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Are we Listening for Instruction?
December 11, 2018
Are we Listening for Instruction?
Isaiah 48:17-20
This is what the Lord says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river., your righteousness like the waves of the sea. Your descendents would have been like its numberless grains; their name would never be cut off nor destroyed before me. Leave Babylon, flee from the Babylonians! Announce this with shouts of joy and proclaim it. Send it out to the ends of the earth; say, "The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob."
Many of us have become accustomed to seeking man and religion for answers and direction in life. Do we think that Babylon was just some ancient city in Iraq? The spirit of Babylon or Babel is very much alive today as it was in days of old. Many of you will recall the tower of Babel that Nimrod attempted to build back in the book of Genesis. It began with the efforts of men to make for them a name in the earth. It was an edifice of man built to the heavens. God thwarted their efforts by confusing the languages of men. Babel has come to mean confusion or mixing.
What does that have to do with listening to the voice of God? There are so many voices around us influencing us to do this and to do that, but we have gotten away from the voice that wants to direct us in the way we should go. There are many things that have a pretence of good and noble gestures. Does that mean they are of God? What about all of our religions and even denominations, won't they take us where we need to go? Many of these sound good, shouldn't we listen to them? Often we hear so many voices saying so many things it is hard for us to know what to believe, who is right and who is wrong. There are many spirits and voices that have a form of religion and godliness, but are they the voice of God to us? Many of us have become the occupants of this religious city called Babylon. We have been caught up and taken captive by religion, led out of the New Jerusalem, which is free and led into Babylon. We have become so comfortable and adjusted to it that we may seldom even think about what the New Jerusalem is that we have left.
Throughout the Word of God we are hearing the exhortation, "Come out from among them and touch not the unclean thing." Here, in this scripture, we are hearing the exhortation of the Lord to come out and flee Babylon. Babylon has become a mixture of flesh and spirit. When we look at Christianity today and our religion as a whole are we not seeing a mixture of flesh and spirit. Why is so much of the world turned off to Christianity? Isn't it because they see the hypocrisy of our lives in the light of what we profess to believe?
What is the answer, to forsake all of our churches and be by ourselves? No, there is more to it than that. Babylon begins in our own mentality and thinking. The Babylon first must come out us before it will ever come out of the church. Praise God we are seeing the Spirit stirring in the hearts of true believers that are grasping and laying hold of the concept that to come out of a religious Babylon we have to come into a place of relationship with Christ. Herein lies the answer to our coming out of Babylon. In that place of personal relationship and coming to know our Lord intimately and personally we are separating ourselves from mere religion and coming back to the place where God has called us to live and inhabit. We are to come back to that New Jerusalem that is free; the city of our God where we walk in the light of the Word of God and are directed and led by the Spirit of God. We stop listening to all the external voices and we first listen to the inner voice of the Spirit of God within us, but we will only really hear that voice as we are abiding in Him. The Lord is calling us out of Babylon today. He is calling us out of the confusion and many voices of religion and back into that place of personal relationship and communion with Him. Then when we gather with like-minded believers we corporately enter into that place of intimacy and worship where His Holy Spirit desires to dwell and He alone is glorified and not man. Come back to that place where we learn to listen to Him again and not the many voices of confusion.
Approaching Our God
November 13, 2018
Approaching Our God
James 4:7-9
7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Many of us struggle with approaching God and establishing the relationship with Him that our spirit man longs for. We want to hear the Lord speak to us, we want His direction for our lives, at least we think we do, and we want a relationship where we have a continual abiding fellowship and dialogue with the Lord.
We keep thinking, "what am I missing"? Why aren't I feeling closer to God? Why don't I hear His voice and get His direction more? Our answers could lie in these verses and in this chapter. For many of us we are loosing the battle to the flesh in too many areas of our lives. We are back and forth between spirit and flesh. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak and so we struggle with living consistent lives in the Spirit.
The first thing God tells us here, that we need to do, is submit. Literally it means to be subordinate and be yielded to another's control. This is the same context of submission as Ephesians 5:22 requires when it says, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." Men we are not really different from our wives. We really want to be in the driver's seat concerning our lives. One of the reasons we are missing God is we aren't fully resigned in obedience to Him. Wives, if you aren't really submitted to your husbands, then you aren't really fully submitted to Christ. We all have to follow the order of authority that God has laid down for us in our lives.
The second area is "resist the devil and he will flee from you." Many of us are hit and miss at this as well. We have good intentions, we mean well, but too many times we miss the mark. Our resistance must be in direct proportion to our insistence that Christ is Lord. When Jesus encountered the devil's temptations in the wilderness, He insisted on the authority of the Word lining up in obedience to God. Many, like the devil, take the Word and pervert it to try and say what justifies their particular lust and desires. Resist the devil with the Spirit and the Word. We are weak, but He is strong. Our strength is in our abiding, obedient relationship with Christ. He is the overcomer in us. We have to see ourselves through the lens of who we are in Christ.
