Frank Viola interviews N.T. Wright! I thought some of you may be interested.
Click this link to read the unedited interview:
http://frankviola.org/2012/01/23/ntwright
Blessings, Bonnie
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
I Don't Do Windows
A few weeks ago I noticed that our fruit and nut trees were beginning to bud. Yikes! It is too early! I admit, though, that this early sight of spring triggered an urge in me to begin some deep house cleaning. While I’m not a spotless window freak, I really do need to get the window cleaner out. If the “soul” of our home is mirrored by our windows as our eyes are said to be the mirror to our soul, then we’re in big trouble!
Like with many other cleaners, window cleaners cause my eyes to burn and spraying all those minute particles into the air makes it difficult for me to breath! While many of us may not give it much thought, most window cleaners contain not only ingredients that irritate our eyes and respiratory tract, but also toxic ingredients which cause central nervous system depression and degenerative lesions in the liver and kidneys. Why is it that we are so willing to risk such health problems, especially when plain water works just as well?
If you feel that you must use more than water, what if I told you that you can make effective window cleaner in less than five minutes that is not only less expensive and smells better than commercial brands, but is also biodegradable and most importantly non-toxic?
I think you’ll be pleased with the healthy and penny saving results of this product:
Fill a quart spray bottle with:
1 1/3 cup white vinegar
2 2/3 cups distilled water
10 drops lemon essential oil
Shake well and you’re good to go!
Window Cleaning Tips:
• Wash windows on a cloudy day or on the shaded side of your house. Sunshine causes the cleaning solution to dry too quickly which causes streaking.
• Using newspaper as a cleaning “cloth” not only prevents streaks, it also leaves a dirt-resistant film on glass.
• You can more easily see which side of the window needs repolishing if you wipe the panes in opposite directions; i.e. outside horizontally and the inside vertically.
If you’re an avid window washer, you likely have a build-up from commercial cleaners on your windows. Don’t expect the above recipe to remove all that residue. Try using equal parts water and vinegar with a squirt of dish soap the first time you clean them. If this fails, try equal parts rubbing alcohol and water with a squirt of soap. Once you remove the build-up, there will be no need for the soap or alcohol and the initial recipe should work fine.
I know... sounds like a lot of work doesn’t it? In fact, as I was writing this article it got me to thinkin’ about Willie Nelson’s song, “I Don’t Do Windows!”
Since my husband is loving and kind, I don’t have poor Willie’s excuse. Plus, our country view is too beautiful to miss because of grimy windows! So… I guess I’d better get busy!
Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie
P.S. Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/. You may also contact me at:
Bonnie Jaeckle
In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life
Diagonal Progress
505 Jefferson St.
Diagonal, IA 50845
Like with many other cleaners, window cleaners cause my eyes to burn and spraying all those minute particles into the air makes it difficult for me to breath! While many of us may not give it much thought, most window cleaners contain not only ingredients that irritate our eyes and respiratory tract, but also toxic ingredients which cause central nervous system depression and degenerative lesions in the liver and kidneys. Why is it that we are so willing to risk such health problems, especially when plain water works just as well?
If you feel that you must use more than water, what if I told you that you can make effective window cleaner in less than five minutes that is not only less expensive and smells better than commercial brands, but is also biodegradable and most importantly non-toxic?
I think you’ll be pleased with the healthy and penny saving results of this product:
Fill a quart spray bottle with:
1 1/3 cup white vinegar
2 2/3 cups distilled water
10 drops lemon essential oil
Shake well and you’re good to go!
Window Cleaning Tips:
• Wash windows on a cloudy day or on the shaded side of your house. Sunshine causes the cleaning solution to dry too quickly which causes streaking.
• Using newspaper as a cleaning “cloth” not only prevents streaks, it also leaves a dirt-resistant film on glass.
• You can more easily see which side of the window needs repolishing if you wipe the panes in opposite directions; i.e. outside horizontally and the inside vertically.
If you’re an avid window washer, you likely have a build-up from commercial cleaners on your windows. Don’t expect the above recipe to remove all that residue. Try using equal parts water and vinegar with a squirt of dish soap the first time you clean them. If this fails, try equal parts rubbing alcohol and water with a squirt of soap. Once you remove the build-up, there will be no need for the soap or alcohol and the initial recipe should work fine.
I know... sounds like a lot of work doesn’t it? In fact, as I was writing this article it got me to thinkin’ about Willie Nelson’s song, “I Don’t Do Windows!”
