Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Muslin - Christian - culture .....You say what????? A bit of me.
This month has been very busy for me as I start a new business, take classes and try to maintain the balance of life that I promote for good reason. It is also an exciting time as I continue to grow.
I taught for two years which had nothing to do with theology or psychology. I shall write about that in my second book. What I did learn is that when you teach something, you really learn a lot yourself because you need to study the subject thoroughly to be able to teach it. I did not always have the answers and would instruct the student asking the question, that I would look into it and than get back to him or her and I did. If any of you are my previous students and are reading my blog, I encourage you to challenge me if I am not correct in my memory.
Recently I have heard from an instructor that the Roman Catholic church has always looked the way it is now or words to that effect. This had actually been told to someone that inquired. The reply was assumed. Actually keeping this simple, early followers would meet in individual homes. As more people congregated, a bigger space was required. This changed how music was heard as well. People used to stand around and not kneel down. This is something we borrowed from the Protestants. This is very vague but what I want to acknowledge is that if one is in a position of any authority than what is said should be accurate. I may eat my words one day and be wrong myself. I hope that when that happens, I will have the grace to return to who ever I provided the wrong information with the correct version. Notice I did not say "if "but "when".
Another thing I heard recently is that women who cover their faces do so because it is in the Qur'an. This is not accurate either. I have had the wonderful experience of being taught by Dr Ovey Mohammed, at Regis College, University of Toronto. Though I did not always think of the experience has wonderful, no one challenged me more. If you want to learn about World Religions, I highly recommend him, but he is no easy ride. You cannot simply regurgitate what you read. You must think. You will be challenged and that is what makes a professor grand. This lovely man, a Jesuit, in his 70's, I now consider a friend. Not all share my enthusiasim, because he challenges priests as well as seminarians. This is thinking outside of the box, or outside our own frame of restricted thought. I have noticed that many who read my blog are from outside my country and therefore I encourage you to buy his book, Muslim-Christian Relations, Past, Present, Future (Eugene Or: 2008) Mohammed, Ovey N. It is an easy read. This man is humble and has been a great promoter of women entering a school, that was once closed to women.
I am aware that people have their own concepts of their respective religions and I have learned to tread carefully. I leaned this when a woman was informing me that she chose to keep her face "naked" which was contrary to her religion. I casually remarked that this was culture and not religion. I will permit you to use your own imagination at what followed. In an academic setting, we explore, challenge and debate. I had become so emersed in academia that I had to relearn to sometimes hold my tongue. Sometimes. Not too long ago a woman told me that it is the Holy Spirits who guides her group (Catholic) and no other education is required. I held my tongue, but was amazed. We need to know our own religion before examining others. What I have learned, is what my elementary substitue teacher taught me when we were having a conversation. I think I was ten. He said that the more he has learned, the more he has realized that he knows so very little. I concur. "I know nothing" I recently blurted out in class. The instructor said she knew what I meant by that. Theology is complex. It is more than what we study. Mohammed acknowledges, "there is no divine scripture in the pure state..... "it is important for Christians to be aware that according to the Christian faith the fullness of revelation is not the written word of the New Testament but the person of Jesus Christ. The New Testament is the human record, the authentic memoir of the self communication of God in Christ. The New Testament itself reports the fullness of revelation through Christ only incompletely (Mohammed, 54).
Last "doors are open - Toronto" I went to visit a beautiful mosque. I attended a lecture, I ate some food and I was given a copy of the Qur'an which I keep respectively in my library. What people need to remember is that Islamic extremist is not what the Muslim Religion is about. I did challenge the speaker who was identified as a professor but teaches in a college with no affiliation to an university. I challenge, question and continue to learn because I am a student of life.
My passion academically is psychology. I love that there are research studies and I personally need statistics for findings. It is not enough for me to hear that this is how you do things. I need to hear that findings have depicted that.................I also give weight to particular qualitative studies. If someone has worked exclusively with alcoholics, drugs, grief etc... for many years than it is natural to see patterns but I think the balance is required. Statistics is required. Research does not prove, it only disproves.
