Our Patron Saint

If I could choose a patron saint for randallfriesen.com, I think I would select Didacus of Cadiz (d. 1801)

Born in Cadiz, Spain, and christened Joseph Francis, the youth spent much of his free time around the Capuchin friars and their church. But his desire to enter the Franciscan Order was delayed because of the difficulty he had with his studies. Finally he was admitted to the novitiate of the Capuchins in Seville as Brother Didacus. He later was ordained a priest and sent out to preach.

His gift of preaching was soon evident. He journeyed tirelessly through the territory of Andalusia of Spain, speaking in small towns and crowded cities. His words were able to touch the minds and hearts of young and old, rich and poor, students and professors. His work in the confessional completed the conversions his words began.

It is said that sometimes when he preached on the love of God he would be elevated above the pulpit. Crowds in village and town squares were entranced by his words and would attempt to tear off pieces of his habit as he passed by.

He died in 1801 at age 58, a holy and revered man. He was beatified in 1894.

Didacus was such a poor student that the Franciscans wouldn´t have him. When Capuchins finally took him into their order and eventually ordained him, he proved to be a powerful preacher?to everyone´s surprise. As we often do, Didacus´s contemporaries expected little from someone with a slow mind. Didacus proved to them that intelligence is not the only measure. The person who has a loving heart, a listening ear and a wealth of compassion is, in the long run, much wiser.

 

Stories like his give me hope. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but it didn't matter to him and his calling. He worked hard at loving God and people, and he developed a compassionate heart and listening ear.

I always was a lousy student at school, and I have a great deal of trouble remembering things. But if God can use a guy like that, maybe there is hope for me.

I just gotta stay close to Him.

 

 

Spring has sprung and gambling fever is in the air

Yes, my weather climate window mocks me that it's -24C out there, albeit I recognize Spring continues to commence here owing to the declaration that Tim's is running their "Roll up the rim to win" contest again!

I've positioned my little red cup beside the screen, and as directly as it's vacant I shall roll up the rim to inspect if I've acquired currency or a 37" Plasma TV.

 

PS. PrairieFusion's now got a built-in Spellchecker, Grammer Checker, and Thesaurus! Could you tell!!! 

 

UPDATE: I just won a Donut!

 

My brother: Music Trivia Brain Guy

So, tonight at our small group get together, a song comes up from somewhere in the seventies and the next question was, "Who sang that?"

I know who can tell me that, my brother, Jeff. He's got like this thing going on in his head that he can hear the words or a bit of a tune and name the singer and often the song title. He's amazing like that. This little "gift" would be the kind of thing that would win him free drinks, if he drank. Or win him some great party games, if he partied!!

So, anyway, I say my brother can help us with that little baby, and I get out the cell and call him. No sooner do I get the words out then he tells me some obscure name of the guy who sang the song! He's amazing.

And he's great relief for those times when you're sitting there trying to remember who sang what, and the conversation can't go on till you answer that question, or you'll go crazy, kind of thing.

So, as a service to you, the loyal readers of randallfriesen.com, and in the name of the good of the public, I'll offer you his phone number, so that next time you need to get a bet verified, or you're in one of those awkward brain seizure times in a discussion that can't go on until you find out who sang what, you can get help.

His name is Jeff, and you can find his phone number here.

Tell him Randy said call, he won't mind!!

 

The Friesen Brothers: Helping the world, one brain at a time.

 

Practice safe computing

Ok everybody, for me 14 emails in two days complete with the gift that keeps on giving, (A Viral Infection) is 14 too many. And most of you don't even know you are sending those little surprises out.

Last week my Norton expired, so, taking Jordon's advice, I downloaded and installed the AVG Free edition. It hasn't missed a beat, catching them all.

It's not safe out there anymore, so get some protection on, and start practicing safe computing ok?