Just what goes on...

It is 600 in the morning on sat and I can't sleep because I slept all day on accident. My alarm did not wake me up. I have had a rough week. I worked four straight last weekend and then made a flying trip to Ark on Monday and came back Tuesday after my wife's grandmother's funeral. Then, I worked Wednesday and Thursday night where I took care of a 20 year old patient who has less than a 5% chance of living. In my unit right now, we have 3 critically ill patients who are my age who will probably not make it. It is good to have the weekend off to spend with my wife and family. Went to Zia's last night, which was spectacular. Enjoyed some good fellowship with adopted siblings. 

Landslide...

Republicans have had their chance. Now its the Dems' turn. "Around and around we go. Where we stop, who knows-The American Dream?" (Hank Williams Jr.)

P.S. Whenever someone says, "Let government pay for it." Let's try to remember that this means that we pay for it.

What I find most annoying...

There is something that I need to get off my chest. It has been bothering me for a long time. I never hear it discussed even though it affects almost every single person in the world. It is a simple yet complex riddle. 

Why do people hide the part of an animal that you eat? No, really think about. What part of the chicken is the nugget? What part of the pig is the ham? What part of the pig, cow, turkey, etc. is bologna? People should label the animal part or parts with respects to bologna. I mean, really.

My apologies...

I want to apologize. Apparently, I write too much. Sorry babe.

The US Republic...

I like politics, but I don't care much for politicians. They do, however, have a lot of people to make happy, and just because people are happy doesn't mean that the nation is in a good position. For instance, the nation of Israel wanted a king because all the nations around them had a king. They forgot their God like they did so many times. God warned them about the abuse of power that they would have to endure. The masses didn't listen.

 The same thing can be said today. As a Christian, I believe that I should show respect to our leaders (Romans 13), but I do like history and studying facts. Many people don't realize today that the President doesn't have the legislative power. The President can veto a bill, but Congress can overturn a bill with two-thirds vote. This is the checks and balances system. After the Vietnam War, Congress enacted a law that would allow them to pull troops out of combat. Why do I say this? We can blame the financial crisis, health care crisis, military crisis, and so forth on the Republicans. The Democrats have had the Congress for the past two years. They haven't done much either.

It is funny that we are talking so much about change during this election. What has changed. This election has been run just like every other election (with respect to the Presidential election) in our nations history-mud slinging and all. We still have a Republican pushing Republican dogma and a Democrat pushing Democratic doctrine. They have still spent outrageous amounts of money for their campaigns. Money that could have been used in more fruitful endeavors. Obama has definitely taken the victory on this front with an increase of $150 million (of public funding-that he wasn't going to take). Palin is criticized for not having enough experience to be Vice-President. Did you hear me, "Vice-President." The Vice President sits on a seat and strikes a gavel. How much experience do you need? Obama has been in the Senate for how many years. He's the one running for President.

Also, McCain is accusing Obama of wanting to raise taxes. Okay. I agree. He does. However, McCain is wanting to tax health benefits for the first time in this nation's history. After taxing these benefits, he's going to give a $5000 rebate check to people so they can get health coverage. Yeah, like people are going to use that for health care. They won't, and we will be worse off than before. The Republicans are about not doing too much. Well, except for the whole bail out package. I would hate for the government to start taking control of things. As a nation, we spend more money on health care and education, and we rank very low in industrialized nations in both of these categories. The issue is not in funding. The issue is in efficiency. For instance, HIV is probably one of the most, if not most, funded diseases. However, more people die from Hepatitis B than HIV. If you look at the top killers in the US, you don't see HIV. Then, why do we spend so much money on it? Because of interests groups. We know what causes HIV. We know the most common transmission types (i.e. sharing needles, sexual contact). The number of transmissions have dropped in both child births and transfusions. We know how to slow the transmission and to prevent contraction. Why do we still fund it more than Diabetes, heart disease and stroke? Special interests.

We blame Washington for our mishaps, and yes, they do deserve some of the credit. Yes, the banks do deserve some the credit as well for the housing crisis. But what about us? Yes, the people in this great land. We all want lower gas prices, but we don't want to dirty our backyard. Not enough to stop our consumption-no. We still want gasoline. We just want someone else to kill their environment. We want cheaper health care, but we don't want to put down our $4 a pack habit that kills our lungs and cardiovascular system (cigarettes). Nor, do we want to eat healthier foods and exercise. We want a cheap, affective pill that will completely take any responsibility off our shoulders and put it on someone that we can sue if it doesn't work. I'm not saying this to mean, but I just feel that we need to realize that the issues that face our nation are very complex. Many of these issues start in the home with common people. The education system will improve when the home strengthens its values about education. The same goes with health care and a whole list of other issues (i.e. teen pregnancy, substance abuse, depression, etc.). Families need to do more activities together. They need to eat together, exercise and be active together, discuss important issues facing children today, and study together. If we strengthen the home, we will strengthen the nation. 

