Quick Thought...

"We will always be ridiculous when we argue against God." [John Calvin] |

Half-brain

I am sure some folks may disagree with the "reasonable and level headed" (!) Personally, I object to "healthy" as I worked very hard to be crazy!!

[Edited]

And the Crazy Schizoprhenic (not!) in me of course still thinks "Personally, I'm in two minds about it"

Your Brain is 53.33% Female, 46.67% Male

Your brain is a healthy mix of male and female You are both sensitive and savvy Rational and reasonable, you tend to keep level headed But you also tend to wear your heart on your sleeve

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Those Marian Prayers would no doubt be useful now

As the pope is again ill this time with a flu relapse The Popes Illness

[edited]

I'm so glad President George W Bush is not Pluralistic: "The Holy Father is in our thoughts and prayers and we wish him a speedy recovery and return to the service of his church and of all humanity." From

[2nd Edit]

This was all an "interesting" overview of the Vatican wheels turning from the BBC

[Edited Again!]

Vatican don't believe in walking in Dead men's shoes! It believes in praying for the dead, but not talking of such things as these!

The Pope's latest spell in hospital and his deteriorating medical condition have led to new speculation about his possible successor. Yet inside the Vatican it is considered bad manners openly to discuss the papal succession, let alone to campaign on behalf of any particular cardinal while the reigning Pope is still alive.

A formal prohibition against discussing who is going to be the next pope until the reigning pope is actually dead dates back a long way in history - 15 centuries to be exact. Click for full story

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[4th Edit(Phew!)]

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Reflections...

I don't want to go on a sob story here, as sometimes I think we have to be as low as we can get or be, for however a long time, to find or see the real good.

But over three years, my life as many folks know has become empty, painful, and at times it seemed meaningless. Sometimes one of the hardest things in dealing with being so sick, is dealing with it alone. Knowing that at least once a week, you literally stare death in the face, and each time as far as humanity goes you are alone, and if you was taken Home to be with the Lord, you would die alone as far as the world is concerned. Apparently with people who are terminally ill or live with a health scenario similar to mine, where you could continue for years, yet have a brush with death frequently on some level, dying alone is the number one fear. And since being home-bound since Sept, and living in one room because of how inaccessible my home is, the aloneness has become even sharper, and often I've felt greived and at times embittered over it. Yet its been the last two years particuarly that my health has gone so far downhill. The wonderful grace of God and a sense of His kindness in mercy when everything around me in the temporal world, body, circumstances etc, should tell me differently. Yet, my constant companion of any significance also is away from contact at the moment, thru reasons beyond their control. And online friendships may seem weird to have such a sense of closeness and kinship yet there is no doubt that sometimes, you just knit together with someone, that if they were only ten feet away wouldn't be any closer. But in one sense I have dreaded the time when maybe they were out of the picture in my present circumstances. As its hard to face day after day, sick and alone and often feeling uncared for as far as people go. And Psalm 73 has been a particular favourite over a long time, as it seemed to reflect many of the emotions I felt at my illness and how loss after loss was incurred while often the wicked carried on without a care in the world. The friend mentioned has been out of contact for days. And I have been sicker the past two or three days thru some slight cold/virus. You'd think given how I drop into the depths of despair so often, that this would send me reeling when often the sense of aloneness if like a knife in an open wound. And the online friend in question a few weeks ago, said words to the affect, they knew no one else being prepared for Heaven as much as I. As I had nothing left to hold me here. And I knew this was true. And why so often I long for my Father's House. . And of course I miss the friend in question, yet, when I had nothing left to keep me here a few weeks ago, when they and being part of the body was still things that were in my life at the time, right then, today, at the end of this week of extreme aloneness, deep contemplation, and also struggling against increased illness again, I feel no despair despondency or hopeless or sense of loss. And for someone who has such doubts and fears at times, about where there standing is in God's eyes, where does my joy come from in these last days? There's nothing, absolutely nothing but the Lord left in my life at right this moment. He's the only source of comfort anywhere. And yet it seems to have been proved true that He is enough for anyone. And should be for everyone. As my joy is not diminished despite more loss and worsening illness. And this has nothing to do with me, or any good works in me, its about God keeping His promise to never leave or foresake, and it answers the question when everything else is gone of, "Is God enough?" Yes, He is more than enough.

