The Very Powerful & the Very Stupid Have One Thing In Common

Some truth from 1977.

Is Walking Away from Toxic People Really the Answer?

Walk away! Shut the door! Get rid of toxic people in your life or things that don't serve or grow you! The mantra of modern human relationships.  

Good advice for friends/romantic interests, bad advice concerning family members. Too many people are applying this advice to family members. Family relationships can be very difficult and "toxic" but dealing with those family members throughout life is one of life's biggest character builders and learning experiences. Most modern folks are labeling meddling or overbearing family members "abusive" and it's just not the case many times. Use it as an opportunity to set boundaries and practice healthy relationship techniques. Barring someone from your life completely is typically uncalled for and destructive in ways that cannot be fully comprehended. Now when there has been legitimate abuse, physical, mental, emotional terrorizing, etc then yeah, shut the door if you have to for your safety. 

Too many family members are being shut off from grandkids, nieces, nephews, etc because one person might deem them toxic when the truth is, they might just be annoying to you or trying to give you advice that you don't want to hear. I've seen many times when people who were not really good parents become really fantastic grandparents. Estrangement does not just hurt the one person that you feel is toxic in your family, it hurts the whole family. Often children are the primary victims that miss out from vital family connections when estrangements occur. Please take this advice, to walk away from people who do not make you happy, just don't use it on family members.

The Bible Tells Us When A Fetus Becomes a Living Being...It's Not at Conception

      Deep Breath by Melanie Weidner

Many people think that a human being is created at the time of conception but this belief is not supported by the bible. The fact that a living sperm penetrates a living ovum resulting in the formation of a living fetus does not mean that the fetus is a living human being. According to the bible, a fetus is not a living person with a soul until after drawing its first breath.

After God formed man in Genesis 2:7, He “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and it was then that the man became a living being”. Although the man was fully formed by God in all respects, he was not a living being until after taking his first breath.

In Job 33:4, it states: “The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”

Again, to quote Ezekiel 37:5&6, “Thus says the Lord God to these bones:   Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.   And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

In Exodus 21:22 it states that if a man causes a woman to have a miscarriage, he shall be fined; however, if the woman dies then he will be put to death. It should be apparent from this that the aborted fetus is not considered a living human being since the resulting punishment for the abortion is nothing more than a fine;   it is not classified by the bible as a capital offense.

According to the bible, destroying a living fetus does not equate to killing a living human being even though the fetus has the potential of becoming a human being.   One can not kill something that has not been born and taken a breath.   This means that a stillborn would not be considered a human being either.   Of course, every living sperm has the potential of becoming a human being although not one in a million will make it;   the rest are aborted. .

God has decreed, for one reason or another, that at least one-third of all pregnancies shall be terminated by a spontaneous abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy and that a number will be terminated after the first trimester.   It would appear that God does not have any more regard for the loss of a fetus than he does for the loss of a placenta or a foreskin despite the fact that these were living tissue as the result of conception.

In a number of versions of the bible, one of the commandments in Exodus 20 that was spoken by God to Moses states: “You shall not kill”. According to the Mosaic text, this should read “You shall not murder” since the bible has commandments stating that people shall be put to death for a number of different offenses. Exodus 21:17 states: “Whoever curses his father or mother shall be put to death.” There are other capital offenses in Exodus 21. Of course, the commandment “You shall not kill” is not present in the commandments written by God on the stone tablets. For those who are not familiar with the commandments on the stone tablets that were placed in the Ark of the Covenant, they are enumerated in Exodus 34. The popular ten commandments that are enumerated in Exodus 20 were spoken by God to Moses who then relayed them to his people; they were never written.

There is nothing in the bible to indicate that a fetus is considered to be anything other than living tissue and, according to scripture, it does not become a living being until after it has taken a breath.

Source: "The bible tells us when a fetus becomes a living being," by Dr. Joe Schwartz

Many cite the scripture Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." God is omnipotent. He has known all of us since before creation. This scripture is irrelevant as it pertains to when a fetus becomes a living being. The same reasoning applies to Psalm 139:13-14.

Numbers 5 describes "the Lord" ordering an abortion. Many argue that this is a misinterpretation. It is clearly stated in verse 22, "May this water that brings a curse enter your body so that your abdomen swells or your womb miscarries."

Before extremists turned the issue of reproductive choice into a political football, views on this matter were weren't nearly so drastic.  For some history, read "The ‘biblical view’ that’s younger than the Happy Meal"  Then check out, The Not-So-Lofty Origins of the Evangelical Pro-Life Movement. and How I Lost Faith in the “Pro-Life” Movement.

In 1973, Wallie Amos ‘W. A.’ Criswell, President of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1968 to 1970, said this:
“I have always felt that it was only after a child was born and had a life separate from its mother that it became an individual person, and it has always, therefore, seemed to me that what is best for the mother and for the future should be allowed."

If you don't like abortion, don't have one. But don't judge others who may be in terrible circumstances that you can't possibly understand. Especially when your judgements are based on a politically motivated and questionable interpretation of the Bible (at best). When women don’t have personal choice over their own reproductive decisions they end up butchered in back alley abortions or thrown in jail for having a miscarriage. Certain types of birth control are outlawed when a fertilized egg is classified as a “person” as well.

Those who say, "If you're a Christian, you have to be against abortion, and therefore you must vote republican," are simply reciting talking points from false teachers.

In the end, if abortion was such a grievous sin Jesus would have mentioned it.  He said nothing.

“She heads for the clinic and she gets some static walkin' through the doors;
They call her a killer, and they call her a sinner, and they call her a whore;
God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in her shoes;
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to choose.”
~ Erik Francis Schrody (Everlast), from the song, “What It’s Like.”

For those looking for additional in-depth analysis of abortion and the Bible here's another great article.


Reblogged from The Christian Left

Do Not Fear...and Trust Not The Beck.

I'm seeing a lot of folks talking right now about how Fox News fear-monger Glenn Beck has finally seen the light and is denouncing the President-elect Trump. Don't fall for it, friends. Beck is simply peddling another flavor of fear for a brand new audience. His lies and paranoid rants are gearing up to enslave Liberal Progressive minds now. Yes, we have a lot to fear and a ton of things to work on currently, but we cannot become enslaved to fearful imaginings, there is too much at stake. Fear sells, just like hate sells. Let this fear motivate us towards incredible actions and deeds on behalf of the oppressed. Fear not. Get busy!

-Jill Who

Let your love be the instrument of change.

Thought for the day… Let your love be the instrument of change.

Photo by Sarah Rajkotwala ©

Start now, with what you’re got where you are. Love your family, honour you, love your community, make good and ethical buying choices that help the earth. If you have the chance to vote someone in or out of power who makes more loving and inclusive choices for everyone, please take it and vote with your heart. Democracy is your sacred chance to make a difference, please take it. For those who do not live in a democracy then use love instead…your love is much more powerful than you realize. Every little effort for good helps everyone have a better life and our children have a joyful future.

– Sarah Rajkotwala spiritual writer and teacher

Visit Sarah's awesome blog!

Progressive Hope...

To the Democrats; we'll always have HOPE!!! 

To the Republicans, he won by racism, bullying & subterfuge, 
& we're watching YOUR EVERY MOVE. 

To the outsiders, we're on your side, Baby, even if Donald isn't!!!
Cause now we're outsiders, too. 

To the Christians; this wasn't God. Deal with that!! 
MARANATHA. 

To the Poor, the Minorities, the Under-served, 
the Undocumented Immigrants, 
to the Single Parent, 
Women or Men; 
to the Parents of Physically Challenged or Developmentally Challenged; 
to Victims of Rape/Sexual Assault/ Domestic Violence; 
to those struggling in Middle Class; we have each other. 
We still have the Leaders of the Democratic Party, & the Writers of Truth; Columnists, of which there are many GOOD ONES. 

-Harley D 

Cat Attempts to Outdo Trump's Ridiculousness...

I actually made this meme like 5 years ago or so. I don't remember what the motivation was. Trump was meddling in President Obama's re-election campaign against Romney I think. He was being beyond ridiculous. I would never have dreamed he would have become our President-elect a few short years later. Just, WOW. 

The meme is just not funny anymore.

You Want Us to Forget the Hate Talk, Trump and Co?

If Mr Obama had used similar histrionics as Trump did, do they think he would have been elected, twice? If he spoke w/similar divisive words, would the Right not have crucified him? If Hillary had talked like Trump did & won, do we think the Right would still be saying "no hard feelings" or would they be calling for blood; & impeachment?? 

To Trump & supporters,

 He's been racist & talkin' trash during the entire campaign. Now you want those of us who oppose hate, exclusivity & racism to forget how you/he got elected? Really?? 

-Harley D

Fairness is Not a Given...

Check out the FairTrade Blog! 

-Harley Dee

Just Breathe...

@NATHANWPYLE on Instagram

This too shall pass… like a kidney stone.

This too shall pass… like a kidney stone.

Dear Hillary,
We are so proud of you. Take some time off, dear. We’ll take it from here.
 
Dear Readers of Margaret & Helen,

Our greatest work starts now. If you have a neighbor who has been targeted this election, hug them and remind them that this is still their America too. If you have a neighbor who voted for Trump, congratulate them on their win and then move on.
In their wisdom, the Founding Fathers prepared us for this. Call your local Democratic office today and ask them how you can get involved. Washington moves mercifully slow. We have two years to take Congress away from this man and four years to restore our dignity.

Our Democracy is stronger than one man and one election. This grand experiment we call the United States has not failed. It has just begun.

Today we heal.
Tomorrow we act.
2018 we correct.
2020 we redeem.

We broke it and now we must fix it. The world is counting on us. I mean it. Really.

--Helen Philpot

Reblogged from Margaret and Helen .

Islamophobia...is it of God?

 Already had a tussle today with an Islamophobe on Facebook (the day after the US election of a racist hatemonger). She was saying that Islam was not recognized by the Christian God, well the book of Genesis says otherwise. Muslims are our brothers and sisters, folks, if you're of an Abrahamic religion, they are our spiritual relatives through Abraham's son Ishmael. We need to get along. We have one planet. Christians and Muslims have already tried out the mutual annihilation thing in ages past. It's time to learn to "live together as brothers or perish together as fools"...as the Great MLK Jr. said. 

This is what the biblical God had to say about the future religion of Islam: 

Genesis 17:18-20 18 And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!”19 Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.

I don't know why nobody told you How to unfold your love..

Wow. Really?

I'm totally gobsmacked today. Donald Trump has won the US Presidency. Hate, fear and misinformation have won the country. I can't stop crying. What a day for American history. Think I'm gonna head outside and do as this meme suggests. 

Turn Off The Hate

By James B. Jacobs 

I was a member of the NRA for over 25 years. I do and have always loved guns. My first real gun at eleven years old was a Winchester Mod. 37 410. I was an amateur gunsmith, built and repaired guns for years. Then in the mid 1980's things to began to change. The guns I loved, the finely made and engraved, inlaid guns of craftsmen/artists gave way to machine stamped cheaply made, plastic tools for killing. I had a SKS wood stocked rifle, the best of that make I would say, it was junk. I gave it away. I quit the NRA in the late 80's. LaPierre ran it into the ground. I had joined a gun club and it is now a political arm of the Republican party and backed by big business.

I believed in the right of law abiding citizens to carry guns. I WAS WRONG! I do not carry a gun now. Why? Because I would shoot someone. Having a loaded firearm on your person is an invitation for trouble, most folks, myself included, are too short tempered and on edge these days to carry a loaded firearm. 

 We now have a problem 30-40 years in the making. The worst since the Civil War. We are divided as a people, by our religion, our sex, our national origins, money, the part of town you live in, gun control/no gun control, political ideologies and on and on. Everyone hates. 

 This has got to stop! Turn off Fox News and fear-mongering talk radio propaganda programs and look around. We are all human beings. Most of us just want to experience happiness, and a make a decent living. Put down the weapons of war, folks. It's past time to turn off the hate!

Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon of St. Francis of Assisi

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, All praise is Yours, all glory, all honour and all blessings. To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.

Praised be You my Lord with all Your creatures,

especially Sir Brother Sun,

Who is the day through whom You give us light.

And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendour,

Of You Most High, he bears the likeness.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,

In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,

And fair and stormy, all weather's moods,

by which You cherish all that You have made.

Praised be You my Lord through Sister Water,

So useful, humble, precious and pure.

Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire,

through whom You light the night and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You my Lord through our Sister,

Mother Earth who sustains and governs us,

producing varied fruits with coloured flowers and herbs.

Praise be You my Lord through those who grant pardon for love of You and bear sickness and trial.

Blessed are those who endure in peace, By You Most High, they will be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord through Sister Death,

from whom no-one living can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Blessed are they She finds doing Your Will.

No second death can do them harm. 

Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks,

And serve Him with great humility.

A Weed Is But An Unloved Flower

"A weed is but an unloved flower."

  -Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Dandelions as well as other "weeds" are actually beneficial both to humans and beneficial insects! There are many great ideas for cooking both the dandelion leaves and the flower heads on the internet. Simply search dandelion recipe! Oh, and you can make a great wine or mead from them as well!

Another "weed" which we go to great measures to kill is the thistle. While the thistle is the National Flower of Scotland, here in the US where I am from, we have no love for these thorny plants. As it turns out, the thistle is also a beneficial plant with medicinal qualities! Hummingbirds love them and I've seen a bee now and again feasting as well.

Thistles are also edible, but they take some special preparation of course to eat! Be kind to local flora, many times the weeds you are killing are a vital part of our ecosystem! As most of us are aware, bees around the world are struggling, with bee diseases and environmental toxins, they need all the healthy food sources they can find.

Please consider leaving your lawn with some edible "weeds" for bees and other pollinators. If you can't bear the thought of dandelions and thistles, there are some great perennial flowers and plants you can add to your landscape that bees, butterflies and hummingbirds love. A quick online search for bee friendly perennials will turn up a lot of affordable and beautiful options!

Feeling the Bern? Not Really, But I'll Be Damned If I Throw Away My Vote

I love Bernie Sanders and his great plans for the country, but I'm not really ‪#‎feelingtheBern‬.

There's been lots of chatter from young (and often older voters) that they will throw their votes away if Bernie doesn't get the Democratic nomination for President. Even more chatter about how evil the "Establishment" is in this country.

The "establishment government" is not in itself, evil. It's what has seen us through from the inception of this country. It's in need of reform, undoubtedly, however, our government has always had a symbiotic relationship with big business and Wall Street. Wall Street is not in and of itself evil either, again, in need of reform and proper regulations to make sure it works correctly. The problem with dismantling the establishment is that the general population is exceedingly lazy (most of us can't even get off our asses to vote in mid-terms or any local elections). Revolution and rebuilding a society takes many hard workers going in the same direction. You think people resisted Obama's plans for hopeful change? Wait until we try to restructure as a "Socialist" society. Americans are not desperate enough to have a true revolution, with 8 years under a republican president who has appointed 3 or 4 new regressive, Climate Change denying Supreme Court Justices we possibly would be though.

That being said, I won't throw our country or Mother Earth under the bus in order to try to teach everyone a lesson. I will always vote to keep a Democrat in the White House. I don't actually believe that revolution will ever start from a politician in office. Revolutions are strongest when started by the people. Bernie is a great idea man. He's a master seed planter for his ideology, but he's worked 40 years in the establishment that he claims to hate. I don't trust that. He doesn't mind picking up his establishment paycheck.

I'll vote for whomever the nominee is, but I don't fool myself into believing that one is establishment and one is not. Bernie will be surprised if he makes it to the White House over how little power he has to effect or influence the change he speaks of. You need not look further than Jimmy Carter's presidency to see what a revolutionary anti-establishment leader actually gets done as opposed to what he wants to get done. I think if Bernie manages to get in, he'll have a similar one term presidency and then we'll lose control to the Republicans for 8 years or beyond which would mean Climate disaster (most Republicans don't believe in Climate Change in spite of scientific evidence). I have so many more reasons that I haven't touched on, but I just wanted to address this one issue.

I've thrown a few votes away in the past, voting with my conscious, voting for a third party candidate, but guess what? The joke is on you. No one cares that you do that. You're not teaching either side a lesson. Third party results rarely even get reported or talked about on the news. I won't be throwing my vote away, this year or ever again. I'm voting blue and I hope you will too.