Archive for October, 2005
October 31, 2005 at 8:23 pm · Filed under Personal
A cute website with a plug in available so that as you play your music, last.fm keeps track of what you’ve listened to and displays it on your user page.
I once belonged to something simular (ListeningTo.com), however they had to shut down, and had been looking for something simular.
I just joined, and I am assuming that even though it seems to be missing a few things that ListeningTo.com had, I feel rather confident they will be adding on special features.
What have *I* been listening to today?
See HERE
Oh!
And Happy Halloween!
October 31, 2005 at 11:14 am · Filed under News Items
Prince Charles will be visiting the U.S. next week, a tour of sort, and he seems to have a lot to say to us.
Now I know the U.S. and England are allies for the most part, but looking at some of his reasons for touring the U.S., led me to do some research; curious while he seems to be here to help us “fix” our problems, and adjust our “attitudes” on a few things, I wondered what was the state in HIS nation on these same issues and find some descrepencies in his logic.
One item he would like to discuss is how he finds the climate change terrifying. Now I realize that scientists disagree if there actually IS global warming, but generally those who DO, often mention pollution as its cause. So, I decided to look up items on England about its own pollution.
I found a 2003 article on England, and according to this article, England is suffering from dramatic pollution. More than 90% of England is now affected by some form of pollution, a study has found.
Rapidly expanding road networks and a sharp rise in flights have led to a dramatic jump in air, noise and light pollution in the past decade.
London and the South East are the worst hit areas with Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield also badly contaminated.
Planned road developments are expected to exacerbate the problem over the next few years by generating even more noise and fumes across large swathes of the country.
The number of people affected by unacceptable levels of noise from air traffic is also predicted to double by 2030 as passenger numbers soar.
Only one tenth of the country now experiences a truly dark night after light pollution rose by a quarter between 1993 and 2000.
Even on the clearest nights, less than half of homes in England can now see the Milky Way.
Experts blame it on an increase in street lamps, floodlights at sports venues and security lights fitted on private homes.
Another reason for his visit, is to inaugurate a new memorial garden in New York for the British victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center. At the same time, he will plead Islam’s cause to Bush, it’s merits. He feels United States has been too intolerant of the religion since September 11. I really disagree. I think we have bent over backwards to distinguish them from Terrorists. One would have to live here to know. Perhaps he could also take his case to Brazil?
The phrase “merits of Islam” is an interesting one. I recently participated in a study of Islam, there were many parts I found it lacking in merit. Our study wasn’t without former Islamic people there confirming our studies. But it could be interesting to see what ol’ Chuck has to say about it. Prince Charles, wants Americans - including Mr Bush - to share his fondness for Islam. I am sorry, I don’t want a fondness for it. Based on news stories about how Christians are treated in their countries -they don’t want a fondness for Christianity either! How many churches are built in Islamic nations compared to how many mosques are here? As of one recent count we have 1209 mosques here in the United States. They have an amazing rate of growth as well. From 1994 to 2000 there was a 300% increase. While this goes on here, Saudi Arabia Blocks Christian Websites, the government of Saudi Arabia has prohibited its citizens from viewing these pages. The results show that the nation filters sites about religion, politics, women, health, pop culture, and more. With the cooperation of the Saudi government, Harvard researchers attempted to access 64,000 Web addresses and compiled a list of 2,038 restricted sites.
Virginia Sherry, associate director of the Middle East division of Human Rights Watch, told Christianity Today that the blocked pages on the Harvard list are “only the tip of the iceberg.” Last year, a Saudi official quoted by the Associated Press placed the number of banned sites at 400,000. As well as blocked web addresses,
Christians don’t get the benefit as muslims have here, to have their own churches. They have to meet secretly in homes, and once found, they are promptly arrested -children too.
So Chuck wants to talk to WHO about TOLERANCE? I am sorry, I just can’t BUY what he is SELLING.
During the final leg of the tour, Charles and Camilla will meet homeless people in San Francisco. I wondered. Doesn’t the UK have homeless people? If so, wouldn’t THEY like to be talked to by their own prince?
Once again, I went to my research, yes, they do have homeless people. It wasn’t easy to find exact numbers, they claim to have a hard time defining homeless in the UK. Well gee, they seem to know who are homeless here, but don’t know their own.
Here is what I found:
In 2000 in England, there were 172,760 households accepted as homeless. Of these;
110,790 were classified as unintentionally homeless and in priority need;
8,140 intentionally homeless and in priority need and;
52,830 homeless and not in priority need.
In 1999 30% lost their home because friends or relatives could no longer accommodate them, 23% because of relationship breakdown, and 3% because of mortgage arrears.
It is estimated that the 172,760 households represents over 415,000 people.
ukThere are no comprehensive or reliable figures for single homelessness nationally due to the complexities of the situation and any figure would have to include single people in hostels and B&Bs, rough sleepers, squatters, etc.
