Ricky- Life here is just so hard, I have so much debt from college and even thinking of getting married and having kids seems impossible. I don't know how I would make ends meet! The world is getting so evil too, I'm scared what kind of place my future children will be brought up in. God is still good though, He will take care of us.
Lucy- How can you look around and say there is a loving God taking care of us? To think there is a big man up in the sky looking down is ridiculous. You're crazy.
Ricky- Well, what do you believe?
Lucy- We just formed here, and are just supposed to live a good life.
Ricky- So according to you, we have no purpose or meaning to life, and after we're dead we just stop there, nothing afterwards?
Lucy- Yeah.
Ricky- That's crazy.
We are all our own kind of crazy.
Where our life came from, and the meaning to our life here on Earth, has been a matter of debate for centuries. Here are what some famous philosophers and/or spiritual teachers said concerning life:
Aristotle- “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.”
Solomon- Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 "I, the Teacher, was king of Israel, and I lived in Jerusalem. I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race.I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind. What is wrong cannot be made right. What is missing cannot be recovered. I said to myself, “Look, I am wiser than any of the kings who ruled in Jerusalem before me. I have greater wisdom and knowledge than any of them.” So I set out to learn everything from wisdom to madness and folly. But I learned firsthand that pursuing all this is like chasing the wind. The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow."
Shannon L. Alder- “There are no coincidences in life. What person that wandered in and out of your life was there for some purpose, even if they caused you harm. Sometimes, it doesn’t make sense the short periods of time we get with people, or the outcomes from their choices. However, if you turn it over to God he promises that you will see the big picture in the hereafter. Nothing is too small to be a mistake.”
Friedrich Nietzsche- “Doubt as sin. — Christianity has done its utmost to close the circle and declared even doubt to be sin. One is supposed to be cast into belief without reason, by a miracle, and from then on to swim in it as in the brightest and least ambiguous of elements: even a glance towards land, even the thought that one perhaps exists for something else as well as swimming, even the slightest impulse of our amphibious nature — is sin! And notice that all this means that the foundation of belief and all reflection on its origin is likewise excluded as sinful. What is wanted are blindness and intoxication and an eternal song over the waves in which reason has drowned.”
Bertrand Russell- 'There is no reason to suppose that the world had a beginning at all. The idea that things must have a beginning is really due to the poverty of our thoughts.'
Swami Sivananda- "Always do good to others. Be selfless. Mentally remove everything and be free. This is divine life. This is the direct way to Moksha or salvation."
You see, there are all different opinions regarding the meaning and existence in life. Honestly, when you get down and think about the origin of life, and the meaning behind our existence from the viewpoint of each major belief system-it's absolutely crazy. How does anything sound logical?
Here are the basic views:
1. One intelligent being created this beautiful world out of nothing, and we live to give Him glory.
2. In the beginning, there was nothing, but something blew up and created everything. We evolved from blown up matter and we have no purpose.
3. There is no beginning and no end to the earth. We are supposed to live a good life, and when we die our soul lives on and we can receive a better body.
4. Earn our way to heaven by working to erase our sin.
I think they all sound quite crazy, but that is where faith comes in. We cannot scientifically, 100%, prove ANYTHING. The constant debate about not teaching faith in school is impossible, any belief system about nature and life on earth needs some element of faith. No matter what you believe, you are going to be crazy in the eyes of someone else. Just choose your own kind of crazy that you want to believe in. I am not saying that all belief systems are right, and you just have to choose. That isn't how the world works. But don't be under the assumption that other people are crazy for not believing you.
How we live our life is our choice, that is how God created it, and it is 50/50 where you end up. I chose to accept God's grace and forgiveness, and I put my faith in the God of the Bible. He was upfront about how hard it would be following Him, the path of Christianity isn't a easy road to walk. (Matthew 7:13) In Matthew 18, Jesus talks about having the faith of a child to enter the kingdom of heaven. How does a child like to discover new things? They are always inquisitive and love to learn more, but if they don't understand, they take it by faith. That is how I want to live my walk with Christ. As I study history and science, I see more and more evidence of God and His hand in the creation of this world. A wonderful site is www.answersingenesis.org, I encourage you to visit there! I want to constantly learn more and more, and if I don't understand, my faith in God and that His word is good and true steps in.
See? We are all crazy, I just hope and pray that you accept God's grace and forgiveness so you can join me in our crazy, beautiful, heavenly home.
Monday, August 31, 2015
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Is the separation of church and state constitutional?
Is separation of church and state constitutional? The short answer is no; not the way people think it means today. The term "separation of church and state" is not even in the Constitution!
The term was said by Thomas Jefferson, and it was a common term of the times because of the acts of England trying to force a certain religion on the people. Jefferson said it in response to a letter sent to him by the Danbury Baptists of Connecticut, they were concerned about the new government's ability to meddle in the religious affairs of the people.
Here is what Jefferson said.
"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State."
You can read the letter in its' entirety here.
You can see that the wall of separation comes from not establishing a religion that must be followed, and not prohibiting the American people from practicing whatever religion they choose.
Many people say this phrase to back up the actions of the government prohibiting prayer during school, sports games, court, etc. But in reality, prohibiting prayer in any setting goes against the First Amendment.
-First Amendment-
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Hindering prayer is prohibiting the free exercise of that individuals' religion. Yes, a few people may not agree with the beliefs of the one doing the prayer, but that doesn't mean that it's unlawful for the prayer to happen. Whether the prayer is to the God of the Bible, Buddha, Mother Earth, Allah, or whomever, we CAN NOT stop them unless it comprises the physical safety of the American People. I don't care if you are offended or feel like it is getting forced on you, that is not the issue here! Feeling like it's being forced does not apply, the First Amendment is talking about physically. In Britain, they would be jailed or fined for not worshiping as the King saw fit, that is the kind of forced they were addressing. I will admit, I don't like the aspect of people praying to Allah, in the Quran it says to kill anyone who doesn't conform to Islam. But according to our laws, we can't stop them from praying unless, I say again, it is physically being forced on us. There have also been petitions to get the Ten Commandments removed from government buildings or "In God We Trust" off of money, reason being it is against the First Amendment. No, it is not. Congress isn't establishing a religion, or prohibiting you from exercising yours. The government simply shows what the majority of Americans believe.
During the beginning of our nation, there were many references to Christianity. It is easy to see that the founders did not consider their practice of Christianity during affairs of the State as unconstitutional.
Benjamin Franklin-
"I have lived, sir, a long time; and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- That God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid? We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings, that 'except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it.' I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel; we shall be divided by our little partial, local interests, our projects will be confounded and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a byword down to future ages."
Capitol building used as a church building-
From Thomas Jefferson through Abraham Lincoln, church was held in the Capitol. It was approved by Congress in 1800 http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=90
Religion encouraged in schools-
In the Northwest Treaty of 1787 it states in Article 3, "Religion, morality, and knowledge, being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." Note that it says encouraged, not forced.
Samuel Adams, Governor of Massachusetts- Signer of the Declaration of Independence
On February 28, 1795, Samuel Adams issued a statewide proclamation for a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer for God's guidance in the affairs of Massachusetts.
