Hibdon Tires (A) Plus!

Liz and I have been battling a tire that keeps going flat on the SUV. We found a screw in it and plugged it (with the help of Liz's dad...he is so handy!). Everything was fine, then about 4 days later...flat again. Pretty much every 3-4 days the tire is in dire need of help. I was pretty fed up with it, so today I left the car and took the SUV. I figured during my lunch break I would go to Hibdons to have them look at it. They worked on it for a little over a hour. They cleaned up the spot we plugged and put the tire back together. He put some sort of liquid on there so that there would be bubbles if there was another hole. Sure enough, there was a little spot that you basically could not see....but you could see the bubbles coming from there. The tech fixed that spot up, too. I go inside to pay, just to be told there was NO CHARGE! Awesome! They spent a little over a hour on something to not get paid. From now on, I will be sure they get my business...I just wanted to pass along good service when I see it. Thank you Hibdon!

Another note: While I was there, I heard the lady at the desk and one of the techs talking. Apparently, this customer was wanting new tires for his vehicle. The dealership quoted him like $800. They were talking about dealerships ripping people off...apparently they were saying Hibdons price was $406 and the customer's price would be $509. Even after Hibdon's mark up, it is still way less than the dealership's price. Basically, you might just want to check around before you buy at the dealership.

Tired Of All The Garbage!

As many of you know, Liz and I are trying to start a more frugal lifestyle. I don't want to get caught up in all materialistic garbage this world has to offer. I watched the message below....very, very powerful message regarding finances. My vision is I want to be out of our house by the end of next summer (get a cheap house and work towards our ultimate goal of a house on at least 5 acres), I want to work diligently towards getting things paid off (very limited eating out, take lunch to work, etc) by doing whatever it takes. I want my wife to stay home and take care of the house and kids...while home educating them (nothing else...no daycare, no chapel job). My vision is have everything paid off (except for house and MAYBE one car) by the time we get that house on an acreage. That is MY vision. I am tired of talking about it...I need to be a man of action. The future of my family and my vision is at stake...if we don't get there now, it will be too late.

For those who are in a financial hole...we know what it is like. We had more going out than coming in for the longest time. Remember, it is only for a season...trust the Lord! Matter of fact, Liz and I took a HUGE step of faith while deep in our hole. We gave. What!?!? Yes, you heard it...we gave. We started trusting the Lord and gave to the church and mission work. In the midst of a massive Goliath-like burden...we trusted the Lord and He delivered us. What did we do next...we gave more. I'm not saying this to toot my own horn...I am just offering you hope...hope that only the Lord can provide. He is testing you and your faith in Him...in the midst of it all, are you willing to let go and let God?

Father, I come before you today as a man trusting You. I can do nothing on my own, but I can do all things through Your Son who gives me strength. Lord, help us to keep our eye on the vision and not be distracted by the things this world throws at us. Give us strength to overcome temptation. May I be a man of action and a man who pleases You...may I be a husband and father that is leading my family towards financial release. I am tired of living in bondage...help me take a step of frugal living and overcome it. Thank You for your grace, thank You for your mercy, thank You for loving me! In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

Q & A About My Wife!

What is your spouse's name?
Elizabeth (Liz)

When did they become your spouse?
June 11, 2006

When did you know they were the one?
We talked for awhile on the computer before our first date. I would say the first date. I kinda knew while we were talking, but being together in person just sealed the deal...it just all came together.

Do they have any brothers?
Yes, 1 brother

Do they have any sisters?
Yes, 2 sisters

Are you happy?
YES, I love her so much!

Do they sing to you?
Yes...we sing more together. She has a wonderful singing voice, even if she won't admit it.

Do they dance with you?
Maybe for a second...we don't dance much.

Do you have children?
yes...Addy is 5 years old from Liz's previous marriage. She is so smart and a really good kid.

How many?
Just the 1 for now.

How many do you want?
BUNCHES! I don't know how else to say it. We want a bunch of our own and to adopt as well. We joke, saying we will need a 15 passenger van to haul us all around.

Do they tell you they love you or only say it after you do?
She says it to me often...and always after I tell her (I say it tons).

Are they romantic?
Yes...especially considering how busy we are. It isn't a matter of being romantic for us, it is a matter of when because there is no time. She works every Friday night and all day Saturday...then a lot of time is spent at church on Sunday, we grocery shop Sunday afternoon, along with mowing/yard work. If she is off from the chapel and we go out...then I feel like we really have a chance to re-connect and be romantic (even if it is just going out for dinner all dressed up).

Do they tell you that you're beautiful?
Well...she calls me a dork. Does that count?

Do you like their mother?
I guess she is ok. I say that because I know she will read this...haha! I really like her...she has the same sense of humor as Liz and myself. My only complaint is that she doesn't fix me meals, it is usually "there is stuff in the freezer, help yourself". With that aside, she is pretty fun. She is a good mother to her kids...she loves and has a great passion for her family. I really respect that...she just wants what is best for her family.

Do you like their father?
Yes. He is really handy! He is licensed to work on everything, basically from the foundation up. He does carpentry work, heat/air, ovens, refrigerators...just an overall handyman. I can ask him anything and he is always willing to drive down to Norman from Choctaw to take a look. That is one thing that I can say about him, that he is always willing to help out the family...I know he also wants what is best for the family. I think both Jody and Ann have done a good job and are awesome in-laws!

ESPN!

ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports, is at it again. How many times have we flipped to their station and saw spelling bee tournament, hot dog eating tournament, dogs jumping off docks, and extreme close-ups of poker hands? Well, that is old news...this Saturday, I noticed they will be airing the Paper, Rock, Scissors Championship!

That is ridiculous. I love ESPN...but really only during football season. I can't wait...less than one month before football practices start. At least, then I will have a real sport to be excited about! I mean come on...I can't believe there would actually be a televised audience that would support such a stupid tournament. Yep...you heard it here, I guess Paper, Rock, Scissors is a now considered a highly skilled sport. Crazy!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer - What was the first job you ever had?
I helped my dad quite a bit during the summers when I was a kid...though I won't count that. I will just say my first job was right after I turned 16...I worked at Brannon's IGA as a sacker.

Soup - Name a profession you have always wanted to try.
Growing up, I always wanted to be a professional football player. I also really wanted to be a PE Teacher and Football Coach.

Salad - Name a profession you would NEVER want to try.
Anything that requires me to be stuck in small confines for a long time (navy, astronaut, etc.)

Entree - What is your favorite sound in the world?
The sound of the net (both nylon and chain) when the basketball swishes through.

Dessert - If there is a Heaven, what would you like to hear from God when you arrive?
First, there is a heaven...Second, I want to hear "Well done, thy good and faithful servant!"

The Friday's Feast chef is away, gathering new recipes and letting special questions simmer. Michael is hosting this week, so visit him over at Valtool's Box and set up your own feast!

Honor God With Your Body!

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit… Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I just started watching a series called Life Development Plan. I skipped ahead to week 5 because of the title "Physical Life". My wife and I have talked about this quite a bit lately. We have recently given up soda in our house already, but there is so much more to it. Think about this:

8 out of 10 people over 25 are overweight.
More than 60% of Americans are overweight or obese.
The number of overweight Americans has doubled since 1980.
The number of overweight adolescents has tripled.
Obesity is 2nd only to smoking as the top preventable cause of death.
If things continue as is, obesity will overtake smoking as number one.
78% of Americans are not meeting basic level activity recommendations.

EVERY BODY ENDS UP SOMEWHERE.
FEW BODIES END UP SOMEWHERE ON PURPOSE.

