tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29019932651587688632024-03-13T20:55:37.170-07:00With these handsThere are many paraplegics and quadriplegics living in NYC. This is just one sharing her stories and insights as she transitions back into life after breaking her neck in a fall.Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-76942446064614146362023-08-15T11:26:00.000-07:002023-08-15T11:26:06.672-07:00A response to a recent attack on my medical views<p> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21.21px;">Just because the majority believe in something, doesn’t make it right or true. At one point, most people condoned slavery. There are many things I grew up believing were true until I looked further into it. The idea that the government and medical institutions are always prescribing for my best interest is one of them. I’m extremely wary of health professionals and governmental agencies because of my experience being disabled the last 15 years. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think it’s all bad. I do take pharmaceuticals but I also take many vitamins and supplements to achieve optimal health. I’ve seen over the decades how pharmaceutical companies and governmental agencies have deceived the public or withheld vital information for us to truly make informed decisions about our health care. One of the first issues that shocked me was the fact that the war on cancer has not only failed, but our healthcare institutions have purposely kept viable cancer treatments out of reach so that the cut, poison, burn approach is the only game in town. Ralph Moss was a young science writer at Sloan-Kettering in the 1970’s. He found out that they purposely squashed the study of Laetrilie, a natural substance found in apricot seeds, because it couldn’t be patented. There’s a documentary about him called “Second Opinion.” G. Edward Griffin also highlights this in his book, “World without cancer.” As for my views on the C shot, read the <a href="https://gbdeclaration.org/" target="_blank">Great Barrington Declaration</a> where hundreds of thousands of doctors and scientists publicly signed that they are not in favor of the C shot or other policies. More would signed if their jobs weren’t on the line. If you are going to just dismiss all of these people as “conspiracy theories” because so and so said, then no amount of evidence will sway you and I won’t waste my time debating the issue with you. If I could give you just one book to read, it would be <a href="https://rumble.com/vpjbpe-dissolving-illusions-suzanne-humphries.html" target="_blank">“Dissolving illusions” by Dr. Suzanne Humphries,</a> a hematologist, who did a deep dive on the history of vaccines. Also read “Covid-19 Vaccines and beyond: what the medical industrial complex isn’t telling us.” By Sally Saxon.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21.21px;"> </span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21.21px;">Have you noticed how many young athletes have collapsed on the field and dropped dead? Look up Edward Dowd, a financial analyst who highlighted the fact that all cause mortality rate increased by 40% per The Society of Actuaries after the C shot was introduced in his book “Cause Unknown: the epidemic of sudden deaths in 2021-2022” Look up Dr. Sheri Tenpenny, Dr. Thomas Cowan, Brian Hooker, Dr. Dolores Cahill, Dr. Paul Thomas, Dr. Meryl Nass, Dr. Peter McCullough, Dr. Pierre Kory, or Dr. Simone Gold. Really take the time to read or listen to their stories. Why would they all risk their licenses to go against the grain? Why are they so heavily censored? Why not debate the issue openly? Isn’t that what science is all about? The pharmaceutical companies have a lot of money to pay people off, particularly, our legislators. Listen to the testimony of <a href="https://rumble.com/v1rycr4-vaccine-whistleblower-deborah-conrad-on-the-highwire-with-del-bigtree-sept..html" target="_blank">Deborah Conrad</a>, a Physician Assistant who noticed many adverse reactions in her hospital and attempted to document them in VAERS (the vaccine adverse event reporting system). Even though by law medical professionals are mandated to report adverse reactions, her hospital fired her for shedding a light the plethora of patients being harmed from this particular vaccine. Read <a href="https://insulinresistance.org/index.php/jir/article/view/71/224" target="_blank">Dr. Aseem Malhortra,’s</a> study in the Journal of Insulin Resistance scrutinizing the narrative surrounding the pandemic. Take an honest look at the Plandemic documentary and the Great Awakening. All these the media will smear but you should hear them out. They are not crazy or conspiracy theorists! That’s all I have to say on the subject. You want to have endless boosters? Go fill your boots! I just don’t want to be forced or censored for my opinion.</span></p>Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-63907832137075916462022-11-10T11:53:00.000-08:002022-11-10T11:53:45.586-08:00Reflections on 15 years as a quadriplegic<p> Last year marked 15 years since my traumatic injury. I'm grateful for being able to go to an excellent rehab program at Mt. Sinai. In many ways, I've recovered functionally for example being able to feed myself, type, and transfer mostly on my own. I'm grateful for the counsel of Phil Foglia who made it possible for me to have the means to drive a special vehicle and have better options than many in my position. Most of all, I'm grateful for my father's consistent support. He was the only family member that stuck by me in the hospital and nursing home. he learned all of my care and listened while I went through my grieving process. </p><p>8 years ago, I was finally able to leave the nursing home. My condition is stable but with a tracheostomy, I need constant nursing care. I still hope to be decannulated someday. My father fills in when a nurse is not available. I can count on one hand how many friends have come to visit me and really learn what it means to be a friend to someone disabled. </p><p>I've lost a lot of respect for the nursing industry. I've met very few who've exemplified what a nurse should be. It cannot be blamed on understaffing, which is a problem. However, even with one patient and great pay, many nurses are low-down, rotten scoundrels! Ungrateful evil dirtbags that can't be trusted. They take advantage of the weak and I can't wait to see them in the hands of an angry God! </p><p>Besides my tracheal stenosis, my pain is my biggest problem. Quadriplegics tend to have severe nerve pain, usually in the legs or buttocks which is where I have it. The longer I sit, the worse it gets so after 5-6 hours in the chair, I have to lie down on my side. NOTHING TAKES THIS PAIN AWAY. Some days are better than others but it's usually at a 5 or 6 on the pain scale. My life revolves around this condition; when to cath, when to suction, when to take meds, and when to have a bowel routine. Sometimes I have serious Job moments but I have to trust that God's grace is sufficient. </p>Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-69361188784228211752018-10-18T11:26:00.000-07:002018-10-18T13:20:16.169-07:00The Kavanaugh Craze marks the next phase in cultural marxist lunacy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Kavanaugh controversy was not just the usual leftist extremism. With it signaled the next level of unhinged reasoning and anti-commonsense. Dr. Christine Blasey-Ford accused Brett Kavanaugh of forcefully groping her at a party 36 years ago when he was 17 year old. All the witnesses denied they knew of the party. There was no corroborating evidence and Ford herself couldn't remember the exact day or place the incident occurred. Her story changed a bit as to approximately when it happened. She claimed the incident gave her claustrophobia and a fear of flying, a claim <a href="https://twitter.com/ShannonBream/status/1047293294567456770/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1047293294567456770&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalreview.com%2Fnews%2Fchristine-blasey-ford-polygraph-testimony-ex-boyfriend-contradicts%2F" target="_blank">contradicted</a> by a longtime ex-boyfriend. He also never heard of the sexual assault. Furthermore, he said Dr. Ford did coach someone in taking a polygraph test--something she denied during her testimony in front of the senate judiciary committee. There simply wasn't a shred of evidence to pin this on Kavanaugh. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The most compelling piece of evidence I found was the credentials of Dr. Ford. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LJ0hbPPwxU" target="_blank">Michelle Malkin</a> explained Dr. Ford's expertise in data analysis, statistical analysis and SPSS--"a software platform using advanced statistical analysis using a vast library of machine learning algorithms, text analysis and open source extensibility." People who do this kind of work are extremely detail oriented. "Their success depends on precision, accuracy, and mastery of data." This does not sound like the Dr. Ford we saw in front of the committee. She couldn't even recall wether or not she gave all of her therapists' notes to the Washington Post. All of this information makes Ford highly suspicious of using a bogus allegation to derail a conservative judge from getting confirmed ahead of the midterm elections. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Two more women came with allegations of unwanted sexual assault including Julie Swetnick claiming Kavanaugh was standing by punch bowls, possibly drugging the punch to take advantage of women, and later in a line of boys waiting to gang rape inebriated girls. This outlandish allegation thankfully didn't take hold of even Democrats, but the damage was done as women tell congress a vote for Kavanaugh is a vote <i>against</i> women. I'm not kidding. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday, Kavanaugh was sworn in with women screaming and clawing at the large bronze doors. Outside the capital there were women crying, telling their 'survivor' stories. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What took the cake for me was seeing an op-ed from the NYT titled: <i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/06/opinion/lisa-murkowski-susan-collins-kavanaugh.html" target="_blank">"White Women, Come Get Your People"</a> </i>by Alexis Grenell.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">"After a confirmation process where women all but slit their wrists, letting their stories of sexual trauma run like rivers of blood through the Capitol, the Senate still voted to confirm Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. With the exception of Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, all the women in the Republican conference caved, including Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who held out until the bitter end."</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">"These women are gender traitors, to borrow a term from the dystopian TV series “The Handmaid’s Tale.” They’ve made standing by the patriarchy a full-time job. The women who support them show up at the Capitol wearing “Women for Kavanaugh” T-shirts, but also probably tell their daughters to put on less revealing clothes when they go out.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">" </span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Gender traitors? You mean the female senators should vote against Kavanaugh solely because they're female? Isn't that the textbook definition of sexist? And what's wrong with teaching girls to be modest? We say don't objectify women and then encourage women to objectify themselves at slut walks and pride marches. There's nothing prideful about a women baring herself publicly. I know from experience. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Political Correctness (cultural marxism) has ramped up since my college days at HWS. Thankfully, many are waking up and leaving the Left to join the #WalkAway movement and embrace common sense, classical liberalism. </span></div>
Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-38334902053906835132018-05-31T08:08:00.000-07:002018-05-31T08:08:09.902-07:00#FreeTommy: Love and support from NYC <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">I've been watching Tommy Robinson for quite some time. I was red pilled on Islam after my brother became a Muslim several years ago and I started reading the Quran and Hadith to see what it was about. I learned that Islam was in fact, a violent ideology that demands it's adherents to physically fight non-believers until they convert to Islam or be subjugated by Islam <b>(Surah 9:29 Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture - [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled [subdued]).</b> I started doing videos about Islam and ran into other counter-jihadists as well, including Tommy Robinson. The mainstream media kept calling Tommy 'far-right'--a euphemism for racist. My people group is made up of Africans, Indigenous people and Spaniards. I've never heard anything racist come out of Tommy Robinson's mouth. And I'm sick of this idea that only white people can be racist. That in itself is racist. Anyone who discriminates solely on skin color is racist. It doesn't matter if you're White, black or anything in between, when you criticize Islamic doctrine the only thing people can say is 'racist.' I had an old college friend call me racist becaus I speak about Islam, even though we hung out with all sorts of people. It's a Marxist tactic to silence dissenters, revitalized by the likes of Saul Alinsky in Rules For Radicals. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For almost a decade, I've watched how Islamic terror attacks have grown in Europe, Canada, and the United States. Grooming gangs of mostly <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2735169/Betrayed-PC-cowards-Damning-report-reveals-1-400-girls-abused-sex-gangs-social-workers-police-feared-racism-claims-did-nothing.html" target="_blank">Pakistani Muslim men</a> have been targeting white and Sikh girls into sexual slavery in Northern England. If that weren't bad enough, it was found that social service agencies and police officers were ignoring victims and their mothers for years for fear of being called racist! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Where is the Justice? Tommy must have been equally outraged because he decided to go to the courthouse where these alleged rapists were being tried and reported on it legally. After live streaming for an hour in front of the courthouse in Leeds, several police officers came and arrested him for breaching the peace (interrupting, inciting, poisoning the trial by affecting the jury to think negatively of the alleged). He had a previous suspended sentence for something similar and he was careful not to step onto court property and address the men as alleged. He was quickly sentenced by the judge without so much as a phone call to his attorney. This is not the first time the police have arrested him on trumped up charges. I cannot sit silent on this. It's weighed on my mind all weekend and there have been peaceful protests in England. People are waking up and I think this was the spark that will ignite the uprising against the English Establishment. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Watch Rebel.Media report on Tommy here.<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaN3oJB7adw" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaN3oJB7adw</a><span id="goog_86964666"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_86964667"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">If you care about you're ability to think and speak freely, support the campaign at <a href="http://www.tommyrobinson.online/">www.tommyrobinson.online</a> </span></div>
Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-7708729434591262712018-05-05T14:00:00.000-07:002018-07-08T12:33:43.741-07:00Exodus from the Left<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Shortly after my accident 10 years ago, I was challenged on my politics. On examining different arguments on issues like abortion, same-sex marriage, and white privilege, I had to change to a conservative! I felt duped on so many levels. First, I learned I had been deprived of the arguments for the existence of God. I had been fed that evolution was a fact, without ever being offered an opposing view. Second, I've been lied to about the political parties. The idea was conveyed that Republican = rich, white, racist and so the only political party for me was the Democrat. Actually, the first party I enrolled in was the Green party, but they were like the Democrats with an environmental focus. But if you ask any person of color in a major metropolitan area that's pretty much what they'll tell you. Never mind that we never learned the history of the political parties or their respective platforms. It was revolutionary for me to read "History of the United States" by Howard Zinn! It solidified this underlying contempt for this country. But after learning that blacks too owned slaves, whites were also slaves and it was actually the Democrats that were the party of slavery, the KKK and Jim Crow laws, it was like waking up from a long dream!<br />
<br />
Since then, I've lost many friends (though being disabled helped that along). I've been called a racist with no evidence. I've been accused of hate speech for criticizing Islam--another politically charged topic! Even Christians shy away from political topics because many blacks and hispanic Christians still hold to the Democrat party. This has been years in the making but I believe it's ramped up in the last 15 years since I went to college.<br />
