Naked butt on my Bible!

There are sometimes many things that we wish to tell our children. Some of those things have to do with what parents to do who is low income just to make ends meet like taking on a second job. In 2008, I did just that. I took a second job. It was the hardest thing I ever did. Oh, I have had second jobs before but at this age in my life I was not the healthiest and I knew that this second job would eventually cause worse damage to my physical and mental health. But, my children were and are worth it.

I would get off of work at 11:00 pm and then pick up the “green cab” until 7:00 am the next morning. Of course there was always fear and severe risk involved in driving a cab, so I had decided to keep my Bible on the front seat next to me for my only protection. It saved my life more than once. On specific two occasions my hand was on the Bible and God’s hands were on me.

One night I had received a call to pick up two men at an adult men’s club. They had prepaid with a credit card and needed to go to their hotel. I responded to the call and was there to pick them up. Both men were highly attracted. Well what can I say—I was not your average cab driver. Of course, my hair and makeup was in place and I have naturally long nails which I keep manicured. My cab smell was Elizabeth Taylor’s ‘White Diamonds’ cologne. That is me and I am a picky person about smells. When I arrived at the club, the men told me which hotel they wanted to go to. While in route, one of the men was amorous and extremely flirtatious. I ignored his talk. Even though they were very physically attractive, I was not interested.

One thing I have learned over the years is to hold true to my convictions, and I politely ignored the one man and his sexual advances. The topic eventually turned to me being offered a $200 tip for an hour roll in the sheets in his hotel room with his friend watching. As strapped for money as I was and how great it sounded, I declined. We pulled into the hotel parking lot which was our destination. One man had already exited the cab and went inside the hotel. Meanwhile the propositioning man pulled his pants down, so fast, and jumped into the front seat—plopping his naked butt on my Bible. 

There was a naked butt on my Bible. The emotions went through me were extremely overwhelming. What was once a physically attractive man became a slithering, smelling, and foul serpent in my eyes. He wasn’t dangerous he was just utterly and truly disgusting.

“$200 baby! Have you ever seen a big dick like this in your life?” He said in his repulsed low keyed voice.

I sat staring at him for a moment that seemed like an eternity. What went through my mind was that I don’t ever want to be touched by another man again in a sexual manner. All of it made me utterly ill. I don’t ever want to be touched again by anyone in a sexual manner.  

“Please” I asked. “Please pull up your pants, and get your naked behind off my Bible.” I instructed. I was not upset. I did not yell. I wasn’t rude.

At that moment he looked me square in the eyes and became really calm and with no further amorous behavior. He turned around, and got out of the taxi cab. He gave me a $200 tip and left. I drove off. I 

honestly couldn’t believe what had just happened. I prayed to God a prayer of thanks.

What did I learn? 

I learned no matter where I go or what I do...

God will take care of me. 

What is good sense?

It is the starting of another school year at the schools, colleges, and universities. Three of my closely associated friends graduated in August and I will miss them dearly. On Monday, 9.8.2014, there is an MLA reception near the Museum in which I very much want to meet the incoming MLA’ers and take note that this is my last semester with two other dear friends. In December of this year, I walk the “stage.” And, even though my legs are old and weary—when I sometimes feel that I cannot go on, God will provide that strength to finish all He wishes me to accomplish.

In the meantime, I have spent two days observing the incoming “freshmen” and how their student advisors council them. I am scared about the very sites that I have seen and heard this weekend. This statement is not inclusive of all incoming freshman at the university I attend but a good bulk of them.

Yesterday when I was in the students lounge, a group of freshmen came in with their upper class advisor. The topic of discussion was briefly share with each about their summer events. One student was a volunteer at a youth camp. Another student went to Nicaragua to help build a church. The other students spent their days in praise with God because they have faith. The worse fear the students in missionary work were the “shots.” At first I thought they were talking about being shot in the field, but no. They were referring to the inoculations they have to get from the doctor before the trips.

I realized that in their discussion, none of the students talked about their souls, eternal life, and the grace of God or hope—or even the eternal walk in the hereafter. The only discussion outside of trivial chatter was “glad we have faith” and “God has been good to us.” How? Defend yourself! And … I suppose I am asking too much. Didn’t I understand the defense of my faith at their age? No, not really.

Today, I am sitting next to freshmen listening to them speak. These were some of the young people that I observed yesterday and what they plan to do with their futures. Today’s topic at the lunch table was “he bent me over the picnic table and ‘f’d’ me really hard. I had to praise God, because it felt so good!”