Copy of the proclamation-
While the state can issue religious proclamations and such, the federal government is supposed to stay out of it, Jefferson wrote, "Special provision has been made by one of the amendments to the Constitution, which expressly declares that 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,...' thereby guarding in the same sentence, and under the same words, the freedom of religion, of speech, and of the press, insomuch that the sanctuary which covers the others; and that libels, falsehood, and defamation, are withheld from the cognizance of federal tribunals." Nicholas Gilman, signer of the Constitution, further said concerning congressional actions, "Congress will superintend the great national interests of the Union. Local concerns are left to the state legislatures. They cannot extend their influence or agency to any objects but those of a general nature." What Nicholas said is simply laid out in the Tenth Amendment "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." Why we have allowed the federal government to have so much power that wasn't originally intended for them to have, I have no idea. What I do know is that they screw up most of what they try and fix. Their troubles are understandable though, this is a big nation, so they need to leave it to the states! While it won't be perfect, it will likely be a lot better.
In closing, I urge you to read the Constitution and investigate what the founders originally intended the nation to be. Read books written about the Constitution from as close to the beginning of our nation as possible. Opinions have changed over time,so history books have changed. Contrary to what is now taught, I believe that our nation was founded on Christian principles. Why do I believe this? I believe it because a majority of our founding fathers and signers of the Declaration and Constitution were Christian, and your core beliefs greatly influence what you do. I also believe it by looking at their actions and writings. The president of the Continental Congress, Elias Boudinot, was the first president of the American Bible Society. Thomas Jefferson also condensed Jesus' writings into a book for missionaries to take to the Indians.
Breakdown of religious affiliation of our founders.
One book I suggest to read is "The Making of America: The Substance and Meaning of the Constitution" by W. Cleon Skousen. This book gives quotes from the founders concerning why they made certain laws and the meaning behind them, and where they got the ideas for the Constitution we have. The book also breaks down the articles and amendments, and explains what they mean in the words of the founders.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Time is rushing by like the wind
I'm going to start this post of with a song from one of my favorite artists. Sorry if you hate country. :)
Kenny Chesney- Never Gonna Feel Like That Again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H68tkc1Z10c
I was actually listening to this song earlier today, just think about it, how true is it? At each stage of life, things will happen that will be new, you have that feeling of experiencing it and then it's gone. The memory will always be there, you will always remember it with either a feeling of deep sadness or absolute joy and it could change your life drastically, but with it comes a series of changes and challenges. In a sense, we become different people during these times, always with the same memories and feelings, but those experiences change us. We learn something and mature. Don't be afraid of these times, it's when we grow. Remember that we can't hold on to just one stage forever, do that and you could be missing out on some of life's greatest joys. I have experienced many changes in the past few years, and with this latest change (a baby girl), I have really thought about all that has happened. My life didn't go how I planned, God had a different idea for me. At the time, I was confused and didn't understand His plan, but I do now. Isn't that always how it goes? I'll highlight a few things in this post.
Pre-college-
I didn't want to go to college, not because it was too hard, but because I didn't see the point considering my life goals. Even as a young girl, I was a romantic and dreamed of marrying my high school sweetheart and having a family. My dream job was to be a mom, home school my kids, and have a big garden. As time went on, I didn't even have a high school sweetheart, my first boyfriend wasn't until I was 18. I thought I was late in getting my life started. In the end, I am so happy I didn't date until I was older. I was able to have so many great experiences and form great friendships that still last today, 6 years later. I didn't end up meeting my husband until I was 21, and I started college at 20 years old. During those times, I traveled with my dad and mom a few winters and met a lot of great people.
See how things went the way I envisioned when I was young? Me neither. I couldn't wish it any other way though. I got to grow as a person, and in my faith. As a result, I got to spend extra time with my dad who would suddenly pass away a few years later, and I also worked at summer camps in North Dakota and Missouri. I wish I could do it again! Time does move on though, and I was off to new experiences.
College-
This was one experience that was a bit different for me than for many others. I only went to a community college and got an associates degree. I also worked a part-time job to help pay my way through. During this stage, I was either studying, working, or playing volleyball at a church or league, I didn't have the kind of experience people usually think of when it comes to college, I didn't have a dorm, didn't do those crazy college parties, or live on pizza and ramen noodles. At the time, I wondered what the heck I was doing going to college when I didn't want to be a working woman anyways, and since I was going, why not do the whole college experience? Honestly, I do still kind of wonder what the whole college experience would have been like, but I prefer just wondering and having no debt to pay! Who knows, since I am more of a follower, I may have gotten in to trouble anyways. haha
This was just a whole big bombshell of new things. I went through different decisions about what I wanted to study, as I am sure many students do, and settled on baking and pastry. I love science and a passion of mine is creation science, but it wasn't practical to study that considering I still eventually wanted to be a stay at home mom. While switching through classes, I met so many great people, I also met some that really tested my patience and I put to use God's rules of forgiveness, patience, kindness, and love. I met many of different faiths and ideas, from Buddhism to this lady saying she thought aliens brought us to earth. I still wonder if she was serious or not, I couldn't tell and she didn't talk much. I am still wondering if God is going to use my college experience for something big, or He may have just used that experience as an opportunity for me to be able to talk to others about Him. I know I did have many chances during that time that I didn't use, I worried too much about saying the right thing and didn't end up saying anything at all. The world says to be yourself unless you are a Christian. When there are those times when the Jesus freak in you wants to shine, don't be afraid to let the light pour through. If they ask you a question you aren't prepared to answer, it's okay to say, "I don't know". Invite them to look for the answer with you!
This experience taught me about his hand in the small things. God doesn't always show His plan in big ways, sometimes He may have used you to help someone else without you knowing it. In all you do, let it be for the glory of God.
Marriage and babies-
This one is new for me, so I am still in the learning process. I became engaged during my last year of college, and got married the following fall. Yes, we were planning a wedding during my final semester, but I welcomed the happy distraction. :) These days, people seem scared of making the commitment to marry, thinking they will change or the love will fade. Yes, you will change, but love is a choice to begin with so you just choose to love the person your spouse has become. Unless of course your spouse turned abusive or cheated on you, then that isn't good and you don't have to put up with that. Does love fade? Yes, it does if you let it, and if you choose not to love the person anymore. The whole fad of romance novels and fairy tale love stories has been ingrained in our society way too much. Love IS NOT always pretty! There will be those times when your spouse isn't all that lovable. Maybe he snaps at you because he had a long day at work, or you have to take care of the kids and him because he has the flu. God said to love others as Christ loves us. Love is a whole lot more than the butterflies and stars in the eyes, it's also the cleaning up puke, making chicken noodle soup and a whole lot of forgiveness. Also, a big thing I learned is not trying to understand each other, if you don't know why he/she does what they do, it's okay, learn to love that as well.
Now for last topic of babies. It is a lot of fun having a child, but it is scary! Being responsible for raising another human being is an intimidating task, I was quite nervous. In the world of pregnancy prevention, many couples have opted out of that task altogether, but I promise you it isn't that bad! Yes, there are many nights of little sleep and frustration at having to get up again to feed them when you swore you just fell back asleep, but it will be okay, I swear, there is a moment where something just clicks, the "parent" light switch turns on and you just do what you have to do. Even during the scariest part for me, which was labor, there was this moment when I thought I couldn't push anymore or take the pain, and then there was the click. I swear it seemed like God came in and helped me do the rest. I didn't seem to feel the pain, I could only concentrate on the last of the pushing; I felt like they drugged me up, the nurses and my midwife said I acted like it too. haha
I am sure there will be many more lessons in life, and I will go through more hard times, and a whole lot of good times. Whatever you do, never stop trusting God, never stop loving, and never stop forgiving,
Kenny Chesney- Never Gonna Feel Like That Again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H68tkc1Z10c
I was actually listening to this song earlier today, just think about it, how true is it? At each stage of life, things will happen that will be new, you have that feeling of experiencing it and then it's gone. The memory will always be there, you will always remember it with either a feeling of deep sadness or absolute joy and it could change your life drastically, but with it comes a series of changes and challenges. In a sense, we become different people during these times, always with the same memories and feelings, but those experiences change us. We learn something and mature. Don't be afraid of these times, it's when we grow. Remember that we can't hold on to just one stage forever, do that and you could be missing out on some of life's greatest joys. I have experienced many changes in the past few years, and with this latest change (a baby girl), I have really thought about all that has happened. My life didn't go how I planned, God had a different idea for me. At the time, I was confused and didn't understand His plan, but I do now. Isn't that always how it goes? I'll highlight a few things in this post.
