UNBIASED TRUTH

THERE IS ONLY ONE LIFE

2011-01-18T10:25:00.003-05:00

THERE ARE MANY THINGS WE DON'T UNDERSTAND IN ANCIENT WRITINGS BECAUSE THEY DON'T RELATE TO OUR LIVES TODAY. FOLLOWING ARE SOME TEXTS THAT CONTINUALLY MAKE US MORE AWARE OF WHAT ETERNAL LIFE IS ALL ABOUT AND HOW TO LIVE IN IT:

The elements that are in us are in all things and have come to us from the ONE (the eternal ground of all being that many call God). " 1. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. "(Genesis 1:1-2)

Notice that before time and a physical being there was the ETERNAL ONE, always been, no beginning or end. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN BILLIONS OF YRS OF A FORMLESS AND EMPTY DARKNESS. The creation stories came from developing humans handing down symbols, then oral traditions as they learned to talk, and then writings (click on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creation_myth).

As this Spirit of God (ETERNAL INVISIBLE ONE) was hovering over the face of the deep things began to happen. Please be mindful that these ancient stories were written by men trying to explain how we got here, not THE ETERNAL ONE. In the Old Testament the writers told how they thought it all happened, how the gods kicked us out of the Garden of Eden, that we were sinners apart from God. Later the writers began to write commandments and laws on how through blood sacrifice of humans and animals we could return to the gods favor.

But wise people wanted to return to this ETERNAL ONE (Spirit of God).

When one of these wise men was asked why he had come he stated:

"The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy.
I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
John 10:10

COULD IT BE THAT THIS SEARCHING HUMAN BEING HAD PRAYED AND MEDITATED AND OPENED HIMSELF UP TO THE ETERNAL ONE TO LEAD AND GUIDE HIM IN TRUTH?

"nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,'
because the kingdom of God is within you."
Luke 17:21

WAIT A MINUTE! WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT AND WORRY ON A SO-CALLED 2ND COMING BECAUSE
THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS ALREADY WITHIN US?

But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away.
Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you;
but if I go, I will send him to you.
John 16:7

THERE IT IS: JESUS HAD TO GET OUT OF THE WAY SO THAT WE COULD BE STRAIGHT WIRED TO THE ETERNAL ONE WHO IS WITHIN US. ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS EMPTY OURSELVES OF OURSELVES AND LET THE ETERNAL ONE LIVE THROUGH US JUST AS JESUS AND ALL OTHERS WHO LIVE IN THE KNGDOM OF GOD HAVE DONE.

It doesn't matter who you are or what you have done, the kingdom of God is already within you. Just let Him use your mind and body to reach out to and help others
HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY.

Much more later-mackie

OLDER PARENTS: GET OFF THE GUILT TRIP....

2008-06-21T14:37:00.001-04:00

A couple of years ago I read a book entitled "Die Broke". Now, I wasn't going to do that. It made me feel guilty just thinking about it. However, I'm finding as people approach the later stage of life it's all they can do to pay their medical, drug and living expenses (many can't and do without). If you would like to get the book, it's on Amazon used for less than $6

(Click on: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=die+broke ).

Below is an article on the 8 reasons why people shouldn't expect an inheritance. -editor

By RON LIEBER

You’ve probably heard about the bumper sticker, even if you haven’t seen it. It’s the one on Cadillacs in Florida and Lexuses in Arizona that says “I’m spending my children’s inheritance.”
We’ve laughed at that for years. But the truth is, retirees have a lot of demands on their savings. Out-of-pocket health care costs, for one, are rising fast. At the same time, many people are not waiting until they die to help their children and grandchildren financially. And some are finding creative ways to draw on money that would otherwise be part of their estate.
For all these reasons and many more (I’ve ticked off eight below), it would be a bad idea to plan on getting any inheritance from your older relatives.
Many people have figured this out, though not all. An AARP analysis of the Federal Reserve Board’s 2004 Survey of Consumer Finances noted that 21 percent of people born after 1964 thought they would inherit some money someday. After all, most of them still have living parents or grandparents.
But with each passing year, the pressures on the nest eggs of those older people will only grow. The truly rich will be fine, as they usually are. But a lot of other people, even retirees with net worths well into the seven figures, could end up spending every dime before they die.

For the rest of the article click on:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/21/business/yourmoney/21money.html?adxnnl=1&partner=rss&emc=rss&adxnnlx=1214071298-ZDnc8C4mR2pEnNK45ntcNA

RON LIEBER

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OUR HORRIBLE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM..

2008-05-11T16:29:00.000-04:00

ARE YOU AWARE THAT IF WE HAD DICK CHANEY'S HEALTH PROBLEMS WITH OUR FOR PROFIT HEALTH CARE WE WOULD BE DEAD? GUESS WHAT? WE ARE PAYING FOR HIS AND OUR CONGRESSMENS' WOMENS' MEDICAL CARE AND CAN'T AFFORD THE SAME PROTECTION FOR OURSELVES.

EVEN WORSE, ALL THREE OF OUR PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES SUPPORT FOR PROFIT MEDICAL CARE AND DRUG COMPANIES. WHY? THEY GET MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM THEM. WHEN WILL WE WAKE UP?

DO YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO CALL YOUR CONGRESSMEN AND WOMEN AND ASK THEM, "WHY CAN'T I HAVE THE SAME HEALTHCARE YOU HAVE?"

For more check out: http://www.calnurse.org/

THE TOTAL SERENITY PRAYER....

2008-05-11T07:46:00.000-04:00

GOD,
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.Living ONE DAY AT A TIME; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace. Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it.Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;That I may be reasonably happy in this life, and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. AmenReinhold Neibuhr-1926

For even more click on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serenity_Prayer

A RARE LOOK INSIDE A FUNDAMENTALIST CHURCH...

2008-05-11T07:35:00.002-04:00

By MICHELLE ROBERTS, Associated Press WriterFri May 9, 1:19 AM ET

Hand-scrawled records taken from a polygamist sect are helping untangle the spider-web network of family relationships at the Yearning For Zion ranch, where some husbands had more than a dozen wives.
The church records offer a peek into an intricate culture in which men related to the sect's prophet, Warren Jeffs, enjoyed favored-husband status in the distribution of wives and all young women were married by 24.
An Associated Press analysis of the records, which authorities seized in a raid last month, show that by the time a girl reached 16, she was more likely to be married than to live as a child in her father's household. The same was not true for boys.
Ben Bistline, a former member of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints who was raised in the sect, said Jeffs or other church leaders decided who got married and when. Jeffs is imprisoned on an accomplice-to-rape charge in Utah.
"It's just at the whim of the leader," said Bistline, who said successful businessmen who donate heavily to the sect or who are close to the prophet are generally favored. "There's a lot of nepotism involved."
The records, released by court officials last week, include 37 families totaling 507 individuals. At the time the lists were written from March through August of 2007, most of the people were living at the YFZ Ranch, though others were in homes along the Utah-Arizona line.
Two-thirds of listed households were polygamous, with the brothers of Jeffs and a senior elder claiming the most wives, up to 21 in one case.
Men still in their 20s made up most of the dozen monogamous marriages.
The husbands and wives were married in the FLDS, and none is believed to hold Texas marriage licenses.
Of the 19 youths listed as being 16 or 17, none of the boys are husbands, while nine of the girls are listed as wives. Only one 17-year-old girl remained unmarried.

For the rest of the story click on:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080509/ap_on_re_us/polygamists_family_tree

2008-05-10T11:54:00.001-04:00

MY NEIGHBOR'S KEEPER?
Malnourished twins found near dead womanSat Nov 17, 7:28 PM ETAuthorities responding to a report of a foul odor found malnourished 3-week-old twins under a bed in an apartment containing their mother's decomposing remains.Both infants were taken to a hospital Friday, where one, a girl, later died. Her twin brother was in critical condition Saturday. Authorities said their 36-year-old mother, Virginia Wanjiru Njoroge, appeared to have been dead for several days.An autopsy found no evidence that foul play contributed to her death, police said.Emergency crews who found the woman noticed car seats and other baby items in the apartment, leading to a more thorough search.When a paramedic bumped the bed the twins were underneath, one of the babies made a faint cry. The other twin was too weak.For the rest of the story click on:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071118/ap_on_re_us/malnourished_twins;_ylt=Aqx5KsE1Dn_OveByD1W8vk1H2ocA
Posted by editor at 1:18 PM 0 comments Links to this post
April 1, 2008

US SUPPORTING CHINA TO DESTROY THEIR CITIZENS AND US..
THE FOLLOWING WAS REPORTED ON THE WASHINGTON JOURNAL ON C-SPAN. Click on:http://extras.sltrib.com/china/"On the Plains of Hesitation, bleach the bones of countless millions who,at the dawn of victory, sat down to wait, and waiting, died."- William A. LawrenceTO FIND OUT WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT CLICK ON:http://www.madeinusa.org/Fed up with your government? Why not call the president and your local politicians and let them know your opinions, OK? Find their numbers here: http://www.congress.org/
Posted by editor at 1:14 PM 0 comments Links to this post

WHAT IS MORMONISM? A BAPTIST ANSWER
What Is Mormonism? A Baptist AnswerBy DAVID VAN BIEMA 27 minutes agoRichard Land, the head of the gigantic (16.3 million-member) Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and its most influential political operative, has dived headlong into what has become a favorite Baptist parlor game: What exactly is a Mormon? It's a question that has special significance right now, since it relates to how religious conservatives regard the Mormon candidate Mitt Romney.On Wednesday, the EthicsDaily.com newswire, which is written by and for Baptists with views more liberal than the SBC's, reported that Land, expanding on remarks he made last week at a gathering of political conservatives, told Al Hunt on his Bloomberg TV show Political Capital that he considers the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the Mormons know themselves, as "being the fourth Abrahamic Religion," in addition to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, all of which trace roots of race or belief back to the patriarch Abraham.The Mormons regard themselves as Christians, and Jesus figures prominently on the covers of LDS publications. They believe that after the death of Christ's apostles his church became confused, a period that ended only with the restoration of the Gospel by the presentation of another book of scripture by an angel to LDS founder Joseph Smith.Most Christian theologians, however, disagree, not just because they disbelieve the angel story and the Book of Mormon that resulted, but by pointing to Mormon concepts including the ability of humans to become godlike entities after death. Most perturbed have been conservative Evangelicals like the Southern Baptists, who share many of the Mormons' conservatiave social values yet have a very strict view of what is and what is not scripture, and find themselves in competition with the LDS for congregants. For more click on:http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20071026/us_time/whatismormonismabaptistanswer;_ylt=Ah.m5_c6XJL3q7QT36zOwOAE1vAI
Posted by editor at 10:26 AM 0 comments Links to this post

