Monthly Archives: August 2010

Jesus & Co¹ : God’s Perfect Natural Reflection

Posted on August 18, 2010 by | Leave a comment

In the post “Show Us God Before You Go,” I presented an overview of the 14th chapter of the gospel of John. Jesus was asked three questions by his disciples about his announced departure. An oversimplified summary of Jesus’ answer was that he was going to the Father. While there, he would prepare for them a place to live, and one day he would return to take them to his Father’s house to live as well.

The disciples’ questions amazed Jesus. He was amazed at how clueless his disciples really were. Therefore, he makes this bold statement: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me. If you guys really knew me you would have known my Father also. So look here guys. You now know Him, and have seen Him.” (vv. 6-7)

I am not certain but I expect many disciples may still be clueless. After two millennium, it is possible many Christians still do not know what he meant. Is this possible?

Just in case I’m correct, I will attempt to explain Jesus’ bold claim, and I’ll start by analyzing the last verse (7) first.

Jesus said “If you really knew me you would have known the Father also…. You now know him, and have seen Him.”

Some seem to believe that Jesus is here further revealing his divinity. This is not the case for several reasons:

1)   Jesus neither said I am the Father nor that he is divine just as God is.
2)   He did say by knowing me you know my heavenly Father as well.
3)   He also said having seen my life and work you have seen the Father (in action).
 

One of Jesus’ post-resurrection disciples, Paul, very succinctly captured the meaning of Jesus statement. Paul described Jesus as the new Adam (1 Cor. 15:45-49). The story of Adam’s creation is the story of the original human being without sin or crime in God’s world. This account is recorded in Genesis 1:26-3:14. In it, the writer explains how God made Adam in His image and likeness. The physical appearance of Adam resembles God’s. This is depicted in Genesis 18-19; Number 24:9-11; Isaiah 6:1-3; Ezekiel 1:1,26-28; 8:1-3; 10:1-20; Revelation 4:2-4. The purity of Adam’s way of life was like God’s as well. The fall changed that. Once Adam had violated the law of God, his life began to resemble the evil one–the one who had tempted him to do evil. Through behavior resembling the devil’s, Adam’s God-likeness became corrupted. The moral purity characteristic of God likeness continued to decline with each new generation of Adam’s descendent. So much so that God observed that evil continually filled all of their imaginations, from their youth and thereafter. (Gen. 6:5-6; 8:21)

Thus, Adam’s lifestyle in many ways ceased to resemble his Creator.

Jesus as the new Adam means one who is fully like God, and this is what is referred to in John 14:7. Because Jesus was created by God in the Virgin’s womb, because the presence of God resided in him, because he always did what God’s law commanded or prohibited, and because he did and spoke those things that God directed, Jesus demonstrated what God is truly like.

As all humans, Jesus physically resembled God. Unlike all people, his life and work perfectly displayed the unseen God. As He did through Moses, God fulfilled his word and promises through the life and proclamations of his only begotten son, Jesus.

Jesus assured his disciples that they would show the world what God was like because they truly loved Him and practiced His commandments. Just as a loving child reflects the behavior, values, and words of his or her parent, so would Jesus’ disciples reflect His. The same is true of all God’s children that follow God with Jesus Christ.

1 Co represents cohorts or followers

By Daniel Downs

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It’s official: Smoking makes you stupid

Posted on August 17, 2010 by | 1 comment

Smoking is directly correlated with a lower IQ, according to a study conducted by researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel and published in the journal Addiction.

Researchers tested the IQs of more than 20,000 healthy men between the ages of 18 and 21 who were either serving in the Israeli military or who had recently completed their service. Twenty-eight percent of the men in the sample smoked, while 3 percent were former smokers and 68 percent had never smoked.

The average IQ of the smokers was 94, compared with 101 among the non-smokers. Men who smoked more than a pack of cigarettes a day had an average IQ of 90. Although a normal IQ falls between 84 and 116, the difference observed in the study is still considered significant.

Source: Natural News, August 16, 2010

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Look what Xenia has been missing…

Posted on August 17, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Much of the fluoride added to municipal water supplies across the United States is imported from China, and is contaminated with heavy metals, according to a warning by Bernard Miltenberger, president of the Pure Water Committee of Western Maryland.

