Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen. We Cannot Avoid Judging. Is Milk Good For Our Bones?

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Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen

“Jesus said, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Called and chosen for what? What is God’s calling? Are you sure you are among those who are called?

Jesus Christ told His disciples, “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). What did He mean by that? This article will explore:

• “No one can come to Me unless …”
• The called must choose to put on a “wedding garment.”
• What is a calling from God?
• The parable of the sower describes God’s calling.
• How to interpret the parable of the sower.
• How is it possible to be called but not chosen?
• How early Church members responded to God’s calling.
• God is calling people in stages.
• What happens to people who aren’t called or chosen in their lifetime?
• Is God calling me?
• You can know if God is calling you.
• Responding to God’s calling is a lifelong commitment.

“No one can come to Me unless …”

Earlier in His ministry, Jesus explained, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws [calls or invites] him” (John 6:44).

Can you imagine your telephone’s caller ID displaying “God calling” when your phone rings? Of course, His calling is much more subtle than that, but it is just as real. Jesus was telling the assembled crowds that no one can come to Him—that is, no one can become a Christian—unless the Father first calls that person”

 CONTINUE READING        From: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-magazine/christmas-is-it-really-glory-to-the-newborn-king

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We Cannot Avoid Judging.

Matthew 7:1-5

(1) "Judge not, that you be not judged. (2) For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (3) And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? (4) Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me remove the speck from your eye"; and look, a plank is in your own eye? (5) Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

• New King James Version

“We cannot avoid judging. As the stock in trade of the mind, appraisals are inevitable. If we were witnesses to a flagrant violation of law in which innocent people were harmed, could we keep quiet because we are not to judge?

Does not Jesus command us to judge in verse 6? "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." Do we not have to judge who are "dogs" or "swine"? Considering verse 15 ("Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves"), do we not have to judge whether a man is a false minister? Do we not have to reject his teaching based on an appraisal of his fruits?

We must therefore take care to understand clearly what Jesus meant. He obviously did not mean we should not judge at all. Within the context of Luke 6:35-38, Jesus uses "Judge not, and you shall not be judged" to urge us to love our enemies, be merciful, forgiving, and generous. This very greatly modifies Matthew's account, showing that "Judge not . . ." is a warning against self-righteous severity, sharp-tongued criticism, and condemnation. Thus, it is not a command to be absolutely neutral and tolerant regarding moral issues, but a warning to be careful and loving when we judge. We can apply this admonishment to Romans 14:10-13 and James 4:11-12 as well.

There are practical reasons why Jesus would advise us about this. Of prime importance is that even though it is important that we judge rightly, it is even more important that we do not usurp the place of God! "Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand" (Romans 14:4).

Paul begins this letter to the Romans calling himself a servant of Jesus Christ. He reminds us that we are all His servants (verses 7-8). A servant does not have the same rights and responsibilities as a master. Though we are permitted the right of making an appraisal of conduct, we are not permitted the right of passing judgment upon a fellow servant. A fellow servant does not stand or fall at the bar of our judgment. The only judgment that matters is the judgment of our mutual Master. If He is satisfied or displeased, He will act in His good time and in His way. To usurp His responsibility is an act of sheer presumption.

This in no way means we cannot approach a brother to inquire about and understand his conduct so that we might know whether our appraisal is correct. Assuming that our intent in questioning him is for his good, why would we even approach him? Would it not be because our evaluation of his conduct had led us to conclude—yes, to judge—that he was in serious moral or spiritual trouble?”  From: https://www.theberean.org/index.cfm/main/default/id/599/ver/NKJV/matthew-7-1-5.htm

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Is Milk Good For Our Bones?

"The galactose in milk may explain why milk consumption is associated with significantly higher risk of hip fractures, cancer, and premature death.

Milk is touted to build strong bones, but a compilation of all the best studies found no association between milk consumption and hip fracture risk, so drinking milk as an adult might not help bones. But what about in adolescence? Harvard researchers decided to put it to the test.

Studies have shown that greater milk consumption during childhood and adolescence contributes to peak bone mass, and is therefore expected to help avoid osteoporosis and bone fractures in later life. But that’s not what they found. Milk consumption during teenage years was not associated with a lower risk of hip fracture, and, if anything, milk consumption was associated with a borderline increase in fracture risk in men.

It appears that the extra boost in total body bone mineral density you get from getting extra calcium is lost within a few years, even if you keep the calcium supplementation up. This suggests a partial explanation for the long-standing enigma that hip fracture rates are highest in populations with the greatest milk consumption. Maybe an explanation why they’re not lower, but why would they be higher?

This enigma irked a Swedish research team, puzzled because studies again and again had shown a tendency of a higher risk of fracture with a higher intake of milk. Well, there is a rare birth defect called galactosemia, where babies are born without the enzymes needed to detoxify the galactose found in milk, so they end up with elevated levels of galactose in their blood, which can cause bone loss even as kids. So maybe, the Swedish researchers figured, even in normal people who can detoxify the stuff, it might not be good for the bones to be drinking it every day. And galactose doesn’t just hurt the bones.

That’s what scientists use to cause premature aging in lab animals They slip them a little galactose and you can shorten their lifespan, cause oxidative stress, inflammation, brain degeneration, just with the equivalent of one to two glasses of milk’s worth of galactose a day. We’re not rats, though—but given the high amount of galactose in milk, recommendations to increase milk intake for prevention of fractures could be a conceivable contradiction. So they decided to put it to the test, looking at milk intake and mortality, as well as fracture risk, to test their theory.

A hundred thousand men and women followed for up to 20 years; what did they find? Milk-drinking women had higher rates of death, more heart disease, and significantly more cancer for each glass of milk. Three glasses a day was associated with nearly twice the risk of death. And they had significantly more bone and hip fractures too.

Men in a separate study also had a higher rate of death with higher milk consumption, but at least they didn’t have higher fracture rates. So a dose-dependent higher rate of both mortality and fracture in women, and a higher rate of mortality in men with milk intake, but the opposite for other dairy products like soured milk and yogurt, which would go along with the galactose theory, since bacteria can ferment away some of the lactose. To prove it though, we need a randomized controlled trial to examine the effect of milk intake on mortality and fractures. As the accompanying editorial pointed out, we better figure this out soon, as milk consumption is on the rise around the world.”

To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video. This is just an approximation of the audio contributed by Katie Schloer at: https://nutritionfacts.org/video/is-milk-good-for-our-bones/

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Knowing God as a Loving Father. A World Without Evil. Seeing Red No. 3: Coloring to Dye For.

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Knowing God as a Loving Father

“Why is God called a Father? Whose Father is He? How is God a Father to us? What does God’s role as a Father teach us about His character and purpose for us?

 

The book of Revelation chapter 4 gives us a fascinating glimpse of God’s throne. In verse 8 impressive angelic beings address God on His throne as “Lord God Almighty.” Two verses later 24 elders fall to the ground, remove their crowns and cast them before the throne. They do so to worship, honor and recognize the Almighty God as the One who created all things and rules with authority over all.

The Bible reveals God to be all-powerful—a being of great, unmatched strength. Here are some Bible verses on God’s unlimited power:

• “God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: that power belongs to God” (Psalm 62:11).
• “Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite” (Psalm 147:5).
• “Our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29).

Even though God is shown to be the omnipotent Creator and ruling authority who must be revered, He also describes Himself as a loving Father. That title teaches several truths that give us clarity and insight into God’s character and plan for mankind.

What does it mean to be a father?

The word father describes one who gives life or who creates, originates, exemplifies or founds something. For example, James Naismith is considered the “father” of basketball because he created the game over 100 years ago. Abraham is called the father of the faithful since his faith exemplifies what all need to strive for (Romans 4:16).

We each have a physical father who gave us life. In most cultures it is customary to carry the surname of our father, and most naturally call him “Dad,” “Father,” “Papa” or the like.

