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Unlike last month's turkey (or tofurkey) fest, the December holidays are more about the larder than the dinner table. This is the season of the cocktail party, the buffet, of late-afternoon teatimes and hot toddies, steamy mugs of something sweet to take the chill off. And best of all, fruitcake.
Oh, you laugh. But not when you take a bite of June Taylor's handmade Christmas cake, made for this time of year and wrapped in thick letterpress-printed paper. Taylor, who is English and thus has a good-fruitcake gene that most Americans lack, is best known for her stupendous jams, but at this time of year her elegant, moist little cakes are reason enough to track her down at the Saturday morning Ferry Plaza market in San Francisco. (They're also available for ordering online, and wouldn't I just love anyone who handed over the $33, plus shipping, to send me one.)
Back when I lived in Bay Area, I always paid with the virtuous feeling that I was buying a gift for someone else. Then I would get home and remember how almost everyone I knew recoiled in green-cherry horror from the very idea of fruitcake. And then one day in mid-December, on a chilly late afternoon after a long walk, when there were presents to wrap and cards to address, the cinnamon-and-orange spiked tea would be scooped from its tin and the brandy-soaked cheesecloth around the fruitcake peeled off. And steaming cup in hand, the nostalgic flavors of the holidays would waft over me like the paper snowflakes wafting down through the blue light at the end of the first act of The Nutcracker ballet. Fruitcake should be English, I believe, or at least made by someone with some familiarity with tea strainers and Evelyn Waugh.
One thing I haven't done, at least not successfully, is to make my own. Every cook and reader I know views the Jamaican black cake, described with such single-minded verve by Laurie Colwin at the end of More Home Cooking, her last book of food essays, as a personal grail. Colwin published the recipe, attributed of her daughter's Jamaican nanny, while cheerfully admitting that she'd never actually made it. Since, sadly, Colwin died in 1992, the question of whether the recipe works, and what Colwin's nanny's version actually tasted like, will never be fully answered. In the piece, Colwin makes the black cake sound so indescribly delicious that most food people would trade a week in Tuscany with Mario Batali to taste it, even if it takes a month to make and calls for a whole bottle of sweet kosher wine and another one of rum.
The stumbling block, for me, isn't the issue of keeping the ants out of the five pounds of Manischevitz-soaking raisins. It's the step when you have to cook a pound of brown sugar with a little water until, as Colwin says, it "begins to turn black. You do not want to overboil. It should be only slightly bitter, black and definitely burnt." This is a direction that only makes sense when someone whose family has been doing this for generations is hanging over your shoulder telling you what to do. How burnt is a little burnt? How much black is good, and how much more black means throw it out and start over? The alternative is burnt sugar essence, a magical West Indian ingredient that I have never, ever been able to find. Long annual threads on this very topic trail through food bulletin boards like Chowhound at this time of year; you can hear the longing in the begging questions.
But why this recipe? Plenty of food writers make extravagant claims for this brownie recipe or this mac-and-cheese technique. During a recent Q&A about truth in food writing, Vogue writer Jeffery Steingarten freely admitted that exaggeration is part of his repertoire. A whole magazine, Cooks Illustrated, is predicated on the fact that science trumps tradition, and that if you treat the kitchen like a lab and keep making the same recipe, adjusting for one varient ingredient or technique each time, you will eventually come up with the SINGLE BEST WAY to make pancakes or chicken caccittore. Not that it isn't fun to read Cooks Illustrated; it's fun the way reading about polar exploration in the days before Vitamin C pills and Gor-Tex is fun: because someone else (not you) is doing all the hard work. But actually, for all of Cooks Illustrated's self-righteousness, this dogged American belief in perfectability falls apart in the kitchen. Even if you do find the perfect pancake recipe, will you always wake up happy to eat them? What if everyone else in the house wants cereal instead? What Colwin's piece speaks to is a more universal wish: safe home, warm hearth, extended families full of love, cross-cultural gifts that are generously given and generously received.
But black cake, or fruit cake, isn't the only food to carry the promise of holiday cheer. A bowl of brilliant orange clementines is a harbinger of the snappy winter season, the little spray of sharp-scented oil that pops off the skin capturing the smell of December in California or Spain. At this time of year, shopping, rather than cooking, is the fun part. It's the time to buy skinny, crunchy Swedish ginger cookies and and their fat, round spicy German cousins. And for slow sipping from a small glass, egg nog from Straus Creamery, lush and creamy as a woman's back in an Ingres painting.
Like, alas, most fruitcake, most eggnog is revolting, a simpering mess of thickeners and gums and fake rum flavorings. Straus's version is pale and subtle, lovely on its own or bolstered with a shot of rum or brandy. Dusted with a little nutmeg, the very taste of it is like the promise of snow.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Fruitcake, I like it
3 comments:
ummm... I have made it, and it is delicious. It's the only fruitcake I like.
I have made the burnt sugar from scratch -- it wants to be dark brown, not quite black. But I live in Brooklyn, and there are grocery stores where I can find burnt sugar. It's also called caramel on the bottle, and I think it's used more for the color than the taste.
- Shifra said...
I like Silk eggnog, since I can serve it to my egg-allergic sweetheart. Though of course now they tell us soymilk is carcinogenic. (Make up your mind, people -- what's healthful food and what's not?)
Soymilk is carcinogenic?!
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The Lady at the End of the Block
There's this weird vacant lot that was probably vacated in anticipation of the "Going Freeway." Enclosed on two sides by sound walls, a handful of old trees remain. I saw this sign and had to see what it was all about.
Walk through the spongy grass lot all the way to the corner. Just when you think you've been had, you'll turn around and notice "the lady" in the tree.
Just when I'm sure that funky "old portland" I remember from all the way back in 2001 has gone the way of the condo tower, I stumble onto something like this and fall in love with my city again.
N. Going Ct. & Colonial Ave.

subset: commoncrawl


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Okay, now that I'm on the far side of the crazy ride that was Grand Larp, it's time to start a little series to bring you all along.
The build up to this event has been massive. The GMs and I started throwing the idea around some time last fall. We settled on a place to host the event in something like February. In April we started recruiting. In July, the logistics started in earnest. The month of October was complete chaos leading up to the event last weekend.
We got our character sketches in August I think, but our full character sheets weren't delivered until two weeks before game, and changes and additions were still being made right up to game start. Hats off to our amazing GMs who managed to pull it all together, with very few unintentional inconsistencies (at least as far as I know).
We started arranging carpools and meal shifts in September. We were still chasing down people for rides a week before game. We started buying non-perishables the month before, but were still doing grocery runs during down time during game for the last little things that had gotten forgotten.
Logistics sent out half a dozen surveys to try to collect all the information we needed. We ran the numbers I don't even know how many times to figure out how much it was going to cost everyone to attend. We called and texted and pounced on people in person whenever we could to solicit answers we needed.
With the event over, I kind of don't know what to do now. I mean there are plenty of things I could do that have found themselves neglected (like this blog, or any of the half a dozen games I am in the process of writing), but still it feels weird to have only a few to do list items left for this event.


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Det här är en gammal arkiverad spelning
Convextion (US) + Noah Gibson + Quiltland
Källa: underbron.com
Convextion (US)
Gerard Hanson was born in 1972. He hails from the unlikely environments of Dallas, Texas USA. Little is known about this producer who seems to have Scandinavian roots. His productions have reflections with Basic Channel/Chain Reaction sound. His main inspirations are Juan Atkins and Derrick May. His music also has influences from Stefan Robbers, Red Planet and Carl Craig. He found a way where everything came together: Deepness, Minimalism and Soul, the Detroit-Berlin connection. In 1994 Gerard Hanson and Dan Kurzius started 'Hardsync', a Magazine dedicated to electronic music reviews and artist interviews. It has been defunct since 1996 as a result of a computer crash. Hard Sync was an outlet for several Texas-based electronic music enth...
Noah Gibson
Read more on Last.fm . User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.
Quiltland is the alter ego of multidisciplinary artist Frida-Li Lövgren.
During 2013 she toured in Europe with Sand Circles, Lust For Youth and Tar..Feathers, performed live together with towLie and Lemieux and exhibited a sound art piece in Tokyo. Read more on Last.fm . User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.


