The Calm Before the Storm. “Examine Yourselves.” How to Increase Your Life Expectancy 12 to 14 Years.

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The Calm Before the Storm

“There is a saying, “There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks when decades happen.” Looking at events in the world right now that certainly seems true. The global order we have known for many years is unraveling. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is forcing European nations to reconsider their defenses. The world we have known is changing day by day.

First the COVID-19 pandemic. Now war. What is next? Famine? Very possibly. We could see shortages in wheat and corn as war comes to a critical region that grows vital grain supplies for the world. It will be the developing nations of Africa and Asia that will suffer most when they are not able to obtain needed grains for their people.

War in a place like Ukraine has ripple effects far beyond its borders. Wherever you live there is likely to be mostly peace and stability. But I have a feeling this war will have implications for all of us in the coming months. Something big in the world has changed. We are living at a dangerous moment, and we need to understand.

When I was a young man, my mentor was fond of saying, “Prepare now for the trouble to come.” He would say it so often you grew tired of hearing it. That phrase has come back to me in recent days. We should be preparing for a period of increasing world trouble that will come to our doorstep.

We are to be children of light and not darkness. When we focus on the light, we can reach a calm and confident state of mind. We can fight off anxiety and fear that comes with the news of the day. This is time for a disciple of Jesus Christ to focus on preparing for the time beyond the troubles of this age. We who live now have before us the opportunity and challenge to prepare now for the coming age of Christ’s reign on earth. The wise will understand and seize the moment.

Beyond the tumultuous times of today lies the promise of a transformed world of peace and plenty—the age of Christ's glorious reign on the earth. This chapter from our study guide, You Can Understand Bible Prophecy, titled, “The Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ,” gives you hope and understanding. Please take a moment to read it now.”

Until next time,

     

Darris McNeely
Beyond Today presenter

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“Examine Yourselves”

2 Corinthians 13:5

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

The apostle Paul encouraged the Christians in Corinth to examine themselves, to test whether they were allowing Jesus Christ to live in them. Self-examination should be a regular part of the Christian life of change. It is a vital aspect of the conversion process.

For more about self-examination and conversion, see the articles in the section on “Christian Conversion.”

“Examine Yourselves”: What Does It Mean to Be Disqualified?

“Paul told Christians to examine themselves before the New Testament Passover. How should we interpret his warnings about disqualification and unworthiness?

The testing of Roman coins helps us understand the word Paul used for examine. The coins were expected to pass the test, and so are we.

Coin is Volume 90%

It’s one of the more intimidating verses in the entire Bible:

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Today, these passages can be cause for serious concern for any Christian in progress. We each know our own flaws and shortcomings better than anyone. We know the sins we struggle with. We know how many times we’ve had to pray for forgiveness. We know how far we are from where we want to be.

And for so many of us, there are the questions—the ever-present questions that assault us in moments of quiet introspection:

Am I disqualified? Am I unworthy? Is Jesus Christ really in me? Have I failed to discern the Lord’s body?

Let’s talk about that.

(Learn what the Passover is and why it matters in “Passover: What Did Jesus Do for You?”)

Understanding the words Paul used

When Paul wrote, “Test yourselves,” he used a form of the Greek verb dokimazo. He used the same verb when he wrote, “Let a man examine himself.”

Something important gets lost when we translate that verb from Greek into English. In English, when we decide to examine or test something, it might be because we’re suspicious of it—because we suspect there’s something wrong with it.

That’s not how dokimazo works.

Like most civilizations, the Roman Empire had to deal with counterfeit currency. The easiest way to counterfeit a Roman coin was to make a duplicate out of a cheaper metal (like copper), then coat the outside with a more precious metal (like silver).

The easiest way to identify these counterfeit coins was to gouge them with a chisel, exposing the inside. An official coin tester in the marketplace would make these gouges to prove that coins were, in fact, genuine. Coins that passed this test were dokimos—approved, genuine. Coins that failed were adokimos—disqualified, counterfeit.

The expectation is that you will pass the test too.The unique thing about dokimazo is that it implies an expectation. The focus of the test was not to expose something as counterfeit, but to verify it as genuine. HELPS Word-studies explains that dokimazo “is done to demonstrate what is good, i.e. passes the necessary test,” adding that it “does not focus on disproving something (i.e. to show it is bad).” While some coins would not pass the test, the expectation was that they would.

Which means the expectation is that you will pass the test too.

Self-examination should not leave us uncertain

People are a lot like those ancient coins. Everyone can see what you are on the outside. But only you and God know who you are at your core. Only you and God know your deepest thoughts and desires. Only you and God know if you’re truly serious about and dedicated to this way of life.

But it shouldn’t be a mystery to us. Paul’s question, “Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified,” implies that we should know ourselves. We should know whether Jesus Christ is in us. We should know whether or not we’re disqualified.

Does your core match up with your outer layer? Are you the same person in private as you are in public? Are you committed, or are you just pretending?

Are you dokimos or adokimos?

Self-examination will not reveal perfection

This isn’t about being perfect.

You can’t be perfect. Not in this life.

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is what makes us worthy—not anything we could possibly do. When the baptized men and women of the Church of God come together this year to eat the bread and drink the wine of the New Testament Passover, none of them will be worthy of it. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is what makes us worthy—not anything we could possibly do.

What we can do is eat and drink it in a worthy manner. To come to the Passover with a deep gratitude and respect for the body and the blood of Jesus Christ—to take those symbols with an understanding of what it took for us to be justified in the eyes of God—to know that our “right to the tree of life” (Revelation 22:14) was not earned but given through a sacrifice we could never deserve.

(Read more about that sacrifice in “Why Jesus Had to Die.”)

When we repent, when we are baptized, when we accept that who we are right now is not who God wants us to ultimately become, we commit ourselves to a lifetime of change—a lifetime of overcoming this world’s influences and our own human weaknesses.

That is to say, a lifetime of not yet being perfect.

A lifetime of genuinely striving, with God’s help, but not yet living up “to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).

That’s not the same as being disqualified. That’s just what it means to be human in pursuit of living like God. Being disqualified is about being counterfeit—about passing ourselves off as Christian when, in fact, we have no intent or desire to even try to live that way of life.

You know if that’s you. And you know if that’s not you. That’s what the testing and the examining are about.

Paul told Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved [dokimos] to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

No Christian in progress should go through the process of self-examination and still be wondering if he or she is secretly disqualified. If you are seeking God, if you are repenting of your sins and striving to replace them with godly character (no matter how bumpy the road), if Christianity is more than just a show you’re putting on for the benefit of others, then you are dokimos.

And if you are dokimos, you are a worker who does not need to be ashamed.”

Check that all there at: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/christian-living/christianity-in-progress/examine-yourselves-disqualified/

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How to Increase Your Life Expectancy 12 to 14 Years

What can physicians do to promote healthy, life-extending, lifestyle changes?

Transcript of YouTube: https://youtu.be/dGSMiKuqaY8

Below is an approximation of this video’s audio content. To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video.

