"My advise to you is this: Go to God and present your case to Him. For He does great works too marvelous to understand. He performs miracles without number."
Job 5:8 The Holy Bible
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Dreams vs. Reality
"I dreamt and saw that life was beauty,
I awoke and saw that life was duty."
by L.E. Maxwell A solid, down to earth Christian who influenced me greatly as a new Christian and whose vision helped me to catch a glimpse of a world in need of a Savior.
I awoke and saw that life was duty."
by L.E. Maxwell A solid, down to earth Christian who influenced me greatly as a new Christian and whose vision helped me to catch a glimpse of a world in need of a Savior.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Prayer Therapy
Yes, it is true that prayer changes things. But it has been said that prayer changes you as well.
One of the prayers that can be most helpful to you as you deal with the unpleasantries of life is the prayer our Lord Jesus made from the cross of Calvary.
FORGIVE THEM FATHER, THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.
One of the prayers that can be most helpful to you as you deal with the unpleasantries of life is the prayer our Lord Jesus made from the cross of Calvary.
FORGIVE THEM FATHER, THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
The Martyrdom of Michael Sattler - A rerun
Have you ever read a martyr's trial?
Articles or Charges against Michael Sattler (1527)
First, that he and his adherents have acted contrary to the mandate of the Emperor.
Secondly, he has taught, held and believed that the body and blood of Christ are not present in the sacrament.
Thirdly, he has taught and believed that infant baptism does not conduce to salvation.
Fourthly, they have rejected the sacrament of extreme unction.
Fifthly, they have despised and condemned the mother of God and the saints.
Sixthly, he has declared that men are not to swear before the authorities.
Seventhly, he has commenced a new and unheard of custom in regard to the Lord's supper, placing the bread and wine on a plate, and eating and drinking the same.
Eightly, he has left the order, and married a wife.
Ninethly, he has said that if the Turks should invade the country, no resistance ought to be offered them; and if it were right to wage war, he would rather take the field against the Christians than against the Turks; and it is certainly a great matter, to set the greatest enemies of our holy faith against us.
After his short defence which quoted Bible verses it is recorded "the judges laughed and put their heads together, and the town clerk of Ensisheim said, 'O you infamous, desperate villain and monk, shall we dispute with you? The hangman shall dispute with you, I assure you."
Michael said, "God's will be done."
The town clerk said, "It were well if you had never been born."
Michael replied, God knows what is good."
Town Clerk, "You arch-heretic, you have seduced the pious; if they would only now forsake their error, and accept grace."
Michael: "Grace is with God alone."
One of the prisoners also said, "We must not depart from the truth."
Town Clerk: "You desperate villain and archheretic, I tell you if there were no hangman here, I would hang you myself, and think that I had done God service."
Michael: "God will judge aright."
Thereupon the town clerk said a few words to him in Latin, what we do not know.
Michael Sattler answered him Judica.
The town clerk said, "The hangman shall convince you; he shall dispute with you, arch-heretic."Michael: "I appeal to the Scriptures."
The judges arose, and went into another room, where they remained for an hour and a half, and determined on the sentence.
The judges having returned to the room, the sentence was read. It was as follows, "In the case of the Governor of his Imperial Majesty versus Michael Sattler, judgement is passed, that Michael Sattler shall be delivered to the executioner, who shall lead him to the place of execution, and cut out his tongue; then throw him upon a wagon, and there tear his body twice with red hot tongs; and after he has been brought without the gate, he shall be pinched five times in the same manner."
After this had been done in the manner prescribed, he was burned to ashes as a heretic. His fellow brethren were executed with the sword, and the sisters drowned. His wife, also, after being subjected to many entreaties, admonitions and threats, under which she remained very steadfast, was drowned a few days afterwards. Done the 21st day of May, A.D. 1527
from "The Martyrs Mirror"
Are we so weak that we won't even dispute the very things for which our spiritual forefathers were tortured and died at the hands of the Papists and Reformers? God have mercy upon our pitiful souls.
Articles or Charges against Michael Sattler (1527)
First, that he and his adherents have acted contrary to the mandate of the Emperor.
Secondly, he has taught, held and believed that the body and blood of Christ are not present in the sacrament.
Thirdly, he has taught and believed that infant baptism does not conduce to salvation.
Fourthly, they have rejected the sacrament of extreme unction.