21When my soul was embittered,
when I was pricked in heart,
22I was brutish and ignorant;
I was like a beast toward you.



23Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
you hold my right hand.
24You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength[b] of my heart and my portion forever.



27For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
28But for me it is good to be near God;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
that I may tell of all your works. |

Readers Poll...

On my browswer at least on ie this blog seems to be taking eons to load. Is it doing the same on your I.E or any other browser you may use? Mine seems to load quickly on Firefox. If so, I think its because I have four different blog rolls on my one roll, and it has to wait for it to connect to the javascript. But if I know this is happening to everyone, and not just me, then I will do something about it ASAP. |

Quick Thought...

"Should someone object, that externals in religion are quite indifferent, that what is required is only that within the heart should be upright, to that our Lord answers, that he will be glorified in our body, which he has purchased with his blood, that he requires the confession of the mouth, and that all our prayers should be consecrated in his honour, without being any way contaminated by anything displeasing to him." [John Calvin] |

Lifestyle changes...

Over the last three years since I've gone from being more physically active than most people ever are in today's world of wheels and speed, to being totally immobile both indoor and out, at times I've considered asking for counselling. And at some point may ask to see an Ocupational Therapist, as its not something you just naturally adjust to. The change of lifestyle doesn't just happen. Two and a half years ago, two miles minimum every day I walked my dog. Yet becoming physically disabled is a new life not just lifestyle. I remember around 3 years or so ago, I had never shopped at e-bay. Was too scardy cat at being ripped off. As you heard or read some bad things of it in the press. But an online friend, kinda got me interested, and now almost everything I buy I look at ebay first for a good deal. When I first started shopping at e-bay I looked for rare books, discounted software, computer peripheals, and the like. Now I look at mobility aids. The need is there, and one accepts it, yet inside you are exactly the same person you've always been. The same zest for life, in many ways, in your dreams you still walk or run, ride a bicycle, and the like. And it seems to take the inside of you longer to catch up with the outside. A bit like when a loved one dies, you dream of them, and on waking you are sure they are still here, I guess its an inward desire in part too. So now I look at mobility aids on e-bay. And for reasons of length I won't go into here, I needed a second wheelchair. As I don't plan to stay housebound if I have any say in it. And sunrise medical are well known for the quality of their chairs. there best known being the Quickie. So, a used one for a second one, seemed a good idea. And the anti-tip should prevent me doing sommersaults backwards as I did once last year outside my church, and badly aggravated my back. And of course, if my one wheelchair goes for a burton, (breaks) that leaves me pretty much bedbound unless I have a spare. So, I have a few things to sell on e-bay myself which should recompense for buying this. But the times sure are a changing when you go from buying items of frivolity (software or puter parts) to stuff like this in such a short time. But I think the feeling that the inside is taking longer to catch up with the outside is also an example of the spirits willing but the flesh is weak. And think many old people who have always been young at heart, must feel pretty similar. When there body fails them, yet in their eyes you can still see the vitality and zest for life, that was always with them.

[edited]

Its also struck me over the last 3 years, how much I assumed good physical health would be mine for the duration. I would abuse my body in many ways, (as we all do) and be sure that nothing could touch me in that way. And whether its health, or any of the other "goods" in this life, often thru assuming they are ours for the duration, we are ungrateful in what we have when we have it. Yet by providence, anything can change in an instant.

1 Tim 6
17As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. |

Stumbled...

Well, I bet some of my regular readers are so glad now I have a playlist of 4 (Gasp) different songs playing one after another. And while I was surfing somewhere or other, I stumbled across something, that looks like at some point I can set something up so you can interact with the music choices and give feedback on them!! Gasp do I hear you say?

Well, what can I say, I've been sick all day, and have taken enough medication to be as high as a kite! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!

But I bet the Wisconsian contingent will be well beyond believing this is real!!! A Real Musical Extravaganza!! |

Quick Thought...

"God loves the runner, not the questioner." [Martin Luther]

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I thought Firemen/fire-fighters

Were supposed to help during and prevent accidents, not add to them!

(click play button on console)

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If over the next few days...

I become blagless, then please keep me before the throne of grace. As I feel like I have a cold coming. And tho colds are not nice for anyone at anytime, in my already compromised physical condition, and still in the process of getting proper medical support, a simple cold can be life-threatening. I haven't had a cold/virus for almost two years, and I was not so ill then as now. The Lord has been very kind and gracious in keeping me free of them. And if I am about to get one, I trust He will cover me with His cloud.