In a letter published in the Cumberland Times-News, Miltenberger notes that he first became aware of the issue in an engineering report for the city of Boulder, Colo. The report noted that the fluoridation chemicals used for the city’s water had been evaluated, and were found to contain lead levels of 40 milligrams per bag and arsenic levels of 50 milligrams per bag. The bags were being imported from China under no regulatory monitoring of acid or salt content.

Miltenberger then visited the Frostburg Water Filtration Plant in Maryland and noticed that the fluoride bags were not labeled with any importation information. He contacted the plant’s chemical supplier, Univar USA, and was then referred to Sovay fluorides. Sovay informed him that the fluoride had been manufactured by Shanghai Minthchem Development in China.

“This type of trade from a country with a track record of lead paint on toys to antifreeze in cough syrup medicine is completely unacceptable,” Miltenberger writes.

Heavy metal contamination is only the latest concern to emerge over the practice of water fluoridation, which has been controversial since its inception. Fluoride is a well-known toxic chemical, as Miltenberger notes:

“The material safety data sheets from Solvay fluorides show that a teaspoon amount of five grams of sodium fluoride can be fatal to an average size man of 70kg. … chronic toxicity by oral route may cause skeletal and dental fluorosis, thyroid, testes, kidney, liver, ambiguous carcinogenic and mutagenic effects, fetotoxic and fertility effects.”

Miltenberger also notes that fluoride toothpaste contains a warning that anyone who consumes more than a pea-size amount should contact a poison control center at once. This amount of toothpaste contains as much fluoride as just eight ounces of fluoridated water. A prescription-strength fluoride supplement marketed by Colgate warns that children under the age of six should not consume doses regularly added to municipal water.

This post is just a reminder that city officials have attempt to fluoridate the water supply numerous times and may try it again in the future. The mentality is since every surrounding municipality us is doing it Xenia should save some taxpayer money while while in-toxicating them with the health destroying chemical, fluoride. Heck, it does not even whiten teeth; too fluoride turns them muddle brown. What they do if many taxpayers lost their health and their lives? Raise taxes?

Source: Natural News, August, 15, 2010

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Democrats, Deficits, the “Middle Class” and the Bush Tax Cuts

Posted on August 16, 2010 by | Leave a comment

by Gerald Prante

Right now, Washington is in a debate over whether to extend the so-called “Bush” tax cuts for all taxpayers versus allowing them to expire on those taxpayers at the very top. Democrats claim that it’s fiscally responsible to let the tax cuts expire for those at the top.

The fact of the matter though is that extending the tax cuts even under the Democrats’ plan adds a tremendous amount to the deficit. It’s also worth mentioning that supply-siders are correct to point out that over the long-term, the tax cuts for high-income taxpayers would have a larger feedback effect than the tax cuts for low-and-middle income taxpayers, which were largely economically equivalent to writing checks (e.g., 10 percent bracket, increasing the standard deduction, and increased child tax credit).

For the past ten years, Democrats have painted a myth among a large fraction of the public that the Bush tax cuts only benefited the lucky few at the top of the income spectrum. It’s simply not true. Some provisions in the Bush tax cuts may have been targeted at the very top (such as the changes to PEP and Pease and the estate tax along with the rate cuts at the very top), but trillions of dollars in tax relief went to those beneath the president’s so-called “middle class cut-off” of $250,000. How do we know this? Even under Obama’s plan for the expiring tax cuts that calls for only the top rates to go back up, $2.3 trillion would be added to the deficit over the next 10 years (relative to full expiration).

Overall, looking at the long-term horizon that the country’s finances face, the Democratic rhetoric of the past 10 years that has helped ingrain in a large fraction of the population the myth that we can just go after the rich to solve our fiscal problems is just that…a myth. Sure, it sounds good for Democrats to play class warfare, but if they are serious about preventing the U.S. fiscal system from falling off a cliff in 30 years, they are going to eventually have to resort to supporting one of two policies (or a combination of the two):

(1) Cuts to Medicare and/or Medicaid
(2) Tax increases on those making less than $250,000

So throughout this entire debate over the Bush tax cuts, when Democrats say that they are concerned about middle class tax relief, be sure to ask them whether this concern is just temporary due to the economic situation we are in or whether it is permanent? And if it’s permanent, ask them what they are going to say when a VAT, which hits all citizens, comes to the table within the next five years.

