Meteorology, Oceanography and the Bible. Wandering Planets. Do a Little. Goat Cheese. Update.

 

For "Scripture Sunday": 

Meteorology, Oceanography and the Bible

"The Bible is not a science book, but it includes many fascinating scientific facts. Consider these four facts about meteorology and oceanography.

The Bible focuses on teaching us God’s plan for our lives and the best way to live. However, when we study the Bible, we also find plenty of scientific tidbits that can strengthen our faith in its authenticity.

Consider these Bible facts about the wind and sea, recorded long before they were common knowledge:

1. Air has weight.

Job 28:25: “To establish a weight for the wind.”

The Bible claims that wind or air has a measurable weight. Yet people have not always known this. Our bodies are so accustomed to atmospheric pressure that we don’t think of the air as “weighing us down.”

According to NOVA, the idea that air has physical properties such as weight was first proposed by Isaac Beeckman in 1618; even then he was staunchly opposed by his contemporaries.

However, over the next centuries, scientists confirmed that there is indeed a “weight of the wind.” A column of air stretching from sea level to the top of the atmosphere just one square inch in cross-section weighs about 14.7 pounds! (A similar column of air one square centimeter in cross-section has a mass of about 1.03 kilograms.)

That is, air is matter made up of individual bits (molecules) that each have mass and weight. The temperature and weights of these molecules control the density of an air mass. Its density, in turn, determines the pressure of the air mass and how it will interact with other air masses at weather fronts.

In other words, our modern understanding of meteorology is based on this central fact described long ago in the Bible!

2. Water can evaporate, condense, precipitate and collect in an endless cycle.

Several scriptures make clear that water continually circulates between earth’s surface and earth’s atmosphere. The water cycle remains a crucial model for many modern fields including meteorology, oceanography and geology.Job 36:27-28: “For He draws up drops of water, which distill as rain from the mist, which the clouds drop down and pour abundantly on man” (see also Job 26:8 and Ecclesiastes 1:7)."  by Heather Cole           More at: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/is-the-bible-true/how-do-we-know-the-bible-is-true/meteorology-oceanography-and-the-bible/

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From me: It says in Isaiah 40:22, which was written in the 8th century Before Christ: "God sits above the circle of the earth. The people below seem like grasshoppers to him! He spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them." (NIV) 

If they had studied their Bible, the ancient people would have known that the earth wasn't flat!!

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Wandering Planets

AN AMAZING FACT:  "A rogue planet is a planetary object that has been moved from its system and is no longer bound by the gravitational forces of a star. Some astronomers actually believe there might be twice as many Jupiter-sized rogue planets as there are stars.

The concept and understanding of planets have developed throughout history and have expanded to include worlds not only in our solar system, but also in hundreds of other solar systems. Trying to define what a “planet” is has led to much scientific controversy.

The five classical planets visible to the naked eye have been known since ancient times. They have had a large impact on mythology, religious cosmology, and ancient astronomy. Thousands of years ago astronomers noticed how certain lights moved across the sky in relation to the other stars. Ancient Greeks called these lights “wandering stars.” The Greek word planetoi means “wanderers,” from which today’s word “planet” was derived.

In the short New Testament book of Jude, the writer warns of false teachers who were leading Christians astray. They might have preached about freedom and grace, but their lives showed that they didn’t really believe in Jesus Christ. They were immoral and destructive. Jude describes them like this: “They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever” (Jude 12, 13).

Perhaps the writer of Jude understood astronomy better than his fellow astronomers back then. Maybe his description of wandering stars (rogue planets) actually captures well these planetary objects not tied to an orbit around a star. We too can find ourselves as wandering stars when we try to exist in our own spheres of orbit. We would find more meaning and purpose in life if we allowed ourselves to be pulled in by the Spirit into an orbiting relationship with the Son of Righteousness."

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Do a Little

"We humans seem to be able to reason that the little we might do will not amount to much—so why bother?

