Meme: Top 10 Surprising Things

So Adoro tagged me in some crazy meme that she thought up. Those Minnesota bloggers really are nuts or squirrels. Sorry, that was an inside joke that I am not a part of. That being said, I should probably get to this:

Top 10 things that I have done... that surprise me:

1. Graduated from Law School

2. Moved to Alaska

3. Became Catholic

4. Lived on an Island

5. Went Bear & Moose Hunting

6. Was the Editor of a Newspaper

7. Published a blog

8. Drove across the continent 3 times

9. Coached a High School Sports Team

10. Married the woman of my dreams, had a child, and lived happily ever after... (I know I am still young, but the story could end today and that would be the truth.)

I guess I am supposed to tag 5 people so here we go:

Mindy at The Devout Life
The Mom at Shoved to Them
Dan at Gun Lovin Alaskan Catholic Club
V at Sancte Pater
Swiss Miss at well... everywhere like Amentior

Catholics and NFL Teams

Ok, so although I don't agree 100% with their ultimate conclusion... the The American Catholic  has posted a rather humorous exploration of all the NFL teams, and gives their thoughts and reasons as to where Catholics should place their rooting effort.

Here are a few excerpts:

Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens got their name from an Edgar Allen Poe poem. While passing over the sissy nature of poetry for the moment, the poem reportedly revels in the repetition of the word “Nevermore.” This is merely a promotion of hopelessness, which the Holy Father has warned us seriously against and must be rejected.

Indianapolis Colts: The symbol of the Colts is a horseshoe. This is a common trinket among the superstitious. As superstition is merely another form of paganism, it must be rejected by Catholics.

San Diego Chargers: To name your team after something that simply replenishes your battery power for laptops or phones suggests either an over-emphasis on technology that or an embrace of lameness. Seriously, who wants to plug in their phone and think “that’s the name of my football team.” Catholics are not lame and therefore not Chargers fans.

Detroit Lions: While I don’t think anyone still lives in Detroit, Lion eat Christians. That’s what they did in Rome, and that’s what they do to Catholics unwary enough to slip into their trap.

Hehe... kinda funny right?

New Alaskan Catholic Blog: Chesterbelloc Alaska

There is a new warrior in the fight with us and that is:

ChesterBelloc AK

While the blog title seems to give quite a bit away about their philosophical base, it might not be exactly what you expect. [If you don't get the reference of the name... you won't be as intrigued]. That being said, here is their own explanation of their purpose: "For Whom the Blog Tolls"

These guys are solid. Their "style is impetuous,  their defense is impregnable, and they are just ferocious." [I am sorry for that if you clicked on the link, I must be reading too much Amentior] 

In all seriousness these guys are a force to reckon with. Their writing is intelligent, accessible, and quirky. I am really excited to see what these guys produce, and I am not saying that just because they link us.

They are Alaskan, they are orthodox, and they are intelligent. What more could you want from bloggers?

What is exciting is that the ranks of the Alaskan Catholic Blog Battalion seems to be growing... spring may be changing into summer. 

Welcome boys... see you on the battlefield.

"Thank yous"

I would be rude if I didn't show my appreciation to the blogs that have been giving us shout outs:

Homestead and Bread
Libera Me
From the Heart
Roman Catholic Cop
Ecce Homo Catholic
Mulier Fortis

If I forgot anyone I am super sorry! I am trying to keep up... things have been quite busy for me lately! Please drop me an email if you have mentioned us lately!

And again... thanks! Such a humble and giving thing to do.

Late Night Linky Love

There have been quite a few smaller things that I wanted to post on, but I don't like just linking to a post and giving you my opinion. That to me is lazy blogging, at least when done with regularity. Therefore, I decided that if I want to make sure my readers see soemthing, I will do short little posts like this.

Have fun clicking away, Wikipedia style on all the links below!

