Google Could Soon Help You See the World Like Iron Man

Iron Man's HUD display is one of the cooler effects in sci-fi movies, and Google X is apparently pretty darn close to cramming similar tech in a pair of glasses you can buy in the real world.

A 9to5google tipster got to see a prototype pair, and says that they look similar to Oakley Thumps glasses that have a front-facing camera, voice recognition, and navigation/input handled by tilting your head. The guts apparently resemble last generation's Android phones, while HUD itself is only in one eye (and off to the side) because it's not transparent like Tony Stark's tech. It had been previously reported that the device is not simply an "Android peripheral."

The glasses are still a long way from completion, but Google is reportedly looking into a pilot program like it did with Chromebooks. Anything that gets these things on my face faster is all right with me.

Woman Gets Jawbone Made by 3D Printer

Need a new jawbone? Now you can print one.

An 83-year-old British woman recently underwent the first-ever custom transplant of a lower jaw made by a 3D printer.

According to 3Ders.org, the Biomedical Research Institute at Hasselt University in Belgium announced last week that it implanted a printed jawbone in June, which was created by metal part maker LayerWise.

The patient — who can now chew and speak with ease — suffered from a chronic bone infection. Doctors were worried that at her age, reconstructive surgery could have caused complications.

The 3D-printed jawbone, which is made of titanium powder, was heated and infused together in layers. Once the design was created, it took only a few hours to print. The new jaw weighs slightly more than the previous one.

The woman is currently gearing up to receive a set of dentures that will be attached to the implant in a follow-up procedure.

Doctors involved with the surgery believe that more 3D parts can be created specifically for patients in the near future.

“Computer technology is causing a revolution in the medical industry,” professor Jules Poukens of the University of Hasselt said in a statement. “A traditional surgery takes up to 20 hours, and the patient should definitely stay two to four weeks in the hospital. But this operation lasted four hours and the woman could go home after four days.”

3D printing is becoming more popular thanks to new research and companies dedicating effort to the movement. In fact, a company called Made in Space is working to help astronauts print out parts such as wrenches and nails for spacecraft and space stations while in orbit.

In addition, file-sharing company The Pirate Bay last week introduced a new content category called “Physibles,” which is designed to allow people to pass physical objects to one another via the Internet. The term refers to data files that are actually able to become physical objects via 3D printing technology.

Top Teeth-Staining Foods

It is generally said that food or beverage that stains your tablecloth is likely to stain your teeth also. Chromogens, which are the pigmented molecules that impart color to foods and beverages, are the agents which are potential teeth stainers. But other than chromogens, there is another thing which contributes to the teeth-staining potential of food. It is acidity. Acidic foods tend to erode tooth enamel making teeth more susceptible to staining by chromogens. Tannins, another class of food compounds, also contribute to the teeth staining. Following are the top teeth-staining foods.

Tea

Tannins in tea are known to kill bacteria in the mouth but they also promote teeth staining. Black tea especially causes teeth stains. Go for green tea instead or add milk to your tea to lessen the teeth staining effect.

Black coffee

Coffee is another culprit for staining those pearls and black coffee is the most notorious. Also the temperature of the coffee is important since very hot coffee tends to open up the pores of the dental enamel making it more susceptible to erosion.

Colas and Sodas

Colas can not only cause teeth discoloration due to the coloring agents in them but the phosphoric and citric acids in them cause erosion of the enamel and the sugar content causes tooth decay. Sodas are also acidic and make teeth more susceptible to staining.

Sauces

Sauces are usually dark colored and contain strong teeth staining elements. These include deep colored sauces like tomato sauce, soy sauce and curry sauce. Drink plenty of water and brush your teeth after having these sauces.

Blueberry

Blueberries are rich with antioxidants and are included in nature’s superfoods. But these are very likely to stain your teeth. What you can do is to immediately swish your mouth with water after eating blueberries and other berries also.

Beet

Beets have a strong teeth-staining power. Rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth after consuming beets.

Candy and Popsicles

Candies, sweets and popsicles which color your lips and tongue can also stain teeth. But you do not need to worry if you eat these once in a while and not too often. Just drink some water after you have them.

