Kinds Of Germs
Viruses are the tiniest germs. They are the cause of common illnesses such as colds, flu and sore throats. Viruses also cause terrible diseases such as Polio, Ebola and Aids.
Bacteria are one-celled organisms so simple that they lack a nucleus and generally have only one chromosome. Bacteria inhabit our bodies by the trillions, mostly in our digestive tract. They help us to digest our food and are the primary source of vitamin K, necessary for the clotting of blood.
Only about 300 out of some 4,000 listed species of bacteria are considered pathogens (disease causing). Still, bacteria are the source of a long list of diseases in plants, animals and humans. In humans these diseases include tuberculosis, cholera, diphtheria, anthrax, tooth decay, certain kinds of pneumonia and a number of sexually transmitted diseases.
Protozoans, like bacteria, are single-celled organisms, but they may have more than one nucleus. Included are amoebas and trypanosomes as well as the parasite that causes malaria. About one-third of living species are parasites - there are some 10,000 different kinds - although only a few of these parasites cause disease in humans.
Fungi too can cause illness. These organisms have a nucleus and form tangled mats of filaments. The most common infections are ringworm, such as athlete's foot and candidiasis (Candida). Serious fungal infections usually afflict only people whose defenses have been weakened by malnutrition, cancer, drugs, or viral infections that suppress the immune system.
Note: I hope this helped someone out there. Thank-you to those out there who are taking the time to read my blogs. If I can touch just one person out there. It is worth all the time I have to do them. There is more to this subject, so stay tuned.
Next time: When Germs Will Not Harm Anyone
3.31.2007
3.30.2007
A Foreboding Future
Although most antibiotics today still work in the majority of the people, how effective will such drugs be in the future? The Antibiotic Paradox observes: " We can no longer expect that any infection will be cured by the first antibiotic chosen." The book adds: "In some parts of the world, limited supplies of antibiotics mean that no available antibiotic is effective. . . Patients are suffering and dying from diseases that some predicted 50 years ago would be wiped off the face of the earth."
Bacteria are not the only germs that have become resistant to drugs used in medicine. Viruses as well as fungi and other tiny parasites have also shown amazing adaptability, offering the world strains that threaten to nullify all the efforts invested to discover and produce the drugs that fight them.
What, then, can be done? Can resistance be eliminated or at least contained? How can the victories won by antibiotics and other antimicrobials be preserved in a world increasingly beset by infectious diseases?
Next time: Kinds Of Germs
Although most antibiotics today still work in the majority of the people, how effective will such drugs be in the future? The Antibiotic Paradox observes: " We can no longer expect that any infection will be cured by the first antibiotic chosen." The book adds: "In some parts of the world, limited supplies of antibiotics mean that no available antibiotic is effective. . . Patients are suffering and dying from diseases that some predicted 50 years ago would be wiped off the face of the earth."
Bacteria are not the only germs that have become resistant to drugs used in medicine. Viruses as well as fungi and other tiny parasites have also shown amazing adaptability, offering the world strains that threaten to nullify all the efforts invested to discover and produce the drugs that fight them.
What, then, can be done? Can resistance be eliminated or at least contained? How can the victories won by antibiotics and other antimicrobials be preserved in a world increasingly beset by infectious diseases?
Next time: Kinds Of Germs
3.29.2007
What Are Antimicrobials?
The antibiotic give you by a doctor falls into a class of medicines called antimicrobials. These come under the general heading "Chemotherapy," which refers to the treatment of disease with chemicals. While the term "chemotherapy" is often used in connection with treating cancer, it originally applied -and still does - to the treatment of infectious diseases. In such cases it is called antimicrobial chemotherapy.
Microbes, or microorganisms, are tiny organisms that can be seen only with the help of a microscope. Antimicrobials are chemicals that act against microbes that cause illness. Unfortunately, antimicrobials can also act against microbes that are beneficial.
In 1941, Selman Waksman, codiscoverer of streptomycin, appllied the term "antibiotic" to antibacterials that come from microorganisms. Antibiotics as well as other antimicrobials used in medical treatment are valuable because of what is called selective toxicity. This means that they can poison germs without seriously poisoning you.
Actually, however, all antibiotics are at least somewhat poisonous to us too. The margin of safety between the dosage that will affect the germs and the dosage that will harm us is called the theraputic index. the larger the index, the safer the drug; The smaller, the more dangerous. In fact, thousands of antibiotic substances have been found, but most are not useful in medicine because of being too toxic to people or to animals.