Fifthly, they have despised and condemned the mother of God and the saints.
Sixthly, he has declared that men are not to swear before the authorities.
Seventhly, he has commenced a new and unheard of custom in regard to the Lord's supper, placing the bread and wine on a plate, and eating and drinking the same.
Eightly, he has left the order, and married a wife.
Ninethly, he has said that if the Turks should invade the country, no resistance ought to be offered them; and if it were right to wage war, he would rather take the field against the Christians than against the Turks; and it is certainly a great matter, to set the greatest enemies of our holy faith against us.
After his short defence which quoted Bible verses it is recorded "the judges laughed and put their heads together, and the town clerk of Ensisheim said, 'O you infamous, desperate villain and monk, shall we dispute with you? The hangman shall dispute with you, I assure you."
Michael said, "God's will be done."
The town clerk said, "It were well if you had never been born."
Michael replied, God knows what is good."
Town Clerk, "You arch-heretic, you have seduced the pious; if they would only now forsake their error, and accept grace."
Michael: "Grace is with God alone."
One of the prisoners also said, "We must not depart from the truth."
Town Clerk: "You desperate villain and archheretic, I tell you if there were no hangman here, I would hang you myself, and think that I had done God service."
Michael: "God will judge aright."
Thereupon the town clerk said a few words to him in Latin, what we do not know.
Michael Sattler answered him Judica.
The town clerk said, "The hangman shall convince you; he shall dispute with you, arch-heretic."Michael: "I appeal to the Scriptures."
The judges arose, and went into another room, where they remained for an hour and a half, and determined on the sentence.
The judges having returned to the room, the sentence was read. It was as follows, "In the case of the Governor of his Imperial Majesty versus Michael Sattler, judgement is passed, that Michael Sattler shall be delivered to the executioner, who shall lead him to the place of execution, and cut out his tongue; then throw him upon a wagon, and there tear his body twice with red hot tongs; and after he has been brought without the gate, he shall be pinched five times in the same manner."
After this had been done in the manner prescribed, he was burned to ashes as a heretic. His fellow brethren were executed with the sword, and the sisters drowned. His wife, also, after being subjected to many entreaties, admonitions and threats, under which she remained very steadfast, was drowned a few days afterwards. Done the 21st day of May, A.D. 1527
from "The Martyrs Mirror"
Are we so weak that we won't even dispute the very things for which our spiritual forefathers were tortured and died at the hands of the Papists and Reformers? God have mercy upon our pitiful souls.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Our Responsibility
"Our responsibility in this hostile world is to defend successfully the concept of human freedom from every assault, ideological, economic or military." Barry Goldwater
Barry Goldwater was a candidate for President of the United States. He lost the election largely because his opponent said Goldwater would use the atomic bomb, which was a lie.
Goldwater's philosophical statement inscribed on his memorial in Paradise Valley, AZ was in a sense a prophetic statement about future threats to our nation, threats which at the time were encompassed in Communism which proved to be a failure.
The world has changed but the threats to freedom everywhere remain: ideological, economic and military.
Barry Goldwater was a candidate for President of the United States. He lost the election largely because his opponent said Goldwater would use the atomic bomb, which was a lie.
Goldwater's philosophical statement inscribed on his memorial in Paradise Valley, AZ was in a sense a prophetic statement about future threats to our nation, threats which at the time were encompassed in Communism which proved to be a failure.
The world has changed but the threats to freedom everywhere remain: ideological, economic and military.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Fatal Attraction - Revisited
Fatal Attraction, Garlic Girls, Delilah and HIV
Fatal Attraction
I didn't see the 1987 movie but it got a lot of press, nominated for 6 Oscars, and headers were splashed all over the media. I read a couple of reviews. You know the plot; an unfaithful husband gets more than he bargained for. The "love cocktail" of powerful brain chemicals (phenylethelamine, dopamine and oxytocin) helped create an extremely strong neural pathway in Alex Forrest's brain. She became obsessed with Dan then psychotic. "I guess you thought you'd get away with this. Well, you can't", says Alex. "I'm not going to be ignored, Dan!"
Glenn Close, the actress who played Alex, reported that after the film was released she was approached a number of times by men who said, "You scared the beegeebees out of me. You saved my marraige." However, many men, throwing all caution to the wind, watched the movie then went on to have their own affair. The "love cocktail" had done it's work in their own brain.