WHY DO FAMILY AND FRIENDS ATTACK YOU WHEN YOU CHANGE?
11 yrs ago when I went through a major depression when my VP had a major stroke, the new VP replaced me with a friend of his, my pay dropped from over $100,000 a yr to $30,000 (he was replaced the next yr because of his treatment of me), I had to go through bankruptcy, woke up one morning and couldn't get up. A few hours later I logged into a major mental health sight, answered some questions, and the diagnosis was that I needed to see a psychiatrist right away.He diagnosed me as manic depressive and put me on a medical and counseling plan. After that, he warned me that my family and friends would not understand and would reject me. He was right. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A PACK OF DOGS ATTACKING A SICK DOG IN THE GROUP?I have learned more about myself and others through my life experiences. In almost every situation when I have helped people in trouble I have concluded, "I could have done that."AFTER OVER 30 YRS OF MINISTERING AND COUNSELING WITH PEOPLE I HAVE BEEN TOTALLY CHANGED AND HAVE OVER 100 CASE STUDIES WHERE MY CLIENTS AND MEMBERS HAD SO MUCH PRESSURE ON THEM THAT THEY DROPPED INTO SURVIVAL MODE AND COULD DO NO OTHER. SADLY, SOME DID NOT SEE A WAY OUT, COMMITTED SUICIDE OR DESTROYED THEMSELVES SLOWLY.HERE ARE SOME SAMPLES:Recently, a man that was about to lose his house applied to the City Council to rezone his house so that he could have a barbershop in it. Yesterday, they handed down the verdict before him and an audience of about 50 people. They told him, "No," That it would hurt the surrounding property value of adjoining houses. He stood up, stated that they had just put him under, pulled a pistol from his pocket and blew his head off.When I was working on my Master's Degree at Southern eastern Seminary in Wake Forest I had to go to Dorothy Dix Mental Hospital once a week to learn about what experiences and and mental health can do to people. We visited the criminal ward. There was a young man who had been there for 20 yrs because his father had severely beaten his mother for several years. One night he went out side, got a hatchet and hide it under his bed. The next time his father started beating his mother, he got the hatchet, jerked his father off his mother, split his chest open, cut out his heart, chopped it up and ate it one piece at a time. In over 20 yrs. he has been a model prisoner.At a church in Charlottesville, Va one of my committed members told me about a relative (her nephew I think) that had been divorced, was a member of a Baptist Church, was considered to be ordained as a Deacon because of his good works and was voted down. She said that he was deeply depressed and asked me to talk with him. I did. For 3 hours he talked about how God had rejected him, that he was going to die and Go to Hell. I mean, I wrestled with him, told Him how much God loved and forgiven him and wanted to use him for good.God help me, I couldn't turn him. He was in a funnel, spinning down quickly, and I couldn't stop him. I even shared with him some of my grievous sins, how God had forgiven me, and was using me.He left. I called his aunt, told her to call his Dr., put him in the hospital, sedate and counsel him until he could find some hope.Well, the Dr. released him after one week. He went home, got his father's shotgun, crawled in his father's bed and blew his head off. OH, IF WE ONLY KNEW THE HURT OUT THERE. ONE OF MY INDIAN FRIENDS TOLD ME, "MACKIE, NEVER CUSS AN INDIAN UNTIL YOU'VE WALKED IN HIS MOCCASINS A MILE."friendship quotes and quotations from BrainyQuote.www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_friendship.html - Similar pagesDefinition of FriendshipHowever rare true love may be, it is less so than true friendship. ... A friendship founded on business is better than a business founded on friendship. ...www.brainyquote.com/words/fr/friendship167071.html - Similar pagesFriendship often ends in love... Who Said That? Quote TriviaCharles Caleb Colton Friendship often ends in love...Who Said That? Quote Trivia.www.brainyquote.com/whosaidthat/whosaidthat_100670.html - Similar pagesMuhammad Ali QuotesMuhammad Ali Friendship... is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.www.brainyquote.com/quotes/ quotes/m/muhammadal100736.html - Similar pagesThomas Jefferson QuotesThomas Jefferson But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of ...www.brainyquote.com/quotes/ quotes/t/thomasjeff105254.html - Similar pagesAristotle QuotesAristotle Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies. ... Aristotle. Topic: Friendship Quotes Type: Philosopher Quotes Category: ...www.brainyquote.com/quotes/ quotes/a/aristotle105270.html - Similar pagesCharles Caleb Colton QuotesCharles Caleb Colton Friendship often ends in love; but love in friendship - never.www.brainyquote.com/quotes/ quotes/c/charlescal161290.html - Similar pagesHenry David Thoreau QuotesHenry David Thoreau The language of friendship is not words but meanings. ... True friendship can afford... - Truth is always in harmony. ...www.brainyquote.com/quotes/ quotes/h/henrydavid161672.html - Similar pagesKahlil Gibran QuotesKahlil Gibran Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity. ... In the sweetness of friendship... - In the sweetness of friendship. ...www.brainyquote.com/quotes/ quotes/k/kahlilgibr163105.html - Similar pagesThomas Jefferson QuotesThomas Jefferson Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.www.brainyquote.com/quotes/ quotes/t/thomasjeff121439.html - Similar pages
Posted by editor at 6:22 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, August 28, 2007

HORSE SENSE?
The Force Whisperer: Met Police hire guru to give their horse 'good vibrations'By RHODRI PHILLIPS - More by this author » Last updated at 22:16pm on 25th August 2007 Comments (2) Once a good grooming might have sufficed but now mounted police are being taught "horse whispering" techniques to help their charges to relax after a hard shift on the mean streets of Britain. The therapies, which involve soothing and talking to the animals, were made famous by Robert Redford in the 1998 film The Horse Whisperer. The Metropolitan Police has called in American expert Monty Roberts, 72, who is widely seen as the inspiration for Redford's character, to advise officers. Also passing on tips is Met WPC Carly Jarrett, 25, who has been trained in the "Equine Touch" method developed in the States ten years ago. This method involves the use of hands to "set up vibrations in a horse's soft tissue". The Equine Touch Foundation says this addresses a horse's body "at all levels, physical, chemical and, some would say, spiritual". WPC Jarrett said: "Police horses work very hard. Equine Touch gives them that bit of relaxation and relief from their hard work. It is very gentle. It lets the horse rebalance itself." Detective Sergeant Liz Andrews, based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, trained with WPC Jarrett on an Equine Touch course in Texas in May, which they paid for themselves. She said: "I was helping at a demonstration by Monty Roberts when I first learned about the Equine Touch Foundation. It has been an ongoing journey to widen my education." A Met Police spokesman said: "Occasionally, to develop our trainers, we have invited experts like Monty Roberts over to share their knowledge." For more click on:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=477755&in_page_id=1770
Posted by editor at 11:58 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Saturday, August 18, 2007

Army Suicide Rate
THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY WE CAN REALLY SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND CLOSE FRIENDS: START BRINGING THEM HOME!The suicide rate for the army is now at a 26 year high - 99 suicides in the army last year.
More than one out of four soldiers who committed suicide did so while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, according to a report scheduled to be released Thursday. Iraq was the most common deployment location for U.S. soldiers who either attempted suicide or committed suicide.The report, which The Associated Press obtained ahead of its public release, said the 99 confirmed suicides among active duty soldiers compared to 88 in 2005 and was the highest raw number since the 102 suicides reported in 1991, the year of the Persian Gulf War, when there were more soldiers on active duty.For much more click on: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/08/16/ap4026007.htmlTechnorati tag: army suicide rate
Posted by editor at 10:54 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: army, suicide
Wednesday, August 8, 2007

THE TERROR AMERICA WROUGHT...
Posted on Aug 7, 2007By Robert ScheerDuring a week of mayhem in Iraq, in which terrorists have rightly been condemned for targeting schoolchildren, it is sobering to recall that this week is also the 62nd anniversary of a U.S. attack that deliberately took the lives of thousands of children on their way to school in the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As noted in the Strategic Bombing Survey conducted at President Harry Truman’s request, when the bomb hit Hiroshima on April 6, 1945, “nearly all the school children ... were at work in the open,” to be exploded, irradiated or incinerated in the perfect firestorm that the planners back at the University of California-run Los Alamos lab had envisioned for the bomb’s maximum psychological impact. The terror plot worked all too well, as Hiroshima’s Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba recalled this week: “That fateful summer, 8:15 a.m. The roar of a B-29 breaks the morning calm. A parachute opens in the blue sky. Then suddenly, a flash, an enormous blast—silence—hell on Earth. The eyes of young girls watching the parachute were melted. Their faces became giant charred blisters. The skin of people seeking help dangled from their fingernails. ... Others died when their eyeballs and internal organs burst from their bodies—Hiroshima was a hell where those who somehow survived envied the dead.” Full Story
Posted by editor at 10:01 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: terror

#3 of THE SEVEN GREAT LIES OF ORGANIZED RELIGION
The Seven Great Lies of Organized ReligionLie #3:'You are not smart enough or good enough to think for yourself. We will do your thinking for you.'Do you know what the most important invention in the history of the world was?It wasn't the computer. And it sure wasn't the light bulb or the telephone. (Or even the electronic voting machine.)It was the printing press.In 1445, Johannes Gutenberg invented the world's first movable type printing press. He didn't know it, but he was unleashing a revolution that continues to this day. Even the mighty Internet in the 21st century is just an extension of Gutenberg's original, revolutionary machine.The first book he printed was the Bible. And that led to controversy, too, because Luther translated it into German, the people's language, instead of Latin, the lingo of the religious elite. Suddenly, ordinary folks could not only afford a copy, but they could read it for themselves instead of getting some guy's self-serving interpretation. Soon the cat was out of the bag--there were copies scattered all over Europe.When people started to read it, they were alarmed at what they saw, because between the covers of this book was an amazing story that had seemingly little to do with the politics and shell games they saw in some corners the church.Luther wrote a list of 95 accusations against the church -- priests taking bribes and granting 'indulgences', an institution setting itself up as a 'middleman' between man and God.He argued that God didn't need a middleman, or a distributor, or an agent, or a bureaucracy. People could go direct to the source.This little 'schism' in Worms Germany unleashed a firestorm of protest and permanently changed the way people approached education. No longer was a big, faceless institution responsible for your spiritual progress -- YOU were. Now that you had the knowledge in your hands, you were accountable before God to do something about it.I'm not trying to attack the Catholic church, by the way. The problem is not institutions per se; it's just that it's always easier for us to mindlessly follow someone else than to listen to God and use the minds He gave us.It's no coincidence that the scientific enlightenment and industrial revolution began in earnest within 50 years of this. Not that it wasn't already underway (it had already gathered considerable momentum) but now that ordinary folks had access to knowledge and the freedom to pursue it, the possiblities were limitless.The printing press took the handcuffs off of knowledge and spirituality, and the world has never been the same. Equal access to knowledge empowered people everywhere, and it was only natural that the Rennaisance, and in time, democracy too would follow.What's troubling now is that most people still don't do anything with the knowledge that's available to them. Why would you accept a 'canned' answer or empty platitude when you can open the book and read about it for yourself?People have debates about Jesus, but most have never read the real story--they just believe what they're told. How sad.If you want a 'Just the facts ma'am' version of what really happened, grab a Bible (please -- a modern English version that's easy to read, not something from the 1600's) and read the book of Luke. A truly fascinating story will unfold. I dare you to read for one hour and then stop!And you know what? Nobody will need to tell you what it means. You'll be quite able to figure it out for yourself.You can get the book of Luke free online by clicking here:http://clicks.aweber.com/z/ct/?46vP9uL0VznrSDRS_tqVLAPrint it out and take it with you. (I like this NLT translation a lot, btw.)Or, you can listen in MP3 by clicking this link:http://clicks.aweber.com/z/ct/?sdJM1hq0DpEGPewG0bNJ_AYou might like to burn the MP3 onto a CD and listen to it in your car, or listen on your ipod.Tomorrow I'm going to attack Lie #4:'Women are spiritually inferior and must submit to the authority of men.'Talk to you tomorrow!Respectfully Submitted,Perry MarshallP.S.: Speaking of scientific revolutions, you may enjoy my other 5-day email course, "Where Did The Universe Come From?"I explore the Big Bang, the wonders of DNA, and the relationship between science and spirituality:Full Story CoffeeHouse Theology, 705 Jackson Boulevard Oak Park, Illinois USA 60304
Posted by editor at 11:48 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: lies, Religion
Monday, August 6, 2007