Source: Tax Foundation: Tax Policy Blog, August 8, 2010.

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Posted in economy, news, politics, taxes

General Motors reports $1.3 billion in 2nd quarter profits

Posted on August 16, 2010 by | Leave a comment

General Motors recently reported second quarter revenues over $33 billion and profits totaling $1.3 billion. GM claims it now has made up for its previous $13 billion loss. What was not clear is whether the the $13 billion was made up by the recent $33 billion revenue stream, prior quarter profits, or by the $50 billion bailout by Democrats on Capitol Hill. Whatever the case may be, the federal government still owns GM. A positive light at the end of no GM’s not so dark tunnel is their likelihood of issuing a new public stock offering in the near future. Presumably, this means the recession is now over and the government’s 61% ownership will be purchased by private investors. The key word here is presumably not actuality.

Source: Industry Week, August 12, 2010.

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U.S. Bailout Foreign Companies, but What Happened to Peace and Prosperity?

Posted on August 13, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Yesterday, Newsmax ran a story about the federal government bailout of overseas banks and other foreign corporations. Part of the reason was attributed to global reach of AIG. Because we are all part of a global economy, a global bailout was to be expected.

I don’t remember hearing the Obama administration, Congressional politicians, or the media ever mentioning that part of $787 billion would help save foreign banks or General Motors, do you?

To save the world, globalists on Capitol Hill seem to believe Americans on Main Street should welcome state approved robbery. The Washington-run Empire, like all past empires, impoverishes millions of its people for the grand cause of power, status, and the flow of wealth. Remember, most of the imperialists on Capitol Hill are millionaires.
Anyone familiar with the history of bailouts funded by the federal government (including the Federal Reserve) knows this has been going on for decades.

In one sense, global economy is just another nice but deceptive phrase for the increasing reach of American economic empire. It appears that the goal of Democrats is to increase the burden of empire to the point of America’s bankruptcy.

That is one important factor that led to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.

Are the elites among the Republican Party any different? I doubt it. Can you remember any America president or Congressional majority ever proposing to end the American military presence around the world? Only Ron Paul proposed such a thing. Doing so would put billions of dollars back in the pockets of Americans. A large scale-back of U.S. military’s global presence would also mean leaving America’s global corporation vulnerable to the dictates of foreign governments and the interests of their people. Not that the wealth given to foreign government by American corporations is used to prosper all of their citizens, but its does keep foreign dictators willing to dance to America’s green tunes. Think of how much that would save taxpayers if Congressional politicians were not so willing to travel to all of those subjected nations.

I know; we are the leader of the world. World peace and prosperity is dependent upon our government. Millions at home and certainly abroad are still are wondering when real peace and prosperity will be achieved. Maybe the elite’s utopian vision is flawed. Just consider the achievements of that bastion of global peace, the United Nations–not very impressive. No lasting peace in Israel, genocide in Sudan, massacres in Africa, wars in the Middle East, Europe, Central America and elsewhere, and now terrorism. Don’t misunderstand me, sincere efforts toward peace are honorable, but repeating failed policies and strategies of the past is to demonstrate stupidity.

Again, the lessons of failed empires of the past demonstrate egalitarianism, multiculturalism, moral relativity, immorality, and much debt are all co-factors in what social scientists call structural violence, which includes poverty. The peace waged by all empires has been most won and maintained by the merciless power of their armies. Empires have never been very effective at creating real peace or prosperity for masses of non-elite peasants. America is no exception.

American exceptionalism inherited from its founder’s vision has been fading away for a long time. Maybe it’s not too late to revive it.

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Ohioans ready for Big Fixes

Posted on August 12, 2010 by | Leave a comment

On July 28, the Buckeye Institute released a statewide poll of 1,800 registered voters that shows Ohioans are at odds with their government leaders on the major issues of the day, especially regarding government compensation, regulations, and Ohio’s pro-union policies. Magellan Data and Mapping Strategies of Broomfield, Colorado, conducted the poll on July 19, 2010, via an autodial survey of registered voters from across Ohio. Because of the large sample, the survey has a margin of error of 2.31%.