Pre-college-
I didn't want to go to college, not because it was too hard, but because I didn't see the point considering my life goals. Even as a young girl, I was a romantic and dreamed of marrying my high school sweetheart and having a family. My dream job was to be a mom, home school my kids, and have a big garden. As time went on, I didn't even have a high school sweetheart, my first boyfriend wasn't until I was 18. I thought I was late in getting my life started. In the end, I am so happy I didn't date until I was older. I was able to have so many great experiences and form great friendships that still last today, 6 years later. I didn't end up meeting my husband until I was 21, and I started college at 20 years old. During those times, I traveled with my dad and mom a few winters and met a lot of great people.
See how things went the way I envisioned when I was young? Me neither. I couldn't wish it any other way though. I got to grow as a person, and in my faith. As a result, I got to spend extra time with my dad who would suddenly pass away a few years later, and I also worked at summer camps in North Dakota and Missouri. I wish I could do it again! Time does move on though, and I was off to new experiences.
College-
This was one experience that was a bit different for me than for many others. I only went to a community college and got an associates degree. I also worked a part-time job to help pay my way through. During this stage, I was either studying, working, or playing volleyball at a church or league, I didn't have the kind of experience people usually think of when it comes to college, I didn't have a dorm, didn't do those crazy college parties, or live on pizza and ramen noodles. At the time, I wondered what the heck I was doing going to college when I didn't want to be a working woman anyways, and since I was going, why not do the whole college experience? Honestly, I do still kind of wonder what the whole college experience would have been like, but I prefer just wondering and having no debt to pay! Who knows, since I am more of a follower, I may have gotten in to trouble anyways. haha
This was just a whole big bombshell of new things. I went through different decisions about what I wanted to study, as I am sure many students do, and settled on baking and pastry. I love science and a passion of mine is creation science, but it wasn't practical to study that considering I still eventually wanted to be a stay at home mom. While switching through classes, I met so many great people, I also met some that really tested my patience and I put to use God's rules of forgiveness, patience, kindness, and love. I met many of different faiths and ideas, from Buddhism to this lady saying she thought aliens brought us to earth. I still wonder if she was serious or not, I couldn't tell and she didn't talk much. I am still wondering if God is going to use my college experience for something big, or He may have just used that experience as an opportunity for me to be able to talk to others about Him. I know I did have many chances during that time that I didn't use, I worried too much about saying the right thing and didn't end up saying anything at all. The world says to be yourself unless you are a Christian. When there are those times when the Jesus freak in you wants to shine, don't be afraid to let the light pour through. If they ask you a question you aren't prepared to answer, it's okay to say, "I don't know". Invite them to look for the answer with you!
This experience taught me about his hand in the small things. God doesn't always show His plan in big ways, sometimes He may have used you to help someone else without you knowing it. In all you do, let it be for the glory of God.
Marriage and babies-
This one is new for me, so I am still in the learning process. I became engaged during my last year of college, and got married the following fall. Yes, we were planning a wedding during my final semester, but I welcomed the happy distraction. :) These days, people seem scared of making the commitment to marry, thinking they will change or the love will fade. Yes, you will change, but love is a choice to begin with so you just choose to love the person your spouse has become. Unless of course your spouse turned abusive or cheated on you, then that isn't good and you don't have to put up with that. Does love fade? Yes, it does if you let it, and if you choose not to love the person anymore. The whole fad of romance novels and fairy tale love stories has been ingrained in our society way too much. Love IS NOT always pretty! There will be those times when your spouse isn't all that lovable. Maybe he snaps at you because he had a long day at work, or you have to take care of the kids and him because he has the flu. God said to love others as Christ loves us. Love is a whole lot more than the butterflies and stars in the eyes, it's also the cleaning up puke, making chicken noodle soup and a whole lot of forgiveness. Also, a big thing I learned is not trying to understand each other, if you don't know why he/she does what they do, it's okay, learn to love that as well.
Now for last topic of babies. It is a lot of fun having a child, but it is scary! Being responsible for raising another human being is an intimidating task, I was quite nervous. In the world of pregnancy prevention, many couples have opted out of that task altogether, but I promise you it isn't that bad! Yes, there are many nights of little sleep and frustration at having to get up again to feed them when you swore you just fell back asleep, but it will be okay, I swear, there is a moment where something just clicks, the "parent" light switch turns on and you just do what you have to do. Even during the scariest part for me, which was labor, there was this moment when I thought I couldn't push anymore or take the pain, and then there was the click. I swear it seemed like God came in and helped me do the rest. I didn't seem to feel the pain, I could only concentrate on the last of the pushing; I felt like they drugged me up, the nurses and my midwife said I acted like it too. haha
I am sure there will be many more lessons in life, and I will go through more hard times, and a whole lot of good times. Whatever you do, never stop trusting God, never stop loving, and never stop forgiving,
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Is it just harmless breastfeeding?
I am sure you have all heard of the nurse-ins, the rants about women who get told to cover themselves up when breastfeeding in public, and you hear how outraged the breastfeeding community get. If you haven't heard of this going on yet, just do a quick internet search and I am sure you will have plenty of articles to read that will brief you in a hurry. Don't read the comments though unless you want to get fed up with how people discuss this issue, really it isn't a true discussion, it is more of a "who can insult the other person more?" battle. I have tried discussing this before on social media but have since given up. I can only take so many insults toward myself before I have to politely say that we will have to agree to disagree, if I wouldn't I would probably say something I regret. I will say that a few actually knew how to constructively talk about this topic, which I was thankful for. After that discussion, I decided that this just needs expanded on in a blog. So what are we to think about breastfeeding without a cover? How should we approach this topic?
This is another one of those topics that is so controversial, and points are so very often misconstrued, so I should probably write a disclaimer like I have done on a few of my other posts. I am not saying that you cannot breastfeed in public, I am only questioning the debate of covering up vs. not covering up. I am all for breastfeeding, it is much healthier for the baby. One other common topic in this debate is that breastfeeding isn't banned by law, law actually supports it. Yes, that is true, law does state that you can breastfeed in public. What law does not specify is being covered or uncovered. In my opinion, that decision is left up to the business. If a business asks you to cover, be respectful of their wishes and cover. Better yet, ask them their rules regarding it before you go so you can be prepared. The law I mentioned pertains to Indiana at least, I am not sure about the rest of the states. I think I covered what needed to be said, let's get down to business.
First question that usually comes up is, "Is this right or wrong?". I hate to get all philosophical on you, but that is where my brain goes next. Ponder these questions before we move on:
1. How do you decide what is right and wrong?
2. Why do you think that?
3. Where do you believe we come from?
4. What is our purpose in life?
I do believe those four questions help a person come to a decision about many topics in life. Well, maybe not come to a decision depending on what you do believe, but it will at least help you get a little further along in figuring it out. I bet I can guess what you are thinking, is it "how do these questions relate to this topic?"? I'll explain. In short, what you believe about right and wrong stems from your core beliefs on life. If you believe in Christianity, God created us around 6000 years ago, we live to please Him, and look to Him regarding right and wrong. Our guidebook is the Bible, and our purpose is to love others and tell of His love to other people. Evolution is believing the earth is around 4.6 billion years old, we evolved from apes, and our purpose I would assume is to reproduce (No, that comment isn't studied. That is my thought concerning purpose since with evolution we would just be animals, and the mission of an animal is to ensure the survival of your species).
