Sunday, August 31, 2008

Church Feud

There was a feud between the Pastor and the Choir Director of a Southern Baptist Church.

It seems the first hint of trouble came when the Pastor preached on "Dedicating Yourselves to Service" and the Choir Director chose to sing: "I Shall Not Be Moved". Trying to believe it was a coincidence, the Pastor put the incident behind Him.

The next Sunday he preached on "Giving." Afterwards, the choir squirmed as the director led them in the hymn: "Jesus Paid It All".

By this time, the Pastor was losing his temper. Sunday morning attendance swelled as the tension between the two built. A large crowd showed up the next week to hear his sermon on "The Sin of Gossiping." Would you believe the Choir Director selected the song: "I Love To Tell The Story"?

There was no turning back. The following Sunday the Pastor told the congregation that unless something changed, he was considering resignation. The entire church gasped when the Choir Director led them in: "Why Not Tonight"?

Truthfully, no one was surprised when the Pastor resigned a week later, explaining that Jesus had led him there and Jesus was leading him away. The Choir Director could not resist: "What A Friend We Have In Jesus."

Clarification of My Thought Processes

I think I need to clarify my position in regards to something in the previous post. I mentioned the Book of Enoch. Let me say that in no way is the Book of Enoch considered a part of the Protestant Bible. It is part of the un-canonized religious text that were rejected when the King James Version was put together. The Catholic Church recognizes it and several other un-canonized books as suitable religious text. The Protestant church does not. I am an Apostolic Pentecostal. Basically, Protestant. You can research that and find exactly what I believe, with some variations. But overall like most Protestant groups, we do not recognize the Apocrypha for religious guidance.

Jesus quoted the book of Enoch. I believe there are a couple of other places in the KJV where it is quoted by a disciple. Obviously, it was being read during Jesus' time. So, I became curious and began to wonder why it was excluded. I found a copy and read it for myself. After reading it, I understood why it was excluded from the Protestant Bible. I do not suggest here it is "gospel". It is not. I merely indicate it is of interest. Most of it is just a confusing mishmash but there are sections that I found very interesting. They read much like a mythological tale.

If you are familiar with Roman or Greek mythology and you read Enoch, you will know why I found it so. There is a school of thought out there that the "gods" of these mythologies were in fact, the Nephilim mentioned in the Old Testament in Genesis 6:1-4. The book of Enoch also relates information about the fallen angels and it is easy to see why this connection to Greco-Roman mythology seems plausible. I actually think there may be something to it. Maybe sometime I'll post what I've found in my studies. However, it has absolutely nothing to do with the plan of salvation, living for God, or Christianity in general. It is simply an interesting concept. I tend to find weird stuff interesting.

My point here is that I don't want to misdirect anyone or give the wrong impression. I believe the Bible and my preferred version is the KJV. I do on occasion, refer to other translations to clarify a passage. This is simply to give me a clearer understanding of the language and not to replace the meaning of a passage. If a passage in another translation seems to disagree, in my view, with the original KJV, I will usually ignore that translation or at the least, take it with a grain of salt. In my view, narrow though it may be, any teaching or text that is clearly opposite to the teachings of Jesus Christ and his disciples, it NOT valid. The Bible is the only source that relates the plan of salvation accurately. I say this not to offend, simply to clarify my position. You are free to respectfully disagree.

That being said, I am grateful for you, my friends who have commented and found the subject interesting. It is so refreshing to know that you are all more than a hair color! I have brilliant and wonderful friends.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

The Rank and File of Archangels?

I don't presume to be an expert on Biblical issues. I just read the Bible. I've read it cover to cover straight thorough once and over the years in many other orders. My friend Sheila posted an interesting blog on her site regarding archangels and who Michael is. I wanted to weigh in with my opinion and almost put it in her comments. Then, I realized, I had a nice long post and decided to post a link to her post instead and put my response here. I hope she isn't offended. It is unintentional. Please realize this is my OPINION based solely on what I've read in the Bible and rationalized based on my experiences.

