Wednesday, July 31

New Antidepressant for Depression


On July 26, 2013 the FDA announced its approval of a new antidepressant medication called Fetzima (levomilnacipran extended-release capsules) for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults.

Fetzima is a once-daily medication which can taken with out without food. It is administered in dosages ranging from 40 mg to 120 mg.

While scientists are not sure exactly how it works, it is believed that it inhibits the reuptake of two neurotransmitters called serontonin and norepinephrine, causing more of these important mood-regulating chemicals to be available in the brain.

Sunday, July 28

Gods in the Bible


Adrammelech II Kings 17:31 Sepharvite God.
Anammelech II Kings 17:31 Sepharvite God.
Ashima II Kings 17:30 Samaritan Moon Goddess.
Ashtoreth I Kings 11:05 Canaanite Goddess.
Baal I Kings 18:19 Canaanite God ("Lord") of
fertility, vegitation, and storms.
Baal-berith Judges 8:33 A regional variation/aspect of Baal.
Baal-peor Numbers 25:03 Moabite regional variation/aspect of
Baal.
Baal-zebub Luke 11:19 Philistine/Ekronian regional
variation/aspect of Baal.
Baalim I Kings 18:18 Canaanite Gods ("Lords"), a
collective of the different
aspects of Baa.
Bel Isiah 46:01 Assyrian/Babylonian/Sumerian God
("Lord").
Chemosh I Kings 11:07 Moabite war God.
Dagon I Samuel 05:02 Philistine/Ekronian/Babylonian God
of agriculture.
Diana of the
Ephesians Acts 19:35 Ephesian moon and nature Goddess,
("Divine/Brilliant").
Jehovah Exodus 6:03 Hebrew God
Jupiter Acts 14:12 Roman God (possibly derived from
'Zeus-pater', Father Zeus).
Lucifer Isiah 14:12 ("Light-Bearer")
Mercurius Acts 14:12 Otherwise known as the Roman God
Mercury, God of communication and
travel, and messenger of the
Gods...which is probably why Paul
was called this at Lystra.
Milcom I Kings 11:05 Ammonite God
Molech I Kings 11:07 Ammonite God, also called Moloch,
most probably Baal-Hammon of
Carthage.
Nebo Isiah 46:01 Assyrian/Babylonian/Chaldean God of
wisdom and writing, also called
Nabu.
Nergal II Kings 17:30 Cuth/Assyrian/Babylonian war and
underworld God, also called
Meshlamthea.
Nibhaz II Kings 17:31 Avites God
Nisroch II Kings 19:37 Assyrian God
Rimmon II Kings 05:18 Babylonian/Syrian storm God
involved (as Ramman) with the
Deluge, according to Hebrew texts;
also known as Ramman/Rammon.
Succoth-benoth II Kings 17:30 Babylonian fertility Goddess ("She
Who Produces Seed"), also known as
Zarpanitu/Zerpanitum.
Tammuz Ezekial 8:14 Assyrian/Babylonian God
Tartak II Kings 17:31 Avites God

Selah


“Some think that this word is quite superfluous in the psalms. Its real meaning is still obscure. I believe that this word is a punctuation mark of the Holy Spirit. Wherever we find it in the Psalter, the Holy Spirit wants us to pause and ponder; there He wants to touch and enkindle our heart for particularly deep meditation. But this I am willing to leave to everyone’s own judgment and opinion. “ - Martin Luther, commentary on select Psalms.

Thursday, July 25

Importance of Miracles in the Canonization Process of the Catholic Church


If a person is martyred for the faith, miracles are irrelevant and not necessary to be declared a saint. As mentioned above, the purpose of canonization is to verify that the person lived an extraordinary life through the events and circumstances of his/her life and that he/she is now in heaven, and all those who die as martyrs are believed to go straight to heaven.

For those who died naturally, however, at least one miracle is necessary to be declared Blessed (beatified) and at least two miracles are necessary to be declared a saint (canonized). These miracles must have occurred after the person’s death (to demonstrate that the person is in heaven and able to assist the living), but miracles during his or her lifetime are also taken into account as evidence of God’s favor.

When considering a reported miracle, the Church often consults with medical, scientific and theological experts to see if there might be alternative explanations. If the experts can find no explanation, they report that to the Church (they do not declare the event to be a miracle, just that they could find no natural explanation).

Other phenomena may be investigated as miracles after a would-be saint’s death include the following:

• Healings attributed to intercession of the saint or contact with relics.

• Incorruptibility – The saint’s body does not decay after a long period in the grave. Example: St. Catherine of Siena (d. 1380) still has not decayed.