"Come near to God and He will come near to you." Are we continually approaching God in an attitude of true humility, contriteness and repentance? Are His praises continually in our mouth, His meditation in our heart and is our purpose to find His will and plan for us personally? What must we do to draw near? "Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." The first and foremost thing is that we have to be totally serious in our intent to find God's presence. God sees right through our heart, our intents and motives. James 1:4-8 tells us, "4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." If we want God to take us seriously, then we have to be totally serious with Him. Isn't it interesting that again in this passage of James 5 he uses this terminology of "double-minded"? This is where most of us find ourselves, divided between heaven and earth. We look up at God and say, " yes, I want you Father," and then we look back at earth and think, "yeah, but I don't really want to give that up, lay that down or turn away from that area in my life." We are double-minded, torn in two directions, but the Word calls us adulteresses, those of us who break our vows with our friendship with the world. It is this attitude and state of mind that we must grieve, mourn and wail over. We must hate it so much that it becomes a stench to us. We must be so grieved at any attitude or behavior that is contrary to the nature and character of Christ in us. He must forever be our all in all. There must be so much of a humility and brokenness in our hearts that God will lift us up and know that we mean business with Him. The lower we are willing to go the higher He can lift us up. The more we are willing to die, the more of the resurrection life of Christ we are able to lay hold of. How is our approach as we seek to find God's presence today?
Joy Cometh in the Morning
September 14, 2018
Joy Cometh in the Morning
Psalms 30:5
For his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour [is] life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning.
Where is your life spiritually today? Would you characterize it as nighttime or daytime? Most all of us, who have been walking in Christ for a time, know that we go through seasons in a spiritual sense. There are times we go through such close intimate times with our Lord and sense His presence and love in such a wonderful way and then there are those nighttime experiences. It may come as a result of allowing sin to come into our lives. It may be the result of God's chastening or dealings in our lives. It may be through persecution or tribulation. Whatever the reason it is nighttime experience, one in which we fail to sense God's presence in our soul. Our prayers may seem hollow and of none effect. These are times when spiritually we cry out for God, perhaps it is in these times we really begin to seek God's help, His presence, His deliverance through a trial or tribulation we are facing. There are times our lives can feel pretty bleak. Our circumstances are overtaking us. Where is God?
King David experienced this nighttime ordeal before He became King. Psalm 30:7-9 says, "
LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, [and] I was troubled. I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication. What profit [is there] in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper." Perhaps you and I have prayed prayers similar to this. One thing that is so admirable about David and I think a spiritual key to us overcoming in these dark times is that David, no matter how low, remembered the goodness and the faithfulness of God. He continually brought God's promises and His benefits before the Lord in his prayers and psalms. And he never ceased to praise and thank God even in those dark times. He was quite honest with God about what he was going through and the emotions that wanted to overtake him, but he always brought his thoughts and focus back to a place of faith in the faithfulness of God. We may go through some long nights that may go for years, but learn those principles that David learned. They will sustain you in those times. David even says an interesting thing in this passage, he says, " by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face." Have you ever thought of your mountain as favor from God? Remember that what God is allowing in your life is designed to press you into Him. He wants us to learn and trust Him for who He is, not what He can do for us. This is the place of maturing faith where the rubber meets the road. God has to become very real to us or we give up and turn away. God is processing us through the hardships of our life. "The trial of your faith is much more precious than Gold" (1 Peter 1:7a)
In this scripture David says "joy does come in the morning", our trials, darkness and seeming separation from God won't last forever. He is faithful to bring us through if we faithfully hold fast to Him. David's next expression after talking of how severe the trial says, "Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that [my] glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever."
If you are in your night season, don't be discouraged, have hope, God has not forsaken you. He is proving you and bringing you into whom you really are in Him. Stand the test, stay the course, for joy comes in the morning.
Sheep or Goat
August 9, 2018
Sheep or Goat
Matthew 25:32-46
"All nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them [the people] from one another as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats; 33And He will cause the sheep to stand at His right hand, but the goats at His left. 34Then the King will say to those at His right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father [you favored of God and appointed to eternal salvation], inherit (receive as your own) the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you brought Me together with yourselves and welcomed and entertained and lodged Me, 36I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me with help and ministering care, I was in prison and you came to see Me. 37Then the just and upright will answer Him, Lord, when did we see You hungry and gave You food, or thirsty and gave You something to drink? 38And when did we see You a stranger and welcomed and entertained You, or naked and clothed You? 39And when did we see You sick or in prison and came to visit You? 40And the King will reply to them, Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least [in the estimation of men] of these My brethren, you did it for Me. 41Then He will say to those at His left hand, Begone from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels! 42For I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not welcome Me and entertain Me, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me with help and ministering care. 44Then they also [in their turn] will answer, Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You? 45And He will reply to them, Solemnly I declare to you, in so far as you failed to do it for the least [in the estimation of men] of these, you failed to do it for Me, 46Then they will go away into eternal punishment, but those who are just and upright and in right standing with God into eternal life."
Every day we either minister or fail to serve Christ. For so many of us, we find ourselves so involved and caught up in what we are doing that we totally miss our mission and calling. We miss and fail to take the time and invest our resources into others. Many of us have built up a wall of resistance against those who cross our paths with needs. Even if we are giving, there are so many people, organizations and causes constantly asking for money and finances for something that we tend to get hardened to the "giving" as a whole. After all we have our own family to take care and worry about. While I would agree that there are more causes and people demanding from us than what most of us have resources to meet, are we still staying in tune with the Holy Spirit? Are we in relationship with Christ where we can move and give ourselves as He leads and impresses us rather than as everyone expects and demands from us?
When we look at the life of Jesus what impresses us about His giving? Did He raise great sums of money to put in the temple treasury? Did He get involved with every charitable organization or fundraiser? The first thing He did is He tuned into the Father and what the Father's will for Him was and then He carried it out in action. He gave out of the well of His life and truth.
