Fifty-One Minutes & Counting
This monitor has been attached to my chest and sides for almost 24 hours. The razor wielding tech sheared a one inch path down the center of my chest, stuck 3 electrode thingies, hung a tape recording device around my neck like some ungodly albatross, and admonished me not to shower, bathe, stand in front of a microwave, or pass between a metal detector.
47 minutes & counting
I was sick to my stomach most of yesterday, and the weight of the monitor, though negligible, only added to the weight of pain I endured all day. I longingly awaited the end of my tour of duty at the station so I could just go to bed, where once asleep, the itching and discomfort would be lost in all those dreams I never remember anyway.
43 minutes & counting
I spent much of yesterday buttoned up to the neck. I felt embarrassed that I had to wear it at work. Perhaps I shouldn't have, but I felt very self-conscious of the box making my shirt push out in a decidedly boxy shape. That, and the tape clear up to my neck insuring the contacts did not come loose.
35 minutes & counting
But the time is winding down. At Eleven Oh-Five the albatross will be taken away, it's battery removed, and the tape and contacts tenderly removed. My clothes are already laid out. The shower awaits.
30 minutes & counting
I spent some time at ER's place yesterday, and the day before. I was sickened by the lack of respect toward the Marines-- and the Marine Corps in general --involved in the Haditha incident. The post, and the site itself, is a viper's pit. The commenters were all unwilling to afford the same basic rights of due process, and the presumption of innocence to these Marines. The very same vipers who would howl about the likes of William Jefferson's presumption of innocence. The very same vipers who would howl the moment a rapist or murderer were denied their due process rights. And they called me a hypocrite. I'm fine with that. I don't like it, but my only other choice is to allow these men to rent space in my head, and cause me to sin in my heart against them... Something I'm unwilling to do.
23 minutes & counting
So I pet my dog, who loves me no matter what, and I try to take my mind off the 21 minutes remaining.
Part of the deal with this monitor was a small patient diary. I was to write as much info within, as it happened, when it happened, and what symptoms I experienced at the time it happened. It's a thoroughly boring diary.
19 minutes & counting
By the way, anyone who went to see X-Men 3 and didn't stay until the last credit rolled by, missed a very COOL scene. Definite fodder for a 4th film, though I highly doubt there will be one. That final scene, all of ten seconds long, coupled with Magneto's final scene before credits, was, I believe, only to give continuity between the movies and the comics... We can't kill off or ruin all the characters, now can we?
13 minutes and counting
The numbness in my toes remains to this day. It's no longer my ankles and feet... Just the two middle toes on each foot. But my right hand and lower arm were worse yesterday. I don't know what's up with that, which is why I think this whole monitor business has been a huge waste of time. The numbness, Doctor! The NUMBNESS!!!
10 minutes and counting
Did I mention that today in Alabama we have Primary's? Judge Roy Moore, the Ten Commandments judge is on the governor's ticket, and he'll get my vote. He won't win the Republican primary, but I'm not voting for who I think will win... I'm voting for who I WANT to win. Governor Bob Riley will win the primary and, in all likelihood the General election in November.
5 minutes and counting
Performing spell check and doing adjustments...
3 minutes & counting
Watching the seconds tick by...
2 minutes & counting
Waiting... waiting...
1 minute & counting
Ding! Ding! Ding! See ya!
47 minutes & counting
I was sick to my stomach most of yesterday, and the weight of the monitor, though negligible, only added to the weight of pain I endured all day. I longingly awaited the end of my tour of duty at the station so I could just go to bed, where once asleep, the itching and discomfort would be lost in all those dreams I never remember anyway.
43 minutes & counting
I spent much of yesterday buttoned up to the neck. I felt embarrassed that I had to wear it at work. Perhaps I shouldn't have, but I felt very self-conscious of the box making my shirt push out in a decidedly boxy shape. That, and the tape clear up to my neck insuring the contacts did not come loose.