To our way of thinking, unless our actions bring about a great change, they are useless. How often have we walked by a piece of paper or rubbish that someone dropped and we ourselves do not bend to pick it up because there is more rubbish to be seen? It seems like an endless task. What we may not notice is that in our inner man, changes take place. We can become careless in many little things as our values slowly change.

Jesus explained that when He observed a person being faithful in something small (like picking up a piece of paper and putting it in the trash bin), He knew that the person would be faithful with larger responsibilities (Luke:19:17). Jesus was looking at what was going on within the mind of the person—not on the little act that took place. For all of us, it is the inner man that we are developing by doing a little."  From: http://www.ucg.org/this-is-the-way/do-little/

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For your info:

Is Goat Cheese Good for You?

"Goat cheese contains less lactose than cheese made from cow’s milk, so it is typically well tolerated by those with lactose intolerance.

If you have an allergy to milk protein, you may be able to tolerate cheese made from goat’s milk because it’s formed with shorter amino acid protein chains than cow’s milk.

Goat’s milk has a chemical structure that’s similar to that of breast milk, and it has smaller fat globules than cow’s milk, which tend to make goat cheese easier to digest than cow’s milk cheese (even for people with a sensitive stomach)

Goat cheese has fewer calories and sodium per serving, and more vitamin D, vitamin K, thiamine, and niacin than cheddar.

The goat cheese you select should be made from high-quality milk, ideally raw organic milk from pastured animals; since goats are “browsers,” they also need access to natural “browse” (or woody plants, such as shrubs) from which to eat leaves.  Complete article at: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/09/28/goat-cheese-benefits.aspx

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Update:

Jay cleaned the pine needles off the roofs, so we raked them up and that meant another burn pile. Jay and I are still spasmodically working on the storeroom extension.  Ray's back has been really bothering him and he has been laying on his couch most of the time.  This morning he went to the Emergency Room and they gave him some shots and meds.

It was time for my six month check up at the cardiologist.  A lady did a sonogram of my heart and and the doctor says it is in better shape now than when I got out of the hospital after the bypass surgery.  He ordered another blood test for my thyroid to see if I really need that thyroid medicine. He said that one's numbers can fluctuate, and it might have been unusually high when I had the previous test.   The med is difficult to take, as you can't take it with four hours of having calcium.  It gave me insomnia, when I took it, and that was also when my left leg started to swell up.  Another medicine did that to me too. 

The foster dog, Baby Girl, and foster cat, Nala, are still here and not adopted yet.  Fortunately, this big 52 lb dog is obedient and easy to live with.  The cat thinks that this is her forever home, but at my age they both need to have new homes now, and not upon my demise when they are older.

Yesterday, I went to church by myself, as Jay and Ray weren't well, and it was great to be around such positive people. The readings were from Psalms 61,62,63, and 65.  Then Deut.11:26-chapter 18, Brother Les got carried away and read more than he was supposed to! 

The Teaching was about the Feasts as we are right in the middle of two of God's Holy Feast Days.  These links explain it better than I can.  See: http://www.ucg.org/booklet/gods-holy-day-plan-promise-hope-all-mankind/gods-festivals-new-testament/ 

and  http://www.ucg.org/gods-holy-day-plan/ 

and http://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/plan-of-salvation/feast-of-trumpets/

The First Resurrection at the Last Trumpet

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."  More at: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/blog/the-first-resurrection-at-the-last-trumpet/

 

The potluck was great as usual.  The week before, a visiting member from the church at Cisco had brought a big box of hard pears, so I took a few home with me.  They would only soften up when cooked, like in a pie or whatever.  I don't eat pastries, so I found a recipe for braised celery and pears, and it was tasty.  The pastor and his wife brought a brisket, and it was so tender.  We had the usual salads, lasagna, veggies and desserts, even a cake saying "Happy Feast Day".

Feast of Trumpets.

 

Rosh Hashanah, The Feast of Trumpets

"According to the Bible Calendar, the first day of the month of Tishri (see Bible Months) is a Holy Day to Jews throughout Israel and the world. They call it Rosh Hashanah. To Christians, it's known as the Feast of Trumpets.