• The Devout Life understood how great this post was from Sancte Pater, and linked it just like I am doing: The Emasculation of the Priesthood
• Vincenzo is like Catholic Google, scouring the web finding the hidden gems like this post from Fish Eaters: Lists Every Catholic Should Be Familiar With - A great little "list" version of Catechism information... if nothing else it arms you with precepts of the TRUTH.
• A good primer on the Hierarchy of Catholic Documents can be found over at the Q Continuum.
• The next time someone teases you about taking a "fluff" class in college, tell them that at least you didn't take one of the top "5 Waste of Money Classes" at a Catholic University - a list according to Marcel.
• I had to post this little gem from WDTPRS? - It has to do with why men are absent from the faith... I am sure you can guess where Father Z. falls on this issue.

Kitchen Stewardship in the Big Woods: E-Camping Book

For those that like food... I have listed Kitchen Stewardship in the sidebar. It is a GREAT website that my wife uses to make lots of yummy-ness. Also, Katie is a Michigan Catholic Mom, so her blog is deserved of being listed. [I should probably make a Michigan section on the side shouldnt I?] The site is much  more than a blog, and has a lot of great cooking, health, and family resources on it.

That being said, Katie has published an E-Book of sorts about Family Camping. It is called:

Kitchen Stewardship in the Big Woods: A Family Camping Handbook

My wife had the pleasure of being one of the reader-editors of the drafts, and even got herself on the blogpost with a quote. She let me know this by saying, "I am famous, I made it onto the interwebs!" Which delighted me to no end. What is sad is that more people will read what my wife said, than will read what I say, since Kitchen Stewardship's readership is about 10x what we have over here.

The book is well done. My wife and I are pretty experienced campers, and living in Alaska makes the camping we do here a little more "rugged or extreme" than what MOST families will do. So we decided to use the things in the book over the 4th, just to "test" them out. I was pretty impressed. I think that the book is really good for beginning and intermediate camping families. At $5, you really can't go wrong. There is a nice group of printable checklists, and other resources in the book, that make it a handy little "tool."

You should get this book if you are new to camping, new to camping with kids, or just want to help support a Catholic mom, that gives a lot of her time and talent to the greater Catholic Blogging community. [Yeah, I know I am a little sappy today]

So go check it out! You can buy it below... or click to the KS website.

Kitchen Stewardship in the Big Woods
A Family Camping Handbook with

Real Food Options

by Katie Kimball
48 pages
$4.95

Happy Birthday LarryD!

Sr. Patricia Owens O'Flannery reminded me that today is LarryD's Birthday! So please make sure you click on over to Acts of the Apostasy and give him a birthday visit bump and comment him a birthday wish.

Wish LarryD a Happy Birthday

Also if you aren't doing anything they are having a little birthday shindig over at the local parish, I caught this sign and wonder where my personal invite is:

We still need the cross. - From: TDL

You should go over to The Devout Life: We still need the cross. and read a guest-post from Fr. Kelber O.P., who writes about penance and preparation for Sundays.

Fr. Kelber is a priest at Holy Family Cathedral in Anchorage, he has celebrated the Mass according to the usus antiquior, in the Novus Ordo, and according to the Dominican Rite. You can visit his parish website at: Holy Family Cathedral.

St. Michael Warrior Award to: 'Rebecca aka The Mom'

You know that saying: "The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword"... well I have found a prime example of that. Rebecca, better know as: aka the Mom, had one of those moments that warriors LONG for. Those of you that seek confrontation will understand this... especially those of you who work VERY hard at restraining yourself and being charitable in most situations, even if it goes against your will and desire.

aka the Mom was faced with one of those situations where her principles, morals, and dignity were tested by fire. She had two choices... one path required truth, honor, loyalty... the other only required submission, acceptance, and comfort. The first path required her to face fear, confrontation, scorn, mocking and ridicule. The other meant safety, politeness, and ease.

She chose the former. Not because it was confrontational... but because it was right. She wrote about it on her blog... not to brag, but to make a point: There's an Irony There

Here is an excerpt:

"I love when the homeschoolers come in here." She said in a mock whisper to her co-worker. "We get to see the look on their faces as they discover that teaching kids is hard and you have to be smarter than they thought."

