Pray for Oprah

I am so glad you wrote the email about Oprah and a Course in Miracles. I feel exactly the same way.  I was so disturbed this week when I heard about how many had gotten on her website.  I enjoyed watching her several years back when I had more time.  Every once in a blue moon I will catch a glimpse of her show and last Monday was one of those.  I got on her website to see what they were talking about and happened to open Marianne W.  devotion? for the day?  I was speechless and couldn't believe I was reading what I was reading.  I felt sick to my stomach and at the moment felt little hope.  She was stating that salvation comes from you and there is no such thing as sin or guilt.  I really couldn't read anymore.  I have mentioned it to a few that I saw this week but I am so glad you explained what is going on.  Thank you for being so clear and full of truth and love at the same time.  Ugh.  It makes me so sad that so many will read and follow this idea.  You are right about the need to really pray for this.  I was convicted because I was worrying about it but not praying.

Pray Instead of Worrying

When you are worrying about something start praying. Prayer solves all worries.

Oprah's New Age Books

Hi everyone! I'm writing this to my entire address book because I am extremely concerned about what Oprah Winfrey is doing, and I want to reach the most people possible. This is not a forwarded message, but my own thoughts and concerns. If you find this helpful and want to pass it on, that's fine. Just remove this introductory paragraph. Since this is to my entire address book, I know some of you very well and others of you may have no idea who I am! I'm a a pastor's wife, a "thirty-something" mother of two, but most importantly, I'm a Christian. After you read this email, if you have any questions, please email me, Wende, at gwhitus@comporium.net and I'll be happy to dialogue with you.

A friend of mine recently asked me to read a book called "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle. I knew a little bit about the philosophy behind the book, but agreed to read it so we could discuss it further. This is a popular "Oprah Book Club" selection and is the basis for an online class that started on Oprah's website recently.

I read the first chapter of the book tonight, and I can't sleep. I am very saddened and concerned about what I've read so far. Saddened, because the author abuses, misrepresents, and blasphemes God. It is subtle and seems innocent on the surface, but it is clearly not what the Bible teaches. I am concerned, because Oprah is very influential and has such a huge, devoted following. I fear that many people who are seeking truth will follow Oprah and this book without taking the time to really think about and analyze what they are reading. I want to make this email as brief as possible, so I'll include a few links to give you a start on your own research. But if you are reading this book or taking this online course, or Oprah's other course on "miracles," PLEASE, PLEASE pray for wisdom and discernment as you proceed. I pray now for everyone reading this email, that they would find truth in the Bible, not in books written by man.

I will continue to read "A New Earth." I think it's important to be educated on false teaching. If you are a person who prays, please pray for protection over me as I read. I do pray for each of you, and if there is anyone reading this that does not know the Lord God, I pray that you would come to know Him personally by studying His Word, the Bible. I pray for Oprah Winfrey and for Eckhart Tolle and for Marianne Williamson. I love God and I love people. I write this email not to be hostile or argumentative, but out of deep love and concern for the reputation of God.

Thanks for reading, and God bless you!

Wende

A few links for further study (but supplement this with your own research):



http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/007/smith-oprah.htm

http://newlife919blog.blogs.com/real_life_with_leslie/ (scroll down to find a few articles on Oprah & the online course in her March 13 and March 8 blog entries)

http://prolepticlife.wordpress.com/2008/03/03/oprah-eckhart-tolle-a-new-earth/

http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/newageoprah.asp

Oprah's New Age Recommendations Calls for Us to Be Active Not Luke Warm

Your doing something about Oprah's New Age Recommendations reminded me of me who does nothing. I guess God will enjoy chewing on me.

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Revelation 3: 15-16

Oprah's New Age Recommendations and Links to Counter Her Assertions

Hi everyone!  I'm writing this to my entire address book because I am extremely concerned about what Oprah Winfrey is doing, and I want to reach the most people possible.  This is not a forwarded message, but my own thoughts and concerns.  If you find this helpful and want to pass it on, that's fine.  Just remove this introductory paragraph.  Since this is to my entire address book, I know some of you very well and others of you may have no idea who I am!  I'm a a pastor's wife, a "thirty-something" mother of two, but most importantly, I'm a Christian.  After you read this email, if you have any questions, please email me, Wende, at gwhitus@comporium.net and I'll be happy to dialogue with you.

A friend of mine recently asked me to read a book called "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle.  I knew a little bit about the philosophy behind the book, but agreed to read it so we could discuss it further.  This is a popular "Oprah Book Club" selection and is the basis for an online class that started on Oprah's website recently.  