However, being a father does not always mean something positive. Jesus told some of the hypocritical people of His day, “You are of your father the devil” (John 8:44). He did not mean Satan had given them physical life, but that they were following his example of spiritual wickedness. Satan is the father of lies and murder, inspiring others to do the same.

Sadly, many people have had very negative experiences with their physical fathers—sometimes due to abuse, neglect, absence or other factors.

God the Father, on the other hand, is the source of truth and love (John 17:17; 1 John 4:16).

God the Father is the source of all life

Ephesians 3:14-15 states, “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.”

These two verses show that God’s family (or household) is in both heaven and on earth. In heaven, the family has two members: the Father and the Son (Jesus Christ). On earth, the family includes God’s begotten sons and daughters—those who have His Spirit (Romans 8:14; Galatians 3:26; 4:6).

In a more general sense, God is also Father over all life in heaven (the angels) and on earth (all people) because He is the source of all life (Job 1:6; 38:7; 1 Timothy 6:13).

The Bible reveals that the Father is the supreme authority and source of all life, but did the actual work of creation through the Word, the One who later became Jesus Christ (John 1:1-3, 14). The Bible says that God created “all things” through Jesus (Colossians 1:15-18). In a sense, we could say God the Father directed the creation, while the Word carried out the creation.

The apostle Paul described it this way: “God [the Father] who created all things through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 3:9).

“The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”

Continued at: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/god/who-is-god/god-as-a-father/?

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A WORLD WITHOUT EVIL

“Our world is in pain.

There’s no denying it. The proof is everywhere—and now we know why. We started this Journey by asking why a loving, all-powerful God would choose to allow evil to exist, and along the way we discovered that suffering exists because people do evil things.

When we sin—when we step outside the boundaries God established for our good—the result is evil. Suffering. Pain. It doesn’t always happen immediately, and it isn’t always obvious, but it will happen. Sin produces suffering, and the law of God stands as the sole dividing line between “life and good, death and evil” (Deuteronomy 30:15).

Multiply that by the number of people who are either ignorant of or uninterested in the law of God, then multiply that by the entire span of human history, and we’ll start to paint a picture of why the world is the way it is.

But the world isn’t going to stay the way that it is. Far from it—God might be presently allowing evil, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t actively working out a plan to end it. Ending evil right now, in this moment, would require God to either a) remove our free will or b) eradicate the human race altogether.

Thankfully for us, God has a far more elegant plan in motion.

The Bible is filled with glimpses of God’s plan for the future of the world—and what we’re shown in that plan isn’t a world in pain. Micah 4:2-4 says:

Many nations shall come and say,
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house of the God of Jacob;
He will teach us His ways,
And we shall walk in His paths.”
For out of Zion the law shall go forth,
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
He shall judge between many peoples,
And rebuke strong nations afar off;
They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore.

But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree,
And no one shall make them afraid;
For the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.

That’s not the world we live in today. Isaiah 11:6-9 expands on that theme, adding:

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
The leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
The calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
And a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze;
Their young ones shall lie down together;
And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole,
And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den.
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,
For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
As the waters cover the sea.

What we’re seeing in these verses is a world where even the nature of animals is different—where formerly ravenous wolves live peacefully with sheep, lions rest with cows and a little child can play fearlessly near a den of snakes. Today, these scenes are unthinkable—but God promises that one day, they’ll be commonplace.

What really stands out in both of these prophecies, though, is what’s happening behind the scenes. Micah talks about people eager to come to God and walk in His way of life. Isaiah mentions a worldwide knowledge of God and His law. The world we’re seeing is different because the people living in it are different. They’re seeking God. They’re obeying His laws.

The book of Revelation goes one step further into the future and paints us this picture: “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4).

That’s different. That’s something new. That’s a world without pain, without sorrow, without death. What we’re seeing in this prophecy is a world without evil—a world without sin.

So how do we get from this world to that one?

That’s the real question, isn’t it? All this time, we’ve been asking why God allows evil to exist, but what we really want to know is how He plans to end it—because He does plan to end it. In fact, that plan is already in motion. It’s been in motion for over 6,000 years—a plan designed to offer hope to every man, woman and child who has ever lived.

We know now that God has a reason for allowing evil, and we know that He has a plan to ultimately end it. We also know that His plan is going to have to address a number of significant hurdles. Here are a few:

• All human beings have sinned (Romans 3:23).
• Sins costs us our lives (Romans 6:23).
• Sin bars us from the family of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
• A supernatural enemy is deceiving the human race and actively promoting sin (Revelation 12:9).
• Billions and billions have died without truly knowing God or understanding His Word (1 Corinthians 2:14).

And yet, despite all that, we’re told that God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9), and that He intends to bring “many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10).

How? How is that possible? The entire human population has disqualified itself from joining the family of God, and literal billions have perished without coming to repentance. The whole thing seems pretty hopeless.

But it’s not hopeless. In the next Journey, we’re going to spend seven days exploring the plan of God, and as we do, we’re going to see that God doesn’t just acknowledge the hurdles to His plan—He systematically knocks them down, clearing a path heading directly toward the incredible future that Micah and Isaiah wrote about.

The plan of God is a plan of hope. Are you ready to discover where you belong in it?”

From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/learning-center/journeys/journey-2-the-problem-of-evil/7/?

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Seeing Red No. 3: Coloring to Dye For

Transcript of: https://nutritionfacts.org/video/seeing-red-no-3-coloring-to-dye-for/

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.

“Fifteen million pounds of food dyes are sold every year in the U.S. Why? “Foods are artificially colored to make unattractive mixtures of basic ingredients and food additives acceptable to consumers.”

See, food colorings are added to countless processed food products to “conceal the absence of fruits, vegetables, or other ingredients, and make the food ‘appear better or of greater value than it [actually] is.’” Otherwise, cherry popsicles might actually look like they have no cherries in them!

I’ve talked about the role of food dyes in causing ADH symptoms in kids. But, what about their role in cancer?

Due to cancer concerns, Red dye #1 was banned in 1961. Red #2 was banned in 1976, and then Red #4 was banned. What about Red #3, used today in everything from sausage to maraschino cherries? It was recently found to cause DNA damage in human liver cells in vitro, comparable to the damage caused by a chemotherapy drug whose whole purpose is to break down DNA.

But, Red #3 was found to influence children’s behavior more than thirty years ago, and interfere with thyroid function over forty years ago. Why is it still legal?

This is an article from the New York Times about Red #3 published way back in 1985. Already by then, the FDA had postponed action on banning the dye 26 times, even with the Acting Commissioner of the FDA saying Red #3 was “of greatest public health concern,” imploring his agency to “not knowingly allow continued exposure” (at high levels in the case of Red #3) of the public to…color additive[s] that [have] clearly been shown to induce cancer… The credibility of the [Department of Health and Human Services] would suffer if decisions are not made soon on each of these color additives.” That was written thirty years ago.

At the end of the day, industry pressure won out. “FDA scientists and FDA commissioners…have recommended that the additives be banned… But there has been tremendous pressure…to delay the recommendations from being implemented.”

In 1990, concerned about cancer risk, the FDA banned the use of Red #3 in anything going on our skin, but it remained legal to continue to put it in anything going into our mouths. Now, the FDA said at the time that they planned on stopping that too, and ending all “remaining uses” of Red #3, lamenting that “The cherries in 21^st-century fruit cocktail could well be light brown.” That was 1990.

Over 20 years later, it’s still in our food supply. After all, the agency estimated that “the lifetime risk of thyroid tumors in humans [from Red #3 in food] was at most 1 in 100,000.”

“Based on today’s population, that would indicate that Red #3 is causing cancer in about 3000 people.”