The first natural antibiotic that could be uses internationally was penicillin, which came from a mold called Penicillium notatum. Penicillin was employed intravenously for the first time in 1941. Shortly thereafter, in 1943, streptomycin was isolated from Streptomyces griseus, a soil bacteria. In time, scores of additional antibiotics were developed, both those that are derived from living things and those that are made synthetically. Yet, bacteria have developed ways of resisting many of these antibiotics, causing a global medical problem.
Next time: A Foreboding Future
The antibiotic give you by a doctor falls into a class of medicines called antimicrobials. These come under the general heading "Chemotherapy," which refers to the treatment of disease with chemicals. While the term "chemotherapy" is often used in connection with treating cancer, it originally applied -and still does - to the treatment of infectious diseases. In such cases it is called antimicrobial chemotherapy.
Microbes, or microorganisms, are tiny organisms that can be seen only with the help of a microscope. Antimicrobials are chemicals that act against microbes that cause illness. Unfortunately, antimicrobials can also act against microbes that are beneficial.
In 1941, Selman Waksman, codiscoverer of streptomycin, appllied the term "antibiotic" to antibacterials that come from microorganisms. Antibiotics as well as other antimicrobials used in medical treatment are valuable because of what is called selective toxicity. This means that they can poison germs without seriously poisoning you.
Actually, however, all antibiotics are at least somewhat poisonous to us too. The margin of safety between the dosage that will affect the germs and the dosage that will harm us is called the theraputic index. the larger the index, the safer the drug; The smaller, the more dangerous. In fact, thousands of antibiotic substances have been found, but most are not useful in medicine because of being too toxic to people or to animals.
The first natural antibiotic that could be uses internationally was penicillin, which came from a mold called Penicillium notatum. Penicillin was employed intravenously for the first time in 1941. Shortly thereafter, in 1943, streptomycin was isolated from Streptomyces griseus, a soil bacteria. In time, scores of additional antibiotics were developed, both those that are derived from living things and those that are made synthetically. Yet, bacteria have developed ways of resisting many of these antibiotics, causing a global medical problem.
Next time: A Foreboding Future
3.28.2007
Multidrug Resistance
Then, to their horror, medical scientists learned that bacteria exchange genes among themselves. At first it was thought that only bacteria of the same type could exchange genes. But later the very same resistance genes were discovered in completely different types of bacteria. By means of such exchanges, bacteria of various types have accumulated resistance to many different commonly used drugs.
As if all of this were not enough, studies in the 1990's showed that some bacteria can become drug resistant on their own. Even in the presence of only one antibiotic, some kinds of bacteria develop resistance to multiple antibiotics, both natural and synthetic.
Next time: What Are Antimicrobials?
Then, to their horror, medical scientists learned that bacteria exchange genes among themselves. At first it was thought that only bacteria of the same type could exchange genes. But later the very same resistance genes were discovered in completely different types of bacteria. By means of such exchanges, bacteria of various types have accumulated resistance to many different commonly used drugs.
As if all of this were not enough, studies in the 1990's showed that some bacteria can become drug resistant on their own. Even in the presence of only one antibiotic, some kinds of bacteria develop resistance to multiple antibiotics, both natural and synthetic.
Next time: What Are Antimicrobials?
3.27.2007
Bacterial Resistance
The astounding resilience of everyday gerams has proved a major problem, one not generally anticipated. Yet, in hindsight, that germs would develop immunity to drugs should have been anticipated. Why? Consider, for example, something related that happened with the introduction of the insecticide DDT in the mid - 1940's. At that time dairymen rejoiced as flies essentially disappeard withthe spraying of DDT. But a few flies survived , and their offspring inherited immunity to DDT. Soon these flies, unaffected by DDT, multiplied in vast numbers.
Even before DDT was used, and before penicillin became commercially available in 1944, harmful bacteria gave foregleams of their prodigious defensive weaponry. Dr. Alexander Fleming, penicillin's discoverer, became aware of this. In his laboratory he watched as succeeding generations of Staphylococcus aureus (hospital staph) developed cell walls increasingly impervious to the drug that he had discovered.
This led Dr. Fleming to warn some 60 years ago that harmful bacteria in an infected person could develop resistance to penicillin. So if doses of penicillin did not kill sufficient numbers of the harmful bacteria, their resistant offspring would multiply. As a result, there would be a rebound of the disease that penicillin would not cure.
