PENTECOST. If I Were a Rich Dad. Helping Our Children Grow.

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FEAST OF PENTECOST

Note to parents

“We encourage you to read through this material with your children to provide an overview of the meaning of the Day of Pentecost and what it pictures in God’s plan. Then choose appropriate material from the supplemental pages that you feel will be helpful in teaching and reinforcing the meaning of this festival.

This solemn ceremony had profound spiritual significance because it depicted Christ’s ascension and acceptance by the Father as the first of the firstfruits of humanity.”

More at: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/uploads/eei/EEI-LessonOverview-WOG-Pentecost.svg

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If I Were a Rich Dad

“The book Rich Dad, Poor Dad taps into our desire to understand what the rich know. But I look to a different book to understand fatherhood—and true riches!

Many years ago on a long road trip taking our kids to summer camp, a friend played an audio book called Rich Dad, Poor Dad. The subtitle of the book is “What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!”

The author’s basic theme is that his real dad, a highly educated public servant, constantly complained about being broke, while his best friend’s father constantly enjoyed the finer things in life. The book claims to be a collection of financial lessons he learned from both men. From the parts I heard, it was clear that he had more respect for his “rich dad’s” street sense and his financial goals and choices.

I admit that I didn’t hear the whole book and I remember even less, so I’m not trying to comment on any financial principles the book might espouse. But what stuck with me was the low esteem the author seemed to have for his real dad’s accomplishments in life.

My poor dad

My own father has never been rich, but I have felt richly blessed to have him as my father. My dad was actually doing fairly well financially working for a huge aerospace firm, but when he learned about the biblical Sabbath, he faced a choice between keeping his job or obeying the things he was learning in a best-selling book: the Holy Bible. He chose faith over financial security.

In his new profession as a self-employed house painter, my dad worked hard. He was fair—and more than fair—to his clients. He never wanted to charge more than he thought was reasonable, and he ended up absorbing some losses because he was too nice.

Doing these things did not lead my dad to financial success, but they are admirable qualities of a true and giving Christian. I saw the biblical principles of turning the other cheek and esteeming others better than himself in action (Matthew 5:39; Philippians 2:3).

My rich Dad

As much as I respect and appreciate my poor dad, I also appreciate that he helped introduce me to my rich Dad and His wonderful instruction book. By bringing me up “in the training and admonition of the Lord,” my dad helped me to identify the true riches (Ephesians 6:4).

What are those true riches? The Bible records this breathtaking promise to those God is calling:

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1).

God—the Creator of the entire universe, the owner of all the gold and silver, the most powerful being imaginable—loves us and wants us to be His sons and daughters!

That’s a message that I want to share with my family and friends and everyone!

If I were a rich dad …

I am not considered rich in this society, but I have been blessed in many ways, including living in the United States and having a rewarding job that takes care of my needs. In talking with people from developing countries, I am reminded of how blessed I truly am!

However, I don’t have a large inheritance to pass on to my children in this world. Like Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, I could wish I were a rich man—at least for the sake of my family.

But most of all, I hope that I have shared with my children what has been entrusted to me—the true riches of a spiritual relationship with God our Father. In the eternal scheme of things, that relationship is far more valuable than all the silver and gold in the universe.

I hope you will want to learn more about my rich Dad and His offer to humans to become His children. There is no priority more important! Please take time now to read more of what the Bible reveals about this wonderful truth in the article “Children of God.”

Happy Father’s Day to my poor dad and my rich Dad!”  From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/blog/if-i-were-a-rich-dad/

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Helping Our Children Grow

“How can we create the best environment for teaching and helping our children grow? How can we make a peaceful home for the children God has entrusted to us?

All humans start out as sweet, lovable and innocent little babies. They come into this world without emotional baggage or bad habits to break.

Practically everything has to be learned—how to eat, when to sleep, how to use the toilet, crawl, walk, talk, listen, read and so much more—and parents are their first and most important teachers. What and how they learn greatly affects whether they grow up to be wise or foolish.

Many factors influence the minds of our children as they grow up, including their peers, entertainment and the powerful influence of social media. But most studies show that the family still has the strongest effect of all of these.

How we parent our children determines to a great extent their future. It deeply impacts how well they will do on their jobs, the type of person they will choose to marry and the success of that relationship, how they will parent their own children and the relationship they will have with them.

No parent wants to go through the anguish of seeing his or her children choose a path that will destroy their future happiness. So what can we do to ensure our children become successful adults?

“Unless the Lord builds the house”

The foundation of a successful home and family begins even before you marry. What can you do to prepare to be a godly mate and parent? And what kind of person do you want to marry and have as the father or mother of your children?

Solomon wisely noted, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” and “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord” (Psalm 127:1, 3). A wise person will therefore first seek God’s blessing on his or her marriage. And once you are married and decide to have children, why not first ask God to bless the conception, birth and your parenting efforts?

God blesses us with these little ones, and He is the One who can teach us how to bring them to adulthood successfully.

Two great commandments: principles for how to raise a child

God has not left us without guidelines we can use to provide a more fulfilling life for our children. Certainly there is no guarantee, as children sometimes make bad choices, but applying these guidelines will greatly increase our odds of a good outcome.

The greatest laws of life are also the greatest guides to successful childrearing. Jesus said the entire law of God could be summarized as two great commandments: Love God with all our hearts and love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-39). These two great laws provide the most important framework for steering our children toward a successful, fulfilling life.

When we realize that every human has an awesome potential, including these little ones in our care for a brief period of time, parenting takes on a whole different outlook. What is our purpose in life? What is their future and purpose? It all ties in with our relationship with God and each other.

If God is first in our lives, then He will be our go-to source for the help we need in this most important task of parenting. He will help us create the environment to assist our children in growing into the kind of adults they need to be—people who love God with all their hearts and their neighbors as themselves!

Positive environment for child development

When I think about an environment for growth, an experience from years ago comes to mind.

Indiana is beautiful in the summer; but in the dead of winter, it can be a cold, dreary place. Very few evergreens exist to provide color, and when no snow falls the landscape is a dull gray.

On one of those cloudy days, my wife and I visited a couple who owned a nursery farm. We stepped from our car into the cold north wind and made our way over to some long buildings.

As we stepped through the doors, we were welcomed by a pleasant 72-degree temperature and met with rows and rows of beautiful flowers and many varieties of verdant young vegetable plants.

No matter how cold, snowy and windy it was outside, inside those buildings we found the ideal environment in which plants could thrive. If we create the right environment, we can grow almost anything we want to.

The same is true for children. Give them the right environment, and they will develop the qualities they’ll need for a great future.

We can’t totally insulate our children from all the negative things of this world, but we can create an environment in our homes where they can grow and thrive.

Peaceful home

My wife and I had the goal of making our home a sanctuary for our children. No matter what kind of day they had at school or in the neighborhood, we wanted our home to be a place they would find peace, security, kindness and love. The family environment is what makes a house a home. The world is not always the nicest place, and after a hard day at school or work, we all need a warm place to come home to.