In the Christian world, Rosh Hashanah is known as The Feast Of Trumpets. Many Christians observe this festival for its Christian prophetic application - the Return Of Jesus Christ.

"Lo! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable nature must put on the imperishable, and this mortal nature must put on immortality." (1 Corinthians 15:51-53 RSV) (see The Last Day)

"For this we declare to you by the word of The Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of The Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet The Lord in the air" (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 RSV) (see also The Return Of Jesus Christ)

Jewish tradition holds that Rosh Hashanah celebrates the anniversary of the creation of the world (see The Seven Days Of Creation), a day when "God takes stock of all of His Creation," which of course includes all of humanity. Translated from the Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means "head of the year" - rosh means head, while hashanah means year. Jews believe that God's judgment on this day determines the course of the coming year.

Rosh Hashanah is a Jewish festival in which most work ceases, just as on the weekly Sabbath. It's celebrated both in joy and solemnity. During the daily prayer service a ram's horn, or in the Hebrew, shofar, (see The Shofar) is sounded:

"And The Lord [see Rock Of Ages] said to Moses, "Say to the people of Israel, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall do no laborious work; and you shall present an offering by fire to The Lord." (Leviticus 23:23-25 RSV)

God does not do things in vain, or without purpose. The Old Testament Holy Days were not just some sort of Divine make-work project to keep the Israelites busy while they were out wandering in the desert (see Wilderness Journey). All of the Old Testament Holy Days (Passover, Days of Unleavened Bread, The Feast of Weeks, The Feast of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement, The Festival of Tabernacles and the Last Day – see Christian Living) were, and continue to be, living symbols of the stages of God's Plan of Salvation for all humanity. Those events are now in progress, and true Christians are the manifestation of it."

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So that is where I was today, at the church.  We had a quiet Feast of Trumpets service with readings from Psalms 50, 51, Gen 21, then 1 Sam 1-2:10.

After the song service, Jeff, one of the elders, blew the shofar (a ram's horn) in the traditional Rosh Hashanah blasts.  Then there was a teaching about Being Watchful.    It is said in the Bible that one year Jesus will return at the seventh trumpet, and so we should all be watchful and be ready.

The potluck was a tasteful brisket, among other good stuff, and we all had a good time today. 

The ISIS Threat: Where Is God? Feast of Trumpets. Wheelcart Dogs. Update.

 

For "Scripture Sunday":

The ISIS Threat: Where Is God?

In this photo taken June 23, 2014, fighters from the group calling itself the Islamic State parade in a commandeered Iraqi security forces armored vehicle down a main road at the northern city of Mosul, Iraq. (AP)

"The news about ISIS becomes more frightening every day. With the U.S. planning more airstrikes against this group, where is God and how should we respond?

For 13 years the West focused on the terrorist threat from al-Qaeda. Now the world is focused on Syria and Iraq as ground zero of a new, even more dangerous terrorist organization—ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria).

The threat posed by ISIS is growing more serious by the day. ISIS is:

• Beheading journalists.
• Secretly infiltrating countries and cities around the world.
• Mercilessly slaughtering men, women and little children who don’t share their extremist version of the Sunni Muslim faith.
• Openly taunting and threatening Western nations.

Many are warning that the threat posed by ISIS to Western nations is similar to the threat level of al-Qaeda before 9/11. President Obama announced in his Sept. 10 address to the American people that the United States will be assembling a coalition of nations against ISIS and will launch additional airstrikes, even into Syria, to weaken the terrorist organization.

Asking the question: Where is God?" 

Rest of article at: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/blog/the-isis-threat-where-is-god/   By Ron Kelley - September 17, 2014

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Feast of Trumpets

Feast of Trumpets 2014 - September 25, 2014

"Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever'" (Revelation 11:15, English Standard Version).

The Day of Trumpets heralds the intervention of God in the affairs of humanity on a global basis—a dramatic turning point in world history and the return of Christ to this world."