It isn't just about making healthier eating habits and drinking water either (though think about this, if you order water instead of soda everytime you eat out and instead invest that money...you will be able to put 2 kids through college. WOW!). Three things that we should do:

1. REGULAR CHECKUPS.
Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick…’ Mark 2:17

2. CONSISTENT EXERCISE.
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8

3. DEFEAT ADDICTIONS.
Everything is permissible for me-but not everything is beneficial… I will not be mastered by anything. 1 Corinthians 6:12

I never go to the doctor...never. I am going to make it a priority to go have a physical and checkup once a year. Addictions? It could be smoking, beer/liquor, dipping, overeating, caffeine, etc...but we can overcome ANYTHING.

My wife and I talk about it a lot like I said earlier...we say, "we don't want to be the fat family." See there is a difference between talking and doing...and I know there is a problem, now it is time for me to make some changes because my body is the temple of God and I want honor God with my body. Check out this video...

Birth Control

My wife and I have been discussing birth control and if it is something that God really wants us to do. You can read her blog on this topic by clicking here.

First, here is a sermon I found about Birth Control...then I did a search on LifeChurch's page and found a sermon video. So first, a sermon I found....then beneath that, it is also talked about on the LifeChurch video. (hint: LifeChurch video doesn't agree with Genesis 38 verses about Onan being applicable here...also it deals with a few different questions, so only the first 11 minutes are dealing with birth control directly).

Let's dive on in...

1. Children are a blessing from the Lord
Scripture is full of such verses; it doesn't take much scratching to dig up a host of passages which refer to children in this light.

Psalm 127:3-5 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
Genesis 25:21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.
Exodus 23:25-26 Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.
Genesis 33:5 (Jacob meeting Esau)Jacob answered, "They are the children God has graciously given your servant."
Psalm 128:1-4 (ESV)1 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways! 2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. 4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.

These are general statements of God's attitude toward children. There are those who would say that we can limit blessings, that the Bible refers to many things as blessings, including wealth and belongings, and that we definitely should limit such blessings.

It's all in what you compare the blessing of children to that this argument rises or falls. Which of us would suggest we limit our blessings when it comes to forgiveness of sins? If you compare children to money, then, by all means, limit it. But if you compare them to forgiveness of our sins, they're a blessing to seek without number or end. If we compare God's gift of children only to material blessing, we make an inherently biased comparison.

Those who would still argue that it is appropriate to limit the Divine blessing of children must at least admit that only some blessings are limitable. If you choose to include children among blessings such as possessions and wealth which are limitable because of their negative potential, on what basis do you do so? The Bible clearly warns against the pursuit of material items. Where does the Bible warn that love of children is a root of any evil?

Finally, sometimes, limiting God's blessing is sin. The prophet Elisha urged King Joash to strike the ground with the arrows as a sign of his defeat of the Syrians. Joash hit the ground three times and Elisha rebuked him for not doing so five or six times. By hitting the ground only three times he brought Israel just three victories over the Syrians rather than five or six. When God seeks to bless, who are we to limit His blessing?

2. Fill the earth and subdue it still applies
Children are a Divine blessing. They are eternal beings created in the image of God. They bear the image of God. This much is positive instruction on our topic. But there is more from a positive point of view. There is the command of Genesis 3 that man should fill the earth and subdue it. Have we finished this task? Is the world filled and subdued? If every man and woman on earth were placed in the state of Texas, the population density would be less than that of New York City. Fly over the west or over Canada or over Alaska and you will see that despite the fear-mongering prophets of Malthus spreading their messages of doom, the world is far from full. World population density today is 30 people per square mile. That's less than half the population density of the USA where we average 75 people per square mile. And the USA is far from over-populated.

Moreover, the story of the 21 st century, if you have read any recent demographic studies, (see Atlantic Monthly article from August, 1999) is going to be a story not of population explosion, but of worldwide population decline beginning in about 2040. In fact, the increase in world population over the last century was not the product of increased fertility, but of increased lifespans.

3. The Law specifies times of impurity that coincide with maximal fertility
We learn still more about God’s attitude toward birth-control from other passages. The Levitical laws of purity address the proper time for sexual union. From the onset of menstruation, we are told in Leviticus 15:19-24, a woman is unclean. She remains unclean throughout the issue of blood, and for seven days after the issue has stopped. Thus, for an average of 12 to 14 days from the onset the woman is impure. The net result of the seven-day post-menstruation unclean period is this: according to an obstetrician/gynecologist...

The "normal" menstrual cycle is supposed to occur every 28 days. Day 1 marks the first day of the cycle. 7 days of bleeding. Ovulation occurs only once a cycle and in the normal cycle will occur on day 14. If conception occurs then no more periods for 9 months. If conception does not occur then two weeks go by and the lining of the uterus is "shed" or expelled and the process begins again.

It is interesting that with the Levitical laws, God has insured that sexual relations are timed to occur at the best time for ovulation and conception. Andrew Folley, M.D.

These are passages from which we begin to extrapolate God's attitude toward birth control, and there are many more like these. But is there a passage which actually addresses the issue directly? We see God's "yes" to children in Scripture, and on that basis alone we can say a great deal. We see God's desire for children, His positive approach to pregnancy and childbirth, his proscribing sex during menstruation, and during the least fertile period immediately after menstruation. But is there more in God's Word? Specifically, is there a Divine "no" to birth control?

Scripture's Explicitly Negative Statement
Genesis 38:1-11 (ESV) 1 It happened at that time that Judah went down from his brothers and turned aside to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. 2 There Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua. He took her and went in to her, 3 and she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. 4 She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan. 5 Yet again she bore a son, and she called his name Shelah. Judah was in Chezib when she bore him. 6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7 But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord put him to death. 8 Then Judah said to Onan, "Go in to your brother's wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother." 9 But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his. So whenever he went in to his brother's wife he would waste the semen on the ground, so as not to give offspring to his brother. 10 And what he did was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death also. 11 Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, "Remain a widow in your father's house, till Shelah my son grows up -- for he feared that he would die, like his brothers. So Tamar went and remained in her father's house.

This passage is often presented in churches as addressing something other than the issue we are considering. To grasp the purpose of this passage it's vital we understand correctly the sin Onan commits. We are told in verse 10: "10 And what he did was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death also."

What did Onan do that was wicked in the sight of the Lord? This is the vital question we are left to answer at the end of these verses because we're not given an explicit answer in our passage.

Two theories have come to dominate thinking about this passage today: one a modern explanation and one the explanation of the Church universal for 1900 years up till the mid-20 th century. In recent years, many have suggested that the sin of Onan was his failure to provide offspring for his dead brother.

The second explanation is the one which has dominated church history, yet it is almost unheard-of in circles today. By this explanation, what Onan did which was wicked in the sight of the Lord was his specific method of denying Tamar a child. This explanation says that it was Onan's practice of coitus interruptus, the only common and universally available form of birth control in ancient times, which lies at the root of his sin. By this view, God punishes Onan with death not for denying his brother offspring but for spilling his seed upon the ground.

Some people mention a third theory about the sin of Onan, but it's narrowly held and seems to have arisen largely as a result of people rejecting the first of the explanations without being willing to embrace the second. This theory says that Onan is punished because, in effect, he commits adultery. Had he done his duty in regard to his brother in good faith, he would not have been guilty of adultery, but because he does not do his duty, he is guilty of adultery.

Whatever Onan's sin may be, it is certainly a grave offense in the eyes of God. God puts him to death for it, causing him to join the select ranks of Nadab and Abihu, Ananias and Sapphira, Uzzah, the sons of Korah and just a few other individuals whom we are specifically told in Scripture God punished with death for their sins. We need to understand this about this sin of Onan at the outset: it is not one of those sins worthy of "few stripes" in the judgment of God. This sin is deeply offensive to God, so offensive that God does not permit Onan to live after committing it.

