Steve Kuban – Jump For Jesus

Steve Kuban…the highly successful Gospel singer-songwriter is a testimony to God’s love even before you can play any of his tracks: He was once an atheist who went out of his way to write songs against God. His story, in which he says: “God, if you are not real, then I’m wasting just 20 seconds of my life praying to you, but if you are…” is heart warming, and it’s good to know when you’re going to be surrendering your next few minutes listening to his work.

Jump! For Jesus is a short album containing four songs, and is dedicated to the nation of Trinidad. “How come?”, I hear you disgruntled non-Trinidad’s ask?.  Quite simple actually - that’s the land where Caribbean music comes as naturally to people, as you and me reaching out for that cup of coffee every morning. So Steve, the decent chap that he is, took time out at a studio at Ontario, to dress up the tracks in a distinctive percussive groove, to get them going.

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Defending Our Faith

Sometimes we feel helpless when faced with the arguments of those who are not Catholics regarding our Faith.  St. Paul exhorts us to always have an answer ready for those who question our hope. Our Protestant brothers and sisters believe in the literal interpretation of the scriptures but do not apply that same adherence with certain truths we follow as Catholics.

When questioned about our Faith always remember that the Eucharist is central to our lives and that to leave the Eucharist is to leave Jesus.  Jesus very simply said, “This is my Body which is given for you” referring to the bread of the Passover supper and to do this practice “in remembrance of me”(Lk. 22:19).  This is why Catholics have the Holy Mass.

We take this scripture literally but other churches do not; thus a contradiction in the practice of literal belief in scriptures.  In defense of your faith simply state that you also believe the words of Jesus in (Lk. 6:53-55) “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will have no life in you.”  No further need for argument. Simply say, “I believe this Word of God”; and as followers of Christ they should too.

Many are attacked about their relationship with Mary; we are accused of idol worship and empty prayers of intercession, which should only be directed to Jesus Christ.  Your defense of your whole relationship with Mary can be done very simply.  On the cross, in his agony, Jesus said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.” And to the disciple, “Here is your mother.”  (Jn. 19:26-27).

If Jesus did not think we needed a mother he never would have said such a thing; if he did not value the relationship of His Mother to his disciples he never would have said this.  If Jesus gives me his mother from the cross as he is suffering in the agony of the crucifixion, I will treat her just as I treat my earthly mother.

To her I will come with my sorrows, with pleas for help in fears and sufferings.  Jesus initiated this relationship and out of respect and for His dying wish I will obey His word.

Therefore, in love, you can introduce your Protestant brother or sister to the wonderful love of the Mother of Jesus in your life. Alleluia!

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Editor’s note: You can learn more about defending our faith - as well as ask questions, receive answers & browse through various common FAQs on the Catholic faith at our Free Online Forums.

Modern Christian Martyrdom

Samuel Masih was a simple street cleaner. One day, while cleaning a garden in Lahore, the twenty-seven-year-old Pakistani Catholic was accused of deliberately piling garbage against the wall of a mosque. He was arrested and thrown in jail, where he was repeatedly tortured for his faith. While being treated for tuberculosis, which he contracted in prison, a police constable decided to earn a place in Janna’ (Paradise) by killing him with a brick-cutting hammer.

Thousands of miles away, on a beautiful mid-August day, thirty-two-year-old Fr. Jesus Adrian Sanchez was giving religious instruction at a school in the rural area of Chaparral (Tolima), Colombia. An armed man burst into the classroom, ordered him outside, and shot him dead.

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Muslim Convert Founds Pro-Life Political Party in Europe

At the Easter Vigil in Rome in 2008 Magdi Allam, the popular Italian journalist and former Muslim, received the Sacraments of Christian Initiation through the priestly ministry of Pope Benedict XVI. He also took a new name,”Cristiano”.

Speaking of his encounter with Jesus Christ and entry into the Catholic Church, Magdi Allam wrote: “I converted to the Catholic Christian religion, renouncing my previous Islamic faith. Thus, I finally saw the light, by divine grace. On my first Easter as a Christian I not only discovered Jesus, I discovered for the first time the face of the true and only God, who is the God of faith and reason.”

Magdi Allam chooses to be very public about this encounter with the true and only God.He does this knowing full well that he is placing his life at risk. He has received numerous death threats since his Baptism into Christ. His Christian courage in the face of such opposition should challenge all of us who bear the name Christian. He honored Pope Benedict XVI for inspiring this bold witness when after his reception into Christ and His Church he wrote of : “…the courageous and historical gesture of the Pope, who, as soon has he knew of my desire, immediately agreed to personally impart the Christian sacraments of initiation to me.

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