Evolution and Creationism are two common faiths in the world, but do you see how depending on what you believe, it can change your perception of what is right and wrong? If it were the case that evolution is true, I would say why not breastfeed without a cover? Animals walk around naked all the time anyways, right? What is the difference? We are actually more modest than most animals. I wonder how right and wrong are determined with that faith. I commonly hear it going back to emotion and what feels right. On the contrary, if you believe in the Bible, you should be carrying a totally different tune. We are made in the image of God, and God said to honor Him with our bodies. Honoring Him with our bodies means taking care of ourselves, and respecting how He created us. What does God say about a woman's breasts? Proverbs 5:19, "A loving doe, a graceful deer-- may her breasts satisfy you always, may you be ever captivated by her love." This tells me that breasts are not only for nourishment of a child, but they are sexual as well. Let us be real though, doesn't your husband love your breasts? Men, don't you peak at your wife and admire those? Especially if you are feeling a little frisky, that is one of the two areas men grab. Sorry if I am getting you a little uncomfortable, but we have to face this fact. I hear it said that men can separate the natural act of breastfeeding and sexual attraction to a woman. I am sorry, but I don't believe that. Some men can, but not all. I just came across a picture on facebook where an attractive woman was breastfeeding her baby without a cover, and a man commented saying, "I want what he is having!". Yeah, I don't think he was able to separate the two.
I would speak of other faiths as well, but I believe you get my point. Determining where you stand on an issue stems from what you believe about life. How do we compromise on this issue then when there are decidedly different viewpoints? I think we should stop thinking so selfishly, it isn't all about you, it isn't all about me. If a business would desire you to cover up, respect that, if you don't like it then don't give them your business. If a business would allow it, that is perfectly fine as well, I just won't go there because it makes me uncomfortable to see other women's boobs. In public areas though like the zoo, museums, and parks, I would say it would be appreciated if one would cover up. I ask that you would do that not by law, not because you are forced, but to be respectful of other people. I am not going to go demand that a law be made where women are forced to cover up, that is ridiculous. Leave it to the business. Also, there are men who struggle with porn, you wonder if that would make it hard for some men to stop when they see that. Do I have proof of that? Of course not. I do wonder if it does make it harder though seeing how some men cannot separate the two. Another reason is out of respect for other families. Many families see breasts as a very very private body part only for a husband or nursing baby to see. Please, respect their beliefs and cover up. I know many are worried that the baby will get too hot, but I think there are ways around that. Go to a store and get some airy fabric. It wouldn't be hard to make a simple cover-up. I worked in Missouri one summer, and even when it was in the 90's, my boss ALWAYS had on jeans and a long-sleeve shirt. He said that it kept him cooler since he was used to it. I believe that if babies are used to being covered, they will eat just fine. Especially if their cover-up is a light fabric. I won't be experiencing this for another few months, but my sister said she never had a problem and it does get in the 90s a lot where I live. You can pump beforehand as well, they do make coolers, and if it is so hot that you can't cover up, then maybe the sun can heat it up for you! ;)
Questions that were asked when I have mentioned these things before are:
1. How would you like to eat with a blanket over your head? I would hate it, but I have a shirt on and a face isn't a sexual body part.
2. What, are you insecure or do you and your husband have that unstable of a relationship that you don't trust each other? No, I am not insecure and my husband and I trust each other. We just don't agree with seeing other women's boobs. He only wants to see mine, I only want him to see mine. Again, we do trust each other. It isn't about that. It is about personal beliefs concerning showing bare chest. We feel the same about skimpy clothes and see-through shirts where you can plainly see a woman's bra. It isn't modest or fair to men who want to keep their thoughts pure. We won't force you to cover up, but just ask you to be considerate and respectful of other people. You don't know how it affects them.
3. Breastfeeding is natural and needed, it should be fine!-- Yes it is natural and needed. Many things are natural and needed like relieving yourself, but in our culture it is something done behind closed doors. Sex is natural to make the baby you are breastfeeding, but that is private as well. No sex isn't a need, but you show the same part you do when you breastfeed. That same part that is used as a part of sexual pleasure. So breastfeeding is a natural need that is fine to do, but it is proper/respectful to do it covered up.
The following is just something I wonder, I am not saying it is true, I just ask that you think about it. I have considered the idea that breastfeeding without a cover could be a part of new age feminism. It is a way to be on equal grounds with men. The reason I wonder this is because I see many women saying, "Men go around without a shirt, so why can't I?" Also, "Men just have to get used to the idea that our boobs aren't only for their pleasure." These comments seem to stem for a resentment of how men see women. I understand that feeling, women are commonly portrayed in music as eye candy. Women don't really help these matters with the way some dress and dance. I have fallen prey to busting a move to "Baby's Got Back", and I wonder now why when I totally take into account the words of the song. Respect from men won't come unless you respect yourself first. If you just flaunt your goods to them, they won't respect you. Make them work for it, get a ring on that finger first ladies.
In closing, will everyone agree with me on this? Definitely not. There are many people out there that believe it is okay to do, and I know I won't change their mind. I just hope you consider what I said before you breastfeed uncovered. Never unravel an issue with, "How is this good/bad for me?", but "How is this good/bad for everyone?"
January 2016
UPDATE: I have been nursing my girl for over a year. I have been many places where it was warm, and I had to nurse her with my cover. Was it convenient? No. Did I manage? Yes! I was able to keep her cool. There are ways to do it ladies! Get creative! :) I know you can do it!
This is another one of those topics that is so controversial, and points are so very often misconstrued, so I should probably write a disclaimer like I have done on a few of my other posts. I am not saying that you cannot breastfeed in public, I am only questioning the debate of covering up vs. not covering up. I am all for breastfeeding, it is much healthier for the baby. One other common topic in this debate is that breastfeeding isn't banned by law, law actually supports it. Yes, that is true, law does state that you can breastfeed in public. What law does not specify is being covered or uncovered. In my opinion, that decision is left up to the business. If a business asks you to cover, be respectful of their wishes and cover. Better yet, ask them their rules regarding it before you go so you can be prepared. The law I mentioned pertains to Indiana at least, I am not sure about the rest of the states. I think I covered what needed to be said, let's get down to business.
First question that usually comes up is, "Is this right or wrong?". I hate to get all philosophical on you, but that is where my brain goes next. Ponder these questions before we move on:
1. How do you decide what is right and wrong?
2. Why do you think that?
3. Where do you believe we come from?
4. What is our purpose in life?
I do believe those four questions help a person come to a decision about many topics in life. Well, maybe not come to a decision depending on what you do believe, but it will at least help you get a little further along in figuring it out. I bet I can guess what you are thinking, is it "how do these questions relate to this topic?"? I'll explain. In short, what you believe about right and wrong stems from your core beliefs on life. If you believe in Christianity, God created us around 6000 years ago, we live to please Him, and look to Him regarding right and wrong. Our guidebook is the Bible, and our purpose is to love others and tell of His love to other people. Evolution is believing the earth is around 4.6 billion years old, we evolved from apes, and our purpose I would assume is to reproduce (No, that comment isn't studied. That is my thought concerning purpose since with evolution we would just be animals, and the mission of an animal is to ensure the survival of your species).