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Rosh Hashanah ~ Feast of Trumpets. 

"Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, "head of the year" or "first of the year." Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. This name is somewhat deceptive, because there is little similarity between Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the year, and the American midnight drinking bash and daytime football game.

The name "Rosh Hashanah" is not used in the Bible to discuss this holiday. The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar). The holiday is instituted in Leviticus 23:24-25."

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The Shofar, the Rapture and the Feast of Trumpets

"What do these terms have to do with Christ's return? You need to separate truth from fiction.

Most Christians find little meaning in the Feast of Trumpets, but this day holds an important message for you and your future?

The truth is that the Feast of Trumpets is a celebration of one of the most important times for both Jews and Christians. It is a day that celebrates events that are yet to happen!"

Transcript at: http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-program/holidays-and-holy-days/shofar-rapture-and-feast-trumpets

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And in the Animal Kingdom:

Exuberant Dogs in Wheelcarts, Chasing a Stick

"Five of the dogs have missing limbs, but wheelcarts allow them to romp and play happily with their four-legged companions."

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Update.

This week I went back to the chiropractor and he adjusted my back so that my knee is no longer hurting and swollen.

A friend had brought a Hoover Quick and Light carpet shampooer over here for me to sell.  We had to try it out before offering it for sale.  It is a lot lighter weight than my big Hoover carpet shampooer, and it seemed to take longer.  The water that it picked up out of the carpet was quite grubby, so we know it was working.  But my carpets haven't been cleaned as often since I was in the hospital.   We don't use soap in the tank, just Borax and Oxyclean.  I only have two rooms of carpet and now they are all bright and clean again. 

Ray drilled a hole in the bottom of some cups with a little diamond hole saw.  What for?  Any mugs that have hairline cracks so they can't be used for drinking anymore are turned into little planter pots for aloe.  They sell quite well at the flea market.

Jay, Ray, and I all went to our usual little church on FM 1097.  The Bible readings were Psalms 91 & 93, Deut.7:12-11:12 and Isaiah 49-51:3.

The Teaching was about "The Day of Creation".  It was about the different accounts of the creation in Gen 1:1,26-31 and Gen 2:4-7.  Some Bible scholars say that the first account in Gen 1 was many, many thousands of years ago, and it was the First Earth Age and was destroyed at the same time as the dinosaurs.  Then God made The Second Earth Age (the present) starting over with Adam.   But in Gen 2:1 it says this about the six days of creation: "Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them were finished."   

So our pastor says that one is a bird's eye view of the creation and the other is an extra, more detailed account of how Adam came into being.

Other Bible scholars say that the carbon dating is all wrong, and that when the Great Flood came it destroyed the dinosaurs and there was also a large upheaval from the center of earth so that is what causes fish fossils to be found on top of mountains. Gen 7:11 says: "….the same day were all the fountains of the deep broken up and the windows of heaven opened."

It's all different points of view, and different interpretations of the Bible. And wars have started over that!

There was nothing to start a war about the church potluck, everything was great and peaceable as usual, and we all enjoyed the fellowship and good food.

This next week we will be observing the Feast of Trumpets starting on the evening of 25th.  So we will be going to the church at 11.00 am on the Friday, 26th then the regular Sabbath service on the 27th.  It should be a great couple of days.

Prophesied War in the Middle East. Windshield. The "Calcium Lie". Update.

 

For "Scripture Sunday":

Prophesied War in the Middle East

Daniel 11:40

“At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through.”

Bible prophecy describes a key end-time conflict between a “king of the South” and a “king of the North” that is part of a chain of events leading to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Here is some of the background to this verse from our “News and Prophecy” post “End-Time Prophecy Jigsaw: The Pieces Are Falling Into Place!”

“The book of Daniel tells us that in the last days there will be an influential person ruling in the south, that is, in the Mediterranean area and generally south of Jerusalem (Daniel 11).

