The Toucan's Beak

BLOG 14 ...: A Judge Who Always Does What Is Right Part III

Continued…..
So, was Abraham correct in the things he said?? Yes and no. he was mistaken in suggesting that there were at least ten righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah. But he was certainly right in saying that God would never sweep away the righteous with the wicked. When God later destroyed those wicked cities, righteous lot and his two daughters escaped with angelic help. What does this account teach us about Jehovah God? By informing Abraham of his intention to inspect the cities, Jehovah had, in effect, invited the dialogue. Then he listened patiently as his friend Abraham expressed the concerns of his heart. How beautifully this teaches us that Jehovah God is a humble God, who dignifies and honors his earthly servants! Clearly, we have every reason to place our complete trust in Jehovah God, the Judge who always does what is right.

BLOG 13 ...: A Judge Who Always Does What Is Right Part II

. . . This is the continuation of blog post #12
By the fact that Abraham kept asking Jehovah the number of people in which Jehovah would retain his wrath against Sodom and Gomorrah would raise the question: Was Abraham arguing with Jehovah? Of course not! That would have been the height of arrogance. While reading the account, Abraham’s tone reflected due reverence and humility. He referred to himself as mere dust and ashes. Four times he respectfully said “please”. Further more, Abraham’s words revealed his confidence in Jehovah’s fairness. The idea that God would destroy the righteous along with the wicked would be, and is, unthinkable. Abraham said this not once but twice. The faithful patriarch voiced his convection that the judge of all the earth would do what is right in all situations. This is clear when reading Genesis 18:25 and quotes “And it is unthinkable of you that you are acting in this manner to put to death the righteous men with the wicked one so that it has to occur with the righteous men as it does with the wicked! It is unthinkable of you. Is the Judge of all the earth not going to do what is right?” Now, was Abraham correct in the things he said??? . . . To be continued.

BLOG 12 ...: A Judge Who Always Does What Is Right Part I

Justice. Fairness. Impartiality. Are you not drawn to such noble attributes. We humans have an innate need to be treated fairly. Sadly, justice often proves to be elusive in today’s world. There is, however, a Judge who deserves our trust- Jehovah God. He always does what is right. This made clear in a conversation that took place between Jehovah God and Abraham. Here is a summary of the account and article that went hand in hand with the explanation of Gods Justice. When Jehovah told Abraham of His decision to investigate conditions in Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham feared for the safety of any righteous people living there, including his nephew Lot. Abraham implored Jehovah: “ Will you really sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous men in the midst of the city. Will you, then, . . . not pardon the place for the fifty righteous who are inside of it?” (Genesis 18:23, 24). God said that he would spare the cities if just 50 righteous men were there. Abraham pleaded with Jehovah five more times, gradually reducing the number until it was down to ten. Each time, God said he would not bring the cities to ruin if that many righteous men were there. The next blog will continue… :)

BLOG 11...: The Toucan's Beak

A poor flier, the toucan of Central and South America moves about primarily by hopping. The sound produced by some species is similar to that of a frog, but it is louder. In fact, it could be heard up to half a mile away in the jungle. Perhaps what amazes the scientists most about the toucan, though, is its beak. The beak on some toucans is aver a third of the bird’s length. It looks heavy but it is not. The surface is made of keratin, the same material in finger nails and hair. It is actually many layers of tiny hexagonal plates, overlapping like shingles on a roof. The consistency of the toucan’s beak has been compared to that of a hard sponge. Some parts of it are hallow, while other parts are made up of beams and membranes. The result is a lightweight beak that has astounding strength. It’s almost as if the toucan has a deep knowledge of mechanical engineering. The construction of the toucan’s beak enables the bird to absorb high impacts. Scientists believe that the beak can serve as a model engineers in the aviation and automotive industries. Panels that mimic toucan beaks may offer better protection to motorists involved in crashes.

BLOG 10...: Life How Did It Get Here??

I read that in the country of Estonia, directors of schools were approached by a group of people and showed the book Life how did it get here? By evolution or by creation? Various teachers visited all the Russian- language schools in their city to offer this 200 and some page book. Each school accepted at least one book for each of their biology teachers, but most schools asked for between 15 and 50 books. The director of one school wrote in an application expressing how impressed they were by the clear scientific basis for the instruments made in support of creation, the book’s objective and how beautiful it was illustrated, scientifically wise. They were eagerly looking forward to using the books in class. So in May of 2008 they returned to some if the schools they had placed the book with. To their surprise the biology classes had increased in grades and understanding of creation.

