Jan 31, 2010
Where Is God Leading You?
Desire has become a huge problem for modern people. Two forces pull us in opposite directions. One liberates us from old values. The other wants to preserve those values. The resulting polarization can be seen in every sphere of life, especially the social and political realms.
Churchgoers feel righteous, responsible, and obedient to God’s will. They view anyone unlike themselves as devoid of values, and therefore unworthy of God’s love. By denying God to all those who have strayed from the path of righteousness, the devout are unwittingly taking on themselves a role that belongs only to God.
This schism can also be seen in our inner conflicts. At bottom, the pull of old values is restrictive. Its God is judgmental, and his demands are not to be flouted. In other words, spirit exists to rebuke the flesh and keep its appetites under control. The force of liberation, on the other hand, evokes a God of tolerance who loves his creation and asks only for love in return.
To heal this schism, we need to realize that God makes no demands and sets no particular limits of any kind, on thought, word or deed.
At the beginning of the path, it doesn’t matter whether you are devout or atheist. What both sides have in common is constraint. The prevailing condition has a narrow vision–we all share it. So, how does God want us to grow, in what direction, according to what guidelines? None. You get to grow the way you want to, by following your own desires.
You are already growing the right seeds. The things that deeply interest you play the role of God; you feel an irresistible attraction to them. The visible world in all its details is a symbol for God. You can gaze at the sky on a warm June day, stay glued to TV looking at football, or watch your infant child asleep in the cradle. Whatever captivates you is also trying to wake you up. A friend of mine put it more bluntly: “If you don’t know where you’re going, it doesn’t matter where you start.”
An impulse of love, if followed wherever it leads, will become richer and more intense, and in the end it will reveal itself as divine. An impulse of gratitude will do the same thing, as will compassion, kindness, charity, faith, devotion, appreciation, art, and science. Wherever the human mind wants to expand, God will be waiting at the end of the line.
by Deepak Chopra
Churchgoers feel righteous, responsible, and obedient to God’s will. They view anyone unlike themselves as devoid of values, and therefore unworthy of God’s love. By denying God to all those who have strayed from the path of righteousness, the devout are unwittingly taking on themselves a role that belongs only to God.
This schism can also be seen in our inner conflicts. At bottom, the pull of old values is restrictive. Its God is judgmental, and his demands are not to be flouted. In other words, spirit exists to rebuke the flesh and keep its appetites under control. The force of liberation, on the other hand, evokes a God of tolerance who loves his creation and asks only for love in return.
To heal this schism, we need to realize that God makes no demands and sets no particular limits of any kind, on thought, word or deed.
At the beginning of the path, it doesn’t matter whether you are devout or atheist. What both sides have in common is constraint. The prevailing condition has a narrow vision–we all share it. So, how does God want us to grow, in what direction, according to what guidelines? None. You get to grow the way you want to, by following your own desires.
You are already growing the right seeds. The things that deeply interest you play the role of God; you feel an irresistible attraction to them. The visible world in all its details is a symbol for God. You can gaze at the sky on a warm June day, stay glued to TV looking at football, or watch your infant child asleep in the cradle. Whatever captivates you is also trying to wake you up. A friend of mine put it more bluntly: “If you don’t know where you’re going, it doesn’t matter where you start.”
An impulse of love, if followed wherever it leads, will become richer and more intense, and in the end it will reveal itself as divine. An impulse of gratitude will do the same thing, as will compassion, kindness, charity, faith, devotion, appreciation, art, and science. Wherever the human mind wants to expand, God will be waiting at the end of the line.
by Deepak Chopra
It's Just A Pet
From time to time, people tell me,
"lighten up, it's just a pet"
or, "that's a lot of money for just a pet."
They don't understand the distance traveled,
the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a pet."
Some of my proudest moments
have come about with "just a pet."
Many hours have passed and my only company was
"just a pet," but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have
been brought about by "just a pet,"
and in those days of darkness,
the gentle touch of "just a pet"
gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a pet,"
then you will probably understand phases like
"just a friend," & "just a sunrise" or "just a promise."
"Just a pet" brings into my life the very essence of friendship,
trust, and pure unbridled joy.
"Just a pet" brings out the compassion and patience
that make me a better person.
Because of "just a pet" I will rise early,
take long walks and look longingly to the future.
So for me and folks like me,
it's not "just a pet"
but an embodiment of all
the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past,
and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a pet" brings out what's good in me
and diverts my thoughts away
from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that some day they can understand
that it's not "just a pet"
but the thing that gives me humanity
and keeps me from being "just a man."
So the next time you hear the phrase
"just a pet," just smile,
because they
"just don't understand."
Author Unknown
"lighten up, it's just a pet"
or, "that's a lot of money for just a pet."
They don't understand the distance traveled,
the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a pet."
Some of my proudest moments
have come about with "just a pet."
Many hours have passed and my only company was
"just a pet," but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have
been brought about by "just a pet,"
and in those days of darkness,
the gentle touch of "just a pet"
gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a pet,"
then you will probably understand phases like
"just a friend," & "just a sunrise" or "just a promise."
"Just a pet" brings into my life the very essence of friendship,
trust, and pure unbridled joy.
"Just a pet" brings out the compassion and patience
that make me a better person.
Because of "just a pet" I will rise early,
take long walks and look longingly to the future.
So for me and folks like me,
it's not "just a pet"
but an embodiment of all
the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past,
and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a pet" brings out what's good in me
and diverts my thoughts away
from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that some day they can understand
that it's not "just a pet"
but the thing that gives me humanity
and keeps me from being "just a man."
So the next time you hear the phrase
"just a pet," just smile,
because they
"just don't understand."
Author Unknown
Thought For The Day
No matter how badly last year treated you,just walk tall with your head high.
This is a brand new year baby!
Jan 24, 2010
This Weeks Sound Off
Pope Calls For Dialogue
Pope Benedict XVI visited the main Jewish synagogue in Rome on Sunday, a trip that unfolded amid heightened tension between Catholics and Jews.
Benedict was the first pope in 24 years to visit the Tempio Maggiore, or Great Temple. He called on Catholics and Jews to keep an open dialogue and work together to tackle problems, such as poverty and disease.
"As Moses taught ... and as Jesus affirms in the Gospel, all of the commandments are summed up in the love of God and loving-kindness towards one's neighbor," the pope said, according to a Vatican transcript.