But you’ve been mean to me sometimes
I think I better tell you what’s on my mind
I don’t do windows and I don’t come to work `til nine.
And if you make me mad, I won’t come to work anytime!
I think I better tell you what’s on my mind
I don’t do windows and I don’t come to work `til nine.
And if you make me mad, I won’t come to work anytime!
Since my husband is loving and kind, I don’t have poor Willie’s excuse. Plus, our country view is too beautiful to miss because of grimy windows! So… I guess I’d better get busy!
Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie
P.S. Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/. You may also contact me at:
Bonnie Jaeckle
In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life
Diagonal Progress
505 Jefferson St.
Diagonal, IA 50845
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Where's the Beef?
Some of you might remember the 1984 Wendy’s “Fluffy Bun” commercial on which three elderly ladies closely examine a micro beef patty at the fictional burger joint, Fluffy Bun, “Home of the Big Bun”. Having anticipated a big juicy burger, two of the ladies begin to question the size of Fluffy Bun’ patty and the 81 year old fireball, Clara Peller starts yelling angrily, “Where’s the beef?” What a hoot!
Genetically modified bacteria in your beef patty (http://www.benthamscience.com/biot/samples/biot3-3/biot3-3/0002BIOT.pdf) should be of greater concern than its size. The FDA has approved the use of transglutaminase (TG), a coagulation enzyme extracted from a bacterial broth, as being safe (http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/gras_notices/grn000029.pdf).
While the fabricated meat purchased in a grocery store is to be labeled as “formed” or “reformed,” there is no such FDA requirement for meat ordered in a restaurant. That “prime rib” just may be scraps that are typically thrown to Fido.
While the smell supposedly dissipates in a few minutes, consuming dangerous bacteria is of greater concern. Most of us know that if we sear a piece of beef, we destroy any potential food borne illness which is most often found on the surface. However, what happens when we glue multiple pieces together? The dangerous toxins which normally live on the exterior are now mingled into every seam. This is why E coli outbreaks from ground beef are more common than from whole cuts! Searing this fabricated “cut” would be of little benefit! But…. never fear! TG is classified by our trusty FDA as a GRAS product (generally recognized as safe) when used properly.
While I don’t agree with his conclusion, Chef Dave has obviously done his homework! He accurately explains that TG-ases are normally found in the human body holding a number of important roles including blood clotting. However, when they are improperly regulated, they are associated with accumulation of plaque causing Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease, as well as cataracts, arteriosclerosis, etc. Dave concludes, “None of these are related to eating food made with mTG, but rather due to imbalances in the body’s ability to regulate the TG that it produces.” Wouldn’t you think that consuming more TG than what the body deems necessary to produce would affect the body’s ability to regulate a microbial TG, especially for those having any of these pre-existing health issues? I’m just sayin’. (Transglutaminases in Disease, Soo-Youl Kim, et al., Neurochemistry International 40 (2002), 85-103).
505 Jefferson St
Diagonal , IA 50845
Twenty-seven years later…
According to the Federal Register notice Sec. 319.15:
“Fabricated beef steak shall be prepared
by comminuting and forming the product
from fresh and/or frozen meat.
Transglutaminase enzyme at levels of up to 65 ppm may be used as a binder”
In other words, it is acceptable to sell pieces of meat too small to serve, bone, skin, etc. mixed together with “meat glue” which maintains whatever creative form the producer imagines (http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/507019473/bone_skin_industrial_gelatin_for_industry.html).
Speaking of dogs… Assuming that it was mocking the use of “meat glue,” I laughed out loud when I first read this, however according to Chef Dave from the French Culinary Institute (http://www.cookingissues.com/primers/transglutaminase-aka-meat-glue), this is a legitimate way of testing the “quality” of TG! Check this out!
“How to test meat glue: a) Rub a lot of meat glue into a piece of raw chicken; b) if it just smells like chicken your glue is no good; c) If it smells like wet dog you're good to go!”
Yum!While the smell supposedly dissipates in a few minutes, consuming dangerous bacteria is of greater concern. Most of us know that if we sear a piece of beef, we destroy any potential food borne illness which is most often found on the surface. However, what happens when we glue multiple pieces together? The dangerous toxins which normally live on the exterior are now mingled into every seam. This is why E coli outbreaks from ground beef are more common than from whole cuts! Searing this fabricated “cut” would be of little benefit! But…. never fear! TG is classified by our trusty FDA as a GRAS product (generally recognized as safe) when used properly.