With jokes about my lack of intelligence still carrying across the open space, I set about answering the question of why my child hadn't gotten the chicken pox vaccine. It didn't help that I had a space one line long. How do I reduce my faith, politics and health philosophies into one line? I finally settled on "The varicella vaccine is cultured in fetal tissue. As a Catholic, we can not materially cooperate in any way with the intentional destruction of human life."

~~~

It was then that the loud-mouth from next door came in waving the objector form. "You need to re-write this," she demanded... Go to: "Shoved to Them" - to read the rest

Defend Us In Battle

To all those that read this, and the account above: THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT BY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER, 1 JULY 2010, DEFEND US IN BATTLE HAS AWARDED

THE SAINT MICHAEL WARRIOR AWARD

TO:  REBECCA 'aka The Mom'

FOR EXCEPTIONALLY VALOROUS ACTION IN THE FACE OF OVERWHELMING ODDS AND DIRECT HOSTILE AGGRESSIONS AS THE MOTHER FOR A CHILD IN NEED OF SPECIAL EDUCATION. aka THE MOM'S EXCEPTIONAL COURAGE, DEDICATION TO CHILDREN, AND ADHERENCE TO TRUTH AND HONOR DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE OF HER FAMILY'S PRINCIPLES AND MORALS. HER REMARKABLE PERFORMANCE AND INTELLECTUAL PROWESS IN THE MIDST OF ATTACK UNDOUBTEDLY PRESERVED THE EVERLASTING SOULS OF HER FAMILY, HERSELF AND REFLECTS THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF CATHOLIC FAITH AND TRADITION. aka THE MOM'S ACTIONS WHILE ENGAGED IN COMBAT OPERATIONS DURING THE BATTLE AGAINST EVIL REFLECT GREAT CREDIT UPON HER, THE CATHOLIC BLOGOSPHERE AND THE ONE TRUE CHURCH.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND IN THE CATHOLIC BLOGOSPHERE

THIS 1st DAY OF JULY, 2010

-Joe, Defend Us In Battle

Real Men Pray The Rosary - An Apostolate

I found out about a newer apostolate out there, that is RIGHT up our alley here at Defend Us In Battle! The group is called:

Real Men Pray The Rosary

The following is from their website:

Welcome to Real Men Pray The Rosary™, a non-profit apostolate that we created not only to promote the blessings of praying the Rosary, but to also foster a community dedicated to ALL REAL MEN AND WOMEN (and their families!) who embrace their Christian devotion, especially Catholic Christians, and walk humbly with God.


The Holy Spirit called upon us to start this apostolate, to create a place where people could study the mysteries / history of the Rosary, read and share experiences of how the Rosary can impact people’s lives in a modern world, and serve as a unifying experience for communities and families alike.


This website will hopefully help us to dispel the notion that praying the Rosary is for ‘old ladies and funerals!’ and only for Catholics.


All Christians can benefit from the recitation of the Rosary.

I really like their logo, and some of the Gear they have. I don't know why, but I am a sucker for logos and outward displays of the faith. These folks also have a podcast, and somewhat of a blog. They are worth the check-out, if for no other reason than the gear they sell. It appears all the proceeds go to charity, so that only adds to this groups efforts.

Apostolates like this one are an important feature of our faith, I post about them when I find them because I think they add to the fullness of the faith. Not only that, but you never know when and how God is going to reach someone, and as long as a group is authentically Catholic, I want to support them.

You can check them out on their website, or follow them:

Facebook: RMPTR

Twitter: twitter.com/RMPTR

Dan Mitsui - Religious Art

Check these out:

St. Michael

St. Columba

If you would like to buy these or other of his art, check out his websites:

The Lion & The Cardinal

or

DanMitsui.com

"Dear Communion of Saints: amusing apt advice for foolish Christians" - Book Release

The Ironic Catholic has a book that is releasing today. It is a type of "Dear Abby Saints" book. You can pick it up in both e-book and paperback format.

If you haven't read the Ironic Catholic Blog, you really should.

Also, if you order today...you get a pretty nice little discount. So head on over and check it out.

The New Liturgical Movement - A true Gem