In John 6 we find that there are those that followed Jesus after He had fed the multitude, because they saw Him as a free meal ticket. They try and guilt Jesus into giving to them by using scriptural coercion. In John 6:30-35 we read this dialogue, "Our forefathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as the Scripture says, He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.32Jesus then said to them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, Moses did not give you the Bread from heaven [what Moses gave you was not the Bread from heaven], but it is My Father Who gives you the true heavenly Bread. 33For the Bread of God is He Who comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world. 34Then they said to Him, Lord, give us this bread always (all the time)! 35Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time)…. 38For I have come down from heaven not to do My own will and purpose but to do the will and purpose of Him Who sent Me." The true gifts and service that we offer will be from a heart that is one with the Father's and that lives out of an attitude of giving and service. When we live to serve, love and give to those around us then we live to serve and minister to Jesus. It will be in the random acts of kindness, the times we help those who couldn't help themselves and in the times when we gave even when others didn't deserve it. It is in a life that is lived for others and not just for self. It is in taking the time and having the heart for others even when our own life is so demanding. A sheep has a nature of a servant and was born to be a blessing. A goat may go through the motions, but their heart is not in it. They will never see the needs in others, because they are always blinded by their own.
January 18, 2018
1 Timothy 4:1-3
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
Did you ever think about there being renegades, religious or spiritual outlaws, deserters and traitorous to the faith of Jesus Christ? The Word of God warns us there is and will be and not only so, but they become the wolves that prey upon the flock. They know the culture, the language, the scripture, but they have become hypocrites feigning and pretending to be what they are not. Even as the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy, these renegades have become the agents of satan to undermine, destroy and put into bondage those who do not discern their workings. They are manipulators, using and abusing the flock of God to their own end, purpose and glory. In the end it is all about them and they have become so hardened and callused to the dealings of the Holy Spirit that they completely ignore whatever warning He has tried to give them.
Beware of those who use condemnation and coercion to force their will and ideas upon you. They put yokes and bondage upon you that Christ never intended that you bear. They use religion rather a relationship of love to promote their gospel and unholy tidings. Yes, it will contain truth and much of it will come from the Bible, but the devil is a bottle poison in a lake of truth and so are these agents of his. These will become more and more prominent in the latter days as the spirit of antichrist is at work in the world and is becoming more manifest. Guard your hearts with the full knowledge of the Word of God and the Spirit of Truth. 2 Timothy goes on to warn us, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." The testimony of a true believer is not just in the rhetoric of their mouth, but in the fruit of their lives. Many great teachers and preachers and so-called men of God we only see from a distance, living behind a projected front of holiness and religion. The true man of God won't put you again under the law of condemnation. He will declare to you the law of liberty, freedom and righteousness, which is through Christ alone. The man of God will not manipulate you through guilt, fear, judgement and condemnation, which is a form of witchcraft. I often find it offensive to receive what can be a moving email and at the end I am condemned and not a good Christian if I don't send this to at least ten more people. That's condemnation and manipulation. If it is of God then let God move upon the hearts of those who read it to pass it on. Unfortunately it speaks of the mentality of much of what is at work in Christendom today. When we have to force it, lay guilt trips and condemnation on people to get them to respond to our ideas and agendas then we are acting out of the flesh and not out of the Spirit of God. There are sermons I have heard on tithing and giving that would have me feeling like a reprobate if I wasn't giving more. Then I have heard sermons and teaching on tithing and offerings that brought me into a greater revelation of the joy and act of worship that is entailed with giving. It taught me the spiritual and natural benefits involved in giving. The difference was in one I might have given out of guilt and condemnation, in the other instance I was seeking the Lord on how I could give more, because I wanted too. It was my joy and worship to do so, not my condemnation.
Many years ago I felt like the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me and said, "in the last days you will see miracles and what will appear to be great works and moves of God. Don't look upon the outward things, but look at the heart. By the heart of a man you will know his nature." Satan can counterfeit miracles and Christians, but he can't counterfeit the love and the fruit of the Spirit, at least not for long.
I'm not sure why the Spirit has led me to write this, but there are those that need to be discerning about who they are following and where they are being led. The Word of God says in 1 John 4:1, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." In Matthew 10:16 Jesus tells us, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." God doesn't want us to just follow blindly anyone that seems to have a good message. Make sure the message lines up with the whole counsel of God, that it truly bears witness with your spirit and that you have the complete peace of God as you follow it. If something seems wrong it may well be the Holy Spirit raising a red flag in your heart. Beware of the renegades, they may be dressed just like you, but their heart is in a different place.
Ears to Hear
October 27, 2017
Ears to Hear
Matthew 11:15
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear
There are not a lot of people around that don't have physical hearing ears. So why did Jesus so often quote this phrase? The eyes, the ears and the hearts that he sought in men were not their natural ones, but their spiritual ones. A lot of people have rejected Jesus for generations, because He didn't make sense to them intellectually. They didn't have spiritual ears.
God spoke through Ezekiel to the people of Israel in Ezekiel 12:2, "Son of man, you dwell in the midst of the house of the rebellious, who have eyes to see and see not, who have ears to hear and hear not, for they are a rebellious house." Spiritual senses have to be attuned to hear spiritual things. Our spiritual sight and hearing are directly connected to the condition of our spiritual heart. If we are hardened in matters of the heart, our spiritual hearing and sight will be impaired as well. Many of us know how to listen with our ears, but we don't know how to listen with our hearts. Often words sound like one thing, but that is not the heart. We often may wonder why we don't hear from God when in fact He may be speaking to us all of the time. It is a rare thing to hear God's audible voice from heaven, but He can speak to us in so many other ways. He speaks through His Word, the still small voice of the Holy Spirit within our hearts, through circumstances, through others, through examples that we have and a number of ways. Yet often we don't hear the Lord speaking, because we are listening with our intellect rather than our heart. That doesn't mean that we only hear God through our emotions, because they are from the soul and can deceive us. We have to get in touch with our spirits, our inner man, that inner voice that is speaking the mind, will and heart of God. In John 8:47 Jesus says, "He that is of God will hear the words of God."