• Liquefaction – The dried blood of the saint liquefies every year on the day of his or her death. Example: St. Januarius (c.275-305), patron saint of Naples, Sept. 19.

• Odor of sanctity – Body exudes a sweet aroma instead of the normal stench of decay. Example: St. Teresa of Avila (1515-82) – sweet odor from her grave for nine months after her death.

Other extraordinary events during the life of the saint are also reported and investigated:

• Levitation – The saint floats in the air. St. Joseph of Cupertino (1603-63) often levitated during prayer.

• Stigmata – The saint’s body exhibits five wounds of Christ, which usually bleed during Mass. St. Francis of Assisi and Padre Pio are examples.

• Bilocation – The saint reportedly appeared in two places at once. Padre Pio (1887-1968) is an example.

Friday, July 19

Albert Einstein Quote


“Any fool can know. The point is to understand.”

Wednesday, July 17

What Time Does the Pope Get up?


"Francis’ alarm clock goes off at 4:45 every morning in room 201 in St. Martha’s House, when everything is still pitch black. Such an early start to the day means Francis has to have a siesta after lunch. Juan PerĂ³n called this time of rest an “almost liturgical must” which made it possible for him to fit “two mornings” into his day.

The first few hours of Francis’ day are dedicated to prayer and meditation on the Readings which the Pope comments on, in the brief homilies he gives in his morning masses in the chapel of the place he likes to call the “boarding school”, commonly known as St. Martha’s House: a simple and modern building decorated with light-coloured marble and stained glass. The Bishop of Rome sits in the pews at the back of the chapel to pray."

Vatican Insider

Tuesday, July 16

Michelle Obama's Staff

1.$172,2000 - Sher, Susan (Chief Of Staff)
2.$140,000 - Frye, Jocelyn C. (Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of Policy And Projects For The First Lady)
3.$113,000 - Rogers, Desiree G. (Special Assistant to the President and White House Social Secretary)
4.$102,000 - Johnston, Camille Y. (Special Assistant to the President and Director of Communications for the First Lady)
5.$102,000 - Winter, Melissa E. (Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief Of Staff to the First Lady)
6.$90,000 - Medina, David S. (Deputy Chief Of Staff to the First Lady)
7.$84,000 - Lelyveld, Catherine M. (Director and Press Secretary to the First Lady)
8.$75,000 - Starkey, Frances M. (Director of Scheduling and Advance for the First Lady)
9.$70,000 - Sanders, Trooper (Deputy Director of Policy and Projects for the First Lady)
10.$65,000 - Burnough, Erinn J. (Deputy Director and Deputy Social Secretary)
11.$65,000 - Reinstein, Joseph B. (Deputy Director and Deputy Social Secretary)
12.$62,000 - Goodman, Jennifer R. (Deputy Director of Scheduling and Events Coordinator For The First Lady)
13.$60,000 - Fitts, Alan O. (Deputy Director of Advance and Trip Director for the First Lady)
14.$60,000 - Lewis, Dana M. (Special Assistant and Personal Aide to the First Lady)
15.$52,500 - Mustaphi, Semonti M. (Associate Director and Deputy Press Secretary To The First Lady)
16.$50,000 - Jarvis, Kristen E. (Special Assistant for Scheduling and Traveling Aide To The First Lady)
17.$45,000 - Lechtenberg, Tyler A. (Associate Director of Correspondence For The First Lady)
18.$45,000 - Tubman, Samantha (Deputy Associate Director, Social Office)
19.$40,000 - Boswell, Joseph J. (Executive Assistant to the Chief Of Staff to the First Lady)
20.$36,000 - Armbruster, Sally M. (Staff Assistant to the Social Secretary)
21.$36,000 - Bookey, Natalie (Staff Assistant)
22.$36,000 - Jackson, Deilia A. (Deputy Associate Director of Correspondence for the First Lady)

Saturday, July 13

Comic Book Mania


If you're in greater Illinois, come on out to the Comic Book Mania convention. Famous illustrator Dave Dornan will be signing autographs at the Gail Borden Library today 10am - 5 pm in the Meadows Community Room. The library is located at 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin, Illinois.

Friday, July 5

My Favorite Politicians


House of Representatives

Dist.3: Justin Amash (Michigan)
Dist.4: Thomas Massie (Kentucky)
Dist.10: Paul Broun (Georgia)
Dist.1: Jim Bridenstine (Oklahoma)
Dist.3: Ted Yoho (Florida)
Dist.6: Ron DeSantis (Florida)
Dist.4: Tom McClintock (California)

Senate

Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas)
Sen. Mike Lee (Utah)
Sen. Rand Paul (Kentucky)