Thursday, March 20, 2014

Educated Judgement?

Canada from Google+ & Winston Wong
The above photo based on the water body is likely from Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal...

That is assuming 'Canada' is correct at all. I place no great faith in Facebook and Google+ for photo locations. But at least I can document the photos as being publicly available on these social networking sites.

I appreciate the Facebook and Google+ 'Likes' received, thank you.

If there is progress, that is good...

Educated Judgement?

Daily Mail on Facebook: Colombia's fattest baby who weighs the same as a six-year-old rescued by charity after mother said she kept feeding him every time he cried

Cited:

'Colombia's most obese baby - who weighs the same as a six-year-old child - has been ‘rescued’ by a charity so he can undergo life-saving treatment. Santiago Mendoza, eight months, already tips the scales at 3.1-stone, was flown from his home in the northeastern city of Valledupar to the capital Bogota on Sunday.

Volunteers from Medellin-based Chubby Hearts foundation (Gorditos de Corazon) stepped in to transport the boy after his mother Eunice Fandiño wrote in asking for help.'

Cited:

'She confessed that her own ‘ignorance’ had led to her son's unhealthy weight gain and that, every time he cried, she gave him food or milk to calm down.

‘He was born with an anxiety, so if he cried I just fed him,’ she added.'

'Caracol Radio reports that Santiago has suffered medical complications due to his weight since he was born, and has already been hospitalised on several occasions.

Chubby Hearts director Salvador Palacio González said the child would be evaluated by specialist doctors at the Colina Clinic.'

Cited:

'‘Likely, what he will need is a long-term treatment, education, healthy food, and when he is older physical activity,’ surgeon Cesar Ernesto Guevar told El Espectador.

‘Otherwise, in the future, he could suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure and severe problems with his joints,’ he added. Fandiño revealed that she was practically confined to her home as the baby was ‘too heavy’ to take out and about. But she added that she was ‘optimistic’ about the help she was receiving and has promised to follow the instructions she's given by doctors.'

End citations:

Fat jokes do not seem appropriate in regard to this story because this is a baby and not an adult, or even near adult that has some rational idea of the health risks involved in being obese at such a young age. It appears the Mother is taking much of the blame in supposed ignorance, although she observed his drastic weight gain, but I and many observers are not aware of the baby's medical conditions which may or may not have contributed to his obese state.

Therefore I am not going to judge in any firm sense, but only state and opine that it is good the baby is being medically treated.

I have to admit that even though I lived in England for a couple of years and have been to the United Kingdom, and Europe several times, when I see '3.1 stone' it provides me this mental image of a baby that has 3.1 stones contained within.

'Stoned' weight therefore always sounds heavy to me...

This story is an example I suppose of where a firm judgment should not be made because some evidence is missing.

This reminds me of what a mentor Professor of mine from Columbia Bible College told me.

At times there needed to be 'theological tension' on unclear issues and therefore non-dogmatic views should be taken with hesitant, non-firm judgements.

This story would be an example of requiring 'philosophical tension' as assuredly by the Mother's own admission, even in ignorance she is greatly at fault here, but without medical and dietary expertise in general, and in regard to this baby in particular, one does not have knowledge of the biological medical condition (s) of the baby that may make him more prone to being obese.

I can use myself as a much less serious example. When I was four years old, my Mother informs me that at the time she took me to our medical clinic, incidentally the same one I still use, although she goes to a closer one, because my loud snoring was bothering my older brother. We slept in the same room for a few years.

I do not remember having any serious sleeping issues as a child, although I was usually tired at school and would nap after school if not playing street hockey.

At the time when I was four years old, the medical doctors did nothing about my snoring issue, not finding a serious problem. They suggested my tonsils be perhaps removed at a later date.

In my twenties I started mysteriously gaining weight even though I exercised with martial arts and/or ball hockey daily and ate moderately.

I was tested for sleep apnea more than once and did snore and lost my breath thirty plus times in 1.5 hours and this could last for over thirty seconds.

It turned out I had undiagnosed sleep apnea and had to have serious Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and Rhinoplasty surgeries and spent the standard one night each in ICU.

This would have been nice by the way as a nurse virtually sits by your bed, or in the other room, monitoring your vital signs for the slightest change.

Would have been nice except the surgeries are painful and one is heavily under pain medication.

Even when home after the UPPP surgery the first day or so my literally torched throat made it too difficult to eat, sleep or even drink water. I forced myself to take the liquid medicine.

With the help of some short term weight loss medicines, my metabolism is back to what appears to be normal. I continue to look thinner and more 'ripped' as in a muscular sense. Although no Bobby Buff, here.

Thankfully.

My sleep apnea surgeon stated post-surgeries and after my last sleep study that I did not have sleep apnea anymore.

And that was prior to a three years of taking the medicine to lose weight, primarily in the neck.

However, through those years of undiagnosed sleep apnea, and the following years where I tried CPAP and also a fitted dental appliance, medical doctors and others alike, opined, some in judgemental tone that I must overeat.

The philosophy being that a calorie can be burned with sufficient exercise.

