ONLY IN AMERICA!

To the Americans who have grown up in America, you will notice a distinction that identifies Americans as Americans. In all of fifty states and in all of the territories affiliated with the United States of America, you will discover different attitudes, different customs, different cultures, different mores, different levels of education, different philosophies, and different unique personalities of each community. The beauty in the cultural differences is that all ideas are open for understanding and respect. The common thread that makes Americans is the willingness to stand up for the rights of the "underdog" and the sacred tolerance for the different religious values and ethics. To be proud to be an American leads all Americans to safeguard the freedoms that have been won over time even in irreconcilable differences. The Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights have been challenged by those individuals who are bent on destroying the essence of what an American stands for personally and holistically. Yes, ONLY IN AMERICA will you find the Achievement Ladder Enthusiasts willing to build up rather than tear down the "freedoms" that are encompassed in the Spirit of 1776.

Only in America will individuals have an opportunity to attend elementary, secondary, and post-secondary educational endeavors to maximize their skills for the career of their choice. Only in America will individuals work to achieve the goals of their lives even when "alien agents" are greedy, dishonest, and unethical. Only in America may an individual's voice be heard through whatever media that is willing to be open to diverse opinions. Only in America are "real careers" initiated by the private sector often in partnership with the public sector. Only in America may an individual's vote be counted in local, county, state, and national elections to propose candidates that are "truly representative" of their constituency. Only in America may an individual choose to "vote their choices" in the retail and wholesale market place. Only in America may an individual "choose the spiritual development" that will transform their time, their talents, and their treasures for the greater good. Only in America will you find individuals who are sincerely generous in assisting the less fortunate and the extremely disabled. Only in America will you find persons willing to live within their means and to avoid a debt crisis. Only in America will individuals have choices in the market place that are consistent with their scale of living as well as their standard of living. Only in America will you find persons who will offer advice and conflicting views to bring about a New America based on the original Founders of this wonderful Country. Only in America will you discover entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs who are willing and inspired to offer their uniques ideas for the benefit of the common good. Only in America will you find individuals willing to respect the legal system when the common good is affected and respected. Only in America may an individual and a community ban together to change human laws that are contrary to the divine law and offer "poor choices." Yes, you and I could go on and on about what we can expect by individuals who are sincerely and prayerfully proud of our American Heritage. Yes, only in America may we hope for a better future when we agree that IN GOD WE TRUST. America, bless God because God has already blessed America with more human resources that are focused on a better tomorrow and a better eternity. Let all Achievement Ladder Enthusiasts ponder the beauty of the American Dream as God has offered to those who TRUST HIM.

WHAT A DECK OF PLAYING CARDS MEANS TO AN ACHIEVEMENT ENTHUSIAST BELIEVER

With all of the available information available to explain our beliefs, our values, our spirituality, and our code of ethics, a simple deck of playing cards holds a volume of special and inclusive explanations for the simple person to absorb. To focus on the mere secular aspects, we can observe 52 cards for 52 weeks in a year; four suits for the ordinary four seasons; for 13 cards in a suit for the number of weeks in a quarter of a year; and an explanation for each card from the ace to the number 2 for each aspect of our daily lives.

From the spiritual point of view for a practicing Catholic, the significance for each playing card is designated with a certain value or belief. Here is a listing of those spiritual and guiding dimensions:

The Aces stand for ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC, and APOSTOLIC CHURCH founded by Jesus Christ, the God-man. Also, the Ace may be used as a ONE, which could be interpreted as the ALPHA and the OMEGA, the beginning and the end, of all for all in Jesus Christ, Redeemer, Messiah, and Savior.

The King stands for the KING OF KINGS, Jesus Christ and for His kingly people.

The Queen stands for the QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE, Mary, Mother of God, and our Spiritual Mother.

The Jack stands for JOHN, the Revelation and the promoter of God is Love through the succession of Popes from St. Peter, the Apostle until the current Pope, Benedict XVI (265th Pope).

The ten stands for the 10 COMMANDMENTS given by God to Moses and the people of the Old Testament in Salvation History to the New Testament and the New Covenant.

The nine stands for a NOVENA OF NINE DAYS for prayer and fasting in petition and in thanksgiving for requests. Also, THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, AND SELF-CONTROL.

The eight stands for the EIGHT BEATITUDES, the heart of Jesus Christ's preaching. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account, Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven."

The seven stands for the SEVEN SACRAMENTS, which is an encounter with Jesus Christ and includes: BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, EUCHARIST, PENANCE, ANOINTING OF THE SICK, HOLY ORDERS, and MATRIMONY. The seven also includes the SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Gift of wonder and awe in God's presence, the Gift of Reverence, the Gift of Courage, the Gift of Knowledge, the Gift of Understanding, the Gift of Right Judgment, and the Gift of Wisdom.

The six stands for the period of time that God created the Entire Universe. On the seventh day (the Sabbath) HE RESTED.

The five stands for the five decades of each Mystery of the Holy Rosary: The Joyful, the Illuminating, the Sorrowful, and the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. The five also stands for the FIVE WOUNDS of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with the piercing of His hands, His feet, and His Heart.

The four stands for the Four Gospels of the New Testament with the writers: MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, AND JOHN.

The three stands for the HOLY TRINITY: THREE PERSONS IN ONE GOD, a mystery of Love Infinite.