I remember times when the kids were growing up and they were constantly asking questions, "Can we do this or can we do that and so and so did this." As parents you know how emotionally draining children can be. There were a lot of times that I just zoned them out. I basically just shut them off. They could be standing there saying, dad, dad, dad! I had just shut them off mentally. That was my way of coping, but at the same time I had shut off my involvement in their lives, as obnoxious as that could sometimes be. I quit hearing them; my heart was hardened in that area. We do the same thing to God. Many times, like my children, we don't really want to hear God. He is speaking things to us that we don't want to deal with. Quite honestly, we like our way. We like to do what we enjoy and when we enjoy it. If that is not lining up with God's plan, guess who we tend to ignore? We end up shutting God out of our hearts. When we close our hearts to God, we don't just shut out a person, we shut out the love of God to our hearts and consequently the flow of His Spirit and love through us. That ends up impacting not only our spiritual relationship, but our natural ones as well. Many of us have done this same thing with our marriages and we are wondering why we don't feel in love with that person anymore? Our heart connection is the key to our hearing and seeing. If you want to really hear your wife, stop listening to just her words and listen to her heart. Sometimes what we hear as just nagging is a plea from their heart, saying "help me, appreciate me, care about me, communicate with me, love me. I have needs that are desperately needing to be met."
If we want to hear again what God is speaking through His Spirit we have to open our hearts to Him. We may be going through all of the right religious protocol and yet totally missing Him. Our relationship first has to be a matter of the heart, before it has meaning though our works. Our works must be the outflow of our heart relationship with Father; so many times we have gotten it backwards and try to use our works to find relationship.
If we ever want to come out of the wilderness and inherit the promises of God, we have to reconnect our hearts with Father. Deuteronomy 29:4 says, "Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day." A rebellious heart will keep us the prisoners of our circumstances, it will keep us in the rut of failure and it will leave our hearts lean and malnourished.
When the Holy Spirit spoke through John in Revelation 3 He repeatedly said at the end of each exhortation, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." Let us have the spiritual ears to hear what He is speaking to our hearts in this day, this hour and this minute. Let us listen and obey. Let us reestablish that heart connection that has become callused and cold. In order to hear Him in this hour we have to have that right heart condition.
As a Man Thinks
March 24, 2017
As a Man Thinks
Proverbs 23:6-7a
Eat thou not the bread of [him that hath] an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he…
Often we don't give much thought to the power of suggestion and the input from various sources that we take into our minds. Most of us have a belief and value system in place. Somehow we think that value system stands as a wall to defend us from wrong thinking and consequently wrong actions. Termites are just like little ants. They don't eat that much individually, but given enough time and numbers they can bring down an entire house. The same is true with our values and beliefs. They are not impermeable to wrong thinking and influence. Paul makes this clear when he exhorts the Corinthians in 2 Corinthian 6:14, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" As we live and walk among the world we are constantly exposed to the values and the mindset of the world which is most often contradictory to the Word and the will of the Father. We can't always avoid all that we are exposed to in the world, but we take in much of it by our own choice or by not actively turning from it. Paul goes on to share at the end of this chapter in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
Initially when we see or hear something that is wrong or offensive our reaction may be one of shock, disdain and turning away. If we are exposed to these types of things enough times, soon our conscience becomes numbed, our spiritual senses dulled and more or less we begin to dismiss it as common place, in other words, it becomes acceptable.
How do we react to common television shows today that twenty or thirty years ago would have caused a public outcry? Over time, not only have we as Christian become desensitized to the moral depravity, but also so has our society as a whole. I was reading about a study this morning where they estimated an 18% increase in teenage intercourse, simply due to the influence of television. It wasn't just in what they saw on the programs, but what they heard regarding sexual attitudes. We generally perceive reality based on what are mainstream values around us. We who are believers should know better, because our reality should be based on the standard of the Word of God. Let us not think for a minute that a constant diet of worldly views and influences doesn't have an effect on our relationship with God and our purity with Him. When God brought the children of Israel into the Promise Land He commanded them to totally annihilate and destroy the societies that previously existed there. That wasn't because He was a mean and vindictive God. It was because these nations had filled up the cup of His wrath by years of gross perversity and sin. For them to be integrated into Israel's society would bring pollution and draw their hearts away from God into the idolatry and perversity that God abhorred. As we can see in the Word of God, this is exactly what happened causing the judgement of God to come upon the children of Israel many times over their history.
There is tremendous power in the words we hear and take into our minds, either for life or for death. As Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." It not only has power in what we speak, but in what we hear. We become the products of our input. Colossians 3:1-4 says, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." Again in Philippians 4:8 we are exhorted, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things." We are in a day of preparation for the Lord's appearing. The Word warns us in Matthew 24:12 that in the last day, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." Our love is waxing cold because we are allowing the spirit of this world to take hold of us through all of the things we partake of in the world. This is not about throwing stones or do's and don'ts, because we are all guilty to varying degrees. This is about the mind and the will of God for our lives to be a separate and consecrated people unto Him. It is a narrow way and few there be that find it. It is His way, His Word and His Spirit. We must each one judge ourselves, lest we be judged. We must be eating a pure manna if we want to produce purity. We must guard our hearts from the tremendous spirit of corruption and defilement that is all around us. Let's seek His grace and entreat the Lord's help that our eye might be single and uncompromised before Him as we make right choices concerning what we take into our lives.