While some argue that we’ve been safely using gelatin for years, TG is not gelatin. Instead, TG has the property to bind protein rich foods like meat, poultry and seafood, or foods mixed with gelatin which is a protein.
While I don’t agree with his conclusion, Chef Dave has obviously done his homework! He accurately explains that TG-ases are normally found in the human body holding a number of important roles including blood clotting. However, when they are improperly regulated, they are associated with accumulation of plaque causing Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease, as well as cataracts, arteriosclerosis, etc. Dave concludes, “None of these are related to eating food made with mTG, but rather due to imbalances in the body’s ability to regulate the TG that it produces.” Wouldn’t you think that consuming more TG than what the body deems necessary to produce would affect the body’s ability to regulate a microbial TG, especially for those having any of these pre-existing health issues? I’m just sayin’. (Transglutaminases in Disease, Soo-Youl Kim, et al., Neurochemistry International 40 (2002), 85-103).
Considering that most fast food chains and many restaurants now serve cloned beef, often plagued with diseases (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/15/AR2008011501555.html?hpid=topnews&sid=ST2008011600975 ), glued together with isolated bacterial enzymes, we need some feisty consumers like Clara to rekindle the “Where’s the beef” slogan and develop an infomercial to expose these risky practices. In fact…, my son, Jake just may be our best candidate!
On a beautiful fall day, I took Jake, who was then 3 years old, to an outdoor pork BBQ. Our taste buds were tantalized while standing in line to get our sizzling pork loin sandwiches! After finding an empty table where we could enjoy the meal we had long been waiting for, Jake removed the top half of the bun from his sandwich, peeked inside and queried loudly enough for all those around to hear, “Where’s the beef?”
Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie
P.S. Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/. You may also contact me at:
Bonnie Jaeckle
In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life
Diagonal Progress
DISCLAIMER:
The author of this article does not endorse everything represented on/in suggested links, books, etc. Each of us is accountable to God to weigh everything according to His Word. All content of this article is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
The Matter of the Heart is Love
I have several childhood memories of Momma and me making Valentines for family members and friends. I recall more clearly one year in particular when Momma and I made a beautiful Valentine’s Box to hold all the cards that I anticipated receiving from my schoolmates. Using a shoe box, we cut a slit in the lid. We covered the entire box with bright red tissue paper and outlined the edges of the lid with ruffled white lace. We meticulously cut various sizes of red, pink and white hearts from
construction paper and carefully glued them to the tissue covered box. We placed some smaller hearts in the center of larger ones, sprinkled glitter on some and wrote words of affection on others. Resting on the center of the lid was my favorite heart. It was made of dazzling pink fabric, trimmed in elegant white lace, bigger and prettier than any other heart on the box. It was a shattered heart, though, with an opening in the center to fit over the slit in the lid. Every card that entered my Valentine “treasure chest” had to pass through the brokenness of this heart.
While I’m not sure why it was my favorite then, as I consider this special heart now, it has great significance to me. I’ve come to understand, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17) In Hebrew, “broken” and “contrite” are very expressive words. Broken signifies “to be shattered” and contrite implies “to be crushed” into nothingness.
It is made clear in Scripture that "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9). This stony heart with which every person is born cannot submit to the will of God, therefore it must be put to death! A shattered spirit and a heart shattered and crushed into nonexistence are the sacrifices which God requires and looks upon with favor.
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit”
(Psalm 34:18)
The graphic above is an image that I believe my Lord gave to me years ago as a logo for my counseling ministry. It depicts the heart of those who have come to that place in life where they know in the very depths of their soul that they are nothing without Jesus and that while they may have accomplished much according to the world’s standards, they can do nothing of themselves worthy of God’s attention. While they may have professed faith in Jesus for years, it is at this pivotal point where they have come to a deeper realization that Jesus truly is their only hope. From such a wounded heart faith proceeds and seeks God for mercy! I used to believe that this was the position from which we are made ready to receive this precious gift;
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;
I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh
(Ezekial 36:26).
I’ve come to understand instead that it is this point at which we realize that there has been (past tense) a new life birthed within us! While Momma and I created a beautiful Valentine Box to receive sentiments of affection from others, when God recreates us, our new heart provides a dwelling place for Jesus (Ephesians 3:17), supplies a receptacle of God’s love (Romans 5:5) which we didn’t have before and makes it possible for us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31).
