When in doubt, pray

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From my Facebook Page. Russell Norman Murray, PhD 

infinite: archives 

General source: Reasons to Believe (Hugh Ross): Newsletter, Reasons to Believe, Covina, California. 

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Scan from Global News

I can believe the documented evidence that our Canadian indigenous, First-Nations, population has been historically often abused and mistreated by colonization. 

In my particular case, having studied problems of evil both with academic degrees and academic websites, this all sadly, makes sense. Contrary to many local media reports, I do not find these true stories shocking, as in surprising.

On the contrary, the Book of Romans (New American Standard Bible/NASB) describes humanity, universally as ungodly and unrighteous, worthy of the wrath of God (Romans 1: 18). Universally, human beings suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1: 18). Universally, no human being is righteous (Romans 3: 10), no human being intrinsically understands or seeks God (Romans 3: 11), although (Romans 1) the existence of God can be understand via creation (Romans 1: 20). No person really seeks God on his/her own (Romans 3: 11). There is none that does good (Romans 3: 12). In other words, there is a taint of sin in all human thought, desire, will, choice, act/action.

However, the gospel is the remedy...

(NASB)

Romans 3: 23 

23 for all [a]have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 

Footnotes: (a) Romans 3:23 Or sinned 

Romans 6:  23 

For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Romans 8: 1

8 Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.

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Romans 8:28 

Footnotes: Some manuscripts God works all things together for good, or God works in all things for the good

People in Jesus Christ are foreknown, predestined, called, conformed, justified and sanctified through the applied atoning work and glorified through resurrection. Resurrected as is the incarnate, Jesus Christ, that atoned for human sin (see Hebrews, especially).

Through God in regeneration (John 3, Titus 3: 5-7, 1 Peter 1: 23) the gospel is humanly embraced and a person moulded by the Holy Spirit to be Christ-like.

This does not eliminate all human sin in this realm, nor does it eliminate all sin and false philosophy, theology, teaching and practice within Christian people and Christian churches.  

There is also no guarantee that everyone within the cultural Christian Church is actually a regenerated believer.

archives: Matthew 7/lord lord

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The often abuse and mistreatment of a colonized group of peoples by colonial powers is an aspect of corrupted, fallen, human nature. This can include disrespect for the colonized culture, and abuse and mistreatment socially and sexually of some colonized people.

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Since I could understand such concepts, I have always had zero interest in being influenced by mild-altering substances to the point of being drunk, etcetera, but admit that Thomas the Tanked Engine, is amusing British satire. 

Let us be real, there is philosophically, humour in human folly. It actually can expose human sin. But the folly should not be embraced.

BRUCE, F.F. (1987) Romans, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 

CRANFIELD, C.E.B. (1992) Romans: A Shorter Commentary, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 

DUNN, JAMES D.G. (1988) Romans, Dallas, Word Books. 

ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House. 

ERICKSON, MILLARD (2003) What Does God Know and When Does He Know It?, Grand Rapids, Zondervan. 

FEINBERG, JOHN.S. (1986) Predestination and Free Will, in David Basinger and Randall Basinger (eds.), Downers Grove, Illinois, InterVarsity Press. 

FEINBERG, JOHN.S. (1994) The Many Faces of Evil, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House. 

FEINBERG, JOHN.S. (2001) No One Like Him, John S. Feinberg (gen.ed.), Wheaton, Illinois, Crossway Books. 

HUGHES, PHILIP, EDGCUMBE (1990) A Commentary On The Epistle To The Hebrews, Grand Rapids, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

MOUNCE, ROBERT H. (1995) The New American Commentary: Romans, Nashville, Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Tuesday Bullets: This video cracked me in the middle of the night

 

Preface

• Again, as I have written previously, I do not hold to red pill philosophy as a worldview, but I am in agreement with some red pill philosophy and psychology.

• I am a philosopher of religion and theologian within a Reformed, biblical, position.

• I am not endorsing the worldview of either the video, content creator, or the young woman that he reviews.

• Please consider that as a philosopher of religion and theologian, I review many ideas and worldviews.

• My MPhil/PhD British theses work is filled with worldview content I did not endorse.

• The same goes for my website academic work.

• At the same time, all truth is God's truth.

• I have been considering content from this channel for a few months now. 

• I think he is basically honest and well-meaning, humanly speaking. (Acknowledging universal, fallen, corrupt, human nature, Genesis 3, Romans, as examples)

• Having reviewed some of his videos, he has theistic ideas and might embrace a form of Christianity, I do not know him personally.

• He has had multiple girlfriends which I have zero interest in as a lifestyle, and I have never pursued this in my life.