I want to thank you for reading my blogs. I have no intention to write a book in theology or psychology. I cringed when I found my book being sold in the psychology book shelf at one store. I quickly informed the lady working there to please place my books elsewhere. I want to write books only for fun.
Here is where I will write about theology and psychology of what I have learned and am learning. Not everyone can afford books. Education is a fortune and not everyone can afford it. This is the reality of life. What do you think?
I taught for two years which had nothing to do with theology or psychology. I shall write about that in my second book. What I did learn is that when you teach something, you really learn a lot yourself because you need to study the subject thoroughly to be able to teach it. I did not always have the answers and would instruct the student asking the question, that I would look into it and than get back to him or her and I did. If any of you are my previous students and are reading my blog, I encourage you to challenge me if I am not correct in my memory.
Recently I have heard from an instructor that the Roman Catholic church has always looked the way it is now or words to that effect. This had actually been told to someone that inquired. The reply was assumed. Actually keeping this simple, early followers would meet in individual homes. As more people congregated, a bigger space was required. This changed how music was heard as well. People used to stand around and not kneel down. This is something we borrowed from the Protestants. This is very vague but what I want to acknowledge is that if one is in a position of any authority than what is said should be accurate. I may eat my words one day and be wrong myself. I hope that when that happens, I will have the grace to return to who ever I provided the wrong information with the correct version. Notice I did not say "if "but "when".
Another thing I heard recently is that women who cover their faces do so because it is in the Qur'an. This is not accurate either. I have had the wonderful experience of being taught by Dr Ovey Mohammed, at Regis College, University of Toronto. Though I did not always think of the experience has wonderful, no one challenged me more. If you want to learn about World Religions, I highly recommend him, but he is no easy ride. You cannot simply regurgitate what you read. You must think. You will be challenged and that is what makes a professor grand. This lovely man, a Jesuit, in his 70's, I now consider a friend. Not all share my enthusiasim, because he challenges priests as well as seminarians. This is thinking outside of the box, or outside our own frame of restricted thought. I have noticed that many who read my blog are from outside my country and therefore I encourage you to buy his book, Muslim-Christian Relations, Past, Present, Future (Eugene Or: 2008) Mohammed, Ovey N. It is an easy read. This man is humble and has been a great promoter of women entering a school, that was once closed to women.
I am aware that people have their own concepts of their respective religions and I have learned to tread carefully. I leaned this when a woman was informing me that she chose to keep her face "naked" which was contrary to her religion. I casually remarked that this was culture and not religion. I will permit you to use your own imagination at what followed. In an academic setting, we explore, challenge and debate. I had become so emersed in academia that I had to relearn to sometimes hold my tongue. Sometimes. Not too long ago a woman told me that it is the Holy Spirits who guides her group (Catholic) and no other education is required. I held my tongue, but was amazed. We need to know our own religion before examining others. What I have learned, is what my elementary substitue teacher taught me when we were having a conversation. I think I was ten. He said that the more he has learned, the more he has realized that he knows so very little. I concur. "I know nothing" I recently blurted out in class. The instructor said she knew what I meant by that. Theology is complex. It is more than what we study. Mohammed acknowledges, "there is no divine scripture in the pure state..... "it is important for Christians to be aware that according to the Christian faith the fullness of revelation is not the written word of the New Testament but the person of Jesus Christ. The New Testament is the human record, the authentic memoir of the self communication of God in Christ. The New Testament itself reports the fullness of revelation through Christ only incompletely (Mohammed, 54).
Last "doors are open - Toronto" I went to visit a beautiful mosque. I attended a lecture, I ate some food and I was given a copy of the Qur'an which I keep respectively in my library. What people need to remember is that Islamic extremist is not what the Muslim Religion is about. I did challenge the speaker who was identified as a professor but teaches in a college with no affiliation to an university. I challenge, question and continue to learn because I am a student of life.
My passion academically is psychology. I love that there are research studies and I personally need statistics for findings. It is not enough for me to hear that this is how you do things. I need to hear that findings have depicted that.................I also give weight to particular qualitative studies. If someone has worked exclusively with alcoholics, drugs, grief etc... for many years than it is natural to see patterns but I think the balance is required. Statistics is required. Research does not prove, it only disproves.