The book The Antibiotic Paradox comments: "Flemings predictions were borne out in a more devastating way than ever he surmised." How so? Well, it was learned that in some strains of bacteria, the genes - the tiny blueprints in a bacterium's DNA - produce enzymes. As a result, even extensive courses of penicillin often prove useless. What a shock this was!
In an attempt to win the battle against infectious diseases, new antibiotics were regularly introduced into medicine from the 1940's through the 1970's, as well as a few during the 1980's and the 1990's. These could treat bacteria that defiled earlier drugs. But within a few years, strains of bacteria surfaced that defied these new drugs as well.
Humans have come to learn that bacterial resistance is astonishingly ingenious. Bacteria have the ability to change their cell wall to keep the antibiotic out or to alter their own chemistry so that the antibiotic cannot kill them. On the other hand, the bacteria may pump the antibiotic out as fast as it enters, or the bacteria may simply render the antibiotic ineffectual by taking it apart.
As the use of antibiotics has increased, resistant strains of bacteria have multiplied and spread. A total disaster? No, at least not in most cases. If one antibiotic doesn't work for a particular infection, another usually does. Resistance has been a nuisance but until recently it has usually been manageable.
Next time: Multidrug Resistance
The astounding resilience of everyday gerams has proved a major problem, one not generally anticipated. Yet, in hindsight, that germs would develop immunity to drugs should have been anticipated. Why? Consider, for example, something related that happened with the introduction of the insecticide DDT in the mid - 1940's. At that time dairymen rejoiced as flies essentially disappeard withthe spraying of DDT. But a few flies survived , and their offspring inherited immunity to DDT. Soon these flies, unaffected by DDT, multiplied in vast numbers.
Even before DDT was used, and before penicillin became commercially available in 1944, harmful bacteria gave foregleams of their prodigious defensive weaponry. Dr. Alexander Fleming, penicillin's discoverer, became aware of this. In his laboratory he watched as succeeding generations of Staphylococcus aureus (hospital staph) developed cell walls increasingly impervious to the drug that he had discovered.
This led Dr. Fleming to warn some 60 years ago that harmful bacteria in an infected person could develop resistance to penicillin. So if doses of penicillin did not kill sufficient numbers of the harmful bacteria, their resistant offspring would multiply. As a result, there would be a rebound of the disease that penicillin would not cure.
The book The Antibiotic Paradox comments: "Flemings predictions were borne out in a more devastating way than ever he surmised." How so? Well, it was learned that in some strains of bacteria, the genes - the tiny blueprints in a bacterium's DNA - produce enzymes. As a result, even extensive courses of penicillin often prove useless. What a shock this was!
In an attempt to win the battle against infectious diseases, new antibiotics were regularly introduced into medicine from the 1940's through the 1970's, as well as a few during the 1980's and the 1990's. These could treat bacteria that defiled earlier drugs. But within a few years, strains of bacteria surfaced that defied these new drugs as well.
Humans have come to learn that bacterial resistance is astonishingly ingenious. Bacteria have the ability to change their cell wall to keep the antibiotic out or to alter their own chemistry so that the antibiotic cannot kill them. On the other hand, the bacteria may pump the antibiotic out as fast as it enters, or the bacteria may simply render the antibiotic ineffectual by taking it apart.
As the use of antibiotics has increased, resistant strains of bacteria have multiplied and spread. A total disaster? No, at least not in most cases. If one antibiotic doesn't work for a particular infection, another usually does. Resistance has been a nuisance but until recently it has usually been manageable.
Next time: Multidrug Resistance
3.26.2007
Anticipation Of Victory Smashed
By the 1950's and 1960's, some people had begun to celebrate victory over infectious diseases. Some microbiologist even believed that these diseases would soon be a nightmare of the past. In 1969 the U.S. Surgeon General testified before Congress that humanity might soon "close the book on infectious disease." In 1972, Nobel Laureate Macfarlane Burnet along with David White wrote: " The most likely forecast about the future of infectious disease is that it will be very dull." Indeed, some felt that such diseases might be eliminated altogether. The belief that infectious diseases had, in effect, been defeated resulted in widespread over confidence. One nurse who was familiar with the dire threat that germs posed before the introduction of antibiotics noted that some younger nurses had become lax in simple hygiene. When she reminded them to wash their hands, they would retort: "Don't worry, we have antibiotics now."
