Friday, March 27, 2009

Prayer.. you're doing it wrong.

http://www.informationageprayer.com/ is a site that will say your prayers for you for a small fee. Apparently a computerized voice will say your prayer of choice daily. “We use state of the art text to speech synthesizers to voice each prayer at a volume and speed equivalent to typical person praying,” the company states. “Each prayer is voiced individually, with the name of the subscriber displayed on screen.”

To list a few:
Lord's prayer = $3.95
Prayer for Peace = $3.95
Prayer to get your $3.95 back = priceless (ok, i added this one in there)

This is just stupid (!!). I can't even imagine how God feels about this.

Isaiah 29:13 - These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.







Wednesday, March 25, 2009

We need to pay $3,000 for what now?

Holly has been having neck problems recently and decided to go see a chiropractor. She took some X-Rays of her spine and got an adjustment (a $45 dollar fee, not bad). Holly has also had frequent headaches and on top of that, and one shoulder sits higher than the other when relaxed. We went last night to view the X-Rays but before that we sat through a 2 hour class about subluxation.

Subluxation is defined as a partial dislocation. It is a very common thing but, as we were informed, very serious. Chiropractors believe that all healing comes by way of the spine. When you get a cut on your leg, the brain sends signals through the central nervous system to tell the body to heal itself. When subluxation pinches or irritates the spinal cord those signals are blocked and, in turn, your body is not in a position to heal at its optimal capacity.

We sat in a class of about 7 where she told stories of her childhood; how she had many medical problems such as double-scoliosis, asthma, allergies, headaches, etc. She almost broke into tears because she missed out on a lot of things growing up. I'd be lying to you if I said I didn't feel bad for her. When she hit the age of 21 she went to see a chiropractor and, long story short, it fixed her completely. She said that doctors were amazed at her rapid recovery over just a few months of seeing a chiropractor.

She then told us about her sister who was very "healthy" until one day she had abdominal pain. She went to a doctor, got some X-Rays, and discovered a tumor the size of a grapefruit next to her reproductive organs and one kidney 3 times larger than the other. After many failed tries with doctors she went to see the speaker-chiropractor. Long story short, after helping her sister for a month or so the tumor went down to the size of a plum and her kidney returned to normal. I forgot to mention she almost broke into tears while telling the story. I won't lie - I had to swallow hard to keep from dethroning my manly disposition.

When story time was over she told us about the 4 phases of subluxation with phase 4 making the body a vegetable. She made the following statements:
  • medical malpractice is the #1 killer in America today (heart problems are #2, cancer is #3)
  • medical malpractice kills ~3,000 people per day (she likened it to the 9/11 tragedy happening on a daily basis)
  • studies show a medical doctors biggest fear is being a patient (she showed us a Time magazine article on it)
  • Your health should be the most important thing in your life
  • only 6% of your nerves transmit pain, and you should never base your health on the way you feel, which most all of us do
  • America is declining in health and every hospital in America has plans to expand
  • medical doctors only try to get rid of the symptoms and not correct the problem (this keeps you coming back and they stay in business)
  • insurance companies often do not cover chiropractics because of the above bullet point (I didn't understand this either)
  • Doing her program will make you live longer and healthier
  • the answer to all health problems goes back to the spine
  • the body is capable of healing itself of almost every kind of disease, even cancer, given the optimal 45 degree curves in the spine
She then used several "used-car salesman" tactics which were really convincing but I was waiting on the price tag. Here it comes - She told everyone that a typical year would cost $3000! Yowzas! I immediately thought of Matthew 6:27 "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life." (read it in context).

After the presentation, Holly and I were taken to a back room where we finally got to see Holly's X-Rays. We were told Holly is in Phase 2 of subluxation and its only going to get worse. Her neck X-Ray from the side showed Holly's neck was completely straight - all three curves of the spine should be 45 degrees and her neck is at -10 degrees. She also showed how Holly's hips were uneven and how she had slight scoliosis in the upper region of her spine. We were recommended a 1 year program which included 84 office visits, some home equipment (one of them was called something like "head bricks"), and X-ray fees. The total came out to be ~$3,200. We asked about doing a 4 month program instead and she gave us the price of $1,100. That price is much more do-able.

Now, I'd be willing to fork out $5000 for Holly's well being, but my BS meter shot up pretty high during the appointment, which is leaving me to hesitate forking over the cash. When we were ready to leave I figured they would call us back after Holly and I could talk it over but she wanted the money right then! She even got noticeably upset when I told her that I wanted to get a second opinion and do some research on my own. She must have known, if we left without committing, we were never coming back.

Well I did my research but I want to hear what you think. Was the chiropractor just pitching us the old "emotional I'm-gonna-regret-this-later used-car-salesman I-think-your-and-idiot-and-I-want-your-money" gig? Or will this be very beneficial to Holly in the short and long term areas of health in her life (after all, I do want her to live long so I can die before she does :P)?

Note: to be a chiropractor you need at least 90 semester hours at an accredited college and a 2.5 GPA. Chiropractors are not doctors.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Apartment Outreach (better late then never, right?)


This post is a little late. :D Two weeks ago Holly and I organized a pizza party for our apartment complex in order to meet and build relationships with our community. We had a few friends from church come as well. By God's grace it was a huge success! We ordered 10 pizzas and it was gone within 30 minutes. We must have had about 50 people (mostly children) come. We played games afterwards and had a blast. We got to share why we do what we do. Holly got to share the full gospel with a neighbor and gave her some reading material to share with her family (I have the best wife EVER).

