Joe B

Adela, You and your daughter have my prayers....

Welcome Tracy.... I too have 3 children and am a non-smoker (a little older though-- 45). Lots of successes and hope here for sure... Make sure you check out the alternative treatment and spirituality forum's...

Jennifer Rast Contender Ministries -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dan Brown’s fictional best seller, The Da Vinci Code, sat at the top of the best seller’s list for weeks. Goddess worshippers and Christian haters around the globe have not only given it rave reviews, but offer it up as proof that Christianity is a lie. You might be wondering how a fiction novel can have such an impact. It can because Brown makes the claim that the book is based on fact. In bold letters in the front of the book Brown alerts the reader that what they are about to read, while being a fictional story, is based on historical fact. Many have argued that we shouldn’t be so concerned about a work of fiction, and in one sense they are right. If people knew their history, their Bibles, and studied their own religion thoroughly, we wouldn’t need to be concerned about this book. However, many of the numerous factual errors and boldface lies in Brown’s books won’t be obvious to the general public. Brown knows that the majority of readers will accept his conspiracy theories and distortions of history, because he knows most people don’t know, for example, what the Gnostic gospels even are. Most people wouldn’t pick up on the fact that Brown can’t even get the date of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery right. To counter Brown’s attempt to deceive the lost and attack Christianity, I have compiled a list of some of the errors found in the Da Vinci Code. It is by no means an exhaustive list, but it will give you an idea of the poor scholarship and deceitfulness of Dan Brown. Hopefully, it will also equip you with some of the information you will need to battle the revival of paganism that has, no doubt, been helped along by this book. Error #1: More than once in the book, the protagonist, Teabing, makes the claim that the canonical gospels are not the earliest gospels. Instead, he claims, the suppressed Gnostic gospels are the earliest written gospels and the canonical gospels were selected from among 80 other gospels. First, there were only less than half that many books written about Jesus life. The two Gnostic gospels Brown relies on most heavily weren’t written until the second century A.D., long after the New Testament gospels were written. It makes sense that the Gnostic gospels came about in the late second century, as this is when Gnostic thought was most prevalent. However, the New Testament was complete before the end of the 1st Century. As a side note - The Gospel of Peter, one of the very Gospels that Brown claims as an earlier writing, blames the Jews for the crucifixion. Another Gnostic Gospel, the Gospel of Thomas, claims women must become men in order to receive salvation. Apparently Brown’s Gospel is not only anti-Semitic, but also chauvinistic. Error #2: The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in the 1950’s. This one’s priceless. It seems Brown can’t even get a simple date right. The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947, not in the 1950’s. Error #3: The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Gnostic texts found at Nag Hammadi are the earliest Christian Records. Another howler. The Dead Sea Scrolls are strictly Jewish documents. They don’t contain any gospels or anything even mentioning Jesus. There is also absolutely no evidence that any of the gnostic documents were written before the late second century AD anyway. Error #4: Jesus Christ never claimed to be divine and was never worshipped as a deity until the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. This is just plain false. Jesus is called God (theos) seven times in the New Testament and is called Lord in the divine sense several times. Everyone knows that the texts of the New Testament predate the Council of Nicea, and that these were first century beliefs. Error #5: Christianity borrowed its beliefs from the pagan religion of Mithraism. Mithraism worshipped the pre-Christian God Mithras, called the Son of God and Light of the World, who was born on December 25th, died, was buried in a rock tomb, and then resurrected in three days. Scholars of Mithraism would strongly disagree with Brown on all of these points. Nowhere is Mithras given the title Son of God and the Light of the World. Brown apparently made this up because it sounded good. Mithras was born on December 25th, however this proves nothing. The New Testament never associated December 25th with the birth of Christ. The early Christians chose to celebrate the birth of Christ on this day intentionally to oppose the pagan mid-winter festival of Saturnalia. They never claimed Jesus was actually born on that date. The claim that Mithras died and was buried in a rock tomb is just not true. Scholars will tell you that in Mithraism there is no death of Mithras at all. So, there was no rock tomb and no resurrection. Error #6: Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene. The New Testament never mentions Jesus being married or even suggests it, so Brown uses one of the Gnostic gospels, the Gospel of Philip to support this claim. We only have fragments of the text he uses as his support and that text reads as follows: “And the companion of the…Mary Magdalene…her more than…the disciples…kiss her…on her…” (Philip 63:33-36). Philip 58-59 seems to indicate that the kiss would have been on the lips. In 1 Corinthians 16, Paul mentions this kind of chaste kiss of fellowship, and this is likely what is meant here. However, we need not rest on that argument. The protagonist in Brown’s book claims that the word “companion” in this verse actually means spouse because that’s what the Aramaic word really means. I kind of feel sorry for Brown here. This document wasn’t written in Aramaic. It was written in Coptic. The word used for companion is koinonos and it means companion, not spouse. Error #7: Christianity honored the Jewish Sabbath of Saturday, but Constantine changed the day to coincide with the pagan veneration day of the sun. Once again, Brown is just flat wrong. All available evidence shows that Christians were honoring Sunday as the Sabbath long before Constantine. Brown may be confusing Paul’s trips to the synagogue on the Sabbath to preach to the Jews. If you wanted to preach to the Jews about Jesus, where would you find a large gathering of Jews to preach too? Perhaps the synagogue on the Sabbath? In any case, it is clear from scripture that the Christian Sabbath is on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7, 1 Cor. 16:2). There are many more errors found in Brown’s book, but this should be sufficient to demonstrate that his scholarship is poor, his theories are not based on fact, and, in my opinion, his intention is to discredit Christianity by promoting goddess worship and paganism based on heretical texts. It’s important that Christians expose these kind of attacks on our faith, and imperative that we educate people on the true history and message of the Word of God. We have an advantage. Because our faith is built on God’s Word and on truth, we can depend on facts to present our case. We don’t have to resort to lies, conspiracy theories, and revisionist history.

