European Army? Avoid Pork. Alcohol Epidemic. Spiders. Update.

 

For "Scripture Sunday":

Is a European Army on the Horizon?

"The European Commission president recently suggested that the EU should have its own army. How might this affect Europe’s influence on the world?

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker

In a recent interview with Die Welt am Sonntag, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that Europe is neither respected nor taken seriously on the world stage. He believes that a European army would help show the world, especially Russia, that the European Union is a force to be reckoned with and would have the capability to defend European values militarily.

Mr. Juncker believes that a European army would not necessarily replace NATO forces (which already represent 22 countries of the European Union), but would rather strengthen Europe. He said, “A European army would show the world that there will never again be war between its member states.”  

National or collective army?

Who would control a collective army?

More at: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/blog/is-a-european-army-on-the-horizon/

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Why You Should Avoid Pork

"If you’re at all familiar with the Bible you’ll probably remember that in it God specifically instructed His people not to eat pork and shellfish. Many people are surprised to find this out, but in the Old Testament God warned us that the pig was an unclean animal–a scavenger and not to be eaten (Check out Leviticus 11).

No matter how you think about it, pigs are a rather dirty animal. They are considered the scavengers of the farm (created to eliminate any waste on the farm), often eating anything they can find. This includes not only bugs, insects, and whatever leftover scraps they find laying around, but also their own feces, as well as the dead carcasses of sick animals, including their own young.

This in itself can explain why the meat of the pig can be so dirty or at the very least not so appetizing to consume. And while being ‘grossed out’ may or may not be a valid reason not to eat something it’s vital to understand a bit more about pork before reaching your own conclusion.

Pork 101: Know the Facts:

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that more than 100 viruses come to the United States each year from China through pigs. There are some obvious concerns about this. Aside from not needing more viruses to fight off, some of these viruses can prove to be downright dangerous to humans.

The CDC recommends thorough cooking of pork as well as freezing the pork meat prior to cooking to kill off any worms. I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel good about eating anything that I first have to kill off its worms to eat.

Of course, you’re probably familiar with H1N1, better known as ‘the swine flu.” This too is a virus that has made the leap from pig to human.

But H1N1 is not the only disease to fear from the pig. There are other sicknesses you can get from eating the meat of the pig.

Pork meat is loaded with toxins, more so than most other meats like beef and chicken."  Complete article at: http://draxe.com/why-you-should-avoid-pork/

This is how they live before they are eaten:  http://www.themeatrix.com/

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Alcohol Epidemic

An Amazing Fact: "An alcohol-related problem affects one in every four U.S. homes.

The uncontrollable desire for alcohol consumes about 14 million Americans. About 47 percent of industrial injuries and 40 percent of industrial fatalities are linked to alcohol consumption. Drinking also can increase violent behavior and accounts for 49 percent of murders, 52 percent of rapes, 21 percent of suicides, and 60 percent of child abuse cases. Of course, of all fatal accidents on the roads, over 50 percent involve alcohol.
Staggeringly, more than 50 percent of the people who are in prisons, hospitals, and mental institutions are there because of crime, illness, and birth defects related to alcohol. A wise Christian should have nothing to do with this drug.

There are basically four elements that indicate a person is struggling with alcohol. First, there is a strong craving to drink. Next, there is a loss of control to stop drinking once a person has begun. Then there is a physical dependence on alcohol, causing withdrawal symptoms that can be relieved by another drink. Finally, there is the issue of tolerance—the need to drink increasing amounts of alcohol to get a “high.”

Proverbs accurately describes the harmful effects of drinking alcohol. It warns that alcohol “bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper” (Proverbs 23:31, 32). Like all the destructive temptations of Satan, drinking liquor is portrayed as cool and smart and something that the beautiful do. But it is foolish and ugly. It not only destroys our capacity to think and act wisely, it harms those around us.