• I have zero interest in the 'pickup' lifestyle. (Pretty obvious to anyone that knows me at all, personally)

• As noted in my writing, in Christ, I am seeking, mutual, spiritual, intellectual, romantic attraction in courtship or remaining single.

• Although I absolutely struggle with sin, I have zero practical interest in pursuing any form of what the New Testament calls adultery or fornication.

• Matthew 5: 27 from the English Standard Version (ESV) 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Video

• Beginning of the video: If by 'creep you out', a man (or woman) is breaking the law, being abusive or disrespectful to you, I would state to not willingly submit to such conduct, as opposed to not being polite.

• The video creator's response was surprising and in the middle of the night, cracked me up, with his clapping and song.

• Okay, I reason that some women over 30 years old can still be very attractive.

• I am open-minded concerning the age of a potential wife, but at this point, I need a youthful potential partner, with a similar level of romantic experience as me.

• I am kind of Chuck Norris like, age-wise and need to slowly grow older with someone.

• At the 25 second mark, roughly, in contrast to the video, I am not necessarily looking for an 18 year old. I do not have a formal age rule.

• Re: Give them money. I like intellectual women. I like career women that earn their own money.

• From a Christian perspective, as it might be difficult for an intellectual, career woman in the Church to find a relatable man for potential marriage, I fully support a woman seeking high grades (or qualifications) and the needed degrees (or qualifications) to have her own potential career. (Again, this is clear to anyone that knows me personally)

• From the 45 second mark forward, roughly, I agree with the video creator. 'Creep you out', often is simply not being an attractive male in the female's eyes.

• Being creepy includes, the male, not following modern, western, ageist rules in regards to dating, such as an arbitrary, limited, 5 year (or very close) age difference as social rule, which is of course not biblical, whatsoever.

• That is often creepy to modern women. I know this from experience and studying romantic psychology online for about 15 years.

• He is right, a man has the courage to approach her and is often considered a creep.

• I have heard 'creepy' and 'creep' thrown around by Christian women in singles ministries online as if the men should follow these western social rules and are idiots if they do not.

• This idea of being a creep is one of the reasons many men in the modern Christian Church do not pursue a date, by the way!

• Of course many women in the Church will remain single, much of their lives, or for life, as a result.

• 'Chads' or 'Chad' (Tyrone) is what red pill philosophy and some within online psychology call the female, western ideal of men for romantic relationships, 6 foot tall at least, making six figures a year, good looking, popular.

• Intellectual women in particular, might be more likely to not chase Chad, because they need to find a man that prefers intellectual women.

• I voted lawyer...back on November 8, 2021

• At 4 minute mark, roughly, I have to agree from both personal experience and studying psychology, many women at 30 years old plus, begin to rethink their views on how attractive a potential man should be.

• At 5: 50 mark, I have to agree in general, that there is a wall for young women. 

• Generally, but not in every case, there is a decline in female, physical beauty at 30 years old and yes in some cases as he notes, even at 25 years old. (Key: cut carbs)

• I, of course, was never the ideal to start with, and so I have less to lose...(Smirk, my permanently, improved health with the decreased effects of sleep apnea with surgeries and low carb diet has me upgrading)

• Philosophically, for western, young women, it seems to me there is a tension between career with financial stability and the possibility of finding a man for marriage.

• Overall, past the 9 minute mark, I prefer a natural look for a female as opposed to medical enhancements.

• I have had plastic surgeries, as in eye lid surgeries, and rhinoplasty surgeries for sleep apnea, but these were medical requirements, more so than for vanity. 

• Post 12 minute mark, a 'beta' provider or 'beta male' is again red pill or psychological language for the non-alpha, non-Chads, that supposedly many women settle for, eventually.

• 13: 45 mark, to be clear I am not looking for the (paraphrased) youngest, hottest women.

• Again, as noted in my writing, in Christ, I am seeking, mutual, spiritual, intellectual, romantic attraction in courtship or remaining single.

• The image from roughly 15: 36 forward, is obviously not my thing, not my goal, for anyone that knows me at all.

• I reason his psychological and western societal analysis in his videos in generally excellent, although my worldview in regards to potential, romantic relationships differs.

Monday Bullets: Entitlement?

 

• To skip most of the crudeness, go to 3 minute mark of the second video, thanks.

• Personally, I would have edited out the first section of the video and began at about the 3 minute mark.

• First video, I shared this in a previous posting. 

• It features theological error, such as the speaker assuming he has (paraphrased) the office of the prophet of God. 

• I have not seen any biblical books that this famous preacher has authored, nor did he exist in a biblical era. 