#2 of The Seven Great Lies of Organized Religion
The Seven Great Lies of Organized ReligionLie #2:'God is huge and unapproachable, and He wants you to labor, struggle and live in guilt.'2000 years ago, they wouldn't even dare say the word 'God.' God was distant, remote, terrible.But Jesus had his own words for God, and he used them freely. They were controversial, even scandalous.His words for God: 'Daddy.'And 'Your heavenly father.'So when the Religious Gestapo condemned him for hanging out with ruffians and women of ill-repute, he told an even more scandalous story:'There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Dad, I wish you were dead. Why don't we pretend you are dead, and give me my share of the family estate.' So the father divided his property between them. A few days later, the disrespectful son packed his bags and headed for a distant land. He squandered his inheritance on wine, women and song. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he got hungry. So he got a job feeding pigs. (Jewish people considered pigs to be utterly repulsive.)This young man would gladly have eaten the pods that the swine ate; but no one gave him anything. But when he came to his senses, he said to himself, `How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I'm here starving! He went back to his father. But while he was still far away, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.The son said, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, `Go get the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and have a huge party; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.'Jesus sums it all up like this: 'I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who comes back than over ninety-nine people who are already good.'The father in the Prodigal Son story was not concerned with his dignity. He was not concerned with what was 'fair.' When his son wanted to go his own way, he let him go. But he was watching out the window the whole time, hoping he would come back.That's Jesus' picture of God - just like the father in this story. Loving. Forgiving. Approachable. And that was radical.In fact his very first public speech was scandalous because he was talking to the hometown boyz. Luke tells the story in chapter 4, like this:The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."This is not a guy who's afraid to rock the boat.Tomorrow I'm going to attack Lie #3:'You are not smart enough or good enough to think for yourself. We will do your thinking for you.'Respectfully Submitted,Perry MarshallGet the whole story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 HERE.Hear the Live "Uncut" version of 7 Great Lies:http://www.coffeehousetheology.com/7lies/CoffeeHouse Theology, 705 Jackson Boulevard Oak Park, Illinois USA 60304
Posted by editor at 5:13 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Labels: lies, Religion
Wednesday, August 1, 2007

The 7 Great Lies of Organized Religion
PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT MY ARGUMENT IS NOT AGAINST CHRIST, BUT AGAINST HOW DIFFERENT CHURCHES, PROPHETS, SCRIBES, POPES, PREACHERS, TEACHERS, ETC. HAVE ADDED SO MANY RITUALS, RULES, ETC. FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT, CHURCH TRADITIONS, AND THEIR OWN SELF GAINS THAT DIRECTLY CONTRADICT THE TEACHING OF JESUS THAT IF YOU LOVE GOD WITH YOUR WHOLE BEING AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.JESUS ALSO SAID THAT IF YOU SEARCH TO KNOW THE TRUTH YOU WILL BE SET FREE. -MackieThe Seven Great Lies of Organized Religion~~~Lie #1:'If you live a moral life, deny yourself pleasure,follow the prescribed rituals and give us enough money, you'll have a decent shot at being accepted by God.'~~~Mackie,Remember that scene near the end of the Wizard of Oz,when Toto is pulling back the curtain? The sound systemis bellowing, 'Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. THE GREAT AND POWERFUL OZ HAS SPOKEN!'And There's a little man behind the controls, talking intoa microphone.Kind of reminds you of certain religious institutions,doesn't it? Short little insecure men, hiding behind names and titles, sending everyone on Mission Impossiblewhile they themselves indulge in secret sin. Thepreacher stands in front of thousands and shakes hisfinger. Nobody else knows that he had a stripper in his hotel room last night.Somebody tells you, 'Here, follow all these rules and bethe best person you possibly can, and you might have a shotat being accepted by God someday.' Then they string you along and get you under their thumb.No wonder people are cynical.Well it's no accident that Jesus' own biggest enemies 2000years ago were precisely those same self-righteous hypocrites.When Jesus showed up, they were terrified of losing their cushy jobs and political clout. Eventually they murdered him forexposing their racket.True spirituality had been buried in a big pile of bureaucracy,and the religious establishment used it to gain leverage. To have power over people, to get priority seating in expensive restaurants,and to line their pockets with cash.They had everyone thinking that pleasing God was a never-endingperformance marathon.Well Jesus painted a totally different picture. He told this story:'Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a holy man andthe other a tax collector.The holy man stood and prayed, 'God, I thank you that I am notlike other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this lousy tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithesof all that I get.'But the tax collector, standing far away, would not even liftup his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'Jesus explains: 'I tell you, this tax collector went homeforgiven, rather than the holy man; for every one who praiseshimself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be praised.' Beware of the proud holy man who hangs a bunch of rulesaround your neck.That humble tax collector had it right. He was doing the onlything you and I can do to be accepted by God. He just asked, with humility.Tomorrow I'm going to attack Lie #2:'God is huge and unapproachable, and He wants you to labor, struggleand live in guilt.'Thanks for reading!Respectfully Submitted, Perry Marshallwww.CoffeeHouseTheology.comThe whole story about the Tax Collector is in Luke 18:9-14:http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2018&version=31Listen to the Live "Uncut" version of 7 Great Lies:http://www.coffeehousetheology.com/7lies/
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Labels: lies, Religion
Friday, July 27, 2007

Hidden Taxes
10 HIDDEN TAXES YOU ARE PROBABLY PAYING... Washington's Hidden TaxesBrian Wingfield, 07.25.07, 6:00 AM ETWashington, D.C. - There is an old joke--attributed, of course, to Mark Twain--about the difference between a taxidermist and a tax collector: The taxidermist takes only your skin.But of all the fees levied by the notorious taxman, the most unpopular are those that are hidden. We don't mean the frustrating taxes you see added to the end of your cellphone bill at the end of each month (though those can be maddening). We're talking about those that are simply not apparent to the average consumer. In Pictures: 10 Hidden Taxes You're Probably Paying Take, for example, the gasoline tax. Ever scratched your head wondering how much Uncle Sam is taking when gas prices spike? The answer (regardless of price fluctuations): 18.4 cents on every gallon that you purchase. When coupled with state and local taxes and fees, the average American pays 45.8 cents per gallon in gas taxes alone, according to the American Petroleum Institute, the industry group that represents big oil companies. That's about 15% of the current nationwide average price of gas, $3.06 per gallon. But excise taxes like the gas tax aren't the only place for taxes to be secreted away. A favorite hiding place is the tax code itself. In fact, in her annual report to Congress last year, IRS National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson said lack of transparency in the tax system was among the most serious problems encountered by taxpayers. "[T]he IRS sometimes updates its procedures and guidance without [in a timely manner] making them available to the public," her report said. No wonder so many people are confused about how much they owe.For more click on: 10 HIDDEN TAXES
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Labels: taxes
Friday, July 20, 2007

DEDICATED IRAQ REPORTER WARNS OF WHITE HOUSE SPIN
Could the Bush administration be invoking the ominous specter of al-Qaida—and suggesting the extremist group is gathering strength and preparing to strike—for political reasons? CNN’s Baghdad correspondent Michael Ware says Americans should watch out for rhetorical sleight of hand from the White House concerning the current threat level and the newly unveiled National Intelligence Estimate.----------------------------------------------The Raw Story:“That statement in the NIE is about three years too late,” Ware responded. “Al Qaeda has reorganized itself through the war in Iraq that America handed it on a silver platter in its own backyard. ... The war here ... has energized the jihadi community across the globe.” Ware asserted that “Iraq veterans” among foreign terrorists “are creating a whole new momentum back in their homelands,” but said that “the true danger of al Qaeda in Iraq is the template or the model it offers” even to those who have never been to Iraq. Equally quick to insist that the NIE should not be taken too literally, Ware said, “We must be aware of the spin, the smoke and mirrors from the administration, trying to reshape the message on Iraq being specifically about al Qaeda ... trying to evoke some Pavlovian response from the American public to fear them into again supporting the war. That doesn’t quite hold water.” For more click here.Technorati tag: Iraq
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Labels: Iraq, spin, War
Wednesday, July 18, 2007

BUSH GOVERNMENT TO POOR VOTERS: WE DON'T WANT YOU TO VOTE
By Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNetThe Justice Department is pressuring 10 states to purgetheir voter rolls, while states are ignoring laws to helplow-income Americans register to vote.For more click on: http://www.alternet.org/rights/56957/ -- Fed up with the government? Why not call the president and your local politicians and let them know your opinions, OK? Find their numbers here: http://www.congress.org/ Technorati tag: voters
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Labels: Bush, poor, vote
Friday, June 1, 2007

Has Bush Lost It?
IS BUSH LOSING IT?SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Richard A. Gephardt yesterday criticized the Bush administration's "chest-beating unilateralism" in the Iraq war, which he said weakened diplomatic alliances and squandered global good will following the September 11 attacks. "Foreign policy isn't a John Wayne movie, where we catch the bad guys, hoist a few cold ones and then everything fades to black," the Missouri congressman said in remarks prepared for a speech to the Bar Association of San Francisco. "No matter the surge of momentary machismo -- as gratifying as it may be for some -- it is shortsighted and wrong to simply go it alone." Mr. Gephardt, the former House Democratic leader, reiterated his support for a congressional resolution that authorized the administration to go to war, saying he continued to believe Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction or was on his way to building them. But, Mr. Gephardt said, Mr. Bush's "utter disregard for diplomacy" and lack of a cohesive postwar plan left the United States isolated and vulnerable in an increasingly chaotic, lawless landscape. For more click on: http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20030722-110415-3362r.htmTechnorati tag: foreign policy
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Labels: Bush, Foreign policy, War
Friday, March 9, 2007

MIND ME BEING NOSEY?
Subject: Hello There?I was feeling a little nosey,so I thought I would look in on you and seeif you are sitting at your computer and you are ok Yup, there you are! You look great.
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PROBLEMS IN EARLY CHRISTIANITY...
"TIME: You and Karen write that the "Judas" author was angry, particularly at the Christian church's developing cult of martyrdom. You write that he conveyed "the urgency of someone who wants to unmask what he feels is the hideous folly of leaders who encourage people to get themselves killed in this way." Whom might he have meant?"Pagels: So far as I know, all the so-called "fathers of the church" glorified martyrdom. Ignatius, who wrote in Syria in around 108 AD, speaks passionately about "being ground up by the teeth of wild beasts to become God's wheat," — that is, by martyrdom, he becomes the bread of the Eucharist.What could have provoked such adamance?Christians were undergoing terrible persecution at the time. Leaders like Ignatius felt that a willingness to "die for God" was essential for the movement to survive; otherwise, its members could be intimidated, and it might have died out."For the rest of this very informative article click on:http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1596991,00.html
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SHOULD YOU HAVE A LIVING WILL?
THANKS ALLISON! IT JUST SHOWS HOW DISADVANTAGED SPOUSES ARE. ACCORDING TO EVERYTHING I READ THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION IS NOT TO PUT THIS BURDEN ON YOUR SPOUSE, BUT ON A FRIEND YOU TRUST WHO KNOWS WHEN THERE IS NO HOPE AND DOES WHAT YOU WOULD WANT HIM TO DO! HEY, IF THERE IS A LOVER HANGING IN THE WINGS WHO WANTS YOU TO DIE WHO HAS EYES ON YOUR SPOUSE AND ESTATE, BLOCK THE BASTARD.YOU DON'T NEED A LIVING WILL. GIVE YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND WHO KNOWS WHAT YOU WOULD WANT POWER OF ATTORNEY (make sure he loves you more than your spouse) and he would make the decision you would want him to make. LIVING WILL INFORMATIONWhile I was watching some College Football, my wife and I gotinto a conversation about life and death, and the need for livingwills. During the course of the conversation I told her that I neverwanted to exist in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine andtaking fluids from a bottle. She got up, unplugged the TV, and threw out all my beer. Sometimes it's tough being married to a smartass.
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Thursday, February 1, 2007