"This rule urges Jews and Christians to exercise, in our time, a special generosity towards the poor, towards women and children, strangers, the sick, the weak and the needy."
Christians and Jews "share to a great extent a common spiritual patrimony," but "often remain unknown to each other," he said.
"It is our duty, in response to God's call, to strive to keep open the space for dialogue, for reciprocal respect, for growth in friendship, for a common witness in the face of challenges of our time, which invite us to cooperate for the good of humanity ..." -CNN World
The world of religion is so complex and such a double edge sword that it will take a miracle for each to see eye to eye. For whatever reason, which totally baffles my mind, each sect believes that it’s the only one that is right, that they are the only ones who has the keys to heaven, and they are the only ones who will inherit the new earth. If this were true then the majority of us have no chance at all. We might as well live in sin and simply enjoy.
When you put this fatal exclusive mentality up against the gospels, you can’t help but find that this wired philosophy is far from the truth. No single religion holds the absolute truth, no single religion has sole access to heaven, and no single religion will have exclusive rights to or in the new earth.
I believe that dialogue between all religions is a wonderful thing. Respect between all is long overdue. However, as long as mankind is running the “show” there will never be a “coming together” in which each can agree that it is through Christ alone that mankind is saved. The church isn’t going to save you. It’s “truth” isn’t going to save you. It’s exclusivity isn’t going to save you. The bottom line, Jesus is our only hope and salvation … all the rest is nothing more than man made and to some extent a lie to suite their own salvation agenda.
Pope Benedict XVI visited the main Jewish synagogue in Rome on Sunday, a trip that unfolded amid heightened tension between Catholics and Jews.
Benedict was the first pope in 24 years to visit the Tempio Maggiore, or Great Temple. He called on Catholics and Jews to keep an open dialogue and work together to tackle problems, such as poverty and disease.
"As Moses taught ... and as Jesus affirms in the Gospel, all of the commandments are summed up in the love of God and loving-kindness towards one's neighbor," the pope said, according to a Vatican transcript.
"This rule urges Jews and Christians to exercise, in our time, a special generosity towards the poor, towards women and children, strangers, the sick, the weak and the needy."
Christians and Jews "share to a great extent a common spiritual patrimony," but "often remain unknown to each other," he said.
"It is our duty, in response to God's call, to strive to keep open the space for dialogue, for reciprocal respect, for growth in friendship, for a common witness in the face of challenges of our time, which invite us to cooperate for the good of humanity ..." -CNN World
The world of religion is so complex and such a double edge sword that it will take a miracle for each to see eye to eye. For whatever reason, which totally baffles my mind, each sect believes that it’s the only one that is right, that they are the only ones who has the keys to heaven, and they are the only ones who will inherit the new earth. If this were true then the majority of us have no chance at all. We might as well live in sin and simply enjoy.
When you put this fatal exclusive mentality up against the gospels, you can’t help but find that this wired philosophy is far from the truth. No single religion holds the absolute truth, no single religion has sole access to heaven, and no single religion will have exclusive rights to or in the new earth.
I believe that dialogue between all religions is a wonderful thing. Respect between all is long overdue. However, as long as mankind is running the “show” there will never be a “coming together” in which each can agree that it is through Christ alone that mankind is saved. The church isn’t going to save you. It’s “truth” isn’t going to save you. It’s exclusivity isn’t going to save you. The bottom line, Jesus is our only hope and salvation … all the rest is nothing more than man made and to some extent a lie to suite their own salvation agenda.
Ragbag Headliners
Gunsights' Biblical References Concern US and UK Forces
Coded references to biblical passages are inscribed on gunsights widely used by the US and British military in Iraq and Afghanistan, it has emerged.
The markings include "2COR4:6" and "JN8:12", relating to verses in the books of II Corinthians and John.
Trijicon, the US-based manufacturer, was founded by a devout Christian, and says it runs to "Biblical standards".
But military officials in the US and UK have expressed concern over the way the markings will be perceived.
The company had been adding the references to its sights for many years, but the issue surfaced only recently when soldiers complained to an advocacy group, an ABC News investigation found.
Raised lettering
The inscriptions are subtle and appear in raised lettering at the end of the stock number.
John 8:12 reads: "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
The nod to part of the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians, found on the company's Reflex sight, references the text: "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."
'Propaganda tool'
The US Marine Corps told the BBC they were "concerned with how this may be perceived" and were meeting with the company to "discuss future sight procurements".
The US Army said it was looking into any potential policy violation.
The issue has been thrust into the spotlight by the US Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) - an advocacy group that seeks to preserve the separation of church and state in the military.
On 14 January, the MRFF received an e-mail, purportedly from a Muslim US Army infantryman, complaining about the markings.
"Many soldiers know of them and are very confused as to why they are there and what it is supposed to mean."
The email adds: "Everyone is worried that if they were captured in combat that the enemy would use the Bible quotes against them in captivity or some other form of propaganda."
MRFF president Mikey Weinstein says the inscriptions could give the Taliban and other enemy forces a propaganda tool.
"I don't have to wonder for a nanosecond how the American public would react if citations from the Koran were being inscribed onto these US armed forces gunsights instead of New Testament citations," he said.
A Trijicon spokesman told the BBC the company "has been working to provide America's military men and women with high quality, innovative sighting systems for the weapons they use".
"Our effort is simple and straightforward: to help our servicemen and women win the war on terror and come home safe to their families.
"As part of our faith and our belief in service to our country, Trijicon has put scripture references on our products for more than two decades.
"As long as we have men and women in danger, we will continue to do everything we can to provide them with both state-of-the-art technology and the never-ending support and prayers of a grateful nation," the spokesman added.
The company states on its website: "We believe that America is great when its people are good. This goodness has been based on biblical standards throughout our history and we will strive to follow those morals." -BBC News
Religious Item Causes Airplane Scare
A 17-year-old passenger inadvertently caused a scare aboard a US Airways flight from New York to Louisville on Thursday morning. The young flyer, an Orthodox Jew, was wearing an article of clothing that some on the plane feared might be an explosive device.
In reality, it was a simple religious item called phylacteries. Here's what happened. According to Reuters, another passenger mistook the phylacteries, also called a tefillin in Hebrew, for a bomb. Phylacteries consist of two leather boxes with straps attached. "Observant Jewish men are required to place one box on their head and tie the other one on their arm each weekday morning."