My wife and I had the goal of making our home a sanctuary for our children. No matter what kind of day they had at school or in the neighborhood, we wanted our home to be a place they would find peace, security, kindness and love.

“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Teaching family members to respect others and providing the security of structure for everyone establishes an atmosphere for growth.

A few of the building blocks for creating this kind of environment in the home include:

• Settling differences without screaming and anger.
• Having meals together.
• Viewing television and computer screens less and talking and listening more.
• Creating family traditions, such as family activity nights and family Bible studies.
• Reading to children a lot, especially when they are small. They love it! It provides not only a great emotional connector with the parents but it instills in them a desire to learn.

And, of course, the most powerful method of instruction is our example. A picture is worth a thousand words, and a good example of what to do is worth a thousand spoken “don’ts.” 

Above all, it’s vital that we teach our children about God as early as possible and also that they see that God is important to us. They need to know that He is the source of every good and perfect gift we have to enjoy (James 1:17).

Teaching our children

God tells us to teach our children about Him and His instructions for us every day, all through the day, to explain how obeying His laws makes life good for us and others.

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7, 24; see also 10:13).

When our children were small, our family was frequently together in the car. On long trips, our children would often ask me to tell them stories. I would make up stories about young heroes and villains, but I always worked in a moral to the story as another way to teach them about honesty, serving others or sacrifice for a good cause.

It can be challenging to find time to teach our children. Thankfully, God gave us the Sabbath command—to cease from our work and play on the seventh day. (For more about this, download our free booklet The Sabbath: A Neglected Gift From God.) My family found that the Sabbath was special time unlike the rest of the week, because it provided great opportunities to enjoy time together and to talk about God’s Word and way of life.

My wife always prepared a nice meal for the beginning of the Sabbath, Friday evening. Our children knew that dessert came after our family Bible study, so they were always excited for the study to begin. We tried to keep it interesting and relevant for their ages and to involve them by making it interactive.

Helping our children grow in discipline and accountability

Rules and discipline are a necessary part of life. If parents don’t require their children to live within the boundaries of correct conduct, life will, and experience can be the harshest disciplinarian. Even God, our Father, disciplines us for our benefit (Hebrews 12:10).

The Bible teaches loving discipline and instructs parents to avoid harsh and unreasonable rules and enforcement (Proverbs 13:24; 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21).

Recent research backs up the effectiveness of this loving approach. “A large body of research on attitudes indicates that parental warmth together with reasonable levels of control combine to produce positive child outcomes” (Joan E. Grusec, PhD, and Tanya Danyliuk, BA, “Parents’ Attitudes and Beliefs: Their Impact on Children’s Development”).

Wise parenting, however, looks deeper than just correcting specific infractions. Even more important than wrong actions are the attitudes or motives behind them. Consider what those may be so you can address those when necessary.

There are no perfect parents

No matter how well parents have done, they all say in hindsight, “I made some mistakes. I could have done better.” There are no perfect parents. So don’t get discouraged. Do the best you can with God’s help, and entrust the outcome to Him.

God gave His Son as a gift to the world. Although God’s gift is far above anything we can imagine, there is a way in which He wants us to give our children as a gift as well. He wants us to prepare them to make a contribution to the world—to make it a better place for others!

We encourage you to learn more about what the Bible says about parenting and building a strong family. The articles in the “Parenting” and “Family” sections can help.

Bible Verses About Parenting Responsibilities

The apostle Paul tells us the most important things a parent can teach:

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath [lest they become discouraged, Colossians 3:21 adds], but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

Paul packs a lot into this short instruction to parents.

First, he gives a warning not to be unreasonable, severe or demeaning—not to dishearten them, but to encourage them.

“Bring them up” is from the same Greek word translated “nourishes” in Ephesians 5:29, where Paul points out how much we nourish and cherish our own bodies. It is natural that parents should lovingly feed their children’s bodies and minds.

And what is the main subject of all the training and admonition? It is the way of the Lord. This is the most important thing a parent can teach. How to obey God. How to fear Him, please Him and even become like Him. Why?

Because children are a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3)—He gives them to us to raise, but they are really His.

We must learn the way of the Lord ourselves in order to teach it, but, thankfully, it is all laid out for us in one textbook—the Holy Bible. The Bible gives us the foundational truths that help us—and our children—make sense of all other important truths.

Introduce your children to God through age-appropriate Bible study, prayer, exploring His creation and practical application of biblical principles. As your child sees you live out your faith, he or she will learn how reverence of God leads to wise choices and blessings. Obeying God’s laws brings benefits now—and forever.

Some of those benefits are described in the verses at the beginning of Ephesians 6. Learning to honor parents is a step toward honoring God, and God specifically listed the benefits obeying this Fifth Commandment can bring: “‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth’” (verses 2-3).

Read more in our articles “How to Help Your Children Build a Relationship With God” and “Fifth Commandment: Honor Your Father and Your Mother.”

Parenting: Instructions Not Included

Even though we might not endorse the film itself, the title to the 2013 movie Instructions Not Included certainly resonates with many new parents!

Many governments require training for teachers, camp directors and child protective services, yet it seems we expect parents to intuitively know what to do. We expect mothers and fathers to learn on the job—and they sure do!

But the biblical expectation is more effective and encouraging. God ideally wanted parents to learn to be parents from their parents. If your parents haven’t given you this training, consider asking them for it. It’s a biblical principle and even if they made some big mistakes, perhaps they learned from those and can now provide meaningful advice within the framework of God’s principles.

If your parents aren’t available or qualified, other family members or wise people you know might step into this role.

Beyond personal experience, it can be helpful to study child development and what parenting “experts” have to teach. But beware of the parenting “fad of the year,” and compare the advice you read with that which has truly stood the test of time—the Bible. God created children and family, and our Heavenly Father truly knows what’s best. For more on Christian parenting, see the biblically based articles in our Life, Hope & Truth “Parenting” section.”  From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/relationships/parenting/helping-our-children-grow/

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What’s Behind the Storming of the U.S. Capitol? Repentance: What Does Repent Mean? Fruits Worthy of Repentance. All the Curses. Update. SNOW!

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What’s Behind the Storming of the U.S. Capitol?

“The takeover of the U.S. Capitol has joined the ranks of some of the darkest days in American history. What’s behind America’s increasingly violent divisions?

On Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, a mob overwhelmed the police guarding the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., where Congress was meeting to confirm the votes of the Electoral College. The horde forced their way in and took over much of the building. The lawmakers were quickly evacuated to a safe location.

Windows were broken, offices ransacked and government property stolen before order was restored. Four deaths were reported among the crowd, including a woman shot trying to force her way into an area where lawmakers were sheltering. A policeman later died of injuries he received grappling with an attacker.

