Long ago in a galaxy far far away a very advanced race of highly developed aliens came to earth. It was a desolate place. Just land and water. Lifeless. Useless. Barren. It was what in Star Trek terms was called a Class M planet. Suitable for sustaining life. The aliens may have visited this place before. There was no record of that visit if they had. But there were evidences of that visit. It may have been that thru some great cataclysm there had been total destruction of all living beings on the earth and that it had laid barren for eons.
Because these aliens were so highly developed they seeded the earth with gene pools of living species. These were all placed at the beginning in a single site where perhaps it would be possible to allow them to interact with one another. These species were transported here by methods we do not yet understand. If you are a fan of Star Trek Next Generation and some of the programs where the Enterprise was invested in the process of seeding planets you might get a grasp of this. These being had the ability to by command to whatever super computers they had developed that at the sound of their voice they could “Make it So”.
So, with simply instructions these superior beings caused the sun and moon to move into proper orbit, the dry land and seas to divide into proper areas, the land to become populated with plants, animals and fish and then at some point in the process the earth was seeded with humankind. It is suspected that these humans were seeded with the characteristics and features in some ways of the superior race. It is and was the habit of those beings to when they placed seeded beings on a planet to have those beings resemble themselves.
If you think this is all the ramblings of some mad man named Gene, it is in one part the plot of a Star Trek Next Generation episode called: The Chase
It seemed to answer the question of how humans came to be on earth and why aliens all look so much alike.
There were other episodes of this kind where planet renewal was a theme.
It must have taken root in Francis Crick's skull because he now believes in the theory of Pansperma which is at the root of the Star Trek Next Generation episode, Or at least proposes that it could have happened.
And one of the most famous atheist scientists, Richard Dawkins postulates that the theory could be true. Dawkins who wrote The God Delusion seems to think that this theory of Panspermia could be true, and even may be true to explain the origin of life on earth.
When pressed to explain where the superior race of aliens came from, he deferred. How it all began. He didn't know.
I would have asked him that these aliens to earth may have been so superior, so advanced, so extraordinary that they might have been able to somehow by their superior intelligence live outside of our dimensions of time and space, and might well have had the capacity to simply speak the word that caused all we see around us in all of the universe to come into being. (There's a movie to that effect out right now) that would be a logical extension of this scenario, wouldn't it? Who said they had to live in time and space as we do. I watched all the star trek next gen episodes, all 172 of them, and that possibility that there are beings who live outside of our understanding was accepted. Remember Q? Or the entity at the edge of space? Picard was running into these beings all the time.
All this by good writers. And now people of science are adapting these ideas.
Wait, I have heard this story before. A being who lives outside of time and space, creating time and populating space with worlds by the power of their words. All in an instant. All without anything but the ability to do so. Then filling some of those worlds, earth for sure, with beings and life forms of all kinds. Doing geographic manipulation to make the world acceptable to these beings.
I read about it in a very old book. Maybe you did too. I embrace the concept of a sort of Panspermia population of the earth. I think we may have sold these beings short.
If you want to read one of the earliest accounts of this event that follows exactly the panspermia theory and the plot of Star Trek, read this.
And, I have it on good account from the being that did all this, that if you don't accept this theory, you are a fool.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Evolution and Racism
This is the year of Darwin. 2009. You will hear much about it this year. This post and others that follow will offer another view.
Evolution is a science built on consensus. Like global warming caused by man. Like Galileo fought against. Like the Dr’s That Bled George Washington to death were in consensus.
Consensus. If the majority concurs on an idea, if it all makes human sense, and everyone agrees, that doesn’t make it right. It’s just consensus.
Over this year of Darwin I will from time to time post things about Darwin and the fruit of his consensus science for you to consider.
Darwin’s evolution theories are at the root of RACISM. I don’t believe Darwin was racist. I believe that people in consensus took Darwin and used the concept of evolution to fabricate a racist worldview.
It stands to reason, consensus:
People evolved from apes. This means that apelike people are more like apes than white folks. If we are supposed to become superior species, if we are supposed to cleanse the races for better evolution, we are responsible if we treat the lesser races as less.
I mean it’s evolution, right? And, if you would shoot a foal with a gimp leg, why would you not exterminate a flawed human? Margaret Sanger got it. Most of the forced sterilizations of planned parenthood were of black people.
In the early 20th century at the worlds fair a pygmy was put on display as an example of the missing link. That fueled the rise of racism in the early part of the century that gave rise to the KKK.
It only stood to reason, if apelike Negroes were inferior, a good “christian” thing to do is wipe them out. Hitler certainly bought this idea.
Racism wasn’t Darwin’s intent, it was an unintended consequence. Or was it? Here is the full title page of his book that we today call origin of the species. The full title is:
On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life
Evolution is a science built on consensus. Like global warming caused by man. Like Galileo fought against. Like the Dr’s That Bled George Washington to death were in consensus.
Consensus. If the majority concurs on an idea, if it all makes human sense, and everyone agrees, that doesn’t make it right. It’s just consensus.
Over this year of Darwin I will from time to time post things about Darwin and the fruit of his consensus science for you to consider.
