Onward Christian Scholars

Numquam Bella Piis, Numquam Certanima Desunt — “For the faithful, wars shall never cease.” Here's a link to an article in the New York Times about New Saint Andrews College. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/magazine/30Christian-t.html?_r=3&ref=magazine&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Dating, Courtship and Marriage

This month's Touchstone Magazine has a symposium on dating, courtship and marriage. I have enjoyed skimming the articles and plan to read them closely. The points of view range from parent's choosing their children's spouses to discussing the wisdom of "third party" Christian match-making services to seeing the issues in terms of civil liberty. Here are some of Jocelyn Mathewes comments about the distorted culture of romance and the tendency to extend adolescence...which she believes have created a toxic environment for seeking a mate. She adds: "The culture of romance created very unhealthy attitudes towards our relationships with one another, sexual and otherwise. Marriage as both an achievable and desirable goal is no longer a universally accepted norm. And lifelong marriage as the primary purpose of seeking out a partner is no longer the accepted norm. They have been replaced by the search for a soul mate, a very diferent goal, involving ideals like "sexual compatibility" and "lifestyle choices." Sex outside of marriage has become a part of the search, and because sex now takes a more casual role in relationships, it has helped turn "hanging out" into "hooking up." This extended adolescence encourages ongoing romantic torment and "experimentation" even into one's thirties. Many (some scarred by divorce, their parents' or their own) seem to live in terror of making any sort of commitment, for fear of getting it wrong. Some have had no examples in their lives of how such a commitment could go wonderfully right."

Family Matters

Dr. Allan Carlson, president of the Howard Center, a think tank for Family, Religion and Society says " The natural family is the fundamental social unit, inscribed in human nature, and centered on the voluntary union of a man and a woman in the lifelong covenant of marriage. The natural family is defined by marriage, procreation and, in some cultures, adoption. Free, secure and stable families that welcome children are necessary for healthy society. The society that abandons the natural family as the norm is destined for chaos and suffering. The loving family reaches out in love and service to their communities and those in need. All social and cultural institutions should respect and uphold the rights and responsibilities of the family." I think his organization has some of the best research available for "pro family" thinkers..... http://www.profam.org/Default.htm

Why pray?

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. --I Timothy 2:1-2 BCP For Peace Among Nations Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Married with Children...Could anything be crazier?

Here's an article on marriage and family by Kate Bluett. ....... from Salvo magazine..... http://www.salvomag.com/new/articles/salvo2/2bluett.php

Thank you Dr. Bollinger..

Columbia University President, Lee Bollinger gave a public dressing down of Ahmadinejad today! .....It is a critical premise of freedom of speech that we do not honor the dishonorable when we open our public forum to their voices; to hold otherwise would make vigorous debate impossible. .....Let’s, then, be clear at the beginning, Mr. President you exhibit all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator. Here's a link to President Bollinger's remarks in full: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/07/09/lcbopeningremarks.html

Bella coming to Birmingham

United For Life Foundation is working in the Birmingham area to assist in bringing the movie BELLA -- a small independent film that tells the story of a girl in a crisis pregnancy -- to our media market. Bella has the potential to bring the message of hope and love to our hurting world thru the mainstream entertainment media, but we need to sell out the two theatres in Birmingham that will be showing the film the last weekend in October and first weekend in November in order for it to be picked up in neighborhood theatres around the country. Please encourage your friends and family to see this movie. United For Life Foundation will be hosting a Premier of the movie Thursday October 25th at the Alabama Theatre at 7PM as a fundraiser for its on-going crisis pregnancy commercials which have been very effective- for every $12 in media purchase one girl has called the option crisis pregnancy hotline! You can reserve your seat by registering on-line at the website Unitedforlifefoundation.org

Books on Order

I just read an advertisement for two books guaranteed to help you conquer your flaws and grow in the faith. That sounds great doesn't it! One is called Pardon for Peace....helpful advice if you find yourself confessing the same sins over and over, or guidelines for thorough, not excessive, examination of conscience. The second book is about mistakes parents make in raising their children, how to avoid them OR how to lessen their impact if made. It is called Sins of Parents. These are distributed by www.BooksforCatholics.com if you're interested. If you use this code at checkout, you'll get a hefty 66% discount...FT1007. I'll give an update when I read them.

