text:
Somebody asked me the other day why Adoration is the one thing I can hold on to.
Context for the question: I'm a hot mess. Without going into specifics, celibacy1 has not been exactly my forte lately. There was a guy,2 and now there isn't. And although in some ways it ended extremely well, and although a decade and a half of now done darkness3 taught me how to keep a pretty even keel, there's a hole in my life now, and the hole bleeds.
Celibacy never quite felt like a gift; or anyway, that's not how I remember it. It feels good to tell yourself that celibacy is a gift, because that makes up for the wrongness of it. It feels good to say, Well, I've been denied one thing, but I've been given another. Whether I ever actually felt this way, I can't be sure. I do know that I sometimes pretended to.
On good days or good months, celibacy felt like a calling. Now it feels like a waste, a shame, like something unnatural. Like something — to make a kind of mean joke that my fellow Catholic celigays will get — disordered.
Catholicism isn't my favorite thing right now. I don't like it. I don't want it. But I absolutely can't get rid of it. I've walked up to the ledge more than once, seeing if I could chuck it over, but I've kept finding that if it goes over the ledge, I go with it. It's my center of gravity. Or, to shift the image, it's got its hooks in so deep that if I tore it out, I don't know what would be left of me. It's not too late to find out, of course. But the thought terrifies me.
But still, I keep finding myself at Adoration. No, that's giving myself too little credit. I go to Adoration, on purpose. I try to make it through half an hour. I sit, I journal, I read, I seethe, I mutter, I cry, I sometimes even try to be quiet and listen. I can hardly stand to crack open a Bible, I'm just so damn angry. But I can sit.
Listen, I could just go be another kind of Christian. If you want to be a Christian and marry a man, you've got options, and more of them every day. What does Catholicism have that thousands of other denominations don't?
I'll tell you. The Eucharist. It's that simple. Where, to whom else3, am I going to go for that?
I feel safe in front of the Blessed Sacrament. To be clear, when I say "safe" I don't mean "at peace" or "comfortable" or "content" or "optimistic". No, just that: safe. Safe to feel what I'm feeling, safe to not pretend to be feeling anything else. Safe to be honest. Or maybe it is peace: the kind Jesus meant when he said Not as the world gives do I give you peace. If this is what's called peace, it's a funny name for it.
A gay priest told me recently that he sat down in front of the monstrance once and, even though it was habit to say "Jesus, I love you", found that he couldn't say it. He didn't mean it. So instead he said "Jesus, I don't love you." He said the same thing every time he sat in front of the Sacrament for the next year and a half. Jesus, I don't love you. It's a very good prayer. And after a while, he didn't have to say it anymore, because it wasn't true anymore.
This is my prayer at Adoration. Jesus, I'm angry at you. Jesus, I don't trust you. Jesus, I don't even know if you like me, and I don't know if I like you. Jesus, I don't know who you are.
It's a good prayer. Maybe it's not as good as "Jesus, I love you" and "Jesus, I trust you", but it's better than saying those things and knowing that, secretly, you don't mean them at all. That you can't even imagine what it would be like to mean them. Better honest rage and honest hurt than feigned love. Feigned love always turns to resentment in the end.
I don't know why I believe in the Real Presence. And I don't believe in it, not always. That belief flickers in my heart like a lamp with a loose wire. But I believe in it as much as I believe in anything that I can't see. I believe in it as much as I believe that love is at foundation of the universe; that love is the final reality.
But there's no reason to believe in the Real Presence if I don't believe in the Church. And that's why I do believe that the Church teaches the truth, that she can't stop teaching the truth, sort of the same way I can't stop believing her. She has the truth in her heart, and she can't tear it out, no matter how rotten she becomes with hypocrites and parasites and mediocrities.
It's a curse and a blessing, this infallibility. If she teaches the truth, we get the good parts along with the unpleasant parts. The comfort and the wonder and the majesty, right along with the parts we don't want to hear. We get her teachings on sexuality — which, listen, don't try to tell me those are the good parts, not right now, it's just not the time — but we also get the Blessed Sacrament.
If the Church is so vocally, definitively, insistently wrong about something as big as human sexuality, then there's no reason the Church should be right about anything else, or at least no more frequently right than anybody else. If the Church isn't infallible, then she's just one among thousands of Christian Churches, good in some ways, bad in others; right for some people, wrong for others.
Sure, she's got some good art and some stirring music and some quaint ceremonies: blah, blah, blah. So do the Hindus, so do the atheists, so did the Dionysian Mystery Cult, probably. You can find that stuff anywhere there are humans. Maybe the Catholic stuff is better than the other stuff, maybe it isn't. That's not the point.
If I follow the teaching of the Church except when I dislike it, if I follow it only when it makes sense to me — if I decide to believe in this doctrine but not in that one — then either I've picked the wrong church, or I'm not following Jesus at all. I'm only following myself.
It all hangs together, or it all falls apart.
2 Actually, in the interest of honesty, a bunch of guys, but only one of them was The Guy.
3 See Carrion Comfort.
4 See John 6:68.
71 Comments on "Hang Together"
This is heart wrenchingly authentic.
If we all could be so honest…
Thank you so much for your honesty.
Thank you for your amazing transparency. I prayed those prayers, too. For years. Actually I would go to Confession to confess that I wasn't at all sorry. But eventually I was. And eventually I fell deeply in love. He was waiting for me.
Your prayer is the prayer many of us have, thank you for daring to share these words. The truth can be ugly, but Christ can handle it. Prayers for you and your continuing journey.
This is so beautiful and raw and heartbreaking.. Thank you for being willing to share your struggles with such honesty…You are in our prayers!
I've been following you for a few years, and I'm an alcoholic and sex addict in recovery. Thank you for this
What an amazingly beautiful and completely honest article! I needed to read this at this moment in my life. Bookmarked. God bless. Pray for me as I will for you. ❤
Anyone with a heart reading this would wish to take away your suffering, but of course can't. So, instead, I'll send much love to you during your suffering.
You're amazing. And so, so honest.
You don't know how happy I am to read this – I thought nobody else felt that way but me. I read many other blogs that make it sound so easy. It's refreshing to know someone else feels the same way I do.
"That belief flickers in my heart like a lamp with a loose wire. But I believe in it as much as I believe in anything that I can't see. I believe in it as much as I believe that love is at the foundation of the universe; that love is the final reality."
This is gorgeous writing. I will pray for you, even in the midst of my own doubt whether prayer does anything. Thanks for your honesty and I hope that your suffering will become more bearable.
"Jesus, I'm angry at you. Jesus, I don't trust you. Jesus, I don't even know if you like me, and I don't know if I like you."
At times I have complained in much the same words, especially the "I don't even know if you like me"! Adoration helps. The silence gives me focus, a voice.
Much of my twenties has been spent swinging between continence and, well, it's opposite. One month I was saintly and virtuous, enjoying the freedom and responsibility of the gift of celibacy. Next month I was on the slippery slope into internet misuse and masturbation, and subsequently having to muster the courage, amid guilt and confusion, to approach Confession.
After basically a decade of to-ing and fro-ing like this, the realization dawned on me that all these conflicts came down to one awkward and challenging question: "In the final reckoning, who do I love more: Jesus or a potential partner/boyfriend/husband/whatever?" There was only one way I could answer this ultimatum, excruciating as it was.
Like you, I couldn't go church shopping. Catholicism has the Eucharist, the Real Presence. Its doctrines are stubbornly consistent, which has been one of its greatest assets and biggest obstacles to me. Unlike protestant churches and modern social sciences, which are only centuries or decades old, respectively, Catholic thinkers have been analyzing human behavior for millennia. So even the Church's most uncomfortable doctrines contain the salve of truth, matured through centuries of observation and reasoning. Knowing that the Church's reasoning pre-existed my experience, and that it will also outlive it (unless I'm still around for the Second Coming), is little comfort. But still. In more difficult moments it can be reassuring to know this.
None of this has miraculously altered anything. Some men are still really hot! But it has helped me to accept what I can't change and to move on to a great extent from painstakingly over-analyzing the whole gay and Christian thing.
I will pray for you!
I prayed for you in adoration today. I'm a teacher and bring my theology classes, so that was four times of adoration with you as a major intention.
Once again, you write in such a way that your own experience portrays something that so many others can relate to, even if we struggle in different ways and with different teachings. When I was in college, I was depressed and suicidal for a long time. I prayed and prayed and prayed that God would let me die and have it not be my fault. I was disappointed every time I crossed the street and a bus stopped at the crosswalk instead of running me over. Given that God wasn't letting me die, the thing I wanted most in the world was to be able to kill myself, but I believed my Catholic faith so I couldn't. Even when I wanted to stop believing I couldn't. For years, even after I stopped being suicidal, I resented my faith for preventing me from killing myself. For a long time, I wasn't suicidal but wished I had killed myself "when I had the chance" (I don't know what that means but I thought about it in those terms). I knew the Church was right, and at some level I even understood why, but I was angry that I wasn't able to do what I most wanted to do because I had chosen my faith instead. 10 years after the depression started, I'm now very grateful for my faith, and very grateful that I didn't kill myself. It took a lot of time, and even more grace. Even if it takes a long time, I hope you'll get to a place of peace even when your faith prevents you from doing what you want to do more than you want almost anything else. It's a hard place to get to, but a great place to be.
And I don't want this to come across as holier-than-thou (any peace and gratitude I have now is was certainly not gained due to my own virtue) or as if I'm saying "I can totally understand" because your situation is so different (after all, being suicidal was not part of my identity like being gay is part of yours). I don't even know if what I've said is helpful or hurtful. I hope it's not hurtful. That part of your post just resonated with me so much, and I wanted to let you know that.
❤🙏🏼❤🙏🏼❤🙏🏼 Thank you.
"It all hangs together, or it all falls apart."
That statement is as true as anything I've ever read about the Church. I've had that thought before, but never been able to articulate it as such. You'll be in my prayers. Please keep me in yours.
An interesting thing happened this week. I listened to a priest share his authentic sufferings with his vocation, and I, a wife and mother of 5 felt I completely could relate. I again felt that reading this. Different vocations, different paths, but ultimately trying for the same destination.
Thank you for making me feel a little less alone.
I'm so thankful for your candor and insistence on logic/reason even when it seems to damn us from the pleasures we feel so authentically drawn to. As a drunk (and this parallel I so deeply hope isn't taken too strictly), I must only preserve myself from the first drink. More correctly, seek that preservation from God because I don't always even desire the solution. But! I can do the footwork. K matter how I feel about it. I do grieve, occasionally, longing for my 'real self', the familiarity of my passions and the recklessness I wish was still available to me. (It has been 18 years. Exactly half my life…)
In my experience, the carefree elements are never really returning. I can persevere in a life without chemical oblivion (not the same as longing for human union, please forgive my clumsiness here) because I've decided that the price is too high. In recovery I was taught that we can have anythjng we want in this life, if willing to pay the price? I can now fast forward through any notion of a drink to the effects, and just for today I prefer to avoid them.
You're becoming a saint. That threatens the other side, and our Enemy will use every illusion to weaken our resolve. I pray for you the same thing I ask for myself: submission to God's will. I can only really hope to be as brave/vulnerable as you're willing to be publicly — thanks for writing!
Your last line reminds me of the Orthodox priest I met in Raleigh — born and bred an evangelical — who told me that for him it's either Orthodoxy or atheism.
Nothing is permanent in itself. Death is not permanent. We look forward to the resurrection. It's hard being celibate in a culture that not just values sex or marriage, but idolizes them, worships them.
Christianity never idolized marriage, but saw it as a covenant that points to the lasting union of Christ and the church, where transformation and sanctification takes place. As a preparation to live out the total self-gift of the Trinity.
The vows were never meant to be an end in themselves, but a way forward towards the kingdom of God.
Remember. God alone fulfills.
Wow. Thank you so much for your honesty. As a straight woman I relate–no really, I do. I would never be so brave to say (or type) this aloud, but I'm glad you are brave enough. I'm glad you are real enough. Thank you for being vulnerable. I get you. I will pray for you.
You break my heart Joe. I was celibate for half of my 20s, my entire 30s, and half of my 40s. But what I thought was was virtue turned out to be deprivation. No intimacy, no affection, no touch. Now I am happy for the first time in my life with a strong, attentive and guileless man. But even so, as much as my man and I rejoice to have found other, the Lord remains the most beautiful lover I can ever hope to have, and one day we will run into his arms and he will hold Dave and me close forever. He is the only one who knows me,and he suffuses me with beauty and awe and can't wait to shine on with him, showering each other with ineffable love. What I used to understand as longing is nothing compared to my growing longing that I will one day abide forever in the center of the sacred heart.
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thank you for your vulnerability in sharing your experiences. Your words remind me of something one of my church's leaders said:
"Because for us, like Christ, these temptations are far more tantalizing in their nature than the more hostile versions pursued by barbarians, let me comment briefly on them.
'If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.'
Whatever else Satan may do, he will certainly appeal to our appetites. Far better to play on natural, acknowledged needs than struggle to plant in us artificial ones. Here Jesus experiences the real and very understandable hunger for food by which he must sustain his mortal life. We would not deny anyone this relief, certainly we would not deny the Son of Man. Israel had its manna in the wilderness. This is Israel's God. He has fasted for forty days and forty nights. Why not eat? He seems ready to break his fast, or surely must soon. Why not simply turn the stones to bread and eat?
The temptation is not in the eating. He has eaten before, he will soon eat again, he must eat for the rest of his mortal life. The temptation, at least the part I wish to focus on, is to do it this way, to get his bread—his physical satisfaction, relief for his human appetite—the easy way, by abuse of power and without a willingness to wait for the right time and the right way. It is the temptation to be the convenient Messiah. Why do things the hard way? Why walk to the shop—or bakery? Why travel all the way home? Why deny yourself satisfaction when with ever such a slight compromise you might enjoy this much-needed nourishment? But Christ will not ask selfishly for unearned bread. He will postpone gratification, indefinitely if necessary, rather than appease appetite—even ravenous appetite—with what is not his.
Sexual expression is also a high and holy physical gratification we were designed and created to enjoy. It is as natural as it is appealing. It is given of God to make us like God. But it is not ours without price. Not instantly. Not conveniently. Not with cozy corruption of eternal powers. It is to be earned, over time, and with discipline. It, like every good thing, is God's right to bestow, not Satan's. When faced with that inherent appetite, a disciple of Christ must be willing to say, "Yes, but not this way." In time, with love, after marriage. The right and proper and sanctified physical relationship of a man and a woman is as much a part—indeed more a part—of God's plan for us than is the eating of our daily bread. But there is no convenient Messiah. Salvation comes only through discipline and sacrifice."
The Lord will bless you for your integrity and example. Hang on for us!
Honesty is duly noted and appreciated. Sadly you're, once again, a proof of failure of all those "orthodox Catholic" gays. I'd venture and claim it's about all gays trying to fit into the Church – whether they're "orthodox" or "liberal". Sooner, or later you'll leave, because ultimately you desire something forbidden by the Church. I know it and you know it too. You try to dress your struggle as some kind of a "heroic act", but in reality you made a choice some time ago. You don't have courage to fully embrace it yet.
I haven't been here for quite some time, but have to be honest – I have never bought what you tried to sell as a "Catholic miracle." It may hurt you, but it seemed pretty phony to me from the moment you started floating around the Catholic blogosphere. Some Catholics tried to make you feel better about yourself and themselves in this process as well.
What would be the miracle, exactly? The promise that we can rise above and love chastity more than our desires? If so, sign me (rad trad Mother of six with all kinds of slutty tendencies at my core ~ tendencies which I've pursued inside and outside of my marriage, but have left me bereft of true union every time) up! Do you reject the glamor of evil? Empty promises? I must come to the end of my own power every time before submitting to God's will in my life. But He delivers.
Hey abc, I think that was pretty heartless of you to write. Confession exists as each of us falls and struggles and that reliance on God may be difficult, but it is this suffering that helps foster a yearning for God and to be in relation with Him. God called Joseph to struggle in the ways he writes so eloquently and his blog has opened my heart and mind to a dimension of suffering that I never would have had access to. Suffering is our universal language and understanding each other's struggles develops love. It is odd to say, but following Joseph for years online, I feel like I know him personally like a lifelong friend as his writing is so raw and honest. His fervor for the Church as an Orthodox Catholic is laudworthy and even if he were to one day fall away, which I highly doubt, I wouldnt take it against him and pray for his return.
Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't heartless. It's a matter of a subjective perspective. I know what Confession is and what it is for, but I think that this issue goes deeper than this. You can pretend that something isn't what it really is for so long. Finally, you won't be able to hide from the truth any longer. And I'm pretty sure that our host is finally realizing this eternal truth.
It's true that suffering is to an extent universal, but ultimately it's pretty intimate and we have no access, as we're not others but only ourselves, to other's inner realm. Obviously he's struggling and in no way should I diminish his struggle, but at the same time we should be honest about it as well. It's all fine and dandy when you have your own family, when you have someone to love. You may be going through hell, but at least there's someone for you to rely on. And what about those who are single? If you're straight, well there's always hope for you, but if you're not? Orthodoxy can help you only that much, but sadly it won't offer you much needed support, warmth of human touch, or kind words. Occassionally, you may get that from others, but what about your daily life?
"Celibacy never quite felt like a gift; or anyway, that's not how I remember it. It feels good to tell yourself that celibacy is a gift, because that makes up for the wrongness of it. It feels good to say, Well, I've been denied one thing, but I've been given another. "
Oh man. This…this is so true.
Trying celibacy for real after not bothering is really damn hard. I've got a lifetime of "Chastity! It's THE BEST! Yay!!!!" behind a period of not giving a damn because, well, sex feels good…and then a wake up call.
Thank you for your honesty. Because it makes me feel like maybe- just maybe- struggling doesn't have to mean I'm a bad catholic. Struggling and failing and going to confession weekly-bi weekly even!- with the same stupid things doesn't have to mean I'm a bad catholic. Sitting at home over a cold cup of tea angry at God because everything…doesn't have to mean I'm a bad catholic. Admitting that, yup, I'm not straight (despite all outward appearances) doesn't make me a bad catholic.
I'm not glad you have holes and wounds and hurt.
But I am glad you share that.
Have nothing against discussions in comboxes, but also nothing against email discussions. An email has already been sent as promised.
You and your sister are at this point the only Catholic writers I retain respect for – because you're willing to be so painfully honest. Thank you for sharing.
This is exactly what I feel in the depth of my heart. I've been sitting in front of a broken mug that is my heart, shattered into a myriad of pieces, and can't move any further. Perhaps your way is the way to go. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am so glad that you're around. Take care.
Thanks for this, Joey. Last time I read it I really needed to hear it, and then I totally forgot about it, and what do you know, today I needed to hear it again. I remember my mother pointed out that line "to whom else shall we go?" as being so crucial when nothing else makes sense. Right now it just doesn't make sense to me that God could possibly exist, or exist and be good. But of course if He does, then everything else follows logically from that. And like you describe so well, I'm too scared to throw away my belief in him and see what happens.
Thank you for writing this.
For some reason it reminded me of when I was struggling to accept the church's teachings on homosexuality a few years back. I always had a devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist. I never doubted that, but on one particular occasion in front of the Blessed Sacrament I had an indescribable intense feeling and knowledge of God's presence in the host and his complete omnipotence. It only lasted a few seconds because the experience was so incredibly overwhelming I probably could not have handled any more! In that moment he confirmed to me that he is the Alpha and the Omega–and truly present in the host.
I had no idea why God gave me that experience–I had never doubted his presence in the Eucharist–but it led me to the thought that Wow! The church is right in her teaching on the Eucharist. And if she's right about that–and, truly, what a CRAZY thing to be right about–then she's right about all she teaches–including sexuality (which is far easier to understand than the Eucharist).
Whenever I have doubts about anything I stay with the church beause of the Eucharist. Where else would I go?
Please hang in there! Living chastely is hard–seemingly impossibly sometimes–for most every person on Earth–gay, straight, single, and married. We're all together in this! God bless and keep you!
I went to Mass this morning and finished with a rosary for your intentions and those that struggle with this particular desire. It haunts me though. My son has come out, and it has been very difficult for me. Your statement has aroused a great sense of compassion for the suffering experienced with same sex attraction, the longing for companionship. I am also in awe of your recognition of the great gift of the Eucharist which I interpret as a consolation for your fortification. I wish I could relieve this suffering. What a sorry thing I am that someone as beautiful as you would have to witness to this in order for my heart to be stirred. Please read Fr Barron's reflection for the 13th day of Advent. "The season of Advent reminds us that God sometimes completes his will only after a long period of time. So, like Abraham, we wait."
I think we must pray for each other deeply and regularly. Never forget that the state of celibacy is requested of all hetrosexual people when not married.
There are also many people who live single lives not through their own choice, not all are born sexually attractive or have the ability to attract others.
We live in a World now that is hyper sexualised ,kids are now exposed to things that previous generations would be appalled by.Sexual gratification in every form
Is now seen as a right and acceptable even among some Christians ,
To be blunt ,we are in a battle probably one of the biggest battles in the worlds history.As such Christ is asking us to bear witness, be humble like little children and let him lead us, sometimes even when we are blind and just have to trust.
We have a calling and are being asked to be brave he never said it would be easy but the rewards will be immeasurable .its time to take up our crosses and lead by example without too much introspection, time is short and there is much to do, people to help and souls to save .by offering our sufferings for others we can achieve much. It's not all misery ,there is also joy.
Apologies for being so preachy ! Please pray for me
P.s Our Lady never fails
I get together with a few other guys to pray the rosary every couple of months. We're all Catholic gay men (with a good proportion of Italian heritage and bits of Irish or Mexican thrown in there). We're each at different places with our sexuality, but we know that the Catholic Church is the church Christ founded and she is the steward of the Truth. Too often we look for windows in our theology because we're afraid to go through the door, but perhaps that's because we know there are windows in every house, or is it our own concupiscence? in the end, I would plead for you to cling to Him. Cling to Him, and ask His mother to comfort you. I don't want you to lose your faith, it's more important than your failings, real or otherwise. For us Catholics, and really for all humanity, to love is to will the good of the other. I want that for you. Merry Christmas.
Thank you for your very honest post. I'm so frightened right now. My husband sent an article written by you to my email inbox. With little digging, I found your blog. What you write here is so terrifying to me. My husband has been searching diligently for help for our 12 year old son. I, on the other hand, want all of this to go away. Parenting has a lot of challenges, but this is one I don't want. I've never even wanted to put myself in the shoes of my son to even think about what he's going through. Our son is so distraught at times and goes to confession sometimes weekly and biweekly. My husband takes him and talks to him and prays for him. I pray for him, but I resent having to take him to confession because I don't want to admit what he does. I also don't pray for him like I should. I pray that all this is a phase and will just go away. I believe our son is too young to know what he feels is same-sex attraction. I want so many things for my son like holiness, a normal celibate life, a vocation to priesthood, or a vocation to be a loving father. I love my son so much for his kindness, his thoughtfulness, his good looks (he's crazy handsome like his dad!), and for his academic and physical abilities. But I want all of those things in the mind & body of a straight male. I am crying while I write this because I'm so terrified I'm accepting this for my son and I don't want to! Please pray for him and pray for me, his mother, so I can accept God's will for his life whatever it may be. My son deserves two parents that support him and love him unconditionally no matter whom he is.
Joseph, This is a sublimely beautiful piece for it's honesty and truth. And you have provoked others to be beautifully honest. What I have to say here has neither the profundity nor beauty of the remarks above but I feel prompted to offer this.
I love your remarks about sitting in front of the Eucharist and telling Jesus you don't love him. I heard a priest speak on the psalms who stated that the psalms make it clear that it doesn't matter how you talk to God, as long as you do. That has sustained me a great deal. Honesty will always get us closer to God than any inauthentic piety.
Now from the sublime to the ridiculous – I have also found wisdom in a song by Elvis that when interpreted to mean Christian love has served me well: "If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with." It is so much more fun and exhilarating to love the delightful and charming and captivating people that come our way but there is something even better in the long run in loving those who come our way and don't delight, charm or captivate us. Feeling more Christ-like is a better feeling than "being in love." Took me forever to figure that out.
When I was younger and craving love and wanting that special relationship and being perplexed about why I was single and without children, I found it helped to call one of my married friends and ask "How are things?" After a 20 minute conversation or so, I began to realize that the biggest cross of those who are married and have children is that they are married and have children and the biggest cross of those who aren't married and don't have children is that they aren't married and don't have children.
I suspect that someday you will either find a chaste love that will make that aching hole ache less or you will be so filled with love of God, you will want that hole to get bigger so it can hold more love. God bless you!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts- you have no idea what a gift this has been to me. You see, a little over a year ago I walked away from the Catholic church and went home to my Protestant roots. Since then my heart has hurt and longed for the Church that I loved so much. Christmas for me was the pits. Nothing compares to Christmas Eve Mass.
My story is pretty wacky. There was a woman I was interested in who was Catholic and she invited me to do ashes with her on Ash Wednesday in 2009. Being obsessed with her I'd of gone to get a tax audit with the IRS together but instead we went to get our foreheads smudged. I began attending Mass the next Sunday and the long and short of it is by September the relationship blew up and I decided I was done with gay life. I repented of homosexual sin and went forward with plans to become Catholic because by then, I was hooked on Mass.
Although my heart was totally into the Catholic Church my brain was short circuiting with many of the dogmas- mainly the Marian ones and for sure, Purgatory. But after I nearly getting kicked out of R.C.I.A. I had an encounter with Jesus and believed with all my heart the Catholic Church was His gift to me. And what a gift it was. The fact that I could go to church seven days a week and receive grace was beyond wonderful. I usually went to three week-day Masses but there were time I did more. Saturday night became "Date Night with Jesus." I'd get to Mass at least an hour early to pray and hang out with Him. I even started wearing dresses again.( OMG!) The highlight was always receiving the Eucharist. When we would pray, "Just say the word and my soul shall be healed" I really believed it. Well, the craziest thing happened. I GOT HEALED!!! (Pardon my yelling- it still excites me.) The Lord freed me completely from all homosexual desire (and of course when the desire goes, the behavior usually becomes a thing of the past.) There were other gifts of healing sent my way such as the Unbound Ministry and Theophostic Prayer and a small inner healing group that I was part of. And the Friday night prayer meeting at Christ the King Parish in Ann Arbor was amazing beyond words. But above it all was the Eucharist.
But as I shared my story, I soon realized it wasn't something folks were all that excited about. Other SSA people in the Catholic Church were still SSA and they were receiving the same Jesus I was in the Eucharist. I was told the desires would return. (It's been 7.5 years- I'm still waiting.) It was suggested I was defrauding folks and that I am still attracted to women. (Honest- really- I'm telling the truth.) I was rebuffed by priests who didn't want me to come to their parishes and share my story. Well, sadly one day I concluded that I must be wrong about the Eucharist. I honestly believed if the woman with the bleeding disorder could touch the hem of Jesus garment and be made whole, those same healing mercies were available to me in the bread and wine. Yet I began to reconsider this as I was one of the few who had been healed while others around me were still dealing with attractions for their same sex.
Loving the Word of God, as soon as I repented in Sept. of 2009 I began listening to protestant radio which was mainly sermon after sermon after sermon. And in my quiet time I devoured Scripture. I have now come to believe it was through the Word of God I encountered the Living Christ and this is what set me free. When Paul spoke of homosexuals in 1 Corinthians 6:11 and stated, "And such were some of you," I actually believed it. And in 2 Corinthians 5:17 when it said that being in Christ made me a new creation, I shouted, "Hallelujah!" and accepted it to be gospel (which it absolutely is.)
Anyway, I'm probably breaking some rule by writing all of this to you on your post but really, Joey, I feel free now to move forward. I have been feeling so bad for letting down the good folks that loved me and help me get free from all that held me captive but from now on instead of focusing on those 25 people, I'll keep in mind the 2500 who are more than likely happy I left. I never meant to annoy anyone (although I'm sure that I did.) It appears folks are more touched by those who are angry with the Lord for the hand we have been dealt. I was always much too happy about getting a new hand from Him. But I must admit to feeling with the Church for not being willing to tell the truth about homosexual desire- that it can be overcome. I feel peeved that they are so reluctant to proclaim that the risen Christ still heals, delivers and sets the captives free. I thought that's what the Eucharist was about but I guess I missed the boat in understanding what it meant to have my soul healed. Like I said, it had to be all those great sermons I was listening to.
Oh well, what do I know? I'm just that silly Protestant who hung out with the Catholics for a season, took things too literal, believed to the point that I got on a lot of people's nerves and at the end of the day had to leave. I will always love the Church but now I remember why I left. Really Joey, thank you so much for this. I feel at peace now.
God bless you.
Yes, I have certainly heard from most folks that the desires remain no matter what they do to be free from them. But even if it is a lifelong battle, are we supposed to stop pursuing freedom and victory? There are so many wonderful ministries available right within the Catholic Church. Do we nothing to offer a 13 year old that thinks they are gay beside celibacy (which is a gift, by the way and not one that every person had been given.)
Anyway, don't close the door to being free from the desires. I'm not that special. I think the Lord wants to do His the same thing in the hearts of many who are wounded.
There is a special place in hell for you. My ex read one of your posts about keeping celibacy for the church on a teen website before he killed himself. No gay man can ever have peace with the church. Cursed to a life of loneliness and forbidden from marrying the one you love. And after all that crap you said you are still out living promiscuously, while my dead virgin boyfriend rots in the ground. Please delete everything you've ever posted anywhere before you kill anymore beautiful souls.
Wow. Beautiful. Thank you!
Dude, I was so pissed after reading an article (I'm pretty certain it was you, as it was by 'Steve Gershom' lol) in LIfeteen. I came looking for you to rip you a new one…however after reading this (and being a gay and very lukewarm Catholic), honestly I was surprised reading what you had to say. What you communicate about your feelings toward the church, toward Christ (at times, I understand it is not permanent)…finally someone is speaking my language. I tell my friends I am a misotheist just to try and get them to understand why I want to punch God so hard. Thank you for your honesty. I have lost my desire to tear you a new one.
I realize this post is old news, but there isn't really place for this on any other.
I have been raised Catholic, and my father has been a great faith mentor to me. We are a rather ordinary Catholic family, as far as things go.
However, there are two developments that have really made me think much longer and harder about the morality of sexuality than ever before. Firstly, I have just gone to college. Not just any college, either. I attend the college in Iowa that is most known for being open to people of all sexual and gender identities. My roommate conforms to neither norm. I could never explain why, but I could never see people of other sexual orientations as anything but just another person. I saw the apparent hostility of the church towards these… minorities. Yet, in my church, I didn't see that hostility present. The Church is of course the same, but people's biases and prejudices follow them wherever they go and whatever church they are in, unless they make that choice to leave them behind. Here at college, in a different church on a campus full of all sorts of non-conforming identities, I am relieved that there is no blatant hostility between the LGBTQ+ center and the local Catholic church. Almost all of my new friends, who of course look to me like normal people, are something other than straight.
The other more important factor in my thinking happened as a result of research for a story I'm writing. One of my characters I knew would be asexual, so I did research to find out what exactly that would mean for them. That's when I realized that the situations and feelings that aces described were things I could relate to. I realized, in short, that I was asexual.
Of course, this is by no means the same struggle that Catholics of other sexual orientations have. Yet I still worried obsessively that calling myself an ace would change who I was, or more importantly, that it might somehow affect my relationship with God. Of course, both were completely ridiculous. But as I worried about myself, I reminded myself of a very important notion. Hate the sin, not the sinner. I thought about the morality of human sexuality just about every day, and not by explicit choice. Eventually, I wrote four pages worth of an essay to myself, just to drill into my head that I had no reason to dislike myself or any of my friends just because of sexual orientation. In short, the essay came down to this, which I am sure you must have realized yourself; Identifying as other sexual orientations is not a sin if it is the truth. The sin is using it as an excuse to do things which are already sinful.
When I wrote those four pages, I was saddened by the fact that I had not met anyone who had even attempted to be accepting of themselves and devout in their faith, without ignoring parts of the truth in their faith. The fact that you have attempted such a feat is something to be proud of. But just because something is right, that doesn't mean it will be popular or easy. I have often wondered if I even have faith at all or if it is still just the leftover habit my father instilled in me.
To get to the point, I'm writing this for one reason that I haven't actually mentioned. I want you to remember that it's ok to stumble, or to not know where you should go, or if you should be going anywhere at all. It's ok to feel like you're disconnected, because sometimes, it's times like that which do the most in developing who we are. Just as I know there is forgiveness waiting for my friends to find their spiritual life, there will always be forgiveness waiting for everyone on the other side of a rough patch.
Please continue to share your experiences. I appreciate your willingness to talk about the hard parts of sustaining faith in the long term.
Touching and emotionally moving piece. It always seems the posts where we are honest about our feelings rather than trying to push ourselves to be the model we feel we're expected to be. I'm not gay, but I got married and discovered I had vaginismus. Even though I went through treatment 7 years ago, I still have the stupid emotional hang ups that screw with my husband's and I's sex life. It's shaken my faith so much and yet I'm just like "Wow this is a really stubborn faith."
I'm discerning religious life in a convent and going through a particularly difficult time with the celibacy thing. I've been celibate for years, but every once and a while, a painful wall of loneliness will sweep over me. I know it's not the same as what you're suffering, but I hope you know that you're not alone when these moments happen. I'm a just a newbie, but I know that even experienced nuns and religious battle with loneliness.
I don't know if you're still struggling with this, since this is an old post. But reading this gave me comfort because it also lets me know that I'm not alone.
Loneliness can, in a strange way, be a form of deep intimacy with the Lord. No one knows more about loneliness than Him. People turn away from Him and reject Him all the time. It must also hurt Him when people lie to Him and are not honest about their feelings with Him. That's why I think your honest prayers are so powerful. We don't have to feel love to be loving, we only have to act. Being there in front of the Eucharist is action. Even though you may not feel sentimental, you are still loving Him.
Being lonely with the Lord is a sublime meditation. He has felt all the pain in your heart. No other human can provide that level of intimacy.
I will pray that the Lord strengthens you and comforts you during these times. You have a beautiful cross, though I'm sure it doesn't always feel that way.
May God bless you and keep you.
– Rachel
I am so thankful for you. I recently had this conversation with my husband about why I couldn't be anything other than Catholic and that it really all boiled down to the Eurcharist. Everything else is just so much pablum.