Green Tea Could Help Functioning In Old Age: Study

Green tea has long been eyed for possible health benefits, including its potential to decrease the risk of certain cancers, its antioxidant properties and its blood-pressure lowering effects. A new study suggests it could also help with the aging process, too.
Researchers from the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine looked at the green tea-drinking habits of 14,000 older adults, ages 65 and older, for a three-year period, Reuters reported.
The researchers found that the ones who drank the most green tea over these tidy period were also the ones who functioned best in old age -- meaning they didn't have trouble with basic activities like bathing or dressing, according to Reuters. Seven percent of people who drank at least five cups of green tea a day had basic functioning problems, compared with 13 percent of people who drank a cup or less of green tea a day.
"Green tea consumption is significantly associated with a lower risk of incident functional disability, even after adjustment for possible confounding factors," researchers concluded in the study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
However, people who drank the most green tea in the study also had the healthier lifestyles, with diets full of vegetables and fish, low smoking rates and completion of higher education. They also had better social support systems, with more friends and family to lean on than people who drank the least green tea.
Researchers said the green tea effect still held true even after taking these things into account, though,.

Top 10 Age-Defying Foods

While there’s no magic food to melt the years away, a poor diet can take its toll on your body. Protect yourself inside and out with antioxidants, fiber and other health-protecting goodies found in these ten foods.

1. Fish Rich in Omega-3
Your skin, eyes, brain and heart will all benefit from this essential fatty acid. Found in salmon, sardines and tuna, try to eat at least one serving a week.

Get more info on mercury and sustainable fish choices; try the Salmon With Lemon, Capers and Rosemary in the photo above.

2. Peppers
Vitamin C is vital for the formation of collagen, which gives skin elasticity. Citrus is the common source but a fresh pepper has over 250 percent of the daily recommendation.

3. Tea
Providing both fluid and cell-protecting antioxidants, brewed cups of green and black varieties have more antioxidants than many fruits and veggies.

4. Berries
Berries contain some of the most potent sources of antioxidants around. Anthocyanins in particular help fight inflammation and protect the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

5. Almonds
A powerful antioxidant, the vitamin E found in nuts like almonds defend respiratory tissue from damage.

6. Yogurt
The healthy bacteria (a.k.a. probiotics) found in yogurt will keep your digestive system in tip-top shape. Each calcium-filled serving will also benefit your bones.

7. Water
You can’t go wrong with H2O. Good hydration will protect against skin damage, reduce bloating and water retention and naturally remove toxins from the body.

8. Beans
Eat a rainbow of different colored beans to reap the benefits. Red beans like pinto and kidney rank highest in the antioxidant department.

9. Apples
Keep the doctor away with two kinds of fiber plus the inflammation-fighting and heart-protecting antioxidant called quercetin.

10. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Healthy fats for your heart, plus plant compounds that protect the cells from damage and some types of cancer. Full-flavored EVOO contains the most antioxidants.

Did Christianity Reach China In the First Century?

Tombstone Carvings from AD 86: Did Christianity Reach China In the First Century? [02-20-03] Wei-Fan Wang, Retired Professor, Nanjing Theological Seminary

