Thursday, June 24, 2010

Have you ever wondered?

This past few days has been crazy for me. Good crazy, but crazy. I've had a pretty easy schedule for the last several months. I am not busy. My life is full but I am not busy.

I measure my busyness by how busy I was when the kids were in grade school through high school. Once they all entered college, marriage and the work force, by life has slowed down to a pretty awesome pace.

But this week I had out-of-town guests. Granted, it was great to see both sets of them. It had been over 20 years since we saw the last one. He was an MK in Ukarumpa the last time we saw him. Now he is a successful engineer, husband, and father. Although we barely knew him: He was a senior when we arrived to PNG; being with him was really easy. Conversations flowed and we enjoyed getting to know his wife and kids.

Hence the question: Have you ever wondered why some past relationships pick up where they left off? That's how it was with Chris. And there was an instant connection with his wife, Kristin. I loved her immediately! And his kids - same thing.

I know why this is the case with some people. But although I liked Chris, he wouldn't fit into my explanation. It's no surprise why this phenomenon happens with, let's say Jill Schmidt, or Cathe Wiese. But Chris? I'm pleasantly surprised.

Wade has a theory about how we make connections with people. I'll have to ask him to write it out sometime so I get the little nuances right, but basically he says that each one of us emits a sound. It's a silent sound that no one hears but it does send a wave of sound of some kind. If your sound hits someone else with a harmonic sound then the two of you will be good friends. If the sound is not so harmonious then you will be at odds with that person. Hmmmm.......like I said, I'll have him write it out.

So I guess that is what I was wondering about. I don't have to understand it. But I do like it.

Friday, June 18, 2010

I know, it's been a while. But today I ran across something that, well, made me laugh and cry. Agree or don't it's got a lot of food for thought. By the way, I looked up the Bible passages too. It's all correct.



Dr. Laura Schlessinger is a radio personality who dispenses advice to people who call in to her radio show. Recently, she said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22 and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following is an open letter to Dr. Laura penned by a east coast resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative:


Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them:

When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15:19- 24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted fan,
Jim