Friday, November 29, 2013

50 HUMAN MYSTERIES (Part 1)

Science and medicine amaze me in the discoveries that unfold.  The amplify the mysteries God placed throughout His creation.  The psalmist declares that we are


Human anatomy still confounds doctors in the details of its working.  It's not an overstatement to say that every part of your body is a miracle.  This week and next I'll share 50 facts that leave me stunned.  Here are the first 25.

1. It's possible for your body to survive without a surprisingly large fraction of its internal organs. Even if you lose your stomach, your spleen, 75% of your liver, 80% of your intestines, one kidney, one lung, and virtually every organ from your pelvic and groin area, you wouldn't be very healthy, but you would live. 

2. The largest cell in the human body is the female egg and the smallest is the male sperm. The egg is actually the only cell in the body that is visible by the naked eye. 

3. The strongest muscle in the human body is the tongue and the hardest bone is the jawbone. 


4. During your lifetime, you will produce enough saliva to fill two swimming pools. Actually saliva is more important than you realize.  If your saliva could not dissolve something, you could not taste it.

5. Human feet have 52 bones, accounting for one quarter of all the human body's bones. 

6. Feet have 500,000 sweat glands and can produce more than a pint of sweat a day. 

7. The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades. The reason it doesn't eat away at your stomach is that the cells of your stomach wall renew themselves so frequently that you get a new stomach lining every three to four days. 

8. The human lungs contain approximately 2,400 kilometers (1,500 miles) of airways and 300 to 500 million hollow cavities, having a total surface area of about 70 square meters, roughly  the same area as one side of a tennis court. Furthermore, if all of the capillaries that surround the lung cavities were unwound and laid end to end, they would extend for about 992 kilometers. Also, your left lung is smaller than your right lung to make room for your heart. 

9. Sneezes regularly exceed 100 mph, while coughs clock in at about 60 mph. 
                                                                 
10. Your body gives off enough heat in 30 minutes to bring half a gallon of water to a boil. 

11. Your body has enough iron in it to make a nail 3 inches long. 

12. Earwax production is necessary for good ear health. It protects the delicate inner ear from bacteria, fungus, dirt and even insects. It also cleans and lubricates the ear canal. 

13.  Everyone has a unique smell, except for identical twins, who smell the same. 
My husband, Doug and his twin
Don, are not identical.  Therefore they must have their own unique smell.
(So many things come to mind here that I'll not write another word, thus, resisting temptation!)
                                                                                                       
14. Your teeth start growing 6 months before you are born. This is why one out of every 2,000 newborn infants has a tooth when they are born 

15. A baby's head is one-quarter of its total length, but by the age of  25 will only be one-eighth of its total length. This is because people's heads grow at a much slower rate than the rest of their bodies. 

16. Babies are born with 300 bones, but by adulthood the number is reduced to 206. Some of the bones, like skull bones, get fused into each other, bringing down the total number. 

17. It's not possible to tickle yourself. This is because when you attempt to tickle yourself you are totally aware of the exact time and manner in which the tickling will occur, unlike when someone else tickles you. 

18. Less than one third of the human race has 20-20 vision. This means that two out of three people cannot see perfectly. 

19. Your nose can remember 50,000 different scents. But if you are a woman, you are a better smeller than men, and will remain a better smeller throughout your life. 

20. The human body is estimated to have 60,000 miles of blood vessels. 

21. The three things pregnant women dream most of during their first trimester are frogs, worms and potted plants. Scientists have no idea why this is so, but attribute it to the growing imbalance of hormones in the body during pregnancy. 

22. The life span of a human hair is 3 to 7 years on average. Every day the average person loses 60-100 strands of hair. But don't worry, you must lose over 50% of your scalp hairs before it is apparent to anyone. 

23. The human brain cell can hold 5 times as much information as an encyclopedia. Your brain uses 20% of the oxygen that enters your bloodstream, and is itself made up of 80% water. Though it interprets pain signals from the rest of the body, the brain itself cannot feel pain. 

24.  The tooth is the only part of the human body that can't repair itself.

25. Your eyes are always the same size from birth but your nose and ears never stop growing. 
This guy actually won the world championship for big noses.  I know his mama is proud of him!
                                                                                     
Next week we'll take a look at the second half!

Friday, November 22, 2013

FROM DEATH ROW TO LIFE

Today's blog comes from my brother, Ricky Tippett.  He has a prison ministry and spends time with men on death row through his program Straight Way.  See the video at the end.


Straight Way Ministry
11.14.13


An Unexpected Parting

It was anything but a typical Straight Way meeting today. It was my birthday! A month or so ago I mentioned in passing I would soon be the same age as my wife, who was actually 6 months older than I. When our 12 disciples came into the room, they all sat down and when it got quiet Nate looked over at me and said, “Hey, Rick! Happy Birthday, man!”

I was shocked anyone would remember. Robert, my ministry partner, said later he was embarrassed because Nate remembered it and he had forgotten. Our guys laughed and clapped loudly, shouting, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” I was both embarrassed and tickled, smiling from ear-to-ear. Imagine that. This group of a dozen death row inmates wished me a happy 64th birthday.