35 minutes & counting
But the time is winding down. At Eleven Oh-Five the albatross will be taken away, it's battery removed, and the tape and contacts tenderly removed. My clothes are already laid out. The shower awaits.
30 minutes & counting
I spent some time at ER's place yesterday, and the day before. I was sickened by the lack of respect toward the Marines-- and the Marine Corps in general --involved in the Haditha incident. The post, and the site itself, is a viper's pit. The commenters were all unwilling to afford the same basic rights of due process, and the presumption of innocence to these Marines. The very same vipers who would howl about the likes of William Jefferson's presumption of innocence. The very same vipers who would howl the moment a rapist or murderer were denied their due process rights. And they called me a hypocrite. I'm fine with that. I don't like it, but my only other choice is to allow these men to rent space in my head, and cause me to sin in my heart against them... Something I'm unwilling to do.
23 minutes & counting
So I pet my dog, who loves me no matter what, and I try to take my mind off the 21 minutes remaining.
Part of the deal with this monitor was a small patient diary. I was to write as much info within, as it happened, when it happened, and what symptoms I experienced at the time it happened. It's a thoroughly boring diary.
19 minutes & counting
By the way, anyone who went to see X-Men 3 and didn't stay until the last credit rolled by, missed a very COOL scene. Definite fodder for a 4th film, though I highly doubt there will be one. That final scene, all of ten seconds long, coupled with Magneto's final scene before credits, was, I believe, only to give continuity between the movies and the comics... We can't kill off or ruin all the characters, now can we?
13 minutes and counting
The numbness in my toes remains to this day. It's no longer my ankles and feet... Just the two middle toes on each foot. But my right hand and lower arm were worse yesterday. I don't know what's up with that, which is why I think this whole monitor business has been a huge waste of time. The numbness, Doctor! The NUMBNESS!!!
10 minutes and counting
Did I mention that today in Alabama we have Primary's? Judge Roy Moore, the Ten Commandments judge is on the governor's ticket, and he'll get my vote. He won't win the Republican primary, but I'm not voting for who I think will win... I'm voting for who I WANT to win. Governor Bob Riley will win the primary and, in all likelihood the General election in November.
5 minutes and counting
Performing spell check and doing adjustments...
3 minutes & counting
Watching the seconds tick by...
2 minutes & counting
Waiting... waiting...
1 minute & counting
Ding! Ding! Ding! See ya!
from the mind of... Eric | 11:05 AM
28 Comments:
Hope you're feeling better.
Lash, you gotta let us know how ever thang turns out...
Still keeping you in my prayers...
TBC
I will, but I don't know when that will be. I'll see my doc again next week, but as long as the tingling continues and the physical weakness persists... It's got me down, big time.
It would be very safe to say I'm pretty well depressed over all this. It's difficult not letting all kinds of senarios run through the head and have their day. Very hard. But I'll keep you all informed.
Thanks for the prayers. I really need them, and I really appreciate them.
God bless you all.
I remember when I had my gall-bladder removed last year and drug my I.V. along to go down the long hallway to another hallway which led across an atrium to another hallway where I could access my blog using the courtesy internet service.
You know someone is addicted to blogging when you walk past them standing there in two hospital gowns, one on backwards of course, clear plastic tuboing connecting them to their vital fluid and medication intake device, twirling the mouse-ball and clicking the enter button.
Oh, come on.
"The post, and the site itself, is a viper's pit."
Not at all. The post started out as a gripe about those who would assert the Marines' innocence for the same reason that others declared that they probably, in light of other atrocitities carried out under color of law in this "war," insist they they be seen first, as guilty!
A blog is no court of law. You defend them because they are innocent until proven guilty, which is a given. We question the truthworthiness of their civilian commander, because he has shown himself to be untrustworthy; and we rely on the free press, with all its faults, because it has proven again and again its role as a watchdog.
A viper? That's the rhetorical refuge of all Christians when they feel trapped by other Christians. I know, because I have resorted to it myself in anger.