28,353 households accepted by local authorities as homeless in 1996/97 had a single occupant (see above).
A report by the London Research Centre in 1996 estimated there to be over 100,000 single homeless people in London.
The government has recently produced the first official national estimate of the extent of rough sleeping in England. This was based on local authority counts and estimates, but many authorities did not provide any statistics. There are no definitive and robust figures to rely on, due to the transient nature of the population.
In October 2000, the DETR estimated there to be 1180 people sleeping rough on any given night in England.
A report by Shelter in 1997 gave an estimate that in England outside London 2,000 sleep rough each night and 10,000 people who drift in and out of rough sleeping over the course of a year.
An estimate by the Housing Services Agency in 1998 gave a figure of 400 on any given night in London and 2,400 throughout the year.
In Scotland it is estimated that 11,000 people sleep rough on at least one occasion in any one year.
Figures on the number of people squatting are very difficult to estimate. However:
9,600 people were estimated as squatting in England in 1995.
80% of squatting is thought to happen in London.
Youth homelessness includes young people living on the streets and those sleeping in hostels or on friends’ or relatives’ floor. Care leavers are particularly vulnerable to homelessness - between a fifth and a half of all young homeless people have been in care.
32,100 people between the ages of 16 and 21 were estimated to be homeless in 1995 by the London Research Centre.
A report by CHAR (now NHA) gave an estimate of 246,000 homeless people between the ages of 16 and 25 in 1995.
20% of homeless young people in London in 1999 had attempted suicide at least once in the past year.
Homeless young people are twice as likely to have been physically or mentally abused.
What can I say? I guess I am not a fan.
October 30, 2005 at 10:25 pm · Filed under General
- While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
~ Genesis 8:22
It’s really one of my favorite times of year. When I got to church today, I appreciated the image on the bulletin:
I looked at the verse at the bottom. I saw “Shall not cease” ‘Now wait a minute,” I thought, “I was always taught it WOULD cease.’
I even ran to Revelation where the prophecy was of a NEW earth…
- And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
~ Revelation 21:1
Then I realized the key words were “While the earth remaineth” So I hadn’t misunderstood, this was a promise as long as the earth existed.
The earth as we know it, according to the Bible, will not forever be in existance. Revelation is clear there is to be a new heaven and earth.
Does that mean we should trash this one? No! There are definate Biblical scriptures that make it clear we are to be good stewards of what God made, his creation.
Often times what happens though, and it hurts to see it, that many times people worship the creation, and don’t care to take note of and definately not worship its creator.
I did really like the image and the verse on today’s bulletin.
If you are in an area that enjoys as we do, the changes of the leaves and such, in the Eastern US, enjoy!
And remember thy creator!
October 28, 2005 at 12:52 pm · Filed under Personal
It was my son Enric who got me started with Sim City. Our first experience with it was with an edition of Sim CIty that came pre-installed on our computer. (That was like 4 or 5 computers ago). We were going through the games one day and he asked what was that one, and I said, “I can’t figure it out son, all I see is grass and nothing else.” He sat there a while with it, and soon, he had it all figured out. He explained that one was to acutally create a city from the ground up, and you become its Mayor. I stopped what chores I was doing to watch him, fascinated.
Soon enough, I announced it was his bedtime, shuffled him off to bed, and ran to the PC to create my OWN Sim City! This was great fun! We laughed during the tornadoes, the nuclear meltdowns, and all the other disasters. We also took it rather seriously.
I, for one though, couldn’t seem to ever get a “successful” Sim City.
I haven’t played in ages, although, over a year ago, I did buy its latest version. It almost scared me to run it, as the geeks on G4 was saying one SHOULD have a gig a RAM to run the game. I DO have a gig of RAM, I was just afraid to use that many resources to play ONE game.
Once started on the game, again, it became difficult to have a game that made money and created an actual city.
Due to many reasons, I hadn’t played for a long while. That is, till my son and I were talking over his birthday present (I sent him an old copy of the game), and he told me how well he was doing on his city. That inspired me to try again after about a year off.
Now, for nearly the first time over4 versions of the game, I have my first successful city, with 2 million in the green, and its growing. I made my first highway, ramps on and off, and its been even more fun than I remember it.
Thanks Enric. Hope you’re having as much fun as I am!
October 28, 2005 at 12:06 am · Filed under Personal
“Music, the greatest good that mortals know, And all of heaven we have below”
` Joseph Addison
Today something happened again, something that has happened to me for years now.My friend Chris called, sang a few bars of a song, and asked, “Who sang that?”
I didn’t take me long to answer her and she excitedly shouted, “I KNEW you would KNOW!”
This happens to me for as long as I can remember now, apparently I am THE authority among my family and friends to ask who sang what.
And…
I love it. I love the challenge of trying to remember.
When my memory does fail me, the net makes it even easier. Also, with new songs, even if you only know a few words of the song, most search engines will lead you to the lyrics, band description, and details of a song.