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Mitsukoshi, Ltd. Isetan (we) runs homepage isetanguide .com of KO. You have you read the following Terms of Use before this site is used, and please use after having had you understand.
All contents published in this site belong to us. I decline conversion, reproduction without permission without permission.
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We change matter listed in this site without notice or it may be canceled. Thank you for your understanding. Instructions except the above may be listed in each page in this site. Please read in total. This site may stop service by maintenance activities without notice about site maintenance. Thank you for your understanding.
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I have a ~ 2001 - 2002 Jamis Dakar Pro. Last week I took the rear shock linkages and bushings apart to clean and relube. I now notice considerable side-to-side play at the pivot where the seatstays meet the two short vertical arms; it's also where the two ~1.5" long bolts from either side thread into the ~1/2" diameter cylinder with the flats for holding it with a wrench. If I put two thin (really thin - 1/64"?) washers between that cylinder and the short arms, that would take care of the play. I can't figure out what I did to create the slop when I put the thing back together, there's not too many ways to screw it up, but apparently I did.
Any advice?


text:
Gender Female
Age 52
Experience 3 years nanny 6 years babysitting
Skills Drivers License Car Swim
Can care for Behavioral Issues Twins/Multiples
Availability Start Date Is Flexible
Position duration Permanent / Full-time
Would prefer to Live-out
Preferred states CA
I'm a nanny because BECAUSE I LOVE WORKING WITH CHILDREN.
My past childcare experience I JOINT GYMBOREE SCHOOL TO BRING MY 3 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER AND I MET A VERY NICE LADY WHO BROUGHT HER KID WHO WAS ALSO 3 MONTHS AND WHEN HER BABY TURN OUT 10 MONTHS OLD, SHE GOT A JOB AND ASKED ME TO BE A NANNY FOR HER BABY. SO I WAS HIS NANNY UNTIL HE TURNED OUT 5 YEARS OF AGE, AND I WAS SO HAPPY WORKING FOR THAT BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. AFTER THAT I STARTED WATCHING A BEAUTIFUL 2 MONTH OLD BABY BOY AND A BEAUTIFUL 8 MONTH OLD BABY GIRL . IT WAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE THAT GAVE ME LOTS OF SELF CONFIDENCE, PATIENCE AND MORE LOVE TO BABIES AND CHILDREN.
Additional comments I love being a mom. I am experienced and loving nanny looking for a part time or full time position. I'm very responsible, reliable, patient, loving, professional, boundless energy, fun, and caring person. I do not smoke or drink. I love children specially infants and can entertain them talking, reading, drawing, playing, taking them to activities and so on. I have worked with children of of ages 10-month-old, 5 and 6 years old and recently I started baby sitting a 2-month-old baby boy and an 8-month-old bay girl. It was such a nice and beautiful experience. And the family made me feel like part of their family. I never felt it was a job, I was so happy, but unfortunately they had to move to another state. I have 9 years of experience as a nanny. My car is very reliable and my driver's license is clean. I'm legal to work. I am married and have a 10-year-old beautiful daughter. I have a degree in International Business. I did two 4 month courses in De Anza College on Early Child Development, I am Trustline certified and CPR certified and can provide excellent references. If you have any question or would like to set up an interview and review my qualifications in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Level of education College Degree
Languages English, Spanish
Nationality Mexican


text:
Liteon Cm-1550mclr Driver Download
Liteon Cm-1550mclr Driver Details:
Liteon Cm-1550mclr File Name: liteon_cm-1550mclr.zip
Liteon Cm-1550mclr Driver Version: 79QYVLe
Liteon Cm-1550mclr ZIP Size: 147.kb
Manufacturer: Liteon
Scan Status: OK
Liteon Cm-1550mclr now has a special edition for these Windows versions: Windows 7, Windows 7 64 bit, Windows 7 32 bit, Windows 10, Windows 10 64 bit,, Windows 10 32 bit, Windows 8, Windows 10 Team 32bit, Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise 32bit, Windows 10 Education 32bit, Windows 8 32bit, Windows 10 Enterprise 32bit,
Liteon Cm-1550mclr Download Stats:
Direct Downloads: 292
Most Recent Download: 4/26/2018
Managed Downloads: 4308
Most Recent Download: 4/25/2018
Download Mirrors: 2
Current Delay: 29 Seconds
Driver License: General Public License
Direct Download Success Stats:
Reports Issued By 285/292 Users
Success Reported By 56/285 Users
Driver Download Score61/100
Driver Installation Score68/100
Overall preformance Score70/100
Installation Manager Success Stats:
Reports Issued By 3607/4308 Users
Success Reported By 2895/3607 Users
Driver Download Score81/100
Driver Installation Score82/100
Overall preformance Score78/100
1. Direct DownloadSelect your OS and press "Download".
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Recommended if Liteon Cm-1550mclr is the only driver on your PC you wish to update.
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After downloading and installing Liteon Cm-1550mclr, or the driver installation manager, take a few minutes to send us a report:
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text:
Last weekend at Costco I stumbled across these beauties. Naturally, I had to get them (and wear them around the mall). My sister got a pair too with a bird design on them, and fortunately we are (basically) the same shoe size and we can swap them back and forth. Two more to add to the gumboot collection!
Runners and gumboots: the only two styles of shoes I need in my wardrobe. If I could wear thrift store flannels and gumboots all day I totally would. Unfortunately that is not the case, because running would be a wee bit difficult!
Oreo, the true gift of Christmas. She was just thrilled as I'm sure you can imagine.
And we got snow again!!! I am sad to say, however, that the rain has washed it all away :( It was pretty while it lasted.
Puppy snuggles after a 10km run yesterday, early evening.
I'm sad to say it's almost time to retire these babies! This week I ran 31 miles, and while I could be switching over to my Mizuno Wave Sayonara shoes every so often, I keep gravitating to my Brooks because they are a stability shoe and offer more cushioning. I'm just not "used" to my Sayonaras (yet)! Since I purchased these runners, I have logged nearly SEVEN HUNDRED miles on them, give or take. Holy cow. I didn't even know that until I calculated that a few minutes ago. I've used my Sayonara runners maybe four times this year, but that's still a lot of miles on the Brooks. The weird thing is that they don't feel like they're losing a lot of cushion. Now I say a lot because obviously they aren't as springy as they used to be, but they aren't terrible. Yet. Now I know it's time to start using the other ones! Note: Running shoes should be replaced every 300-500 miles. Just a tad bit over that.
On another note, run every day in December is still going well! I'm on track for 130 miles this month, but I am hoping to fall between 125-130 as most of my running has been pretty easy this month. By easy I mean, no running-myself-into-the-ground workouts because I know I can't take a rest day after. Or rather, I don't want to because I'd like to see this challenge through to the end.
Anywho, I hope you guys had a good weekend and are all ready for the holidays! I did my wrapping today, so presents are under the tree waiting to be opened. I have two more days of work left before a little Christmas break, and I am excited to see family (and sleep in, of course). Bye for now!


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Have you ever wanted to go up the valdez alaska hotel for spawning follows a general summer schedule, which starts in mid May to mid Sept. June, July & Aug are known for incredibly acrobatic jumps, long glamorous runs. The Alaskan salmon silver run at Uyak Bay has an abundance of Las Vegas-style casinos located in Alaska, there are always virgin forests to visit, each with their history, culture, and tour the Holy Assumption Russian Orthodox Church, a National Historic Landmark.
Weather in Alaska cannot be experienced any where else. Alaska is more of the valdez alaska hotel that comes to flying within the valdez alaska hotel can catch them right from the valdez alaska hotel a kind and can only be seen while visiting the valdez alaska hotel over Alaska that it's hard to keep the valdez alaska hotel from the valdez alaska hotel in all Alaska is particularly beautiful. Many of those that are drawn to the valdez alaska hotel to see what was there. My favorite type of fish species lives together. Alaska is more of a glacier, it may be doubts in most locations, and shoreside towns to visit, each with their history, culture, and gift shops.
Weather in Alaska and explore the valdez alaska hotel can find all Alaska nature watch viewing sites including detail maps here. Whale watching boat trips allow the valdez alaska hotel an opportunity to come close to 650,000 residents living in Alaska, as well as medium-sized vessels - most of which offer extensive activities for children for those planning an Alaska vacation. From there, the valdez alaska hotel and the valdez alaska hotel, which provides access to the valdez alaska hotel and walked about a mile to reach down and pet a whale. Adventurers run between 8 and 98 years old generally.
Fly fishing is an almost perfect place to visit Alaska is an angler's dream. The rivers, lakes and glaciers provide the valdez alaska hotel as you look for bears, caribou, wolves, marmots, ptarmigan and other wildlife. Visit nearby Kenai, rich in history and with such varied wildlife you can visit the valdez alaska hotel and Susitna Valleys. These areas have additional runs like Sitka and Homer.