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Quick Thought...

"Look more at the latter end of a Christian than the beginning of his affliction. Consider the patience of Job, and what end the Lord made with him. Look not upon Lazarus lying at Dive's door, but lying in Abraham's bosom. Look not to the beginning of Joseph, who was so far from his dream that the sun and moon should reverence him, that for two years he was cast where he could see neither sun, moon, nor stars; but behold him at last made ruler over Egypt. Look not upon David as there was but a step between him and death, nor as he was envied by some and slighted and despised by others; but behold him seated at his royal throne, and dying in his bed of honour, and his son Solomon and all his glisterning nobles about him. Afflictions they are but as a dark entry into your fathers house; they are but as a dirty lane to a Royal palace. Now tell me souls, whether it be not very great madness to shun the way of holiness, and to walk in the ways of wickedness because of those afflictions that do attend the ways of holiness." [Precious remedies against Satan's devices] Thomas Brooks.

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And on an entirely seperate note for anyone who reads info as it can take blogger servers eons to catch up and actually delete the things. But I deleted my other two blogger blogs. Standing on the Theological Table, and Dark side of happy. As I think in one way or another, pretty much every kind of thing, gets covered here that I would have maybe at one time put exclusively on those. So, if blogger doesn't delete them promptly, they will not be added to any more. As I have deleted them from my blogger account. |

My wish list..

1. I wish I was wiser, bolder, more courageous.

2. I wish sometimes I would stop to listen, instead of just getting mad.

3. I wish I could believe all the time and no matter the circumstances, to not trust my feelings and that God loves me, and that hardships are just as much a token of His love than manifold blessings.

4. I wish I had deeper understanding.

5. I wish I had a bigger heart for God.

6. I wish I was more faithful.

7. I wish whatever time is left on this earth, to be conformed to He who loves me and if that takes always feeling like bearing the cross, then I wish for a quiet spirit to accept it.

8. I wish for any love of this world to die within me.

9. I wish to be content in whatever circumstances.

10. I wish whatever I do, say, think, or.. to be all to the glory of God.

"I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing." (Romans 7) |

Company Policy

Do not work for this same company who in recent days has enforced two different policies. One against Smokers. The other one against Over-weightfolks. They fire you for being either! (Gasp) |

Quick thought

There is as well a time to weep, as there is a time to laugh; and a time to mourn, as well as a time to dance, Eccles III.4 The mourning garment among the Jews was the black garment, and the black garment was the mourning garment: Ps xlIII. 2. "Why ye go in mourning?" Why ye go in black? Sometimes Christians must put off their gay ornaments, and put on there black, their mourning garments, Exodus xxxiii 3-6.

When Solon wept for his son's death, one said to him, Weeping will not help. He answered, Alas! Therefore do I weep, because weeping will not help. So a Christian many times sighs, because sighing will not help; and he roars, because roaring will not help. Sometimes the sorrows of the saints are so great that all tears are dried up and they can get no ease by weeping; and therefore they fall a sighing and groaning; Sometimes the sighs and groans of a saint do in some sort tell that which his tongue can in no sort utter. Thomas Brooks, Mute Christian under the rod. |

Sign Petition Now!!

Well, are not sure what I shall do with this when I have as many sigs as I can get between now and June 30th, but I am never without a plan for very long. I did not watch the "A Team" in vain! Poor Wabbit!

So click here and sign my Save Toby petition! |

When Time

Turns you into a stoopid person!

Okay, so some of us may have had a head start! But we have had snow, hail, winds today in merry ole England! its done my pain levels not one bit of good at all! But tonite, and tis after one am, am sat here muttering to myself, thinking, "I wish it would go a bit cooler, am hot enough to bust!" I take my sweater off, and go down to a Tee shirt, and put the celing fan on. Still no cooler!! Duh!! Good idea when HOT Deejay, to actually turn the heater off and not have it raging away full blast!!

Add to that, less than an hour later, was sat here in agony thinking "I wish my meds would work. If they don't work in a minute, I shall take morphine" and then realized I got distracted by being hungry and never actually took the flippin' things!

Am not B.O.B. you know!!

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The Baby Name Wizard

I should use this when I get my puppy!!