China News Update, January 2003 By Wang Wei-fan, Retired Professor, Nanjing Theological Seminary In 2001, I wrote an article entitled “Christian Spirit in Ancient China.”(1)  which suggested the possibility that “the Gospel had reached China during the Eastern Han Dynasty.” (25-220 AD) (2)  One of the basis of this assumption was the statement by Li Wenbin: “During the Eastern Han period, two Syrian missionaries came to China.  Their purpose was to spread Christianity.”(3)  Another basis was the discovery of an iron cross in Luling, Jiangxi Province in the Ming Dynasty during the reign of Emperor Hongwu (1368-1398 AD).  Carved on the cross was a couplet: Four seas rejoice o’er peace; iron rod splendors a cross; Ten thousand folks for grace yearn; a thousand autumns incensed by golden urn. The date of this relic was “the ninth year of Chi-wu, Eastern Wu.”(4)  Chi-wu was the name for the fourth period of reign of Sun Quan who became King of Eastern Wu in the year 222 AD.  “The ninth year of Chi-wu” was actually the 25th year of Sun’s reign, 222-246 AD).  The fact that such a large iron cross existed, and that a Christian intellectual could compose a couplet with this degree of sophistication lead to the speculation that the Christianity must have been in China before Sun Quan’s reign.  In other words, the Gospel could very well have been brought to China in the Eastern Han dynasty. I. The Gospel Carved on Stone   During the Han Dynasty, especially Eastern Han, carved stone objects were often used for burial.  Furthermore, elaborate tombs were constructed with limestone, with carvings on the doors and walls of underground chambers.  In June, 2002 a colleague from Xuzhou (in northern Jiangsu Province) informed me that the museum in this city contained many excavated carvings with Middle East cultural characteristics.  So, with the hope of finding evidence of Christianity in Eastern Han China, I visited the Art Museum in Xuzhou.  Later the church in Xuzhou (formerly a Presbyterian church within the Synod of Jiang-Huai) gave me a newly published book Xuzhou Han Stone Carvings compiled by the director of the museum, Mr. Wu Liuhua (published in Beijing, November 2001).  Most of the picture illustrations on these pages are taken from this volume. The first startling piece of art I came upon was a carving with fish and phoenix as symbols. (A)(5)  The phoenix, also known as “eternal” or “everlasting” bird, was a symbol for resurrection in Egyptian myths.  The Fish (ICQUS), meaning “Jesus Christ God’s Son our Savior,” was used by early Christians on their doors and tombs.  The combination of these two symbols on the Han tomb may indicate the hope of Christians for salvation and resurrection by faith in Christ.  To the left of this carving was the date:  “The seventh day of the third month in the year of Yuan-he” – 86 AD. Yuan-he was the name of the reign of Emperor Zhangdi in Eastern Han.  So the construction of this tomb was 550 years before the Nestorian monk Alopen reached Changan (today’s Xi’an) in 635 AD, and about 50 years after the mass persecution in Jerusalem, resulting in Christians being dispersed to other parts of the world.(6) II. The Creation and the Fall   One of the carvings seems to describe the creation story. (B)(7)  On the top are “two great lights” of sun and moon, a big fish and a bird.  On the right are wild beasts.  The left are domestic animals such as donkey, horse and ox.  The images are typical of Western Han art – exaggerated, flowing and lively – except for the two beasts with intertwining necks, which are in the style of Middle East art. Another carving shows the temptation of Eve.(C)   On this carving we read from right to left (in Chinese and Jewish order): the devil, serpent, Eve, the tree of discerning good and evil, the cherubim, then the sword (symbols of evil and deceit on the right; symbols of goodness and kindness on the left.)  The seductive and crafty serpent is waving beautiful flowers to Eve while biting her left hand.  At the same time Eve’s right hand is already picking the fruit from the tree.  To the left of the tree we see the cherubim and the sword, flaming and turning, guarding the tree of life. Two other carvings have figures like Adam and Eve leaving the Garden of Eden.  The first one (D) shows a man and a woman wearing clothes made with animal skins.  The woman’s skirt seems to have a design of snakes, while the man is holding a tool resembling a hoe.  The second carving (E) depicts a man and a woman moving away from a locked gate.  The woman looks sad and the man’s face has two sides, one side looking forward and the other side turning back as if reluctant to leave.  Both of these carvings were excavated from the tomb of “Jiu nu dun” (which can mean “the mound of the ninth daughter”). In this same tomb is also a stone pillar with a ferocious dragon (F), unlike the traditional Chinese dragon which stands for honor, majesty, dignity and transcendence.  To have such a frightening dragon placed in the center of the tomb could mean that Chinese Christians in those days had identified the dragon with the Old Testament serpent as a monster, representing evil and darkness.(8)   III. The Passover Lamb Over the Gate   A number of the limestone entrances to the Eastern Han burial chambers have carvings of fish and lamb. (G) which, for Christians, would mean “Christ Jesus the Savior” and the lamb of Passover saving the Israelites from death. Some of the beams from the tombs have just the lamb (H) while others have both the lamb and the eternal bird (phoenix), combining salvation and resurrection.  