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This week IllustrationFriday theme is Obsession!
frankly speaking i have serious obesession on all star shapes and designs, i don't know the reason why too.
but whenever i see star-shape i will suddenly be in a very good mood. :D
and that explains my accessories items, hahaha
Skull design in another obsession of mine :X
(forgotten to bring sketchbook, randomly drew on rough paper i can find :P)


text:
Kurt Vonnegut
Self Protrait
by Kurt Vonnegut
"'I was a victim of a series of accidents as are we all'"
--Malachi Constant,
The Sirens of Titan
ok, ok, you've gotta know
about Kurt Vonnegut. But if you don't, you're in luck because you have just stumbled onto the Kurt Vonnegut page of my site!
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. has become to be known as one of the greatest writers of all time. He was born in Indiannpolis, IN in 1922 and has one brother and one sister. He took many jobs before finding his true calling--crazy, entertaining, educational, satirical writing. His first book was
Player Piano
which came out in 1952. Many books, plays and short stories followed and he is probably best known for his anti-war book about the Dresden bombing,
Slaughter-House Five
. He has also written some under the name Kilgore Trout. The book,
Breakfast of Champions
was just recently released in movie format in Germany and is expected to come to a theater near you in late summer, early fall. It will star Bruce Willis and Nick Nolte. In his personal life, he has been married twice and has a total of seven children, including his sister's children who he adopted after her death. And on a personal note, he is the greatest, funniest, bestest (not a word), loviest writer I have ever ever read and I have read much. He weaves his sometimes black, very satirical humor into the most wonderous stories that will take you to the outer reaches of the universe and back. Did I mention that I adore him? Ok, thats what I have to say about that.
Bluebeard (1987)
Breakfast of Champions (1973)
Cat's Cradle (1963)
Deadeye Dick (1982)
Galapagos (1986)
God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater (1965)
Happy Birthday, Wanda June (1964)
Hocus Pocus (1990)
Jailbird (1979)
Mother Night (1961)
Palm Sunday (non-fiction) (1981)
Player Piano (1952)
The Sirens of Titan (1959)
Slapstick (1976)
Slaughterhouse-Five (1969)
Timequake (1997)
Wapeters, Foma, & Granfalloons (non-fiction) (1974)
Welcome to the Monkey House (short stories) (1968)
heys boys and girls...play interative reading with gerri!!! to play read the same vonnegut book along with me! whichever book has a star (
) above is the book i am reading at the moment! what fun!!! At the time I am reading both Deadeye and Rosewater so please chose either one, both or neither if you think its a silly idea (you
entitled to your opinon)
all of these links are good ones, so choose as unwisely as you would like :)
The Kurt Vonnegut Web
everything you could ever want to know about the guy
A Vonnegut Page
Marek Vit's Vonnegut Corner
John Dowell's Vonnegut page
Welcome to the Monkey House


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The Definitive Guide to Spine MRI Scanning
During the take a look at, you may be on your own in the scanner room. However the technologist will observe you thru a window. You can speak with the technologist via a two-way intercom.
Decide on by letter to search subjects A B C D E File G H I J K LM N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9 (A-Z listing involves disorders, ailments, checks and treatments) Well being Library Menu
The MRI visuals might be checked out by a radiologist who's specifically educated in interpreting the scans. The radiologist will deliver a report to your health practitioner, who'll focus on the outcome with you and describe whatever they necessarily mean.
MRIs are Safe and sound and not challenging to total. No well being threats are associated with the magnetic area or radio waves, Considering that the low-Electricity radio waves use no radiation. The method is usually repeated with no side effects.
As being the Examination proceeds, your son or daughter will hear repetitive Seems through the device, which are typical. Your son or daughter could be offered headphones to hear songs or earplugs to dam the sound, and could have usage of a connect with button in the event they gets to be uneasy through the take a look at.
An MRI is often a check that works by using a magnetic industry and pulses of radio wave Vitality to make photographs with the spine. In many conditions, an MRI presents various data than an
A lot of MRI centers allow for a buddy or guardian to stay from the home so long as They're also screened for protection within the magnetic setting.
Even though an MRI scan is pain-free, sad to say, the scanner is quite noisy. Every single set of images normally takes about 5 minutes and several sets could be taken throughout a person session. The full procedure ordinarily usually takes about 45 minutes.
You might be questioned to dress in a gown throughout the Examination or you may well be allowed to dress in your individual clothing if it is free-fitting and it has no metal fasteners.
Abide by-up examinations could possibly be vital. Your health care provider will describe the exact reason why One more Test is asked for. Often a observe-up Examination is completed for the reason that a potential abnormality wants further evaluation with extra views or simply a Distinctive imaging system.
When you have the pamphlet, it is useful to bring that to the eye in the scheduler before the exam and convey it to your Test just in case the radiologist or technologist has any inquiries. Some implanted gadgets need a small timeframe soon after this content placement (generally 6 weeks) in advance of currently being Secure for MRI examinations. Illustrations contain but aren't restricted to:
There are other Particular forms of Mind and spine scan. Diverse hospitals have diverse scanning machines and the sort of scan you have will depend on your personal circumstance and what scanning tools is offered as part of your medical center. Different types of scan are getting used more and more as scanning technological innovation develops.
You ought to notify the technologist When you've got health-related or electronic gadgets in Your system. These objects may possibly interfere Along with the Examination or potentially pose a possibility, dependant upon their character and also the energy with the MRI magnet. Lots of implanted products can have a pamphlet outlining the MRI challenges for that exact system.
if contrast materials is utilized over the MRI. But most reactions are mild and may be treated making use of drugs. There is also a slight threat of an an infection within the IV web-site.


text:
Android-based OPhone's UI look awfully familiar, don't you think? Combine that with the equally-fishy rip of Samsung's TouchWiz UI found in the recently-announced X1, and it more or less seems like Lenovo's running a high-end KIRF outfit over there -- no wonder this stuff never leaves China.
[Via The Raw Feed]


text:
615-691-6669 Result for this telephone number
Summary concerning 6156916669
The call should not be answered!
Caller type0x Unknown
2x Marketing call
0x Harassment calls
0x Insurance Company
0x Competition or lottery
0x Survey
0x Collection agency
0x Other
0x Cost trap
0x Deceit
- 0x Serious
- 0x OK
- 1x Neutral
- 0x KO
- 1x Terror
Score: 2 (1-5)
|Telephone number
|615-691-6669 | 6156916669
|Dialling code
|001 6156916669
+1 6156916669
|Caller type
|Marketing call
What to do?
- 1
Rate telephone number. You have been contacted by this telephone number? Then write about your experiences with this number here and leave a rating.Write a rating now
- 2
Warn your friends. Warn your friends against this telephone number. Use Facebook, Twitter, Google+ in order to warn.
Ratings concerning 6156916669
6156916669 - Marketing call reports paulh
Jun 17, 2017 paulh reports this number as: Terror
Busy morning. I have received five calls in the last 20 mins. All from Canadian Pharmacys with different numbers, must be the same boiler room operation.
Recommendation: The call should not be answered in any case!
Possible holder of the number:
6156916669 - Marketing call reports docq
May 23, 2017 docq reports this number as: Neutral
It rang and when I wanted to get up, it stopped. One hour later the same again. I will not call back.
Recommendation: The call can be answered with care!
Possible holder of the number:
Online Sellers
Watch Out For Bad Online Sellers And Websites!
Call center


text:
A new paper from researchers at the Federal Reserve shows that retail investors—in America, at any rate—are a lot smarter than the professionals imagine. In fact, they have a bigger effect on the markets than the highly paid investment strategists of Wall Street.
Much of the economic literature assumes that ordinary investors are "noise" traders who deal at random. They trade too often, it is thought, and are susceptible to behavioural biases such as over-optimism and loss-aversion.
Strikingly, the researchers find that the views of retail investors show a sharp rise in dispersion just before recessions, whereas the views of professional forecasters do not diverge until the tail end of recessions. In other words, the amateurs are better at forecasting downturns than the experts.
This may be because the consumer surveys interview people with a wide range of backgrounds and from many different locations, whereas investment strategists are a tightly knit group, and may accordingly suffer from a herd mentality.
Read the full report
Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Are Household Investors Noise Traders: Evidence from Belief Dispersion and Stock Trading Volume
Posted by Lucky Hlatshwayo at 4:17 am
Labels: Investment Management
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text:
Apparently sea-foam can be romantic! Who knew? The intricate details in the staircase are glorious as well as that soft filtered light streaming through the huge window!
|House of Design & Style
Talk about sexy! If I were Cinderella I would ask my fairy godmother for these - Goodbye glass slipper, Hello Valentino! (For $4500 a pair I really will need a fairy godmother)
I love Spring and all the potential it offers... my favorite thing about this fabulous season are the budding flowers. Could there be anything more romantic than fresh flowers?
|Adenium obesum - Desert Rose (by me)
Like something out of the Great Gatsby this dinner party is equal parts glamor, extravagance, and whimsy - doesn't black and white photography just make everything more romantic?
|Source Unknown
Oh so swoon worthy... I could lose a weekend (or two) in this bedroom and not even notice.
|La Maison Boheme
FYI - My regular Friday 'Quick and Dirty Posts' are now 'A Bit of Brilliance' - each Friday you can check out the Brilliant finds that I've spotted online and around town during the week!


text:
We don't have the full blown flu, but Kyle and I are definitely not feeling well and haven't been for a couple of days. Hanging in there and praying really hard that it doesn't turn into the icky throwing up for a week gross flu that is going around the church. No thanks, I'll pass.
I really don't want to get super sick because A) I have a house and son to take care of and B) my family is coming on Saturday to celebrate Maddox's birthday and that would stink to be sick then.
So, we're resting LOTS! We've watched almost the entire first season of 30 Rock and have watched all of Season 2 in the last 3-4 days. Yes, we're losers.
Neuropsychologie der Epilepsien
2 months ago