Link Sheila's Place

There appear to be several archangels mentioned in the Bible. The three known by name are Lucifer, Michael, and Gabriel. Based on the episodes they appear in, each holds a different office although their rank may be the same. This is the way it is in any military organization. There are lots of generals of varying ranks. The top generals may hold the same rank but they have different positions within the military. Arch-angles are also God's messengers. If you compare the messages they deliver in the Bible, you will can get an idea of the difference in their positions.

Lucifer, of whom little is said in the Scriptures, appears to have held the highest office at one point. He also led the choirs of heaven and is purported to be the most beautiful creature in heaven. Pride in his position, his accomplishments and his beauty resulted in a rebellion in heaven that led to war and ultimately destroyed him. He exalted himself above God.

His position was one charged with the eternal worship and praise of the Creator. I suspect any messages he would have had to deliver would have been related to to praise and worship. Is it any wonder that he tries to prevent that very thing in human beings. Is it surprising he has warped and corrupted music! His goal is to prevent praise and worship of almighty God, the very thing he was in charge of, and to cause humanity to turn their praise and worship on things that insult God!

Michael appears to always have been in charge of the armies of God. He probably was the leader against Lucifer's rebellious army. He probably fought directly with Lucifer. Michael also appears to deliver specific kinds of messages. They tend to be related to his position as a leader of the holy armies and are often related to battles of one sort or another and the victory of God's armies.

Gabriel appears to deliver completely different types of messages. He usually delivers exciting, joyful news. Gabriel was the messenger who appeared to Mary to inform her she was pregnant with the Saviour of the world. Michael may deliver urgent, disturbing news, such as he did to Daniel.

The fact that Michael seems to now have the highest ranking office, at least in the minds of men, is not a mystery or surprising. As in any organization, when someone at the top is removed, the next highest ranking officer is moved up. Michael very likely took Lucifer's place as the highest ranking angel but his talents were not in leading the choirs. He was leader of the military. That is the logical conclusion based on the mentions of him in scripture.

The choirs still sing but their current leader appears to be an unknown. Perhaps for a reason. That position could never ever be held again by any creature willing to usurp God. As leader of the heavenly troops, Michael probably oversees this position closely. The potential for pride of life would be very great for the one in charge of eternal worship and praise.

The ranking order is not unsurprising either. In the beginning, God's priority was worship and praise first, defense of the kingdom second, and glad tidings third. Why glad tidings third? Before the rebellion, there was no one to send them to nor much need! The rebellion was before man was created. Heaven was all good.

Now it would seem His priority, after the traitorous Lucifer, has shifted slightly. Now, defense of the kingdom comes first and then, glad tidings. Eternal worship and praise will be the priority after Satan is defeated. We are, after all, at war.

Of course, debates can be held from now to eternity but relying solely on the Bible, I think there is enough evidence to support this view.

If you are interested in such things, the Book of Enoch is quite interesting. Much of it is confusing and difficult to read and understand but there are sections which are very interesting in regards to the rebellion in heaven and the angels, both faithful and fallen.

Thanks to Sheila for a thought provoking post.

The Weekend Is Finally HERE!

I am so tired. I have been so exhausted ever night by the time I get home from work but I have trouble getting to bed early and getting to sleep. People hang around my house all the time. Last night I finally headed them all off. Jerry slept and went to work, Mike was gone but when he came in he went to his room. I more or less let Becca know I was going to bed.

That was the plan. The boss let us off early and when I got home, I napped on the sofa. But people kept calling. My aunt, Becca, Mike. Every time I dozed off the phone rang. I stayed on the sofa, getting up only to eat and answer the call of nature until midnight. I watched Enterprise Marathon on Sci-Fi. I was just too tired to move.

This morning I got up at 8:30 a.m. and my bedroom is cleaned... finally. I swear there was a whole graveyard of people in there. Dust everywhere! I wouldn't let Jerry go to bed until it was cleaned. I've asked Becca to come over and help me dust everything. I know part of the problems I'm having is the dust. I don't know why it is so bad in this house. I think because the dryer is in the house and I don't have the time or energy to dust like I used to and Jerry NEVER dust.

I am going to do some other things but I really just want to relax today. I probably won't because Becca and Sarah will be here.