The fish and the lamb were seldom seen in traditional Chinese art.  The phoenix in China was a symbol for prosperity and good luck, unrelated to resurrection. An Eastern Han tomb discovered at Wang Shan had semicircular upper beams with two levels.(I)(6)  The upper level describes “heaven” with the tree of life and the eternal bird; the lower level is “earth,” with two dragons bound by three chains.  The tree of life and the eternal bird represent resurrection and everlasting life, while the dragons represents the ruler of demons.(10) On another stone, a highly artistic piece, the dragon is bound by three chains.(27)  There are other dragons, one imprisoned (J)(12) and guarded by swords from four directions, and another dragon with a broken leg (K)(13).  Though different in style, these dragons have all departed from the traditional Chinese portrayal of this sacred creature. IV. The Nativity    It is common for carvings on Han tombs to illustrate activities of everyday life, and some seem to tell the story of the life of Christ.  One of them may be the Christmas story, with wise men worshiping the Christ child (L).  While the birds (and angels) are rejoicing above the shed, the human figures show reference and admiration.  A wise man is offering a gift.  On the ground is a vase, possibly containing myrrh?  At the lower left of the shed is a little sheep. A larger likely “manger scene” clearly shows the baby held on the lap of his mother.(M)  This, too, has celestial beings above the roof, and wise men coming to pay homage. A huge dragon seems to be over whelming to the small human figures below(N), as if Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus were threatened by the powerful and murderous Herod on their flight to Egypt. Kneeling behind the carriage are two women, bidding their sad farewell. V.  The Yi Vessel    In the Xuzhou museum I saw a bronze container, also dating back to the Eastern Han period. (O)(14)  The bottom is carved with two fishes and five loaves, plus the character “Yi.”  In the Book of Records [one of the Five Classics which are considered part of the sacred scriptures of China], it was said that “the offering is to God; while the yi is used for offering by the emperor.”  This container with the five loaves and two fishes could be a vessel for offering to God.  The word Yi also means “sharing.”  In theBook of Poetry [also part of the Chinese sacred scriptures] it says “To share with you.”  It is not difficult to imagine that this was a vessel used by the early church in Eastern Han for sharing food and to celebrate the “love feast,” Holy Communion. These speculations are the results of my initial research, made possible with the help of the Xuzhou Han Carving Arts Museum, and the assistance of the church in Xuzhou.  It is important to note that Xuzhou is not the only place where Han stone carvings have been found.  Several locations in Henan and Shandong provinces have sizable collections of these excavated stone carvings.  As if these very stones are “crying out” for our attention, they deserve our serious study and research.  The task will take years, requiring rigor and discipline. Eastern Han was the first period in history when many religions were introduced to China.  In the Western Han period, Zhang Qian had explored the west and went on the Silk Road to “Da Qin which is today’s Syria.  It is not difficult to trace the footsteps of the Gospel by way of the Silk Road to Eastern Han, from Jerusalem, Samaria and Syria, through what is today Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Xinjiang, Dunhuang to reach Changan (Xi’an).  The ancient Christians had braved the long and arduous journey to reach our land.  Therefore with gratitude we say:  How beautiful are the feet of those who brought good tidings. End Notes (1) See Jinling Theological Review., vol. 2, 2001, pp. 25-27 (2) Ibid.  Eastern Han is a dynasty established by Liu Xiu, with Luoyang as its capitol.  From 25-220 AD, the dynasty lasted only 196 years. (3) A History of China by Li Wenbin (4) From Wang Zhi-xin, A History of Chinese Christianity which quoted from A Record of Careful Thoughts by Li Jiugong of Ming Dynasty, and from “Poem of the Iron Cross” in Liu Zigao’s Collection of Poetry.” (5) No. 12 of Xuzhou Han Stone Carvings, Xuzhou Museum of Han Carvings (6) In Acts 8:1-4, the persecution took place about 35 AD, just before the conversion of Paul. (7) Originally published in Wen Hui Bao (Daily), August 9, 2002 (8) Deuteronomy 32:33; Psalm 148:7; Isaiah 27:1 (9) No. 135 of Xuzhou Han Stone Carvings, measuring 106 cm x 200cm x 35cm (10)  Matthew 12:22-30 (11)  No. 99 of Xuzhou Han Stone Carvings, 127cm x 271cm x 20cm, from the eastern wall of the Huangshan tomb in Tongshan County, now in the Xuzhou museum (12)  No. 134 of Xuzhou Han Stone Carvings, from Jia-wang District, Qing Shan Quan, 100cm x 212cm x 20cm, now at  Xuzhou Museum (13)  Photographed by the author a the Xuzhou museum (14)  No. 81 of Xuzhou Han Stone Carvings, from the northern wall of the stone chamber of a tomb at Mao Village, Tong Shan County, Xuzhou For accounts related to this story click on Century OnLine China Art Newshttp://www.chinaartnetworks.com/news/show_news.php?id=1369 Christianity Today, October 7, 2002http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/011/19.14.html