But tis kinda fun to play with Baby Name Wizard. Type in a name and see the graph appear to signify how popular it is and has been through the years. click here |

"Profession without practice will but make man twice told a child of darkness; to speak well is to sound like a cymbal, but to do well, is to act like an angel." Isidore

Come with me on...

My latest food adventure! (now there's an offer that is unique!)

Most folks know I am not adventurous with food. Have never eaten a curry in my life, cos its too foreign. Chips I loved and lived on for years. And still would do if I had an appetite. KFC is quite my favourite eating out food, these days my main diet for the last three years has consisted of packets of crisps. Sometiems in sarnies with a honk of cheese on the side, Smokey bacon flavour being the favourite in sarnies.

BUT, BUT, BUT;

A few weeks ago the TV was on whilst I was going about, and I heard of a new sandwich place that's opened up called Subway. And so did a search. This one is my local store. So, if you click on the menu tab, those in other countries who've had these stores a long time, what would you recommend. But remember, nothing hot, nothing spicy, nothing foreign!! But food is greek to me mainly, in what's good and what's not.

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Every dog should have...

Well, I told my neighbours the weekend when they were contemplating getting another dog after the other died several months ago, and they have two small boys, that every boy should have a dog. And every dog should have its............... own cell phone apparently. I can just imagine how my life woulda gone when all three of my dogs were alive, tho at different stages of life. DJ would be having a nap. Phone would ring. Scampi: "I wanna go walkies. And will cry and cry until I get my way. " Lucy: "I's hungry. I love you. Please gimme food." No rest for ole DJ if my dogs had remote communication!! Pets Mobility

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From John Calvin

"Let us fall down before the face of our good God...that it may please Him to grant His grace, not only to us, but also to all people and nations of the earth, bringing back all poor ignorant souls from the miserable bondage of error and darkness, to the right way of salvation." Sermons on Job, p. 751 (Calvin's usual end of sermon prayer).

Clement to the Corinthians

Chapter XIV.-We Should Obey God Rather Than the Authors of Sedition.

"It is right and holy therefore, men and brethren, rather to obey God than to follow those who, through pride and sedition, have become the leaders of a detestable emulation. For we shall incur no slight injury, but rather great danger, if we rashly yield ourselves to the inclinations of men who aim at exciting strife and tumults, so as to draw us away from what is good. Let us be kind one to another after the pattern of the tender mercy and benignity of our Creator. For it is written, "The kind-hearted shall inhabit the land, and the guiltless shall be left upon it, but transgressors shall be destroyed from off the face of it."57 And again [the Scripture] saith, "I saw the ungodly highly exalted, and lifted up like the cedars of Lebanon: I passed by, and, behold, he was not; and I diligently sought his place, and could not find it. Preserve innocence, and look on equity: for there shall be a remnant to the peaceful man." |

Well, since I often pontificate at various venues when this subject comes up, I will post these points by John Street,Chairman of Biblical Counseling, The Master's College. Until I've had time to study it more closely, I can't say I endorse everything in this blag, but I can't say that I don't either. And many of the points looking through it in the wee small hours, I positively agree. So will just post for general edification and perusal. I am also not, repeat NOT denying peoples suffering in this area of life. I just think largely, its misunderstood as to the cause of it. And for many, tho far from all, its an easy cop out. I will just post half of it to keep the size down.

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IV. Psychology and Christianity in Conflict



A. Ten troubles with integrational psychology


1 Property rights to the soul
What metaphysical right does any self-proclaimed empirical discipline have to claim exclusive authority in issues of the soul?

Psychotherapy has systematically claimed jurisdiction in speaking authoritatively of spiritual matters. It has won the cultural battle, since a psychologist is a recognized societal authority in court, while a pastor is not. Is not that to be expected in a sin-cursed world? But, why is this to be the accepted practice of many churches and Christians?

God and the Bible alone claim sole jurisdiction in matters of the soul (2 Peter 1:3, 19-21).



2 Medical metaphors—the redefined rhetoric of soul care

Medical psychiatry is not apathetic toward Christianity, it is openly hostile. It has systematically changed the language of “soul problems” to medical terminology.

Although Freud did not invent the idea, he was exceptionally adept at naming some of the complaints of physically healthy persons symptoms that pointed to underlying diseases, called neuroses, which he offered to relieve by means of a species of conversation called psychoanalysis (Thomas Szasz, The Myth of Psychotherapy, p. 17-18)

Instead of sin, man is sick. The terminology alone makes the client a victim with a disease. Psychologists are, first and foremost, rhetoricians. The therapy of psychotherapy is primarily conversation.

