Really had a tough time this week.
- I am learning that allergens do really bad things to me.
I overloaded on wheat yesterday and I’m having a really hard time with respiratory stuff.
- I learned that I should not even put 1 quarter in the candy machine
because that leads to putting 3 quarters in the candy machine.
- I learned that I need to fix my lunch the evening ahead of time
or else I’ll put stuff in it that’s quick, but not terribly healthy.
- I learned that I need to attach my keys to my lunch…
Or I leave it hanging on the door knob (which leads to the overload of wheat and quarters…
On Free Will and the Sovereignty of God
1. Explain the difference between a libertarian and a compatibilist conception of free will.
My study of compatibilism, will, free will and libertarian free will goes deeper than the readings from the textbook…and I believe that how a person defines these terms (and how that person feels about those definitions) affects how he or she views the sovereignty of God.
Read more »
I’m odd. The two classes this semester…GOODIE! I get to do research papers!
10 pages each for the finals – one on the Philosophy of Religion and the other on a subject of Deafness.
Possible – linguistic development of deaf children (including brain scans on the language center of the brain) or the development of accommodation technology.
On the other hand…”the problem of evil” or “free will.”
Philosophy reflection paper:
January 19. 2010
Is Religion Necessary?
John Piper once said, “Words don’t mean things…definitions mean things.” In order to answer the question, “Is religion necessary?” we must first define “religion”. Some definitions say that “religion” is “the service and worship of God or the supernatural” (Merriam-Webster) or “the belief in a god or gods and the activities that are connected with this belief” (google dictionary). Others define “religion” as “a set of symbolic forms and acts that relate man to the ultimate conditions of his existence” (Robert Bellah, professor at the University of California, Berkley).
Huston Smith noted that the oldest artifacts found by archaeologists have religious significance. In ages past, before more recent scientific advances, the world around us must have seemed far beyond human comprehension…and yet creation got here somehow…and so did we.
All (or nearly all) cultures around the world, past and present, have had some sense of “religion”. Even today, many cultures do not have a mandated religion, yet most people have access to at least one belief system called “religion”. Whether the worshippers wanted salvation from the physical world around them or whether they wanted access to an afterlife, it seems that human beings are programmed to seek something (or someone) larger than themselves.
Read more »
One of my professors is deaf; she became deaf at such a young age that she doesn’t remember every being able to hear. For her, being deaf is not a handicap, since she doesn’t know what “hearing” is. For her, not having a sense of hearing is “normal”.
I have the feeling that it’s that way in many churches today. If the gospel (first importance) is not preached from the pulpit often enough so that it’s missed when it isn’t there…the flock doesn’t miss it…can’t have the realization that they are hungry for it, since they don’t know what they’re hungry for!
Have you seen “Pocahontas”? Have you seen “Dances With Wolves”? Okay, you know the basic story line.
GO SEE IT. IN IMAX.
The special effects are incredible.
The parts I liked…when Jake first woke up in his avatar body. His first contacts with the local beasties. Anything having to do with Grace.
The parts that resonated with me…love against all odds. When Neytiri found her dying father.
The parts that bothered me…the planet as “mother”, the New Age emphasis. But if you see it as an opportunity for discussion – good.
I’ve seen it twice and enjoyed it more the second time around.
I’m going to cheat and date this for yesterday, since I’m a day late.
I gained 1/4 pound this week (I know the problem and it’s solvable.)
I did try a new “recipe” – a real no-brainer, but it fits the carb, calorie, and all the rest of my guidelines.
The battery in my pedometer went dead (I think I have a limited number of times I can put it through the washer) and I bought a new battery Wednesday.
