Category Archives: Faith

Sep 17

MELT DOWN ALERT?

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Are we now passing the point of no return? Sincere people want to know. The only hope of our survival is not the president, the congress or the Supreme Court. They keep kicking the can down the road. When we put things off we create a larger pile of problems, right?
 
OUR ONLY HOPE IS WHEN ENOUGH AMERICANS CONCLUDE IT IS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
 

 

Ice on the Arctic Ocean has melted to its second-lowest level on record. The summertime melt coincides with a dramatic warming over the past decade, and it’s already affecting wildlife in the area.
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DAVID GREENE, host: Now to the Arctic Ocean, where researchers say the ice has melted to its second-lowest level on record. The summertime melt coincides with a dramatic warming over the past decade, and it’s already affecting the region’s wildlife. NPR’s Richard Harris has more.
RICHARD HARRIS: Ice floating on the Arctic Ocean comes and goes with the seasons. Typically, about half of the wintertime ice melts away by mid-September, and after that low point, the ice regrows. In 2007, the amount of ice left in September hit a dramatic low. And Mark Serreze, who heads the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Colorado, says this year’s low is not far off that 2007 record.
OUR ONLY HOPE IS WHEN ENOUGH AMERICANS FINALLY CONCLUDE THAT IT IS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
Sep 15

HELPING YOUR CHILD’S BRAIN GROW STRONGER…..

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It’s so important to stay up to date on science, etc. and the progression of human development. When I was in my first decade in the forties it was “children should be seen and not heard” and “spare the rod and spoil the child.” Our parents did not know that a child’s brain is like wet cement, easy to be permanently impressed with sounds, sights, surrounding environment, etc. Now we know that children should be seen, heard and begin to converse with their parents, grandparents, etc. at an early age. We now know that the word “rod” means “guidance.” In ancient days the shephard would follow his sheep and guide them with his rod. Now we know it’s “spare the guidance and spoil the child.” The earlier we teach our children to talk, read, and make conversation, etc, the better the more mature they will become. That’s our greatest gift to give to them, and ourselves..-mackie
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Babies may look helpless, but as soon as they come into the world, they’re able to do a number of important things. They can recognize faces and moving objects. They’re attracted to language. And from very early on, they can differentiate their mother from other humans.
“They really come equipped to learn about the world in a way that wasn’t appreciated until recently,” says neuroscientist Sandra Aamodt. “It took scientists a long time to realize that their brains are doing some very complicated things.”
Aamodt and fellow neuroscientist Sam Wang explain how the human brain develops from infancy to adolescence in their new book, Welcome to Your Child’s Brain. The two researchers also offer tips for parents to help their children eat their spinach, learn their ABCs and navigate elementary school…..
 
To read or hear more click on:
 
Sep 14

ABOUT US.

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OUR AIM IS TO SHARE WITH YOU RELEVANT IDEAS THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR OWN ENLIGHTENMENT.

We provide an independent platform for in-depth investigative reporting and critical analysis, to reveal systemic injustice and offer transformative ideas to strengthen democracy. We share a host of ideas about what seeking minds want to know about science, health, the spiritual, mental, financial, and how we can improve our own lives, communities, and world.

We want your feedback.  Mackie Bazen, editor@unbiasedtruth.net

He started in the U.S. Navy IN 58, received an honorable discharge as an Electronics Engineer, hired by NBM to recruit and train technicians to install background music throughout the Southeast.   He later felt a calling to go into church ministries.  He earned his BA, MDiv, and DMn degrees, was ordained and served several churches in the 70s-80s.  Later, because he was not able raise his children to receive a good education,  he continued to work with churches on a weekend basis, was recruited by a major financial firm to be trained as Chartered Financial Consultant that would lead to management.  He earned his Charter from the American College, was promoted and appointed district manager with 3 offices in the Virginia Beach and Newport News area.  After a few years his and his wife’s parents were becoming older and needed their help.  They became caregivers.    During this time Dr. Bazen wanted to find another need and fill it.  It was his concern for the polarization in churches, schools, politicians, communities, the growing gap between rich and poor, etc. that led him to a new venture.  Believing in “United we Stand, Divided we fall” he began developing the website to air all sides in truth. This has been going on and growing for over 10 years.