I recall Mike often trying to trip me up, he would supply me with a few lines of the lyrics (this was over the net, so no music) and I was supposed to name the song and artist. We kinda had our own version of “Name that Tune” It was a lot of fun. Sometimes he would trip me up, as, with the exception of U2, Sting, and a few others, I kinda blocked the 80’s and that was more Mike’s decade-so much more than mine. However, I often surprised him.
“I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.”
~ Billy Joel
“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”
~ Victor Hugo
October 27, 2005 at 9:52 pm · Filed under General
Planning and Executing Your Getaway
Do not leave unprepared. Study and execute every detail of your getaway. This is especially important if your partner is violent. Be sure to make a Safety Plan – how to get out of the house unnoticed and the indispensable minimum items that you should carry with you, even on a short notice.
Long before you actually leave, copy all important documents and store them in a safe place. These include: identity cards, health care and social insurance or security Cards, driver’s license/registration, credit cards and bank cards, other personal identification (including picture ID), birth certificate, immunisation card for the children, custody order, personal chequebook, last banking statement, and mortgage papers. Make a list of all computer passwords and access codes (for instance: ATM PINs).
When you leave the house, take with you these copied documents as well as the following personal items: prescribed medication, personal hygiene products, glasses/contact lenses, money (borrow from family members, a neighbour, colleague, or friends, if you have to), several changes of clothing (don’t forget night wear and underwear), heirlooms, jewellery, photo albums (pictures that you want to keep), craft, needle work, hobby work.
The situation is inevitably more complicated if you are fleeing with your children. In this case, be sure to bring with you their various medications, soother, bottles, favourite toy or blanket, and clothing (again: night wear, underwear). Older kids may carry their own clothes and school books.
Make a list of the following and have it on you at all times: addresses and phone numbers of domestic violence shelters, police stations, night courts, community social services, schools in the vicinity, major media, and address and phone and fax numbers of your lawyer and his attorneys. Secure a detailed public transportation map.
If you can afford to, your next step should be to hire a divorce attorney and file for interim custody. Your divorce papers can be served much later. Your first concern is to keep the children with you safely and legally. Your husband is likely to claim that you have kidnapped them.
But your escape should be only the tip of a long period of meticulous preparations.
We already mentioned that you should make copies of all important documents [see above]. Don’t escape from your predicament penniless! Secretly put aside cash for an Escape Fund. Your husband is likely to block your checking account and credit cards. Ask around where you can stay the first week. Will your family or friends accept you? Apply to a domestic violence shelter and wait to be accepted. Be sure to know where you are going!
Make extra sets of keys and documents. Bundle these up with some clothes and keep these “reserve troves” with friends and family. Put one such “trove” in a safety deposit box and give the key to someone you trust. Secure transportation for the day or night of escape. Agree on codes and signals with friends and family (”If I don’t call you by 10 PM, something has gone wrong”, “If I call you and say that Ron is home, call the police”).
You should wait until he is gone and only then leave home. Avoid confrontation over your departure. It can end badly. Do not inform him of your plans. Make excuses to slip away in the days and months before you actually leave. Get him used to your absence.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline…
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
October 27, 2005 at 11:53 am · Filed under News Items
…and half of what you see. Isn’t that the saying?
No more. These days with graphic programs and video effects, we truly can no longer believe what our eyes tell us we’re seeing.
This example of a Photoshopped photo of Condoleezza Rice published in USA Today last week - it’s obviously touched up to give her eyes an appearence they normally wouldn’t take. The eyes have a peculiar look once doctored up. What reason USA Today had to do this is anyone’s guess.
Having been accused of “cyber surgery” myself (grin - I once didn’t like the length of the nose on a lady and changed that, then another time a client who wanted her image on the web, upon posting it, asked me to make her look thinner), I for one, can tell you. Believe none of what you hear and NONE of what you see.
It’s just way too easy.
Links to this and related stories:
Michelle MalkinMike’s Noise
Photo Ethics
October 25, 2005 at 10:41 am · Filed under General
What is this?
The femur of a mosquito leg magnified a thousand times of course!
If you like science and photography, this site devoted to microscopy science education will be enjoyable for you!
Visit Dennis Kunkel Microscopy, Inc an award-winning photomicrographer (one who takes science images through a microscope) whose images appear worldwide in print, film, and electronic media.
October 23, 2005 at 9:17 pm · Filed under News Items
Rodney of “The Journey” and SonshineFM has Tragedy Overload.
I suppose we all groan anymore before we turn on our TVs to watch the news these days. I try to comment on Rodney’s blogs but there are times I just have no comment, usually could be a local event that I just have nothing to contribute. Howver, when he first mentioned about his “Tragedy Overload”, I skipped over that blog. I remember thinking, ’so much of this is prophesized in the Bible, what do people expect? This is just the begining of sorrows.’ I moved on to a happier part of his blog.