Would God treat adultery in this fashion? Yes. After all, the penalty for adultery in the Mosaic Law is death by stoning. But it diminishes the likelihood that this is the sin for which God puts Onan to death when we read on in Genesis 15 and find that after these things take place, passing his daughter-in-law, Tamar on the road and thinking her a prostitute because of the way she has disguised herself, Judah has relations with her without being put to death by God. If Onan's sin was adultery, then certainly his father Judah should die by the hand of God when he commits the same sin with the same woman -- a sin, compounded in the Law of Moses by the fact that intercourse between a father and a daughter-in-law is condemned as incest. But Judah lives.

Further reducing the likelihood that adultery is the sin of Onan... By the Levitical law of levirate marriage, Tamar becomes Onan's wife when he goes into her--the surviving brother takes the widow as his wife and then goes in to her according to Deuteronomy 25:5-6,
If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband's brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her. And the first son whom she bears shall succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel.

By the levirate code, marriage precedes the sexual act. It's not the lack of a legal relationship between Tamar and Onan that's the problem in our passage, it's something done within that relationship.

I will spend no more time on this third explanation. It has never gained traction for the simple reason that it's illogical -- forged, I believe, out of a need to explain Onan's sin as something other than birth control by those who admit the difficulty of explaining God's wrath upon Onan coming down as a result of his failure to do his duty to his brother.

Judah lives after committing adultery and incest with his daughter-in-law while Onan dies: either God is simply treating them differently despite their committing the same offense, or the offense in each case is different.

Is there a clear distinction between the offense of father and son in Scripture? In fact there is. One spills his seed, the other does not.

Which leads us back to our original two choices. Either the sin Onan commits is his failure to give his brother an heir, or it is his spilling of his seed, intentionally committing a sexual act without permitting a child to be born of it. Let's assess these two possibilities individually beginning with the first, the failure to give his brother an heir.

Onan's sin his failure to provide an heir for his brother…
Is Onan's sin his failure to provide an heir for his brother? Think with me about this for a moment. On what basis would we say that it was Onan's duty to do this? The Levirate law of marriage? The law we find in Deuteronomy 25?

Deuteronomy 25:5-6 (ESV) 5 If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband's brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband's brother to her. 6 And the first son whom she bears shall succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel.

It's all right there the evangelical world says today. He has a duty. He failed his duty. He dies for his disobedience.

But there are problems with this approach. First we have the problem of an anachronistic reading of Scripture: what is the Biblical timeframe in the story of Onan? The days of the patriarchs, right? When is the law of Levirate marriage given to Israel? Over four hundred years later when God gives His law to Moses. The Levirate laws simply do not exist at this point. There is no written command from God demanding that Onan fulfill such a duty.

Of course, it doesn't have to be written to be true. There was no written law against murder either at this time, yet God still held men guilty of it and punished men for it. God's law existed before He gave the written law to Moses. How did man know God's commands before He gave His written law? They knew it, because in the words of Paul,
Romans 2:12-15 (ESV) 12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them.

Before the law was given, man had the witness of God in his heart, upon which God had written His precepts. This is the testimony of Romans 1 and 2. But here's the problem. All law prior to the giving of the written law to Moses was moral law. None of it was ceremonial or civil. Ceremonial and civil law came down from the mountain with Moses. If God held a man guilty of lawbreaking prior to giving His written law to Moses, it was not for violating ceremonial law or civil law, but for violating the moral law which He had written upon the human heart.

And that law has not passed away. It remains written on human hearts to this day. Nothing written on human hearts then fails to be written upon the hearts of lawless men today. Those today who do not have God's law are still punished by God for breaking the precepts and commandments written upon their hearts that existed before the Mosaic law. That law stands for all mankind until this very day. It is the basic moral law of God. It is universal. It is unchanged and undiminished.

But if it's true, as Evangelical preachers of the last century have nearly-universally suggested, that Onan's failure to provide an heir for his brother was the sin for which God put him to death, why do we not fulfill this law in our own day? Why are we not adamant that living brothers must provide heirs for their dead brothers in this same way? If this is truly why God put Onan to death, then this is a timeless principle for all mankind which obtains today every bit as strongly as it did in the day of Onan.

We must understand this about the Law: ceremonial law is fulfilled in Christ and thus no longer is required of us today. The civil law of Israel, laws of the nation such as the years of Jubilee and so forth have also largely passed away.

Whatever law Onan broke, it is certain that it was moral. It was the will of God written on the human heart. And if the law he violated was a pre-Mosaic requirement by God that brothers provide heirs for their deceased brothers, then it remains binding in our own day. It has not lapsed. It has not been rescinded. If it was written on the hearts of men before the law of Moses, then it is written on the hearts of men today. It is non-civil, non-ceremonial, timeless moral law, preceding both the nation of Israel and the written law of Moses.

The question of timeframe is a serious blow to the position that Onan's sin was failing to provide an heir for his brother. Most Evangelical interpreters of this passage never seem to recognize the anachronism implicit in their applying the levirate code of marriage to Onan. So here's the question -- is the levirate law of marriage (found in Deuteronomy 25:5-6), that a brother must marry his brother's widow to provide for his brother an heir, moral or civil law? If it's civil law it didn't exist before the Mosaic law was given. If it's timeless moral law, written on men's hearts, then we are as guilty as Onan if we fail to heed it today.

Things get still harder to explain for those who hold to the position that Onan died for failing to do his duty to his brother… What punishment does the Law of Moses specify for the man who fails to do this duty?

7 And if the man does not wish to take his brother's wife, then his brother's wife shall go up to the gate to the elders and say, "My husband's brother refuses to perpetuate his brother's name in Israel; he will not perform the duty of a husband's brother to me." 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him and speak to him, and if he persists, saying, "I do not wish to take her," 9 then his brother's wife shall go up to him in the presence of the elders and pull his sandal off his foot and spit in his face. And she shall answer and say, "So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother's house." 10 And the name of his house shall be called in Israel, "The house of him who had his sandal pulled off."

The punishment for such sin in the law of Moses is an act of public humiliation. Yet in Genesis Onan is put to death for his sin.

The more we examine the question of whether Onan was put to death for refusing to give offspring to his brother, the more untenable the position appears. At the very least we must say that if it was sin before the written law was given, it remains the requirement of God today. Yet I don't hear proponents of this view arguing for a return to the Levirate law of marriage.

Onan's sin his spilling of his seed…
It would seem that this leaves only one possible explanation for the sin of Onan, yet shoot down one bird and a dozen more appear. Once they discard the theory that Onan's sin was his failure to provide an heir for his brother due to their recognizing the anachronisms and faulty assumptions required to hold such a view, they don't necessarily automatically embrace the classic view of the Church. Instead they say, "Well, all right, if it wasn't his failure to provide an heir, it was his disobedience to his father… it was his unkindness to Tamar... The list goes on and on. And of course, the problem of this one deed being pulled out for such negative note in the Word remains with any of these other arguments. If this is failure to respect his father's wishes, why does Onan die for it when Ham, who uncovers his father's nakedness -- showing much greater disdain for his father than Onan -- does not?