Yet, dependence on antibiotics and their overuse have had disastrous consequences. Infectious diseases have persisted. More than that, they have roared back to become the leading cause of death in the world! Other factors that have also contributed to the spread of infectious diseases include the chaos of warfare, widespread malnutrition in developing countries, lack of clean water, poor sanitation, rapid international travel and global climate change.
Next time: Bacterial Resistance
By the 1950's and 1960's, some people had begun to celebrate victory over infectious diseases. Some microbiologist even believed that these diseases would soon be a nightmare of the past. In 1969 the U.S. Surgeon General testified before Congress that humanity might soon "close the book on infectious disease." In 1972, Nobel Laureate Macfarlane Burnet along with David White wrote: " The most likely forecast about the future of infectious disease is that it will be very dull." Indeed, some felt that such diseases might be eliminated altogether. The belief that infectious diseases had, in effect, been defeated resulted in widespread over confidence. One nurse who was familiar with the dire threat that germs posed before the introduction of antibiotics noted that some younger nurses had become lax in simple hygiene. When she reminded them to wash their hands, they would retort: "Don't worry, we have antibiotics now."
Yet, dependence on antibiotics and their overuse have had disastrous consequences. Infectious diseases have persisted. More than that, they have roared back to become the leading cause of death in the world! Other factors that have also contributed to the spread of infectious diseases include the chaos of warfare, widespread malnutrition in developing countries, lack of clean water, poor sanitation, rapid international travel and global climate change.
Next time: Bacterial Resistance
3.25.2007
Those Resilient Germs How They Rebound
Viruses, bacteria, protozoans, fungi, and other microorganisms have evidently been around since life on earth began. The stunning flexibility of these germs, the simplest of all creatures, has allowed them to survive where nothing else can. They are found in scalding vents on the ocean floor as well as in freezing waters of the Artic. Now these germs are repeling the most concentrated of all assaults on their existence - antimicrobial drugs.
A hundred years ago, some microbes, or microorganisms, were known to cause illness, but no one living had heard of antimicrobial medicines. So if a person came down with a serious infectious disease, many doctores had little to offer in the way of treatment except moral support. The person's immune system had to fight off the infection on its own. if the immune system wasn't strong enough, the consequence was often tragic. Even a minor scratch infected by a microbe all too often led to death.
Thus, the discovery of the first safe antimicrobial drugs - antibiotics - revolutionized medicine. The medical us of sulfa drugs in the 1930's and of such drugs as penicillin and streptomycin in the 1940's led to a flood of discoveries in succeeding decades. By the 1990's , the antibiotic armory had come to include some 150 compounds in 15 different categories.
Next time: Anticipation Of Victory Smashed
Viruses, bacteria, protozoans, fungi, and other microorganisms have evidently been around since life on earth began. The stunning flexibility of these germs, the simplest of all creatures, has allowed them to survive where nothing else can. They are found in scalding vents on the ocean floor as well as in freezing waters of the Artic. Now these germs are repeling the most concentrated of all assaults on their existence - antimicrobial drugs.
A hundred years ago, some microbes, or microorganisms, were known to cause illness, but no one living had heard of antimicrobial medicines. So if a person came down with a serious infectious disease, many doctores had little to offer in the way of treatment except moral support. The person's immune system had to fight off the infection on its own. if the immune system wasn't strong enough, the consequence was often tragic. Even a minor scratch infected by a microbe all too often led to death.
Thus, the discovery of the first safe antimicrobial drugs - antibiotics - revolutionized medicine. The medical us of sulfa drugs in the 1930's and of such drugs as penicillin and streptomycin in the 1940's led to a flood of discoveries in succeeding decades. By the 1990's , the antibiotic armory had come to include some 150 compounds in 15 different categories.
Next time: Anticipation Of Victory Smashed
3.24.2007
How Great Is The Menace?
In October 1997, Hollie Mullin, a three-week-old baby, contracted an ear infection. When it failed to clear up in a few days, her doctor prescribed a modern antibiotic. It should have been a routine cure, but it wasn't . The infection returned and continued to do so after each course of antibiotics.
In her first year, Hollie had 17 courses of various antibiotics. Then, at age 21 months of age, she got her worst infection. after 14 days of intravenous administration of an antibiotic of last resort, the infection finally cleared up.