“A pivotal paper published in Europe more than a decade ago, entitled “Healthy Living Is the Best Revenge,” found that adhering to just four simple healthy lifestyle factors compared to none could potentially have a strong impact on the prevention of chronic diseases. We’re talking nearly 80 percent less chronic disease risk––slashing diabetes risk by 93 percent, dropping heart attack risk by 81 percent, cutting stroke risk in half, and cancer by 36 percent.

Think about what that means. The potential for preventing disease and death is enormous. In the U.S. alone every year, there are a half million heart attacks, a half million strokes, a million new cases of diabetes, and a million new cancer diagnoses. The message is clear: adopting a few healthy behaviors can have a major impact. What are those four fabled factors? Never smoking, not being obese, averaging about a half hour of exercise a day, and adhering to healthy dietary principles, like lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and less meat. Follow those four simple rules and boom! Enjoy nearly 80 percent reduced risk of major chronic diseases.

What does that mean for mortality risk? A similar batch of four health behaviors combined predicted a four-fold difference in total mortality, with an estimated impact equivalent to 14 years in chronological age, meaning the individuals were dying at such a reduced rate that it was as if they were 14 years younger. “Finally, a Regimen to Extend Human Life Expectancy.” This commentary was in reference to this study, where a similar analysis of the impact of healthy lifestyle behaviors on life expectancies was made, but this time it looked directly at the U.S. population, which is particularly important, since Americans have a shorter life expectancy compared with residents of nearly all other high-income countries. The researchers concluded that adopting a healthy lifestyle could substantially reduce premature mortality and prolong life expectancy in U.S. adults. Okay, but by how much? They estimated that adherence to a low-risk lifestyle could prolong life expectancy at age 50 years by 14.0 years in women and 12.2 years in men. So, if you’re 50 right now, instead of only living to 79 if you’re a woman, and 75½ if you’re a man, taking even just basic care of yourself could propel you to an average life expectancy of 93 if you’re a woman and 87½ if you’re a man.

The bottom line is it’s never too late to turn back the clock. A midlife switch just to the basics, like at least five daily servings fruits and vegetables, walking even like 20 minutes a day, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking results in a substantial reduction in mortality even in the following few years. We’re talking a 40 percent lower risk of dying in the subsequent four years. So, making the necessary changes to adhere to a healthy lifestyle could be considered extremely worthwhile, and middle age is certainly not too late to act.

As an aside, realizing the 12 to 14 years of added life study was based on data from health professionals, that got me excited about all the potential knock-on effects. If health professionals start getting healthier, they can become role models for more healthful living and potentially save more lives than just their own. But that may have just been wishful thinking. Practicing what you preach can sometimes backfire. Evidently, “displays of excellence can paradoxically turn off the very people they are trying to inspire.”

You’d assume that not being a hypocrite and trying to walk the walk would just lead to positive consequences, inspiring confidence in others. Don’t you want a dance instructor who can dance, a music teacher who can play, and a health professional who’s healthy? But this simple intuition fails to take into account concerns about making other people feel inadequate. Like you know how vegetarians are the targets of a surprising amount of hostility and ridicule. That’s because they may come off as morally superior and make people feel like they’re being looked down upon.

There was an elegant demonstration of this phenomenon in this study where “Principled deviants who take the high road threaten others’ moral self-worth.” This is what they did. Research subjects were asked to complete a racist task by an experimenter, and those moral rebels who refused to obey were cheered by observers but were disparaged by participants who had themselves gone through with it, and for whom the rebel’s stance thus an implied indictment of their spinelessness. Isn’t that interesting?

So, when doctors portray themselves as “the picture of health,” patients might think they’re being holier-than-thou and unintentionally alienate people, potentially turning off the very patients who most need their help. You can see how someone with a weight issue might feel threatened and judged by a physician triathlete. But what are we supposed to do? We want healthy practitioners.

Physicians who smoke are less likely to tell their patients to quit smoking, physicians who are overweight are less likely to counsel their patients about weight, and physicians who don’t work out are less likely to talk about exercise. What we can do to make patients more comfortable is emphasize that our role is to help people meet their own personal health goals, whatever they may be. Studies show that when doctors do this, taking this approach, it increases the appeal of fitness-focused physicians to overweight patients. So, we can then display exemplary behavior, while at the same time not inadvertently alienate the very people who would benefit most from our guidance.” From: https://nutritionfacts.org/video/how-to-increase-your-life-expectancy-12-to-14-years/?

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Why Can’t We Get Along? Communitarian Justice. Update.

Why Can’t We Get Along?

“Our world seems more divided than ever before. We’re seeing family division, violence and hatred. Why can’t we all just get along?

Why is everyone seemingly at each other’s throats right now? With so many outlets of expression (texting, Facebook, Twitter and so on), many are constantly letting everybody else know what they think and what others should think. When somebody disagrees with somebody, or everybody disagrees with somebody, or everybody disagrees with everybody (which seems to be what we have now)—watch out!

This can cause serious rifts in families and friendships, erupt into violence and public attacks, and destroy reputations and careers. Basically it results in all-around misery for everyone.

Why is this happening?

Let’s look at three reasons: pride, partiality and hypocrisy.

Pride

Pride, an unrealistic and elevated view of ourselves and our opinions, can affect how we think on such a deep level that we often don’t even know it’s there.

Consider the following examples of pride, and how it is causing so many arguments and misery between people.

• Pride of intelligence and knowledge: feeling like one knows more than someone else about an issue (which may or may not be true) and adopting a condescending attitude toward the other.
• Pride of appearance: having a sense of greater worth based on how one looks.
• Pride of race: thinking that skin color makes one inherently superior to someone of a different color.
• Pride of station: believing that one’s career, education, financial status, social status and so forth make one better than someone else. 
• Pride of spirituality: considering that one’s self-perceived righteousness is superior to that of others. 
• Pride of experience: believing that one’s experiences are more valid for making one’s perspectives closer to objective truth than someone else’s.

There are many more examples, leading to many more catastrophic interactions between human beings. The Bible tells us that pride disconnects us from God, but humility draws us closer to Him (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). Likewise, pride also divides us from each other, but humility will bring us closer together.

Partiality

We all have preferences, making us all partial to different flavors, music, interests, entertainment and even personality traits. However, when we become partial in our dealings with other human beings, that’s when sharp division sets in.

Take, for instance, some of these examples of partiality:

• Partiality in justice: “I have more money to defend myself in court and more connections to get myself out of jams.”
• When we become partial in our dealings with other human beings, that’s when sharp division sets in.Partiality in outrage: “This horrible thing is okay because it’s being done by people I agree with, but I can’t stand it when this other horrible thing is done by people I disagree with.”
• Partiality in values: “This really important thing is not so important to me, but this other really important thing is.”
• Partiality in history: “We don’t need to know the messy parts of our history, just what enables us to feel good about ourselves.”
• Partiality in opportunities: “Wealthy people deserve more opportunities than poor people.”
• Partiality in facts: “I like these facts, but these other ones that clearly contradict them should be ignored.”