text:
Bad Baby - Adult Baby Stories
Go to content
Main menu:
Home Page
Adult Baby
Colin Milton Stories
Lynn & David (The Early Years)
Lynn & David II (Onward to Infancy)
Recollections of an Adult Baby
A Visit To Aunty Sarah's
Baby Trained
Baby's Surprise
Be My Baby
Expecting Andrew
The Good Husband Programme
Lessons For The Teacher
Nanny Rachel
The Tester
The Babysitter
The Invitation
To The Manor Reborn
Return to the Nursery
Adult Baby Escapades
Mummy's New Friend
A Secret Revealed
My Girlfriend, My Babysitter
For the Love of Stephen
More Colin Milton
The Dinner Party
Coaxed Into Babyhood
I Am Hers
Shaved For Babyhood
Shopping Trip
Cuckold Baby Slave
Flying with Baby
Training Mark
Mummy and Me
At The End Of The Day
Indebted To Infancy
My Neighbour's New Baby
From Boyfriend To Baby
Bottle Fed Boyfriend
It Pays To Dominate
For Their Pleasure
Kiss The Teat
The Exchange
The Babification Program
Sissy Baby Charlotte
AB and SissC Dictionary
The Making of Sissy Baby Charlotte
The Re-Education and Sissification of a Young Victorian Gentleman
Lady Loren
Adult Baby Letters (Volume 1)
Adult Baby Letters (Volume 2)
Adult Baby Letters (Volume 3)
Rubber Baby
Nappy Discipline
Petticoated and Babied
Real Life Dummy / Pacifier Discipline
Enforced Dummy / Pacifier Discipline
More Dummy / Pacifier Discipline
Dummy / Pacifier Discipline
Frocks and Frills
Ms Heidi
Sissy Baby Play Day
The Awakening
Baby Saffy
Baby Sophie's First Christmas
Penelope Pansy
The Story of Penelope Pansy
Letters On A Sissy
The Reformatory Education of a Sissy
Zsa Zsa
My Route To Rejuvenation
Lady Loren
Male Maids
Diary of a submissive
Strict Women
House Husband
Chastity Tales
Be Careful What You Wish For
Teacher's Pet
Rubber Slave
Sissy Baby
Femdom Tales
Tease and Denial
Training A Husband
Colin Milton
In His Place
Dog Day
Ms Heidi
Loving Female Authority
Female Supremacy
Lady Loren
Cuckolded and Feminised
Pansy Cuckold
Real Life Cuckold Tales
Real Life Cuckold Tales (Volume Two)
Cuckold Tales
You! Cuckold!
Cuckold Lives
Ben's Blog
Ben's Blog
Bibs and Bobs
AB Images
The Baby - Film Poster
Comic covers with a Femdom theme
Formula One Adult Baby
AB Boy Animations
Adult Baby In Bondage
Adult Baby In Car
Adult Baby in Pram
Adult Baby Nursery
Baby Bouncer
Diaper Station
Femdom With Dummied Slave
Good Husband
Baby Swing
Good Husband 2
Nipple Licking
Postman Baby
Bad Baby
Confined to Cot
Feeding an Adult Baby
Force Fed
Man to Baby
Pacifying Baby
Playing With Baby
Sissy Baby Feed
Strange Feeding
Tickling Baby's Feet
Tied Adult Baby
Bottle Feed
Adult Baby Girl in Playpen
Adult Baby / Shoe Fetish
Feeding Device
Adult Baby Girl Next to Cot
Aldi AB Advert 2012
Diaper Man
Slideshow 1
Slideshow 2
Slideshow 3
Slideshow 4
Slideshow 5
Slideshow 6
Slideshow 7
AB Gallery
Domestic Discipline
Public Humiliation
Photo with captions
Interesting Articles
How are pacifiers made?
What is Infantilism?
Adult Baby Syndrome
Breast Milk Ice Cream
The Mommy Manual
Adult Baby Bouncing Chair
I sell my Breast Milk
Men Who Want To Be Babies
Baby Bottle Guide
Effective Diaper Domination
Cuddle Hotels
Who's A Big Baby?
Adult / Baby Food
Baby Food for Thought?
Dream Scenarios
A selection of things we all wish would come true!
Made to make your mouth water
Big In Japan
Adult Baby / Femdom Web Links
Links to while away the time
A Moment in Time (Vignette)
Baby Sam's Page
Baby Sam
Letters from Adult Babies
AB Letters
Affiliate Authors
Affiliate Authors Wanted
Bad Baby
Bibs and Bobs > AB Boy Animations
Home Page
Adult Baby
Ben's Blog
Bibs and Bobs
Affiliate Authors
General Site Map
Back to content
Back to main menu