Evolution and Creationism are two common faiths in the world, but do you see how depending on what you believe, it can change your perception of what is right and wrong? If it were the case that evolution is true, I would say why not breastfeed without a cover? Animals walk around naked all the time anyways, right? What is the difference? We are actually more modest than most animals. I wonder how right and wrong are determined with that faith. I commonly hear it going back to emotion and what feels right. On the contrary, if you believe in the Bible, you should be carrying a totally different tune. We are made in the image of God, and God said to honor Him with our bodies. Honoring Him with our bodies means taking care of ourselves, and respecting how He created us. What does God say about a woman's breasts? Proverbs 5:19, "A loving doe, a graceful deer-- may her breasts satisfy you always, may you be ever captivated by her love." This tells me that breasts are not only for nourishment of a child, but they are sexual as well. Let us be real though, doesn't your husband love your breasts? Men, don't you peak at your wife and admire those? Especially if you are feeling a little frisky, that is one of the two areas men grab. Sorry if I am getting you a little uncomfortable, but we have to face this fact. I hear it said that men can separate the natural act of breastfeeding and sexual attraction to a woman. I am sorry, but I don't believe that. Some men can, but not all. I just came across a picture on facebook where an attractive woman was breastfeeding her baby without a cover, and a man commented saying, "I want what he is having!". Yeah, I don't think he was able to separate the two.
I would speak of other faiths as well, but I believe you get my point. Determining where you stand on an issue stems from what you believe about life. How do we compromise on this issue then when there are decidedly different viewpoints? I think we should stop thinking so selfishly, it isn't all about you, it isn't all about me. If a business would desire you to cover up, respect that, if you don't like it then don't give them your business. If a business would allow it, that is perfectly fine as well, I just won't go there because it makes me uncomfortable to see other women's boobs. In public areas though like the zoo, museums, and parks, I would say it would be appreciated if one would cover up. I ask that you would do that not by law, not because you are forced, but to be respectful of other people. I am not going to go demand that a law be made where women are forced to cover up, that is ridiculous. Leave it to the business. Also, there are men who struggle with porn, you wonder if that would make it hard for some men to stop when they see that. Do I have proof of that? Of course not. I do wonder if it does make it harder though seeing how some men cannot separate the two. Another reason is out of respect for other families. Many families see breasts as a very very private body part only for a husband or nursing baby to see. Please, respect their beliefs and cover up. I know many are worried that the baby will get too hot, but I think there are ways around that. Go to a store and get some airy fabric. It wouldn't be hard to make a simple cover-up. I worked in Missouri one summer, and even when it was in the 90's, my boss ALWAYS had on jeans and a long-sleeve shirt. He said that it kept him cooler since he was used to it. I believe that if babies are used to being covered, they will eat just fine. Especially if their cover-up is a light fabric. I won't be experiencing this for another few months, but my sister said she never had a problem and it does get in the 90s a lot where I live. You can pump beforehand as well, they do make coolers, and if it is so hot that you can't cover up, then maybe the sun can heat it up for you! ;)
Questions that were asked when I have mentioned these things before are:
1. How would you like to eat with a blanket over your head? I would hate it, but I have a shirt on and a face isn't a sexual body part.
2. What, are you insecure or do you and your husband have that unstable of a relationship that you don't trust each other? No, I am not insecure and my husband and I trust each other. We just don't agree with seeing other women's boobs. He only wants to see mine, I only want him to see mine. Again, we do trust each other. It isn't about that. It is about personal beliefs concerning showing bare chest. We feel the same about skimpy clothes and see-through shirts where you can plainly see a woman's bra. It isn't modest or fair to men who want to keep their thoughts pure. We won't force you to cover up, but just ask you to be considerate and respectful of other people. You don't know how it affects them.
3. Breastfeeding is natural and needed, it should be fine!-- Yes it is natural and needed. Many things are natural and needed like relieving yourself, but in our culture it is something done behind closed doors. Sex is natural to make the baby you are breastfeeding, but that is private as well. No sex isn't a need, but you show the same part you do when you breastfeed. That same part that is used as a part of sexual pleasure. So breastfeeding is a natural need that is fine to do, but it is proper/respectful to do it covered up.
The following is just something I wonder, I am not saying it is true, I just ask that you think about it. I have considered the idea that breastfeeding without a cover could be a part of new age feminism. It is a way to be on equal grounds with men. The reason I wonder this is because I see many women saying, "Men go around without a shirt, so why can't I?" Also, "Men just have to get used to the idea that our boobs aren't only for their pleasure." These comments seem to stem for a resentment of how men see women. I understand that feeling, women are commonly portrayed in music as eye candy. Women don't really help these matters with the way some dress and dance. I have fallen prey to busting a move to "Baby's Got Back", and I wonder now why when I totally take into account the words of the song. Respect from men won't come unless you respect yourself first. If you just flaunt your goods to them, they won't respect you. Make them work for it, get a ring on that finger first ladies.
In closing, will everyone agree with me on this? Definitely not. There are many people out there that believe it is okay to do, and I know I won't change their mind. I just hope you consider what I said before you breastfeed uncovered. Never unravel an issue with, "How is this good/bad for me?", but "How is this good/bad for everyone?"
January 2016
UPDATE: I have been nursing my girl for over a year. I have been many places where it was warm, and I had to nurse her with my cover. Was it convenient? No. Did I manage? Yes! I was able to keep her cool. There are ways to do it ladies! Get creative! :) I know you can do it!
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Return evil for....evil? Is that what we do?
I just read "Happy Happy Happy, The Legend of Duck Commander" by Phil Robertson, and it was very interesting learning about his life struggles and what he learned from it, but the chapter called "River Rats" really caught my attention. I highly recommend reading that chapter, even if you read nothing else in it, go to the library and spend 15 minutes in a comfy chair and read. :) I suppose that is what led me to write about this...that and I also happened to randomly choose a chapter to read and it was Romans 12, which is all about how we treat others. Funny how that happens. So how do we treat people we don't like, those we consider more evil than ourselves? That raises a question I want you to ponder first. Why do we treat some other people differently when we all deserve the same fate? Even if the worse you have done is disobeyed your parents, you still deserve hell. So ask yourself, "Why if we all are equal, equally sinful, do I feel uncomfortable and put off by someone doing wrong? Why do I treat them with an upturned nose and avoid them? If someone does ME wrong, why do I still feel like I need to keep them at arms length or run them out of my life?". It is not easy being kind to someone who has wronged you, it isn't normal in the world we live in, and we commonly see evil being dealt to those who are kind. Seeing this is very discouraging and it makes it hard for us to follow some commands that we see repeated in the Bible, it can be summed up in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus says in Matthew 5:44, "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,". When we read this, we play down the description of love. Do we think about loving our enemies the same way as we interpret other verses about loving our friends and family? Or even how Jesus loves us? One example Jesus gave about loving your enemies was while He was on the cross, he prayed, "Father, forgive them, they don't know what they do." Could you do that while you are being put to death? How about when someone steals from you, what thoughts would cross your mind?
I am sure this question also crosses your mind as it does mine, "Why should I go out of my way to be kind when I know that it won't do any good? I may even get hurt in the end instead!". Yes that is true, but what if you don't? What if your actions encourage that person to think about what makes you different from everyone else? It could encourage them to find God. More often than not, we do not see how our actions effect the people around us. Have people gotten hurt from being kind? Sadly, the answer is yes. God knows that some people won't change, in Romans 12:18 it says, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." See? God acknowledges that some people insist on sticking with evil, we won't be able to rid the world of it just by kindness to all. God is the only one who will be able to get rid of evil at His second coming, but it can be better by listening to God's word. Act with kindness, love, gentleness, peace, and forgiveness.
