Before I get in to the blog carnival allow me to appear as tho' I am talking in circles, until the end and you will then understand what and why I said things as I did.

Today as we post this November's Blog Carnival it is our three hundred's (300) blog post! When I look at that number it doesn't appear all that large to me. However when I think about all the time spent writing these blog posts the number seems way too low for the amount of effort put out! This got me thinking that we adults use numbers each and every day too often to denote worth and value. Over time we become callused and the meanings change without much notice at first.

I have a theory that negative, 'bad' or cuss words spoken often enough around us become a part of our own vocabulary. The cuss words like numbers become callused over time and can then be used to mean something just a bit different. Now you are more than free to disagree. However I offer this personal experience as proof, and no I'm not bragging in the least. Back before I got sick and stuck in this dopey wheelchair, I worked many long hours around some of the very best people in the car business. AND no not the 'used car business' like all the jokes of being a crooked or dishonest either! Seriously these were some of the best people I ever got to know. We were simply average, honest Christian men trying to make an honest living. However, we had the very negative habit of using the very worst slang, and low-down dirty-nasty language with complete ease. It could have, if it hadn't already, caused a sailor to blush, so to speak! Again I am not proud of this nor bragging, I mention this to make a point. Before I got into that business I didn't use nor had I ever heard most of those cuss words! And no, I am not or ever was nor ever will be, an angel! However, due to the exposure of being around it ten-twelve hours a day, six days a week, it quickly became a part of my vocabulary as well. Now understand just how powerful and lasting they become. I have been disabled for over ten years! I have been sick out of my mind, in and out of hospitals so very many times, however, still to this day, some ten years later, no matter how hard I try, those words still do pop out of my mouth at times today!

I feel that just like the way of talking developes over time with exposure, so to does our reaction to numbers. We have been bombarded lately by Congress with huge numbers! Now those folks are used to talking millions, billions and trillions, but us average joe blow's really don't have any clue as to how much a trillion is. Whenever there is, unfortunately a disaster, the T.V. reporters inform us of either hundreds or thousands of people who died. We have become, unwilling and unintentional though it may be, but still so callused to 'number of dead persons' just like cussing. We don't even pay close attention until the reporters begin saying thousands of dead. Remember back to that terrible tidal wave/tsunami that killed over two hundred thousand (200,000) people? How many of us took note and the quickly continued with whatever we were doing? If the reporter would of said that enough people died to fill three or four football stadiums to the brim, maybe then we would have gotten weak in the knees and prayed for the victims and their families right then and there! I may be wrong, however I do want you to know that I know full well that We don't do this willingly, we aren't bad, uncaring people. We have just allowed our environment(s) to callus us to certain numbers in certain situations. What about the millions that were killed during the middle ages by the black plague? See I don't believe that us people don't care any longer. I think that we have heard numbers too often so then it doesn't sound all that bad if only three or four got killed last night in a fight somewhere.

Just like any good politician, we can spin and twist the numbers to mean just about anything. The purpose for bring this subject up was to remind you to not become callused by hearing the big numbers. When the reporters say we are only at a bit over ten-percent unemployment and that means that over ninety percent are working, you say wait! Wait a moment, and break the numbers down so that they mean something to you. Yes, ninety percent are employed, however change the other percentage to a concrete number, sixteen million are unemployed! I am not sure if it ever is done purposely to decieve, I rather think that it is just exposure and that we need to be aware of it to not get lost in the shuffle of a masterful, convoluted number user.

Lastly, because things are bad for such a large number of people, we need to pray. Simple old-fashioned prayer! We need to pray harder than we ever have! Why? because if things continue as they are, we all will be in terrible trouble for real and we won't need any masterful, convoluted number user to inform us of how good or bad we are. Simply stated, we all will be in very bad shape. Let's not think of that, let us put our minds on Jesus, our Savior and the one who takes our prayers to God the Father. Remember, 'if God is for us; who could be against us-NO ONE'! I am asking you to pray, not out of fear, but rather because 'things' are going to need the expertise of the Creator of the universe to get things straightened out! Before you pray, think of this first to help put things in proper perspective for you. That huge number-sixteen million unemployed is really even larger than that! Each and every one of those sixteen-million persons have a spouse, children, parents, cousins and friends! Or some combination there-of. Now see that six-teen million with those family and friends added to it and that is a colossal number of sad and hurting folks, who need prayer right now more than anything else! Please pray for an end to all this as soon as possible. Don't get callused by the over use and reporting of numbers. Six-teen million is a bunch no matter how you slice or dice it. Don't allow our politicans to get lost in all the arguements, we need them to help, and hekp right now! There will be time for arguing and showboating later! I pray that something changes right away and I pray that you and your family are comfortable and doing better than the rest! God bless and please pray!

Enjoy This November Issue of Our Blog Carnival

Ed Jones presents It Worked Just Like Dad Said! posted at Lessons Learned From My 2 & 4 Year Old, saying, "Being a proud father - I often share stories about my two boys. Although I think they are exceptional in every way, I think people listen because they share similar experiences. They can relate to the disobedient, but oh so cute child or the embarrassment of a child who runs from you in a public place laughing hysterically or the unconditional love you never understood until you had your first child. So, I have decided to share some stories with you. These are lessons I have learned from my two boys. Not because they are all that different from your children. But, because the stories are probably actually very similar. God uses the simple things in life to teach me. May these stories be an encouragement to you that you are not alone."

Jacquelyn presents Helping Your Child with Anger Management posted at WParent.com - Wise Parenting Guide , saying, "How do you normally respond to an angry child? Do you get angry yourself? Learn some anger management tips from this article."