WHAT IS THE WAR COSTING YOU?
The War in Iraq Costs$362,976,214,435 (2/1/07)See latest numbers at http://www.costofwar.com/and latest cost to your community.
Posted by editor at 1:35 PM 0 comments Links to this post

TRUE BELIEVERS IN THE ULTIMATE GOD...
THANKS SO MUCH, NADINE. AFTER ALL MY TRAVELS I STAND AMAZED AT THE FEW CHRISTIANS WHO ARE TRUE CHRISTIANS FOLLOW THE TEACHINGS AND LOVE OF CHRIST."A true friend is one soul with 2 bodies." -can't recall authorKathy, God does put special people (His) in our lives and builds foundations for our entire life. He uses this foundation that we can build upon and grow for others for HIS glory. Friendships in Christ holds us in difficult times. Even in our hurt and sufferings he is conditioning us to do something big for HIM.Your MOM was great in encouraging young people and many grew to know God and continue to have a deep personal relationship and daily walk with God.I noticed Sunday you were not yourself and Skip kept saying to call and check on you. We are just around the corner and the door is always open and we are as near as your telephone.I agree we never value what is most important until we don't have it any more. God knows all our pain and I have found all I needed to do is say God I need help and He takes over from that point and little did I know He was already there and working for my best interest.We love you Kathy and we will keep praying for your Dad and Grace too! Will be in touch soon!Mackie thanks for never forgetting and for the gift of encouragement too! Can you go to the Beth Moore Women's satalite conference at 1st Baptist February 24 - the treat is on me! You know how much we enjoy being with all the women (last I heard over 1000 have registered) and the fun we have and most of all the lasting message we receive.Blessings and Love, NadineHey Mackie,So good to hear from you today. What a surprise to come home and have your voice on the phone. I think of you often and wonder how you and Glenda are doing. I just can't get past the days we used to all be together and learn so much about how much God loves us. Those days are still so clear in my heart and mind and will never leave me. They help build the foundation of who we are in Christ today for me. That was the start of all of us knowing what a true fellowship of believers was and having that and not appreciating that all at the same time. They say when you get old you appreciate things you had more and that holds true to that statement and probably will never have that again. Church as we knew it growing up will always be what I long for in a church and haven't had that since. Life is good for us Mitchell's here in Charlottesville. Greg and I have been married now for 16 years this coming June. Can you believe it? After dating all those years and still be together and not have killed each other is a miracle in itself. We have a son, Neill and he looks so much like my mother it isn't funny. He has brought such joy to our lives. He will be turning 10 this Saturday. He is looking so forward to it and I am wanting to hold the years back for him. He keeps us busy.THANKS SO MUCH KATHY!Dr. John Keith told us that if we ever were a member of a great church we would never find another one. Things were so wonderful back then, Everybody loved God and one another. I don't remember any criticism of any member. Everybody pulled together, raised impossible funds and built a wonderful church in an area to be developed.We think of you and Greg often (including Greg falling out of a top bunk). Just know that you, your family and all the young people, parents and other members are seared in our hearts forever.Love,Glenda and Mackie
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Labels: Religion

ANOTHER WAY TO SUPPORT OUR SOLDIERS; BRING THE HOME FROM THEIR HELL.
THANKS WENDY. THIS IS SO TOUCHING. WHAT STANDS OUT IS THE LOYALTY OF THESE SOLDIERS TO THEIR COUNTRY AND PRESIDENT.THE HORROR IS THAT MORE AND MORE EVIDENCE SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT THIS WAR WAS BASED ON A BUNCH OF LIES. I CRY FOR THE SOLDIERS WHO REALLY BELIEVED THE PRESIDENT AND GAVE THEIR LIVES ON LIES. GOD HAVE MERCY.IF THEIR IS A GOD BUSH WILL HAVE TO ANSWER FOR MISLEADING THESE 1OOOS OF AMERICAN LIVES AND 100,000S OF THOUSANDS IRAQI LIVES.TIME WILL TELL.Click on: http://www.flashdemo.net/gallery/wake/index.htm
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DATED YOUR MOTHER LATELY?
WENDY, YOU HAVE AMAZED ME OVER THE LAST 30 YRS. (and all the young children and their parents), FROM THE TIME WHEN YOU WERE A YOUNG GIRL TO THE TIME THAT YOU HAVE NOW MARRIED AND MAKE A WONDERFUL WIFE (like your mother).Do you remember that time when we were on the way to Bug's Island (I think) when you were a young girl. I asked you what a nostril was and you said "A nose hole." I almost died laughing (I still do). I also remember your future husband (Mike) falling out of a tree and breaking his ankle (it's been 30 yrs)? I must quit. Thanks for the memories.MackieSubject: Being a motherBEING A MOTHERAfter 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, "I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you." The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie."What's wrong, are you well," she asked? My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news."I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you," I responded. "Just the two of us."She thought about it for a moment, and then said, "I would like that very much."That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn tocelebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. "I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed," she said, as she got into the car. "They can't wait to hearabout our meeting."We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print.Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. "It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small," she said."Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor," I responded. During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you" I agreed. "How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home. "Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined," I answered. A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife.You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son."At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: "I LOVE YOU" and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till "some other time." Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.... somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother,"normal" is history. Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct .... somebody never took a three-year-old shopping. Somebody said being a mother is boring .... somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit. Somebody said if you're a "good" mother, your child will "turn outgood".... somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee. Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices ... somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window. Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.... somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math. Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first .... somebody doesn't have two children. Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books....somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose or in his ears. Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor anddelivery....somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for thef irst day of kindergarten ... or on a plane headed for military "bootcamp." Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back somebody never organized seven giggling Brownies to sell cookies. Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married....somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son ordaughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings. Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home....somebody never had grandchildren. Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.... somebody isn't a mother. Pass this along to all the "mothers" in your life and to everyone whoever had a mother. This isn't just about being a mother; it's about appreciating the people in your life while you have them....no matter who that person is.
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THE BETTER SEX?
ELEVEN PEOPLE ON A ROPEEleven people were hanging on a rope under a helicopter, ten men and one woman.The rope was not strong enough to carry them all, so they decided that one had to leave, because otherwise they were all going to fall.They were unable to decide who would let go, until the woman gave a very touching speech.She said that she would voluntarily let go of the rope, because, as a woman, she was used to giving up everything for her husband and kids and for men ingeneral, and was used to always making sacrifices with little in return.As soon as she finished her speech, all the men started clapping.DO YOU KNOW WHO THE BETTER SEX IS?They have what we men always want. We have what they sometimes want.
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WORSHIPPING CELEBRITIES?
THIS IS SO REVEALING! HOW SAD IT IS THAT SO MANY WORSHIP THE CELEBRITIES AND SUPER STARS, AND FORGET THE LOVING PEOPLE WHO MADE THEM WHO THEY ARE.Charles Schultz's philosophyThe following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through, and you'll get the point.1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America Contest.4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize. 5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress. 6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners. How did you do?The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers! They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with. Easier?The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life..."Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.It's already tomorrow in Australia"(Charles Schultz)rceID:NT00015C96
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A PLEA TO GOD.
Please pray for my Daddy. He had a sugar attack early this morning and is home now and stabilized and seems in good spirits but I know it must have been scary and uncertain of what is going on with his body. He also goes to that damn quack Dr. Knight and he doubled his insulin and It was way too much for his body so please pray for him. You know dad he needs no one and asks for nothing and he is worried about the medical bill. It is the first time he went to the hospital as a retired person so that will worry him. I told him not to worry about it I would pay it but you know how that goes too. Send one up for him when you get a chance please.Thanks,KathyThe War in Iraq Costs (1/27/07:2pm)$361,673,848,501For latest total click on: http://costofwar.com/
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SINCERE BELIEVERS
Hey Mackie,So good to hear from you today. What a surprise to come home and have your voice on the phone. I think of you often and wonder how you and Glenda are doing. I just can't get past the days we used to all be together and learn so much about how much God loves us. Those days are still so clear in my heart and mind and will never leave me. They help build the foundation of who we are in Christ today for me. That was the start of all of us knowing what a true fellowship of believers was and having that and not appreciating that all at the same time. They say when you get old you appreciate things you had more and that holds true to that statement and probably will never have that again. Church as we knew it growing up will always be what I long for in a church and haven't had that since. Life is good for us Mitchell's here in Charlottesville. Greg and I have been married now for 16 years this coming June. Can you believe it? After dating all those years and still be together and not have killed each other is a miracle in itself. We have a son, Neill and he looks so much like my mother it isn't funny. He has brought such joy to our lives. He will be turning 10 this Saturday. He is looking so forward to it and I am wanting to hold the years back for him. He keeps us busy.
Posted by editor at 11:32 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Monday, January 29, 2007

WHY ARE SO MANY REJECTING/DROPPING OUT OF TRADITION CHURCHES?
BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE CERTAIN BELIEFS, RULES, AND FALSE DOCTRINES.WONDER WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE SIMPLE ANSWER WHEN ONE ASKED JESUS"WHAT MUST I DO TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?"THE TOTAL, SIMPLE ANSWER JESUS GAVE WAS"LOVE GOD WITH YOUR WHOLE BEING AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."I wish I had preached more of that and less of church doctrines and rules. -editorRESPONSE:When religion is not kept simple, it becomes a very destructive force.....In Ireland, the Christian Catholics and Christian Protestants were warring for years.......Islamic Shiites and Islamic Sunnis are now tearing apart Iraq.....In America, Christian fundamentalists have recently supported dangerous politicians willing to promote a conservative religious agenda at the expense of our Constitution......If religion had been kept simple, none of this would have happened.......It all stems from man's arrogant attempt to strictly define God.....to selfishly personalize God.........to box Him in......and then discriminate against (or kill) those who refuse to go along for the ride.Ron
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Sunday, January 28, 2007

Greetings:There will be huge changes in Iraq this year. 2007 is truly "the year" for Iraq, for various reasons, including the upcoming elections in the United States. Barring an asteroid strike on some major city, the war in Iraq will be the most important topic in 2007. It will also be one of the most under-reported. There are two types of media sources covering this war: the ones who are here, and those who are not. The media is Missing In Action, and reporting from afar. Yesterday, for instance, major media reported on an attack in a small village north of Mosul. None of those sources actually visited the village. I did.I'll bring home frontline information all year, or until something sends me home. Please support these dispatches by spreading the links.The latest dispatch, Desolate Roads Part 2 of 2, is now online.Respectfully,Michael YonMichael YonP O Box 416Westport Pt MA 02791
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TRENDS OF AMERICAN WARS
January 28, 2007I Don't Want This To Be a Political Blog, But...This was too good to pass upA Historical CuriosityFor your consideration and debate:US Civil War: first time there is a Republican President - very large, Democratic anti-war movement.Spanish/American War: Republican President - very large, Democratic anti-war movement.World War One: Democratic President - no anti-war movement.World War Two: Democratic President - no anti-war movement.Korean War: Democratic President - no anti-war movement.Vietnam War: As soon as a Republican took over the botched war from the Democrats - very large, Democratic anti-war movement.For the rest of the article click on: http://poorfrank.blogspot.com/
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Labels: War

WHAT IS AN ATHEIST?
An atheist is a man who watches a Notre Dame - Southern Methodist University game and doesn't care who wins.Dwight D. Eisenhower
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The War in Iraq Costs$361,673,848,501For the latest total click on: http://costofwar.com/
Posted by editor at 2:13 PM 0 comments Links to this post