“Historically, this king of the South was the dynastic leader of the Ptolemies, or the Egyptian branch of the Greek Empire. The king of the South battled it out for over a century, as the Egypt-based Ptolemies struggled for supremacy against the Syria-based Seleucids, another branch of the Greek Empire. This took place in the third and second centuries B.C., after the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C. (Daniel 11:3-4).

“Yet this same prophecy suddenly takes a huge leap to ‘the time of the end,’ when we find a latter-day king of the South provoking and fighting against the king of the North (Daniel 11:40). …

“Daniel’s prophecy tells us that once this end-time king of the South has provoked the king of the North, the latter will swoop down on him with massive military force, and invade and conquer much of the Middle East (Daniel 11:40-43).

“Elsewhere in Bible prophecy, the king of the North is referred to as ‘the beast,’ the name assigned him by the apostle John in the book of Revelation (Revelation 13:1-10; 17:3-17). We know from history that the heart of this massive end-time power will be in central Europe. In fact, much of the history of the Middle Ages reflects the struggle for dominance between Catholic Europe and the Muslim world, a struggle destined to reappear just before the second coming of Christ.”

For more details about this prophecy, see the articles “The King of the South” and “The King of the North.”

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Here's a lesson from my car's windshield.

Transcript at: http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-daily/christian-living/windshield

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Just for your information:

The "Calcium Lie" Every Woman Should Know About

"Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by porous and fragile bones. It affects 44 million Americans, striking 1 in 3 women, and 1 in 5 men. Those with osteoporosis are at increased risk of height loss, fractures of the hips, wrists and vertebrae, and chronic pain.

If you've been led to believe that the key to preventing osteoporosis is increasing your calcium intake and starting on a regimen of pharmaceutical drugs, you're not alone.

I'm here to lead you past all of the confusing and conflicting information about osteoporosis and down a safer, more effective road to preventing bone loss and osteoporosis.

Read on to learn the truth about osteoporosis and calcium deficiency, what vitamins can make a real difference, and the surprising connection between bone loss and Alzheimer's disease.

The Truth about Osteoporosis and Calcium Deficiency

I'm sure you've heard that the cause of osteoporosis and the key to its prevention revolve around calcium, right?

Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth.

Dr. Robert Thompson, M.D., wrote an entire book on this subject called, The Calcium Lie, which explains that bone is comprised of at least a dozen minerals and the exclusive focus on calcium supplementation is likely to worsen bone density and increase your risk of developing osteoporosis!

As mentioned in this previous article, Dr. Thompson recommends the use of unprocessed salt as a far healthier alternative to calcium supplementation.

I recommend using Himalayan salt as it is an excellent way to feed your body the trace minerals it needs to function optimally."   More at: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/12/21/osteoporosis-prevention-and-treatments-exposed.aspx

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Update

Last Sunday, Jay and I drove to The Woodlands to meet a man who was selling a special Moen faucet.  It is for a bar sink which only has cold water piped to it.  Just what I needed for the new smaller sink unit that we have been building for the screen porch. 

Unfortunately, there had been a major accident, and so we were delayed getting to the meeting place, but the seller waited for us anyway.  Just as we arrived there, it came down a gulley whomper, so the man and I got soaking wet.  Then on the way home the freeway speed was reduced to 35 mph the visibility was so bad with the hard rain. But, it hadn't rained here!  So what was supposed to be a quick trip took all afternoon, but I think it was worth it. 

We had screwed two cabinets from the Habitat for Humanity Store together, made a Formica countertop for it, installed the sink, and then the new faucet.  This looks a lot better than the old sink unit that was there.

A neighbor who is moving brought a lot of stuff over for me to go through before it was donated.  I have enough stuff of my own, but sometimes there is something neat that is better than what I already have.  So now I do have a few more things here, and a few more of my own to dispose of.

Ray's back has been very bad, but he did work one morning, and put the trim on the big window that we installed in the storeroom addition.