These documents and web sites are not necessarily consistent with the views of the Christianity In China web site management, Christian Leadership Exchange, but they are part of the total picture of issues discussed in the West.

Fake friends or True friend (knowing the difference)

A true friend is very difficult to find in this society today. Every body can say that a person is thier friend, but not indentifying if that person is a true or a fake friend at all. As an fact, I want to talk about fake friends and true friend! The difference between both of them. First, I want to talk about fake friends.

1. Fake friends always come expect a person to come visit, call and see about them, but they don't want to give in the same effort. They think that's it okay not to give their effort to put back into the friendship at all, which drains a person out. Whenever a person stops seeing and calling them! Due to their blind eyes in what they are doing, they have the nerve enough to get mad and ask questions- why is that person not giving them calls and visiting! Too, Fake friends are never there whenever one needs them the most. This means they got themselves and other objectives on their minds.This also means they don't put any type of effort to see if you are okay, or if one is down.

2.Fake friends speak words to a person who they say is their friend - " This is my friend! I really like him or her ! This is my homeboy or home girl! That's my boy, or that's my girl! " They say such things to put up a front in the presence of other people, but their actions reveal something else. Truely, their actions reveal that they don't that person to be their friend!Also in the presence of other people, they will laugh and talk about you in your face. This is a sign these types of fake friends are not true! Too, fake friends always have a negative judgemental attitude! One cannot tell them about their dreams and ablities that they want to accomplish! They are so quick to laugh and criticicize a person in their presence in your face saying- " you can't do that! That's impossible!" They are always trying to talk a person out of their dreams. Sometimes, one makes their dream as a reality! They are the same people laughing and smiliing in your face saying - "That's my boy! That's my friend!He did it! He's talented!"

3. This is the one I cannot stand most of all. Fake friends always go tell other people's business,but they don't want others to tell their business. They always going around gossip to other peoples' secrets! However, one can tell that fake friend that, " you promise me that you won't tell a soul about this!" The common statement a fake friend or more will say that "I promise not to tell a soul, which you can tell me anything!" As soon as that fake friend gets out of that person's presence, he or she has told other people about their business. Those people who was told; they always say these things - " I heard this about you! Is it true!? That's what I heard about you! Did that happen to you!? Do you have this? Are you this?" This something that fake friends love to do! This shows that fake friend couldn't keep a promise.

4.Fake friends don't keep their word! They always leave another person in the dark about something! This means that they don't call to say that plans have changed, or they don't call to say something has happened! This can usually more than one day! A lot of them have the mindset -" I don't have to keep my word to others, but nobody will not do it to me!" When someone does the same thing to them. They want to get mad about it! I say this- one gets what he or she deserves!

I want to say this about fake friends! By any means that they tell any secrets or personal things about you to other people! However, they have abused your inner-circle, which means you have let them in about who you are! Forgive them, but if they want another chance, make them work and earn your trust ! Most likely, they will do it again. I want to talk about a true friend!

A true friend can be trusted with the deep things about yourself! A true friend won't tell your secrets and personal business to other people. That true friend always keeps their promise to keep your secrets and personal safe! That true friend never judges you in a negative when telling something deep about yourself. That true friend will always listen to what you have to say! Too, A true friend have a bond so strong with the other person, which they don't abuse their inner-circles with each other.

A true friend is always there whenver you need them the most during rough times! A true friend always make effort call you! A true friend always tend to see if you are okay! A true friend always shows that he or she cares about you! This is what one calls true sacrifice! True friends don't abuse the word sacrifice at all.

A true friend always want to be a blessing in their your life, which he or she is never looking to give him or her a hard time. A true friend always desire to be a true blessing, which he or she is always looking for ways to bless him or her. Too, that person is doing the same for him. A true friend always is excited when he or she sees you, which he or she enjoys your presence! True friends love to be a blessing to each other, not a burden to each other.

A true friend always believes in your dreams and talents ! A true friend always get excited when something good has happened in your life! A true friend always believes in you! A true friend always wants the best to happen in your life, not the worst! They will always lift you up, not bring you down!

If you enjoyed my post, I have another great interesting post about noticing fake friends or real friends other blog! As much as I hate fake friends, this is more informative information about fake friends, click below!Feel free to comment on my other blog!

http://enlightened32.blogspot.com/2011/02/wake-up-people-notice-difference.html

What people talk about before they die

January 28th, 2012

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My Faith: What people talk about before they die

Editor's Note: Kerry Egan is a hospice chaplain in Massachusetts and the author of "Fumbling: A Pilgrimage Tale of Love, Grief, and Spiritual Renewal on the Camino de Santiago."