Darwin’s evolution theories are at the root of RACISM. I don’t believe Darwin was racist. I believe that people in consensus took Darwin and used the concept of evolution to fabricate a racist worldview.
It stands to reason, consensus:
People evolved from apes. This means that apelike people are more like apes than white folks. If we are supposed to become superior species, if we are supposed to cleanse the races for better evolution, we are responsible if we treat the lesser races as less.
I mean it’s evolution, right? And, if you would shoot a foal with a gimp leg, why would you not exterminate a flawed human? Margaret Sanger got it. Most of the forced sterilizations of planned parenthood were of black people.
In the early 20th century at the worlds fair a pygmy was put on display as an example of the missing link. That fueled the rise of racism in the early part of the century that gave rise to the KKK.
It only stood to reason, if apelike Negroes were inferior, a good “christian” thing to do is wipe them out. Hitler certainly bought this idea.
Racism wasn’t Darwin’s intent, it was an unintended consequence. Or was it? Here is the full title page of his book that we today call origin of the species. The full title is:
On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life
Friday, January 16, 2009
Hard to find enough Un-Biblical Church Leaders
OK, That's a bit harsh. But I have a problem. I have this big black book I read pretty regularly. I know the books of Titus, Ephesians, The Timothy's and others where church leadership is defined. I searched and searched and guess what I didn't find. Seminaries.
OR
Ordinations. Licencing. Denominational hoops.
What I do find is the local body being careful to see to it the leadership they put in place is moral, upright, steady, wise and without compromise.
Right now, many denominations are having a hard time finding enough pastors to fill all the empty pulpits there are in the nation. Yet, several of the regular readers of this Blog, several friends of mine and several good men and women of God would be excellent leaders of Churches. There are two problems. One is the denominational hoops and the other is frankly the money. Some of these churches do not and will not pay even a living wage to lead the church.
I suspect this is a part of what the Lord told me at the beginning of the year. These kinds of foolish and man made structures must fail.
Read this from the article about all the empty pulpits in the country:
OR
Ordinations. Licencing. Denominational hoops.
What I do find is the local body being careful to see to it the leadership they put in place is moral, upright, steady, wise and without compromise.
Right now, many denominations are having a hard time finding enough pastors to fill all the empty pulpits there are in the nation. Yet, several of the regular readers of this Blog, several friends of mine and several good men and women of God would be excellent leaders of Churches. There are two problems. One is the denominational hoops and the other is frankly the money. Some of these churches do not and will not pay even a living wage to lead the church.
I suspect this is a part of what the Lord told me at the beginning of the year. These kinds of foolish and man made structures must fail.
Read this from the article about all the empty pulpits in the country:
Is there a Protestant clergy shortage?
Yes and no.
The answer, as in the Catholic Church, often depends on where you worship.
Some churches, especially those that are small or rural, struggle to fill pulpits. But even in denominations that say they’re doing OK, it can be more an issue of having enough people, just not in the right places.
“It is a growing problem for us,” said the Rev. Ralph E. Jones, bishop of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Over the next decade, the bishop said, the number of Lutheran ministers retiring is expected to exceed the new pastors joining the ranks each year.
He said his synod has about 90 clergy, half of them retired. Some of those continue to serve some smaller congregations on a part-time basis, he said.
Jones also said that about 80 percent of the 89 congregations in his synod have 100 or fewer people at worship. Supporting a full-time pastor can be hard for those groups, he said.
In the Presbyterian Church USA, the number of clergy is steady to slowly increasing, said the Rev. David Oyler, general presbyter for the Presbytery of Lake Erie.
“So nationwide there is not a shortage,” he said. “The challenge is people are not necessarily located where the need is.”
He said the seven Presbyterian seminaries have as many students now as in the past 10, 20 or 30 years.
And the Lake Erie Presbytery has 72 clergy, or about the same number as past years, he said. That number includes retired pastors, some of whom continue to serve among the presbytery’s 60 churches.
The Right Rev. Sean W. Rowe, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania, also considers the ordination process healthy.
His diocese ordained six priests in 2008, which he said is typical.
What is changing, Rowe said, is that the number of ordained people younger than 30 is up. The 33-year-old bishop said there had been a trend for awhile of older candidates, many of them coming to the priesthood as a second career. He believes it’s good to have a mix of ages.
Rowe said there’s not a shortage of Episcopal priests in big cities. It’s more of a problem in rural areas, where smaller congregations might have trouble affording or attracting a full-time priest, he said.
Rural areas are also sometimes more difficult for the Assemblies of God to staff, said John Palmer, general secretary for the Pentecostal denomination with 2.8 million U.S. members.
He said there were just under 33,900 Assemblies of God ministers in the U.S. at the end of 2007. About 4,700 were retired.
“We’re sort of keeping up with the population,” Palmer said.
Rosie O'Donnell Calls Ann Coulter 'Angry' and 'Full of Rage'
"When you see someone like that, you have to go back to what happened in their childhood... You don't know what went on in their household."