Before brunch—“How are we going to go to church, since it is mandatory, without breakfast service first at the cafeteria? How can they make this mandatory? This is crap!”

Another student responded; “Well at least you don’t have to put on a dress and hooker heels!”

After brunch, I ran into one of the elder Student Spiritual Life advisors. When I say elder, he is older than me. He and I were speaking about what I had overheard. He said; “If one or two students out of 200 find true spiritualism isn’t that what it is all about?”

I thought about what he said and he was wisely correct.

In our life time, we will have encountered thousands of professed Christians and there will only be a few who will understand and be able to defend what faith in God and true Christianity is all about. It is not just about faith and deeds; it is the understanding of the Grace of God. It is the understanding of how love, hope, and faith go hand in hand. It is the understanding that the personal mindset of God and Jesus with the deeds of personal spiritualism must reflect heavily in our lives more than anything else. It is the understanding that we are in the position where God has placed us at this very minute. It is the understanding that now is the time to act and fulfill the thoughts and the work in which God intended us to do for him to obtain His Grace.

Now is the time not to be afraid to be a Christian or to believe in God but to profess proudly without judgment in our fellow man and attempt, to the best of our ability, the work He has assigned to us in the face of total adversity. Now is the time of our calling. Answer the door. You may never get another chance.

Proverbs 23:23

Get for yourself that which is true and do not let it go for money; get wisdom and teaching and good sense.

God bless you all and keep you safely in His arms. 

Do not be afraid--the mind can fool you

Part One 

When I went on Facebook and then checked news stories to understand, I was hard. The death of Robin Williams hit me hard. Why? It is the depression--the silent mental illness--the thing that everyone is afraid to speak of.

I can't repeat this enough!

I am not afraid!

I have it--it doesn't bother me anymore who knows. It is hard. Do not be afraid of it. Speak out! Face it. Due to other chronic illnesses in my body, the depression medicines do not necessarily work on me. I have to focus and keep on focusing in the face of stress and other horrendous situations. It can be done. If you feel you that you have depression get help. Talk about it to someone. If you feel down and want to just end it all, call someone. Do not be afraid because you are not alone.  

So often we are ashamed because of the rules and stipulations that society has placed on those who have a mental illness. These deepest troubles of the mentally ill is what is in our bodies -- our selves -- the confusion. 

Do not let anyone make you feel less. Be aware of the pit falls like "Depression cause medical problems and medical problems cause depression." That remark is a vicious cycle of non-sense. 

There is hope when you least expect it. God is on my side; He, Jesus, my children, family, and friends have been my saving grace. You never fail with God or Jesus however the medical community has help as well. Do not be afraid to make the call to get help. If you are not happy with the help that you are receiving keep looking but never give up. Life is too precious and short to just throw the towel in.

Do not end your life!

Part Two

Not  everyone who is deemed a criminal is guilty.
No every homeless person is a drug addict or alcoholic.
Not everyone on welfare is lazy, on drugs or abuses the situation.
No every foreign speaking individual is illegal.
No everyone is a racists.
Not every happy person is truly happy. 
No every wealth person has it all. 
Not all the intellectually astute as wise or intelligent.
No all the Christians are Christian.
Not everyone who has a child is a parent.
Our senses can fool us. 
For we do not understand what we cannot comprehend,
   and that is the soul of another.
You alone only know what is true to your heart. 
Learn you heart and your soul.
Walk with God and Jesus.

Do not end your life!

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1 800 273 8255

http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

(This includes Veterans--our national heroes--press one)

 http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/GetHelp/

National Domestic Abuse Hotline 

1 800 799 7233

http://www.thehotline.org/

Alcoholic Anonymous

http://www.aa.org/

Al-Anon

http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/

National Sexual Assault Hotline

1 800 656 HOPE

https://www.rainn.org/get-help/national-sexual-assault-hotline

If you are in need of mental health assistance, please call your local mental health agency or 

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention/if-you-are-in-crisis-and-need-immediate-help.shtml

Always remember, you are not alone. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me. 

Psalms 23:4

Faith, religion, and doctrine—you have no idea—no clue?

I recently took a class that left me with so very many emotions—some very conflicting, very objectionable, few truths, and some very ludicrous. What is really bad is that I already am anti-organized religion and feel the “Christian Community” of the 20^th and 21^st centuries is already misguided and misguiding to a certain extent by religious doctrine. This is was just another flame into the fire of reality—theoretically speaking.  

