SUB-Culture

I was discussing with a friend the other day about how there is a subculture in Christianity.  This new culture is very aware of what's going on in the society in which they live.  They are concerned about the environment.  This doesn't mean the subscribe to the thoughts about global warming.  They just simply feel like it is their responsibility to take care of that which God gave to them.  I think it is interesting that God used the pandering about global warming to wake up a culture of people to take care of things that can be taken care of.  This doesn't mean we always recycle, always eat organic, hug trees, think creation is more important than The Creator.  Truthfully this is our world handed to us by The Creator, and it is our responsibility to do the right thing.  

This culture is more than thanking about the environment, but they are also concerned about the political nature of the world.  They are ever increasingly separating themselves from political parties; while asking hard questions to candidates on each side.  They didn't do this because they don't think Iraq is going in the right direction, or that they were lied to as to the reason that we are even in Iraq; they are just decided that this country is worth fighting for.  That EVER life is worth saving, and humanity needed them.  

This culture fights for all human life.  They see people in need and they are spurred to action.  When they see injustice they fight for it, and fight hard.  Not breaking any of the rules, and being peaceful, with one voice.  This means when they see children in Africa shattered by AIDS, homeless and hungry in their communities, unborn children who's right are subject to being violated, people having to chose between food or medicine, and elderly having their freedoms removed; they will take the actions necessary whatever they might be....barring murder, stealing....and any other despicable unrighteous behavior to see it the policy change.

It's funny to watch this.  It offends their families, who, for lack of a better analogy, drank the kool-aid,   and didn't look for the truth.  It doesn't mean their family is wrong or the culture is right, but the truth is, the sub-culture has realized the importance of being in the culture and influencing it.  

Cultural relevancy is not a new term in the Christian circles, but I am not sure it has ever happened until now.     I am not sure the culture has always been wrong, but it just that Christians have been scared to be in the culture of America and help either turn it or keep it from turning.  It is so interesting.  It is just a thought and some observations that I have noticed over the past few years or so.  

Vaya Con Dios

-b

       

stem cell

WASHINGTON - A breakthrough in stem cell research could

give President Bush and his anti-abortion allies a political I-told-you-so in a

debate Democrats have long been planning to use in next year's elections.

Bush's twin vetoes of bills to put taxpayer dollars

behind embryonic stem cell research, Democrats said, showed that he would let

ideology block progress in finding cures to diseases that afflict millions of

people

.

Bush insisted that medical advances could be made

without destroying embryos. On Tuesday, two teams of scientists on different

continents reported advances in research that might prove him right, giving his

administration a dose of vindication in an otherwise grim last year of office.

In the journals Science and Cell, the scientists

reported that they had coaxed regular human cells into mimicking the

disease-fighting potential of embryonic stem cells - without destroying budding

human life.

Debate over, according to White House officials.

"This is evidence ... that we can get the good results we want from science without cutting corners on ethics," said Karl

Zinsmeister, Bush's domestic policy adviser. "Let's not set up a false choice between on the one hand, progress, and on the other hand, ethics."

Stem cells extracted from embryos a few days old can morph into any type of tissue and are widely considered to hold the greatest promise of treatments and cures for cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's and other ailments. But extracting the stem cells destroys the embryo. Bush and his allies consider that crossing an ethical line that taxpayers should not be forced to finance. Proponents of the process say public money would only be used on embryos that would be discarded anyway under the vetoed legislation. And they say the scientific breakthroughs reported Tuesday changes nothing about the debate. All types of stem cell research should be promoted with federal funding, proponents say.

Additionally, said Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., the years of vetoes and the personal nature of the debate have educated voters to the nuances of the rhetoric. Research on cells derived from adults is not a substitute for embryonic stem cell research, she said.

"The argument that we need to have all types of ethical research is the argument that sways voters," DeGette said Tuesday. "The White House and the opponents of stem cell research have been saying for years that they think adult stem cells are substitutes. This is not a new argument that they're making."

"Scientists may yet find that embryonic stem cells are more powerful," said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. "We need to continue to pursue all alternatives as we search for treatments for diabetes, Parkinson's and spinal cord injuries."

Still, the research and the holy grail rhetoric used by some of the scientists who have championed stem cell research can't be anything but persuasive and memorable to voters less than a year out from balloting. Every House seat, a third of the Senate as well as the presidency will be up for grabs during the 2008 election.

The Iraq war, Bush's terrorism-fighting strategy and legal scuffles with Congress over executive power have sunk the president's popularity rating to around 30 percent. But the science announced Tuesday could insulate him from attacks by Democrats on an issue that once left him more vulnerable.

