To a logical thinking person, it seems rather harsh for the Christians to believe that only through Jesus Christ can a person be saved. For 4,000 years men never heard of Jesus because he had not come to earth yet and in the two thousand years since he came, many have never heard of him nor have had the opportunity of hearing about him.
Yet the most well-known defenders of the faith will quote you the scriptures where it is written that only through Christ can a person receive salvation. "There is no other namr under heaven whereby a man can be saved. Whereby through one man sin came into the world; by one man can sin be taken away."
The bible, the holy word of God, days that we must accept Christ as our saviour in order to reeive salvation and that there is no other way. If God said it, then far be it from me to disagree. Bibical scholars and church leaders all agree that there is no other way.
But the Old Testament saints received salvation without ever hearing about Jesus. How?
It is said that their faith was counted for their rightousness. If this was done for them, why not for others. Does not the Psalmist claim that nature teaches us that God exists? So if a man accepts what nature teaches, is he not accepting what God wants him too?
There is another verse that is never quoted in dealing with this subject and that is "In the beginning was the Word...." This verse tells us that Jesus Christ is the word of God and is God, and has been God from the beginning. I believe that God speaks to man through the Bible, through nature, through other people, and through other works. One may not reognize the voice as that of Jesus but ony as the voice of God, or the word of God, or the sign of God or however one comes to the knowledge and acceptance that there is but one true Lord, that acceptance came to them as a truth from God. That truth is the Word, which is Jesus Christm our Lord and Saviour.
Just like the N.O. Saints beat the Colts in the 2010 Super Bowl is truth, that truth may have come to us because we saw the game live, we watched it on TV, we read it in the paper, we heard it on the radio, or some one told us, we got word somehow that the Saints won, the same is true about God and salvation: salvation only comes by accepting the word of God and that word is Jesus Christ, but that word came come to us in many different ways.
Sunday, February 07, 2010
A present from Santa Claus
I wanted an apple peeler and have for a good number of years but no one wanted to get me one so this year "Santa Claus" (a.k.a. me) left me one under my Christmas tree.
I purchased it at Melvin's of Randleman (which I call Macy's). I may have been able to get one online for less or one that did more (mine peels, slices and cores ) but I helped the local economy, didn't shop at Wal-mart and got exactly what I wanted.
I seldom peel my apples but love them in a salad. Just core one and then quarter the slices and it is perfect for a salad.
If you have never been in Macy's it is worth the trip. While at it, stop in the Firestone store on the same block. You just have to check out the TV that is in the back.
It's instant time travel.
I purchased it at Melvin's of Randleman (which I call Macy's). I may have been able to get one online for less or one that did more (mine peels, slices and cores ) but I helped the local economy, didn't shop at Wal-mart and got exactly what I wanted.
I seldom peel my apples but love them in a salad. Just core one and then quarter the slices and it is perfect for a salad.
If you have never been in Macy's it is worth the trip. While at it, stop in the Firestone store on the same block. You just have to check out the TV that is in the back.
It's instant time travel.
Is Whole Foods unfair to fat employees?
Whole foods gives their employees a 20% discount but will "reward' those with a BMI of less than thirty and who do not smoke a discount of 30%, according to a recent news release.
Another grocer doesn't reward the non obese but penalizes the more than overweight and smokers. A BMI of over thirty-two and/or smoking will get one a $40.00 a week increase in health insurance cost. These costs can be limited to just a three month period if one calls the insurance company and agrees to participate in regular sessions with a "health coach".
I like the preventive medicine approach now being taken by employers. It is good for the employees health and will cost the employers less in the long run. The biggest drawn backs I have noticed to these programs is that the ones who participate tend to be the ones who are recently diagnosed with health problems and it can be financially devastating to already struggling low wage earners.
I never realized how unhealthy I ws until the company had a free health screening at the store about four or five years ago. One has not been held since.
My biggest concern about programs like this is not whether it is fair or not to bigger employees or to smokers but whether it will lead to discrimination in hiring practices. Just beause one is large and/or smokes does not mean that they are unhealthy nor does it mean that they can afford not to have a job. It stands to reason that if a employer is concerned enough about health care costs to give away 10% of its income from employee purchases, it would also encourgage, either overtly or covertly, the hiring managers to hire people they believe to be less of a health risk. It even may lead to a requirement that applicants furnish a recent physical along with their job application for common low paying jobs.
Now wouldn't that get the opponents of the Whole Foods owner in an uproar if he did that?
