Swiss Chard is common here, as is white Chard. But it's California and we are fortunate in the produce department. You know what's good? Rapini (Broccoli Raab). Mmmm. Fresh beet-tops are a good culinary substitute BTW, if you can't find Swiss Chard. Bill

Rough-housing time with dad is some of the most precious time in a child's life. Be grateful your husband has it in him. This bonding activity is vital, and will never be forgotten. Bill

Mmmm. That sounds good. Do you ever use the dried limes called "Omani limes" that Gulf Arabs and Persians are so fond of? I bet putting just a little finely chopped Omani lime into the marinade would make this dish out of this world. Bill

Being a warm and fuzzy Dark Sider is blowing the whole rep :D But you know I cherish you :grouphug: Bill

But did God create a "perfect" humankind? In Genesis, after Adam eats from the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil" God (largely validating the words of the serpent) says man has (in this act) become more like God. So if man became more like God, then he was transformed from his original state and "improved" (unless one is prepared to argue that being "like" God is a negative). And one can't be created "perfect" and them become "more perfect", can you? And how can becoming more like God be considered a "Fall"? If man was created without the ability to tell right from wrong he was not created as a "perfect creature", and in fact was not different than any other dumb animal, no? You can't tell a cow: "you can eat this grass, but that grass over there don't eat it or you will surely die" and expect a cow to bear a moral responsibility for it's transgression. Can you? You could still kill the morally-faultless cow, but since it could not understand the meaning of its act its not responsible for its demise. If God didn't give man the same ability to reason and tell right from wrong, same deal. And if you argue that the plain-text reading of Genesis is incorrect and man knew right from wrong prior to his fruit-eating, and through his own free-will man disobeyed God, then you would have to acknowledge that God (the potter) created beings who were prone to disobedience and following their own will. And assuming this will-full disobedience is a "negative", then these beings are not "perfect" in this alternate interpretation of the creation story. Either way man is created "imperfectly" is he not? And whose fault is that, if not the potters? Bill

OK, if you insist :D

I'm sorry I was out all day and unable to participate in this very interesting thread. I'd just like to echo your remarks and say how much I enjoy the education I've received, and the shared dialogue that can take place on these forums, in matters that are very near and dear to people and potentially sensitive. I especially appreciate all the graciousness extended in my direction. I know I'm a bit of a relentless questioner, but that's the way I learn things and hopefully I'm not alone in becoming more understanding about the views of others. Cheers all, Bill

Now I know what I'm adding to tonight's dinner menu :D Bill

I've contacted my Senators' and Congressperson's offices to discuss the matter, and perhaps in some form or another all who share concerns about this act should share them with their representatives. The act is clearly flawed, and the backtracking has already begun. Adding our voices can only help motivate positive changes. Bill

We do. And I've loved the experience. We have a large suburban yard, but these are city chickens, for sure. For tips: 1) Coops really have to be secure. Everything likes to eat chickens, and predators like raccoons are powerful animals. We built our coop off the ground like a giant bird cage (we'd kept parrots and were not "farm-types) out of redwood framing and very heavy aviary mesh inset in panels, and with pull-out bottoms for easy cleaning. Very non-standard. 2) Bantam chickens are about 1/4 the size and weight of a full sized chicken, but their eggs are nearly as large, and they are much more appropriate to a back-yard flock. 3) I'd suggest you get an old fashioned breed such as Rhode Island Reds. They are great layers, beautiful to look at with their old fashioned brick-like bodies, and they retain their "natural" instincts. Some breeds (and even strains of certain breeds) are know as "production" birds. This means (essentially) that they have been bred to maximize yield (over what is expected to be a very short life) and any natural behavior which might be counter-productive to being stuffed for life into a tiny cage are bred out of them. Avoid "production" birds. This (generally speaking) means not buying chicks at the local feed store, and instead going to the trouble of finding a source of "real" chickens. It's worth it. Watching chickens do their thing is really fun! They are a surprisingly easy pet to keep, one their housing is set up. Good luck in your adventure! Bill

I only use "elect" in an attempt to differentiate between Evangelical and Reformed notions of how a person is "saved". In my understanding, Evangelicals believed one is saved when one chooses to accept Jesus (God) as his or her personal savior. Where the Reformed believe God chooses who he wants to be saved (through no special merit of their own..since according to the "Doctrine of Total Depravity" people are so sinful they are incapable of choosing God through "free-will"). Only through a God lead process (in the form of the intervention of the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost) called "Irresistible Grace" can a person be saved. In this latter instance, man can not choose God, only God can choose an individual for "election". He saves some people (despite their lack of merit) for reasons understood by him alone and he chooses not to save the rest. I'm pretty new to these doctrines (and outside the faith) so don't take my word for any of this, but this is my best understanding. I fear it might be seen that I'm dumping on Christians, and that is surely not my intent. I've know lots of good-hearted (if self-admittedly imperfect) Christians, and the same would hold true of the many Jews, Muslims, and non-religious folks I've known. It just hasn't been my experience that the believers in one faith (or no faith) are (generally speaking) more virtuous, or exemplary in their behavior than anyone else. If we judge a religion by the fruit, they all seem about equally sweet and sour to my taste. And personally, I would expect that if there was a "true faith" (a big if from my point of view, I will grant you), that it would manifestly exhibit it transformative power in the lives of its practitioners in ways that were so profound it could not be ignored even by the unchosen masses. I have no doubt people feel improved through their faith(s). I am glad for that. But people also feel improved by running, doing yoga, meditating, taking SSRIs, going to psychologists, and all sorts of other transformational activities. So I'm a little skeptically minded when the "elect of God" don't seem a darn bit different than your average Joe. No worse, but no better. If God is going to save us (or some of you) why doesn't he make us (you) into really shining examples of humanity who are redeemed in this world (at least to some degree) and not in some distant promised future? After all the sacrifice was made, no? Anyway, this is my thought process, no doubt it will be appalling to some. But I'm trying to be open and honest about my puzzlements and my skepticism. Bill (who wonders if he's the only one feeling like its getting a little warm in here :tongue_smilie:)