It occurred to me this morning I have to start planning for NaNoWriMo soon. I have not got a single idea on what to write. Last year, my planning is what helped me to reach the goal. If I don't get a plan, I'm up a creek I think. I won't finish it. There are a lot of things that go on in November anyway that cause delays so I really need the plan.

I am going now to vacuum this room and do a couple of other things. I hope I can drop back by later today.

Monday, August 25, 2008

A Complete List of Things Caused by Global Warming

This should clear up some confusion. If you want to know what causes global warming you can spend the next couple of years reading up on it. I found it very interesting, indeed, to look at things that were contradictory. For example, look at earth slowing down and then earth spinning faster. Check glacier growth and glacier retreat. There are others. What interested me was that much of the information tends to cancel each other out. And the "experts" either wrote or are quoted in ALL of them.

Of particular interest is the one titled "brothels struggle". {wink - nudge - nudge} Global warming and hookers? Yep. To be fair, there is disturbing information here. If you are prone to worry, you may what to just ignore it all.

At any rate, it is educational.


Link





Saturday, August 23, 2008

Northern Sky - Movies - Digital Images of the Sky

Another Ahhhhhhh moment. I could watch this over and over.

Link

Digital Images of the Sky

If you are like me and love looking into the heavens, this site is a banquet for you. I found it sort of accidentally, meaning the web address was on a wall paper I have but I only noticed it a couple of days ago. I love stars and space and this is quiet a bit of both.

Link

Thursday, August 21, 2008

And Ill Wind

We all know the cliche but it is true. On top of family problems, I've been sick with a bad cold all week. I think it has turned into a sinus infection. There is one more day this week. If I can get through that, I may be able to take a rest Saturday. That is doubtful but one can hope.

I have to thank all of you again for your prayers. They have been felt! I have seen some changes in some things in the last couple of days. The problem is not solved but I can see prayers at work. My husband called our pastor on Monday afternoon and within an hour there was a sense of peace that swept over me and I was able to gain a sense of calm. I wasn't "over" it. I just felt that something had "changed". Maybe just me.

Tonight, I sit here listening to the music on my site in another window. I do that often when browsing your sites or just cruising the web. I find there is a sense of calm I get from listening to it that comforts me after a hectic or difficult day. I don't preach here often to people although I don't hide what I am. Tonight, I feel a need to say that if you are not a believer, I will be praying for you. I can assure you that I know prayer works. I know that God is watching and he does care when we are wounded and need comfort. I know beyond doubt that MY Redeemer is alive and he is my compass and guide. Storms may roll in and rage against me but he shelters me and when the storm is over I may be bruised and battered by the onslaught. But when it passes, when the clouds have blown away, when the sun breaks through and I feel it on my face I know that he has never once left my side. God is great and words can't begin to convey the magnitude of his greatness.

For those of you who doubt miracles, let me just say that I am evidence of miracles so I know nothing is impossible with God. Someday, maybe I can tell you about my miracle. Let me just finish this post by saying, He is real. He does exist. I have absolutely no doubt, even in the worst times, no, especially in the worst times, I am positive.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

FBI: Pa. student hoped to breed sex slave family - USATODAY.com

I was reading the news online today and ran across this article. Those of you who have read my paper, The Most Dangerous Kind of Madness, may find the following article interesting. The person mentioned in this article is from the same area as one of my subjects, John Humphrey Noyes, in the above paper. I am willing to bet that he is a distant relative. In my paper, it mentions that John Noyes envisioned "multiple marriage".This is where everyone is married to everyone in the commune. Read this article with that in mind! Must run in the family!

Link





Monday, August 18, 2008

May Be Away for Awhile

I do not know if I will be here for awhile. I'm in a very bad place right now. They are moving away and taking Sarah. I won't be able to see her or keep her anymore unless we can drive to where they will be. My husband doesn't get holidays off and usually can't get off when I am off so we will not be able to see here the way we usually spend time with her.