We could go on and on. But we don't need to. And the reason we don't is that there is one explanation for God's intense wrath at the sin of Onan that coheres logically and Scripturally, that fits all the conditions of our passage and that flows perfectly from the historical setting of these early chapters of Genesis. Surprisingly, or perhaps not so surprisingly, the one explanation we are left with is the universal understanding of the Church of the sin of Onan prior to the 20th century. This position understands the sin of Onan -- his wickedness in the sight of the Lord -- as his deliberate engagement in sexual union without permitting the procreation of a child from that union: his spilling his seed upon the ground.

10 Things About Grocery Shopping

Grocery shopping seems like a harmless enough activity. It’s a chore, but it’s one that most of us do at least once a week, without giving much thought to what’s going on behind the scenes at the supermarket.

How we shop has become a science that’s studied endlessly. “Market researchers have worked for years to come up with ways to make sure shoppers see as many products as possible, because the more they see, the more they buy,” says Marion Nestle, author of What to Eat: An Aisle-by-Aisle Guide to Savvy Food Choices and Good Eating.

So to make yourself a smarter shopper, learn about the top tricks and other secrets lurking at the supermarket.

1. The shopping carts have cooties.
According to studies done on shopping carts, more than 60 percent of them are harboring coliform bacteria (the sort more often associated with public toilet seats). “These bacteria may be coming from raw foods or from children who sit in the carts,” says Chuck Gerba, Ph.D., a microbiologist at University of Arizona. “Just think about the fact that a few minutes ago, some kid’s bottom was where you are now putting your broccoli.” According to studies done by Gerba and his colleagues at University of Arizona, shopping carts had more bacteria than other surfaces they tested—even more than escalators, public phones and public bathrooms. To avoid picking up nasty bacteria, Gerba recommends using sanitizing wipes to clean off cart handles and seats, and to wash your hands after you finish shopping.

2. Dates are open to interpretation.
Except for baby formula and food, product expiration dates are not required by Federal regulations (some states, however, have their own rules requiring product dating). Labels that give a “Best if Used By” date are more of a suggestion than a safety issue—the food will taste best if eaten by the date on the label, but won’t necessarily be unsafe if eaten after that. If a product is stamped with a “Sell-By” date, that is how long the store should display it. Once you bring it home, perishable products (like meats) should be kept refrigerated and used within a few days. For more detailed charts explaining the shelf life of various products, go to USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service.

3. Kid-friendly food is purposely placed within their reach.
Anyone who shops with a child (or several) in tow has to keep an eye out for products the kids grab and toss into the cart. “I always tell parents never to bring a kid to a store,” says Nestle. “The packages with the cartoons on them are often placed on low shelves where even toddlers can reach for them.” A trip down the cereal aisle will confirm this. “Sugary cereals are at kid’s eye level, while the healthier, all-bran options are usually on the highest shelves,” says Tara Gidus, R.D., a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. It’s the same situation at the cash register, where candy and gum are strategically placed to encourage impulse buys by adults and kids can easily grab low-lying products.

4. They cut up food so they can charge more.
In the produce department there are luscious-looking slices of pineapple and melon, veggies cut up and ready for cooking or salads. At the meat counter, chicken breasts and beef are cut into chunks and marinated—ready for immediate grilling. There’s no denying that these pre-cut foods can make life incredibly easy. And nutritionists agree that if they get people to eat more healthfully, there’s nothing wrong with them. But realize that you’re also paying a tremendous premium—sometimes up to twice as much as uncut versions of the same food—just so you don’t have to bother picking up a knife.

5. Good-for-you foods require bending and reaching.
Not surprisingly, grocery store eye candy (which sometimes is actual candy)—those foods with enticing come-ons and delectable photos on the packaging that aren’t on your shopping list—are prominently placed to encourage you to reach for them. Even in the pasta aisle, you’ll find the most popular noodles (including packaged mac and cheese) at eye level. Look up to the highest or lowest shelves if you want to find healthier whole wheat options.

6. End-of-aisle displays are there to distract you from your mission.
“Food companies pay the stores to place their products where they can be seen most easily—such as in a display at the end of an aisle,” says Nestle. That prime real estate is likely to hold high-profit items or grouped items (such as marshmallows, chocolate bars and graham crackers for s’mores) designed to inspire impulse buys. And although sometimes those aisle-ends are used to promote sale items, we will buy even when there is no discount. “People are 30 percent more likely to buy items on the end of the aisle versus in the middle of the aisle—often because we think what’s at the end is a better deal,” says Brian Wansink, Ph.D., director of the Food and Brand Lab at Cornell University and author of Mindless Eating.

7. Bargains aren’t always a bargain.
Who can resist an offer like “buy five, get one free,” or “three for $1”? Apparently, very few people can. “Any time you see numbers in a sign, you’re likely to buy at least 30 percent more than you may have purchased otherwise. “So if you go looking for soup and the sign says “limit 12 per person,” chances are you’ll purchase several more cans than you intended to buy,” he says. And of course, if you buy more than you need, it’s not necessarily a bargain. Or worse yet, it could lead to over-indulging. “Mindless shopping leads to mindless eating,” says Wansink. “Once the stuff is in the house, you’ll eat it whether you really want it or not.”

8. You’ll walk the store the way they want you to.
There’s nothing haphazard about the layout of your grocery store. Sure, some of it is practical (like refrigerated cases along the periphery or meat cases in the back by the store’s loading dock), but some is carefully calculated to help you part with more money. Walk in the front doors and chances are you’re faced immediately with hard-to-resist items (not on your list) like fresh-cut flowers or just-baked loaves of bread. Just try walking past them en route to a carton of milk without tossing something extra into your cart. In fact, research has shown that 60 percent to 70 percent of what ends up in our carts is unplanned.

9. The salad bar can make you sick.
Raw produce at the salad bar, pre-made salads at the deli counter and other pre-cooked prepared foods all have the potential for harboring harmful bacteria (like E. coli, salmonella and Norovirus). “The biggest contributors to unsafe food are foods that are held at unsafe temperatures, handling of food by individuals with poor hygiene, and refilling partially used containers of perishable food with fresh food,” says Michael Doyle, Ph.D., director of the Center for Food Safety and Quality Enhancement at University of Georgia. He recommends that consumers pay attention to cleanliness, freshness (all prepared food should be thrown out if not sold by the end of the day), and way food is stored (cold foods need to be kept at 41 degrees or below; hot foods at greater than 135 degrees). As for those bulk bins of candy and trail mix—while it might be a bit gross to think about people reaching in and “sampling” the goods with their dirty fingers, according to Doyle, the risk of catching anything from them is very low. “Harmful microbes are not likely to grow in bulk-bin foods because most of those foods do not contain enough moisture to support microbial growth,” he says.

10. They don’t always clean as often as they should.
Health inspectors routinely visit supermarkets to look out for the red flags that may signal unsafe conditions for your food. But you can do a little snooping yourself. Flies in the produce or meat departments could be depositing bacteria on raw food. Roaches scurrying across the floor could also be harboring dozens of different diseases. And of course, check the shelves and products for dirt and grime—cans that are covered in dust may be an indication that they’ve sat around past their shelf life.

Weekend Reflection!

Work...yep, that pretty much described it. I guess it really only describes it because it is Monday and the last thing I remember is all the work I did last night. We'll get to that in a few minutes.

Friday...well, I will pretty much have to start with my lunch break, so you will know what I had to unload on Friday evening. Liz was given a whole bunch (and I mean a whole bunch) of free textbooks, workbooks, posters, supplies, etc for homeschooling...the only catch is it had to picked up at noon on Friday. I spent my entire lunch break there and filled the entire SUV floor to ceiling, front seat to back door...there was enough room for me to squeeze in there (and the lady said in a week or two she will have another load ready for me)...not to mention that I loaded this all up in the rain, and the boxes had been sitting outside for a few days in the rain. Friday when I got home after work, I unloaded all of that in the garage. After unloading that, I had to load up a swimming pool/filter we bought last year at a garage sale (we did intend on setting it up...but too much of a hassle, especially with DHS regulations with in-home daycare), so we decided to take it up to the in-laws. After loading that up, I had to go inside and pack our bags to take up to Choctaw...again, Liz had a weekend full of weddings and it is only a few miles away from the in-laws' house. Stayed there Friday night...

