Wired Pig's Lifestream

As usual I received this from my mom. Growing up Lutheran I can appreciate the humor in this.

As usual I received this from my mom. Growing up Lutheran I can appreciate the humor in this.

My wife, a former Jehovah’s Witness(1) , received this email from her mother, active in the WTBTS. I thought I would pass it along, as it is wholly incorrect. This single email, being sent to WTBTS members shows a singular lack of awareness about the movie “Avatar” and about the internet as a whole. The author of this email is instilling a false scriptural based fear in those WTBTS members reading the email. For additional reading, see the forum post Should a Christian see the movie Avatar over at jehovahs-witness.net. Disclaimer – I have no seen Avatar but plan to. Additionally I have no affiliation with jehovahs-witness.net aside from finding it when I searched for(2) “Family Worship Research (AVATAR)‏”  on Google. I have left the original formatting, colors and links. Any additions I have made have been with footnotes. START EMAIL NOW, ISN’T THIS INTERESTING!!! After discussing with our family and several friends about the popular movie “Avatar”(3)

, and the prevalence of “avatars” on the Internet, we thought that others might be interested in what we found in our family worship research, tell us what you think: Merriam-Webster Dictionary:(4) av·a·tar: the incarnation of a Hindu deity (as Vishnu) Mankind’s Search for God p. 106:(5) avatar-a manifestation or an incarnation of a Hindu deity Mankind’s Search for God p.116 Buddha – Gautama, founder of Buddhism; Hindus view him as an incarnation (avatar) of Vishnu Wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar(6) In Hinduism, Avatar or Avatāra (Devanagari अवतार, Sanskrit for “descent” [viz., from heaven to earth]) refers to a deliberate descent of a deity from heaven to earth Sound familiar?!? “And the angels that did not keep their original position but forsook their own proper dwelling place he has reserved with eternal bonds under dense darkness for the judgment of the great day” Jude 6 Similarities between the Hindu goddess Kali(7) (left) and a character from the movie (right).

Another interesting point…the race of blue humanoids(8) in the movie are called “Na’vi” on researching that look what we found on Wikipedia:(9) Navi – (singular, Hebrew, plural: Nevi’im) refers to a (or the) prophet in the Hebrew Bible. We hope you all found this as interesting as we did. This is very interesting information to know especially since “Avatar” is one of the most popular movies in the world right now. Its good to keep well informed…(2Corinthians 2:11) . . . that we may not be overreached by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his designs.” We thought this was very interesting and researched it ourselves too. We put the word “avatar” & “Incarnation” into our spiritual google ( Watchtower Library)(10) . In searching for and it brings up a whole lot more interesting points from other publication. Agape, END EMAIL Footnotes are for reference only and may have little, if anything to do with the text from the post. Also know as “The Witness’” and “Watchtower Bible and Tract Society”. Who I will refer to as the WTBTS in this email. The title of the email Synopsis of Avatar from the IMBD. You can view the article here. When his brother is killed in a robbery, paraplegic Marine Jake Sully decides to take his place in a mission on the distant world of Pandora. There he learns of greedy corporate figurehead Parker Selfridge’s intentions of driving off the native humanoid “Na’vi” in order to mine for the precious material scattered throughout their rich woodland. In exchange for the spinal surgery that will fix his legs, Jake gathers intel for the cooperating military unit spearheaded by gung-ho Colonel Quaritch, while simultaneously attempting to infiltrate the Na’vi people with the use of an “avatar” identity. While Jake begins to bond with the native tribe and quickly falls in love with the beautiful alien Neytiri, the restless Colonel moves forward with his ruthless extermination tactics, forcing the soldier to take a stand – and fight back in an epic battle for the fate of Pandora. Written by The Massie Twins See Merriam-Webster for the FULL definition of Avatar that includes, as #4:  an electronic image that represents and is manipulated by a computer user (as in a computer game) Not having a copy of “Mankind’s Search for God” I could not refute any of the definitions presented. But, in reading any of the other links provided you will find information of a non-sinister/satanic nature. See also Wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar_(computing) where the first entry is: An avatar is a computer user’s representation of himself/herself or alter ego, whether in the form of a three-dimensional model used in computer games,[1] a two-dimensional icon (picture) or a one-dimensional username used on Internet forums and other communities,[2][3] or a text construct found on early systems such as MUDs. It is an object representing the user. The term “avatar” can also refer to the personality connected with the screen name, or handle, of an Internet user.[4] This sense of the word was coined by Neal Stephenson[5] in 1992’s Snow Crash who co-opted it from the Sanskrit word avatāra which is a concept similar to that of incarnation. Since the emails author likes to use Wikipedia, I thought I would use it as well. As for Kali, you can find information about her here. Under the Iconography section “she is described as being black in color but is most often depicted as blue in popular Indian art“. Under Origins, The ‘Ratri Sookta’ in rigveda actually calls her as Goddess ‘Ratri’ and regards Ratri as the Supreme force in the universe. In the Tantras, she is regarded as the Shakti (Power) of The Great Mahakala(a form of Lord Shiva). Her portrayal on dead bodies in crematorium symbolizes her presence in the hearts of devotees who have killed their Earthly desires and want Supreme Consciousness in the lap of the Ultimate Mother, Kali. In another form, she is regarded as the destroyer, the Mahakali as Kali Tantra says-”kali kalanat” meaning Kali is the one who finishes. Kalika Purana depicts her as the “Adi Shakti” (Fundamental Power) and “Para Prakriti” or beyond nature. So, aside from the BLUE color (of which we know that Kali’s skin is actually BLACK) there is NO connection with Kali and the characters in the film Avatar. You can also look at Wikipedia for the Disambiguation page of Navi that also lists: The character Navi in the video game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Navi can also refer to the study of Nevi’im, the Books of Prophets, a traditional Hebrew reference to the study of that section in the Hebrew Bible. An alternate name for the star Gamma Cassiopeiae. The name of one of the main villains in season four of television series 24. Navi, a village in Võru County, Estonia. A pseudonym of a famous Michael Jackson impersonator from Essex, England. You too can search the WTBTS Library here. In searching for ‘Avatar’ and ‘Navi’ I got a “Search Results Error”. I then searched the WTBTS website (www.watchtower.org for ‘Avatar and Navi’ using Google. Guess what? Nadda. There was NOTHING in ENGLISH for that term. To be fare, there was nothing I could understand. Try the search yourself. Use the link. Exciting, huh?