Sep 14

THE SEVENTH DAY GOD RESTED…WHY?

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THE SEVENTH DAY GOD RESTED…WHY? Does God need rest like we do? What were those ancient Jewish writers trying to say? What does “created in His image” mean? Do you think that becoming aware of what the jewish scholars and rabbis are writing today might give us a better insight?-mackie
 
While it is true that many translations of the Bible such as the New Revised Version Standard (NRSV), the King James’ Version (KJV) and others render the word Shavat as “rested” a more accurate translation of Shavat is “abstained,” i.e., “God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because He abstained from all His work which God created to make” (Gen. 2:4). Nachmanides (12th century) interpreted these words to mean “he ceased to perform all His creative work.”
Why the need to abstain? Obviously it wasn’t because of tiredness! God’s resting from creation teaches us that as human beings created in the image of God, we too need to make time for rest and purposely abstain from interfering with creation one day of the week. The passion to create can sometimes be dangerous — especially for a technological society that prides itself on its ability to create, manipulate and control the world around it.
There’s a great story I would like to share with you from Mrs. Lettie Cowman’s wonderful book, Springs in the Valley. In the deep jungles of Africa, a traveler was making a long trek. Coolies had been engaged from a tribe to carry the loads. The first day they marched rapidly and went far. The traveler had high hopes of a speedy journey. But the second morning these jungle tribesmen refused to move. For some strange reason they just sat and rested. On inquiry as to the reason for this strange behavior, the traveler was informed that they had gone too fast the first day, and that they were now waiting for their souls to catch up with their bodies.
 

 

Sep 12

HOW ABOUT A LITTLE DIGNITY THERAPY……..

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IT’S GREAT TO REWRITE OUR LIFE FOR THE PRECIOUS TIME WE HAVE LEFT, BUT WHY WAIT UNTIL THEN? If we write daily about where we came from and where we are, WE CAN BETTER SEE WHERE WE ARE HEADED. If we put off until tommorrow what we could have done today, WE LOSE ANOTHER DAY. If we do today what needs to be done today, WE GAIN A DAY. “THE JOURNEY OF 1,000 MILES BEGINS WITH ONE STEP.” We can use it or lose it. ~mackie
 

For several decades, psychiatrists who work with the dying have been trying to come up with new psychotherapies that can help people cope with the reality of their death. One of these therapies asks the dying to tell the story of their life.

This end of life treatment, called dignity therapy, was created by a man named Harvey Chochenoff. When Chochenoff was a young psychiatrist working with the dying, he had a really powerful experience with one of the patients he was trying to counsel, a man with an inoperable brain tumor.

“One of the last times that I went into his room to meet with him, on his bedside table was a photograph of him when he had indeed been young and healthy and a body builder, and it was this incredible juxtaposition of these two images,” says Chochenoff.

So in the bed there’s his patient — this skeleton of a man — very pale and weak. On the bedside table, there’s this image, this portrait of a glistening muscled giant. And Chochenoff says that sitting there, it was very clear to him that by placing this photograph in such a prominent position, the man was sending a message: This was how he needed to be seen.

As Chochenoff continued his work with the dying, he confronted this again and again: this need people have to assert themselves in the face of death. And he started to wonder about it.

“Why is it that how people perceive themselves to be seen should have such a profound influence? How does that make sense? What does that mean?” says Chochenoff.

 

To read or hear more click on: http://www.npr.org/2011/09/12/140336146/for-the-dying-a-chance-to-rewrite-life

 

Sep 02

WE ARE ALL FROM THE ONE……….

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HOW SAD IT IS THAT SOME PEOPLE WON’T ACCEPT THAT WE ALL ARE PART OF THE HUMAN RACE AND CAME FROM THE SAME SOURCE, whether from God or some planet. Down in my neck of the woods some say they couldn’t vote for Obama because of his race, or they think he was a muslim. Jesus was a dark skin palestinian Jew. The key to life is to love God with your whole being and your neighbor as yourself.
 