Get well. Come back anytime.
The invitation is not, however, extended to D.dad. He is, um, bloggera non grata until ... until ... well until he apologizes. And even then, my old bouncer muscles will remain tense, ready to toss him and his anger and his meanness out with the trash.
Call him Luther. Call me Zwingli. We both fight for the Cross.
"That's the rhetorical refuge of all Christians when they feel trapped by other Christians."
You are right, and I humbly apologize. It's easy to say someones words do not touch me, and up to a certain point they don't, but it truly upset me when I was accused of "Using the Bible for magic," with no one there to defend me.
TStockman and Drlobojo have so neutered Christ-- and the Bible for that matter --so much so that I have sincere doubts there is any genuine belief within them.
Last time I checked, the Bible told me not to pussyfoot-- not in so many words, but that was the gist --around the truth. Was I a bit Harsh? My attackers obviously thought so. Or was what I said True? I certainly thought so.
Admittedly, I still have some growing to do, but in this I know I was not wrong...
"I have merely told the Truth"
Truth is often Harsh, and difficult to bear. But if we can't take God at His word there is no point in believing.
And I see no reason not to take God at His word.
As opposed to taking one's own word and picking and choosing amongst God's Word.
One only has to spend a few minutes at the Church of Erudite Redneck to realize it's not Christ who's worshipped there, but self!
Anyone who posts an e-mail from a reader singing his praises and gloats about it has to have his motivations questioned!
I think ER has a damn fine site, and there are a lot of thoughtful posts there.
El, you were roughed up a bit, but you did come out swinging yourself- accusing those guys of convicting Marines when the original post was really about FOX's swiftboating of Murtha, who was just the messenger.
Also, I think there were some misunderstandings- for example you misinterpreted a comment about Iraqi children being innocent as being about original sin and Marine guilt.
Personally, I don't think anyone was focused on the guilt of individual Marines as much as they were on how such things can happen and not be vigorously investigated until someone outside blows a whistle. It is strategically critical that we not allow these things to happen because they can tip the tide against us.
I've seen people handled just as roughly here and at D. Daddio's site- the latter being a much more venemous place than ER's "viper pit."
I mean, y'all can just stay here where it's safe, but if you really want to test your ideas, then, you have to venture out a bit.
I hope you will, and I hope you'll take the time to take care of yourself and get better.
Re, "with no one there to defend me" -- I feel that way all the time.
TStock does not call himself a Christian. He has declared so himself on several occasions.
Drlobojo has not neutered Christ. Neither he nor I "accept" the Bible as "God's Holy, Infallible, Inerrant, etc., etc, Word" as you do.
We both believe in it. The Scriptures are the primary source for the beginnings of our shared faith stories. But that is not the same as believing every word of it literally. We trust in God, not in the Bible, and for dang sure not in the prevailing interpretation of it in this country. God is still speaking ...
Someone should remind D.dad of Jesus's admonition: How you treat "the least of these" is how you treat Jesus.
D.dad thinks lowly of me. He insists that I am not even a Christian. Which is preposterous. I joyfully procalim that I am a folower of Jesus! D.dad says I am a fraud and a poser. And he does so, regularly, snidely, not just in the heat of anger.
Then, according to Jesus's own words, how D.dad treats me is how D.dad treats Jesus.
Somebody should suggest he meditate on that.
Oh, and Solomon, thank you.
ER, you praise KEvron for calling people on their b.S., but when D.Dad does it to you, you "Withdraw Fellowship" from him.
I like both of you.
If you do not believe that the Bible is "God's Holy, Infallible, Inerrant, etc., etc, Word", then I do not know how to relate to your point of view about Religious matters.
How do you decide what parts of the Bible to live by, and which parts to dismiss?
How can you believe any of it without believing all of it?
What if God were to decide that He does not believe in you?
The difference between me and D.Daddio is that he does not worry about tact, or your feelings, he is concerned with telling the truth, no matter whose ox (or golden calf, as the case may be) is gored in the process.