One of the truly great things about God is that He shows no partiality (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11). He judges perfectly and without partiality (Deuteronomy 1:17) and views people without partiality (James 2:1-13). When partiality is present, there will always be conflict and fighting over fairness and the truth.

Hypocrisy

Jesus Christ, in Matthew 23, gives several scathing rebukes of hypocrisy to the religious leaders of His time, and for all time. Using some of these specific examples, we can see how hypocrisy is alive and well—and making us argue with each other all the time.

Consider just a few of the many ways we see hypocrisy in our world today:

Business dealings:

• Defending greed and selfish ambition inherent in driving the economy, but decrying those abusing welfare.
• Defending illegal behavior and lack of personal responsibility as people having no choice, but denouncing mistreatment of the poor by the wealthy.

Moral issues:

• Defending the biblical principles against sinful behavior, but secretly practicing the same sins.
• Defending poor moral behavior in someone we agree with, but condemning the poor moral behavior in someone we disagree with.

Hypocrisy makes us angry and distrustful of each other because it never feels as if we are getting straight talk or being respected.

Knowing is half the battle

What pride, partiality and hypocrisy share in common is that they are all spiritual and character issues. Just as we can all be susceptible to these sins subtly creeping into our lives, we can all strive to avoid them. Pride, partiality and hypocrisy are definitely not the only ingredients in the stew of hatred and division that is brewing to a boil right now, but they are huge factors.

It’s as if we’re dealing with a disease that has taken over our minds, so let’s start dousing pride with humility, partiality with fairness, and hypocrisy with genuineness.” From: From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/blog/why-cant-we-get-along/?

For more insight on pride, read “Three Ways Pride May Be Infecting Us All” and “Overcoming Pride.”

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Communitarian Justice

Deuteronomy 16:18 – Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

“Anarchy and vigilantism are expressly prohibited by God’s Law. There must be judges and officers in the gates of every community. No criminal case can proceed legitimately without the involvement of the duly elected or appointed judiciary. How exactly these men or women are to be appointed is not specified, however the command is addressed to the community as a whole. Presumably a king or governor could appoint whomever he wills. If he does not, however, the community must still ensure the post is occupied.

There is at least one situation in which a course of action that appears on the surface to be vigilante is appropriate. This option should only be exercised in the most rare and extreme cases.

If the community refuses to appoint officers or cannot agree on which men to appoint, then individuals who already legitimately possess some other claim to authority must sometimes appoint themselves.

This is essentially the right of the kinsman redeemer extended to the entire community. There is biblical precedence: Pinchas, who was already a priest, appointed himself an officer of the court when he killed Zimri and Cozbi. Judgment had already been passed and executed on the guilty, but their blood had barely cooled when Zimri blatantly committed the very same crimes. A trial was hardly necessary as all the judges were witnesses to the deed. To stop a plague that was sweeping the camp, Pinchas immediately carried out the sentence already given.

Centuries later, Saul was neglecting his responsibilities in enforcing justice in his own lands and defending the border against the Philistines, so David, who had been anointed by Samuel as Saul’s successor, appointed himself judge.

These exceptions are not blanket authorization to engage in vigilantism or mob justice. In each case, the one who acted was acting to save lives and preserve the nation. Our God is a god of order and authority. He commanded that we create a justice system with a hierarchy of courts and that we obey the rulings of our courts. Every crime must be proved by multiple witnesses and a thorough investigation. All of this means that lynching and rioting are anathema to God’s standards of justice.” From: http://www.americantorah.com/2012/08/19/communitarian-justice/

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Update.

By Monday, I wanted to hurry up and get the blood tests done on Evie, my cat,  to find out what is wrong with her.  I called for an appointment at a vet here in Navasota, so I wouldn’t have to make the long drive to Brenham for our appointment two days later.  It was more expensive but I didn’t want to put Evie, or me, through that long drive in the heat of the afternoon.  I always worry, “What if I have a flat”, what would I do on the side of the road with no shade and a cat?  I am just not used to driving miles and miles of nothing but miles and miles!

At the vet, she was very good while getting blood drawn from her arm, and it took 20 minutes for the results.  It isn’t diabetes, it is hyperthyroidism.  The vet said that it was great that I realized that there is something wrong with her so soon after getting her, and he said “Just feed her plenty of good quality wet food, no dry, and keep her happy”.  He didn’t prescribe anything.  So I loaded up on more cans of Wellness at Tractor Supply. 

This is why she was waking her previous people up in the night, she needed food. It doesn’t bother me, I get up at least once a night anyway, so I feed her then.  I have a recipe for making feline raw food, but I don’t have all the supplements that have to be mixed in it yet.  Feeding people food to a cat doesn’t have all they need, nor a dog.

I trapped one more scroungy-looking stray cat and got him to the shelter. He had to be taken away from these senior apartments because he was scratching people.  Thank goodness this one didn’t give us any trouble getting him out of the trap and into their cage, not like the last one.  That one, a female, got loose in the shelter office and it took several people to catch her, poor thing, she was terrified.

My church neighbor and I went over the study for the Sabbath School on Friday, and we both enjoyed studying it again, with a few more from the congregation, at the church the next day.

Can Satan Deceive You? What's Behind Today's Gender Issues? Free Bible Study Course. Update.

Can Satan Deceive You?

“Just when I thought the streets of America might be settling down, another city burst into flames this week. Kenosha, Wisconsin has been experiencing riots and looting after the shooting of another black man by police. This summer of discontent seems to go on and on.  

Here is the thought that went through my mind:

“Just a few days before the shooting, did people plan to pour into the streets at first opportunity? Were they waiting for an excuse to riot? People who were going about life, were they preparing for this?”

I don’t think it went down that way—although I understand human nature, at times, is just a step away from anarchy.

The Bible says there is a prince of the power of the air, a spirit that works in the children of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2). This describes the work of Satan the devil, the powerful spirit that works to thwart the purpose of God. It is this spirit presence—that most do not understand— that is behind all the evil in this world. Satan and his demonic forces must be understood as part of the story of violence that we see in the streets. How else can we explain the sudden eruption of such anger and its sustained spread night after night?

The blind hatred that you see among rioters is more than ideology. It is more than reaction against injustice. It is a spirit that works among the nations to incite violence. It must be understood. 
My colleague Gary Petty did a Beyond Today program, Satan’s Four Great Deceptions. I encourage you to watch this entire program right till the end. And order the free study guide “Is There A Devil?” It is time to understand this missing spiritual dimension in world affairs. As Gary says, “You may believe that Satan exists. But if you believe that he can’t influence you, you’re already deceived.” 

We are heading toward a new normal. Understanding how the world really works is essential intelligence.

Until next time,  Beyond Today - Help for Today, Hope for Tomorrow”

From: Weekly Update -- Can Satan Deceive You?

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What's Behind Today's Gender Issues?

“A shocking story of a mother transitioning her boy into a girl brings us into God’s Word on this subject.