• By the way, I am receiving my third pandemic related vaccination on the 20th.

• Second video, I apologize for the crudeness, if it offends. 

• But the video presents, present realities in western world of online dating, which quite frankly are often crude.

• Even the bible uses crude words such as whore, in descriptions to emphasize the wickedness occurring.

• Revelation 17: 1 from the King James Version (KJV) “And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:”

• Again, as I have noted previously, I do not hold to red pill philosophy as a worldview, but I am in agreement with some red pill philosophy and psychology.

• The first woman as example, on the video, is acting crudely and the video creator responds crudely, I am not endorsing this approach from either one of them.

• I do not write crudely in my articles, nor do I speak that way with audio posts.

• However, a point the video creator is making is that this woman, that is in my opinion, slightly above average looking at best, is with a modern idea of western entitlement, seeking a well-endowed man, as the saying goes. 

• Her concept of a valuable man is wrong. 

• Finding a sexual partner with that physical characteristic is IMHO, more about satisfying her ego and lust, than finding true love and a quality partner. 

• The second woman starts with a crude insult.

• The video creator uses humour to counter her less than thorough definition and description of object.

• And frankly many people of both sexes in western dating likely have STDs.

• The main point of my review of this second video, is at the 3 minute forward mark. 

• Many regions of the world were colonized. 

• The video creator correctly states (paraphrased) at 3: 25 roughly, that almost every country on this planet has been colonized at some point.

• He probably has no idea if she actually has a job, but I think his point is that in her case she has lived a good life in a colonized nation.

• As with the other women featured on the video, I deduce, he reasons this woman has a sense of entitlement, which turns men off from dating.

• There is some truth here, but it is a lack of a biblical, Christian, worldview and lack of mutual, spiritual, intellectual, romantic attraction that limits my dating.

• Actually, as noted in previous writing, I favour biblical courtship or staying single...

Only take what is given to you

Only take what is given to you.

I have mentioned this previously, but this is a new life motto for me, I reason is from the Lord within the last year.

I am not claiming this was a supernatural message from God, but this statement did come to mind while praying and is in regards to all kinds of relationships. I am thinking of me specifically and not 'you' in a generic sense.

Wednesday, July 21, 2021 Bullet Wednesday: Only take what is given to you

New martial arts workout equipment, again

archives: martial arts

Image one: Chatting with Mr. Johnny Wee from Calgary, this evening.

Image two: This red bat, bought today, is my newest martial arts workout equipment. This bat was not cheap, but is a definite upgrade to the silver one marked in red below from 2012, image three. My brother gave that bat to me from his baseball days. The new red bat is a much lighter aluminum than the silver bat, as the red bat allows for quicker movements and probably similar striking power with the one-handed strikes I practice.

Two-handed strikes will probably be more powerful with the older, heavier, silver bat, but I like the quickness of this new bat.

Obviously, this bat is for home use only. I will practice knife, gun, and bladed weapon, defences with it. 

God-willing, I will be like this at 81 years old

Images 1-2: Chuck Norris, Facebook 

Image 3: Interesting art, Facebook 

Image 3: Supposedly how many academic mentions I have...

I added the check mark, on the image that I captured from Twitter

 

Short Bullets: I begrudgingly accepted my friend's request to WhatsApp, then he asked me to review Calvinism and Girls

Preface

• A good friend of mine recently invited me to WhatsApp. 

• Months ago, I had been invited to WhatsApp, via church home group, and had declined. 

• I have so many apps going on already. 

• But my friend wanted to get off Facebook Messenger, so I begrudgingly joined WhatsApp for his sake.

• But, he is correct, it might have its benefits for my sake.

• He soon sent me the above video to review, so here goes.. 

• As I have noted online previously, I do not consider myself a Calvinist, but a Reformed theologian, with some Anabaptist leanings, and a theistic, philosopher of religion. 

• Even so, Calvinists are Reformed.

• I am not familiar with Doug Wilson, other than the one I saw play for the Chicago Blackhawks.

• Doug Wilson: Wikipedia

• The Doug Wilson in the video is a pastor, theologian and philosopher, I take it, cited 'Wilson earned a BA in classical studies and a BA and an MA in philosophy from the University of Idaho.'

• Douglas Wilson: Wikipedia

The Video 

• Cited: 'December 29, 2021'- 'In this episode of Blog & Mablog, Pastor Doug Wilson continues his series of letters to a fictional nephew about the relationship between the sexes, this time discussing Calvinism and girls. '

• Not sure why they are not called women. 

• I call female toddlers and babies, girls, but that is just me...(maybe Doug and I, as theologians and philosophers, have an age gap)

• Roughly 30 second mark forward: SMV=Sexual Market Value. 

