Botox Contains Botulism💀

Briar decorates her Christmas tree, learns about Botox, and hears about ancient Christian martyrs.

Woah, do I have some facts for you all today!!

The day started at church. It was an excellent service. We are going through the seven letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation. Today, we were in chapter 2, looking at the Church in Pergamum. I learned a few very intriguing things:

-This letter contains some double-edged sword imagery. At first glance, it just looks like a flowery analogy added for dramatic effect, but it actually carries a lot of symbolism. In the city of Pergamum, a man was given a double-edged sword. He would have complete authority, including the power to kill and judge as he saw fit. The passage starts off with verse 12:

 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.”

Revelation 2:12

Jesus has complete authority. He has the double-edged sword.

-There was a man named Antipas who was only mentioned once in the Bible. Revelation 2:13

 ^“I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.”

Revelation 2:13

This verse teaches us two things about Antipas: first, he was a faithful witness, and second, he was martyred. According to church tradition(which may or may not be accurate), Antipas was a physician who was simultaneously witnessing about Christianity to the people he was helping.

In Pergamum, there was a temple to the god of Asclepius. It was said that if you wanted to be healed of an ailment, you would need to sacrifice to this idol, and you would be healed. The Aesculapians, who were members of the medical guild, found out about Antipas and accused him of disloyalty to Ceaser.

Antipas was condemned to death. He was sealed inside of a copper idol in the image of a bull. The bull was heated over the fire until it was red hot, essentially boiling Antipas alive. But, the fantastic thing is that the Christians in Pergamum didn’t renounce their faith after this happened.

I’m really loving this series at church. I have never really gone too deep into Revelation because, to be honest, it is an incredibly confusing book full of unknowns.

Today was my brother’s birthday, so to celebrate, the family came to my apartment. We ate wings and decorated my Christmas tree. As usual, when I met up with my dad, I learned a multitude of random concepts.

-Einkorn means one corn. It is an ancient grain that means one kernel in German. This refers to the fact that each spikelet of the einkorn grain plant contains only one kernel.

-I was showing off my newly canned salsa at the lunch table, and I mentioned something about how I hoped it didn’t contain any botulism. Botulism is a lethal toxin made by bacteria. 110 cases of botulism poisoning are recorded every year. Well, as my dad pointed out, botulism is actually what is in Botox. What?! People inject their faces with the most toxic poison known to man???

An hour or so later, I looked over to see my dad Googling something, as is his custom. He was researching botulism in botox😆. Botox is meant to paralyze your muscles. All of this stuff is blowing my mind. How do people think that this is a good idea? Why would you want the most toxic poison on earth injected into your face?? Give me all the wrinkles as I get older! Keep the deadly paralyzing bacteria away from me🤣!

-We also discussed the differences between a psychopath and a sociopath. Sociopaths generally have a weak conscience and try to justify their actions. They are often very erratic and impulsive. Psychopaths have no conscience and tend to be very strategic in their actions.

Another beautiful Sunday is in the books. Oh yes, and I decorated my Christmas tree❤. I will spend so many mornings and evenings basking in this dim hygge glow.

-Briar Albaugh