So said O'Donnell during a recent interview on Sirius/XM's "Whatever with Alexis and Jennifer" show (audio available at Perez Hilton, partial transcript from PopEater, h/t NBer Gothampc):
Her thoughts about Ann Coulter: "She's angry if you ask me. She's full of rage. When you see someone like that, you have to go back to what happened in their childhood... You don't know what went on in their household. Sometimes people with very controversial views, there is some part of their humanity that you can relate to. Even though they think differently than you do, you can still reach them as a human being, but she's not one of them for me."On whether Coulter really has extremist views: "Yeah, I really do. I don't think it is a show. The passion from which she spews it... It's deep-seeded. It's bizarre."
This from a "woman" who:
- Said being on "The View" was like getting raped in prison
- Said Rev. Wright "Made Sense to Me"
- Blamed President Bush for a staph infection
- Called President Bush a war criminal
- Thinks Keith Olbermann has the best news show on TV
- Ripped former co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck during her gay and lesbian cruise
- Posted at her blog a picture of her kid in terrorist attire
- Warmed up the "View" audience with 9-11 conspiracy theories
- Called American troops terrorists
- Claimed America has killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis
- Personally attacked co-host Hasselbeck
- Blamed the U.S. for Al Qaeda terrorist Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's confession
- Called Condi Rice Dick Cheney’s evil twin brother
- Said U.S. under Patriot Act similar to South Africa under apartheid
- Refused to say she wanted US to win in Iraq
- Said "Radical Christianity is just as threatening as Radical Islam"
Background RAP
I was eating in a South side Chicago Cafe yesterday. Nice Place. Managed by a woman from the south side.
I spoke with her and encouraged her.
However as I ate my breakfast the music on the overhead speakers in the room, mood music, background, the Muzak if you will was RAP music. To be clear, I like some RAP music. For an old guy that's some admission. So I wasn't offended, just bemused.
Urban music in an urban cafe owned and operated by urban people with Mr UBER WHITE Gene enjoying the RAP with his grits.
Things don't get any goofier than that. I think I was expressing my inner Obama.
I spoke with her and encouraged her.
However as I ate my breakfast the music on the overhead speakers in the room, mood music, background, the Muzak if you will was RAP music. To be clear, I like some RAP music. For an old guy that's some admission. So I wasn't offended, just bemused.
Urban music in an urban cafe owned and operated by urban people with Mr UBER WHITE Gene enjoying the RAP with his grits.
Things don't get any goofier than that. I think I was expressing my inner Obama.
Which Inauguation was NOT Historic???
OK, news folks. We get it. Barack Obama won the election. He will be inaugurated Jan 20.
He is a man with black skin. Not a son of slaves, but black. Sorta.
BUT, this inauguration is no more Historic than any other are or were in the past.
Where are the news reports of an unhistorical inauguration? When did that happen? They were ALL historic. This one included.
So, stop with the phony hype. Just so you see what I'm irritated about, look at a Google of Historic and Inauguration. A hundred news stories with those two words conjoined jump right out at you.
This is silly, sycophantic and just plain stupid journalism.
He is a man with black skin. Not a son of slaves, but black. Sorta.
BUT, this inauguration is no more Historic than any other are or were in the past.
Where are the news reports of an unhistorical inauguration? When did that happen? They were ALL historic. This one included.
So, stop with the phony hype. Just so you see what I'm irritated about, look at a Google of Historic and Inauguration. A hundred news stories with those two words conjoined jump right out at you.
This is silly, sycophantic and just plain stupid journalism.
Still Speedy after all these years
Thirty years ago I taught myself to speed read. I bought a book on it. It had some of the same tips as in this paper.
I was inspired to do so by reading that President Kennedy had long ago become a speed reader and it changed his life. He became President.
I just read a book expounding the theology surrounding a certain view of Eschatology that I wanted to explore. Not exactly a pop read. After reading the book on the train into Chicago I wondered, gee, a hundred pages goes by pretty quickly. How fast do I read when reading something pretty heavy?
I did a word count on a few pages and did the math. About 550 WPM when I want to know what I'm reading in detail. That would be my slow speed. Most people read about 2-300 WPM.
I know when reading a novel or a newspaper I run about a thousand words per minute with decent comprehension. I actually use the words to form pictures. Like a movie of the mind.
If I am really interested in getting the "Jist" of a book or article but may not want to invest the time, I do what's called block reading. Dividing up pages into 3 or 4 blocks, commanding it, and moving on. It's not skimming. There's a system. Comprehension goes down but I can consume 3oo pages in an hour. That's about 2-3000 words. I do this with books I don't care much about. Sometimes those are gift books or a book who someone says, you just HAVE to read this.
On the other extreme, sometimes I purposely slow way down to 2-300 WPM for depth. Not often. When there's great emotion or pain in the topic. I savor the words. Shakespeare, certain poetry, words to a song, the word of God.
I mention this because I suggest that if you never have trained yourself and developed the discipline of Speed Reading, do it. It will open your life up more than you can imagine.
That's my tip for the day.
I was inspired to do so by reading that President Kennedy had long ago become a speed reader and it changed his life. He became President.
I just read a book expounding the theology surrounding a certain view of Eschatology that I wanted to explore. Not exactly a pop read. After reading the book on the train into Chicago I wondered, gee, a hundred pages goes by pretty quickly. How fast do I read when reading something pretty heavy?
I did a word count on a few pages and did the math. About 550 WPM when I want to know what I'm reading in detail. That would be my slow speed. Most people read about 2-300 WPM.