• SMV and like terms are used within Red Pill videos.

• I do not hold to Red Pill as a life philosophy, it is not a Christian worldview.

• However, at points, certain Red Pills teachers, and those that teach psychology in agreement with Red Pill, do accurately review secular perspectives on dating in the modern Western reality.

• I do not like market value dating concepts, philosophically, morally and ethically, but I have to admit there is such a thing as SMV thinking out there.

• I have studied psychology and dating online for about 15 years. 

• My good friend Miss CIA, has told me it is like I have a PhD is Psychology. 

• As a a philosopher (and theologian), I have rare relatable options with modern women, very few evangelical/Reformed intellectuals are available that would interest me.

• So, I have applied my God-given intellect to this issue, rather than depending on dating trial and error.

• Or to be blunt, rather than asking trial and error.

• The truth is that prayer, and God's grace through faith (Ephesians 1-2) are key for me.

• Roughly 50 second mark forward: I am both transactional and relational on the subject of romantic relationships.

• I support mutual, spiritual, intellectual, romantic, attraction in Christ (1 Corinthians 7, to overcome the burn of lust, 2 Corinthians 6, to be in unity with someone not unequally yoked)

• Roughly the 1:00 minute mark forward: I do not ask someone out on a date. I do not chase after anyone.

• I actually favour biblical courtship. 

• But I may be considering a few young (youthful) women from time to time.

• An issue I have is I have been accused of being too serious (especially by my Japanese friend Hirtotake! in the past), and a church greeter recently said I looked morose entering the church. 

• So, when I am friendly with a woman I might like, I deduce there is often the assumption I want to date her.

• Hmm, maybe court, but perhaps I am chatting with a few other females as well.

• Simply 'liking' someone does not equate to mutual, spiritual, intellectual, romantic, connection.

• I am not the simplistic man many in Hollywood like to portray men as today.

• For example, maybe a woman I like thinks I am ugly. 

• My actor friend Phil, that worked with Stephen Seagal called me a bada** with the martial arts, etcetera.

• I am not for everyone.

• As a philosopher, I prayerfully analyze someone and hopefully talk with her (I am working on improving in that area).

• I am thinking and praying, who likes me?, who likes me the most?

• Roughly 1:17 mark forward: Zero chance I am asking four young ladies/women out on a date, no worries, Doug.

 • From a secular perspective, the psychological dangers and pressures of asking out a woman on a date, when there is any doubts on the issue...

• December 13, 2021 THIS Is Why You Don't Ask Women On Dates

• Roughly 3: 30 mark forward: Lol,  I agree with Red Pill, here in general, but not absolute terms. Sweet versus creepy often has to do with how attractive the male is perceived by the female.

• A problem I have with seeking 'the one' is attempting to meticulously manage one's own romantic life.

• If one is ever married, when one is married, and with whom, is in reality under the meticulous, providential control of God.

• Within Reformed theology, the Lord might allow as in divine, permissible will, a person to control his/her romantic life. (I think this often happens, to be blunt)

• Roughly 6:00 forward: I significantly agree with Doug Wilson (paraphrased), I would state that we need to primarily, live the will of God and secondarily, know the will of God.

• This requires being prayerfully open-minded and biblically minded, I suppose.

• But, knowing as in attempting to meticulously control any aspect of life is not biblical.

• Love is the key, and the truth, in Jesus Christ.

Fini

71.1% of knife attacks are led with the free hand: The grab and stab

Photo: The Earth Page, Bison 35 Fahrenheit below Yellowstone National Park, Tom Murphy Photography  (A classic, IMHO), January 5, 2022

That bison offers a different kind of potential stabbing...

Previously 

Wednesday, June 16, 2021 Wednesday Bullets: Knife attacks  

Preface

2013/12/knife-defence-techniques

I cited this website in the linked, June 16, 2021 article. My life philosophy and life events, has had me eventually be trained online by a MMA trainer from New Jersey. As well, since 2001, I have largely added weapons defence to my martial arts exercise routine. I actually suggested to my online MMA trainer that he have a weapons course, and he eventually did, after my training with him was completed. I had earlier karate training as well, as a teenager.

With society today, I am concerned for myself, friends and family, in regards to a potential assault. A relative recently avoided this type of situation by being aware. 

In particular danger in modern times, is a knife attack, where the attacker first leads with the opposite hand. It may be with a grab, or less likely a punch. Very often, as most people are right-handed, an attack will start with a left hand grab and right hand stab (s). Or the reverse if the assailant is left-handed.