Saturday, Liz and I went by a garage sale or two before taking her to the chapel. After I dropped Liz off, I went to pick up Chance, brother in-law, who just got back from a two week trip with a friend. I had to meet Liz after that wedding was over and help her clean up, then we went back to her parents' house. After a little bit, I left back to Norman to help someone move...my absolute favorite thing to do (*sarcasm* haha!). This was the easiest move (for me) because I was only needed to help with one trip...a couch, a queen sized bed, chair, a couple other items that fit in the vehicle). After that, I headed by the house to pick up a few things, a few stores, then I headed back to Choctaw with a stop to pick up some BBQ on the way to take back. We stayed Saturday night out there....

Sunday, we got up and ready for church. After our normal 11:30am service, Liz and I started volunteering to serve in the kids area for the 1pm service. Liz was with the babies and I was with 4 year olds. The mom/daughter combo I helped out told me that I helped them on the best/worst day (depending on whose view it is, haha!) because there were 16 kids (they usually have about 10 they said) and the "not usual" ones weren't exactly sure how to behave. Next week, Liz and I will be working together with 5 year olds (I think it was), which means we will be working in Addy's class. After church, we all went and ate at Sante Fe...then the real fun kicked in. I went up to a truck stop to help Liz's dad, Jody, and her brother, Chance, do some carpentry work. I don't ever mind helping out Jody do that kind of work...it is good experience, but it is definitely hard labor. Honestly, I wish I could go with Jody every Saturday (while Liz works the weddings) and do some work on the side to make some extra money. Anyway, this truck stop was getting a new huge air conditioner installed. Here is what all we did. A new load-baring wall had to be installed, then some "above the ceiling" work. A beam had to be cut, install some 2 x 6's and some ply-wood....basically we made a square opening for the new unit in the ceiling. Also, for the load baring wall that was built, we had to sheet rock that before we left. It wasn't too bad, when all was said and done. I got home about 10pm...I missed out on dinner, but I wasn't too hungry anyway (until about 11 or so while laying in bed). I got home, took a shower, cleaned the kitchen, made the bed, then got in bed. That was pretty much my weekend...good times!

How Refreshing!

The post below is from a man I used to attend church with in Norman. Due to his job, he moved out to Amarillo. This is really refreshing coming from a Missionary Baptist...who is of my parents age. This is something that I had been emphasizing for a long time. How many of us, that grew up in a traditional church setting, ever heard the "we've never done that before"...since that was always said, the churches would never adapt. As long as the truth is not compromised (truth being the Bible), then I strongly believe that we should do whatever it takes to reach the people of the world. Here is my old MBC friend's, Bro. Ben, thoughts:

In the days of the Apostle Paul many churches met in the homes of believers rather than buildings built for public meetings. Later, great cathedrals began to be built as memorials to Jesus Christ not for the purpose of meeting large public forums. While I’m not against building buildings for people to meet I think we should consider the value of spending our building money on evangelism, outreach, sending missionaries and winning souls to Christ. If we do these things first the need for and the means to build subsequent buildings will come. I think the Lord’s churches and all of God’s people need to get this straight in our hearts and heads.

I want to make two quick points here and then I’ll move on.

First, It is long past time that we Missionary Baptists stop living and ministering in the 60’s, 70’s, and even 80’s. This is 2007. The 21st century. Just 10 short years ago technology moved us from cassette tapes and VHS tapes to CD’s and DVD’s. Today, you hear less and less of people buying CD’s and if they do they’re largely blank and tracks are down loaded from the internet. But most of the time these tracks and even movies are downloaded to an MP3 or i-POD.

We simply are not ministering or witnessing to the same people our parents and mentors once did. Albert Einstein, although I don’t think he realized how profound, said, “The world has problems today that cannot be solved by thinking the way it was thought when we created them.” Now there is one thing that never changes: The Word of God. Period! But the world in which we live needs God’s people to consider how we can effectively evangelize without compromising the truth. And I for one do not believe evangelism happens only inside the churches’ walls.

Second, I draw your attention to a familiar passage. Romans 10:14-15 “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”

If the world will not come to the preacher how shall they hear the gospel? The gospel must be taken to the world (evangelize). Whatever it takes we should be doing. Change is not easy. It sometimes is even uncomfortable, but if we are not faithful evangelizing our own towns, neighborhoods and friends how can we expect God to send us to the four corners of the earth to do it?

What Are Your Priorities? - Something to Think About

I saw the following message from LifeChurch South OKC's youth pastor, Wade Smith. I think it is so good and so true that I needed to pass along. Check it out:

Vilfredo Pareto was an Italian economist who made an astounding discovery about a hundred years ago. He suggested that a principle is at work that applies to money, people, and time. Some call it the 80/20 Principle. This principle teaches us about handling our priorities. Here it is in a nutshell: When you practice the right priorities, 20% of your effort gets you 80% of your desired results. In other words, twenty percent of our tasks are more fruitful than the other eighty percent. Think about that in relation to your life for a minute. What things in your life do you spend the majority of your time on?

Now a better question: Do those things glorify God? I don’t know about you but I often struggle with getting EVERYTHING done. At the end of the day I often wonder why I don’t feel as productive as I should or wonder why I don’t get as much time with God as I would like. If this principle is true, and I believe it is, then I, like a lot of us must refocus my priorities! I think most of us would agree that God should come first, but if we’re honest, most of our priorities don’t reflect that statement. I want us all to take a long look at the way we spend our time. If God isn’t your first priority then I say it’s time to put first things first!! It will be astonishing just how much things will begin to change in our lives!

Wordless Wednesday - Unique Men's Bathroom




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Jonah!

Please check out this series on Jonah. This is a 4 part series, part 4 is next weekend at LifeChurch. This series is a true blessing...Pastor Craig doesn't mind stepping on anyone's toes. Church isn't always a "feel good" experience. We should be convicted and it should be life changing...we should not be just going to church to check it off our checklist of things to do.

Part 1 - The Jonah In Us


Part 2 - Jonah's Prayer


Part 3 - Jonah Obeys

Power of Prayer - Something to Think About

There is this small town church. A bar opened up a mile down the road. The pastor and members of the church were so upset, they didn't want a bar to open in their town...yet alone right down the road. They had special prayer meetings and prayed that the bar be removed.

One night, lightning struck the bar and it burned down to the ground. The bar owner sued the pastor and the church. The pastor said that we are not responsible, it was just harmless prayers...just words. The bar owner said their prayers were the reason why lightning hit the bar.

The judge said, "Wait a minute here! So we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer and a pastor that does not."

Weekend Reflection

Well, we had a pretty uneventful weekend. I didn't have to do much work this weekend, which is good and bad. The good reasons are obvious, the bad one's are they are still needing to be done.

Friday night, Addy had her final swim lesson for level 1. Ann got to come down for that, then after that was over she took Addy and me to her house. We would only have one car in Choctaw that way, since Liz was already at the chapel. We spent the night up there on Friday night with Liz having two more weddings on Saturday.