Doers and not Hearers Only
January 18, 2017
Doers and not Hearers Only
James 1:22
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
You are welcome to listen in as I am really talking more to myself than anyone else, although this is a subject that might actually touch many of us more than we realize. I just feel the conviction that I am in the Word and daily talking about it, mentally I ascent and agree with it, but how is it playing out in my daily life? It works great when I can apply it to others that, in my opinion, are missing the mark, but either I don't want too and I am often too deceived to see how I am missing the mark.
You know, I think that I get tunnel vision. I get to going in a routine and have things set in my mind about how I think things are or at least that I want them to be and I don't want to acknowledge or be flexible enough to move out of those parameters. Its not any different from that religious mentality that says I work five or six days a week, do my programs, or routines, maybe I even go to a bible study or some other weekly religious gathering. On Sunday morning, often with contention we get ready and go to church, sing the songs, hear the word, shake our heads in affirmation and then go out to dinner, maybe take a nap, watch 60 minutes and Monday we start all over again. Meanwhile what has really changed in me, you or in our world. How many voices are saying in quite subtle ways, " I could sure use your help, I could sure use a friend, I sure wish you would communicate with me, I sure wish I had a hand with these chores, I sure wish I could fulfill that little need or want, or I could sure use your ministry and attention in this area of my life." I am convicted because I know that I have become so dull of hearing I either miss or fail to respond to the majority of those voices and those needs that are present in my family, friends, and my neighbors. Now remind me again, "Who is it I am suppose to love as myself?" If I am missing all of that in the people, most of whom I love and care about, how much am I missing of what God is wanting and needing from me? If I have so shut them off, no wonder I can't hear God's voice as I pray, "help me to be an instrument of your blessing, help me to do your will, help me to love others as you have loved me and help me to know your will. Amen." The fact is I already know what a whole lot of His will is, but am I willing to change my agenda to facilitate it?
Husbands, it really helps if you are partly psychic and you can read minds well and be well attuned to exactly what your wife is thinking and feeling. I have to admit that I am not very gifted in this area. Most of the time women never just come out and say what they want and when they do it is usually too late. You have to be able to read between the lines. You have to be able to pick up on the subtle little things that are asking for your attention and action. The wife might say, "I sure wish I had this little gizmo, it would be so helpful to do this" She is asking for something and we are thinking, "yeah, I would like to have that new router. I could really do some cool stuff with that." If you are like me, most of the time you don't hear that as a call to action, you simply dismiss it as one of those "that would be nice things" and go on. Now you may not have intentionally blew her off, but in her mind you did, You didn't hear her heart and you didn't hear her need or want. If I don't pick up on that and hear that in my wife, then how much and how many times am I not being sensitive to the Holy Spirit when He is trying to motivate me in the right direction. We are like, "Sorry God, I am on a mission right now, I have an agenda; get back with me later when I have more time."
I am doing exactly what the scripture tells me not to do; I am hearing as it goes in one ear and out the other, but it never gets processed into action and deed. Nevertheless, I've heard the word, it was good and I agree with it, but I never get around to applying it to me personally. I deceive myself into thinking I am spiritual when in reality I am just on a mental trip, it is not changing the way I hear, through a sensitive spirit, the needs of others and how I can respond to help meet them at the point of their need. I am failing to allow Christ to really express through me the love and concern He has for others and their needs. Unless someone finally comes along and slaps me up along side the head with a 2×4; I just stay pretty much oblivious to the problem that seems so obvious to that other person. Like I said, by the time the 2×4 comes around to make me fully aware of the problem, it's probably too late to try and remedy it then.
So, "God, help me and any one like me to have ears to hear, eyes to see and a heart to do. Help us to have spiritual sensitivity to the needs of others around us. Help us to be your expression to those needs and to be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves. Amen."
Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord
December 27, 2016
Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord
Malachi 3:1
Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
When asking the Lord what is the most important message of this hour I believe "preparation" is what He is dropping into my heart. It is the time of a John the Baptist ministry when He has sent His servants into the Land to stir the hearts of the people to repentance and preparation for the coming King.
We have all grown so complacent with the lifestyles that we lead. We truly have far greater riches and blessing than the majority of the rest of the world. That is wonderful in some ways, but in others we have fallen into the snare of self-reliance and contentment. I see this in my own heart as well as others. In the spirit, God is speaking, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." He is exhorting and warning us to stir ourselves to faith and action. It is a time to really seek the Lord and what His purpose and plan is. We may still be in the stages of preparation, but we should be no less diligent in seeking God's highest for our lives. Things are boiling beneath surface and there will soon come a time when things will be released upon the earth, no doubt in both realms of light and darkness. Lethargy and mediocrity will prove to be the ropes that have tied our hands and feet. Over and over in what we hear the Lord speaking He is saying, "press into Me, repent of your sinful ways and start pressing into the high calling that is yours in Christ Jesus."
The book of Proverbs teaches that it is the wise man that listens and takes heed to reproof, but the fool only despises it. May the Lord heighten our spiritual senses and accountability today as we endeavor to walk the closer to Him and pursue His righteousness. A shaking has already begun and a judgement has come upon His house, for God first judges His own house. He is exposing our sin and our corruption. He is shouting from the rooftops those things that have been done in the closet.