BLOG 9...: Are Your Problems A Punishment From God?? Part II

In the rest of the article it talked about the realization that most of our problems are the result of time and unforeseen occurrence. To what extend we are personally affected is often a matter of timing and circumstances, over which we may have little or no control. Does this mean, then, that we will always be plagued with adversity? All adversity soon to end. Happily, God will bring an end to all adversity very soon. In the meantime, he shows that he really cares for us by providing instruction and comfort from the Scriptures so that we can cope with the trials now as we look forward to that wonderful future just ahead. At that time, those who are upright in God’s eyes will enjoy unending life in a new world free from every form of adversity, which is promised as Psalms 37: 29, 37: “the righteous themselves will posses the earth, and they will reside forever upon it. Watch the blameless one and keep the upright one in sight. For the future of that man will be peaceful.”

BLOG 8...: Are Your Problems A Punishment From God??

I read an article that raised the question, are your problems a punishment from God? The article pointed out that when faced with adversity, many people feel that God is punishing them for some past wrong. Overwhelmed by a sudden avalanche of problems, they may be heard to lament: “why me? What have I done to deserve this?” should we conclude that our problems are an indication of divine disapproval? Are personal adversities really a punishment from God? Consider what the Bible reports about a man named Job. Without warning, he suddenly lost his wealth. Next, all ten of his children were killed in a windstorm. Soon, thereafter, he was struck with a debilitating, loathsome disease. Such adversaries led Job to cry out: “ The hand of God has struck me down.” Evidently, like many today, Job felt that God was punishing him. However, the Bible reveals that before Job’s trials began, God himself had described Job as a blameless and upright, fearing man of God, someone who turned aside from bad. So, because Job had divine approval, his problems were not a punishment from God. The Bible shows that Satan the Devil was the cause of Job’s tragedies. Furthermore, it identifies Satan as the chief source of our problems today when it states: “ Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devils has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time.” (Revelation 12:12)

BLOG 7...: The Spanish Armada Part III

The next part of the reading pointed the huge but unwieldy fleet. Philip appointed the Duke of Medina-Sidonia to command the Armada. Although the duke had little naval experience, he was a efficient organizer who quickly won the cooperation of his veteran captains. Together they fashioned a fighting force and provisioned the huge fleet as best as they could. They meticulously laid out their signals, sailing orders, and formations that would unify their multinational force. The 130 ships, nearly 2,000 soldiers and 8,000 sailors made up the Armada finally left Lisbon harbor on May 29, 1588. But adverse winds and a storm obligated them to stop at La Coruna, in northwestern Spain, for repairs and more supplies. Concerned about insufficient provisions and sickness among his men, the Duke Of Medina-Sidonia frankly wrote to the king concerning his misgivings about the whole enterprise. But Philip insisted that his admiral adhere to the plan. So the unwieldy fleet continued its voyage and finally reached the English Channel two months after leaving Lisbon.

BLOG 6...: The Spanish Armada Part II

The last question that was answer from the reading was, what was the objective of the Spanish Armada? Well, English pirates had plundered Spanish ships for years and England’s Queen Elizabeth actively supported the Dutch rebellion against the Spanish rule. In addition, Catholic Philip felt duty-bond to help English Catholics rid their country of the growing Protestant “heresy.” To the end, the Armada carried some 180 priests and religious adversaries. Even as the crew of the Armada assembled, each man had to confess his sin to a priest and receive Communion. The religious mood of Spain and of its king was personified by the eminent Spanish Jesuit Pedro de Ribadeneyra, who said: “God our Lord, whose cause and most holy faith we are defending, will go before us- and with such a captain we have nothing to fear.” as for the English, they hoped that a decisive victory would pace the way for Protestant ideal to sweep across Europe. The Spanish king’s invasion plan seemed straightforward. He instructed the Armada to sail up the English Channel and pick up the Duke of Parma and his 30,000 veteran soldiers stationed in Flanders which was part of the Spanish Netherlands. The combined forces would then cross the Channel, land on the Essex coast, and march on London. Philip assumed that English Catholics would abandon their Protestant queen and swell the ranks of his army.
Philip’s scheme, however, had serious flaws. While he presumed to have the backing of divine providence, he overlooked two main obstacles- the strength of the English navy and the difficulty of picking up the Duke of Parma’s troops without a suitable deepwater port where they could meet.