I know when reading a novel or a newspaper I run about a thousand words per minute with decent comprehension. I actually use the words to form pictures. Like a movie of the mind.
If I am really interested in getting the "Jist" of a book or article but may not want to invest the time, I do what's called block reading. Dividing up pages into 3 or 4 blocks, commanding it, and moving on. It's not skimming. There's a system. Comprehension goes down but I can consume 3oo pages in an hour. That's about 2-3000 words. I do this with books I don't care much about. Sometimes those are gift books or a book who someone says, you just HAVE to read this.
On the other extreme, sometimes I purposely slow way down to 2-300 WPM for depth. Not often. When there's great emotion or pain in the topic. I savor the words. Shakespeare, certain poetry, words to a song, the word of God.
I mention this because I suggest that if you never have trained yourself and developed the discipline of Speed Reading, do it. It will open your life up more than you can imagine.
That's my tip for the day.
"I could have done that"
I hear that. Maybe you do too. It has a sister. I could do that. Or any kind of iteration of the idea that if a person does something, they could have too.
I think this is an outgrowth of the American Idol show on TV. People think that when they see someone accomplish some feat, they think to themselves, "I could do that".
I ran into that comment this week while at the Trade Show. I was rolling out a greater exposure to the valuation consulting I do professionally. This is a time when that may be needed.
Most people I talked with were gracious and received it well.
A couple people were also doing some of this kind of work on an ad hoc basis. I have taken the time to become credentialed and recognized over the last 10 years.
One man I spoke with acted exactly as I suspected he might. A man I know. When I handed him the information, he said, "I could do that". Now to be fair, he probably has the background to do that. BUT, he didn't. HE DOESN'T.
I had a friend once who used to say, "Talk is cheap, it takes money to buy whisky".
It was his way of saying, I could do that, is an empty phrase if you don't do that.
It's always that way, if you make any effort to put yourself out there to accomplish anything, someone will say they could have done it too.
This has to do with the prophetic as well. People who do not understand the gift of the Prophetic or the office of the Prophet will say, "I could prophesy, all people can". OK, I'm there. You go ahead. Prophesy. Tell us what the Lord is saying. We'll do our part, we will judge your Prophesy. That's the scriptural thing to do.
Most people who despise prophesy and who think that it's just a lot of empty words don't have the courage to step out and put themselves subject to ridicule as Prophets who really DO prophesy. I know about ridicule. "I could do that" is cowardice and ineffectiveness. To those who would say "I could do that" I say to you, no you couldn't or you would. You don't so you can't.
That's why I have great respect for those who have the ministry gifts of the Apostle, Pastor and Evangelist. I want them to succeed. I can't do that. I don't want to even pretend. I am a good Prophet and Teacher. I will stay doing that until God calls me to something else.
So to the people who say "I could do that". Pardon me if I purposely ignore you.
Prophets Prophesy, Otherwise keep silent. You can't do that if you don't.
The person who will not read is as illiterate as the one who can't. The parallel holds.
I think this is an outgrowth of the American Idol show on TV. People think that when they see someone accomplish some feat, they think to themselves, "I could do that".
I ran into that comment this week while at the Trade Show. I was rolling out a greater exposure to the valuation consulting I do professionally. This is a time when that may be needed.
Most people I talked with were gracious and received it well.
A couple people were also doing some of this kind of work on an ad hoc basis. I have taken the time to become credentialed and recognized over the last 10 years.
One man I spoke with acted exactly as I suspected he might. A man I know. When I handed him the information, he said, "I could do that". Now to be fair, he probably has the background to do that. BUT, he didn't. HE DOESN'T.
I had a friend once who used to say, "Talk is cheap, it takes money to buy whisky".
It was his way of saying, I could do that, is an empty phrase if you don't do that.
It's always that way, if you make any effort to put yourself out there to accomplish anything, someone will say they could have done it too.
This has to do with the prophetic as well. People who do not understand the gift of the Prophetic or the office of the Prophet will say, "I could prophesy, all people can". OK, I'm there. You go ahead. Prophesy. Tell us what the Lord is saying. We'll do our part, we will judge your Prophesy. That's the scriptural thing to do.
Most people who despise prophesy and who think that it's just a lot of empty words don't have the courage to step out and put themselves subject to ridicule as Prophets who really DO prophesy. I know about ridicule. "I could do that" is cowardice and ineffectiveness. To those who would say "I could do that" I say to you, no you couldn't or you would. You don't so you can't.
That's why I have great respect for those who have the ministry gifts of the Apostle, Pastor and Evangelist. I want them to succeed. I can't do that. I don't want to even pretend. I am a good Prophet and Teacher. I will stay doing that until God calls me to something else.
So to the people who say "I could do that". Pardon me if I purposely ignore you.
Prophets Prophesy, Otherwise keep silent. You can't do that if you don't.
The person who will not read is as illiterate as the one who can't. The parallel holds.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Madam Butterfly she Ain't
We went to the Opera. Madam Butterfly. I was angry again at Pinkerton. And teared up for the Butterfly. Again.