John Milton contended:  “It was also evident to me, that, in religion as in other things, the offers of God were all directed, not to an indolent credulity, but to constant diligence, and to an unwearied search after truth; and that more than I was aware of still remained, which required to be more rigidly examined by the rule of Scripture, and reformed after a more accurate model. I so far satisfied myself in the prosecution of this plan as at length to truth that I had discovered, with regard to religion, what was matter of belief, and what only matter of opinion… I earnestly beseech all lovers of truth, not to cry out that the Church is thrown into confusion by that freedom of discussion and inquiry which is granted to the schools, and ought certainly to be refused to no believer, since we are ordered to prove all things, and since the daily progress of light of truth is productive far less of disturbance to the Church, than of illumination and edification.”[1] Milton, upmost than anything, was an educator and is teaching us a lesson. We have to satisfy ourselves—our souls, not the Church, not the neighbor, and not the religious academic community in our belief, or our faith when it comes to God and Jesus.

I am now of the total understanding, that religion and the church were as confused in the 16^th century just like it is in the 21^st century. How can I make this claim? The claim is a personal perspective: like when did we have to dress in our finest to worship? When did the church become so commercial or capitalistic? When has the materialism of life become more important than the soul? When you ask yourself these questions, be honest with yourself in the answers. The only person we have to prove anything to be our internal being and the relationship we have with God.

There are so many different interpretations, definitions, etc pertaining to things we do not know or seek to find guidance from that is written in the Bible. Religion and doctrine are defined by man. In some cases they were defined by men as early as the 4^th century and further back in time than that. We people get too caught up in all the definitions of the world as to what something means; we can find ourselves lost.

When I make the statement “you have no idea—no clue” means that the Bible contains many scriptures without a definition or an answer. Any interpretation past that point is mere conjecture. Any and all conjecture, ideas, input, or insight can be wrong in 5 minutes, 400 years, or 10,000 years. We may never know an answer to anything and never have a clue.

We should put our faith in God and Jesus but at the same token, beware of religion and religious doctrine because in all honesty, they were written by men who claimed to be inspired by God. The Bible (for that matter) was written by men who claimed to be inspired by God as well. We have no idea and there is no clue as to the truth. All interpretations were also done by mere man. We personally do ourselves an injustice when we fail to learn just this fact of nature. Question is this literal or literary? Is it a parable or actual account? Is it opinion or fact? Much of these questions should be asked when reading the Bible. The Bible existed before the conformed compilation of only pages and there was more to it than what is considered allowable by mere man. The average person was not allowed to read all, because a group of “mere men” made decisions for us as to what is spiritual and what is not in the ancient text.

BUT, faith in God and in Jesus is a tradition that I care not to test or question. I am glad I made that decision to have the relationship with God and Jesus that I do! It is a relationship with each that I will never regret.

Read the Bible for your soul’s sake—your personal understanding and no other. Read the Septuagint for knowledge purposes. Make informed decisions about how you as a person should have a relationship with God and Jesus.

God bless you all and keep you safely in His arms

---

[1] Sumner, Charles R. "John Milton Treatise on Christian Doctrine.” Archive.org. 1825, pg 6.  https://archive.org/stream/treatiseonchrist01miltuoft#page/n115/mode/2up  (accessed July 7, 2014).

ABC: Procreation, Ensoulment and Development

 When we are children, generally questions are asked like “Mom where did we come from?” During certain time periods, some parents might have responded, “Well, you came from the cabbage patch” or “The stork delivered you to the hospital.” The purpose of this paper is to discuss three ideals which are: (a) where we came from with the (b) intent purpose of when was our ensoulment and (c) the development process that makes up our very persona. There is actually no biblical or scientific study that can actually answer when ensoulment takes place; but there is a tremendous amount of theologically based and philosophical conjecture covering this particular topic. From the research that will be presented in this paper, the argument will be based on how we are formed, the ensoulment taking place in the womb from 13-25 weeks, on an average of 19 weeks after conception, and how our development makes up our very persona.