But the problem with that view is that it 'assumes' a body that works properly with proper metabolism.

I assured them that when my sleep apnea was, for once, treated properly and my metabolism was back to normal, that I would lose weight and look the muscular fit person that I am.

I was correct, although this is still in process (my online photos attest), but the point is that judgement needed to be withheld on my condition by some because they lacked evidence.

Rather a philosophical tension should have been held to.

An educated judgement was needed.

The fact I look younger than I am, relative to many my age, is because I exercise much and live a healthy lifestyle, by God's grace.

End

Personal note for the day:

When I was a child and new adult I had a German Shepherd Husky that would break through, dig under or jump over the fence and then wander around the neighbourhood, bouncing off cars, chasing cats, attempting to mate with female dogs and fighting male 'bruisers'. Equally annoying.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Online Teaching (And No More Chinese Peanuts?)

China via email


















Online Teaching

Meeting with a major, well-known visiting Christian theologian and philosopher this last Sunday at Northview Community Church in Abbotsford, he agreed with me in the context of our previous emails, that online teaching was the best career opportunity for me at this point. He kindly suggested some departments and will assist me as he can over time. I keep researching and sending applications where viable.

My reasoning is that with my ten years of Blogging and related teaching and interaction with friends and public that teaching online courses would have many similarities to the work I am already performing for free as ministry.

As far as judging my abilities to teach and to be acceptable to students, at 15, 000 to 34, 000 pageviews a month blogging, in the difficult fields to market of Theology, Philosophy and Biblical Studies, I have done reasonably well, but realize there is still much room for progress.

I have done traditional offline teaching as well on several occasions.

(And No More Chinese Peanuts?)
















Poor Chuckles will now perhaps only have cookies to raid when he visits.
















Time.Com/Chinese Peanuts

Cited:

Chinese Peanuts

'Monday, Dec. 01, 1924

Southern peanut planters have little economic reason to thank Archdeacon Thompson or Dr. Charles R. Mills of the American Presbyterian Mission to China. Thirty-five years ago, these gentlemen imported four quarts of U. S. peanuts. Half of them were given to two Chinese farmers as the basis of a Chinese peanut crop. One farmer ate his peanuts instead of planting them. The other, however, planted and replanted his peanuts, until now the Shantung Peninsula grows 18,000,000 bu. per annum. The Chinese peanut crop now exceeds even that...'

'One farmer ate his peanuts instead of planting them.'

Hmmm...does he have relatives locally?

What do you know, Chinese Peanuts tied to Missionary work, how convenient for the purposes of this blog.

Photo from One World Homeschool. One World Homeschool?  That term may concern some in the Christian community. Yes, the government will educate your children at home for you parents, just log in. Wait a minute, that is online teaching...how convenient for the purposes of this blog post.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Bodybuilders Via Oil Injections

Castor Oil: Livebareskin.blogspot.com
n24de


n24.de

Daily Mail

4inews

Cited from Daily Mail:

'No, it's NOT spinach: The real-life Popeye who injects himself with a potentially lethal cocktail of oil and ALCOHOL to grow fake biceps

Arlindo de Souza risks serious infection or even death for his look He has already lost one friend to the practice, which is sweeping

Brazil Doctors won't operate because 'he did it to himself''

Cited:

'Bodybuilders in Brazil are risking death by injecting themselves with a potentially lethal cocktail of oil and alcohol to pump up their muscles.

Arlindo de Souza has grown 29in biceps - the biggest in Brazil - after injecting the filler into his body, where it causes appearance of swollen muscles.

But even he admits it can cause dangerous infections. Some users have had their arms amputated. Others have died.'

Cited:

'The oil concoction Mr de Souza injected is believed to contain mostly mineral oil, which is similar to baby oil but unscented, and smaller amounts of alcohol and anaesthetic.'

End of citations

Initial impressions of this gentleman is that unlike many 'roiders', and I am not stating whether or not he has used steroids, he seems like a 'nice guy' and not an egotistical maniac.

However, obviously his self-treatment is very risky and dangerous, as Doctors contacted for the story stated 'Brazil Doctors won't operate because 'he did it to himself''

From my somewhat biased but enlightened view, based on my background, this gentleman immediately reminds me of two people.

One, is the legendary now 'retired' bodybuilder, Bobby Buff.

The main comical character on this blog, perhaps?

Except Mr. Buff was entirely natural as Crisco is not considered a muscle building substance.

However, as he used Crisco to give his shirtless muscled look more shine, glitter and pomp, he is now forever considered...

'The most beautiful man in East Maple Ridge', rivalled only my his cousin, 'Cousin Buff', that is 'The second most beautiful man in East Maple Ridge'.

East Maple Ridge of course very well-known world-wide, especially by Europeans and Americans, and of course Canadians as the rural part of Maple Ridge, rivalled by North Maple Ridge and of course 'Downtown'.

Maple Ridge of course also famous for tall trees, the weekend marijuana smell, the 'booming' economy and vast variety of shopping led by the new 'Target' store.

Target replacing the Canadian classic 'Zellers' which is the cheaper version of 'The Bay'.