<br />
I went to a liberal arts college where we had a mandatory course called "culture of respect." We were separated into our "identity groups," i.e. people of color, gay, women, etc. Then, the facilitators would deem the classroom as a "safe space" in which the minority groups can vent their resentment to their classmates of the dominant, oppressive White, Christian, Male identities. In turn, Whites in particular were forced to recognize their privilege and subconscious racism. Now throughout my dealings with whites in school, I never felt that they disliked me because of my race. I've had many white friends and never felt they harbored some 'subconscious' racism. I didn't understand this at the time, but this is what has made our country so polarized today on race and what I call the politics of victimology. It is at it's root, Cultural Marxist tactic of demonizing Western Civilization (our Constitutional Republic, Christian ethics, the nuclear family, Capitalism) while condemning the criticism of anyone else. This is why it is fine to call America a racist, oppressive country, but racist to criticize any other country with a different religion influencing it's ethics. This is called critical theory (which I studied in college) and has been slowly infiltrating our academia for nearly <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrt6msZmU7Y" target="_blank">a hundred years.</a> (Watch Bill Whittle's video explaining cultural marxism--it will blow your mind!)<br />
<br />
Today, college campuses are so virulently against any opposing view that violence breaks out and events get shut down. Conservative professors are extremely rare and students are intimidated by leftist thugs. Antifa, short for 'Anti-fascist,' came out of communist Germany in the 1930's and now comprises of mostly white Socialist/communist/anarchists using violence to intimidate young conservatives. However, I have noticed a growing number of conservatives speaking out on YouTube, gaining popularity amongst college campuses like Steven Crowder, Ben Shapiro, Jordan Peterson and Candace Owens. Last week, after Kanye West simply tweeted out "I like the way Candace Owens thinks," the Left went nuts and called her 'far' or 'alt-right'--synonymous for white supremacist/Nazi. This is an old Marxist tactic of demonizing and silencing conservatives. Thankfully, Kanye has not backed down but instead is rockin' the conservative tip in full force, even rapping about it. No doubt other black youth will now look up Candace Owens and get hip to the Democratic Game. What really got me is when my man <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywood/2018/05/01/kanye-tweets-thomas-sowell-quotes/" target="_blank">quoted Thomas Sowell!</a><br />
<br />
I'm still learning a heck of a lot these days. I decided to take a free course on the Constitution by Hillsdale College. I think it's important to learn and teach the Constitution if this country is to survive. Most people are too busy with work to see the drastic changes going on socially and politically, but I've been watching this in real time from my computer. I also feel this is spiritual in nature and that although God is doing a work, things will become increasingly difficult.<br />
<br />
Keep pressing on..<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-86389286127634387262017-02-01T15:28:00.001-08:002017-02-01T15:28:42.106-08:00Liberal Hysteria over Trump and his temporary travel moratorium<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">I feel the need to address this because there’s a lot of misinformation being propagated without actually reading <span class="s2"><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/27/executive-order-protecting-nation-foreign-terrorist-entry-united-states" target="_blank">the executive order</a></span>. This is not a Muslim ban. It’s not even a ban. It’s a temporary moratorium on people coming in from several countries as recommended during the Obama administration. The only country mentioned in Trump’s order is Syria. <span class="s2"><a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2016/02/18/dhs-announces-further-travel-restrictions-visa-waiver-program" target="_blank">The Department of Homeland Security</a></span> cited the countries mentioned as countries of concern over the last few years. Continuing the Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015, it added Yemen, Somalia, and Libya, limiting Visa Waiver Program travel for certain individuals who have traveled to these countries. Now I want to address the argument for allowing migrants coming from Syria, mainly that these are like the Jewish refugees in the 1930’s. Muslims are not facing genocide like the Jews were. In fact, the people who are facing extermination in the region are Christians, Yazidis and other religious minorities. These get little to no mention in the mainstream media nor is the Left protesting for their human rights. These are the people we should take in first if any. Furthermore, Jews had nowhere to go. There were no Jewish States to take in refugees and Palestine was still under British Mandate. According to UNHCR, there were no refugee camps in 1934 unlike Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon housing over 4 million refugees from Syria and Iraq today. There are many more Arab states that are better suited and capable of taking in refugees but are doing little to nothing. Why don’t we hold them to the same expectations? If families are in refugee camps in Turkey, they are no longer fleeing danger. They no longer need to come here or any other Western nation. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 17.0px}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
span.s2 {text-decoration: underline ; font-kerning: none; color: #021eaa; -webkit-text-stroke: 0px #021eaa}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Obviously, we have a rich tradition of helping the poor and receiving those who want the freedoms we have--it comes from our Judeo-Christian ethic. But nowhere are we mandated to take in anyone and everyone. There are reasonable questions to ask. For example: What are the short and long term financial and social costs associated with taking in a large number of people from these regions? What is the result of bringing in a religious culture that practices gender segregation, polygamy, not to mention may be sympathetic to terror organizations? Believes a woman’s testimony is worth half that of a man’s? That gays should be killed? That violent jihad is justified? That harbor antisemitic views? These views are contrary to our American values and yet has been largely ignored by the mainstream media, academia and politicians. There have been polls taken on Muslim opinion by Pew Research, BBC, World Public Opinion, ICM Polls, Palestinian Center for Political Research, and others (<span class="s2"><a href="http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/pages/articles/opinion-polls.aspx" target="_blank">Here’s a list of polls taken</a></span>). But we can just look to Germany, Sweden, UK, Norway, Belgium, or France to see the result of such migration. Mass sexual assault of European women. Sex grooming of young British girls. “No Go” zones where not even police and ambulances can enter. Increasing number of terrorist attacks. Which brings me to the subject of Islamic terrorism. Every time a Muslim enters a scene screaming “allah hu akbar” and murdering people, the talking heads do mental gymnastics to avoid the obvious. Why aren’t we allowed to ask questions and take precautions? Are we to just accept occasional bloodshed for fear of offending Muslims? The reality is that there is a problem with Islamic terrorism and it has everything to do with Islam. I thought the same as you several years ago until I started examining Islam--a set of beliefs--not a race. I am a product of liberal indoctrination at college and my eyes were opened to Islamic history, theology and aims as stated from it’s doctrine and the mouths of clerics. Because of this, I have strong reservations about bringing them here. I encourage you to read the Quran for yourself, to examine the evidence I’ve given here and not just go with an emotional response. </span></span></div>
</div>
Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-8169806150707978702014-05-27T14:02:00.000-07:002014-05-27T14:02:37.846-07:00Lessons from history: Charlie Chaplin's "The Great Dictator"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QcvjoWOwnn4" width="459"></iframe><br />
<br />
Charlie Chaplin produced "The Great Dictator" in 1940, a commentary on Adolf Hitler at a time when countries sought to appease the regime. We are now facing another holocaust which people dare speak about: Islamic persecution of non-Muslims and women. The West is disturbingly reticent on the fruit of orthodox Islamic theology because of fears of being labeled a racist/bigot. But the truth is staring us in the face and we are guilty of not standing up for human rights. If you want to know Hitler's ideas, read Mein Kampf. If you want to know what Islam is, read the Quran.<br />
<br />
But isn't terrorists beliefs (Islamism) different from the real (peaceful) Islam? No. Real Islam is found in the teachings of the Quran and the life of Muhamad. As Silas from Answering-Islam.org <a href="http://www.answering-islam.org/authors/silas/pipes_islamism.html" target="_blank">explains</a>,<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<span style="text-align: justify;">Real Christianity patterns itself after Jesus and real Christians obey Jesus’ commands. Real Islam patterns itself after Muhammad and real Muslims obey Muhammad’s commands."</span></blockquote>
<br />
So to be sure, our fight is against Islam. How, then, do you fight Islam? How do you separate moderate Muslims (Muslims like Zudhi Jasser who just want to bypass any historical evidence of Muhamad's example and live peacefully in a democracy) from Muslims who want to engage in violence as the Quran describes? First off, we need to arm ourselves with knowledge as to the teachings of Islam. We have the right to investigate what mosques and madrassas are teaching and keep Islamic law from entering our courts. We need to be vigilant as to which Muslim organizations are linked with Islamic terrorist organizations like the Muslim Brotherhood and where their money is going. In a free society, some will always choose to become violent and we need to prepare for that. But to continue to keep our head in the sand is pure foolishness.<br />
<br />
More poignantly, this is a spiritual battle. <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/05/22/serious-setback-pastor-saeed-abedini-belongs-in-us-not-in-brutal-iranian-prison/" target="_blank">Saeed Abedini</a>, an Iranian-American pastor sits in a brutal prison in Iran for his Christian faith. By human standards he's there unjustly, but according to God's purposes he's there to give the hope of Jesus Christ to the lost. Although Christians in the Muslim world are suffering immensely, that is where the Christian population is growing the most. Muslims are having <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Muslims4Jesus" target="_blank">visions of Jesus</a>, undeniable experiences of his presence that have them leave Islam for the true and living God.<br />
<br />
Ultimately, this spiritual battle will end with the coming of the Lord and His never ending kingdom. The prophet Daniel speaks of four kingdoms that will arise after Babylon before the Lord's return. I believe the last kingdom will be Islamic as all the nations the Lord battles in the end times are Islamic. Right now All Islamic nations are postured and preparing to destroy Israel (Psalm 83). Islam denies God the Father and the Son, Jesus (1 John 2:22). But God laughs! He has already given his son Jesus all authority! (Psalm 2). <br />
<br />
God called Noah to warn of God's Judgement while he built the ark. 120 years and not one listened! God called Isaiah to tell them of the coming messiah and the Jews have largely rejected it. Regardless of how many reject, I will still sound the alarm.<br />
<br /></div>
Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-68536496300760396322013-12-23T08:57:00.001-08:002013-12-23T08:57:34.798-08:00Anti-Christian sentiment and the fulfillment of scripture<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am amazed by the blindness of many on current global events, particularly concerning Islamic terrorism. As the world gets ravaged by Islamic terrorism, the response seems to be that these acts have nothing to do with Islam. Even further, the response to those that do point out Islamic ideology as a the key problem is that violent teachings in Islam are no different than violent teachings in the Bible. Case closed. I've addressed this woefully misled analogy with doctrinal comparisons. Many more well versed and written have also addressed this argument, particularly <a href="http://www.meforum.org/2105/judeo-christian-violence-vs-islamic-violence" target="_blank">Raymond Ibrahim.</a> For the sake of argument, let's say that was the case. So then was the murder of millions of Jews justified because God called Israel to eradicate the Canaanites? Is crime against whites justified because of the history of slavery? Yet this is the argument of many concerning Muslim persecution of Christians or violent jihad in western countries.<br />
<br />
I recently posted a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyUxoy_NXA0&feature=share" target="_blank">video</a> of an interview on BBC regarding the Islamic issue in the UK. Andrew Neil shows a documentary and discusses the issue of Muslim organizations saying one thing to the western audience and another to the Muslim audience. I point out that this double talk is taquiya, a deceptive tactic to fool the host country of it's true intentions. Both Muslims and non-Muslims spoke on the double-talk of Muslim leaders in the UK. An old college acquaintance who holds liberal views commented: "kind of like Christians hiding in Rome back in the day..."<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>My response: </b>Did Christians practice a type of Taquiya in Rome to avoid persecution?<br />
Absolutely not. There is no doctrine in the Bible that says Christians should deny their faith to avoid persecution. In fact, Christians rather faced persecution and martyrdom than deny their faith (Matt 10:33). It is for that same reason that Christians are persecuted today: for not denying their faith. In contrast, the purpose of Taquiyya in Islam is to deceive those in power that they are peacefully coexisting until they increase in number, able to overthrow the host country. We know this by the Quran and the hadith, Muhammad's companions testimony of what he said and did. Hadith 4:269 Narrated by Jabir bin Abdullah: The prophet said, "war is deceit." In fact, Allah is called the best of deceivers! (Surah 3:54; 8:30) The God of the Bible is not a man that he should lie, nor should we. Jesus does not call us to physically war with our enemies. We know that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds (2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:12).<br />
The second thing that's wrong about your argument is the implication that Muslims are persecuted in the west. Muslims have been welcomed into western countries and given full freedom to practice their religion as it should be. We have also given financial and military aid to Muslim countries who still consider us enemies, not because we are exploiting them, but because Western democracies are contrary to Islam. We actually see that many Islamic terrorists were wealthy and succeeded in a western country while they trained to carry out terrorism; Osama Bin Laden, the underwear bomber, the Times square bomber, Anwar Al-awlaki, Nidal Malik Hasan, the Boston marathon bombers…wether they be from Pakistan or the UK, the glue that connects them is Islam. The more a Muslim is living out the example of Muhammad in accordance to the Quran, the more he/she is likely to engage in Jihad. The more Muslimized a country is, the more intolerant they are of other religions and women, etc. We see this happening in European countries where Muslims are setting up 'sharia zones' where even non-muslims need to comply with Islamic law. Clearly not all Muslims are terrorists, but most terrorists are Muslims. It is an indisputable fact that over 90% of terror attacks are in the name of Islam. It's time that the Muslim community get serious about addressing what their Quran says or we need to further investigate the mosques and what they are teaching for everyone's sake, Muslim and non-Muslim. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Bayard Atwood: </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
So are you honestly trying to tell me that the Christians in Ancient Rome did not have to hide their beliefs and practices? If so you are delusional, I have been to the crypts, I have even seen the oldest known depiction of the Madonna and Child in the crypts. Why would they practice their faith is secret in the crypts if they didn't have to hide? </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Your brand of Christianity is as off base and filled with ignorance and hate as the Muslims you are attempting to persecute. I don't think Jesus would like what y'all have tried to do with his teachings.</blockquote>