BLOG 5...: The Spanish Armada

I read a bout the Spanish Armada. Over 4 centuries ago, two fleets fought in the narrow waters of the English Channel. The battle pitched Protestants against Catholics and was part of the 16th century struggle between the armies of protestant Queen Elizabeth I of England and Roman Catholic King Philip II of Spain. To them the clash of the English and Spanish fleets in the channel was a final struggle to the death between the forces of light and the forces of darkness. English observers of the time described the Spanish Armada, or great fleet, as the largest naval force they had ever seen on the open seas. But the expedition the Armada was on proves to be a tragic mistake- especially for the many thousands who lost their lives. What was their objective and why did the Spanish Armada fail? The next blog will tell answer the question.

BLOG 4...: The Gecko

Scientist are awed by the gecko’s ability to scale smooth surfaces- even skittering across a smooth ceiling- without slipping! How does this amazing little lizard do it? The gecko’s feet do indeed resemble hands, and they grasp smooth surface with amazing agility. Each toe contains ridges of that have thousands of hairlike protrusions. Each protrusions, in turn, has hundreds of microscopic filaments. The molecular forces that emanate from these filaments are sufficient to hold the lizard’s weight- even when its scurrying upside down along a glass surface. Researchers want to make adhesive that, like the gecko’s feet, will cling to smooth surfaces. Among other uses, this could have a variety of medical applications, from bandages that stay put when wet to a tape alternative to surgical sutures. Scientists are also analyzing the protein that is secreted from muscles, which gives these underwater creatures the ability to cling to wet surfaces.

BLOG 3...: Facing the Lion Part 2

Continuing on the story of Simone Arnold Liebster. This book continues to explain in deep detail the lives of those children who were separated from their parents and sent to Nazi reform schools during war years. The children who were not involved in a Nazi organization were to be found guilty if immoral and dishonorable behavior. All sort of political authority believed that Jehovah’s Witnesses who were parents were of bad influence to their children and considered to be dangerous. As Simone was expelled from her school after being subjected to physical and psychological brutality to conform, at the age of 12 she was taken from her mother’s custody and transferred to the Wessenberg Erziehungsanstalt reform school in Germany. So, throughout the book she has to put up this fight to maintain whatever normality she could possible keep in a physical and psychological sense. In the end, Simone Arnold Liebster’s story taught me to have hope, strength and courage. This book brings out her courage in fighting the true fight for her social and religious values.

BLOG 2...: Facing the Lion Part 1

I started a book called Facing The Lion. The author of such book is Simone Arnold Liebster. This is the life story of a young girl in Nazi Europe who had to deal with the religious oppression. When she was born, she was involved in the Catholic faith. Throughout her story she transmit’s a message of her personal search for faith and identity which creates friction in the political and social activities of the time. In 1938, her mother converted to the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Despite family opposition, her dad got baptized and in time Simone followed her parents example, by being baptized in 1941. By 1940, in France, the German government had taken control. Almost immediately, the Germans established their political and social values, which excluded the so called “undesirables”. This included the Jehovah’s Witnesses. After her father was arrested for his believes, her mother and Simone faced harsh economic status. For the next 2 years, her and her mother did small jobs in exchange for food. During that time, Simone’s father was put in a concentration camp for individuals who would damage the reputation of the German authority. Jehovah’s Witnesses were categorized in such manner because their religion did not allow them to render unconditional obedience to the government. After 1941, Simone became physically and mentally intimidated at her school. When the children of Jehovah’s Witnesses refused to enroll in the Hitler Youth group, the League of German Girls or to follow the rules of the Nazi’s social and political behavior, school officials took the parental custody and sent them to Nazi homes and juvenile institutions. To this, more than 500 minor Jehovah’s Witnesses children were separated from their parents. Simone was one of them.

