Gender Reveal
14 years ago
It's a blog. You know the type.

Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is just as though her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head.
I Corinthians 11:4-6
There's got to be a better system than this.
Seriously now. This is a little crazy. Read the article, but in summary, there is a prison in Norway that is located on an Island that is pretty much a resort for convicts. They have horseback riding, skiing, tennis, and a beach. Now I respect their methodology. They try to teach the prisoners respect and dealing with responsibility. It's more rehabilitation less punishment. Which you'd think we as Christians would be more about, but I think we like to see people get what we think they deserve as much as anyone. An interesting view given our own redemption from sin. Inmates have included Norway's most notorious serial killer, Arnfinn Nesset, convicted of murdering 22 elderly people when he was manager of a nursing home in the 1970s. He was freed for good behavior after serving two-thirds of a 21-year sentence.21 years for killing 22 people. 7 of which he didn't even serve! Man. You can get the death penalty for killing 2 people in this country (Not totally up on the rules on when you can get put to death). That's quite a difference. Not that I'm saying our system is any better. Infact, stats may say otherwise. But...something just seems weird when a guy can kill 22 people, and only serve 14 years in prison. If that's what you want to call Bastoy prison. And the sentencing was more a Norway thing than something this particular prison did. But...yeah...just thought it was interesting. Makes me want to have a death penalty discussion...but...maybe some other time.
Rather than watching and guarding, the 69 prison employees at Bastoy work alongside the inmates until it is time to go home and from 3 p.m. every day only five remain on the island.Just wouldn't work in America.
The onus is on the prisoners not to escape
We used to have what we called "the homecoming verse" in high school. Every year during homecoming season, they would issue pamphlets with all of the candidates and bio information about them (usually 6 to 8 per year). I kid you not...without fail...I would say 7 out of 8 (or 5 out of 6) of them would have this verse as their favorite verse. Philippians 4:13. Which hey...it's a great verse. But it was comical. Why was it so popular? What did it mean to them? What about it gave them hope or edified their faith?
I was involved (or more listening) to a discussion the other night. The discussion involved someone whose friends, or family members were trying to have a baby, and either weren't able to, or had a miscarriage. And the question was brought up (either from them, or by my friend), "Does God care if they have a baby?" And so we talked about that for awhile. And I thought it was an interesting discussion, probably because I think it took us awhile to reconcile what, in a way, we all felt when we heard it, and that was that it was the wrong question. My first question was, "what are you implying if you say yes or no to the answer?" Because everyone wanted to be careful about saying, "No, God doesn't 'care' about that." But what are we saying if we say He does care? What does "caring" about something mean. I'm sure most people wanted to immediately say "yes...of course He cares. He cares for us deeply." But that didn't answer the right question. He cares deeply for US. Does that imply he cares whether they had their baby? Does that imply he "cares" that I wear socks? Does that imply he "cares" which socks, given a choice, I choose? That is where the conversation went. And so we had to start examining what it means to care. And how it means, or implies different things in different situations. Does God care that you love others? Yes...it "matters" to Him. He desires for us to live a life filled with love for other people. Does God care that I wear red socks instead of green socks? Does it "matter" to God. Well...yes. But no. The decision of which socks to wear is not a moral decision (to steal Steve's phrase). So it does not matter on a moral scale. So what does matter to God regarding our socks? Well...maybe as much as it matters to us. An example given was that of parents who talk to their "off-to-college" child. They will ask him things like, "Are you getting enough to eat," "Did you pick up that detergent you said you needed," "How are your classes," "Do you eat lunch with anyone," "Is that wart creme working out for you?" And they ask, and care about things (we'll assume it's a genuine love and care, and not an attempt at living vicariously through a child) that other people don't "care" about. And they care about the things that matter to their child. If their child is hurt because he failed a test...they hurt and care about his test, and they will likely make a point to ask the next time he takes it, how he did. So how does this translate to the way God cares for us? Well...He loves and cares more deeply for us than a fallen parent ever could. I believe He hurts when we hurt, and rejoices when we rejoice. He did not look down on that couple that lost their baby in apathy or spite, but in love and compassion. So does he care about what socks we wear? Well...He cares intimately about us experiencing His creation and about the state of our hearts in this world. So if which socks we wear affect that...then yes! He does. And I believe there is no line that can be drawn to indicate how "big" things have to be before God begins to care. There are not "small" things and "big" things. There is no line between which on one side Man is in control, and on the other, God takes care of the big stuff. He is intimately involved in every aspect of the universe. I believe he is intimately and compassionately caring about the holding together of every atom. There is no line. And so the initial question just doesn't seem to ask the right question. The question should be, does God care FOR that couple. If yes, then everything that flows from that is true. Through THAT caring, he cares about whether they have the baby. Not in the sense that it means He will give them one. Because the caring is the outflow of His caring for their eternity and what is best for them. God is always and passionately working to bring us into the best that He has for us. Doesn't mean happiness all the time, in fact Hebrews 12 tells us that we should expect pain and discipline, and that if we don't have it...we are illegitimate sons. And it's not something that he will force upon us (getting into some interesting territory there). But it means that it's His desire for us...and He is doing great and mighty things to ensure it (mainly sending His son to the cross). And that if that couples seeks after Him, they will have His best. Whether that is a new life, or just to know what it's like to be held by the Father.
I am sure we've all experienced this issue to one degree or another. Whether you've liked someone who doesn't like you back (or doesn't even know you exists), or you've broken up with someone that you know isn't right for you, but you can't stop loving that person. And in your gut your cry to God is one of desire for the pain to be taken away. "Take away the feelings, or make something happen!" (Side note...how silly we must sound giving ultimatums to God) I think this probably happens more than we'd like it to. So what can/do we do about it?
Espinosa told reporters he was glad his wife had suffered burns, while Contreras said she was only sorry she had not "hacked off his manhood" during the fight.
What is it about guys and gadgets? I mean, I've had girls get in and push as many buttons as guys (well...maybe not quite as many, but Brett kind of curved the stat on that one). And I've seen girls go crazy over other gadgets. I think they just get over it more quickly than guys. Girls are like, "Oh this is nifty" and then they are done. Guys are like, "Oh this is nifty, and I could use it for everything, and it would change my life as I know it, and I must have it!" Okay...maybe an exaggeration and a generalization. I'm really just trying to get enough text next to the picture so that it doesn't look silly. That should do it.