This is the first time the Capitol has been successfully assaulted since British redcoats burned it in 1814 (during the War of 1812).

The shockwaves of this event rapidly rippled around the world. America’s friends look on aghast at our shame and wonder whether our mounting confusion signals their own to come. America’s enemies rub their hands with glee as they plot to take advantage of our distraction, disarray and disunity. Nondemocratic nations quickly jumped on the violence as evidence that American-style republicanism does not work.

What does this mean for the United States? How did we come to this humiliating place? Where will things go from here?”

Continue Reading. From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/blog/whats-behind-the-storming-of-the-u.s-capitol/?

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Repentance: What Does Repent Mean?

“A major message of the Bible is a call to repent and change. This isn’t popular, but it’s vitally necessary. What is repentance? Why does God require it?

According to the apostle Paul, God “now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30 ).

Repentance is not a popular subject in most of the religious community. Seldom is a modern-day religious audience exhorted to repent.

Yet Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, vigorously preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” and told his audience to “bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:2, 8). Soon after John’s martyrdom, Jesus Christ continued the same theme by preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).

Within weeks following Jesus’ crucifixion, the New Testament Church was founded. Peter’s inspired words to an audience of thousands of devout Jews were, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

What does repentance mean? Is it required for salvation? How important is this subject to you? Read more about what the Bible says about repentance in the related articles.” From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/change/repentance/

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Fruits Worthy of Repentance

Matthew 3:8

“Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance.”

John the Baptist’s message was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2). Surprisingly, this call to change became popular, and people from Jerusalem and all Judea came to be baptized by him.

But when some hypocritical religious leaders came to be baptized, John sensed they weren’t interested in really repenting—really changing. He clearly told them that just being a descendant of Abraham wasn’t enough. They would be judged by their own actions. They needed actions to produce fruits to prove they really were sorry and desired to change.

John described some of these fruits in Luke 3:10-14. They included giving to those in need, not cheating or intimidating people and being content. Those doing wrong should stop doing wrong to show they were serious about changing.

For more about what it means to repent, see our section on “Repentance.”

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All the Curses

2 Chronicles 34:24

“Thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants, all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah.’”

After the terrible, evil reigns of King Manasseh and King Amon, Judah was far from God. Young King Josiah sought to reverse course and sent men to repair the temple. There they found a long-lost copy of the Book of the Law, likely the five books written by Moses.

Josiah heard the words of the book, including the curses God warned would befall those who disobeyed Him (see Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28, for example). Josiah tore his clothes as a sign of repentance and sent men to inquire of God about what would happen. God sent His answer through Huldah, one of four prophetesses mentioned in the Old Testament.

God confirmed that calamity would surely come because the people of Judah had “forsaken” Him (2 Chronicles 34:24-25). But because Josiah’s “heart was tender” toward God and because he “humbled” himself before his Creator, God delayed the punishment until after his death (verse 27). Josiah’s example of repentance and turning to God represents the response God wants when He warns us of the curses that disobedience brings.

Josiah diligently tried to reform his nation, but his reforms were short-lived, and soon Judah was again rebelling and breaking God’s laws. The curses did come, and Judah went into captivity to Babylon.

For more about how to follow Josiah’s good example in turning to God, see the section on “Repentance.”” From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/blog/all-the-curses/?

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Update.

On Sunday, the 10th we had snow! Very unusual for this part of TX. The next day my neighbor had to go to Huntsville, TX, but they had a bad tire, so we went in my van.  I had just had it serviced, and it should have been good to go. 

Fortunately, we made one stop before we got on the freeway and I noticed steam coming out from under the hood.  The radiator cap was loose and it had lost all my antifreeze.  We had that fixed and then it was very careful driving with slush on each side of the lanes.  Of course, that didn’t stop a few silly sods from passing us and racing down the wet roads!  At least we were able to shop at a decent grocery store and get a few things that are not available in this little town.

Even after this surgery on my left eye, I am still blinded by bright lights and sunlight.  The other eye is scheduled for the 28th.  Surely they will find out what is wrong soon?

On Friday we three studied the Sabbath School literature, and then Sherry and I went to the church the next day.

Pearl Harbor. President Trump Recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital. Jerusalem In Prophecy. Temple Mount. Update.

For “Scripture Sunday”:

I hope you didn’t forget the “Day of Infamy”, Dec. 7th. 1941.

While this defining moment in US history is commemorated in many cities all across the country, it occurred so long ago that few youngsters know how the events unfolded on that fateful day.

7th December Pearl Harbor 1941.

December 7th Is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

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President Trump Recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital

by Erik Jones - December 6, 2017

“President Trump has announced that the U.S. recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and will move the U.S. embassy there. Now the world holds its breath.

Palestinians play cards during President Trump's televised speech in the West Bank City of Nablus, Dec. 6, 2017. 

“On Dec. 6, President Donald Trump announced that the United States will now recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel. Along with that announcement, he made it known that he would direct the U.S. State Department to fulfill one of his campaign promises—to begin the process of moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

President Trump is actually responding to an act passed by Congress in 1995, which recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and required the president to move the embassy. Since then, every U.S. president has temporarily deferred fulfilling that requirement because of the perceived risk it would pose to peace efforts between the Israelis and Palestinians. The Palestinian ambassador to the U.K. has said that this decision would be “a kiss of death to the two-state solution.”

The danger of this decision

President Trump had been warned by multiple world leaders of the danger this move poses. It has been condemned by almost every world leader who has commented on it. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned of “dangerous consequences.” The Palestinian position is that East Jerusalem would be the capital of any Palestinian state.

Scholar Aaron David Miller summarized the concerns about President Trump’s decision this way: “The problem is that Israel has declared the entire city to be its eternal and undivided capital, including the eastern part of the city where many Palestinians reside and where the Palestinian Authority hopes to establish a capital once a Palestinian state is created. If Trump asserts that US policy is that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, it would be tantamount to saying that Washington now recognizes Israel’s sovereignty over the entire city. If he simply says that just West Jerusalem is Israel’s capital, he risks alienating the Israeli government by suggesting that the eastern part of the city isn’t included.”

The fear is that this will not only make an unlikely peace agreement even more unlikely, but that this could ignite a new wave of violence.The fear is that this will not only make an unlikely peace agreement even more unlikely, but that this could ignite a new wave of violence. The Palestinian Authority says it will not lead those under its authority to violence against Israel because of the decision, but Hamas (which controls the Gaza Strip) has said the decision will “open the gates of hell.”

Jerusalem is the world’s most dangerous powder keg, and today’s announcement may provoke a new wave of violence—”  Continued at: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/blog/president-trump-recognizes-jerusalem-as-israels-capital/

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What does the Bible say about Jerusalem in prophecy?

“With tensions between Christians, Jews and Arabs, what lies ahead for Jerusalem? Will peace come? What does the Bible say about Jerusalem in prophecy?