Beautiful Music. Tragic story. Of course, then without apology, Miss Saigon the musical steals the plot word for word and makes a million. Just like Rent and La Boheme. Why not see the original and skip the fake?
Anyway. There was a gal there. A date. In a strapless gown. Maybe mid 20s. Someone's date.
I'll bet when she got those tattoos it seemed like a great idea. And, the piercings. Bolts in all parts of her anatomy. And then strap yourself into a glorious gown for an elegant date at the Opera.
Somehow, it all seemed out of place. Weird.
Madam Butterfly she wasn't....at least to me......I hope to her date.
I'm getting old I'm afraid. Those young people!
Beautiful Music. Tragic story. Of course, then without apology, Miss Saigon the musical steals the plot word for word and makes a million. Just like Rent and La Boheme. Why not see the original and skip the fake?
Anyway. There was a gal there. A date. In a strapless gown. Maybe mid 20s. Someone's date.
I'll bet when she got those tattoos it seemed like a great idea. And, the piercings. Bolts in all parts of her anatomy. And then strap yourself into a glorious gown for an elegant date at the Opera.
Somehow, it all seemed out of place. Weird.
Madam Butterfly she wasn't....at least to me......I hope to her date.
I'm getting old I'm afraid. Those young people!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Top Ten Things George Bush did that was RIGHT
Fred Barnes writing in the Weekly Standard has defined the Top Ten Things Bush got right. I agree with MOST of them. My disagreements are below:
I am a bit wobbly on 5 and 7. NCLF was not great. Prescription Drug? Don’t think so and I could use it.
What say you?
- His decision in 2001 to jettison the Kyoto global warming treaty
- Enhanced interrogation of terrorists
- Rebuilding of presidential authority, badly degraded in the era of Vietnam, Watergate, and Bill Clinton
- Bush’s unswerving support for Israel
- No Child Left Behind (NCLB), the education reform bill
- Second inaugural address in 2005 that American foreign policy (at least his) would henceforth focus on promoting democracy around the world.
- The Medicare prescription drug benefit
- John Roberts and Sam Alito. In putting them on the Supreme Court and naming Roberts chief justice
- He strengthened relations with east Asian democracies (Japan, South Korea, Australia) without causing a rift with China.
- The surge. Bush prompted nearly unanimous disapproval in January 2007 when he announced he was sending more troops to Iraq
I am a bit wobbly on 5 and 7. NCLF was not great. Prescription Drug? Don’t think so and I could use it.
What say you?
Is this losing the Battle or Losing the War??
Barna reports that Americans are abandoning their historic Christian faith.
I guess if you look around it doesn't shock you.
But Why? Is Barna Wrong?
What is going wrong. Or is this a temporary glitch?
Did God go to sleep on us? Is Holy Spirit out on the golf course somewhere? Jesus tied up Fishing somewhere?
Or maybe we need to be more like the world so we appeal to them better. Christian Pot dealers. Christian Strip Clubs. Christian Gambling Casinos. First Pray, then Play. That's what some evangelical churches proclaim. We have to look like them. An UNPECULIAR PEOPLE.
There are currently 400,000 churches in the USA. So, that may not be the problem.
So what's up. You tell me.
Something we are doing isn't working. By the way, I think God knows it. I think He will fix it. It won't be what we think. Cleaning house is seldom clean.
I guess if you look around it doesn't shock you.
But Why? Is Barna Wrong?
What is going wrong. Or is this a temporary glitch?
Did God go to sleep on us? Is Holy Spirit out on the golf course somewhere? Jesus tied up Fishing somewhere?
Or maybe we need to be more like the world so we appeal to them better. Christian Pot dealers. Christian Strip Clubs. Christian Gambling Casinos. First Pray, then Play. That's what some evangelical churches proclaim. We have to look like them. An UNPECULIAR PEOPLE.
There are currently 400,000 churches in the USA. So, that may not be the problem.
So what's up. You tell me.
Something we are doing isn't working. By the way, I think God knows it. I think He will fix it. It won't be what we think. Cleaning house is seldom clean.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Given the Fickle Finger of Fate
It appears that a clue to some forms of success is indicated by the length of the ring finger in relationship to the index finger.
I'll let you decide after you read the article.
By the way, my ring finger is well over an inch longer than my index finger.
That proves....What....I don't know for sure.
I did read the article. I guess I confess I agree with this conclusion:
I just wish it wasn't short term. I have had great success in finance and then.....Androgen kicks in. Poof!
I'll let you decide after you read the article.
By the way, my ring finger is well over an inch longer than my index finger.
That proves....What....I don't know for sure.
I did read the article. I guess I confess I agree with this conclusion:
The length ratio between those two fingers is determined during the development of the fetus and the relatively longer ring finger indicates greater exposure to the male hormone androgen, the researchers noted.
Previous studies have found that such exposure can lead to increased confidence, risk preferences, search persistence, heightened vigilance and quickened reaction times.
In a separate study last year, Coates and colleagues reported that the hormone that drives male aggression and sexual interest also seemed able to boost short term success at finance.
I just wish it wasn't short term. I have had great success in finance and then.....Androgen kicks in. Poof!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Jill Austin's Funeral
You may not know Jill Austin. I didn't know her well. I knew who she was. Had met her. She was a prophetess and one the world will miss. She died a few days ago. Her funeral was held in the church connected to the House of Prayer in Kansas City.