How do we get this wrong? Sometimes it is just the little things people do that make us irritated, mad, and annoyed at another person. Enemies don't always have to be someone that is out to hurt you, it can just be someone you dislike. Some of my faults are being annoyed with other drivers, getting mad at those in government positions taking away my freedoms, people who always seem to find something to criticize, those who only think of what is comfortable for them and not anyone else, and more. Instead of being irritated and wishing they would just go away, our response should be to pray for them. We don't know their life story, we don't know why they act the way they do. Even if we disagree with someone, we should pray for them and ask God to guide them to the path He wishes and to open their hearts to Him.
On a final note, I feel that when we act this way, we are judging the individual and putting them in a situation where we judge them as being unworthy of our love and kindness. This is also an issue Jesus addresses in his Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 7 He says, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" I feel we do this a lot nowadays. We judge a certain sin as abhorrent without acknowledging the sins in our own life as being just as bad. When he says not to judge, it isn't saying not to confront an individual, but make sure you are of the right mind and attitude to speak. Just as you prepare to take communion so should you prepare to speak to another about sin. We have to self-examine ourselves and acknowledge our own sins, realize that you are a sinful human being as well in need of forgiveness. Do not speak to someone about their sin with a self-righteous attitude. Speak with humbleness, understanding, and love.
Pray over these things:
What do you do that displeases God in dealing with your enemies?
What enemies do you have in your life now?
How can you treat them in the way that is pleasing to God?
How can you include them in your prayers?
How do you approach the uncomfortable situation of speaking to others about sin?
I am sure this question also crosses your mind as it does mine, "Why should I go out of my way to be kind when I know that it won't do any good? I may even get hurt in the end instead!". Yes that is true, but what if you don't? What if your actions encourage that person to think about what makes you different from everyone else? It could encourage them to find God. More often than not, we do not see how our actions effect the people around us. Have people gotten hurt from being kind? Sadly, the answer is yes. God knows that some people won't change, in Romans 12:18 it says, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." See? God acknowledges that some people insist on sticking with evil, we won't be able to rid the world of it just by kindness to all. God is the only one who will be able to get rid of evil at His second coming, but it can be better by listening to God's word. Act with kindness, love, gentleness, peace, and forgiveness.
How do we get this wrong? Sometimes it is just the little things people do that make us irritated, mad, and annoyed at another person. Enemies don't always have to be someone that is out to hurt you, it can just be someone you dislike. Some of my faults are being annoyed with other drivers, getting mad at those in government positions taking away my freedoms, people who always seem to find something to criticize, those who only think of what is comfortable for them and not anyone else, and more. Instead of being irritated and wishing they would just go away, our response should be to pray for them. We don't know their life story, we don't know why they act the way they do. Even if we disagree with someone, we should pray for them and ask God to guide them to the path He wishes and to open their hearts to Him.
On a final note, I feel that when we act this way, we are judging the individual and putting them in a situation where we judge them as being unworthy of our love and kindness. This is also an issue Jesus addresses in his Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 7 He says, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?" I feel we do this a lot nowadays. We judge a certain sin as abhorrent without acknowledging the sins in our own life as being just as bad. When he says not to judge, it isn't saying not to confront an individual, but make sure you are of the right mind and attitude to speak. Just as you prepare to take communion so should you prepare to speak to another about sin. We have to self-examine ourselves and acknowledge our own sins, realize that you are a sinful human being as well in need of forgiveness. Do not speak to someone about their sin with a self-righteous attitude. Speak with humbleness, understanding, and love.
Pray over these things:
What do you do that displeases God in dealing with your enemies?
What enemies do you have in your life now?
How can you treat them in the way that is pleasing to God?
How can you include them in your prayers?
How do you approach the uncomfortable situation of speaking to others about sin?
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Vaccinations
Lately I have been seeing a lot about vaccinations. I am no expert on the topic, and I don't want to come across that I am, I am just wanting to say thoughts that have crossed my mind or information I have found. For just a moment, forget all you have heard about vaccines from today's medical field, just seriously consider what I am saying. Think about vaccines from the stance of hearing different options for the first time. After you do that, go research it for yourself. Look at both sides of the argument from the viewpoint of the writer/researcher. Personally, I tend to be suspicious of scientific articles/research, facts tend to be skewed to fit ones agenda, so I look at both sides and don't 100% rely on either. Remember the recent finding that scientists lied about research on global warming? Tends to make you wonder what else people lie about to fit their agenda. We all just need to do our best to sort out the truth. One thing I do find is that the vaccine debate is as equal as the opinion to whether crunchy or creamy peanut butter is better! Just so you know, I prefer creamy. :)
I will address the following in this blog:
1. Nutrition
2. Exercise
3. Ingredients of vaccines and the effect on our system
4. Charts showing the decline of diseases not in relation to vaccines
First off, I continually hear about nutrition. When the diseases were at a peak, much of the country wasn't eating well and living in unsanitary conditions. Diseases spread when we don't treat our body right, you don't feed yourself the right food, you aren't preparing your body to fight sickness. I have previously talked about how God gave us instructions to take care of our body, even in the Old Testament He gave rules about sanitation. I am sure you have seen the article about how the diseases are spreading, and they say it is because so many people are against vaccinations. Are they sure that is the reason? Look at how we eat today, is it really any better? Yes, we can eat produce in the store and it is SUPPOSED to be good, but what are the chemicals used on food doing to our body? Does our food have the right amount of nutrients like it should?
Check this out:
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/37396355/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/t/nutritional-value-fruits-veggies-dwindling/#.U08Y6vldWBo
See what is happening? Conventional methods are destroying the nutrition available in our foods. As the soil is continuously depleted and more chemicals/fertilizers are used, the less amount of nutrients food is getting from the soil. Even in the Bible, God says to let soil rest the 7th year so it gains back nutrients. (Exodus 23:10-11) Not only nutrients in produce, but the amount of processed food we eat is terrible. Bread in the store, even if it says whole wheat, isn't good. The grain used is stripped of the wheat bran and wheat germ, those parts hold all the nutrients. Does nutrition contribute to our sickness? I think so. Exercise does too.
Today we are so lazy, look around you and observe. We have smart phones, television, internet, Wii, Xbox, and a host of other things to distract us. How much time did you spend outside on the last beautiful day? How often do you go on a walk, bike ride, or play kickball with your kids? Think about that in comparison to how much time you spend sitting around lazing about. Kind of pathetic isn't it? Yes, you may have a desk job, but that still doesn't give you an excuse for the weekends or not getting up 20 minutes earlier to do a quick yoga practice or walk on the treadmill. For me it would have to be setting aside time at night, I don't like waking up earlier than I have to! :)
How much better do you feel when you do have an active day? I know I feel great, and I have a rested sleep that night too!
There has been correlation with our body's ability to build immunity with frequent exercise:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007165.htm
I know this is hard to do, but you have to prioritize your time. How is it that in today's world of so many conveniences geared to give more time, we end up having less of it? Just that thought makes me determined to find where that time went, and get it back. What about you? What could you give up to have more time to exercise? Try a walk with you family before dinner, it could become a favorite part of the day. :) Just a last note on exercise, it doesn't have to make you sweat like it's 120 degrees with no wind in Arizona. Find something you enjoy, if you enjoy it you will stick with it. :)
Now on to the ingredients and symptoms of vaccines. My two concerns are formaldehyde and aluminum. Now I know that we encounter these ingredients in many of our daily products, and our bodies naturally produce a small amount of formaldehyde, but is this all too much? Here are a few links I want you to check out concerning overexposure to these ingredients.