The Garlic Girls
Karl Johann's Gata (street) in downtown Oslo, Norway, is for the most part, a traffic free walking street running from the Central Train Station to the Royal Palace. A very interesting and popular place to hang out. Street musicians and one man bands from around the world make their way here in the summertime to entertain and earn a few "kroner". The Garlic Girls used to make regular public appearances. Seated on the edge of a fountain in the public square, four or five beautiful young "women" sat for hours chatting, gesturing to the crowds of passersby, and acting very feminine. But it was all an act. They were all young college students, men in drag, having the time of their lives. One would have to get up in their faces to realize who and what they were, and even then it was difficult.
I watched COPS on TV a few years ago where a "John" was arrested for soliciting. He was shocked when the police informed him that the prostitute he had picked up was a transvestite. I read in the newspaper of a another incident where a prostitute was murdered when the "John" realized "she" was a "he". Yet, many people, knowing that these kinds of deceptions take place, throw caution to the wind, and walk on like a lamb to the slaughter. Lust and the "love cocktail" blinds them to the destructive nature of their behavior.
Delilah
Who would ever name their child Delilah? Samson, on a lustful high, thought that she was his friend and entrusted her with the secret of his superhuman strength. He was blind to her deception and eventually had his wandering eyes gouged out. How many have read the story then gone out and done the same thing? She wasn't his friend at all, she was in fact his worst enemy! But, the "love cocktail" had skewed his perception of the truth, he threw caution to the wind, and paid for it with his life.
HIV
The initials, HIV, used to be on every front page and every newscast. No so much any more but it is still there, it is no longer a "gay" disease, and it is still as destructive as ever with no cure in sight. Knowing the dangers of HIV and a plethora of other STD's, has not changed the moral tone of our nation. Immorality is rampant -much worse that it was 30 years ago when doctors became concerned over what they dubbed "gay cancer". Yet, many throw all caution to the wind and live a permiscuous lifestyle. Lust and the "love cocktail" drive them on.
All this to demonstrate the power of brain chemicals to distort a person's perceptions of what is good and what is bad, of what is right and what is wrong. It's as if "rose colored glasses" cloud the dangers which should be obvious. Again, be careful about who and what you get "stuck" on. Especially if the "hot" factor is present in any way, shape, or form. What you tell yourself is rational may be nothing more than the Hormonal Choice.
Fatal Attraction
I didn't see the 1987 movie but it got a lot of press, nominated for 6 Oscars, and headers were splashed all over the media. I read a couple of reviews. You know the plot; an unfaithful husband gets more than he bargained for. The "love cocktail" of powerful brain chemicals (phenylethelamine, dopamine and oxytocin) helped create an extremely strong neural pathway in Alex Forrest's brain. She became obsessed with Dan then psychotic. "I guess you thought you'd get away with this. Well, you can't", says Alex. "I'm not going to be ignored, Dan!"
Glenn Close, the actress who played Alex, reported that after the film was released she was approached a number of times by men who said, "You scared the beegeebees out of me. You saved my marraige." However, many men, throwing all caution to the wind, watched the movie then went on to have their own affair. The "love cocktail" had done it's work in their own brain.
The Garlic Girls
Karl Johann's Gata (street) in downtown Oslo, Norway, is for the most part, a traffic free walking street running from the Central Train Station to the Royal Palace. A very interesting and popular place to hang out. Street musicians and one man bands from around the world make their way here in the summertime to entertain and earn a few "kroner". The Garlic Girls used to make regular public appearances. Seated on the edge of a fountain in the public square, four or five beautiful young "women" sat for hours chatting, gesturing to the crowds of passersby, and acting very feminine. But it was all an act. They were all young college students, men in drag, having the time of their lives. One would have to get up in their faces to realize who and what they were, and even then it was difficult.
I watched COPS on TV a few years ago where a "John" was arrested for soliciting. He was shocked when the police informed him that the prostitute he had picked up was a transvestite. I read in the newspaper of a another incident where a prostitute was murdered when the "John" realized "she" was a "he". Yet, many people, knowing that these kinds of deceptions take place, throw caution to the wind, and walk on like a lamb to the slaughter. Lust and the "love cocktail" blinds them to the destructive nature of their behavior.