Tina, My prayers are for you and your daughters..Charlie is surely in heaven and experiencing unimaginable joy. I praise God for this fact. Joe

Peggy -- Keeping you in prayer I pray God provide you peace and comfort.......JB

Luke.24 [1] Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. [2] And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. [3] And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. [4] And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: [5] And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? [6] He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, [7] Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. [8] And they remembered his words, [9] And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. [10] It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. [11] And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. [12] Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. [13] And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. [14] And they talked together of all these things which had happened. [15] And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. [16] But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. [17] And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? [18] And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass therein these days? [19] And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: [20] And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. [21] But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. [22] Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; [23] And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. [24] And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. [25] Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: [26] Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? [27] And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. [28] And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. [29] But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. [30] And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. [31] And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. [32] And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? [33] And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, [34] Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. [35] And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. [36] And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. [37] But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. [38] And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? [39] Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. [40] And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. [41] And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? [42] And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. [43] And he took it, and did eat before them. [44] And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. [45] Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, [46] And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: [47] And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. [48] And ye are witnesses of these things. [49] And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. [50] And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. [51] And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. [52] And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: [53] And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

prayers for a miracle for Charlie....

Elephant....

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B01E7D91F31F932A15750C0A9609C8B63&sec=health&pagewanted=1 PERSONAL HEALTH; The Shock of Lung Cancer, When It Strikes Nonsmokers By JANE E. BRODY Published: March 21, 2006 Dr. David A. Karnofsky was a brilliant oncologist working hard at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center to provide the best possible therapies for cancer patients. My mother, who died of ovarian cancer in 1958, was one of them. And while he could not save her, we were ever so grateful for the caring way he treated her. Then, in 1969, Dr. Karnofsky, a 55-year-old nonsmoker, died of lung cancer, caused perhaps by his work with nitrogen mustard in World War II. Now another very caring American, Dana Reeve, also a nonsmoker, has been taken by the same disease. She was only 44 and had devoted 9 of her last 10 years to aiding her paralyzed husband, Christopher Reeve, and raising awareness and support for victims of spinal cord injuries like the one he suffered in a horseback-riding accident. It's Not Just Smoking Although lung cancer is inextricably linked to smoking in the public mind (and in the minds of most doctors), each year tens of thousands of people who never smoked get this challenging cancer. They are often the subject of much head shaking. What could have caused their cancer? Why, for example, did Ms. Reeve get lung cancer? Could it have been the stress associated with her husband's accident? Could it have been her exposure years earlier to secondhand smoke in nightclubs where she once performed? Could it have been an errant gene that suddenly allowed lung cells to run amok? ''Lung cancer is so closely linked up with smoking that doctors and the public are surprised when it turns up in nonsmokers,'' said Dr. Peter B. Bach, pulmonologist and epidemiologist at Sloan-Kettering in New York. ''But they shouldn't be surprised. There are about 180,000 cases of lung cancer a year and 150,000 deaths. If 80 percent or so stem from smoking, that leaves about 