Another grocer doesn't reward the non obese but penalizes the more than overweight and smokers. A BMI of over thirty-two and/or smoking will get one a $40.00 a week increase in health insurance cost. These costs can be limited to just a three month period if one calls the insurance company and agrees to participate in regular sessions with a "health coach".
I like the preventive medicine approach now being taken by employers. It is good for the employees health and will cost the employers less in the long run. The biggest drawn backs I have noticed to these programs is that the ones who participate tend to be the ones who are recently diagnosed with health problems and it can be financially devastating to already struggling low wage earners.
I never realized how unhealthy I ws until the company had a free health screening at the store about four or five years ago. One has not been held since.
My biggest concern about programs like this is not whether it is fair or not to bigger employees or to smokers but whether it will lead to discrimination in hiring practices. Just beause one is large and/or smokes does not mean that they are unhealthy nor does it mean that they can afford not to have a job. It stands to reason that if a employer is concerned enough about health care costs to give away 10% of its income from employee purchases, it would also encourgage, either overtly or covertly, the hiring managers to hire people they believe to be less of a health risk. It even may lead to a requirement that applicants furnish a recent physical along with their job application for common low paying jobs.
Now wouldn't that get the opponents of the Whole Foods owner in an uproar if he did that?
Friday, February 05, 2010
Howard Stern on Idol
I don't want to watch it with Ellen Degenerate judging the tslent. If howard Stern takes Simon Cowell's place next season, a large percentage of Idols audience will quit watching.
Excuse me, I meant Degenerous, or is it Degenerass--I'm not sure--you pick one.
Excuse me, I meant Degenerous, or is it Degenerass--I'm not sure--you pick one.
Installment 96
I picked up a copy of the Rhino times last week and the firist page touted installment 96 of Black and white by jerry Bledsoe. What is special about this installment is that number 96 is the last one. It represents reporting a story over a nearly 3 and one half year time frame.
I quit reading the articles 84 installments ago.
I quit reading the articles 84 installments ago.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
News 14, Greensboro
Following is a copy of a headline from News 14 in Greensboro as published on Roadrunners home page:
School closings and delays inconvient for working parents
Exactly what does inconvient mean?
School closings and delays inconvient for working parents
Exactly what does inconvient mean?
keyboard
I need a new keyboard as some of my keys stick together. I cleaned it a couple of weeks ago which helped but it didn't solve the problem.
I now have 16 Hibiscus seedlings growing. The flowers will be a light purple--lavendar I beleive is the correct color.
No cherry or peach trees yet. I hate to have to buy any but I will if I must. In years past I have been able to grow peach and cherry trees from seed but the lasttwo years I have had no luck. But I will have my fruit trees this year, one way or the other, evem if I have to forgo a new keyboard to afford them.
I now have 16 Hibiscus seedlings growing. The flowers will be a light purple--lavendar I beleive is the correct color.
No cherry or peach trees yet. I hate to have to buy any but I will if I must. In years past I have been able to grow peach and cherry trees from seed but the lasttwo years I have had no luck. But I will have my fruit trees this year, one way or the other, evem if I have to forgo a new keyboard to afford them.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Winter planting
In my back yard on the property line I planted pine trees (the cedar variety) last year and this year I plan to plant a hibiscus tree between each one. I stsarted the trees from seed in my spare bedroom and have 10 seedlings growing so far. I needed one more apple tree to take the place of the one that died last year and my apple seed has produced a seedling that is almost three inches high so far.
No action from either my cherry or peasch pits but I keep hoping.
I may start some vegatables seeds next week, maybe peppers and/or tomatoes.
No action from either my cherry or peasch pits but I keep hoping.
I may start some vegatables seeds next week, maybe peppers and/or tomatoes.
In a hurry?
Why does Obama always urge Congress to pass legislation quickly. Can't they take their time and get it right?
Is it in the numbers?
Years ago I was told that 10% of all people would lie and steal even if they did not have to and 10% of people would never ie or steal regardless of the circumstances.
Staistics say 15 out of ever 1000 girls will engage in prostitution.
It that just in the numbers or is there something that can be done to reduce those numbers. I know there is a common thread among street prostitutes in regardless to their early family life and their personality types but the numbers seem they would be skewed by those girls who are rnnaways and befriended by pimps or those girls sold by family members and put into forced prostitution.
Sometimes it is a good girl from a good family that just seems to go haywire for no apparent reason.
Do we really have an input into who and what they become or are they just who they were destined to be, just because it is in the numbers?
Staistics say 15 out of ever 1000 girls will engage in prostitution.