~~~
* Exported from MasterCook *
Slow Cooker drumsticks
Recipe By :
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : “flat belly” ingredient – dairy AND wheat free
- dairy free – low sodium
- moderate/complex carb 6 points
Blood pressure chicken
lunch Meals to freeze
slow cooker soups and stews
Amount Measure Ingredient — Preparation Method
——– ———— ——————————–
4 chicken drumstick and skin, R-T-C
12 ounces black soy beans, canned – eden
2 cups green beans, frozen
2 cups baby carrot
12 ounces diced tomato
1/3 cup brown rice, long-grain
any desired spices — curry, turmeric, chicken spices, any herbs that go with chicken…
put all the ingredients except for the drumsticks in the slow cooker and add enough water or broth to cover (to cook the rice). Put drumsticks on top. Cook on low until done (I started it at bedtime and it was ready to pack for lunch in the morning…if you start it in the morning it will be done at dinner time)
Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 314 Calories; 10g Fat (28.4% calories from fat); 23g Protein; 35g Carbohydrate; 10g Dietary Fiber; 41mg Cholesterol; 112mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 1 1/2 Lean Meat; 3 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Fat.
Serving Ideas : – freeze for lunches
missed a couple of days!
The water heater is in, although not what I expected. When the plumber got to my house they “discovered” that the new heater has a bigger burner, thus more BTU’s, and the old vent system would not work, so they wanted to tap into the chimney – and move the thing 8 feet, involving moving the water and gas lines…and much money.
I told them, it’s just me, take that 40 gallon back and bring back a 30 gallon that you won’t have to move.
So, they did.
My class last night is going to be interesting: “Philosophy of Religion”. My paper for next week, “Is Religion Important?”, based on quotes and philosophical definitions.
.From Dr. Helen:
The original article has some interesting theories on monogamy (or not) that I’m not sure I agree with.
What I do agree with is the way that men (as opposed to women) are portrayed in media, sitcoms, television and the way that they are increasing treated in the court system treats both genders unfairly by robbing them of choices that should be theirs to make.
We’re preparing to send Tom off to college again. I’ve adjusted very well to having the house to myself. The drawback is that I don’t need or want this much house.
Snow removal, furnace repair, water heater replacement (even with huge and gratefully received financial gifts) and roof repair and driveway repair coming up and…and…and…
I’m tired of being a single (alone, not single-family-dwelling) homeowner.
I’ve breezed through the websites of a couple of apartment of complexes that look altogether tempting. My house payment/rent would go down, my heating bill would drop by $100, my electric would be non-existent. No more paying for garbage pickup, snow removal, lawn mowing.
I would have to pay for a storage unit/place for my camper, or make arrangements to leave it at my dad’s house during the non-camping season, so I’d only have to pay storage for part of the year.
Just thinking…if I’m going to be in Grand Rapids, I might as well take some of the pressure off.
Life stresses kept me from exercising daily (and I’ll get used to that and find a rhythm that works for me. But I exercised most days.
~~~
My new recipe was not really a reci…well yes it was, since I found it on a primal diet recipe site. They used “handfuls”, I used lesser amounts.
This was around 500 calories and lasted almost until lunch.
1/4 cup almonds (unsalted)
1/4 pepitas (organic, unsalted, raw pumpkin seeds)
1 T miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup dried cranberries.
put them in a baggie and shake it up.
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My “female issues” are kicking up again. I do not want to get back on that roller coaster.
~~~
And I lost a pound. Considering I blew a few diet days AND and a few exercise days, that’s pretty good.
One of the things I do every January (and it takes me a while) is to go through all my music and sort it into my “big” playlists
- Driving around town
- sing-along songs
- Music for school
- bike riding music
It reminds me of the music that I have. Some of it makes me laugh, some it makes me cry.
Some if it reminds me…
This one from Dolly Parton
(…)
I said you’d better get to livin’, givin’
Be willing and forgivin’
Cause all healing has to start with you
You better stop whining, pining
Get your dreams in line
And then just shine, design, refine
Until they come true
And you better get to livin’.
Your life’s a wreck, your house is mess
And your wardrobe way outdated
All your plans just keep on falling through
Overweight and under paid, under appreciated
I’m no guru, but I’ll tell you
This I know is true.(…)
You better get to livin’, givin’
A little more thought about bein’
A little more willin’ to make a better way
Don’t sweat the small stuff
Keep your chin up
Just hang tough
And if it gets too rough
Fall on your knees and pray
And do that everyday
Then you’ll get to livin’.
