Christianity, is it

[Donzo]

I just got the word that my wife is coming home.  She's been in Liberia the last 6 weeks where she used her nursing skills to teach and work in a little hospital called Phebe, in the middle of nowhere.

She went because she couldn't stand the thought of being home for the third anniversary of our son and daughter dying in the car crash.  She felt like the best way to fight back was to try and make a difference in the world.  Over that time she saw all kinds of things we in the US don't see.  Lots of death and dying, starvation, horrible burns and accidents, children dying etc.  She worked her tail off.  Her grief fueled her desire to help.  on our wedding Anniversary, August 20th a 4 day old baby was brought to the hospital with a double cleft lip and pallete.  My wife spent time trying to help the mother learn to care for the little boy.  But that family's faith told them that evil spirits had changed the baby causing the deformity and tradition would have them kill the child.  They were talked out of that, but then disappeared.  The little boy being left at the hospital.  My wife went into the room where the babies were and saw a local nurse giving the baby water.  She asked why not formula?  The nurse replied the hospital didn't have any and they were just keeping the baby's tummy full of water til he died.

The easiest thing to do would be to not get involved.  This gal I married, despite the grief, is not wired that way.  The doctors say the only way the baby lives is if you take him.  So she did.  24/7 for the last three weeks, she's fed him through a nasal tube, kept him clean, warm, spent sleepless nights as he fought pneumonia, all the while working the adoption in Liberia that now gives us a son, Matthew David Johnson. August 28th, the worst day of our lives, she's alone with Matthew, and they bond.  She cries for Andy and Chris and for this little guy whose had such a rough start, but still has a chance.    The last week and a half it's been fighting the US imigration folks to let her bring him home so we can get him taken care of.  It's amazing how many hoops one must jump through to save a baby.

With luck I get to meet my son on Thursday.

I don't tell the story looking for praise or attaboys.  I use it as an example of the Good Samaritan.  I'm very proud of my gal, as there was never ever any question that she'd do what she did, but too many folks would have walked to either side and avoided the challenges that we will now face raising this little boy.

I do believe Cathy's actions were a greater sign of faith and love, then anything someone could say or any bible story one could tell.  She didn't do it because she was a 'Christian" or because of her religion.  She did it, because it's what good people do, without question.  You help if you can and you treat people as well as you can.

One of the offshoots of this is that we both have had to look at our faith again, as the timing of it all feels strange.  She bonds with Matthew on the anniversary of two of her kids dying.  She'll be home on what would have been Christina's 19th birthday and it forces our live in another direction that includes me changing diapers again after 19 years.  I can't wait to get started

Absolutely breathtaking!

Thanks for sharing.

You and your family are in my prayers.

[Hap]

The desire for God is written on the human heart.

[Nilsen]

Absolutely breathtaking!

Thanks for sharing.

what he said...

wtg guppy! 

[Elfie]

I just got the word that my wife is coming home.  She's been in Liberia the last 6 weeks where she used her nursing skills to teach and work in a little hospital called Phebe, in the middle of nowhere.

She went because she couldn't stand the thought of being home for the third anniversary of our son and daughter dying in the car crash.  She felt like the best way to fight back was to try and make a difference in the world.  Over that time she saw all kinds of things we in the US don't see.  Lots of death and dying, starvation, horrible burns and accidents, children dying etc.  She worked her tail off.  Her grief fueled her desire to help.  on our wedding Anniversary, August 20th a 4 day old baby was brought to the hospital with a double cleft lip and pallete.  My wife spent time trying to help the mother learn to care for the little boy.  But that family's faith told them that evil spirits had changed the baby causing the deformity and tradition would have them kill the child.  They were talked out of that, but then disappeared.  The little boy being left at the hospital.  My wife went into the room where the babies were and saw a local nurse giving the baby water.  She asked why not formula?  The nurse replied the hospital didn't have any and they were just keeping the baby's tummy full of water til he died.