DOCTOR'S NOTE

This whole fiasco will become clearer once you see my video Who Determines if Food Additives Are Safe?

I’ve touched on food coloring additives before:

• Is Caramel Color Carcinogenic?
• Artificial Food Colors & ADHD
• Artificial Coloring in Fish
• Are Artificial Colors Harmful?

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Are the Feasts of God Important? Valentine’s Day Is Pagan? So What?

Are the Feasts of God Important?

• 
• "With the world in chaos over the covet-19 pandemic, many have begun to seek God and His holy guidance once more. But one can become confused as to whether they are observing the will of God, or not. Questions often arise as to how we serve God?

One of the most common questions, why does the Bible tell us to do one thing, and our church tells us to do something totally different? For instance, why are we told Christmas is a religious holiday, when it’s nowhere in the Bible. Yes, you read right, Christmas cannot be found in the Bible. The story of the birth of Jesus has no time setting as to when He was born. Jesus’ death is far more elaborated on than His birth, why is that?

The Bible does tell us to observe certain times and days, with no ambiguity. Those days and times can be found in Leviticus 23, one should read the entire chapter. the first day mentioned is the seventh-day Sabbath putting it first makes it extremely important to God, so it should be important to us.

Who are God’s people?

Exodus 31:12-15 tells us those that keep His holy Sabbath are His people. They may be Jews or any other Israelite, but they may also be converted gentiles. They all have one thing in common, they observe god’s Sabbath’s and that includes all the days listed in Leviticus 23. What isn’t included, is christmas, easter, ‘holloween’ and sunday observance.

So, yes keeping God’s Holy days are important, whether we agree or not, your choice.

What can keeping these days teach you?”  From: https://thetcog.com/

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Valentine’s Day Is Pagan? So What?

“Many know that St. Valentine’s Day had pagan origins. But today it’s just a day of romance and fun, right? Does its past really matter to God?

Why would it matter that the origin of Valentine’s Day is rooted in paganism? In this day and age, who really cares? After all, you’re just interested in doing something nice for your significant other on a day that seems to be for that purpose.

So what’s wrong with that? So what if the origin of this holiday goes back into ancient history? Would it matter if it turns out that what we consider innocent fun is actually offensive to God?

Leather strips and fertility?

First, let’s take a brief look back into the ancient history of Valentine’s Day.

The origin, though somewhat murky, is generally accepted as follows:

The ancient Roman festival Lupercalia is considered to be one precursor to Valentine’s Day. It was celebrated from Feb. 13-15 as a purification and fertility ceremony.

“To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at a sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification. …

“They would then strip the goat’s hide into strips, dip them into the sacrificial blood and take to the streets, gently slapping both women and crop fields with the goat hide. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed the touch of the hides because it was believed to make them more fertile in the coming year.

“Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city’s bachelors would each choose a name and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage. …

“The Roman romantics ‘were drunk. They were naked,’ says Noel Lenski, a historian at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Young women would actually line up for the men to hit them, Lenski says. They believed this would make them fertile” (History.com).

History also records that around A.D. 500 Pope Gelasius established St. Valentine’s Day in an attempt to convert this pagan Roman fertility festival into a Christian holiday, thus retaining its attractions and making it easier for pagan people to accept Christianity. (It is unclear as to which Valentine was being honored by this day, since there were several Catholic saints so named.)

The Roman church was astute enough to keep the game of chance alive due to its popularity. But it replaced the women’s names with names of saints. Both men and women participated in the drawing and were told for the following year to emulate the life of the saint whose name they had drawn.

But the pagan roots are still visible today.”

Continued at: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/life/plan-of-salvation/holy-days-vs-holidays/valentines-day/

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Can the United States Defeat ISIS? What Time Is It Anyway? Vote For Wildlife. Where Am I? Update.

 

For "Scripture Sunday":

Can the United States Defeat ISIS?

A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft sits on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson on Oct. 16, 2014, as the ship supports Inherent Resolve.

"One pressing issue facing the United States is the ISIS threat. What are the options available to the U.S., and is it possible for a coalition to defeat ISIS?

The rise of ISIS (the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) has captured the attention of many in the United States and the world for the last several months. The debate continues about whether or not ISIS can be defeated solely by the coalition’s air power (supporting Iraqi and Kurdish forces) or if American ground troops must again be sent into Iraq.

According to Speaker of the House John Boehner, “At the end of the day, I think it’s gonna take more than air strikes to drive them outta there.”

More recently, Senator John McCain said that ground troops, or at least special forces, should be sent in to defeat ISIS because “they’re winning, and we’re not.”"   More at: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/blog/can-the-united-states-defeat-isis/  by Joshua Travers - October 27, 2014

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What Time Is It Anyway?

"Oh, hi there. I was running out of paper, so I thought I would slice off one end of this sheet and put it on the other end. But it doesn’t seem to be working. I still don’t seem to have any more paper.

If it doesn’t work for this piece of paper, would it work if we tried it with something else? What if we tried it with a day? Could we cut off an hour on one end of the day and add it to the other end and end up with a longer day? Actually, we would not be any more successful than we were with the paper.

Yet every spring in much of the Western world we go through this process. We call it Daylight Savings Time. We really don’t change the day—the sun still rises and sets on schedule—but we try to trick ourselves by changing the time on our clocks.

Most nations have tried using some version of Daylight Savings Time, but most have found it confusing, and it’s primarily the nations of the Western world that continue to use it."  Complete article at: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/speaking-of/what-time-is-it-anyway/

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Manatees Don’t Vote,  But You Do.

Vote for Wildlife on Election Day

"Why have record-breaking numbers of manatees recently been dying in Florida?  800 this year!
In part because some of the conservation funds that should be protecting important streams, wetlands, forests, and beaches have been taken away from conserving these critical habitat areas. Nutrient runoff may be contributing to deadly outbreaks of red tide.
Wildlife across the country need help. In every state, in every district, we urgently need friends of wildlife like you to stand up and fight back against injustices like this.

In states and cities throughout the country, measures that protect wildlife are up for a vote this Election Day. So are candidates who stand for—and against—wildlife interests.

A lot is at stake—healthy habitat for manatees, wetlands protections for great blue herons, limiting carbon pollution from power plants, restoring wild bison to their habitat, and so much more.

Manatees, great blue herons and all wildlife can’t vote, but you can!

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Who cares about innocent animals in fear.

Who cares about fair chase.

Who cares that there’s so few of them left.

Who cares about the health of the ecosystem.

Who cares if he's so desperate to get free he gnaws off his own paw.

Who cares about those cubs, now orphaned and alone.

Who cares if you have a say.

Who cares about bears.

Who cares about wolves.

Who cares about this election.

"There are 636 wolves left in Michigan. They just came off the Endangered Species list. But like a bad dream, the trophy hunters who want to re-open a killing season on them are hoping for a green light in three days.

The bear baiters, houndsmen, and trappers across the country have been working tirelessly—and they’re only going to turn up the heat over the next 72 hours—to keep Maine a virtual “do-as-you-please” zone when it comes to killing bears with extreme methods. One of those methods is setting traps for the bears, in which the animals can languish in agony for up to 24 before they're shot at close range, execution-style. When it happens to mother bears, their cubs are abandoned, left to fend for themselves in the woods. It's appalling."  Please vote for Wildlife.

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Where Am I? An App for Frequent Travelers

"Ever ask someone to write down a local phone number, and later notice they didn’t include the area code? Or how about watching a weather alert that tells you about a tornado warning in xxxyyy county? If you travel all the time like we do, you have no idea what county you’re in, or what the area code is for local phone numbers.  Now you do! All you need to do is tap the icon for an App called “Where Am I?” and all the information in the screenshot here will be displayed.

We use this all the time,mostly for the county name, zip code, and sunset/sunrise time. It’s so simple!