71.1% of knife attacks are led with the free hand

Website cited 

Here is a very interesting take on the whole issue by Sal Mascoli in this recent video from Funker Tactical:

Website cited

71.1% of knife attacks are led with the free hand and this dramatically alters the dynamic of the attack along with your initial reaction.

A main reason I am writing this follow-up article is to state that, IMHO, temporarily forget about the free hand when being attacked and concentrate on the knife hand. A grab does not generally hurt a reasonably fit, healthy person, and the person being attacked needs to move off the line of attack, whether being grabbed or less likely, punched by the free hand.

If the attacker has a knife in each hand, this is very had news of course. But the lead hand needs to be defended in a way to get the assailant off balance, in order to also limit the force and accuracy of the knife strike from the second hand. Of course, in any knife situation, if it cannot be reasonably avoided, then the use of a legal distance weapon, for defensive purposes only, in your legal jurisdiction, is highly recommended.

The website points out that knife attacks will often consist of the 'grab and stab', in other words, the attacker usually grabs the victim with the left hand and viciously stabs many times with right. (Or the reverse, if the attacker is left-handed). I agree that 'grab and stab' is a serious threat 'on the street' (out in the world), if one is knife attacked.

For the most part, where feasible, I use a two-handed grab, leading to an arm lock (s), with often one hand higher and the thumbs are always down. My double handed grab and arm lock (s) to control an arm, in agreement with the video not to use 'karate' style blocks which leave one too open to being stabbed numerous times. Limited karate blocks are a reason I quit karate at a young age.

I will tend to use a double-handed grab and  arm lock and elbow strikes to the head and neck, (possibly knee strikes as a follow up) simultaneously, more so than a controlled takedown using locks to control. I am thinking more multiple opponent scenarios, than a police officer or solider versus one opponent, perhaps. If I am being attacked with lethal weapons, my goal is not MMA style submission techniques.

I also, as noted in my article on marital arts, I would use more of a side stance. But, I weigh over 200 pounds and am stronger than the average male. For my female readers especially, I suggest legal distance weapons within your legal jurisdiction, and legal defensive clothing, as needed.

I agree with the webpage, that one should expect to be cut and hurt in any confrontation with an aggressor holding a knife. Run to safety if possible. Be alert enough to hopefully have a legal, defensive weapon semi-ready for use, before the knife (s) (ambush) attack occurs. Be wise, if you are in an area where you could reasonably be ambushed, carry legally and use responsibly.

The grab and stab is difficult to defend and any knife attack is a very difficult life situation. I think a key is to turn to the side stance, move the attacker off the line of attack, and as much as possible defend the multi-stabs as if there was no grab or punch from the non-knife hand.

As noted, another deadly variation with the use of a free hand is to fake a punch, or actually punch with the left hand and then follow up with a barrage of vicious stabs. (Or reversed if the attacker is left- handed). Again, as difficult as it would be, a double-handed knife defence needs to be followed, as would be the case if the attacker has a bladed weapon in each hand.

Well, this might prevent some hassles

Chopping that firewood-A pro tip required? (Smile)

Photo 1: Networx (Not my new neigbour)

Photo 2: Old Vancouver Series, Vancouver 1950s

December 31 (to January 1)

My Dad (star tenant) that lives downstairs, told me he heard an alarm go off and smelled some smoke. I may have smelled smoke, not sure. He said that earlier in the day he had seen new owners move into the condo complex, and that they were cutting firewood and brought the firewood inside to their unit.

All the units have gas fireplaces, the venting system will not work for burning firewood that requires the right type of chimney.

I always thought that permanent (ontologically, virtually immortal) artificial log in our gas fireplace made wood logs unnecessary. But, I am no fireplace expert.

Local friends: If I ever need to stay at your place for a night. You will know why I am temporarily homeless.

New Year 2022: Short Bullets

• When some people mention my recent weight loss, it is much appreciated. 

• When I mention I exercise, I deduce some people assume fitness is a new thing for me. 

• No, I have been working out since I was four years old, as my older brother would take me to Cedar Drive Elementary in Port Coquitlam to play ball hockey with the older boys.

• The photo is one of my newer workout tools.

• Carbon fibre knuckles (Punisher), which are I have read, five times stronger than the infamous brass knuckles.

• I bought these carbon fibre knuckles, legally at the Silverdale, Mission, Shell Station. 

• Yes, a gas station...that sells a lot of goodies, besides cheaper gas.

• This tool is used up in my loft only, as part of my martial arts, and martial arts weapons workout. 

• I use the Punisher in conjunction with knife defence techniques.

• I have added the weapons aspect to my martial arts training since 2001.