I want to thank you for reading my blogs. I have no intention to write a book in theology or psychology. I cringed when I found my book being sold in the psychology book shelf at one store. I quickly informed the lady working there to please place my books elsewhere. I want to write books only for fun.
Here is where I will write about theology and psychology of what I have learned and am learning. Not everyone can afford books. Education is a fortune and not everyone can afford it. This is the reality of life. What do you think?
Saturday, 10 March 2012
Types of Measures of Personality (psychology-notes)
Personality Inventory -
a psychometric test composed of questions to which the subject responds.
California personality inventory MMPI -- a clinical measure.
CATTEL 16 factor test.
ESYSENCK personality test.
The tests are standardised and norms are constructed. Any individual may be compared to the norm based on age group as an example.
Q sorts - A person sorts a number of cards in categories. Each card contains a statement or adjective and the person decides to what extent it applies. In therapy, one may be given a Q sort at the start of therapy to gauge the person's real self and ideal self and observe later, after therapy has been undertaken if there is any change in self and to what extent the real and ideal are congrugent.
a psychometric test composed of questions to which the subject responds.
California personality inventory MMPI -- a clinical measure.
CATTEL 16 factor test.
ESYSENCK personality test.
The tests are standardised and norms are constructed. Any individual may be compared to the norm based on age group as an example.
Q sorts - A person sorts a number of cards in categories. Each card contains a statement or adjective and the person decides to what extent it applies. In therapy, one may be given a Q sort at the start of therapy to gauge the person's real self and ideal self and observe later, after therapy has been undertaken if there is any change in self and to what extent the real and ideal are congrugent.
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Eschatology (theology)
One
Eschatological oppositions that date back to the New Testament is a useful way to begin the continual tension of subsequent interpretations of Christian hope (Macquarrie, p 86). Some of the basic tensions in current eschatology is the group that believes that the end has already come (realized eschatology), those that believe that the kingdom is already in process of being realized (inaugurated eschatology) and those that believe that the end still lies ahead (future eschatology) (Macquarrie, p 86). . First we need to know what eschatology is.
The dictionary defines eschatology as any system of doctrines concerning last, or final, matters as death or the afterlife.[1] More specifically eschatology is defined as literally the “study of (or doctrine of) the end of times.” A technical term that is used to describe notions of what will happen at the “end”- either the end of a person’s life or, more commonly, the end of the world.[2]
Rahner indicates that eschatology is the view of the future which man needs for the spiritual decision of his freedom and his faith (p 334). Rahner also reminds us that to extrapolate from the present into the future is eschatology (p 337).
Schwarz reports that forecasting the end of the world was already popular during the time of Jesus. Jesus’ followers were convinced they could predict the beginning of the eschaton and the return of Jesus. Jesus rejected such an idea. He said, “About that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (p. 309).
It is certain from Scripture that God has not revealed to man the day of the end. And if faith and hope are to exist, the future should be essentially concealed (Rahner, p 329). Yet it is not an uncommon belief that the eschaton has already occurred. Macquarrie explains that the individual’s hope for salvation has become the dominant form of religious hope, rather than the social hope, and even more important a cosmic hope of a new heaven and a new earth to correspond with a renewed natural order – the total hope (p 87)
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Measuring Personality - Psychology notes
Longitudinal studies show that there is continuity to personality. High socialisers tend to maintain this orientation over a life time. Impulsive persons as adults were very likely impulsive as children. However, the degree of impulsively diminishes over time. In the case of delay of gratification--a characteristic often associated with maturity--children who could delay an immediate smaller reward for a delayed larger reward--were rated later in adolescence as more verbally fluent, rational, attentive, planners, self reliant and self confident. In contrast, those who could not delay gratification in childhood were described in adolescence as handling stress poorly, having poor self image, difficulties with peer relationships, stubborn, and distrustful (Mischel et al. 1988). Thus, changes in personality traits occur, however, some personality characteristics remain fairly stable and correlate with a number of other traits later in life.