Jerusalem in prophecy: Conflict ahead

The Scriptures reveal that at the time before Christ’s return to earth, this region of the world and the city of Jerusalem will once again be in turmoil and conflict. The fragile balance of peace that currently exists will be destroyed.

The prophet Daniel was inspired to write that, at the time of the end, the Jews would resume animal sacrifices and that a religious power called “a little horn” would arise (Daniel 7:8, 11, 21-22; 8:9-10). With his influence and control over the civil government—called the “beast” in Revelation 13:1-4—this man will use the army of the beast to stop these daily sacrifices (Daniel 8:12) and set up an “abomination of desolation” on what appears to be the Temple Mount (Daniel 12:11; Matthew 24:15).

In a long and detailed prophecy, Daniel also prophesied of a conflict that would occur between the “king of the South” and “the king of the North” at “the time of the end” (Daniel 11:40). Jerusalem is going to be caught in the middle of this battle. The prophecy reveals that the “king of the North” is going to “enter the Glorious Land”—a reference to Palestine. This king and his spiritual adviser will take control of the city of Jerusalem.”

Excerpt from: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/middle-east/jerusalem-in-prophecy/

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Temple Mount: Its History and Future

“The Temple Mount was an important location in the history of Israel and Judah. This same area is prophesied to play a major role in the end times and beyond.

The biblical history of the Temple Mount—a leveled area on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem—began long before the construction of the first temple. About 900 years before the first temple, Abraham was told to go to Mount Moriah (the Mount of the Lord) to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22:2, 14).

This location was near the village of Salem, which later became Jerusalem (Joshua 18:28; 2 Chronicles 3:1). It was here that Abraham came to give a tithe to Melchizedek and was “blessed by the better” (Genesis 14:18-20; Hebrews 7:1-4, 7-8). This particular location seems to have already been chosen by God for His future temple.

Coming forward 400 years to the time of Moses, we see in the Song of Moses a reference to “the mountain of Your inheritance, … which You have made for Your own dwelling” (Exodus 15:17). At the end of the 40 years in the wilderness, God commanded through Moses that Israel should “seek the place where the LORD your God chooses, out of all your tribes, to put His name for His dwelling place [habitation in the King James Version]; and there you shall go” (Deuteronomy 12:5).

When God first began working with the Israelites, His place of dwelling was a portable tent, called the “tabernacle” (Exodus 25:9; 26:1). It was the location for worship on God’s annual holy days, where God “put His name” (Deuteronomy 12:5).

Over the years, this tabernacle moved to various locations, including Kadesh, Gilgal, Shiloh, Nob and Gibeon. After approximately 400 years of the tabernacle being moved from time to time, a permanent temple of stone was built for God in the city of Jerusalem—the site being chosen by God Himself (Psalm 132:13; 1 Kings 11:13; 14:21; 2 Chronicles 33:7).

Acquiring the future Temple Mount

When David became king over all of the tribes of Israel, one of his first tasks was to capture and secure the stronghold of Zion from the Jebusites and rename it the City of David (2 Samuel 5:7-9). By capturing the stronghold of Zion, David gained control over the very strategic areas of the city and the citadel. Jerusalem then became the center of Israel and Israel’s capital. This made it possible for David to later negotiate the purchase of the area that would become the Temple Mount.” 

Continued at: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/middle-east/temple-mount/

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Update:

“Palestinian protesters opposite Israeli heavy machinery on Sunday after a tunnel across the Israel-Gaza border was discovered.” CreditMahmud Hams/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

From: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/10/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-gaza-tunnel.html

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Hans is back from his trip to The Holy Land. He showed me lovely pictures fron Israel, Jerusalem, Petra, and Jordan.  He brought me a beautiful grey and red, soft, polyester scarf with a hanging tag saying “Jerusalem”.   The design on it was a Paisley pattern, which is Scottish, (though it did originate in Persia eons ago), and the tiny tag said “Made in China”.    The Chinese probably distribute these with tags for every tourist city.  It is lovely, but I wish he had been wearing his glasses when it chose it and seen that tiny tag.  He forgets a lot of things, and that I had asked him to bring me a cheap Star of David necklace.

Zack, my neighbor and I moved some stuff out of the mini-house to make more room for working.  I had three microwaves in there for sale, so we put them on some shelves and used the roll-around table that they had been on, for a working table.  We needed it to make the curve on the counter top that goes in the mini-house kitchen.  It will be to the right of the doorway as you go in the kitchen, so a curved edge will eliminate a hip-catching square corner.   We cut a curved piece of plywood, to follow the curve and another to make it the right thickness the same as the 1 x 2” that would be on the edge.  We smoothed it with the belt sander, and filled in any ‘holidays’ with wood putty.  Now it will be ready for the Formica.

Jay acted like he was sober, so he worked on installing the door between the living room and kitchen for two mornings.  But the second morning he was defintely hepped up or hyperactive, and so I ddn’t have him come the next morning.  Hyper people make me so nervous, I had enough hyperactivity with my youngest son.

The following morning Zack and I quietly worked taking out the shims which Jay had installed that made the door jam have a curve, and reset the hinges so they wouldn't be in a bind.  

Jay is like "The little girl who had a curl, right in the middle of her forehead.  When she was good, she was very, very good, and when she was bad she was horrid"   (Longfellow)

When he is thinking straight he can do a lot of good work, but when he has been imbibing or pill-popping…..that’s a different story.  His biggest problem is that he lies to himself… he thinks that he can stop at two beers and that they won’t affect him, but even the next day he is still under the influence.  Alcoholics delude themselves!

I have advertised for someone else, but no one suitable has shown up yet, and I have to get the mini-house done.

We had snow on the ground for a while on Friday!  Here in South TX!  Many photos were posted and ‘oohed’ and ‘wowed’ upon.  I took pictures of it here with my phone, then accidentally deleted them off my Micro SD card.

For the church potluck I made Mexican Cabbage. That was because I had a jar of salsa that was way too spicy for me and I didn’t know what to do with it.  I just dumped it into some cooked cabbage.  Several folks at church like spicy foods, so they loved it. 

For another dish, I had cooked several whole sweet potatoes in a crockpot but there were too many for me, so I mashed them and added some sauteed onions, red and green peppers. 

Jay had left some organic milk here, but there was no way I could use all that up.  So I made Bread Custard Pudding (Cooks.com) with some raisin bread that had got squashed.  I looked for the recipe which called for the most milk (1 qt) and the least eggs, (3) and that was it.  So it was made with local farm eggs which is all that I will use.  No store-bought eggs for me, they are so cruel to those chickens and their eggs have hardly any nutrition.  The farm eggs have deep yellow yolks and taste so much better.  Now that was really enjoyed, and I was asked to make more.  The pastor’s wife gave me some Eggnog which was going to be out of date soon, and asked me to make the Custard with that.  Why not? 

