Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Who Will Save?
"Look unto me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." Isaiah 45:22
Friday, January 24, 2014
Libertarian Revisits Abortion Rights
LINK here: "Why I Changed My Mind about Abortion" by Andrew Klavan
The whole article is worth reading, but here is the hook:
'Until quite recently, I was pro-abortion. I opposed Roe V. Wade — I thought it a dishonest decision that robbed the people of their right to settle the matter for themselves. But given the chance to vote on the issue, I would have voted for the greatest possible abortion access. While I myself live according to my conservative lights, I've never felt I have the right to impose those values on others...'
And here is one well-stated point about the public dialogue on abortion:
'Whenever I hear abortion spokespeople defend their position — and I mean, whenever I hear them — they seem to me determined to obscure the real issue. They talk about being “pro-choice,” but who among their opponents is anti-choice? They talk about “women’s health,” but what sinister constituency demands that women be unhealthy? They talk about “protecting a woman’s body,” but it’s not the woman’s body under threat, it’s the body of the baby inside her.'
The whole article is worth reading, but here is the hook:
'Until quite recently, I was pro-abortion. I opposed Roe V. Wade — I thought it a dishonest decision that robbed the people of their right to settle the matter for themselves. But given the chance to vote on the issue, I would have voted for the greatest possible abortion access. While I myself live according to my conservative lights, I've never felt I have the right to impose those values on others...'
And here is one well-stated point about the public dialogue on abortion:
'Whenever I hear abortion spokespeople defend their position — and I mean, whenever I hear them — they seem to me determined to obscure the real issue. They talk about being “pro-choice,” but who among their opponents is anti-choice? They talk about “women’s health,” but what sinister constituency demands that women be unhealthy? They talk about “protecting a woman’s body,” but it’s not the woman’s body under threat, it’s the body of the baby inside her.'
"The Poor" as a Reality, not a Concept
A typically well-researched and well-stated article from an old friend who has labored in the domestic policy realm for years; here's Jennifer A. Marshall on really helping "the poor."
(A renaissance woman, she now attends my brother's seminary, Reformed Theological Seminary of DC.)
LINK to article
(A renaissance woman, she now attends my brother's seminary, Reformed Theological Seminary of DC.)
LINK to article
Abortion: a Brutal "Justice"
In this article, children conceived in rape and incest speak about the value of their lives and the injustice of abortion laws towards others like them.
What if Americans bent our minds and our resources to love and help brutalized women rather than establish laws protecting the brutalization of the children?
As one woman says in the article, why should I die because my father was evil? I think we can do better for women and children than offer death as an answer to death.
LINK
What if Americans bent our minds and our resources to love and help brutalized women rather than establish laws protecting the brutalization of the children?
As one woman says in the article, why should I die because my father was evil? I think we can do better for women and children than offer death as an answer to death.
LINK
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
A Reformed Presbyterian and a Spanish Muslim Meet at an Anglican Liturgical Service
Growing up Reformed doctrinally and Anglican liturgically, and with a heart for and interest in the Middle East, this article by Carl Trueman spoke to me.
LINK
LINK
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Better, more succinct link on facebook posting
Shortly after posting that last set of links on guidance for teens on facebook, I saw this. LINK in Relevant magazine. It's a better article.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Some guidance for teens on facebook
My son has asked to get on facebook to connect with his friends. I used to be on facebook for several years, and my husband still has a page I look at from time to time. I've done a little scouting to get ideas on how to guide my son before he gets on. I know it's been trial and error for all of us. Facebook is a relatively new medium to adjust to, and it's easy for people who mean well to unintentionally send the wrong message.
On privacy:
LINK
On what to reveal: "Self-reflect before you self-reveal:"
LINK
Some questions for teens and adults to ask themselves before they post:
-What is the main message or point of my post?
-What audience it is intended for?
Is it suitable for everyone on my friends list to read? It's wise to have a "control group" you think of in your mind before you post: Ie, "Is this something I would say to Grandma and Coach Thompson?"
-Is my post too personal for facebook's wide audience?
(Eg, "We made it through marriage counseling and, thankfully, are now more in love than ever!" "Home bound -- finished with my successful hysterectomy and off to the drugstore and bed!")
-Context:
One aspect of the context of facebook posts is where they are being received -- offices, living rooms, bed rooms, etc.
Post yourself fully dressed. Eg, your bikini picture from Jamaica is way too far out of context in an office or living room.