It that just in the numbers or is there something that can be done to reduce those numbers. I know there is a common thread among street prostitutes in regardless to their early family life and their personality types but the numbers seem they would be skewed by those girls who are rnnaways and befriended by pimps or those girls sold by family members and put into forced prostitution.
Sometimes it is a good girl from a good family that just seems to go haywire for no apparent reason.
Do we really have an input into who and what they become or are they just who they were destined to be, just because it is in the numbers?
Obama proposes tax hikes in budget
Did you really expect otherwise? President Obama acts like a poor man who just won the lottery and thinks his winning will buy and and his family and friends and neighbors everthing they ever wanted.
A business in trouble cannot go on an expansion frenzy and then expect the employees to take a pay cut to pay for the expense of expanding and yet that is exactly what Obama has done with the US Government.
I am beginning to think that as bad as Jimmy Carter was, he was better than Obama. Hell, Bush was better than Obama.
As Dan Rather would say "just1,095 days until Barrack Obama is escorted from the White House back to that political cesspool that is Chicago, Illinois.
Unless of course, enough people want to have a recall election or a do-over.
A business in trouble cannot go on an expansion frenzy and then expect the employees to take a pay cut to pay for the expense of expanding and yet that is exactly what Obama has done with the US Government.
I am beginning to think that as bad as Jimmy Carter was, he was better than Obama. Hell, Bush was better than Obama.
As Dan Rather would say "just1,095 days until Barrack Obama is escorted from the White House back to that political cesspool that is Chicago, Illinois.
Unless of course, enough people want to have a recall election or a do-over.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Who wants to be a millionaire?
The new found rich do not often find life better. The body of a man who won a lump sum of $17 million in Florida was found buried in the yard of a girlfriends boyfriend's backyard. He is believed to have been killed because of his money.
In another news story, a lady won some money in the lottery, purchased a set of wedding rings for herself and her new spouse, took him out to dinner, and then went to a bar to celebrate with some friends. She was ran over by a car just after leaving the bar and died at the scene.
Even some churches find that having received a large cash nonation from a lottery winner is not a good thing. It seems that a sudden influx of ill gotten gains indices the congregation to quit giving and once the large gift is gone, the church can no longer meet it's obligations.
It seems the newly rich can't seem to deal with that much money and end up worse than they were to begin with, or, in some cases, just plin dead.
In another news story, a lady won some money in the lottery, purchased a set of wedding rings for herself and her new spouse, took him out to dinner, and then went to a bar to celebrate with some friends. She was ran over by a car just after leaving the bar and died at the scene.
Even some churches find that having received a large cash nonation from a lottery winner is not a good thing. It seems that a sudden influx of ill gotten gains indices the congregation to quit giving and once the large gift is gone, the church can no longer meet it's obligations.
It seems the newly rich can't seem to deal with that much money and end up worse than they were to begin with, or, in some cases, just plin dead.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Recall vote
California had one, Skip Alston threatedned to have another here in Greensboro, and maybe we should have one, or at least a do-over from the last Presidential election. If it were held today, who would win?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Obama on Bipartisianship
"We want the Republicans to work with us." Obama says.
Not "we want to work with the Republicans" or we want both parties to work together". No, he makes it clear he believes he is right and the party of the open mind is closed to Republican ideas. What Obama is really saying is if the Republicans do things his way, the he can control Congress and get his agenda passed.
Not "we want to work with the Republicans" or we want both parties to work together". No, he makes it clear he believes he is right and the party of the open mind is closed to Republican ideas. What Obama is really saying is if the Republicans do things his way, the he can control Congress and get his agenda passed.
It is what it is
The phrase "it is what it is" is one of the most overworked phrases of 2008 and one voted most irratating.
“But, remember this,” he (Obama) went on. “I never suggested that change would be easy, or that I can do it alone. Democracy in a nation of 300 million people can be noisy and messy and complicated. And when you try to do big things and make big changes, it stirs passions and controversy. That’s just how it is.”
Or, it other words, it is what it is.
That's change we can believe in.
Yea, right.
“But, remember this,” he (Obama) went on. “I never suggested that change would be easy, or that I can do it alone. Democracy in a nation of 300 million people can be noisy and messy and complicated. And when you try to do big things and make big changes, it stirs passions and controversy. That’s just how it is.”
Or, it other words, it is what it is.
That's change we can believe in.
Yea, right.
Exercise program
Several years ago I was diagnosed as diabetic. My blood pressure was high, normally around 165/72, trigycerides were over 600. chestrol well over 400, and I was almost 100 pounds overweight although I didn't think I was that fat.