Maple Ridge, a Christian hub of megachurches...

Two, the oil angle of the feature reminds me of a Norwegian Secondary School friend, now living back in Norway that at that time had a hairstyle that I reasoned was styled with 'motor oil'. 

Perhaps in light of the Brazil story, my Norwegian friend was on to something?
Pinterest

Friday, March 07, 2014

Brief On Non-Christian Kindness

Travel Plus Leisure-Facebook

In Manchester back in 1999 to 2001, one of the kindest people I dealt with was Max, a Pakistani, Muslim, although based on our dialogue, apparently not too devout of a Muslim. He was basically a cultural Muslim.

As I respected him at his Popeye's restaurant, unlike many of the English locals that disrespected him. Max respected me.

Crumpsall was a 'shady' area.

Max would always take personal time to specifically, specially make my meal and we would discuss Christianity and Islam and other topics. Sometimes he would invite me to sit, or if he was busy with customers I would chat with him while waiting for the take-out order. He allowed me to use the personal washroom as an act of kindness rather than me having to wait until walking back to my flat.

He made delicious pizza, burgers and fries.

The area was Crumpsall in Greater Manchester and near Popeye's restaurant one day a resident kindly told me, "Beware this is like the Bronx'.

Minus the Yankees of course.

It was apparently very close to a centre of the former Industrial Revolution, but was at that time suffering many years of economic decay.

When in the process of moving to another local area, before I left I promised Max that my British Columbia friend (Chuck visiting from his work in Belgium) and I would visit him one more time prior to me moving back to British Columbia for good. When Pope Chucklins and I returned to visit Max at Popeye's he was so impressed that I kept my word, he made Chuck and I meals for free.

This Muslim gentleman, Max, showed me more kindness and goodness than most people that I have known as well in my life, including most Christians.

Chuck was impressed with Max and the food as well.

I have a similar example, which I will not go into detail with my current work in corporate security and very kind trainers of other faiths and philosophies.

Demonstrating more kindness and love to me than some, not all, to be clear, of my Christian academic advisers.

Religious implications of these two examples.

Obviously, I am not infinite. I am a finite procreated creation from God (Genesis 1-3) and as well I am sinful (Romans 1-6).

However, if I had the power, I would never in my human nature and limited free will damn such persons to physical death or everlasting hell, apart from God.

Even with my Biblical Christian perspective and acknowledgment and theological understanding of human sinfulness and human unacceptability to God as present flesh and blood (1 Corinthians 15); and the lack of belief in the Triune God and Christ and therefore non-regeneration, being incompatibility with the holiness of God, I would keep these persons in the earthly realm in hope that they would come to Christ eventually. I would hope and pray that those I care about and care about me would be saved.

I love whom loves me, not to state that I do not with the guidance of the Holy Spirit attempt to love humanity. But Christ himself stated that even the Gentiles love each other (Matthew 5).

In other words it is a common human trait to love those that love you.

I can acknowledge that those outside of Christ can be significantly kind, loving and moral, even in comparison to some Christians.

But I do not as a human being have the divine choice of life or death, or everlasting or punishment for anyone.

I am not divine, deity or God. Nor I am fit as finite and sinful to properly fully judge any person.

This issue, broadly speaking is where some non-Biblical Christian religions and some within radical liberal Christian err.

They assume that 'good' persons, that is good persons by their definition or some kind of consensus should have everlasting life, if there is such a thing and if non-existence is not the end for all humanity.

It is as if a person is more than 50% good or like, as opposed to bad, for example, then he or she should be saved and have everlasting/eternal life.

But the Biblical, theological model is that salvation and everlasting/eternal life is through Christ and his atoning and resurrection work (John 1, those born of God, John 3, one must be born again through the Spirit and those with belief in Christ shall have eternal life, John 14, that Christ is the only way to the Father).

Further, God through Christ and the Holy Spirit in Trinity, elects and predestines those in Christ (Ephesians 1, Romans 8) and this is through grace through faith to salvation for good works. James 2 also providing the need for a believer in Christ to demonstrate an alive faith. A faith in the true Biblical God.

Therefore, my personal views, outside of illumination from Scripture in context, and the views of any finite person, religion or liberal Christian church, outside of illumination from Scripture in context, on death and everlasting/eternal life or everlasting/eternal death are not determinate or meaningful in the earthly and everlasting realm, destiny of anyone.

One can witness to all nations to hopefully make disciples (Matthew 28) and this would include prayer as do all aspects of Christian life. But related religious views and theology from a reasonable Christian perspective should be Biblical, as this is allowing God to speak, so to speak, through documented religious history.

Not relying primarily or significantly on religious and personal, empirical and philosophical sentiment.



This track 'Dragon Song' and the 1970 'Devotion' instrumental album has really grown on me recently. Good reflection music.

NY Daily News

The related story is sick and I do not wish to blog on it, but when I saw the photo it made me chuckle (no offense, Chuckles). He looks like he fits the story, I suppose.

New York Daily News

Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Kangqiao:TripAdvisor