COMensarations
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Of Mensans, Money and Mojo
Powerball fever has gripped Mario. According to an e-mail sent to the Denver Mensa Announcements listserv, that is....
Howdy Folks,
The jackpot of tonight’s Powerball drawing is 340 million dollars. Even if 100 people were to split that prize, it would still be 3 million, four hundred thousand dollars each.
So here is the plan:
Everybody buy a ticket with these numbers:
02 07 31 42 43 and Powerball number 22
Here is a quotation from the page http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/matthew/matthew18.htm :Matthew Chapter 18
19 Again, (amen,) I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
God helps those who help themselves!
To which Doug!! asked....
Mario,
Are you suggesting we pray for the jackpot? ! recall you once chastising someone for praying for you and condemning it as some sort of black magic that shouldn’t be forced on anyone. Or words to that effect. Should ! assume that the after-tax residue of $3.4million handily exceeds your “price” to sell out what sounded then like a stand on principle? !’ve gotten the impression that you are an atheist. Of what use is prayer to you in that case? Prayer requires faith. Windfalls of that magnitude generally turn out to be less of a blessing than one would expect. Final question. If GOD gives this to you what are you going to do w/ it to further HIS glory? As this is the “announcement" list further discussion should be taken off line. Anyone interested is certainly welcome to e mail me and/or Mario? and ask to be included.
Meanwhile, Rebecca is having fun and maybe learning something as well. She writes…
I listen more than I speak, which is probably evident from my complete lack of emails to the group. As an athiest, I find religion a bit puzzling, but I’m fascinated by it and people who practice. Please continue to include me in this conversation
Then from out of left field, Jim Wallace chimes in with a proposed visit to the spiritualists in his blog entry below.
What’s driving all of this sudden interest in getting closer to Big Juju; be He hairy thunderer or cosmic muppet? Are we getting into silly season? Is it because All Saints’ Eve is just a fortnight away? Is it a sign of the [finally] coming apocalypse!!?!?!?
I donn know, but it makes for interesting discussion, provided no one actually puts an axe through their monitor, trying to get to someone they disagree with on such matters.
So....what are YOUR thoughts on Cosmic WooWoo?
Next entry: Men, Migs and Municipal Airports Previous entry: Ten Cosmological Powers Brian Swimme Video Series-
TO: Becky
RE: My Personal Religious Beliefs…...are christian. And for a goodly number of reasons. Several of which verge on the miraculous. There is nothing quite like calling for help and, within seconds of your life being snuffed out, hearing a voice in your mind’s ear telling you exactly what to do. This happened to me one night while plummeting out of a moonless night sky with a malfunctioning parachute. And on another night in a snit with an 18-wheeler on I-25. Got up and walked away from both incidents.
There are a number of other less dramatic events as well. Along with some down-right weird experiences, things that would make a nice horror flick. But I won’t bore you with the details at this time. Only if you’re interested.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
on 10/20 at 09:34 AM -
TO: Doug!! [LocSec v. 2005]
RE: A Prayer for Mario DeBenedittis! recall you once chastising someone for praying for you and condemning it as some sort of black magic that shouldn’t be forced on anyone. Or words to that effect.—Doug!!, to Mario DeBenedittis
Sara Boe gave me a book a long time ago titled A Prayer for Dudley Doright or something like that. I should read it some day. But after I finish Decision In Battle, a book on military history regarding why some people decided the fates of nations acting like so many bozos. Currently on Hooker vs. Lee at Chancellorsville.
At any rate, I think you’re spot-on with respect to praying for people. Even when they are adamently opposed to your doing it, as seems to be Mario’s situation. I pray for him myself, when I’m reminded; whenever I read another of his e-mails on the listserv or he comes to mind in some other fashion. Who knows....maybe it’s working? Now he’s praying for God to give him things. Like Janice Joplain sang about. It’s a step in the right direction. That is, if he’s serious about it.
Some people doubt the power of prayer. Others put more ‘faith’ in the power of persuasion. I’ve never seen the latter REALLY work. However, I have witnessed the former work on several occasions.
Keep up the Go[o]d work....
....we’re all excited.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
[As soon as the man is at one with God, he will not beg. He will then see prayer in all action. — Ralph Waldo Emerson]on 10/20 at 10:01 AM