THEY SAY HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF; UNLESS ENOUGH PEOPLE KNOW HISTORY AND TRY TO AVOID REPEATING EVIL EVENTS (mackie).Hubert Van Es, in the NYT (4-29-05):THIRTY years ago I was fortunate enough to take a photograph that has become perhaps the most recognizable image of the fall of Saigon - you know it, the one that is always described as showing an American helicopter evacuating people from the roof of the United States Embassy. Well, like so many things about the Vietnam War, it's not exactly what it seems. In fact, the photo is not of the embassy at all; the helicopter was actually on the roof of an apartment building in downtown Saigon where senior Central Intelligence Agency employees were housed.For the rest of the story click on: http://www.hnn.us/roundup/archives/11/2005/4/#11607
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Turning Failure Into Triumph
Posted by David Romanellion Sat, Jan 27, 2007, 9:37 am PSTHere are some famous examples of turning failure into triumph:Michael Jordan -- The greatest basketball player of all time was actually cut from his high school basketball team as a 10th grader.
Sly Stallone -- As a kid, Sylvester Stallone was teased because of his Looney Tunes associated name, and his crooked eye, drooping lower lip and slurred speech. Of course all those characteristics helped him create one of the most inspirational characters in movie history: ROCKY!"Conflict is the primary engine of growth and creativity." Ronald Heifetz
Abraham Lincoln -- Lincoln failed as a businessman, failed as a farmer, failed in his first campaign to go to Congress, failed in his first campaign for Senate...yet he went on to become one of the great Americans of all time."...it's better to lose some of the battles in the struggles for your dreams than to be defeated without ever knowing what you're fighting for." - Paulo Coelho
For the rest of the article click on:http://health.yahoo.com/experts/yeahdave/7262/turning-failure-into-triumphThe War in Iraq Costs (1/27/07:2pm)$361,673,848,501For the latest total click on: http://costofwar.com/
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#3 of THE SEVEN GREAT LIES OF ORGANIZED RELIGION
#2 of The Seven Great Lies of Organized Religion
The 7 Great Lies of Organized Religion
► July (3)
Hidden Taxes
DEDICATED IRAQ REPORTER WARNS OF WHITE HOUSE SPIN
BUSH GOVERNMENT TO POOR VOTERS: WE DON'T WANT YOU ...
► June (1)
Has Bush Lost It?
► March (3)
MIND ME BEING NOSEY?
PROBLEMS IN EARLY CHRISTIANITY...
SHOULD YOU HAVE A LIVING WILL?
► February (8)
WHAT IS THE WAR COSTING YOU?
TRUE BELIEVERS IN THE ULTIMATE GOD...
ANOTHER WAY TO SUPPORT OUR SOLDIERS; BRING THE HOM...
DATED YOUR MOTHER LATELY?
THE BETTER SEX?
WORSHIPPING CELEBRITIES?
A PLEA TO GOD.
SINCERE BELIEVERS
► January (7)
WHY ARE SO MANY REJECTING/DROPPING OUT OF TRADITIO...
Greetings: There will be huge changes in Iraq thi...
TRENDS OF AMERICAN WARS
WHAT IS AN ATHEIST?
The War in Iraq Costs $361,673,848,501 For the lat...
THEY SAY HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF; UNLESS ENOUGH PEO...
Turning Failure Into Triumph Posted by David Roma...

Political News
Presidential race
Durbin, Schakowsky suggest Clinton get out of presidential race
Chicago Tribune
- May 09, 2008
- 16 hours ago
Hillary Clinton to end her Democratic presidential campaign Friday, while US Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said he’d “counsel” Clinton to do the same. ...
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America's Race to the Middle
Wall Street Journal
- May 10, 2008
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Associated Press The public's hunger for a change in Washington's ways has formed the backdrop of this year's presidential race from its outset. ...
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Presidential race far from over: Obama
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- May 09, 2008
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In an interview to NBC News, Obama said Clinton is quite qualified to be President as also the Vice Presidential candidate. "If Senator Clinton decides not ...
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Former Clinton advisor talks about Iowa impact on presidential race
Radio Iowa
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- May 09, 2008
- 23 hours ago
He says the race for the Democratic presidential nomination is over, though Obama's rival Hillary Clinton may continue on for another couple of weeks. ...
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About Me
editor
Born in the South, I grew up as a fundamentalist, but have become enlightened. I have several degrees and experience in management, financial planning, counseling, religion, writing, teaching, motivation, etc. During my experiences I have moved to just being one "Who searches for the truth (in all areas) and it surely has set me free." I DON'T GO BY FEELINGS; I GO BY FACTS. I have been in the US Navy, a small business owner, worked for large corporations as a consultant, a recruiter, a preacher, teacher, sales manager and motivator. Through my education and experience I have been lied to and deceived many times by politians, preachers, and news reporters. Finally, when I read that famous statement: "Search to know the truth and the truth will set you free" I tried it and become freer everyday. View my complete profile

LORD, MAKE ME AN INSTUMENT OF THY PEACE.

2008-05-10T11:39:00.001-04:00

The prayer has been known in the United States since 1936 and Cardinal Francis Spellman and the senator Hawkes distributed millions of copies of the prayer during and just after the World War II (Cf. C. Renoux, op. cit., p. 92-95). Many different versions of the prayer exist. The most popular is this following one :

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
For more click on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_of_Saint_Francis

2008-05-10T11:35:00.001-04:00

BIBLICAL WAYS TO OBTAIN A WIFE......... 1. Find an attractive prisoner of war, bring her home, shave her head,trim her nails, and give her new clothes. Then she's yours. Deuteronomy21:11-13 2. Find a prostitute and marry her. Hosea 1:1-3 3. Find a man with seven daughters, and impress him by watering hisflock. Moses Exodus 2:16-21 4. Purchase a piece of property, and get a woman as part of the deal.Boaz Ruth 4:5-10 5. Go to a party and hide. When the women come out to dance, grab oneand carry her off to be your wife. Benjaminites Judges 21:19-25 6. Have God create a wife for you while you sleep. Note: this will costyou. Adam Genesis 2:19-24 7. Agree to work seven years in exchange for a woman's hand inmarriage. Get tricked into marrying the wrong woman. Then work another sevenyears for the woman you wanted to marry in the first place. That's right.Fourteen years of hard labor for a wife. Jacob Genesis 29:15-30 8. Cut 200 foreskins off of your future father-in-law's enemies and gethis daughter for a wife. David I Samuel 18:27 9. Even if no one is out there, just wander around a bit and you'lldefinitely find someone. It's all relative, of course. Cain Genesis 4:16,17 10. Become the emperor of a huge nation and hold a beauty contest.Xerxes or Ahasuerus Esther 2:3,4 11. When you see someone you like, go home and tell your parents, Ihave seen a woman; now get her for me. If your parents question yourdecision, simply say, Get her for me. She's the one for me. Samson Judges14:1-3 12. Kill any husband and take his wife Prepare to lose four sons,though. David 2 Samuel 11 13. Wait for your brother to die. Take his widow. It's not just a goodidea; it's the law. Onan and Boaz Deuteronomy or Leviticus, example in Ruth 14. Don't be so picky. Make up for quality with quantity. Solomon 1Kings 11:1-3 15. A wife? No! Paul 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 A.S.A.P.Always Say A Prayer

MY NEIGHBOR'S KEEPER?

2007-11-18T13:18:00.000-05:00

Malnourished twins found near dead woman
Sat Nov 17, 7:28 PM ET
Authorities responding to a report of a foul odor found malnourished 3-week-old twins under a bed in an apartment containing their mother's decomposing remains.
Both infants were taken to a hospital Friday, where one, a girl, later died. Her twin brother was in critical condition Saturday. Authorities said their 36-year-old mother, Virginia Wanjiru Njoroge, appeared to have been dead for several days.
An autopsy found no evidence that foul play contributed to her death, police said.
Emergency crews who found the woman noticed car seats and other baby items in the apartment, leading to a more thorough search.
When a paramedic bumped the bed the twins were underneath, one of the babies made a faint cry. The other twin was too weak.

For the rest of the story click on:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071118/ap_on_re_us/malnourished_twins;_ylt=Aqx5KsE1Dn_OveByD1W8vk1H2ocA

US SUPPORTING CHINA TO DESTROY THEIR CITIZENS AND US..

2007-10-26T13:14:00.000-04:00

THE FOLLOWING WAS REPORTED ON THE WASHINGTON JOURNAL ON C-SPAN. Click on:

http://extras.sltrib.com/china/

"On the Plains of Hesitation, bleach the bones of countless millions who,at the dawn of victory, sat down to wait, and waiting, died."
- William A. Lawrence

TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT CLICK ON:

http://www.madeinusa.org/

Fed up with your government? Why not call the president and your local politicians and let them know your opinions, OK? Find their numbers here: http://www.congress.org/

WHAT IS MORMONISM? A BAPTIST ANSWER

2007-10-26T10:26:00.000-04:00

What Is Mormonism? A Baptist Answer
By DAVID VAN BIEMA 27 minutes ago
Richard Land, the head of the gigantic (16.3 million-member) Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and its most influential political operative, has dived headlong into what has become a favorite Baptist parlor game: What exactly is a Mormon? It's a question that has special significance right now, since it relates to how religious conservatives regard the Mormon candidate Mitt Romney.
On Wednesday, the EthicsDaily.com newswire, which is written by and for Baptists with views more liberal than the SBC's, reported that Land, expanding on remarks he made last week at a gathering of political conservatives, told Al Hunt on his Bloomberg TV show Political Capital that he considers the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the Mormons know themselves, as "being the fourth Abrahamic Religion," in addition to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, all of which trace roots of race or belief back to the patriarch Abraham.
The Mormons regard themselves as Christians, and Jesus figures prominently on the covers of LDS publications. They believe that after the death of Christ's apostles his church became confused, a period that ended only with the restoration of the Gospel by the presentation of another book of scripture by an angel to LDS founder Joseph Smith.
Most Christian theologians, however, disagree, not just because they disbelieve the angel story and the Book of Mormon that resulted, but by pointing to Mormon concepts including the ability of humans to become godlike entities after death. Most perturbed have been conservative Evangelicals like the Southern Baptists, who share many of the Mormons' conservatiave social values yet have a very strict view of what is and what is not scripture, and find themselves in competition with the LDS for congregants. For more click on:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20071026/us_time/whatismormonismabaptistanswer;_ylt=Ah.m5_c6XJL3q7QT36zOwOAE1vAI

WHY DO FAMILY AND FRIENDS ATTACK YOU WHEN YOU CHANGE?

2007-10-06T18:22:00.000-04:00

11 yrs ago when I went through a major depression when my VP had a major stroke, the new VP replaced me with a friend of his, my pay dropped from over $100,000 a yr to $30,000 (he was replaced the next yr because of his treatment of me), I had to go through bankruptcy, woke up one morning and couldn't get up. A few hours later I logged into a major mental health sight, answered some questions, and the diagnosis was that I needed to see a psychiatrist right away.

He diagnosed me as manic depressive and put me on a medical and counseling plan. After that, he warned me that my family and friends would not understand and would reject me. He was right. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A PACK OF DOGS ATTACKING A SICK DOG IN THE GROUP?

I have learned more about myself and others through my life experiences. In almost every situation when I have helped people in trouble I have concluded, "I could have done that."

AFTER OVER 30 YRS OF MINISTERING AND COUNSELING WITH PEOPLE I HAVE BEEN TOTALLY CHANGED AND HAVE OVER 100 CASE STUDIES WHERE MY CLIENTS AND MEMBERS HAD SO MUCH PRESSURE ON THEM THAT THEY DROPPED INTO SURVIVAL MODE AND COULD DO NO OTHER. SADLY, SOME DID NOT SEE A WAY OUT, COMMITTED SUICIDE OR DESTROYED THEMSELVES SLOWLY.