Saturday, we got up and Liz went to the chapel. I pretty much sat around the house before Addy and myself went to help Liz clean candles and pick up the flower petals. After we were finished there, we went to one of our favorite restaurants, Golden Palace, in Midwest City. After eating lunch, we went by the mall there....wow, that mall is practically closed (half the stores are empty). I grew up in Midwest City before moving to Norman when I was 20. After the mall, we went by Sally's Beauty Supply to pickup some nail polish for Liz. She had been wearing boots and after all that walking, her feet were really hurting. Luckily, she had some sandals in the trunk of the car, but her nails needed to be done. By this time, it was about time for her to be back at the chapel for the next wedding...so I dropped her off and went back by Ann's house. I was only there for a little while....I had to get mine and Liz's stuff together, but Addy was spending Saturday night as well. After loading the car, I went by the gas station, picked Liz up and headed home for the night.

Sunday...wow, what a great message this morning. I am so glad that I started attending LifeChurch...it has been such a blessing. I will definitely need to post the Jonah series on here soon, which is what we are currently in. After church was over, we had lunch at Red Robin in Norman...then headed home. I got home and was planning on working this afternoon. I started mowing before the rain moved in...it never fails here lately. Jody (father-in-law) showed up to help me with the flat tire on the SUV...he had a tire flat repair kit (the tire had a screw in it). After that, I came in and showered, watched a movie, then took about a hour long nap with Liz. Jody had to come back down here (with us telling him not to repeatedly) because he was supposed to bring Liz's black book which has her driver's license, insurance card, money, etc. He showed up while Liz was at the grocery store, he only stayed about 5 minutes...I really didn't want him to drive down here for that, it is ridiculous. I am so ready for bed...I am still waiting on Liz to get here so I can carry in the groceries. That is pretty much it...I am just hanging out with Addy until she gets here. I hope everyone had a great weekend...unfortunately, it is time for another Monday....yay!

Homeschooling Is Here To Stay!

I have a good friend of mine who agrees to disagree with me in regards to homeschooling. I have nothing totally against public schools. I went to public school and loved it. I (and my wife) feel a higher calling...we have been called to homeschool. I ask, if I am doing what God has called my family to do...how is that wrong? We are in agreement to God, therefore I don't need to answer to any person in this world. Here is even some scripture that goes along with my belief on homeschooling...

God gave you children as a steward and gave you the authority over them:

Psalms 127:3-5 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Genesis 33:5 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.

Genesis 48:8-9 And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, Who are these? And Joseph said unto his father, They are my sons, whom God hath given me in this place. And he said, Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them.

Isaiah 8:18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

Hebrews 2:13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

On rendering to GOD'S what is GOD'S:

Matthew 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
(People tend to ignore the latter portion of the verse. Our children are not Caesar's! Children belong to God!)

Ezekiel 16:20-21 Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter, That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them?

God's commandments to us regarding our stewardship of the children He has given us include:

Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

How someone thinks in their heart is what makes them. How do children learn to think of the world, of God and His creation, in school?

Isaiah 54:13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

Jeremiah 10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.

Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Again, a child's mind is trained in school.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Does a child receive this kind of training in public school?

Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Does a child "walk with wise men" in public school?

1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
That's communications as in "community."

Is it a good idea to put children in that situation?

James 3:13-18 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Psalms 119:97-104 O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

A Little Marriage Humor...

A man and his ever-nagging wife went on vacation to Jerusalem. While they were there, the wife passed away.

The undertaker told the husband, "You can have her shipped home for $5,000, or you can bury her here, in the Holy Land, for $150."

The man thought about it and told him he would just have her shipped home.The undertaker asked, "Why would you spend $5,000 to ship your wife home, when it would be wonderful to be buried here and you would spend only $150?"

The man replied, "Long ago a man died here, was buried here, and three days later he rose from the dead. I just can't take that chance."

Wordless Wednesday - Love Thy Neighbor




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Weekend Reflection

This was a pretty laid back weekend, for a change...well, as far as working. Most of that is due to the fact that Liz was so sick. Friday night, I drove her to the chapel because she wasn't feeling well. I stayed at her parents' house until she was finished with the wedding...then came to "help" with the candles. She had gotten so much worse during the wedding, that I had to do all the candles/cleanup while she laid on a bench literally shaking. After that, we headed to her parents to stay the night (which ended up being both nights).

Saturday, she woke up still feeling really bad. She insisted on going to work at the weddings, so I took her. I got there in time to help clean up again, trying to get her back to her parents to rest. We didn't do the candles because the evening wedding was supposed to be outside. Well, about 5:30 (Liz is suppposed to be there about 6) I noticed it was pouring rain outside...so I woke Liz up so we could go do candles. We just knew for sure that they would move the wedding inside with the rain. We got to the chapel and flew through the candles...not until we were finished had the rain cleared out and they decided to keep it outside. After the evening wedding, I just had to pick Liz up...with the wedding outside, we didn't have to cleanup the chapel. We went back to the in-laws for another night...finally we checked Liz's temperature...it was like 102.4 or something. We loaded her up with more medicine.

Sunday, Liz was still sick....she didn't get out of bed until around 3:30 in the afternoon. I just lounged around at her parents watching tv. We finally left around 5 or 5:30. While we were there, my mother-in-law (Ann) made me a header. She did such a good job...I love it! I might want to re-do my entire layout...just not sure what I want done. Addy spent the entire weekend with John...he dropped her off at the house late Sunday evening. Then it was pretty much off to bed....except we didn't get much sleep (Liz and myself). I got probably 3-4 hours....Liz maybe got a hour.

That was pretty much our weekend. Since I was up at the in-laws, I didn't get anything done around the house...just lounged around, helping my wife once in awhile. Awesome Fathers Day, I know...hey, it beats working the entire weekend!! Though, that means more will be waiting for me when I get to it.

Another 4 Letter Word - Soda!

Liz and I have been doing many different things in our lives to have a simpler and healthier lifestyle. We are making changes all across the board to be happier and more focused. From reducing the amount of daycare kids (or re-arranging days they are here), no television in the living room (we did this right before Christmas and we're good), and we are working towards having meals prepared at home....the list goes on. We were forwarded an email regarding soda and how bad it really is for kids AND adults. I don't have the article from the forwarded email yet...but it got me looking. Below, I found the TRUTH regarding SODA! We aren't going to immediately stop right this second (we just bought two 24-packs), but since we are addicted...we are going to slowly reduce the amount we drink in a day. I had already done so (I used to have about 6 in a day) by reducing down to 3-4. My next goal is to have 2 per day this next week...then, just 1 per day until I run out. Here is the article:

Soda. It's become the four-letter word of beverages. Of all the drinks on the market, soda probably has the worst reputation. Science and medical research point their collective finger at soda, and blame it for everything from diabetes to tooth decay, hyperactivity to childhood obesity. But is soda really that bad for you? When asked if soda is inherently unhealthy for people, board certified nutritionist and author Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS, said, “Yes. Simple, unequivocal answer, yes. Yup. Affirmative. Absolutely.” What's so unhealthy about many Americans' favorite beverage?

To get to the truth, let's start with the ingredients. The average cola contains carbonated water, caramel color, natural flavors, caffeine, phosphoric acid and high fructose corn syrup. Carbonated water is plain water infused with carbon dioxide, which creates the bubbles. Caramel color is a natural additive that tints food products, providing the familiar color consumers expect to see. Natural flavors are often of the citrus variety and added for taste. All of these are simple, harmless ingredients. Next is caffeine, a diuretic and stimulant known to be addictive.