Mr. Atwood didn't address any points made in the video, nor did he respond to any of the points in my response.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>My response: </b>Your equation of Muslims practicing taquiyya to Christians having underground churches is a poor analogy and I pointed out why at length. What is my brand of Christianity anyway, Bayard Atwood, and how is it filled with hate? Those are strong accusations and I'd like you to substantiate your claim with scripture. I certainly don't hate Muslims and do not persecute them. I am a follower of Jesus and he told me to love my enemies and defend the poor and needy. He's told me to call all to repent and believe the Gospel. Jesus was not a free lovin hippie. He said he is the only way to heaven and people are offended by that. I would suggest you read the gospel of John and the book of Acts to see what the CHristian church is. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Bayard Atwood: </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I don't need scripture. If you attack and persecute anyone who is not part of your group it is out of hate usually born of ignorance. As far as quoting scripture would you like me to quote the Hebrew texts? The Talmud? Or one of the many versions of the bible which was put together in a castle in France in the 1100's? </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
It is very simple, actively persecuting another person for any reason is based in hate that's plain and simple and I don't need a collection of stories to make that point. Jesus preached love and acceptance and I'm sure you can find many examples of that, I however cannot find a single instance wherein he preached it was acceptable to be hateful and ignorant. To be a Christian means you follow the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth the Messiah or Christ. Plain and simple. That's just the New Testament so quoting the Old Testament is completely irrelevant since that belongs to the Jewish faith and it is their Testament. To believe otherwise is simply Non or Un Christian but its very definition. Have you ever wondered why Jesus never once quoted scripture? Not once in his entire body of teaching did he ever quote scripture. There's a very good reason.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>My response: </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
You have not shown how I 'persecute' Muslims or how I hate them. And instead of looking at scripture, you willfully hold onto your misconceived notions of Christianity. Jesus quoted scripture many times, most notably to the devil as he was tempted in the wilderness. In Matthew 19, he quotes Genesis 2:24 that marriage is for one man and one woman for life. He quotes Isaiah 61 that he is the one to free captives, and bind the brokenhearted. He said he came not to destroy the law but to fulfill. He quotes Deuteronomy 6:5 saying “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ "This is [the] first and great commandment.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"And [the] second [is] like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40) My dear, let it be publicly known that you are in error. It is plainly written and you will have no excuse on the day of judgement. You claimed that my 'brand' of Christianity is hateful but you're the one who's a hater. I challenge you to read the Bible not just make conjectures. </blockquote>
<b>No response afterwards.</b><br />
This is a very typical exchange with secular liberals. Notice he didn't address any points made in the video with a counter argument. I doubt he even watched it at all. Actually, his main reason for commenting on my facebook timeline was to attack my Christian faith--which he would never do with another religion. Another tactic of secular liberals is to to make the bold claim that Christians are bigoted or engage in hate speech with no proof. It gets better after I engage Mr. Atwood further in a private dialogue:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Me: </b>Bayard Atwood, This man grew up in the middle east as a Muslim and he shares the same views as me regarding Islamic terrorism. Is he also 'racist' against Muslims? Do you think he holds these views out of hatred for Muslims? Out of ignorance? Clearly, no. He is speaking the truth about the way many Muslims raise their children--to hate Jews, Christians, and the West. He points out that these views come from the Quran. He also used taquiyya while in the Muslim Student Association to present Islam as peaceful to western audiences while speaking true intentions to the Muslim audience: raise money to support Islamic terrorism against Israel and the West. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I also didn't get an answer as to what my 'brand' of Christianity is as opposed the true Christianity. Please answer as you seem to be an expert on Christianity. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To claim that I am hateful and ignorant without evidence is slanderous and inflammatory. I used to think just like you, but I implore you to examine the evidence rather than just throw out insults.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
(I then included a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIbpEKHnSXE" target="_blank">video</a> of Walid Shoebat sharing the same views on Islam).</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Bayard Atwood: </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
To actively persecute an entire religion based upon the extremist minority is hateful and ignorant. The same way the Taliban and Al Queda operates. It really is that simple. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I still haven't found any sermon by Rabbi Jesus in which he said it was okay to hate and persecute anyone. Do you really think one can truly enter the kingdom when ones heart is heavy with hate? What you are espousing is religious bigotry plain and simple. To so obviously hate and call for persecution of an entire religion based on the actions of a few is wrong and it only serves to feed the ignorance and hate on the other side who would cite Christians as the "enemy" to be wiped out. The last time we as a species saw such bigotry was Nazi Germany and millions upon millions of people were executed simply because of their faith. Does this now mean that every single person who is German or of German ancestry is automatically a Nazi? No. To believe so would be the height of ignorance. That doesn't necessarily stop some people from believing so though and that's sad. I feel bad for you and hope you one day find the peace you desperately seek. You can't and won't find it in hatred. I urge you to open both your mind and your heart to find peace.</blockquote>
Again, no response on the video or the points I made. Just a sweeping accusation that I hate Muslims and I actively persecute them. It's interesting that he says, <i style="font-weight: bold;">"The last time we as a species saw such bigotry was Nazi Germany and millions upon millions of people were executed simply because of their faith." </i>Really? The last time? How about the millions of people being slaughtered today for their faith in Christ in Muslim and Communist countries? <i style="font-weight: bold;">Does this now mean that every single person who is German or of German ancestry is automatically a Nazi? </i>Of course not, but it was necessary for us to <a href="http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007519" target="_blank">identify and deconstruct the ideology</a> that led to such persecution. This is what I'm doing with Islamic ideology.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>My response: </b>So to point out the reality that most terror attacks are perpetrated by Muslims is hateful? To point out Islamic texts that justify subjugation of women and non-muslims is hateful? You say I am actively persecuting an entire religion. Persecute: "to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specifically : to cause to suffer because of belief" Meriam-Webster dictionary. I certainly do not persecute Muslims nor do I hate them. I don't call for the deportation or eradication of Muslims. I don't call for the burning of Qurans. I don't give death threats or physically injure people because they are Muslim. I do not cause Muslims to suffer because of their belief. Your claim that I actively persecute Muslims is completely false and shame on you for spouting such slanderous nonsense. I care about Muslims' well being and their basic human rights. In order to protect human rights, we need to be honest about the the very real persecution going on in the world:</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Many Muslim women are actively persecuted for not being Islamic enough. If they date a western man or become too westernized, their families kill them to salvage their family honor. This is called honor killing and is becoming prevalent in many western countries. Unfortunately, honor killing is sanctioned by Islamic texts. This is a human rights issue that Muslim and non-Muslim communities need to actively address. However, discussing this issue is 'Islamophobic' and 'racist.' </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Islamic sex grooming is also a growing problem in western countries with large Muslim populations. Muslim men are targeting young non-Muslim girls to befriend them and then sexually abuse them. Why is this so prevalent among Muslim men? Because Islamic texts dictate how women, particularly non-Muslim women should be viewed and treated. If we are to deal with this issue we need to honestly look at what influences these Muslims to carry these acts out. To whitewash the fact that it's mostly Muslim men that do this will not solve the problem. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The persecution of Christians and religious minorities by Muslims in Egypt, Syria, Iran, Nigeria, Sudan, etc is today's holocaust and yet few address it for fear of 'insulting' Muslims! Many will also say, "well didn't the Christians persecute?" as if it justifies what's going on. Certainly throughout history, Christian populations have carried out egregious acts, but that doesn't justify Christian persecution, just as German persecution shouldn't be justified or persecution of whites because of history, right? </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
As I pointed out in the link above, there are former Muslims that attest to what I'm saying about Islamic texts. They are being honest about their upbringing as Muslims and what Islamic texts say. Just as there are many self-professed Christians that do not read the Bible, there are many Muslims who do not read the Quran. They are content to recite prayers and fast on ramadan to express their muslim faith. However, the reality is that there is a growing population of Muslims that are turning to the fundamental teachings of Islam to express their faith and it is largely centered on violent jihad. Walid Shoebat's testimony about Islam is not because he hates Muslims. I can show you many testimonies of former Muslims that still have Muslim family and love them dearly. Do you honestly think they're being hateful and racist? The problem of Islamic terrorism is not just a small minority but a growing problem. Muslims and non-Muslims need to address it. It's not hatred, it's just reality. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
You say I have a 'brand' of Christianity apart from the teachings of Jesus. You said Jesus never quoted the Old Testament and I gave several examples to show that's simply not true. You may have a general understanding of Christianity but It is clear that you don't know enough to make the kind of claims you've made. This is where the study of scripture is so important. What does the Bible teach about peace and violence? How do we reconcile the Old and the New covenants? Jesus does love, but he also calls us to turn from our sin and follow him. He said he is the only way to heaven and many people, including you, are offended by that.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Jesus said, ""You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:43-45. In their legalism, the Jews broke the law against those they accused as law breakers (unlawfully persecuting Jesus, the adulterous woman, those healed on the sabbath, etc.). The purpose of the law in the OT was to show us that we are all law breakers, just as all of us have broken the speed limit (read Galatians chapter 3 for example). We cannot attain God's righteous standard by our actions. Only God can atone for our transgressions through the Messiah Jesus. That is the only true peace we can attain and I pray you find that. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Grace and Peace,</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Nicky</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Bayard Atwood: </b></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
That is such an uninformed reading of the texts I won't dignify it with a response. To not understand the historical and socioeconomic reasons behind the writings, written at best 100 years after Jesus passed and by Christian Apologists is to be truly ignorant of the meaning. If you examine the New Testament you will find such things are most likely additions not said originally by Rabbi Jesus. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Again to call for persecution of another faith based upon their religion is bigotry. How many domestic terrorists involved in school shootings, or bombings in the US on US soil identify as Christian? </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Hitler was baptized Christian. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Again I'm trying to put this in the absolute simplest terms: both Christianity and Islam have splinter factions that are batshit crazy and have corrupted ideas of their faiths and are willing to go to extremes to fight an imaginary war. To participate in either and to call to actively hate and persecute the other based upon a few is nothing but hateful. To use an ancient text out of current context is to participate in a very one sided argument with nobody able to win. It is a fools errand at best and madness at worst. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
May you eventually find the peace you so desperately seek. Perhaps you should also actively campaign against every Christian who participates in acts of terror against anyone else, Muslim, Christian, Jew, Atheist, Buddhist, Taoist, Shinto etc. You are on the wrong path, there is no "war" there is no need to engage in hate and bigotry. I honestly pity you. Your misguided attempts at "education" are simple masquerades of hate aimed at inciting the ignorant and fearful, attempts to propagate such things are indeed hateful at their basest nature. Hatred and War is not the central theme to the "Good News" of the Gospels. I do so honestly pity you. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
We'll have to agree to disagree. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Have a good life.</blockquote>
<br />
Again, no response to the link I posted or the points I made about Islam. His only order of business was to attack my Christian faith and the integrity of scripture. He utilizes the taxi cab fallacy in which he refuses to use scripture to analyze Christian beliefs, but then uses scripture to make his own points on what I should believe as a Christian. Even more egregious is his lack of evidence for his claims that <b>1. The Gospel accounts were written at least 100 years after Jesus and therefore fabricated. 2. That there is also widespread Christian terrorism and 3. That Hitler was a Christian, therefore Christianity is equally guilty of terrorism. </b>I would like to know how many people commit acts of terrorism in the name of Christ. Does Christian doctrine commands Jesus' followers to persecute non-Christians? The answers to these kinds of questions are necessary in order to substantiate any claim about any ideology. However, at this point, I know that Mr. Atwood is not here for any reasonable argument, so instead of another detailed response, I just ask him again: how have I called for the persecution of Muslims? No response of course and he has since blocked me from facebook.<br />
<br />
<b>Was Hitler a Christian? </b>Absolutely not. He's as much of a Christian as U.S. president Barack Obama! Although Hitler was baptized into the Catholic church as a baby, and later appealed to the church in Germany, his actions against Christians clearly proved he is not Christian. He developed a plan to infiltrate, subvert, persecute and finally <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/13/weekinreview/word-for-word-case-against-nazis-hitler-s-forces-planned-destroy-german.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm" target="_blank">eradicate Christianity</a> from Germany and eventually the world. ''The Persecution of the Christian Churches,'' summarizes the Nazi plan to subvert and destroy German Christianity, which it calls <b>''an integral part of the National Socialist scheme of world conquest.''</b><br />
<br />