I have to go for now. My friends, please pray for me. I am not good at all right now.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

A Day at the Zoo and Other Tales of Extraordinary Interest

On Monday Jerry and I got Sarah and took an afternoon trip to the zoo. Our zoo has undergone some renovation this year so I was looking forward to it. We had family passes when our boys were small and it was a nice small zoo.

The weather was lovely on Monday, mid to high 70s by 3:00 p.m when we headed that way.We stopped at Mcdonald's for a late lunch and Mike left us at the park.

You now enter through what was the back entrance. It had been remodeled with a cafe and gift shop and the new Amazonia exhibit. As you walk in there are water geysers. Sarah immediately wanted to get wet. She has been in a similar water fountain this summer and knew exactly what they were. We rushed past this area quickly because I didn't pack a towel. I had no idea they had the geysers there.

The paved walkways are wide enough for golf carts and a tram so once Sarah's leash was on she could walk. We walked past the large lake in the center of the park.We saw ducks and paddle boats and at the dock, large swan boats that Sarah called ducks. We made our way around to exhibits that had been there for years but were empty and over grown with brush and weeds. I have no idea why. There were some really nice exhibits but I was surprised at how few considering how much money was spent on a new exhibit. There was no elephant! There was a children's area but no petting zoo and most of the features of the children's area were empty. We did see donkeys, ponies, and goats.

Sarah didn't know the difference. She loves walking and looked at everything with great interest. She is a very intense child when she is learning. You can actually see little wheels turning. When you pointed something out, she looked like a little scientist who had just discovered a new organism.

We stopped by the Otter exhibit. There were two but it was a smaller exhibit than in the past. However, there nicest thing about it was a Plexiglas tube beneath the pool. I could have crawled through and watched the swim underwater. Sarah was having none of that (neither did I) It was an large tube open at both ends and clear but she didn't care for the "puppies" visible in the glass. I never thought much that otters looked like puppies but in the face, they kind of do! She did like them when viewed from the top. I love watching otters and I always liked this exhibit.

Next favored sight was the prairie dogs. She called them "puppies" too. I told her she was getting closer. There was a tube for this too, a dark tube closed at both ends that she didn't mind at all. You stood up halfway through and should be able to see the prairie dogs up close. She was too short. It was too dark and close for me, although I could have fit inside easily. And the "puppies" were in a lower area playing. We did get to see them and they were very cute.

We wandered into several exhibits where they had been monkeys and there were a couple of apes of one sort or another. I found later that the monkeys were near where the old entrance used to be. That is a very long hill. It was when we reached the bottom of that hill that I told Jerry I couldn't do it. My legs had begun to hurt. As I said, this zoo is hilly.

We avoided the nocturnal house. For some reason, it didn't hold the charm it did when I had two little boys who were into strange creature things that inhabited the dark. This is a very, very dark room and very little light is in the glassed in cages. You can barely see the sloth. Sarah is really too small to be very interested in such things.

The bird and snake exhibit was boring and mostly under construction. We quickly bypassed the Burmese python. Neither Jerry or I care for snakes and these creatures are specifically malevolent. I hate them. He stands guard near the bird and snake room. Well, the bird room was always kind of nice. It is a large area that is like a closed corridor and in a three walled room it has lots of trees and bushes and painted scenery where they fly around. You stand outside the room and look in. Some even fly into the main area because there is no fourth wall. On the opposite wall they have glass boxes of snakes. Predator and prey in the same room.

Farther into the section is another python and this one was housed next to a cage of birds. He was extended about four feet up the wall of his cage that abutted the birds cage. There was probably another 10 feet of him on the bottom of his cage! I told Jerry he was so close to lunch he could smell it and he wanted in. Hideous creature.

We were now headed for Amazonia. This area had all been redone. The bears were gone but there was a Sumatran Tiger, a lioness, various birds and turtles.In one place they had water mist where we could have cooled off but I knew if Sarah got a whiff of that we were done for.

We saw emus, wallabies, and more turtles. There was a double humped camel, a Bactarian camel I think is what it was called. I didn't see the snow leopards they used to have either. That is quiet disappointing as they were lovely animals. I remember when they had cubs, long grown by now and in some other zoo.