And boyfriends, husbands, and fathers who post these pics: do you want men working in their offices or checking their feeds at night stumbling across a picture of your daughter/wife cavorting in a small swimsuit? Her suit may (or may not) be appropriate on the beach, but will be an eyeful when it pops upon his feed in his office or hotel room. Be a man who protects women from being objectified.
-What few things do you want to be known for? Think about the quantity of what you post on a topic.
(Adults: Unless you craft artisanal ales for a living, if every other picture has you holding a beer, or every other post is about settling in for a cocktail, you might want to reconsider what you are posting. You may be a responsible drinker but you won't look like it. Kids: if every other post is about video games -- even if you know you get all your homework done and work in a soup kitchen two nights a week and play select soccer -- you might want to reconsider what you are posting.)
-As soon as you post something, you are inviting people to have opinions about it.
Be aware that you will be judged on what you post. If you post that you are "sick with a fever and feeling exhausted and need a day off," and the next minute you post that you checked in at DSW to "splurge on new shoes!" you have just caused yourself to be taken less seriously be everyone on your friends list.
Also:
-Is is really true?
("Must Read: Laura Bush secretly married to drug lord brother of Madelyn Murray O'Hare who has controlling interest in Procter and Gamble and Pepsi!")
-Is it boastful or just celebratory?
(DO report on good things "Here's a picture of me crossing the finish line of my first marathon!" but remember that too much self-celebratory reporting sounds like boasting. "Another day, another A. I'm on a roll!")
-Am I trolling for attention or compliments?
("Life would be a lot simpler if I didn't work so hard to help others.")
-Am I being cryptic -- intentionally or unintentionally?
("Brokenhearted, but chin up and carry on -- sigh")
-Are you regularly complaining or negative?
(First world problems? "I left my Luis Vuitton lunch satchel in the Peugeot AGAIN. When will this day end?" "Our train to Brussels was delayed and we had to stay the night at the Four Seasons. This vacation has been nothing but annoyances.")
-Is a post unkind?
("I thought I needed to lose weight until I saw the checkout lady at Wal Mart!")
-Could it embarrass me or anyone else?
("Cammie, did you get the teacher to raise your failing grade?" "Laid off from my job -- but I know my wise friend Jane knows what it's like and will give me a shoulder to cry on!")
-Would I show my post at a job interview?
("Partied all night and recovering today in my cubicle with Red Bull...ugh")
-Get approval before posting a picture of anyone at all.
-Post more pictures of family than friends.
-I've learned, do not engage in political debates on public feeds.
You may mean for your comments to sound friendly or conversational, but debates in comments sections tend to sound aggressive, and they easily escalate out of control.
If someone regularly posts things which cause you to stumble, unfriend them or "hide" their posts.
Examples of things to post:
Quotes: funny, wise, inspiring.
I have a missionary friend in China who types something she is thankful for each day. It's interesting to see the nature and variety of her posts.
"Here were are in Boothbay Harbor -- after a 2 hour drive through rain and wind, the sun came out, and we were generously rewarded with this beautiful sunset."
"Big test Friday! Hoping my caffeine-fueled studying pays off."
"Friends, as some of you have heard, Joe has cancer. Prayers appreciated as we go forward to win this!" (But you told family and close friends privately before you posted, right?)
"Check out this great article on effective home workout routines."
"What is a great place in town to get Mexican food?"
"Go Eagles! Win State!"
"Here's Mama with her famous apple bundt cake at Thanksgiving."
"We're moving to North Carolina. Excited to start a new job with new challenges, but will miss the talented folks at James and Carter Accounting." (You posted this after you resigned, right?)
"The kids enjoyed Frozen, and so did the adults. Must-see movie."
"Looking for a house to buy in Long Island? Check out my friend's 3 BR ranch near the train line."
"Interesting article on the music scene in the 60's, attached."
Informative articles on news, nutrition, health, religion, culture.
On privacy:
LINK
On what to reveal: "Self-reflect before you self-reveal:"
LINK
Some questions for teens and adults to ask themselves before they post:
-What is the main message or point of my post?
-What audience it is intended for?
Is it suitable for everyone on my friends list to read? It's wise to have a "control group" you think of in your mind before you post: Ie, "Is this something I would say to Grandma and Coach Thompson?"
-Is my post too personal for facebook's wide audience?