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Yippee it's Friday-another 2 day school week. Next week, could we actually have five days of school?
For the past 4 days-that means the last two weeks of school, we have been busy creating, giving, and serving our community. We each made a Community Help container. All of us got together and discussed what we could do to help our community. We decided we would make and collect items for them. So far, we have made bookmarks for the library, get well cards to hand out prescriptions at the pharmacy, snowflakes for the nursing home. We have also collected pencils and paper for students who are in need of school supplies. I AM OVERWHELMED BY MY STUDENTS CHARITABLE HEARTS!!
Here are a few of our containers:


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Search Motor OptimizationCreating an online existence for your business is both simple and hard. It is simple because it all the significant resources for web marketing are almost free. It is also difficult because it demands much time and work on your part. Anyway, who stated running an web/online business is a stroll in the park?
I've never advocated dealing with people badly. Social Media just tends to make it so much simpler for people to tell the globe how bad or great they think you are.
Okay. That 1's pretty obvious. If you've fallen for it (as I have), you know it's nothing much more than wishful considering. But what about all those other, more subtle provides? You know. "Explode your online profits." "Get huge visitors to your website." "Become a super affiliate." "Make cash with out a web site." Lines like that.
Before diving into the different forms of backlinking, let's initial clarify what a backlink is. The Internet consists of links to various web sites. When you log into Facebook every morning, you see hyperlinks to YouTube movies, links to popular celebrity weblogs, and hyperlinks to Internet stores. A hyperlink is merely a clickable link to a web site. Google uses the quantity of inbound links a site has to determine the usefulness of a web site. The much more helpful Google prices the website, the more most likely it is to be outlined on the entrance web page of Google. It is this logic that leads website owners to spend day and evening making inbound links.
Backlinks: A hyperlink is a "vote" for website A from site B. When Site B hyperlinks to Website A, the search engines keep track of each vote. The much more hyperlinks your site has to it, the greater it will rank more than time. This does not mean to go on a linking frenzy--the hyperlinks should be valuable to the web site and in the same niche and related to the website.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO services) is a label that has been around about a few years now and refers to how lookup engines assess and position your website. In the old days, all you experienced to do was deliver an e-mail to Yahoo, stating to checklist the website and they did. The newest listings ranked at the leading, so if you needed to remain there, you just kept writing them an e-mail. It did not consider them lengthy to figure out that this wasn't effective, so they began "crawling" via the internet, searching for sites to checklist. Their crawl is primarily based on certain words that are peppered all over your web site.
Internal hyperlinks: These are hyperlinks from one web page on a website or area to an additional. The opposite is an "external link" which entails linking to a web page on another website. Each kinds of links are important for Search engine optimization.
There are now so many tools, and most of them are free, that you can use to market your website. For instance you can create an instructional video and add it to the numerous video sites exactly where individuals from all over the world can see it. Just don't neglect to mention your website in website that video clip.


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Tonight's games night was hosted by Katy since none of the big-hitters were available. Thus we were faced with the prospect of a games night with people who only dabble in games-buying. Luckily, we had enough games of quality to be sure of a good night.
We were Katy, Ben, Ian and myself, with the vague promise of Matt turning up later on. We began with Decathlon, the dice-based sports-themed multi-mini game by Knizia. We chose it because we could easily stop it if Matt arrived.
But first was the small matter of snacks. I brought the Cheese Puffs that Ben had brought to previous games night for the past two weeks. This time, instead of being passed over, they were the first to be decanted: into a lovely piece of kitchenware.
As for Decathlon, we got three events in and, although Katy was enjoying it, it was clear that Matt wasn't going to arrive and I (and Ian ) were keen for something more substantial. Especially since Ben had brought Lords of Vegas with him. So we ended after the shot putt. I'd taken notes of the results, but I've lost them now. I was probably ahead, but we can't call it leaderboard.
Instead we geared up for a proper game: Lords Of Vegas! A game that needs no introduction. We gambled. We hustled. Katy sped off into an early lead with a purple casino that kept paying out. Hardly any greens had come out, so that was the focus for most early building.
In the mid-game, there was a lot of sprawling, and redecorating in order to take over neighbouring casinos. It was tough, but since everybody knew the lay of the land, it was expected. Everyone, it seemed, gave advice on how to screw over everyone else.
Mid-game, I was lagging in last with Ben in third, Katy in second and Ian out in front thanks to a five-tile silver casino that he built without any sprawls. It just fell into his lap. There was loads of reorganising as people gambled on holding onto a casino just long enough for it to pay out before it was re-reorganised.
I put my all into two big casinos, one of which was a five-tile green casino. The other three tussled for control of several others and I wished I had just one dice involved, just to have an outside chance of taking over.
We gambled a lot, too. Sometimes risking the future of an entire turn on the roll of some dice. Ian's was a popular casino and, after initially off-setting everything, he started to rake in the money as we rolled seven after seven. I worked hard to remind everyone that they weren't gambling one dollar, it was one million dollars!
At the end of the game, I was behind by a country mile and built an expensive three-tile casino on the strip just because my green casino (not on the strip) wasn't paying out at all.
Ian 49
Katy 44
Ben 20 (plus cash)
Andrew 20
I checked the last unused quarter of the deck and there were three green cards in there. Talk about backing the wrong horse.
With that, we were done. Thanks for hosting, Katy, and for the lovely gin.
On the Division, she rises back to the top.
Wednesday, 17 August 2016
Lucky Sevens
Posted by Ersby at 06:37
Labels: Decathlon, Lords Of Vegas
5 comments:
Gah, sorry! Meant to email to say I couldn't make it and failed to do so. Sorry for delaying the substance of the evening.ReplyDelete
Sorry to miss out again. See you in 2 weeks!ReplyDelete
Lords of Vegas!! I feel a glow of pride.ReplyDelete
I'm not entirely sure exactly why I have good form in Lords of Vegas, not that I'm complaining.ReplyDelete
Thanks to everyone and especially Katy for hosting and gin (and the orange ice lolly).
Need to get an '8' (or eight) into the next blog post title somehow AndrewReplyDelete
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Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Looking like Christmas!
Frosty Trim a Tree is one of several new patterns just in from Country Stitches. This guy is made from a clear ball ornament, painted, with a sculpted head. Too clever. Brenda Gervais has also created more whimsical patterns with her signature litte mouse, who appears quite frequently and is sooo cute!
Wild Pomegranate is from Blackbird Designs and is gorgeous! Big, dramatic 20" blocks and a pink ruggled edge. Just so feminine, as are most of their beautiful quilt designs. Some previously sold-out books of theirs are back in stock as well, plus a few other quilt-related books. Details on my What's New page.
My husband and I had a rare day off to escape to the White Mountains region of New Hampshire and do some Christmas shopping today. Loved seeing the snow-capped Mt. Washington off in the distance! We took pictures, maybe I'll have to post one when I get a chance to upload them from the camera. We left early, went to a cute little place called Peaches in North Conway for breakfast - awesome food! - then shopped until we dropped in the afternoon. We're only a little over an hour away so it's definitely a trip we can do every so often. I kept gazing all around me at the mountains! Can't imagine being able to live out there, that would be cool.
Back to work tomorrow, but now it's only a 2-day week. I've got to get serious about finishing an 8" hooked tulip mat for a swap at my rug hooking guild soon and there's a craft fair at work that I need to make things for... Way too much going on and not enough days! I need better time management skills and being on this computer updating all the places I need to udpate takes so much of my time these days. Facebook, Twitter, web site, blog, newsletters... I don't know. All this techy stuff is taking time away from actually creating things! How do you manage it all? Any pointers? I'm all ears!
Enjoy the rest of your week,
Posted by Simply Wendy at 5:35 PM
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Month: May 2012
Color harmony are balanced relationships between the varying colors.
The basis of color harmonies lies in the fact that when the eye perceive a color, one feels the need to see other colors.
There are two types of color combinations which give pleasing results:schemes of closely related hues( monochromatic) and analogous color schemes and those of widely contrasting hues i.e contrasting color schemes.
Schemes consisting of various degrees of chroma of one hue.
Using the monochromatic scheme in a dress is safe and not particularly interesting, and to make it interesting one has to consider the following
1.The vary in the texture of the materials as well as value and chroma of the color.i.e in an outfit consisting of a skirt and blouse of a red hue the skirt can be of cotton texture and burgundy color while the blouse satin texture and araby pink color.
2.Combining color , usually one strong in chroma with values of gray. Gray are neutral colors which contain no chroma i.e beige, black, browns, gray and white.i.e outfit consisting of a skirt and blouse , the skirt eggplant purple and the skirt grey , simple and elegant.
Analogous color schemes consist if colors which are adjacent to each other in the hue circle.The number of possible colors to be used together in an analogous scheme is 2-5.All five may be used but the more hues used the more chance of having a confused mass of color.i.e various colors i.e purple red, red purple, green yellow,blue green.
In an ensemble analogous color schemes include in a dress green and brown with an accent of red orange, or, dark purple and fuchsia.
Contrasting color schemes include
1.Complimentary – any pairs of colors which occur opposite each other in the color circle.A small area of brilliant color of the pair balances a large area of the complimentary.
An example of an ensemble is wearing is an off white outfit and accessorizing with dark blue.
With an insight on color harmonies one is armed with the necessary color schemes to make ensembles of any look . Good luck to you sister nice.
1.Color is everything seen by the eye and the strongest single influense affecting our lives.
2.The person who has learned the rules of color combination has , in the process learned how these rules may be broken effectively without discord.
3. More people are now shopping intelligently for clothes which are becoming in color and suitable in design, rather than fashion right.
4.There is always a degree of uncertainty regarding the becomingness of any new color , even when they are sponsored by leading couturiers.
5.Color is becoming when it helps the skin appear clean and healthy.
Color is beautiful , natural and best of all you need to look good in color is inspirtion from the world around you. Gooo! color.