The easiest thing to do would be to not get involved.  This gal I married, despite the grief, is not wired that way.  The doctors say the only way the baby lives is if you take him.  So she did.  24/7 for the last three weeks, she's fed him through a nasal tube, kept him clean, warm, spent sleepless nights as he fought pneumonia, all the while working the adoption in Liberia that now gives us a son, Matthew David Johnson. August 28th, the worst day of our lives, she's alone with Matthew, and they bond.  She cries for Andy and Chris and for this little guy whose had such a rough start, but still has a chance.    The last week and a half it's been fighting the US imigration folks to let her bring him home so we can get him taken care of.  It's amazing how many hoops one must jump through to save a baby.

With luck I get to meet my son on Thursday.

I don't tell the story looking for praise or attaboys.  I use it as an example of the Good Samaritan.  I'm very proud of my gal, as there was never ever any question that she'd do what she did, but too many folks would have walked to either side and avoided the challenges that we will now face raising this little boy.

I do believe Cathy's actions were a greater sign of faith and love, then anything someone could say or any bible story one could tell.  She didn't do it because she was a 'Christian" or because of her religion.  She did it, because it's what good people do, without question.  You help if you can and you treat people as well as you can.

One of the offshoots of this is that we both have had to look at our faith again, as the timing of it all feels strange.  She bonds with Matthew on the anniversary of two of her kids dying.  She'll be home on what would have been Christina's 19th birthday and it forces our live in another direction that includes me changing diapers again after 19 years.  I can't wait to get started

In all things He has a plan. He knows the pain and anguish you went through when you lost 2 of your children, (I cannot begin to imagine it.) and now He has given you another son to love and cherish. 

[potsNpans]

Although its nice to be nice, and trying to be a good Samaritan is a worthy effort. Christianity is knowing that perfect adherence to Gods rules are essential, and we are deficient. It teaches that we are incapable of earning or deserving of Gods eternal goodness or salvation toward us, and that God alone provided what is necessary for our aid. How unfair is it to give someone what they deserve, if it yours to give. What if you have given everything good to someone, and they misused wasted and ignored how they were to handle what was given. Then come to you again and ask for more. To some God choses to forgive and give, others not. If you want specifics I could tell you where the bible lays it out. So to those astrology buff's, clue me in to the detailed specifics of the similarities to Christianity.   

[Shifty]

I just got the word that my wife is coming home.  She's been in Liberia the last 6 weeks where she used her nursing skills to teach and work in a little hospital called Phebe, in the middle of nowhere.

She went because she couldn't stand the thought of being home for the third anniversary of our son and daughter dying in the car crash.  She felt like the best way to fight back was to try and make a difference in the world.  Over that time she saw all kinds of things we in the US don't see.  Lots of death and dying, starvation, horrible burns and accidents, children dying etc.  She worked her tail off.  Her grief fueled her desire to help.  on our wedding Anniversary, August 20th a 4 day old baby was brought to the hospital with a double cleft lip and pallete.  My wife spent time trying to help the mother learn to care for the little boy.  But that family's faith told them that evil spirits had changed the baby causing the deformity and tradition would have them kill the child.  They were talked out of that, but then disappeared.  The little boy being left at the hospital.  My wife went into the room where the babies were and saw a local nurse giving the baby water.  She asked why not formula?  The nurse replied the hospital didn't have any and they were just keeping the baby's tummy full of water til he died.

The easiest thing to do would be to not get involved.  This gal I married, despite the grief, is not wired that way.  The doctors say the only way the baby lives is if you take him.  So she did.  24/7 for the last three weeks, she's fed him through a nasal tube, kept him clean, warm, spent sleepless nights as he fought pneumonia, all the while working the adoption in Liberia that now gives us a son, Matthew David Johnson. August 28th, the worst day of our lives, she's alone with Matthew, and they bond.  She cries for Andy and Chris and for this little guy whose had such a rough start, but still has a chance.    The last week and a half it's been fighting the US imigration folks to let her bring him home so we can get him taken care of.  It's amazing how many hoops one must jump through to save a baby.

With luck I get to meet my son on Thursday.