Pray for our neighbors. They need the gospel desperately, just like Holly and I need God's grace desperately. One of our neighbors went to church with me yesterday and is looking to get more involved in DBC. Him and I are both going to the Men's Conference this weekend. We have another neighbor who is in a very abusive relationship with her boyfriend. We hear screaming on a regular basis. Pray that God will use us to help them.

Once again, thank you for your prayers. We need God perpetually.

Mission: Accomplished

Hey friends and family. We have arrived safely from Memphis, TN as we concluded our Spring Break mission trip. It was very fruitful and we thank you so much for your support (financial and prayerful).

Holly and I really enjoyed The Rising Conference that was held the first few days we were in Memphis. It really made us think about our present (how we can further promote the Good News of Christ cross-culturally) and also our future (what the next season of our life will look like). There are two particular speakers that I am trying to get the audio from. Hopefully, with permission, I can post links on the blog and share the wealth!

For the rest of the week we did some service projects. We cleaned up some brush from an all-black cemetery created shortly after the civil war. The cemetery contained the first female black doctor and two lynching victims that catapulted the Anti-Lynching Campaign. We also helped clean up a low-income community called Orange Mound of trash.

All the while we periodically got to share the gospel with many locals. Holly and I both have a passion for getting the good news out to those who don't know. The majority of people we talked to believed that we can come to God if our good works outweigh our bad works. I even had a guy tell me that all religion is just a personal preference on code of ethics! We gently corrected them by telling them that God loved us so much that he sent His Son to take the sin of the world upon His shoulders; that Jesus lived the life we could not, a life of perfection, just so that His righteousness would be imputed on our behalf and fellowship with the Father would be granted.

We would love to say more and in much more detail. Give us a call or shoot us an email if you want to know more.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Probably getting a cat...

This is Holly...and I just want to give you a little bit of insight on how humorous my husband is:

Before we were married:
"Holly, let's get a cat after we're married..."

**Before we were married we decided to not get a cat for the first few months...too much on our plates.**

1 Month after we're married:
Holly: "where are we going?"
James: "I just need to check something"

*We arrive at PetSmart*

Holly: "James, there are no cats, they're all adopted right now." (all cages empty)
James: *incredibly sad face*

*Getting into car*

James: "Okay, I checked what I needed to."

2 weeks ago:

*At the store*

Holly: "what else do we need to get?"
James: "Oh, we definitely need this" *Grabs a cat collar* "Oh and this for our kitty." *Grabs a cat toy*

Yesterday:

*I arrive home from laundry mat*

James: "Hey! I got you something!! Come here quick!"

*Has my 'gift' behind his back*

*Gives it to me...what is it? A plastic food & water bowl for cat!*

Conclusion:
My husband is a nut, loves cats, and we'll probably buy one when we get home from our spring break mission trip...

;-) i love him

Monday, March 2, 2009

How could you? (revised by James)

Before you were born, I pondered at how beautiful I would make you. I contemplated between blonde or brown hair, tall or short, light or dark; even down to every fabrication of your muscles. When you first were born I immediately fell in love. You were so beautiful, so precious. You were made exactly how I had planned. I knew at that moment I would give anything for you. Things were going to be perfect between us. Until that first time you sinned against me. How could you?

To see something so beautiful, so wonderful betray my trust just broke my heart. Should I just put an end to it and let justice be served? Should I just destroy the creation I invested so much time and detail? I can’t end it all. I love you too much.

As the years drag on, my heart grieves as you grow farther and farther from me. You are indulging deeper and deeper into your sin and my heart gets crushed more and more. If you only knew that you could find rest and satisfaction in me. You used to talk to me but now it’s as if I was a stranger. Should I move on and end this pain that you daily drag me through? That would be the easy way out but you are worth more than that to me.

It has come to the point where I can’t take it anymore. Justice must be served. Day in and day out you disobey my laws and I hold back punishment from you. I can’t hold it back anymore. Your sin must be dealt with. But when I see you I’m reminded of my love for you. I can’t end this relationship I hold so dearly to my heart. I know what I must do.

I came to you in person on that day. I wanted you to love me, just like I have loved you. I just wanted you to talk to me again. You told me that you didn’t want me. It broke my heart. You insisted that I leave; even after everything I have sacrificed just to meet you. How could you?

You don’t believe who I say I am. I can see the hatred you have for me grow. It came to the point where you sought to kill me, just as I knew you would. As you scorn me and spit on me, I want to just end it all. It’s like I never knew you. You beat me with a whip… for what? I have never done anything wrong or hurt you. How could you?

I cringe my teeth as the nail slides into my wrist. Even through my tears you keep pounding it in. The second and third nails seem much more painful than the first. The physical pain couldn’t measure up to the emotional pain of watching you do this to me. I know at any moment I could have legions of angels come to my aid and serve justice for this wickedness. But all I can think of is you. When the cross was raised I looked back on your life to when you were young. Something so precious that I created and gave my all to was killing me. My diaphragm is no match for the weight of my body. My breaths are growing shorter and shorter. You won’t even look me in the eyes as I hang here fighting for every breath. I see you have no regret. I feel my life slipping away. It is finished. How could you?

Today is Sunday and I have conquered the grave; to show that death cannot hold a Love so true. With tears rolling down your face, you realize what you have done. For the first time in years you talk to me! And beg for forgiveness for all the years of betrayal, lust, greed and hate. You know you deserve to be punished. You know you deserve Hell. You know you don’t deserve me. Without a moment of hesitation I wrap you in a hug. I explain how my death has paid for every one of your sins and you are now free. You are perfect once again. I will remember your sin no more. Your debt has been paid. You respond, “How could you?”


I wrote this after reading a story about a dog and its owner, How could you? by Jim Willis.