Funny that the slow systematic subversion of Christianity is something we see in this country now under the Obama administration. Obama claims to be a Christian, but he does nothing to stand against the Christian holocaust going on today. Obama claims to be a Christian, but he betrays Israel, who Christians hold as God's people with rights over Jerusalem and the land of Israel. Obama claims to be a Christian, but he supports gay marriage, abortion, and a healthcare system that forces Christians to act contrary to their religious convictions. Obama claims to be a Christian, but he looks to <a href="http://aclj.org/military-prayer/so-help-me-god-latest-target-anti-christian-proselytizing-military" target="_blank">purge God out of the military</a> and <a href="http://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/15028-christians-are-extremists-like-al-qaeda-u-s-army-taught-troops" target="_blank">label Christians as 'extremists.'</a> Actions speak louder than words.<br />
<br />
As much as I am amazed by these events unfolding, I really shouldn't be surprised. The Bible says that all Christians living Godly lives will be persecuted and that evil will wax worse and deception rampant (2 Timothy 3:12-13). That in the last days people would mock the coming of the Lord (2 Peters 3:3-4) That all people know there is a God but willfully suppress the truth to live in sin (Romans 1:18-21) That all nations will be obsessed with Jerusalem and try to force Israel to divide her God given land (Zechariah 12:1-3; Joel 3:2) That the nations surrounding Israel will work together to try to destroy her as a nation (Psalm 83). These prophecies and many more are the reasons why my faith is trustworthy and no matter how much I'm rejected or persecuted, none can pluck me from my savior's hand!<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-61549577252754104262013-07-20T18:20:00.000-07:002013-07-20T18:20:27.739-07:00Review: Secret thoughts of an unlikely convert<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">The issue of homosexuality and the church has been very prominent in the news again lately and it hasn't been pretty. There are many from the church that are really bigoted against gays or have abandoned what the scriptures say about homosexuality in order to "embrace" the gay community. Jesus could embrace the sinner without condoning the sin (John 4:17-18; John 8:10-11; Luke 19:5-10). Most notable is the controversy surrounding the Catholic Church and most recently, the closing of <a href="http://exodusinternational.org/2013/06/exodus-intl-president-to-the-gay-community-were-sorry/" target="_blank">Exodus, International</a>, a Christian gay conversion therapy organization. I would argue that these organizations are not Christian, as they have strayed from the teachings of Christ. Not that there aren't Catholics that are truly born again, but I would challenge any Catholic to demonstrate the biblical foundation for Catholic dogma such as mass, infant baptism, the infallibility of the pope or the idolization of Mary, the mother of Jesus. To be Christian is to follow Christ, and to follow Christ is to follow His Word (Psalm 56:10; 119:50; John 1:1; 6:63; 8:31; 8:37, 8:51; 15:4). We can do a whole study on this but I'm sure you get my point. My foundation for my worldview and all things Christian are the scriptures.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IhHt78E0ZcI/UesbaWR1m-I/AAAAAAAAAJI/dpa2O1jdwAc/s1600/secret+thoughts.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IhHt78E0ZcI/UesbaWR1m-I/AAAAAAAAAJI/dpa2O1jdwAc/s1600/secret+thoughts.jpeg" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">I recently came across a testimony from a woman on <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/authors-on-the-line/from-radical-lesbian-to-redeemed-christian-an-autobiographical-interview-with-rosaria-champagne-butterfield" target="_blank">Desiring God.</a> Rosaria Champagne-Butterfield earned a PhD in queer theory, owning property with her long time partner and being a public advocate for queer issues. Through research on the Bible and the religious right, she slowly made steps to give up her homosexuality and follow Jesus. Intrigued and curious about her spiritual journey, I decided to read her book, <a href="http://rosariabutterfield.com/" target="_blank">"the secret thoughts of an unlikely convert."</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Like me, her conversion was a multifaceted process. Unlike me, she didn't know the Lord before, nor was she seeking the Lord. The Word of God drew her in, and as she described, "became bigger than me." It started when a local pastor wrote her a letter challenging her presuppositions. It wasn't hostile but haunted her as she could not answer his questions.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've been asking my secular friends these questions and I get nothing but evasion tactics. "How do you know that's true? Can you show where it says that in the Bible? Where do your get your notion of rights apart from God?" Their reticence reveals that they don't know why they believe what they believe and they have a poor understanding of the Bible and what Christians believe. I find even those who grew up in a Christian home have a poor understanding of Christianity. They were not truly <a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/born-again.html" target="_blank">born again</a> spiritually <a href="http://www.christianity.com/print/1270946/" target="_blank">nor did they read the Bible.</a> They went through the motions of sitting in church or learning the Bible as "stories" without connecting it to history. Indeed, the Bible is comprised of documents that accurately identify people, places and events.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Rosaria Champagne-Butterfield writes an honest testimony that beckons straights, gays, Christians and non-Christians alike. She rightfully accuses the Church of alienating the queer community and gives clear biblical reasons why one needs to turn from the homosexual lifestyle to follow Christ. The key to opening her heart to the truth of the Gospel was Pastor Ken and his wife's approach in dialogue:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ken and Floy did something at the meal that has a long Christian history but has been functionally lost in too many Christian homes. Ken and Floy invited the stranger in--not to scapegoat me, but to listen and to dialogue…Ken and Floy didn't identify with me. They listened to me and identified with Christ. Pg. 295</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Of course, this doesn't mean the dialogue was always smooth sailing. The Gospel is offensive to people because it exposes the fact that we are not "good people." We are all guilty of breaking God's law and equally deserving of God's wrath (Psalm 14:1-3; Jeremiah 17:9; Proverbs 21:2; Proverbs 30:12; Psalm 36:2; Luke 18:11). Rosaria came out of that encounter asking herself the most important questions: "Does God exist? If God exists what does he expect from me? How do I communicate with him? How do I know him and what he wants? What if God is dead? <i style="font-weight: bold;">Do I have the courage to face the truth either way?" </i>(Butterfield, pg. 304, emphasis mine). Like Rosaria, I am the product of Post-modern academia, the philosophy that there is no absolute truth. Truth is subjective, identity is subjective. Never mind that this idea is self-refuting (via the law of non-contradiction), the goal is for people to believe what they want to believe wether it's true or not. Rosaria's acknowledgement that there is in fact absolute truth led to honest soul searching and I hope that anyone who reads this is willing to do that. Ask yourself: "is truth independent of what I believe or feel?" If so, how is truth knowable?" One of my favorite apologists, Sye Ten Bruggencate, engages people solely with truth claims or the presuppositions that undergird people's beliefs. His most adamant contenders are college youth who assert <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM1AWO92Crc" target="_blank">"no one can know anything." </a> This is a direct result of our education system today that tells us our experience determines truth and that no one can really know anything. This is in itself, a truth claim and therefore proves itself false. To add fuel to the fire, these same people that assert no one can know truth are adamant in asserting that the Bible is not true! In accusing Christians of being 'judgmental,' they themselves are being judgmental. Such is the folly of refusing God's truth.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It took 2 years of searching the scriptures and her own heart before Rosaria considered stepping inside a church. <b>Please note: church does not save you.</b> God did a work on her heart before being a church member. Rosaria confronts scripture's stance on homosexuality She prayed from her heart that if Jesus was in fact the risen Lord that he change her heart and shape her into the woman He wanted her to be. This is that faith the size of a mustard seed that enables one to come to God admit we need his help to change:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">I prayed for the strength of character to repent for a sin that at that time didn't feel like sin at all--it felt like life, plain and simple. I prayed that if my life was actually his life, that he would take it back and make it what he wanted it to be. I asked him to take it all: my sexuality, my profession, my community, my tastes, my books and my tomorrows. (Butterfield, pg. 485)</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I similarly surrendered my identity to Christ, all the while admitting not wanting to change! The truth of God's word became bigger than my lesbian identity and I took a step of faith to obey him regardless of how I felt. I often have to revisit this truth regarding all sin. We have all sorts of inclinations but that doesn't mean we <i>should </i>do them, even when no one is looking.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I highly recommend this book for those who are seeking the truth, Christians who are unsure about how to minister to the queer community and for those in the queer community who are genuinely interested in the testimony of a person who lived a homosexual lifestyle. </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-23952433109093928932013-07-20T18:15:00.000-07:002013-07-20T18:15:45.466-07:00Tracheostomy update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">I recently spent four days in the hospital to try decanulation. Monday they removed the trach and I hastily posted a picture of my taped up stoma on facebook! But I didn't feel like I was breathing well, despite having an oxygen saturation (SpO2) of 99% Sure enough, they scoped me and found a polyp in my windpipe where the trach was. Wednesday in the OR they also found much scar tissue where the stoma is, making me feel like I was breathing through a straw. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Needless to say, they did a lot of work opening the windpipe and I will go back in 3 months to see if there's more "excavation" to be done, or if I can safely be decanulated. Keep me in prayer. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A thing that I notice about the hospital in contrast to the nursing home is that people are much more considerate. It's not the actual people, who are far more diverse, but how the floor is managed. You can tell the hospital staff is trained to knock <i>gently </i>on the door--what a concept! Here, people just come right in or knock like Con Edison coming to check your meters first thing in the morning! Nursing home staff are so used to working with severely disabled, institutionalized people that you just become another body to clean. Your body parts become inanimate objects that need to be moved out the way to get the job done. I hope the increasing number of young people in nursing homes will prompt change in how service is delivered and the ratio of staff to patients. </span></div>
Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-21608524234036103372013-07-13T13:18:00.000-07:002013-07-13T13:18:30.515-07:00Don't waste your life! In light of the George Zimmerman case<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Please don't get it twisted! I do not follow Jesus because I tragically fell off a roof and need to find meaning in it. I follow Jesus because His Word is alive and grabbed hold of me.<br />
<br />
I rarely think about the accident but recently thought of my former co-workers. How have their lives been affected by my accident? Do they know Jesus?<br />
<br />
This country is on edge waiting for the verdict of the George Zimmerman trial. Regardless of the outcome, two things are certain. One, Trayvon Martin is dead and cannot choose Christ. His eternal destiny is sealed. Two, George Zimmerman is alive and so has an opportunity to repent and choose Christ. According to the atheist worldview, our lives are just random occurrence, therefore the notion of justice is absurd. <br />
<br />
When challenged on the issue of injustice in Luke 13, Jesus responded: "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all [other] Galileans, because they suffered such things? "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. "Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all [other] men who dwelt in Jerusalem? "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." In other words, we are all equally deserving of death.<br />
<br />
God created us and has the right to take our life in any way. I know that seems incredibly unfair, and I too have been challenged by this. Job struggled with this even after recognizing that God had the right to take his children (Job 1:18-21). God did not respond with the whys, but with asking Job how dare he question the God who created everything? In his suffering, Job learned amazing truths about God that he probably wouldn't have had he not suffered. Such has been my experience.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/audio_video/comm_author.cfm?AuthorID=44" target="_blank">Elizabeth Eliot</a> drew my attention to Psalm 16:5 "The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot." and 1 Timothy 6:15, Jesus being the only sovereign, the blessed controller of all things.<br />
<br />
On monday, I go to St. Luke's Roosevelt to be decanulized (trach free!) I am more nerve racked than excited. If there is anything I want people to get out of my experience is to evaluate their lives in light of Christ and to prepare for that time when they will stand before him. I'm praying for George Zimmerman to be saved. I'm praying for my old co-workers and friends to know Jesus and be saved. Nothing else matters.<br />
</div>
Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-13572464225975517902013-04-07T14:07:00.000-07:002013-04-07T14:07:40.424-07:00On the porch of life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I miss porches. Living upstate, I lived in houses with porches. I didn't have to worry about crazy people or stray bullets. I could sit outside with my morning coffee or evening wine and enjoy my community. Say hi to neighbors. Listen to birds or crickets chirp. Contemplate over blossoming trees or falling leaves. My favorite was an enclosed porch that allowed discreet observation. A back "porch" fire escape allowed for even more discreet conversations. Granted, there were things I did I shouldn't have, but I still long for the peace of mind this environment gave. I'm hoping to get a bit of that back. I see my self enjoying the vibrant green of house plants and soothing cups of tea. Quiet time in the Word or hospitality with neighbors. Maybe even a pet! I realize how much I live vicariously through my friends with pets! I never thought twice to care for them as my own. Caring for animals probably gives me the most joy. But even with all of this, life isn't going to be magically delicious. I still can't walk or hold things as I could. I can't play guitar anymore. I live with horrendous nerve pain. Even a perfect body is in the process of death. Sickness and suffering is inevitable. Just go to a nursing home and the reality will hit you.<br />
<br />
The apostle James said, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." Everything good comes from God! Every bit of sunshine, water, life and breath. Laughter, wisdom, the joy of children. Everything that grows and sustains us, all come from God's providence. Our biggest problem in this country is that although God's goodness is obvious, we do not praise him and give thanks (Romans 1:21). Instead, we glorify ourselves as god. Make no mistake, God is still on the throne. I have been on the precipice of this life and eternity and God was very merciful, letting me live this way. I want to use the brief time I have here to put the spotlight back on him! I want to share the joy of knowing that this life is brief but eternity of perfection is only with Jesus Christ the Messiah, the prophesied king of Israel!<br />
<br />
Yes, there are things I look forward to but most of all being with the Lord. Give thanks to the one who makes everything possible. Seek him while he may be found. </div>
Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-16536079828825098242013-03-09T09:26:00.000-08:002013-03-09T09:26:14.372-08:00What about now?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm still enjoying tea. I recently turned 33. Things with my trach are still going fairly well. I have some granulation tissue above the fenestra so my doctors want to put in a button trach soon. We'll see how it goes. It's hard for me to plan definitively too far in the future after all I've been through and continue to go through in this condition. As pastor J.D. of Calvary Chapel Kaneohe says, "I have plans, but my plans don't have me."<br />