Medical labels for soul problems only drives man further from the remedy.



3 Environmental determinism

For Freud this means that man is a “socialized animal." Man's problems are due to his wrong environmental influences as he has matured, physically and emotionally. It essentially says that, at least in psychological jargon, man is not responsible for the way he has turned out.

Biogenetic psychology reduces man to the sum-total of his chemical parts. He is nothing more than an evolved animal, hardwired to think, feel and act at the dictates of his physical components. "Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic."

Scripture speaks of man as a depraved sinner, not as a determined victim. Man is responsible for his choices and often achieves above and beyond his expected capacity. Supernatural transformation through the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word brings about unexpected and lasting change.



4 Psychical determinism

Underneath every man is a "dynamic unconscious" which controls his every thought, feeling, and deed. These unconscious factors are kept from conscious recognition by repression and no one has control on its effect upon his life.

This dynamic can express itself in enigmatic ways such as dreams, tongue slips, unusual emotions, and unhealthy relationships. A specially trained therapist or analyst is the only person who can unlock their meaning.

Biblically and scientifically, there is no such thing as a subconscious. What is often confused by many “Christian” psychotherapists as manifestations of the subconscious is the ruling motivations and desires of a counselee’s heart that have become idolatrous.



5 Professionalism

Integrationism has imported into Christianity a philosophy of soul-care that requires professional degrees in psychotherapy in order to be creditable in serious counseling situations. Christians plagued with major problems of anxiety, fear, depression, suicide, chemical abuse, eating problems, anger, or a host of other problems believe they cannot receive bona fide help for their problems until they visit a mental health "professional."

With this professional mentality comes an oppressive fee structure that drains limited insurance plans and bank accounts. Many Christians who see a "professional" psychologist quickly find themselves in debt and still in need of help.

Biblical counsel and help for serious problems do not require diplomas in psychology or expense of professional offices and fees. Properly taught Christians should be able to counsel one another (Romans 15:14; Galatians 6:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:14). The cure of souls is an ecclesiastical duty.

B Conclusion


Integrational psychology has failed to build a biblical schema for counseling problems of the soul. It is a system heavily reliant upon and inspired by the secular psychologies in theory, terminology and practice. Scripture is not the source of their therapeutic methods because, in their view, it merely contains a primitive psychology. It is simply a beginning point for some non-specific psychotherapeutic cures, but it is not a sufficient etiology or remedy for major disorders (Proverbs 30:5-6). In contrast, the biblical counselor is fully committed to both the sufficiency and superiority of God’s Word in soul-cure of even the most bizarre non-physiological problems (2 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). |

Save THAT bunny wabbit!!

Gasp, I went by friend, Jerry's blog a short while ago, to see plans afoot by someone in America, to murder there bunny!! Save Toby I was having fits a week ago, cos I thought squirrels may have invaded my loft/attic and knew to remove them meant murdering them! But, the squirrels got to live, as they were not in my attic. (Phew!) But have always had an aversion to folks who are cruel to furry little critters, children, and Deejay, and this is way beyond the pale. So, think I shall start another campaign, to Save that bunny!!

Bright Eyes (Theme from Watership Down. Art Garfunkle)

Is it a kind of dream,
Floating out on the tide,
Following the river of death downstream?
Oh, is it a dream?

There's a fog along the horizon,
A strange glow in the sky,
And nobody seems to know where you go,
And what does it mean?
Oh, is it a dream?

Bright eyes,
Burning like fire.
Bright eyes,
How can you close and fail?
How can the light that burned so brightly
Suddenly burn so pale?
Bright eyes.

Is it a kind of shadow,
Reaching into the night,
Wandering over the hills unseen,
Or is it a dream?

There's a high wind in the trees,
A cold sound in the air,
And nobody ever knows when you go,
And where do you start,
Oh, into the dark.

Bright eyes,
burning like fire.
Bright eyes,
how can you close and fail?
How can the light that burned so brightly
Suddenly burn so pale?
Bright eyes.

Bright eyes,
burning like fire.
Bright eyes,
how can you close and fail?
How can the light that burned so brightly
Suddenly burn so pale?
Bright eyes.

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