Rick Schiano presents Let Go, Forget the Past, but not All of It posted at Ricks Victory Blog.

Fredric Cernick presents Top 50 Blogs for Online Scripture Study posted at Accredited Online Bible Colleges.

Melissa Hedding presents Finds For Families: Grown Up posted at Finds For Families, saying, "How parenting helps us grow more Christ-like"

Jipson Musundi presents Baby Heart Rate Monitors Hints And Tips posted at Digital baby Monitor.

angela ambroise presents Sacred Friendships Book Review posted at He Speaks To Me.

Jason Koeppe presents Listening To God ? Look, Listen, Obey posted at My Hands For War Worship Training, saying, "A look at how to listen to God better by looking at the human parenting relationship between kids and parents. Also, putting things into perspective on how much God expects of us and what steps He wants us to take."

Bible SEO presents Jesus and Zacchaeus - The Guest of Sinner Bible Study posted at Bible Study Exposition Online,saying, "Bible study lesson on Jesus and Zacchaeus from Luke 19:1-10"

BWL presents Finding the will of God for your life posted at Christian Personal Finance.

NCSue presents ... that they may be one as we are one posted at IN HIM WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING .

Suzane Smith presents 20 Incredible iPhone Apps for Christian Evangelists posted at Christian Universities, saying, "Here are the top 20 incredible iPhone Apps for Christian evangelists. The apps can help with prayer, Bible study, productivity, and much more."

Lisa Taylor presents 10 Common Misunderstandings of the Catholic Church EXPLAINED! posted at Online Degree.net, saying, "why are there so many misunderstandings regarding the Catholic Church and the areas that involve it? We have decided to try and clear up some of these common misconceptions with this list of ten of the most popularly misconstrued issues."

Rodney Sutton presents Correction Now...Or Perhaps A Correctional Facility Later On posted at Happy Hog Speaks!.

BWL presents Seek first the Kingdom of God posted at Christian Personal Finance, saying, "The results are pretty amazing when we begin to start seeking first God and His Kingdom, rather than material things..."

Tracy Dear presents How's Your Heart? posted at New Mercy, saying, "This is about a life lesson I have to keep re-learning..."

Autumn Beck presents 5 Things You Must Teach Your Children posted at Homeschooling in Kerrville , saying, "Have you ever stopped and thought about 5 things that you must teach your children before they leave home? I say "must" because these 5 things will probably be so important to you that you couldn't imagine NOT teaching them to your children."

Christy presents A Happy Baby Means a Well Rested Baby! posted at From one mom to another , saying, "Advice on having a schedule for a baby"

Scientific Living presents Judging By Potential posted at Scientific Living, saying, "Judging others by their potential, and not judging ourselves.

Rick Schiano presents Our Lives Make a Difference Teaching posted at Ricks Victory Blog.

Melissa Hedding presents Ready for "Why?" posted at Finds For Families, saying, "Here's some info on how to make good, fair, well-thought-out rules for your kids... and why to do it."

Becca Glouzstein presents Girls and Their Body Image posted at Inspiration for Mothers . Com .

Melissa Hedding presents Finds For Families: The Work of Childhood posted at Finds For Families , saying, "With all the work involved in child-rearing, it's great when there's some time for play too!"

Jacquelyn presents Is Your Child Overloaded? posted at WParent.com - Wise Parenting Guide , saying, "Is your child too busy? Is he always running from one activity to another? Beware of him becoming overloaded and the consequences of it."

Rick Schiano presents Let Go, for Mental Peace posted at Ricks Victory Blog.

Bible SEO presents Water and Wine - Jesus' First Miracle at Cana - John 2:1-11 Bible Study Lessons Bible Guide Printable Bible Studies posted at Bible Study Exposition Online , saying, "Bible study lesson on Jesus' first miracle at Cana Wedding."

Ben presents Should you buy a tankless water heater? posted at LP Tankless Water Heaters .

Melissa Hedding presents Transfer of Power posted at Finds For Families , saying, "As we gradually grant our children freedoms, we teach them how to relate rightly to authority. This makes it more natural for them to have a proper relationship to their Heavenly Father and improves their witness."

Kevin Poulis presents SBC.net – Southern Baptist Convention posted at SiteTally.com.

Carolyn Friedman presents 50 Things Your Child Should Never Know posted at Nurse Practitioner Schools .

Allison Johanson presents Top 25 Social Media Sites for Christians posted at Accredited Online Bible Colleges.

Melissa Hedding presents Finds For Families: The Moral Intellect posted at Finds For Families, saying, "Learn about how childrens' moral faculties develop, and what parents can do to help."

JoeDale presents Top Christian Universities Online Christian Colleges and Universities - Christian Counseling Degree posted at Online Christian Colleges and Universities - Christian Counseling Degree , saying, "Christian Colleges and Universities finds, reviews, and discusses accredited universities offering accredited Christian Universities offering degrees online."

Diane Laine presents Top 10 Most Followed Celebrity Pregnancies of All Time posted at Online Ultrasound School.

Kevin Poulis presents TheChristianCommunity.org – A Movement For Religious Renewal posted at SiteTally.com .

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That will conclude this November Blog Carnival. Please Submit your blog article(s) to the next edition of The Blog Carnival of Christian Family Information Exchange using our Carnival submission form . Past posts and future hosts can be found on our Blog Carnival Index Page. Thank you and feel free of re-post these articles here or at our main site. All we do ask is that you be sure to include the authors name and a link to their web site.

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Roy Twogood Jr is Managing Director of OLIN e-Publishing Company & OLINeBooks , Denver Colorado- http://olin.tk . Be sure to browse all the pages at our site for new freebies for the taking! Have fun and God bless!

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