<br />
This place is full of hostility and I look forward to the time I can leave. But there's so many whom I've grown to love that must continue to endure here. How then, can I glory in leaving? No matter where I go, there will never quite be the peace I seek, not for me or others that I love. A brother in Christ named <a href="http://savesaeed.org/" target="_blank">Saeed</a> has been held in a prison in Iraq for almost a year. He's been threatened and beaten and tortured to get him to deny Christ. How, then, can I glory in being comfortable? Not that it's bad to enjoy things but I want to keep a proper perspective. Jesus said, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."<br />
<br />
The Lord has been been really speaking to me in this area. One thing this institution has ministered to me is that I still need the Lord to change my heart in a lot of areas! I cannot have righteousness apart from God. I cannot do what he asks apart from his spirit. I need to be in constant fellowship with him, abiding in him (John 15:5).<br />
<br />
I have no idea what God has in store for me. I'm thankful to enjoy learning new things and having new opportunities to glorify God where ever I am. </div>
Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-3697368022754785822013-02-26T13:00:00.001-08:002013-02-27T23:08:16.681-08:00Ultimate Proof that the Bible is True<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
Why does anything at all exist?<br />
It may be hard to believe that God exists because he is not seen, but the existence of God, an all powerful, eternal, immaterial creative being, is the best explanation to the existence of anything.<br />
<br />
Science comes from the Latin word scientia, meaning 'knowledge.' Science is the method in which we collect and organize knowledge about the universe through observation and experiment. From observation, we know that everything that begins to exist has a cause. If you believe this universe came from nothing, how come we haven't observed anything else come from nothing?<br />
<br />
We also know from observation that the universe is expanding and therefore, has a beginning (Thomas Hubble). If the universe consists of all time space and matter, the cause must come from an all powerful, eternal, immaterial being which describes the God of the Bible.<br />
<br />
How do we know the Bible is true?<br />
To validate the claim that the Bible is truly the word of God, there must be sure evidence of it. Could God authenticate his message to us? Besides the internal consistency, historical and archeological accuracy, the Bible has fulfilled prophecies that never fail, and codes in the original texts that show beyond a shadow of a doubt that the text is supernaturally inspired:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.palmoni.net/gematria.htm">http://www.palmoni.net/gematria.htm</a> *<br />
<br />
It is unique and wonderful that our Christian heritage is the bedrock of western freedom to believe or disbelieve. However, that doesn't mean that the scriptures are only true for those who believe. Truth is true wether you believe it or not. This truth--that there is a God and it is the triune God found in the Bible-- is prophetically, logically, historically and mathematically proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. Grasping this truth is so important that your eternal destiny depends on it. God didn't create hell for people, he created it for the devil and his angels. People go to hell for willfully choosing to reject God and his truth.<br />
<br />
*<i>Just as a side note, we do not need to understand any bible code to understand the Bible or that it is divinely inspired. There is more than enough evidence in creation to know that there is a God and his word is verified through prophecy. </i></div>
Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-12978575145559684962013-02-14T16:10:00.000-08:002013-02-14T16:10:52.659-08:00surgery, tea and my father's business<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Tea has been especially helpful after I had surgery last tuesday. I ended up in the OR a second time on wednesday to insert a #4 fenestrated shiley trach. Initially, they put in a button trach to hold open the stoma while the inside of my trachea could heal without reacting to a plastic tube. Unfortunately, it could not stay in, and I had serious mucous plugs to contend with. Thank God my father stayed to watch and care for me until I stabilized that evening and Dr. Guardiani was close to do damage control. Usually, an intern is on call overnight but has no idea the specifics of your case. My father even had to stop him from reinserting my trach the wrong way! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Again, Roosevelt Hospital did not have the appropriate catheters to suction me with and my father had to bring some from Beth Abe, as well as cath kits. Bonus of being a quad. The good news is that the upper portion of my wind pipe is open and I can speak. If it continues this way for several weeks as the trachea heals, it's a good sign I can be decannulized!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Back to tea for a sec...right off the bat I know I like raw pu-erh tea better than ripe. I like the astringency and 'greeness' of it. I found the ripe pu-erh less pungent and dynamic than I imagined it would be. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I tried one of the oolong teas I got from Yunan Sourcing: "Imperial Tie Guan Yin of Anxi" Autumn 2012. It smells and tastes wonderfully floral! I was surprised how big the leaves opened up! Definitely a fan. I don't see myself getting too intricate in this tea business. I enjoy tea and will continue to try new ones as I find them but I really need to be about my heavenly father's business. Lately, that has been being ready with an answer for those who oppose even the notion of my heavenly father (1 Peter 3:15). People will bob and weave on the issue of relativism because it's self-refuting and once I point it out, it's embarrassing for them to pursue it. My father pointed out that people really are displaying their hatred of the Gospel when they react the way they do. It's amazing how people avoid critically examining their own beliefs. They can't possibly imagine any other reality besides the one they were taught: that reality is simply what you believe it to be. This notion is absurd and self refuting! I had to learn a bit of philosophy to understand this, which I'm not a fan of, but it is helpful when speaking of the metaphysical. The statement: "what's true for you isn't true for me" is a self refuting statement according to the law of non-contradiction. If the statement were actually true, having it <i>not</i> true for someone else would be impossible! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Another absurd statement: "You shouldn't judge!" It's funny how secular people will rip scripture out of context when being righteously judged for their sin. Someone recently said this to me, bringing up Matthew 7:1. I explained that Jesus isn't saying that we shouldn't judge at all, in fact, he gives a few examples of how we should judge in the rest of the chapter. Jesus is speaking of judging apart from God's standard. I went further to say, "if you feel I shouldn't judge, why are you judging me? Why judge anyone at all?" She responded by saying she didn't judge me, only thought my ideas were skewed. Having any kind of opinion requires judgement. In fact, our days are filled with judgements as we walk, drive, or decide anything! I asked a few times how she knows right from wrong, where do we get our notion of rights? My generation is the post-modern generation, where we've been taught that morality, our identity and even truth itself is relative. When asking these crucial questions, they squirm and revert to insults. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The bottom line is there is overwhelming evidence that there is a God who created the universe, who's eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, personal and creative. Only the Bible describes this kind of God and attests for it's accuracy historically, scientifically, archeologically, and textually. Paul is dead on when he reasons that people suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18-21). They refuse to believe because they want to deny God and hold onto their sin (John 3:18-20). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately for them, God exists wether they believe or not and they are accountable to him wether they believe or not. Truth doesn't change with feelings/belief. It's better to follow the truth now then to face eternity in damnation for rejecting it. The body of Christ will not face the great tribulation, but we will probably see some pretty dark days before the rapture. Our economy is failing, and Christian persecution, even in the west, is on the rise! Not to mention possible nuclear war with Iran who really wants to destroy us along with Israel! The Obama administration <i>says </i>it stands with Israel but actions speak louder than words. Israel is still God's land and those who seek to divide it will get burned. </span></div>
Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-78969225724131178772013-01-23T12:33:00.000-08:002013-01-23T12:33:21.528-08:00the beginning of a beautiful relationship...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">I noticed that I was drinking a lot of tea to soothe my throat or my aching belly. So it became the norm every morning and evening. I reminisced the days as a child having tea parties with friends or just me and my dolls. "I need a tea set!" I thought. I began to search different types of tea sets. While exploring Google communities, I came across a "tea lovers" community. What the hay? I joined the community and found there's much more to tea than I thought!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I used to work at a high end coffeeshop in Ithaca and became fascinated by the art and science of brewing coffee. So many factors contribute to the quality of the brew, from the way the beans are produced, roasted, the temperature of the water, humidity and the pressure applied just to name a few. I never saw coffee the same again and made it a point to learn all I could. God had different plans for my life, but I still have the same fascination to learn things like this.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n1QP3YAgaGQ/UQA_hkBR5zI/AAAAAAAAAGs/lQLSivO8jR8/s1600/IMG_0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n1QP3YAgaGQ/UQA_hkBR5zI/AAAAAAAAAGs/lQLSivO8jR8/s320/IMG_0029.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">One of the teas my father got me was Pu-erh tea from Numi. Reading about it's production and health benefits, I decided to try loose Pu-erh tea. If you are new to Pu-erh tea, this is a <a href="http://listeningtoleaves.blogspot.com/2012/03/puerh-faq-and-resource-guide-for.html" target="_blank">great introduction.</a> It was suggested that I see <a href="http://www.yunnansourcing.com/store/" target="_blank">Yunnan Sourcing</a> for the best selection of Pu-erh teas and it indeed is. I got a recent sample of raw and ripe Pu-erh to compare to a several year old raw and ripe Pu-erh. I also got a couple different oolongs to compare. After much anticipation of the package, I received my first shipment of Pu-erh tea yesterday! I'll be honest and say I have no idea how these varieties will taste. I'm completely new at this and learning as I go along. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V595qLce-3M/UQBAALDyFoI/AAAAAAAAAG0/oM0GN2jsnNI/s1600/IMG_0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V595qLce-3M/UQBAALDyFoI/AAAAAAAAAG0/oM0GN2jsnNI/s320/IMG_0030.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The first sample I'm trying is 2012 Yunnan Sourcing "Shang Chun" Raw Pu-erh. The first thing I noticed pulling it out of the package is how much it looks like ganja! It smells sweet but not "skunky." The first "infusion" was just for rinsing any impurities from the tea leaves. The next infusion was for 30 seconds to try. Then 1 minute. Then 3 minute. The liquor, or color of the tea, was a clear golden color. I can't control the temperature of the water, as I'm getting hot water from a machine, but I've read it's best not to have it boiling. Immediately, the taste reminded me of green tea: light, vegetal, astringent. It goes great plain, with honey and I imagine would make a great iced tea. I'll try to note other nuances as I go through the sample. Then, I'll compare it with the older raw sample.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> This way of making tea is a bit laborious so I got loose tea that would be easy to measure out from <a href="http://mightyleaf./">MightyLeaf.</a> They have a decent variety and a well organized website to choose by ingredient, caffeine content or region. I also got a small Gaiwan style tea set for two. I'm usually in my room alone, but I also like sharing tea with others. Come have tea with me soon! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Lastly, I was amazed to learn that there are "tea rooms" places that serve mainly tea and restaurants that serve afternoon tea! It is mainly served with small sandwiches, scones and jams. Here is a list of the <a href="http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2012/04/8-best-spots-for-afternoon-tea-in-new-york-nyc-hotels.html" target="_blank">best tearooms in NYC.</a> Of course, it needs to be accessible for me, so I searched for <a href="http://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=tea&find_loc=Manhattan%2C+NY%2C+USA#attrs=WheelchairAccessible" target="_blank">accessible tea places through Yelp. </a> I'll write reviews as I go along. Make sure you call ahead and confirm their entrance is accessible! I've learned that generally, the lower parts of Manhattan are less accessible. Even if the restaurant entrance is accessible, their rest room is not. You have to make sure there's someplace you can go to cath if you need (like a large library or chain store like Barnes & Nobles.) Happy tea time! </span></div>
Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-44363852307301787642013-01-06T19:29:00.000-08:002013-01-06T19:29:39.065-08:00Where will you be in Eternity?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What is the meaning of life and what happens when I die? Why did God allow me to survive this way? Wouldn't it be more compassionate to have me die? If God is loving, why does he allow anyone to suffer? Being close to death and seeing how fragile my body is as a quadriplegic, if anyone should ask these questions, it's me. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">King Solomon wrote that God has put eternity in our hearts and this is certainly true for all people (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Just as we understand right and wrong by our God given conscience, we long for something beyond the finality of this life. As children, we just see what's in front of us. We want to be gratified now and then, having little to no sense of our limited time here. It gets easier as we get older, but we still are never satisfied with all we acquire in our lifetime. We want to be remembered, we want to leave a 'legacy', we want to stay younger longer, and increasingly, <a href="http://www.infowars.com/2045-immortality-transhumanism-program-threatens-humanitys-integrity/" target="_blank">defy mortality.</a> Across all cultures are stories of a 'next life.' Although the West is increasingly secular and hostile to notions of heaven or hell, we cannot escape the idea that there is more than this life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Steve Berger writes on his <a href="http://steveberger.gracechapel.net/2011/10/eternity-in-our-hearts/" target="_blank">blog</a>: "Many times we can’t quite articulate this feeling. Songs, books, movies and visual art tries to capture it. Many come close, but most fall short. The problem is the authors, writers, painters and actors don’t know the Scripture. They know and recognize the longing, but they don’t know and recognize the Savior."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In a post-modern society where we are taught that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relativism" target="_blank">truth is relative</a>, very little people are searching for the truth about life after death. But the Bible answers all the questions surrounding the meaning of life: Why am I here? What is right and wrong? What is my purpose? and what happens when I die? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In an atheistic worldview, we have evolved by chance and so everything is arbitrary, without real purpose. Sure, an atheist can choose to live morally, but according to his worldview, that can be no better than one who chooses to live immorally, for all choices are subjective. Bertrand Russell, an atheist philosopher admits: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">That Man is the product of causes which had no prevision of the end they were achieving; that his origin, his growth, his hopes and fears, his loves and his beliefs, are but the outcome of accidental collocations of atoms; that no fire, no heroism, no intensity of thought and feeling, can preserve an individual life beyond the grave; that all the labours of the ages, all the devotion, all the inspiration, all the noonday brightness of human genius, are destined to extinction in the vast death of the solar system, and that the whole temple of Man's achievement must inevitably be buried beneath the debris of a universe in ruins--all these things, if not quite beyond dispute, are yet so nearly certain, that no philosophy which rejects them can hope to stand. Only within the scaffolding of these truths, only on </span><i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">the firm foundation of unyielding despair</i><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">, can the soul's habitation henceforth be safely built."