Another feature that could come in very handy in an emergency, is the ability to tap on the share icon and send your location to a friend via email. If your friend opens it on their smartphone, they can tap on your location and Google Maps will navigate there!

• App Name: Where Am I?
• Author: Ejelta LLC
• Price: Free
• Available for Android (a similar, but not as complete, App is available for iOS: Where am I at?)

To learn more about Smartphones and Tablets, watch the Geeks on Tour weekly show: What Does This Button Do?

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Update:

As Ray's squatter went out of town (no, not arrested yet) we tore up the floor in one of his closets because we were looking for a grey water drain leak.  We found it, but there was a big beam right on top of the drain line. It looked like the PVC pipe had come out of the fitting.  So Ray and I went to the hardware store, but there was no way that it could be fixed the conventional way.  Jay came the next day, cut a floor joist out of the way, and temporarily patched the leak with some auto gasket material and universal clamps.  Until we can find a more permanent solution we put a piece of plywood over the hole in the floor so we can inspect it. So far it is holding, but we don't want to leave it the way it is. 

Another day, we fixed Ray's temperamental kitchen faucet, and replaced the trim on the floor of his utility room.  We also took a lot of measurements, because as soon as we know for sure that there won't be any interference, we are going to enlarge his kitchen.

Ray and I went back into town and snared a used car inner tube, so we are going to use some of that to fix the drain leak with the universal clamps. Then we will wrap it with wide Eternabond. 

At church, the readings were Gen 12:1-17:27 and Isa 40:27-41:16 and the teaching was about Revelation.  The potluck was great as usual, and we all had a great day.

Kennel Cough. Elephants. Help Whales. Wolves Keep Balance. Free Clicks Feed Animals. Greyhounds. Adopt A Senior Pet. Lonely Cats. Ernie Kovacs And Corvair.

 

For "Mammal Monday":

Why This Vaccine is WORTHLESS and Won't Stop Your Dog Getting Kennel Cough…

"If your dog seems to be coughing a lot or making choking sounds, he may have a case of canine infectious tracheobronchitis, more commonly known as kennel cough.

Believe it or not, as awful as the choking, hacking noises sound, most episodes of kennel cough are not serious and resolve without treatment.

About Vaccines for Kennel Cough

Many veterinarians recommend bordetella vaccines – either by injection or nasal mist delivery.  I’m not one of them, however.

Many boarding kennels, doggie daycare facilities, groomers and other similar businesses require dogs be vaccinated for kennel cough. Please understand the reason behind this requirement – it is to remove liability from those establishments.

The truth is, these vaccines are ineffective and will not prevent your dog from getting kennel cough. The infection is caused by a wide variety of bacterial and viral agents, and no single vaccine can provide protection from them all. Nor will the vaccines treat an active infection."  More at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/09/09/9-natural-remedies-for-kennel-cough.aspx

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From me:  The same applies to flu vaccines for people.

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Elephants in Mourning

"A herd of elephants stumble on some elephant bones and mourn the loss of fallen relatives."

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Tell Japan It's Time To Stop Slaughtering Whales

"Stop Japan from ignoring the International Whaling Commission's moratorium on commercial whaling.

The International Court of Justice in The Hague has finished hearing a case brought by Australia that may end Japan's annual slaughter of hundreds of whales. Show your support for conservation and Australia's effort to end Japanese whaling while we wait for the ruling. Please, Sign today!"

http://therainforestsite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/trs/petition/JapanWhaling?&utm_source=ctg&utm_medium=home-feature&utm_term=20130102&utm_campaign=trs-petition

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A Wolf's Role in the Ecosystem - The Trophic Cascade

"A young forest service employee named Aldo Leopold, charged with killing wolves in New Mexico in the early 1900's started to notice that as the wolves died off, the deer population boomed and ate all the plants to nothing. In his groundbreaking work, "Thinking Like a Mountain", (Please read that article) Leopold put forth an idea 50 years ahead of his time: predators control ecosystems.

Since wild wolves have returned to Yellowstone, the elk and deer are stronger, the aspens and willows are healthier and the grasses taller.  For example, when wolves chase elk during the hunt, the elk are forced to run faster and farther.  As the elk run, their hooves aerate the soil, allowing more grasses to grow.  Since the elk cannot remain stationary for too long, aspens and willows in one area are not heavily grazed, and therefore can fully recover between migrations. 

As with the rest of the country, coyote populations were nearly out of control in Yellowstone before the wolves returned.  Now, the coyotes have been out-competed and essentially reduced by 80 percent in areas occupied by wolves.  The coyotes that do remain are more skittish and wary.  With fewer coyotes hunting small rodents, raptors like the eagle and osprey have more prey and are making a comeback. 

The endangered grizzly bears successfully steal wolf kills more often than not, thus having more food to feed their cubs.   In essence, we have learned that by starting recovery at the top with predators like wolves, the whole system benefits.  A wild wolf population actually makes for a stronger, healthier and more balanced ecosystem.  From plant, to insect, to people... we all stand to benefit from wolves."  More at: http://www.missionwolf.org/page/trophic-cascade/

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The Animal Rescue Site.

Free clicks feed animals in shelters and rescues while they wait for their forever homes. The food is funded by the advertisers.

http://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/ars/home

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Adopt a Greyhound:

"The story of how my ex-racer found her true calling..."

 http://www.adopt-a-greyhound.org/

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7 Great Reasons to Adopt a Senior Cat

"Why might you want to consider adopting a senior cat? There are lots of good reasons. Here are seven of the best.

1.   When you adopt a kitten, its personality is still developing. As a result, you won't know whether your new friend is going to be a lap cat or an independent spirit. With a senior, that's not true. Its personality is already fully developed, so what you see is what you get. You'll know right away whether your new feline companion is going to be a cuddlebug or an independent thinker. But keep in mind that in a shelter environment, your new cat's personality might not shine through quite as strongly because of the stress and fear associated with being in a strange place.

7.   Senior cats are often among the hardest pets for shelters and rescues to place in a new home. Especially black ones.  By adopting a senior cat, in most cases, you'll literally be saving the cat's life. Your senior citizen will repay you for your kindness with friendship and appreciation. You'll also be allowing your new cat to live out her senior years in the comfort and dignity that an older cat deserves."     Rest of the reasons at: http://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/lhuston/2013/nov/seven-great-reasons-to-adopt-senior-cats-31020#.UtNHqyu2VSg

This applies to dogs, too.

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From me:  My 'new' 12-year old cat, Ava, is a very sweet, loving, black cat.  She was surrendered to a pound by her previous people as she had lost most of her hair and she was as skinny as a rail.  They didn't want to address her medical issues, and she didn't fare much better at her foster home.

Now that I have got her health and terrible dandruff straightened out, and she no longer makes me wheeze, I wouldn't part with her for anything.  She just needed to be on a better diet and some vitamins.  She appreciates that, and tells me every day.  It is so rewarding that I can give her a better life in her old age.

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Should You Leave Your Cat Home Alone While You’re Away?

"Over half of U.S. cat owners feel it’s fine to leave their feline companions alone at home while they’re away. And while it’s true most kitties don’t require the same level of attention dogs do, leaving a cat home for days with no one to check on her can backfire.

What if your cat, home alone, gets sick? Who will tend to him? And what if the problem is very serious, like a urinary blockage? Will you get home in time to save him?

Another consideration is your cat’s diet. The only food that can be safely left in kitty’s bowl during your absence is kibble. However, kibble is far from ideal nutrition for cats. The species-appropriate nutrition that is healthiest for your cat can’t be left in a bowl on the floor for days, as it will spoil.

And what about that litter box? Cats don’t like dirty litter, and if her box isn’t being scooped at least once daily, your kitty may acquire a habit of eliminating in inappropriate locations.

