Last Ounce of Courage

Here is the new movie "Last Ounce of Courage" as seen in the movie trailer above.  I had a chance to go see it yesterday afternoon and comb my thoughts through the movie. The movie itself was an experience.  A continuous whirlwind of Pro-Patriotic and Pro-Religious Freedom for sure. 

I am glad I was able to see the movie and made me think to myself at times of what am I doing to help sustain religious liberty here the United States.  At other times I found the plot to have your generic over the top bible belt movie mentality and acting skills.   However, more importantly is that most of the movies that come out into theaters today being down right horrible and helping promote the culture of death in our society this movie is a great change of pace with an awesome Christian message of Evangelization. 

I would recommend everyone to see this movie simply just to see the wake up call of what is going around the in our country today.  We can no longer be on the sidelines when it comes to religious liberty in our country.  We have to do our part to help make certain that we keep this freedom for ourselves and future generations to come. The best way to do this is through Evangelization. If we had more active evangelizing in the world today I do not this would be a problem.   

Here is an interview with one of the actors in the movie.  PS he is Catholic and seems to be pretty cool.  Check It Out Here!

Here is information on how you too, can see "Last Ounce of Courage" here in Baton Rouge.  The only place you can watch it in town is at The Rave @ O'neal Lane.  Here are the showtimes: 1:40, 4:20, 7:15, 9:45.

Theology of the Body Retreat

Theology of the Body Retreat Happening in November!

Come enjoy an amazing weekend at Camp Abbey with youth groups from around the Baton Rouge area for one awesome weekend to learn about who we are and what we are created for...

A deeper look at women…men…love…sex…relationships…marriage…vocation….what’s it's all about?

For More Information Check Out The Flyer Right Here! Let Me Know If You Want To Go! It is going to be EPIC.

Youth March for Life Pilgrimage 2013

So we are set for another awesome March for Life Pilgrimage to for the annual March for Life in Washington D.C. Check out the video from last years march. 

Here is the official website for the March for Life Trip. And here is a the other link for the paperwork to sign up with St. George Youth Group. 

Check the Super Sweet Itenary for all the events that will be happening at this years March.  DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR A GUARANTEED SPOT IS OCTOBER 20!  Let me know if you want to go! 

2013 Pilgrimage Itinerary

Monday, January 21

· Depart Baton Rouge, LA

· Mass & Visit as Dominican Sisters of St. Cecelia, Nashville, TN

Tuesday, January 22

· Arrive and Tour Emittsburg, MD

· Shrine & Grotto of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

· Mount St. Mary Seminary

Wednesday, January 23

· Tour Washington D.C.

· Mass as Basilica of Immaculate Conception

· Prayer Vigil at Planned Parenthood

· Smithsonian Holocaust Museum

· Dinner and MP3 Youth Rally at Camp

Thursday, January 24

· Tour Washington D.C.

· Mass at Baltimore Basilica

· Tour Mount Vernon

· Memorials: Lincoln, Vietnam, Korea, Martin Luther King

· Geaux Forth – Louisiana Youth Rally

Friday, January 25

· Life is Very Good - Matt Maher Concert, Mass, Youth Rally

· March for Life

· Dinner at Mall of Pentagon

· Depart for Home

Saturday, January 26

· Mass at Nashville Dominican Motherhouse

· Arrive Home Between 8:00-10:00pm

TobyMac New Album - "Eye On It"

Hey!  I found a great review of the new tobyMac album, Eye On It, by a staff reviewer at NewReleaseTuesday.com.  Here’s what she has to say:

Another Successful Reinvention:  It’s near impossible to pinpoint one achievement CCM legend tobyMac HASN’T accomplished in his career. GRAMMYs, Dove Awards, multi-platinum sales, books, magazine spreads, TV appearances, movies, even his own record label. You name it, Toby McKeehan has probably been there, done that, and bought the T-shirt. Crazy to think this whole journey started with humble beginnings in a dorm room at Liberty University with dcTalk almost 25 years ago.

Having made a name for himself as a solo artist over the course of the ever changing music scene, Toby has been able to successfully do what few have: reinvent himself time and time again without missing a beat. From the thick hip-hop rhythms on 2001s Momentum, to the pop friendly stylings found with 2010’sTonight, it almost seems as if he can do no wrong. Needless to say, when tobyMac announces he’s working on a new project, the industry pays attention, as do his faithful legion of diehard fans.
Coming just two years after his last release–a miracle for his notoriously long recording standards–2012’s Eye On It has taken shape not only as one of Toby’s most musically whimsical projects, but one of his most passionate.

“‘Eye on it’ is simply a phrase used to mean ‘stay focused on what really matters,’” he explains. “My relationship with Christ and the calling He has placed on my life is what matters to me and what I’m trying to keep my eye on.”

Melodic pop smash “Me Without You” starts the project on an infectiously catchy note, and keeps the same fun yet chill pace through the next track, “Steal My Show.” The song is an invitation to the Creator to come and interrupt our lives, ultimately allowing Him have His way in us.

Picking up the pace, the title track “Eye On It” serves as the most rambunctious song on the record, and one of his best to date. Taking the album’s main theme of keeping our eyes on the prize, it’s nearly impossible to keep your feet from moving, and chances are you’ll be singing along with the contagious chorus after only a few seconds.

“Forgiveness” takes us back to Toby’s hip-hop roots, and features a great appearance by acclaimed rapper, Lecrae. The tune talks about man’s struggle with guilt, but shares that even when we throw stones at ourselves for bad choices, God’s forgiveness still rings true. It‘s a message every listener will be able to relate to.