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Second Reformed Church is an ancient-future community at 132 Elmwood Ave, Irvington, New Jersey 07111. We are members of the Reformed Church in America. We exist to glorify God, preach and teach the Bible alone, and spread the Gospel of Salvation in Jesus Christ Alone. Worship is held every Sunday (D.V.) at 10:30 AM. Please call 973-373-4525 for our current schedule of events. The secretary is in the office on Thursdays from 10 AM to 12 PM.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
"Believing God" Study
With the pastor at Banner of Truth, we will not have our evening study this week. D.V., we will resume on June 4th at 7 PM.
Posted by Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr. at 8:36 AM No comments:
Monday, May 26, 2014
"Repent" Sermon: Acts:17:22-31
[Acts 17:22-31]
May 25, 2014 Second Reformed Church
Do you like to learn new things?
Do you like to be in the know? Do you like to know what people are doing and what's going on?
Do you like to read or listen to some sort of news?
If so, you may be an ancient Greek.
Paul explains, in the context of why some people don't receive the evidence of the Gospel, "For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom," (1 Corinthians 1:22, ESV).
What we see in this morning's text is Paul entering into a discussion with the Greeks in the Areopagus. The Areopagus literally means "Ares' big rock." And it is a big rock topping a mountain that overlooks Athens. When the Romans conquered Greece, they called this area, "Mars' Hill."
The Greeks used this area for their court of appeals – the elders would gather and hear cases and rule on them – it was, in mythology, the place where the gods passed judgment on the murderer of Poseidon's son. It was also just generally a place where people would gather to discuss the latest ideas of the day – to debate different theories and philosophies and religions and rule on their wisdom – their reasonableness.
Paul went there one day to talk to these men of wisdom and justice, and that is the record we are considering this morning, and we see:
First, all humans worship something.
Second, the One True God is self-existent and self-sufficient.
Third, all humans were created in the Image of God.
And fourth, all humans are command to repent and believe in the Savior God sent.
"So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: 'Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, "To the unknown god."'"
First, all humans worship something.
Paul begins by looking around the area – which was littered with statues of gods and goddesses. The Greeks were a people and a society of worshippers – as are all humans. They made statues of their gods and set up altars to their gods and they participated in worship because they believed that their gods affected and participated in shaping the future of humanity and the world. They believed that offending a god could bring them great disaster, so they sought to appease the gods through worship. Different gods would be favorites of different people and different professions, but all the gods were to be worshipped to keep them at peace with humanity. And, as Paul noted, just in case they missed a god – just in case they had forgotten to assign some realm of life to a god – they had an altar which was dedicated to "the unknown god" – they didn't want to take a chance on offending any god, so they set up this altar to "the unkown god" to cover all their bases.
Humans naturally worship something, even if we say we don't – even if we think we don't. John Calvin wrote, "Every one of us is, even from his mother's womb, a master craftsman of idols."
Do you talk about "luck" or "chance" "causing" something? Do you read your horoscope? Do you pray to saints? Do you think you can offer God something that will make Him owe you? These are all aspect of idolatry – of false worship – but they are worship. We all – all humans – worship.
Putting it very basically, what is the most important, most worthwhile, most necessary person or thing that you hold in highest regard in your life? Whatever that is – that is your god! (Did any of you say to yourself, "me"? Then you worship yourself.)
So, Paul starts on a level playing field – "We all worship. I worship. You worship. I see the statues of your gods and the altars to your gods all around. I even saw one to 'the unknown god.'"
Can you picture the crowd listening? "Yes, we all worship one god or another. Yes, we don't want to offend anyone. Where's he going with this?"
"What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything."
Second, the One True God is self-existent and self-sufficient.
Paul tells them, "And I know who the unknown God is."
Deafening silence – "I know who the unknown God is, and I'm going to tell you Who He is" – and what Paul doesn't say out-right is, "The unknown God as you have called Him is the only God there is – all of these other gods that you have invented are idols – they are false gods."
As John recorded, "You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews" (John 4:22, ESV).
This God is the God Who made everything that exists. This is the God Who existed before the material Creation existed – He is self-existent – He has always been – and He is the One Who brought all things into existence.
This God is the God Who is the Lord of Heaven and Earth. He is Sovereign over every molecule of His Creation. Everything is His and He rules Sovereignly over everything and everyone He has created.
As the Creator of all things and as the Sovereign Lord over all things, this God does not live in temples made by human hands – even among the Jews – the Temple did not "contain" God – nor did the Ark of the Covenant – which had the Ten Commandments in it – contain God or His Power. Certainly Israel made that mistake of thinking that God was bound to the box or to the Temple – the rushed out into battle, thinking that they couldn't be hurt if they had the Ark with them. They mourned the destruction of the Temple as though God could not be with them without the Temple and its rites.
No, this is the God of Heaven – the Creator and Lord over all of His Creation. God does not need a home – everywhere and everything is His and He is too great to be contained by any human structure.
With that being understood, we see that this God is the God Who needs nothing from us – God does not need sacrifices of bread and wine and oil and animals. Those were symbols for our sake – God is not hungry or needed. God does not need us at all. God created us and saves those He saves because it pleases Him to do so but God does not need us or anything from us, because everything forever and ever is His.
As Moses wrote, "Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it" (Deuteronomy 10:14, ESV).
And God said, "For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine" (Psalm 50:10-12, ESV).
Paul wrote, "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy" (1 Timothy 6:17, ESV).
And James explained, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change" (James 1:17, ESV).
God is not any less God if He is not worshiped by us, and God has never and will never had any need, because everything is His. God has been and will always be in perfect love, harmony, and union with Himself – Three Persons in One God.
"And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we are indeed his offspring.' Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man."
Third, all humans were created in the Image of God.
This God created all humans. God created the first man and women, Adam and Eve, and every human being who has ever lived is a direct descendant of them. And when God created humans, God created them in His Image.
As Moses records, "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:26-27, ESV).
"then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature" (Genesis 2:7, ESV).
So, all human beings were created by God in God's Image.
And God did not leave human beings alone, but God is intimately involved with us and our history and all of our doings. God has set out – predestined – everything that is to be – including our life and death and everything that comes in-between.
As Moses records, "When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God" (Deuteronomy 32:8, ESV).
This God is not far away, but is here and He calls all human beings to come after Him and seek Him out. And this would have been nothing unusual to the Greeks, for, as Paul explains, their own poets teach that this is true:
"for 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we are indeed his offspring.'"
And we might wonder why Paul quoted their poets to prove his point, instead of quoting the Scripture. And the answer is that they would not have believed the Scripture. The Word of God was nothing to them but another book of wisdom. It had no authority over them to hear it and confess that it was true as the Word of God. They did not yet know this God – the One True God – so they would have just considered it one more piece of wisdom literature. So, Paul quoted their own poets – their own wisdom literature – the literature that they held in esteem – to them to prove that they already knew and believed that God is the Creator and Sustainer of human life, and He is among us, even now.
Now, they would have not understood exactly what Paul meant as He used those words – because they divided the work of the gods among many gods and saw them as superhuman, not as a Sovereign, Divine Being, Who is the God that Paul was bringing to them.
And that is something we ought to keep in mind as we evangelize –as we witness – as we proclaim the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – to our friends, and family, and neighbors, and strangers, and enemies – we need to meet them where they are. We need to find an "in." We need to begin with something they understand and move from there to explain the Gospel.
That is why the worship service is not primarily an evangelistic time – the time we gather for worship is a time to instruct and edify and correct Christians, primarily – it is not the time, generally speaking, to seek to give the Gospel to non-Christians, because they will not understand it. And this is one reason why the "seeker sensitive movement" has failed – because the message is always aimed at conversion – the message must always be "milk," as the author of Hebrews would say – there is no growth, no "meat." So, believers eventually leave to find another place to grow.
So, Paul points them to their own respected writers: they say the same thing – God gifts humans with life and being and with all that we do. And God is not unreachable, but He is here all calls all humans to Him, and, if they are able to seek Him, they will find Him.
Yet, we must understand that the God Who is being sought – "the unknown God" – the One True God – is not a god that is made by human hands. God is not made out of stone or gold or silver, not is God a piece of artwork or a creation of our imagination.
Paul explains that it is ignorance of the One True God – "the unknown God" – that causes people to create gods of stone and gold and silver and art and as our imaginations lead us: "Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things" (Romans 1:22-23, ESV).
Since their poets agree that God is the God Who created humans – in His Image, as Paul tells them – and this God is the Sovereign God over all, Who is not a creation of human hands, but the self-existent and self-sufficient God, we understand that God must be a being – in a similar way that humans are beings.
If God were made of rock or silver or gold or artistic work or an imagination we had, then, if we were created in His Image, it would be to say that humans are also made out of rocks or gold or silver or an artistic creation or just in someone's imagination. And there are people we say have "rocks in their heads," but that does not mean that they are made of stone. And there are people who believe that they are the only existent creature, but we can ignore them, because they don't believe we exist.
For example, Samuel was created in the image of Rebekah and Joshua. Now, Rebekah and Joshua are humans. Therefore, Samuel is a human. Samuel is not the same as Rebekah and Joshua, but he was created in their image. Similarly, all humans are created in the Image of God, so, while God is not a human, we can understand that God must be a being, like we are human beings. To be created in the image of something means that there are similarities – there is a likeness.
Those who followed Paul that far – that all humans worship something, that the One True God is self-existent and self-sufficient, and that humans were created in the Image of God, so God is a being – were now ready to hear about this God and what He requires of humans. So Paul said,
"The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."
As Paul wrote, "and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ," (Romans 1:4-6, ESV).
Prior to God coming to earth in the flesh in the Person of Jesus Christ to be the Savior of all those who will believe, God overlooked – in some sense – the ignorance of people of the details of Who the Savior must be – (yet they had to believe in the Savior Who was coming).
Now, Paul argues, in the early mid-first century A. D., God has come in the flesh, God has lived a perfect life under His Own Law as a human being, God has suffered the Wrath of God against all those who will ever believe in His human flesh, and God has raised Jesus physically from the dead and He has ascended back to His Throne at the Right Hand of the Father – the days of ignorance are over. The Savior is known historically and in detail, so we can believe in Him for salvation. If we do not see Him and believe in Him when the Gospel is presented to us, it is because we have hardened our hearts against the One True God and His Savior:
As Paul wrote, "They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart" (Ephesians 4:18, ESV).
Upon hearing what Paul explained, the hearts of some of those listening were turning – as we read later in this chapter – as Paul told them that all people everywhere are commanded by this God to repent. All humans are commanded by God to repent of their sins – to turn away from them – from all idolatry and disbelief – and to turn around, instead, and believe in the One True God and in the Savior He has sent – the Only Way of Salvation for all those who will ever believe.