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/aluminum-and-breast-cancer/
https://www.pathology.med.umich.edu/Safety%20Manual/Formaldehyde%20Final.pdf
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/formaldehyde/
What caught my attention was how both can cause respiratory health problems, and the links it has to asthma. Cases of asthma have risen greatly in the past 20 years. Think this has any correlation to the overexposure of chemicals we have today? Go take a look at your cleaners, how many of them have warnings stating "keep away from children" or "do not get in eyes"? You get wary just reading the bottle don't you? I think this has much to do with health problems of today. You can see more in the links below.
http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2011/p0503_vitalsigns.html
http://www.aaaai.org/about-the-aaaai/newsroom/asthma-statistics.aspx
http://www.marylandpirgfoundation.org/news/mdp/report-chemicals-common-consumer-products-linked-childhood-asthma
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/1223-04.htm
There are many other ingredients in vaccines that I know nothing about. Calcium chloride is used in one of the influenza vaccines and it can cause nausea, vomiting, burning pain in the stomach, and dry/irritated skin. You can look up the other ingredients, I would be in front of the computer for hours if I looked up every single one! :) Here are two links you can take a look at. The second link contains the full list of ingredients in the vaccines, it is a PDF under "reference materials".
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/side-effects.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/additives.htm
You can find so many other individuals who suspect a tie between various sicknesses and vaccines given to their child. While no official studies have been done, it does make a person wonder about the safety. Is it really so bad for a child to get some of the sicknesses anyways? A child has a strong immune system if fed proper food, the kind of proper food I mentioned at the beginning and in my other blog about organic foods. If we let a child get sick, they can build their immunity better for adult life. Under "more sites to explore", the living whole site mentions it when she talks with her 100+ grandma who only got a polio vaccine and she wonders if that is why grandma is still so strong. Her grandma eats real foods, stays active, and got those sicknesses as a kid. She also wonders if her grandpa died from a tumor that the polio vaccine could have caused.
Lastly, I want to tell you about how vaccines DID NOT cause the decrease infectious disease in the early 1900's, it fizzled out on its' own. This link I give you is great, I suggest reading the whole thing. It is lengthy, but it is very informative.
http://www.drkurtperkins.com/2012/05/my-crystal-clear-stance-on-vaccines.html
Some points he makes I would like to say here. Vaccines are supposed to help you produce antibodies, which are the molecules that fight against disease. Babies develop limited antibodies until after 6 months, that is why breast milk is important, the mom gives the baby antibodies through the milk. Why give babies vaccines then? Also, the graphs he uses shows when the vaccine was introduced along with the deaths caused by a certain disease. Interesting isn't it? One that caught my attention was the last graph on the KIGGS study done in Germany on vaccinated vs. unvaccinated children. As I previously stated, I suspect our overuse of chemicals in general causes much sickness now, and I lean towards vaccines as being rather pointless and an unnecessary risk.
Ultimately, my belief is that we could be a whole lot healthier if we put more of a priority on good food and exercise. Will we still get sick? Of course. Could my children still get chicken pox, polio, measles, mumps, etc.? Yes, they could. I will love my children unconditionally, so I have to make my best educated decision on what is best. We live in a broken world, our bodies aren't perfect and they will get sick. I believe it is better to build your immunity naturally, and treat your body well. God gave it to you and formed it, take care of it. Now get up and go exercise. :)
More sites to explore:
http://www.livingwhole.org/category/vaccinations/
http://www.nvic.org/vaccines-and-diseases/Vaccinations--Know-the-risks-and-failures-.aspx
http://vaccines.procon.org/#arguments
http://www.getrealforkids.com/resources/real-health/vaccines/2501-my-thoughts-on-vaccines
http://www.thankyourbody.com/why-we-chose-not-to-vaccinate-our-child/
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/the-herd-immunity-myth-and-how-it-pits-parent-against-parent/
http://www.fhfn.org/united-states-court-admits-hepatitis-b-vaccine-caused-fatal-autoimmune-disease-in-infant/
I will address the following in this blog:
1. Nutrition
2. Exercise
3. Ingredients of vaccines and the effect on our system
4. Charts showing the decline of diseases not in relation to vaccines
First off, I continually hear about nutrition. When the diseases were at a peak, much of the country wasn't eating well and living in unsanitary conditions. Diseases spread when we don't treat our body right, you don't feed yourself the right food, you aren't preparing your body to fight sickness. I have previously talked about how God gave us instructions to take care of our body, even in the Old Testament He gave rules about sanitation. I am sure you have seen the article about how the diseases are spreading, and they say it is because so many people are against vaccinations. Are they sure that is the reason? Look at how we eat today, is it really any better? Yes, we can eat produce in the store and it is SUPPOSED to be good, but what are the chemicals used on food doing to our body? Does our food have the right amount of nutrients like it should?
Check this out:
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/37396355/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/t/nutritional-value-fruits-veggies-dwindling/#.U08Y6vldWBo
See what is happening? Conventional methods are destroying the nutrition available in our foods. As the soil is continuously depleted and more chemicals/fertilizers are used, the less amount of nutrients food is getting from the soil. Even in the Bible, God says to let soil rest the 7th year so it gains back nutrients. (Exodus 23:10-11) Not only nutrients in produce, but the amount of processed food we eat is terrible. Bread in the store, even if it says whole wheat, isn't good. The grain used is stripped of the wheat bran and wheat germ, those parts hold all the nutrients. Does nutrition contribute to our sickness? I think so. Exercise does too.
Today we are so lazy, look around you and observe. We have smart phones, television, internet, Wii, Xbox, and a host of other things to distract us. How much time did you spend outside on the last beautiful day? How often do you go on a walk, bike ride, or play kickball with your kids? Think about that in comparison to how much time you spend sitting around lazing about. Kind of pathetic isn't it? Yes, you may have a desk job, but that still doesn't give you an excuse for the weekends or not getting up 20 minutes earlier to do a quick yoga practice or walk on the treadmill. For me it would have to be setting aside time at night, I don't like waking up earlier than I have to! :)
How much better do you feel when you do have an active day? I know I feel great, and I have a rested sleep that night too!
There has been correlation with our body's ability to build immunity with frequent exercise:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007165.htm
I know this is hard to do, but you have to prioritize your time. How is it that in today's world of so many conveniences geared to give more time, we end up having less of it? Just that thought makes me determined to find where that time went, and get it back. What about you? What could you give up to have more time to exercise? Try a walk with you family before dinner, it could become a favorite part of the day. :) Just a last note on exercise, it doesn't have to make you sweat like it's 120 degrees with no wind in Arizona. Find something you enjoy, if you enjoy it you will stick with it. :)
Now on to the ingredients and symptoms of vaccines. My two concerns are formaldehyde and aluminum. Now I know that we encounter these ingredients in many of our daily products, and our bodies naturally produce a small amount of formaldehyde, but is this all too much? Here are a few links I want you to check out concerning overexposure to these ingredients.
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/aluminum-and-breast-cancer/
https://www.pathology.med.umich.edu/Safety%20Manual/Formaldehyde%20Final.pdf
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/formaldehyde/
What caught my attention was how both can cause respiratory health problems, and the links it has to asthma. Cases of asthma have risen greatly in the past 20 years. Think this has any correlation to the overexposure of chemicals we have today? Go take a look at your cleaners, how many of them have warnings stating "keep away from children" or "do not get in eyes"? You get wary just reading the bottle don't you? I think this has much to do with health problems of today. You can see more in the links below.
http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2011/p0503_vitalsigns.html
http://www.aaaai.org/about-the-aaaai/newsroom/asthma-statistics.aspx
http://www.marylandpirgfoundation.org/news/mdp/report-chemicals-common-consumer-products-linked-childhood-asthma
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/1223-04.htm
There are many other ingredients in vaccines that I know nothing about. Calcium chloride is used in one of the influenza vaccines and it can cause nausea, vomiting, burning pain in the stomach, and dry/irritated skin. You can look up the other ingredients, I would be in front of the computer for hours if I looked up every single one! :) Here are two links you can take a look at. The second link contains the full list of ingredients in the vaccines, it is a PDF under "reference materials".