            In Genesis, God created man and then he turned the earth dominion to him to rule over. Man should proceed and procreate. The physical earthly process had begun.[1] This is the beginning of physical development. From this point, procreation is the formation and the movement of the embryo in the female womb only. At six weeks after conception, there is a formation of parts of physical body: sockets, bubs for limbs, lower and upper jaws, placenta, a yolk sac, a tail, a bulge to where the heart should be, and an umbilical cord. Prior to that period there is just a “growing blob of cells.” That blob is where the zygote matures—it grows. By ten weeks the embryo has a brain and fingers. The baby continues to form: joints, eye lids, face, head structure, fingers, toes, and blood vessels. The embryo really starts to look more like a

fetus. At 20 weeks there is a baby in the womb. There are three trimesters that stretch over about 40 weeks which is technically classified as nine months.[2]

            Some women feel their “baby” according to the American Pregnancy Association as early as 13-16 weeks. It is described as “quicken of the womb” and considered a light flutter. Depending on the mother and the number of pregnancies already experienced, the first movement averages around 13 -25 weeks.[3] The fetus is primarily stationary because it is affix to the uterine wall; however, it will adjust naturally because of the growth process. Actual movement on its own volition does not necessarily happen until after the 13 week. The earliest baby born to survive has been just “twenty-one weeks plus six days into gestation.”[4]

            It is clear knowledge that is not to be mistaken, that all human bodies are formed through a physical sense from human man and woman. The human, biologically are not a-sexual reproducers. There are very few species on this earth that are a-sexual reproducers and the primate, humanoid, mammal or any warm blooded animal are not a-sexual reproducers. A human zygote, embryo, or fetus is formed from a living human organism.  There is no questioning this fact. However, envisioning how ensoulment occurs still is a mystery that we will try to answer.

            The term used, “quicken” as mentioned in the third paragraph or this paper, is the actual

movement of the fetus in the uterus felt by the mother. Aristotle stated that quicken of male children happen on the right side of the womb usually on the 40^th day after conception and for the female children on the 90^th day on the left hand side of the womb.[5] The 40^th day is only about four and a half weeks. There have been studies where fetal movement has been detected at 7 to 8.5 weeks into gestation.[6] We should not necessarily agree with Aristotle because there is no scientific evidence supporting his statement. We should be subjective about scientific studies because it should be in serious question whether modern science can detect neurological brain activity at 7 to 8.5 weeks into gestation—the fetal brain is still in the active developmental process.

            Babu G. Ranganathan, a Christian biologist, states, “Reproductive cells (i.e. sperm and ovum) come from somatic cells. That means we must have existed in the somatic cells of our parents’ bodies at some point… God has not given humans the right to independent life until conception for that is the means by which He has sanctioned for bringing independent human life into the world.”[7] Since physical conception of the cells must be present to form a physical life, then ensoulment would not begin until that physical life starts to take the actual human form. We would not be in existence if our parents did not reproduce us.

           There is a biblical passage that would be supportive of Ranganathan’s statement, “As you do not know the path of the wind or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the makers of all things.”[8]  There are other biblical passages that

discusses God knowing the person in the womb such as in Psalms 127:3-5, 139:13, Jeremiah 1:5, Job 31:15, Isaiah 44:24 and many others. Philosophically speaking, Jerome would have supported Ranganathan because he believed that God sent forth the soul to be born when it pleased God and He is the only one who knows when the soul comes into the body.[9]

            Gregory of Nyssa contended that evidence of life, that which is animate, distinguishes us from what is dead.[10] After the initial physical formation in the womb from male and female gamete, ensoulment takes place when the physical body has a formation with actual animation of the fetus, which is 13-25 weeks, as an average of 19 weeks after conception. Taking into account we are formed physically by our parents, God breathes the soul into the womb, the fetus becomes a baby and is born. Aristotle believed that the soul is in the essence of the living breathing body.[11] Whereas, Philo contends that the soul only become separate essences since after birth.[12] Therefore, when examining all the biblical text and scientific text we should come to the conclusion that there is no scientific evidence as to ensoulment. There is only biblical text in which we should heavily rely on as being faithful fact.

            After ensoulment it is generally understood in most of the Christian society that the body houses the soul that provides the animation for the body, we can reasonably state that the soul will develop with the body. To discuss the formation of our actual persona, then we have to look

at the material developmental in conjunction with the aspects of the soul.

            Human nature just doesn’t occur unless there is a living human involved in the equation. The brain is the mass of matter that controls the bodily mechanics and regulates the bodily functions then it is safe to assume that it is where the soul is located as the driving force. Neurologic clinical tests have shown movement of the fluid in the brain with the introduction of various internal and external stimuli. Therefore, this is should be taken into consideration when formulating any ideas about our persona—how we developed and what makes us up.