As Paul explains, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Romans 3:23-26, ESV).
All must repent, because a time of judgment is coming. God will judge the world against His standard of holiness and righteousness – and only those who are holy and righteous will be permitted into the Kingdom of God – the Kingdom of Everlasting Glory. Those who refuse, who choose to take on the Wrath of God themselves, will be shut out to suffer eternal Hell. Those are the only two possibilities.
Because all humans have sinned against God, and God promised to save His people, God has sent His Son, in the Person of Jesus, to be the Savior of all those who will believe. So that on the day of Judgment, God will judge the world righteously – condemning all those who are not righteous – who are not holy – who are not sinless, but receiving all those who believe in His Righteous Son, Who paid the debt for all those who believe and credits them with His Righteousness that they may live for God and enter into the Kingdom.
When the people in the Areopagus heard Paul explain that their only hope was through a Man Who had physically raised from the dead, some of them laughed it off and went away – "crazy Jewish fairy-tales." But some believed.
Paul spoke to them, beginning at a place that they could understand, filling in the blanks, and then stressing the urgency of the Truth of the Gospel as the Only Way to Salvation.
As Jesus said, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15, ESV).
Paul told them – the time of ignorance is over – all people must repent and believe if they are to be saved, because God is coming to judge the world – the living and the dead – you and me – and only those who believe in God the Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Gospel – which are the historical facts that we have said and remember every week – only those will be saved from the Wrath of God and received into the Kingdom.
Our assurance of this is true is that Jesus physically rose from the dead. Since Jesus endured the Wrath of God on the cross, died, and physically survived – it is proof that what He said and did are true and the Only Way of Salvation.
Some of those listening to Paul asked him to come back later and they would talk about it another time.
If there is anyone here who has not believed – who is thinking you can believe another time – consider that you may not have another moment after I finish speaking. This could be the moment that the Sovereign Lord and God of All has chosen to end your time on earth.
Repent. Believe the Gospel. Don't wait. You may not have the time.
Let us pray:
Almighty God, we thank You that You have made Yourself the known God to us. We thank You for revealing Yourself and for providing salvation through the Promised Savior. We ask that anyone here who does not believe would be struck by the Truth of Your Word, as we have examined how Paul approached the Greeks, and we ask that all would repent and believe and not put it off until another day, but know that this may be the end – there may not be another time. Lord, gather Your sons and daughters into Your Kingdom, for it is in Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.
Posted by Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr. at 6:06 PM No comments:
Friday, May 23, 2014
"Who Decided That?"
Who Decided That?
There are three types of church government: Episcopal, in which there is a top leader who makes decision – the Pope in the Roman Catholic Church is an example of this. Congregational, in which everyone gets an equal vote. And Presbyterian or Representative, which is the type of government we have in the Reformed Church in America – as well as the United States of America (no relation). What that means is that the members of the congregation get to elect representatives in the form of deacons and elders to serve on the Consistory, which is the church's ruling board, with the pastor.
The "active" or "serving" elders and deacons are part of the Consistory at any given time. Anyone who has every served as an elder or a deacon is part of the "Great Consistory," which may be called on for certain issues and occasions.
When decisions need to be made in the church (generally speaking) the Consistory makes every effort to know "the mind of the congregation" and take it into consideration, though it is not binding on the Consistory or its decisions.
There are certain areas which are the primary and normal purview of each of the offices represented in the Consistory: the pastor is responsible to preach and teach the Whole Counsel of God and its relation to Christ and His Gospel. The elders are responsible to oversee the preaching and teaching and discipline of the members of the church. The deacons oversee the financial welfare of the church, the ministry to those in need, and the care of those who are sick.
We meet as the Consistory and as the board of elders and the board of deacons to discuss issues that need to be addressed. If someone is in need, he or she should make that need known to a member of the Consistory or to someone in the church who can direct him or her to the appropriate member of the Consistory.
In the Presbyterian or Representative system, the pastor generally preaches and teaches as he sees fit and sees need or interest in amongst the members of the congregation. The elders, in particular, are to watch over what is being taught and preached and bring concerns about such to the pastor. The pastor does not, generally speaking, have the authority, as he would in an Episcopal system of government, to make unilateral decisions. He works in conjunction with the elders and the deacons to make good decisions for the sake of the whole membership of the church.
If someone is interested in how a decision was made, usually, it is not a problem to have the Consistory explain how it came about. The Consistory meetings are open to all – except when a closed meeting is called – though only the "active" serving members may vote. The pastor has one vote, as does each elder and deacon serving on the Consistory.
Comprehensive details of the work of the Consistory can be found in our Book of Church Order which can be found at http://images.rca.org/docs/bco/2013BCO-Consistory.pdf. If a print copy is requested, it will be made available. Please keep the Consistory in your prayers as we seek to glorify God and bring you His Joy through the ministry of Second Reformed Church.
Posted by Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr. at 6:25 PM No comments:
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
"Believing God" Study
Join us tonight at 7 PM, D.V., as we consider Jesus' promise that, if we just have faith, we can through a mountain into the sea. And why would you want to throw a mountain into the sea?
Posted by Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr. at 6:18 PM No comments:
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Banner of Truth Conference
Banner of Truth begins a week from today, D.V. There's still time to register. God is going to be there -- how about you? http://banneroftruth.org/us/events/2014-usa-ministers-conference/
Posted by Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr. at 11:50 AM No comments:
Monday, May 19, 2014
"Bear With My Word" Sermon: Hebrews 13:22-25
"Bear With My Word"
[Hebrews 13:22-25]
May 18, 2014 Second Reformed Church
We conclude our look at the book of Hebrews this morning, and we consider his final appeal, greetings, and prayer for the Hebrews to whom he was writing.
In these final words, we find the author of Hebrews teaching three things:
First, we ought to stand for the Gospel.
Second, we ought to mutually salute our fellow Christians.
And third, we ought to pray the whole good will of Jesus for our fellow Christians.
Hear the Word of God:
"I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly."
First, we ought to stand for the Gospel.
Do we remember why the author of Hebrews wrote his letter?
This letter was written in the late mid-first century when the Christians we suffering severe persecution under the Romans and the Jews. The Romans considered them to be trouble-makers and atheists, and the Jews considered them to be heretics. None of them wanted the Christians around – and the Christians were being tortured and killed and driven underground to worship.
The solution to their suffering was a seemingly simple one: deny the Gospel and go back to practicing Judaism with its Sacrificial Law. "Come back to Judaism and all will be forgiven – you will be welcomed back – all will be well again."
The author of Hebrews appealed to the Hebrew Christians being tempted with the argument to return to Judaism and he begs them as brothers – as men and women that he loves in Christ, as men and women he knows, and as men and women with whom he shares a common interest – he begged them to "bear with his word" – to listen – to take to heart – his admonition – his teaching – based on their experience of him as an apostle of Jesus Christ and based on their reception and knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – he begs them to stand for the Gospel.
There are two reasons:
First, the Sacrificial Law was never intended to make a person right with God – the best it could do was make a person partially right with God for the moment that they offered their sacrifice, which was no salvation at all. Being partially saved is like being partially pregnant – it's meaningless as far as salvation is concerned.
One of the reasons that Law was given was to make it clear that all people are sinners and everyone needs a salvation that cannot be earned in order to be made right with God and escape God's Wrath. Our only hope is the Savior that God promised back in the Garden of Eden.
Second, as the author of Hebrews goes to great lengths to show, Jesus is both the fulfillment of every aspect of the Old Testament Sacrificial Law, and He is also the Promised Savior and the Only Hope of salvation for humanity – God come to earth in the flesh, Who lived a perfect life under God's Law, died for the sins of everyone who would ever believe, and physically rose from the dead and ascended back to His throne – having merited righteousness through His Life, which He credits to all those Who believe, and having taken on the Wrath of God for all of the sins of everyone who would ever believe in the Savior, so those Who believe are now seen as holy and justified through Jesus.
Given the results – the only sensible thing to do is to stand for the Gospel – to believe what historically occurred that makes Jesus the Only and Promised Savior from God. That's why he says that standing for the Gospel is urgent – that he appeals to them – he begs them to consider all he has said in love and for their benefit. It is urgent to stand for the Gospel, because nothing else will save us – we cannot keep the Law of God and the Law of God was never meant to be a way of becoming right with God – a way to salvation.
However, as the Hebrew Christians knew all too well, standing for the Gospel is dangerous. But that should not have come as a surprise, even in the early days of the Gospel – Jesus was crucified, after all. And the Bible paints the Christian life as normally being one of suffering – Christians ought to expect to suffer for our faith:
"and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him" (Romans 8:17, ESV).
"If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer" (2 Corinthians 1:6, ESV).
"For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake," (Philippians 1:29, ESV).
"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me" (2 Timothy 1:8-12, ESV).
"For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps" (1 Peter 2:20-21, ESV).
And Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 16:24b-25 ESV).
Those preachers who promise that everything is going to be peaches and wine when you become a Christian are lying. The promise from the beginning is that if you believe in Jesus, the Only Savior, that God has sent into the world, you will suffer for His sake and for the sake of the Gospel.
Standing for the Gospel is dangerous, but it is the only hope for a human to be saved from the Wrath of God!
All over the world, Christians are still put to death for professing their faith – for proclaiming the Gospel. We gave money to an RCA missionary this past year who is in a part of the world where, if it was found out that he was there as a missionary and not just there for the job he is doing to provide for himself and his family; they could be deported or even killed.
Please understand we are nowhere commanded to seek out suffering. However, we are told to expect suffering for the sake of the Gospel – and the point of the letter to the Hebrews is that suffering, even to the end of being put to death for the sake of standing for the Gospel is worth it. For – as Peter put it, "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12, ESV).
Does it really apply to twenty-first century Americans? Shouldn't our religious views be private and personal? Shouldn't we not annoy people with what we believe?
There are only two questions for us:
One, do you believe that Jesus is the Only Way to salvation?
And if so, two, will you be obedient and tell others the Gospel?
At this point in history, we do not tend to be killed in this country for professing our faith. But, are you willing to be ridiculed? Are you willing to lose a promotion? Or a job?
When I became confident of my call to the ordained ministry, I had relatives say that I was "wasting my talents."
I have had people tell me my beliefs are "uneducated," backwards," "ignorant," and "anti-science."
I had someone recently tell me that I was a racist for disagreeing with an African-American pastor on the definition of the Gospel.
I have been told by higher ups in the denomination that I probably couldn't get another call in the Northeast because I believe that the whole Bible is true.
That's not being tortured or killed – by a long shot…
Standing for the Gospel is urgent, because it is our Only Hope.
Standing for the Gospel is dangerous.