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The only way to make money online if you're selling products with a website is to promote it in as many ways as possible. One problem many people face is finding advertising funds to market online. In this article let's go over a few ways you can promote on the Internet if you are working with a small advertising budget.
1. Email marketing. I like this for a long term strategy because as your list grows you can potentially increase your income with every email message you send out.
It doesn't take a lot of money to run an email marketing campaign. You will need an autoresponder. I personally use Aweber which runs a little under $20 a month.
You will need to promote a landing page in various ways. There are plenty of free and low-cost ways to promote these type of webpages. Traffic exchanges are one way I have had good luck building my list with splash pages.
You can also purchase of co-registration leads. This is a good way to let a lead company build your list for you at an affordable price.
2. Twitter and Facebook. These are the two largest social networking sites and a good way for you to promote things online.
If you enjoy interacting with other people on the Internet social networking is a good way to promote things. This doesn't cost you much in the way of advertising dollars, but it will take up some of your time.
You can also purchase inexpensive ads and target specific markets. Facebook Ads is a good place to start with this.
2. Write and submit articles. Article marketing continues to be one of my personal primary advertising strategies. In my case I like to write and submit articles so this strategy works well.
If you don't enjoy writing, are not or are not particularly good at it, you can outsource this to an article writer. There are plenty of sources online to find inexpensive article writers.
Writing and submitting articles is a fast way to develop backlinks. You can also promote any webpage you want in the resource box and drive traffic to it using article marketing.
4. Blog and bookmark. I like to take my articles and post them on my blog. Try and do this before they go out to the article directories so when search engines spider your blog you get credit for fresh content.
Also bookmark your blog post using a service such as OnlyWire. This is a good way to develop backlinks and get the search engines spidering your blog more regularly.
These are 4 examples of how you can do marketing online if you're dealing with a small advertising budget. Most of your marketing efforts will be spent in the way of your time as opposed to actual dollars.
If you enjoyed this article by Jeff Schuman please visit his article marketing website today.If you are not a writer he offers a hands off program for getting backlinks and traffic using the power of writing and submitting articles to make money online.