I respect that.
With all due respect, ER, I think that you should consider the possibility that God Himself may have slung D.Daddio at you.
The Lord works in mysterious ways.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sorry, I double posted that last one, so I deleted one.
Lash, are you still alive?
I'm still alive. Spent some time at the doctors today again. Long story, and I'm not even sure I'm up to posting on it, but I will say this...
Cardiologist appointment friday morning for a stress test. I still think this is the wrong direction, but ... when the heart skips a beat or two, it's always best to be safe.
As it is, I've been ordered by my doctor to stay out of work the rest of the week. I'm not so hurting for cash that I simply can't do this, so I'll stay out of work till at least Monday... both jobs.
Re, "How do you decide what parts of the Bible to live by, and which parts to dismiss?"
It's called the "Rule of Love." Look it up. Before the fundamentalist movement, which started ONLY about 100 years ago, that was how people judged the veracity of Scripture: Anything that contradicted Jesus's main message: Love God, Love your neighbor, Love yourself, was held in lesser regard. It requires meditation.
Tug, then you treat those you hold are "the least of these" in a somewhat better manner than D.dad.
BTW, I have no doubt that God is using D.dad. The problem is that D.dad doubts that God is using me.
Here are some thoughts on interpreting Scripture:
Rules for Biblical Interpretation in the Reformed Tradition
Shirley Guthrie, Professor Emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary, U.S.A.
1. Scripture is to be interpreted with confidence in and openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
2. The scripture principle: Scripture is to be interpreted in light of scripture, comparing scripture with scripture, with openness to hear the whole Word of God, not just selected parts of it.
3. The Christological principle: Scripture is to be interpreted in light of God's central self-revelation in Jesus Christ.
4. The rule of love: Scripture is to be interpreted in light of the one commandment of God that summarizes all other commandments -- love for God and for all our neighbors.
5. The rule of faith: Scripture is to be interpreted with respect for the church's past and present interpretation of scripture.
6. Scripture is to be interpreted in light of the literary forms and historical context in which it was written.
7. Scripture is to be interpreted seeking the word and work of the living God in our time and place.
8. Scripture is to be interpreted with awareness of our limitations and fallibility and with openness to change our mind and be corrected. "Reformed" means always being reformed afresh by the Word of God."
Tug,
Have you sold all your belongings and given them to the poor? Or do you choose to not literally follow that instruction?
I'm just curious: How do YOU decide what parts of the Bible to live by, and which parts to dismiss?
Really, doesn't everyone here "pick and choose" from God's word?
Wow! This onw lioke to have slipped away from me!
"the least of these"--ER
Your brand of "love" negates the importance of preaching against immorality--SIN, reverend.
Who loves people more--those who invite, disregard, and encourage immoral behavior and demands everyone else who practice morality pick up the pieces from that immoral behavior?
Or people who try and teach others that sin is dangerous and destructive-that a person'ns actions affect the rest of us so they ought to live responsible lives?
Who is it, Reverend?
You accuse the right of disregarding Christ's example of Love while disregarding the justice and holiness of God, yourself.
I've never been a member of a church who would turn ANYONE away. I've never been a member of a church that refused to teach against sin.
If you want to call me "demonic" again for that, be my guest!
I don't know if you're saved or not, Rev--I hope you are. I do know that your doctrine is flawed--grieviously so!
And I also know that you think an awful lot of yourself, Rev!
Humility, is that your goal?
Turn around quick!
In regard to following Christ's example:
John 8:3-11
[3] And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, [4] They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. [5] Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? [6] This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. [7] So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. [8] And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. [9] And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
[10] When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? [11] She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
--EMPHASIS MINE
Jesus, while showing more mercy than anyone else in that crowd, still called the woman's action "sin". We should do no less.