Transcript of YouTube: https://youtu.be/MJQOO3w3B4Q

[Darris McNeely] “I’ve been doing research for an upcoming “Beyond Today” television program on our spiritual identity in contrast to the gender identity issues that are roiling through society today. And I ran across an article that kind of illustrates what’s going on in the broader culture today. The headline out of “The Christian Post” says, “Mother intent on gender transitioning eight-year-old son into a girl wins a sole medical decision-making power.” This is out of “The Christian Post.”

It goes on to show that a mother who’s attempting to gender transition her eight-year-old son into a girl has been awarded decision-making power regarding her son’s health care and schooling. “In the ongoing case of eight-year-old, James Younger, Dallas judge Mary brown canceled a hearing scheduled for Tuesday and removed his father, Jeffrey Younger, from having any say in his son’s medical, psychological, and psychiatric care. Instead, the Judge gave all decision making power to Dr. Anne Georgulas, a pediatrician and non-biological mother of James and his twin brother, Jude,” according to the report. Younger, the father, has been ordered by the court to pay for trans-affirming counseling sessions.

Now, this has raised a great deal of attention, focus, and even outcry across the nation from groups that are focused on and watching this particular situation. But it speaks to what is happening in our broader culture today in the gender wars and especially the intent of a parent to take an under-aged child and make the decision to trans them, to change their gender based on the sole desire of the parents.

Georgulas says… And the article goes on, “Georgulas has forced James, the boy, to live as Luna, a new name, in a school surrounded by teachers and therapists who do not acknowledge that he has said multiple times to multiple people that he wants to be a boy, and hates being forced to be a girl. Georgulas, the mother is not the biological mother, as he and his twin brother were conceived through the use of a donor egg and IVF reproductive technology.

And so here we have a young eight-year-old boy, being transed, being changed into a girl at the whim of the mother. The courts are involved, and in this case, turning sole control over to a mother, another chapter, if you will. And the ongoing gender wars of the LGBTQ community and issues whether it’s politics, sexual identity, and otherwise, in our society today, having the net effect of actually hiding from us our true identity, as the Bible affirms it in God.

Now for those of us with a biblical worldview, an article and a situation like this is very important to understand and to watch as to what is taking place. And as we view what the Scripture tells us, regarding God’s view of male and female, human beings being created in the image of God, male and female, according to what Genesis tells us, what Christ Himself reaffirmed in Matthew 19, it is very clear from the Scripture as to what are the genders, what are the intended roles and purposes. And God is very clear in that teaching.

Thinking about this and looking at it, it reminded me of the Scripture in Romans 1:24, where Paul describes his first-century world, but it has an application for our 21st-century world with this issue. As Paul describes, “A time where God gave also them up to uncleanness in the lust of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves.” Paul describes here activities going on then that speak to today, unclean, unnatural activities that human beings wanted to have, God allowed it to dishonor their bodies among themselves.

The Bible shows us there is a creative order to humanity, to humankind, according to God’s will and purpose. Male and female created He them for a divine spiritual purpose. And when that is changed, when that is denied, as Paul is showing, it was taking place in the first century, we are dealing with a time and a culture that is turning its back ever-increasingly upon God. He goes on in verse 25 to say, “They exchange the truth of God for the lie, and worshipped, and served the creature, rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever, Amen.”

What it means is they serve the creation. They worship the creation. And really at the heart of what we’re seeing, even in the gender identity, the gender wars that are roiling across the culture of America in the Western world is a denial of the created natural order that God placed there and a worship of the creation over what God has intended. For those of us with a biblical worldview, it’s important to have this understanding from what God says, as we face these issues, seek to understand them, and certainly uphold biblical truth.” From: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-daily/whats-behind-todays-gender-issues

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Update.

Another week has scampered by, I just don’t know where it went.  The older you are, the faster they go !!

Apart from a doctor visit in the next town not much went on here.  The bus came, took me there and picked me up. The doctor now wants to do a barium x-ray on me. 

After a lot of research, I am pretty sure that my suspicions are right, my little old cat Evie has diabetes. This is why the previous owner told me not to feed her “no-grain’ food, or she will throw it up.  That is because it has more calories in it than grain food, and she can’t tolerate a lot of calories.  They also said they hoped she wouldn’t disturb me in the night.  Well, she gently touches my face about 2.00 am and now I know it is because she feels bad because of her blood sugar and needs to eat. Also her pee was so sticky that it wouldn’t clump the litter, but on her new lo-cal diet fed four times a day, that I have put her on, that seems to be a bit better.

If they had researched more they would have found out what was wrong with her and how to take care of her. And all this was caused by her being fed just dry food most of her life.  She had been handed down through several homes because of this behavior but now she is where she is going to stay.  I won’t throw her away like they did.  You are what you eat, and our pets are completely dependent on us for their correct nutrition. 

Evie sees the vet for tests next week, so I hope that I don’t have to give her insulin shots, but I am hoping that with her new diet of Wellness Core canned food, and real meat, that she will gradually get better.  It is expensive, but you have to pay for quality just like for people. Pay for the right good food now, or pay the doctors and hospitals later.

Speaking of hospitals, my daughter is now home from the rehab after her accident, and will have therapists coming in to help her exercise and get better.

Sherry and I studied this week’s lesson in the church’s Bible study book on Friday morning as usual, but I went to the church on my own because her granddaughter came to pick her up on Saturday.

How Can I Connect With God? Therefore Do Not Worry. Godliness With Contentment. Update.

How Can I Connect With God?

“Successful, satisfying relationships involve two-way communication. Connecting with God is the same way. If you are willing to do your part, God will do His.

Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash

Connecting with God means communication that goes both ways, as in a conversation with another person.

Your Creator wants to connect with you. He wants to hear your honest questions. He wants to offer you understanding. He wants to hear your worries and provide comfort and hope.

But God can seem distant, remote and unconcerned with our daily troubles. What can we do to close the gap and connect to God?

Talk to God

Communication is essential. So, a great first step toward connecting with God is prayer. God appreciates the humility it takes to bend our knee and bow our head before Him. Humble prayer is an acknowledgment that answers are not deep within ourselves, answers only come from the Creator of life.

If you are not familiar with prayer, here are a few points to consider:

Approach God with respect, show honor for who and what He is. You can ask God even the hardest questions if you come before Him with the winning combination of humility and respect (Isaiah 66:2).

Expect answers (Hebrews 11:6). Follow up on matters you bring before God by reading your Bible.

Listen to God

A second important step toward connecting with God is to do what He says (James 1:25).

Connecting with God means communication that goes both ways, as in a conversation with another person. Prayer is you talking to God, reading your Bible is God talking back to you. However, If you only listen to what God says to you, but never act upon it, the conversation will die out. Communication and connection require active feedback!

Our Creator likes to begin by giving us simple things at first. He wants to see how we respond before moving on to more complex things. For example:

Responding positively toward God might begin with responding positively toward His commandments. The Ten Commandments are simple but life-changing. What makes the commandments complicated are the layers upon layers of human reasoning and manmade traditions we have built around them.

