Monthly Archives: June 2012

The Illusionist (Devotional)

Posted on June 30, 2012 by pbn

Phyllis Nissila Scientists have discovered a “cloaking material” that causes three dimensional objects to “disappear,” though to date it’s only effective on a nano scale. This material deceives the eye by “bending light” around objects via reverse refraction, the same … Continue reading →

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On the Last Time She Saw St. Peter’s Square (Devotional)

Posted on June 27, 2012 by pbn

Phyllis Nissila She recalled it like this: I found myself standing in St. Peter’s Square. The bronze, marble, and granite of the piazza’s art and architecture shone hard in the hot Mediterranean sun. The saints’ statues rimming the balustrade atop … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotionals, Ex-Roman Catholic/Catholicism, most recent posts | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A Different Kind of Commencement Celebrity at Our College

Posted on June 22, 2012 by pbn

People who achieve incredible feats, overcome great obstacles, and/or succeed against great odds inspire and encourage us. Precious few reach the headlines. We honor them with invitations to inspire others as, for example, speakers at graduation ceremonies. At our school, … Continue reading →

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No Less Loved (Devotional, Hebrews 4:15-16)

Posted on June 20, 2012 by pbn

Phyllis Nissila Slight of frame with sandy hair and gentle eyes, “Sam” came to our middle school resource room when Friedreich’s Ataxia, a degenerative disease that attacked his nervous system, necessitated a more sheltered environment. His case was especially aggressive. … Continue reading →

Posted in Devotionals, education and teaching, most recent posts | Tagged | 1 Comment

Out of the Fire: On Leaving Roman Catholicism

Posted on June 15, 2012 by pbn

Phyllis Nissila ACCESS ENTIRE SERIES HERE. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.-Jesus If to be free is the most important goal of all, then to help someone else to be or to become … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentaries, Ex-Roman Catholic/Catholicism, most recent posts, Out of the Fire: On Leaving Roman Catholicism, Purgatory | Tagged , , , , , | 20 Comments

Johanna Michaelsen on Rapture Ready Radio, June 10, 2012: Her Testimony and Warning to Christians About Occult Influences Inside the Church

Posted on June 11, 2012 by pbn

Phyllis Nissila I’m posting last evening’s Rapture Ready Radio program, “Afterglow,” co-hosted by Tim Roden and Vince Tarquini (Sunday, June 10, 2012). Their guest was Johanna Michaelsen, author of The Beautiful Side of Evil, and Like Lambs to the Slaughter: … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemplative/Mysticism, cult and occult, most recent posts, Postmodern/Emergent Church | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On Paradigms and Postmodernism in the Church: Watch Your Step

Posted on June 9, 2012 by pbn

  Phyllis Nissila What prompts this commentary is a brief conversation I had on the term “paradigm” with the hosts of Rapture Ready Radio’s “Afterglow” program a few weeks ago (May 27th, 2012). The term paradigm, coupled with the current … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentaries, Contemplative/Mysticism, Ex-Roman Catholic/Catholicism, Postmodern/Emergent Church | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

“Mrs. P.” and the Gold Rosary Beads: The Danger of One Degree Off

Posted on June 2, 2012 by pbn

Phyllis Nissila The following story happened some years ago when I worked as an administrative assistant for a ministry set up to help people leave religious cults. [1] The woman at the center of the story was not one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentaries, Contemplative/Mysticism, Ex-Roman Catholic/Catholicism, most recent posts, Postmodern/Emergent Church, Purgatory | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments