From the Bible Geek, a gentleman who picks out a Bible quote and sends out an email... haven't read a Bible Geek in over a year... Scuba had this one on his blog... hit a nerve. Read it for yourself:


“See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the
children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.” – 1 John 3:1


SITUATION EXPLAINED
What is love?


SOLUTION OFFERED
Love - so often we want it, but so seldom do we really, truly focus on
what it is.

Love is not a feeling. Happiness is a feeling.
Love is not an emotion. Anger is an emotion.
Love is not a “state”. Confusion is a state.
(So is Delaware, the first state in fact, but I digress…)

While love can have all of these expressions associated with it, it is
still more – so much more. Love is a decision.

What we are formed by and immersed in so often, though, is the worldly
interpretations and definitions of love, which are often short-sighted
and self-directed.

Let's review:
The world says that “love is blind”. The truth, however, is that LOVE
sees 20/20. It sees our imperfections, our sin and our failings – all
of our humanity, and says, “I still choose to love you.”

The world says that “love means never having to say you are sorry”.
That’s a crock. You want the truth? Ask a married couple. They’ll tell
you, “Love means having to say you are sorry A LOT.”

The world says that “love is give and take”. They’re half right. Love
is GIVE. The “and take” is often added out of fear…fear that the other
is not going to offer love back, fear that the other will take
advantage and manipulate and fear that we’ll be left with nothing in return.
There’s nothing “and take” about the cross. The Lord gives us Salvation
and we don’t even “take” that – we receive it.

The world says that “love is priceless”. Not true. Love carries a
price tag, a heavy one, and He picked up the tab, for you and for me. We
never could have flipped that bill, but Jesus paid the price.

The world also tells us that “love doesn’t come in a box”. Yes it
does. Love dwells in the “box” in every church, in the Tabernacle where
love dwells in the flesh, for you and I to adore.

The world tells us that “love doesn’t grow on trees”. Yes it does.
Love GREW out of a tree on Calvary that day. The tree of love was
planted on stony ground (our hearts) and the roots (Jesus’ blood) ran deep
below the earth, crushing sin and ushering in LIFE.

Pray today's verse, really pray it. Recite it, learn it and know it,
remembering, too, that “we love BECAUSE He first loved us” (1 John
4:19).

I once read, “A bell’s not a bell until you ring it. A song’s not a
song until you sing it. Love in your heart is not put there to stay.
Love isn’t love until you give it away.”

The Christian knows where to find love in the midst of a world that
does not. Offer love today, in its purest form, and you will wake up
tomorrow more like God, who is love.



SALVATION GIVEN
“See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the
children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.” – 1 John 3:1


Decide to love. Seek love.
Without it you’re not really living…only breathing.


Bible Geek

Craziness from this weekend:

Em, at the Pub: I'm so bad at starting conversations, I don't know how I'm going to... oh wait, I'll be inebriated.

Em and Tom (Dubliner Tom,) in the backseat of my car, punch drunk: Soccer mom! You locked us in the car, we can't get out, help us get out! (They were serious. All they had to do was open the door.)

The other Tom, giving advice: Well you are more of a bitch. But that's a good thing.

~~~

Saturday night was Soccer Mom night, after work I picked Em up and we hung out with people from the Dub. I told Dubliner Tom that I would hook him up with one of my friends, and so I did.... and they hit it off nicely. So, I drank some cranberry juice on the rocks with a twist, while Em went through different cookie shots, and Dubliner Tom had a few manly shots and a couple pints of Bass. After four hours of sleep I went to work and had some bitchy customers... people who should have stayed in bed instead of coming for brunch.

Later that night Tom and I took a walk around campus, (he showed me some parts of campus I didn't even know about, sometimes I wonder if I go to this school...) and talked about our weeks. That's when he gave me the lovely compliment about being a bigger bitch now... only him right? Dad tells me to stop beating a dead horse, Mom tells me to leave her favorite son alone...

We did have some serious conversations on our walk. We talked for awhile about the one eighty I did when I came to Xavier... how part of my decision to come here was an active choice to change some parts of my life. Change I did... I think we can all say that I'm a different person now than I was a year ago. I did take some steps backwards, but I think they were necessary to move forward again. I don't think I regret anything... I do not regret coming here at all - not for one moment. I don't regret being a little wild, I honestly believe it was necessary to find parts of myself. There are times now when I can make a wise decision... because I know both sides of the issue. Take Saturday and my cranberry juice on the rocks... I know I like going out after work to unwind with my friends, and I've had less sleep than I did this past Saturday and gotten up, with a "headache" to go to work. I knew this time around that I didn't want to take that path... because I had been down that path. It's almost that you have to see the other side of the fence to make the decision to stay where you are... there are so many ways this year that I had the opportunity to see both sides. I know that I've done things that people don't approve of - guys, drinking... and so forth.

We inturrupt this rant for a newsbrief: Some guy in Germany stole a bulldozer and was driving it around at three am... the police had to jump on the bulldozer, break a window and spray the guy with mace to make him stop. He was charged with drunk driving, and possibly theft. (My roommate was watching Buffy and just turned on the news, thankfully... though it is no less humorous.)

I can't go back to my rant after that. Sigh. There goes my attempt to blog something serious.

Did I mention I'm the #1 Soccer Mom? Yay.

I began my blog search looking for a particular post. I found the one I previously copied, below, about my dream, and, almost a year earlier than that post, two years ago, I blogged this - the original post I was looking for:

Something is not right - and I am in a mood.

The Hopi Indians have a word they use when it seems the world is wobbling, and life has gone out of balance... koyaanisqatsi.

I really do not know what is going on.... but in my heart I feel that something is.

I am scared of this koyaanisqatsi.

That is how I have felt all day today.


And that is all I have to say about that.

I dreamt a dream last night...

I was at Franciscan in my wing's hallway. I saw Sarah, and girls heard us and began coming out of their rooms. I must have been visiting... it seemed to be a year after I transfered. I had shorter hair (I know, shorter? How can it get shorter?) and it was styled similar to how I have it now, but it was lighter, hilighted. I was wearing this no sleeve turtleneck... gray... thing that I own, and dress pants, with low heels. I was tan. (Is it possible?) I looked... fit. Muscular, but in a good way.


That was from May 21, 2003.

Dreams are a funny thing.

Blogworthy Heather Quote

(While in the library studying Anatomy...)

Heather: Do you know that the first body part that starts forming is your anus?

MaryBeth: So basically that makes you a little balloon?

Heather: Nope, basically that makes you a little butt.

Mom gave me some good advice yesterday. "Don't just settle because it's comfortable," was my favorite piece of her wisdom.
~~
The past two days have been hell - a few quizzes and tests, high stress with relationships, hot weather, crazy work schedule, Emily's car was impounded, I have a big Anatomy project, and then, a huge migrane to accompany me for my Friday night fiesta.

I love my life.

Moral of the story, if I'm cranky this week, leave me alone, because if I get another migrane by next Friday I'm going to be the biggest bitch you've ever met.

Oh, and have a nice day.

Popey Pope and the Shoutbox Argument

It all began on Friday, April 9th when I blogged this:

"Also, more importantly, what's with the Pope? I'm not to thrilled with his new addition to the euthanasia definition. "Euthanasia by omission" is what the Pope termed it, a medical treatment of feeding tubes for those in a vegetative state has now become "basic care." (USA Today) It's our moral obligation. I think he's pushing it. I'm sure you do to. Tell me what you think, I'm interested. Also, if you find a better article, let me know."

So, if you missed the disscussion, here it is. Much easier to read than my shoutbox. Brian's in bold font, Steve/Big Brother in italics, and I'm just plain old font. Enjoy, and please, add your opinions. Please.

OK, the pope is 108 years old and making up crazy things like "Don't kill anyone by not keeping them alive." When my grandma was 108 and saying things like, "You can't butter the house if you don't put the calendar back in socks," I sure didn't pay attention. Why? Because she was crazy, and crazy opinions don't count.

Perhaps he is crazy. But still. Someone should have told him he was crazy before he made this new ... definition.

You're actually just supposed to politely nod and pretend to agree with him. Don't let him know he's crazy, but don't let him know you're ignoring him.

But don't you think it was him politely nodding to his advisors? I'm sure someone put those words in his mouth. Or atleast helped him think of this atrocity.

And they don't actually have authority. The Jews could say, "Jesus was a heretic, wasn't he, Popey Pope?" and he'd nod and say yes, they'd kiss his ring, and we'd suddenly be out a religion.


OK, time for my .02 on the health care thing. Yeah, what the Pope said came out of the blue...but it gets right to the heard of a bigger philosophical question. What is the definition of "alive"? Keep in mind that the headline and much of the article (as is normally the case in mainstream media) are extremely misleading. Medically, there has been a dual definition of "dead" - brain dead and heart dead. Normally, your heart goes out, your brain is soon to follow. But as has been seen in many cases, a person's body keeps kicking even when they are defined as "brain dead." The Pope is coming out and saying that both things need to be true to define "dead." Otherwise, the person is still alive, and deserves all the God-given rights that are their due. He's not saying that every individual mus tbe put on a tube/resperator/whatever and kept alive as long as possible. I think the point he is trying to make is that, if an individual is being kept alive by some technology, then that is exactly what they are - alive - and any active action taken to change that is inherently immoral. The teaching pretty well jives with everything else he has taught on the dignity of life during the whole of his time as Pope. That's just my read - not as crazy as some media types would make it sound...

First, Brian, I'm kidding about the advisors whispering to the Pope. Secondly, I see your point Big Bro, but I don't know if I agree/understand. Shouldn't there be a line between being alive naturally and artificially through technology?

You might be joking, but that doesn't mean you're wrong. And as for Big Brother, you can't take too seriously a dying man's decree when it's founded on the idea that artificial is included in the definition of natural. How long do we keep slapping patients with defibrilators? Those are about as natural as a food tube jammed in your stomach. And are we allowed to stop giving someone CPR? That actually is natural. And as for the cliche "mainstream media" rant, what are you even talking about? If you understand the point of headlines, I think that on second review, you'd agree that they were perfectly accurate. And neither USA Today, nor the AP, nor KRT, nor anyone else I could find, was inaccurate in their coverage. Did you actually read the decree? It's a lot crazier than any of the heathen mainstream media outlets let on. Not only does he say artificial equals natural in the case of maintaining the lives of the permanently vegatative, he also said it is necessary to find a way to wake them up. If that's not crazy, I'm not sure what is. If the mainstream media was misleading, it was out of respect. Or mercy.

Back to the Popey Pope - read the document in full: Popey Pope

After reading your rant Brian, I have to wonder if you actually read the document yourself. You may like to crack that this Pope is old and feeble-minded, but an honest reading of that document shows a mind as sharp as ever, and extremely delibrate, logical, and persuasive in his argumentation. Let's start with a few simple facts - in reality, this is not a "new" teaching. Rather, I see it as a clarification, one that reorganizes past teachings under the same umbrella. The line in the document that indicates this is where he outright says "The obligation to provide the 'normal care due to the sick in such cases' includes, in fact, the use of nutrition and hydration. He references 3 different Church documents that say that outright - basic care = nutrition and hydration. We have a moral obligation to care for those that cannot care for themselves. This is not new. This has been on the books for a while. So what happens when that standard is applied to those in a "vegatative state?" His statement of "A man, even if seriously ill or disabled in the exercise of his highest functions, is and always will be a man" not only affirms everything he's taught in his papacy on the overall value of human life, but indicates that even those disabled in some way have the right to basic care. Now, the question becomes, "Why are nutrition and hydration considered 'basic care'?" Simple - you take those away from any human, in any state of living, then they die. In addition, as they indicate at the opening, medical science is unable to predict to a certainty that this person will not come out of it (same sort of logic applies to abortion - the "possibility" of there being some danger to the health of the child or mother is not enough to justify an abortion). If the individual in the "vegatative state," is alive (which , indeed they are), then an individual deciding to remove their nutrition and hydration is taking an active action to end the life of the person in question. Do you then think it's a good idea not to help out, say, stroke patients who have lost some of their functionality? Or better yet...what about a newborn child? Without assisstance, that child will not be able to eat and drink, and therefore won't survive. The Pope makes it extremely simple - we have a moral obligation to help every living person - if they are alive, then we must care for them. We might not like it, but it's an action that our faith calls us to. Also, you seem to take issue with the fact that doctors are encouraged to make all attempts to bring these people out of this state. I don't understand the objection here - why shouldn't doctors attempt to help these people medically? If they can be restored to health, why shouldn't that be encouraged? Why is one type of life worth more medical research at attention than another? Frankly, this logic is enough for me...but the mainstream media pretty much intentionally distorted this, as it does with most Church teachings. It is impossible for a media built around serving a population with perpetual ADD to adequately communicate just about any Church teaching. At best, it can say "the Church says this is wrong," then go get one supporting, and a few detracting quotes about that teaching. That's standard form for any mainstream media covering the Church. If the story lays out all the teachings and the logic behind the speech, then maybe it doesn't come out as sounding so crazy. Respect or mercy? Please. I prefer "willful ignorance."

A full answer can be found here: So Brian Said

~~

Sheesh. That's enough debating for my blog's lifetime.

Musings and Silk Stockings

At some point, you start to wonder why you take off the Victoria's Secret red silk robe and replace it with an old Life Teen t-shirt and rubber duck sweats. Or why you pick up the old tattered Nancy Drew instead of last month's Cosmo when you have nothing else to read. Or, why you still close your eyes during the sex scenes in the racy foreign film your Spanish teacher is calling a cultural project, and later stay up until two in the morning watching Uptown Girls and Cheaper by the Dozen.

Then your stomach turns as you think that possibly, that guy you've always crushed on does like you as he says, and he's got more morals than you do, and that is why he doesn't jump making out in dark corners. When he says one he really does mean one, and you should be ashamed when you admit to three. Especially since you don't remember that it was only two.

Oh, and then, you're kissing the toilet seat your sisters never clean by the time your mind turns to who you've emulated the past year. When you were still in ankle length skirts and crucifix jewelry and had the confidence he liked you for you, she was the one trying to win him over with her tales of three or four or five... and you were disgusted at her promiscuity... now you are disgusted at yours, and saddened that you are now her. You have lost the innocence it takes to wear the ankle length skirt.

Now you're curled on the dirty bathroom floor where you belong, (you know your sisters never cleaned it to teach you a lesson,) wondering how you could possibly fix the mess you've created. How you can repair the friendships you're destroying.

So you create a list. Lists keep you occupied during your 8:30 lectures, lists keep you organized when life is at its worst.

1. Come directly home after work.
2. Only accept formal first date invitations. Do not go anywhere with a man while intoxicated.
3. Try not to become intoxicated. Set a limit.
4. Leave TH alone. Stop stalking.
5. Shut-up and listen. Become a better friend.

What happens when you realize you spent the last year throwing your mother's china across the dining room? (As analogies go, of course.) I'm not so sure. I plan on buying the best damn broom I can find - for starters.

Randomness:

Did anyone hear more about Shoutbox closing down? Perhaps it was an April Fool's joke.

My hair is crazy. Shorter, (yes, it is possible,) with outrageous blonde highlights. I'll probably begin liking them when it all is grown out and needs to be re-done. It would figure. Oh well.

I miss school and work. I hate sitting around being bored, when it is all I have to do. I would give anything to be able to sit around and do nothing at school when I have two projects due and a test the next day.

Scuba is trying to convince me grades don't matter just as I am trying to convince him that his master's from Franciscan doesn't matter. My mother's wise words of advice? "Can't he go somewhere else? Why does he have to go there??

Went shopping with Mother yesterday. (And today... it's all she does.) Bought a sexy red silk robe from Victoria's Secret and a cute pink bra. Kris and Denise would be happy that it's pink. (Not beige.) Fashion show is Tuesday when I get back.

The world is changing - Mother bought me the new Cosmo for my Easter basket and did not ask when I would be home when I went out last night. She also didn't completely veto going to Florida next summer... for the whole summer. Things are looking up. (Ahh, gorgeous blue skies.)

What's with all the actor's writing children's books? When I get around to it there won't be a market. Damn. Maybe I should become famous first. Too bad my acting skills suck. (I can't lie. It's sad.)

Also, more importantly, what's with the Pope? I'm not to thrilled with his new addition to the euthanasia definition. "Euthanasia by omission" is what the Pope termed it, a medical treatment of feeding tubes for those in a vegetative state has now become "basic care." (USA Today) It's our moral obligation. I think he's pushing it. I'm sure you do to. Tell me what you think, I'm interested. Also, if you find a better article, let me know.

That's about all.

Oh wait, what do you think about hydrogenated oils? I don't even know how to spell it. Let me know. Next year I can't cook with any food that has them because Em removed them from her diet because of their health risks. Find an article on it, either side of the issue, I'm curious.

Dreams

Chris always mentioned the things you don't talk about in bars. (It seemed that the conversations always leaned towards the unmentionables.) Politics, religion, something else I can't remember. Over the weekend, (after work at the bar across the street,) I met a co-worker's friends, Brit and Tom. Brit and I sat and talked for a few hours, and in conversation he asked me about my dreams. What are my dreams? I hardly remember anymore. I used to be so focused, so determined, and now it seems I float, day by day.

I think I need some new dreams.

From my blog hopping, some wonderful writing:

This is Chicago. Doors open on the left at Chicago:

...Chicago is crosswording on the El, poetry posted at Sheridan, chainsaw art on the corner and a different lecture every night.

Chicago is the girl. The girl, the girl, the girl. Chicago is kissing forever, holding hands through two black gloves, seeing her smile at last. Chicago is happy happy happy.

This is Chicago. Doors closing…

Before I even begin my Anatomy story, I don't recommend Mystic Tanning.

Secondly, Big Kids Only for this blog. If you still play the Penis Game in crowded rooms or on the bus, don't read this. (If you've never heard me say penis before, you may not want to read this either.)

In Anatomy today we learned about the Reproductive System. Actually, the Lab was entitled "The Big Night." Now I already told everyone about the problems I had while out with my co-workers, thinking about my nephrons processing my alcohol... and how I would have to soon pee in the dirty bathroom? Now, next time I go out, or (for those of you who prefer to think about it this way,) when I'm with my husband drinking, not only am I going to be thinking about how my nephrons are processing my alcohol, I get to think about how my guy's bulbourethral gland is secreting solution ("pre" cursor,) that will travel ahead of his sperm to neutralize and remove the urine and ... well whatever else... from his urethra ... and that mixture of stuff that is probably dirtier than the Gaslight Bar's bathrooms could be in contact with... well me.

Now that is gross. And that is the reason Anatomy has just made me become a nun. Not that I have a sex life, (I Don't) but that made whatever sex drive I do have completely obsolete. Not only do I find it strange and weird to know such facts, but how much of a turn-OFF will it be to all of a sudden have these strange and weird facts popping into your head during "The Big Night?" (Or whatever night it happens to be for that matter.) We all know I'm a dork. If while hugging people I think about how their semi-lunar and atrioventricular valves are opening and closing as I hear their heart beat, and if while drinking I think about how my nephrons and Loop of Henle are processing my alcohol, who says I'm not going to be thinking about the cremaster muscle that contracts to pull up the testes when the guy's doctor has him turn his head and cough... while I'm... ? Umm, yeah.

So, if you are planning on hugging me, getting me drunk, and (cough, marrying me,) getting me into bed, I don't suggest it anytime soon. Oh, and to make things worse? After Easter we see the reproductive systems on the cadavers. (Fun! A 92 year old penis.)

~~

To lighten things up, (since I'm sure all of you read on, even though none of you have heard me say penis before,) I recieved my Third Federal job for this summer again. With, I might add, a raise and starting bonus of almost a full week's pay. Yay! Also, keep your fingers crossed, I hear about my internship for the next school year within about two weeks. I'm hoping that one pulls through, it's good pay, a good cause (with the Catholic Social Action Office promoting poverty awareness and raising funds,) and good hours, (only during the semester, fifteen hours a week.) Now if I could just raise my Anatomy grades to A's, get a boyfriend who doesn't mind me thinking about his cremaster muscles and prostate gland, and get rid of my orange hands and ankles, life would be divine. =)