(Eg, "We made it through marriage counseling and, thankfully, are now more in love than ever!" "Home bound -- finished with my successful hysterectomy and off to the drugstore and bed!")
-Context:
One aspect of the context of facebook posts is where they are being received -- offices, living rooms, bed rooms, etc.
Post yourself fully dressed. Eg, your bikini picture from Jamaica is way too far out of context in an office or living room.
And boyfriends, husbands, and fathers who post these pics: do you want men working in their offices or checking their feeds at night stumbling across a picture of your daughter/wife cavorting in a small swimsuit? Her suit may (or may not) be appropriate on the beach, but will be an eyeful when it pops upon his feed in his office or hotel room. Be a man who protects women from being objectified.
-What few things do you want to be known for? Think about the quantity of what you post on a topic.
(Adults: Unless you craft artisanal ales for a living, if every other picture has you holding a beer, or every other post is about settling in for a cocktail, you might want to reconsider what you are posting. You may be a responsible drinker but you won't look like it. Kids: if every other post is about video games -- even if you know you get all your homework done and work in a soup kitchen two nights a week and play select soccer -- you might want to reconsider what you are posting.)
-As soon as you post something, you are inviting people to have opinions about it.
Be aware that you will be judged on what you post. If you post that you are "sick with a fever and feeling exhausted and need a day off," and the next minute you post that you checked in at DSW to "splurge on new shoes!" you have just caused yourself to be taken less seriously be everyone on your friends list.
Also:
-Is is really true?
("Must Read: Laura Bush secretly married to drug lord brother of Madelyn Murray O'Hare who has controlling interest in Procter and Gamble and Pepsi!")
-Is it boastful or just celebratory?
(DO report on good things "Here's a picture of me crossing the finish line of my first marathon!" but remember that too much self-celebratory reporting sounds like boasting. "Another day, another A. I'm on a roll!")
-Am I trolling for attention or compliments?
("Life would be a lot simpler if I didn't work so hard to help others.")
-Am I being cryptic -- intentionally or unintentionally?
("Brokenhearted, but chin up and carry on -- sigh")
-Are you regularly complaining or negative?
(First world problems? "I left my Luis Vuitton lunch satchel in the Peugeot AGAIN. When will this day end?" "Our train to Brussels was delayed and we had to stay the night at the Four Seasons. This vacation has been nothing but annoyances.")
-Is a post unkind?
("I thought I needed to lose weight until I saw the checkout lady at Wal Mart!")
-Could it embarrass me or anyone else?
("Cammie, did you get the teacher to raise your failing grade?" "Laid off from my job -- but I know my wise friend Jane knows what it's like and will give me a shoulder to cry on!")
-Would I show my post at a job interview?
("Partied all night and recovering today in my cubicle with Red Bull...ugh")
-Get approval before posting a picture of anyone at all.
-Post more pictures of family than friends.
-I've learned, do not engage in political debates on public feeds.
You may mean for your comments to sound friendly or conversational, but debates in comments sections tend to sound aggressive, and they easily escalate out of control.
If someone regularly posts things which cause you to stumble, unfriend them or "hide" their posts.
Examples of things to post:
Quotes: funny, wise, inspiring.
I have a missionary friend in China who types something she is thankful for each day. It's interesting to see the nature and variety of her posts.
"Here were are in Boothbay Harbor -- after a 2 hour drive through rain and wind, the sun came out, and we were generously rewarded with this beautiful sunset."
"Big test Friday! Hoping my caffeine-fueled studying pays off."
"Friends, as some of you have heard, Joe has cancer. Prayers appreciated as we go forward to win this!" (But you told family and close friends privately before you posted, right?)
"Check out this great article on effective home workout routines."
"What is a great place in town to get Mexican food?"
"Go Eagles! Win State!"
"Here's Mama with her famous apple bundt cake at Thanksgiving."
"We're moving to North Carolina. Excited to start a new job with new challenges, but will miss the talented folks at James and Carter Accounting." (You posted this after you resigned, right?)
"The kids enjoyed Frozen, and so did the adults. Must-see movie."
"Looking for a house to buy in Long Island? Check out my friend's 3 BR ranch near the train line."
"Interesting article on the music scene in the 60's, attached."
Informative articles on news, nutrition, health, religion, culture.
Healing Foods
Chart tracking what studies have shown so far about the effectiveness of certain homeopathic approaches:
LINK
LINK