I knew many of the people there. Most touching for me was James Goll who's wife passed away September 15th. He was ministering at Jill's funeral. Very moving.
There is little more to say. One of the Prophetic Questions she asked recently was one we need to all ask ourselves as Christians:
Acts 5:12 people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on the beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as they passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem to bring their sick and those tormented by evil spirits and all of them were healed.
Is your shadow dangerous? In your arena of everyday life, do people get healed and delivered because so much of the resurrection power, the glory of the Lord, radiates through you? Is no one "safe" in your company because the Lord breaks in suddenly with visitations of deliverance, salvation, and healing?
God wants people whose very name is known in hell because they wreak such havoc on Satan's kingdom! We cannot bumble blindly through this world in mediocre lukewarm lethargy! Peter carried so much authority that wherever his shadow fell, people were instantly healed. Would you like to walk in that kind of authority? It wasn't Peter's own power - rather it was the glory of the Lord in Peter. Christ in you is the hope of glory!
When you walk into a restaurant, do you literally change the atmosphere because you carry so much of the fire of God in you? Every place your hands and feet touch should be invaded with the resurrection power of God. The Lord wants you to minister outside the walls of the church in everyday life to a hurt and dying world. Beloved, you are a carrier of His glory. We all need to be walking flames of fire!
Prayer: Oh Lord, I want to cast a dangerous shadow! Teach me to walk as a living flame so that all those around me are ignited with passion for You. So many are suffering today and I just want to let You radiate through me so that all will be saved. Teach me to be a carrier of Your glory.
Jill Austin's Shadow was Dangerous....Thank God for Her Life
I knew many of the people there. Most touching for me was James Goll who's wife passed away September 15th. He was ministering at Jill's funeral. Very moving.
There is little more to say. One of the Prophetic Questions she asked recently was one we need to all ask ourselves as Christians:
Are We Casting a Dangerous Shadow
Acts 5:12 people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on the beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as they passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem to bring their sick and those tormented by evil spirits and all of them were healed.
Is your shadow dangerous? In your arena of everyday life, do people get healed and delivered because so much of the resurrection power, the glory of the Lord, radiates through you? Is no one "safe" in your company because the Lord breaks in suddenly with visitations of deliverance, salvation, and healing?
God wants people whose very name is known in hell because they wreak such havoc on Satan's kingdom! We cannot bumble blindly through this world in mediocre lukewarm lethargy! Peter carried so much authority that wherever his shadow fell, people were instantly healed. Would you like to walk in that kind of authority? It wasn't Peter's own power - rather it was the glory of the Lord in Peter. Christ in you is the hope of glory!
When you walk into a restaurant, do you literally change the atmosphere because you carry so much of the fire of God in you? Every place your hands and feet touch should be invaded with the resurrection power of God. The Lord wants you to minister outside the walls of the church in everyday life to a hurt and dying world. Beloved, you are a carrier of His glory. We all need to be walking flames of fire!
Prayer: Oh Lord, I want to cast a dangerous shadow! Teach me to walk as a living flame so that all those around me are ignited with passion for You. So many are suffering today and I just want to let You radiate through me so that all will be saved. Teach me to be a carrier of Your glory.
Jill Austin's Shadow was Dangerous....Thank God for Her Life
Worth Considering
AMERICANS WITH NO ABILITIES ACT
NEW LAW COMING FROM CONGRESS—AMERICANS WITH NO ABILITIES ACT
WASHINGTON, DC - Congress is considering sweeping legislation that will provide new benefits for many Americans. The Americans With No Abilities Act (AWNAA) is being hailed as a major legislation by advocates of the millions of Americans who lack any real skills or ambition.
“Roughly 50 percent of Americans do not possess the competence and drive necessary to carve out a meaningful role for themselves in society,” said Barbara Boxer. “We can no longer stand by and allow People of Inability to be ridiculed and passed over. With this legislation, employers will no longer be able to grant special favors to a small group of workers, simply because they do a better job, or have some idea of what they are doing.”
Private sector industries with good records of nondiscrimination against the Inept include retail sales (72%), the airline industry (68%),and home improvement “warehouse” stores (65%) The DMV also has a great record of hiring Persons of Inability. (63%) Under the Americans With No Abilities Act, more than 25 million “middle man” positions will be created, with important-sounding titles but little real responsibility, thus providing an illusory sense of purpose and performance.
Mandatory non-performance-based raises and promotions will be given, to guarantee upward mobility for even the most unremarkable employees. The legislation provides substantial tax breaks to corporations which maintain a significant level of Persons of Inability in middle positions, and gives a tax credit to small and medium businesses that agree to hire one clueless worker for every two talented hires.
Finally, the AWNA ACT contains tough new measures to make it more difficult to discriminate against the Nonabled, banning discriminatory interview questions such as “Do you have any goals for the future?” or “Do you have any skills or experience which relate to this job?”
“As a Nonabled person, I can’t be expected to keep up with people who have something going for them,” said one woman, who lost her position as a lug-nut twister at the GM plant in Flint, MI due to her lack of notable job skills. “This new law should really help people like me.” With the passage of this bill, she and millions of other untalented citizens can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.
