Some More Updates

Weatherpixie appears to no longer exist on the web, so I took that link/graphic off.

I also added some new "IR Blogger" links (thank you, James Landrith, for your comprehensive and exhaustive list of IR links!) that I felt were family-focused and/or interesting. If you know of more IR blogs, please e-mail me!

Lastly, I added a current picture of Rachael Lampa to Tuesday's post, so you could see what she looks like.

More blogging soon!

Best Wishes,
Allen

An IR/Spiritual Post

I am saddened yet resolute today. I had been eagerly anticipating the new Rachael Lampa (who is mixed race: Irish and Philippino) Contemporary Christian album "Rachael Lampa," which was released today. I was shocked, however, to hear the first single "When I Fall." In Christian circles, "falling" refers to falling from grace through sinning against the Lord. Many people believe it is possible to willfully sin against God and yet still make it to heaven by just confessing the sin(s) and asking forgiveness.

Rachael Lampa - promotional picture for her 2004 Rachael Lampa album

Under the Old Testament, this was true because a sin sacrifice could be offered by the High Priest of the Jews for other Jews (because salvation was only granted to the Jews in Old Testament times). But God made a new covenant through His Son, Jesus Christ, in the New Testament and made a way for all who believe on Jesus' name, sacrifice and resurrection from the dead to be saved. With that covenant came a new understanding, which Jesus made clear when He said "Sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." (John 5:14)


Hebrews 10: 26-31 (King James Version)

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

I am sad to see Rachael fall and to essentially glory in it by making "When I Fall" the first big single off her album...but I am more resolute than ever to stand for this Holy God that I serve. Am I anything special? Of myself, no, I am not anything. But "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phillipians 4:13)

Best Wishes,
Allen

I don't normally do this but since this issue affects every American, please click on the graphic below to learn more about what the nonprofit I run, the International Size Acceptance Association (ISAA), is doing in response to yesterday's announcement by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson.
 


 

Thanks!  You may help save lives by participating in this effort.
 
Best Wishes,
Allen

(Loren) Root wishes she could turn back time. "I would've researched. I would've talked to people," she said. "You can find these support groups, you can go on the Internet." "People need to know that there's a really bad side to this procedure," she said. "Death."

A Costly Choice: Weight-Loss Surgery Wrecks Woman's Health This is the surgery that medical professionals want to happen more often -- and it's a surgery that is destroying people's lives! If you click on the story link above, this woman, Loren Root, had WLS and is slowly starving to death. There is a fund set up for this poor woman, so please help any way you can. You can also help by clicking HERE and sending a message to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services -- people don't need this surgery, they need to be educated in self-esteem, fitness and healthy food choices. As you can see, WLS is rarely the "quick-fix" it is claimed to be. This woman's case is extreme but not terribly uncommon. It is one of the many side effects that affect more than 40% of WLS patients. Not all deaths are immediate. Please help save lives because OBESITY IS NOT A DISEASE!

A Few Touch Ups To The Blog Site

I've been making a few modifications for everyone's convenience. I've replaced the Enetation commenting with Blogger's commenting. Unfortunately, this wiped out the past comments. They're still on enetation.co.uk but it would be frustrating to have two sets of "comments" text on each blog entry. Seeing as how there really hasn't been a whole lot of commenting in the past, I think it's better just to start fresh with the new system.

I've also implemented a blogging hack from blogger.com that allows the archives to be listed in a drop-down menu plus I've deleted the links to Alexa.com and Amazon.com, as they weren't doing anything other than taking up space. Lastly, I added a link to my "Open Letter To The Public" webpage and deleted the counter at the bottom of each page (it wasn't not being very accurate, since I double-check those kinds of things).

If I find any other neat things to add, I'll let you know! If you have any cool suggestions, leave me a comment below.

Best Wishes,
Allen

What A Difference A Few Months Make

In May, I was unemployed, still kind of sick and struggling to find relevant ways to spend my time while my wife worked and my kids were at school. Now, I've been blessed with a great job (that grants overtime -- woohoo!), my volunteer work running ISAA (International Size Acceptance Association) is booming and bustling (check out our Yahoo activism -- plus I'm writing an ISAA-related book.

I may be ridiculously busy but I'm hardly complaining! It's good to have purpose and feel needed.

I won't bore you with the daily ISAA routines. Let's just say that I do a lot of communicating and coordinating, often with ISAA branch leaders in different cities (and usually different continents). I'm grateful for e-mail and instant messaging or I wouldn't be able to do all this!

Why am I writing a book? Two reasons.

One: I believe that ISAA has had a fascinating history over the last seven years. In fact, I believe ISAA's history will be one that people will enjoy and be surprised at.

Two: This is an opportunity to sum up ISAA's philosophies and recommendations to the public which I truly believe represent a realistic, healthy way to deal with the "obesity epidemic." It is my hope that this information will help improve health and save lives.

This is some of what's been going on with me lately.

I'll keep you updated as things progress.

Best Wishes,
Allen

I Now Own A Handheld Computer

This is a copy of one of my Xanga blog entries but I thought you might find it interesting...

I'd been holding back for years, mainly because of the expense but I finally needed one. I needed one to help organize my contacts and appointments when I am away from computers. So I did what every value-minded individual does to get the highest quality product for the lowest price: I went to eBay.

I bought a Handspring Visor Deluxe for $40.00 and a USB sync cradle for $5.00. I received the Visor (which included a detachable, solid plastic screen cover *and* a leather case) within two days (I was impressed) and the cradle within a week. Both looked new and nice and both work well. (I only had to add 2 new AA batteries to the Visor).

A couple of weeks ago, I downloaded the King James Version of the Bible for Palm OS (for free) along with a free Bible reader program. I also subscribed to Avant Go and can now download headlines and stories from BBC News, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and PCWorld.com. No, I'm not a former journalist...

Now, I do not let this new "toy" take up every waking minute, but it nice to have the option of Bible study or news reading a couple of times a day.



I also have inputed around 70 addresses, so I'm happy.

I do warn about eBay, though -- I can see how it could be habit-forming. Must...use...sparingly...


Best Wishes,
Allen

Well, Some Ideas Are Good And Some Aren't...

Several months ago, I started a new blog on Xanga because I wanted to try to separate my "spiritual" commentary from my IR commentary -- and you know what, since then, I've been much less motivated to blog at either.

I think that defeats the purpose, don't you?

So I'm going to put the Xanga blog on permanent hiatus and just focus on IR Haven. I started out with IR Haven, the website, and I'm really not ready to let it go. It means too much to me.

I do wonder whether or not I want to keep the "Love Sees No Color Ring" going, though. It started out as the second pre-Webring Rings on the Net but now I find all kinds of sites applying for it.
The idea behind LSNC was a good one and at one time, it had nearly 100 sites participating. It's down to something like 36 and I really cringe at some of the sites applying these days...I dunno.

What do you think? Leave me a comment. Do you think LSNC should continue or has its time passed?

Best Wishes,
Allen