What's left on the list of ingredients is what solidifies soda's bad name: sugar. Phosphoric acid is a chemical that adds a tangy or sour flavor by breaking down starches into sugar. According to Bowden, we should consume as little sugar as possible, especially refined sugar. “Zero would be a bull's-eye but is pretty much an unobtainable goal,” says Bowden. Why is it unobtainable? Because almost every product on supermarket shelves contains the final ingredient on our soda list: high fructose corn syrup. “It's included because it is a way cheaper form of sweetener than anything else,” says Bowden. “It is also one of the single most horrific ingredients in the food supply.” Adding high fructose corn syrup to foods provides little nutrition and lots of calories.

If this is the case, then what about diet soda: Does it help or hinder weight loss? “There's no hard-core scientific evidence that it hinders,” says Bowden.“But there is a ton of anecdotal information and intelligent observation that leads one to think that might be so. New research shows that noncaloric food and beverages deregulate our innate ability to judge caloric intake. Secondly, there's the psychological part: Many people subconsciously think they're taking in less calories by drinking these crappy drinks and then subconsciously allow themselves more food. Third, there is some suspicion among nutritional scientists that sweet tastes — through a Pavlovian conditioning method — might signal insulin to release even though there are no actual calories or sugar. This is a theory I think has a lot of merit.”Taking all of this into consideration, soda just doesn't add up to be a beneficial drink. Even the label on a can states that it is “not a significant source of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron.”

Now that you have the facts and you're staring at a month's supply of soda you just bought, don't panic. Your purchase need not go to waste. According to numerous household cleaning Websites, soda can clean your toilet, eliminate rust from a car bumper and remove grease from clothing.

Wordless Wednesday - Quick Search



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Homeschooling Objections and Responses:

Objection - This is a new idea. How do you know it will work?
Answer - Home schooling is not a new idea. It is how education was done in Biblical times. It is how many of the founding fathers of the United States were educated. Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Edison were home schooled. So we know it will work because it has been working for centuries. Government schools are the new idea. It is an experiment that is not proving to be very successful.

Objection - Your child won't be able to participate in high school athletics.
Answer - That may or may not be true, depending on the area where one lives (not the case in in Norman, OK and surrounding metro area). However, even if it is true, making right decisions often involves sacrifice. I would rather see my child get a quality education in a loving Christian atmosphere than have him play football. Additionally, what percentage of students really get to play high school sports? Only the best make the team. And only the best of those actually get to play. But there are many ways (little league, recreation leagues, etc.) to participate in sports without being on a high school team.

Objection - The shared government school experience is essential to our nation.
Answer - The nation was doing just fine before the "government school experience" began. Government schools did not start becoming common until well after the founding of the United States.

Objection - What if they *want* to go to government school?
Answer - Suppose children *want* to do cocaine? Does that mean they should be permitted to do so? Children are not allowed to make all of their own decisions for the simple reason that they are not mature enough to do so. They are often unable to assess all of the necessary information to make the right choices. That's what parents are for. It is their responsibility to make those decisions for their children.

Objection - Government schools were good enough for us, so they should be good enough for our children (implied here was also, "They should be good enough for your children, too!").
Answer - Outhouses were good enough for earlier generations of my family but that doesn't mean I should get rid of my indoor plumbing. Also, the people teaching, the children going to school and the curricula in use are not the same as they used to be. Besides, I don't want what's "good enough" for my child. I want what is best for him.

Objection - They won't get the necessary social skills in a homeschool environment that they would get in the public school system.
Answer - You're right, they'll get better social skills! Only in the public school system, are you locked down to strictly spending your time with people your age. Once you are out of school, you have to deal with people from old to young. Also, there are many co-ops, church/christian groups, homeschooler groups out there...not to mention extra-curricular activities (dance, choirs, etc) for homeschoolers where they will interact with other kids. Also, if you are involved in a local church...they will be around kids about their age during the kids classes.

I will leave you with this thought. If God has called you or someone else to homeschool and "raise up their child", then who can judge them/you for that? I would rather my kids be raised/taught by us with christian background/beliefs, then what the world might/would put into their mind. We will raise our kids with values, morals, and God...which will give them a firm foundation to stand upon for when they go out into the world. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"!

Homeschoolopoly!

Growing up, I loved to play Monopoly with the family....or just whoever would play. As a teenager, I got Sooneropoly (I have no idea where it is now, though) and absolutely loved it! I am amazed at how many different versions of the game are out there...sports, animals, etc.

Now, they have a Homeschool Edition...and it appears to be Christian-based, too!

http://www.homeschoolopoly.com/gamepix.htm

Gin In School???....Another Reason To Homeschool

School Served Gin to 6th Graders

I saw this headline and just had to laugh. Of course, I wouldn't be laughing if it were my kid.

School defends serving gin to students

State education officials said they’ll investigate a northeast Ohio charter school that served gin to sixth graders at a graduation ceremony.

Four students were given a teaspoon of gin mixed with water on Tuesday in a ceremony modeled on a Ghanian rite of passage event, said Kwa David Whitaker, an official with the Phoenix Village Academy. The school’s curriculum emphasizes African history and culture, and the ritual was intended to teach truthfulness, said Whitaker, who oversaw the ceremony.

The students were blindfolded, giving them the uncertain feeling that goes with moving from one stage of life to another, he said. Each student was given a teaspoon of water and a teaspoon of the gin-water mix, and then asked to identify which contained water. The students recognized that the gin wasn’t water and spit it out before swallowing, Whitaker said. The point is to teach the children to be honest, he said.

I just love the part were the students were blindfolded. I think this lesson is teaching the students something, but I don't think it is "honesty." It sounds more like something you would do at a college frat party.

I Can't Believe It Has Been A Year!!

Well, my wife and I are celebrating our 1 year anniversary! Tomorrow is actually the day, but we have kinda been celebrating all weekend. We stayed out at the in-laws the last couple nights because Liz had three weddings (one Friday, two Saturday).

Saturday, I dropped her off at the chapel...then took the car to get the oil changed and to the car wash (clean and vacuum), then back to the chapel to help her clean candles. After that, we went to Shawnee...we ate lunch at the Delta Cafe, then headed over to Old Navy to check out some clothes. Liz has been running short on "nice" clothes for work at the chapel...so I let her pick out whatever she wanted. I also picked out a couple t-shirts and dress shirt...Liz felt that I needed these "cute" sandals, so she got me those, too. She also got a nice dress from there for our date tonight...though it wasn't for that alone.

Tonight, we went out for the evening. Addy spent the evening with her daddy. We went by a jewelry store, where Liz bought a couple items....I just couldn't find anything that brought out the color of my eyes, that also went along with my outfit. haha! After that, we went to eat at Musashi's up in the city. The experience was really cool....the food was pretty good, too. We headed back for Norman, with a stop at the sno-cone stand and video store before heading to the house.

That was pretty much it about the evening. Now, enough about that...I really want to talk about my wife. I have to thank her for the best year of my life. She is my everything! If there is anything possible that I can do for her...I don't hesitate! She will be the first to admit that she is extremely spoiled rotten!! I can go on and on all day long about how much she means to me! I will end this post saying this last thing...I AM THE LUCKIEST MAN IN THE WORLD!!!

Something To Think About - Life's Baggage

Check out this little video clip (it is less than 3 minutes long) from our Pastor Craig about baggage...it is so true! As we go through life, everything we face adds more baggage to carry...at some point, we need to realize that we aren't strong enough to do it on our own. We need to give it all to God, who is able and willing!

Appetizer

What do you consider to be the ultimate snack food?
I'm not a huge snack food person. I don't snack much at all. My wife makes these tortilla roll-ups that I love (and haven't had in a long time...hint, hint). I also love nachos and lil smokies.

Soup

On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 as highest), about how popular is your last name?

Maybe a 4. I have seen my last name out there, more than I thought I would. There was a professional baseball player, a famous music producer, and I even see it every now and then while out. Example: Last weekend, Liz and I were out garage sale shopping. We turned down a street, and the first house on mailbox had "SHIPLEY" on it...I thought it was cool.

Salad

Who is your all-time favorite sitcom character, and why?
Wow, now that is a tough one! I have no idea. It may be Raymond's dad, from Everybody Loves Raymond...just the way he acts (especially towards his wife) is funny. He reminds me of my dad...my dad jokes around like that with my mom, though he really does love her.

Main Course

Do you shop online? If so, name some sites you like to browse for goodies.

I used to before I got married...now, I just don't want to spend money because there are better things that it needs to go for (bills, food, kids, etc). When I did shop online...my favorite was Old Navy. I would also shop a little online with EA Sports (video games), Best Buy, and ebay.

Dessert

Fill in the blank: I think ___________ should be ___________.

I think FRIDAYS should be PART OF THE WEEKEND. How cool would that be?? I would love to have a 3-day weekend every single week. Talk about boosting your workers motivation.

Go here to see other Friday's Feast participants. If you're participating, be sure to leave me a comment so I pop over to your place and indulge a bit!

Wordless Wednesday - Bad Parenting


Please leave me a comment if you're participating in WW so I can visit your site. Also, if you'd like to see other WW participants, go here

A Little Mr. Rogers In Us...

Some very interesting things about Mr. Rogers

1. He Made Thieves Think Twice
According to a TV Guide piece on him, Fred Rogers drove a plain old Impala for years. One day, however, the car was stolen from the street near the TV station. When Rogers filed a police report, the story was picked up by every newspaper, radio and media outlet around town. Amazingly, within 48 hours the car was left in the exact spot where it was taken from, with an apology on the dashboard. It read, “If we’d known it was yours, we never would have taken it.”

2. He Watched His Figure to the Pound!
In covering Rogers’ daily routine (waking up at 5; praying for a few hours for all of his friends and family; studying; writing, making calls and reaching out to every fan who took the time to write him; going for a morning swim; getting on a scale; then really starting his day), writer Tom Junod explained that Mr. Rogers weighed in at exactly 143 pounds every day for the last 30 years of his life. He didn’t smoke, didn’t drink, and was extremely disciplined in his daily routine. Rogers found beauty in the number 143. According to the piece, Rogers came “to see that number as a gift"… because, as he says, “the number 143 means ‘I love you.’ It takes one letter to say ‘I’ and four letters to say ‘love’ and three letters to say ‘you.’ One hundred and forty-three.”

3. He Saved Both Public Television and the VCR
Strange but true. When the government wanted to cut Public Television funds in 1969, the relatively unknown Mister Rogers went to Washington. His 5-6 minute testimony on how TV had the potential to give kids hope and create more productive citizens was so simple but passionate that even the most gruff politicians were charmed. While the budget should have been cut, the funding instead jumped from $9 to $22 million. Rogers also spoke to Congress, and swayed senators into voting to allow VCR’s to record television shows from the home. It was a debate at the time, but his argument was that recording a program like his allowed working parents to sit down with their children and watch shows as a family.

4. He Was Genuinely Curious about Others
Mister Rogers was known as one of the toughest interviews because he’d often befriend reporters, asking them tons of questions, taking pictures of them, compiling an album for them at the end of their time together, and calling them after to check in on them and hear about their families. He wasn’t concerned with himself, and genuinely loved hearing the life stories of others. Amazingly, it wasn’t just with reporters. Once, on a fancy trip up to a PBS exec’s house, he heard the limo driver was going to wait outside for 2 hours, so he insisted the driver come in and join them (which flustered the host). On the way back, Rogers sat up front, and when he learned that they were passing the driver’s home on the way, he asked if they could stop in to meet his family. According to the driver, it was one of the best nights of his life—the house supposedly lit up when Rogers arrived, and he played jazz piano and bantered with them late into the night. Further, like with the reporters, Rogers sent him notes and kept in touch with the driver for the rest of his life.

5. He was Color-blind
Literally. He couldn’t see the color blue. Of course, he was also figuratively color-blind, as you probably guessed. As were his parents who took in a black foster child when Rogers was growing up.

6. He Could Make a Subway Car full of Strangers Sing
Once while rushing to a New York meeting, there were no cabs available, so Rogers and one of his colleagues hopped on the subway. Esquire reported that the car was filled with people, and they assumed they wouldn’t be noticed. But when the crowd spotted Rogers, they all simultaneously burst into song, chanting “It’s a wonderful day in the neighborhood.” The result made Rogers smile wide.

7. He got into TV because he hated TV
The first time he turned one on, he saw people angrily throwing pies in each other’s faces. He immediately vowed to use the medium for better than that. Over the years he covered topics as varied as why kids shouldn’t be scared of a haircut, or the bathroom drain (because you won’t fit!), to divorce and war.

8. He was an Ivy League Dropout
Rogers moved from Dartmouth to Rollins College to pursue his studies in music. He composed all the songs on the show, and over 200 tunes.

9. Mr. Perfection
He was a perfectionist, and disliked ad libbing. He felt he owed it to children to make sure every word on his show was thought out.

10. The Sweaters
Every one of the cardigans he wore on the show had been hand-knit by his mother.

Appetizer
Name something you think is “the best.”

Wow, this is tough. It depends on what the topic is. I have the best wife! I root for the best team, OU! I can go on and on and varying topics. Name someTHING that is the best...I would say homecooked meals. Restaurants are awesome, they have their time and place....fast food is good, it has its time and place. There is no better food than the one's prepared at the house in my opinion. I like cooking, and I don't mind doing the cooking either...especially if I ever get a grill. Sometimes, as busy as we all are....we tend to put aside healthier home-prepared meals for the easier drive-thru fast food.

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 highest), how stressed are you today?

I would say 2-3. I'm not too stressed. I have to leave here in a little bit for Muskogee, to deliver a server. It is Friday, that is the part that keeps me going. I already have Monday lined up for me, too. I have to go to Pauls Valley and Millwood Schools. Tonight, I am hoping to get the yard mowed, and then I am hoping to get some sod and lay it down where I tore up the landscaping. I'm not stressed, just have a lot going on.

Salad

What kind of cleanser do you use to wash your face?
I have tried the "Purpose" cleaner that my uses and it is wonderful. I got to use some, I think it was before we were married...she already had some stuff at my house. It was really nice, at the time I told her that my face feels tight and clean. For the most part, I don't use face cleaner...pretty much just soap. I wouldn't mind using more her face cleaner, it was nice.

Main Course
Tonight is a blue moon! What is something that you believe only happens “once in a blue moon.”

Wow, I don't know. I guess play video games and watch sports. I used to play video games, pretty much on a daily basis for a few hours. I also used to watch sports (and espn when no sports were on) non-stop. Ever since I got married, that happens once in a blue moon. We are just always so busy and on the go. There is always so much to do and going on, that hobbies can easily be pushed aside. When I get home from work there is cleaning, taking out the trash, cooking/getting something, eating, a little family/relaxation time, showers, etc...then it is time to go to bed, get up and go again. When I was single, I just put things off until I wanted them done...I have to think about others now.

Dessert
When was the last time it rained where you live?
I will steal my wife's answer to this "Ummm...it's been raining for the last month...seriously." I know in about a month, we will be longing for rain and cooler temperatures.

Go here to see other Friday's Feast participants. If you're participating, be sure to leave me a comment so I pop over to your place and indulge a bit!