I went to a new chiropractor on Friday as my left knee had swollen up like a football, and I knew my back was out.  He was a little worried about manipulating the back of a near 80 year little old lady, especially one who had had her chest sawn open for a bypass, but maybe he will do some good next Wednesday.

Yesterday, Jay was unexpectedly expecting his kids and grandkids, and Ray could hardly move, so I went to church by myself.  Jay had made a big banana pudding for the church potluck, which I took with my little culinary donations of black beans and veggies, baked croissant slices, and a trifle for dessert.  

The Bible Readings were Psalm 80, Deut. 3:23-6:11 and Isaiah 40:1-26. The teaching was a continuation of the Fullness of Time, and about The Times That The Almighty Has Established Beforehand. How the Lord has it all worked out ahead of time as to what will happen and when, each in their Fullness of Time.  Also how The Feasts are for fellowship, learning and feasting.  This is because The Feast of Trumpets is nearly upon us. http://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/plan-of-salvation/feast-of-trumpets/  Everyone enjoyed all the dishes at the pot luck.  It was a very nice day.

K9~9/11. Religious Freedom - Never Take It for Granted.

 

It is now 13 years since that fateful day:

In honor of the thousands that died on 9/11 and the people and dogs who tried to save them.   Especially the people who handled Rescue Dogs at Ground Zero.

The people who died at the other sites are remembered, too. 

Especially those on Flight 93, who willingly gave their all to save others on the ground.

 

UA 93's flight path on September 11, 2001, from Newark, New Jersey, to Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania.

 

 

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911 ~ K 9/11 Rare photos of Search and Rescue dogs at Ground Zero

"These photos come from a unique source and were not released to the public until very recently. It is likely these pictures have only been seen by a handful of people."

"In the few days that followed a small percentage of people were found alive. Their finder was a dog. And some of these dogs actually did help pull some of those people into view for rescue workers to be able to left up and onto stretchers. It was as if the dogs could read the person's mind without any commands being given. It was both sad and amazing."

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Religious Freedom - Never Take It for Granted

"The Islamic Caliphate now called IS, is driving out Christians from Iraq. There is a sobering lesson here for all."

Transcript at: http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-daily/news-and-prophecy/religious-freedom-never-take-it-granted

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Hasn't anyone learned that war and attacking people doesn't get you anywhere??   This is a sad day.

10 Bad Ideas in the Bible. Number 666. Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia. Update.

 

For "Scripture Sunday": 

10 Bad Ideas Found in the Bible

"Do you really have to live by what God says in the Bible? Many people seem to get on quite well by doing whatever they want. Isn’t God all-merciful so that everything will be just fine? Think again.

Many websites feature top ten lists which can be fun and sometimes informative. Although the following may not be the top ten ranking things, it isn’t hard to say that these must be among the worst ideas—bringing the worst consequences—in all of God’s Word. Read the Bible and you can quickly find many examples of what happens when people acted on a bad idea—defying God’s instructions and suffering the consequences.

1. Choosing to live in Sodom

That’s what Abraham’s nephew Lot did. When their two families had just too much livestock for them to live together, Abraham gave Lot the choice of settling wherever he wanted. Lot saw that the area around Sodom had a good climate and good grazing land, so he moved his family there. Bad Idea!

The people there were so sinful and immoral that God determined to destroy the entire city (along with its neighbor, Gomorrah).  Lot lost just about everything he owned as he fled just ahead of a storm of fire and brimstone. To make things worse, when Lot’s wife looked longingly back on Sodom, God turned her into a pillar of salt—as a warning to all who love this present evil world more than the way of righteousness! (Read: Genesis 13: 7-11 and chapter 19.)

2. Taking credit for building a great empire

We learn this from the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar. Even though God had the prophet Daniel warn him that he needed to keep his ego in check, he one day looked at the grandeur of the city and congratulated himself on building it all by his own mighty power. Bad Idea!

Immediately he suffered the promised punishment of losing his ability to reason, and losing his job as king. He became like a wild animal for seven years, long enough to realize that he needed to give God the credit for whatever things he accomplished. (Read: Daniel 4.)