Christianity today...

It is a rule, Sir, which I inviolably observe, to refer myself to you in all my doubts; for who is more capable of guiding my uncertainty or informing my ignorance? Having never been present at any trials of the Christians, I am unacquainted with the method and limits to be observed either in examining or punishing them. Whether any difference is to be allowed between the youngest and the adult; whether repentance admits to a pardon, or if a man has been once a Christian it avails him nothing to recant; whether the mere profession of Christianity, albeit without crimes, or only the crimes associated therewith are punishable -- in all these points I am greatly doubtful. 

In the meanwhile, the method I have observed towards those who have denounced to me as Christians is this: I interrogated them whether they were Christians; if they confessed it I repeated the question twice again, adding the threat of capital punishment; if they still persevered, I ordered them to be executed. For whatever the nature of their creed might be, I could at least feel not doubt that contumacy and inflexible obstinacy deserved chastisement. There were others also possessed with the same infatuation, but being citizens of Rome, I directed them to be carried thither. 

These accusations spread (as is usually the case) from the mere fact of the matter being investigated and several forms of the mischief came to light. A placard was put up, without any signature, accusing a large number of persons by name. Those who denied they were, or had ever been, Christians, who repeated after me an invocation to the gods, and offered adoration, with wine and frankincense, to your image, which I had ordered to be brought for that purpose, together with those of the gods, and who finally cursed Christ -- none of which acts, it is into performing -- these I thought it proper to discharge. Others who were named by that informer at first confessed themselves Christians, and then denied it; true, they had been of that persuasion but they had quitted it, some three years, others many years, and a few as much as twenty-five years ago. They all worshipped your statue and the images of the gods, and cursed Christ. 

They affirmed, however, the whole of their guilt, or their error, was, that they were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft, or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food -- but food of an ordinary and innocent kind. Even this practice, however, they had abandoned after the publication of my edict, by which, according to your orders, I had forbidden political associations. I judged it so much the more necessary to extract the real truth, with the assistance of torture, from two female slaves, who were styled deaconesses: but I could discover nothing more than depraved and excessive superstition. 

I therefore adjourned the proceedings, and betook myself at once to your counsel. For the matter seemed to me well worth referring to you, especially considering the numbers endangered. Persons of all ranks and ages, and of both sexes are, and will be, involved in the prosecution. For this contagious superstition is not confined to the cities only, but has spread through the villages and rural districts; it seems possible, however, to check and cure it. ^{1 (Pliny the Younger to Caesar Trajan, 111-112 AD).}

This was what a Roman Governor wrote to the Caesar of Rome. It amazes me what is said in this letter. He says that because they're stubborn, they deserve punishment. He said that he did not really find any other issue with Christians-just they're inflexibility. He goes on to say that they met on a certain day to worship Christ and make a vow not to do wicked deeds. He even makes note that it is not a vow to evil but good. They would also meet later for a simple meal. Which Sunday, or the Lord's Day  the Christians would take the Lord's Supper (according to Justin Martyr and Didache; also referenced in Acts 20:7). This appears to be the "certain day" that Pliny is referring to. It amazes me though that the government would persecute people who were devoted to not doing evil. They were just stubborn in the fact that they did not worship Caesar's image. They worshiped Christ. They were still hunted down and executed.

What is my point with this post? These Christians met even though they were going to be persecuted. They were faithful to God even though they were going to be executed for it. They lived in a government that they were taught to be obedient to (Romans 13, Matt 22:21). Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:1 to pray for the higher powers to allow us to live peaceful, quiet and Godly lives. Why are so many Christians today not willing to meet with brothers and sisters to worship God in a society where physical persecution is absent. Our 1st and 2nd century brethren met even though they knew they could be executed. Yet, we fail to get ourselves out of bed or away from the TV long enough to take advantage of this wonderful gift that they did not have. We are told in Hebrews 10:25 not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Hebrews 3:13 says, "Encourage one another daily, as long as it is still called today, so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." Acts 2 says that early Christians met daily. They did not seem to be burdened by meeting with brothers and sisters. Why are we? Generally, in most churches there seems to be 25-40% less on Sunday evening and Wednesdays (Generally). This can fluctuate. The typical response is, "Well, the Bible doesn't say that you don't have to meet on Sunday nights or Wednesdays." No, it doesn't. This isn't my point. My point is simply, Why are we burdened by doing something that the early Christians were killed for. We have the freedom to do this, and we take advantage of this opportunity. I know that sometimes we work on these days or have something come up that hinders us from meeting together. It happens. But to not assemble just because we don't want to. Read Matthew 26:36-46; Luke 22:39-46; Mark 14:32-42). Jesus didn't necessarily want to go to the cross either, but he did. Every time we make a lame excuse or just hang out instead of assembling, we spit in the face of our brethren who sacrificed their lives at the hands of the Roman Empire, and we disgrace our God who put himself on a cross to suffer and die so that our unrighteous souls might be saved. Christ bled and died for the church (Acts 20:28). What have we done for it lately?