36,000 cases and 30,000 deaths a year that are not related to smoking. ''That puts non-smoking-related lung cancer in the same league with colorectal, prostate and breast cancer. If we wiped out smoking, lung cancer would still be the No. 3 cancer killer of Americans.'' But factors other than smoking that are known to raise lung cancer risk. Following are some of them. SECONDHAND SMOKE -- Chronic exposure to secondary smoke in the home or workplace can raise the risk by 20 to 30 percent. Recent bans on smoking on the job, in public buildings and in people's homes are expected to reduce this cause. EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS -- Exposed workers are seven times as likely to die of lung cancer, and those who smoke face a risk of developing lung cancer that is 50 to 90 times as great as that in people in general. Asbestos harms when it is released into the air people breathe, usually as a result of deterioration, demolition or renovation of buildings. INDOOR RADON -- Homes built over soil with natural uranium deposits can accumulate high levels of radon indoors, doubling or tripling the lung cancer risk of longtime residents. OTHER WORKPLACE CARCINOGENS -- These include radioactive ores like uranium; inhaled chemicals like vinyl chloride, beryllium, mustard gas, nickel chromates, arsenic and chloromethyl ethers; fuels like gasoline; and diesel exhaust. SCARRED AND IRRADIATED LUNGS -- People with repeated lung infections -- bronchitis and pneumonia -- have an elevated risk, as do those treated with chest radiation for cancers like Hodgkin's disease and regionally spread breast cancer. AIR POLLUTION -- The risk may rise slightly among susceptible people living in cities with a serious pollution problem. POOR DIET -- Though the evidence is far from definitive, a diet deficient in fruits and vegetables may raise the risk of lung cancer. GENETICS -- The role that genetics plays in lung cancer risk is expected to grow as scientists continue to unravel genetic factors involved in cancer development. For lung cancer in nonsmokers, there is an increased likelihood of finding an abnormal version of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein. People with a strong family history of lung cancer may share a genetic susceptibility and can develop the disease even if they smoke only a little or not at all. While women account for an increasing proportion of lung cancers in people who, like Ms. Reeve, never smoked, this statistic may reflect the fact that historically there are more women nonsmokers, not that women are at greater risk, Dr. Bach explained. But, according to Dr. Jeffrey Port, thoracic surgeon at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell hospital, a gender factor may be involved; receptors for estrogen have been found on lung cancer cells that could make women more susceptible than men to environmental insults. Detection and Treatment Ms. Reeve's fate was sealed almost from the moment of diagnosis. Although she had had a persistent cough for a year before her cancer was found, by the time lung cancer causes symptoms, it is usually too far advanced to cure. While there has been some progress in treating even advanced lung cancer, the main hope for long-term survival now lies in detection while the cancer is still small and confined to the lung in which it arose. Lung cancer is likely to be the last thing people with symptoms like a persistent cough or shortness of breath think of if they have never smoked or lived with smokers. Even doctors tend not to suspect this disease in a nonsmoker. My friend Frank, then 71 and a nonsmoker, was sent for a complete cardiac work-up when he complained to his doctor about shortness of breath. Only when his heart checked out healthy did the doctor think to order tests that revealed a diffuse lung cancer that claimed Frank's life in three months. There are two broad categories of lung cancer -- small cell, which is almost entirely due to smoking, and nonsmall cell, which afflicts both smokers and nonsmokers. Nonsmall cell lung cancer, in turn, is divided into two main categories: adenocarcinomas, which predominate in former smokers and nonsmokers, and squamous cell carcinomas. ''Both adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas behave similarly,'' Dr. Bach said. ''They're all bad.'' Yet another type of lung cancer -- bronchiolar carcinoma -- is becoming more common among women who never smoked, though no one knows why, said Dr. W. Michael Alberts, president of the American College of Chest Physicians. This cancer tends to occur in several sites or in a diffuse form with no solid mass There are no reliable early detection methods to screen people for lung cancer that would find it before it causes symptoms and while it is still confined to the site where it arose. Sputum tests to find cancer cells and chest X-rays failed to save lives. The latest test -- a spiral CT scan -- is under study in a national randomized trial among 50,000 smokers and former smokers. But even if this test increases survival in smokers, it will probably not be useful for screening the general population, since it generates far too many false findings that require further testing. Most helpful, both for smokers and nonsmokers, will be sputum tests that detect genetic changes, protein markers or volatile organic chemicals characteristic of lung cancer cells, Dr. Bach said. Meanwhile, the best way to reduce lung cancer deaths over all -- and save 400,000 lives a year -- is to keep everyone from smoking.