2ND QUARTER

BLOG 1...: 2 Universal Questions

This week going through some of my papers I thought of writing this paragraph on 2 questions that are considered universal. One of them is: Will war and suffering ever end? What happens to us when we die? So, many people have wondered why the question arises. Well, as war continues to claim untold numbers of human lives. All of us have been touched by human suffering. In the bible, God foretells a time when he will establish peace earth wide. Under his kingdom, a heavenly government, people will not “learn war any more.” Instead, they will “bear their swords into plowshares.” (Isaiah 2:4) God will bring an end to all injustice and suffering. The Bible: “[God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things [including today’s injustices and sufferings] have passed away.”- Revelation 21:3,4. The second question arises because most of the worlds religions teach that something inside a person continues living after death. Some hold that the dead can harm the living or that God punishes the wicked by condemning them to eternal torment in a fiery hell. The Bible teaches that at death, humans cease to exist. “The dead… are conscious of nothing at all,” states Ecclesiastes 9:5. Since the dead cannot know, feel, or experience anything, they cannot harm- or help- the living.- Psalms 146:3’4.

The Plight Of The Shark

Its interesting how terrified people are of sharks. When, interesting enough, we don’t stop and think of how terrified the sharks are of us. Why can we say so? Conversely, the shark is under attack by man. Each year 100 million sharks are being caught. They are so many that if we put each one from nose to tail, they can circle the earth 5 times! Its not just their death rates that is scary, but its their low birth rates, slowness in maturing, and long gestation as well. Let us not forget the pollution of their nursery grounds. All this adds to the sharks rapidly declining population. Once depleted, it would take years for it to replace itself. The majority of sharks are captured for their fins, which are highly prized by some Asians for their supposed medicinal and aphrodisiac properties. Shark-fin soup is an expensive delicacy that can cost up to $150 a bowl! Supply the lucrative Asian market has led to the cruel and wasteful practice of “fining”- slicing off fins of a life shark and throwing it back into the ocean to die of starvation or drowning. Shark fishing is unregulated in many countries. But, because the government has considered this problem as a major issue, they decided to take some action. So, after a ten year debate, Mexico, a major shark-fishing nation, where over 30,000 tons a year are harvested, recently passed a law prohibiting shark fishing. In other countries it has been banned. Still, some people keep murdering these amazing animals. Organizations have asked the government for more to be done, as far as laws go. This amazing, sea monster will not be here for the next generation if we don’t do anything about it. Please, I beg to stop the murder of sharks.

A Voice Of The "Eternal City"

The sight an sound of Rome’s many fountains moved Italian composer Ottorino Respighi to compose a suite entitled “ The Fountains of Rome”. One of the most stunning examples is the Trevi Fountain. When walking down a narrow street that leads to the fountain and turn a corner, we are greeted by a sight that takes our breath away. It is the huge Trevi Fountain. It is 65 feet wide and 85 feet high. This fountain was commissioned by Pope Clement XII and designed by Italian architect Niccolo Salvi. Construction was started in 1732 and completed in 1762. The fountain is fed by the first century Aqua Virgo aqueduct, which begins eight miles from the city. The theme of the fountain, which is built against the facade of a palace is the sea. The mythical figure Oceanus stands in his shell shaped chariot, controlling the flood that cascades beneath him. As water gushes around the other figures and tumbles over the rocks below. This produces the sound of waves crashing against the shore. Every day hundreds of visitors pour into the tiny square and toss coins into what is Rome’s largest tourist attraction. Once a week, the fountain is drained. The money left by tourists adds to an average of $11,000 a week. This is then collected and donate it to a religious charity. If, as Respighi believed, the fountains sing with the voice of the city, then the Trevi Fountain stands out as a soloist. This an exceptional among the many fountains that are admired by visitors to Rome, the so-called Eternal City.

The Beetle's Pressure-Spray System

As I was looking through a magazine I came across this article called, “ The Beetle’s Pressure- Spray System. This article mentioned that, though, less than an inch in length, the beetle is noted for its unique defense mechanism. When the beetle is threatened the insect sprays boiling, foul-smelling liquid and steam from its posterior, warding off spiders, birds, and even frogs. How can it do so? The beetle is equipped with a pair of glands which open at the tip of its abdomen. Each of these has a reservoir that stores an acidic compound and hydrogen peroxide as well as a reaction chamber filled with enzymes dissolved in water. To protect itself, the insect can squeeze the solution from the reservoirs into the reaction chambers to trigger a chemical reaction. As a result, noxious chemicals, water and steam- at a temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit- are sprayed onto an attacker. The chambers are less than a sixteenth of an inch long. Yet, the beetle can change the speed, direction, and consistency of this toxic spray. Researchers have studied the bombardier beetle to learn how to develop more effective and ecologically-sound mist systems. They have discovered that the beetle not only uses one-way inlet valves to allow chemicals into the reaction chambers but, also, has a pressure-relief valve to expel them. Engineers hope to use spray technology base on the bombardier beetle in car engines and fire extinguishers, as well as in medical drug-delivery thingies, such as inhalers. Scientist have not truly appreciated this small insect as much as they do now, because they have been able to learn many things and mostly to a commoners interest.