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
The foot Biology Tid-bit
THE FOOT
Foot – 28 bones – including two tiny sesamoids (shaped like a sesame seed)
- The bones form four arches held together by 112 ligaments and are activated by 20 muscles. Networks of blood vessels and nerves serve both the skeletal and the muscular structures of the foot. Sesamoid bones float in the tendon of a small foot muscle and act to protect the tendon as it moves back and forth.
- The 28 bones in each foot divide into 3 groups. At the front of the foot are the 14 Phalanges that constitute the toes.
- In the middle of the foot are the 5 metatarsal and 2 sesamoid bones that together make up the instep (metatarsal and 2 sesamoid bones that together make up the instep (metatarsus).
- At the back of the foot are 7 bones that form the heel and ankle (Tarsus).
- The main bone of the foot is the heel bone (Calcaneus). The ankle bone (Talus) rests directly upon it.
- The weight of the body is transmitted through the anklebone downward to the other bones of the foot. Part of the weight is distributed downward and forward.
- The toe bones except for those of the big toe, bear almost no weight when you walk. Their principal function is to give spring to the step.
- When the body is erect, its weight is transmitted through the anklebone to the other bones of the foot and is shared with them. The 28 bones in the foot are so placed that they catch and bear the entire weight of the body on 4 arches.
- The ankle and toe joints are hinges that allow the ankle and toes to flex and bend up and down and to move forward and backward.
- The other joints of the foot those between the tarsal and metarsal bones can move only slightly. They are of a gliding nature, one against another (excluding the ankle).
- Your foot cannot function without its 20 muscles and the muscles of the lower leg. It makes possible the movement of the foot (eg raising foot to tip toe position, rotate the foot; flex the ankle.
- Muscles end in tendons that (fibrous cords of connective tissue that attach muscle to bone.
- The foot’s blood vessels form as extremely fine network of arteries, veins and capillaries to provide the lowest extremity with a rich supply of blood, which carries nutrients to the cells.
- There are nerves that serve the bottom of the foot and nerves that stimulate, the top.
- The skin of the foot is of two types thick and thin. The sole of the foot is composed entirely of thickened skin up to 5 layers deep.
- Thick skin has no hair follicles or oil glands. When prolonged pressure or friction is applied to thick skin, the outermost layer grows into a leathery, horny mass that we call a callus. Thick skin on foot forms a mat tough enough to protect the many structures inside the foot against abrasion, lacerations, and perforations by sharp objects. The ridges and whorls on the foots’ thick skin, (very much like those of fingerprints) give rise to friction and thus supply a grasping surface for the bare foot. Thin skin is the normal epidermis covering the whole foot except for the sole and toenails. It consists of only one layer containing oil glands and follicles.
TOENAILS – which are protective plates.
- The part of the nail that is out of sight between the body and the root is known as the matrix. Injury to the matrix or root interrupts the nail’s natural protective growth pattern; the toenail would then grow either abnormally thick or o one side.
Saturday, 3 March 2012
It's the weekend, once again
What are your plans this weekend? Do you have any? Is your life spontaneous? Do you plan everything? Do you have nothing to do? Are you bombarded with so much, you do not know if you are coming or going? Slow down; stop. Maybe it is time to start your journal, if you have not done so already. Are you happy with your life right now? Do you feel there is something missing? Are you being abused? Remember that abusers blame you and not themselves. Each and everyone of us is worthy of love. What can you do do to change what you do not like, that is happening in your life? Are you an abuser? Do you know why you are? Have you lost control of your life? Are you hurting those you love? Do you find yourself wanting things, you know is wrong? Perhaps it is time to reach out for help? Do you have a drinking or drug problem? Are you in denial? What are you going to do about it?
Why not go out today and just relax and refocus. What does a day for yourself sound like? What is it that you would really like to do if you can have a day, to do exactly what you would like to do? This will tell you about yourself. Now ask yourself why you are not doing it?
What do you believe in? Why? What are your choices? Have a nice weekend, if you can. What do you think?
Why not go out today and just relax and refocus. What does a day for yourself sound like? What is it that you would really like to do if you can have a day, to do exactly what you would like to do? This will tell you about yourself. Now ask yourself why you are not doing it?
What do you believe in? Why? What are your choices? Have a nice weekend, if you can. What do you think?
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