29.10.06
28.10.06
Glue Gun
26.10.06
25.10.06
24.10.06
Revelation
You never reach a point in your relationship with God where you go, "Ok, that's all of it. I'm bored now. I've reached the highest possible place we can go in this relationship. There's nothing else."
On the contrary, He is unfathomable depths and it is my pleasure to sound those depths and be forever frustrasted with my finitity, looking forward to the day when I will, "Know fully as I am fully known."
So that being said, I am relaxing in the joy and comfort of knowing that this insatiable desire for more of God will be with me always, so that no matter how much I study, I will feel it's not enough; a holy unsatisfaction and longing. And so I'm encouraged to keep going on in the Lord; knowing that I will get to do this for the rest of my life and then forever in eternity.
Ecclesiastes 3:11-15
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; 13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil--this is God's gift to man. 14 I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. 15 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.
Atypical
Click here.
| Opening the Door for God Something beyond Nature October 24, 2006 Two recent scientific experiments look like a real pain in the neck for materialists. Both experiments were simple, yet both had some thought-provoking results. In the first one, fifteen Carmelite nuns were asked to recall their most intense religious experiences while they were having their brains scanned. The recollection of a religious experience activated over a dozen different regions of the brain, contradicting the popular theory that humans have one so-called "God spot" in the brain that might have just evolved in order to enable us to have spiritual experiences. Second, according to the Guardian newspaper in London, "The scans showed different brain activity from those taken when the nuns were asked to remember intense emotional experiences that involved another person." So, religion is not just emotion, as skeptics have said, because clearly different brain activity is involved. The second experiment was done by Bruce Hood, a professor of psychology. What he did was ask the audiences at the British Association Festival of Science if they would be willing to be paid ten pounds to try on a blue sweater. Everybody volunteered. But then Hood told them that the sweater had belonged to a mass murderer, and suddenly, almost no one would put it on, even for money. Hood concluded that human beings tend to act as if good and evil are something very real and powerful, no matter how often we are told that they are only abstract ideas constructed by our culture. The way that the audience reacted toward a sweater that, in and of itself, was perfectly harmless showed just how deep those beliefs run. Hood says, "Because we operate intuitively, it is pointless to get people to abandon their belief systems because they operate at such a fundamental level that no amount of rational evidence or counter-evidence is going to be taken on board to get people to abandon these ideas." One might think that knowledge of good and evil was written on the heart. Sound familiar? These studies don't prove the existence of God or moral absolutes. No scientific study can do that, because materialists are correct: The purpose of science is to study nature, and God is outside of nature. But the studies do something pretty important: They suggest, from scientific evidence, that God may play a role—that is, there is a cause beyond nature. Materialists' entire view of the universe, and the philosophy that comes out of that, depends upon the notion that nature is all there is. Let science point to even the smallest suggestion of something more, and their worldview falls apart. That's why materialists fight intelligent design so hard, because that is a case where the scientific study of nature points to a cause beyond nature. In short, as the Guardian summed up Hood's viewpoint, "The battle by scientists against [so-called] 'irrational' beliefs such as creationism is ultimately futile." This kind of thinking sends famous Darwinists like Oxford professor Richard Dawkins and the late Carl Sagan into fits. To them, the whole future of mankind depends on being able to coax people away from their so-called "irrational" beliefs and to establish that there are no explanations of human nature that go beyond nature. But there are, and for those of us who believe, it's just one more sign that if anybody is being irrational here, it's not us. |
|
Copyright (c) 2006 Prison Fellowship
23.10.06
...they are precious in His sight...
New Details Emerge In Shocking Case of “Aborted” Baby Born Alive
By Cheryl Sullenger
Hialeah, FL – In a case where a baby was reportedly born alive then intentionally killed by abortion clinic workers in July, prosecutions hinge on the results of a soon to be released autopsy report.
Facing second-degree murder charges are abortion clinic co-owners Belkis Gonzalez and Siomara Senises, who were working in the clinic on July 20 as an 18- year old girl arrived at the abortion clinic at 9:30 AM to complete a late-term abortion that had been started the previous day. Further details have surfaced as Operation Rescue has obtained a copy of the Dade County search warrant that led to the discovery of the badly decomposed body of a female baby in the later stages of gestation.
According to the affidavits used to obtain the search warrant, an anonymous caller notified police that a baby had been born alive at a Hialeah, Florida, abortion clinic, but was intentionally killed by Gonzalez and Senises. The first search of the clinic on July 22 yielded no remains. However, the mother’s medical records were impounded along with a blood sample obtained from a pink recliner in the recovery room where the young mother allegedly gave birth.
Mother tells police her baby was born alive
The affidavit indicated the baby’s mother, referred to as the “Complaintant,” was interviewed by police and told them that she gave birth at approximately 2:30 PM on July 20 after spending over five hours in labor at the clinic without having seen a doctor.