What Is The Meaning Of A Rainbow?

This time a read a following article after the flood of Noah. Once the waters were dried up and Noah got out. The first thing Noah did was that he made an offering or a gift to God. Noah offered this gift to God to thank him for saving him and his family. Jehovah accepted Noah’s gift. He, also, promised that He would never again destroy the world by a flood. So, when Noah and his family began a new life outside the ark, God blessed them and told them, “ you must have many children. You must increase in numbers until people live all over the earth.” But later, when people would hear about the great flood, they might be afraid that a flood like such would happen again. In consequence, Jehovah God gave something that would remind people of his promise, to never again flood the earth. What God gave to them, as well as us, was a rainbow. This is happens right after a drizzle or a heavy rain, once the sun shines forth and light passes through the water drops. Acting as a spectrum they diffuse light, and making 7 different colors appear. This is what God said: “I promise that never again will all people and animals be destroyed by a flood. I am putting my rainbow in the clouds. And when the rainbow appears, I will see it and remember this promise of mine.” Yes, God promised never to flood the whole earth again.

What Did Jesus Teach About Hell?

“ If your eye causes you to sin, get ride of it. You would be better off to go into God’s kingdom with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell. The warms never die and the fire never stops burning.” - Mark 9: 47,48, Contemporary English Version.
At fist glance to these words seem to promote the teaching of hellfire. Though, Jesus did not mean to contradict God’s Word which clearly states: “ The dead no longer know anything.” Ecclesiastes 9:5, NAB. To then what, was then, Jesus referring to when he spoke of a person being thrown into hell? Well, the original Greek word translated “hell” is Geenna. This word comes from the Hebrew Geh Hinnom’ which means “Valley of Hinnom”. This valley was located outside of Jerusalem. In the days of the Israelite Kings, it was used for child sacrifice- a gross and unapproved practice condemned by God. This valley was later called “the valley of slaughter,” where “the carcases of this people” would lie unburied. Jehovah God foretold that this place would become a place, not for the torture of live victims, but rather, for the mass disposal of dead bodies. In Jesus’ day, the inhabitants of Jerusalem used the Valley of Hinnom as a garbage dump. They threw the bodies of some vile criminals into this dump and kept a fire constantly burning there to dispose of the reuse and carcasses.
When Jesus spoke of the undying worms and unquenchable fire, he was apparently referring to 66:24. Regarding “the carcases of the men that have transgressed against God,” and “ their worms shall not die neither shall their fire be quenched. Therefore, Jesus used the Valley of Hinnom or Gehenna, as a symbol of death without the hope of a resurrection. In conclusion, Gehenna or hell is a symbol of eternal death, not eternal torture.

The Importance of Obedience

This past week I read an article about man that lived may years ago. His name was Enoch. In the beginning, as the number of people began increasing on the earth, most of them did bad things. But this man different. Enoch was a brave man. The people all around him were doing very bad things, nut Enoch remained faithful to God. The people back then were doing bad things because their heart had that inclination. An inclination which became much more strong once Adam and Eve sinned, by disobeying God and eating the fruit from the tree. Through this action God’s biggest enemy started the spark of disobedience, which leads to people doing vial things most of the time. So, Satan wants us to be bad and gain God’s disapproval. One day Jehovah God had Enoch tell the people something they did not want to hear. It was this: “God is someday going to destroy all the bad people.” The people were probably very angry to hear this. They may have tried to kill Enoch. So Enoch had to be very brave to tell the people about what God was going to do. Enoch lived to be only 365 years old. This was relatively a short life expand because men in those days were much stronger than now and lived much longer. For instance, Enoch’s son Methuselah lived to be 969 years old! After Enoch died the people became much worse. The Bible says that “ everything they thought was bad all the time”. God let some time pass by. Soon, He couldn’t take it anymore. that’s when he brought the flood. And only Noah and his family were saved because of their obedience. This account taught me of the importance of obedience.

