God

Editor's Note: Numerous instances of plagiarism have been discovered in Dan Kimber's “Education Matters” column, which ran in the News- Press from September 2003 to September 2011. In those columns where plagiarism has been found, a For the Record specifying the details will be appended to the piece. I'm hooked on this paper's Saturday religious section. Of the good folks who weigh in each week, the Rev. Bryan Griem seems to have garnered the most attention for his resolute stands on a number of controversial issues.

And so I return from monastic life. It was an experience that I could not have anticipated. Monasteries these days are still places of peace and prayer. But my experience of fellowship with new friends, food and drink were not quiet. The moments I had in community were loud and full of life. I took Italian lessons, wrote, prayed and had many unique experiences and distinct lessons from God. This was not my first trip to Italy. I worked there some years ago and traveled to an island a few years back for lots of sun, relaxation and water sports.

If Christianity were illegal, would there be evidence to convict you? I ask because Christianity is not a closet religion; what Christ conveys, we're obliged to champion. Evidence will be our words and actions, and we've been historically persecuted for this. Christians defend children gestating in their mother's wombs. Society says, "Kill them, they aren't really human unless they're wanted. " Jesus says "Don't murder," yet these human offspring are dissected and society applauds.

The miracle stands atop the fireplace, flanked by artisan crucifixes and flower bouquets left by worshipers from across the U.S. For the past two weeks, Glendale residents and visitors from Boston, New Jersey and elsewhere have come to Anahid Sallakian's single-family home to pray to a Virgin Mary statuette that's elicited tears and prayers. It's been covered in oil. Representatives from the Los Angeles Archdiocese did not respond to requests for comment, and leaders from neighboring St Mary's Armenian Apostolic Church were unavailable for comment.

I cannot help but ponder how creative God is in his plan for humans. He designed us as physical, spiritual and emotional beings. We are not made of merely spirit and transformed into perfection just because we have a relationship with God. It saddens me that my entire life I have heard people make comments along the lines of, "Oh, but s/he's not a Christian." As if Christianity is the answer for all human troubles. As I approached adulthood, it became clear to me that being a "Christian" was not enough for a person to be healthy enough to be in relationship with.

T his past week I was thrilled to see the reaction that my May 13 column on the battered atheist sign on the Glendale (2) Freeway garnered on our paper's website. It "grew legs," as a former professor of mine told me over the phone on Friday. Most of the responses I received from around the nation — and Canada — were via e-mail. They ranged from attacks on my writing ability to answers to the question I had posed: "What is it about atheists that people just don't like?"

Across from me is Roberta Medford. We?re sitting in front of an open window at her Montrose residence. ?What is it about atheists that people just don?t like?? I ask. ?You would have to ask them that. I don?t know!? Medford says with a good-natured laugh. I visited Medford on Monday evening to get her take on another vandalization of the Adopt-A-Highway Atheists United sign on the Glendale (2) Freeway. This time, the sign on the southbound side had been defaced. The ?

We were all created with a sin nature. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. But there are those who strive to do God?s will more than others, endeavor to live obedience as a lifestyle, and find it difficult to deviate from God?s will without being reprimanded. Then there are those who are more lax in their walk with God. People can have good character, and people can have unhealthy character. When a certain aspect of character is lifelong in duration, it is known psychologically as a personality disorder.

Hundreds of Catholics were marked with black ash on their foreheads during Wednesday’s Mass at Holy Family Catholic Church in observation of the first day of Lent. Ash Wednesday was one of several holy days observed during the 40 days of Lent, which gives Catholics the opportunity to renew their faith by practicing the act of giving, fasting and prayer before Easter. “All these three come as a package — you do all these or we fail,” Father Rene Cruz said during noon Mass.