HERE ARE SOME SAMPLES:

Recently, a man that was about to lose his house applied to the City Council to rezone his house so that he could have a barbershop in it. Yesterday, they handed down the verdict before him and an audience of about 50 people. They told him, "No," That it would hurt the surrounding property value of adjoining houses. He stood up, stated that they had just put him under, pulled a pistol from his pocket and blew his head off.

When I was working on my Master's Degree at Southern eastern Seminary in Wake Forest I had to go to Dorothy Dix Mental Hospital once a week to learn about what experiences and and mental health can do to people. We visited the criminal ward. There was a young man who had been there for 20 yrs because his father had severely beaten his mother for several years. One night he went out side, got a hatchet and hide it under his bed. The next time his father started beating his mother, he got the hatchet, jerked his father off his mother, split his chest open, cut out his heart, chopped it up and ate it one piece at a time. In over 20 yrs. he has been a model prisoner.

At a church in Charlottesville, Va one of my committed members told me about a relative (her nephew I think) that had been divorced, was a member of a Baptist Church, was considered to be ordained as a Deacon because of his good works and was voted down. She said that he was deeply depressed and asked me to talk with him. I did. For 3 hours he talked about how God had rejected him, that he was going to die and Go to Hell. I mean, I wrestled with him, told Him how much God loved and forgiven him and wanted to use him for good.

God help me, I couldn't turn him. He was in a funnel, spinning down quickly, and I couldn't stop him. I even shared with him some of my grievous sins, how God had forgiven me, and was using me.

He left. I called his aunt, told her to call his Dr., put him in the hospital, sedate and counsel him until he could find some hope.

Well, the Dr. released him after one week. He went home, got his father's shotgun, crawled in his father's bed and blew his head off. OH, IF WE ONLY KNEW THE HURT OUT THERE. ONE OF MY INDIAN FRIENDS TOLD ME, "MACKIE, NEVER CUSS AN INDIAN UNTIL YOU'VE WALKED IN HIS MOCCASINS A MILE."

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HORSE SENSE?

2007-08-28T11:58:00.000-04:00

The Force Whisperer: Met Police hire guru to give their horse 'good vibrations'
By RHODRI PHILLIPS - More by this author » Last updated at 22:16pm on 25th August 2007
Comments (2)

Once a good grooming might have sufficed but now mounted police are being taught "horse whispering" techniques to help their charges to relax after a hard shift on the mean streets of Britain.

The therapies, which involve soothing and talking to the animals, were made famous by Robert Redford in the 1998 film The Horse Whisperer.

The Metropolitan Police has called in American expert Monty Roberts, 72, who is widely seen as the inspiration for Redford's character, to advise officers.

Also passing on tips is Met WPC Carly Jarrett, 25, who has been trained in the "Equine Touch" method developed in the States ten years ago.

This method involves the use of hands to "set up vibrations in a horse's soft tissue".

The Equine Touch Foundation says this addresses a horse's body "at all levels, physical, chemical and, some would say, spiritual".

WPC Jarrett said: "Police horses work very hard. Equine Touch gives them that bit of relaxation and relief from their hard work. It is very gentle. It lets the horse rebalance itself."

Detective Sergeant Liz Andrews, based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, trained with WPC Jarrett on an Equine Touch course in Texas in May, which they paid for themselves.

She said: "I was helping at a demonstration by Monty Roberts when I first learned about the Equine Touch Foundation. It has been an ongoing journey to widen my education."

A Met Police spokesman said: "Occasionally, to develop our trainers, we have invited experts like Monty Roberts over to share their knowledge."

For more click on:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=477755&in_page_id=1770

Army Suicide Rate

2007-08-18T10:54:00.000-04:00

THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY WE CAN REALLY SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND CLOSE FRIENDS: START BRINGING THEM HOME!

The suicide rate for the army is now at a 26 year high - 99 suicides in the army last year.

More than one out of four soldiers who committed suicide did so while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, according to a report scheduled to be released Thursday. Iraq was the most common deployment location for U.S. soldiers who either attempted suicide or committed suicide.

The report, which The Associated Press obtained ahead of its public release, said the 99 confirmed suicides among active duty soldiers compared to 88 in 2005 and was the highest raw number since the 102 suicides reported in 1991, the year of the Persian Gulf War, when there were more soldiers on active duty.

For much more click on: www.forbes.com

Technorati tag: army suicide rate

THE TERROR AMERICA WROUGHT...

2007-08-08T22:01:00.000-04:00

Posted on Aug 7, 2007
By Robert Scheer

During a week of mayhem in Iraq, in which terrorists have rightly been condemned for targeting schoolchildren, it is sobering to recall that this week is also the 62nd anniversary of a U.S. attack that deliberately took the lives of thousands of children on their way to school in the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As noted in the Strategic Bombing Survey conducted at President Harry Truman’s request, when the bomb hit Hiroshima on April 6, 1945, “nearly all the school children ... were at work in the open,” to be exploded, irradiated or incinerated in the perfect firestorm that the planners back at the University of California-run Los Alamos lab had envisioned for the bomb’s maximum psychological impact.

The terror plot worked all too well, as Hiroshima’s Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba recalled this week: “That fateful summer, 8:15 a.m. The roar of a B-29 breaks the morning calm. A parachute opens in the blue sky. Then suddenly, a flash, an enormous blast—silence—hell on Earth. The eyes of young girls watching the parachute were melted. Their faces became giant charred blisters. The skin of people seeking help dangled from their fingernails. ... Others died when their eyeballs and internal organs burst from their bodies—Hiroshima was a hell where those who somehow survived envied the dead.”

Full Story

#3 of THE SEVEN GREAT LIES OF ORGANIZED RELIGION

2007-08-08T11:48:00.000-04:00

The Seven Great Lies of Organized Religion

Lie #3:

'You are not smart enough or good enough to think for yourself. We will do your thinking for you.'

Do you know what the most important invention in the history of the world was?

It wasn't the computer. And it sure wasn't the light bulb or the telephone. (Or even the electronic voting machine.)

It was the printing press.

In 1445, Johannes Gutenberg invented the world's first movable type printing press. He didn't know it, but he was unleashing a revolution that continues to this day. Even the mighty Internet in the 21st century is just an extension of Gutenberg's original, revolutionary machine.

The first book he printed was the Bible. And that led to controversy, too, because Luther translated it into German, the people's language, instead of Latin, the lingo of the religious elite.

Suddenly, ordinary folks could not only afford a copy, but they could read it for themselves instead of getting some guy's self-serving interpretation. Soon the cat was out of the bag--there were copies scattered all over Europe.

When people started to read it, they were alarmed at what they saw, because between the covers of this book was an amazing story that had seemingly little to do with the politics and shell games they saw in some corners the church.

Luther wrote a list of 95 accusations against the church -- priests taking bribes and granting 'indulgences', an institution setting itself up as a 'middleman' between man and God.

He argued that God didn't need a middleman, or a distributor, or an agent, or a bureaucracy. People could go direct to the source.

This little 'schism' in Worms Germany unleashed a firestorm of protest and permanently changed the way people approached education. No longer was a big, faceless institution responsible for your spiritual progress -- YOU were. Now that you had the knowledge in your hands, you were accountable before God to do something about it.

I'm not trying to attack the Catholic church, by the way. The problem is not institutions per se; it's just that it's always easier for us to mindlessly follow someone else than to listen to God and use the minds He gave us.

It's no coincidence that the scientific enlightenment and industrial revolution began in earnest within 50 years of this.
Not that it wasn't already underway (it had already gathered considerable momentum) but now that ordinary folks had access to knowledge and the freedom to pursue it, the possiblities were limitless.

The printing press took the handcuffs off of knowledge and spirituality, and the world has never been the same. Equal access to knowledge empowered people everywhere, and it was only natural that the Rennaisance, and in time, democracy too would follow.

What's troubling now is that most people still don't do anything with the knowledge that's available to them. Why would you accept a 'canned' answer or empty platitude when you can open the book and read about it for yourself?

People have debates about Jesus, but most have never read the real story--they just believe what they're told. How sad.

If you want a 'Just the facts ma'am' version of what really happened, grab a Bible (please -- a modern English version that's easy to read, not something from the 1600's) and read the book of Luke. A truly fascinating story will unfold.

I dare you to read for one hour and then stop!

And you know what? Nobody will need to tell you what it means.
You'll be quite able to figure it out for yourself.

You can get the book of Luke free online by clicking here:

http://clicks.aweber.com/z/ct/?46vP9uL0VznrSDRS_tqVLA

Print it out and take it with you. (I like this NLT translation a lot, btw.)

Or, you can listen in MP3 by clicking this link:

http://clicks.aweber.com/z/ct/?sdJM1hq0DpEGPewG0bNJ_A

You might like to burn the MP3 onto a CD and listen to it in your car, or listen on your ipod.

Tomorrow I'm going to attack Lie #4:

'Women are spiritually inferior and must submit to the authority of men.'

Talk to you tomorrow!

Respectfully Submitted,

Perry Marshall

P.S.: Speaking of scientific revolutions, you may enjoy my other 5-day email course, "Where Did The Universe Come From?"

I explore the Big Bang, the wonders of DNA, and the relationship between science and spirituality:
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CoffeeHouse Theology, 705 Jackson Boulevard Oak Park, Illinois USA 60304

#2 of The Seven Great Lies of Organized Religion

2007-08-06T17:13:00.000-04:00

The Seven Great Lies of Organized Religion

Lie #2:

'God is huge and unapproachable, and He wants you to labor, struggle and live in guilt.'

2000 years ago, they wouldn't even dare say the word 'God.' God was distant, remote, terrible.

But Jesus had his own words for God, and he used them freely.
They were controversial, even scandalous.

His words for God:

'Daddy.'

And 'Your heavenly father.'

So when the Religious Gestapo condemned him for hanging out with ruffians and women of ill-repute, he told an even more scandalous story:

'There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Dad, I wish you were dead. Why don't we pretend you are dead, and give me my share of the family estate.' So the father divided his property between them.

A few days later, the disrespectful son packed his bags and headed for a distant land. He squandered his inheritance on wine, women and song. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he got hungry.

So he got a job feeding pigs. (Jewish people considered pigs to be utterly repulsive.)

This young man would gladly have eaten the pods that the swine ate; but no one gave him anything.

But when he came to his senses, he said to himself, `How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I'm here starving! He went back to his father. But while he was still far away, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

The son said, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

But the father said to his servants, `Go get the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and have a huge party; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.'

Jesus sums it all up like this: 'I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who comes back than over ninety-nine people who are already good.'

The father in the Prodigal Son story was not concerned with his dignity. He was not concerned with what was 'fair.' When his son wanted to go his own way, he let him go. But he was watching out the window the whole time, hoping he would come back.

That's Jesus' picture of God - just like the father in this story. Loving. Forgiving. Approachable. And that was radical.

In fact his very first public speech was scandalous because he was talking to the hometown boyz. Luke tells the story in chapter 4, like this:

The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

This is not a guy who's afraid to rock the boat.

Tomorrow I'm going to attack Lie #3:

'You are not smart enough or good enough to think for yourself. We will do your thinking for you.'

Respectfully Submitted,

Perry Marshall

Get the whole story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 HERE.

Hear the Live "Uncut" version of 7 Great Lies:
http://www.coffeehousetheology.com/7lies/

CoffeeHouse Theology, 705 Jackson Boulevard Oak Park, Illinois USA 60304

The 7 Great Lies of Organized Religion

2007-08-01T11:06:00.000-04:00

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT MY ARGUMENT IS NOT AGAINST CHRIST, BUT AGAINST HOW DIFFERENT CHURCHES, PROPHETS, SCRIBES, POPES, PREACHERS, TEACHERS, ETC. HAVE ADDED SO MANY RITUALS, RULES, ETC. FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT, CHURCH TRADITIONS, AND THEIR OWN SELF GAINS THAT DIRECTLY CONTRADICT THE TEACHING OF JESUS THAT IF YOU LOVE GOD WITH YOUR WHOLE BEING AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.