 

www.huffingtonpost.com

Dick Cheney’s new memoir has been making waves since the former vice president first signed a multi-million dollar publishing deal with Simon & Schuster in 2009. And, while discussing the memoir with NBC’s Jamie Gangel, Cheney said there would “be heads exploding all over Washington” upon its release…
For much more click on the highlight above.
Aug 31

LIVING WITH THE ULTIMATE, ENTERNAL, SPIRITUAL BEING…..

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I strive to write in a non-religious open way so that all can read these stories and hopefully find some kind of understanding that may help them live a more full and meaningful life. One of the great writers has supposedly stated that he became as all that he might win some (1 Corinthians 9:22). This devout Jew slaughtered many Christians until he realized that he must accept all as they are.

 The Genesis creation narrative is the biblical account of the creation of the world contained in the first two chapters of the Book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible. As a sacred narrative of the primeval history of the world (chapters 1–11),[1] it is part of the biblical canons of Judaism and Christianity.[2] It is a creation myth with similarities to several ancient Mesopotamian creation myths, while differing in its monotheistic outlook (source #1 below).

 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. THIS IS A SUMMARY OF WHAT IS TO COME.

ALTHOUGH THE WRITERS HAD NO SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE, THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO EXPRESS HOW THINGS CAME ABOUT IN HUMAN TERMS:

 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, (source #2 below).

 NOW COMES A MOST POWERFUL STATEMENT: and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.

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 GOD IS SPIRIT.

 “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”–(John 4:23-24)

 One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” Jesus replied,

 “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’

or ‘It’s over there!’

 For the Kingdom of God is already within you! (Luke 17:21)

 Isn’t it a waste of time to look for God visibly? It is only when we become aware that the HOLY SPIRIT IS WITHIN US AND WILL GUIDE US, if we let Him. If not, we’re living in a physical world that is dying, and we will die with it.

 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. (Gen. 1:1-3)(source #3)

 ”But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.“–(John 4:23-24)

 1-click on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genesis_creation_narrative

2-click on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Earth

3-click on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_world

 Other helpful links:

 http://www.asylum.co.uk/2011/05/24/new-rapture-date-harold-camping-prophet/

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kingdom_of_God_Is_Within_You

Aug 25

EVANGELICALS ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE?

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Following are dangers illustrated when people worship the Bible as a god instead of being aware that the kingdom of God is within us right now.

“when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:21-22. Be aware of His presence within you now. -editor

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An  emerging Christian movement that seeks to take dominion over politics,  business and culture in preparation for the end times and the return  of Jesus, is becoming more of a presence in American politics. The  leaders are considered apostles and prophets, gifted by God for this  role.

The international “apostolic and prophetic” movement  has been  dubbed by its leading American architect, C. Peter Wagner, as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Although  the movement is larger than the network organized by Wagner  — and not all members describe themselves as part of Wagner’s NAR — the  so-called apostles and prophets of the movement have identifiable ideology that  separates them from other evangelicals.

Two ministries in the  movement planned and orchestrated Texas Gov. Rick Perry‘s recent prayer rally,  where apostles and prophets from around the nation spoke or appeared onstage.  The event was  patterned after The Call,  held at locations around the globe and led by  Lou Engle, who has served in the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders  of the NAR. Other NAR apostles endorsed Perry’s event, including two who lead a 50-state “prayer warrior” network. Thomas Muthee, the  Kenyan pastor who anointed Sarah Palin at the Wasilla Assembly of God Church in 2005, while praying for Jesus to protect her from the spirit  of witchcraft, is also part of this movement.

To read or hear more click on:

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/24/139781021/the-evangelicals-engaged-in-spiritual-warfare

Aug 18

ABOUT ME…..

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Many have asked who I am, my training and experience.  Here it is:

In my teenage yrs I joined the Youth For Christ and became a follower of evangelist Billy Graham. At that age I played church, read and preached his sermons on Sunday mornings in our yard.  My childhood friends would come dressed up for church.  I preached and we sang songs.

At 17 I joined the Navy and learned a lot about the other side of life.  Once most of my oats were sown I returned home and went into  business with my father.  I later joined a local church and became a choir director, sunday school teacher, and deacon and began to lay preach.  I entered college, was ordained, called,  and served several churches while becoming envolved with a multi-level company.