I went back to it today, because it’s been on my mind. Are we in the end times? For years people have had the feeling that their generation was the ‘end’, no one really knows, and that is how it is supposed to be; I think so that we will fully “live” as we are supposed to. (Please note, these are things mentioned in the Bible, not my words. Also, I have added a news stories found on the net to them)
Prophetic Signs that we are in the End Times
The Bible gives many examples of signs that should warn us of the coming end of the age. Six such signs are given by Jesus, two characteristics are given by Paul, and eleven other occurrences are given by the prophets to occur prior to or soon after the end of the age. While we are also told we will not know the time of the End, God obviously wanted us to know when that time was getting closer.
SIX SIGNS GIVEN BY JESUS TO INDICATE HIS COMING AND THE END OF THE AGE
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In Matthew24:3 Jesus was asked, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?” Jesus told his apostles to look for the following signs prior to his second coming and the end of the age.
1. FALSE PROPHETS AND CHRISTS
Matthew 24:5 “For many will come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and will mislead many.”
Matthew 24:11 “And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many.”
In the last several years many have claimed to be the Messiah. Jim Jones and David Koresh are examples of these false christs as well as countless others who are not as newsworthy. These false prophets are a prelude to the ultimate false christ, the antichrist.
2. WARS
Matthew 24:6 “And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.”
Rumors of wars in all areas of the world now occur frequently thanks to instant media coverage and the availability of a multitude of 24-hour news sources.
Matthew 24:7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.”
More people have been killed in warfare in this century than at any other time in history. As the death toll rises in the Middle East, more and more countries work feverishly to develop devastating weapons of mass destruction. Add to that the expanding threat of terrorism and unpredictable dictators such as Saddam Hussein, and the potential for the outbreak of war exists in nations, kingdoms and places across the globe.
3. FAMINES
Matthew 24:7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.”
4. EARTHQUAKES
Matthew 24:7 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes.”
The number and intensity of earthquakes this century is at a level higher than any other time in history. A staggering number of seismic events occur around the world daily. The earthquake seismic monitor IRIS shows all major earthquakes for the last year. Indicated by yellow and red circles, the seismic events of the last 15 days provides strong evidence of the fulfillment of Matthew 24:7 in our day. By contrast, in the years from 1890 to 1900 there was only one major earthquake in the world.
5. TRIBULATIONS
Matthew 24:8-9 “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of my name.”
Christians are under attack throughout the world today. In the United States Christians still enjoy freedom to worship God without suffering much more than ridicule, hatred, or discrimination at work and school. However in many other countries such as China, Sudan, Africa, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Russia, and many Muslim nations, Christian suffer much greater persecution and often times death for their faith. During the tribulation this suffering will be worldwide and will continue even to the point of martyrdom. These first 5 signs will increase in intensity and severity as the tribulation approaches, much like the birth pangs or contractions of a pregnant woman worsen as the delivery time approaches.
6. THE GOSPEL WILL BE PREACHED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD
Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come.”
This prophecy has already been fulfilled through television, radio, missionaries, the translation of the Bible into many languages, and the internet. People all over the world now hear the message of Christ from missionaries who have the means to travel the globe, and via technology that allows us to communicate with people on the other side of the world right from our own homes, churches and offices.
TWO CHARACTERISTICS OF THE END OF THE AGE FROM THE APOSTLE PAUL
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1. GODLESSNESS IN THE LAST DAYS
II Timothy 3:1-5,7 “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of god; holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
For anyone who has watched television, read a newspaper, lost a retirement to corporate greed and corruption, or just walked outside their front door, it is obvious this prophecy has been fulfilled by our generation. Our leaders are often corrupt; our cities are filled with crime, brutality, and neon signs proclaiming our sinful, godless nature.
2. APOSTASY (FALLING AWAY FROM THE FAITH)
I Timothy 4:1-3 “But the spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons. By means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.”
Churches today are becoming more and more ecumenical, embracing the New Age interfaith agenda, and denying Christ as the only way to salvation.
ELEVEN FULFILLMENTS OF BIBLE PROPHECY REQUIRED FOR THE END OF THE AGE
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1. EXISTENCE OF A 200,000,000 MAN ARMY IN THE EAST
Revelation 9:16 “And the number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.”
An army of that size had never existed until China’s army reached that number in the 1960’s.
2. REDEVELOPMENT OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE (EUROPEAN COMMUNITY)
Daniel 2:32-33 “The head of the statue was made of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay.”
Daniel 2:40-43 “Then there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; inasmuch as iron crushes and shatters all things, so like iron that breaks in pieces, it will crush and break all these in pieces. And in that you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but it will have the toughness of iron, and partly of pottery, so some of the kingdom will be strong and part of it will be brittle. And in that you saw the iron mixed with clay, they will combine with one another in the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, even as iron does not combine with pottery.”