RWOS Meeting Wednesday, Sept 26

AL Dept of Homeland Security Assistant Director, Joe B. Davis will speak at Republican Women of the South September meeting this Wednesday, Sept 26th. Col Joe Davis is responsible for Alabama homeland security strategic planning, interoperable communications, information technology, grant management, programming/accounting and office admnistration. The meeting will be at Vestavia Country Club, 10:30 AM Coffee, 11:00 AM Program with Col Davis speaking, 11:30 business and lunch at noon. YOU'RE INVITED.

ART

Here's a link to a juried art show with works by my niece, Rachel Owings Bahr's husband, Greg. .....as you will see, he is very talented! http://www.flickr.com/photos/12740389@N02/sets/ One day I hope Rosemary and I can take a "girl's trip" to New York City. I'd like to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art again and visit the Museum of Biblical Art....here are links to their sites. http://www.metmuseum.org/ http://www.mobia.org/ Did you know that the Birmingham Museum of Art is hosting a collection of exhibits from Pompeii beginning in October. We went to Mobile to see a part of the exhibit when it was there. I'm looking forward to seeing this exhibit this fall! http://www.artsbma.org/

Cheers, to your health!

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/562474_print

James H. O'Keefe MD, FACC; Kevin A. Bybee MD; Carl J. Lavie MD, FACC

J Am Coll Cardiol. 2007;50(11) ©2007 Elsevier Science, Inc. Posted 09/10/2007 Abstract and Introduction

Abstract

An extensive body of data shows concordant J-shaped associations between alcohol intake and a variety of adverse health outcomes, including coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, stroke, dementia, Raynaud's phenomenon, and all-cause mortality. Light to moderate alcohol consumption (up to 1 drink daily for women and 1 or 2 drinks daily for men) is associated with cardioprotective benefits, whereas increasingly excessive consumption results in proportional worsening of outcomes. Alcohol consumption confers cardiovascular protection predominately through improvements in insulin sensitivity and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The ethanol itself, rather than specific components of various alcoholic beverages, appears to be the major factor in conferring health benefits. Low-dose daily alcohol is associated with better health than less frequent consumption. Binge drinking, even among otherwise light drinkers, increases cardiovascular events and mortality. Alcohol should not be universally prescribed for health enhancement to nondrinking individuals owing to the lack of randomized outcome data and the potential for problem drinking.

Cardioprotective alcohol intake is generally defined as 1 or 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink per day for women. A drink is considered to be 12 oz beer, 5 oz wine, 1.5 oz 80-proof spirits, or 1 oz 100-proof spirits, all of which contain approximately 13 g to 15 g ethanol.

The St. James Daily Devotional Guide

If any of you are looking for a daily bible reading plan, I recommend the St. James Daily Devotional Guide for the Christian Year. It is compiled and written by Patrick Henry Reardon. and published by The Fellowship of St. James www.fsj.org. It uses both the continuous reading method (reading a book straight through) and the select reading method (chosing biblical passages that are appropriate to special days or seasons in the Christian calendar or specified themes of the life of Christ). Here's the gospel selection for today: "For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great." Luke 6: 43-49

Southern Living at Home Party

I'm hosting a Southern Living at Home Party next Thursday night, September 27th, 7:00 PM, at my house. Here's how they advertise on the website: When you go to a Southern Living At HOME party you get boutique-quality products, shopping mall selection, and the comfort and convenience of a home setting. Shop at home with friends and family and learn about our exclusive product line from a Southern Living At HOME Consultant. Your Consultant can answer all of your questions and even offer styling tips! I went to my first party at Dolly Larson's house and part of the SLAH business plan is to sign up others to host parties.......their items are very nice, so if you want to do some early Christmas shopping, buy a special wedding gift, or just look for something special for your own home, please come on over!

Weight a minute!

The bottom line? It’s all about the calories. Both curbing calories and exercising more are both equally effective for losing weight. If you are not able to exercise as much, you have to cut your caloric intake. I think the South Beach is a good way to start. It is set up in 4 phases. Phase 1 is a 2 week FAST of carbohydrates. That means…..NO bread, NO sweetened anything (tea, soft drink, dessert, etc), and they even say NO fruit because of the high fructose…but it is only for 2 weeks. Basically during that time you only eat vegetables and meat and drink water, unsweetened or splenda sweetened drinks. I think we did eat sugar-free pudding on occasion for dessert. It was really hard to stay on it, but it really works. However, I might add that the Tufts research says this initial weight loss is mostly water-weight, but I think the fast also helps you quit craving sweets. After 2 weeks you can introduce fruits and whole wheat bread in moderation….that is to last for about 3-4 week. After that you may introduce a greater variety of carbohydrates. The recipes in the book are good. Gilbert and I really didn't stick with phase 3 or 4, but tried to maintain/blance our carbohydrate intake and exercise. I do think that in addition to the carb-cuts, it is best to cut the saturated fats and CUT OUT the trans-fats which South Beach doesn't emphasize. We're still working on these "life style" changes, i.e. taking in fewer calories than we expend!!! Here's what the Tufts University School of Nutrition says about South Beach...they point out the inconsistencies in the science.....I tend to agree with their analysis, but I don't think it hurts to use it as a "jump start" cut-out-the-sweet method for dieting. PS Of course, this as well as any type of weight-loss dieting "advice" should only be followed by non-pregnant, non-nursing women :-).