3. Insulting the King of God’s choice

A man named Nabal did this when King David sent soldiers to ask for a contribution of supplies for his men who protected Nabal’s flocks and herdsmen for months.  Instead of rewarding the men, Nabal called them liars and called David a runaway slave. Bad Idea!

Even though Nabal’s wife convinced David not to act on his own anger at the insult, Nabal soon had a heart attack and ten days later God ended his life. Paying David’s men for their work would have been a lot wiser. (Read: I Samuel 25.)

4. Lying to God’s Ministers to Make Yourself Look Good

A married couple named Ananias and Sapphira sold some property and claimed to donate the entire proceeds to God’s fledgling church. However, they secretly kept back part of the money—hoping to get all the credit but keep much of the money. Bad Idea!

As soon as they were exposed in their deceit and conspiracy, both husband and wife, in turn, dropped dead on the spot. They could have kept as much of the money as they pleased, but they wanted everyone to think they were super generous. (Read: Acts 5.)

5. Attempting a coup to takeover leadership of God’s nation

While ancient Israel wandered in the wilderness, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram claimed that Moses was no one special and wasn’t doing his job well. They campaigned that they should take charge themselves. Bad Idea!

After warning everyone else to clear the area, God caused the earth open up and literally swallowed the rebels in a moment. From then on everyone else paid closer attention to the man that God had chosen to lead Israel. (Read: Numbers 16.)

6. Interfering with God’s ministers preaching the true gospel

A sorcerer named Elymas learned that the hard way when the apostle Paul came to his town in Asia-Minor. Elymas tried to persuade people to believe a false religion. Bad Idea!

When Paul finally had enough of his interference, he declared that Elymas was going to be blind for awhile to learn a lesson. As soon as the words were said, things went dark for Elymas and he had to find a guide. Paul was able to go about his work without interference after that. (Read: Acts:13:6-11 .)

7. Chasing God’s people with a hostile army

Pharaoh, the leader of ancient Egypt tried this when he had second thoughts about setting the Israelites free to leave the country under Moses’ leadership. As if holding Israel in slavery for generations wasn’t bad enough, when they were leaving for the Promised Land, Pharaoh determined to drag them back. Bad Idea!

The pursuit led directly into the Red Sea which God had parted to give the Israelites a way out.  Pharaoh’s army did not make it across. Just when the Egyptians reached the midst of the sea, God stopped holding back the water. Not one solider escaped that watery grave. (Read: Exodus 14.)

8. Letting people call you a god.

King Herod of Palestine gave a speech to the people of Tyre and Sidon, and to flatter him, they began chanting that he was a god and not a man. However he did not bother to set the record straight. Bad idea!

God wasn’t pleased that Herod deified himself! He caused the king to suffer a gruesome death in which his flesh was eaten by worms. At that point everyone there realized who truly was God and who was not. (Read: Acts:12:20-23 .)

9. Selling out your brother

The forefathers of Israel did that when they jealously and literally sold out their brother Joseph. He was already the favorite of their father, Jacob, and then he had dreams that he would rule over all his brothers. When they’d had enough of that, they sold Joseph as a slave to some passing traders headed for Egypt . Bad Idea!

God inspired Joseph to interpret dreams for Pharaoh which led to the young Israelite becoming the prime minister of Egypt. Years later, the same brothers who sold Joseph as a slave ended up begging him to sell them food during a terrible famine—and to spare their lives. That’s something to remember before picking on a younger brother or sister! (Read: Genesis 37 to 43.)

10. Deciding for yourself what is good and what is evil

Adam and Eve, the first human beings on earth, had a nice life in the Garden of Eden, until they decided to disobey God and eat the forbidden fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. They believed the serpent, who told them they wouldn’t die, and that instead they would be able to take God’s place in determining what was good and what wasn’t. Bad Idea!

God sent them out to do hard labor for a living. Worse yet, they and their descendents were left cut off from the understanding of the right way to live, which only God can teach. People have been suffering because of that bad decision ever since! (Read:Genesis:2:15-17
and chapter 3.)

