OMG - an analog teleprompter

Umm…if this is all the PDS crowd has to complain about – funny.

I’m reading about how scary it is that Sarah Palin cannot remember her “core issues” without writing them on the palm of her hand.

It apparently hasn’t occurred to any of of them that it might not have been the words she was noting, it might have been the order she wanted to address them in.

I know that when I’ve given speeches or talks, I can’t do it without pages of notes.  This was a 45 minute speech done without dual teleprompters.

And they’re making a fuss about 7 words written on a hand?

Palin must be scaring the pants off of somebody.

I’ve got a fine thread going and a thicker thread that is a lovely violet/green combo from Zweeliger’s (I know I got the spelling wrong) in Frankenmuth.

Spinning is pretty mindless for me, so I can listen to podcasts while I spin.  I don’t have a niddy-noddy to skein the yarn (I’m going to Home Depot tomorrow to pick up the PVC pipe to make one – I made a smaller one but I want a 2-yard skein for this yarn.  I know I made one that size but I think it’s at work.)

I’ve got a few dozen yards plyed (three stands of thread twisted together) that I can make into a skein as soon as I have the niddy-noddy made. 

Next weekend I’m taking a little field trip to Frankenmuth to drop off alpaca fiber to have it made into roving – I don’t want to spend the money on a drum carder that I’ll use only a few times – besides, Zwellinger’s will wash the fiber for me.

I can live by my kitchen timer (which has 3 timers – set for 10, 20 and 30 mintues).  Today I have to do reading for my classes, I want to read the book of Galations (format it into a Word document to take notes on) and then listen to White Horse Inn (Galations part 2).

I’m spinning again and Saturday is the day that I either ply or skein yarn so I’m going to do that.  It’s a mindless job so I listen to podcasts while I do that.  Expect photos.

“Running”

• I need to do a little grocery shopping (yogurt, milk, cocoa powder, fresh produce) – I’m trying gluten free so that adds a different twist.  Add hair color to the shopping list. TAKE BACK EMPTIES
• I need to stop by home depot and get PVC pipe.  I make my own bobbins for putting spun thread on before I ply it into yarn and I want a longer one to put plied yarn on before I skein it.   I also want to make a 2-yarn “niddy-noddy”.  Supplies needed are 1-1/2″ PVC, 2 “T” connectors and 4 end caps.
• pick up a prescription (need to order it now)

Lots of laundry – digging through closets and sorting “give away”, “throw away”, “put away”.

Packing books and “stuff”, sorting craft notions.

Make coffee for next week (involves a coffee press)

Update craft blog -a list of what I need to buy or make (love that PVC pipe)

How’s that working for me?

1. 20 minutes of plying singles into yarn (several dozen yards of 3-ply)
2. 1 load of laundry out of the dryer (oh…ate breakfast)
3. 20 minutes laundry (give away, put away, throw away) sort and fold
4. 20 minutes of I.E. while formatting Galations and catching up on coffee
5. 30 minutes reading (Darwin’s God; Evolution and the Problem of Evil)

Exclusivism (the doctrine that only one religion is “true”) is the foundation of many religions.  If Scripture is correct, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”  Whatever a person believes passionately will come out of his or her mouth.  People who believe that their belief system has the only means to salvation; if they believe that souls depend on the truth of that system, that belief will be shared with others. They can fully respect the dignity of other people, and understand the depth of the beliefs of others; they want to share the truth so that all will come to salvation.  One can “witness” or “evangelize” by simply stating one’s belief, while allowing others to share their own beliefs in the same way.

Inclusivism may be compatible with exclusivism, in that (in Christianity, for example) inclusivism maintains that Jesus Christ is the only means of salvation, but salvation (through Christ) can be obtained without a specific belief in Christ for salvation, but through the “general revelation” of nature. People who embrace inclusivism have an understanding that people who have never heard the gospel of Christ, may (through general revelation) may come to a saving faith without ever hearing of Christ).

Pluralism maintains that all religions are equally valid and that any religion may bring a person to salvation.  This cannot be compatible with exclusivism (within a person) but may coincide with inclusivism.  Once cannot simultaneously believe that there is only one means of salvation and believe that there are many ways to salvation.