By Kerry Egan, Special to CNN

As a divinity school student, I had just started working as a student chaplain at a cancer hospital when my professor asked me about my work.  I was 26 years old and still learning what a chaplain did.

"I talk to the patients," I told him.

"You talk to patients?  And tell me, what do people who are sick and dying talk to the student chaplain about?" he asked.

I had never considered the question before.  “Well,” I responded slowly, “Mostly we talk about their families.”

“Do you talk about God?

“Umm, not usually.”

“Or their religion?”

“Not so much.”

“The meaning of their lives?”

“Sometimes.”

“And prayer?  Do you lead them in prayer?  Or ritual?”

“Well,” I hesitated.  “Sometimes.  But not usually, not really.”

I felt derision creeping into the professor's voice.  “So you just visit people and talk about their families?”

“Well, they talk.  I mostly listen.”

“Huh.”  He leaned back in his chair.

A week later, in the middle of a lecture in this professor's packed class, he started to tell a story about a student he once met who was a chaplain intern at a hospital.

“And I asked her, 'What exactly do you do as a chaplain?'  And she replied, 'Well, I talk to people about their families.'” He paused for effect. “And that was this student's understanding of  faith!  That was as deep as this person's spiritual life went!  Talking about other people's families!”

The students laughed at the shallowness of the silly student.  The professor was on a roll.

“And I thought to myself,” he continued, “that if I was ever sick in the hospital, if I was ever dying, that the last person I would ever want to see is some Harvard Divinity School student chaplain wanting to talk to me about my family.”

My body went numb with shame.  At the time I thought that maybe, if I was a better chaplain, I would know how to talk to people about big spiritual questions.  Maybe if dying people met with a good, experienced chaplain they would talk about God, I thought.

Today, 13 years later, I am a hospice chaplain.  I visit people who are dying – in their homes, in hospitals, in nursing homes.   And if you were to ask me the same question - What do people who are sick and dying talk about with the chaplain?  – I, without hesitation or uncertainty, would give you the same answer. Mostly, they talk about their families: about their mothers and fathers, their sons and daughters.

They talk about the love they felt, and the love they gave.  Often they talk about love they did not receive, or the love they did not know how to offer, the love they withheld, or maybe never felt for the ones they should have loved unconditionally.

They talk about how they learned what love is, and what it is not.    And sometimes, when they are actively dying, fluid gurgling in their throats, they reach their hands out to things I cannot see and they call out to their parents:  Mama, Daddy, Mother.

What I did not understand when I was a student then, and what I would explain to that professor now, is that people talk to the chaplain about their families because that is how we talk about God.  That is how we talk about the meaning of our lives.  That is how we talk about the big spiritual questions of human existence.

We don't live our lives in our heads, in theology and theories.  We live our lives in our families:  the families we are born into, the families we create, the families we make through the people we choose as friends.

This is where we create our lives, this is where we find meaning, this is where our purpose becomes clear.

Family is where we first experience love and where we first give it.  It's probably the first place we've been hurt by someone we love, and hopefully the place we learn that love can overcome even the most painful rejection.

This crucible of love is where we start to ask those big spiritual questions, and ultimately where they end.

I have seen such expressions of love:  A husband gently washing his wife's face with a cool washcloth, cupping the back of her bald head in his hand to get to the nape of her neck, because she is too weak to lift it from the pillow. A daughter spooning pudding into the mouth of her mother, a woman who has not recognized her for years.

A wife arranging the pillow under the head of her husband's no-longer-breathing body as she helps the undertaker lift him onto the waiting stretcher.

We don't learn the meaning of our lives by discussing it.  It's not to be found in books or lecture halls or even churches or synagogues or mosques.  It's discovered through these actions of love.

If God is love, and we believe that to be true, then we learn about God when we learn about love. The first, and usually the last, classroom of love is the family.

Sometimes that love is not only imperfect, it seems to be missing entirely.  Monstrous things can happen in families.  Too often, more often than I want to believe possible, patients tell me what it feels like when the person you love beats you or rapes you.  They tell me what it feels like to know that you are utterly unwanted by your parents.  They tell me what it feels like to be the target of someone's rage.   They tell me what it feels like to know that you abandoned your children, or that your drinking destroyed your family, or that you failed to care for those who needed you.

Even in these cases, I am amazed at the strength of the human soul.  People who did not know love in their families know that they should have been loved.  They somehow know what was missing, and what they deserved as children and adults.