Finally we entered the Amazonia exhibit. It is glass and the first thing you see from the back entrance are the waterfalls. It is really beautiful and with lots of greenery but the first section from this entrance is on the lower floor and is a series of glass cages and tanks. They have a Jaguar and she was lovely but very shy. And they have huge fish tanks but not many fish in them yet. Then we began to enter the "rain forest".

Folks it was warm. You move up a series of ramps and as you wind around you see a wall of rock and there is a waterfall and really lovely plants. A couple of animals that I didn't recognize until I got to the tapirs. The third turn takes you to nearly the top of the falls and just below the room where steam is coming out of the vents. Did I say it was hot? Let me tell you, it must have been 120 degrees up top! I had overheard a zoo employee below say something to another employee about having to come down frequently because they were misting "up there" but I didn't know what she meant. I was thinking that water mist we had seen earlier. No, it was steam. And for the first time I wondered how attractive it probably wasn't to visit a rain forest. The air was thick and hot, like a steam room. Very unpleasant, really. I prefer saunas and would love to have one but not a steam room. We had reached the end of the path and when we pushed through the exit, the outside felt wonderful, even though it was probably 80 by now.

Mike was to pick us up and sure enough, he had slipped in free since it was after 4 and was sitting at the cafe watching the children in the water geysers. This was it. We took off Sarah's shoes and changed her into a different outfit and let her go.

She knew just what to do and she had a blast. Mike stood nearby had as much fun watching her as we did. After 15 minutes we had to get her ready to go because they closed at 5. She pitched a fit. We put her dress back on and a fresh diaper but she cried all the way to the car and fussed for several minutes until I gave her a pacifier and she began to doze off.

A very long afternoon! Papa and I were pretty tired, too. Sarah spent the night and was in bed by 9"30 but grandma had a horrible night. Leg pains shooting up both legs and I don't think I slept a full hour all night. I dozed. Sarah was restless half the night as well. I know I restarted our sound machine (beach sounds) four times and it will play for an hour. I am usually asleep by the time it stops. So, I know I went to sleep but not how long I slept for each time and I restarted the machine four times. I was up at 8 and so was Miss Sarah. We had breakfast and both went back to bed!

We were back up at 10 and Jerry and I talked about the car problem. Did I tell you it was broken down again? It will take over $400 to fix it this time. This was the last straw. So, Tuesday found us in Henderson, KY to look at a car. I had told Jerry that morning to go to this car dealer's website and see what he could find. He found a Honda and we headed over. No, ladies, here is the difference in how a man shops and how a woman shops. Pay attention.

When we got there they said they had the car ready for us to test drive. We went out and I head for a car. I walked right past the CRV. They stopped me. This is it. I looked at Jerry but got in. There must have been something on my face because the salesman said, "Would you folks like to drive alone so you can talk or do you want me to go with you." My wise husband said, "We'd like to go and talk about it."

I said, "It is an SUV! Jerry, I can't afford and SUV!"

"It's a CRV. I told you it was a CRV."

No he did not. He just said a Honda. I pointed that out but he asserted he had told me it was a CRV. Whatever. "I'm not buying an SUV."

"It's a CRV."

"I can't afford the payment, I can't afford the insurance. And I sure can't afford the gas! We are not buying this."

We went back. When we went in I told the salesman "It was nice. It drove very good. I really liked it. But I can't afford the payments, the insurance, and certainly not the gas."

He laughed and said, "What would you like?"

"I want a CAR! That gets good gas mileage and has a reasonable payment."

"What kind of payment do you want?"

"As close to $250 as you can get it."

"You ever drive a Ford Focus?"

"No but I've seen them."

"I have several. What color you want?"

My husband said, "Red or black, anything but silver."

I said, "I don't care what color it is! Silver is fine but no black because it would be hot."

He came back with a 2007 Focus with 22,000 miles on it. It was a demo for test drives. It still had 14,000 miles warranty left on it. And it got 33 mpg on the highway.

We drove it. My husband immediately hated it. He's six feet tall. Small cars intimidate him. The salesman was the same size but was a bit bulkier, yet, he had no trouble getting in and out but my husband struggled. Yeah. Like that's gonna matter to me.