Here are some top-line numbers:

·    50% think government leaders should first reduce government worker
     compensation to eliminate the $8 billion budget state deficit;

·    Only 16% think taxes should be increased to eliminate the Ohio deficit;

·    52% think Ohio’s state and local taxes are too high;

·    56% think Ohio’s regulatory environment makes it harder for businesses to
     create jobs and grow;

·    85% think workers should be free to choose whether to join a labor union to get      jobs;

·    67% think we should stick with coal or add nuclear and natural gas energy.

Source: Buckeye Institute Reports, August 9, 2010.

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Show Us God Before You Go

Posted on August 11, 2010 by | Leave a comment

By Daniel Downs

In the fourteenth chapter of John’s gospel, three questions are raised and answered. The subject matter concerning Jesus’ statements about is leaving them to a place where he will be glorified. (13:31-35) His disciples did not know what the heck he was talking about. They were not sure they understood where he was going. As all good Jews, they began asking questions.

Peter respectfully raised the first question that is recorded in the previous chapter and it was reiterated by Thomas here. The question is this: What do you mean? Where are you going, and why can I not follow you right now? (13:36, 37) Jesus responding by saying, “Don’t worry about it. You will follow later. I’m going to my Father’s house where I will prepare a place for you. I will come again to take you to where I am now going. Come on guys, don’t act dumb, you know the way to where I’m going. Don’t you?” (13:36-14:4)

Expressing his usual point of view, Thomas, the proverbial skeptic, pipes up and says, “What! We neither know where you are going nor how to get there” (v. 5).

Jesus’ infamous retort is “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but though me. If you really knew me you would have known my Father also. So look here guys. You now know Him, and have seen Him. Get it?” (vv. 6-7)

While listening Philip is going hmm. He says, “No Lord, I still don’t think we get it. I do not remember having seen God. How about showing us the Father. Yeh, show us God. That should do the trick” (v. 8).

Jesus seemed very surprised. No doubt he was thinking these guys are bunch of numb skulls. It shows by his question that follows. “Have I been so long with you, and you have not come to know me, Phillip?” Let me make it real simple and plain for you. “He who has seen me has seen the Father.” So, “how can you say, ‘Show us the Father?” (v. 9)

From verses 10 through 21, Jesus explains how he reveals the Father and how they will also. In essence, it is because of their intimate spiritual relationship and works that the unseen God is manifested to the world. Their relationship to Jesus and Jesus’ relationship to the Father lived out in daily life is the way God is made known. Of course, God is seen through their lives lived according to the commandments of God and ministry of the Messiah.

At the end of his explanation, Jesus says, “He who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me and will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and will disclose myself to him” (v. 21). To which Judas responds, “Why only disclose yourself to us and not to the world?” (v. 22)

In order to understand Judas’ question, one need to know a little more about him. Judas was a member of the Zealot party. Zealots wanted to overthrow Rome’s control over Jerusalem and do away with Jewish traitors who helped them. The Messiah was and still viewed as a political and military leader who will lead Israel to defeat all oppressors and enemies. To Judas, Jesus’ Messiahship was naturally one that would be evident to Rome and all the world. Christians believe that is soon to be revealed.

Jesus seems to ignore Judas’ actual question. Instead, he picks up were he left off. Jesus continues to explain that he is going to where the Father is (v. 28). However, they (God and Jesus) will come back to make their abode with those who love him. How? Through the promised helper. Jesus describes this helper as the Spirit of Truth (v. 17) and the Holy Spirit (v. 26). The disclosure questioned by Judas will happen by means of the Helper. He will teach them what Jesus reveals (v. 26; 15:26;16:13-15). He will remind them of the things Jesus has already disclosed to them (v. 26;.15:27; 16:4). He will administer the peace of Jesus, which why the Holy Spirit is called Helper, Comforter and Advocate (v. 27). These adjectives derive from the Koine Greek word parakletos and is descriptive of a relationship in which one comes to the side of another in order to aid him or her. It connotes the martial relationship explained in Genesis 2:18-24. In ancient society, it also was used to describe legal counsel or social advocacy for others. And, in the context of John 14-17, Jesus also is speaking of comfort. For example, Jesus begins and ends by saying, “Do not let your hearts be troubled” (14:1, 27). In chapter 15, Jesus deals with others hating them for carrying on the message and work of Jesus, but the Holy Spirit will testify to them of Jesus. And in chapter 16, the same Spirit will himself convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, the judgment while at the same time leading the disciples, teaching them, and manifesting God’s love to and through them.