THIS HAS BEEN A JOKE, I didn't write it, I just thought it was funny.
WASHINGTON, DC - Congress is considering sweeping legislation that will provide new benefits for many Americans. The Americans With No Abilities Act (AWNAA) is being hailed as a major legislation by advocates of the millions of Americans who lack any real skills or ambition.
“Roughly 50 percent of Americans do not possess the competence and drive necessary to carve out a meaningful role for themselves in society,” said Barbara Boxer. “We can no longer stand by and allow People of Inability to be ridiculed and passed over. With this legislation, employers will no longer be able to grant special favors to a small group of workers, simply because they do a better job, or have some idea of what they are doing.”
Private sector industries with good records of nondiscrimination against the Inept include retail sales (72%), the airline industry (68%),and home improvement “warehouse” stores (65%) The DMV also has a great record of hiring Persons of Inability. (63%) Under the Americans With No Abilities Act, more than 25 million “middle man” positions will be created, with important-sounding titles but little real responsibility, thus providing an illusory sense of purpose and performance.
Mandatory non-performance-based raises and promotions will be given, to guarantee upward mobility for even the most unremarkable employees. The legislation provides substantial tax breaks to corporations which maintain a significant level of Persons of Inability in middle positions, and gives a tax credit to small and medium businesses that agree to hire one clueless worker for every two talented hires.
Finally, the AWNA ACT contains tough new measures to make it more difficult to discriminate against the Nonabled, banning discriminatory interview questions such as “Do you have any goals for the future?” or “Do you have any skills or experience which relate to this job?”
“As a Nonabled person, I can’t be expected to keep up with people who have something going for them,” said one woman, who lost her position as a lug-nut twister at the GM plant in Flint, MI due to her lack of notable job skills. “This new law should really help people like me.” With the passage of this bill, she and millions of other untalented citizens can finally see a light at the end of the tunnel.
THIS HAS BEEN A JOKE, I didn't write it, I just thought it was funny.
I'm gonna miss him, but, it's time for Change, I HOPE
I watched the whole press conference with President Bush today. What a noble man. What a good man. We have been blessed to have him as our President.
I agree with him. President Obama has a big job ahead. He needs our encouragement.
I hope the vipers stay off him for a while. Let the man find the Bathroom first.
There'll be plenty of time for rancor later.
This story in today's WJS is good. History is going to be very good to GWB. He has been magnificent under very tough circumstance.
I agree with him. President Obama has a big job ahead. He needs our encouragement.
I hope the vipers stay off him for a while. Let the man find the Bathroom first.
There'll be plenty of time for rancor later.
This story in today's WJS is good. History is going to be very good to GWB. He has been magnificent under very tough circumstance.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
VDH on lots of things, including Sarah
OK, I admit. I have a thing for hot brilliant brunettes. I married one for goodness sake. She's still hot and brilliant and still a brunette.
So, Sarah.... Well. She fits the bill.
Anyway.
Victor David Hansen asks some good questions...
You'll want to read the whole thing:
So, Sarah.... Well. She fits the bill.
Anyway.
Victor David Hansen asks some good questions...
You'll want to read the whole thing:
Say They Aren’t So
Posted By Victor Davis Hanson On January 9, 2009
Ironies of 2008
Once one decides to unite the oppressed people of the universe and save the planet, a number of ironies arise in such megalomaniac responsibilities. Here are five that bothered me this past year.
1. Class
Sarah Palin perhaps flubbed the interview with Katie Couric and Charlie Gibson, at least in the clips that were edited for TV. She also drops her g’s and says things like “you betcha” and “pal’in around”.
She surely didn’t give snap answers on foreign policy matters. In no short order, a woman who had five kids, a 16-year political career, and a successful governorship was reduced to a white-trash hack, the mother of a promiscuous teen, as awful rumors, trafficked in by liberal professionals, swirled about her own most recent pregnancy.
The mainstream media’s narrative was thus that glibness matters, 16 years of Alaskan politics don’t quite cut it for national office, and a candidate’s personal life is fair game, as the moose-hunting ex-mayor of Wasilla and her life-story attest.
Or is that entirely true? I could make the hypocritical contrast with the gaffe-o-matic Joe Biden, but instead read below.
These same egalitarians in the media, however, do not seem to have a problem with Caroline Kennedy, soon perhaps to be anointed Senator from New York.
But on the basis of what? Political experience—zero.
Past elections? Zilch.
Eloquence? Nope. Ms. Kennedy drones on with “you know” and “I mean” dozens of times per minute. In comparison, Sarah Palin sounds like Demosthenes or Cicero.
Full disclosure? Hardly. We know nothing about Caroline’s vast fortune—where it exactly came from and how it is used. We learned far more about poor Mr. Palin’s decrepit old prop airplane than Ms. Kennedy’s stock portfolio and past contributions.
Perhaps the difference is good citizenship? I doubt it. Palin ran for offices; Kennedy often passed on voting entirely.
Is it doctrinaire politics? Again, I doubt it. Palin has taken on Republicans in Alaska, entrenched males, and indeed, on matters of energy, her own running mate John McCain.