I started visiting my doctor regularly and changed my eating habits. With my doctors help. I lost 30 pounds and all my numbers except for blood pressure and sugar were well within the normal range. Only after Christmas did my blood sugar climb to a level where i needed meds. After 3 months I would have it back under control.
The difference was that I love being outdoors and with digging my water pond, mowing the grass, planting trees and flower gardens, I got plenty of exercise. During the colder months I'm like a bear--I find a nice warm place to curl up in and stay put until it warms up outside.
This year to combat that problem my wife and I purchased a Wii. We use it daily, set goals for ourselves, and follow the exercise programs that cover the whole body. We do occasionally play one of the games--my wife likes bowling and I perfer golf.
She has done exceptionally well, losing 16 pounds in 48 days. I haven't done quite as well, but I have shrank pants size and people are always asking if Ihave lost weight.
She has better eating habits than I do and her schedule is steady. My changes from day to day. Some days I go to work at 5 am other days it might be 8, or 9, or 10, 0r 11, or 12, or one, and occasionally even as late as 2 o'clock. It is hard to maintain a rountine like this.
I must, however, do better.
I started visiting my doctor regularly and changed my eating habits. With my doctors help. I lost 30 pounds and all my numbers except for blood pressure and sugar were well within the normal range. Only after Christmas did my blood sugar climb to a level where i needed meds. After 3 months I would have it back under control.
The difference was that I love being outdoors and with digging my water pond, mowing the grass, planting trees and flower gardens, I got plenty of exercise. During the colder months I'm like a bear--I find a nice warm place to curl up in and stay put until it warms up outside.
This year to combat that problem my wife and I purchased a Wii. We use it daily, set goals for ourselves, and follow the exercise programs that cover the whole body. We do occasionally play one of the games--my wife likes bowling and I perfer golf.
She has done exceptionally well, losing 16 pounds in 48 days. I haven't done quite as well, but I have shrank pants size and people are always asking if Ihave lost weight.
She has better eating habits than I do and her schedule is steady. My changes from day to day. Some days I go to work at 5 am other days it might be 8, or 9, or 10, 0r 11, or 12, or one, and occasionally even as late as 2 o'clock. It is hard to maintain a rountine like this.
I must, however, do better.
Obama at the State of the Union debacle
Looks gay, doesn't he? Not that there is anything wrong in being gay.
Is he serious?
Conan OBrian left the tonight show and Barrack Obama is campaigning for his old position or maybe for a prime time opening being vacated by Jay Leno. A pending freeze on federal programs that are currently at record deficit levels? Does that spending freeze prevent the government from enacting any more new programs for the next three years?
No? Then it really isn't a freeze, is it?
What is new and improved about a political leader spewing rhetoric that sounds good but contains no subsance of any value or promises that cannot be kept. And his only admission of failure was that he did a poor jopb of convincing me he was right?
Maybe he should realize he is trying to push me down a road I don't want to go on. He can't lead me anywhere because I don't trust him or any of his crappy promises. I haven't believed him since he said he was going to change business as usual in Washington. He knew and everyone else knows that just "ain't gonna happen" and yet a majority of people were motivated by empty rhetoric.
Bush, with all his faults, at least told things like they were. An example was when Obama appointed Bill Clinton and George Bush as a,bassador's to raise money for Haiti. Clinton gave this fance appeal. Bush said "I know you want to give water and blankets-just give cash' Uninspiring yes, but straigt and to the point.
What this country needs is less motivaltional and inspirational speeches and more truth and substance and real life, real time solutions.
No? Then it really isn't a freeze, is it?
What is new and improved about a political leader spewing rhetoric that sounds good but contains no subsance of any value or promises that cannot be kept. And his only admission of failure was that he did a poor jopb of convincing me he was right?
Maybe he should realize he is trying to push me down a road I don't want to go on. He can't lead me anywhere because I don't trust him or any of his crappy promises. I haven't believed him since he said he was going to change business as usual in Washington. He knew and everyone else knows that just "ain't gonna happen" and yet a majority of people were motivated by empty rhetoric.
Bush, with all his faults, at least told things like they were. An example was when Obama appointed Bill Clinton and George Bush as a,bassador's to raise money for Haiti. Clinton gave this fance appeal. Bush said "I know you want to give water and blankets-just give cash' Uninspiring yes, but straigt and to the point.
What this country needs is less motivaltional and inspirational speeches and more truth and substance and real life, real time solutions.
Toyota recall
My wife and her family are what one would call a Toyota family. Yjr one my wife owns and the one I drive is not part of the gas petal recall. It is a flinstone-type car. Miles per gallon depends on how much one has had to drink!
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