I liked it. We sat down to talk. I gave my information to the salesman and when I gave my birth date he said, "That was a very good year."

I said, "Yes, it was."

"I was born that year." He paused then laughed, "You look ten years younger than me. You must take good care of yourself."

Cha-ching.

He came back after running the credit check and I told him I had forgotten to list my student loan. He leaned on the desk and smiled, "Lady, your credit is so good, it don't matter."

Cha-ching.

Yes, I bought it. How close did I get? My payment is $299.96 but extra $50 got me a 5 year bumper-to-bumper warranty that will cover virtually anything that breaks down. And Gap insurance. I only recently heard of this. If my car is totaled, if my insurance won't pay it off, this insurance covers the shortfall. The window glass and doors are etched with a serial number that can be traced in the event the car is stolen.

So, I drove a "new" car home on Tuesday.

Wednesday? I spent the day asking what the heck I was thinking! I don't do spontaneity!

Mouse Hole

For some reason I found this hysterical. I couldn't stop laughing when I read it and even now I am laughing!

A man called 911 and said, "Someone come quick! My wife fell asleep on the couch with her mouth open and a mouse ran down her throat!"

The operator replied, "Calm down, sir. Wave a piece of cheese over her mouth and maybe the mouse will come out. An ambulance is on the way."

When the ambulance arrived, the EMT found the man waving a fish over his wife's mouth.

"What on earth are you doing?" exclaimed the EMT. "Didn't the 911 operator tell you to wave a piece of cheese over your wife's mouth?"

"Yes," the man replied. "But I gotta get the cat out first."


From The Good Clean Funnies List

Saturday, August 9, 2008

A Lovely Day in the Neighborhood

Well, it is 10:33 p.m. here and I've followed Jilly's cleaning method all day. I got quiet a lot done and had a nice time!

I had Sarah for a few hours so her parents could go to the store. She played a bit and we just kind of hung around and watched Barney, her favorite.

The rest of the evening I spent watching t.v. My husband left for work at 9:45 p.m. and I have the rest of the night to myself. I'm doing taxes for Becca's mom. She's a bit late. LOL, by a few months.

I've taken my muscle relaxant and a good thing, too. I realize when I sat down earlier tonight that the day had caught up with me. Back was giving me some pain. I will have the whole bed and can really spread out. I can't use a pillow or anything or sleep on my side for long because of the pain.

I am feeling rather pleased with myself. I warded off all hints from people, except Becca's mom. But she paid me to do the taxes so I'm good with it.

I will go now and finish up and then to bed. Hope you have all had a lovely weekend. I still have Sunday to go but since I get Monday and Tuesday off, it won't seem so short.

The day was lovely. I should have gone out more and just sat down. It was cool all day and sunny. But my house is clean except for the rooms mentioned.

It's a Secret

I haven't told anyone by my husband and oldest son. I took Monday and Tuesday off. I've sworn them to secrecy. I've found that some people, when they find I am off, want something from me. I wind up doing nothing for me and going back to work exhausted, rather than rested. So, I am going to try and make this four day weekend work for me.

I've taken a page out of Jilly's Handbook of Household Hints. I'm cleaning in spurts. I've mopped all the floors but three. Can't get in to my room because Jerry is sleeping and it needs a through cleaning before moping. Mike's is the same but I believe I'll have him do the work. The den/dining room is cluttered and I want to get to that on Monday when I can really move some stuff around. I have to have help and Jerry will be off so that is my goal for then.

I'm doing laundry as I go. I've done most of the dishes. How can three people have so many dishes? I still have to clean the baths but it is only 12:30 here so there is still time. Between all this I am reading blogs and writing them.

Jilly, this is ever so much easier!

I hope by the time I go back to work on Wednesday, I won't care that the paperwork has piled up.

Virus, Anti-Virus - To Be or Not To Be

The last post had a comment from my friend, Cliff, regarding vaccinations. I agree with him but it is the basis for this post and I wanted to save you the effort of having to go back if you didn't want to.