When the love is imperfect, or a family is destructive, something else can be learned:  forgiveness.  The spiritual work of being human is learning how to love and how to forgive.

We don’t have to use words of theology to talk about God; people who are close to death almost never do. We should learn from those who are dying that the best way to teach our children about God is by loving each other wholly and forgiving each other fully - just as each of us longs to be loved and forgiven by our mothers and fathers, sons and daughters.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Kerry Egan.

The Editors - CNN Belief Blog Filed under: Death • My Faith

CURSES ARE REVERSED AND FAMILIES 'SEALED' WHEN WITH A SPECIAL BLESSING ON EACH OTHER

 __________________________________________________

A verbal curse can be reversed by a blessing. So can a generational one. Also, one caused by sin.

Did you ever realize how many people knowingly or unknowingly may have sent burdens and blockages upon you and your family?

You also curse yourself -- when you think negatively about yourself. (I can't do that. I'll never make it. I'll never amount to anything.)

Bless those who have criticized you. Bless those who send you hate. Bless those who "compete" with you. Don't come under the power of a curse.

Also, bless yourself:

I can do that. I will make it. I will fulfill my destiny.

While only priests grant special blessings (for example, at the end of Mass, and when they bless sacramentals), everyone is allowed -- and called -- to bless each other on a regular basis.

We bless meals before we eat. We bless each other when we sneeze. We say "God bless you" as a matter of daily talk (or should). We ask for blessings in the confessional.

What about blessings of deliverance?

This time of year is a terrific time to bless our families. If we do this effectively, our dear ones then pass these blessings on to their children, and their children to their offspring, down the generations.

In Scripture, there was special power attached to a father's blessing. Blessings were an integral part of God's relationship with Abraham (Genesis 12:1, 2, 3). And look at his descendants, such as Isaac: When he blessed his son Jacob (Genesis 27:30) it was a blessing that caused livestock to thrive under his care and brought him success for many years in all aspects of life; it was a blessing that lasted. There is what they call the "Aaronic blessing." This comes from Numbers 6:23-27 -- and it has special power. Listen closely. It came when the Lord spoke to Moses and said, "Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, 'Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them:

"'The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make His Face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance to you.'"

Added God: "So shall they invoke My Name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them."

Print that. Write it down. Pass it on. Give the special Old Testament blessing to your spouse and children: "The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make His Face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance to you." Husbands, use it regularly on your wives; wives, use it on your husbands; parents, use it on your children (and children, on your parents!) It seals against evil. Release the blessing of God as did the anointed ones of Israel. We can add: say it in the Name of the Infant Jesus.

Use it also to bless those who "curse" you! Many report miracles with it. You heard that right: on your rivals and enemies. Through such prayer, a curse is turned into a blessing.

One preacher who uses it described a woman from India whose mother, who wanted a son, had cursed her during childhood and naturally, it brought a dark mood. The girl resented her mom and as a result, developed a strange large, V-shaped "birthmark" on her forehead. She was told to send her mother her blessing -- instead of resenting her -- and when she did, the mark faded and even disappeared. (When the resentment returned, so did the birthmark -- until she forgave and blessed again!)

A boy in high school had trouble with his teachers. He was doing very poorly. They kept telling him he would never amount to anything. This operated as a curse. But one day he learned the Christian lesson about blessing those who curse you and went to see the teachers to tell each one he wished them the best and prayed that they rise above all teachers. He was soon a star student. Their negativity had been turned into blessings.

There are many ways of declaring a blessing.

In prayer -- out loud -- declare your home a zone of health.

Declare it a "cancer-free zone."

Declare it a zone of love.

Sound the shofar.

Bring forth the Light (and blessing) of the Infant!

"The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make His Face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance to you."

This is healing. There are special blessings. Gather together those you love and light a holy candle (or use Holy Water) and as we head into the uncertainties of a new year pray a blessing upon everyone (yes, even enemies).

We have a word of knowledge here from Christmas night:

"I bless those who bless others; I anoint those who use their anointing to help others. I send grace through those who let My Graces flow through them, as does the Blessed Mother, in health and Heaven."

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[Numbers 24:6:

“Like valleys that stretch out, 

Like gardens beside the river, 

Like aloes planted by the LORD, 

Like cedars beside the waters. 

Water will flow from his buckets, 

And his seed will be by many waters"]

[see also: Ancient purity seal found in Jerusalem]