The two stands for the Human and the Divine Natures of Jesus Christ, His Alpha and Omega, and the Old and New Covenants (Testaments) of the Holy Bible.

"We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose...If God is for us, who can be against us?...What will separate us from the love of Jesus Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?...No, in all things we conquer overwhelmingly through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the LOVE OF GOD in CHRIST JESUS, OUR LORD."

(Romans: 8:28-39).

The next time that you are traveling or are sitting alone with a deck of playing cards remember to think about the UNCAUSED CAUSE of our vast universe and solar system by looking at each of the 52 cards that you have been dealt as an ACHIEVEMENT LADDER ENTHUSIAST. "Bloom where you are planted!"

New Catholic Action: Support Chris Smith, 'No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act' - Politics & Policy - Catholic Online

New Catholic Action: Support Chris Smith, 'No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act' - Politics & Policy - Catholic Online

IDES OF JULY 2010 ACHIEVEMENT LADDER ENTHUSIASTS' RECOGNITION AWARD

Let us properly give honor and respect to the many men and women who provide public service on a 24/7 weekly basis. On the international field of honor and bravery are the multitude of men and women who serve in the armed services of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, or National Guard agencies. All of these persons are trained to protect, to defend, and to keep freedom alive in the United States of America and in all parts of the world who seek self-determination rather than terrorism and tyranny. In addition, we salute the many men and women who give of their time, their talents, and their treasures to serve in the law enforcement agencies throughout our freedom loving America. We honor the many firefighters who literally put their lives on the line in protecting and preventing unnecessary lose of life because of fires out of control. In addition, we recognize the many men and women who are ready, willing, and able to respond as first responders as EMTs and as Paramedics when emergencies happen in a community. Also, we recognize the many public servants who respond voluntarily when natural disasters occur because of weather related or community crisis because they care about their Country.

Congratulations to all of the brave and courageous men and women who serve our American communites in whatever capacity as our IDES OF JULY 2010 ACHIEVEMENT LADDER ENTHUSIASTS' RECOGNITION AWARD RECIPIENTS.

Dr. Alveda King Keeps the Dream Alive: Freedom Ride. Stop the New Slavery of Abortion - Politics & Policy - Catholic Online

Dr. Alveda King Keeps the Dream Alive: Freedom Ride. Stop the New Slavery of Abortion - Politics & Policy - Catholic Online

Poor Girls Pantry: Scrumptious Shortcut Cobbler

Poor Girls Pantry: Scrumptious Shortcut Cobbler

Poor Girls Pantry: Scrumptious Shortcut Cobbler

Poor Girls Pantry: Scrumptious Shortcut Cobbler

Reflections on the American Culture War and the 4th of July - Living Faith - Home & Family - Catholic Online

Reflections on the American Culture War and the 4th of July - Living Faith - Home & Family - Catholic Online

US Catholics Reflect on the Declaration of Independence: Do we Still Hold These truths? - U.s. - Catholic Online

US Catholics Reflect on the Declaration of Independence: Do we Still Hold These truths? - U.s. - Catholic Online

HAPPY 234th BIRTHDAY, AMERICA

As we celebrate our Country's 234th Birthday on July 4, 2010, let us remember the reasons why we celebrate our revolutionary beginning. Freedom was won at a tremendous price and the lives who have been sacrificed for those freedoms are priceless. The American Achievement Ladder Enthusiasts who envisoned the future of the United States of America signed the Declaration of Independence and formulated the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights for all times. Since 1776, many misguided individuals have misinterpreted the Spirit of America's Achievement Ladder Enthusiasts by instilling a compromising and a secularistic slant on the original intent of these original documents of our Freedom. Since the "enemy within" has continued to pick away the very freedoms that have been won by American loving freedom fighters, our resolve today should be to return to the original spirit that was desired by True Patriots.

There are certain "inalienable rights" that have non-reconcilable differences based on moral and ethical principles; namely, LIFE, LIBERTY, and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. When one part of our Country is attacked, the remaining parts of this wonderful Country should be ready to STAND UP and TAKE BACK what is essential for the social justice and solidarity of all of its citizenry. Yes, there are irreconcilable differences that need to be respected and honored without question; namely, LIFE, LIBERTY, and the PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. The checks and balances of the United States Constitution and its numerous Amendments plus the Bill of Rights were enacted for a reason that should still exist today. When human laws attempt to supercede DIVINE LAWS, the human laws need to be transformed and reconciled with DIVINE LAWS.

We are looking forward to a Transformation and a Renewal of the Spirit of 1776 as originally intended by our Founding Fathers and Mothers of this Great Republic. IN GOD WE TRUST must reign in our hearts, in our minds, and in our actions every day of the year until our next Happy Birthday Celebration for the United States of America. God has already blessed America; now is the time for America to BLESS GOD! Where are the PROFILES IN COURAGE? Who are the MASTERS OF DECEIT? Is it true that you can trust the "terrorists" to be "terrorists."? Is it true that you can trust AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT LADDER ENTHUSIASTS to be models and exemplary champions of the AMERICAN DREAM? "We pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the REPUBLIC for which it stands...ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, indivisible with LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL, BORN AND UNBORN!"

HAPPY 234th BIRTHDAY, AMERICA! BE PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN ACHIEVEMENT LADDER ENTHUSIAST TODAY AND ALWAYS!