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Other atheist philosophers like Nitzsche and Sartre also admit that life is meaningless without God. The only way atheists can live happily in their worldview is to live inconsistently. We see that the wealthiest populations are the least happy and have the highest rates of <a href="http://townhall.com/columnists/rachelalexander/2011/10/27/why_are_suicides_so_high_in_the_wealthiest_country_in_the_world/page/full/" target="_blank">suicide.</a> Solomon had it right centuries earlier when he declared emphatically "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!" (Ecclesiastes 1:1) Solomon was the richest, wisest man of all time and had plenty of time to ponder the meaning of life. He first pursued all the pleasure he could. He realized that no matter how much you enjoy, you still crave pleasure like a bottomless pit. The eye is not full of seeing, the ear, not full of hearing (Ecc 1:8). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">We are constantly striving for global peace. No war. No famine. No injustice. Really, we want to return to Eden. </span>Only then will our souls be satisfied. King Solomon got it right when he said: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">"I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him." (Ecclesiastes 3:14)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There is no purpose to life if everything stops at the grave. We all long for eternal peace and that can only come when we have peace with God. Jesus said, "For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly." How do we clean our sinful hearts? How do we obtain peace with God to enter into his eternal Kingdom? Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit." One is born again through faith in Jesus Christ and calling out to him to be saved. The apostles testify, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." (John 3:36; John 14:6; 1 Cor 3:11; 1 Tim 3:5; Acts 10:43; Psalm 2:12; Prov 30:4)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In my difficult circumstance, God has answered my questions concerning who he is as revealed in the Bible. Through my condition, God is glorified as many can see how I've changed and my joy. It's still difficult but I have a peace that's beyond what the world can give. It was by God's plan that I would come back to the Bronx where my family is, be reunited with my father, have him close so he can advocate for me in this institution, and be restored to the Lord, growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is a painful circumstance, with eternal purpose to bring others to himself (Romans 8:28; Isaiah 6:10; Psalm 138:8; Proverbs 19:21 Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 2:15; Ephesians 3:11; Revelation 17:17). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Where will you be in eternity? Tomorrow is not promised to anyone and if you feel God speaking to your heart, please listen. You can have your questions answered at:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">www.answersingenesis.org</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">www.gotquestions.org</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">God Bless</span><br />
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-86975335608696953352012-10-31T09:49:00.000-07:002012-10-31T09:49:12.365-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">Halloween or 'All hallows eve' began with the Celtic Druids (priests) centuries ago in the British isles. What we know about them come from written documents from the Romans who eventually conquered them around A.D. 40's. They practiced divination, witchcraft and animal/human sacrifices during the festival of Samhain, pronounced 'Sowin." It marked the end of summer and was a celebration of the dead. At midnight, druids would go door to door and request food to sacrifice for Samhain. If the family did not have, they would have to give a child to sacrifice. In return, the druids would give them a carved turnip as a sign they had contributed and a guard against evil spirits. This is where we get the activity of 'trick or treat.' </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Years later, the Roman church incorporated the druid festival to celebrate those who died and renamed it 'All Saints day' or 'All Hallows' Eve' which became Halloween for short. There is nothing Biblical about this "holiday" nor it is innocent! Bible believing Christians like the pilgrims, understood the druid celebration was demonic and banned it in the United States. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2UOlsKIfSo">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2UOlsKIfSo</a> ==film trailer by jeremiah films</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">People say, "I don't believe in that, I just like it for the dressing up and candy." Why wouldn't you dress up as a Ku Klux Klan member? Because you understand the history behind it. The same repulsion should lead you away from celebrating Halloween once you understand the history! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There are modern day Druids that still take these ancient rituals very seriously. They are neo-pagans or wiccans. This is not some innocent, 'Earth friendly' set of beliefs. It is demonic and lures people away from the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBsAdQow3cM&feature=endscreen&NR=1">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBsAdQow3cM&feature=endscreen&NR=1</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Free Masons and the illuminati (the enlightened ones) are also known to practice rituals of bonfires, spirit worship and human sacrifice. John Todd is the forerunner to it's exposure and underpinnings in the music industry and politics. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The symbolism of the occult is blatant all over the media and arts. Aleister Crowley, a known satanist who conducted human sacrifices, is glorified by major artists like the Beatles, Black Sabbath, David Bowie, and Jay-Z. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Regarding the glorification of ghosts, death, and encountering spirits, God says: 'Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I [am] the LORD your God.' Leviticus 19:31. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.' Deuteronomy 18:10-11</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What will you choose? Moses lays it down nicely when he says by the Holy Spirit:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." Deuteronomy 30:19-20.</span><br />
<br /></div>
Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-80893325024160048752012-08-18T10:50:00.001-07:002012-08-18T10:50:35.604-07:00To Whom Shall I Go?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I recently had surgery for the first time at St. Lukes Roosevelt Hospital in Midtown. I must say, I have not had a surgery go this smoothly since seeing Dr. Mathisen in 2009. I've changed thoracic surgeons a couple of times, starting with Dr. Todd Weiser at Mt. Sinai Hospital. I saw him because he's worked under Mathisen who is the most knowledgable doctor concerning tracheal stenosis in my opinion. I would love to have him as my regular thoracic surgeon but he works out of Mass General! I needed to work with someone in New York, so I figured I'd go with Dr. Weiser. He gave me no hope of being trach free and he said it was a miracle that Dr. Mathisen got the t-tube in. Makes me real confident in him, right? Well, last year when I had my Mitrofanoff procedure, Dr. Weiser had to remove my original t-tube and put in a Shiley for anesthesia purposes. I thought he would put back the original tube, but no! He puts in a much smaller montgomery t-tube and swears it's the same size! I made an office visit with him to ask him what the deal was and what would be the plan to deal with my stenosis. He was very evasive and even got hostile when I queried him further. My father and case manager was even there to witness it. I knew he would not be helpful and decided that would be the last time I see Dr. Weiser. I looked for other Doctors with experience dealing with trachel stenosis but either they only worked with cancer patients, or they didn't accept my insurance. At my wits end, I called up NYP-Weil Cornell and told them my problem. They said Dr. Jeffrey Port was available and I made an appt. My mother went with me and I explained my situation with Dr. Weiser. Dr. Port had a plastic face and an unnatural tan but I needed someone to help me and he seemed confident that he could deal with my stenosis.<br />
<br />
That started in 2011. I must have had about six bronchoscopy procedures with Dr. Port and there was always some screw up. His approach in the OR was pretty aggressive. I have never felt such pain in all the tracheal procedures I had! He was obviously phony whenever he spoke with me, and I rarely saw him before or after surgery. He was not proactive in treating inflamation, granulation tissue, etc. I even saw Dr. Mathisen again because I was really concerned. Mathisen temporarily put in a silicone based trach in for my poor trachea to heal. When I got back to New York, I developed a mucous plug that I needed emergency surgery to remove. Back to Dr. Port. He then gave me an ultimatum--to work with just him or not at all. I felt like I had no choice since I had no other Doctor in New York so I continued to see him and pray that God work through him to heal me. After two times of mis-positioning my tube so I couldn't speak again for months, I set out to find another Doctor. Again, I came across Head and Neck Surgical group out of St. Lukes Roosevelt. They did not take my insurance, but I wrote anyway, telling them my problem with tracheal stenosis. A woman wrote back, I assumed the head secretary, and said Dr. Lebovics would be the best person to see. I did a search with his name AND tracheal stenosis and found a Wegener's Support Forum where several people testified of Dr. Lebovics' proficiency in the area.<br />
<br />
I figured an office visit wouldn't hurt. If I got the same impression I had from Dr. Port, forget it. My dad went with me for moral support. Sure enough, the office did not accept my insurance, so I paid out of pocket, praying for the Lord to open doors. I then met the head secretary, Marisol Vargas, who was very pleasant and willing to help me get worker's comp to authorize payments. Dr. Lebovics was scheduled for surgery but he didn't want to turn me away. I filled him in on my history and showed him the latest endoscopy pictures. He was very personable and genuinely kind. If there's one thing I'm good at it's telling if people are for real or not. Long story short, this surgeon was the real deal.<br />
<br />
Even though I've been in this kind of surgery many times, it is not easy. I hate the time it takes to travel, check in, etc. Getting an I.V. in me is a real pain. My veins are small and tend to "run away." This time, an anesthesiologist had to place it in a vein on my pinky! I only complied because she used a local anesthetic. But the worst part is not really knowing what kind of condition you will wake up in. What if the tube doesn't work out? What if I end up worse than before?<br />
<br />
You can definitely say I'm an anxious person. I think I've always been that way. But since the accident, it's reached a whole new level for obvious reasons. The last time I was in the hospital for an extended period was during my Mitrofanoff procedure last year. I was in the hospital for nine days and it was not pretty. Besides having an NG tube (reinserted multiple times), and a trach that needed constant suctioning, it was really difficult not being able to move in bed. I could not settle. My body started going through medication withdrawal. I had crazy nerve pain. Well, after two days this round, I was going stir crazy! The hospital beds are very hard to move around in and the rails are not conducive to quads. My meds were given at random times and my body didn't feel right. I started to shake uncontrollably and feel panicked.<br />
<br />
It's easy to say, "be anxious for nothing..." but it's not very ministerial. One of the verses my dad and I looked at together was Proverbs 25:20. Vinegar makes nitre (soap) useless. So it is with people who say things like "you shouldn't be anxious," or "you just gotta have faith!" When you are ill, disabled or going through psychological trauma, it's very hard to focus and no one can try to 'reason' you out of what your going through. What helped me is knowing that my feelings may change, but God doesn't. And what I love about scripture is that it's honest about human nature. Even John the Baptizer, a man who was born to usher in the Messiah, had doubts when in prison. "Are you the one to come, or do we wait for another?"What did he go through in that prison? Did he have the feeling he would soon be beheaded? Did he feel a sense of injustice toward God? I'll be sure to ask him in eternity!<br />
<br />
There are many times that when discouraged, I could have said screw this God business! But like Peter, I find myself saying: "Lord, to whom shall I go? You have the words of eternal life!" (John 6:68). Many disciples stopped following Jesus because they were offended at what he said, or they didn't agree with the cost of discipleship. Like Peter, I have come to believe and <i>know </i>that Jesus is the unique son of God, the man God has appointed to save us because we can't save ourselves. </div>
Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-76090128865488414012012-07-26T12:26:00.000-07:002012-07-26T12:26:27.587-07:00Beyond the Borders: Getting young people out of Nursing Homes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Mtr8Vx9WTs/UBGYMhu2sLI/AAAAAAAAACI/mbdXLBe_ebk/s1600/GroupVitaglidePic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Mtr8Vx9WTs/UBGYMhu2sLI/AAAAAAAAACI/mbdXLBe_ebk/s320/GroupVitaglidePic.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vitaglide Ceremony at Beth Abraham. George Gallego is far right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">When I was in rehab learning how to live as a quadriplegic, my future didn't seem too bright. All I saw was a world of needing help with everything and losing a sense of my personhood. I could barely sit up, brush my teeth or feed myself. Would people just see my disability and not take me seriously? Enter in my mentor George Gallego among others who gave me hope that I could still live life and not just survive my paralysis. George is a paraplegic so he has quite a bit more physical capability than I do, but seeing how naturally he rolled into a room and carried himself made me see that my life wasn't over! Plus, brother had style and that made me want to get out of hospital attire and start dressing like myself again. I remember watching George, Jim Cesario and quad comrades like Alex Elegudin's every move and asking them tons of questions. "How do you pick up stuff from the floor?" "Do you use aids to type?" I still use their techniques and advise today. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">George began sharing more with me and told me his idea of developing an organization to get young people like me out of nursing homes and back into the community. I was very disappointed with the way social services at the hospital was advertising Beth Abraham, because it was very deceptive and less than honest. Social services in Beth Abraham are even more disappointing as they only focus on admitting/discharging but not on improving your life while here! There is nothing productive for young people here. They have great potential in this facility but fall short for a number of reasons. It's best to keep people here where medicaid/medicare will continue to foot the bill. Forget about empowering anyone to thrive beyond this place. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I supported George and his idea and even took a grant writing class to further support his endeavors. I helped get a vitaglide for Beth Abraham and felt very motivated to learn what I could about how non-profits operate. I got a better sense of how Beth Abraham works as a non-profit organization and looked forward to seeing George's new organization develop. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, I began to suffer from many <a href="http://www.sci-info-pages.com/uti.html" target="_blank">UTIs</a> and was in a tremendous amount of pain. I lost a lot of weight and was in the hospital frequently. The best solution for me was to have a mitrofanoff procedure which was a process in itself! It was a long, difficult surgery that took months to recover from. Everything that that I was pursuing came to a halt and a some points, I wasn't even sure if I would live. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Since then, I'm doing better physically, but still struggling with trach issues. I've been pretty home bound and focused on eternal things. I take one day at a time. It's even been difficult seeing myself out of here because I keep having surgeries. But advocating for my fellow nursing home residents has stayed on my mind. Not only for the young, but for the old. They've had careers, raised families and served our country. They deserve compassionate care that recognizes them as people, not just lumps of meat on the bed. But there's something about being young and in nursing homes. It's very depressing because you see your life as not really going anywhere even though you have many more decades to live. George is dedicated to changing this and I believe it will change more than he knows. When people recognize how many people with disabilities are in the community, it will spur policy change and better urban design. Already, concepts like "aging in place" are catching fire in the real estate realm as baby boomers age and need accessible homes. People are starting to realize that they need to prepare for things like a knee replacement, difficulty reaching, caring for elderly parents. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-maWynGnxe7I/UBGWW55eAgI/AAAAAAAAACA/ytFgsAikJT0/s1600/Gallego1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-maWynGnxe7I/UBGWW55eAgI/AAAAAAAAACA/ytFgsAikJT0/s1600/Gallego1.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George Gallego and his wife Julia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Not everyone has the means to purchase and modify a place and accessible apartments/homes are hard to come by, especially in the city! Some young people with disabilities are incredibly motivated to play sports, finish school, or hone in on a skill for a career. Living in a nursing home limits these opportunities and can make one feel trapped. Many with disabilities have their whole lives ahead of them and have something to contribute to the community. George is competing in the <a href="http://ironman.com/mediacenter/pressreleases/first-ever-ironman-triathlon-in-new-york-city-and-new-jersey-announced-for-august-2012#axzz21kx4LBwK" target="_blank">NYC Ironman Triathlon</a> in August. This is a hardcore event and he will be the only paraplegic competing! He is raising funds for his organization, <a href="http://www.wheelsofprogress.org/home.html" target="_blank">Wheels of Progress, Inc.</a> Won't you join me in this cause and give a contribution? You can donate <a href="https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/georgegallego/ironman-us-championship" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div>