"I once attended a lecture by this guy who radidly spoke against vaccinations. He was a little extreme, but his claims had some valid points. In many other parts of the world people do not get all this vaccination stuff and they are not necessarily ill as a result. The one thing he pointed out that was very obvious to me is that there has not been a recorded case of polio in the last 50 years, so why do people still get vaccinated for it?

Vaccination is like it always has been, a situation of gamble and profit driven margins. Heck you live life thinking all these things could happen to ya, well ya might just pass up on the point, which is LIVING!"

My thoughs from this are Amen, Cliff! There is plenty of evidence of people getting the virus they were vaccinated to prevent. Polio was consdiered extinct. However, people have started to get it again. A few, even after the vaccine is administered, have always got it. So, like all things, there is no sure fire fix. In this country, if you don't get vaccinated for childhood diseases, your child can't go to school and eventually, may not be able to get a job in certain fields.

An interesting note, most third world countries are not known for the same kinds of diseases we get! They get things related to starvation. We get things related to excessive eating! There is a subtle irony here somewhere.

I'm not sure if poorer nations get things like whooping cough, which has also popped up again in America in recent years in some areas of the country. That is an awful disease. Measles are still floating around, too.

When I was studying anthropology, I read about tuberculosis, which America thought they had eradicated in the early 20th century. Aids has brought it back in force. My studies said that signs of this disease can be found in bones 10,000 years old. From the studies of ancient bones, they determined that this disease lies dormant for a very long time, dropping off the radar of humans. Then, it shows back up and becomes an epidemic, only to drop out of sight again. My guess . . . every virus has been here longer than we have. When nature decrees it is time for a purge, she calls in her army. They are very efficient, silent, and frequently deadly to thousands at a time.

I also suspect that ancient people were more efficient with the bodies of their dead. They didn't do autopsies and scientific experiments to see what they could find. They buried those who died by disease quickly or they burned the bodies. Fire is a great sanitizer.

Biblically, there were certain people who could handle a body. They were also separated from the tribe for a period of time after the had done so. This was a most efficient method to prevent disease in the camp from spreading and to insure if some did catch it, the numbers were limited and the persons would die outside the larger population. Sounds cold but most cultures had such methods in practice to insure their overall survival. They were much more practical about death.

Before modern medicine, people died of some terrible diseases. They had no way to prevent the spread of such diseases, no hospitals, no medicines. So, we've come a long way. But vaccines have proven that they are no cure for anything. They simply limit the spread and delay the onset of diseases that are probably simply waiting for orders from higher up.

Incidentally, my whole family, like most Americans have been vaccinated against all the childhood diseases. We haven't had them, well chickenpox and measles we've had. I appear to be immune to mumps. Been exposed several times. But vaccinations haven't saved me from other diseases. In the long run, one isn't much different from another to me. I've probably lived longer, but I probably won't care before it is over.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

HPV - Cervical Cancer Vaccine

If you are considering getting or having your daughter get this vaccine, please read this information first. Then, research, research, research. Don't put anything foreign in your body or your child's until you are 100% sure it is worth all the risks.

It isn't for me but I don't have a daughter. I do have a granddaughter and two nieces. You can bet their moms will get this information.

Cervical Cancer & HPV Information

Positive

Let me see.... I'm going to try this. Think Positive thoughts. Make Positive statements. BE postive energy!

I'm positive I am tired.
I'm positive I had a very long day today.
I'm positive tomorrow will be equally long with positively tons of work and postively hordes of people needing my postively brilliant mind.
I'm postive that I am an interesting, intelligent person . . . hold on, Jerry is snoring so loud I can't think.
I'm positive that if I go to bed now, I'll fall asleep in minutes.
I'm positive I locked the doors . . . hang on a sec . . . yep.
I'm positive I emptied the sink . . . hang on a sec . . . nope but now it is.
I'm positive I brushed my teeth . . . um . . . be right back . . . yep
I'm positive I had a point when I started this by have since forgotten it.
I'm positive if I continue, I will be positively bored.

Say, I think I'm feeling more positive now. It really works! One think is sure, I'm positive that being positive is postively annoying.

Good night!

