He washed the
feet of his beloved disciples (Jn 13:5). Washing feet was the duty of a
slave. Though Jesus was free, His amazing love for us led Him to make
Himself a slave (Phil 2:7). In Baptism, Jesus has set us free (Jn 8:36).
Though we are free, in imitation of Jesus we freely decide to make
ourselves the servants and even slaves of others.

Receive the body and blood of Jesus often at Mass, even daily if at all
possible. Receive free love. Then go forth to love and serve the Lord and
His beloved people.

Prayer: "Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore. O make us love Thee more and
more."

Promise: "This is My body, which is for you." —1 Cor 11:24

Praise: All honor and glory to You, Eucharistic Savior, for giving Your
all for the sake of love!

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

PIERCED EARS - One Bread, One Body, 3/19/2008

The March issue of My People Newspaper is now online. Articles include:

Lenten Almsgiving Teaches Love
Arab Christians Have Vital Role
In Defense of Life: "We Cry"
CRS Helps Children Affected By Agent Orange
Prison To Praise
Christians Should Reflect On Meaning Of Pain

http://www.presentationministries.com/mypeople/latestMyPeople.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, March 19, 2008, Holy Week

Isaiah 50:4-9, Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34, Matthew 26:14-25
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/031908.shtml

PIERCED EARS

"Morning after morning He opens my ear." —Isaiah 50:4

Today, like last Sunday, we hear that the Lord wants to open our ears.
This may be understood literally. The Lord wants to "pierce" our ears.
This is a Jewish custom marking a person as a slave (see Ex 21:6). The
Lord isn't telling us just to listen to Him in a few situations. He
commands us to acknowledge His ownership of our entire lives (1 Cor
6:19-20).

At this, we are tempted to rebel (Is 50:5). We naturally want to run our
own lives — if not always, at least some of the time. Moreover, if we let
Jesus pierce our ears and make us His slaves, we will be a sign of
contradiction (see Lk 2:34) to those who have refused to become slaves of
Christ. They will either repent or persecute us. They may even beat us and
spit at us (Is 50:6).

If we become slaves of Jesus by not giving in to selfishness and fear, He
will also make us His disciples. As disciples, our tongues will be
"trained...to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them" (Is 50:4).
Slaves of Christ become disciples who speak words and live lives which
transform the world for Jesus. Selfish and fearful people refuse to be
slaves of Christ and so become slaves of sin (Rm 6:16) who deform the
world. Choose your slavery.

Prayer: Jesus, when I renew my baptismal promises on Easter, I will decide
to be Your slave forever.

Promise: "My appointed time draws near. I am to celebrate the Passover
with My disciples in your house." —Mt 26:18

Praise: Monica wears a ring to remind herself that she first and foremost
belongs to Jesus.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

LIKE-WISE? - One Bread, One Body, 3/18/2008

Please help with our Lenten One Bread, One Body subscription drive.
From now until the end of Lent we ask you to share OBOB with other people
in your life. Share the good news of the Gospel with all you know! We
especially want to get 500 more subscribers to this email list. For
details on how you can help visit:

--> http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obobDrive.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, March 18, 2008, Holy Week

Isaiah 49:1-6, Psalm 71, John 13:21-33, 36-38
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/031808.shtml

LIKE-WISE?

" 'You will lay down your life for Me, will you?' Jesus answered." —John
13:38

Peter said that he would lay down his life for Jesus (Jn 13:37).
Eventually he did, although he first denied Christ three times (Lk
22:57-61).

Likewise, we say in so many words that we are willing to lay down our
lives for Jesus. Isn't that the implication of receiving Jesus in Holy
Communion? Isn't that our commitment when we renew our baptismal promises?
Hopefully, we, like Peter, will live up to our commitment and give
everything to Jesus, even if we must die for Him.

Possibly, we are also like Peter in denying Christ several times. Although
it's terrible to deny Christ three times (or even once), it would probably
be a great improvement for most of us if we denied Christ only three
times. Every time we sin we deny Him. We deny Him when we give Him the
"silent treatment" and refuse to publicly express our love for Him. We
deny Him when we ignore Him and don't bother to talk to Him — or listen to
Him.

We are like Peter, except that we may be worse than Peter. May we also be
like Peter after he received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. From this Holy
Week onward, may we live and die for love of Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, I lay down my life for love of You.

Promise: "Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing,
uselessly, spent my strength, yet my reward is with the Lord." —Is 49:4

Praise: Although Gale is homebound she prays for the missionaries who risk
their lives to spread the gospel.

(For related teaching, order our tape "Jesus, the Redeemer "on audio AV
50-3 or video V-50.)

-----------------------------------------------------------------

You can find One Bread, One Body archives, the letter to readers, OBOB
eBook edition, and an online donation form at
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

-----------------------------------------------------------------

To add your e-mail address to this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp

To remove your e-mail address from this list go to
http://www.presentationministries.com/general/emailList.asp?mode=r

Our Main Sponsor

Monday, March 31, 2008

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Saturday, March 29, 2008

Friday, March 28, 2008

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Monday, March 24, 2008

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Friday, March 21, 2008

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Tuesday, March 18, 2008