There is only One who deserves the glory for this death and resurrection in us! “The Lord your God will circumcise (cut to pieces, destroy) your heart and the heart of your descendants, so that you may love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live” (Deuteronomy 30:6)!
The matter of the heart is Love!
Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie
construction paper and carefully glued them to the tissue covered box. We placed some smaller hearts in the center of larger ones, sprinkled glitter on some and wrote words of affection on others. Resting on the center of the lid was my favorite heart. It was made of dazzling pink fabric, trimmed in elegant white lace, bigger and prettier than any other heart on the box. It was a shattered heart, though, with an opening in the center to fit over the slit in the lid. Every card that entered my Valentine “treasure chest” had to pass through the brokenness of this heart.
While I’m not sure why it was my favorite then, as I consider this special heart now, it has great significance to me. I’ve come to understand, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17) In Hebrew, “broken” and “contrite” are very expressive words. Broken signifies “to be shattered” and contrite implies “to be crushed” into nothingness.
It is made clear in Scripture that "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9). This stony heart with which every person is born cannot submit to the will of God, therefore it must be put to death! A shattered spirit and a heart shattered and crushed into nonexistence are the sacrifices which God requires and looks upon with favor.
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit”
(Psalm 34:18)
The graphic above is an image that I believe my Lord gave to me years ago as a logo for my counseling ministry. It depicts the heart of those who have come to that place in life where they know in the very depths of their soul that they are nothing without Jesus and that while they may have accomplished much according to the world’s standards, they can do nothing of themselves worthy of God’s attention. While they may have professed faith in Jesus for years, it is at this pivotal point where they have come to a deeper realization that Jesus truly is their only hope. From such a wounded heart faith proceeds and seeks God for mercy! I used to believe that this was the position from which we are made ready to receive this precious gift;
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;
I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh
(Ezekial 36:26).
I’ve come to understand instead that it is this point at which we realize that there has been (past tense) a new life birthed within us! While Momma and I created a beautiful Valentine Box to receive sentiments of affection from others, when God recreates us, our new heart provides a dwelling place for Jesus (Ephesians 3:17), supplies a receptacle of God’s love (Romans 5:5) which we didn’t have before and makes it possible for us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31).
There is only One who deserves the glory for this death and resurrection in us! “The Lord your God will circumcise (cut to pieces, destroy) your heart and the heart of your descendants, so that you may love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live” (Deuteronomy 30:6)!
The matter of the heart is Love!
Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie
Thursday, February 2, 2012
ADVICE ON LICE
Head lice are as common as lizards in the Philippines. They are everywhere! It isn’t uncommon to see family members picking through each other’s hair in an effort to eliminate the creepy crawly varmints! And guess who got them while Gary and I were there? Needless to say, they were attracted to the one with waist-long hair! There are advantages to being bald!
In fact, in 1996, America’s National Pediculosis Association reported that “head lice appear to be developing a resistant to commercially available chemical treatments.” While $100 million dollar a year may be good for the pediculicide industry, families are not only suffering from the expense of repeated purchases of such products, but repeated chemical exposures of these toxins are causing adverse consequences.
Not only are lice shampoos ineffective, a quick scan through FDA’s MedWatch reveals that the adverse effects of these pesticides range from minor skin irritation to death! (http://www.fdable.com/basic_query/aers/51facacd0cb8880b90eb2b16afbe0add
http://www.fdable.com/basic_query/aers/ef00b4c582ca861fee77d48b608346d5
http://www.fdable.com/basic_query/aers/2112ebb159295d1cd950a68c769cf4d4)
The chemical ingredients are known hormone inhibitors, carcinogenic, neurotoxins, allergenic and more. Not a good thing for placing on the highly permeable scalp! It is reported that 60% of what is placed on the scalp is absorbed into the blood system!
What is The Center for Disease Control and Prevention doing about this problem? David Satcher, Director of CDC told the NPA, "CDC does not have resources for surveillance or applied research programs regarding pediculosis or scabies"! I bet Mr. Satcher has never had head lice! While the local and state health departments are the ones to whom CDC refers people, they are desperate for answers to this public health crisis!