When people see and hear God, they either attracted or repulsed. The blessed saps who are the medium of the message or “the showing” often get the brunt of human guilt or hate toward God. Jesus was crucified. All of the disciples except John were killed for their testimony to Jesus’ resurrection. People around the globe still get kicked by states, other religions and their followers, and even by those who claim to be of Christ. But, as present as He was with Moses, the prophets and Jesus, God is still a present witness.

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Medical Studies Prove These Drugs Make Your Brain Stop Working

Posted on August 4, 2010 by | Leave a comment

If the post boggled the mind, you might want to take one of the following listed below. Why? Well, medical researchers have discover that they can make your brain stop working. The medical journal Neurology published their finding as did Physorg. What better way to escape the reality of young people winning court case in the of defending the right of life. First, it was student lead prayer in public schools. Gasp! Now, it is pro-lifer victories. What’s next,shutting down Planned Parenthood abortion mills? (Lil Rose, you go girl.)

May be a hooray is in order.

Anyway, here is a list of over-the-counter drugs capable of making humans nearly brain dead (as if secularism qua socialism qua liberalism could be improved on):

Benadryl
Dramamine
Excedrin PM
Nytol
Sominex
Tylenol PM
Unisom
 

Some prescription drugs that are about brain deadening as the above include:

Paxil
Detrol
Demerol
Elavil
 

Everyone has seen the commercial about firing your brain on drugs. People no longer need cocaine, heroine, PSP, marijuana, or for that matter, Jack Daniels liquor. The FDA and drug companies have made it convenient and legal.

No wonder their has been a pandemic of ADD.

Sweet dreams, but tried to get them with the above sleep aids.

Source: Dr. Mercola Newsletter, August 3, 2010

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Victory! Pro-Life Students Vindicated After Posting FFL’s Pro-Woman Ads!

Posted on August 3, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Youth Protecting Youth, a pro-life student group at University of Victoria, British Columbia, paid a heavy penalty for posting Feminists for Life’s College Outreach ads on their campus. The University of Victoria Student Society accused YPY of “harassment” and revoked YPY’s official club status and funding several times between 2008 and 2010.

Feminists for Life offered assistance and encouraged FFL members to stand in solidarity with Youth Protecting Youth, supporting their rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association. The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA), a pro-choice organization, also came to the defense of the pro-life organization

On May 3, 2010, YPY filed a petition with the Supreme Court of British Columbia requesting restoration of the club’s official status and funding and asking that the UVSS’ harassment policy be revised to remove recent amendments that applied to pro-life groups.

We are pleased to announce that a July 13 settlement awarded YPY the restoration of status and funding, including all funds they had been denied since 2008. The settlement further allows YPY to resubmit their petition if it becomes necessary in the future. The UVSS board also voted to amend the harassment policy.

FFL President Serrin Foster said, “Congratulations to Youth Advocating Youth, and our thanks to all those who refused to choose between women and children, between their education and families, and supported them during this struggle.”

YPY President Anastasia Pearse said, “It’s a great victory, and the terms of settlement show that the UVSS acknowledges YPY has been treated wrongly over the past two years.”

FFL President Serrin Foster agrees, adding “It’s an impressive victory. Thanks to YPY, women, especially those who are pregnant and parenting while in college, are the ultimate winners.”

The University of Victoria incident is one of many attacks on pro-life student groups who are using FFL ads or implementing FFL’s woman-centered mission, advocating services and support for pregnant women and parents. A mother’s discussion of the challenges of being a student parent, scheduled by the pro-life group at Duke University, was recently cancelled by the Duke Women’s Center because the event was part of a “traumatizing” Life Week sponsored by the pro-life group. University officials deemed the discussion of student parenting “too upsetting” for students.

“We hope this is a turning point and there will be no more undermining of our efforts to find meaningful solutions for student mothers, fathers, and birthparents making adoption plans.

“There should be no debate,” Foster added, “when it comes to free speech or developing resources and support for pregnant and parenting students.”

Source: Feminist For Life

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