When the alarmed passenger saw the phylacteries, he alerted the crew, and the plane was immediately diverted to Philadelphia. Once on the ground, authorities questioned the boy, and quickly determined the incident had been a false alarm. No arrests were made. –Yahoo Buzz!
Coded references to biblical passages are inscribed on gunsights widely used by the US and British military in Iraq and Afghanistan, it has emerged.
The markings include "2COR4:6" and "JN8:12", relating to verses in the books of II Corinthians and John.
Trijicon, the US-based manufacturer, was founded by a devout Christian, and says it runs to "Biblical standards".
But military officials in the US and UK have expressed concern over the way the markings will be perceived.
The company had been adding the references to its sights for many years, but the issue surfaced only recently when soldiers complained to an advocacy group, an ABC News investigation found.
Raised lettering
The inscriptions are subtle and appear in raised lettering at the end of the stock number.
John 8:12 reads: "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
The nod to part of the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians, found on the company's Reflex sight, references the text: "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."
'Propaganda tool'
The US Marine Corps told the BBC they were "concerned with how this may be perceived" and were meeting with the company to "discuss future sight procurements".
The US Army said it was looking into any potential policy violation.
The issue has been thrust into the spotlight by the US Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) - an advocacy group that seeks to preserve the separation of church and state in the military.
On 14 January, the MRFF received an e-mail, purportedly from a Muslim US Army infantryman, complaining about the markings.
"Many soldiers know of them and are very confused as to why they are there and what it is supposed to mean."
The email adds: "Everyone is worried that if they were captured in combat that the enemy would use the Bible quotes against them in captivity or some other form of propaganda."
MRFF president Mikey Weinstein says the inscriptions could give the Taliban and other enemy forces a propaganda tool.
"I don't have to wonder for a nanosecond how the American public would react if citations from the Koran were being inscribed onto these US armed forces gunsights instead of New Testament citations," he said.
A Trijicon spokesman told the BBC the company "has been working to provide America's military men and women with high quality, innovative sighting systems for the weapons they use".
"Our effort is simple and straightforward: to help our servicemen and women win the war on terror and come home safe to their families.
"As part of our faith and our belief in service to our country, Trijicon has put scripture references on our products for more than two decades.
"As long as we have men and women in danger, we will continue to do everything we can to provide them with both state-of-the-art technology and the never-ending support and prayers of a grateful nation," the spokesman added.
The company states on its website: "We believe that America is great when its people are good. This goodness has been based on biblical standards throughout our history and we will strive to follow those morals." -BBC News
<><><>*<><><>
Religious Item Causes Airplane Scare
A 17-year-old passenger inadvertently caused a scare aboard a US Airways flight from New York to Louisville on Thursday morning. The young flyer, an Orthodox Jew, was wearing an article of clothing that some on the plane feared might be an explosive device.
In reality, it was a simple religious item called phylacteries. Here's what happened. According to Reuters, another passenger mistook the phylacteries, also called a tefillin in Hebrew, for a bomb. Phylacteries consist of two leather boxes with straps attached. "Observant Jewish men are required to place one box on their head and tie the other one on their arm each weekday morning."
When the alarmed passenger saw the phylacteries, he alerted the crew, and the plane was immediately diverted to Philadelphia. Once on the ground, authorities questioned the boy, and quickly determined the incident had been a false alarm. No arrests were made. –Yahoo Buzz!
Bible Possibly Written Centuries Earlier
Scientists have discovered the earliest known Hebrew writing - an inscription dating from the 10th century B.C., during the period of King David's reign.The breakthrough could mean that portions of the Bible were written centuries earlier than previously thought. (The Bible's Old Testament is thought to have been first written down in an ancient form of Hebrew.)
Until now, many scholars have held that the Hebrew Bible originated in the 6th century B.C., because Hebrew writing was thought to stretch back no further. But the newly deciphered Hebrew text is about four centuries older, scientists announced this month.
"It indicates that the Kingdom of Israel already existed in the 10th century BCE and that at least some of the biblical texts were written hundreds of years before the dates presented in current research," said Gershon Galil, a professor of Biblical Studies at the University of Haifa in Israel, who deciphered the ancient text.
BCE stands for "before common era," and is equivalent to B.C., or before Christ.
The writing was discovered more than a year ago on a pottery shard dug up during excavations at Khirbet Qeiyafa, near Israel's Elah valley. The excavations were carried out by archaeologist Yosef Garfinkel of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. At first, scientists could not tell if the writing was Hebrew or some other local language.
Finally, Galil was able to decipher the text. He identified words particular to the Hebrew language and content specific to Hebrew culture to prove that the writing was, in fact, Hebrew.
"It uses verbs that were characteristic of Hebrew, such as asah ('did') and avad ('worked'), which were rarely used in other regional languages," Galil said. "Particular words that appear in the text, such as almanah ('widow') are specific to Hebrew and are written differently in other local languages."
The ancient text is written in ink on a trapezoid-shaped piece of pottery about 6 inches by 6.5 inches (15 cm by 16.5 cm). It appears to be a social statement about how people should treat slaves, widows and orphans. In English, it reads (by numbered line):
1' you shall not do [it], but worship the [Lord].
2' Judge the sla[ve] and the wid[ow] / Judge the orph[an]
3' [and] the stranger. [Pl]ead for the infant / plead for the po[or and]
4' the widow. Rehabilitate [the poor] at the hands of the king.
5' Protect the po[or and] the slave / [supp]ort the stranger.
The content, which has some missing letters, is similar to some Biblical scriptures, such as Isaiah 1:17, Psalms 72:3, and Exodus 23:3, but does not appear to be copied from any Biblical text. –Yahoo News
You Never Know
“Be kinder than necessary
because everyone you meet
is fighting some kind of battle.”
Author Unknown
because everyone you meet
is fighting some kind of battle.”
Author Unknown
Gentile Thoughts For Today
He who hesitates is probably right.
A penny saved is another government oversight.
Birds of a feather flock together and then crap on your car.
The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.
Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are XL.'
If you think there is good in everybody, you haven't met everybody.
You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.
If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble.
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth, think of Algebra.
Did you ever notice: When you put the 2 words 'The' and 'IRS' together it spells 'Theirs . . .'
Aging: Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends.
The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young. Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.
Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know 'why' I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.
There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt.
Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth . . . AMEN!
Author Unknown
A penny saved is another government oversight.
Birds of a feather flock together and then crap on your car.
The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.
Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are XL.'
If you think there is good in everybody, you haven't met everybody.
You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.
If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble.
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to your youth, think of Algebra.
Did you ever notice: When you put the 2 words 'The' and 'IRS' together it spells 'Theirs . . .'
Aging: Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends.
The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young. Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.
Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know 'why' I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved.
There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt.
Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth . . . AMEN!
Author Unknown
Jan 17, 2010
To Our Haiti Brothers and Sisters ...
We See Your Pain …
Our Hearts Cry With You.
And In Our Prayers
We Lift You Up
To Falling Tears Above.
Amen
:Pj
Our Hearts Cry With You.
And In Our Prayers
We Lift You Up
To Falling Tears Above.
Amen
:Pj
Word For 2010
It is minutes before 2010. This year, more than ever, be careful who you pick as your friends. You are seeing My Word being fulfilled.
It is time to be sober and watch. As for the world and its pleasures you must not follow the trends.
Be steadfast and sure of your love for Me until the end. At times it may be hard to stand on the Rock but remember I will always be with you, on that you can depend.
2010 will bring more blessings to those who are willing to go where I send. Many will learn what it means to walk one with Me for they will recognize that the wisdom of man and the Spirit of God do not blend.
This year, 2010, will bring happiness, love, joy and more peace because My people will know that it is better to trust in Me than to put their confidence in man.
Faith will increase in My people for they will understand I will always be there in all circumstances to be their advocate and to defend.
More and more this year My people will realize that I inhabit the praise of My people and that I will keep them in perfect peace who's mind is stayed on Me.
2010 will be a good year, that is My report, says the Lord. Children will return to their own borders, many will be healed. Finally you will understand that it is My strength that will uphold you.
Trust in Me. Be strong and of good courage and do not be afraid. Yes, put your confidence in Me, says the Lord, not in man. For do you not know that the number 10 is the perfection of Divine order?
I, the Lord, tell you I am in control of what is happening in this world, I say, trust in Me and don't lean on your own understanding.
I tell you again, Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
You will be blessed in 2010!!!!!
It is time to be sober and watch. As for the world and its pleasures you must not follow the trends.
Be steadfast and sure of your love for Me until the end. At times it may be hard to stand on the Rock but remember I will always be with you, on that you can depend.
2010 will bring more blessings to those who are willing to go where I send. Many will learn what it means to walk one with Me for they will recognize that the wisdom of man and the Spirit of God do not blend.
This year, 2010, will bring happiness, love, joy and more peace because My people will know that it is better to trust in Me than to put their confidence in man.
Faith will increase in My people for they will understand I will always be there in all circumstances to be their advocate and to defend.
More and more this year My people will realize that I inhabit the praise of My people and that I will keep them in perfect peace who's mind is stayed on Me.
2010 will be a good year, that is My report, says the Lord. Children will return to their own borders, many will be healed. Finally you will understand that it is My strength that will uphold you.
Trust in Me. Be strong and of good courage and do not be afraid. Yes, put your confidence in Me, says the Lord, not in man. For do you not know that the number 10 is the perfection of Divine order?
I, the Lord, tell you I am in control of what is happening in this world, I say, trust in Me and don't lean on your own understanding.
I tell you again, Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
You will be blessed in 2010!!!!!
Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation
'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Amen!'
Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,' and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God.'
Think about this: If you forward this prayer to everyone on your e-mail list, in less than 30 days it would be heard by the world. (It's worth a try!)
Amen!'
<><><>*<><><>
Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,' and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God.'
Think about this: If you forward this prayer to everyone on your e-mail list, in less than 30 days it would be heard by the world. (It's worth a try!)
Prop 8 Trial
The first day of the landmark case includes opening statements on the nature of marriage, a history of the institution and the struggles two same-sex couples have endured because they can't marry.A widely anticipated federal trial over the constitutionality of California's ban on same-sex marriage opened Monday, with lawyers and witnesses debating the meaning of marriage and sexual orientation and gay and lesbian couples testifying about the humiliation of being denied matrimony.
While supporters of same-sex marriage demonstrated in the fog outside the San Francisco courthouse and the U.S. Supreme Court wrangled with whether to allow video coverage of the trial, the case moved along briskly, with sometimes tearful testimony from the two same-sex couples who brought the lawsuit and an explanation of the roots of marriage by a Harvard historian.
The lawsuit charges that Proposition 8's reinstatement of a state ban on same sex-marriage violates the U.S. Constitution's guarantees of equal protection and due process. The constitutionality of the ban is expected to eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court as a landmark case.
Two legal giants -- former Solicitor General Theodore Olson and attorney David Boies, who were on opposing sides in the high court case that gave George W. Bush the presidency -- have joined forces in Perry vs. Schwarzenegger seeking to eventually persuade the Supreme Court to overturn marriage bans.
In his opening argument, Olson called marriage "one of the most vital personal rights" and a "basic civil right." Withholding it from gays and lesbians "doesn't make sense," he said.
U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker asked if the state should simply get out of the business of issuing marriage licenses.
"That may solve the problem," Olson said, but it "would never happen."
Walker also asked Olson if voters are entitled to pass laws stemming from "moral disapproval," such as prohibitions on alcohol.
Olson replied that U.S. history is filled with moral condemnation of people based on their race, gender and ethnicity. Proposition 8, passed by 52.3% of California voters in 2008, perpetuates discrimination "for no good reason," Olson said.
Charles J. Cooper, who is representing the Proposition 8 campaign and has argued many cases before the Supreme Court, told Walker that a limitation of marriage to opposite-sex couples has "prevailed in virtually every society since early history."
Walker noted that many states once barred interracial marriage. Cooper replied that those laws were based on a notion of "white supremacy," and not on a long-standing tradition.
Cooper said the evidence would show that opposite-sex marriage is good for children, and that the "procreative purpose of marriage" would be "diluted or weakened" if same-sex couples were permitted to marry.
Asked what evidence exists to show that same-sex marriage would "radically alter the institution of marriage," Cooper replied that data from the Netherlands will show that it leads to a decline in marriage rates. He said it also would lead to more children being raised outside of marriage and higher divorce rates.