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/side-effects.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/additives.htm
You can find so many other individuals who suspect a tie between various sicknesses and vaccines given to their child. While no official studies have been done, it does make a person wonder about the safety. Is it really so bad for a child to get some of the sicknesses anyways? A child has a strong immune system if fed proper food, the kind of proper food I mentioned at the beginning and in my other blog about organic foods. If we let a child get sick, they can build their immunity better for adult life. Under "more sites to explore", the living whole site mentions it when she talks with her 100+ grandma who only got a polio vaccine and she wonders if that is why grandma is still so strong. Her grandma eats real foods, stays active, and got those sicknesses as a kid. She also wonders if her grandpa died from a tumor that the polio vaccine could have caused.
Lastly, I want to tell you about how vaccines DID NOT cause the decrease infectious disease in the early 1900's, it fizzled out on its' own. This link I give you is great, I suggest reading the whole thing. It is lengthy, but it is very informative.
http://www.drkurtperkins.com/2012/05/my-crystal-clear-stance-on-vaccines.html
Some points he makes I would like to say here. Vaccines are supposed to help you produce antibodies, which are the molecules that fight against disease. Babies develop limited antibodies until after 6 months, that is why breast milk is important, the mom gives the baby antibodies through the milk. Why give babies vaccines then? Also, the graphs he uses shows when the vaccine was introduced along with the deaths caused by a certain disease. Interesting isn't it? One that caught my attention was the last graph on the KIGGS study done in Germany on vaccinated vs. unvaccinated children. As I previously stated, I suspect our overuse of chemicals in general causes much sickness now, and I lean towards vaccines as being rather pointless and an unnecessary risk.
Ultimately, my belief is that we could be a whole lot healthier if we put more of a priority on good food and exercise. Will we still get sick? Of course. Could my children still get chicken pox, polio, measles, mumps, etc.? Yes, they could. I will love my children unconditionally, so I have to make my best educated decision on what is best. We live in a broken world, our bodies aren't perfect and they will get sick. I believe it is better to build your immunity naturally, and treat your body well. God gave it to you and formed it, take care of it. Now get up and go exercise. :)
More sites to explore:
http://www.livingwhole.org/category/vaccinations/
http://www.nvic.org/vaccines-and-diseases/Vaccinations--Know-the-risks-and-failures-.aspx
http://vaccines.procon.org/#arguments
http://www.getrealforkids.com/resources/real-health/vaccines/2501-my-thoughts-on-vaccines
http://www.thankyourbody.com/why-we-chose-not-to-vaccinate-our-child/
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/the-herd-immunity-myth-and-how-it-pits-parent-against-parent/
http://www.fhfn.org/united-states-court-admits-hepatitis-b-vaccine-caused-fatal-autoimmune-disease-in-infant/
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Are you using your gift?
Many of us have heard of the parable of the talents, but have you really thought about it? Read it again:
Master entrusting his servants to certain property while he was away, what does that mean for us?
The reactions of the master.
Finally, I want to urge you to take action. Think about what your gift is. Talk to your pastor, your parents, and your friends. Pray and seek God's will. What is your gift? It could be one on one conversations, participation in the church praise team, teaching, artistic abilities, and many others. Even giving a kind smile could help someone else out. Often, the gifts of a group can all be utilized for God's glory as well. There is power when all God's people come together. Second, educate yourself with God's word and never stop. God said that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. Our faith has a lot of growing to do! God also said to always be prepared to have an answer for the hope that is in you, the hope in Christ Jesus, our Savior. If someone asks you a question that you don't have the answer to, it is okay to say, "I don't know, but I will study and get back to you." You don't want to give a wrong answer for the sake of not seeming smart. We aren't geniuses and people know that, being humble enough to say "I don't know" so you can give an educated answer later is the wise thing to do.
If you have any questions about what I believe, please ask! I want to talk to you about it!
Matthew
25:14-30
“For it
will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and
entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to
another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then
he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and
traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the
two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent
went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after
a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with
them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five
talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have
made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good
and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I
will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he
also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me
two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him,
‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I
will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who
had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to
be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you
scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the
ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master answered
him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I
have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought
to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have
received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and
give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more
be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even
what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless
servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.’
Now
pause real quick and pray about what you have read, read it again if you need
to really soak it in. What is Jesus saying to us? I will give you what I have
read, it was actually in my Bible study not too long ago, so I didn't come up
with this on my own! I just found it very valuable information, one which we
pass over all too quickly.
Master entrusting his servants to certain property while he was away, what does that mean for us?
This is
God giving us certain gifts, or talents, unique to us. God is entrusting us
with those gifts to use for His glory while He is away, and to share them with
others until we meet Him again. It doesn't have to make a million hits on
youtube or get a certain number of likes and shares on facebook to mean you
used your gift to the best of your ability. Many times you won't see the impact
you made on someone else. Jesus is coming back to make the world right again,
what are you doing with your time? We are supposed to walk by faith, which not
only means to trust God with everything in life, but to also live and breathe
it. What would your life look like if you stopped and thought about that
situation through the eyes of God first? What would you do differently? Your
thoughts, speech, actions, and way you spent your time could change, and for
the better also!
The reactions of the master.
Look at
how the master reacted when he got home, he was proud of the work the first two
servants did. They spent their time wisely and multiplied the gifts. The last
servant did nothing and he was cast out. Do you use your gifts to further the
kingdom of God? Love and compassion for others should drive you to want to tell
others about God's kingdom, the love and joy they could find there would far
exceed any experience on this earth! I remember watching a video of an
atheist who stated, "how much do you have to hate someone to not
proselytize?", which is evangelizing.
You can see the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhG-tkQ_Q2w
That has always stuck with me, really think about it. Do you truly believe in hell? Do you truly believe God's word about how terrible of a place it is, and unbelievers will spend eternity there? Why would you avoid conversations with others about it for the sake of social awkwardness? Open up yourself to others, if God comes to your mind during conversations, don't hold back what you believe, speak up! Live your faith and don't be afraid of what people may think of you because of your belief. We have all shied away from the topic of religion, I did and I regret it. I often think about what I could have said. Their eternity is more important than a moment or two of awkwardness, remember that.
Finally, I want to urge you to take action. Think about what your gift is. Talk to your pastor, your parents, and your friends. Pray and seek God's will. What is your gift? It could be one on one conversations, participation in the church praise team, teaching, artistic abilities, and many others. Even giving a kind smile could help someone else out. Often, the gifts of a group can all be utilized for God's glory as well. There is power when all God's people come together. Second, educate yourself with God's word and never stop. God said that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. Our faith has a lot of growing to do! God also said to always be prepared to have an answer for the hope that is in you, the hope in Christ Jesus, our Savior. If someone asks you a question that you don't have the answer to, it is okay to say, "I don't know, but I will study and get back to you." You don't want to give a wrong answer for the sake of not seeming smart. We aren't geniuses and people know that, being humble enough to say "I don't know" so you can give an educated answer later is the wise thing to do.
If you have any questions about what I believe, please ask! I want to talk to you about it!
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