The fourth kingdom of iron is the Roman empire according to Daniel’s interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The two legs are the division of the Roman empire into an eastern portion called the Byzantine empire which ended in the 1400’s and a western portion based in Rome which ended in the 400’s. The nations of Europe since the Roman empire dissolved have never adhered or formed one empire but continue as separate nations, however, the European Union now has 15 Member States and is preparing for the accession of 13 eastern and southern European countries.
3. RETURN OF THE ONE PURE LANGUAGE, HEBREW, TO ISRAEL
Zephaniah 3:9 “For then I will return to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.”
Prior to the restoration of Israel in 1948, Hebrew was a dead language. Now Hebrew is spoken throughout Israel.
4. REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE, RESTORATION OF TEMPLE WORSHIP AND ANIMAL SACRIFICES IN JERUSALEM
For several end time prophecies to be fulfilled, the temple will have to be rebuilt.
Revelation 11:2 “Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the oly city for forty-two months.”
Daniel 9:27 “And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolation, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”
Daniel 9:26 “Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.”
Some archeologists believe that the temple mount is actually 340 feet south of the Dome of the Rock site, putting the Dome of the Rock within the Court of the Gentiles. This may be the court outside the temple that is left out.
There are many groups already working on preparations for the new temple. The blueprints are already done, the temple garments have been made, and there have already been attempts to lay the cornerstone of the temple. The only thing standing in the way of the construction of the new temple is Islam’s third holiest site, the Dome of the Rock and government support for such an undertaking. Some possible scenarios for the rebuilding of the temple are as follows:
1. The persuasion and performing of miracles by the Antichrist and False Prophet convinces the Islamic world to approve the rebuilding.
2. The United Nations will negotiate the rebuilding of the temple following a war with the armies from the North (Russia and Islamic forces). This assumes that the war with the armies from the North is not the battle of Armageddon as some feel and that this attack occurs before the rapture or tribulation period begins. The supernatural destruction of the Russian army and Islamic forces will cause an outpouring of Christian worship and zeal amongst the Jewish people who will reconstruct the temple.
3. It is determined that the site of the first two temples is actually south of the Dome of the Rock, and the court of the gentiles (Dome of the Rock) will be left out of the 3rd temple.
A group in Israel called the Temple Mount Faithful have obtained most of the clothing, instruments and other equipment required for temple worship and are actively preparing for the laying of the third temple’s cornerstone.
5. APPEARANCE OF THE RED HEIFER AFTER 2000 YEARS
Numbers 19:2-7 “This is the statute of the law which the Lord has commanded, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you an unblemished red heifer in which is no defect and on which a yoke has never been placed. “You shall give it to Eleazar the priest, and it shall be brought outside the camp and be slaughtered in his presence. Next Eleazar the priest shall take some of its blood with his finger and sprinkle some of its blood toward the front of the tent of meeting seven times. “Then the heifer shall be burned in his sight; its hide and its flesh and its blood, with its refuse, shall be burned. “The priest shall then wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward come into the camp, but the priest shall be unclean until evening.”
A red heifer will be required to be used in the process of purification described in the book of Numbers. In May 1997 the first Red Heifer was born in 2000 years. Another red Heifer was born in Israel in March of 2002.
6. INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE AND TRAVEL
Daniel 12:4 “But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.”
Billy Graham was quoted as saying, “ninety percent of all the engineers and scientists who have ever lived are alive today.” Air travel, space travel, DNA research and human cloning are all examples of the rapid increase in knowledge in our generation.
7. RETURN OF THE ETHIOPIAN JEWS TO ISRAEL
Zephaniah 3:10-11 “From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, My dispersed ones, will bring My offerings. In that day you will feel no shame because of all your deeds by which you have rebelled against Me; For then I will remove from your midst your proud, exulting ones, and you will never again be haughty on My holy mountain.”
In 1984, Operation Moses saw the airlift of 15,000 Jews who had already fled to refugee camps in Sudan to escape starvation. In 1991, Operation Solomon flew 20,000 Jews to Israel from Ethiopia itself. A further airlift began in June of 1999, aimed at transporting the last 3,000 members of the Quara Jewish community from northeastern Ethiopia to Israel.
8. THE RISE OF RUSSIA
Ezekiel 38:2,4,8 “Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him. I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords. After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them.”
In order for some end time events to occur Russia will have to be a strong nation with a strong military.
9. RETURN OF RUSSIAN JEWS TO ISRAEL
Jeremiah 23:7-8 “Therefore behold, the days are coming declares the Lord, when they will no longer say, as the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt, but as the Lord lives, who brought up and led back the descendants of the household of Israel from the north land and from all the countries where I have driven them. Then they will live on their own soil.”
In the 1970’s and 1980’s there was a mass exodus of Russian Jews out of Communist Russia. In 1999 the Associated Press reported a dramatic increase in the number of Jewish immigrants from Russia, bringing the largest number of Russian Jews to Israel since the early 1990’s.
10. TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MARK OF THE BEAST
Revelation 13:16-17 “And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.”