The New Liturgical Movement, is a great website, it really is. Some may try and "discount" it as a "Traddy Site" but it is far from that. Everything they do is well researched, well written, and is very God Centered. On top of that, they are writing about a movement in the Church that has been well underfoot for a decade or so, that many places have yet to see. I know that while I was in Detroit, the New Litrugical Movement, as an actual MOVEMENT was well underway. Here in Alaska, there movement is in its infant stage, but it has begun.

That being said, I suggest you read the blog on a daily basis, if you don't already.

There are three posts that they have made recently that I think are very important, for very different reasons.  I don't usually like just regurgitating what other sites post, but I have to link these because I think what they say is very important.

• The Ciborium - by: Shawn Tribe
• When Sheep Attack - by: Jeffrey Tucker
• The 'Reform of the Reform?' Not yet. - By: Fr. Thomas Kocik

VOTE FOR US!!

As many of you know the 4th Annual Cannonball Catholic Awards are currently underway. They are probably the least MOST IMPORTANT awards in existence to honor the Cathol-og-osphere. We were nominated for awards (Click on Category for EASY VOTING):

Best New Kid On the Block

&

Best Underappreciated Blog

Please be sure to head over to The Crescat and vote for us! We need all the help we can get!


***UPDATE***
P.S.:
I approve voting for the following blogs as well:
Religious:
Fr. Acervo's Corner
Armchair Theologian:
Adoro Te Devote
Most Under-Appreciated:
Shoved to Them
Most BatCraptastic Crazy & Church Militant & Hilfrickanlarious & Snarkiest:
Acts of the Apostasy
Visual Treat:
View from the Back Pew
Potpurri of Popery:
W-B-N
Needs more Updating:
Gun Loving Alaskan Club

Additions to the Blog Rolls...

I have been needing to update the blog rolls... so without further delay:

• Sancte Pater
• Shoved to Them
• The Lion and The Cardinal
• Cleansing Fire
• The Recovering Dissident Catholic
• From the Heart
• Overheard in the Sacristy

The Devout Life - Blogging Along with St. Francis de Sales

Mindy over at The Devout Life, a fellow Alaskan, has decided to dedicate a greater portion of her blogging to St. Francis de Sales': The Devout Life. She is asking those that would like to join along and journey with her to link themselves at the bottom of her blog. It seems like a really good idea and I hope some of you will join in! You can jump in at any time.

The best part? You can get the ENTIRE text online HERE at Catholic City. So there is nothing to purchase... and no waiting. Can't really do much better than that can you?

The journey is about being spiritual and drawing closer to God in your busy life... so what is your excuse? :)

Here is Mindy's post, and make sure you head over to The Devout Life and check it out:

Thanks to the Thrifty Mystics, a study guide has graced my path pertaining to St. Francis de Sales' book, Introduction to the Devout Life. The link to the study guide can be found here. Beginning this week, I am going to blog with this guide as I make my way through the text and I hope that some people will join me along the way.

The book is a joy to read and very applicable to the spiritual practices of the man or woman drawing close to God in the midst of a busy life. If you are a non-Catholic Christian, you may find sections that do not seem relevant to you, such as those pertaining to the Eucharist or Confession. I encourage you to read the book anyway and ponder these different ways of encountering Christ.

If you decide to join in, put a link down at the bottom so we can encourage and have fellowship with one another. (I will have a graphic available shortly.)You can also simply leave a comment if you don't have a blog you are planning to link to.

If you want to follow along chapter by chapter, you can easily do so by clicking through the graphic near the top right corner of this blog. Our first reflections will involve Chapter 1 and the associated questions for reflection on page 10 of the study guide.

Get Ready...

The Crescat has closed the nominations for the 4th Annual Cannonball Catholic Awards. That means that VOTING will begin soon!

Your local blog: Defend Us In Battle is nominated in the following categories:

• Best New Kid On the Block (Awarded to the best new Catholic Blog - What is new... not sure... but I haven't been around that long)
• Best Under Appreciated Blog (Not sure if ANY appreciation is necessary for a nomination in this category... good thing)
• More Catholic Than the Pope (Ummm...... not sure why I got a nod here... but I will take what I can get; as long as what I get isn't EXCOMMUNICATION!)