Our recommendation is to have someone visit at least once a day while you’re away to feed your cat, scoop the litter box, and insure your pet is eating and appears healthy." Complete article at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2014/01/06/home-alone-pet-cat.aspx

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On This Day:

Ernie Kovacs killed in Corvair crash, Jan 13, 1962:

"On this day in 1962, Ernie Kovacs, a comedian who hosted his own television shows during the 1950s and is said to have influenced such TV hosts as Johnny Carson and David Letterman, dies at the age of 42 after crashing his Chevrolet Corvair into a telephone pole in Los Angeles, California, while driving in a rainstorm. Kovacs, who often appeared on camera with his trademark cigar, was found by police with an unlit cigar, leading to speculation that he had been reaching for the cigar and lost control of his vehicle.

The Corvair was later made infamous by Ralph Nader's groundbreaking 1965 book "Unsafe at Any Speed: The Designed-In Dangers of the American Automobile," about unsafe practices in the auto industry.

It was the only American designed, mass-produced passenger car to feature a rear-mounted air-cooled engine.

The Corvair, which suffered from slumping sales due in part to the negative publicity from Nader's book as well as to consumer lawsuits (the car's suspension system was blamed for rollovers), was discontinued by GM in 1969.

In a bitter coincidence, one of Kovac's three children was later killed in an auto accident."

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Yesterday:

Another mild day, so the cats could go out on the screen porch for a while.  They still ignore each other and give each other a wide berth, so I did the 'sock trick'. 

I got a pair of socks and rubbed each one on each cat, especially on the scent glands around their mouths, and then put the sock in the other's bed.  This is supposed to familiarize them with each other's scent, without actually being up close and personal.  This has stopped a lot of the hissing at each other.  I know that Nala wants Ava to play with her.  It is always more difficult to get cats of the same sex to be friends.

My time was eaten up by catching up on emails, blogs, paying bills, making Kale Chips, steaming veggies, trying to find the right Heat/Air, and the usual chores.  While I had the steamer out, I steamed some soft-boiled eggs.  If you put several eggs in boiling water, it lowers the temperature and they can't be timed right.  If you steam them they are all the same.

I had already juiced the stems of the kale, so the leaves were all ready for: http://pickyeaterblog.com/garlic-parmesan-kale-chips/ 

Another quiet day.

Dogs and Carbohydrates. Dog food Reviews. Corn? Food for Older Dogs. FDA Proposes Safety Rules for Pet Food. Safe Road Trips. Hidden Life of Wolves. Oil Embargo Hostages. Barack Obama.

 

For "Mammal Monday":

Dogs and Carbohydrates — A Surprising Secret Revealed

"Zero. That’s how many carbohydrates are nutritionally required by a dog to sustain life.

The fact that a dog food doesn’t need to contain any “carbs” at all seems hard to believe.  But it’s true.

You see, according to the National Research Council and compared to the other two major nutrients —protein and fat — no carbs are considered essential for a healthy canine diet.

Dogs don’t need corn. And they don’t need wheat, barley rice or potatoes, either.  Dogs simply don’t need any carbohydrate ingredients — at all.  Yet surprisingly, “carbs” represent the dominant ingredient found in most dry dog foods.

Why Dog Food Companies Love Carbohydrates

Since the early 1950s, dog food manufacturers everywhere have fallen head-over-heels in love with carbs because they’re:

• Abundant
• Durable (long shelf life)
• Essential to the kibble-making process
• Cheaper (per calorie than protein or fat)

Please notice that not one of these reasons has anything to do with nutrition — not one."       More at:  http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/canine-nutrition/dog-food-carbohydrates/    by MIKE SAGMAN

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Dog food reviews and dog food ratings updated regularly.
Search by Brand:

Brands A to Z  at: http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/

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Corn in Dog Food. Really?

"If you look at the ingredients of the vast majority of major brand dog foods sold in your local grocery store you will see most of them contain some type of corn such as cornmeal. Fact: dogs are meat eaters; even their teeth tell us this. They do not have grinding molars, they have ripping canines. Have you ever heard of a farmer having issues with dogs raiding their corn fields? No, what we might hear is a dog raiding the chicken coop for meat.

Corn has been linked to many dog ailments such as allergies, joint swelling, bloat and there have been some cases of aflatoxin contamination associated with corn in dog food.

A dog's body cannot process corn properly. It is difficult for them to digest it. Corn is a cheap filler, a starchy energy which serves little to no nutritional value. A lot of it comes out in their waste.:  More at: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/care/corndogfood.htm

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Why 84% of Pet Owners Don't Know What to Feed Their Aging Pets

"A recent survey conducted by Tufts University uncovered the fact that most U.S. pet owners hold certain beliefs about dog food marketed for ‘senior’ pets that may or may not be true.

The majority of people surveyed (over 84 percent) believe older dogs should eat differently than adult dogs, but only about half of them feed a senior diet. The reality is nutritional requirements should be tailored to the individual dog -- not based simply on the age of the animal.

In fact, studies point to an increased need for protein as your pet ages.

The reason senior dog food formulas have reduced protein content is based on flawed logic.

The exceptionally poor quality protein used in most commercial pet foods is difficult for the bodies of even young, healthy pets to process. Rendered protein sources put chronic strain on your dog’s kidneys and liver as her body attempts to digest and assimilate food that is not biologically suitable.

Years of a diet based on terrible quality, rendered protein compromises kidney and liver function, which is why commercial ‘senior’ dog foods contain less protein than adult maintenance formulas.

It’s an unfortunate situation, because your dog actually needs more protein as she ages – not less -- in order to maintain healthy lean muscle mass and good organ and immune function. But the type of protein most dogs thrive on is whole, unprocessed, and preferably raw." More at: Click here: Surprising Findings about Dog Food for Older Dogs

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FDA Proposes Safety Rules for Pet Food

"The Food and Drug Administration is acting to protect the country’s animals from food-borne illness by regulating the process by which animal feed and pet food is produced.

The action comes on the heels of the news last week that the FDA is seeking the public’s help in pinpointing the source of an illness that has claimed the lives of 580 pets and sickened over 3,000 since 2007.

The illness, which Pet360 reported on last week, appears to come from tainted jerky treats, many of which were manufactured in China.

The new regulations, the first of its kind for the FDA, would require makers of animal feed and pet food to write a plan to prevent known food-borne illnesses, as well as enacting procedures in their manufacturing processes where problems might arise.

Animal feed and pet food manufacturers, for example, would be required to monitor and record at what temperatures their canned foods are produced and how long they are cooked.

These rules are being proposed six years after the largest pet food recall in the history of the U.S., which killed hundreds of animals. That recall was linked to melamine, found in plastics, that was used in dog food produced in China."  More at: Click here: FDA Proposes Safety Rules for Pet Food - Pet360 Pet Parenting Simplified

And safe handling of pet food: http://www.unionleader.com/article/20131102/NEWS01/131109831

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Tips To Keep Your Pet Safe During Road Trips

"These days, many people take their furry friends along on road trips. However, a new environment can pose certain risks to the animal. To keep your pet safe while you're traveling through the countryside, follow these few tips.

Restraint system
Seeing a dog stick its head outside a window is a common sight on the roadways, but it isn't a safe way to travel. Cars can suddenly stop, insects can fly into your pet's face and a number of other things can happen. To avoid mishaps, sit your dog or cat in the back seat in a pet harness or crate.

Identification tags
Be sure your pet has its collar on with up-to-date identification tags. It's also important to have your pet's medical records with you in the unfortunate case that you have to stop at a vet while on the road.