Monday, August 4, 2008

End of a Miserable Day

I had to go to the doctor today. The pain in my right side, front and back, was horrible. I thought maybe I had a kidney infection because it was localized and all the way through. I thought at one point I was going to have to leave work for home. I called and they had me come in at 3 to see the doctor. This was my primary care doctor.

She had seen my MRI and said the same thing the RA doctor said. No obvious problems. She said she thinks this pain is all related to my back and wanted to know what I had been doing. I told her I had been flat of my back except for work for two weeks. Basically that is true. No really heavy lifting or terribly strenuous work. But anyone with a back problem knows all you have to do is roll over wrong. Lifting often has nothing to do with it!

Anyway, here is the gist of our conversation.

"You need to take it easy. Take a couple of days off from work and go home and relax."

I said "It ain't happening. I can't afford to take any days off since my husband just got us over drawn at the bank and wiped out my savings."

Then she said, "You really need to go away from your family for a few day."

I said, "I have no place to go and no money to go on."

She asked, "You have no family where you can visit?"

I said, "My family doesn't live here. My family is mostly all dead since my grandparents raised me. I have a sister in Florida but my mother lives there too. She is not a person you can relax around."

Then she said, "You should try swimming. It is easy on the joints, would be good for your back and help you relax."

I said, "I'll have to look into that." I have no intention of it since it means joining a gym with a pool!! What part did she not understand about the money situation?

So, she gave me a scrip for Darvocet, prescription M&M's. I have one for Darvon from the RA doctor I haven't had filled. Then, she said there was no use going to pain management because I just needed to relax and take it easy. I have sciatica.

Really?

Good thing I have insurance. And they told me I had a $15 credit so didn't have to pay my co-pay. I hate this doctor. That was my LAST visit to her. I'm cancelling my appointment in two weeks.



Friday, August 1, 2008

Blessings and Bites

Becca got a job! Yesterday, she was going to go back to that temp job she had on Wednesday night and she was really dreading it. It made her sick. Apparently the plant was very hot and the work was difficult on her. She was on her feet all night. She was on her way out that afternoon to look for other jobs and she got a call from another temp service. A place she had contacted about possible employment had called them and asked to have her sent out. She went today and loved it. She already has a ride and that was our next major hurdle. They have no car and she has no license if they did. So I was going to have to get her to and from work, 25 minute drive one way. The gas is already killing us all and I was dreading it. She found a woman who lives less than half a mile from her and she will let Becca ride with her. And the woman didn't even want to take any gas money!

I truly believe that your prayers about this situation have been instrumental in this situation. I am so very thankful that God still hears and answers prayers and that there are people who will go to prayer for one another in times of need. If you prayed for us, thank you. If you asked others to pray for us, thank you and please let them know that we believe God had heard and answered those prayers.

My back has hurt all afternoon and I have lain on the couch all evening. The doctor called this morning and I am scheduled to go to a pain management doctor this month on the 28th.

I hate to keep asking for prayer. Seems I've always got a problem. However, lately, my physically situation seems to have worsened. I'm wondering how long I can work like this and know that even if I am in worse pain, I can't stop working. I am so sorry I complain about this so much lately. It isn't me, you know. I've always been healthy and able to do a lot of things. Now, I'm just so tired and I hurt somewhere all the time. It is really depressing and defeating.

I am on my way to bed shortly. I took a muscle relaxant to see if it will help. I am hoping for a better Saturday. I hope you all have a lovely weekend.

Twenty-third Psalm for Work

Psalm 23
(For the Work Place)

The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He gently reminds me to pray and do all things without
murmuring and complaining.

He reminds me that He is my source and not my job.
He restores my sanity every day and guides my decisions
that I might honor Him in all that I do.

Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system
crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping
co-workers , discriminating supervisors and an aging body
that doesn't cooperate every morning, I still will not stop---
for He is with me! His presence, His peace, and His power
will see me through.

He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me.
He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens
to let me go. His Faithfulness and love is better than any bonus check.

His retirement plan beats any 401k there is!
When it's all said and done, I'll be working for Him a whole lot longer and for that,

I BLESS HIS NAME!!!!!!