This is the day for us to get our hearts right again, to purify ourselves and put away our iniquities. Can we hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches? More importantly are we willing to act upon and prepare the way of the Lord by first preparing our hearts? If you had one month to put your life and your house in order what would you change? What are our priorities in the light of eternity? The decisions and the choices we make today will ripple through our eternity. They may make the difference in whether we stand or fall, whether we are honored or dishonored before the Lord. Many of us are compromising ourselves as King Jehoshaphat did in the Old Testament. He was a good king and he loved the Lord, but in 2 Chronicles 19:1-3 we see God sending a prophet to warn him about compromising with evil. "When Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his palace in Jerusalem, 2 Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD ? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you. 3 There is, however, some good in you, for you have rid the land of the Asherah poles and have set your heart on seeking God." While many of us embrace and believe the principles of righteousness we embrace alliances with those walking in darkness. The Lord is calling us today unto separation and preparation. Jehoshaphat met his end because he was in an alliance and relationship that was not in the will and purpose of God. Be careful whom you build your relationships with.
"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:19-22)
How do I Know that I Know Him?
October 31, 2016
How do I Know that I Know Him?
1 John 2:1-6
1My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 3We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
Have you ever been around someone, who says they go to church and they claim to be a Christian, but their attitudes, their morals, their integrity and their language all testify against them? Now the truth is we all fall short of the glory of God and we know that if we sin, Jesus has paid the price and offers us forgiveness when we confess our sins and ask for it. When we behold Jesus and when we see His life and listen to His Words, is He what you really want to be like? Now our church mentality wants to say, "Oh yes, that's what I want. I want to be like Jesus." What does your heart say? What is more important is what are our lives saying?
Have you ever noticed in life that you tend to excel at what your passion is? When you are passionate about something it is not work, or a burden to you, it is your desire and it is what fulfills you. If we are trying to serve God out of obligation and duty then we probably won't do exceptionally well at it, because it is not in our heart. On the other hand, if Christ is our passion, our love and our desire, then keeping His commandments isn't that hard. That's who we are and what we want to be. It is our passion and our love, so to do the contrary to that grieves us and steals our joy. That is why Christ is all about relationship; when we love Him and when we are intimately connected to Him then He is who we desire to please. His commands aren't grievous to us, but joyous, because our obedience to them reflect our love for Him and desire to be well pleasing in His sight. Our obedience is our expression of love back to the Lord.
Remember your first love? We could not do enough to try and please that significant other. They were in our hearts, our thoughts and our conversation; we would doodle their name, we talked to our friends about them, they were the passion and joy of our life. That is what many of us have had with Jesus, but like that first love, the more familiar it became, the more common it became until it wasn't so special anymore, it was just another part of life. Many of us have seen this happen in our marriages and we have seen it happen with our relationship with the Lord. We still love, but we've slipped into a routine. We are faithful, but our hearts aren't in it like before. This condition can and does happen to many of us both in the natural and in the spirit. In Revelation 2 the Holy Spirit is addressing the seven churches. When He comes to the Church of Ephesus, He says this, "3I know you are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name's sake, and you have not fainted or become exhausted or grown weary. 4But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love]. 5Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet God's will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent." How many of our marriages have had their lampstand removed for this very reason, we forsook our first love? We lost our passion for love and relationship? What we have done in the natural, we are doing in the Spirit. The joy of obedience and service is in love. When we loose that love, the joy goes with it. We have to recapture that first love we had for Christ. Can you remember when He filled your spirit with His Spirit till your joy was too overflowing?
While we may be faithful with our bodies or our spirits, our minds and hearts have wandered off to pursue other lovers, but all they are really doing is robbing us of our first love and joy, and they never offer us any long-term fulfillment or faithfulness. They destroy what we did have to give and leave us nothing but heartache and sorrow. We are like Israel of old and like Homer, the harlot wife of Hosea. Hosea writes in Hosea 2:7, "And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then shall she say, I will go and return to my firsthusband; for then was it better with me than now." Beloved we need to lay hold of her revelation. We need to return to our first husband, our first love and our first passion. This can be said to us both naturally and spiritually. We have to rekindle those fires of friendship and relationship, both with Christ and with our spouses. Who can measure how much richer our lives will become if we set our hearts to do that. I know that my wife would say amen to that, how about yours?
How do you know that you Know Christ? The knowing is in the intimacy of relationship that is stemmed out of love and commitment. It is a dynamic that cannot become stagnant or static or it will whither and die. Complacency and mediocrity will kill it. We love Him, because He first loved us. His passion and His love for us hasn't changed, if something has changed in our relationship then the problem is with us and not with Him. Let's return to our first love. God's love is made complete in us through our obedience.


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Pak-China economic corridor problems over disputed Kashmir region
There are several legal issues with the $46 billion economic corridor with Pakistan on which the Chinese have expressed reservations, including the development of the route through the Gilgit-Baltistan region because it is seen as disputed territory with India.world Updated: Jan 11, 2016 19:34 IST
Pakistan's much publicised $46 billion economic corridor with China has run into rough weather, with Beijing expressing reservations over the development of the route across parts of Kashmir claimed by India.
The army has backed the civilian government on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, but opposition parties have expressed reservations over its route and frequent changes being made to it.
There are several legal issues on which the Chinese have expressed reservations, including the development of the route through the Gilgit-Baltistan region because it is seen as disputed territory with India.
Gilgit-Baltistan or the Northern Areas, which has been in dispute since the Partition, is claimed by India. The Chinese have expressed concerns about the legality of any work undertaken across territory that is the subject of an international dispute.
A senior Chinese official told the Pakistani media that "China cannot afford to invest billions of dollars on a road that passes through a disputed territory".