"It solves the ethical dilemma," said Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla. "This should put an end to" the debate. "Maybe we can all now reach agreement on what has been an all-too-divisive issue and advance this promising research through the power of federal funds," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Nevertheless, the question of whether taxpayers should finance embryonic stem cell research will make an appearance on the 2008 campaign trail, said its proponents.

"It's terribly wrong for any politician to be trying to pick and choose one type of ethical research over another," DeGette said. "That issue isn't going away."

Christmas

So, as most of you know, I switched jobs, and I am working for Starbucks! I am so thrilled, and I ABSOLUTELY love what I do.
If you have been into any Starbucks, lately, then you know the stores are in full Christmas mode. The red cups are out, the "holiday trio" drinks are in full capacity, and of course each partner (employee) is wearing their READ shirt. I love Starbucks at the holidays; I just can't get enough!
This is just such a good season everywhere. I love the holidays, food, family, fun. I think buying gifts is the best part of Christmas. I love going on the hunt for JUST the RIGHT thing. I love it. I don't really know why, but I just do! Make sure you "Pass the Cheer." Check out PASS THE CHEER


Here is an awesome picture of what I think this holiday is all about!

...and in comes the Miracle!

YEAH! I am so super excited. Just got word today, that my granddad is going to have a procedure called an ABLATION. It's pretty much a fancy word for burning the tumors out. So that is awesome...even better...he is having the procedure in Oklahoma City, his home, and not to Houston like we had anticipated. God DOES answer prayer. I know that is said a lot, and as a Christian I have used that to tell of some thing God has gotten me out of, but I have never used it to explain a miracle in my life!

It is a miracle, now sometimes I think we think the only time it is called a miracle is when things vanish or are gone. The truth is miracles happen all the time. God created science, and since he did that, he created the miracle science that is going to heal my granddad. I know this isn't a popular view, but it's the truth.

I was reading in Proverbs the other day.... whoa.... if you haven't you should. Did you know the Bible gives you wisdom on topics like...giving your neighbor a compliment. It says in Proverbs, complimenting your neighbor early in the morning is a curse. Whoa, meaning, if you compliment your neighbor early in the morning, while they are sleeping, you do no good to them! That is so cool.... so get to reading, and let it change the way you think.... I will have more on this in the future!!


vaya con Dios

-b

Hebrews 11:1

I know that I am Christian, and we are suppose to have struggles and hard times.... but I haven't had a lot of those things. I mean sure I lived in Clovis New Mexico and hated every minute of it...but I only hated it because I am a spoiled little brat. It was outside of my comfort zone and I was unable to do the things I liked and wanted to do at all times. I did survives school, and God guided me through what I needed to choose as a major...it was tough at times, but honestly I sweet talked my way through it. There weren't many tough times because I wouldn't let it escalate to that. I also worked in a very stressful job and was VERY tired and watched 8 and 15 year olds die WAY to early.... but that was slightly removed from me. Honestly my job was to just love the families through that. I always have to be the tough one through everything; I have to be the consoler. You might be asking yourself.... why do you feel like you have to do that? Honestly, I feel like if I don't do it, then no one will. It is a place I loathe, and it is place that I live. I think it stems from my teachings in my life that told me...."men are tough." While I agree somewhat with that, it seems like that is all I keep doing. I feel like I can't be vulnerable. And dear friends, if you know me at all you know, that everything is shrugged off with a laugh.... a quip.... a sarcastic statement. Truthfully, I think that is the defense mechanism, and I hate it. I hate having to be the "funny" one. Not that I don't enjoy it, I love it also.... It’s just when I am not in a humorous mood...then everyone wants me to make them laugh. While, making people laugh gives me a huge thrill.... where does the comedian go when they don't feel like laughing? Where does the soul go when it needs replenishment...well it's God. I am so glad he validates me.

I got some really bad news today. The man who taught me what it means to be a man.... my grandpa, was diagnosed with cancer of the liver. I cried. I wept. I called him, and I couldn't take it. He was so mellow. He is the one who I get my sense of humor from. He was almost defeated. I asked how he was.... he replied, "better than I thought I would be." I told him, that Jesus loves him, and that just because he got the bad news today, God still was in control. I assured him that I would pray for him, and that if anyone could beat this...it would be my Paw-Paw. Oh, how I love him. I prayed today. I told God not take my Paw-Paw away. I know God heard me. I know He cares, but the hurt my heart feels is unbearable. I have told others in my situation to: "pray,” "pray without ceasing” God will come through, don’t' fear. I have told them, God is in control, He wants them healed...pray.... press through. I realize how insensitive that is. I realize how preposterously rude that sounds. It took me going through this to realize that, because I see myself having a hard time taking my advice. I know in my heart God so loves my granddad, and that He truly wants to heal him, and I know God loves me and doesn’t want me hurt. It is just that I am at the crossroad where faith and hope meet. It is that inevitable fork in the road, when you must decide whether you are going to walk out what you say or shrink back and lose faith. It is a very tough place. Every ounce of my body wants to get into my bed pull the sheets over my head and wither away, but I know that doing nothing means reaping nothing. My granddad, I believe all be it not 100%, is a Christian. I believe it, but I don't know; that's what makes this so hard. I know God is good.... all the time.

vaya con Dios

-b

And this blog takes a new turn...