I read the first chapter of the book tonight, and I can't sleep.  I am very saddened and concerned about what I've read so far.  Saddened, because the author abuses, misrepresents, and blasphemes God.  It is subtle and seems innocent on the surface, but it is clearly not what the Bible teaches.  I am concerned, because Oprah is very influential and has such a huge, devoted following.  I fear that many people who are seeking truth will follow Oprah and this book without taking the time to really think about and analyze what they are reading.  I want to make this email as brief as possible, so I'll include a few links to give you a start on your own research.  But if you are reading this book or taking this online course, or Oprah's other course on "miracles," PLEASE, PLEASE pray for wisdom and discernment as you proceed.  I pray now for everyone reading this email, that they would find truth in the Bible, not in books written by man.  

I will continue to read "A New Earth."  I think it's important to be educated on false teaching.  If you are a person who prays, please pray for protection over me as I read.  I do pray for each of you, and if there is anyone reading this that does not know the Lord God, I pray that you would come to know Him personally by studying His Word, the Bible.  I pray for Oprah Winfrey and for Eckhart Tolle and for Marianne Williamson.  I love God and I love people.  I write this email not to be hostile or argumentative, but out of deep love and concern for the reputation of God.

Thanks for reading, and God bless you!

Wende

A few links for further study (but supplement this with your own research):

http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/007/smith-oprah.htm 

http://newlife919blog.blogs.com/real_life_with_leslie/     (scroll down to find a few articles on Oprah & the online course in her March 13 and March 8 blog entries)

http://prolepticlife.wordpress.com/2008/03/03/oprah-eckhart-tolle-a-new-earth/

http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/newageoprah.asp

Belief

Our actions reflect our belief.

Treatment of Vitamin D Deficiency

Sun exposure
Sun exposure is perhaps the most important source of vitamin D because exposure to sunlight provides most humans with their vitamin D requirement [13]. UV rays from the sun trigger vitamin D synthesis in skin [13-14]. Season, geographic latitude, time of day, cloud cover, smog, and sunscreen affect UV ray exposure and vitamin D synthesis [14]. For example, sunlight exposure from November through February in Boston is insufficient to produce significant vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Complete cloud cover halves the energy of UV rays, and shade reduces it by 60%. Industrial pollution, which increases shade, also decreases sun exposure and may contribute to the development of rickets in individuals with insufficient dietary intake of vitamin D [15]. Sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 8 or greater will block UV rays that produce vitamin D, but it is still important to routinely use sunscreen to help prevent skin cancer and other negative consequences of excessive sun exposure. An initial exposure to sunlight (10 -15 minutes) allows adequate time for Vitamin D synthesis and should be followed by application of a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to protect the skin. Ten to fifteen minutes of sun exposure at least two times per week to the face, arms, hands, or back without sunscreen is usually sufficient to provide adequate vitamin D [14]. It is very important for individuals with limited sun exposure to include good sources of vitamin D in their diet. 

Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency reaches epidemic proportions among people over 50. Only about 5 percent of these men and 1 to 3 percent of the women get their RDI for this nutrient from diet alone. Supplement use bumps up the share of older adults getting the RDI to about 35 percent of whites, 17 percent of Hispanics, and roughly 10 percent blacks.

Answer to Howard

Howard:

The blog is for anything that interests me and is useful for a personal reference when I am writing a newsletter or book or preparing a speech. It is not intended for anyone to read. Indeed, you are probably the first person to read anything written on it, because the vastness of the Internet makes my blog the tiniest astroid in the universe.

The equality of opportunity essay was not intended to mean we should be satisfied with our best effort, but we should continue to improve on our best effort. Our best effort tomorrow should produce better results than our best effort today. If we fail to grow and improve we are failing to give our best effort.

The above paragraph is an example of why it is nice when someone with a discerning mind can read my material. It helps me clarify my ideas--sort of like lounging around in the college dorm talking philosophy.

The tennis/bike analogy is false. When you don't play tennis for two decades, your strokes are rusty, your timing is off, your judgement of where the ball will bounce is off. Plus you have lost a couple of steps, maybe three or four steps. Your stop and start conditioning is off. It will take a tremendous work effort to get to 25% of my level in 1985, but I am going to extend myself if the local pro will give me lessons without requiring me to join the tennis club. 

Brad beat me badly (6-0, 6-0, 6-0, 6-0) in January and I cannot abide rudeness in a son. I am determined to pay him back. (But don't tell him. I want him cocky and overconfident.) After I beat Brad, I will take you on which might mean we will never meet on the court. I know this: I will give my best effort to send Brad packing with his racket tucked between his legs.

I ordered the two books from Amazon yesterday.

If you ever read my blog again please try to make a comment on it. It will be neat to have a comment.

Comment from Howard

'Brief essay' is an understatement!  Or maybe 'trenchant' is a better word because it

is certainly an accurate observation.  And this 'blog' seems to be some sort of professional

forum directed to your clients.  One can not be too careful with such forums.  Personally,

I would sterilize the bitch and be done with it.  But that would be in another reality wouldn't

it? (I'm kidding, I"m really a compassionate liberal...)