You might also find that reading God’s Word might show you attitudes and harmful ways of thinking that you need to change.

Try to be attuned to what the Bible is saying to you and respond!

Acknowledge your blessings

Your Creator also communicates with you through blessings and answered prayer. Some prayers seek big picture understanding, but many prayers seek God’s intervention and help with specific problems you are facing.

Try to be mindful of events in your life that are actually blessings and answers to your prayers. Notice the opportunities that come your way, troubles that unexpectedly resolve themselves or turn in your favor. These can be dismissed as coincidence or understood as answers to prayer (if you have indeed prayed).

If you have been blessed and helped in some way big or small, then go back to God and give Him thanks! Remember, in your ongoing conversation with God, prayers are you talking. So, just like you would offer thanks to other people in your life for the little things they do for you, offer your thanks to God. Thankfulness is a great way to build any relationship, including your relationship with God.

Successful, satisfying relationships involve two-way communication. Connecting with God is the same way. If you are willing to do your part, God will do His.”

Learn more about listening to God through reading your Bible with this free study aid: How to Understand the Bible.”                     From: https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/bible-questions-and-answers/how-can-i-connect-with-god?

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“Therefore Do Not Worry”

Download

“During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told His audience, “Do not worry.” That’s easier said than done. This Bible Study Starter will help you explore ways to worry less and trust God more.

Matthew 6:25-34

(New King James Version)

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Therefore do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Questions:

1. Jesus said that worrying can’t add a cubit (a unit of measure) to our height. If worrying doesn’t accomplish anything, why do you think it’s such an easy habit to fall into?
2. What are three of your biggest worries right now?
3. What practical, reasonable steps can you take to reduce the likelihood of those worries becoming a reality?
4. Will any of those steps guarantee you protection from your worries?
5. Jesus said that the Father provides food for the birds of the air and clothes the grass of the field—and then explained that God cares much more about you. How can remembering that truth make it easier not to worry about uncertainties in your own life?
6. There’s a difference between “not worrying” and “not making an effort.” What steps can you take to maintain the balance between not panicking about problems and not doing your part?
7. To fully let go of our worries, we must believe three things about God: i.
   • That He is able to help us.
   • That He is willing to help us.
   • That if He chooses not to help us, it’s not because He is abandoning us, but because He can see the bigger picture and has something better in store for us.
     Which of those truths is hardest for you to believe? Why?
8. God promises that if we seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, He will provide the rest of our needs. What can you do to make the Kingdom of God a higher priority in your day-to-day life? What habits can you introduce into your daily routine? How do you think these habits will impact your worries?” From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/learning-center/bible-study-starters/therefore-do-not-worry/?

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Godliness With Contentment

1 Timothy 6:6

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

In 1 Timothy 6 Paul addresses our attitude and approach to money, possessions and wealth. In verse 5 he mentions some who saw religion as a way to gain wealth—a dangerous, greedy, selfish attitude that Paul warned Timothy to avoid.

Instead, Paul pointed to the truly important “gain”—becoming more like God and living contentedly with what we have. If we learn to be content with the necessities of life—food and clothing (verse 8)—we can avoid the sorrows and pain that can be caused by a burning desire to become rich.

For more about coveting wealth and the antidote of contentment, see our article on the “10th Commandment: You Shall Not Covet.””

From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/blog/godliness-with-contentment/?

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Update

Around here, we still have to wear muzzles when we go into stores, offices, or anywhere there are people, but at least the coronavirus doesn’t seem to be spreading like it is in other places. 

My great grandson Stephen, the one who just graduated, was visiting his grandma, my daughter Wendy in College Station, so I donned my big sunglasses, pulled myself together, and got on the freeway on Tuesday.  I really need to find out why the glare of the open road bothers my eyes so.  The sun is so bright on these 95-100 degree days.  I was early, so I stopped at Kroger’s in College Station and bought items that cannot be bought in Navasota.  I had a cold bag with me.

The four of us, Wendy, her father-in-law, Tony, who lives with them,  Stephen and I had a nice visit and we played a dominos game called chicken foot.  Old Tony won, they think he has Alzheimer's, but he is still sharp.

After lunch, Wendy took Stephen, me and her two dogs to a park.  It was very sunny and I wasn’t wearing walking shoes, so that wasn’t so enjoyable for me, especially when I tripped over a root.  My hair blew into a mess and I looked a fright, see picture on FB. 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3693931657288992&set=pcb.3693931897288968&type=3&theater

But it was worth it just to see Stephen who I hadn’t seen for years.  He wants to be a Nuclear Engineer. To each his own.

Normal goings on during the week, trips to the local pantry, thrift shop and then to Tractor Supply, yes, we do have one of those nearby, to get some Wellness cat food.  It is cheaper there than at the pet shops. My cat, Casper, is supposed to be coming home soon.

On Friday, Cherry, my church neighbor and I studied the church’s Bible study for this week, then we went to Dollar General.   But because of new regulations about Sabbath gatherings, neither of us went to church today.

Cattle on a Thousand Playing Fields. Suddenly The Whole World Can Change, Qasem Soleimani. Update.

For “Scripture Sunday”:
The Cattle on a Thousand Playing Fields

“An Amazing Fact: It takes about 35,000 cows to make a year’s supply of regulation NFL footballs.

Despite the nickname “pigskin,” today footballs are actually made of leather. Wilson Sporting Goods, official supplier of NFL footballs, says one cowhide produces 15 to 25 footballs. Wilson makes about 700,000 regulation NFL footballs every year.

David Gassko and Ian Stanczyk decided to ask one day, “What are the odds that any given cow will make it into the Super Bowl, via a football?”

Of those 700,000 regulation balls, the NFL uses just 12,000 per year. Meanwhile, one in two adult cattle are slaughtered every year. Of those, the hides of one in 952 will become NFL footballs, of which one in 58 will be used in an NFL game, and about one in 158 of those will be used in the Super Bowl. So what are the odds that a random cow will be in the Super Bowl? About 1-in-17,420,000, or so say Gassko and Stanczyk.

The Psalm says God owns “the cattle on a thousand hills.” In fact, God claims every beast of the forest as well. Not even a sparrow falls to the ground without Him noticing. “Of how much more value are you?” Jesus asked. “Even the hairs on your head are numbered.”

With a God who loves you this much, do you know the odds that you’ll go to heaven and live with Him forever? Accept Him as your personal Savior, and they’re one in one.”

KEY BIBLE TEXTS

For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. Psalms 50:10-11 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. John 16:3”

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And Suddenly The Whole World Can Change

“That is what happened earlier this week when the United States took out the Iranian terrorist leader Qasem Soleimani with a missile strike in Baghdad. Iran was stunned by such a direct blow to their top general who has directed the Shiite regime’s expansionist efforts in the Middle East. After months of attacks on other targets in Iraq, Saudia Arabia and Iran, the American giant struck a right hand blow to Iran that smacked them to the mat. What is next remains to be seen.