When I got up to teach the lesson that day—“Open My Eyes”--- I told the men that all of them had turned in their personal testimonies last week. 100%. I also told them I was reading one each day so that I can think about it, pray over the individual, and just meditate on the message of each testimony. I acknowledged I got weepy eyed over several.

When it was time to close out the session, I looked at our group and said, “Guys, I have a favor to ask of you.” They all looked up and I observed the surprised in most of their expressions. I wondered when the last time was when someone asked them for a favor. 

“What is it, Rick?” 

Another man said, “Sure. Anything.” 

When all of the men were looking at me and it was quiet I said, “I need you to do something for me.”

They stared at me, waiting for me to tell them, but I didn’t say anything else. I just looked at them. They had this puzzled look and suddenly one of the more intuitive inmates yelled, “HEY! HE WANTS US TO SING ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY’ TO HIM!”

I nodded my head and everyone broke out laughing at me, because that was exactly what I wanted.

Then quietly one man began singing, “Happy Birthday to you….” Suddenly the whole crowd jumped in and began singing in unison. It was loud as it reverberated off the concrete walls and floor. I loved every precious note of it. They came up one-by-one laughing and giving a hearty man-hug and wishing me a happy birthday.

I remember the last guy to hug me and shake my hand whispered in my ear, “Don’t give up on us, Rick.” It shocked me. It caused me to pause and stop laughing. I stared at him and he stared back. 

“No, I won’t. I promise. And don’t you give up on yourself or the LORD either.”

He smiled and walked away.


I knew at that moment God was working in all of our hearts. There is family here. Brothers in the LORD. Brothers stick together. Brothers give each other encouragement and gifts when they can. Today was the day I received one of the most memorable birthday gifts I have ever had. I received a happy birthday song from a twelve member men’s choir out of the depths of death row. How many men can say that? 
_____________
Kathy here again.  That phrase, "Don't give up on us" touched me.  God never gave up on me.  His lavish love took me from death to life!  Such amazing grace is extended to ALL! 



Friday, November 15, 2013

AM I FLUSHED? (Potty Talk)

Now I readily admit to having extremely limited plumbing abilities.  My knowledge includes an O-ring but my skills end at plungers.  Doug is pretty handy as a plumber and we seldom, if ever, call on a professional.  These pictures of professional plumbers' work remind me why.


2013 Plumber Of The Year Awards

 How does this even get past the planning phase?



 This is why Doug says to measure twice.
 Apparently you don't want anyone seeing
your face, but everything else is okay?

 The oak seat is a nice touch though.

 And the purpose for the door is?

 This stall is for people with orangutan arms!

 This would be the "half bath" noted in real estate listings.

 Very classy!  Only three steps to your throne.
Hopefully you're not in a hurry.


DRUM ROLL. . . 
 Here's the 1st Place winner!

That's enough potty talk for one blog!

Thursday, November 7, 2013

85% of Communication is. . .

"Dr. Mike, would you consider counseling my friend over the phone?"  Knowing my pastor was a wise therapist, I sought his help for someone who lived far away.

"No, I'm sorry, Kathy. It doesn't work on the phone. 85% of communication is body language."

He's right.  As I've thought on that aspect of communication I realize how relationships are built.  Nothing replaces time with one you love. Whether family or friend, the real connections are best face to face.

Texting or emailing, while quick and easy, can relay information but does little to strengthen bonds. In fact I know of great damage done when one dashes off written words to vent, complain or give a differing opinion. Without facial expressions, tone of voice or body language, written words can sound angry, sarcastic and be easily misunderstood. They're also permanent!

Our children live in different states and even countries, so we use whatever means we can to stay in touch.  Sometimes the best we can do is talk on the phone (at least tone of voice is heard there) or watch the grands open birthday gifts on Face Time.  

It's a slippery slope in today's world of staying in touch.  If it mostly becomes facebook or texting, I fear we lose real personal relationships.  Sure, it takes more time and effort. If speed trumps everything, we can easily disconnect from those we cherish.

When I was truly hurting, friends and family reached out to me in all these ways.  The one I treasure most is the one who came to me, hugged me and wiped away my tears.

Real love takes real time with real people.  Don't buy into the throw-away-quick-easy lifestyle and toss people into that discarded mix.

Friday, November 1, 2013

JUST DO YOUR JOB! Rii-iiight!

"Kathy, I know you're only 12 but would you like a job at my beauty shop Saturdays as a receptionist?"

"Sure.  I think I'd be good at receptioning! What do I do?"

"Just answer the phone and say, 'Dottie's Beauty Salon'." 

So easy, even a child (me!) could do it.  I practiced my one line over and over.  

Saturday I was seated at the front desk, eager for the phone to ring.  Finally it did and I confidently chirped, "Hello. Bottie's Duty. . .uh, I mean. . .Dootie's Body. . .um, I-I mean Dottie's Beauty Salon!"  How can anyone blow three words?  

Confidence overshadowed competence.  But these pictures prove I'm not alone in having one job to do and doing it poorly.





















Maybe this is the real meaning of a depressed job market!