According to the affidavit, “The Complaintant observed the baby moving and gasping for air for approximately five (5) minutes. The staff began screaming that the baby was alive; at which time, Ms. Belkis Gonzalez cut the umbilical cord, threw it into a red bag with black printing. Ms. Gonzalez then swept the baby, with her hands, into the same red bag along with the gauze used during the procedure.”
It should be noted that neither Gonzalez nor Senises are licensed medical doctors.
Caustic chemical speeds decomposition
On July 28, during a second call, the informant told police that the baby’s body had been placed in a red plastic biohazard bag along with the caustic chemical chloride and tossed onto the roof of the clinic for the expressed purpose of causing the accelerated decomposition of the body in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence of the crime. The body lay on the roof for eight days in the sweltering Florida summer sun.
During that call, the informant indicated to police the baby’s body had been retrieved from the roof and was then inside the clinic. Police arrived with a search warrant and discovered by dead baby’s remains.
Autopsy awaited
Authorities await the autopsy findings that could prove the actual age of the baby and if indeed the child was born alive. In Florida, it is illegal to do abortions in clinics after 24 weeks when the baby is considered to be viable. Clinic personnel say the baby was 22 weeks gestation, but at least one pro- life source who has been closely following this case believes that the baby could have been much older based on the reported weight of the remains discovered at the abortion mill. If the baby is found to have been older than the 24-week limit, additional charges of illegal late-term abortion could be added.
Also anticipated in the autopsy report is any physical evidence that the baby was born alive, such as the presence of air in the lungs. However, due to the severe decomposition of the body, results may not be conclusive.
Possible BAIPA prosecution
In addition to charges of second degree murder and possible illegal abortions, Gonzalez and Senises may face the first ever prosecution under the Federal Born Alive Infants Protection Act, (BAIPA) a law passed to protect babies born alive during abortions.
Abortionist MIA
As for the abortionist who was supposed to be on duty that day, it is uncertain what charges might face him. According to reports, Haitian immigrant Pierre Renelique was contacted by Senises when the patient reported to the clinic at 9:30 AM complaining of discomfort. He never answered his page in the five ensuing hours prior to the baby’s birth. Reports are conflicting as to whether he ever showed up at the clinic that day.
“We have seen cases in other states where this behavior would be considered patient abandonment. If that is the case, Renelique should loose his medical license,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.
Fading from memory
But pro-lifers worry that the best evidence in the case has been destroyed and are concerned that the mother’s word and that of the informant may not be enough to convict Gonzalez and Senises in a court of law.
Police seem interested in seeing this case move forward, indicating that the clinic workers should have called for an emergency transport and sent the baby to the hospital, but prosecutors are not so sure. At issue may be the baby’s gestational age. Assistant State Attorney Kathleen Hoague told reporters, “There are lots of questions that medically I don't have the answer to yet. You're talking about a fetus that could be aborted legally.”
“In the end, it really does not matter how old the baby was,” said Newman. “If she was born alive, as the mother and the police informant say she was, then that baby deserved every protection under the law that any other person has, regardless of her age. The only difference would be the extra criminal charge if she had passed 24 weeks.”
“I don’t understand why there would be any equivocation in this case,” he continued. “If a litter of puppies had been tossed in a bag and thrown up on a roof to die, no one would rest until the perpetrators were brought to justice.”
In the meantime, public outrage over the incident has cooled.
“It will be tragic if these people walk,” said Newman. “This case, while shocking to the public when it was first reported, is already fading from the public’s memory. That little baby girl, who lived for five precious minutes, deserves better than to have her murder swept under the rug and forgotten because the manner of her birth is controversial.”
Back in business
Meanwhile, A Gynecologists Diagnostic Center, located at 3671 West 16th Ave. in Hialeah, where the incident occurred, remains closed by authorities pending further investigation. However, the same individuals, Gonzalez, Senises, and Renelique, continue to operate at another abortion mill just 3 miles away.
“Why close one abortion mill in the interest of public safety, then allow the same people to continue to engage in the exact same activity just down the street? This whole ordeal hasn’t slowed them down at all, and I think that reflects a failure in the system that is supposed to protect the public from dangerous practitioners,” said Newman. “These people are just laughing at law enforcement right now. They are getting away with murder, and they know it.”______________________________
Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro- life Christian organizations in the nation. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates.
15.10.06
14.10.06
12.10.06
43 Places
You type in anywhere you are interested in, and it takes you to a page where you can read about everyday normal people who have been there, or peope who want to go there.
Cell phones - not just for talking.
But this new thing is crazy - and kinda cool.
11.10.06
Take 2
(Hey! Maybe I can do the whole Goldilocks thing!!!)
8.10.06
Spam????
Fun in Knoxville
Now, this may sound a little stupid or boring, but it was actually very interesting. Here is a link to the Knoxville Zoo web cam where you can see these little fellows in action.
Then we went to the Olive Garden for lunch and had the fabulous never-ending pasta bowl. I love sun-dried tomato marinara sauce!