We should tell every sinner the good news of the Gospel, how forgiveness through the saving grace of Jesus Christ, through His shed blood alone... not of works... can be had by believing that He is the son of God, and that God has raised Him from the dead. But we should not be afraid to, nor feel constrained from, identifying sin.
How can anyone accept Christ as savior if one doesn't even believe he/she needs a savior?
They can't.
The emphasis *is* yours.
But I don't see much in what you wrote to disagree with, actually. ???
D.dad, as usual, I have no idea what yer talking about.
"Jesus, while showing more mercy than anyone else in that crowd, still called the woman's action "sin". We should do no less."
Respectfully, EL, that's exactly the opposite of what this passage from John 8 says.
The Pharisees and scribes were more than willing to call the woman's action sin. But Jesus does not applaud their actions.
He points out that ALL of us are sinners. Not just the woman, but her condemners, as well.
The key phrase is this: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."
I don't disagree. The lesson here was more for the Pharisees than for the woman. but my point was, Jesus didn't let her off the hook in terms of identifying her action. He did, however, forgive her-- an example we all should emulate. At which point He sent her on her way with the admonishment to "sin no more" He judged her action as sin, but did not condemn her. He showed mercy, and expects the rest of us to do the same.
In terms of evangelism, or bringing sinners to the foot of the cross, it is important that the sinner understand that their sin will not be over-looked by God. If He is a just God, He must punish sin. To avoid that eventuality, he provided a way for all of mankind to be spared that judgment; for He is "not willing that any perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
God doesn't want to judge the sinner, but He must if they refuse his offer, namely, His son's sacrificial, and substitutionary death. All one has to do is "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved..." Acts 16:31
But more specifically... Romans 10:9-10...
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
It's as simple as that.
ELash, what you've described, while is more or less traditional, is anything but "simple."
I think anything that puts the emphasis on what *we* do rather than what Jesus has done, and is doing, is off.
I'm more of a John 3:17 believer these days -- and that's not a typo.
D.dad., please knock off the name-calling. If I called you "demonic," it was in the heat of anger, and I apologize. Yet you consistently are snide and, well, holier-than-thou toward me and it's become tiresome. You embarrass yourself.
When you call me "Reverend," or refer to my joint as the Church of ER or whatever, you do it to taunt and to insult. Stop it -- for Christ's sake!
Yes, please, let cease and desist with the negativity. This ain't no bar room... It's a blog :-) Besides which, how will the casual passerby see this place as anything but the antithesis of Left leaning blogs that engage in the same sillyness? And I'm pointing no fingers.
It suddenly occurs to me that despite the treatment I got at ER's place, ultimately, unless ER screened each and every comment to insure feelings didn't get hurt, I was pretty much on my own... a helping hand would've been nice, but ER and I don't see eye to eye in some respects, and he did not feel inclinded to help... but neither was he obligated to.
Same thing here. I can't speak for ER, but for myself, I feel an obligation here to keep it as civil as divergent ideologies will allow. Again, I'm not pointing fingers. I can't hope to convince anyone of anything if I allow this present atmosphere of hostility to continue.
Sometimes wars ARE won by a single stroke. But most are won by trade offs, attrition, and compromise. In WWII the war with Japan officially ended with the signing of a treaty, but battle raged on because some japanese forces had either not received word of wars end, or chose not to believe said word... The battle was over, but fighting continued.
The same thing here. The war was won the moment Christ rose from the dead. But the fighting continues. Who's side are we on? Why should we be doing the enemies work for him? Does anyone not realize what great delight Satan is taking in all this? Why are we giving him such satisfaction?
----
ER-- John 3:17 is quite apropos in this regard, it IS God who performs the miracle of salvation-- I would not detract from that. That being said, He can do nothing for us without our humble acceptance, which is the only point I was trying to make.
Just for the record, I'm actually quite convinced of Mr. Jefferson's guilt. Of course I also believe DeLay is guilty.
Get well, you nonpolitician.
LOL!!! I actually hate that I get so caught up in it. Call it a character flaw.
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