text:
Man suspected of impersonating reporter in custody
Charges are referred to district attorney
PORT WASHINGTON, Wis. — A man suspected of impersonating a reporter and calling female high school athletes, including members of the Verona High School golf team, has been detained in Greenfield.
Gary Medrow, 68, of Greenfield was detained after an arrest warrant was issued in Ozaukee County, according to Cedarburg police.
Cedarburg police Officer Joseph Biliskov told WISC-TV that Medrow is detained on suspicion of two counts each of unlawful use of a phone and disorderly conduct.
Medrow is believed to have contacted athletes in Mequon, Cedarburg, Hartland, Franklin and Verona saying he was a reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Biliskov said he contacted Cedarburg school officials after getting a call from the newspaper's security director. The officer said he then contacted the two girls who had heard from the man.
He said a Monday meeting had been scheduled between the girls and the man. The girls stayed away from the area while police watched for the man, but he never showed up, according to police.
Biliskov said they used a phone number to connect Medrow to the case.
The officer also worked with other agencies dealing with similar cases. Biliskov said in all cases the imposter reporter asked the girls to pose on each other's shoulders.
Verona police said five members of the golf team were contacted by the imposter reporter, but meetings with the athletes were never scheduled.
Medrow has been convicted in multiple cases for unlawful use of a phone and impersonating a police officer, according to court records. Those include a 1997 case in Dane County in which he was charged with impersonating a police officer and unlawful use of a telephone.
Biliskov said Medrow has been impersonating people, like police officers, since the late 70s.