So… what did I do? Not wanting to bring the little blood-sucking critters home with me, before leaving the Philippines and against my better judgment, I tried an over-the-counter product. It burned my scalp, irritated my eyes, made me feel quite dizzy and… it didn’t work! Not wanting to go through that again, when we arrived home, I began a relentless search for how to effectively deal with these pests without harmful chemicals. While I found some very interesting suggestions, this is what stood out to me as being worth my attention:
1) Vinegar dissolves the “glue” which holds nits (lice eggs) to the hair shaft.
2) Some nit combs are more effective than others. The best one on the market seems to be the NitFree Terminator. The best price that I found is at http://www.liceinfo.net/terminator-comb.php).
3) Tea Tree oil is not only an effective insecticide that kills lice it is also a powerful repellant (http://www.rmbarry.com/research/lice-tea-tree-oil.html)!
Here is what I did! Before bed:
• Wash and towel dry hair as usual.
• Saturate hair with vinegar. Do not rinse or wring out!
• Place hair in a shower cap for thirty minutes. Place towel around neck to catch drips.
• Comb hair with nit comb. No, I didn’t comb every individual strand of hair or carefully segment it out!
• Do not rinse vinegar, replace shower cap and go to bed.
• Next morning – comb with Nit comb again.
• Four times a day rub organic Tea Tree oil, straight-up, into scalp, especially focusing on the hairline where nits like to live. Placing approximately ten drops of oil on fingertips and starting at the temple message your way to the center of scalp. Repeat with another ten drops on the other side, again from the nap up and again from forehead back.
After a few days, I quit looking for nits on the comb and crawlers in the sink. It only made me crazy! I knew I was on the right path because I began to experience less itching right away. Although I was relieved, I was persistent for at least three weeks! The life span for lice is about 30 days!
While it is often suggested that you vacuum daily, washing everything in sight, etc., lice do not live long without a human host. Besides using Tea Tree oil repels lice from wanting to be near you, so… don’t make yourself crazy trying to keep up with these time-consuming activities.
Yes, there were moments when I wondered what I would look like bald, but I can report today that my long auburn locks are louse-free. Well... at least they used to be auburn! That harsh dose of chemicals really did a number on the color of my hair (wink)!
Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie
P.S. Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/. You may also contact me at:
Bonnie Jaeckle
In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life
Diagonal Progress
505 Jefferson St.
Diagonal, IA 50845
DISCLAIMER:
The author of this article does not endorse everything represented on/in suggested links, books, etc. Each of us is accountable to God to weigh everything according to His Word.
All content of this article is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. The author sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. The information herein is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. This is best left to the Creator of the universe. In all health-related situations, “qualified healthcare professionals” should always be consulted. The author deems THE GREAT PHYSICIAN to be most qualified. The author assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material.
While Americans often contend that it is other countries with such parasitic problems,
it is estimated that up to 12 million infestations of perdiculosis (head lice) occur each year
in the United States among children 3 to 11 years of age alone!
Not only are lice shampoos ineffective, a quick scan through FDA’s MedWatch reveals that the adverse effects of these pesticides range from minor skin irritation to death! (http://www.fdable.com/basic_query/aers/51facacd0cb8880b90eb2b16afbe0add
http://www.fdable.com/basic_query/aers/ef00b4c582ca861fee77d48b608346d5
http://www.fdable.com/basic_query/aers/2112ebb159295d1cd950a68c769cf4d4)
The chemical ingredients are known hormone inhibitors, carcinogenic, neurotoxins, allergenic and more. Not a good thing for placing on the highly permeable scalp! It is reported that 60% of what is placed on the scalp is absorbed into the blood system!
What is The Center for Disease Control and Prevention doing about this problem? David Satcher, Director of CDC told the NPA, "CDC does not have resources for surveillance or applied research programs regarding pediculosis or scabies"! I bet Mr. Satcher has never had head lice! While the local and state health departments are the ones to whom CDC refers people, they are desperate for answers to this public health crisis!
So… what did I do? Not wanting to bring the little blood-sucking critters home with me, before leaving the Philippines and against my better judgment, I tried an over-the-counter product. It burned my scalp, irritated my eyes, made me feel quite dizzy and… it didn’t work! Not wanting to go through that again, when we arrived home, I began a relentless search for how to effectively deal with these pests without harmful chemicals. While I found some very interesting suggestions, this is what stood out to me as being worth my attention:
1) Vinegar dissolves the “glue” which holds nits (lice eggs) to the hair shaft.