The Bible readings were Gen. 32:4-36:43, (that’s got a lot of begatting in it), Hos. 11:7-12, Ob. 1:1-21, Heb. 11:11-21, and Matt. 26:36-46.  The teaching was about “Everything is Built on Christ”, how He is the Cornerstone.

Jay didn’t go to church with me on the Sabbath, I didn’t expect that he would this week.  His mother, Claudia, is out of the hospital and in re-hab now.  She has GOT to get up and walk, and eat, if she ever wants to get out of there.  He was taken by his neighbor to see her today.

Big Bird, Greater Rhea. Parrot Rescue Closing. Where's Marty? Calliope Hummingbird. Dedicated Duck. Cockatoo. BirdNote: What Is the Jynx Bird? Elvis Presley. Gabrielle Giffords. Cold Again.

 

For "Winged Wednesday":

Big Bird: South America's Greater Rhea

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"At up to six feet tall and 60 pounds, the Greater Rhea is the largest bird in the Americas. A member of the group commonly known as ratites (large, flightless birds), their size, long legs, and lack of ability to fly makes them unmistakable.

Although they don’t take flight, Greater Rheas have long wings; the birds use them to maintain balance on tight turns as they run at speeds up to 40 miles per hour, and also during courtship displays. A real athlete, this bird can even swim.

Although the Greater Rhea resembles an ostrich—in fact, Charles Darwin first described it as a “South American ostrich”—the two species are not closely related. Greater Rheas are social, living in mixed flocks of up to 30 or more for most of the year. They often forage with Pampas deer, guanacos (wild llamas), and domestic animals, a behavior that allows them to find food more readily and gives an element of protection from predators.

The recent expansion of the Barba Azul Nature Reserve in Bolivia is excellent news for this species. Other birds that will benefit are the resident Blue-throated Macaw, Cock-tailed Tyrant, and Orinoco Goose, as well as the migratory Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Bobolink.

Learn more, including the unusual role of male Greater Rheas in rearing young>> The males rear the young without assistance from the female, taking care of them for up to four months."

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Parrot Orphanage Closing Its Doors

"Lazicki’s Bird House and Rescue in Rhode Island is being forced from its home after 17 years. As of early November, there were 80 parrots living at the rescue. The story of this bird orphanage highlights the plight of abused and abandoned parrots across the U.S.

The Bird House and Rescue receives about 10 calls every week from bird owners who want to abandon their pets. Perhaps the bird is too loud… too demanding… or it’s living longer than the owner expected.

Many novice bird owners don’t realize that parrots often require a greater commitment of time and energy than a dog or cat. These birds are as smart as human toddlers and require significant mental and social stimulation. They’re also loud, messy, and sometimes aggressive.

If you’re thinking about adding a bird to the family, please carefully consider whether you’re willing to make a long-term commitment to meet your pet’s housing, nutritional and socialization needs."  Complete article at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2014/01/01/parrot-ownership.aspx

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Where's Marty?

This sprightly fellow is a Marsh Wren.   Based on an original photo by BirdNote science advisor Idie Ulsh, “Marty the Marsh Wren” has been BirdNote’s mascot since the very beginning.

"Some bird-lovers have tagged the Marsh Wren the “Heinz-57 variety bird,” because scientists have recorded 57 different variations of its song. Marsh Wrens usually forage out of view, hopping up only for brief moments. They can be hard to see.

We asked listeners to take an image of Marty with them on their trips from Tulsa to Timbuktu. And Marty has shown up in some pretty unlikely places! People have taken pictures of him in China with the terracotta soldiers, at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and on family picnics. 

We hope you’ll take Marty along on your next trip.  It's easy: download and print Marty, cut him out, and tuck his picture in your suitcase. When you return from your trip, post your photos in the Marty Gallery on Facebook.   Happy travels!" 

View pics from Marty's travels abroad on Facebook!

From me: Another variation of Judy and Emma's Flat Joey! http://travels-with-emma.blogspot.com/2013/04/finally-got-flat-joey-letter-done.html

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Pacific Flyway Stand-out Species: Calliope Hummingbird

Calliope Hummingbird by oldbilluk

"Last week, we brought you the tallest bird in North America, the Whooping Crane of the Central Flyway. This week, we are highlighting the smallest bird north of the U.S.-Mexico border, the Calliope Hummingbird! This species occurs entirely within the Pacific Flyway, breeding as far north as British Columbia and migrating south to winter in Mexico.

Put a penny in your hand, just a single penny. That's how much a Calliope Hummingbird weighs: two and a half grams!
Now, consider that this species migrates up to 5,500 miles - more than double the distance between Los Angeles and New York - every year. Such epic migrations require energy reserves usually found in much larger species.

In fact, the Calliope Hummingbird is the smallest "long-distance migrant" in the world.
Further cementing its status as a "stand-out" species in the Pacific Flyway, the Calliope breeds in mountainous habitats, up to three thousand feet above sea level. These cooler temperatures can be difficult for smaller animals, but Calliope Hummingbirds ingest a lot of nectar - up to several times their body weight every day - to keep their metabolism, and their body temperature, high."

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A Love That Will Not Let You Go

An Amazing Fact: "After her six little ducklings were swept into a storm drain in the United Kingdom, a mother mallard waddled two miles tracking her baby’s chirps from manhole to manhole.

Trapped in a dark tunnel in the city’s underground sewer system and floating at the mercy of the current, the tiny ducklings’ only hope was in their mother. Hearing their distressed chirps emanating from somewhere under the ground, the dedicated mother followed their cries. Her heroic journey led her across a busy intersection, countless roads, a metro train line, a housing estate, and two school playing fields. When her chicks suddenly came to a halt in a housing development, she waddled to a stop over a manhole cover. And there, for the next four hours, the faithful mother remained.

Peter Elliott first noticed the little duck at 6:00 AM when he left his home to go for a run. Surprised that she had not moved when he returned, he went over to see if she was injured. Seeing nothing wrong, he went to breakfast, only to see her still sitting there when he finished. It was only later, when his daughter took his two-year-old grandson to see the mallard, that they heard the ducklings’ little voices beneath the manhole cover.
Mr. Elliot quickly gathered some tools and, along with a neighbor, managed to remove the heavy cover. Peering down they saw six little ducklings paddling around in the drain. With a small fishing net, they lifted each little duck to safety and then released the reunited family in a nearby lake.

Just like that faithful mother duck, our heavenly Father will never forsake us. Though we might stray, His heart of love goes after us still. He is always there, seeking for every opportunity to be reunited with us. Even when His chosen people had broken His heart by their wayward course, He pleaded, “Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds” (Zechariah 1:4). The sad record is that “they did not hear nor heed.”"

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This cockatoo obviously believes the way to a dog’s heart is through his stomach!

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BirdNote: What Is the Jynx Bird?