The day we’re born we start to die
Don’t waste one minute of this life
Get to livin’
Share your dreams and share your laughter
Make some points for the great hereafter.
Better start carin’
Better start sharin’
Better start tryin’
Better start smiling
And you better get to livin’…
One of my week points is not only forgetting the Goals and Objectives, but forgetting ABOUT the goals and objectives.
So…(before I post this) I’m going to use google calendar to remind myself weekly to post on health and monthly to update progress.
Done – each last Thursday of the month I have a reminder to post update on Goals and Objectives on “Fit Friday”
I will print the G&A out and put them “everywhere”.
Amen…this made me cry tonight…
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea:
A great High Priest, whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart;
I know that while in heaven he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because a sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the One,
Risen Son of God!
Behold him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
The King of glory and of grace!
One in himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by his blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea:
A great High Priest, whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart;
I know that while in heaven he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because a sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the One,
Risen Son of God!
Behold him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
The King of glory and of grace!
One in himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by his blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God
Cycling
GOAL: Ride a “Century” by the end of the cycling season – perhaps “Apple Cider Century” or “Middle of the Mitten”, both in October
I most likely will not be riding outdoors until March or April (I don’t have a snow-ready bike), so some of this will be indoors.
Objective: Ride 50 flat miles by May 1 and 50 hill miles by June 1.
At home (winter work)
- Watch one movie each week while riding a stationary bike
- Three times each week, listen to 20 minutes podcast while “sprinting” on stationary bike
- Strengthen “core muscles” using Pilates
As soon as roads are clear and dry:
- Get out on Musketawa Trail (flat work)
- After 50 miles on Musketawa Trail, begin with 20 miles of “hill work” (route on Mapmyride and including Grand River Ave and Five Mile Road.)
- Beginning May 1 (because of sunrise times) ride to work 3 days per week.
GOAL: Ride my bike to my parents’ house (180 miles) by July 4.
That should fit in with the rest of the bike work.
Financial piece:
- need panniers and trunk bag
Notes: for riding to Mom and Dad’s house, a good idea might be to either have a “volunteer” ride with me, or have Tom drive ahead and “camp” at a hotel. I’d like to do the ride in 3 or 4 days.
The old guy went to live with Amanda. I was a little worried that he would not do very well. He hid under her bed for 2 hours, then in the basement for 2 days.
We think that he might have been planning his strategy.
Now I’m told that he’s the new alpha-cat in the house. And doing pretty well at it.
Yeah…sorry.
GOAL: Post every day
grace-note – okay to miss three days a month
Objective: Stick (loosely) to the schedule.
- I posted a loose schedule a few months ago that has worked pretty well
Objective: Make my blog known
- Post on “hot topics” that will attract search engines
- Post comments on other blogs that I already read and enjoy, although through my blog reader.
Objective: Make my blog “worth it”
- Use MzEllen.com to blog my way through books, devotionals, podcasts and life.
I like it.
I benefit from the flexibility building of yoga type exercises, but don’t like the spiritual aspects.
This DVD is really good.
Praise Moves: The Christian Alternative to Yoga Dvd! Laurette Willis
(if you click through here and buy thing, I get a credit)
I did the warm up, including several marching in place segments where you recite Bible passages that come up on the screen.
The stretching was good and hit my target spots – and the positions were named things like “rainbow” (and while we were holding the position, we were reciting Revelation 4:3 (And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.)
and Genesis 9:13 (I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.)
And so forth…
Arm circles and stretching went along with the passage about the armor of God.
I will most likely get the other DVD’s in the series.
GOAL: keep joints, bones and flexibility young and healthy.
Objective: Take all the right supplements
- CoQ-1-
- Glucosomine
- calcium
Objective: Take care of myself
- Stay on track for 38 visits to chiropractor and massage therapy
- do “Praise Moves” 5 times per week.
