lectures on jurgen moltmann by barry ballard: February 2012

MY BRIEF TESTIMONY

BRIEF 5 min. PERSONAL TESTIMONY - BARRY BALLARD

On a warm summer day in Washington D.C., I sat in a small movie theater listening to a re-broadcast of a Billy graham crusade that had been previously given elsewhere. I was attending with a Christian group who ministered on the air force based where I was stationed, "Andrews Air Force Base". At the conclusion of the presentation, there was an invitation given to receive Christ and counselors were standing up front to pray with those who came forward. The house lights went up and I went forward and prayed to receive Jesus Christ into my life. This was not the moment of my true conversion, this was "preparation-of-heart", part one.

On a humid pitch-black night in 1969, my plane touched down on the Saigon airfield that was currently under rocket attack. Black-out conditions were in effect and we were rushed to trucks and then transported to our barracks and its inclusive bunker for protection. I was assigned an m16 rifle, two clips of ammo, and given a helmet and flack-vest. I spent my first night in Saigon standing in the bunker, wondering "why?" I was even here. I understood none of it, except that supposedly it had to do with communism and we were protecting democracy. But, I just felt abandoned to the most bizarre and remote assignment I could imagine. I worked "support", so I do not want to give the false impression that I was "combat"; but I did serve some time in the jungle. Only one man died in our group during the year I was there; and he told me beforehand that he wanted to die and never return home. He had received his divorce papers in the mail about a week before my arrival. He was shot down in a helicopter "one" day before he was to return home. My one year in Saigon was a lesson in the deterioration of the human spirit and soul. Eventually, I also learned to hate myself and "living" and could care less about what might lie ahead. I was returning to the states with a crushed human soul, devoid of all optimism. This was "preparation-of-heart", part two.

On a humid gray-dusk-like-evening, I found myself, in 1970, driving through the main gate of Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas. I soon settled into my tasks of working in the 7th bomb wing headquarters, in support roles again as usual. I also served on the honor guard for special occasions for fallen veterans funerals, or award ceremonies. Even though my personal psyche was "wasted“; I was considered an admirable employee and respected for my abilities. My inner life however was an absolute disaster that I did not "share" with anyone. Strangely enough; I was visited by representatives of the "Navigators"; the same Christian organization that had approached me in Washington D.C. I began attending bible studies two nights a week and felt a little better about life by receiving this follow-up. I'll call this "preparation-of-heart", part three.

During my term of service at Carswell, I met my wife to be, Beverly, who invited me to her church in River Oaks, "Trinity Baptist Church". They had a young pastor, John Hatch, who was just finishing his doctorate at Southwestern and the atmosphere attracted me. It was in 1973, “4” years after that initial "preparation-of-heart"; that I made an honest commitment to Jesus Christ and immediately followed that with baptism.

From there, the road did not get any smoother, but my “soul” began a healing process that eventually went from healing to true "Wonder and Discovery". The first thing that was revealed to me was my spiritual gift, which is "Teaching". While at Trinity, I ended up writing three commentaries: James, Colossians, and Philippians. All three helped me grow in my commitment to Jesus Christ.

True conversion was preceded by three moments of "preparation-of-the-heart" in my case. Over a four year stretch of time, God never gave up on me. I think the strength of my testimony must be given to the strength of God's loving patience; to lead me along the final path that would secure my faith. Thank You.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

JOSEPH LEDOUX: LECTURE TWO

Ledoux process of neurotransmitter transmission at synaptic cleft: 20 min. only. prepatory for next two lectures on flow charts.

http://www.mediafire.com/?171r9jz0hletepe

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

JOSEPH LEDOUX: PREFATORY LECTURE OF 25 MIN.

important prefatory remarks so we can focus properly on Ledoux and his extremely important contribution to neural correlates. only 25 min.

http://www.mediafire.com/?3g8wjeb42ub454q

Monday, February 27, 2012

JOSEPH LEDOUX: VERY DETAILED FLOW CHART

very detailed flow chart for Ledoux and his emotional and cognitive synthesis within the neural complex for defining the "self"

http://www.mediafire.com/?prsxy1qkd5jh6cm

Saturday, February 25, 2012

LEDOUX: new york university neuro-scientist

FLOW CHART FOR UPCOMING SERIES. LEDOUX : is significant for understanding the dynamics of learning in the hippo-cortical circuit.

http://www.mediafire.com/?dg73q1es6rib607

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

ANTONIO DAMASIO: LECTURE NUMBER TWO ON NCC. THEORY

DAMASIO ON NCC. THEORY: THE LECTURE TO GO WITH THE CHART. 30 minutes.

http://www.mediafire.com/?n9mn5acye85muby

Monday, February 20, 2012

ANTONIO DAMASIO: LECTURE NUMBER ONE

introduction to Damasio and a few prefatory comments to this very significant contributor to NCC. THEORY. 40 minutes total

http://www.mediafire.com/?psdnvbkbxnws93u

ANTONIO DAMASIO: FLOW CHART FOR UPCOMING SERIES.

ANTONIO DAMASIO: one of the most difficult to understand neuro-scientists out there. We will make him understandable. after Hegel, all writers are accessible to me. upcoming important lectures on NCC. Theory from someone who wanders from the accepted path - but for a good reason.

http://www.mediafire.com/?wx2bdk856c05u4s

Sunday, February 19, 2012

EDELMAN ON COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY AND NCC.

nobel prize winner edelman on N.C.C. 40 minutes..

http://www.mediafire.com/?a3ubxd1qsri0u3i

Monday, February 13, 2012

complete chart of neural-physiological representation of consciousness

nobel prize winner edelman teaming up with tononi to spell out complete neural representation of consciousness. chart is for next few lectures.

http://hu.lk/dz8grxrlprmj

Sunday, February 5, 2012

WOLFE SINGER FLOW-CHART TO ACCOMPANY LECTURE.

wolfe singer flow-chart - formatted to 8 by 10.5 inches.

http://hu.lk/vlcizm1436l7

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

MASSIVE ALL-INCLUSIVE CHART OF VISUAL SENSORY INPUT SYSTEM

all of the detail of the 40hz feedforward and feedback loop of the ventral and dorsal visual sensory input system. elaborate chart. but numbered.

http://hu.lk/oxr7wkb4e8pl
my chart, my own construction

GERMAN NEURO-SCIENTIST WOLFE SINGER FROM FRANKFURT

SINGER supports binding theory of synchrony and pattern firing and offers a system that will work with llinas. very short , only 15 min.

http://hu.lk/q3xjc35qxhz7

lectures on jurgen moltmann by barry ballard

MY BRIEF TESTIMONY