text:
And no where is this more clear than residency slots in Internal Medicine.
Today, I learned some interesting statistics that should alert medical students applying to residency programs across the country.
- Surprisingly, applicants to our categorical residency program is up 15% this year.
- The number of foreign medical graduate students to this year's applicant pool has increased 50% over last year.


text:
One of the many great things about the classic movie "Rocky" is that the title character loses the title fight at the end. But that's not what matters most to him – or us.
If the movie were being made now, some moronic studio chief, no doubt, would insist on the traditional Hollywood ending, and cut the bittersweet finish that still packs an emotional punch all these years later.
"Rocky" reminds us of our current favorite underdog story – "Glee," whose first season ended on a high note, even though the New Directions singing group lost the big contest at the end. In the second season, which begins Tuesday night on Fox, the challenge for creator Ryan Murphy and his team will be to keep their eye on the real prize: stressing character over camp.
It almost seems like we're about to embark on Season Three of "Glee," between how much material filled each Season One episode, and the four-month break between the first and second halves of the show's freshman run. The gap felt a little frustrating at the time, but in retrospect, offered a much-need chance to catch our collective breath.
We appear to be in for another wild ride this season: Britney Spears will guest star. John Stamos joins the cast as a dentist dating OCD-plagued guidance counselor Emma Pillsbury. Carol Burnett turns up as Sue Sylvester's Nazi-hunting mother in what could be this season's Betty White-style beloved-comedian comeback.
The show, though, needs to be careful about overdoing the stunt casting. Sure, Neil Patrick Harris was well cast last season as glee club leader Will Schuester's old rival. Josh Groban and Olivia Newton John obviously had fun playing exaggerated versions of themselves, letting viewers in on the joke.
But too many winks and nods to the audience can quickly lead to a twitch and a sore neck.
"The Brady Bunch" was filled with unlikely cameos by stars of the time – Davy Jones, Desi Arnaz Jr., Don Drysdale, Joe Namath – who showed up under manufactured circumstances. The show still holds a place in the popular culture, if only for camp value these days.
But "Glee" is better than that – and needs to stay above mere camp to thrive in Season Two and beyond. While "Glee" plays on a heightened level much of the time, with outrageous characters and musical numbers often woven into odd spots, the show's greatest strength rests in the truths it hits about how hard it is to be a teen and perhaps even more difficult to be an adult.
We're not focused this season on whether New Directions will win the finals as much as whether Kurt's dad and Finn's mom find the happiness they deserve, if Quinn can move on from giving her baby up for adoption and how the various relationship dramas play out, with Rachel and Finn's courtship atop the list.
While "Glee" quickly became a cultural phenomenon, perhaps its greatest achievement has been making us care about characters who, at times, border on caricatures. Only a couple times – Will's cruel wooing of Sue, and blonde cheerleader Quinn's dead-serious equating the stigma of teen pregnancy to racism – did the show strike sour notes.
We've noted our concerns that "Glee," like "Twin Peaks" – another quirky, if far darker take on high school and small town life – won't be able to maintain its high level of quality and live up the expectations built in Season One.
We're also fretting, perhaps needlessly, over what we'll call the Sylvester Syndrome (named for Sue and Stallone). The "Rocky" sequels got progressively worse and more contrived as the flicks turned from the small, yet meaningful relationships (Rocky and Adrian, Rocky and Mickey, Rocky and Paulie) to comically outsized battles (Rocky fights communism).
We're hopeful "Glee" will keep surprising us, making us laugh, care and sing along, while winning the long-term fight "Rocky" ultimately lost.
Hester is founding director of the award-winning, multi-media NY City News Service at the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism. He is the former City Editor of the New York Daily News, where he started as a reporter in 1992. Follow him on Twitter.


text:
Separate names with a comma.
Discussion in 'Mid Atlantic' started by fallingsky, Feb 16, 2010.
Great point
It's really quite simple
Surf more. . . even when there aren't any waves. Nothing improves paddling, like . . . well. . . paddling.
Listin to OBlove...
I have seen him work out..Paddled against him in races and surfed with him in heavy surf conditions..re-read what he posted. Key is to paddle year-round if you surf year-round..
First, I agree that nothing improves paddling like paddling. I don't get to the beach nearly as much as I'd like (family, work), but i did see improvements in my paddling strength and endurance from doing lots of push-ups, chin ups, and pop-ups (like you've just paddled into a wave), but I also rigged a poor man's Vasa Trainer that i use both for endurance and intervals (after a lot of endurance workouts). I got a Total Gym for a gift ($199) and put it up on crates so it's higher off the floor and you can dig deep with the paddling motion and not hit the floor. You can adjust the incline to increase resistance if you want, but I'd start with only a slight incline. Instead of using the grips that come with the Total Gym, replace them with swimming hand paddles (you can get them at Speedo or Kiefer.com for about $20), and they allow your hands to stay in a natural a paddling position. You lie prone on the total gym and do paddle workouts - there's no flywheel like a Vasa Trainer but the motion helps develop muscle memory and endurance. You can use the machine for other exercises too - mostly using your own body weight.
all i do is swim at the pool, jog a few miles a week, balance board squats, and yoga. The pool has had the biggest impact on my surfing over all the other things like i have done, and agree with Oblove.
JohnnyD, there are many days out there that you are constantly fighting the rip to stay in the lineup. Cardio is the only thing that separates me and the weekend warriors in this situation.
Just don't let the board hit you in the face!
LMAO!! Ouch!! knowing me its only a matter of time before i loose teeth from the balance board.
OK. I'm gonna clarify something that OBLove brought to my attention. I did type "Cardio is crap". I need to clarify that. Long distance cardio is crap. By doing super sets, you're doing cardio, but in short sprint intervals. Equivalent to surfing.
I also emphasized in my tutorial the importance of body weight excersises, so I'm kinda confused where I'm completely wrong from OBLove's theory. Where we differ is whether or not long distance cardio or "sprint" distance cardio is better for you.
I CAN tell you from experience that you burn more calories and are overall in better shape by doing short intervals. I've hiked segments of the appalachian trail with 50+ lbs of gear on my back and can gauruntee you I blow through more calories and stamina during a 6 hour session surfing than I ever did hiking up and down 2000+ ft mountains all day and into the night.
I also preferanced my tutorial with genetics play a big role. Different strokes for different folks, all i was offering was what works for me. But I stand by my revised statment, "Long distance cardio is crap" for surfing. If you wanna do a triatholon, iron man, you have to do long distance cardio. But we were talking about surfing. Just a theory that works for me
Tks for all the info. Ill use a little of all. Right now just need to work on getting back in shape. Did not get a chance to get wet alot this winter due to a new job but now can really start setting my schedule to get in the water. Gonna paddle paddle and paddle, work on jogging on the treadmill, do some ab work out ang yoga. Will fit some other stuff in as well as I work on it. Thanks again.
genetics are key. measure your wing spand. if its longer then your height you have the natural gift to be efficient in the water. if it is 2-3 inches longer (thats what she wants hahahahaha) then you have huge advantages in the water. my little brother and I both have baboon arms that hang a bit lower then most humans. if you surf properly in challenging east coast conditions, you should be paddling for position CONSTANTLY. the best surfers you will ever see are lean-mean-and paddle constantly. aerobic adaptations last a WHOLE LOT longer then any weight training. weight training can prove important for injury prevention within cardio training. but does it exactly make you faster? ...that has never been proven with research. anyways, good thread, and I think everyone got something from it!