            From the beginning point of physical development to the point of ensoulment there are things that can be done to enhance the soul or persona of a fetus/baby even before it is born into the world. This is done through proper prenatal care which includes a good diet, oral vitamins and plenty of rest and exercise.[13]

            Other “in-utero” development can be noticed that affects the persona of the human. For example, (1) playing music helps with movement, alertness, or is a calming effect on the fetus: during the last trimester, the diet of the mother helps the baby formulate tastes after there are born.[14]  For example if a mother craves bananas during the last trimester then it is a big probably that the infant will prefer banana instead of any other flavor. Therefore in all of this we understand that from the time of conception then ensoulment the developmental process has begun. After the birth another process begins.

            An infant does not have the cognitive developmental capability to make informed decisions other than from feeling and emotion; whereas, a toddler, with increased active movement, starts to form ideas based on environmental stimulus. The environmental stimulus generally is from the parent through verbal communication and simple age related activities.[15]  

            Everything that the body does is a developmental process of thought through what is call the conscious and sub-conscious where each individual has established a unique system based on cognitive ability. Everyday action is considered the conscious—the current, the now where action is taken. The subconscious is the storehouse of experiences, processed and unprocessed—understood or not.[16]  As we develop in the conscious state, we store those experiences in the subconscious state. Unfortunately, there is not enough solid substantial evidence about the subconscious of the human mind—brain or soul to form any qualified conjecture other than the assumption of categorized theory on the subject.

            The age progression our body and soul develop jointly through a learning process. The Learning Philosophy of 70/20/10 is built to encourage a holistic approach by integrating both formal and informal elements (see insert).[17]           

       

            70%     real life, on-the-job experiences, task and problem solving

            20%     feedback, observation, role models

            10%     education

            We can understand that all of this information in the 70/20/10 is stored in the conscious and subconscious of the body to be recalled through the temporal and long term memory process. The learning process includes everything—whether or not a person learns about God, Jesus, algebra, cooking, reading in any average matter, this learning is will including in the 70/20/10.  Taking this into consideration, the physical living body and the soul are one in the same. This type of philosophy affects the body and the soul equally--a cause and effect which leads to a vital aspect not mentioned in the 70/20/10.

            Another way of looking at this is to break this down into three differently worded developmental processes:

(a)    Biological process which includes the physical development

(b)   Cognitive process which includes intellectual, memory, knowledge, problem solving, communication

(c)    Socio-emotional process which include the emotional communication, self understanding, morality and  behavior[18]

Of course the developmental begins in the pre-natal stages.

            The 70/20/10 model is basically the same as the three developmental processes which 90 percent is learned environmentally in and out of the home with the exclusion of basic formal education. These stages pass with the age of the individual. The most difficult times when incorrect decisions are made in the developmental process is the middle school years which is about 12 – 15 years in age. It is common knowledge among most parents, teachers, and community members that this is the most changes in a young person’s life. To put this simply the middle school ages are too old to be the child being over coddled by their parents like sitting on Mom and Dad’s lap; and, they are too young for total independence. Their bodies are also changing drastically.

            Sixth graders are still younger children with some innocence left to the mysteries of life. Their attention span becomes shorter. By the time they reach seventh grade, they have awoken in a world of sexual discovery. “…have typically entered what may be the most disorienting time of life. They have discovered sexuality but still deal with most things like children. Bickering and tattling are rampant, and they are intolerant of imperfection in anyone or anything.”[19] This is where the soul, the physical, and the psychological developmental process can be very susceptible to the evils of the physical life.

            An example of this is that 44% of children harmed in a sexual nature are under the age of 18 years old: of that 44%, 15% are under the age of 12 and 29% are 12-17. This is where the developmental ages cannot be ignored or overlooked.[20] A parent or caregiver has to be in tune with their children because a safe, genuine moralistic environment is one major key factor during the years of any child. Again, however, this is not a guarantee that an adult will reap any benefits of a good rearing. Once a child reaches maturity and break their mythological “apron strings,” their decisions are hopefully based on their 70/20/10 that is sound, logical and acceptable ideals that they can recall. Then again, keep in mind that nothing is guaranteed in the overall development process pertaining to a person’s internal spirituality. This is when we hope for the best and with that hope, we rely on the individual having a faith that God will lead them in spiritual wisdom.          The most important aspect in the development of the persona is what is called the wisdom of spirituality.  “Spirituality is the domain of human existence that pertains to the essence of every human being, the very core of our personhood and its relationship to something greater than ourselves.”[21] The wisdom of spirituality can be classified as “free will.” There are two decisions (1) “either” (2) “or”; however, we can let God lead us or not in all decisions. This is where common sense must be applied more so starting with our youth.