But he added that same-sex marriage is still too rare and novel an "experiment" to draw conclusions about its long-term impact. Noting that only five states and seven countries permit gays and lesbians to wed, Cooper said, "The people of California are entitled to await the results of that experiment."
Jeffrey J. Zarrillo, one of the plaintiffs, was the first to be called to the stand. Zarrillo, 36, a manager in the entertainment industry, testified tearfully about being denied the right to marry Paul T. Katami, his partner of nearly nine years and a co-plaintiff.
"He is the love of my life," Zarrillo said. He testified that marriage "is the logical next step" for him and Katami. It would send the message that they are serious and committed to each other, he said. Checking into hotels with Katami is often "awkward," he said, as clerks sometimes ask if they meant to reserve a king-size bed.
To eliminate confusion and embarrassment, he said, he would like to say, "My husband and I are here to check in for our room."
Asked whether he might one day marry a woman, Zarrillo said he felt no attraction to or desire to be with a member of the opposite sex.
Katami, 37, a group fitness manager, called himself "a natural born gay" and testified that being denied marriage felt like being "relegated to a corner."
"I don't think of myself as a bad person," Katami said in response to questions from Boies.
During cross-examination, attorney Brian W. Raum noted that nothing in Proposition 8 suggested that children needed to be protected because homosexuals were bad. Katami was the only one of the four plaintiffs to be questioned by the defense.
Raum, an attorney with the Alliance Defend Fund, a Christian legal advocacy group, put into evidence a film clip of two parents in Massachusetts complaining that their son's second-grade teacher read the class a book about two princes getting married.
Olson questioned lead plaintiffs Kristin M. Perry and Sandra B. Stier, a lesbian couple from Berkeley with four sons who were denied a marriage license in May.
The couple married in San Francisco in 2004, but their union and others were later invalidated by the California Supreme Court because the state's marriage ban was still in place.
When her marriage was invalidated, Perry, 45, who runs a state agency for children, said she felt that "I am not good enough to be married." She said she and Stier decided not to marry during the brief time same-sex marriage was legal in California in 2008 because they feared it would again be struck down. Advertising for Proposition 8 implied that voters needed to protect children from people like her, Perry said.
"I felt like I was being used," she testified. " The fact that I am the way I am and I can't change the way I am was being mocked and disparaged."
All of the plaintiffs testified that domestic partnership is substantially different from marriage. They complained that they do not have access to the word "marriage" to explain their relationships and feel either shunned or pitied.
The day ended with testimony from Harvard professor Nancy Cott, an expert in the history of marriage in the United States.
She said Cooper's opening statement that marriage between two members of the opposite sex was universal was inaccurate. Ancient Jews were polygamous, she said, and in some countries Muslims can marry several women.
In a 19th century case, she said the U.S. Supreme Court denied Dred Scott, a black man, citizenship partly on the grounds that he was not permitted to marry a white woman. The court said that was a "stigma that marked him as less than a full citizen," she testified. "In marrying, one is exercising a right of freedom," she said.
At the start of the trial, Walker announced that the Supreme Court had prevented video coverage of the proceedings pending further review.
The high court's order will remain in effect until Wednesday. Walker called it "highly unfortunate" that the federal court system has yet to resolve the "public right to access."
Walker noted that 138,542 people had sent the court messages of support for public dissemination of the trial and only 32 opposed it.
maura.dolan@latimes.com
Times staff writer David G. Savage in Washington contributed to this report. –LA Times
This Year ...
May you always make the right moves.
May your cup runneth over with love.
May you always find shelter from any storm.
May you remain good looking and looking good!
May you find the perfect diet for your soul.
May you find perfect balance in the company you keep.
May you have as much fun as you can before someone makes you stop.
May the worst thing that happens to you come in slobberry pink and furry tan.
May you manage to make time for siesta.
May all the new folks you meet be interesting and kind.
May your accessories always harmonize with your natural beauty!
Should your mouth ever be bigger than your stomach, may you have a chewing good time!
May you always know when to walk away and know when to run.
And may your friends always bring you joy!
God bless you. May you have a wonderful new year filled with love, happiness, and hope.
Author Unknown
May your cup runneth over with love.
May you always find shelter from any storm.
May you remain good looking and looking good!
May you find the perfect diet for your soul.
May you find perfect balance in the company you keep.
May you have as much fun as you can before someone makes you stop.
May the worst thing that happens to you come in slobberry pink and furry tan.
May you manage to make time for siesta.
May all the new folks you meet be interesting and kind.
May your accessories always harmonize with your natural beauty!
Should your mouth ever be bigger than your stomach, may you have a chewing good time!
May you always know when to walk away and know when to run.
And may your friends always bring you joy!
God bless you. May you have a wonderful new year filled with love, happiness, and hope.
Author Unknown
Jan 10, 2010
13.2 Billion Years, Finds 'Primordial' Galaxies
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has reached back 13.2 billion years -- farther than ever before in time and space -- to reveal a "primordial population" of galaxies never seen before."The deeper Hubble looks into space, the farther back in time it looks, because light takes billions of years to cross the observable universe," the Space Telescope Science Institute said in a statement released Tuesday.
"This makes Hubble a powerful 'time machine' that allows astronomers to see galaxies as they were 13 billion years ago -- just 600 million to 800 million years after the Big Bang," the institute said in a statement released Tuesday.
The existence of these newly found galaxies pushes back the time when galaxies began to form to before 500-600 million years after the Big Bang, the institute said.
"These galaxies could have roots stretching into an earlier population of stars. There must be a substantial component of galaxies beyond Hubble's detection limit," according to James Dunlop of the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, who was quoted in the release.
From the current cache of images, astronomers can see for the first time that "galaxies grew from small, bright clusters of stars to the big spiral cities of stars today," Villard said. The small galaxies show up as ultra-blue in color.
According to the institute, "the deep observations also demonstrate the progressive buildup of galaxies and provide further support for the hierarchical model of galaxy assembly, where small objects ... merge to form bigger objects over a smooth and steady but dramatic process of collision and agglomeration. It's like streams merging into tributaries and then into a bay."
The camera was pointed at a section of sky known as the Hubble Ultra Deep Field, which was initially surveyed in visible light in 2004, and showed a dark sky filled with more than 10,000 galaxies. –CNN Tech
The Power of Discipline
Why are some people more successful than others? Why do some people make more money, live happier lives and accomplish much more in the same number of years than the great majority?