Pack food
Just like you probably pack food on long trips, have a goodie bag full of pet treats. You can purchase an inflatable bowl for water and kibble. Additionally, have your pet's favorite toys on hand to keep it calm during the ride."  From: http://love.theanimalrescuesite.com/tips-to-keep-your-pet-safe-during-road-trips/#4rO0Is87buvhbaEO.99

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The Hidden Lives of Wolves

"Jim and Jamie Dutcher spent several years living with a pack of wolves at the edge of Idaho's Sawtooth Wilderness, observing the complex social hierarchy of this misunderstood species."

Full movie: http://youtu.be/hE6hS4RAF6Q

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On This Day:

Iranian students storm U.S. embassy in Tehran, leading to oil embargo, Nov 4, 1979:

"On this day in 1979, hundreds of Iranian students storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking more than 60 American hostages. The students, supporters of the conservative Muslim cleric Ayatollah Khomeini, were demanding the return of Iran's deposed leader, the Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi, who had fled to Egypt in January 1979 and by November was receiving cancer treatment in the United States. After the student takeover, President Jimmy Carter ordered a complete embargo of Iranian oil.

1979's hostage crisis compounded the energy crisis—and, in fact, many historians believe that the combination of the two events cost President Carter his job—but there were a few winners. Japanese carmakers, for instance, gained a reputation for building inexpensive, reliable, efficient cars that were particularly well-suited to the new era of austerity. Datsun, Subaru, Toyota and Honda—whose Accord sedan was one of the most successful cars of 1979—all used the energy crisis to gain a permanent foothold in the American marketplace.

Despite his best efforts to win the hostages' freedom while he was still in office, Carter did not get much credit for their release: The Iranians let the hostages go on January 20, 1981, just minutes after new elected president Ronald Reagan finished his inaugural address."

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Barack Obama elected as America's first black president, Nov 4, 2008:

"On this day in 2008, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois defeats Senator John McCain of Arizona to become the 44th U.S. president, and the first African American elected to the White House.  Obama's vice-presidential running mate was Senator Joe Biden of Delaware. Obama, who was born in 1961 in Hawaii to a white woman from Kansas and a black man from Kenya, graduated from Harvard Law School and was a law professor at the University of Chicago before launching his political career in 1996, when he was elected to the Illinois State Senate.

Obama was inaugurated on January 20, 2009. On November 6, 2012, he defeated Republican challenger Mitt Romney to win a second term in the White House."

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Yesterday:

Claudia (Jay's mother) and I were going pick up a pick-up truck from her daughter.   This truck is to tide her over until she figures out whether to buy a new car, or get her car's cracked head replaced.  Jay is still working in Onalaska TX, so we knew that we would have a quiet trip without him along.

After I had fed the critters and dressed, I took Misty for a walk around here.  She was especially interested in something in the burn pile of pine needles.  It's been too windy to start the fire.  Could be anything, maybe mice trying to keep warm, or a snake, or even next door's dog's pee!  She sure is a good sniffer.  It's good to see her interested in things at her age.

Claudia and her daughter finally got the logistics worked out, so we drove down to the Olive Garden in Spring, TX to meet them.  Her daughter seems to think that Claudia is senile, and kept on giving her instructions about the truck.  It is a burgundy 2001 Dodge 4-door F150 V8 with all the buttons and nice cloth seats.  Her daughter was concerned about Claudia falling trying to get into the regular size truck, and asked her to bring a step stool!  But she forgets that Claudia used to drive a full-size pick-up to Houston and back every day, and how tall she is.  Now, I would have trouble as I am just a little squirt!  

They had to leave, but Claudia and I ate a tasty lunch at the Olive Garden.  We talk a lot on the phone, but seated at a restaurant is a different atmosphere.  It is the first time we have gone out to lunch by ourselves, without Jay interrupting all the time.  We even had left-overs to bring home.

I waited until Claudia had the truck started, then she steamed along the freeway, a lot faster than I was going.   But I was going slower than usual as there is still an unknown vibration in my van. 

The kitten and the cat had a field day, they got into a box of styrofoam peanuts.  On top of that, I have a lot of housework to catch up on today.

Wolves Inside Us. Overdrinking. Change and Live. Anne Frank. Civil Rights Workers.

 

For “Scripture Sunday”:

The Tale of Two Wolves

“An old Cherokee told his grandson, “My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy & truth.

The boy thought about it and asked, “Grandfather, which wolf wins?”

The old man quietly replied, “The one you feed.”” Author Unknown

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The Danger of Overdrinking

Proverbs 20:1  Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

“In the Bible, the words “wine” and “strong drink” (or “intoxicating drink”) are used to describe alcoholic beverages. This proverb reminds us of the inherent danger of the abuse of alcohol—overindulgence causes human beings to lose their inhibitions and behave in ways that can be dangerous and negatively affect their lives.

In Proverb 20:1 we are given the example of brawling or violent behavior as a result of drinking too much. This can include violent physical actions (such as physical abuse or a tendency toward picking a fight) or verbal abuse (hateful words spoken to hurt and demean another person). This often happens toward a spouse or family member, causing serious damage to relationships.

The point of the verse: If you drink, drink responsibly. Drunkenness is a sin that can cause destructive results in a person’s life (Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:10). Even just blurred judgment can lead to devastating consequences in today’s society. Many people’s lives have been damaged or destroyed by a drunken driver’s impaired ability. Many marriages and families have been broken due to harsh, uncaring and abusive words.

If drinking too much is a problem you struggle with, study the Bible on the topic, pray, fast and seek professional help.

For more guidance on how to defeat an addiction to alcohol, read our article on Alcoholism.” From: http://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/blog/the-danger-of-overdrinking/

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This morning’s program on WGN TV:  Change and Live

“What hinders you from living joyfully? Is a habit or a worry crippling you emotionally? God stands ready to help. Discover how.”

Transcript at: http://www.ucg.org/beyond-today-program/christian-living/change-and-live

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On This Day:

 

Anne Frank and her family arrested by Gestapo, Aug 4, 1944:

“On this day in 1944, a German-born Jewish girl and her family, who had been hiding in German-occupied Holland, are found by the Gestapo and transported to various concentration camps. The young girl's diary of her time in hiding was found after her death and published. The Diary of Anne Frank remains one of the most moving testimonies to the invincibility of the human spirit in the face of inhuman cruelty.

The most memorable line remains: "In spite of everything, I still believe people are really good at heart."

The Franks' hiding place, on the Prinsengracht Canal in Amsterdam, has been turned into a museum.”

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Slain civil rights workers found, Aug 4, 1964:

“The remains of three civil rights workers whose disappearance on June 21 garnered national attention are found buried in an earthen dam near Philadelphia, Mississippi. Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, both white New Yorkers, had traveled to heavily segregated Mississippi in 1964 to help organize civil rights efforts on behalf of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). The third man, James Chaney, was a local African American man who had joined CORE in 1963. The disappearance of the three young men led to a massive FBI investigation that was code-named MIBURN, for "Mississippi Burning."

On June 21, 2005, the forty-first anniversary of the three murders, Edgar Ray Killen, was found guilty of three counts of manslaughter. At eighty years of age and best known as an outspoken white supremacist and part-time Baptist minister, he was sentenced to 60 years in prison.”

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Yesterday:

After my usual Saturday phone call with my daughter, and tending to my cat and dog, I got ready for church.  I sat on the screen porch for a while looking at what had to be removed before the contractors could install the framework for the new roof.  It is shady there in the mornings, and the breeze was welcome.  But later in the day it is really sunny in there, so I might have to move my red maple this fall, as it was planted to give shade.

The sermon was given by our pastor Anthony, about Subjective Thinking and Objective Thinking.  Subjective thinkers go by their emotions, feelings and opinions, which is a disadvantage.  Objective thinkers use facts and truths to determine which path they will take in life.  An example was Jonathon, son of Saul, and brother of David.  Jonathon knew that the throne should go to David, not himself, and helped David to that end.  Told in 1 Samuel.