    The 'Equality of opportunity' essay was more interesting to me.  I understand that your

words are meant to encourage those who might not have the wherewithal to be the very best

they can be, but something about it rankles, also.  The tennis analogy is telling because I

have experienced it many times.  I get a lot of satisfaction out of giving my best effort when

I win, but when I lose to some young punk who overpowers me, I think that my best effort

is not enough and I need to strive for a higher best effort!  I guess the key point is that I

think one should never be satisfied with a losing 'effort' because even if it is one's best, that

doesn't mean one can't set a higher standard for 'best effort'. 

    OK, I accept your challenge.  I prefer singles myself.  The loneliness of you against the

world!  No fall guys; no excuses.  If you have relearned to hit the ball.  (It's like riding a bike!)

Brad didn't say how good a tennis player you were, but if you turn up to be a 4.5, 5.0, then

I'm toast, but what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger! 

    Reading list:  I do not recommend books lightly to a person as sensitive as Brad because

I am mindful of Dwayne Hoover, the lead character of Vonnegut's "Breakfast of Champions".

His mind was 'poisoned', as mine was, by reading "Sirens of Titan".  But all of the books I

mentioned are exemplary 'cautionary tales' about where we are going as a culture.  And I

admire Zamyatin the most becuase he was able to recognize this trend as early as 1921....

That qualifies as 'visionary' in my book!  I was a science fiction fan in my early childhood

and came across Vonnegut's "Sirens of Titan" when it was first published in 1961 or so.

I have never recovered!  Nor do I want to....

Equality of opportunity and not equality of result

All of us seek equality of opportunity. Opportunity, however, fails to guarantee equality of results. We may be given the opportunity to try out for the basketball team, but that opportunity fails to assure that we will make the team. 

Some people can jump higher and run faster than others. Some have better minds than others. Some have more musical talent than others. Not everyone will win. We will not receive equal prizes. 

Joy comes from doing the very best we can with the gifts we possess. Doing our very best is good enough. A 3.5 tennis player can have just as much fun as a 7.0 player as long as that 3.5 player gives best effort. 

For the right minded, effort trumps result. We can expect the opportunity to give our best effort, but we cannot expect that our best effort will produce results better than the efforts of others. Doing our best is the best we can expect of ourselves. 

The Hidden Consequence of Compassion

Compassion, a wonderful virtue, has the potential for generating a troubling consequence. Recipients of a  "compassionate government" can develop an infantilizing sense of entitlement--an addiction as lethal as drug dependence.

A patient with six children had been admitted to our psychiatric unit six times with post partum depression. I suggested she consider a tubal ligation. She replied, “I couldn’t do that. I need more money. Every time I have a baby I get a bigger government check.” 

Unearned gifts kill personal responsibility.

 

A Healthy Method to Ban Illegal Immigrants

A British woman planning to start a new life with her husband in New Zealand has been banned from entering the country because she is too fat. Rowan Trezise, 33 has been left behind in England, while her husband, Richie, 35, has already made the move down under leaving her desperately trying to lose weight.  When the couple first tried to gain entry to the country they were told that they were both overweight and were a potential burden on the health care system.   

Source: The Daily Mail

A Cosmic View of Life

We have a serious responsibility not to take anything seriously.    

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

The Law of Unintended Consequences

A recent study done by the Dutch

Obese people are much less costly to the health care system than thin people because obese people tend to die 7-10 years earlier and more money is spent on the aged in the last years of life

Healing

Not everyone who comes to God is  cured. 

•   Curing is temporary
  
•   Healing is eternal
•   We may not be cured but we can be healed
•   Jesus came to make people whole. He came to heal.

Schrodinger's Cat: A thought experiment

In his original thought experiment, Schrodinger imagined that a cat is locked in a box, along with a radioactive atom that is connected to a vial containing a deadly poison. If the atom decays, it causes the vial to smash and the cat to be killed. When the box is closed we do not know if the atom has decayed or not, which means that it can be in both the decayed state and the non-decayed state at the same time. Therefore, the cat is both dead and alive at the same time - which clearly does not happen in classical physics.

Number and Cost of Organ Transplants

Organ	Number of US Transplants Each year	Cost of Transplant Procedure
Heart	2,192	$287,000
Bone marrow	30,000  (Since 1987)	$201,180
Lung	1000	$264,482
Liver	5000	$325,218
Kidney	14,000	$158,490
Pancreas	450	$135,000

Rhetorical Questions on Death

When should we die?

When we are no longer serving a function???

When the cost becomes more than the potential economic benefit of continued life???

How should we die?

Without artificial support???

When does length of life sacrifice quality of life?

A joyless life is not worth living???

Money

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with with you have.

Hebrews 13:5

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:17-19