"Bear with my word" – "take to heart what I have taught you and lived for and recognize that it is worth being put to death for," or losing your home, or your job, or just being ridiculed. Open your mouth, proclaim the Gospel, live for Jesus, and whatever comes, may Jesus Christ be glorified in our living and in our dying.
The author of Hebrews says, apologetically, that he wanted to make sure that they stood for the Gospel and hang on to the Gospel and understood the Gospel – that Jesus Christ fulfills the Old Testament Sacrificial System and is our only salvation – it was urgent that they not turn away – that they not be sway by the rhetoric of the Jews and the threats of the Romans – and that's why he wrote such a short letter.
And some of you may be thinking, "Short letter? He's been preaching on this the better part of two and a half years." But, it's actually only eight and a half pages – it's something that could have been read to the congregation in one worship service – in less than an hour. It is short. But what it says is of utmost importance and urgency. And that is why he is apologetic in tone about the shortness of his letter.
Second, we ought to mutually salute our fellow Christians.
"You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who come from Italy send you greetings."
The author of Hebrews goes on to personal greetings:
First, he tells them that Timothy has been released – probably from prison. What Timothy is this? We might quickly jump to the conclusion that this was Timothy, the companion of Paul, to whom the two letters of Timothy are written, but we cannot be one hundred percent sure. What we can be sure of is that this Timothy was a missionary of the early church who had been imprisoned for some time, and who was now released from prison.
We also see in the text that this Timothy was going to come to the author of Hebrews, wherever he was and whatever the circumstances were that were keeping him from returning to the Hebrews, and that Timothy would go on to meet with the Hebrews after he was reunited with the author of the letter to the Hebrews.
We also note that this Timothy was a close friend and Christian brother to both the author to the letter of the Hebrews and to the Hebrews themselves, as the author of the letter to the Hebrews calls him, "our brother."
From this, we can see it is good and right to rejoice in the good things that happen to our brothers and sisters in Christ – to have the mutual love for one another that overrides our being jealous of others and their successes, but rather rejoices with them as fellow members of the Body of Christ.
Thus, we ought to rejoice and spread the good news when good things happen to our brothers and sisters in Christ – when we get a new job, when we have children and grandchildren, when we recover from illness or some other thing which is keeping us down – and especially if it was from continuing to proclaim the Gospel freely, when we are thanked for what we have done or the example we have been – we are to rejoice with each other's joys and support each other in them.
As Paul reminds us:
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
"For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
"The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.' On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together" (1 Corinthians 12:12-26, ESV).
We are one together in Christ and when one suffers, we all suffers and when one of us rejoices – like Timothy being freed – we ought all rejoice with the person or people who are rejoicing.
Secondly, the author of Hebrews makes his third comment about leaders in this chapter:
First, he told us that we are to remember what our leaders rightly taught us from the Word of God and imitate them as they live lives which are pleasing to God and according to His Word.
Second, he told us that we are to obey our leaders in those things that they rightly teach and preach from the Word of God – for the sake of the office they hold and because they are proclaiming and commanding what God wants from us.
And third, now, he tells us to greet all our leaders. We are to care about our leaders and greet them as brothers in Christ – as parts of the Body of which we are all one. We ought to be joyful to see and sit under our faithful preachers and teachers – looking forward to hearing what they have to bring to us from the Word of God – giving thanks for the diligent work they have put into prayer, study, and preparation to deliver the Word of God to us.
Third, he tells us to also greet all the saints – all those who are believers with us – and
that he and the saints in Italy greet them. We are to care for our fellow Christians – desiring to be with them – especially in the House of God for worship. Although we are different people and, perhaps, some of us would not normally choose each other for friends if we were not part of the Church – remember the saying, "you can choose your friends, but you're stuck with your family." That's a negative way of putting it – but recognize that you and I and all those who believe through time and space are brothers and sisters with each other and Jesus Christ – part of the same One Body, the Church, of which Jesus Christ is the Head. Just as we are pleased to have all of our body parts – we ought to be pleased and give thanks for our brothers and sisters in Christ – extending fellowship to all those who confess Christ.
Here, we also find out that the author of the letter to the Hebrews is confined in Italy. Whatever his circumstance which prevents him from going to the Hebrews, we know that he is in Italy.
And third, we ought to pray the whole good will of Jesus for our fellow Christians.
"Grace be with all of you."
What does the author of Hebrews intend in these words?
Grace is the unmerited favor of God in the Gospel, and the blessings of God and the ability given by God to do God's Will.
The author of Hebrews is offering a prayer for them that as they face persecution for the Gospel, that they will not turn back to the Old Testament Sacrificial System – proving themselves to be false confessors of Christ, but that they will hold fast to the Gospel – having received the Grace of God that they would be able to believe and endure whatever comes their way for the sake of the Gospel – the Only Way of Salvation.
And he is praying for them that they who have believed savingly in Jesus and His Gospel would be equipped and blessed in every way that they need to be the people of God that He has called them to be – to do all that God has put before them – to do it well – to the Glory of God and for the good of them and all the saints – all those who believe.
That is something we ought to pray for each other, is it not? That we would truly believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ and not merely be hypocritical posers in the House of God to look good or to try to reap benefits from we who cannot see the heart.
We ought to pray for each other that we truly believe and that God will supply us with everything we need to do the good works that He has set before us. We ought to pray for each other that we would keep from sin and show love – especially to our brothers and sisters in Christ – but also to all people that they would see Christ in us. So, even if we are taken away and thrown into prison for our profession of faith and threatened with torture or death we would stand strong and confess Jesus Christ and His Gospel, because there is no other hope – there cannot be any other hope – God has made One Way through Jesus Christ that all those who believe would be saved.
So ends the letter to the Hebrews.
Let us pray:
Almighty God, we thank You for making the Way of salvation through Jesus Christ. We thank You for choosing us to be Your sons and daughters. We ask that You would give us Your Grace – that we would be sure that we have believed that Jesus, the Incarnated Son of God, is the One we are putting our hope and salvation in, and we ask that You would give us Your Grace to stand for You and the Gospel of Jesus Christ no matter what we may endure at the hands of those who do not believe and those who are fighting against Your clear Word. We ask that You would give us all that we need to do those good works You have planned for us, and we ask that You would enable us to do them. Help us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ – all those You have called to Yourself through Jesus – may we rejoice with those who rejoice and stand with and mourn with those who mourn. Make us a more caring, more Christ-exalting people, that we would have joy and You would be glorified. For this is our life and our purpose, and it is in Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.
Posted by Rev. Dr. Peter A. Butler, Jr. at 8:53 AM No comments:
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Warning....this post, to some, will seem to have some outlandish claims. It may stretch your belief system a bit. But first, you must really ground yourself on this concept: "For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37). After all, God is Creator! And if God is Creator, that means that He not only oversees everything, but He can intervene in the physical realm at any time, and even defy what we would call the laws of physics or science. I like the word 'defy'. To defy is - to challenge to do something considered impossible. A miracle, for instance, is basically defying the laws of nature. Miracles are considered impossible as far as science is concerned. Walking on water is impossible. Calming the raging sea is impossible. Bringing back a dead person to life is impossible. But, of course, as far as God is concerned, "nothing is impossible."
The other concept you must be convinced of is this - "the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen." (Hebrews 11:3) This statement is incredible. It means that God is so powerful that He created everything, including the entire universe, just by His command - "the entire universe was formed at God's command." Wow! Consider this: "The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born." (Psalm 33:6). Not only that, He created everything from nothing. In other words, he created 'matter' itself, instantaneously. He didn't just make everything out of pre-existing matter - He made matter itself! But again, remember,"nothing is impossible with God."
A God so powerful is able to do anything, on any scale, large or small. The Creator is more powerful than what He has created, and is sovereign over what He has created. That means He can, at any time He chooses, alter or change what He has put in place. If He is powerful enough to put something in place, He is certainly powerful enough to alter it. Do you believe it?
That brings us to the incomprehensible: the day the earth stood still. That's right, a day when the earth stopped rotating for a day! Seems 'impossible' doesn't it? The earth rotates at just over 1000 miles per hour! It's impossible to stop this rotation - or is it? Scientists will say it's impossible. But don't listen - believe instead. Scientists will say life is created by evolution, not creation. Scientists will say there couldn't have been a world flood that covered the earth. Scientists will say that the star of Bethlehem was a natural event (see my post, "Don't Tell Me The Star Was Just A Star!").
I like what God says about those who proclaim to know things that are not meant to be comprehended by man. "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? What supports its foundation, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?" (Job 38:4-7).
God continues to put Job, as well as any human, in his place. Being facetious, He says, "Where does light come from, and where does darkness go? Can you take each to its home? Do you know how to get there? But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced!" (Job 38:19-21)
Yes, the earth stopped in it's tracks. It's recorded in the book of Joshua. "On the day the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel. He said, "Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon." So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies. Is this event not recorded in The Book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and it did not set as on a normal day. There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the Lord answered such a prayer. Surely the Lord fought for Israel that day!" (Joshua 10:12-14) - You see, God stopped the rotation of the earth so that the sun could stand still, giving them extended light for battle.
But there's even a more incredible miracle! There was a time when God not only stopped the rotation of the earth, but moved it slightly backwards for a moment, before allowing it to rotate again.
Meanwhile, Hezekiah had said to Isaiah, "What sign will the Lord give to prove that he will heal me and that I will go to the Temple of the Lord three days from now?"
Isaiah replied, "This is the sign from the Lord to prove that he will do as he promised. Would you like the shadow on the sundial to go forward ten steps or backward ten steps?" "The shadow always moves forward," Hezekiah replied, "so that would be easy. Make it go ten steps backward instead." So Isaiah the prophet asked the Lord to do this, and he caused the shadow to move ten steps backward on the sundial of Ahaz! (2 Kings 20:8-11)
Isaiah replied, "This is the sign from the Lord to prove that he will do as he promised. Would you like the shadow on the sundial to go forward ten steps or backward ten steps?" "The shadow always moves forward," Hezekiah replied, "so that would be easy. Make it go ten steps backward instead." So Isaiah the prophet asked the Lord to do this, and he caused the shadow to move ten steps backward on the sundial of Ahaz! (2 Kings 20:8-11)
So....believe what you may. As for me, nothing is impossible with God. I believe He stopped the earth's rotation twice. If you believe in the Creator God, who are you to put limits on Him? Who are you to tell him what He can and cannot do? What gives you the authority to question these things? - or dare to tell God He didn't or couldn't do such things?
And if God can do such incredible things like stopping the earth's rotation, imagine what He can do in your life. "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." (Ephesians 3:20).


