Monday, December 31, 2007
Things Go Better With Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola has been a North American icon for more than a century, but how much do you really know about this famous beverage? It was invented in 1886 by a pharmacist, John Pemberton. It was originally intended as a nerve and brain tonic and was first sold in pharmacies in Atlanta. As such, it actually contained cocaine since it was made from extracts of the coca leaf and kola nuts. These ingredients were removed from the product in 1905. The original product was a non-carbonated beverage, it is thought that the addition of carbonation may have been accidental when a soda-jerk inadvertently shot some soda water into the drink.
John Pemberton didn't know what he had. He only sold $50.00 worth Coke the first year, unfortunately it had cost him $70.00 to produce it. He had financial problems, his health was failing and he was a morphine addict, so he began selling off the rights to his invention.
In 1931, the Coca-Cola company, in an effort to become more "family friendly" launched it's famous "Santa Claus Campaign". Haddon Sundblom was commissioned to create a Coke loving Santa Claus. Up to this time their was not a standard depiction of Santa Claus. He had various looks and was depicted wearing various colors. Mr. Sundblom's Santa Claus wore a suit of the exact shade of red as Coca-Cola's corporate colors and he was soon the "official" Santa Claus of Christmas in North America.
Coca-Cola went through some turbulent transitions in the 1980's when they attempted to change the recipe of their famous soda pop. Consumer back-lash was enormous and they soon had to reintroduce their original formula.
Today Coca-Cola is one of the world's largest corporations. It's true. Things do go better with Coca-Cola.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
The Carter Defense
In Canada the legal limit for operating a motor vehicle after consuming alcohol is .08 blood alcohol level. Police routinely test for this with a breathalyzer, a 
small hand held machine that the accused breaths into. Unfortunately in Canadian law there is also a loop-hole, the Carter Defense, which has been around since 1985. According to this defense, the breathalyzer is only a machine that can malfunction. If the accused testifies under oath that he/she has only had "one or two drinks and can therefore not possibly be impaired" that statement raises a reasonable doubt as to their guilt. The accused must then be acquitted. Yes, machines can malfunction, but accused people can also lie. I would tend to place more weight on scientific evidence than I would on the word of a person who has everything to lose if convicted. The Canadian Government plans to work on changing this law in the coming year and closing this loop-hole.
small hand held machine that the accused breaths into. Unfortunately in Canadian law there is also a loop-hole, the Carter Defense, which has been around since 1985. According to this defense, the breathalyzer is only a machine that can malfunction. If the accused testifies under oath that he/she has only had "one or two drinks and can therefore not possibly be impaired" that statement raises a reasonable doubt as to their guilt. The accused must then be acquitted. Yes, machines can malfunction, but accused people can also lie. I would tend to place more weight on scientific evidence than I would on the word of a person who has everything to lose if convicted. The Canadian Government plans to work on changing this law in the coming year and closing this loop-hole.Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Christmas 2007
Christmas Day has come and gone once again and now everyone will be gearing up for New Year's. We spent a wonderful couple of days with family, we ate too much delicious food, we visited a lot and everyone seemed to have a good time. Ed will be working New Year's Eve but he should be home in plenty of time for us to see in the New Year together.
2007 was quite a year, as usual. There was our son, Edwin's ongoing sinus issue (see "Inside Ed's Head" June 22, 2007), the death of Ed's (my husband's) father, my brother's diagnosis of colon cancer. There were also good times. Our trip to South Dakota where we met with our other son, Robert, his wife and their two children, two marriages (nephews) and the announcement of two pregnancies in the family (nieces).
What will 2008 bring? We have no way of knowing. All that we do know for sure is that whatever it is, Jesus will be with us all of the way.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
2007 was quite a year, as usual. There was our son, Edwin's ongoing sinus issue (see "Inside Ed's Head" June 22, 2007), the death of Ed's (my husband's) father, my brother's diagnosis of colon cancer. There were also good times. Our trip to South Dakota where we met with our other son, Robert, his wife and their two children, two marriages (nephews) and the announcement of two pregnancies in the family (nieces).
What will 2008 bring? We have no way of knowing. All that we do know for sure is that whatever it is, Jesus will be with us all of the way.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
A Story Of Faith in Adversity
This is a true story of amazing faith that appears in my book "Keyhole to the Kingdom - Glimpses of God". Ed and I personally know some of the family members: the husband's father, sister and brother-in-law.
On September 4, 1998 , a young couple was travelling on their motorcycles with their two young children. The husband was on the first motorcycle with his five year old son and his three year old daughter in the sidecar. His wife was riding her own bike just behind him.
