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Posted January 11, 2004 Book: From the Angel’s Blackboard: The Best of Fulton J. Sheen Author: Fulton J. Sheen Triumph Books, Liguori, Missouri, pp. 246 Excerpt from Jacket: Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (1893-1979) is arguably this century’s most widely acclaimed and best-loved Roman Catholic prelate. A master of the media, spiritual leader, and witty, literate, urbane teacher, Sheen had a far-ranging impact on American culture. There remains in his spoken and written word a keen insight into the universal human condition, and the universal quest for the Divine in the ordinary. In recognition of the 100th anniversary of his birth, this compendium presents his finest and most enduring messages of counsel, wisdom, and spiritual healing. Drawn from over thirty of his bestselling books, as well as Life is Worth Living, his enormously popular 1950's television series, From the Angel’s Blackboard brings together dozens of essays and reflections on a wide range of timely and interesting topics — including: - finding one’s purpose in life - enjoying one’s work - finding fulfillment in love and marriage - relieving fears and anxieties - conquering bad habits - developing character - forgiving self and others - promoting justice, charity, and peace - reverencing God’s creation - living prayerfully and mindfully Divided into three sections ("Mind," "Heart," and "Spirit), these specifically selected and edited texts are a testament to Sheen’s own tenacity of mind, heart, and spirit, which won him a loyal worldwide following. Excerpt from Book Great Moments of Decision Napoleon held that the fate of every battle was decided in the space of about five minutes. All the maneuvering and all the preparations led up to the strategic moment of crisis. If the leader had vision to take advantage of those few moments, the enemy’s rout would be complete; if, however, the leader allowed it to pass, defeat was certain. In one battle his forces were halted before a bridge over a deep ravine. If the bridge was not crossed, the battle would be lost. The soldiers were afraid to advance upon it inasmuch as it was swept by the fire of Austrian cannons. Napoleon snatched the flag from the standard bearer and rushed onto the bridge shouting, "Forward to save your general!" The effect upon the soldiers was electric, and in that five minutes the battle was decided. It could very well be that the life of every person is not so much decided by the routine events of every day, but rather during two or three great moments of decision that happen in every life. As Shakespeare put it: "There is a tide in the affairs of men Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries" If the opportunity is allowed to slip by unimproved, success turns into failure. There is the name of a place that signifies such a turning point in human lives and that is Kadesh-Barnea, which is situated on the southern border of the Promised Land. There came a point in the pilgrimage when the children of Israel were within striking distance of their inheritance. They sent out spies, twelve of them, to report on the land they were about to take. The majority report, made by the representatives of ten of the tribes, was that the land could not be taken because the cities were too fortified and the enemy too numerous. The minority report, brought in by Joshua and Caleb, was turned down despite the fact that God had told the people through Moses that they would possess the land. It as this point in the journey, like the five minutes in Napoleon’s battle, that determined their future. With the fruit of their tribulations within their grasp they refused to take it and thus had to continue wandering in the desert for many years. . . . There is a Kadesh-Barnea in every person’s spiritual life. One’s background may be filled with unbelief, guilt, dishonesties, adulteries, and any of the seven pallbearers of the soul. Then there comes a moment of illumination to the mind, perhaps in a moment of sickness or a startling thought while reading, or the vision of innocence in a child. If this grace is responded to, a person is lifted out of himself, cuts connections with the past and starts out on a new career and new paths, with heaven shining in his face. Table of Contents: Mind Sanctifying the moment Conscience, the interior Sinai Great moments of decision Encounter with God Religion has moved to the subconscious Health and holiness God is immanent in the world by his wisdom Habits Life is worth living? Fatigue The anatomy of melancholy Love’s overflow Agnosticism Fingers, hands, and nails Ethics for the unethical Treasures of the subconscious The psychology of work Heart The philosophy of pleasure The tenderness and power Understanding others It takes three to make love Loves reaction to loss The three tensions of love Love is a messenger Altruism, the evolution of love Are you happy? The continuation of the incarnation Selfishness Courtesy The philosophy of charity A thousand tiny delicacies The problem of giving Caring for humanity Modern saints Spirit "Aye" or "Nay" to eternal destiny The hymn of life The death of life The depths of simplicity Grace and faith in Christian life The first faint summons to heaven The training of children What are you like? Teen-agers More about teen-agers Content with sawdust brain? "Nice" people Love begins with a dream Emergence of character Prayer and meditation Angels Making up for wasted time Peace The divine sense of humor Sources About Fulton J. Sheen |