Salt and Light

  I have been thinking about things that have to die. Actually all of us are dying but at different rates. Did you know there is a science associated with dying? It's called mortuary science. Funerals occurred in ancient times. The most famous are the Egyptians who embalmed their dead. But what is the role of a mortician? To preserve the body and make it look presentable for the funeral. My question is why? When something dies shouldn't we let it be exposed in all of its cautionary glory? Shouldn't wounds and the signs of pervasive diseases be left as warnings be they spiritual or physical?  The concept of “dying to self” is found throughout the New Testament. It expresses the true essence of the Christian life, in which we take up our cross and follow Christ. Dying to self is part of being born again; the old self dies and the new self comes to life (John 3:3–7). Not only are Christians born again when we come to salvation, but we also continue dying to self as part o...

I thought this post would be about erosion, but if you read my first post I'm back on light Particularly its power and why we avoid it. I now live in Wyoming where because of the elevation we need extra light. Normally 20 minutes/day is enough to stimulate the production of Vitamin D which helps the absorption of calcium. According to the Merck Manual, "Calcium is one of the body's electrolytes , which are minerals that carry an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids such as blood, but most of the body's calcium is uncharged. About 99% of the body’s calcium is stored in the bones, but cells (particularly muscle cells) and blood also contain calcium . Calcium is essential for the following: Formation of bone and teeth Muscle contraction Normal functioning of many enzymes Blood clotting Normal heart rhythm The body precisely controls the amount of calcium in cells and blood.  If people do not consume enough calcium , too much calcium is mobilized from the...

  There are two kinds of communication in the world of living cells. Communication between cells is called intercellular signaling , and communication within a cell is called intracellular signaling . An easy way to remember the distinction is by understanding that the prefix inter- means “between” (an interstate highway crosses between states) and intra- means “inside” (an IV means intravenous or “inside the vein”). Chemical signals are released by a signaling cell and received by a target cell . Target cells have proteins called receptors , which bind to signaling molecules and cause a response. Signaling molecules that bind to receptors are called ligands . Ligands and receptors are specific for each other; a receptor will typically bind only to its specific ligand. However, there are different types of signaling. There are four categories of chemical signaling found in multicellular organisms: autocrine signaling, paracrine signaling, endocrine signaling, and direct...

 Yesterday I was waxing on about types of cells and how they are symbolic of our innate need for community and fellowship. So I kept thinking and started pondering how they do this and I arrived at cell junctions. There are three basic types of cell junction (connection) desmosomes, tight junctions and gap junctions     A tight junction is an area where the membranes of two adjacent cells join together to form a barrier. Tight junctions bind cells together, prevent molecules from passing in between the cells, and also help to maintain the polarity of cells. Their most important functions are to help cells form a barrier that prevents molecules from getting through, and to stop proteins in the cell membrane from moving around. Tight junctions are often found at epithelial cells, which are cells that line the surface of the body and line body cavities. Not only do epithelial cells separate the body from the surrounding environment, they also separate surfaces within...

 "Belonging is the innate desire to be part of something larger than us."  Brene Brown Imperfect We are made in the image of a Triune God. God exists in community the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When He first created man He saw that it was not good for man to be alone and He made Eve. This desire for connection goes down to our smallest level - the cell. A cell is the smallest living organism. The Types of Cells Human cells number in the trillions and are fundamental building blocks that form tissues, organs, and organ systems that work together to sustain life. Each cell type in the human body is specialized for distinct functions, from stem cells capable of becoming other cell types to nerve cells that transmit signals. Cells like osteocytes maintain bone structure, blood cells transport oxygen and fight infections, and adipocytes store energy and regulate various bodily functions. All the types of cells have to work together for a healthy human . When cells becom...