 

Upcoming Shows

Sooty Tern SUNDAY Sooty Tern - Wide-awake Bird by Dennis Paulson  LISTEN NOW ►

Yellow-rumped Warbler MONDAY The Winter Warbler By Vermont naturalist and field guide Bryan Pfeiffer   LISTEN NOW ►

Blue Jay TUESDAY Jaywalking by Frances Wood   LISTEN NOW ►

Great Horned Owl WEDNESDAY Great Horned Owls Nest in Winter by Bob Sundstrom  LISTEN NOW ►

Red Knots THURSDAY Long-distance Migration - A House of Cards? Featuring Scott Weidensaul, author and ornithologist  LISTEN NOW ►

Eurasian Wryneck FRIDAY Jynx! by Bob Sundstrom  LISTEN NOW ►

Bohemian Waxwings SATURDAY Bohemian Waxwings Wander South by Bob Sundstrom LISTEN NOW ►

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On This Day:

Elvis Presley receives his first guitar, Jan 8, 1946:

"In competing versions of the story, what Elvis Presley really wanted for his birthday was a rifle or a bicycle—both fairly typical choices for a boy his age growing up on the outskirts of Tupelo, Mississippi. Instead, Elvis's highly protective mother, Gladys—"She never let me out of her sight," Elvis would later say—took him to the Tupelo Hardware Store and bought a gift that would change the course of history: a $6.95 guitar. It was January 8, 1946, and Elvis Aaron Presley was 11 years old.

The historical significance of putting a guitar into the hands of a young man who would later help define rock and roll is obvious. For Elvis himself, however, getting that guitar was just one more step in a thorough yet totally unplanned program of childhood musical development that prepared him perfectly to ignite a revolution 10 years later."

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Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords injured in shooting rampage, Jan 8, 2011:

"On this day in 2011, Gabrielle Giffords, a U.S. congresswoman from Arizona, is critically injured when a man goes on a shooting spree during a constituents meeting held by the congresswoman outside a Tucson-area supermarket. Six people died in the attack and another 13, including Giffords, were wounded. The gunman, 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner, was taken into custody at the scene.

Loughner, an Arizona resident, approached the 40-year-old Giffords and shot her at point-blank range in the head with a 9 mm semiautomatic pistol.

On January 12, 2011, President Barack Obama spoke at a large public memorial service in Tucson for the victims of the shooting spree. Among the dead were a 9-year-old girl, a 63-year-old federal judge and a 30-year-old member of Giffords' staff. Later that month, Giffords was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital in Houston, Texas, where she would relearn how to walk and talk.

That May, Giffords traveled from the hospital in Houston to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch the launch of the final flight of space shuttle Endeavour, commanded by her husband, astronaut Mark Kelley. The following month, the congresswoman was released from the rehab hospital and began outpatient treatment. On August 1, she made a surprise return to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time since she was shot, in order to vote in favor of passing a deal to raise the nation's debt ceiling.

On January 25, 2012, Giffords resigned from Congress in order to concentrate on her continuing recovery.  On November 8, 2012, Loughner was sentenced to life in prison without parole."

From me:  So now we have to support him for the rest of his life.

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Yesterday:

Once again, a windy day that started out in the 20's, and didn't get much above freezing. At least the power stayed on, and we didn't have rain or snow.  So many are suffering throughout the nation, so we are grateful.   The cat's water on the screen porch stayed frozen.  Nala, my foster cat, wanted to go out there, but soon turned around and came back in again.

During the day, Ava, my 'new' old cat, usually sleeps on a chair by me, and Nala either sleeps on her kitty condo, or the couch.  They just stay away from each other.  Misty seems to be feeling a bit better, and even played with me for a little while.  Ava is still hissing at them both.  I still can't leave Ava and Misty alone in a room, as Ava doesn't realize that Misty is blind and toothless, and might lash out at her when she walks by.

Ray came over and helped me refill my bird feeder, and put a new light bulb on my front porch. Both too tall for me.  But other than trying to keep the covers on my aloe plants, doing chores, and catching up on emails and blogs, it was a lazy computer day.

Real Salt? Soy? King Tut's Gold Coffin. 1999 Record Blizzard. Drains.

 

For "Foodie Friday":

Real Salt, Celtic Salt and Himalayan Salt

"This is what real salt looks like—we all know what regular white salt looks like—and we mistakenly think it is real salt when it is not. The fact is that refined white salt, such as commercial table salt is bad, very bad stuff. Unrefined natural salt on the other hand is good, very good stuff providing many health benefits.

Unrefined sea salt is healthy. The blood-pressure-raising effect of table salt can be due to its high content of sodium with not enough magnesium to balance it. This has a magnesium-lowering effect that can constrict the arteries and raise blood pressure. Real salt (of various kinds) contains plenty of magnesium and other important minerals, which is why it usually does not affect blood pressure in a negative way.

"Dr. David Brownstein weighs in heavily on this matter saying, "Nobody makes a distinction between unrefined and refined salt. They 'lump' all salt together as a bad substance. This is a terrible mistake. There are two forms of salt available in the market place: refined and unrefined.

Refined salt has had its minerals removed and has been bleached to give it the white appearance that we are accustomed to seeing with salt. It is the fine, white salt that is available at almost any restaurant or grocery store. Refined salt has been bleached and exposed to many toxic chemicals in order to get it to its final product. Table salt is a refined salt containing about 97 to 99 percent sodium chloride. It has aluminum, ferrocyanide, and bleach in it. I believe this refining process has made it a toxic, devitalized substance that needs to be avoided.

Unrefined salt, on the other hand," Brownstein continues, "has not been put through a harsh chemical process. It contains the natural minerals that were originally part of the product. Its mineral content gives it a distinct color. The colors of unrefined salt can vary depending on where it is taken from. This is due to the changing mineral content of the various brands of salt. It is the minerals in unrefined salt that provide all the benefits of this product. The minerals supply the body with over 80 trace elements needed to maintain and sustain health.

Furthermore, the minerals elevate the pH (correct acidity) and lower blood pressure. Our Maker gave us salt to use in our diet—unrefined salt—with its full complement of minerals. It should be the salt of choice. It is a vital ingredient that needs to be part of everyone's diet."  More at: http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/real-salt-celtic-salt-and-himalayan-salt

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Table Salt vs. Himalayan Salt

"Dr. Barbara Hendel explains why we need salt in our diets, but only healthy natural Himalayan crystal salt, not common table salt."

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This 'Beloved' Food Can Cause Allergic Reactions for Years - and Infertility for Generations!

"Soy can be found in almost every product on your grocery store shelves -- corn chips, ice cream, canned tuna and every packaged food you can think of. It goes under names like yeast extract, soy protein, soybean oil, soy lecithin and soy flour.

But soy is one of the top eight allergens that cause immediate reactions such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, hives, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing and anaphylactic shock.

Delayed allergic responses can also occur several hours to several days after the food is eaten.