What Will Happen If We Die?

Its interesting how people read about something we know. But then, as we read, we learn something that we did not know. For instance, I read an article about death. We all know that people today get sick, grow old, and die. Some even die as children. But, should we really be afraid of dying? As we know, nobody living today has been dead. Or otherwise they would be able to tell us about their past life or their time in death. For, if we have lived more than twice, shouldn’t we remember our past life in order that we may not make the same mistakes more than twice? But when Jesus was on earth there was a man that died and then got to live again. The man was one of Jesus’ friends who lived in Bethany, a small town not far from Jerusalem. His name was Lazarus. One day Lazarus got very sick. Jesus was far from the place. So, Martha and Mary send a messenger to tell Jesus that their brother is sick. They call for Jesus because they know that God gives him the power to cure and resurrect. Before Jesus arrives, Lazarus dies. But, Jesus tells his disciples that Lazarus is sleeping. His disciples don’t understand why it is a big deal that Lazarus is sleeping. So Jesus clarifies and he tells them that he has died. This is something I already knew. Rather, the moral of the account is that Jesus referred to death as sleep. So what happens to us when we die? Its NOT simple to accept this. But when we die we just go into a deep sleep in which no one can wake us up from. Yet, the only one that ca do this is God. He who gave Jesus the power to do as such.

Awesome Turtle

An Amazing Union In The Soil

Today I read about an amazing union in the soil. So, nitrogen is essential for the plant growth and reproduction. But the gas has to be converted into compounds such as ammonia before vegetation can make use of it. Legumes solve this problems by working in close partnership with bacteria called rhizobia. Such a mutually beneficial union between unlike organisms is called symbiosis. By means of a special chemical, the legume attracts the bacteria to its roots, which the bacteria then enter. Although the bacteria and the plant are members of two separate kingdoms, they work together to construct what is essentially a new organ: a fully operation nitrogen-fixing root nodule. Inside the nodule, their new home and workshop, the bacteria get to work. Their main tool is a special enzyme- a form of protein called nitrogenase- which they use to fix nitrogen capture from their pockets in the soil. The planet’s entire supply of nitrogenase could fit into a single large bucket. So every molecule counts! But there is a problem. The enzyme is ruined by oxygen. The solution? The legume produces a special substance that snatches potentially harmful oxygen away. A membrane around the nodule controls the exchange of ammonia, sugars, and other nutrients between microbe and plant. Like all plants, legumes eventually die. When they do, the ammonia stays in the soil. Thus, legumes have rightly been dubbed “green manure.” As we can see, this is another evidence of a great design, constructed by an intelligent creator.

Why Do We Suffer?

There is an intriguing question. Why does God allow suffering? Many people wonder, if God is all loving, wise, and just why is the world suffering? As a tragedy strikes, individuals go to their religious leaders for comfort. Rather, they get less comforted. Because they say that it is God’s will. So, is it God’s will that some live paralyzed, speechless, deaf, blind or lame? No. God never causes what is bad. “ Far be it from the true God to act wickedly, and the Almighty to act unjustly!” (Job 34:10). Rather, the issue is traced back to the very beginning. At the beginning, there was a question raised. When Satan led Adam and Eve into disobeying Jehovah, an important was raised. Satan did not call into question Jehovah’s power. Rather, he questioned God’s right to rule. He implied that humankind would be better off without God’s rulership. Once Adam and Eve rebelled, they automatically demonstrated that they could live without Jehovah as their ruler. How could Jehovah settle the issue? One thing to keep in mind is that all of his intelligent creatures were called angels, were watching very attentively. How would God teach all intelligent creatures that the rebels were wrong and that His way is truly the best? Some say that God should have destroyed them. But what would the other millions or angles have thought. Maybe that the rebels were right and that Jehovah might be afraid and that’s why he destroyed them. Besides, the question would have not been answered. How did He respond? He has allowed Satan to show how he would rule mankind. God’s has also allowed humans to govern themselves under Satan’s guidance. Today, Satan is trying to prove that we can govern ourselves. He is trying all kinds of strategies. None of them work for we still see wars, sickness, diseases, death. All of which contribute to our suffering. This is why we suffer, because we are not governed by the right person, Jehovah God.