JESUS ALSO SAID THAT IF YOU SEARCH TO KNOW THE TRUTH YOU WILL BE SET FREE. -Mackie

The Seven Great Lies of Organized Religion

~~~

Lie #1:

'If you live a moral life, deny yourself pleasure,
follow the prescribed rituals and give us enough money,
you'll have a decent shot at being accepted by God.'

~~~

Mackie,

Remember that scene near the end of the Wizard of Oz,
when Toto is pulling back the curtain? The sound system
is bellowing, 'Pay no attention to that man behind the
curtain. THE GREAT AND POWERFUL OZ HAS SPOKEN!'
And There's a little man behind the controls, talking into
a microphone.

Kind of reminds you of certain religious institutions,
doesn't it? Short little insecure men, hiding behind
names and titles, sending everyone on Mission Impossible
while they themselves indulge in secret sin. The
preacher stands in front of thousands and shakes his
finger. Nobody else knows that he had a stripper
in his hotel room last night.

Somebody tells you, 'Here, follow all these rules and be
the best person you possibly can, and you might have a shot
at being accepted by God someday.' Then they string you along
and get you under their thumb.

No wonder people are cynical.

Well it's no accident that Jesus' own biggest enemies 2000
years ago were precisely those same self-righteous hypocrites.
When Jesus showed up, they were terrified of losing their cushy
jobs and political clout. Eventually they murdered him for
exposing their racket.

True spirituality had been buried in a big pile of bureaucracy,
and the religious establishment used it to gain leverage. To have
power over people, to get priority seating in expensive restaurants,
and to line their pockets with cash.

They had everyone thinking that pleasing God was a never-ending
performance marathon.

Well Jesus painted a totally different picture. He told this
story:

'Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a holy man and
the other a tax collector.

The holy man stood and prayed, 'God, I thank you that I am not
like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like
this lousy tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes
of all that I get.'

But the tax collector, standing far away, would not even lift
up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be
merciful to me a sinner!'

Jesus explains: 'I tell you, this tax collector went home
forgiven, rather than the holy man; for every one who praises
himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be praised.'

Beware of the proud holy man who hangs a bunch of rules
around your neck.

That humble tax collector had it right. He was doing the only
thing you and I can do to be accepted by God. He just asked, with
humility.

Tomorrow I'm going to attack Lie #2:

'God is huge and unapproachable, and He wants you to labor, struggle
and live in guilt.'

Thanks for reading!

Respectfully Submitted,

Perry Marshall
www.CoffeeHouseTheology.com

The whole story about the Tax Collector is in Luke 18:9-14:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/

Listen to the Live "Uncut" version of 7 Great Lies:
http://www.coffeehousetheology.com/7lies/

Hidden Taxes

2007-07-27T23:37:00.000-04:00

10 HIDDEN TAXES YOU ARE PROBABLY PAYING...
Washington's Hidden Taxes
Brian Wingfield, 07.25.07, 6:00 AM ET

Washington, D.C. -
There is an old joke--attributed, of course, to Mark Twain--about the difference between a taxidermist and a tax collector: The taxidermist takes only your skin.

But of all the fees levied by the notorious taxman, the most unpopular are those that are hidden. We don't mean the frustrating taxes you see added to the end of your cellphone bill at the end of each month (though those can be maddening). We're talking about those that are simply not apparent to the average consumer.

In Pictures: 10 Hidden Taxes You're Probably Paying

Take, for example, the gasoline tax. Ever scratched your head wondering how much Uncle Sam is taking when gas prices spike? The answer (regardless of price fluctuations): 18.4 cents on every gallon that you purchase. When coupled with state and local taxes and fees, the average American pays 45.8 cents per gallon in gas taxes alone, according to the American Petroleum Institute, the industry group that represents big oil companies. That's about 15% of the current nationwide average price of gas, $3.06 per gallon.

But excise taxes like the gas tax aren't the only place for taxes to be secreted away. A favorite hiding place is the tax code itself. In fact, in her annual report to Congress last year, IRS National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson said lack of transparency in the tax system was among the most serious problems encountered by taxpayers.

"[T]he IRS sometimes updates its procedures and guidance without [in a timely manner] making them available to the public," her report said. No wonder so many people are confused about how much they owe.

For more click on:
10 HIDDEN TAXES

DEDICATED IRAQ REPORTER WARNS OF WHITE HOUSE SPIN

2007-07-20T23:53:00.000-04:00

Could the Bush administration be invoking the ominous specter of al-Qaida—and suggesting the extremist group is gathering strength and preparing to strike—for political reasons? CNN’s Baghdad correspondent Michael Ware says Americans should watch out for rhetorical sleight of hand from the White House concerning the current threat level and the newly unveiled National Intelligence Estimate.

----------------------------------------------

The Raw Story:

“That statement in the NIE is about three years too late,” Ware responded. “Al Qaeda has reorganized itself through the war in Iraq that America handed it on a silver platter in its own backyard. ... The war here ... has energized the jihadi community across the globe.” Ware asserted that “Iraq veterans” among foreign terrorists “are creating a whole new momentum back in their homelands,” but said that “the true danger of al Qaeda in Iraq is the template or the model it offers” even to those who have never been to Iraq.

Equally quick to insist that the NIE should not be taken too literally, Ware said, “We must be aware of the spin, the smoke and mirrors from the administration, trying to reshape the message on Iraq being specifically about al Qaeda ... trying to evoke some Pavlovian response from the American public to fear them into again supporting the war. That doesn’t quite hold water.”

For more click here.

Technorati tag: Iraq

BUSH GOVERNMENT TO POOR VOTERS: WE DON'T WANT YOU TO VOTE

2007-07-18T23:58:00.000-04:00

By Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet

The Justice Department is pressuring 10 states to purge
their voter rolls, while states are ignoring laws to help
low-income Americans register to vote.

For more click on: http://www.alternet.org/rights/56957/

--

Fed up with the government? Why not call the president and your local politicians and let them know your opinions, OK?
Find their numbers here: http://www.congress.org/

Technorati tag: voters

Has Bush Lost It?

2007-06-01T00:07:00.000-04:00

IS BUSH LOSING IT?

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Richard A. Gephardt yesterday criticized the Bush administration's "chest-beating unilateralism" in the Iraq war, which he said weakened diplomatic alliances and squandered global good will following the September 11 attacks.

"Foreign policy isn't a John Wayne movie, where we catch the bad guys, hoist a few cold ones and then everything fades to black," the Missouri congressman said in remarks prepared for a speech to the Bar Association of San Francisco.

"No matter the surge of momentary machismo -- as gratifying as it may be for some -- it is shortsighted and wrong to simply go it alone."

Mr. Gephardt, the former House Democratic leader, reiterated his support for a congressional resolution that authorized the administration to go to war, saying he continued to believe Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction or was on his way to building them. But, Mr. Gephardt said, Mr. Bush's "utter disregard for diplomacy" and lack of a cohesive postwar plan left the United States isolated and vulnerable in an increasingly chaotic, lawless landscape.

For more click on: http://www.washingtontimes.com/...

Technorati tag: foreign policy

MIND ME BEING NOSEY?

2007-03-09T12:17:00.000-05:00

Subject: Hello There?

I was feeling a little nosey,so I thought I would look in on you and seeif you are sitting at your computer and you are ok Yup, there you are! You look great.

PROBLEMS IN EARLY CHRISTIANITY...

2007-03-09T12:14:00.000-05:00

"TIME: You and Karen write that the "Judas" author was angry, particularly at the Christian church's developing cult of martyrdom. You write that he conveyed "the urgency of someone who wants to unmask what he feels is the hideous folly of leaders who encourage people to get themselves killed in this way." Whom might he have meant?"

Pagels: So far as I know, all the so-called "fathers of the church" glorified martyrdom. Ignatius, who wrote in Syria in around 108 AD, speaks passionately about "being ground up by the teeth of wild beasts to become God's wheat," — that is, by martyrdom, he becomes the bread of the Eucharist.

What could have provoked such adamance?
Christians were undergoing terrible persecution at the time. Leaders like Ignatius felt that a willingness to "die for God" was essential for the movement to survive; otherwise, its members could be intimidated, and it might have died out."

For the rest of this very informative article click on:

http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1596991,00.html

SHOULD YOU HAVE A LIVING WILL?

2007-03-09T12:07:00.000-05:00

THANKS ALLISON!

IT JUST SHOWS HOW DISADVANTAGED SPOUSES ARE. ACCORDING TO EVERYTHING I READ THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION IS NOT TO PUT THIS BURDEN ON YOUR SPOUSE, BUT ON A FRIEND YOU TRUST WHO KNOWS WHEN THERE IS NO HOPE AND DOES WHAT YOU WOULD WANT HIM TO DO!

HEY, IF THERE IS A LOVER HANGING IN THE WINGS WHO WANTS YOU TO DIE WHO HAS EYES ON YOUR SPOUSE AND ESTATE, BLOCK THE BASTARD.

YOU DON'T NEED A LIVING WILL. GIVE YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND WHO KNOWS WHAT YOU WOULD WANT POWER OF ATTORNEY (make sure he loves you more than your spouse) and he would make the decision you would want him to make.

LIVING WILL INFORMATION
While I was watching some College Football, my wife and I gotinto a conversation about life and death, and the need for livingwills. During the course of the conversation I told her that I neverwanted to exist in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine andtaking fluids from a bottle. She got up, unplugged the TV, and threw out all my beer. Sometimes it's tough being married to a smartass.

WHAT IS THE WAR COSTING YOU?

2007-02-01T13:35:00.000-05:00

The War in Iraq Costs
$362,976,214,435 (2/1/07)
See latest numbers at www.costofwar.com
and latest cost to your community.

TRUE BELIEVERS IN THE ULTIMATE GOD...

2007-02-01T13:17:00.000-05:00

THANKS SO MUCH, NADINE. AFTER ALL MY TRAVELS I STAND AMAZED AT THE FEW CHRISTIANS WHO ARE TRUE CHRISTIANS FOLLOW THE TEACHINGS AND LOVE OF CHRIST.

"A true friend is one soul with 2 bodies." -can't recall author

Kathy, God does put special people (His) in our lives and builds foundations for our entire life. He uses this foundation that we can build upon and grow for others for HIS glory. Friendships in Christ holds us in difficult times. Even in our hurt and sufferings he is conditioning us to do something big for HIM.

Your MOM was great in encouraging young people and many grew to know God and continue to have a deep personal relationship and daily walk with God.

I noticed Sunday you were not yourself and Skip kept saying to call and check on you. We are just around the corner and the door is always open and we are as near as your telephone.

I agree we never value what is most important until we don't have it any more. God knows all our pain and I have found all I needed to do is say God I need help and He takes over from that point and little did I know He was already there and working for my best interest.

We love you Kathy and we will keep praying for your Dad and Grace too! Will be in touch soon!

Mackie thanks for never forgetting and for the gift of encouragement too!

Can you go to the Beth Moore Women's satalite conference at 1st Baptist February 24 - the treat is on me! You know how much we enjoy being with all the women (last I heard over 1000 have registered) and the fun we have and most of all the lasting message we receive.

Blessings and Love, Nadine
Hey Mackie,

So good to hear from you today. What a surprise to come home and have your voice on the phone. I think of you often and wonder how you and Glenda are doing. I just can't get past the days we used to all be together and learn so much about how much God loves us. Those days are still so clear in my heart and mind and will never leave me. They help build the foundation of who we are in Christ today for me. That was the start of all of us knowing what a true fellowship of believers was and having that and not appreciating that all at the same time. They say when you get old you appreciate things you had more and that holds true to that statement and probably will never have that again. Church as we knew it growing up will always be what I long for in a church and haven't had that since.