On May 10, three members of a family in Florida became the first people to receive the biochip implant. Each device, made of silicon and called a VeriChip, is a small radio transmitter about the size of a piece of rice that is injected under a person’s skin. It transmits a unique personal ID number whenever it is within a few feet of a special receiver unit. VeriChip’s maker describes it as “a miniaturized, implantable, radio frequency identification device (RFID) that can be used in a variety of security, emergency and healthcare applications.”
Is the biochip the mark of the beast to be used by the antichrist? We can’t really know. What is significant is that people are being softened to the idea of a mark or an implant as a means of maintaining security, providing medical information, and regulating a more interdependent world. As attitudes change, fears subside, and people are convinced of the need for such a mark, the true mark of the beast will be easily introduced to the world by the antichrist.
11. PLANS FOR THE ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT
The United Nations, World Trade Organization, International Criminal Court, UN peacekeeping/police force, numerous UN NGO’s, and other agencies are preliminary steps to the formation of a one world government. We now have the communications technology, transportation, and the pro-globalization media necessary to usher in the one world government headed by the antichrist. The increasing terrorist threat and the middle east conflict will only speed up the formation of this governing body as fear and promises of better security make more people willing to give up their national sovereignty for global governance.
12. INSTANT COMMUNICATION AROUND THE WORLD
Revelation 11:3, 7-10 “And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophecy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.”
Television and the 24-hour news networks make it possible for people around the world to see the dead prophets and rejoice at their deaths.
Luke 21:28 “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Luke 21:32 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place.”
October 23, 2005 at 7:26 pm · Filed under General
My children seem to have been blessed with a mom who doesn’t just believe in a birthday “day’. It always somehow stretches into a “birthday month”. They don’t seem to be complaining.
The first celebration Miquel had for turning 16 was basically just the family. Yesterday, we invited a few dozen of his friends for a ‘real’ party.
Some family came, and that was wonderful to have his cousins here. Mike and Steve spent the night prior to party day, and they came in handy to help with the table and such.
Here are Steve, Miquel and Mike posing while we wait for the guests to arrive
After a few snacks and almost everyone had arrived, they took to the basketball courts near our home. The weather wasn’t totally on our side, but that didn’t stop them.
Andrew gave us our first casualty, a jammed finger.
Could have been another casualty here, but I think all was OK
Andrew, Miquel and Wayde switching gears from basketball to football
Andrew at the gate
Mike, Ross and Andrew pose for the camera…pose as what, I don’t know. 
Back at the house, the party of mostly boys put away nearly 4 large pizzas
Our church’s youth pastor, Pastor Caleb “crashes” the party.
Nathan, smiles for the camera (I asked him to)
The room watches Miquel open his presents
Miquel shows a funny card
The lovely Cassi, rather brave to be nearly the only girl amongst all those boys!
Cassi and Miquel
It was a wonderful day. I suppose one of the highlights was Ross singing, “Magical Trevor”
Perhaps I should hold the video for ransom. What will you pay me Ross not to post it here?
October 23, 2005 at 6:31 pm · Filed under News Items
Madonna Secret: “Turn form Wickedness or We’re All Going to Hell”
Now here is someone who is soon going to run out of things to shock us with. So far, all her successes seems to have had an amount of shock attached to it. From her hit “Like a Virgin” all the way to that kiss with Britney, and all the elements of her career in between.
Now she has taken a different approach, letting us all know, we’re going to hell. This from the material girl?
She goes on, “The material world. The physical world. The world of illusion, that we think is real. We live for it, we’re enslaved by it. And it will ultimately be our undoing,” Madonna explains in her new documentary film, “I’M GOING TO TELL YOU A SECRET.” In the movie she says, “”…we are going to go to hell, if they don’t turn from their wicked behavior. I refer to an entity called ‘The Beast’. I feel I am describing the world that we live in right now. To me ‘The Beast’ is the modern world that we live in.”
She also adds, “”Most priests are gay.”
She declares herself to be quite the disciplinarian as a report says that her children are not allowed to watch TV, read magazines, drink milk or eat ice cream.
No ice cream? I don’t know, it just seems a basic childhood right to me.
I personally have never purchased a Madonna CD, I think I just have issues with someone willing to go so far over the top for attention as she does repeatedly. No matter how you feel about her, we all just might have to prepare for her new role, TV Evangelist.
October 21, 2005 at 9:31 pm · Filed under Personal
I have a special man in my life…
He was born 23 years ago today. Happy birthday, my son.
Your mama is so very proud of everything you are.
Enric with Ernie at Sesame Place
Enric at Baltimore Harbor on the tall ship Juan Sebastian De Elcano
Enric and his mama on top of Montserrat, we climbed the last part up.
Enric and Mama one Christmas
Enric and Mama after a Cantata only a few Christmases ago
Now he is grown and married to Miranda, and they are so very happy. He married a mom’s dream woman for her son.
Now and then, there are deep reminders of our wonderful connection we have.