I started out in life with few advantages. I did not graduate from high school. I worked at menial jobs. I had limited education, limited skills and a limited future. And then I began asking, "Why are some people more successful than others?" This question changed my life.
Over the years, I have read thousands of books and articles on the subjects of success and achievement. It seems that the reasons for these accomplishments have been discussed and written about for more than two thousand years, in every conceivable way. One quality that most philosophers, teachers and experts agree on is the importance of self-discipline. As Al Tomsik summarized it years ago, "Success is tons of discipline."
Some years ago, I attended a conference in Washington. It was the lunch break and I was eating at a nearby food fair. The area was crowded and I sat down at the last open table by myself, even though it was a table for four.
A few minutes later, an older gentleman and a younger woman who was his assistant came along carrying trays of food, obviously looking for a place to sit.
With plenty of room at my table, I immediately arose and invited the older gentleman to join me. He was hesitant, but I insisted. Finally, thanking me as he sat down, we began to chat over lunch.
It turned out that his name was Kop Kopmeyer. As it happened, I immediately knew who he was. He was a legend in the field of success and achievement. Kop Kopmeyer had written four large books, each of which contained 250 success principles that he had derived from more than fifty years of research and study. I had read all four books from cover to cover, more than once.
After we had chatted for awhile, I asked him the question that many people in this situation would ask, "Of all the one thousand success principles that you have discovered, which do you think is the most important?"
He smiled at me with a twinkle in his eye, as if he had been asked this question many times, and replied, without hesitating, "The most important success principle of all was stated by Thomas Huxley many years ago. He said, 'Do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.'"
He went on to say, "There are 999 other success principles that I have found in my reading and experience, but without self-discipline, none of them work."
Self-discipline is the key to personal greatness. It is the magic quality that opens all doors for you, and makes everything else possible. With self-discipline, the average person can rise as far and as fast as his talents and intelligence can take him. But without self-discipline, a person with every blessing of background, education and opportunity will seldom rise above mediocrity.
“The Power of Discipline” - By Brian Tracy
I started out in life with few advantages. I did not graduate from high school. I worked at menial jobs. I had limited education, limited skills and a limited future. And then I began asking, "Why are some people more successful than others?" This question changed my life.
Over the years, I have read thousands of books and articles on the subjects of success and achievement. It seems that the reasons for these accomplishments have been discussed and written about for more than two thousand years, in every conceivable way. One quality that most philosophers, teachers and experts agree on is the importance of self-discipline. As Al Tomsik summarized it years ago, "Success is tons of discipline."
Some years ago, I attended a conference in Washington. It was the lunch break and I was eating at a nearby food fair. The area was crowded and I sat down at the last open table by myself, even though it was a table for four.
A few minutes later, an older gentleman and a younger woman who was his assistant came along carrying trays of food, obviously looking for a place to sit.
With plenty of room at my table, I immediately arose and invited the older gentleman to join me. He was hesitant, but I insisted. Finally, thanking me as he sat down, we began to chat over lunch.
It turned out that his name was Kop Kopmeyer. As it happened, I immediately knew who he was. He was a legend in the field of success and achievement. Kop Kopmeyer had written four large books, each of which contained 250 success principles that he had derived from more than fifty years of research and study. I had read all four books from cover to cover, more than once.
After we had chatted for awhile, I asked him the question that many people in this situation would ask, "Of all the one thousand success principles that you have discovered, which do you think is the most important?"
He smiled at me with a twinkle in his eye, as if he had been asked this question many times, and replied, without hesitating, "The most important success principle of all was stated by Thomas Huxley many years ago. He said, 'Do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.'"
He went on to say, "There are 999 other success principles that I have found in my reading and experience, but without self-discipline, none of them work."
Self-discipline is the key to personal greatness. It is the magic quality that opens all doors for you, and makes everything else possible. With self-discipline, the average person can rise as far and as fast as his talents and intelligence can take him. But without self-discipline, a person with every blessing of background, education and opportunity will seldom rise above mediocrity.
“The Power of Discipline” - By Brian Tracy
Profiling?
Some Americans have become so insulated from reality that they imagine America can suffer defeats without any inconvenience to themselves..
Absolutely No Profiling! Pause a moment, reflect back, and take the following multiple choice test.
These events are actual events from history. They really happened! Do you remember?
HERES THE TEST
1. 1968 Bobby Kennedy was shot and killed by:
a. Superman
b. Jay Leno
c. Harry Potter
d. A Muslim male extremist between the ages of 17 and 40
2. In 1972 at the Munich Olympics, athletes were kidnapped and massacred by:
a. Olga Corbett
b. Sitting Bull
c. Arnold Schwarzenegger
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
3. In 1979, the US embassy in Iran was taken over by:
a. Lost Norwegians
b. Elvis
c. A tour bus full of 80-year-old women
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
4. During the 1980's a number of Americans were kidnapped in Lebanon by:
a. John Dillinger
b. The King of Sweden
c. The Boy Scouts
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
5. In 1983, the US Marine barracks in Beirut was blown up by:
a. A pizza delivery boy
b. Pee Wee Herman
c. Geraldo Rivera
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
6. In 1985 the cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked and a 70 year old American passenger was murdered and thrown overboard in his wheelchair by:
a. The Smurfs
b. Davey Jones
c. The Little Mermaid
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
7. In 1985 TWA flight 847 was hijacked at Athens, and a US Navy diver trying to rescue passengers was murdered by:
a. Captain Kidd
b. Charles Lindberg
c. Mother Teresa
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
8. In 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed by:
a. Scooby Doo
b. The Tooth Fairy
c. The Sundance Kid
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
9. In 1993 the World Trade Center was bombed the first time by:
a. Richard Simmons
b. Grandma Moses
c. Michael Jordan
d.. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
10. In 1998, the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed by:
a. Mr. Rogers
b. Hillary Clinton, to distract attention from Wild Bill's women problems
c. The World Wrestling Federation
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
11. On 9/11/01, four airliners were hijacked; two were used as missiles to take out the World Trade Centers and of the remaining two, one crashed into the US Pentagon and the other was diverted and crashed by the passengers. Thousands of people were killed by:
a. Bugs Bunny, Wiley E. Coyote, Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd
b. The Supreme Court of Florida
c. Mr Bean
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
12. In 2002 the United States fought a war in Afghanistan against:
a. Enron
b. The Lutheran Church
c. The NFL
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
13. In 2002 reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered by:
a. Bonnie and Clyde
b. Captain Kangaroo
c. Billy Graham
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
14. And now we can add: In 2009, 31 people wounded and 13 American Soldiers murdered on base at Fort Hood by a Major that was known as:
You guessed it - A Muslim male extremist between the age of 17 and 40.