Back to Keri and Ben's for a fun game of Monopoly.
Keri won. :)
Then Kat and I went and saw
Wow. What a fun show. If you ever get a chance to go see it, I recommend you do so.
Delima Solved!!!
One being, I completed my first afghan!!!
Secondly, I discovered why my first attempt has no holes. When looking back over the "how to single crochet" page online, I discovered I had only been doing half of the single crochet, thereby using much more yarn then intended and creating a blanket without holes as well as much smaller than it was supposed to be. (this will make a nice 'little' lap afghan)
So now I want to start another one...this time making it correctly and huge. We'll see.
So if you ever want to make a little afghan that's very dense and heavy without holes, just ask me, I know all about it!!!
And in case you think I don't like my little afghan, I do. It is very pretty.
5.10.06
Urgent Prayer for our nation
THIS IS THE LAST CHANCE FOR THIS COURT TO DECIDE....
They must decide by tomorrow whether or not they will hear Doe v.
Bolton, the companion case to Roe v. Wade that made abortion on
demand legal and is a cornerstone of legalized abortion.
If they decide not to hear this case, it cannot be revisited for 8
more years!
Two years ago, they refused to hear Roe. It was "denied without
comment." We can't let this happen again!
To read more about this case, go to http://www.Bound4life.com/doe
The lawyer on this case, Alan Parker from the Justice Foundation,
has specifically asked us to pray for them.
They will be presenting over 5,300 pages of evidence and sworn
testimony from 1,000 women hurt by abortion as well as sworn
testimony by abortion facility workers, scientific and medical
experts, and over 300 citations from scientific and medical
articles. The motion also asks that Roe v. Wade be reversed and is
accompanied by the affidavit of Norma McCorvey, who was "Jane Roe" of Roe v. Wade.
Two nights ago, a prayer activist at JHOP had a very clear dream
that indicated to us that Justice Scalia was going to be key in the
decision of whether or not to hear this case. Please pray
fervently for this man as well as for the three other justices who
need to concur with him in order for this case to be heard.
We feel that God is giving us the opportunity to agree with His
heart and shift this Court to righteousness and justice.
These next few hours are make-or-break for this critically
important case.
For LIFE,
Lou Engle
2.10.06
Truth and Torture
'Yoduk Story'
October 2, 2006
Most unknown playwrights have difficulty raising money to put on a show. But most don't go so far as putting up their own kidney for collateral on a loan. But a man named Jung Sung-San—a defector from North Korea—did just that.
The musical he created—the "Yoduk Story"—portrays the real-life suffering of 200,000 North Koreans languishing in prison camps. It's a mixture of music and misery, torture and truth—and it's an example of how to drop an artistic nuclear bomb on an evil regime.
Tragically, Jung did not have to research the subject matter: He himself endured life in a North Korean gulag. His crime? Listening to a South Korean radio broadcast. Guards beat him unconscious and pushed bamboo sticks under his fingernails.
Jung escaped into China and made his way to South Korea, where he studied film and theater. It was there he learned his father had been murdered—a brutal payback for Jung's own escape. In response, Jung began writing his musical.
The setting for "Yoduk Story" is a notorious real-life gulag of the same name. It's the story of a dancer who is sent to prison after her father is accused of spying. The dancer becomes pregnant after being raped by a drunken prison guard. After the baby's birth, the dancer and the guard fall in love. But when the warden finds out, the guard himself is thrown into prison.
Many of the characters in "Yoduk Story" are based on real people. For example, one man is locked up because he converts to Christianity—symbolic of thousands of North Koreans who suffer for their faith. Another inmate is a Japanese girl, who represents Japanese children who were abducted by North Korea.
After finishing "Yoduk Story," Jung could not find investors. In desperation, he put up his own kidney as collateral to raise $20,000 from loan sharks. South Korean officials tried to shut down the play, fearful of offending the North. As rehearsals progressed, so did the anonymous threats.
The musical finally debuted last March in Seoul. More than 75,000 have seen "Yoduk Story," including high government officials. The depiction of soldiers torturing inmates have moved many to tears—including many former gulag victims. The creators of "Yoduk Story" are especially thrilled that so many young people are seeing it.
Jung is following in the literary steps of an American writer who exposed another human rights outrage: slavery. Some 150 years ago, Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin, which was also featured in plays. Stowe used her creative ability to train the moral imagination of her readers. She taught the message that all people are created in God's image and are infinitely precious to Him. Jung is using the same strategy to shock the world out of its complacency over the victims of Kim Jong-Il.
"Yoduk Story" premieres in the United States later this week in Bethesda, Maryland. Information about tickets and how to support "Yoduk Story" are on our BreakPoint website. If the premiere is well attended, "Yoduk Story" may travel to other American cities.
The result just might be the toppling of a vicious regime—an overthrow fired by a musical that trains the moral imagination.
Copyright (c) 2006 Prison Fellowship