            God can “either” lead us in our decisions “or” we can go forth and just decide on our own what we want to do in life or what me might consider our purpose. Middle school children can be lost in a confused society if their spiritual wisdom is not in check especially during these difficult years. From years of observation, I have met very few parents who are actually concerned about their children’s morality, soul, or spirituality. It is a topic that is taken fore-granted in the assumption that taking a child to church or raising them in an orthodox or indoctrinated religious setting that their developmental part of their spiritual wisdom will take hold. Five people from the between 19 and 31 were asked if their parents discussed with the wellbeing of their soul. All answered unanimously that parents did communicate or show concern about the spirituality of their children. All five children were raised in a church setting.

            In view of this information, how does the body develop spiritual wisdom? “But the fact is, almost one in six Americans today is unaffiliated with any particular religion. Indeed, young adults under age of 30—today’s and tomorrow’s parents, essentially—are the most likely to be living religion free lives.”[22] From personal observation, many people would like to relate religion and spirituality as being very similar but as personal belief they are not. Religion is a doctrine of how to worship in a church as a particular church community. Spirituality pertains to the soul, our essence, our morality; however, the definition of the two as separate leads to another discussion in which will not be pursued in this paper. Teaching the spiritual wisdom is left up strictly to the family and partially to a doctrine in specific church body. Of course both methods in many cases, of opinion through personal observation, fall short. However, one could question if this really makes a difference overall?  Regardless of the outcome, for a well rounded developmental purpose of any individual it is best to expose a person during their youth to some sort of religious or spiritual doctrine—preferably to God and Jesus Christ.

            To conclude, by recapping the points covered, the purpose of this paper was to prove three aspects. The first was where we came from. In the beginning of creation were formed by God. When man began their dominion over all things earthly, it was a physical biological process between the joining of male and female gametes from each parent. Secondly, since there is no definitive answer as to ensoulment from God, we can strongly assume it is within the first actual movement of child. We used an average of 19 weeks after conception because there is a strong possibility that a fetus/child can survive outside of the womb considering the earliest survival has been 21 weeks and 6 days. And last, the development process begins the minute both parental gametes come together and are implanted in the female womb because humans are not a-sexual. From the minute the gametes are joined, the embryo becomes a fetus which becomes a baby according to science. Learning begins in-utero and continues at all times in a conscious state. The hardest developmental period is during the middle school years between 12 – 15 years of age. We learned that spiritual development is not necessarily involved in the equation of our persona however it assist and can improve the quality of the persona spiritually by the introduction of spiritual wisdom. The developmental process that helps make of our persona is physically as well as mental and only obtained through what we know as time through personal experience only—i.e., social experience, employment, education, and environmental exposure. 

If you are a new parent, we often do not think about life after death or the soul of our children. Don't you think it is time to start thinking about it?  

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[1] Editor. The Quest Study Bible-New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994. Genesis 1-2, pgs 2-5.

[2] Storck, Susan etal. “Fetal Development.” U S National Library of Medicine: Nation Institutes of Health. September 30, 2013. (accessed 7.19.2014) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002398.htm

[3] Staff. “Fetal Movement: Quickening.” American Pregnancy Association. July 2007. (Accessed 7.19.2014) http://americanpregnancy.org/duringpregnancy/firstfetalmovement.htm

[4] Cable, Amanda. “The tiniest survivor: How the ‘miracle’ baby born two weeks before the legal abortion limit clung to life against all odds.” Daily Mail U.K. Associated Newspapers Ltd. 22^nd May 2008. (accessed 7.19.2014) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1021034/The-tiniest-survivor-How-miracle-baby-born-weeks-legal-abortion-limit-clung-life-odds.html

[5] Joseph, Anthony. Unborn Life in the Western Tradition and American History -Document Collection MLA 6310. Houston: Houston Baptist University , 2013, pg 22. Aristotle, History of Animals, 7.3.

[6] Almli, C.,Ball, R., & Wheeler, M. “Human fetal and neonatal movement patterns” Developmental Psychology, 38, 252-273. 2001. (accessed July 20, 2014) http://people.bu.edu/sonia/fasfact.html

[7] Ranganathan, Babu. "Soul Exists Before Conception ." Pravda.ru. January 1, 2009. http://english.pravda.ru/science/mysteries/26-01-2009/107008-soul_conception-0/ (accessed July 8, 2014).