I will let others opine about what might be the next phase of hostilities between the United States and Iran and the mix of other powers in this volatile region. The Middle East today is a collection of failed states, terrorist groups and fat, rich pseudo-royal oil states who posture as powers on the world stage. If it wasn’t so dangerous it would be a comedy. But the Middle East is the most dangerous region of the world and no one should underestimate the roiling powers that churn beneath the waves of events coming out of this region.

The future history of the world will be centered in the Middle East. While the current U.S. administration wants to withdraw troops from the region, extricating itself from the endless conflict that historically traps the unwary, powerful forces remain in place. Religious sectarian conflict will continue to focus attention of the world on the place known as the birthplace of three major world religions.

You need to educate yourself about the history of the Middle East from a biblical perspective. Today’s news sources will not give you this vital background. The Bible tells us why this part of world has so much conflict. The Bible also shows us what lies ahead and what that means for all nations and peoples. Our booklet, The Middle East in Bible Prophecy, is a great free study guide to help you understand the history of the peoples and cultures.

Why does Iran act as it does toward its neighbors and hold such deep animosity toward the United States? Why do the Arab states regard the State of Israel as a pariah in the region and have battled it constantly since its founding in 1948? These and other questions are answered for you in this study guide.

Start your study with this chapter that answers the question, “Why do people hate the United States?”.  I promise you this one read will show you why you need to read the rest of the booklet and learn the deeper facts about the Middle East.

Big events that will shape your life are coming out of the Middle East. Broaden your understanding by reading this study guide.” From: https://us1.campaign-archive.com/?e=72c729d811&u=1d04480cefc2e7c4492fe4a04&id=3c557c555b

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Update.

On Sunday, I took little Foxie to Tractor Supply to get her doggie shots and get her tested for heartworms.  The mobile vet is there each week at 1.00pm.  She is still very scared of unusual things, but she was very calm through all that.   Then I went to the Bible study here at the apartment club house.

On Monday there was a relationship seminar, complete with sandwiches, but it seemed mostly to be directed to couples, and we are all old senior singles here.  The following day there was a Wellness Program, where an “Aggie” nutritionist from Texas A & M showed us a film and fed us Chicken Alfredo, garlic bread and salad.  This is where we needed the relationship seminar on manners…..    One of the ladies, who has a loud voice anyway, kept on talking to the lady next to her, and then answered her phone three times shouting to the person on the other end.  We just couldn’t hear the film.  Finally she left, and I hope someone says something to her so that she doesn’t disrupt everything like that again.

I just didn’t know what to take to the church potluck,  then I saw a bag of egg noodles taking up space in my pantry.  I knew that I had some organic corn, peas, celery, carrots and onions, so I made Creamy Veggies and Noodles.  It made so much that I froze half of it for another day.

The Bible study before the church service for the last three weeks has been about Daniel.  My neighbor and I study it on Friday mornings so we will be ready for the Sabbath the next day.  The sermon was about “Buy in His Store”,  referring to Prov. 23:23, Acts 8:20 and how money perishes, and we should buy in God’s store.

My little Foxie, is a sweet thing.  Only once in a while will she pee when I walk her, but she has got the pooping thing down right and waits until she is outside.  It is a shame that someone shouted at her when she was peeing in their house so she is afraid to pee now, and goes on her blankie when I am not looking.    For that reason, I still have to keep her in a big cage and take her out several times a day. 

Veterans. Nelson Mandela. GMO Ban. WebMD Pockets Millions. Vit D, Not Flu Shot! Coal Ash Disaster. Heirloom Seeds. Pearl Harbor. Pet Dental Care.

 

For "Summary Saturday", or News, Some Old, Some New:

 

On the anniversary of Pearl Harbor: 

They Stood Up for Us – Now Stand Up for Veterans.

 

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      ·  Learn About The Veterans Site
      ·  Send a Free E-Card!

 

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Lone Marine has been doing this since 2002, even with a broken wrist.

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Nelson Mandela - Man of Peace, by Darris McNeely

Source: Flickr/sagoodnews.co.za

"Nelson Mandela was a rare man. He managed to hold together conflicting forces and forge a workable nation at a time when most thought open civil war would break out. For that singular feat he should be remembered with respect.

I did not know much about Mandela when he was released from a South African prison in 1990. What I did know was biased and ill-informed. An imprisoned black man in far off South Africa was little noticed by most. Though the world had begun to focus on the despicable apartheid policies and was bringing pressure on the minority white government to end this system forever, still, Mandela and his country was far away.

Then, in 2000, I traveled to South Africa and heard a comment that made me take notice about Nelson Mandela. I visited a white farmer in Kwa-Zulu Natal who had large holdings of tea and sugar cane. He employed many black workers and managed to survive and thrive within the changing cultural and economic landscape.

Once he told me he even narrowly avoided a planned ambush by extremists, laid specifically for him. “If not for Mandela”, he said, “we (whites) would have all been killed in 1994 when majority rule came. Mandela held back the anger that wanted to bring the country to riots and chaos”. That made me think deeply about what one man’s actions can do prevent violence and division.

Mandela had spent his years in prison thinking deeply about his enemy. He learned the difficult Afrikaans language. He studied the ways of the unique Anglo-Dutch culture. When he was released he had come to point where he realized reconciliation was a better path forward than continued resentment that would lead to anarchy for his people. Mandela chose cooperation. He enters history as a man who changed and worked to bring together diverse people divided by race, language and culture. His example is frankly a classic study in reconciliation. All of us would do well to study Mandela’s life and example.

Christ said, ‘blessed are the peacemakers”. May God bless the efforts of any who work for peace between all men."  From:  http://www.ucg.org/blog/nelson-mandela-man-peace/

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Hawaii's GMO Ban Is Now Official! Mayor Kenoi Signs Bill 113

 

"Mayor Billy Kenoi signed Bill 113 into law on Thursday, Dec. 6th, prohibiting biotech companies from operating on the Big Island and banning farmers from growing any new genetically altered crops." Learn More

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WebMD Pockets Millions to Stimulate $1 Trillion in Drug Sales

"WebMD has received a $4.8 million government contract to educate doctors about the Affordable Care Act. Lack of transparency has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest.

WebMD has positioned itself as a primary source of independent and science-backed health information yet is financially dependent on pharmaceutical companies, and now the US government.

In 2010, WebMD was found to have created a depression screening test in which 100 percent of quiz-takers ended up having a “high likelihood of major depression,” and were asked to discuss available drug treatment.

Global expenditure for prescription drugs is estimated to hit $1 trillion next year, and as high as $1.2 trillion in 2017.

The main driver of increased drug sales is increased access to medical care across the world. In the US, the Affordable Care Act will likely lead to major spending increases."  More at: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/04/webmd-obamacare.aspx

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Take vitamin D3 Not the flu Shot!

"Research into vitamin d3 health benefits. Do not get a flu shot EVER!"

Vitamin D is better than ANY vaccine and increases the immune system

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No EPA Progress on Anniversary of Coal Ash Disaster

Unregulated danger lurks in more than 1,400 coal ash sites.