Tufts University School of Nutrition

Weighing In On the South Beach Diet

http://www.atkinsexposed.org/atkins/85/Tufts_University_School_of_Nutrition.htm

FV Discussion

Here's a link to a current Federal Vision discussion: http://deregnochristi.org/

This poem is a balm to my soul.

From an old English parsonage down by the sea There came in the twilight a message to me; Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven, Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven. And on through the doors the quiet words ring Like a low inspiration: “DOE THE NEXTE THYNGE.” Many a questioning, many a fear, Many a doubt, hath its quieting here. Moment by moment, let down from Heaven, Time, opportunity, and guidance are given. Fear not tomorrows, child of the King, Thrust them with Jesus, doe the nexte thynge. Do it immediately, do it with prayer; Do it reliantly, casting all care; Do it with reverence, tracing His hand Who placed it before thee with earnest command. Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing, Leave all results, doe the nexte thynge Looking for Jesus, ever serener, Working or suffering, be thy demeanor; In His dear presence, the rest of His calm, The light of His countenance be thy psalm, Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing. Then, as He beckons thee, doe the nexte thynge.

--Anonymous

Here is an exhortation on marriage.

http://www.leithart.com/archives/003306.php

Gilbert and I are in our 30th year of marriage, I would add particularly for wives, to "pray without ceasing" for your spouse, family and never give up on using the helps the Lord has given for every area of life (in addition to prayer, obey His word and participate in covenant renewing worship)...especially when those feelings of alone-ness overwhelm or you think you are fending for yourself....remember that "feelings come and feelings go and feelings are deceiving"....and we are NEVER alone for the LORD is with us and will help us in our struggles with our marriages and families.

I guess my marriage and family mantra through the years has been ....ora et labora (pray and work) and never give up.....do the next thing to the glory of God!

HAPPY CONSTITUTION DAY! Sept 17, 2007, marks the 220^th year since the signing of the Constitution of the United States! It is said to be the shortest written document which has governed a major world nation for the longest period of time! I think it’s because her principles were derived from the Bible, though not exclusively because the constitution has it’s mix of Greek and Roman philosophy as well.

I like what Justice Antonin Scalia said about the so-called “living Constitution”….

"...the Constitution that I interpret is not living but dead...It means today not what current society (much less the Court) thinks it ought to mean, but what it meant when it was adopted."

Although, the culture of our founding fathers wasn’t a perfect “Christian culture” the majority held a Christian worldview and expected it to be a “given” that our moral and civil law was established by God, thus being the basis for the political pact called our constitution in order that:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

"The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies Me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!" Ps 50: 23

Hospitality

"The front door of the home is the side door to the church." Over the years, Gilbert and I have had opportunities to welcome people into our home for meals, overnight stays and sometimes for extended stays. It has been a blessing to us. We are praying that the Lord will continue to give us opportunities to open our home to others and that He will help us understand more biblical patterns of hospitality. Christine Pohl in her book, Making Room, Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition, reminds us that Paul urged fellow Christians to welcome one another as Christ had welcomed them. He challenged the early believers to "pursue" hospitality. For the people of ancient Israel, understanding themselves as strangers and sojourners, with responsibility to care for vulnerable strangers in their midst, was part of what it meant to be the people of God. For most of the history of the church, hospitality was understood to encompass physical, social, and spiritual dimensions of human existence and relationships. It involved shared meals; historically, table fellowship was an important way of recognizing the equal value and dignity of persons. Hospitality, because it was such a fundamental human practice, always included family, friends, and influential contacts. The distinctive Christian contribution was the emphasis on including the poor and neediest, the ones who could not return the favor. This focus did not diminish the value of hospitality to family and friends; rather, it broadened the practice so that the close relations formed by table fellowship and conversation could be extended to the most vulnerable. Hopefully we will be able to picture Christ by showing hospitality to others....and the church will grow. "The front door of the home is the side door of the church." ora et labora