Abortion

In our day in time, we have turned this topic into a hot button issue. It has been a source of debate for many years in this nation. Many believe that the discussion began in the 70s with Roe v. Wade, but it has been examined for years. Elective abortions (abortions that are manually performed) have actually been debated for millennia not just decades. I have heard that the reason that the Scriptures do not deal with abortion is because they did not exist during the period of time that the Bible was written. The evidence speaks otherwise. The Assyrians had a code of conduct around the same time that the Code of Hammurabi was written. It states,"If a woman of her own accord drop that which is in her, they shall prosecute her, they shall convict her, they shall crucify her, they shall not bury her. If she die from dropping that which is in her, they shall crucify her, they shall not bury her." This was written in 1075 BCE. I have read one translation that said that they should impale her. I am not suggesting that this should be practiced today. I'm just using this for an example showing that abortion has been around for thousands of years. The Hypocratic oath that is still taken by physicians today was originated in the 4 century BCE by Greek physicians. It states, "I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody who asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. Similarly, I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy. In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art."

Therefore, we know that abortion was practiced during the time of the writers of the Scriptures. This brings up the question of why the Bible doesn't mention the topic. Some say that the scriptures do not address the issue because God doesn't care about it. Well, this isn't necessarily the case. When we look at the letters that Paul wrote to the churches, we see a common trend in them. Paul addresses specific issues that are either asked about by the churches or are a problem in the churches. 1 Corinthians 5 and 7 are perfect examples of this. When we look at what is said about the Jews in the Old Testament, we see that they believed that children were blessings from God. Furthermore, we have literature from the 2nd century AD that shows Christians strong opposition to abortion and infanticide.

There is an interesting verse in the Old Testament that sort of hits on this topic. Exodus 21:22-25 states, "When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman's husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe." In other words, God saw harm in this case as a significant thing. Some say that the harm mentioned in this verse is dealing with the woman and not the child. My question is, "Why mention that she is pregnant?" If the child in this case doesn't matter, then there would be no reason to mention the pregnancy. The fact is that God does consider children significant. Christ says in Matthew 18:4, "Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Two verses later, he states that if anyone causes one of them to stumble, it would be better for them to have a millstone wrapped around their neck and cast into the sea. So, we can see how God thinks of children.

The New Testament does not deal with this issue directly. As state above, Christ saw children as something special. Furthermore, I have already pointed out that the absence of a topic doesn't mean that God doesn't care about it. To illustrate this, opium and other substances were used in this time by surrounding cultures. The New Testament doesn't condemn the use of these substances. However, it says over and over that we should be sober minded. This principle covers several individual practices that aren't mentioned in the New Testament. 

We do have other texts from the early 2nd Century AD (100-150). For instance, the Didache states, "You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not commit pederasty, you shall not commit fornication, you shall not steal, you shall not practice magic, you shall not practice witchcraft, you shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill that which is born." Likewise, the Epistle of Barnabas (just the name) states, "Thou shalt not murder a child by abortion, nor shalt thou kill it when it is born." The specifically address, not only abortion, but the practice of infanticide that was performed during the Greco-Roman world. It was a common practice for the patriarch of the family to decide whether or not the child was good enough to be accepted into the family. If he or she was not, then they would take them to a desolate place and allow them to die by exposure. Often times, the child would be taken in by either a Christian family that would except them as their own or by someone that would use them for prostitution.

Infanticide and abortion have been practiced for centuries by Godless nations and pagan societies. This is just a truth found in the pages of history. This still goes on today in many cultures. The sad thing is that nations that are primarily composed of people who claim to be followers of God and his word are allowing these practices to continue. We allow murderers and pedophiles to walk the streets free, but condemning abortion is taboo. When thinking on this fact, I am reminded of God's condemnation of Israel and Judah in Ezekial 13:19, " And will you profane Me among My people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, killing people who should not die, and keeping people alive who should not live, by your lying to My people who listen to lies?"