2) Some nit combs are more effective than others. The best one on the market seems to be the NitFree Terminator. The best price that I found is at http://www.liceinfo.net/terminator-comb.php).
3) Tea Tree oil is not only an effective insecticide that kills lice it is also a powerful repellant (http://www.rmbarry.com/research/lice-tea-tree-oil.html)!
Here is what I did! Before bed:
• Wash and towel dry hair as usual.
• Saturate hair with vinegar. Do not rinse or wring out!
• Place hair in a shower cap for thirty minutes. Place towel around neck to catch drips.
• Comb hair with nit comb. No, I didn’t comb every individual strand of hair or carefully segment it out!
• Do not rinse vinegar, replace shower cap and go to bed.
• Next morning – comb with Nit comb again.
• Four times a day rub organic Tea Tree oil, straight-up, into scalp, especially focusing on the hairline where nits like to live. Placing approximately ten drops of oil on fingertips and starting at the temple message your way to the center of scalp. Repeat with another ten drops on the other side, again from the nap up and again from forehead back.
After a few days, I quit looking for nits on the comb and crawlers in the sink. It only made me crazy! I knew I was on the right path because I began to experience less itching right away. Although I was relieved, I was persistent for at least three weeks! The life span for lice is about 30 days!
While it is often suggested that you vacuum daily, washing everything in sight, etc., lice do not live long without a human host. Besides using Tea Tree oil repels lice from wanting to be near you, so… don’t make yourself crazy trying to keep up with these time-consuming activities.
Yes, there were moments when I wondered what I would look like bald, but I can report today that my long auburn locks are louse-free. Well... at least they used to be auburn! That harsh dose of chemicals really did a number on the color of my hair (wink)!
Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie
P.S. Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/. You may also contact me at:
Bonnie Jaeckle
In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life
Diagonal Progress
505 Jefferson St.
Diagonal, IA 50845
DISCLAIMER:
The author of this article does not endorse everything represented on/in suggested links, books, etc. Each of us is accountable to God to weigh everything according to His Word.
All content of this article is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. The author sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. The information herein is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. This is best left to the Creator of the universe. In all health-related situations, “qualified healthcare professionals” should always be consulted. The author deems THE GREAT PHYSICIAN to be most qualified. The author assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Whole-Hearted Love
Indications of my brothers’ mechanical abilities became evident at a pretty early age. In fact, I had the “privilege” of testing one of their first inventions! I don’t recall how old I was; actually, it is a wonder that I remember anything from that experience onward! :) But…this is how the story goes:
Someone had the bright idea to make a cart from old wheelchair wheels and scrap lumber. The picture that I have of it in my mind looks something like an ancient Egyptian cart which horses pulled. Needless to say, inventors always need a guinea pig. I’m not certain how or why I was chosen as the human subject for the experiment, other than the fact that I was likely too young to understand the potential outcome and would have done just about anything to earn my brothers’ approval.
Once the cart was completed, the laboratory for testing it was the gravel road in front of our home. In order to ascertain the cart’s speed, it was necessary to start the experiment at the top of the hill. While my brothers held the cart in place, I was instructed to climb aboard. When I was in proper position, they gave the cart a shove and down the hill I went! Faster…Faster…Faster! It didn’t take long for the inventors to realize that any future prototype needed something for the passenger to hang on to! Maybe I tried to stop the careening cart with my foot or maybe my weightless body bounced closer and closer to the whirling wheel, but regardless, when my foot hit the spokes, my leg was instantly sucked into the force! Over and over again the cart rolled on top of my body until it finally came to a halt at the bottom of the hill!
Running to my rescue, my brothers’ found their brave little sister writhing in pain with dirt and gravel imbedded in nearly every inch of my flesh and blood flowing freely from who knows where! Uncertain how to help me, they carefully carried me into the house, gently laid me in bed and sweetly tried to console me with, “It’ll be ok Bonnie. You just lay here until Mommy gets home”. My brothers meant well, but…
It seems that brothers and sisters in Jesus often handle one another in a similar way. Without thinking through the consequences of what we say and do, we hurt each other. Once we realize the terrible pain that we’ve inflicted, we are clueless how to offer healing. Consequently, we often leave our victim lying in the aftermath of our foolishness, hoping that it’ll go away if we ignore it or that someone else will come along to bring healing.
