Facebook Postings 2
by Matthew Cramer
The Institute's posts on Facebook, from 26 April thru 13 October 2018, are displayed here to show how we use Facebook to promote our website.
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The Cramer Institute of Minnesota
Published by Matthew J. Cramer • October 13, 2018
It’s just too easy nowadays to throw spitballs, rocks, and even feces at any person, policy, or proposition you don’t like. Taking pleasure in a righteous position against something or someone, when the best you have the offer is clever quips and vacant thought, is a false lure. We are caught in the middle of a humongous, second grade food fight; fueled by the addictive elixir of hurling self-righteous, thoughtless invectives, after which mankind’s condition will be the loser.
Every generation, including my own, goes through a period of rejecting authority, discovering their capacity to imbibe life’s pleasures, and eventually must decide what level of responsibility they will assume for mankind’s progress. To all millennials I plead: please hurry the development of your maturity, I fear you will take too long.
The Cramer Institute of Minnesota
Published by Matthew J. Cramer • September 30, 2018
Not Without Spirit is not a chick book, a bodice ripper, a romance novel, or a coming of age novel. It’s a gritty account of Ku Klux Klan terrors in the 1950’s, Jim Crow south; a 10-year-old, poor-white-trash girl caught up in murders, beatings, harassment, and fears that the author lived through herself.
The front half is dark, gritty, and intense. No punches are pulled. Page-turning passages plunge you into the no-holds-barred violence and threats of the times. The second half breathes easier.
Now fifteen, Trisha Mae Haskins becomes a threat to the Klan and flees cross-country. Still evading her pursuers at twenty, she returns cross-country to confront her enemies; ending in a wild finish with the Klan, her Grand Dragon father, and federal agents, as the dreaded Whuppin’ Woods burn.
“A novel of epic dimensions in its power to reach out to a diversity of readers from different cultures. It offers strong narrative content, so loaded with surprises and nail-biting suspense, that some might qualify it as a thriller.” (Mita Ghose)
If you’re a reader, you’ve got to read this one. See: notwithoutspirit.com/
The Cramer Institute of Minnesota
Published by Matthew J. Cramer • August 18, 2018
We’ve just published a new book you’re going to need; Grandpa School. It’s a primer for parents and grandparents to discuss key aspects of life with their teenagers. It’s expressly Christian throughout, Catholic in certain parts, with a wide range of subjects including: God, evil, dating, prayer, religion, sex, the Bible, and marriage.
A promotional page with more information about Grandpa School is available at our website: cramer-institute.com/grandpa-school/. Order the 72 page paperback through our distributor at ppgcpublishers.com/product/grandpa-school/, or Amazon at $9.95. The Kindle reader is $7.95.
I recommend this book highly. The many expressions of anticipation for this project were most encouraging. Early review comments are: "I wish I had this book when I was growing up". Please check out the promotional page and should our Lord so move you, purchase a copy. After you’ve read Grandpa School, please post a review at its site on Amazon; be among the first to promote the book to others.
The Cramer Institute of Minnesota
Published by Matthew J. Cramer • July 29, 2018
Ruth Ann Cramer was a celebrated author and producer of more than 27 plays and musical comedies. She has taught in more than 50 seminars and conferences about spiritual life.
Her magnum opus, Not Without Spirit, is a powerful revelation of Jim Crow life in 1950’s Kentucky. Tricia Mae Haskins, a ten-year-old, poor-white-trash girl, is secretly helping blacks endangered by the Ku Klux Klan.
Tricia’s father is a Grand Dragon in the Klan. She witnesses and suffers the incredible Klan cruelty targeting blacks and any whites who resist the Klan. By the time she finishes grade school, Tricia has become a threat to the Klan. Then begins her trek, cross-country and back, pursued by her father and the Klan.
This is a powerful, gritty, can’t-put-it-down story—highly recommended by reviewer’s. Promotional material with writing samples and many reviews can be reached at: cramer-institute.com/not-without-spirit/.
The Cramer Institute of Minnesota
Published by Matthew J. Cramer • July 21, 2018
The Cramer Institute of Minnesota is pleased to announce our publication of a new book by the celebrated author Ruth Ann Cramer, entitled Blood Cries from Planet Earth.