Delilah
Who would ever name their child Delilah? Samson, on a lustful high, thought that she was his friend and entrusted her with the secret of his superhuman strength. He was blind to her deception and eventually had his wandering eyes gouged out. How many have read the story then gone out and done the same thing? She wasn't his friend at all, she was in fact his worst enemy! But, the "love cocktail" had skewed his perception of the truth, he threw caution to the wind, and paid for it with his life.
HIV
The initials, HIV, used to be on every front page and every newscast. No so much any more but it is still there, it is no longer a "gay" disease, and it is still as destructive as ever with no cure in sight. Knowing the dangers of HIV and a plethora of other STD's, has not changed the moral tone of our nation. Immorality is rampant -much worse that it was 30 years ago when doctors became concerned over what they dubbed "gay cancer". Yet, many throw all caution to the wind and live a permiscuous lifestyle. Lust and the "love cocktail" drive them on.
All this to demonstrate the power of brain chemicals to distort a person's perceptions of what is good and what is bad, of what is right and what is wrong. It's as if "rose colored glasses" cloud the dangers which should be obvious. Again, be careful about who and what you get "stuck" on. Especially if the "hot" factor is present in any way, shape, or form. What you tell yourself is rational may be nothing more than the Hormonal Choice.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The Hormonal Choice Revisited
Months ago, on another blog, http://2knowthetruth.blogspot.com , I posted this thought and was highly criticized for it, God knows why. After a recent discussion concerning irrational behaviour I decided that it's time to get it up again. Here it is for your enjoyment.
The Hormonal Choice
Scientists exploring the chemistry of the brain write about a group of "chemicals which are registered together only during the initial stages of courtship". They are sometimes referred to as the "love cocktail". They are: phenylethelamine, dopamine and oxytocin. Prof. Hazan of Cornell Univ.
These chemicals help create neural pathways in the brain that are extremely difficult if not impossible to remove. Just a glance at a beautiful woman stimulates the production of these chemicals at lightning speed and the poor guy gets "zapped". If the cocktail is potent enough he can get hooked or stuck on her and even obsessed with her without even knowing who she is. (Come on guys, you know this is true). Remember the '50 song, "I love you, I need you, won't you tell me your name"?
Advertisers intentionally use this chemical reaction to help fasten the image of their products in the minds of those who see their ads. It's always a breathtakingly beautiful model demonstrating the toilet bowl cleaner. And the focus of the ad will not be on the toilet bowl, toilet brush or the nasty stains being removed. Something else will be present, maybe some cleavage, to give a little zap of "love cocktail" with the hope that the product will be included in the neural pathway just formed and fortified by these brain chemicals.
News anchors are famous for this little maneuver. Katie Couric flopped as soon as they put her behind a desk! (my wife asked me, "What is that? I don't get it." Of course! She is a woman)
Now, all this to say, be careful about who and what you get "stuck" on. Especially if that "hot" factor is present in any way, shape, or form
The Hormonal Choice
Scientists exploring the chemistry of the brain write about a group of "chemicals which are registered together only during the initial stages of courtship". They are sometimes referred to as the "love cocktail". They are: phenylethelamine, dopamine and oxytocin. Prof. Hazan of Cornell Univ.
These chemicals help create neural pathways in the brain that are extremely difficult if not impossible to remove. Just a glance at a beautiful woman stimulates the production of these chemicals at lightning speed and the poor guy gets "zapped". If the cocktail is potent enough he can get hooked or stuck on her and even obsessed with her without even knowing who she is. (Come on guys, you know this is true). Remember the '50 song, "I love you, I need you, won't you tell me your name"?
Advertisers intentionally use this chemical reaction to help fasten the image of their products in the minds of those who see their ads. It's always a breathtakingly beautiful model demonstrating the toilet bowl cleaner. And the focus of the ad will not be on the toilet bowl, toilet brush or the nasty stains being removed. Something else will be present, maybe some cleavage, to give a little zap of "love cocktail" with the hope that the product will be included in the neural pathway just formed and fortified by these brain chemicals.
News anchors are famous for this little maneuver. Katie Couric flopped as soon as they put her behind a desk! (my wife asked me, "What is that? I don't get it." Of course! She is a woman)
Now, all this to say, be careful about who and what you get "stuck" on. Especially if that "hot" factor is present in any way, shape, or form
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