The massive coal ash spill in Tennessee in 2008. (TVA)

"It was early October, but the trees were still a vibrant green. Fall had not yet arrived and winter was still a distant concern in Kingston, TN. Fishing boats and jet skis were tied to docks along the Clinch River, and even though it was a Thursday morning it was obvious that folks in this small community were already gearing up for weekend fun.

This was the scene a few weeks ago when I arrived in Kingston with a group of about 40 journalists and activists to tour the ongoing cleanup of one of the biggest environmental disasters in our nation’s history.

Five years before at 1 a.m., Dec. 22, 2008, as the town slept, a coal ash dumpsite at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Kingston power plant burst through a poorly constructed levee, releasing more than a billion gallons of toxic waste onto the sleeping town. A rumbling flood of contaminated waste rushed nearly six miles downstream. Donna Lisenby, of Waterkeeper Alliance, canoed down the rivers among giant “ashbergs,” 12-foot tall mounds of wet coal ash, as she tested waters shortly after the disaster.

The Kingston coal ash spill. (TVA)

Miraculously, no one was injured. But two dozen houses were damaged or destroyed and more than 300 acres of shoreline and rivers were polluted. The plant operators have been cleaning up the mess ever since and are nearing completion. The disaster catapulted coal ash to the front pages. People asked,“What is coal ash?” and the answer was not pretty. The ash remaining from burning coal at power plants is often full of toxic metals like arsenic, lead, mercury, selenium and more.

The event sparked a national effort to establish the first ever federal safeguards for coal ash, which is dumped at more than 1,400 sites across the country. But five years later there still are no federal protections. Despite the size and severity of the Kingston spill, the EPA has continued to drag its feet. Polluters have seized on the delay, turning to their supporters in Congress to repeatedly introduce legislation that would prohibit the EPA from ever setting federal regulations for coal ash."  More at: http://earthjustice.org/blog/2013-november/no-epa-progress-on-anniversary-of-coal-ash-disaster

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Why it Matters to Buy Heirloom Plants and Seeds

"The loss of genetic seed diversity facing us today may lead to a catastrophe far beyond our imagining. The Irish potato famine, which led to the death or displacement of two and a half million people in the 1840s, is an example of what can happen when farmers rely on only a few plant species as crop cornerstones.

One blight wiped out the single potato type that came from deep in the Andes mountains; it did not have the necessary resistance. If the Irish had planted different varieties of potatoes, one type would have most likely resisted the blight.

We can help save heirloom seeds by learning how to buy and save these genetically diverse jewels ourselves.

ABOUT SEEDS
One kind of seed, called First generation hybrids (F1 hybrids), have been hand-pollinated, and are patented, often sterile, genetically identical within food types, and sold from multinational seed companies.

A second kind of seeds are genetically engineered. Bioengineered seeds are fast contaminating the global seed supply on a wholesale level, and threatening the purity of seeds everywhere. The DNA of the plant has been changed. A cold water fish gene could be spliced into a tomato to make the plant more resistant to frost, for example.

A third kind of seeds are called heirloom or open-pollinated, genetically diverse jewels that have been passed on from generation to generation.  With heirloom seeds there are 10,000 varieties of apples, compared to the very few F1 hybrid apple types.

The Mayan word “gene” means “spiral of life.” The genes in heirloom seeds give life to our future. Unless the 100 million backyard gardeners and organic farmers keep these seeds alive, they will disappear altogether. This is truly an instance where one person–a lone gardener in a backyard vegetable garden–can potentially make all the difference in the world.

Here are two sources for finding heirloom seeds from seed saving organizations. These organizations represent a movement of several thousand backyard gardeners who are searching the countryside for endangered vegetables, fruits and grains."  More at: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/why-buy-heirloom-plants-seeds.html

10 Best Heirloom Seed Companies as Selected By Readers:

http://www.treehugger.com/lawn-garden/10-best-seed-companies-selected-by-readers.html

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On This Day

Pearl Harbor bombed, Dec 7, 1941:

"At 7:55 a.m. Hawaii time, a Japanese dive bomber bearing the red symbol of the Rising Sun of Japan on its wings appears out of the clouds above the island of Oahu. A swarm of 360 Japanese warplanes followed, descending on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in a ferocious assault. The surprise attack struck a critical blow against the U.S. Pacific fleet and drew the United States irrevocably into World War II.

The day after Pearl Harbor was bombed, President Roosevelt appeared before a joint session of Congress and declared, "Yesterday, December 7, 1941--a date which will live in infamy--the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."

Three days later, Germany and Italy declared war against the United States, and the U.S. government responded in kind.

The American contribution to the successful Allied war effort spanned four long years and cost more than 400,000 American lives."

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Yesterday:

If you read yesterday's post, you know that I was up really early with one of my doggie boarders, Punkie.  She is old, (though two years younger than Misty), and arrived in terrible condition.  She is just a skeleton of her former self.  I fed her small amounts of canned Wellness every few hours, and I drove into town to buy her some electrolyte liquid and NutriCal.  So far she is holding her own, but is very confused and disorientated.  I hope I can keep her going till her Mom gets home, though if she were mine, I would have her PTS.

I have a theory after all my 70 years of animal care, that it is Punkie's rotten teeth which are making her so sick.  If dogs don't get proper dental care and teeth cleaning at a vet, their teeth get very bad and infected.  That was what was wrong with my Misty, who was so sick and skinny when I got her.  The infection in her teeth had spread to her sinuses, and then it goes into the brain.  We had all of Misty's bad teeth out before it got to her brain, had her on antibiotics for the infected sinuses, so she got better.  It is too late for Punkie, I think the infection is already in her brain.

It was cold, in the low 30's-40s, so I had to put coats on all 6 dogs before we could go out.  It was really cold and windy in the back yard on the north side of my house.  All day, the USA and TX flags across the street were flying so hard that they nearly bent the pole.

Tending to old Punkie, and the other dogs and cats took up most of my day.

USDA’s Meat ID Labels. Wheat Germ. Food Allergy or a Digestive Problem? President Roosevelt Telegrams Hirohito. Nelson Mandela.

 

For "Foodie Friday":

USDA’s Meat ID Labels Spark International Food Fight

"Most Americans don’t know where their chicken, beef and pork were born, raised and slaughtered, but a new rule now requires that labeling. Supporters say it educates consumers. But critics, including major meat companies, say it’s a costly and unnecessary protectionist measure.

Cargill and Tyson Foods (TSN), as well as their allies among meatpacking and major ranching associations, are locking horns with the Consumer Federation of America, farmers and small-to-midsize ranchers’ groups over the country of origin label rule, known in shorthand as COOL.

The COOL rule, which went into effect in November, requires more specific meat labels. It also bars commingling meat for everything except ground beef, by requiring all meat in a package to come from the same source. That will require new infrastructure to segregate cattle, swine and poultry from different countries.

Farmers’ associations and some ranchers’ groups say the rule keeps shoppers informed, much like grass-fed and organic labels.