Now and then, there are sweet reminders of a little boy so dearly loved…like a little Ernie figure on a pedastal in his home.
Love you.
Mama
October 20, 2005 at 1:00 pm · Filed under Personal
I went to Sitges, Spain, when I was just 18. Very young. Very alone in a far away place from home. I wrote a very simple poem expressing how it felt.
There have been definate times in my life when I THOUGHT I was far from that alone girl, and could take all the love in my heart and pour it out to someone.
I find myself feeling kinda closer to her now some days, again. So, I dug up the poem to share.
Sitges
I drowned today at the sea
In the waves that were marching in
With thoughts about being free
And the peace I felt within.
I drowned in my thoughts about
Memories that have passed away
Just like the rocks firm and stout
My memories are here to stay.
I drowned in dreams which
Somehow have even come true
The seagulls above with their high pitch
Gave me a sign what I must do.
I drowned in my love which is
Vast and immense as the sea
With so much love to give as this
Who will at last return it to me?
I drowned in my new tears
As fresh and salty as the sea
With thoughts, dreams, and love that no one hears
I know now why drowning must be.
I drowned with the round sun
Drying my continuing tears for me
Turning away, and the day is done
I’ll never forget drowning at the sea.
October 19, 2005 at 6:37 pm · Filed under Personal
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
~Albert Camus
Even though I complain a lot about Maryland weather, while living here, this is the season I live for…
The back yard
Out my front window
Leaves in the pool
October 18, 2005 at 12:14 am · Filed under General
“One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?” “It was great, Dad.”
“Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked.
“Oh yeah,” said the son.
“So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.
The son answered: “I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.”
The boy’s father was speechless.
Then his son added, “Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are.”
October 14, 2005 at 3:29 pm · Filed under Personal
What were you doing New Year’s Eve 1980? Do you remember? I do. I will never forget it.
Christmas before that New Years Eve, I had gone to church as usual, and Lorraine Johnson, a girl near my age, a little younger, came home from college for the holidays and sang a song she had written. She had composed a Christmas song, her own version of “Joy to the World.” She being younger, Lorraine and I didn’t travel in the same exact circles, but we did attend the same church for many years and the same school. I knew her well enough at least to tell her I was very touched by her song, and to invite her to our house for a nice Spanish dinner (Paella), and I boldly asked her to bring her guitar, explaining I hadn’t had enough hearing her just on Sunday morning. To my utter delight, she accepted.
Having no shame, I dragged out the tape recorder (it was the days of cassette tapes), and after dinner, sat her down to play and sing, while I recorded her every note. We had a lovely time, we talked well into the night, and even played some games. The music however, through the years, always filled me in a special place. I played that tape over and over again. The years went by, and I hadn’t seen Lorraine again. I had seen her mom from time to time, and I consoled myself with her angel voice and her wonderful guitar playing, more than the Christmas song being original compositions.
That was 25 years ago nearly, and I have treated that little cassette tape like gold. It has always had a special place in my cassette collection. I remember thinking many times that cassettes were so fragile, they snapped and broke at the least little thing, what if something were ever to happen to it, I would be shattered.
It’s been over a year when I had thought to put that cassette tape into a format that could be preserved. Only thing was I didn’t know how to get it from the cassette player to my computer. After many attempts with a few programs, I gave up for the time, but that cassette tape was always put in a place where I could find it quickly, I hadn’t abandoned my hopes to preserve that music.
Just a few days ago, I managed to figure out how to take the music from that little cassette tape and make a decent recording to my PC. I was so tickled! So happy in fact, I ran to my mom to ask if she had Lorraine’s mom’s phone number, I was going to look up Lorraine immediately. By some miracle, my mom still had the number, and I promptly called her.
I told Lorraine’s mom all about the tape, and she thought Lorraine would be happy to hear from me.
I reached Lorraine’s answering machine the next day, but later that night she phoned me back, and I do believe we chatted till past midnight!
I think she was both pleased and touched how I loved her music so, and how she honored us that night, accepting our humble invitation.
Soon I will send Lorraine her own CD, of her singing and playing all those years ago!
Here’s to holding dear ones in your hearts, and more cheers for reconnecting with them!
October 14, 2005 at 2:10 pm · Filed under News Items
Or is it?
“Ur dumped” — research shows text a popular way of ending romances
Breaking up is supposed to be hard to do, but young Australian couples have found an easy solution - send a text message and move on.
Research shows young romantics are increasingly using SMS text messages to manage, and even end, their relationships.
How so neat, tidy, and civilized.
More HERE
October 11, 2005 at 8:22 pm · Filed under Personal
Well now I find myself in a place I never thought I would be. Podcasting.
This word is not new to me, but sure has popped up a lot since my fellow photographer, BruB, a member at Unique Exposures suggested in our forum to begin a podcast.