I will let you know when voting begins... and remember to vote early, vote often, and vote:

"DEFEND US IN BATTLE!"

I'm starting to drink the "Tea"

Look... I know I dabble in politics on here a bit, and I know I pledged not to do it too much unless it directly relates to Catholicism.

I haven't talked to much about Tea Parties, mostly because I have a lot of conflicting thougths about them. Although, for the most part I think they are a great thing.

This commercial is surely one of those great things:
 



Sword/Tip: Moonbattery

Liturgical Beauty - In the Usus Antiquior

The Q Continuum [A blog that I should not be linking to, since we are facing off in the 4th Annual Cannonball Catholic Awards] has posted an EXCELLENT primer or reflection on what to "look for" at Mass in the Extraordinary Form.

For those that don't know, Mass in the usus antiquior will take place at the Basilica of the National Shrine this weekend. Since a lot of Bloggers will be there, and a lot of folks who read blogs but that have never been to an EF Mass will be attending, The Q.C. prepared this primer:

Looking for signs of Liturgical Beauty

As I said, I shouldn't even be linking this :), but it is a really nice and succinct way at looking at the older form of the Mass, especially for those that may not be familiar with the usus antiquior. It is also a good instructional for those of us that find ourselves sometimes distracted at Mass - it gives us something to think about in terms of why we do what we do at Mass.

'Flip the tables over' or 'turn the other cheek?'

One of my favorite "spiritual treat" blogs: Adoro Te Devote has an interesting post, that really got me thinking. The basic premise of the post, at least what I took from it, is that 'we should all be charitable when we blog' and that we cannot 'make a living' off of tearing others down and further our goals and ideas at the expense of others.

She explains that our blogs cannot exist for the purpose of making ourselves seem as if we are "good Catholics." For example she argues:

We CANNOT, as bloggers, base our blogs on tearing down others in order to make ourselves look good in the eyes of other sinners like us who will be fueled to add their own gripes, their own judgments, and their own form of superiority at the expense of sinners who apparently aren't like us.

I think she is on to something here. She is essentially arguing that if we make ourselves look good at the expense of others, we really aren't making any positive strides. She does recognize a need at times to bring truth forward and shine light on evil, but seems to think that this should be the exception and not the rule. She it explains it as such:

I can't speak for other bloggers, nor do I judge their souls, but I do judge their actions and this, in particular. Do we need to shine a light on what is wrong at times? Certainly! The Church Fathers were not adverse to such things! The modern question is this, though: Is it really necessary to focus our lives on ripping on thy neighbor in order to proclaim the Truth?

Now for much of her post I agree with her. I know that there are some blogs, sometimes unintentionally that solely focus on 'tearing others down.' This is how they exist. But is it really necessary? Many would argue that this DOES go beyond the limits of what is charitable and just.

Where is the line though? What is the demarcation? Is charity the same regardless of the issue? Must we always refrain from pointing out scandal, heresy and illicit teachings? At what point do we choose to 'flip over the tables' instead of 'turning the other cheek?' This is a very difficult question I think.

Sure, we could take advantage of every little scandal and blog about it. The thing is, 50 other blogs will be doing the same thing... so what are we REALLY accomplishing at the end of the day. I think this is a key point, that might go unstated in Adoro Te Devote's Post. She explains that personal gain through complaining or 'tearing down' really isn't a gain for God. So how then do we accomplish gain for God and at the same time deny and destroy the falsity that is perpetrated by many in the name of Catholicism? Must we do one without the other?

I ask you the reader... how do we make this difficult decision? I wonder if the answer lies in the intent of the post. I don't offer consequentialism as an answer to anything. I mean intent in terms of the virtue and ethic of the core meaning in the post. Is that where our line of demarcation sits? What say you, readers and writers of the Cathologosphere?