“The consumer knows best,” Jess Peterson, executive vice president of U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, said. “They ought to know where their cattle are coming from.”  More at: http://www.cornucopia.org/2013/11/usdas-meat-id-labels-spark-international-food-fight/

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Why You Need Wheat Germ

By Pina LoGiudice ND, LAc and Peter Bongiorno ND, LAc
Directors of Inner Source Health

"Wheat germ is the most vitamin- and mineral-rich part of the wheat kernel. In fact, the germ is actually the embryo of the wheat plant. This embryo will eventually nourish the new wheat plan. This is the reason why it has so many wonderful nutrients.

Unfortunately, this kernel, which includes the wheat germ, is tragically removed during the refining of whole wheat grains to white flour. In the manufacturing process, it is removed because its healthy oils can go rancid quickly, so removing it makes it easier for food production companies to keep wheat in storage much longer. The germ itself only makes up about 3% of the kernel, and you need over 50 pounds of wheat to get one pound of wheat germ.

Why Is Wheat Germ So Good for You?

Because it is meant to feed the new plant, wheat germ is packed with good nutrients. Two tablespoons of raw wheat germ have about 1.5 grams of unsaturated fat, 9 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of protein, 2 grams dietary fiber, 2 grams of sugars, no cholesterol and about 60 calories. This is plenty of protein and fiber.

Plus, it has a number of other healthy nutrients for your body:

B vitamins

Wheat germ is packed with important B vitamins, such as folate, vitamin B1 (thiamin) and vitamin B6. B vitamins are important for the heart, to make proper mood chemicals for our brain, and are critical for cardiovascular health.

Fiber

Wheat germ contains lots of fiber, which is necessary for good blood sugar balance, cholesterol control, intestinal health and detoxification."

More at: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/why-you-need-wheat-germ

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For healthy whole grain foods, go to http://foodforlife.com/
For more information on the gluten intolerance saliva test: http://diagnostechs.com/Pages/FoodIntolerancePanel.aspx

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Food Allergy or Digestive Problem?

"Neither one is fun to experience, but there are some key differences between food allergies and digestive problems. One example: With a food allergy, you might get hives but you probably won't with a digestive condition."

 

 

 

Diagnosing a Food Allergy

"If you notice a reaction when you eat certain types of foods, talk to your primary care physician. If he suspects a food allergy, you may be referred to an allergist who can determine whether you are allergic to certain food allergens or if you have an intolerance. Either way, your doctors can help come up with a plan to avoid the food and manage the symptoms when and if a reaction occurs.

You should do this sooner than later. Fear of having a reaction to foods can keep you from enjoying dinners out in restaurants or dinner parties with friends. The sooner you know what the problem is, you can begin correcting it, and get both your diet and your social life back into gear."  From: http://www.everydayhealth.com/allergies/food-allergies-and-digestive-problems.aspx

On This Day:

Roosevelt to Japanese emperor: "Prevent further death and destruction", Dec 6, 1941:

On this day, President Roosevelt—convinced on the basis of intelligence reports that the Japanese fleet is headed for Thailand, not the United States—telegrams Emperor Hirohito with the request that "for the sake of humanity," the emperor intervene "to prevent further death and destruction in the world."

The Royal Australian Air Force had sighted Japanese escorts, cruisers, and destroyers on patrol near the Malayan coast, south of Cape Cambodia. An Aussie pilot managed to radio that it looked as if the Japanese warships were headed for Thailand—just before he was shot down by the Japanese. Back in England, Prime Minister Churchill called a meeting of his chiefs of staff to discuss the crisis. While reports were coming in describing Thailand as the Japanese destination, they began to question whether it could have been a diversion. British intelligence had intercepted the Japanese code "Raffles," a warning to the Japanese fleet to be on alert—but for what?

Britain was already preparing Operation Matador, the launching of their 11th Indian Division into Thailand to meet the presumed Japanese invasion force. But at the last minute, Air Marshall Brooke-Popham received word not to cross the Thai border for fear that it would provoke a Japanese attack if, in fact, the warship movement was merely a bluff.

Meanwhile, 600 miles northwest of Hawaii, Admiral Yamamoto, commander of the Japanese fleet, announced to his men: "The rise or fall of the empire depends upon this battle. Everyone will do his duty with utmost efforts." Thailand was, in fact, a bluff. Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii was confirmed for Yamamoto as the Japanese target, after the Japanese consul in Hawaii had reported to Tokyo that a significant portion of the U.S. Pacific fleet would be anchored in the harbor—sitting ducks. The following morning, Sunday, December 7, was a good day to begin a raid.

"The son of man has just sent his final message to the son of God," FDR joked to Eleanor after sending off his telegram to Hirohito, who in the Shinto tradition of Japan was deemed a god. As he enjoyed his stamp collection and chatted with Harry Hopkins, his personal adviser, news reached him of Japan's formal rejection of America's 10-point proposals for peace and an end to economic sanctions and the oil embargo placed on the Axis power. "This means war," the president declared. Hopkins recommended an American first strike. "No, we can't do that," Roosevelt countered. "We are a democracy and a peaceful people.""

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Yesterday:

South Africa's Nelson Mandela dies in Johannesburg

"South Africa's first black president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela has died at the age of 95.  Mr. Mandela led South Africa's transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s, after 27 years in prison for his political activities.

"Our nation has lost its greatest son," Mr. Zuma said.  "Although we knew that this day would come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss."  More at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25249520

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After another search in the Grooming Room, trying to find all the hidden cat toys, Ray and I pronounced the room good for Mindi's dogs.  The cats have little lightweight plastic ball toys with bells in them and toys with feathery things that the dogs might choke on.  So now, the heavy duty doggie toys are in there.

Then we went outside in the 40+° weather to put up the last piece of screen.  We screwed a temporary board across the side of the porch, to work on the top triangle.  That was so that we can have both 8' ladders leaning against the part that is already screened.  First, we had to take measurements, so it was easier with each of us on a ladder.   After we had cut the screen, it was much simpler with two of us to staple it in place.  That was all we could do, as it was getting too windy and chilly.   All the porch is now screened, but it was too cold for the cats to go out there.

Mindi's dogs arrived at 2.00 AM, and I was shocked when I saw the oldest, Punkie. I have known these dogs for 15 years.  She was as skinny as a rail, all hunchbacked and could hardly walk.  Mindi's husband was so surprised when he saw my Misty, who is plump, spry, sassy, and two years older than Punkie.  Mindi said that she knew that Punkie was on her last legs, and I was afraid that she wouldn't last the night. 

She can't see very well, so the first thing I did was cut off her bangs. Then, I quickly set up a 'hospital' cage for her, and fed her some canned Wellness, which she enthusiastically ate.  Two hours later, I took them all outside, and carried Punkie out there.  She peed, and when I put her back in the cage, I gave her some more Wellness and a little Spirulina, http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/benefits-of-spirulina/ .  I am going to try to make sure that nothing happens to Punkie while she is in my care for the next few days.