[8] Editor. The Quest Study Bible-New International Version. Ecclesiastes 11:5, pg 924

[9] Joseph, Anthony. Unborn Life in the Western Tradition and American History -Document Collection MLA 6310. Houston: Houston Baptist University , 2013, pg 54. Jerome, Apology Against Rufinus

[10] Joseph, Anthony. Unborn Life in the Western Tradition and American History -Document Collection MLA 6310. Houston: Houston Baptist University , 2013, pg 66. Gregory of Nyssa, Making of the Man.

[11] Joseph, Anthony. Unborn Life in the Western Tradition and American History -Document Collection MLA 6310. Houston: Houston Baptist University , 2013, pg 23. Aristotle, On the Soul.

[12] Joseph, Anthony. Unborn Life in the Western Tradition and American History -Document Collection MLA 6310. Houston: Houston Baptist University , 2013, pg 33. Phil0, The Special Laws

[13]Chait, Jennifer. “From Pregnancy to Toddler Years, Find out How you can make you baby smarter.” Pregnancy and Baby. February 2013. (accessed July 19, 2014)  http://www.pregnancyandbaby.com/baby/articles/945187/smart-baby-tips-how-to-stimulate-your-babys-brain

[14] Change, S. et al. “Can my baby learn in the uterus?” Babycentre. October 2011. (accessed July 17, 2014)  http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a1049781/can-my-baby-learn-in-the-uterus

[15] Spontak, Sabrina Marie. “The key to enhancing toddler learning abilities.” Science in our World: Certainty and Controversy. 28^th October 2011. (accessed July 21, 2014) http://www.personal.psu.edu/afr3/blogs/SIOW/2011/10/the-key-to-enhancing-toddler-learning-abilities.html

[16]Morsella, Ezequiel and T. Andrew Poehlman. “The inevitable contrast: Conscious vs. unconscious process in action control.” Frontiers in Psychology. September 10, 2013. (accessed July 21, 2014)  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3767904/

[17] McCall, Morgan, Robert W Eichinger and Michael Lombardo. “Learning Philosophy.” The Career Architect Development Planner. 21^st June, 2012. (accessed July 21, 2014) http://www.princeton.edu/hr/learning/philosophy/

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Business it is nothing personal --- hahahaha

I learned something that was incredibly enlightening over the weekend. I was lying in bed watching a movie. One of the actors quoted from the script “It is only business. You have to realize that this is not personal.”

Like so many people, I am sure that millions of adults have heard this phrase throughout their lifetime. This phrase is utter horse manure! It is a phrase that promotes materialistic greed over humanity. It is a phrase that supports money over life. It is a phrase that should be considered evil in every means by definition. We are human beings and not a business. We leave our homes to work and provide just the simple basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. Yet everyday in the “business” world, the adult person is required to give more of their self to the business more so than to the people they are responsible for. They are required to spend more time in the business than with their own families.

I have to question, when is it only business? We pour our physical selves into working for humane reasons. Therefore I have to question are we too messed up as a society to realize that we are lacking in humanity? Is it business to feed your family? Is it business to make sure our families have a place to live? These are acts of love, an emotion. Business does not have emotions and they are not human. Businesses are run by human people—backed by people who in a sense want materialism—to make money and lots of it in some cases.

Simply put the business does not necessarily need money. The people running the business have a need or a want for a specific purpose to make the business. Think of this, if people stopped doing business it would be personal because it was a human effort. If a business closes, it would be personal by the owners for whatever reason. Both purposes are driven by human reasoning that affects the human life personally.

So in the long run, when we hear someone say “It is only business,” you can respond verbally or think quietly—horse manure—that person is an idiot!  Inanimate objects have no animation or driving force of human life. Inanimate objects are not human. The difference is people are animate and everything we do in life is done by an animate human being.

Do not take material over humanity ---over life—over what is really important such as the touch of our child’s hand or the angel kisses from our loved ones as we grow old. We miss something wonderful when we allow the business to rule our lives. Humanity is the most important aspect in everything—and it should be ruled by ethical humane people.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

If we follow Gods plans then we find that we act more in God's business than anything else. We do not know God's business until we know God and what he expects from us in life; therefore it is very personal. 

Keep each other in prayers—remember God does exist.

God bless you all and keep safely in His arms.