Becoming aware that I would need to make more money to support my family I studied for and became a Chartered Financial Consultant at The American College, Bryn Mawr, PA.

As I had learned more about religions and philosophies I became aware there were similarites in their beliefs about a diety or dieties but far apart in who or what they were, expected and did.  This led me to believe that there was a higher power, the Ground of all Being, the Eternal One, the Holy Spirit, the “I AM” who lives within us who came to us that we might have life more abundantly and continue to live forever in  His Spirit, love and truth.

I grew up in Florence, SC; in the Navy 58-64; have BA from Baptist College, Charleston, SC 65-69 (now Charleston Southern University); MDiv from Southeastern Seminary, Wake Forest, 70-73; DMin from Union Seminary, 77-79; served pastorates in Allendale, Sycamore, and Kline, SC, Charlottesville, VA, Louisburg and Williamston, NC; minister and counselor 70-83; ChFC and CLU from American College, Bryn Mawr, PA 87-89; was in financial services and part time  ministries 83-08.  My wife and I are still in part ministries: preaching, singing, writing, guest speaking, seminars, counseling, personal consultant, etc.  My wife, Glenda, has worked with me for over 35 years in our part time ministries, is an accomplished musician (piano and organ), served as secretary at several churches, Dept. of Agriculture, restaurant catering manager, etc. and has worked (part time)  helping the unemployed find training and internships at Piedmont Technical College.  Now we are both care givers for her active 91 yr old mother who is of sane mind, goes shopping, likes to read the paper daily, cooks, etc. and puts together jigsaw puzzles at night.  Of course, we have to support her in many ways.

~mackie

Aug 16

UNITED WE STAND! DIVIDED? WE FALL!!!!!!!

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A LION used to prowl about a field in which Four Oxen used to dwell.

Many a time he tried to attack them; but whenever he came near they turned their tails to one another, so that whichever way he approached them he was met by the horns of one of them. At last, however, they fell a-quarrelling among themselves, and each went off to pasture alone in a separate corner of the field. Then the Lion attacked them one by one and soon made an end of all four.
http://www.bartleby.com/17/1/52.html
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I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic
for which it stands,
one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
(original: see below)
The Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy (1855–1931), who was a Baptist minister, a Christian socialist, and the cousin of socialist utopian novelist Edward Bellamy (1850–1898). Bellamy “viewed his Pledge as an ‘inoculation‘ that would protect immigrants and native-born but insufficiently patriotic Americans from the ‘virus‘ of radicalism and subversion.”[2] The original “Pledge of Allegiance” was published in the September 8 issue of the popular children’s magazine The Youth’s Companion as part of the National Public-School Celebration of Columbus Day, a celebration of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus‘s arrival in the Americas. The event was conceived and promoted by James B. Upham, a marketer for the magazine, as a campaign to instill the idea of American nationalism by selling flags to public schools and magazines to students.[3][4][5][6]
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In 1923, the National Flag Conference called for the words “my Flag” to be changed to “the Flag of the United States“, so that new immigrants would not confuse loyalties between their birth countries and the United States. The words “of America” were added a year later. The United States Congress officially recognized the Pledge as the official pledge on June 22, 1942.
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
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Addition of the words “under God”: Louis A. Bowman (1872–1959) was the first to initiate the addition of “under God” to the Pledge. The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution gave him an Award of Merit as the originator of this idea.[13][14] He spent his adult life in the Chicago area and was Chaplain of the Illinois Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. At a meeting on February 12, 1948,[citation needed] Lincoln’s Birthday, he led the Society in swearing the Pledge with two words added, “under God.” He stated that the words came from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Though not all manuscript versions of the Gettysburg Address contain the words “under God”, all the reporters’ transcripts of the speech as delivered do, as perhaps Lincoln may have deviated from his prepared text and inserted the phrase when he said “that the nation shall, under God, have a new birth of freedom.” Bowman repeated his revised version of the Pledge at other meetings.[13]
WE HAVE TO KNOW WHERE WE CAME FROM TO UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE ARE GOING.
-mackie and billions of others in history.