According to Mannie Barling and Ashley F. Brooks-Simon on the Blogger News Network:

"To make soy more appetizing, the manufacturers added sugar, synthetic sweeteners, genetically modified high fructose corn sugar, refined salt, artificial flavorings, colors and MSG. So the soy isn't really soy. It is a Frankenfood created for the sole purpose of making a profit from health conscious people trying to live a healthier life."

The fact that unfermented soy is widely regarded as a health food in the United States is a perfect example of how a brilliant marketing strategy can fool millions.

It all started when the food industry, presented with a quandary over what to do with the byproducts of their ever-growing soybean oil industry, had an idea.

With some processing, and some added flavorings, preservatives, sweeteners, emulsifiers and synthetic nutrients, they turned soy protein isolate (the key ingredient in most soy foods that imitate meat and dairy products), "the food processors' ugly duckling," as Sally Fallon put it, "into a New Age Cinderella."

The propaganda that has created the soy sales miracle is all the more remarkable because, only a few decades ago, the soybean was considered unfit to eat - even in Asia. During the Chou Dynasty (1134-246 BC) the soybean was designated one of the five sacred grains, along with barley, wheat, millet and rice.

However, the pictograph for the soybean, which dates from earlier times, indicates that it was not first used as a food; for whereas the pictographs for the other four grains show the seed and stem structure of the plant, the pictograph for the soybean emphasizes the root structure. However, the soy plant was initially used as animal feed and for crop rotation.

Roots and nodules: Here is a healthy soybean root system with good mass, coupled with scores of nodules attached to the roots. Nodules contain bacteria that pull nitrogen from the air.

Agricultural literature of the period speaks frequently of the soybean and its use in crop rotation. Apparently the soy plant was initially used as a method of fixing nitrogen."

In 1997, about 8% of all soybeans cultivated for the commercial market in the United States were genetically modified. In 2010, the figure was 93%.    More at: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/03/14/is-the-hidden-soy-in-your-foods-contributing-to-illness.aspx 

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Henry Ford thought soybeans were the future; He had his engineers develop a plastic that used soybeans for the frames of his cars in 1935.

One acre of soybeans can produce 82,368 crayons.

One-half of all daily U.S. newspapers are printed with soybean oil-based ink. USA Today is one example.

Soybean oil is the most widely used vegetable oil. It is found in margarines, salad dressings, canned foods, sauces, bakery goods and processed fried foods.

Soy products actually increase requirements for vitamins B12 and D.

Soy also contains goitrogens - substances that depress thyroid function.

The Chinese, did not eat the soybean as they did other pulses (legumes) such as the lentil, because the soybean contains large quantities of a number of harmful a substances. First among them are potent enzyme inhibitors which block the action of trypsin and other enzymes needed for protein digestion.

Soybeans cannot be considered a starch staple because they are too high in fat to be allowed on any diet regularly.

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Confused About Soy?--Soy Dangers Summarized

"High levels of phytic acid in soy reduce assimilation of calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. Phytic acid in soy is not neutralized by ordinary preparation methods such as soaking, sprouting and long, slow cooking. High phytate diets have caused growth problems in children."

More at: http://www.westonaprice.org/soy-alert

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170 Scientific Reasons To Lose The Soy in Your Diet

"For those of you who just sat down because you are so taken aback by the notion that soy is not actually the healthfood you thought it was, here are 170 scientific reasons to back up this assertion.":

http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/170-scientific-reasons-to-lose-the-soy-in-your-diet/

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On This Day:

King Tut's sarcophagus uncovered, Jan 3, 1924:

"Two years after British archaeologist Howard Carter and his workmen discovered the tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamen near Luxor, Egypt, they uncover the greatest treasure of the tomb--a stone sarcophagus containing a solid gold coffin that holds the mummy of Tutankhamen.

When Carter first arrived in Egypt in 1891, most of the ancient Egyptian tombs had been discovered, although the little-known Pharaoh Tutankhamen, who had died when he was a teen, was still unaccounted for. After World War I, Carter began an intensive search for "King Tut's Tomb," finally finding steps to the burial room hidden in the debris near the entrance of the nearby tomb of King Ramses VI in the Valley of the Kings. On November 26, 1922, Carter and fellow archaeologist Lord Carnarvon entered the tomb, finding it miraculously intact.

Thus began a monumental excavation process in which Carter carefully explored the four-room tomb over four years, uncovering an incredible collection of several thousand objects. The most splendid architectural find was a stone sarcophagus containing three coffins nested within each other. Inside the final coffin, made out of solid gold, was the mummy of the boy-king Tutankhamen, preserved for more than 3,000 years."

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Great Lakes region digs out from record blizzard, Jan 3, 1999:

"After three days of high winds and heavy snow, people in the Great Lakes region begin digging out from one of the worst blizzards on record on this day in 1999. More than 100 people died in storm-related accidents.

The storm began on January 1, when snow began falling across Illinois, Indiana,Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio. Most areas saw at least 15 inches of snow before the storm moved on. The hardest hit area was Chicago, where wind gusts of up to 60 miles per hour combined with heavy snow to reduce visibility to near zero at times and create huge impassable drifts. O'Hare Airport, one the nation's busiest, had to shut down, stranding 200,000 people for as much as four days. The weather also made train travel through the area impossible, and mail across the country was delayed because of the blizzard.

The storm caused treacherous road conditions throughout the region. A 60-car pile-up on January 2 in Wisconsin resulted in scores of injuries and one death. In Indiana, a 100-mile stretch of Interstate 65 was closed for a full two days. When the snow finally stopped on January 3, record cold temperatures arrived. In Congerville, Illinois, a state record low of -36 degrees was reached. In the aftermath, President Bill Clinton declared Illinois and Indiana disaster areas and sent federal relief.

As the storm moved east, serious accidents followed in its wake. A 15-car pile-up on I-81 in Virginia killed four people and a 50-car accident in New Jersey injured dozens. There were 200 separate accidents on the New York Thruway alone during the blizzard. When the storm reached Buffalo, it began a two-week period during which the city received a remarkable 60 inches of snow. Still, Buffalo was prepared and able to plow the snow to make streets passable. In Detroit, a shortage of snow plows combined with the subsequent cold weather left some streets blocked for more than a week.

In all, more than 100 deaths--as many as 36 from heart attacks--were attributed to the terrible blizzard of January 1999."

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Yesterday:

Misty and I went to Jay's, but we didn't have much of a walk down there. It was windy and cold. 

Jay had asked me to bring a sink plunger, as their kitchen sink was bunged up.  The sink plunger didn't do it, so we came back here to drop off Misty, get my snake and a toilet plunger.  I have two snakes, and couldn't find either one. I know where everything is, and they just weren't there.  I must have loaned them out, or someone "borrowed" them, as in without my permission.  Jay tried with the toilet plunger, but said he couldn't do it, so I got behind that handle with all my little might and main, and the sink unplugged.  What a mess!