The take-away…

Admittedly, these are examples of some of the most unusual consequences for bad decisions ever. They are noteworthy because they were unique. Most of us won’t be swallowed by a sinkhole in the earth or drop dead on the spot when we do something wrong. However, just because punishment does not happen immediately, doesn’t mean that it will not come.

The Apostle Paul said it very well, “God is not mocked; whatever a man sows, that he shall reap” (Galatians:6:7), and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans:6:23). The first is an agricultural analogy that means sooner or later, you will get what you’ve got coming. That is, you will unless you sincerely ask God to forgive you and to help you change your attitude and behavior.

The great truth of Christianity is often summarized in saying that “Jesus died for our sins”—that He suffered so that we don’t have to. That doesn’t mean that we can do whatever we please with no consequences. Consider the fate of the folks described above. That doesn’t have to be us. God is merciful, but next time you have a bad idea, think again!" From: http://www.ucg.org/youth/10-bad-ideas-found-bible/

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The Number 666

An Amazing Fact: "For many people just saying the number “666” conjures up ominous images of secret occult ceremonies and the evil powers mentioned in Bible prophecy. Others have refused phone numbers, license plates, and credit cards containing the numbers 666 because of their fearful superstitions. There is even a very long word describing this phobia. It’s known as hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia.

Highway 666 running from Gallup, New Mexico to Monticello, Utah was nicknamed the “Devil’s Highway” because of the Scripture that identifies that number with the beast of Revelation. This satanic connotation, combined with an unusually high fatality rate, convinced some people the highway was cursed. The problem was compounded because Satanists were chronically stealing the highway signs as souvenirs. So in 2003 the U.S. Highway Department decided to rename Highway 666 as U.S. Route 491.

We don’t have to be afraid of the number 666. It is the natural number sequentially following 665 and preceding 667. Nevertheless, mathematically 666 is a very unique number. It is an abundant number. It is the sum of the first 36 natural numbers (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 up to 36 = 666). Yes, that means if you add up all 36 numbers on a roulette wheel the resulting total is “666”. While going to the casino will cost you dearly, you will not automatically receive the mark of the beast. The number 666 is also a triangular number since 36 is both square and triangular, 12 + 12 + 12 = 36. And of course 222 times three is 666.

The number 666 is also the sum of the squares of the first seven prime numbers (i.e. 22 + 32 + 52 + 72 + 112 + 132 + 172 = 666). If you add up the first six Roman numerals, IVXLCD, the total is, you guessed it, 666. Even organic molecules are based on carbon-12, with 6 protons and 6 neutrons in the nucleus, surrounded by 6 electrons.
With all this in mind it makes one wonder why the book of Revelation says, “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666” (Revelation 13:18). It obviously helps us to identify a power that is against God.
KEY BIBLE TEXTS
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. - Revelation 13:1

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Update:

The few mornings that Ray worked, we got a few things done, but Jay has been sick and hurt his leg, so we haven't seen much of him. 

We have been working on the house, changing out the old calcium-stained faucets for upgraded better quality white ones, and things like that. 

A lot of my time was spent listing all kinds of things for sale on eBay, Craigslist, and our local www.bookoo.com, but I think it will take an estate sale to get most of this stuff sold so that I can sell this house.

Jay said that he really needed to go to church, so he and I went to church on the Sabbath, Saturday the 7th. day of the week, to our usual little church on FM 1097.

The Bible readings were Deut.1-3:22, and Isaiah 1:1-27.  The message was about "Is God Interested in You" and the pastor quoted lots of scriptures that show how God is interested in our well-being and is happy to hear from us and talk to him in prayer.

The potluck was great as usual, and we all enjoyed the fellowship in the dining hall.  I had taken an air conditioner over there for the dining hall the week before, but it was too large for the window. During the week I hadn't had any help to get it out of my van, which was a good thing as one of the congregation wanted to buy it from me.  That made my day!