Okay, so I am thinking that this blog has really been about me for the past year and a half. I am going to start updating it more often, and I am going to start putting stories on here that the national news will not pick up! This first one is nine kinds of wrong. Racism....can you believe today there is racism....it is sad and this story is the worst. Please read it, and please speak out when your friend makes an off color remark. Racism is wrong



This happened in West Virginia very recently and Megan Williams was still being treated for this in the hospital.


She was Tortured and Raped for a whole week, by Six White individuals, Three males and Three Females Between the ages of 20 and 49.



CNN normally does not reveal sexual assault victims’ names. But Williams, who is hospitalized, and her mother, Carmen Williams, wanted her identity revealed.
Police said Bobby Brewster raped Williams, forced her to lick blood and drink from a toilet, and told his mother to kill Williams if she tried to escape. Authorities previously said Williams was also forced to eat rat and dog feces.
According to criminal complaints filed in the county, Williams was assaulted, stabbed in the left leg, choked with cords and beaten for at least a week. When she was found, big parts of her hair had also been torn off of her scalp. Williams says that Alisha Burton 22 cut her ankle with a knife while saying, “That’s what we do to Niggers around here,” police records show.
“I don’t understand a human being doing another human being the way they did my daughter,” Carmen Williams told The Associated Press on Tuesday from her daughter’s hospital room. “I didn’t know there were people like that out here.”
Deputies received a tip and Saturday visited a home owned by Frankie Brewster in Big Creek , West Virginia . As the deputies spoke with a woman on the front porch, “a female inside the residence limped toward the door with her arms held out, saying ‘Help me,’ ” according to a news release from the sheriff’s department. “It’s something you’d expect to see in a horror movie, not in Logan County ,” Abraham said. “She was subjected to unendurable torture down there.”
The six are charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, malicious wounding and battery. If convicted of kidnapping, a suspect could face a sentence of up to life in prison. The penalty for first-degree sexual assault is 15 to 35 years. Abraham said he is seeking the maximum sentence on the kidnapping charges. In addition to the Brewsters, the suspects are Danny J. Combs, 20, of Harts, West Virginia; and George A. Messer, 27, Karen Burton, 46, and her daughter, Alisha Burton, 23, all of Chapmanville, West Virginia. “They all have previous records and have been arrested numerous times,” Sheriff W.E. Hunter said Tuesday. “They are familiar to law enforcement.”
Frankie Brewster was charged with first-degree murder in 1994, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in the death of an 84-year-old woman. She was released in 2000 after serving five years in prison, according to court records cited by the AP. All of the six individuals that are involved in this case are accused of 108 different cases of crimes all combined.
All six were being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, and all requested court-appointed attorneys, the AP reported. Investigators are still looking for two other people suspected of driving Williams to the home, according to the AP.
Carmen Williams had not reported her daughter missing, saying Megan Williams often disappeared for weeks at a time.
Carmen Williams said she is “horrified” by her daughter’s injuries. “She wakes up crying, and the first thing she hollers is ‘Mommy,’ ” she said.

Conversation

So, I had this crazy conversation with a friend today. She is hysterically funny, and I absolutely think she is crazy!!! We were at work and she and I were discussing church, she doesn't go to the church I attend, and in fact she completely disagrees with my church.

I sat and listened to her, and she told why she had such distain for my church home. The problem centered on the new church we are building. She said it hurt her heart, and that is didn't show any reverence or humility. Now, you have to understand that my church is pretty insanely large and we are building an even larger one. After listening to what she said, I told her that we a full, out church is in 5 full services and if we didn't expand we would not be able to grow. It was then she had realized that the church I attend was different than the church she attended.

Then I got to thinking; it is so funny, that we as humans think so squarely about things. We only see it from the mile we have walked. I am so guilty of this. I have been spoon fed some things I am not sure I agree with. At the core of my beliefs, and then I just agree with it, and do no research. Oh, that is scary. Then we make assumptions about they way the other person said something; instead of just asking if they meant it the way we took it. So, wrong! So, so, wrong! We just have to meet each other from where we are coming from.

In the end, the girl and I laughed, because when you can have a conversation with someone and you have dissenting opinions, and it is just a conversation to establish where your point of view is coming from. We just chalked it up to differing personalities! I love it! See the other perspective!