He attempted to pass a slow moving vehicle, and the two collided. The father and his son were thrown onto the road and were struck by a truck. The little girl died in the sidecar. His wife was just behind on her bike and watched in horror as her entire family was wiped out in seconds. The incident was horrible and sad, but that wasn't the end of the story by any means.
The wife found out that she was pregnant just days after the funeral. She believes the baby was likely conceived the night before her husband died. Through the horrible months that followed, the baby growing inside of her was her reminder that her life was not over. The child was to be the link to the family that she had lost that tragic day.
She harbours no bitterness toward God, and she talks about her husband and her first two children with joy and happiness as she remembers the life they had. She and her husband had both made a decision to follow Christ, and she takes comfort from that. She knows that her family is in Heaven. The new baby is a gift from God that definitely helped her get through her time of sorrow.
People who have heard her story are inspired by her faith and her strength. Other family members have mentioned that she is the one who often gives them comfort. Her tragedy is an awesome testimony to her faith in the goodness of God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-6
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
On September 4, 1998 , a young couple was travelling on their motorcycles with their two young children. The husband was on the first motorcycle with his five year old son and his three year old daughter in the sidecar. His wife was riding her own bike just behind him.
He attempted to pass a slow moving vehicle, and the two collided. The father and his son were thrown onto the road and were struck by a truck. The little girl died in the sidecar. His wife was just behind on her bike and watched in horror as her entire family was wiped out in seconds. The incident was horrible and sad, but that wasn't the end of the story by any means.
The wife found out that she was pregnant just days after the funeral. She believes the baby was likely conceived the night before her husband died. Through the horrible months that followed, the baby growing inside of her was her reminder that her life was not over. The child was to be the link to the family that she had lost that tragic day.
She harbours no bitterness toward God, and she talks about her husband and her first two children with joy and happiness as she remembers the life they had. She and her husband had both made a decision to follow Christ, and she takes comfort from that. She knows that her family is in Heaven. The new baby is a gift from God that definitely helped her get through her time of sorrow.
People who have heard her story are inspired by her faith and her strength. Other family members have mentioned that she is the one who often gives them comfort. Her tragedy is an awesome testimony to her faith in the goodness of God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-6
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Is Christmas Really a Christian Holiday?
Many seem to believe that Christmas is not a Christian Holiday. They point to the fact that Jesus' birthday was not actually on December 25 and that that date was actually a pagan holiday. They believe that many of our Christmas traditions have pagan roots. While that is certainly true, I'm not convinced that it necessarily follows that celebrating Christmas is inherently evil. The first link I am posting outlines the position of the no-Christmas believers. The second two links give a well thought out rebuttal to that stand.
No-Christmas
http://www.dailylocal.com:80/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/Daily?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.pgpath=%2FDLN%2FLife&r21.content=%2FDLN%2FLife%2FTopStoryList_Story_1268949
Rebuttal
http://members.aol.com/basfawlty/chrmas.htm
http://members.aol.com/kjvisbest/chrespns.htm
I will be celebrating Christmas with my family this December 25. What I am celebrating is the birth of my Savior with a full and grateful heart.
No-Christmas
http://www.dailylocal.com:80/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/Daily?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.pgpath=%2FDLN%2FLife&r21.content=%2FDLN%2FLife%2FTopStoryList_Story_1268949
Rebuttal
http://members.aol.com/basfawlty/chrmas.htm
http://members.aol.com/kjvisbest/chrespns.htm
I will be celebrating Christmas with my family this December 25. What I am celebrating is the birth of my Savior with a full and grateful heart.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
A Place of Refuge
It was very disturbing to hear about the church shootings earlier this week in Colorado. At one time a church was considered a safe place of refuge, a 
sanctuary from the rest of the world. Even criminals could find a safe haven there. A person could go in and find peace, a place to pray and to refresh themselves. The doors were not even locked. Almost everyone understood that a church was sacred ground. Now churches even have armed guards. I tend to think that the fault may lie, at least in part, with some of the "new Evangelical Churches" that have removed the Holiness from their churches in an attempt to be "seeker friendly". Churches who have circuses in their "sanctuaries" come to mind.
sanctuary from the rest of the world. Even criminals could find a safe haven there. A person could go in and find peace, a place to pray and to refresh themselves. The doors were not even locked. Almost everyone understood that a church was sacred ground. Now churches even have armed guards. I tend to think that the fault may lie, at least in part, with some of the "new Evangelical Churches" that have removed the Holiness from their churches in an attempt to be "seeker friendly". Churches who have circuses in their "sanctuaries" come to mind.
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