</div>Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-522687334501087552012-07-17T11:35:00.001-07:002012-07-26T12:27:54.478-07:00The Reality of living in a Nursing Home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've been living in a nursing home for the past four years after leaving SCI rehab. The first difference I noticed was in the rehabilitation program. It was not as thorough as Mount Sinai in developing ADL (activities of daily living) skills, transferring and bed mobility. This would be particularly true for quadriplegics and our therapy time was short lived. I was told that I would get range of motion but that never happened. The second thing I noticed was the quality of nursing care. Although there were many people with spinal cord injury at this facility, the nursing staff was completely unaware of things like <a href="http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/322809-overview" target="_blank">autonomic dysreflexia</a> and how to properly carry out bowel care. From then on, I had to aggressively monitor and direct my care, making sure I had the right meds and kept a bowel routine. I also had to contend with the lack of consideration and dignity from people who seemed to have no cultural sensitivity training. Everything from their noise level in the morning to the way they handle resident's bodies.<br />
<br />
I think it was in 2010 when the director, Margaret Rivers, stepped down and Beth Abraham had a number of changes in their administration. After a while I noticed the staff complaining of staff shortage, particularly CNAs in the 3-11pm shift. It went from 5 to 4 to sometimes 3 for 40 residents on the floor. There's only 1 nurse on the floor to do medications, finger sticks, tube feeds, cathing, suctioning, wound care, etc. It's a lot of work! Most recently, they've been having the evening nurse not only do the floor by herself, but go to other floors to do treatments! That means, if someone needs a nurse while she's out, they're out of luck! I've seen low morale on the rise amongst the staff, the nurses more curt, rushed, forgetting treatments.<br />
<br />
I've addressed this issue of staff shortage for about a year now. I've addressed it to Medicare/NYSDOH. Residents have brought it up during town hall meetings. I know staff has complained to the administration about it. All has seemed to fall on deaf ears. Last night was at it's worst. I rang the bell to get cathed and waited half an hour before a CNA burst in with my dinner tray (not to answer the bell). I told her I needed to be cathed and waited another half hour before ringing again, feeling my bladder full and blood pressure high. Luckily, my mother came in and helped me cath. The bell remained ringing but no one answered for an hour and a half. Then a supervisor came in and I addressed the situation. She gave me my meds at 8pm. My mother helped me cath at 6pm so I was due to cath again at 10pm. No nurse. My mother helped cath me again before leaving. If she did not come in, who would help me cath? Surely the nurse was not there to help. My father is more proactive in these matters and spoke to the nurse. Apparently, she just came to relieve the original nurse but did not want to disclose who it was. We wrote a formal complaint with security and apparently, the nurse on the floor <i>was </i>the supervisor! No wonder nothing was getting done! Bells weren't getting answered, treatments fell by the wayside. Usually, this supervisor is around on the day shift to yell at people in a most unprofessional manner. I'm glad she got a taste of how hard it is to work as the only nurse on the floor. <br />
<br />
They're really trying hard to keep it together and resell this nursing home as <a href="http://www.centerlight.org/" target="_blank">Center Light Healthsystem</a>, but I don't know how long they can continue like this. There is a real problem with <a href="http://www.roberts.edu/Academics/AcademicDivisions/BusinessManagement/msl/Community/Journal/TheHighCostofLowMorale.htm" target="_blank">employee dissatisfaction</a> that will erode the productivity and quality of this organization. I know part of the problem is Medicare reimbursement rates not increasing and I don't see that happening anytime soon considering our failing economy. It sucks because this can be a great facility. For $15,000/month, it is not worth it. The best component of Beth Abraham is their Therapeutic Recreation team. Although they lack engaging programs for the younger population, they are open to new ideas and are a super friendly bunch. The volunteer department is also very fruitful as young people learn how to serve their community and help minister to practical needs.<br />
<br />
It is by far cheaper and healthier (in my opinion) to live in the community as long as you can. I know I'm looking forward to jumping this ship! I'm so thankful my father lives close and has been a strong advocate for my resident rights. Being paralyzed and voiceless, it's like you lose a part of your personhood! People can ignore your bell, but if you call the office phone, there's more urgency to answer because the person on the end is usually able bodied. If my father physically goes to the nursing office, then they will respond to my complaint. If you don't have family to regularly visit and advocate for you, forget it, you will be left to the wayside. I know it will be a huge transition living outside of this system, but hopefully I will be able to participate in the community more and be stuck dealing with this condition less.<br />
<br />
Folks, it is so important to plan for your parents or yourself if any serious condition occurs. If you can, live in an accessible place. Write a living will and choose a healthcare proxy. Most of all, think about where you will spend eternity after you're gone. There's to much fine detail in this universe to conclude we are here by accident. "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." Isaiah 55:6-7</div>Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-8208167307041561922012-06-18T09:38:00.002-07:002012-06-18T09:38:47.418-07:00Count it all Joy...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">God in his sovereignty has allowed me to endure another trial regarding my tracheal stenosis. The last couple of surgeries with a particular surgeon has proven counterproductive and now I have recurring granulation tissue growth around the tube. I don't know what this ultimately means, but I must continue to press toward the mark for the prize...I will not lie and pretend I'm brave at all through this. I know what heaven has in store for me but I'm not comfortable with death. Dying in most circumstances is a laborious process. I pray that the Lord gives me grace to go through whatever I have to and glorify his name in the process. </span></div>Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-1557792538996247952012-06-11T09:28:00.000-07:002012-06-11T09:28:27.587-07:00Dialogue with an atheist<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="p1">
Abu Hamid Al Ghazali developed an argument in the 9th century against traditional Greek philosophy that the universe is necessary (eternal). The <i>kalam cosmological </i> argument began with the efforts of ancient Christian philosophers like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Philoponus"><span class="s1">John Philoponus of Alexandria</span></a> to refute Aristotle's doctrine of the necessity of the universe. His argument is: <b>1. Whatever begins to exist has a cause. 2. the universe began to exist 3. the universe has a cause.</b></div>
<div class="p1">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="p1">
<b>VigorousAtheist: </b>You're #1 on that list has no basis in reality. There is no scientific explanation to how something "has a cause". Also, just because something has a cause, doesn't give you the right to plug in a "god" into the equation.</div>
<div class="p1">
It's called the god of the gaps. It's where people like you find little unexplained mysteries in the universe and say "oh that HAS to be god".</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Also, can you explain to me how god was created?</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b><u>Response</u></b></div>
<div class="p1">
you have objections to premise 1. (Premise 1: Whatever begins to exist has a cause.) So in your experience, anything can exist without a cause? Can you name them? Despite common knowledge and scientific evidence that everything has a cause, you choose to believe that premise 1 has "no basis in reality"? </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
so you assume that atheism is true in that if atheism is true, then the universe has no explanation. The logical equivalent to that statement is if the universe has an explanation, then there is a God. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
There are abstract objects and concrete objects. Abstract objects have no effect on other objects such as mathematical entities like numbers and number sets. Concrete objects can cause effects in the world. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The universe consists of all matter, energy, and time space reality. This is fact. It follows that if the universe has an explanation, then that cause must be an immaterial being outside of time/space reality. There are 2 entities that fit that bill: an abstract object like a number. But numbers do not cause anything. The only explanation is an eternal transcendent mind which is what God is. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Premise 1. says whatever begins to exist has a cause. God is eternal, outside of time and space, therefore has no cause.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Again, The big bang theory shows that the universe is expanding, therefore the universe had a beginning. And if the universe has a beginning, then the cause is God. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
It's not logical to state that the universe came from nothing. Why would nothingness be so discriminatory? Why doesn't anything else come from nothing? In the video, it is explaining that even if you had all the necessary environmental factors for a living cell, a living cell would not assemble. That's a compelling argument for an intelligent designer--God. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
When you come to this realization, we can go over how God has revealed himself in the Bible. God Bless!</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b><u>VigorousAtheist:</u></b></div>
<div class="p1">
Any supposed source of the universe would, by definition, be outside of space/time. This means that such a source, whatever it might be, is not a proper referent for the term "cause", since something must come *before* something else to be a cause of that something else. Put simply, causality is a time bound concept, so it cannot be applied outside of the universe. Thus, any question about the origin of the universe is not askable (the technical term is "nonsense'), much less answerable. Thus, you have not even asked a question, and in no way have you supported the idea of a deity.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Not having a cause does not require that something will remain random and acausal. It just describes that it starts that way, or rather that it's start is that way. You have no proof whatsoever that a GOD did this. You're only plugging a god into the equation.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
You still have refused to answer the big question. If nothing can have a cause, or nothing can come from nothing, then WHERE DID GOD COME FROM.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
"god is eternal, outside of time and space, therefor has no cause"</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Wow. what a completely cowardly way out of the argument. If you can use this excuse for god, you can use the same excuse for the mysteries of the universe.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
"if the universe has a beginning, then the cause is God"</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Sorry but the OVERWHELMING majority of scientists believe this to be total nonsense. But i guess they're ALL wrong right?</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
"It's not logical to state that the universe came from nothing."</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
You really need to brush up on your scientific history. Not one modern scientist(who has any credibility) says that the universe came from nothing.</div>
<div class="p1">
Bone up on your quantum physics, 'nothingness' does not exist in this universe, even space has a fabric. There's a good possibility that it cannot exist outside our universe. You are creating a god because of your anthropomorphic sense of incredulity. The universe and all the evidence it provides demonstrates that nature is perfectly capable of being self creating. snowflakes do not need a creator because they are the product of natural laws, so too is the universe.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
And do you HONESTLY believe in the bible? You do know that the bible is FULL of fallacies right? Do i even have to list them right here?</div>
<div class="p1">
You do know that the universe is BILLIONS of years old, which makes the story in the bible about creation impossible.</div>
<div class="p1">
When are you going to open your eyes and realize that you were BRAINWASHED into believing a fairytale?</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
And what makes YOUR fairytale more likely or true than the THOUSANDS of others???</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b><u>Response</u></b></div>
<div class="p1">
Cause: 1. Noun A person or thing that gives rise to an action, phenomenon, or condition. God fits this description.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
What i stated made sense. Stick to the premises. You cannot refute any of them. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Premise 1: Whatever begins to exist, has a cause. We understand this to be true in every day life. Your lunch comes from some plant/animal, Cars are made from specific components, etc. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
there are objects that exist necessarily, or have an uncaused existence, most notably, numbers. They're uncaused existence is part of their nature. We understand this to be true of God as well. He is eternal, always existed. However, numbers, ideas and other abstract objects cannot cause anything because that's what makes them abstract. So the most plausible explanation for the beginning of the universe is God. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Premise 2: The universe began to exist. We understand this to be true from the big bang theory and evidence that the universe is expanding. This is a scientific, observed fact. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
If the universe began to exist (which is true), then,</div>
<div class="p1">
