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Showing posts from July, 2024

Understanding Firearms and Their Impacts

Firearms have been a subject of intense debate and discussion in our society for decades. This series aims to provide a comprehensive, fact-based examination of various types of firearms and ammunition, focusing on their physical effects and broader societal impacts. My goal is to foster a more informed dialogue on this complex topic. Since I know nothing about firearms, I am going to break this down to understand and while I'm learning, I hope to offer something new to veteran gun enthusiasts. Why This Matters - Gun violence remains a significant public health issue in many countries - Firearm terminology and capabilities are often misunderstood in public discourse - Understanding the real-world effects of different weapons can inform policy discussion What I'll Cover - Different categories of firearms (handguns, shotguns, rifles, etc.) - Common ammunition types and their ballistic properties - Physical trauma caused by various firearms - Statistical data on gun usage in diff

When The Stones Cry Out

by Adena M’lynn Harmon July 24, 2024 In a quiet corner of her home, a woman kept three special rocks. Each day, she would sit with these stones, speaking to them as if to old friends. She poured out her heart, sharing memories from her earliest days to her most recent experiences, like a movie reel of fragmented clips strung together.   The woman treated these rocks as silent confidants, entrusting them with the story of her life. She believed they absorbed her words, her emotions, and her very essence. To her, these stones were more than mere objects - they were keepers of her personal history.   When the time came, she sent these rocks away to be safeguarded. She hoped that one day, that special someone would hold these stones and pray with them, unknowingly connecting with her story and energy back into the universe and rise in praise.   However, a clear jolt of my heart, a memory - the image of her palm. This symbol held special significance for her, representing a healer she trust

Sinking

The mind is a storm-tossed sea, waves of memory crashing against the shores of consciousness. I am a sailor, desperate to outrun the tempest. I unfurl the sails of distraction - a radio's melody billowing in the wind, a television's glow like a false lighthouse on the horizon. But the storm follows, relentless. In my hands, I clutch a compass - a photograph, its face weathered by the salt of tears and time. It points always to you, true north in this chaotic voyage. As my ship takes on water, listing dangerously in the swells of emotion, I cling to this last piece of navigation. The sky darkens, the stars of hope winking out one by one. My vessel creaks and groans, timber splintering under the assault of regret and longing. As I sink beneath the waves, I hold the compass to my chest, its needle spinning wildly now. In the depths, where light cannot reach, where sound is muffled to a distant roar, I feel the last bubbles of breath escape my lips. They rise like unspoken words, l

The Soul - Christianity

In Christian teachings, the soul is a central part of who we are as human beings. It's seen as the spiritual or immaterial part of a person, given to us by God at the moment of our creation. Christians believe that each soul is unique and precious to God. In the Bible, we read that God "formed the inward parts" and "knitted me together in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13). This shows how personally involved God is in creating each soul. Unlike our physical bodies, which are temporary, Christians believe the soul is eternal. Jesus taught about this, saying, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul" (Matthew 10:28). This means that even after our bodies die, our souls continue to exist. In Christian thought, the soul doesn't have a gender. It's the essence of who we are beyond our physical characteristics. This connects to the idea that in Christ, "there is neither male nor female" (Galatians 3:28) - our souls ar

The Soul

The concept of reincarnation in Jewish thought: The idea of reincarnation in Judaism, known as "gilgul neshamot" (literally, "the cycling of souls"), is primarily found in Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism. While it's not a universally accepted belief in all Jewish traditions, it has been an important concept in Kabbalistic thought since medieval times.   A key source for this concept is the Zohar, the foundational work of Kabbalah. The Zohar was written in the 13th century and is attributed to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, though many scholars believe it was actually composed by Moses de León.   Another important source is the 16th-century mystic Rabbi Isaac Luria, also known as the Ari. He expanded on the concept of gilgul in his teachings, which were later compiled by his students.   "The Jewish Book of Reincarnation" by DovBer Pinson . This book provides an overview of reincarnation in Jewish thought, drawing from both ancient and modern sources.   While rein

A Precious Right We Must Protect and Share

Freedom is one of the most important values in our society. But what does freedom really mean? At its core, freedom is about having the ability to make our own choices and live our lives the way we want, without unfair restrictions. It means being able to speak our minds, practice our beliefs, and pursue our dreams.   In many countries, freedom is protected by laws and constitutions. The United States, for example, has the Bill of Rights that guarantees freedoms like speech, religion, and the press. But laws alone aren't enough – we all play a role in protecting freedom.   How can we safeguard our freedoms? 1. Stay informed about our rights and liberties 2. Speak up when we see freedoms being threatened 3. Vote and participate in democracy 4. Support a free press that can report the truth 5. Stand up for the rights of all people, not just ourselves While freedom is amazing, it comes with responsibilities. We need to listen to others, even if we disagree. Making snap judgments about