For those who are not familiar with the term, “podcasting plays upon the terms broadcasting and webcasting and is derived from the name of the iPod portable music player, the playback device of choice of many early podcast listeners. Podcasting involves the recording of internet radio or similar internet audio programs. These recordings are then made available for download to your iPod or other portable digital audio device. You can listen to the podcast internet radio program while you are away from your computer or at a different time than the original program was broadcast.”
Presently I am now immersed in a world of recording programs, searching for good mics, headphones, testing the equipment with UE members from all over the globe and makng sound checks. Unfortunately, it’s all slow in evolving to an actual podcast!
I am looking forward to the project however, and hopefully soon, Unique Exposures will have its own line up of Podcasts!
October 10, 2005 at 9:32 pm · Filed under Personal
The weekend in pictures.
Going to his favorite restaurant, Famous Daves
Miquel opens presents after dinner.
Went to Dairy Queen for ice cream.
Sunday, Miquel requested his favorite dish of all, Fideus a la Casola
Heather joined us, she liked the dinner!
After dinner naptime.
Ice cream cake!
Showing off his present from his mama, The Ring ring
October 10, 2005 at 3:05 pm · Filed under Personal
Been Ripping more CD’s. This time Rod Stewart, from the 4 CD set called Storyteller
1. Rod Stewart - (I Know) I’m Losing You (5:21)
2. Rod Stewart - Angel (4:06)
3. Rod Stewart - Baby Jane (4:45)
4. Rod Stewart - Can I Get a Witness (3:35)
5. Rod Stewart - Country Comforts (4:45)
6. Rod Stewart - Crazy About Her (4:55)
7. Rod Stewart - Cut Across Shorty.mp3
8. Rod Stewart - Do Ya Think I’m Sexy-.mp3
9. Rod Stewart - Downtown Train.mp3
10. Rod Stewart - Dynamite.mp3
11. Rod Stewart - Every Beat of My Heart.mp3
12. Rod Stewart - Every Picture Tells a Story.mp3
13. Rod Stewart - Forever Young.mp3
14. Rod Stewart - Gasoline Alley.mp3
15. Rod Stewart - Get Back.mp3
16. Rod Stewart - Good Morning Little Schoolgirl.mp3
17. Rod Stewart - Had Me a Real Good Time.mp3
18. Rod Stewart - Handbags and Gladrags.mp3
19. Rod Stewart - Hot Legs.mp3
20. Rod Stewart - I Ain’t Superstitious.mp3
21. Rod Stewart - I Don’t Want to Talk About It.mp3
22. Rod Stewart - I Was Only Joking.mp3
23. Rod Stewart - I’d Rather Go Blind.mp3
24. Rod Stewart - I’ve Been Drinking.mp3
25. Rod Stewart - In a Broken Dream.mp3
26. Rod Stewart - Infatuation.mp3
27. Rod Stewart - It’s All Over Now.mp3
28. Rod Stewart - Let Me Be Your Car.mp3
29. Rod Stewart - Little Miss Understood.mp3
30. Rod Stewart - Lost in You.mp3
31. Rod Stewart - Love Touch.mp3
32. Rod Stewart - Maggie May.mp3
33. Rod Stewart - Mandolin Wind.mp3
34. Rod Stewart - My Heart Can’t Tell You No.mp3
35. Rod Stewart - Oh God, I Wish I Was Home Tonight.mp3
36. Rod Stewart - Oh No, Not My Baby.mp3
37. Rod Stewart - Passion.mp3
38. Rod Stewart - People Get Ready.mp3
39. Rod Stewart - Pinball Wizard.mp3
40. Rod Stewart - Reason to Believe.mp3
41. Rod Stewart - Sailing.mp3
42. Rod Stewart - Shake.mp3
43. Rod Stewart - Shapes of Things.mp3
44. Rod Stewart - So Much to Say.mp3
45. Rod Stewart - Some Guys Have All the Luck.mp3
46. Rod Stewart - Stay With Me.mp3
47. Rod Stewart - Stone Cold Sober.mp3
48. Rod Stewart - Street Fighting Man.mp3
49. Rod Stewart - Sweet Lady Mary.mp3
50. Rod Stewart - The First Cut Is the Deepest.mp3
51. Rod Stewart - The Killing of Georgie, Pts. 1 & 2 (6:27)
52. Rod Stewart - This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You) (4:12)
53. Rod Stewart - To Love Somebody (4:31)
54. Rod Stewart - Tonight I’m Yours (4:11)
55. Rod Stewart - Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright) (3:56)
56. Rod Stewart - True Blue (3:34)
57. Rod Stewart - Twistin’ the Night Away (3:15)
58. Rod Stewart - What Am I Gonna Do (I’m So in Love With You) (4:19)
59. Rod Stewart - What’s Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made a Loser Out of Me) (2:53)
60. Rod Stewart - You Can Make Me Dance, Sing or Anything.mp3
61. Rod Stewart - You Wear It Well.mp3
62. Rod Stewart - You’re in My Heart (The Final Acclaim).mp3
63. Rod Stewart - Young Turks.mp3
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