text:
Braking Systems - Brembo For The Common Man
When looking for success, choose Brembo.
If you're a car guy at all, you probably know the name "Brembo." But when you hear it you probably think about brakes for Ferraris, F1, and NASCAR Sprint Cup race cars. For years, Brembo has produced only the highest of high-end braking systems. They've had a lot of success on cars that have won races and championships, but unless you were on TV on Sunday, they probably didn't have a system for you.
But all that has just changed. Brembo recently decided to bring its significant engineering muscle to bear on helping Saturday-night racers. The company now has a complete braking system for both Late Model and Sprint Car teams, and at first glance it looks like it may have something here.
Brembo's Dirt Late Model braking system is designed to be a direct bolt-in system for cars with wide-five hubs. This is one of the lightest braking systems utilizing a cast-iron rotor that we've seen. The rotor measures in at 10.9 by 0.7 inches and comes pre-bedded so it's ready to race right out of the box. The rotor is also a floater to minimize thermal-induced warping and the chances of cracks forming over time.
The caliper is a four-piston forged unit that to the uninitiated looks like a toy compared to other calipers on the market. But the design is not only lightweight, it's also quite strong and capable of developing plenty of clamping load. The caliper mounts on a radial mount using a lightweight aluminum bracket. Of course, there's nothing too unique about all that, but Brembo has also designed in what it is calling its "HRB" or "High Roll Back" technology. This helps pull the pads back into the caliper so that they don't rub the rotors when the pedal isn't engaged and add unnecessary drag. Incidentally, the HRB feature also aids easy pad changes because the pistons can be pushed back into the caliper with your bare hands.
Other features also include a crossover tube that has been moved to the interior of the caliper body to prevent mud and other debris that is a constant in dirt track racing from damaging the caliper. Knock-back springs are also pre-installed on all the calipers. Brembo has also developed a line of brake pads to go with the new calipers and rotors, but for racers that already have a favorite pad combination that works with their particular setup and driving style, other brands' pad will also fit in the calipers.
Overall, between the calipers and the rotors, this new braking system comes in at about 10 to 12 pounds lighter than most braking systems currently being used in Dirt Late Model racing.
On the other hand, Brembo's new braking system for Sprint Car racing comes in just a bit heavier than the lightest setups currently on the racetrack. Brembo's Brandon Miller says that while the company considered using an ultra-light coated titanium rotor, it instead decided to go with a lower-tech cast-iron rotor because it handles heat better, resists warping more, and is more consistent over the course of a race. Plus, Miller says that costs to the racer were also a consideration--and we all know that iron is a heck of a lot cheaper than titanium.
Like the Dirt Late Model caliper, the Sprint caliper is a four-piston design. It also has been built to exhibit minimal deflection without any excess weight. And also like the DLM caliper, the Sprint unit features Brembo's HRB tech along with an internal crossover tube and a radial mount on an aluminum bracket to help keep heat from moving from the caliper into the rear end housing.
Brembo has also developed a new friction compound specifically for its Sprint Car braking system that it uses in its pads. The material has a wide operating range so that it provides good braking qualities on those early laps when the rotors are still cold. We're told the effective operating range is between room temperature and 900 degrees Fahrenheit. Last season Kasey Kahne Racing used Brembo's Inboard Sprint Car rotors and calipers on its entire fleet of four cars and helped secure several big wins. KKR crew chief Justin Adams says the system worked well for the team because it provided consistent braking and minimized failures.
"The Brembo brakes did what we needed them to do," he says. "They are about a pound heavier than what we had used the year before but our drivers liked these because the brake pedal stayed the same all through the race, where a titanium rotor can vary more. Plus, we didn't have failures, and being able to finish races is always the priority around here."


text:
This year has been one of change for military branches built on tradition. The Air Force started the year by revising the new physical fitness policy it implemented last year. The updates were intended to make the branch's fitness testing less subjective. In March, the Army started piloting two new fitness tests—the Army Physical Readiness Test (APRT) and the Army Combat Readiness Test (ACRT). The APRT replaces the Army's 30-year-old physical fitness test and is designed to complement its new basic training program. The ACRT includes tasks designed to simulate those that soldiers might perform in the field. Likewise, the Marine Corps looked into more functional fitness training, launching its High Intensity Tactical Training pilot program this year. The strength and conditioning program is designed to better prepare Marines for the physical demands of combat and is expected to be rolled out across the branch in early 2012.
Lara Hale, senior associate editor