It’s not just the book of Proverbs that warns us regarding the evil consequences of alcohol: “Do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). And, “Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may follow intoxicating drink; who continue until night, till wine inflames them!” (Isaiah 5:11). Biblical wisdom teaches us to firmly avoid alcohol. If you or a loved one has been in the grips of drinking, admit the problem and get help. God wants you to be free from the serpent’s bite.
Additional reading: Proverbs 23:17–35
KEY BIBLE TEXTS
Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. - Proverbs 23:29-30

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There’s Nothing to be Afraid of When It Comes to Spiders. Here Are 8 Reasons Why

3. They Steer Us Clear of Famine

" No, seriously. You wouldn’t believe how crucial spiders are to organic farms. Okay, maybe you would, because here’s the truth: THEY EAT BUGS. LOTS OF BUGS. They eat insects and other pests who have been proven to be quite detrimental to crops. In this article by the Washington Post, it’s put quite simply: “If they don’t eat, we don’t eat.” Believe it!"  More at: http://blog.therainforestsite.com/reasons-to-love-spiders/

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Update:

Jay and I spent two mornings removing two toilets and repairing rotten floors in a neighbor's trailer.  Usual thing, they had a water leak and didn't do anything about it so it rotted out both bathroom floors.  I hate procrastination, especially where water is concerned.  It can do so much damage.

We took the third row bucket seats out of the Dodge van, and put them in the guest house attic.  Then we all gave the van a good vacuum and ran the carpet and upholstery shampooer over everything.  Especially the carpet on the passenger side where it had been leaking. We didn't wash it on the outside because it was too cold out, and and the leak needed to be fixed.

Not much else going on except rain and more rain, no one wanted to get out in that muddy mess.  But I did get the Dodge serviced in between the heavy rain drops, but had to shop-vac up the water that came in on the passenger side, when I got home.

On Monday, I took the van to Able Glass in Conroe.  They were very honest, they could have charged me to R & R the windshield, but that was not the problem.  He removed the wipers and that vent in front of the windshield.  Under there are two tubes for rainwater to drain to the ground, and they were stopped up with old leaves, pine needles and just nasty old sludge.  The van hadn't been kept under cover since Sam bought it, but it is now!  An old sage I knew said "Don't get a car unless you have a garage to keep it".  My garage is a workshop and full of tools, but I have 3 carports.

While the four new tires were being installed, I went to the thrift shop near by.  I bought a nice black and white jacket, and a turquoise blouse. 

At the Dodge dealer, I had the remote made so that I can remotely lock and unlock the van. This remote makes either of the two side doors slide open, and the back hatch open and close, too.  Gee, I wanted a vehicle with buttons, and I got 'em all! 

I didn't have time to get the front end alignment checked, so I'll do that another day.  When I do have to go anywhere, I am still driving my old faithful, the blue Aerostar with the white roof, and no buttons at all.

On Friday, a visit to a doctor, a dermatologist.  He wasn't much help, he took one look at me and said "You've got hives', as if I didn't already know that!!  But he did prescribe some Famotidine, which is like Pepcid, but is good for hives, too.  Who knew??  I just hope that I am not allergic to that also.

After that, a quick stop at the same thrift shop.  I get bargains every time I go in there, this time a study Bible, a blue shirt and a two-tone blue rain jacket. The consignment shop where I get rid of extra clothes and things, was closed, so those items are still in my blue van.  When I got home I made big crockpot of organic potato, carrot, celery and onion soup for the potluck.

At church, the readings were Exo. 35:1-38:20, 1 Kings 7:30-50, and 2 Cor.9:1-15. The teaching was about "Scriptural Persuasion."  We need to know that the Bible is true and to have faith in the Lord.  Just like Abraham's faith when he was asked by God to offer his beloved son, Isaac up on the altar.  (Heb.11 tells of all the ancients who had faith.)

I was going to make a dessert for the potluck, but we had so many pies, fresh fruit and desserts the week before, that I didn't.  This week no one brought any dessert so we had different kinds cookies and donuts that are kept there in the freezer for emergencies.  Didn't bother me, I don't eat white flour and sugar anyway, especially not donuts.

As the weather has finally dried up we have been working in the yard today.