15. Again in 2009: A man tried to blow up an airliner landing in Detroit by lighting off a chemical bomb. Over 200 innocent people were on that plane. Again, a Muslim male extremist between the ages of 17 and 40.
Does anyone see a pattern ?
One that justifies profiling? Do you? So, to ensure we Americans never offend anyone, particularly fanatics intent on killing us, airport security screeners (TSA) are no longer allowed to profile certain people. They must conduct random searches of 80-year-old women, people in wheel-chairs, little kids, airline pilots with proper identification, secret agents who are members of the President's security detail, 85-year old Congressmen with metal hips, and Medal of Honor winner and former Governor Joe Foss, but leave Muslim Males between the ages 17 and 40 alone lest they be guilty of profiling.
Author Unknown
Absolutely No Profiling! Pause a moment, reflect back, and take the following multiple choice test.
These events are actual events from history. They really happened! Do you remember?
HERES THE TEST
1. 1968 Bobby Kennedy was shot and killed by:
a. Superman
b. Jay Leno
c. Harry Potter
d. A Muslim male extremist between the ages of 17 and 40
2. In 1972 at the Munich Olympics, athletes were kidnapped and massacred by:
a. Olga Corbett
b. Sitting Bull
c. Arnold Schwarzenegger
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
3. In 1979, the US embassy in Iran was taken over by:
a. Lost Norwegians
b. Elvis
c. A tour bus full of 80-year-old women
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
4. During the 1980's a number of Americans were kidnapped in Lebanon by:
a. John Dillinger
b. The King of Sweden
c. The Boy Scouts
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
5. In 1983, the US Marine barracks in Beirut was blown up by:
a. A pizza delivery boy
b. Pee Wee Herman
c. Geraldo Rivera
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
6. In 1985 the cruise ship Achille Lauro was hijacked and a 70 year old American passenger was murdered and thrown overboard in his wheelchair by:
a. The Smurfs
b. Davey Jones
c. The Little Mermaid
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
7. In 1985 TWA flight 847 was hijacked at Athens, and a US Navy diver trying to rescue passengers was murdered by:
a. Captain Kidd
b. Charles Lindberg
c. Mother Teresa
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
8. In 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed by:
a. Scooby Doo
b. The Tooth Fairy
c. The Sundance Kid
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
9. In 1993 the World Trade Center was bombed the first time by:
a. Richard Simmons
b. Grandma Moses
c. Michael Jordan
d.. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
10. In 1998, the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed by:
a. Mr. Rogers
b. Hillary Clinton, to distract attention from Wild Bill's women problems
c. The World Wrestling Federation
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
11. On 9/11/01, four airliners were hijacked; two were used as missiles to take out the World Trade Centers and of the remaining two, one crashed into the US Pentagon and the other was diverted and crashed by the passengers. Thousands of people were killed by:
a. Bugs Bunny, Wiley E. Coyote, Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd
b. The Supreme Court of Florida
c. Mr Bean
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
12. In 2002 the United States fought a war in Afghanistan against:
a. Enron
b. The Lutheran Church
c. The NFL
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
13. In 2002 reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered by:
a. Bonnie and Clyde
b. Captain Kangaroo
c. Billy Graham
d. Muslim male extremists mostly between the ages of 17 and 40
14. And now we can add: In 2009, 31 people wounded and 13 American Soldiers murdered on base at Fort Hood by a Major that was known as:
You guessed it - A Muslim male extremist between the age of 17 and 40.
15. Again in 2009: A man tried to blow up an airliner landing in Detroit by lighting off a chemical bomb. Over 200 innocent people were on that plane. Again, a Muslim male extremist between the ages of 17 and 40.
Does anyone see a pattern ?
One that justifies profiling? Do you? So, to ensure we Americans never offend anyone, particularly fanatics intent on killing us, airport security screeners (TSA) are no longer allowed to profile certain people. They must conduct random searches of 80-year-old women, people in wheel-chairs, little kids, airline pilots with proper identification, secret agents who are members of the President's security detail, 85-year old Congressmen with metal hips, and Medal of Honor winner and former Governor Joe Foss, but leave Muslim Males between the ages 17 and 40 alone lest they be guilty of profiling.
Author Unknown
Jan 3, 2010
This Weeks Sound Off
Abstinence
Proponents of sex education classes that focus on encouraging teenagers to remain virgins until marriage are hoping that the rescue plan for the nation's health-care system will also save their programs, which are facing extinction because of a cutoff of federal funding.
The health-care reform legislation pending in the Senate includes $50 million for programs that states could use to try to reduce pregnancies and sexually transmitted disease among adolescents by teaching to them to delay when they start having sex.
Under the federal budget signed by President Obama, such programs would no longer have funds targeted for them.
"We're optimistic," said Valerie Huber of the National Abstinence Education Association, which is lobbying to maintain funding for the programs. "Nothing is certain, but we're hopeful."
Critics of sex education programs focused on abstinence, however, are fighting to permanently end funding, saying there is clear evidence that the approach is unsuccessful. -The Washington Post
It’s been many moons since high school, I remember my hours spent in a segregated health class in which sexual reality was not part of the curriculum. Why? Because by this time I was sexually active and what was being taught in the classroom didn’t mimic reality. Basically, the class taught me how to better my sexual reality, as well as what types of sex I would rather avoid all together.
This is not to insinuate that “health classes” haven’t improved over the years. I’m sure that in many classrooms sex is being more openly discussed. However, in all of my readings there is one thing that health education does not promote --- the use of condoms. It didn’t when I was in high school and it isn’t being taught today for which we have the religious community to blame for this.
I believe that sexual abstinence is a good thing and those who practice it is probably the better for it. However, on a general scale the idea simply isn’t realistic. And to keep giving federal monies to such programs that prove ineffective is ridiculous and needs to end.
