Conflicted? Journaling my thoughts

Lately I have been praying about vaccination. I have been posting about it, trying to remain neutral but of the mind too that there is some use for them. Really I do not want forced vaccinations, ever, for any reason, no matter how many people are dying. There is something very unsettling to me about forcing medical procedures on anyone. Maybe its just me, but that is the stuff of nightmares.

I can understand compelling others to NOT HAVE a medical procedure more than I can understand forcing people TO HAVE them.

The problem is, I think people will get to the point that they will desire vaccine so much that they will do anything for it. That is even a scarier prospect to me for two reasons. One, I cannot fathom the impact of an illness so devastating that people would be clamoring for vaccine. Something like people back before MMR, DTP, and Polio vaccines, and antibiotics too felt about these new advances. Perhaps some of them thought that these drugs were scary. So maybe I am just too old fashioned after all.

When does our every day behavior cross over a line into idol worship?

For me, I found that line when a procedure would be so desired that in order to avoid death, disfigurement, or discomfort I would swear allegiance to anything other than my God. I never have come even a bit close to that.

And this is why I write now. I don’t want to ever even step in the direction of that line.

Many of our advances in the world of science and medicine have been intended for the good of humanity, to end suffering, to cure illness, etc. This still may be the intention of most scientists and researchers today.

But that are some really unscrupulous folks out there who will do and say anything to make a buck.

There was not so much greed back in the day. Something has changed.

Maybe I need a retreat or something but the advances being made today are coming more and more at the expense of the safety of the consumer. And then when it turns out that some of these things just are not all that good for us, we are already hooked on them. The jury is still out on cell phones.

What are we embracing? And why?

Now there are all these advances in vaccine technology which are not tried and true. We have reason to be concerned about adjuvants, it is not unreasonable to know all that we can about what we are having injected into our bodies and the bodies of our children, born and unborn.

I had a flu shot this year. I was not compelled into it and I didn’t have to jump through hoops

…..or bow down to a foreign god or anything.

Could that conceivably happen? I should write science fiction.

Then I don’t want to say anything because what if I think it’s one thing and it’s another thing altogether. So I wait for God to reveal all. But certainly a pandemic will be a time when there will be tremendous pressure on us all.

All in all, it is ethical and moral to not spread disease if we can stop it and getting the flu can be deadly.

Having gotten a flu shot this year, then getting the flu, this may be an indication that we are dealing with a flu that is not covered under the vaccine. This year was a really good match.

Getting the flu after having been vaccinated may be an early indicator of a pandemic strain.

 

So I leave all my thoughts on this out there flapping in the breeze.

Technorati Tags: Third Generation Vaccines,forced medical procedures

Volunteering for the Medical Reserve Corps

FWIW, these were my personal thoughts before volunteering…

For me it took a lot of prayerful deliberation. I really sought God’s will for my life. Everything always comes down to what you believe to be true.

I know it is right to be in the world not of the world.

I know it is right to stand up for the common good, for decency, for truth, right, and for the rights of the innocent.

I know that it is right to love others as though they are your own. “Do unto others…”

I know who my God is.

I have made a study of what is the right way to face the trouble ahead.

What did Jesus do? 

He healed the lepers. He healed the lame. He gave sight to the blind….and so much more.

Well, then the dilemma became — even during a pandemic?

The answer to that came back — yes, even and especially then.

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“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with

him, and he with Me.” ~Revelation 3:20

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No where in the Bible are we ever guaranteed a smooth ride in life. There is a blessed hope and He is who I cling to. Pray about all that you do and what it is that motivates your heart. Whose will are you seeking? Your own or God’s.

After years of praying about this I arrived at the preparedness message.

The best way to survive this, in my very humble opinion, is to ensure that each town resident is prepared to weather the “storm” ahead for several months (as many as possible) while remaining in their home as much as they can. Only going out when absolutely necessary – for work, school,or necessities will be important.

Some folks will need help in order to achieve this goal. Getting to the store, even just hearing the word to prepare is tough to get through, making lists, shopping, many things may need to be done.

Those who can, do.

Who else will?

For me, I don’t want to leave this task to others. I must not be the burden I will be if I am not prepared.

So I am working on it again.

Check on your neighbors, ask them if they are ready.

Then set up lines of communication apart from cell phones and land lines. Mike Coston had a good suggestion here and here.

Pray about joining the Monson Medical Reserve Corps

Its our town, helping our town!

 

Technorati Tags: Monson MA,Monson Medical Reserve Corps,Pandemic Preparedness

 

- Acts 17:11-

The United States Christian Commission

The United States Christian Commission was founded during the U. S. Civil War.

My husband and I are Civil War aficionados. Me admittedly reluctantly. I long for the day that we will study war no more.

Mostly I support my husband in his combined hobby of woodworking and researching the war. We have a home based business that supports the hobby (almost).

It is just something that we have been able to build and share together. I do the web work, the graphic design and such, and he does the building.

Doing research I discovered the Christian Commission. It seemed to just fit perfectly with all else that I do, pandemic preparedness.

Heroes of Faith during the Civil War

From Wikipedia:

The United States Christian Commission was an important agency of the Union during the American Civil War. It was religious in nature but provided as well numerous social services and recreation to the soldiers of the U.S. Army. It provided Protestant chaplains, and social workers, and collaborated with the Sanitary Commission in providing medical services.

The Christian Commission was created in response to the disastrous First Battle of Bull Run. On November 14, 1861, the National Committee of the Young Men’s Christian Association called a convention which met in New York City. The work of the United States Christian Commission was outlined and the organization completed next day. Two of the founding members were Vincent Colyer, who was inspired to start the organization after seeing the aftermath of the battle, and George Stuart, a well-to-do business man.

The YMCA and the protestant ministers formed the USCC. The civilians on the battlefield did not have weapons but just their care & love for the Christ. The original plan of the USCC was to help the priests of the armed services in their daily work, as the chaplancy program was in its infancy, with only some thirty members.

One famous U.S.C.C. delegate was John Chamberlain, who served on Little Round Top along with his brothers, Tom and Joshua Chamberlain. Louisa May Alcott also worked with the Commission, as did Georgia McClellan, the sister of Jenny Wade.

 

I have participated in a few living history events. And a couple of reenactments. I do have an appreciation for the hobby and a deeper appreciation for remembering lessons learned from history.

Campus Crusades for Christ has a Military Ministry. During a pandemic a civilian social service ministry would be a real blessing to many.

So I am praying mightily about this. I have been for quite some time now.

Technorati Tags: US Christian Commission,Christian Commission 2008,Pandemic Preparedness