Within a group of people, discussions can take place that allow sharing and debates of beliefs.  These discussions can get passionate and even heated at times, and they depend on the ability of others to present their convictions and listen to other people and maintain respect and civility for the other people, even if they do not respect the other religion.  If respect and civility are not present, the “doctrine of ‘just shut up’” might come into play.

When two groups of people of opposing faiths meet together, there may be certain “ecumenical” guidelines in place.  For instance, immediately after September 11, 2001, a church invited a local Muslim congregation to a potluck on Sunday afternoon.  The agreement was that the religious leaders would not “proselytize.”  Before eating, the Christian pastor prayed to the “God of Abraham,” in respect of the beliefs of the Muslims present.  The mullah began his prayer with “There is one God and Muhammad is his prophet.”  Both maintained respect for the beliefs of the other group of believers, but only one presented an understanding of “inclusivism.”

At times, it appears that “let’s discuss our beliefs” turns into “just let me talk and eventually you’ll agree with me.”  And “let’s compromise” becomes “just let go of your convictions and come to my understanding and we’ll be fine.”

“Religions for Peace” is an interfaith organization that brings a broad range of religions together to work toward social justice and other global issues.  In this structure, the integrity of each religion can be maintained because the people do not work for evangelism, they work to prevent global climate change or some other such thing.  At the end of the day, people have worked toward their social goals, have not had their beliefs encroached upon and they can get up and attend their own church without having their beliefs challenged.

If, however, within that organization, people begin to preach their “truth” to the people they are trying to help, tension becomes unavoidable, since if one is “right”, the others must be “wrong” (even if the “right truth” is that exclusivism is wrong).  The integrity of the opposing religions cannot be maintained because the “agreement” of ecumenicalism” is not being respected.

The “language” of religion may or may not play a part.  At times it seems as though two people may use the same words, but mean very different things.  Even among Christians, one can ask “What is ‘the Gospel?’” and hear different answers:  “the truth”, “the Good News”, “We sinned, Jesus died” or even “Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.”  This leads to frustration because the conversation may appear fruitful, until one party or another realizes that “justification” has very different definitions to the people involved.  Only through discussion and honest questioning (and listening) does understanding occur.

“Those who stand for nothing, fall for anything” – Alexander Hamilton.  The ability of a person or group of people to maintain the integrity of their religion includes knowing the beliefs of the religion and having the conviction that the belief is correct.  It means little to belong to a religion if one chooses to remain unaware of the doctrines and (even if aware) is willing to sacrifice those believes on the altar of “can’t we all just get along-ism.”   One can remain firm in one’s beliefs without sacrificing civility.

The integrity of a religion can be maintained…unless it is weakened by those within.

One of the “bad” things about reading blogs the way that I do is that I end up with a lot of open tabs.  The upside is that I end up with different perspectives and/or a running commentary from different sources.

Truth in Advertising (Parchment and Pen)

If You Can Find a Better Deal, TAKE IT! (Ann Coulter)

Climategate

There May Be More Errors- can we please stop calling them “errors”?  If you repeat a lie, it doesn’t make it an “error”, it makes a lie that you’re repeating.

I Knew the Data Hadn’t Been Verified - can we stop calling it “not verified”?

President Obama’s pro-abortion record

(no, not “pro-choice)

On Haiti

What Pat Robertson Should Have Said

Who Will Be Left…? (I love the Hillbuzz guys!)

Doctrinal Issues (could be research paper fodder

Why I believe the Canon is Fallible and Am Fine With It (Reclaiming the Mind)

Case Studies...

Michigan Politics

In one of the worst economies in the country…our Senator Levin says that “unemployment has not been his focus.”  Thanks for all the “help”, Senator.

Tim Keller reviews “The Shack”

Yeah.

- 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…

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.

The simple word “will” indicates the function of choosing, whether or not there are outside forces that influence the choice. Free will indicates the ability to choose without constraining influences. For example, I may ride my bike to work, but walk home because somebody took my bike – I chose to walk instead of getting a ride, but my choice to not ride my bike was made under the constraint of the person who took my bike, using my will, but not libertarian free will.  Using the same situation of riding to work, at the end of the day I can choose to either ride home or get a ride home with a co-worker. That choice is made without constraining influences.