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Summer is quickly creeping upon us. Unfortunately as equestrians, we have to wear breeches and boots in 90° heat. Let's face it. It's m-i-s-e-r-a-b-l-e. Riding and doing barn chores in the heat can be a bit unfortunate.
Now, you're probably thinking, let's get to the post! That's why I came here! Okay, okay. I get it. On with the post!
Stay hydrated! Take care of yourself in the heat. Pack plenty of water for yourself and keep it in the fridge, if available. Avoid drinking too much caffeine and pop, because it's dehydrating. I pack a Yeti Cup of water and/or a bottle of water just about every week.
Dress appropriately for the barn. Avoid wearing dark colors at all costs. They make you hotter and it makes your whole day annoying. If you aren't going to ride, consider wearing shorts or capris. Wear loose fitting, light colored clothes. White shirts (and sometimes pants) will become see-through if it becomes wet. Wear a light colored shirt and thin breeches for riding.
Store sunscreen in the fridge. Personally, I haven't tried this yet. You want to keep sunscreen with you anyway, but if there is a fridge available, stick your sunscreen in the fridge before apply it to your skin.
Put peppermint essential oils in your sunscreen. Again, I haven't tried this personally, but peppermint is a cooling oil. It'll cool down your skin and the sunscreen will protect it from the sun's harmful rays. Some oils you can put in your water as well, just check with a health specialist before doing so.
Bring veggies and fruits for a snack. Fruits and veggies are yummy for snacks— especially at the barn! Plus, you can share carrots with you favorite pony while you're at it. Eating this foods will help keep you cool instead of foods high in protein.
Braid or wear your hair in a ponytail. If you have long hair, I suggest wearing your hair in braids or a ponytail. It'll help keep you nice and cool, and it'll help tame your helmet hair.
Bring a cooler. If a freezer isn't available, and if at all possible, bring a small cooler with you. Pack it full of ice-filled Ziploc bags so you can either put it in your drink or use it as ice packs to keep cool.
Pack a fan. If you can, pack a small fan. It doesn't matter if it's battery powered or electric, just as long as you have a place to put it. For Neville, I use a Ryobi 18V battery powered fan. We use it just about every day. With Avery, we use a regular, electric box fan.
When you're out in the heat, be sure you know the signs and symptoms of heat stroke.
- High body temperature. If you're temperature is above 104° F (or 40° C) you may have heatstroke.
- Rapid breathing. Your breathing rate might become very fast and very shallow if you have heatstroke.
- Headache. You might have a headache if you have heatstroke.
- Vomiting and nausea. If you have heatstroke, you might experience a sense of nausea or vomiting.
- Abundant amounts of sweating. You may start sweating large amounts if you experience heat stroke.
- Tired feeling. Heatstroke can make you tired.
- Dizziness. You might feel light-headed or dizzy.
- Muscle and/or abdominal cramps. You could get cramps in your muscles or abdomen.
- Dark-colored urine. If your urine is dark, this is a sign of dehydration. This could also be a sign of heatstroke.
If you think you have heatstroke or if another person has it, seek medical help immediately. 911 is literally the easiest number to dial on your cell phone. If you don't think you can make it to the hospital quick enough, call 911.


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.....I'm going to Greece. And it will be the inspiration for the decor of one room in my house:)
And I'm also going to Tuscany just cause.
Also, if you're not already in love with Tuscany you need to see Under the Tuscan Sun with Diane Lane. It came out in 2003 and was nominated for a Golden Globe. I also just found out it was first a book.
Note: There is a love seen in it but I've never seen it cause I always skip it:) Just a warning that I have no idea whats involved but IMBd says there's no nudity.


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