The Milk Bypass

People see a cow feeding her young. Some marvel at this. Others see it as just a young calve feeding herself.
So, in the case of the ruminants such as lambs, kids and calves. There is much more involved in the feeding of the themselves. Its also the process of which it goes. Cows have a 4- chambered stomach for the multiple processes needed to digest grass and forage. But, because only newborns feed only on milk, which does not need all those processes of digestion. So, when the newborn suckles, a special bypass tunnel opens to allow the milk to go directly to the lads chamber. If the milk finds its way to the first chamber, called the rumen is where hard-to-digest food is broken down by bacterial fermentation. Fermenting milk produces gas that the newborns cannot eliminate. However, when young ruminants drink milk, whether from the nipple or a bucket, a reflex action snaps shut the entryway to the rumen. Remarkably, something different happens when a newborn drinks water. It needs plenty of water in its rumen so that the bacteria and microbes there can multiply, ready for when youngster begins to live on forage. Although milk goes directly to the stomach’s final chamber, plain water enters the rumen. The calf’s amazing bypass is for milk only! So, think about it. Did the milk bypass come about by chance? Or is it the work of an intelligent Creator?

A Silent Voice That Can Be Heard

I read an article about a girl named Hilary. At her second year of age she developed an unusual hand movements constant rhythm of her hands back and forth to her mouth. She would do this mostly non stop. She, also, developed some breathing abnormalities. For instance, she would sometimes hold her breath until her lips turned purple and hyperventilating. These were some symptoms of seizures. So her mom tried seizure medication but this didn’t help. Rather, it made it worse. From there, they decided to open up to other treatments. Nothing provided a diagnosis, much less a cure. At last their mystery was solved. When she was 5 a friend of the mom had read an article of a syndrome called the Rett Syndrome, or RS. She noticed that Hilary experienced some of the syndromes. So the friend sent the article to Hilary’s mom. After that, they went to see a different neurologist. One who had experience in the field. In the 90s researchers found that this was a genetic disorder. Since it was identified mainly in girls. RS has to be identified mostly by the symptoms. And Hilary had most of them. She had Rett Syndrome. RS occurs in 1 out of 10,000 or 15,000 girls. Yet, there was no known cure nor any specific treatment for it. The fundamental handicap in RS is called the apraxia. The Rett Syndrome Handbook defines it as such: “ Apraxia is the inability to coordinate thought or movement. It is the most fundamental handicap seen in RS, and involves all body movements, including speech and eye gaze. While the Rett Syndrome girl does not loose the ability to move the body, she looses the ability to tell the body how and when to move. She may have the desire and the will to move, but is incapable of carrying the movement through .” Hilary lost her ability to speak and walk. The symptoms of Rett Syndrome are as such:
Decreasing head growth from 4 months to 5 years of age.
Loss of the ability to use hands functionally.
Loss of the ability to speak.
Repetitive hand movement, such as clapping tapping or wringing. Individuals with RS, often move their hands in a characteristic “washing” motion and/ or repeatedly put their hands into their mouths.
If the child is able to walk, movements is stiff, with the legs wide apart. As the child gets older, moving and walking may become very difficult.
Unusual breathing patterns: either holding the breath or over breathing.
Seizures affect the behavior and movements. The seizures themselves aren’t usually harmful.
Scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, may cause the child to lean to either side or toward the front.
Some girls frequently grind their teeth.
Foot size is small, and poor circulation may make the feet very cold and or swollen.
Girls are usually small for their age in both height and weight. They may also be irritable and have trouble sleeping, have difficulty swallowing, and/or tremble and shame when upset or scared.
Recently it was discovered that it is a gene that switches off the gene that they are no longer needed. Hilary is now 20 years old and she is totally depended on others to feed her, cloth her, bathe her and change her diapers. She weights only 100 pounds. Her mother and her sister found hope, and look forward to God’s Kingdom arrangement. Where the “tongue of the speechless one will cry out in gladness” (Isaiah 35:6).