Dedicated to Mrs. Natalie Morris. I received this story, as I’m sure some of you have, via an email. With the recent events in my friend Tee Morris life I thought this to be timely and appropriate. I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes.. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas.. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn’t help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me. ‘Hello Barry, how are you today?’ ‘H’lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus’ admirin’ them peas. They sure look good..’ ‘They are good, Barry. How’s your Ma?’ ‘Fine.. Gittin’ stronger alla’ time.’ ‘Good. Anything I can help you with?’ ‘No, Sir. Jus’ admirin’ them peas.’ ‘Would you like to take some home?’  asked Mr.. Miller. ‘No, Sir. Got nuthin’ to pay for ‘em with.’ ‘Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?’ ‘All I got’s my prize marble here.’ ‘Is that right? Let me see it’ said Miller.. ‘Here ’tis.. She’s a dandy.’ ‘I can see that. Hmm mmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?’ the store owner asked. ‘Not zackley but almost.’ ‘Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble’. Mr. Miller told the boy. ‘Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.’ Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, ‘There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn’t like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.’ I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles. Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could. Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts…all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband’s casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and   moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes. Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband’s bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket. ‘Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim ‘traded’ them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size….they came to pay their debt.’ ‘We’ve never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,’ she confided, ‘but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho ..’ With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles. The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath. Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles A fresh pot of coffee you didn’t make yourself… An unexpected phone call from an old friend …. Green stoplights on your way to work… The fastest line at the grocery store… A good sing-along song on the radio… Your keys found right where you left them. IT’S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER THAT  TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED! Tee Morris and Sonic Boom (his young daughter) are not only facing the loss of Natalie, but also significant and immediate costs involved with her death and keeping their family together. We’re all better off because of what Tee Morris has done for the podcasting community. He started this thing, let’s show him in a little way, that we are standing behind him.(1)

You can view Natalie’s Memorial Site here. Included is a copy (in PDF) of the Memorial Service pamphlet here (link to download it is on the page.). If you want to leave a message for Tee Morris and SB, please do so on this page. Footnotes are for reference only and may have little, if anything to do with the text from the post. From the ChipIn Page. Exciting, huh?

Received from, who else, my Mother. Enjoy.

Enjoy these incredible photos of a White Bengal Tiger named Odin.

Odin is six years old and 10 feet long from tail to nose. Odin lives at a Zoo in Vallejo, California, near San Francisco.

Odin with his British trainer Lee Munro.

Odin was hand-raised at the zoo. And after he was weaned, his British trainer Lee Munro discovered his remarkable skill.

When a lump of meat was thrown into a pool of water, Odin would happily dive in after it. ‘He makes a funny face – and it’s actually to close his nostrils to stop the water from going into his nose.‘

Not all big cats enjoy the water but for Tigers from the hot climate of South-East Asia it’s one way to cool down.

‘Plus they hunt in and around water. They’re an ambush predator so they wait for prey to come down to the water.‘

‘When you actually see him dive underwater he looks so graceful,‘

‘Odin loves the water and he loves food,’ he said. ‘Not all big cats will dive and swim underwater even for meat treats.‘

Munro said tigers were the most powerful swimmers out of all land-dwelling animals.

Tragically, within our lifetimes, zoos might be the only places left to see these magnificent animals.

A century ago there were about 100,000 tigers in the wild. Now there are just 2,500 adults, with the Bengal variety almost extinct. None has been seen in the wild since the last white tiger was shot and killed in 1958.

White tigers are the most rare. They get their whitecolor from an unusual and extremely rare genetic combination.

I hope you enjoyed these photos as much as I did.