Scenarios like this have become increasingly common and not just among babies and the elderly. People of all ages are getting sick and even dying from infections that were once easily cured with antibiotics. Actually, germs that survive antibiotic assault have been a serious problem in some hospitals since the 1950's. then during the 1960's and 1970's, germs resistant to antibiotics spread into communities.
In time, medical researchers began to cite overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals as the principal cause of the increase in germs that are resistant to antibiotics. In 1978 one of these medical personnel described antibiotic overuse as "completely out of hand." So by the 1990's , headlines like the following were appearing worldwide: " Superbugs Arrive," "Superbugs Take Hold," "Dangerous Drugs -Antibiotic Overuse is Spawning Superbugs."
Sensationalism? Not according to respected medical organizations. In a report on infectious diseases in 2000, the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO) stated: " At the dawn of a new millennium, humanity is faced with another crisis. Formerly curable diseases... are now arrayed in the increasingly impenetrable armour of antimicrobial resistance."
How serious is the crisis? "This disturbing development [of drug-resistant germs] is closing the windows of opportunity to treat infectious diseases," WHO reported. A number of authorities today even speak of humanity's return to a " pre-antibiotic age," when there were no antibiotics for curing infections.
How have resistant microorganisms been able, in effect, to colonize the world, outmaneuvering sophisticated scientific advances? Is there anything an individual can do to protect himself or others? And what solutions are in the offing to combat germs that are resistant to antibiotics? The following articles present some answers.
Next time: Those Resilient Germs How They Rebound
In October 1997, Hollie Mullin, a three-week-old baby, contracted an ear infection. When it failed to clear up in a few days, her doctor prescribed a modern antibiotic. It should have been a routine cure, but it wasn't . The infection returned and continued to do so after each course of antibiotics.
In her first year, Hollie had 17 courses of various antibiotics. Then, at age 21 months of age, she got her worst infection. after 14 days of intravenous administration of an antibiotic of last resort, the infection finally cleared up.
Scenarios like this have become increasingly common and not just among babies and the elderly. People of all ages are getting sick and even dying from infections that were once easily cured with antibiotics. Actually, germs that survive antibiotic assault have been a serious problem in some hospitals since the 1950's. then during the 1960's and 1970's, germs resistant to antibiotics spread into communities.
In time, medical researchers began to cite overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals as the principal cause of the increase in germs that are resistant to antibiotics. In 1978 one of these medical personnel described antibiotic overuse as "completely out of hand." So by the 1990's , headlines like the following were appearing worldwide: " Superbugs Arrive," "Superbugs Take Hold," "Dangerous Drugs -Antibiotic Overuse is Spawning Superbugs."
Sensationalism? Not according to respected medical organizations. In a report on infectious diseases in 2000, the director general of the World Health Organization (WHO) stated: " At the dawn of a new millennium, humanity is faced with another crisis. Formerly curable diseases... are now arrayed in the increasingly impenetrable armour of antimicrobial resistance."
How serious is the crisis? "This disturbing development [of drug-resistant germs] is closing the windows of opportunity to treat infectious diseases," WHO reported. A number of authorities today even speak of humanity's return to a " pre-antibiotic age," when there were no antibiotics for curing infections.
How have resistant microorganisms been able, in effect, to colonize the world, outmaneuvering sophisticated scientific advances? Is there anything an individual can do to protect himself or others? And what solutions are in the offing to combat germs that are resistant to antibiotics? The following articles present some answers.
Next time: Those Resilient Germs How They Rebound
3.23.2007
This is a little outside the realm of what I usually type,but it is a very excellent reason to get in God's good graces, because he can protect us from a lot of problems to come. But just believing In Jehovah God is not enough, not for him. We need to show faith, working for him, studying the Bible, not letting someone do it for us, because there are not many, if any true minister of God. They will not tell the whole truth. We must find it ourselves by reading the Bible word for word everyday and when you are done, start all over again, because the more often you read it, the more you understand each day. It takes time, but Jehovah God is worth it. After all, he gave up a Son in order that our sins may be forgiven. But also, we must continue to worship him as it is told in the Bible.