text:
These canons of professional ethics are based upon fundamental principles of moral and professional behavior and recommended for all doctors of chiropractic and chiropractic assistants. The following basic principles should be guiding factors in the practice of chiropractic and upheld at all times:
Consider the well-being of the patient. The primary effort and ultimate goal is for the greatest good of our patients.
- Dr. Alexander D. Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCSTChief Clinical DirectorPhone: 9155408444
Specializing in Severe Pain: Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced; proven therapies focused on optimal mobility, health, fitness, and structural conditioning. We use Patient-Focused Diet Plans | Specialized Chiropractic Techniques | Mobility-Agility Training | Cross-Fit Protocols | Functional Medicine Protocols* | Wellness Nutrition and the "PUSHasRx System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems.
( Licensed: Texas & New Mexico )*
Message from: Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, C.C.S.T *
( Biography and my promise to you )
My name is Dr. Alex Jimenez, and I am a Chiropractic Doctor specializing in advanced therapies focused on total joint health, strength training, and complete fitness conditioning. We use patient Focused Diet Plans, Advanced Chiropractic Techniques, Agility Training, Cross-Fit, and the PUSH System to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Our goal too is to help your body heal itself naturally. When your body is truly healthy, you will arrive at your fitness level and proper weight effortlessly. We want to help educate you on how to live a new and improved lifestyle. Our doctors have spent over 25+ years researching and testing methods with thousands of patients. We strive to create fitness and better the body through researched methods and complete programs.
My goal too is to help the body heal itself naturally. When your body is truly healthy and balanced, you will move pain-free and ultimately arrive at your optimal fitness levels and proper weight effortlessly. We want to help educate you on how to live a new and improved lifestyle. Our doctors have spent over 25 years researching and testing methods with thousands of patients. We strive to create fitness and better the body heatlh through researched methods and complete programs. These programs are natural and use the body's own ability to achieve goals of improvement, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, surgery, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a life that is fulfilled with more energy, positive attitude, better sleep, less pain, proper body weight and educated on how to maintain this way of life.
The focus on spinal and skeletal adjustments is what makes doctors of chiropractic unique in their approach to treating patients with spinal complaints. This hallmark chiropractic adjustment, however, is not the only procedure a chiropractor may employ in managing a patient's care. I am very proud to bring my patients a variety of treatment options beyond the typical scope of responsibility of a typical chiropractic center. With the advances in physical therapies and modalities, we bring El Paso option that better aid in the rehabilitation process. Tissue healing is a beautiful process that begins the moment an injury occurs. How the damage is managed, determine the outcome concerning healing. It is critical we implement immediate procedures as soon as we can to gain optimal recovery. The old day of letting it rest until it gets better is not the only option.
Letting it rest may even be an irresponsible approach considering what we now know. The implementation of active and movement-based treatments have clearly shown increased and improved outcomes in many instances.
As doctors focused on the greater good for a patient, we must assess each patient individually and apply the appropriate protocols. It is also very important to denote that El Paso has fine doctors in many specialties of healing and repair. The direct relationship we have with the specialists in these disciplines is clearly what allows us to bring the highest quality of care to our patients.
My promise to my patients is stated for all to read here. I, with Gods help, will do whatever it takes to assist you in your recovery. I too will draw upon all the specialist in this town to find you the collaborative care that is required with the disorders being tended to.
Warm Regards to you.
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST
Licensed: Texas & New Mexico *
Scope of Practice Governed By Each Licensing Board & State Scope of Practice *Read moreRead lessEducation:
Affiliations and Certifications:
- Doctor
Services Provided:
- Texas Chiropractic Association
- Chiropractic Care
- Physical Therapy
- Rehabiliation
- Strength Training
- Crossfit Doctor
- Return to Competition Rehabilitation
- Truide TorresExecutive Director / Patient LiasonPhone: 9152526149
Director: Patient Relations Advocate Dept.
Truide has been working for the past 20 years in claims resolutions. She works hand in hand with patients and is availible to resolve dispute resolutions.
Truide Torres (Bio)
Driven by the passion of doing what is in the best interest of the patient, I wake up every morning with the drive to help those in need. The claims process for health care is full of pits, valleys and difficult obstacles designed to strike fear in those in need. My duty is to do what is within the confines of the law, "what ever it takes" to get those involved to pay attention to those who need help. That is what I am honored to do for our patients.
Personally, I have seen great injustices transpire on those that do NOT have a voice. Whether, a language barrier or just not knowing the rules. My job is to find out how I can help. If I personally can not help, I will find the right sources to open the possibilities. I get the job done.
As a wife and mother of 2 children, 3 dogs and 2 Cats. My passion is for God, Family and the mission of serving my fellow man.
Let it be clearly stated... I am here to help. My phone 915-850-0900Read moreRead lessEducation:
Affiliations and Certifications:
- Law Student (Matriculated)
Services Provided:
- Legal Studies
- Patient Advocate
- Claims Managment
- Case Management
- Daniel AlvaradoExercise PhysiologistPhone: 9152038122
Daniel Alvarado is the owner and the top trainer at PUSHasRx® CrossFit Fitness Facility. Since becoming a Trainer Daniel has kept up to date on many continuing educational classes, ensuring that his clients receive the most comprehensive and advanced training. Working directly with the Doctors, he develops and collaborates on care plans that are patient specific. No patient ever gets the same clinical protocol. His expert clinical kinesiology experience spans over 2 decades. He has trained injured patients and NCAA National Champion Athletes. His technical ability to create programs that are clinically sound and second to none. He too has used his physical therapy and recovery experience to take broken top tier athletes into strict recovery protocols assisting them to achieve highly competitive national championships. He certainly will not admit it but, he is a top national champion trainer. Daniel, also develops youth programs that are sport specific to aid young athletes achieve great success. His mastery of clinical recovery is applied applied to all patients and top tier athletes alike. All patient programs are specifically designed with patient focused recovery priorities. He is happily married to beautiful Victoria Alvarado has one child. He enjoys strength training, movies, singing, conducting, writing poetry and being a CrossFit champion. Just a way cool dude. We think you will agree.Read moreRead lessEducation:
Affiliations and Certifications:
- Exercise Physiology
Services Provided:
- Crossfit Level I,II,III ; Pilates Instructor
- Fitness Training
- Strength & Power Fitness
- Mental Strength
- Dennise AcostaHead Office ManagerPhone: 915-850-0900
Dennise has been at Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic for four years. Known as the master multi-tasker. Dennise, handles patient care from the moment you walk in the door. She is akin to the air traffic controller. She will assist you in matter requiring clinical preparation and effective inter-office communication. She unifies all department and clinical providers making sure all important information reaches all clinicians in a timely manner. She also loves to work out, stay in shape, watch movies and help people.Read moreRead less
- Sandra MartinezHead Clinical TherapistPhone: 915-850-0900
Sandra has been working at Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic for over 5 years. As the head Licensed Massage Therapist, she manages and directs critical aspect of clinical care. The patients love her ability to make you laugh while removing those pesky trigger points causing pain. She is able to relax and bring comfort to all she touches. There just simply is no patient that escapes her talented touch. Trained in advance myofascial techniques, she is an integral part of patient recovery. You will never see anything but a kind smile and resolute persona ready to correct your condition and aid in your recovery. She definitely enjoys helping people, has 1 dog and loves movies. She loves flowers too.Read moreRead lessEducation:
Affiliations and Certifications:
- LMT: Licensed Massage Therapist
Services Provided:
- Massage Therapy
- Muscle Release Techniques
- Neuromuscular Re-education
- AlejandraBilling AgentPhone: 915-850-0900
Alejandra works in accounts & billing. She is the radar of the bunch. Nothing appears to escape her mind. Highly intelligent and appears not to need a computer for recall of facts. She provides information retrieval for patients and clinical staff. She has been at Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic for three years and ready for any task at hand. She performs interoffice communications with attorneys and medical director of ancillary offices. She loves her family and places know how to prioritize well.Read moreRead less
- Mike ContrerasPersonal TrainerPhone: 915-203-8122
Big Mike was born and raised in El Paso and is an excellent personal trainer and CrossFit coach. Mike works hand in hand with each patient's clinical care plan in order to achieve optimal outcomes. A trusted clinical representative of the PUSHasRx System along with his advance protocols. Mike not only trains the injured and recovering. Mike is a sincere human that has great talent of brining out the best in every individual he works with. He will never admit it, but we will share with you a secret. He with his God given talents trains the greatest athletes and champions in El Paso. Many champions in our community know of his commitment. As a youth, he also played football (wide receiver), basketball, and track at Bel Air High School. Educated in Clinical Human Kinesiology at UTEP and loves playing football and basketball with his little nephews in his free time. Mike has three sisters and one brother, most of which live nearby in El Paso. When he's not watching the Cowboys or Spurs play, he's usually lifting, sleeping or watching movies. We are blessed to have this soul on our team.Read moreRead less
- Alexander Isaiah JimenezCollegiate Athletic Consultant & NCAA Wrestling ChampionPhone: 915-820-9443
Alexander Isaiah Jimenez leads the power and agility education programs for the high school athletes. While still studying for his medical degree he provides physical performance testing in order to collaborate with clinicians. He is gifted in creating physical performance programs no matter what the clinical presentation is. As national fitness champion and collegiate wrestler, he too understands what performing at high levels entails. He too has had to recover from debilitating injuries only to return better then before an win national titles. He understand how the recovery process is different for clients, patients and extreme athletes. We are blessed to have his counsel.Read moreRead lessEducation:
Services Provided:
- Bio-Medical Science (Pre-Medical) - Matriculated
- Strength Coach
- Agility Coach
- Mentor
- Ethan PadillaPersonal Trainer & Strength CoachPhone: 915-203-8122
Ethan was born and raised in El Paso and is one of our most outgoing and friendly coaches. Ethan earned his nickname "rampage Ethan" from his years at El Dorado High School, where he played inside linebacker. He has placed twice in the Strongman Competition and also recently competed in the Desert Games with his fellow PUSH Athletes as a team and placed 4th overall! Ethan is currently pursuing his Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology at UTEP. His focus on clients is obvious to all. Ethan is able to manage very large groups of individuals like no other. His awareness of the dangers while exercising is his greatest concern. When he's not coaching or studying for class, he likes to spend time with his family (who are here in El Paso) or with his weimaraner puppy. Fun fact: Ethan loves any food with sprinkles (especially donuts with sprinkles) and is a diehard Seattle Seahawks fan.Read moreRead less
- AndresRecovery & Nutrition
Andres has been at PUSHasRx for two years. He brought his company Recovery and became the official juicer. Andy will fix you right up. Andres, will make sure that your nutritional recovery programs fits within your standards. Also, there is great care in making sure the nutritional requirement are clinically met. Patients and high performance athletes depend on high performance nutritions. Upon your completion of the physical medicine portion of therapy you will be offered specialized organic recovery drinks and supplementation to help aid in your recovery. You will be confident that from your pushing to recovery, you will be taken care of.Read moreRead less
- Iylene AvalosPUSHasRx TrainerPhone: 915-203-8122
ylene has been working with us for over 4 years. In her spare time she enjoys working out and running. She has 2 dogs and loves movies. Iylene is extremely aware of body mechanics and mindfully watches rehabilitation movements. She is always standing ready to assist and respond to client needs. Her commanding voice is always clear to all, no matter what floor you are on. Iylene is always ready and willing to answer any question you may have regarding fitness and recovery.Read moreRead less
- Rick CanoPersonal Trainier Level VPhone: 915-203-8122
Most early-rising PUSHasRx members know Rick well as a fantastic coach who focuses strongly on form and will always make you laugh. He was born and raised in El Paso and loves to train his athletes and coach CrossFit. Rick is a very diligent, kind and considerate trainer. He is always mindful of client techniques and aware of client goals. When he's not coaching, Rick loves to work on cars, especially his '69 Chevelle (his next car will hopefully be a '69 Charger). He not only became a certified Automotive Mechanic at 17, but while working on his certification at EPCC, he won 1st place in a bench competition when he was 16 (approx. 56 reps at 155#). His favorite movements are clean & jerks and snatches. He loves oreos (eats them every night), loves watching the CrossFit games, and loves his three bulldogs. He spent one year full-time personal training before he started coaching CrossFit two years ago. He is CrossFit Level 1 Certified and hopes to get his Level 2 Certification soon. Rick has competed in several competitions, including WOD for Toys in 2014, where his team placed 1st.Read moreRead lessEducation:
Affiliations and Certifications:
- Physical Fitness Trainer
- Crossfit Lever I,II,III
- Astrid OrnelasBlogger/Research/CuratorPhone: 915-850-0900
Astrid has been at Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic for about three years. Astrid has taken her love for writing to an new level. She is a gifted and talented copywriter able to create amazing storylines. She creates content for patient consumption. She is able to bring words to life in a way that perplexes even the elite authors of the day. She loves nutrition and the healing power of clean eating. A naturalist at heart you will never see her eating processed foods that would be contra to clean living. She enjoys movies and creating storylines for Anime.Read moreRead less
- AdamVideographer & Graphics SpecialistPhone: 915-850-0900
Adam has been at Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic for about a year. He enjoys designing and various forms of art. A story teller by trade he can see things people don't see until his masterpieces are revealed. Adam is a director of many medias using the top graphics, audio and video medias to tell the story of our patient. Modest to the core, you would never know what he is about to create. We are blessed to have his talents telling the world about Chiropractic using any and all medias available.Read moreRead less
- Our Passions
We Welcome You 👊🏻.
Purpose & Passions: I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, functional strength training and complete conditioning. We focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries.
We use Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Balanced Diet Plans, Agility Training programs, Cross-Fit techniques, the PUSH-Rx Rehabilitation System and a highly specialized program for our Veterans.
We've been blessed to use our methods with thousand of El Pasoans over the last 27 years. This has allowed us to improve health and restore true fitness through researched non-surgical methods and wellness programs. These programs are natural and use the body's own ability to achieve goals of improvement, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, surgery, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a life that is fulfilled with more energy, positive attitude, better sleep, less pain, proper body weight and informed on how to maintain this way of life.
As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high performance exercises and advanced agility options. We are very proud to have teamed up with the cities premier therapist and trainers in order to provide high level competitive athletes the option to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facility.
Come learn how to improve your health for yourself and your loved ones.
With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age or disability.
Its all about: LIVING, LOVING & MATTERING! 🍎
God Bless
6440 Gateway East, Suite B
11860 Vista Del Sol, Suite 128
PHONE: 915-850-0900 ✔Read moreRead less