Trying to cover-up the hurt which we’ve caused with kind gestures and sweet words often feels condescending to the one whom we’ve wounded. Ignoring the pain as if it doesn’t exist is like pouring salt into open wounds. Assuming that someone else can offer healing balm which only we can impart is simply denying responsibility for the trauma which we’ve inflicted.
When we are truly devoted to others in brotherly love (Romans 12:10), we cannot rest knowing that we’ve caused someone pain (1 Corinthians 12:26). Moreover these unresolved issues interfere with our intimacy with God. Our worship of Him is not acceptable until our heart is right with those whom we’ve injured (Matthew 5:21-24).
His desire is that we be reconciled one to another. So, how do we make things right?
It is fine to say, “I’m sorry,” however I have found that admitting my sin and asking for forgiveness brings deeper healing for both parties involved. In saying, “I sinned against you when I said/did… Will you forgive me,” not only am I acknowledging my sin, I’m admitting to the one whom I’ve injured that I’ve sinned against them. This communicates that I recognize the seriousness of my offense. Asking for forgiveness not only expresses my desire for reconciliation, it also requires a response from the one whom I’ve hurt.
While I may not always receive the desired response, I am able to rest in Father’s nearness again knowing that I’ve been faithful to that which He has called me to.
Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie
Someone had the bright idea to make a cart from old wheelchair wheels and scrap lumber. The picture that I have of it in my mind looks something like an ancient Egyptian cart which horses pulled. Needless to say, inventors always need a guinea pig. I’m not certain how or why I was chosen as the human subject for the experiment, other than the fact that I was likely too young to understand the potential outcome and would have done just about anything to earn my brothers’ approval.
Once the cart was completed, the laboratory for testing it was the gravel road in front of our home. In order to ascertain the cart’s speed, it was necessary to start the experiment at the top of the hill. While my brothers held the cart in place, I was instructed to climb aboard. When I was in proper position, they gave the cart a shove and down the hill I went! Faster…Faster…Faster! It didn’t take long for the inventors to realize that any future prototype needed something for the passenger to hang on to! Maybe I tried to stop the careening cart with my foot or maybe my weightless body bounced closer and closer to the whirling wheel, but regardless, when my foot hit the spokes, my leg was instantly sucked into the force! Over and over again the cart rolled on top of my body until it finally came to a halt at the bottom of the hill!
Running to my rescue, my brothers’ found their brave little sister writhing in pain with dirt and gravel imbedded in nearly every inch of my flesh and blood flowing freely from who knows where! Uncertain how to help me, they carefully carried me into the house, gently laid me in bed and sweetly tried to console me with, “It’ll be ok Bonnie. You just lay here until Mommy gets home”. My brothers meant well, but…
It seems that brothers and sisters in Jesus often handle one another in a similar way. Without thinking through the consequences of what we say and do, we hurt each other. Once we realize the terrible pain that we’ve inflicted, we are clueless how to offer healing. Consequently, we often leave our victim lying in the aftermath of our foolishness, hoping that it’ll go away if we ignore it or that someone else will come along to bring healing.
Trying to cover-up the hurt which we’ve caused with kind gestures and sweet words often feels condescending to the one whom we’ve wounded. Ignoring the pain as if it doesn’t exist is like pouring salt into open wounds. Assuming that someone else can offer healing balm which only we can impart is simply denying responsibility for the trauma which we’ve inflicted.
When we are truly devoted to others in brotherly love (Romans 12:10), we cannot rest knowing that we’ve caused someone pain (1 Corinthians 12:26). Moreover these unresolved issues interfere with our intimacy with God. Our worship of Him is not acceptable until our heart is right with those whom we’ve injured (Matthew 5:21-24).
His desire is that we be reconciled one to another. So, how do we make things right?
By paying attention to the truth,
you have purified yourselves to the point of feeling sincere love for your fellow believers.
So then, love each other wholeheartedly
(1 Peter 1:22)!
It is fine to say, “I’m sorry,” however I have found that admitting my sin and asking for forgiveness brings deeper healing for both parties involved. In saying, “I sinned against you when I said/did… Will you forgive me,” not only am I acknowledging my sin, I’m admitting to the one whom I’ve injured that I’ve sinned against them. This communicates that I recognize the seriousness of my offense. Asking for forgiveness not only expresses my desire for reconciliation, it also requires a response from the one whom I’ve hurt.