The Ten Commandments, which I am sure you have heard of. We are to obey them as we would obey any law here on earth. Only we need to obey God first and foremost. He is the one that can make us or break us. I have been reading the Bible for years word for word daily and then some. I have seen prayers answered and have had some answered, but you have to be patient, because Jehovah God answers prayers in his own due time, but he does it, he waits sometimes to test to see how long strong your faith is before he answers. But he does answer, and it is always just when you need them answered the most. His timing is impeccable. But if he doesn't answer, it is because he has read what is in your heart and if you don't have the faith etc.., then he won't even bother. He sees everything, he hears everything and he knows everything. There is nothing that anyone can hide from him. He is a kind, generous and loving spirit and if we do all we can for him, he will do all he can for us. He would never to do anything to hurt us.
When we are bad, he disciplines us, because we are his children. We all pay for our sins. If something doesn't happen, then it isn't suppose to. We have to accept that. We all have to grow and eventually die, it is the cycle of life and that is the way Jehovah God has planned. We have to accept that too. It is all due to Adam and Eve's disobedience to God for eating from the tree of knowledge. And it doesn't mean it was an apple tree. There is no mention of what kind of fruit that the tree bore.
Them eating off the tree, is what caused them to get kicked out of the Garden of Eden and forced to live a sinful life, growing old and grey and eventually dying. That is our curse, for their disobedience.
People out there seem to think that its alright to dye their hair, get plastic surgery, wear fancy expensive clothes and jewelry, live above our means. That is not what God wants us to do. We should live a good spiritual and humble life and treat others as we would want them to treat us. Satan is running things right now, but if we have a lot of faith, belief,love of God, works for God, love of our neighbor, which is, by the way, the second most important commandment that God asks of us. The most important is to love God with our whole heart, mind,spirit body and being and, obeying everything he tell us. If we do all his will, he will protect us until the resurrection, when we will be judged for our deeds, how we treated others etc...
All this stupid style of clothes, hair etc.. is not God's idea of dress etc... Men should not have long hair. If Jesus had long hair (which no one has ever actually seen him, nor could without dying) It was because, he traveled around preaching the good news (truth) and healing people who were cripple, blind diseased, possessed of the Devil etc..., He would have been too busy to worry about clean clothes, much less getting a haircut. And women should not have short hair. In the Bible, it says that women with long is like a crown of glory upon them. Don't quote me on that, but basically, that is what it says. And that is How Jehovah God feels. Also, men should not be sleeping with men, nor women with women. That is a travesty to God.
Read the Bible, believe me, you will learn so much. That is, if you are not afraid of the truth, but if you are, which I would wager, if I were a gambling person, that you are, so therefore, go ahead and keep your heads in the sand and see where it gets you. ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE!
If this offends you, then you are in bad shape. Do not hurry yourself in your spirit to become offended, for the taking of offense is what rests in the bosom of the stupid ones. Ecclesiastes 7:9. For wisdom is for a protection [the same as ] money is for a protection; but, the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom itself preserves alive its owners. Ecclesiastes 7:12. But you, O Jehovah, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and trueness.
Next time: How Great Is The Menace (that which is one of the reasons for getting close to God)
The Ten Commandments, which I am sure you have heard of. We are to obey them as we would obey any law here on earth. Only we need to obey God first and foremost. He is the one that can make us or break us. I have been reading the Bible for years word for word daily and then some. I have seen prayers answered and have had some answered, but you have to be patient, because Jehovah God answers prayers in his own due time, but he does it, he waits sometimes to test to see how long strong your faith is before he answers. But he does answer, and it is always just when you need them answered the most. His timing is impeccable. But if he doesn't answer, it is because he has read what is in your heart and if you don't have the faith etc.., then he won't even bother. He sees everything, he hears everything and he knows everything. There is nothing that anyone can hide from him. He is a kind, generous and loving spirit and if we do all we can for him, he will do all he can for us. He would never to do anything to hurt us.
When we are bad, he disciplines us, because we are his children. We all pay for our sins. If something doesn't happen, then it isn't suppose to. We have to accept that. We all have to grow and eventually die, it is the cycle of life and that is the way Jehovah God has planned. We have to accept that too. It is all due to Adam and Eve's disobedience to God for eating from the tree of knowledge. And it doesn't mean it was an apple tree. There is no mention of what kind of fruit that the tree bore.
Them eating off the tree, is what caused them to get kicked out of the Garden of Eden and forced to live a sinful life, growing old and grey and eventually dying. That is our curse, for their disobedience.