I don't tell the story looking for praise or attaboys.  I use it as an example of the Good Samaritan.  I'm very proud of my gal, as there was never ever any question that she'd do what she did, but too many folks would have walked to either side and avoided the challenges that we will now face raising this little boy.

I do believe Cathy's actions were a greater sign of faith and love, then anything someone could say or any bible story one could tell.  She didn't do it because she was a 'Christian" or because of her religion.  She did it, because it's what good people do, without question.  You help if you can and you treat people as well as you can.

One of the offshoots of this is that we both have had to look at our faith again, as the timing of it all feels strange.  She bonds with Matthew on the anniversary of two of her kids dying.  She'll be home on what would have been Christina's 19th birthday and it forces our live in another direction that includes me changing diapers again after 19 years.  I can't wait to get started

Bless both of you Dan.

[SirLoin]

The desire for God is written on the human heart.

The desire for God is the wish to be a slave.The desire to believe anything on faith alone is irrational.Religion claims morality is derived from God's word.It is not.Religion is in itself immoral and is man-made(and it shows).Thankfully there is zero evidence it is true.Who would wish for it to be true except those who don't like to think for themselves?

[moot]

The desire to believe anything on faith alone is irrational.

Like solipsism?

[JAGED]

Jaged I'll answer with this verse:
Quote
Rom 5:12  Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned:--

And...

5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

This just reinforces (to me) that death is the consequence...

BTW... Greetings from Littleton...   

[Elfie]

And...

5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

This just reinforces (to me) that death is the consequence...

BTW... Greetings from Littleton...   

ewww...you live in Littleton?


j/k   

Spiritual death is the consequence of original sin without a doubt. The way people differ in their belief is whether or not it applies to infants, or the mentally retarded. The Bible does not make exemption for anyone. For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of god.

[JAGED]

ewww...you live in Littleton?


j/k   

Spiritual death is the consequence of original sin without a doubt. The way people differ in their belief is whether or not it applies to infants, or the mentally retarded. The Bible does not make exemption for anyone. For ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of god.

Did you know that the Catholic Church is on the verge of abolishing Limbo?


http://www.seattlecatholic.com/a051207.html

"It now appears that the theologians appointed to look into this matter by the late John Paul II, while certainly favoring the 'abolition' of the limbus puerorum, have not quite finished their work. However, the question is still highly relevant, particularly because Pope Benedict, prior to his election to the See of Peter, had already gone on record as expressing his personal disbelief in Limbo."

The Bible must be interpreted in light of Holy Tradition...

Babies don't have to go to hell, they never did...


P.S. Unincorporated Littleton, Douglas County... 

[SirLoin]

Did you know that the Catholic Church is on the verge of abolishing Limbo?


http://www.seattlecatholic.com/a051207.html

"

Babies don't have to go to hell, they never did...

Another example of religious immorality...How many lives have been ruined by them being told their unbaptized baby is in a permanent state of limbo?

[Elfie]

Another example of religious immorality...How many lives have been ruined by them being told their unbaptized baby is in a permanent state of limbo?

How would lives be ruined? 

[Elfie]

Did you know that the Catholic Church is on the verge of abolishing Limbo?


http://www.seattlecatholic.com/a051207.html

"It now appears that the theologians appointed to look into this matter by the late John Paul II, while certainly favoring the 'abolition' of the limbus puerorum, have not quite finished their work. However, the question is still highly relevant, particularly because Pope Benedict, prior to his election to the See of Peter, had already gone on record as expressing his personal disbelief in Limbo."

The Bible must be interpreted in light of Holy Tradition...

Babies don't have to go to hell, they never did...


P.S. Unincorporated Littleton, Douglas County... 

I'm not Catholic so I don't pay attention to what they do/don't do.

[mechanic]

um...not many loiny. the ones who aint baptised the parents dont care what priests say, and the christians are baptised...so...

One thing that is annoying is people who try to push their religion on me, but i would say equally wrong is the person who tries to destroy the faith of others just because it doesnt fit with themself.

[shrug]