Awesome message Roger!

This is very similar to the Macrobiotic diet which I am studying and have begun to follow. Some very intriguing antectdotal turnarounds of health have been attributed to this type of diet.

Has your Dad ever been involved in a church or does he know a minister/ pastor/ priest that he would be willing to speak with? I have found that deep despair is very common for individuals that have a real sense of death and yet no hope or solid faith in an afterlife and salvation. Has anyone ever talked to him about Christ? Often times people feel like they are "unforgiveable" and that simply isn't true for our Lord is a God of mercy and forgiveness. "His mercy endureth forever" and He removes our sins (all of our sins-- past, present & future) as "far as the East is from the West". If you start traveling East guess what? you can never reach West. I would suggest getting him in touch with someone that can speak to him at this level and helping him to see that things are not lost. That there is hope for an afterlife... its a free gift that just requires accepting. Joe

Hi Dazy, Prayers being said for your Father in Law..... Joe

Cindy, With everything that you have seen here it is only natural to be hesitant to take good news for what it is...but you really should be happy. You are an inspiration to many....don't feel guilty...its people like you that provide hope to others.

Janice I am sorry to hear about your Dad. there are many, many good & loving people here that can help you along the way. I do not have any advice or experiences with SCLC but I wish you the best and can tell you that my relationship with God and with family & friends have given me the strength I have needed so far.

Tiny, Great news! Keep on living life to it's fullest !! Joe

Hey All, Lets not forget the Men who never smoked as well, like Rich & Myself.

It could be a number of different things, many of with ARE NOT lung cancer. The first thing you should do is go see your general practioner and relate to him/her what you just stated here. A chest x-ray is usually the next step if he/she suspects that it could be LC.

Linda, Is your Mother getting a Steriod treatment with her chemo ? (most people do). It can cause major mood fluctuations, and is attributted with rage and anger outburts. Sometimes they can either lower the dose, or if they can't at the very least you can rest assurred in the reason for the changes in behavior....Joe

I too believe there are angels, and I derive my beliefs from the Bible. I believe that angels are supernatural and can take on apperances and can have contact with us here. The bible is clear that people and angels are distinct and separate (i.e. we do not become angels when we enter heaven). Also, it is my belief that our loved ones in heaven do not have a window into this world. I believe we will reunite, but only when we meet again in a heaven. jb

Hi Sandra, There is a lot of debate as to whether a strict diet based on all natural foods can impact prognosis once someone had been diagnosed with cancer. There is alot of information on the web on this topic. Patrick Quillan has a popular book entitled "Beating Cancer through Nutrition". One of our members (Hebbie) has had good fortuines lately and in part credits her "Macrobiotic" diet. I think the experts agree that diet can assist in the prevention of cancer, they vary in their beliefs about how (or if) it effects outcome once diagnosed. My Oncologist & I agree on the fact that it certainly couldn't hurt to be eating right and exercising. It is something everyone should do regardless of their circumstances. Additionally it can improve quality of life even if it doesnt reverse cancer. There is much more about this topic in the alternative treatment forum. Take Care, Joe

welcome back. Looks like we are going to have to plan another Michigan bash

Fay will be sorely missed by us all. I praise God she knew the Lord and is in a better place now. She was a very inspiring person who loved her life and fought bravely against this disease. She did countless hours of research and helped so many cope with their own personal battles. She was the first to take an interest in me here by gently pointing out that I had a BAC variety of NSCLC and that meant a different approach and treatment options. She was the type of advocate & friend that I aspire to be to others someday. I look forward to seeing her someday again in a much better place.

Rich, very well said. Great attitude. "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord"

You asked...... "Borderline node" is a lymph node that is approximately 1 cm in size ... lymph nodes increase in size for a variety of reasons but they are not considered suspicious unless they are greater than 1 cm. You would have to ask what they last sentence "Some small ipsilateral hilar and mediastinal nodes are also seen" means. My interpetation would be it means nothing other than they are visible in the scan. When they do the surgery they will harvest lymph nodes and send them to pathology to see if they are positive for metasasis (cancer). I have heard it is important to remove as many lymph nodes as possible.