Premise 3: The universe has a cause. Since the universe consists of all matter, energy, time and space, then the cause must be a necessary (eternal) immaterial being outside of time and space. We understand this to be God, who is necessary and uncaused. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b><u>VigorousAtheist</u></b></div>
<div class="p1">
Wow. you must have completely not read my message.</div>
<div class="p1">
I clearly proved to you that "cause" does not refer to the universe. And even if it did, you can't plug your god into the equation with no proof whatsoever.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
"Whatever begins to exist, has a cause"</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Yes, in our UNIVERSE. So whatever happened before the universe does not equate to what you are talking about.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I advise you to read this very carefully-</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
"An objection against the theist implication of the proposition is that even if one accepts the argument as a proof of a First Cause, it does not identify that First Cause with God. The argument does not go on to ascribe to the First Cause some of the basic attributes commonly associated with, for instance, a theistic God, such as immanence or omnibenevolence. Rather, it simply argues that a First Cause (e.g. the Big Bang, God, or an unarticulated First Cause) must exist.[16] It might be argued, however, that the Big Bang is not an acceptable first cause as the event clearly began and is quite finite. Hence the first premise in both formulations above seems to exclude this conclusion as a possibility. Furthermore, even if one chooses to accept God as the First Cause, there is an argument that God's continued interaction with the Universe is not required. This is the foundation for beliefs such as deism that accept that a god created the Universe, but then ceased to have any further interaction with it."</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
"We understand this to be true of God as well. He is eternal, always existed."</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Yeah cause you read it in a book. Sorry but biblical "science" doesn't even hold a candle to real world science, which coincidentally disproves it.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
And again, you're misconstruing what "exist" means. At least you got off of the bandwagon of "the universe came from nothing".</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Listen to what you're saying. Your trying to find mysteries in the universe(to only fail) and then stepping back and saying that god himself doesn't need an explanation. It's an extremely childish argument.</div>
<div class="p1">
You have refused to address my other points like the fact that the bible is FULL of fallacies, lies, murder, rape, etc etc. Or the fact that 93% of scientists don't believe in god. Or the fact that atheists have a higher average IQ than religious fanatics. Doesn't that last one tell you something? Doesn't that show how brainwashed you truly are?</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b><u>Response</u></b></div>
<div class="p1">
So you're saying that only things within the universe can be caused. This is a logical fallacy in which you use certain laws of metaphysics for the universe but then change views to object to any causality of the universe. Premise 1 is not only a law of nature like gravity that only applies to the universe, but it is a metaphysical law that applies to all being, all reality. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
You use this same logical fallacy in your objection to the Bible. You say that the Bible cannot be true because it speaks of violence, rape and murder, yet you object to any evidence I bring up from the Bible. You are not being logically consistent.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I brought up the fact that the universe cannot come from nothing because that is effectively what you're saying if the universe has no causality which is absurd. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
You cannot get away from these premises. The more you try, it shows that you are simply deluding yourself from the truth. Albert Camus, Bertrand Russell, Nietzsche, and Sartre have also stated life is absurd if there is no God. Sartre has no basis making marxism his purpose in life because it's not consistent with the idea that there is no purpose without God. It's self delusional. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
There will always be atheists and I cannot convince anyone to come to any spiritual understanding. Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit puts it well when he says, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned." It doesn't matter how much evidence one can present, personal knowledge of God is God given. I still pray Anthony Flew, who now recognizes there is a God, to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I will pray for you too.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Take care. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
When I find that a person is running from a straight forward argument it's obvious they are not interested in genuine dialogue. They are arguing for the sake of arguing and it's at this point I can shake the dust off and move on. One day, we will all stand before our creator and take an account for our response to how God has revealed himself. Many will have no excuse for rejecting Jesus.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-88071637046375246312012-06-07T17:31:00.000-07:002012-06-07T17:32:24.180-07:00A call to Pray<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: large;">A couple of weeks ago, I took a few days off the internet to seek the Lord. I felt led to read the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah is an old testament prophet that warns Israel and Judah of God's impending judgement for their disobedience to Him. All throughout my reading, I kept thinking, "he's speaking of us. God is going to seriously judge the U.S.!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It is no secret that this country has seen a decline, from academic achievement to economic prosperity. The most drastic change has been decline of morals. Assault of the elderly has become common. Mass shootings are more prevalent in this decade. Sex outside of marriage is at an all time high. What's worse is that the music and film industry encourages much of this behavior. Abortion makes it easy to avoid the consequences of sex. States are changing the institution of marriage to include same-sex couples. This was once a huge issue for me as a lesbian. But I found the absolute truth in Jesus Christ and had to acknowledge that there were things in my life that didn't please God.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our fleshly desires are often a reflection of our sin nature. Sex can be a wonderful expression of love and help strengthen commitment and encourage procreation. Since the fall of man, our sexuality has gone awry to pleasure ourselves. Our lust for food has us obese with cardiac trouble. Seeking after physical and psychological anesthetizing has left us plagued with drug and alcohol addiction. We constantly seek to indulge our flesh in some way and really, it's a sign that we are unfulfilled.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus speaks much about this when he says, "if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, pick up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" "Don't worry about what you will wear or what you will eat. Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you." "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil..." "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm not saying that we shouldn't enjoy things like food or fashion, but we need to check ourselves in our motives and goals. The void in our soul that we seek to fill with various things is a missing relationship with God. God wanted to reconcile us to himself so much, He had his son Jesus enter into this world to suffer the penalty for our sins. He has revealed Himself in the person of Jesus Christ and has given us historically reliable, consistent testimony of His character in the Bible.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Never before has the truth of the Bible been so evident than with our current events! Nations rising against Israel, unprecedented natural disasters, and unlikely alliances forming just as the Bible predicted. I recently listened to a messianic rabbi named <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-1Next79yY" target="_blank">Jonathan Cahn</a> foretell fulfilled prophecy in Isaiah 9:10 regarding 9/11. He says God has allowed this attack to show he has removed his divine protection from America. Now I have my reservations that this country was indeed founded as a Christian nation, but I do agree that God was in the midst here as pilgrim Christians came, fleeing religious persecution from Europe. Many settlers here did put their trust in the Lord and center their lives around His Word. Unfortunately, many now are denying God and living carnally, even much of the Church! Just as Israel faced God's judgment for her idolatry, so America is facing the same same fate. I don't think it was any coincidence that I thought what I did reading Jeremiah, as I hear many Christians saying similar things. My pastor was led to give many of us "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Invasion-Wales-Spirit-Through-Roberts/dp/B000OSQ638" target="_blank">Invasion of Wales by the Spirit</a>" by James Stewart. It's a short account of the revival in Wales in 1904-1905. Through many years of prayer, the Holy Spirit came down mightily to save the lost and move people towards confession and intercession. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Brethren: we need to seek the Lord and pray for revival in this country. We can do nothing without the Holy Spirit. Read Psalm 80, Isaiah 63:15-64:12, Daniel 9:2-21, Nehemiah 1 for biblical accounts of these supplications. Be the woman clamoring for justice to the judge and continuously pray! Be thankful for God's mercy in all His provisions and intercede for lost souls! Pray for the leadership in this country, mourn and confess your sins to the Lord! Don't worry if you feel you don't pray eloquently enough. Don't worry if you spend time in silence. Just pour your heart out to Him who has redeemed you. Remember the time when your eyes opened, when you realized that you needed saving and you felt the love of God shed abroad in your heart. Pray earnestly for that love again, for it to be manifest in your life and for others to receive it. Pray for for our Brethren abroad and remember those in bonds. May our Lord Jesus snatch his bride soon!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<br /></div>Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2901993265158768863.post-52546845495794195662012-05-18T14:57:00.000-07:002012-05-18T14:57:16.543-07:00Revisiting the issue of homosexuality in scripture<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="font: 14.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God</i></b>. 2 Corinthians 4:2</span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 17.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, there are Christians today who walk in craftiness and handle the word of God deceitfully. They distort scripture to say things people want to hear. A big example is Joel Osteen. He only speaks of how God will bless you so that you can "live your best life now." While God certainly wants to bless us, he also said that we will be persecuted and hated for following him. This is certainly true up to today. At least Osteen holds to biblical truth that homosexuality is wrong in God's eyes. This is a hot topic these days and some Christian scholars are jumping on the bandwagon to say "scripture isn't clear on it, so who are we to judge?" One of these is Dr. Rick Lowery who recently wrote an article in the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rick-lowery-phd/the-bible-and-marriage-equality_b_1517845.html">Huffington post.</a> There are red flags in the first sentence, but I want to concentrate on what he says regarding scripture: </span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 17.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"I assume that most of us -- whatever we think about same-sex sex -- wouldn't favor executing sexually active gay men. But on what basis would we make the decision that Leviticus is right about sex but wrong about execution? How do we decide what to keep and what to ignore when we use Scripture to make moral judgments? Why would we say that it's an "abomination" for a man to lie with a man, but it's OK to wear a wool-blend suit, have a tattoo, eat hybrid fruit or have marital relations when the wife is in the "unwell" part of her monthly cycle -- that is, the days of her menstrual flow plus seven days of purification after that? "</span></i></b></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 17.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What gospel is this pastor following? We make these decisions based on the gospel of Jesus Christ and his covenant of Grace. Jesus speaks on this concerning the laws in the old testament, that it's not about what you wear or eat that is important, but the matter of the heart (Matthew 15:11; Matthew 15:17-20). We know that humans are sinful by our fallen nature and nothing can cure it (Jeremiah 17:9; Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 53:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:10) This is why we need to be spiritually born again through faith in Jesus (John 3). Even David understood that God didn't care for sacrificing animals, but that it pointed to the importance of true repentance and obedience to the Lord (Psalm 32:1-5; Psalm 51). He recognized that we are born into our sinful nature and that God desires truth in our inward parts (our heart, Romans 2:29). The prophet Jeremiah prophesied that the Lord would clean the hearts of His people through a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-33). Jesus told the Samaritan woman that God seeks those who worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). As for marriage, Jesus confirms what God sanctioned in the Garden, which is that marriage is for one man and one woman (Matthew 19:3-8). Concerning the adulterous woman, Jesus tells her to "go and sin no more." He recognized that her action was sin. There is so much that Jesus clarifies in terms of the purpose of the law that I'm surprised that this "bible scholar" can't see that. Rather, he chooses not to see it and twists the word to mean what he wants. The apostle Paul warns of this in his letter to Timothy when he says, <b><i>"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, [because] they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn [their] ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables."</i></b> (2 Tim 4:3-4). This is why we have so called Christians like Rob Bell, and Episcopalians who have accepted homosexuality. Mr. Lowery calls his judgement biblical when in fact, it is not. </span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 17.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"we should read every Scripture through the lens of a biblical story that reveals a God who creates human beings in the very image of God so they can share power in the world (Genesis 1:26-27), who says "it's not good that the human be alone" (Genesis 2:18)</span></i></b></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 17.0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></b></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Mr. Lowery judges humans pre-fall (Genesis 1:26-27) and assumes that God ordained that humans can be with whomever they want as to "not be alone." God clearly laid out what He intended for us humans. He made man and woman in his image, woman was made to be a helpmate/companion to Adam. God sanctioned marriage when He said, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." (Genesis 2:24) He did not say, "man shall cleave unto his wives or man shall cleave to man." The purpose for the creation of man, was to have communion with God. There was an order in relationship and that was God is the head of man and man of his wife. When the Messiah Jesus came, he fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17). It is impossible for us to fulfill God's standard of holiness. The law was a tutor that pointed to Christ (Galatians 3:24; Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 10:1).</span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 17.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 14.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My fellow Christians, be not deceived. When the disciples asked Jesus the signs of the coming kingdom that was the first thing he said. He told them that false prophets would arise and we have a lot of those. From the Gnostics and Judaizers in the early church to the seventh day adventists, Catholics, Unitarians, Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, Islam, the list is quite long. Be a Berean and study the scriptures (Acts 17:11), rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). </span></div>
</div>Nickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08169241243474267251noreply@blogger.com0