Nala didn’t go to Adoption Day, as they were doing the monthly switch out in the Cat Habitat at Petco, so there wouldn’t be room for her in the Adoption Room.  The Adoption Room is used twice a month and the cats and dogs just stay there on display for the First and Third Saturday afternoons.  Each time a cat is adopted out of the Habitat, a new one is brought in to stay until the end of the month.  During the change out the cages in the Adoption Room are used for the exiting cats, then they go back home with their original foster parents, who usually have other pets there for Adoption Day. 

Don’t Feed Wildlife. Outwit Squirrels. Importance of Predation. Epoxied Kitten. Pierce Brosnan, “Save Whales”. Elephants. Rhino Mom Finds Calf. Rabies Vaccines. Polk Declares War on Mexico.

 

For “Mammal Monday”:

Four Reasons Not to Feed Wildlife

Feeding wild animals, whether on purpose or not, does more harm than good

 

Hand-fed wild animals lose their fear of humans. It's OK to feed squirrels if you'd like, but do so from a feeder—never by hand. Christiaan Arthur Hemerik

 

 

The scent of human food, even in a garbage bag, can lure raccoons, skunks, and other wildlife. Keep trash cans securely covered. iStockphoto

 

Even daytime feeding of pets outdoors can attract hungry wildlife. It's best to feed your pets inside. iStockphoto

We know they're cute and they might seem hungry, but feeding wild animals—whether in your own backyard, a local park, or while on vacation—just isn't a good idea. Here's why.

1. “People” food isn’t good for animals. Human foods aren't nutritious enough for animals and may cause serious health problems (especially when animals are continually fed bread, french fries, and popcorn).

2. It makes wild animals lose their natural fear of people. Feeding can make large, potentially dangerous animals become too comfortable in residential or recreational areas. Once animals learn they can panhandle for food, they can become a nuisance—or even worse, a safety risk.

3. Feeding wildlife from or near vehicles is dangerous to animals, people, and property. Animals can be hit by moving vehicles or might try to enter vehicles in search of food. In Yosemite National Park in 1998, more than 1,100 vehicles were broken into by black bears—causing more than $630,000 in damages.

4. Wild animals who depend on people for food can cause injuries or spread disease. When wild animals gather for food handouts, it can cause crowding and competition. These unnatural conditions increase the chances of fighting and injury among animals. It can also increase the spread of diseases, some of which may be transmitted to pets and humans.

So what can you do for wildlife?

Stop the unintentional food supply:

• Rinse all recyclable glass and plastic containers to remove any food remnants and odors. Some animals, like skunks, can get their heads stuck in containers and wind up starving to death. Cut and/or crush plastic containers, and cut each ring of plastic six-pack carriers.
• Feed your pets inside.
• Make sure plastic food wrap is rinsed and secured in a tied bag or securely covered garbage can.
• When visiting parks and similar settings, clean up after yourself and follow the rules regarding wildlife. Encourage others to do the same.

Learn when to step in. If you see an animal who you think may be injured or orphaned, make sure the animal truly needs your help before feeding the animal anything or attempting a "rescue."

Feed backyard birds (and squirrels, if you want). We oppose feeding wildlife when it might cause problems, but feeding birds and squirrels is generally harmless. Don’t feed them by hand, though—set up a feeder where you can watch them from a distance. Get our tips on backyard bird feeding »

Provide some natural food sources. Plant some native bushes, trees, or flowers and put up a birdbath or other water feature for your local wildlife. You'll be on your way to creating a backyard wildlife sanctuary.”    From: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/feed_wildlife.html

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Are any human foods UNSAFE to feed ducks and birds?

“Yes. Birds should not be offered many of the foods humans eat.

• Bread (fresh or stale): provides no real nutritional value for birds; moldy bread can harm birds.
• Chocolate: toxic to birds, just as it is to dogs and cats (it contains theobromine); never offer birds any foods containing chocolate.
• Table scraps: some may not be safe or healthy for birds; most table scraps will attract mice or rats.”

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8 Tips for Outwitting Squirrels

George Harrison, an experienced birder and the author of several books—including Squirrel Wars and Other Battles with Backyard Wildlife (Willow Creek Press, 2000)—interviewed people around the country who shared the following tips for keeping squirrels out of bird feeders.

Tired of squirrels raiding your bird feeders? Here are eight ways to thwart the furry bandits. http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/National-Wildlife/Birds/Archives/2010/Squirrels.aspx

or, if you can't beat them... #9. Feed Them. 

“Some homeowners have simply learned to live with the squirrels – and actually feed them a safe distance from their birdfeeders. After years of battling them at their feeding station, trying nearly every type of feeder and seed, a couple in Boulder, Colorado, started feeding squirrels on the ground a distance away from bird feeders. Not only do they spend only a few dollars a month feeding the squirrels, the couple has found that pine siskins and other birds are also attracted to the feeding area on the ground.”

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Importance of Predation

“More than 70 years ago, legendary National Park Service biologist Adolph Murie published research showing predators actually strengthen deer and elk herds by culling out the sick and weak. Numerous peer-reviewed studies followed, also affirming the importance of predation to maintain the delicate balance of our ecosystems. Unfortunately, federal and state policies have yet to true up with these findings, and our laws and regulations continue to allow for the liberal killing of important species like bears, coyotes, foxes and bobcats.

California made progress in 2012. Long overdue legislation to end the cruel and unnecessary use of hounds to chase and harass bears and bobcats resulted in a law banning the practice. Montana prohibited the unsporting practice back in 1921.  And while there were some human-wildlife conflicts in California that resulted in happy endings and some efforts are afoot to improve responses for some species, we need a comprehensive review of our approach to predators in the context of their role in the ecosystem.”  More at:  http://www.sacbee.com/2013/02/28/5223747/state-must-overhaul-approach-to.html

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Kitten found caked in glue

KEIZER, Ore. – “A kitten found covered in industrial-strength glue and unable to move is recovering after strangers teamed up to save him.  A woman found the kitten in a downtown Salem parking garage stuck in what turned out to be floor adhesive. The Salem Fire Department responded to her call for help and managed to get the kitten free by cutting out part of the floor.

"He got into the corner and the more he felt he was stuck the more he would dig into that epoxy and the deeper he got. So then it was hopeless," said rescuer Penny Mack.  Someone also called a local Ace Hardware, asking if they knew of any type of solvent that would get the glue off the kitten without hurting him.  'He was covered pretty much his entire bottom side and his legs were [stuck from the] adhesives to his chest. He couldn't walk or move," said Joshua Braden, who works at the animal hospital.

The 10-week-old kitten was taken to the Willamette Valley Animal Hospital in Keizer for treatment.  Veterinarian Laura Magruder spent 10 hours carefully pulling hair away from the tiny animal’s skin to remove the glue. No one ever found a solvent that seemed safe to use.”  More at: http://www.kgw.com/news/Kitten-found-covered-in-powerful-glue-rescued-163736856.html

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A Note From Pierce Brosnan: Help stop a Navy training plan that could kill 1,000 whales

“The threat couldn’t be more dire.  The Navy has announced new plans for training and testing with high-intensity sonar and explosives.  Unless we stop them, more than 1,000 whales and other marine mammals — including rare and endangered species — could be killed over the next five years.  Fortunately, NRDC is mobilizing nationwide opposition to this reckless plan.

Please join me in sending a message to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel right away. Tell him to direct the Navy to put safeguards in place that will stop this deadly assault on whales.  The scope of the Navy’s plans is staggering. They threaten entire populations of marine wildlife off the East Coast, Southern California, Hawaii and the Gulf Coast.