I found out that he had stuffed the garbage disposal with potato peelings and cabbage leaves, instead of feeding the disposal a little at a time. The main problem with that kitchen sink is that someone plumbed it with 1-1/4" pipe instead of 1-1/2",  1-1/4" is just for vanity sink drains.

We tied the long plank that we had retrieved from the lake the day before, and dragged it behind the van from Jay's all the way to my house, and left it on my side lot.  It was too heavy for us to put away, so that will have to wait.

When I went out with Misty the night before, I discovered that the temporary barrier that we had put up in the space where we were working on the fence, had blown down.  So Jay and I were going to continue with our fence building. But it was way too cold to work out there, so we screwed it in place this time.  Hopefully, it won't be too cold to work on it today.

Yellow-breasted Chat. White Ibis Close-up. Electric Rat Traps. BirdNote: Cassowaries to Millerbirds! Mesa Verde.

 

For "Winged Wednesday":

Yellow-breasted Chat, Buffoon of the Briar Patch

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"Described as an “aberrant warbler” by Roger Tory Peterson, the Yellow-breasted Chat is an odd example of a North American wood warbler – twice as large as most, with a stout bill more like a vireo’s. Debate continues about whether the chat is in fact a warbler or something else altogether.

Whatever it may be, its song, sometimes heard at night, is as distinctive as the bird itself: a bizarre collection of cackles, clucks, whistles, and hoots. P.A. Taverner, a Canadian ornithologist, describes the bird perfectly:

“With his stealthy elusiveness, wild outpourings of song and fund of vituperation, the Chat is a droll imp . . . He is full of life and boiling over with animation. It bubbles out of his throat in all manner of indescribable sounds. He laughs dryly, gurgles derisively, whistles triumphantly, chatters provokingly, and chuckles complacently, all in one breath.”
Read more about this odd bird >>

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White Ibis of the Trinity River Dallas, Texas

"Look a White Ibis in the eye!  Following the White Ibis flocks of the Trinity River from roost to their feeding areas in a large swamp in the Great Trinity Forest Dallas, Texas. June 2013"

and see a Purple Sandpiper with a flock of Ruddy Turnstones.    Short, but a beautiful recording."

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Rat Poison - Bird-safe Alternatives

Rat poison hurts birds of prey, too.

"When birds of prey die from rodenticides, it’s a double whammy, because there are fewer birds to control the rodents. This Barn Owl – and the members of its family – can consume about 1,300 rats per year! Fortunately, there are safe and humane alternatives to rat poison, like electric traps.

EPA told the makers of d-CON, and others, to re-formulate their rat-poison products in protective bait stations and stop selling the acutely toxic “second generation” anti-coagulants on the retail market. Most complied, but d-CON didn’t. I still see these products on the shelves at my local hardware store."     Learn more at: http://birdnote.org/show/rat-poison-bird-safe-alternatives

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Christmas Bird Count

About the Christmas Bird Count

"The 114^th Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count will take place Dec 14, 2013 to January 5, 2014.  The longest running Citizen Science survey in the world, Christmas Bird Count provides critical data on population trends. Tens of thousands of participants know that it is also a lot of fun.  Data from the over 2,300 circles are entered after the count and become available to query under the Data & Research link." Read more

2012-2013 Texas Christmas Bird Counts

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BirdNote: Cassowaries to Millerbirds!

 

Upcoming Shows

Southern Cassowary SUNDAY Encounter with a Cassowary  by Bob Sundstrom  LISTEN NOW ►

American White Pelicans MONDAY Pelicans Go Fishing by Dennis Paulson LISTEN NOW ►

White Ibis TUESDAY Costa Rica - The Land Is Pulsing with Life by Chris Peterson LISTEN NOW ►

Purple Sandpiper WEDNESDAY Strange Twins -- Purple and Rock Sandpipers by Bob Sundstrom LISTEN NOW ►

Nihoa Millerbird  THURSDAY Millerbirds Thrive On Laysan Island Featuring George Wallace, American Bird Conservancy  LISTEN NOW ►

FRIDAY Christmas Bird Count For Kids Featuring Tom Rusert  LISTEN NOW ►

Long-tailed Duck SATURDAY The Music Of Long-tailed Ducks by Bob Sundstrom LISTEN NOW ►

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On This Day:

Wetherill and Mason discover Mesa Verde, Dec 18, 1888:

"While searching for stray cattle in the isolated canyons of southwest Colorado, Richard Wetherill and his brother-in-law stumble upon the magnificent ancient Indians ruins of Mesa Verde.

The Wetherill family started ranching in the rugged southwest lands of Colorado in 1881, and Richard and his brothers often explored the canyons and mesas for Indian ruins. Once, while looking up the mouth of Cliff Canyon, Wetherill was approached by a Ute Indian named Acowitz who reportedly told him, "Deep in that canyon and near its head are many houses of the old people-the Ancient Ones. One of those houses, high, high in the rocks, is bigger than all the others. Utes never go there, it is a sacred place." Wetherill was intrigued, but his ranching duties kept him from exploring the canyon further.

On December 18, 1888, Wetherill and his brother-in-law, Charles Mason, were searching for stray cattle on top of a broad mesa when a heavy snow began to fall. Fearing they might ride over a cliff in the blinding snow, they dismounted and were moving ahead on foot when they came to an overlook point. From across the canyon they saw a snow-blurred image of a magnificent stone city three stories high and perched high up a cliff wall under a massive rock overhang. Fascinated, Wetherill and Mason abandoned their search for the stray cattle and, after considerable effort, managed to climb up and explore the ruins for several hours.

Wetherill and Mason had stumbled across the "houses, high, high in the rocks" that Acowitz had told them about. The ruins were once the home of the Anasazi (the Indian term for "ancient ones") people. Subsequent archaeological studies showed that the Cliff Palace, as it became known, was built during the 13th century, when the Anasazi moved from the top of the mesas onto ledges and caves along the canyon walls, presumably to better defend themselves against invaders. Eventually a prolonged drought that started around 1275 forced the Anasazi to abandon their magnificent cliff dwellings.

In the years following the discovery, Wetherill collected thousands of artifacts from the Cliff Palace and other area ruins. Most of Wetherill's artifacts ended up in museums, where they could be studied by professional archaeologists and viewed by the public. The same cannot be said of the many other priceless artifacts that were stolen by visitors over the years. In order to protect the site from further looting and degradation, the Congress created Mesa Verde National Park in 1906."

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Yesterday:

Really, I don't know where the day went.  Some windows, mirrors, TV screens were cleaned, some dusting, and dishes were done.  I made some hummus and cheese spread in my auger juicer with the blank in it, and some veggie juice with the juicing screen in it.  But other than that, the usual two feedings of the critters and me, and the everyday chores, like litter boxes, I was paying bills and messing about on the computer the rest of the day.