Perhaps your daughter would do well with materials that build up these logical skills with patterns, variables, and other critical thinking operations. If English language (very light) isn't a problem, you might want to look at the Mathematics Enhancement Programme developed by the Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching in the UK (based on an acclaimed Hungarian math series). I'm using this with my 4.5 year old and to me it is outstanding program(me) for building the skills your daughter seems to be struggling with. The whole program is available online (student workbooks, teachers guides, the whole deal) for download, and without charge (as in "free" for the printing). A few books are copy protected but home-schoolers can join the yahoo group and get the code. http://www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/projects/mepres/primary/default.htm Bill (who will remind you that Bobby Fisher was a chess genius, and look how his life turned out :tongue_smilie:)

My 4.5 year old son got a Darth Vader ornament this year, do you think having a "bad guy" on the tree sends a mixed message at Christmas time?;) :auto:

I so much want to say yes...but I don't think I see a difference here between plain old Evangelical thought and Reformed thought. I understand the Christian idea that we all sin and only followers of Jesus have their sins forgiven. That to me is clear, theologically speaking. But I'm still not seeing how the "elect" (in the Reformed sense) aren't "living in sin" or "with sin" just as much (or little) as anyone else, elected or not. Which, of course raises the question why the leading hand of the Holy Spirit wouldn't be powerful enough so that God's elect would be demonstrably superior in their morality and behavior to the rest of humanity (given their total depravity). Yet in the real world do we witness living saints walking in our midsts? People so filled with righteousness that we are awe-struck by their example? I don't see it too often, to tell you the truth. Thank you for the dialogue :001_smile: Bill

So he can show his wrath and make known his power???

Boeuf.

Except, Colleen (dear wife of a dairy-farmer) aren't cows only female cattle? And could beef not just as well be "steer"? Wouldn't we have to say, "Bovine. It's what's for dinner"? :D Bill

Always the odd man out, I'll have you know our young William loves sprats. He's especially fond of them rolled with rice in a sheet of seasoned laver sea-weed (similar to sushi nori) that Koreans call "kim". :D And I have the nerve to think some of you all have weird ideas :lol: Bill

If you have a well stocked Indian or Asian market you might find fresh turmeric (often labeled with its Indian name "Haldi"). It looks roughly like a carrot-colored ginger root, but is more petite. I find it much more pleasant to cook with than ground turmeric, which can be about as interesting as "dust" once its sat on a shelf. I suspect fresh turmeric has more nutritional benefit as well. It sure tastes better! Bill

While it may seem like I'm just trying to be argumentative, I really am making a good faith effort to understand this. I'm just not seeing the distinction between a "elect" person trying (and failing) to live a sinless (or close to sinless life as possible) and a "non-elect" person who is doing his or her best to do the same (and failing in the same measure). Let's say a man has struggles with "lusting in his heart". He's not unfaithful to his wife in any "physical" sense, but he can't escape occasional carnal thoughts for other women. But he does feel bad about these thoughts and he's "repentant". Wouldn't the "elect" male in this circumstance be "living in sin" in exactly the same degree as a "non-elect" male in the exact same circumstance? And certainly both a "elected" person and a non-elected person could feel shame if they were involved in an adulteress relationship, no? Either could stop the behavior if they had an attack of conscious, correct? To me "sanctification" seems a distinction without a clear difference, especially since no one, according to these doctrines, is every purified in their behaviors and they never become "perfect sinless people". Bill

I would appreciate milk that was pasteurized, but not homogenized. Then it still has that real milk tasting goodness.

I'm still curious about why these terms (and cognitive categories) were once so popular (or at least common) on WTM, especially in the days of the "old board". Was there some book or program that popularized the concepts in the hive mind? Bill

So Drew, are you saying that my being clueless about cognitive learning theories might be working to my advantage? :D Bill

Wait, this seems to contradict the notion it all who God calls (elects) will be saved. I thought the teaching was this was all accomplished through the work of the Holy Spirit/Holy Ghost component of the Triune Godhead and was fundamentally not a process open to human intervention according to Reformed theology. Or do I have this wrong?