Opposition parties have threatened protests if Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government ignores smaller provinces in favour of his home province of Punjab for the location of projects.
The Chinese government's patience has apparently been exhausted and a statement from the Chinese embassy in Islamabad, which broke its silence in an unusual move, shed light on Beijing's frustration at roadblocks placed by different quarters in Pakistan.
The Chinese embassy asked all quarters to resolve their differences. "China hopes that the relevant parties in Pakistan could strengthen communication and coordination on the CPEC to create favourable conditions for the project," the embassy said in a statement.
Asked to comment on recent developments linked to the project, the embassy's spokesperson said, "The CPEC is the consensus reached between China and Pakistan, and has won popular support from the two peoples. The CPEC faces Pakistan as a whole, and will bring development and benefits to the people of Pakistan."
But opposition parties are not impressed. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi said his party had given an assurance that it will not do any politics on the project. "But we have reasonable doubts about the federal government. The PML-N government is not taking us into confidence on many issues," he said.
The strongest opponent to the project is the government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, whose chief minister Pervez Khattak said on Monday the prime minister needs to clear the air on commitments made on the western route during an all parties conference (APC).
The Khyber-Paktunkhwa government will make one last effort for reconciliation on the CPEC in a proposed meeting with Prime Minister Sharif "before taking any extreme measures", he said.
There are complaints about lack of transparency in the award of contracts and observers say it is unclear which projects will go ahead and which have been shelved.
Local labour leaders have expressed reservations over a decision by Chinese contractors to employ Chinese nationals at construction sites. A report by the Pakistan Labour Institute said many of these Chinese workers are members of the People's Liberation Army. Pakistani officials have not commented on these allegations.

subset: commoncrawl


text: Based on the critical case of ABB, this paper questions the relevance of using patents with multiple inventors from different countries ("cross-country patents") as an indicator of international R&D collaboration. The study shows that less than half of ABB's cross-country patents are the result of international R&D collaboration as described by one of the more inclusive definitions found in previous literature. Only a third of the patents are the result of joint R&D activities between different MNC subsidiaries or firms. We also discuss the implications of our study for the assignment of patents to countries based on inventor addresses.


text:
Karl Kevin Smith, author of Eclectic Whispers
My name is Karl Kevin Smith. My Birthday is March 21, 1959. I was born and raised in East St. Louis, Illinois. I am the author of Eclectic Whispers, Volume 1: The Menagerie. The book consists of 84 poems.
I hope you the reader will enjoy the (17) seventeen Preview poems offered at the website. If by chance you purchase the book you will not be disappointed.
Eclectic Whispers, Volume 1: The Menagerie can be purchased in Japan, North America, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, India and Africa. And these are just a few places. The price varies from $11.62 and $34.99.
The above mentioned can be verified by Google or by going to www.KarlKevinSmith.com.
Eclectic Whispers and IntuitionS Book of Poems. Website Content ©2009 by Karl Kevin Smith | email@example.com


text:
Give your kitchen a new look with this Welcome to my Kitchen Comfort Kitchen Mat. You will love the feeling of standing on this comfortable cushioned mat.
- Mat measures 30L x 18W x 0.5H in.
- Crafted of polyester
- Scattered kitchen item design
- Text reads "Welcome to my Kitchen"
- Hues of black, white, yellow, orange, blue, pink, gray, and green
- Polyurethane backing
- Care: Spot clean with mild soap and water. Air dry.
This item is available at Kirklands.com only, not available in stores. Please note: this item cannot be shipped to APO/FPO addresses.


text:
The original Broadway production of Gypsy, starring Ethel Merman as the indomitable stage mother Rose, opened May 21, 1959, at the Broadway Theatre. Arthur Laurents based his book on the memoirs of stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, with a score by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Jerome Robbins staged the 702-performance run. The Broadway revivals have starred Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Linda Lavin, Bernadette Peters, and Patti LuPone in the iconic role of Rose.
Flip through photos of the production below:


text:
The material within this blog helps to Empower those affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with educational information, news and community resources.
Be empowered with MS views and news. To receive The MS BEACON e-Newsletter, CLICK HERE - -
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Disclaimer: 'MS Views and News' DOES NOT endorse any products or services found on this blog. It is up to you to seek advice from your healthcare provider. The intent of this blog is to provide information on various medical conditions, medications, treatments, for your personal knowledge and to keep you informed of current health-related issues. It is not a substitute for the advice of your physician. Should you or your family members have any specific medical problem, seek medical care promptly.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
"COPAXONE® Approved by the FDA for Patients with a First Clinical Event Suggestive of Multiple Sclerosis"
Information found here provided by: MS Views and News, Inc
Business Wire
March 3, 2009
JERUSALEM - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ: TEVA), today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an expanded indication for COPAXONE(®) (glatiramer acetate injection) to include the treatment of patients who have experienced a first clinical episode and have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features consistent with multiple sclerosis (MS).
The FDA's approval follows a similar decision by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in February 2009 under which 24 EU member states have mutually recognized an expanded label for COPAXONE(® )to include the treatment of patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of MS.
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100 Fascinating Facts You Never Knew About the Human Brain
The human brain has amazed and baffled people throughout the ages. Some scientists and researchers have devoted their entire lives to learning how the brain works. It is no wonder that people enjoy learning facts about this incredible organ in the human body. Below, you will find 100 facts about the brain including how it works, how it develops, what it controls, how it affects sleep, dreams, and memory, and more, which may be helpful in your quest to earning a CNA. When you finish reading about these fun facts, take this short brainpower quiz and see how much you learned about the human brain.