The book is about a young, married woman, seriously ill, and her encounter with God. The story is told by the woman herself, an accomplished author and playwright.
Please check out our promotional page at cramer-institute.com/blood-cries/. The paper back is available at Amazon and Kindle.
The Cramer Institute of Minnesota
Published by Matthew J. Cramer • July 1, 2018
“I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made… for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life…” (1Ti 2:1-3 RSV).
Amidst the pressures and temptations in life, peace helps us focus on the Lord. Paul urged early Christians to pray for some of the worst authorities that ever existed. His admonition transcends boundaries. Christian or not, authority has to provide the right conditions for peace to thrive.
So pray for those in authority whether you agree with them or not. We can all use some wisdom! (See also cramer-institute.com/peaceful-lives/)
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The Cramer Institute of Minnesota
Published by Matthew J. Cramer • June 17, 2018
Jesus said we can’t get to Heaven unless we’re born again (Jn 3:3). The life we receive at conception has serious flaws: A sense of not being rooted, and a weakened will allowing emotions and desires to run rampant.
The disciples experienced Jesus’ new life at Pentecost. They spread this incredibly good news about a new life throughout the world. We received it in baptism.
We can’t live two lives at the same time. One has to stay and be developed, the other has to be discarded through denial. The Scriptures call this dying to self. So, is the new life worth it? Those working the problem testify it’s worth the effort. But it’s a lot of hard work.
The thing is, it’s the only route to Heaven. (See cramer-institute.com/decisions-decisions-decisions/)
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The Cramer Institute of Minnesota
Published by Matthew J. Cramer • June 8, 2018
Many of us want to know God’s will for our lives, our mission, and the correct strategies. Nobody wants to be deceived into pursuing false paths or prevented from following the right ones. We desperately need discernment to distinguish our Lord’s guidance from that of “the world, the flesh and the devil”.
The Holy Spirit is our advocate, bringing the gift of discernment. He warns us, affirms us, points us in the right direction, helps us choose between right and wrong, and discern amongst the good.
Each of us must learn the unique way our Lord speaks to us. Our relationship with Him must always be growing and maturing so we recognize his voice in our travels. So keep working at it. Don’t let up. Be assured that growth, maturity and confidence will result.See also
(cramer-institute.com/the-gift-of-discernment/)
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The Cramer Institute of Minnesota
Published by Matthew J. Cramer • May 9, 2018
God forgives, never holding back. He’s blessed me many times with relief, joy, and peace through the Sacrament of Confession.
But why does He forgive us? He doesn’t need us. The Crucifixion paved the way for us to return, His agápe nature does the rest. He wants us to stay close and live with Him.
So can I just do whatever I want and go get forgiven? Not so fast! Forgiveness is one aspect of love. Justice is another. Many people work hard to faithfully live by God’s rules. Justice forbids me to get away with wrongdoing.
So how do I get forgiven? Four things: Confess— acknowledge the error to another; Contrite— I did it and I’m sorry for the offense; Repent— be firmly committed to a change in direction; Ask— ask God to forgive.
How sorry must I be? Imperfect sorrow is: Because I don’t want to get punished. Perfect sorrow is: Because I’ve offended the God I love. Which one is best? Work it out with the God who loves you! But go to Confession if you can. (See cramer-institute.com/a-god-who-loves-us/)
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The Cramer Institute of Minnesota
Published by Matthew J. Cramer • April 26, 2018
God told Adam and Eve to manage the world and multiply. He intentionally created us to need each other, to be partners in the mission. By what authority does a man justify abandoning his responsibility to support the child he sires? Because lots of men do? Because the divorce was bitter? Really? I don’t think so!
My father abandoned me. Like most single moms, my mother worked hard to support me. But I spent many stressful years playing maturity-catchup for lack of a father and mentor. I don’t hate him. I never knew him. But I do hate what’s happening to manhood.
We may mess up and get forgiveness from God. But responsibility for the results of our sin remains. To abandon a child he has sired, is the lowest of lows in the annals of manhood. This image was taken from a posting on our website. (cramer-institute.com/god-the-father/)