The Navy’s mid-frequency sonar will bombard whales with noise so intense — up to 236 decibels — it can actually cause their internal organs to hemorrhage.  There will be more than 5,000 cases of serious injury — such as permanent hearing loss or lung damage — and tens of millions of incidents in which marine mammals are harassed and harmed.  And these alarming numbers come from the Navy itself!  So it’s all the more distressing that the Navy refuses to put common-sense measures in place that could protect whales during routine training – especially because doing so would in no way compromise our military readiness.

Call on Secretary Hagel to chart a more responsible course by making the Navy take concrete steps to save whales from the deadly impacts of sonar and explosives.   The Navy should start by avoiding key habitats where whales are known to migrate and raise their young — one of the most effective ways of reducing harm.

Time is of the essence. Once the Navy’s plan goes into effect, it will take a terrible toll on marine mammals for five long years.  Let’s not wait for thousands of whales to suffer and die before taking action. Please join me now in making your voice heard at the Pentagon in defense of whales. Thank you.”

Sincerely,

From: http://sunsetdaily.wordpress.com/2013/05/09/a-note-from-pierce-brosnan-help-stop-a-navy-training-plan-that-could-kill-1000-whales/

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Saving Wildlife   An Eye for Elephants

Julie Larsen Maher ©WCS

“Penny Kalk began working with elephants at WCS’s Bronx Zoo in 1976, looking after the youngest members of the herd. Today, she continues to oversee their care as Collections Manager for the Mammal Department.

Recently, Penny traveled to Laikipia, Kenya, to aid WCS field colleagues studying wild elephant demographics and movement patterns. Her intimate understanding of individual elephants enabled her to identify members of the area's herds by sight, and contribute to a digital research database. In a new video, she talks about her work and the collaborative partnerships that define WCS.”

http://www.wcs.org/news-and-features-main/eye-on-elephants-video.aspx

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A Squeak Reunites Rhino Mother And Child

“Observers at the Manas National Park continue to be entranced by the latest addition to the park, a rhino calf born to rescued mother Ganga.

Camera operator Bhaskar Choudhury noticed that Ganga seemed to have lost track of her her calf while grazing. So he climbed a nearby tree overlooking the baby and "squeaked like a calf" until the two were reunited.”

“It seems Ganga let her calf sleep in a thicket while she was grazing nearby but later lost the smell of her calf. The calf also by instinct was immobile inside a thicket. We luckily saw it and I got up on a tree next to it and made short squeaks like a calf to let Ganga be more precise. Ganga nearly missed it thrice but on the fourth occasion she made it.”

“Ganga was rescued herself as a calf by the International Fund for Animal Welfare - Wildlife Trust of India following flooding in Kaziranga National Park in June 2004. She was later moved to Manas National Park as part of the ongoing efforts to restore the rhino population there.

GreaterGood.org supports these and other wildlife rehabilitation efforts through the Gifts That Give More program and support from The Rainforest Site.”

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Proposed California Legislation Requires Too-Early Rabies Vaccine for Puppies

“A primary concern is that too-early rabies vaccination can interfere with residual maternal antibodies, with the result that puppies presumed to be immunized against the disease, will not be.

Another concern is that adding the rabies vaccine around the same time dogs receive their “puppy shots” can significantly increase the risk for serious adverse vaccine reactions.

Dr. Becker and Dr. Dodds encourage pet owners to get informed and involved by visiting the Rabies Challenge Fund website.”    Video and more at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/04/29/early-rabies-vaccination.aspx 

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Why Challenge Current Rabies Vaccine Policy?

”Rabies vaccination is required by law in nearly all areas. Even though protection from rabies is documented to last at least three years, current law in some states or areas still requires that boosters be given annually or biannually rather than the standard policy of every three years.

However, vaccination against rabies virus is occasionally associated with debilitating adverse effects. According to the CDC domestic animals account for less than 10% of the reported rabies cases, with cats, cattle, and dogs most often reported rabid. Scientific data indicate that vaccinating dogs against rabies every three years, as most states require, is unnecessary.

Killed vaccines like those for rabies virus can trigger both immediate and delayed adverse vaccine reactions (termed "vaccinosis"). While there may be immediate hypersensitivity reactions, other acute events tend to occur 24-72 hours afterwards, or up to 45 days later in the case of delayed reactions.

Reactions that have been documented include:

• Behavior changes such as aggression and separation anxiety
• Obsessive behavior, self-mutilation, tail chewing
• Pica - eating wood, stones, earth, stool
• Destructive behavior, shredding bedding
• Seizures, epilepsy
• Fibrosarcomas at injection site
• Autoimmune diseases such as those affecting bone marrow and blood cells, joints, eyes, skin, kidney, liver, bowel and central nervous system
• Muscular weakness and or atrophy
• Chronic digestive problems

More at: http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/education/why-challenge-current-rabies-vaccine-policy

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On This Day:

President Polk declares war on Mexico, May 13, 1846:

“On May 13, 1846, the U.S. Congress overwhelmingly votes in favor of President James K. Polk's request to declare war on Mexico in a dispute over Texas.

Under the threat of war, the United States had refrained from annexing Texas after the latter won independence from Mexico in 1836.  But in 1844, President John Tyler restarted negotiations with the Republic of Texas, culminating with a Treaty of Annexation.

The treaty was defeated by a wide margin in the Senate because it would upset the slave state/free state balance between North and South and risked war with Mexico, which had broken off relations with the United States. But shortly before leaving office and with the support of President-elect Polk, Tyler managed to get the joint resolution passed on March 1, 1845. Texas was admitted to the union on December 29.
While Mexico didn't follow through with its threat to declare war, relations between the two nations remained tense over border disputes, and in July 1845, President Polk ordered troops into disputed lands that lay between the Neuces and Rio Grande rivers. In November, Polk sent the diplomat John Slidell to Mexico to seek boundary adjustments in return for the U.S. government's settlement of the claims of U.S. citizens against Mexico and also to make an offer to purchase California and New Mexico. After the mission failed, the U.S. army under Gen. Zachary Taylor advanced to the mouth of the Rio Grande, the river that the state of Texas claimed as its southern boundary.

Mexico, claiming that the boundary was the Nueces River to the northeast of the Rio Grande, considered the advance of Taylor's army an act of aggression and in April 1846 sent troops across the Rio Grande. Polk, in turn, declared the Mexican advance to be an invasion of U.S. soil, and on May 11, 1846, asked Congress to declare war on Mexico, which it did two days later.

After nearly two years of fighting, peace was established by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on February 2, 1848. The Rio Grande was made the southern boundary of Texas, and California and New Mexico were ceded to the United States. In return, the United States paid Mexico the sum of $15 million and agreed to settle all claims of U.S. citizens against Mexico.”

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Yesterday:

Even after the events of the evening before, Jay was ready to work on the roof extension, so Misty and I went to get him.

We put up quite a few more rafters on the roof of the new pergola, and we will be ready to put up the translucent white panels soon.  But first I need to make sure that the company that has the ones I want, will have some for sale.  I called them again, and they will be finished with their building soon, so I am hoping that they will sell me what is left over.  I would rather wait for those, than get the panels from Lowes.

Midnight and her kittens are doing well.  As they are all black, except for one tabby, it was difficult to see them in the dark box.  I had to lighten the picture quite a bit to be able to see them.

 

This is the little tabby kitten. Shay just fell in love with this one. 

 

I let Midnight out of the Grooming Room into the house again, and she and Misty took to each other right away, it was lovely to see them interact.  But I couldn’t get a good picture of them playing.

Midnight’s ‘grandparents’ arrived about 7.00PM.  They were just on their way home from moving their daughter Angela to Dallas, and they will be taking over the care of Mama and kittens until they are all adopted.  Our SPCA will be getting them checked for FIV/FeLV, spayed/neutered, and vaccinated before they can be adopted.

I thought about taking over the task of raising the kittens, but as long as the cats have someone to take care of them, that will leave me open to take care of some other critter in need.  Misty and I will miss sweet Midnight today.