People out there seem to think that its alright to dye their hair, get plastic surgery, wear fancy expensive clothes and jewelry, live above our means. That is not what God wants us to do. We should live a good spiritual and humble life and treat others as we would want them to treat us. Satan is running things right now, but if we have a lot of faith, belief,love of God, works for God, love of our neighbor, which is, by the way, the second most important commandment that God asks of us. The most important is to love God with our whole heart, mind,spirit body and being and, obeying everything he tell us. If we do all his will, he will protect us until the resurrection, when we will be judged for our deeds, how we treated others etc...
All this stupid style of clothes, hair etc.. is not God's idea of dress etc... Men should not have long hair. If Jesus had long hair (which no one has ever actually seen him, nor could without dying) It was because, he traveled around preaching the good news (truth) and healing people who were cripple, blind diseased, possessed of the Devil etc..., He would have been too busy to worry about clean clothes, much less getting a haircut. And women should not have short hair. In the Bible, it says that women with long is like a crown of glory upon them. Don't quote me on that, but basically, that is what it says. And that is How Jehovah God feels. Also, men should not be sleeping with men, nor women with women. That is a travesty to God.
Read the Bible, believe me, you will learn so much. That is, if you are not afraid of the truth, but if you are, which I would wager, if I were a gambling person, that you are, so therefore, go ahead and keep your heads in the sand and see where it gets you. ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE!
If this offends you, then you are in bad shape. Do not hurry yourself in your spirit to become offended, for the taking of offense is what rests in the bosom of the stupid ones. Ecclesiastes 7:9. For wisdom is for a protection [the same as ] money is for a protection; but, the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom itself preserves alive its owners. Ecclesiastes 7:12. But you, O Jehovah, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and trueness.
Next time: How Great Is The Menace (that which is one of the reasons for getting close to God)
3.21.2007
Results Of Jesus' Teachings
Those who listened to Jesus and became his disciples appreciated the truth of his declaration: "My yoke is kindly and my load is light." (Matthew 11:30) They never felt burdened, harassed or harangued by him. They were freer, happier and more confident about their relationship with God and with one another. (Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 9:49, 50) From him they learned that being a spiritual leader calls for being refreshing to others, manifesting lowliness of mind and heart. - 1 Corinthians 16:17, 18; Philippians 2:3.
Moreover, many were deeply impressed with the importance of remaining in union with Christ and adopting the spirit he showed. He told his disciples: "Just as the Father has loved me and I have loved you, remain in my love. If you observe my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have observed the commandments of the Father and remain in his love." (John 15:9, 10) If they were to be successful as ministers and servants of God, they would have to apply diligently what they had learned from Jesus, both in preaching and teaching publicly about God's wonderful good news and in dealing with family and friends. As the brotherhood grew into congregations, they would time and again need to remind themselves that his way was the right way. What he taught was the truth, and the life they had observed embodied in him was truly the life to aspire to. - John 14:6; Ephesians 4:20, 21.
As you now reflect on some of the things we have been discussing, do you see ways in which to improve? Do you agree that Jesus always thought, taught and acted appropriately? Then, take heart. His encouraging words to us are: " If you know these things, happy you are if you do them." - John 13:17.
Those who listened to Jesus and became his disciples appreciated the truth of his declaration: "My yoke is kindly and my load is light." (Matthew 11:30) They never felt burdened, harassed or harangued by him. They were freer, happier and more confident about their relationship with God and with one another. (Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 9:49, 50) From him they learned that being a spiritual leader calls for being refreshing to others, manifesting lowliness of mind and heart. - 1 Corinthians 16:17, 18; Philippians 2:3.
Moreover, many were deeply impressed with the importance of remaining in union with Christ and adopting the spirit he showed. He told his disciples: "Just as the Father has loved me and I have loved you, remain in my love. If you observe my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have observed the commandments of the Father and remain in his love." (John 15:9, 10) If they were to be successful as ministers and servants of God, they would have to apply diligently what they had learned from Jesus, both in preaching and teaching publicly about God's wonderful good news and in dealing with family and friends. As the brotherhood grew into congregations, they would time and again need to remind themselves that his way was the right way. What he taught was the truth, and the life they had observed embodied in him was truly the life to aspire to. - John 14:6; Ephesians 4:20, 21.
As you now reflect on some of the things we have been discussing, do you see ways in which to improve? Do you agree that Jesus always thought, taught and acted appropriately? Then, take heart. His encouraging words to us are: " If you know these things, happy you are if you do them." - John 13:17.
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