text:
I understand if you don't want to answer my question because I believe I am not saved.
My question is related to the fact that I left the church many years ago believing that I was not saved and was deeply affected by the fact that God chose some people and not others.
Recently I have begun to ponder my future and my belief is that I am going to hell and have no hope of salvation because I do not love God in a way I believe a Christian should love God, and I turned my back on Christianity.
From what I understand, as an unrepentant sinner I cannot call on God to change my heart, for that request comes from a place that is part of my sinful nature and is asking God to change my heart when it is His choice whose heart he changes.
Then there are issues about whether I am able to be brought to repentance having tasted the fruits of the Holy Spirit and denounced Christianity.
I guess I just wanted to talk to someone knowledgeable who understands Christian doctrine better than I do who might be able to give me some hope.
I would much prefer to speak with you about these serious issues, but I will try to deal with some of them in this format.
I remember reading in a little booklet some years ago the little phrase (by one of the Protestant Reformers) that "no one has the right to believe he is not elect." You are very right that, as our church standards say, "By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death" (The Westminster Confession of Faith, III:3). This very sobering doctrine of election and reprobation is clearly taught in the Scriptures, especially in Ephesians 1 and Romans 11. They are true because, even more fundamentally, the true and living God is sovereign over all things. "He does according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'What have you done?'" (Daniel 4:35)
But your question has to do with whether you can be saved from your sin, given this doctrine of election. The answer is that we are not to live out of what we think God has decreed, but, rather, out of what God has told us to do. "The secret things of the Lord" (e.g., those who are elect and those who are not), "belong to the Lord, but the things that are revealed", i.e., in Holy Scripture, "belong to us and to our children forever" that we might do what God has commanded us to do (see Deuteronomy 29:29).
In the same way that, with respect to your body, you live out of your responsibility to eat, drink, sleep, and act wisely—full well knowing that the Lord has ordained the "days fashioned for us" (Psalm 139:16); so, with respect to your soul, you must live out of your responsibility to repent of your sins, believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and seek to follow Him fully. The apostle Paul did not say that God now commands "the elect" to repent, but God commands "all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30). That command includes you!
I praise the Lord that you have begun to, as you put it, "ponder (your) future." You (and all people) must live or die forever. It is by the mercy of God that you have lived to do this pondering, and it is the mercy of God that you are pondering! That, alone, should encourage you that you are not abandoned by the Lord. And the fact that you are convicted of your sins of not loving God and "turning your back on Christianity" is also encouraging.
The apostle Peter denied the Lord three times, but he was mercifully forgiven and made to be an apostle to the Jews. None of us loves the Lord the way we should. Let us be thankful that "when we confess our sins" (and there is no limiting this to those who think they are elect!), "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9). I continue to be amazed that the Gospel is for sinners! Even the apostle Paul could say toward the end of His life, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am [not was!] chief." (I Tim. 1:15). This is against the backdrop of all that Paul had done to persecute the church of God before he was converted. It's amazing to see what the Lord does in converting sinners just like you and me.
I urge you, by prayer, to cast yourself on the mercy, grace, kindness, and love of Jesus Christ, who is freely offered to you in the Gospel as revealed in the Bible. While He does say, "No one can come to me unless the Father draws him" (John 6:44), He also says "the one who comes to me I will by no means cast out" (John 6:37). If your heart is cold, ask that the Lord give you a warm (and new) heart. King David (who had committed adultery and been responsible for a murder) prayed the same way, "Create in me a clean heart, O God" (Psalm 51:10). Our God does not change! He will do the same for you. Repent of your sins of unbelief and thanklessness toward God. Then read the promises of God in Holy Scripture, and believe them! "No one has the right to believe he is non-elect." Come to Jesus Christ with the two legs of repentance from sin and faith in Christ—and come now!
It is crucial, too, that you be part of a faithful local church. I would be happy to help you with that. I have prayed and will continue to pray for you.
May the Lord graciously work in your heart and draw you to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
"Questions and Answers" is a weekly feature of the OPC website. The answers come from individual ministers in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church expressing their own convictions and do not necessarily represent an "official" position of the Church, especially in areas where the Standards of the Church (the Scriptures and the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms) are silent.
The questions come from individuals like yourself. If you have questions about biblical and theological matters, you are invited to send them by e-mail by using the "Pose a Question" link on the OPC home page or by clicking here.
At least one new question is posted each week, so there should always be something new here for you to read. (For those people who would like to look at previous questions and answers, they will continue to be available as well.)
The purpose of the OPC website's "Questions and Answers" is to respond to biblical and theological questions. Matters of church discipline, disputes, or debates go beyond the scope of our work. We recommend that you present your concerns in these areas to the appropriate judicatory. In most cases this will be to a local pastor, elder, or session. We do not want the website to replace personal involvement in, or commitment to, the local, visible church.
While we will respond to every serious questioner, we are not bound to give a substantive answer to every question, should we deem the question to be beyond the scope of our purpose or our own ability to answer.
You will receive an answer by e-mail. Please be patient as many of our respondents are busy pastors. The response to your question may take up to two (2) weeks. Some of the questions submitted will be chosen to be posted here, along with the corresponding answers.
Note that the "Questions and Answers" posted on the site have been editedall personal references are removed, Scripture references or from some source may be added, and sometimes portions are expandedto make the questions and answers more useful to a larger audience.
|© 2020 The Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Chaplains and Military Personnel


text:
السلام عليكم
- As-Salamu Alaykum
Muslim Parenting
Muslim Boys Names
Muslim Girls Names
Al Muqaddim Name Meaning
Al Muqaddim
The meaning of Al Muqaddim is
The Expediter, The Promoter
Al Muqaddim In Arabic :
Al Muqaddim In Urdu :
Al Muqaddim In Hindi :
Al Muqaddim In Bangla :
Views :
Similar Muslim Names
Al Amin
Al Faiz
Al Rafi
Al Tahir
Al Hasan
Al Burhan
Al Siddiq
Al Abbas
Al Safi
Al Mamoon
Al Tayyib
Muslim Girls Names
Muslim Boys Names
Muslim Girls Names Starting with
Alphabet A
Muslim Boys Names Starting With
Alphabet A
Note :
If you think this name contains an error/not correct with spelling, meaning of the name or Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, Bangla writing please do not hesitate to drop us an email
Read Now
Breastfeeding in islam
Learn Everything About Breastfeeding
Read Now
Tips On Naming Your Muslim Newborn
14 Tips for Naming Newborn Baby
السلام عليكم- As-Salamu Alaykum
Please Be Sure to
Consult an Imam
in your Local Masjid before Finalizing a Name for your Newborn.
JazakAllah Khairan
MuslimNames.info Team :)
Add Your Name For Review, We will verify first.
Share This Page
Join us In
/ MuslimNames.info
19,433 Likes
Muslim Name
Muslim Boys Names
Muslim Girls Names
99 Names of Allah
Female Sahabi Names
Male Sahabi Names
Names of Prophet Mohammad [S]
Prophets of Islam
Muslim Parenting
Naming your Newborn Baby
Breast Feeding In Islam
Aqeeqah For Newborn
Saying Adhan to Muslim Newborn
Shaving head of Muslim Newborn
Muslim new born
Muslim Parenting Tips
My Account
Create Account
Search Muslim Names
Contact Us
About Us
Terms & Conditions
2009 - 2020 -
.info /
Website Designed by


text:
Guduchi Tinospora cordifolia
Guduchi is a herbaceous vine native to tropical areas of India, Burma and Sri Lanka.
The vine roots itself in the ground and reaches up into the canopy, trailing its so-called 'adventitious' roots back down to the ground.
In cross section, the vine looks like a wheel giving it its alternate name 'chakralakshana' or 'sign of the wheel'.
In Sanskrit this innocuous looking dried aerial root is known as the 'nectar of immortality'.


text:
As it was mentioned earlier, 21 year old southpaw Aroldis Chapman left the Cuban national team with the intention to defect (that sounds like Capt. Remius!).
ESPN's Jorge Arengure writes:
Chapman is still considered a fairly raw prospect. … And though his pitches have been clocked at 100 mph, some consider Chapman's secondary pitches to be only average. For that reason, many believe Chapman likely would have to start his professional career in the minors.
However, ESPN's Buster Olney writes that:
To put his talent in perspective: Some evaluators view Chapman as a left-handed Stephen Strasburg. "He's pretty special," said one official. He has a fastball clocked at 101 or 102 MPH, and a plus curveball and plus slider, to use the scouts' vernacular.
If Olney's right, the bidding for Chapman will be off the hook.
UPDATE: Jose's and Alexei's take after the jump
Jose Contreras and[Alexei] Ramirez concurred with scouting reports on 21-year-old Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman,the top Cuban prospect who defected while in The Netherlands during a tournament. "He throws 103 m.p.h.," said Ramirez, who maintains Pedro Lazo is the best pitcher in Cuba.
Here's R.J. Anderson's article on Chapman's WBC appearance.


text:
Finishing a written work task is substantially simpler when the data required is as of now given. That is the place our written work administration can be of help. Our accomplished essayists can create thoughts, lead peer-looked into examining, and build up a draft in the assigned organization expected to finish your task.
Source: Daily HomeWork Help | Do My Homework For Me.


text:
The Penn State Beaver Office of Continuing Education will offer an SAT review course, 9 a.m. to noon from Saturday, April 21 through May 26. The 18-hour program is designed to assist high school students who are preparing to take the SAT exam. The course will familiarize students with test components, questions, problems, and test-taking skills. Content refresher sessions and a simulated exam are provided.
Actual questions from previous SATs will be used for practice. Mathematics and verbal sections will be covered. The course also should enhance students' verbal and mathematics skill levels. Students will use the Official SAT Study Guide: Second Edition with 10 practice tests created by the test maker.
Penn State Beaver mathematics and English faculty will teach the mathematics and verbal sections of the review course. Each instructor is familiar with the exam and the steps necessary to prepare students for successful test-taking. If requested, faculty members will be available outside of the class sessions to discuss questions and provide tips.
To register or obtain more information, visit http://www.beaver.psu.edu/CE/17331.htm, or contact the Office of Continuing Education at firstname.lastname@example.com or 724-773-3700.