Stephen K. Ray's Blog, page 522

Burning Korans

Burning Korans? I think it unwise. But for those speaking against it: 1) is it due to respect for Islam and fair play, or 2) is it a fear of Islamic retaliation, or 3) is it both or for another reason?

If the outcry is because people fear Muslim response, do they really respect Islam?

And would the opponents of Koran burning be equally outraged at the burning of a Bible? Would that gain the attention of Hillary Clinton?

Just thinking out loud and contemplating about dynamics between a free...

Some Crazy Brits Plan Papal Protests

The leading atheists in England continue to embarrass themselves with virulent comments against the Pope and his official state visit to the United Kingdom. These are petty, mean-spirited men. Other have protests planned.

Having just been on a speaking tour of England and just invited back next summer, the Pope's visit resonates with me. I know many of the Catholics who are planning a warm welcome fir our Holy Father as is the Queen and the country in general.

Pray for the Pope. For the...

God said "Please"; Abraham said "OK"

Studying Scripture like this is one of my favorite things to do in the whold world. Nice little tidbits pop out, like the one I found yesterday.

When God said to Abraham: "Take Isaac, your only son, the one whom you love, and offer him up on a mountain which I will show you," he did not give Abraham a firm command, but rather a request. This being the case, it makes Abraham's response all the more impressive. Abraham had been agonizing over a son for more than 25 years and well after...

Birth of Mary: Tuesday on Ave Maria/EWTN Radio with Al Kresta

How many of you have a scroll on your desk entitled The Protoevangelium of James? You don't! Why not?

If you were a Christian in the first centuries of the Church you would probably have a copy, or had read it — or rather, had it read to you.

The Protoevangelium of James is the non-biblical account of the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. By saying it is the "non-biblical" account does not mean it is not true, just that it was not included in the Bible. There were many early writings not...

Pilgrimages and Paul Cruise Full

Our two Holy Land pilgrimages in October are completely full but we do have a waiting list. We may add another bus if enough sign up in the next few weeks.

We do still have a few seats left on our November St. Paul Cruise through Turkey, Greece and Italy. This trip will be filled quickly.

Visit http://www.SteveGoes.com. If you miss out this year, we have more exciting biblical trips in 2011 and 2012. Hope you can join us!

Hawking: "Universe Came from Nothing"

The Curious Metaphysics of Dr. Stephen Hawking

By Robert Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D.

Why would a preeminent physicist make the claim that "the universe can come from nothing?" This is precisely what Dr. Stephen Hawking has done in his new book, "The Grand Design," when he notes, "Because there is a law such as gravity, the Universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the Universe exists, why we exist."

This statement...

Pilgrimages & Paul Cruise Full!

Our two Holy Land pilgrimages in October are completely full but we do have a waiting list. We may add another bus if enough sign up in the next few weeks.

We do still have a few seats left on our November St. Paul Cruise through Turkey, Greece and Italy. This trip will be filled quickly.

Visit http://www.SteveGoes.com. If you miss out this year, we have more exciting biblical trips in 2011 and 2012. Hope you can join us!

Tuesday on Ave Maria/EWTN Radio with Al Kresta

Tuesday I will join Al Kresta at 5:20 PM Eastern time to discuss the Birth of Mary and also the upcoming Call to Holiness Dinner I am speaking at.

After the show Al and I are going out to dinner to catch up!

To Cana with Mary: Living the Bible in the Holy Land

Check out my running trip on @EveryTrail: 2010-09-06 To Cana with Mary http://bit.ly/cpxE0M

Always wanted to walk in Mary and Jesus' path from Nazareth to Cana and today I did – running from Nazareth to Cana and back before lunch.

Again it was hot with lots of hills but I drank plenty of water along with a peace and a tomato.

Started at Mary's Well in Nazareth then over the big hill before descending on my way down to Cana. Visited four churches, took my picture by the famous Cana arch sign a...

To Cana of Galilee – on Foot!

Tomorrow, America's Labor Day, I plan to run from Nazareth to Cana of Galilee (and back) mentioned in John 2.

Mary walked from Nazareth to Cana, as did Jesus and his disciples. There was a wedding and Jesus turned water into wine. I'll have some good Israeli wine at the end of the run.

We'll see how it goes since it's very HOT here, but hey, they did it! And, I was just at a wedding here yesterday!