Life is good for us Mitchell's here in Charlottesville. Greg and I have been married now for 16 years this coming June. Can you believe it? After dating all those years and still be together and not have killed each other is a miracle in itself. We have a son, Neill and he looks so much like my mother it isn't funny. He has brought such joy to our lives. He will be turning 10 this Saturday. He is looking so forward to it and I am wanting to hold the years back for him. He keeps us busy.

THANKS SO MUCH KATHY!

Dr. John Keith told us that if we ever were a member of a great church we would never find another one. Things were so wonderful back then, Everybody loved God and one another. I don't remember any criticism of any member. Everybody pulled together, raised impossible funds and built a wonderful church in an area to be developed.

We think of you and Greg often (including Greg falling out of a top bunk). Just know that you, your family and all the young people, parents and other members are seared in our hearts forever.

Love,

Glenda and Mackie

ANOTHER WAY TO SUPPORT OUR SOLDIERS; BRING THE HOME FROM THEIR HELL.

2007-02-01T12:14:00.000-05:00

THANKS WENDY. THIS IS SO TOUCHING. WHAT STANDS OUT IS THE LOYALTY OF THESE SOLDIERS TO THEIR COUNTRY AND PRESIDENT.

THE HORROR IS THAT MORE AND MORE EVIDENCE SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT THIS WAR WAS BASED ON A BUNCH OF LIES. I CRY FOR THE SOLDIERS WHO REALLY BELIEVED THE PRESIDENT AND GAVE THEIR LIVES ON LIES. GOD HAVE MERCY.

IF THEIR IS A GOD BUSH WILL HAVE TO ANSWER FOR MISLEADING THESE 1OOOS OF AMERICAN LIVES AND 100,000S OF THOUSANDS IRAQI LIVES.

TIME WILL TELL.

Click on: http://www.flashdemo.net/gallery/wake/index.htm

DATED YOUR MOTHER LATELY?

2007-02-01T11:57:00.000-05:00

WENDY, YOU HAVE AMAZED ME OVER THE LAST 30 YRS. (and all the young children and their parents), FROM THE TIME WHEN YOU WERE A YOUNG GIRL TO THE TIME THAT YOU HAVE NOW MARRIED AND MAKE A WONDERFUL WIFE (like your mother).

Do you remember that time when we were on the way to Bug's Island (I think) when you were a young girl. I asked you what a nostril was and you said "A nose hole." I almost died laughing (I still do). I also remember your future husband (Mike) falling out of a tree and breaking his ankle (it's been 30 yrs)? I must quit. Thanks for the memories.

Mackie

Subject: Being a motherBEING A MOTHER

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, "I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you."

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie."What's wrong, are you well," she asked? My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news."I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you," I responded. "Just the two of us."

She thought about it for a moment, and then said, "I would like that very much."That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn tocelebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. "I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed," she said, as she got into the car. "They can't wait to hearabout our meeting.

"We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print.Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. "It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small," she said.

"Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor," I responded. During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you" I agreed. "How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home. "Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined," I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife.You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son."

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: "I LOVE YOU" and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till "some other time."

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.... somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother,"normal" is history. Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct .... somebody never took a three-year-old shopping. Somebody said being a mother is boring .... somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit. Somebody said if you're a "good" mother, your child will "turn outgood".... somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee. Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices ... somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window. Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.... somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math. Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first .... somebody doesn't have two children. Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books....somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose or in his ears. Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor anddelivery....somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for thef irst day of kindergarten ... or on a plane headed for military "bootcamp." Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back somebody never organized seven giggling Brownies to sell cookies. Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married....somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son ordaughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings. Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home....somebody never had grandchildren. Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.... somebody isn't a mother. Pass this along to all the "mothers" in your life and to everyone whoever had a mother. This isn't just about being a mother; it's about appreciating the people in your life while you have them....no matter who that person is.

THE BETTER SEX?

2007-02-01T11:47:00.000-05:00

ELEVEN PEOPLE ON A ROPE

Eleven people were hanging on a rope under a helicopter, ten men and one woman.

The rope was not strong enough to carry them all, so they decided that one had to leave, because otherwise they were all going to fall.

They were unable to decide who would let go, until the woman gave a very touching speech.

She said that she would voluntarily let go of the rope, because, as a woman, she was used to giving up everything for her husband and kids and for men ingeneral, and was used to always making sacrifices with little in return.

As soon as she finished her speech, all the men started clapping.

DO YOU KNOW WHO THE BETTER SEX IS?

They have what we men always want. We have what they sometimes want.

WORSHIPPING CELEBRITIES?

2007-02-01T11:39:00.000-05:00

THIS IS SO REVEALING! HOW SAD IT IS THAT SO MANY WORSHIP THE CELEBRITIES AND SUPER STARS, AND FORGET THE LOVING PEOPLE WHO MADE THEM WHO THEY ARE.
Charles Schultz's philosophy

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America Contest.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners. How did you do?The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers! They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with. Easier?The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life...

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.It's already tomorrow in Australia

"(Charles Schultz)
rceID:NT00015C96

A PLEA TO GOD.

2007-02-01T11:36:00.000-05:00

Please pray for my Daddy. He had a sugar attack early this morning and is home now and stabilized and seems in good spirits but I know it must have been scary and uncertain of what is going on with his body. He also goes to that damn quack Dr. Knight and he doubled his insulin and It was way too much for his body so please pray for him.

You know dad he needs no one and asks for nothing and he is worried about the medical bill. It is the first time he went to the hospital as a retired person so that will worry him. I told him not to worry about it I would pay it but you know how that goes too.

Send one up for him when you get a chance please.

Thanks,
Kathy
The War in Iraq Costs (1/27/07:2pm)
$361,673,848,501
For latest total click on: http://costofwar.com

SINCERE BELIEVERS

2007-02-01T11:32:00.000-05:00

Hey Mackie,

So good to hear from you today. What a surprise to come home and have your voice on the phone. I think of you often and wonder how you and Glenda are doing. I just can't get past the days we used to all be together and learn so much about how much God loves us. Those days are still so clear in my heart and mind and will never leave me. They help build the foundation of who we are in Christ today for me. That was the start of all of us knowing what a true fellowship of believers was and having that and not appreciating that all at the same time. They say when you get old you appreciate things you had more and that holds true to that statement and probably will never have that again. Church as we knew it growing up will always be what I long for in a church and haven't had that since.

Life is good for us Mitchell's here in Charlottesville. Greg and I have been married now for 16 years this coming June. Can you believe it? After dating all those years and still be together and not have killed each other is a miracle in itself. We have a son, Neill and he looks so much like my mother it isn't funny. He has brought such joy to our lives. He will be turning 10 this Saturday. He is looking so forward to it and I am wanting to hold the years back for him. He keeps us busy.

WHY ARE SO MANY REJECTING/DROPPING OUT OF TRADITION CHURCHES?

2007-01-29T18:44:00.000-05:00

BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE CERTAIN BELIEFS, RULES, AND FALSE DOCTRINES.

WONDER WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE SIMPLE ANSWER WHEN ONE ASKED JESUS

"WHAT MUST I DO TO HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?"

THE TOTAL, SIMPLE ANSWER JESUS GAVE WAS

"LOVE GOD WITH YOUR WHOLE BEING AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

I wish I had preached more of that and less of church doctrines and rules. -editor

RESPONSE:

When religion is not kept simple, it becomes a very destructive force.....In Ireland, the Christian Catholics and Christian Protestants were warring for years.......Islamic Shiites and Islamic Sunnis are now tearing apart Iraq.....In America, Christian fundamentalists have recently supported dangerous politicians willing to promote a conservative religious agenda at the expense of our Constitution......If religion had been kept simple, none of this would have happened.......It all stems from man's arrogant attempt to strictly define God.....to selfishly personalize God.........to box Him in......and then discriminate against (or kill) those who refuse to go along for the ride.

Ron

2007-01-28T18:37:00.000-05:00

Greetings:

There will be huge changes in Iraq this year. 2007 is truly "the year" for Iraq, for various reasons, including the upcoming elections in the United States. Barring an asteroid strike on some major city, the war in Iraq will be the most important topic in 2007. It will also be one of the most under-reported.

There are two types of media sources covering this war: the ones who are here, and those who are not. The media is Missing In Action, and reporting from afar. Yesterday, for instance, major media reported on an attack in a small village north of Mosul. None of those sources actually visited the village. I did.

I'll bring home frontline information all year, or until something sends me home. Please support these dispatches by spreading the links.

The latest dispatch, Desolate Roads Part 2 of 2, is now online.

Respectfully,

Michael YonMichael YonP O Box 416Westport Pt MA 02791

TRENDS OF AMERICAN WARS

2007-01-28T14:36:00.000-05:00

January 28, 2007

I Don't Want This To Be a Political Blog, But...This was too good to pass up
A Historical Curiosity

For your consideration and debate:
US Civil War: first time there is a Republican President - very large, Democratic anti-war movement.

Spanish/American War: Republican President - very large, Democratic anti-war movement.

World War One: Democratic President - no anti-war movement.

World War Two: Democratic President - no anti-war movement.

Korean War: Democratic President - no anti-war movement.

Vietnam War: As soon as a Republican took over the botched war from the Democrats - very large, Democratic anti-war movement.

For the rest of the article click on: http://poorfrank.blogspot.com/

WHAT IS AN ATHEIST?

2007-01-28T14:16:00.000-05:00

An atheist is a man who watches a Notre Dame - Southern Methodist University game and doesn't care who wins.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

2007-01-28T14:13:00.000-05:00

The War in Iraq Costs
$361,673,848,501
For the latest total click on: http://costofwar.com

2007-01-28T14:10:00.000-05:00

THEY SAY HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF; UNLESS ENOUGH PEOPLE KNOW HISTORY AND TRY TO AVOID REPEATING EVIL EVENTS (mackie).

Hubert Van Es, in the NYT (4-29-05):

THIRTY years ago I was fortunate enough to take a photograph that has become perhaps the most recognizable image of the fall of Saigon - you know it, the one that is always described as showing an American helicopter evacuating people from the roof of the United States Embassy. Well, like so many things about the Vietnam War, it's not exactly what it seems. In fact, the photo is not of the embassy at all; the helicopter was actually on the roof of an apartment building in downtown Saigon where senior Central Intelligence Agency employees were housed.

For the rest of the story click on: http://www.hnn.us/roundup/archives/11/2005/4/#11607

2007-01-28T13:05:00.001-05:00

Turning Failure Into Triumph

Posted by David Romanelli
on Sat, Jan 27, 2007, 9:37 am PST

Here are some famous examples of turning failure into triumph:Michael Jordan -- The greatest basketball player of all time was actually cut from his high school basketball team as a 10th grader.

Sly Stallone -- As a kid, Sylvester Stallone was teased because of his Looney Tunes associated name, and his crooked eye, drooping lower lip and slurred speech. Of course all those characteristics helped him create one of the most inspirational characters in movie history: ROCKY!"Conflict is the primary engine of growth and creativity." Ronald Heifetz

Abraham Lincoln -- Lincoln failed as a businessman, failed as a farmer, failed in his first campaign to go to Congress, failed in his first campaign for Senate...yet he went on to become one of the great Americans of all time."...it's better to lose some of the battles in the struggles for your dreams than to be defeated without ever knowing what you're fighting for." - Paulo Coelho

For the rest of the article click on:

http://health.yahoo.com/experts/yeahdave/7262/turning-failure-into-triumph

The War in Iraq Costs (1/27/07:2pm)

$361,673,848,501

For the latest total click on: http://costofwar.com/