Proponents of sex education classes that focus on encouraging teenagers to remain virgins until marriage are hoping that the rescue plan for the nation's health-care system will also save their programs, which are facing extinction because of a cutoff of federal funding.
The health-care reform legislation pending in the Senate includes $50 million for programs that states could use to try to reduce pregnancies and sexually transmitted disease among adolescents by teaching to them to delay when they start having sex.
Under the federal budget signed by President Obama, such programs would no longer have funds targeted for them.
"We're optimistic," said Valerie Huber of the National Abstinence Education Association, which is lobbying to maintain funding for the programs. "Nothing is certain, but we're hopeful."
Critics of sex education programs focused on abstinence, however, are fighting to permanently end funding, saying there is clear evidence that the approach is unsuccessful. -The Washington Post
It’s been many moons since high school, I remember my hours spent in a segregated health class in which sexual reality was not part of the curriculum. Why? Because by this time I was sexually active and what was being taught in the classroom didn’t mimic reality. Basically, the class taught me how to better my sexual reality, as well as what types of sex I would rather avoid all together.
This is not to insinuate that “health classes” haven’t improved over the years. I’m sure that in many classrooms sex is being more openly discussed. However, in all of my readings there is one thing that health education does not promote --- the use of condoms. It didn’t when I was in high school and it isn’t being taught today for which we have the religious community to blame for this.
I believe that sexual abstinence is a good thing and those who practice it is probably the better for it. However, on a general scale the idea simply isn’t realistic. And to keep giving federal monies to such programs that prove ineffective is ridiculous and needs to end.
About Kwanzaa
This past week, the African American community has been celebrating Kwanzaa. In order to understand the significance of the celebration here are a few facts about the holiday.
Kwanzaa is a week-long African American holiday celebrated from December 26th to January 1st.
2009 will mark the 43rd celebration of Kwanzaa? The holiday was developed in 1966 by activist Dr. Maulana Karenga to celebrate African American culture.
As many as 18 million African Americans will celebrate Kwanzaa this year.
Kwanzaa celebrants light a candle during each day of the holiday. The first candle is black, symbolizing the African American people. The next three are red, representing the struggles of the black people. Next are three green candles, which symbolize hope for the future. The candles are lit from left to right.
Each day of Kwanzaa is represented by a different life principle. In order, these principles are: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
The name Kwanzaa comes from a Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," meaning "first fruits of the harvest". During the holiday of Kwanzaa, many people exchange greetings in Swahili.
On the last full day of Kwanzaa celebrants enjoy a large feast. This feast, called karamu, is the high point of the holiday.
The official colors of Kwanzaa are black, red and green. These colors, represented in the candles lit each night, also are included in home decorations. Other decorations feature traditional African items, such as baskets, cloths, and harvest symbols. –Source: Holiday On The Net
On a personal note, Kwanzaa seems to be nothing more than an adaptation of Chanukah mixed with Christmas. The only difference, Kwanzaa and Chanukah is a week long celebration whereas Christmas is a one day shot. Nevertheless, whichever holiday one may celebrate, their significance is just as relevant to all of us in our endeavor to understand our cultural divide. I hope that this tidbit of information has enlightened your understanding of our black brother’s and sister’s.
Kwanzaa is a week-long African American holiday celebrated from December 26th to January 1st.
2009 will mark the 43rd celebration of Kwanzaa? The holiday was developed in 1966 by activist Dr. Maulana Karenga to celebrate African American culture.
As many as 18 million African Americans will celebrate Kwanzaa this year.
Kwanzaa celebrants light a candle during each day of the holiday. The first candle is black, symbolizing the African American people. The next three are red, representing the struggles of the black people. Next are three green candles, which symbolize hope for the future. The candles are lit from left to right.
Each day of Kwanzaa is represented by a different life principle. In order, these principles are: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
The name Kwanzaa comes from a Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," meaning "first fruits of the harvest". During the holiday of Kwanzaa, many people exchange greetings in Swahili.
On the last full day of Kwanzaa celebrants enjoy a large feast. This feast, called karamu, is the high point of the holiday.
The official colors of Kwanzaa are black, red and green. These colors, represented in the candles lit each night, also are included in home decorations. Other decorations feature traditional African items, such as baskets, cloths, and harvest symbols. –Source: Holiday On The Net
On a personal note, Kwanzaa seems to be nothing more than an adaptation of Chanukah mixed with Christmas. The only difference, Kwanzaa and Chanukah is a week long celebration whereas Christmas is a one day shot. Nevertheless, whichever holiday one may celebrate, their significance is just as relevant to all of us in our endeavor to understand our cultural divide. I hope that this tidbit of information has enlightened your understanding of our black brother’s and sister’s.
Gratitude
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance,
chaos to order, confusion to clarity.
I can turn a meal into a feast,
a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past,
brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow."
By Melody Beattie
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance,
chaos to order, confusion to clarity.
I can turn a meal into a feast,
a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past,
brings peace for today,
and creates a vision for tomorrow."
By Melody Beattie
Secrets Of The World Class
When average performers have had enough for the day and call it quits, champions are usually just getting started. Discipline is the watchword of great performers. Discipline makes the difference between the good and the great. The great ones will tell you discipline is more of a decision than it is an active skill. It's the ability to stay the course and complete promises you've made. The fulfillment of these promises builds confidence and self-esteem, which eventually leads champions to believe almost anything is possible. It's a habit and a self-fulfilling prophecy built into one. Discipline is a logic-based decision that performers adhere to, regardless of whether they feel like it or not.
Discipline pushes performers past pain and punishment. As my late business partner and mentor Bill Gove always said, "It's easier to get yourself into good thinking than it is to think yourself into good action." This is the mindset of the champion. The great ones, like Bill Gove, don't let feelings interfere with their performance. Instead, they harness the power of their emotional motivators to propel them past the competition. Average people see discipline as a painful chore to be avoided at all costs. The world class sees it as the ultimate power tool for performance.
By Steve Siebold
Discipline pushes performers past pain and punishment. As my late business partner and mentor Bill Gove always said, "It's easier to get yourself into good thinking than it is to think yourself into good action." This is the mindset of the champion. The great ones, like Bill Gove, don't let feelings interfere with their performance. Instead, they harness the power of their emotional motivators to propel them past the competition. Average people see discipline as a painful chore to be avoided at all costs. The world class sees it as the ultimate power tool for performance.
By Steve Siebold
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