The theory of libertarian free will means that a person can choose between two actions or many actions, without the constraining influence of a sovereign God.

A compatibilist believes that a person’s will is constrained by a sovereign God, but that person retains moral free agency – the ability to choose along with the responsibility of that choice.

Two related terms are determinism and indeterminism; whether or not the end result of action has been determined by God. Those who hold to libertarian free will deny determinism; those who hold to compatibilism believes that human free agency and determinism are compatible – God determines the end result and influences human choices…but the human choices are real choices and they are responsible for those choices.

If a person comes with a presupposition of compatibilism, that person feels no need to chip away at the concept of a sovereign God. If another person has the presupposition of libertarian free will, that person must construct a concept of a God who is either unable or unwilling to intervene in the will of His creatures. This construct leads to the problem of “prophesy” in Scripture – how can God send a prophet with a prediction of a future, unless that God can influence His creation to bring about that future?  One answer to that dilemma is Wolterstorff’s distinction between “eternal” and “everlasting.”

2. Explain in brief Wolterstorff’s distinction between God is eternal and God is everlasting. The difference between “eternal” and “everlasting” is subtle but important – and the difference is philosophical, not Scriptural.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word, עוֹלָם (transliterated `owlam) is translated in Strong’s Lexicon both as “eternal” and “everlasting.”  In the New Testament, the Greek αἰώνιος (transliterated aiōnios) is also translated as “eternal” and “everlasting.” Wolterstorff’s distinction may be philosophical, but the distinction does not appear in Scripture.

Wolterstorff maintains that the term “eternal” indicates and existence without beginning or end, and that the subject of that adjective exists outside of time. The implication of Wolterstorff’s “eternal God” ends up being that whatever happens in the timeline of creation is experienced by God in His “present tense.”  The Father’s Son was crucified in creation’s timeline about 2,000 years ago…but that reality is being experienced by God now…and next week…and at all moments from before time began and will be experienced after time ends.

“Everlasting”, according to Wolterstorff, has the same existence without beginning or end, but an existence that shares creation’s gift of time – again using the example of Christ’s crucifixion, the Son died, was buried and rose on the third day. When He uttered His last words on the cross, “It is finished.” – it was finished.

Philosophically, I understand the difference. I do not understand how Wolterstorff’s “eternal” God is compatible with a Christ who had an existence prior to His incarnation, who lived His life as a man and who currently sits at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.

A belief in God, who is sovereign over His creation and who is able and willing to intervene – along with compatibilism, which allows humans their free agency…, has no need to make a differentiation between “eternal” and “everlasting” – two words that have no Scriptural distinction.



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.”

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.

Within that search we also find a search for the meaning of one’s own existence. Why am I here? Who put me here? What comes after this? In our service to this “god” or “god” we find a quest to discover where we fit in this world.

Mark Driscoll (Mars Hill Church, Seattle) said that (in his opinion) everybody worships something, whether a god, gods, sports heroes, musicians or politicians…we all look to something more than ourselves to either save us from our “hell” or give us our “heaven”.  If our “hell” is boredom, we will look to entertainment to save us from that. If our “heaven” is marriage, we will look to our spouse to fill that desire. It appears that if we do not have a “god” to worship, we will invent one. On February 7, thousands of people will gather together to praise a group of men called “football players”…and millions will remain glued to their televisions for the service called the “Super Bowl” – saving them from an afternoon of boredom and saving them to the hopes of a big win…or a little cash.

We do find some “religions” (loosely defined) that do not claim a deity.  Buddhism, for example, does not have a deity, but under Bellah’s definition, Buddhists share a common set of rituals that qualify Buddhism as a religion.

Atheists also claim no god, but generally look to something larger than themselves, whether science, or conservationism, or politics to save mankind from themselves.

It does seem, whether a “god” or “gods” are worshipped, human beings are wired to look outside of themselves for the purpose of their existence, and have a cultural need to create a set of rules (whether religious or civic laws) to maintain the society in which they live.

So my answer ends up:  yes, religion (in one of many definitions) is necessary for human beings instinctively seeking to discover the purpose of their existence.

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!

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 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

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.

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.

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.

~~~

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.

~~~

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.

• 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’…

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”.