How To Spend Your Money

An article that I read was about money matters. This article provided good tips on how youth could spend their money wisely. For instance, realizing the basic necessities in life really helps in saving money. Yet not just realizing it but not over spending money frequently. It also gave the advice to keep track of your purchases so that you don’t get charged with the things which you did not purchase. Paying your credit bill fully or in big payments as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could end up being charged as much as twice of what you spent due to interest rates. One of the most important things is, do not spend what you don’t have even when using a credit card.

Why We Should Forgive

Has anyone ever done something meant to you? Should you treat them the same way back?
Its our tendency to get even with a person. Yet, Jesus taught us to forgive.“ and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). Actually, one of his apostle, Peter, wanted to know how many times we should forgive. To this Jesus responded that even up to 77 times. True, we are not going to keep track of how many times we forgive people. Yet, Jesus meant that we forgive as many times as needed. Its going to be hard to forgive at times, but its worth it. Why? Because we live with a clean conscience and a pure heart. We don’t hold any resentments. Thus, we carry a happy heart. One free from any malevolence and hatred. Learning to forgive is one of the things that is worth doing. Then, we don’t have to carry a grudge. We are, then, clean of conscience.

Bubble Map

Codi and Hallie

Codi and Hallie
In the book animal dreams Codi and Hallie two good sisters who are unique and similar at the same time. Codi is dependent on Hallie to help her with her troubles in life. For example when she was writing to Hallie, Codi asked her for help on how to teach her class. Codi could be said that she is secretive too. Why would we say so? Well, when she got pregnant she kept it to herself for many years. Now, Hallie is different than Codi. How so? In contrast with Codi she goes out of her way to help people. That’s why she went to Nicaragua to help the people there with agriculture. In doing this, she also, shows that she is an independent person. She doesn’t rely on anyone to help her, yet Codi relies on her to help her. At the same time she is prettier than Codi. How do we know that? At the beginning of the book Codi told us that boys used her to get to Hallie. At this, we know that Hallie is prettier than Codi. There are, though, some similarities between Codi and Hallie. They are both tall, different heights but still tall. They both like to travel too. Because, Codi has traveled to Minnesota, Crete and Tucson, before she goes back to Grace. And Hallie traveled all the way to Nicaragua. Another, similarity is: they are both intelligent. Codi is intelligent because she is a biology teacher. And, Hallie went to Nicaragua to teach the people about agriculture. In the end, these 2 characters are similar and different in their own unique way.

I Read...

I read a part of a book that dealt with the Bible prophecies. This part of the book helps us to put trust in God’s promises. Like it took, for example, the city of Nineveh. This city was known for its cruelty and great power. But, God saw that they were wicked. These people would skin their victims alive and they would cut their body parts and sacrifice them alive. So, He sent the prophet Nahum to tell them to turn away from their bad course. If they didn’t listen then God told them, “ Nineveh…, a sword will cut you off… There is no relief for your catastrophe.” They did listen and they stopped practicing this cruelty. Yet, as the time went by they came back to their old ways. At this, in 632 B.C.E the Babylonians, Scythians and Medes besieged Nineveh. The floods destroyed its great walls. Making it easier for the enemies to attack them. So, in the end I learned that God keeps his promises. Therefore, we can fully trust that His word will not return to Him without results.

Me!!!!!!

My name is Stephany. I like to talk about anything^_^! Some of my hobbies are hanging out with my peeps and listening to music!

Wisdom

Wise
I consider myself wise. Why? I’m not really sure, but I know that I am. One of the reasons for my thinking this is mainly because I try to do the things according to God’s will. By doing this I do it with the wisdom from above. And this has been the most beneficial guidance that I’ve found. An example of such would be when I had to take a decision on whether I should give into peer pressure and smoke a cigarette. It might seem like an obvious decision, but with the peer pressure I founded to be confusing and hard to deny it. So, I took in consideration the advice found in the Bible where it said not to contaminate my body. In the end I rejected the cigarette. Now, as I think about it and I see how much money people spend on cigarettes and their medical bills, I am truly convinced that my decision was one of the wisest. My second reason is that while conversing with people they bring out that I have made some wise decisions throughout my life. For example, one of my best friends pointed out my wise decision in not taking too many weighty classes for I wouldn’t be able to balance myself and eventually become weary. At that point it was possible for me to fail not just one but all of my classes. Now, as I take my time with regular classes, I have found to enjoy my life much more while truly learning and applying the lessons taught. In the end, this is one of the my characteristics that truly makes me who I am.