Build on Rock - Page 6 of 6 - Sharing the faith in God's beloved Son, Jesus Christ

The Nativity

February 26, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

Mary’s “yes” to God, her willingness to become the mother of Jesus, set her on a journey she could never have expected. She put her complete trust in God’s love and mercy through all the trials of her life. And her trials were many, including the Nativity. Mary must have

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The Annunciation and the Visitation

February 19, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

The centerpiece of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary is the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But the protagonist of these mysteries is Mary, who in the story of the Joyful Mysteries is a model of true discipleship for us. The first mystery is the Annunciation. Our

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The Rosary

February 12, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

The Rosary predates Jesus’ birth, and was updated most recently in 2002. It is the best known of Catholic devotions, is credited with winning an epic battle, and has the capacity to bring peace to the world. The Rosary – specifically, the Hail Mary prayer that is at its center

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Take all souls to heaven

January 29, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

“And after each one of the mysteries, my children, I want you to pray in this way: O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell. Take all souls to heaven, especially those who are most in need.” Holy Mary, Our Lady of Fatima, taught

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The Message of Fatima

January 15, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

The Miracle of the Sun was not well known outside of Portugal, at least not at first. In October of 1917, World War One still raged in Europe. The months-long battle of Passchendaele was nearing its conclusion, with the British advancing the front five miles at a cost of more

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The Miracle of the Sun

January 1, 2019 / Michael Haverkamp

A common objection to Christianity is the supposed lack of miracles that take place in our time. The Bible documents numerous miracles, and there is compelling evidence that the Resurrection is a real historical event (which, by itself, should satisfy the open mind and heart). But there are miracles in our

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O Come, O Come Immanuel

December 23, 2018 / Michael Haverkamp

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be as deep as the nether world, or high as the sky! But Ahaz answered, “I will not ask! I will not tempt the Lord!” Then he said: Listen, O house of David!

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Reconciliation

December 11, 2018 / Michael Haverkamp

“This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15) These are the first words spoken by Jesus in Mark’s Gospel, and they are presented as the core of his message. (So too in Matthew’s Gospel; see Matthew 4:17.)

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Father, forgive them

November 27, 2018 / Michael Haverkamp

What I want to express on this blog more than anything is the profound depth of God’s love for you, exemplified in the living person of Jesus Christ. And on some level I know I’ll never succeed because the chasm between the infinite love Jesus bestows on us and the

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His love endures forever

November 20, 2018 / Michael Haverkamp

“Give thanks to the Lord who is good, whose love endures forever. Let the house of Israel say: God’s love endures forever. Let the house of Aaron say: God’s love endures forever. Let those who fear the Lord say, God’s love endures forever.” (Psalm 118:1-4) Have a happy and blessed

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As we forgive

November 6, 2018 / Michael Haverkamp

Just as we are all children of the one, true God, so too we all at times disobey God’s will, and are in need of forgiveness. Jesus’ death and resurrection conquered sin and death and gave us the grace to be able to share eternal life with him. But because

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Children of God

October 23, 2018 / Michael Haverkamp

What does it mean to be a Christian? What are the fundamental beliefs? God existed before all things. God created the universe and all that is in it as an act of pure love. God created “man in His image; in the divine image He created them; male and female

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Jesus died for our sins

October 9, 2018 / Michael Haverkamp

The ultimate proof that Jesus loves us is his suffering and death on the cross, so that we might be redeemed from our sins. But why did he have to die so that we could be redeemed? We have to start by acknowledging that we deserve to die in our

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Who is Jesus?

September 25, 2018 / Michael Haverkamp

My last post presented compelling evidence that Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead. From that, it follows that he is who he said he is – the Son of God, and that we should adore him and follow him. The evidence for Christ’s Resurrection can be weighed with the

He is risen

September 10, 2018 / Michael Haverkamp

Two thousand years ago, a Jewish carpenter left his home to become an itinerant preacher. He attracted crowds and followers with his teachings, and was reputed to have performed miracles. Many of the religious authorities of his day were threatened by his disregard for some of their laws and his

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