While I may not always receive the desired response, I am able to rest in Father’s nearness again knowing that I’ve been faithful to that which He has called me to.
Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Whose Will Is It, Anyway?
I’ve always been an “every man has free will” believer. Like many others, I’ve been known to make statements like, “They just need to turn their life over to Jesus”! However, “free will” vs. “sovereign grace” is one of many topics that I’ve been re-evaluating in recent years. As I re-read Scriptures with a new lens, it seems that my long-standing view may be inaccurate. Would you be willing to ponder this with me for a few minutes?
If I have “free will,” why was I delivered into this world without a choice to be born? Why was I affected by the behavior of Adam and born a sinner (Psalm 51:5), yet had no choice in the matter?
I didn’t choose to be hostile toward God, yet Scriptures says that I was born that way. In fact it says that:
The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:7).
What was the cause of my repulsive condition?
Some might be thinking, “Well, Miss Bonnie, I know that I, for one, choseJesus.” If you had the wisdom and will to choose Jesus and I did not, then you have reason to boast. However, Ephesians 2:8-9 reads, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
I hear a contradiction when people confess that we are saved by grace through faith, yet, assert that we have free will to choose Jesus. Isn’t choosing “works”? If Ido the choosing, then who gets the credit? Me? The one who “led me to Jesus”? God? All the above? Salvation is either by grace or by works, it can’t be both!
Saying that we have free will to choose Jesus seems to run contrary to Romans 11:4-6, “Just as God reserved for Himself seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to Baal, so too at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would not longer be grace.”
If I were born without the ability to accept the things of God, then how did my relationship with Jesus come to be? Can a dead person willto receive life or like Lazarus is he/she raised from the dead, regenerated by the power of God and then called forth?
By the mercy of the Heavenly Father and power of Jesus’ resurrection, we are given new life (1 Peter 1:3). It is He who gives us a new spirit and a heart (Ezekiel 11:19) which will respond only to its Master’s voice.
Can we rightfully pat ourselves on the back for “choosing Jesus” while condemning others who have not or is it true that no one can come to Jesus unlessthe Father has enabled them (John 6:65)?
Whose will is it, anyway?
Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie
If I have “free will,” why was I delivered into this world without a choice to be born? Why was I affected by the behavior of Adam and born a sinner (Psalm 51:5), yet had no choice in the matter?
I didn’t choose to be hostile toward God, yet Scriptures says that I was born that way. In fact it says that:
- I was incapable of submitting to God.
The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:7).
· The inclinations of my heart are evil
Every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time (Genesis 6:5).
· I had no power to even repent.
Can an Ethiopian change his skin or a leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil (Jeremiah 13:23).
What was the cause of my repulsive condition?
- According to Eph 2:1-2, I was born not only spiritually dead toward God, but with a spirit that desired to follow after another master.
· 1Corinthians 2:14 says, The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
Let’s make sure we are grasping this.
We are born:
· hostile toward God
· without power to repent
· spiritually dead
· incapable of comprehending or accepting divine truth
· with a spirit which inclines our every thought toward wickedness
Is it foolish pride to believe that we are even capable of choosing Jesus?
Some might be thinking, “Well, Miss Bonnie, I know that I, for one, choseJesus.” If you had the wisdom and will to choose Jesus and I did not, then you have reason to boast. However, Ephesians 2:8-9 reads, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
I hear a contradiction when people confess that we are saved by grace through faith, yet, assert that we have free will to choose Jesus. Isn’t choosing “works”? If Ido the choosing, then who gets the credit? Me? The one who “led me to Jesus”? God? All the above? Salvation is either by grace or by works, it can’t be both!
Saying that we have free will to choose Jesus seems to run contrary to Romans 11:4-6, “Just as God reserved for Himself seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to Baal, so too at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would not longer be grace.”
If I were born without the ability to accept the things of God, then how did my relationship with Jesus come to be? Can a dead person willto receive life or like Lazarus is he/she raised from the dead, regenerated by the power of God and then called forth?
By the mercy of the Heavenly Father and power of Jesus’ resurrection, we are given new life (1 Peter 1:3). It is He who gives us a new spirit and a heart (Ezekiel 11:19) which will respond only to its Master’s voice.
Can we rightfully pat ourselves on the back for “choosing Jesus” while condemning others who have not or is it true that no one can come to Jesus unlessthe Father has enabled them (John 6:65)?
Whose will is it, anyway?
Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie
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