“Speak Life” again showcases a fresh melodic pop sound, while lyrically, is taken straight from the Bible, reminding us how powerful our words are and how we should chose to speak life even into deadest of situations: “Lift your head a little higher / Spread your love like fire / Hope will fall like rain when you speak life with the words you say.”

Again delving into the waters of the chaotic, “UnStoppable”–featuring guest vocals from Blanca Callahan of Group 1 Crew–serves as an anthem that boldly declares we will go against the flow of this world. The musically on-par “Lose Myself” opens with a beautiful piano piece, but picks up speed along the way, becoming a progressive moment of total surrender to God.

“Family” is one of the deepest on this project, both musically and lyrically. It tells the story of a couple ready to throw in the towel on their marriage, only to come to the conclusion that while it won’t be easy, their family is worth fighting for: “So are we still trying or simply surviving? / Facing these giants / The bigger they are, the harder they fall / But I still believe in the dreams we’ve been dreaming / The hope that we’ve built on is never too far, it’s never too far.”

The next two tracks serve as mini autobiographies. The groove driven “Thankful For You” written to thank his lifelong supporters for believing he could make music that could impact the kingdom, while “Made For Me” is a fun song written for his wife, Amanda. Recounting their love story, it playfully shares their differences, and how they cause them to love each other, brilliantly coining the word for their five half American, half Jamaican children–“Jamericans.”

The big surprise for longtime tobyMac fans will be “Mac Daddy (Tru’s Reality).” Though it’s only been a little while since we last heard from him, teenage truDog now almost mimes his father vocally. The quirky dubstep song humorously tells of Tru’s desperate need for cash to buy a MacBook. While it pulls on the sentimental heartstrings of fans to hear him so grown up, there’s no question it’s their best–and goofiest–father/son duet yet.

The album comes to end with the 1940s romp, “Favorite Song”, with reigning GMA New Artist of the Year, and Toby’s musical protégé, Jamie Grace, assisting on vocal duties. The lyrics liken our life to a musical composition, us singing our own melody before joining the harmonious family of God. It’s one of the best closing tracks I’ve heard on album in a while, taking you out on a cheerful and encouraging note.

Closing Thoughts: tobyMac has reinvented himself yet again. Fun and chock full of deep spiritual moments, Eye On It once again proves why he is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. While it might not break new ground, it establishes familiar ground in a fresh new way, and showcases a clearly evident musical maturity, this offering some of the best work melodically he’d ever done. Lyrically, the themes on this album dig a little deeper as well.
I would like to see him go back to his hip-hop roots a tad more with his next effort, seeing as it’s an aspect fans have grown to miss as he‘s pulled away from it more each album. Nevertheless, this is a masterful project and one that has been well worth the refreshingly short wait. This is without a doubt one of my top albums of the year and one of the “cant miss” CCM projects of 2012. Longtime fans won’t be disappointed, and those new to Toby’s music will be in for a treat. Take my word for it: this is one album you will definitely want to keep your eye on.

Sunday Mass Reading - Lectio Divina 21st Century Style

So a buddy of mine launched a website that is dedicated to going through the Sunday mass readings. It is a great website and is called "Sundays on Fire." You can check it out right HERE! or you can simply type in www.sundaysonfire.com

Sunday’s on Fire was born out of an inspiration to help Catholics “enter into dialogue” with Jesus through the prayerful reflection of the Sacred Scriptures. From Young families with children to busy on the move Catholics, “Sunday’s on Fire” hopes to encourage a kind of modern day Lectio Divina where Catholics can listen, read and re-read the word of God throughout their weekly prayer life. From this practice we hope to foster a greater love and devotion for our savior Jesus Christ, the word of God, and to enhance each person’s quality of prayer at the Sunday Liturgy. There are three main components to each podcast. One; The reading of the Word of God for the upcoming Sunday Liturgy. Two; a short reflection (not a homily!) by myself or another faithful Catholic Theologian who is open to the Holy Spirit prayerfully seeks a word of reflection to share. Three; A prayerful song. Sung and sometimes written by the CATHOLIC music artist who live and write their music open to all the gifts the Holy Spirit desires to inspire in them.

This would totally build off what we already do on Thursday during Bible Study... SO TAKE TIME & CHECK IT OUT!

Invitation Is The Key!

I have always wonder looking back at my life of were people would be in life if they had become active in their faith. I realize that I had so many opportunities to invite my peers to youth ministry events, to come to mass with me, or other church events. However, I instead decided to make no form of invitation in fear of what they might think of me. It might not seem like a big deal when you think about it. However, it can be quite intimidating to invite friends, family, and peers to church. This is because of the fear of rejection. The fear of what they might think of us or being labeled as a "Holy Roller" or "Jesus Freak."

Many Christians in the early church had to continually make the decision to follow the Lord when the thought of being a blood martyred for the church was a reality. So many had the courage to be bold in standing up for the Lord and continually giving the invitation to spread the Gospel. We too have to have the courage to die to ourselves when evangelizing to our friends. When we give the invite to someone, especially our peers we risk many things like our status at school, friendships, being labeled by others. Christ continually calls us to go out and cast our nets into the deep. It is our mission and the mission of the church to help build the kingdom by bringing all that meet to Christ. It can be done in the most simplistic way of giving someone the invitation.

Sometime in the next week or so go out of your way to invite someone that you know to go to mass with you, come to youth group, bible study, or even prayer at your school if you have it. You would be surprised at far an invitation go. May the Lord cover you with His Holy Spirit as you go out into the deep and evangelize to all that you meet.