Alive comes before Dead in the Alphabet

The second and last class for this summer session, that I am taking, is very disturbing. It is title “Christian Anthropology.” I have to differ in opinion that it is anything but Anthropology. It is based on all these theories such as dualism, materialism, physicalism, Cartesianism, and many others. What it boils down to in simple explanation is the survival of the soul outside the body. It is an argument among the high academic scholarly over the death of the body and where the soul dies with it or has an actual everlasting life. In my opinion, this is the incessant argument that God warns us about in the biblical Word.

Is all of this type a study a deterrence on the righteous living to teach and do God’s work? Is this more like being applicable to Greek or Egyptian studies like thanatology or post-mortem lividity? Should this subject be separated from the words of Christian Anthropology and re-titled Philosophical Anthropology by Christian Scholars? I fail to see the value of this type of learning referencing the morality of the individual or the souls of a society in this particular manner. At this juncture in our overall society, it is in pretty sad shape and needs major intervention.

When arguing with fools, don’t answer their foolish arguments, or you will become as foolish as they are. When arguing with fools, be sure to answer their foolish arguments, or they will become wise in their own estimation. Trusting a fool to convey a message is as foolish as cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison! In the mouth of a fool, a proverb becomes limp as a paralyzed leg. Honoring a fool is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot. A proverb in a fool’s mouth is as dangerous as a thorn bush brandished by a drunkard. An employer who hires a fool or a bystander is like an archer who shoots recklessly. As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise. The lazy person is full of excuses, saying, “I can’t go outside because there might be a lion on the road! Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!” As a door turns back and forth on its hinges, so the lazy person turns over in bed. Proverbs 26:4-15.

I honestly feel it is possible to be intellectually wise and still be a fool!

We should guard ourselves against being an intellectually wise fool. 

God formed us. It matters not what the theological scholars think as to the creation story in Genesis being literal or literary. There was no time put on the creation or the Bible other than what time “man” has deemed scientifically acceptable.

Were there other societies outside the Bible? Yes and to think otherwise is just plain ignorant.

Does life exist after death? Life as we know it on earth does not exist after death.

Where is that life after death? It is eternal. Ask God after you die or one of his many hosts of Angels.

If you intellectually wise find a truthful answer that differs from God, are you going to tell everyone we are wrong in our thinking? Are you going to take the responsibility in destroying the internal self’s of millions of people?

There is a war in me internally and guess who the winner will be? God and His son Jesus will score the winning and final point.

Our physical life is temporal. We have no idea when the soul enters the body but it happens during the womb. The soul and the body grow together. If we accept God and Jesus faithfully, keep the faith and do their work the spirit will continue to grow and live. The body dies.

Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members.  Romans 7:22-23

Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

Our body will die one day. That time is unspecified and will never be known because God’s time is not our time. There are many things important in understanding life, death, and our soul.

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8

But he said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Luke 18:27

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

The most important thing I have to say is that God is concerned with the living. The soul is house in a living body and not a dead one. When certain aspects of theology start to become too concerned with the dead, then the possibility to do God’s work or teach it will be a mishap among the living. What is in our hearts and our actions in our life is what it is all about. Yet death is part of life—they are very much intermingled. But eternity after death is only in God’s hands period without question and without man’s prophecy of foolishness.

For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there was borne such a voice to him by the Majestic Glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: and this voice we ourselves heard borne out of heaven, when we were with him in the holy mount. And we have the word of prophecy made more sure: where unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever cam by the will of man: but men speak from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:13-21

We have many burdens in life. Sometime far too many of these burdens; however, some are self inflicted but the majority are inflicted by men who are not in the spirit of the Lord. We also have to keep in mind that burdens are also acts of God. Why? Life is not perfect because we are humanly creatures. After the original sin, God turned the earth over to man to hold dominion over it. In all truthful honesty look what man has done? We are off kilter with nature. We have polluted nature. It is hard to grow anything in the soil naturally because of the chemicals, trash, or concrete. Think about this? In all the pollution, we have polluted ourselves. We should also be concerned about what is not only happening at home in our hearts, but in our society as a whole and in the world.

The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, said the Lord, which stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him. Behold I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people; all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth will be gathered together against it. Zechariah 12:1-3.

Should we be concerned more about the living souls or the dead? Pray that God and Jesus lead us through the Words of God and his son, our Savior. For in life, we so desperately need that intervention. 

Keep each other in prayer. 

May God bless and keep us safely in His Arms.