Kennedy? I don’t think there a liberal dogma or progressive politician she has ever questioned.
We laugh about Palin’s Idaho work-your-way-through-college sports journalism degree, especially perhaps in comparison to Kennedy’s Ivy League pedigree. But the latter is too often affirmative action for silk-stocking East Coast grandees. Take away money and nomenclature, and I doubt Kennedy would have gotten into such schools on her own merits. I offer such an unsupported generalization on the basis of her elocution: I turned out about 100 classics majors and MA students during 21 years at CSU Fresno, and without exception every single one (mostly poor or minority students without parents who went to college) in interviews sounded far more knowledgeable and grammatical than does Ms. Kennedy.
The irony in all this? Too obvious to state…
(Maybe a tiny bit is due to the fact that Ms. Kennedy affirms she is “pro-choice” while the Palins bring to full term an illegitimate teen-pregnancy and a Down-Syndrome child.)
Returning to my Roots
As I age I find myself less and less flexible. Bodily. Diet. Physically.
I am also becoming less and less flexible spiritually. I've become more and more convinced that what I know and have proven over and over about the love and faithfulness of God and his intentions towards us are accurate, true and not subject to revision.
Am I narrow minded? Probably. But, I have found him to be faithful and true. I think I always will.
I'm returning to my roots. Jesus is who he says he is. That's all there is to it. I take him at his word. I don't have to prove him, he proves me.
If I had to scientifically prove everything I know about Jesus it wouldn't be faith. Without faith it's impossible to please God. My goal is to please HIM.
I am also becoming less and less flexible spiritually. I've become more and more convinced that what I know and have proven over and over about the love and faithfulness of God and his intentions towards us are accurate, true and not subject to revision.
Am I narrow minded? Probably. But, I have found him to be faithful and true. I think I always will.
I'm returning to my roots. Jesus is who he says he is. That's all there is to it. I take him at his word. I don't have to prove him, he proves me.
If I had to scientifically prove everything I know about Jesus it wouldn't be faith. Without faith it's impossible to please God. My goal is to please HIM.
Warming to Obama
I hate to admit this.
I'm warming to Obama. I suppose some of it is that his inauguration is in 9 days and even for me he is in a honeymoon period.
Some of it is because I want him to do well. I want him to succeed. I want him to be a good leader. I want him to be safe. I worry that some nutcase will succeed in assassination. I hope our homeland security folks, CIA, FBI and whomever else is out there are ultra vigilant. If we had an assassination right now I'm not very optimistic how it would flow thru out culture. Riots making Rodney King look like....My metaphor Machine goes tilt on seeking one.
I said I'm warming to him. He keeps coming up with surprising good news. He seems to be governing and sending hints that he is going to govern from not only the center but maybe more along the lines I care about.
I am not predicting anything. I wish Sarah Palin were there somewhere. Time is on her side.
But, Obama keeps doing things right. Clinton. Panetta, Summers....Good people.
Tax Cuts. Not closing Guantanamo. Staying the course in Iraq. Taking it to them in Afghanistan. Over and over again I am happily surprised at his decisions. I didn't vote for him, but I'm glad he is moving as he is.
I still struggle with the life and homosex issues.
One other thing, he seems to have more and more common sense on alternative energy. Something that with the ethanol subsidies and wind power government mandates his predecessor did not. I like his support of Photovoltaic.
So, President Obama, I wish you all the best. I want you to succeed. I will pray for you. I have asked churches to pray for him intensely. He needs our prayers.
I believe God can and just might invade his life supernaturally and he will govern as I believe Sarah Palin would have.
I'm warming to Obama. I suppose some of it is that his inauguration is in 9 days and even for me he is in a honeymoon period.
Some of it is because I want him to do well. I want him to succeed. I want him to be a good leader. I want him to be safe. I worry that some nutcase will succeed in assassination. I hope our homeland security folks, CIA, FBI and whomever else is out there are ultra vigilant. If we had an assassination right now I'm not very optimistic how it would flow thru out culture. Riots making Rodney King look like....My metaphor Machine goes tilt on seeking one.
I said I'm warming to him. He keeps coming up with surprising good news. He seems to be governing and sending hints that he is going to govern from not only the center but maybe more along the lines I care about.
I am not predicting anything. I wish Sarah Palin were there somewhere. Time is on her side.
But, Obama keeps doing things right. Clinton. Panetta, Summers....Good people.
Tax Cuts. Not closing Guantanamo. Staying the course in Iraq. Taking it to them in Afghanistan. Over and over again I am happily surprised at his decisions. I didn't vote for him, but I'm glad he is moving as he is.
I still struggle with the life and homosex issues.
One other thing, he seems to have more and more common sense on alternative energy. Something that with the ethanol subsidies and wind power government mandates his predecessor did not. I like his support of Photovoltaic.
So, President Obama, I wish you all the best. I want you to succeed. I will pray for you. I have asked churches to pray for him intensely. He needs our prayers.
I believe God can and just might invade his life supernaturally and he will govern as I believe Sarah Palin would have.
Not by might, not by power, but by MY Spirit says the Lord. Zechariah 4:6Hope Faith and Love.... The Greatest is Love... I can pray.....
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