Physical Attributes
These facts will teach you interesting bits of information about the physical make-up of the human brain.
- Weight. The weight of the human brain is about 3 lbs.
- Cerebrum. The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain and makes up 85% of the brain's weight.
- Skin. Your skin weighs twice as much as your brain.
- Gray matter. The brain's gray matter is made up of neurons, which gather and transmit signals.
- White matter. The white matter is made up of dendrites and axons, which create the network by which neurons send their signals.
- Gray and white. Your brain is 60% white matter and 40% gray matter.
- Water. The brain is made up of about 75% water.
- Neurons. Your brain consists of about 100 billion neurons.
- Synapses. There are anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 synapses for each neuron.
- No pain. There are no pain receptors in the brain, so the brain can feel no pain.
- Largest brain. While an elephant's brain is physically larger than a human brain, the human brain is 2% of total body weight (compared to 0.15% of an elephant's brain), meaning humans have the largest brain to body size.
- Blood vessels. There are 100,000 miles of blood vessels in the brain.
- Fat. The human brain is the fattest organ in the body and may consists of at least 60% fat.
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The Need for a Cohesive Nurse Practitioner Licensing System
By Courtney Phillips
The profession of Nurse Practitioner originally came about as a result of a shortage of MDs in the 1960s. Since that time, many things have changed, but one thing has not—the ability for a NP to move to another state and expect to be able to work in the same manner as before. Federalism is a wonderful aspect of the government, but one that ultimately falls short when it comes to regulating health care.
This issue may be a divisive one, but the truth of the matter is that NPs all over the United States are subject to completely different sets of rules and regulations from one state to the next. Whereas in one state a NP has full autonomy and can even practice independently, in others they must work in collaboration with an MD, while in others still they work beneath the doctor and must answer to that individual.
As for funding, the stipulations and regulations regarding this aspect of the NP system are something only the initiated can understand fully. Educational requirements also vary from state to state, with some requiring master, while others ask for a few months worth of post RN coursework.
This conundrum brings up various ethical and philosophical points which aren't answered as easily as at first they seem. Obviously, the NP who moves from one state to another doesn't change physically or mentally, yet their credentials fall under scrutiny because of discrepancies in the method of certification.
Naturally we don't want unqualified or under qualified people practicing, which is why there needs to be some sort of baseline mandate in place that each state can adhere to. If health care, money, and insurance can all be so tangled that they are good enough to work for treatment by an NP in one state, they should certainly work in any other state in the same way.
Health care and all of the labyrinthine issues related to our health care system are being drowned out by other concerns for the time being. Let's hope someone decides to address it eventually. Perhaps then the need for a comprehensive and cohesive nurse practitioner licensing system will finally be addressed..
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Friday, March 13, 2009
Understanding Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue
A monthly column that is educational, informative, and entertaining to help understand and manage various topics and situations often encountered.
Susan Dorne is an occupational therapist licensed in the state of Florida, with over 20 years experience. Susan also has MS. Through the years, Susan has been an active volunteer in the MS community for various MS and healthcare organizations. As a healthcare professional and an individual with MS, Susan can validate much of the information that will be shared.
This column is not intended to be a substitute for professional and medical treatment, diagnosis or advice. Any information shared that is of personal interest should be discussed with your physician/healthcare professional.
To Read Susan's Article on Understanding Fatigue, Click here
Then, please return to this page to post any comments you may have or to ask questions for Susan to respond-to.
OHG - Our Heart Greeting - a place for those with MS to communicate with others
OHG's 'The BuZZ' provides an arena where creativity and giving merge to support, encourage, and celebrate the Ability in disAbility.
A Creative Giving Group for Friends of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)Click : http://ohgreeting.ning.com/
Well Ellen - Here is one better than just my e-List - it's Now Posted on my MS Blog and will hopefully be clicked and read by thousands - Thank You for sharing - Regards, Stuart
Click link to read:
If you cannot read this .pdf file you will need to install the Adobe acrobat reader - which can be found on the lower right of our tool bar menu...
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Thursday, March 12, 2009
Symptoms/Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis
There are over 50 symptoms that are linked to multiple sclerosis (MS), which are vague and hard to quantify, mimic the symptoms of other diseases, and often come and go. This makes MS a challenging disease to diagnose. While diagnosis is becoming easier with the increased availability of MRIs, definitive diagnosis of MS is still a process that requires time and patience.
Click each title to learn more
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Basics
- Common Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Mysterious or Rare Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
- MS Symptoms That Are Often Overlooked or Misdiagnosed
- Understanding Your Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Symptoms
- Diagnosis of MS
- MRIs and Other Tests
- Fatigue and MS
- Heat Intolerance and MS
- Depression and MS
- Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
- Multiple Sclerosis Relapses, Exacerbations, Flares, Attacks
- Symptom Management Tips
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Multiple Sclerosis In Children is being recognized with increasing frequency
Article Date: 11 Mar 2009
Helen Yates, Chief Executive of MSRC, commenting on this paper said; "Whilst we are always saddened to hear of MS in the very young, it is very important that the medical profession is becoming increasingly aware that the condition DOES exist in children. MSRC is working to provide as many resources as possible for young people with MS and their families"
Multiple sclerosis (MS) in children is being recognized with increasing frequency. The first descriptions of MS in children were published by Charcot between 1829 and 1849, though it was not for another 50 years that MS in children was again described in the literature (Hanefeld, 2007). There are now several national programs focused on the research and clinical management of children with MS. Recently, an International Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Study group was constituted with the goal of fostering collaborative efforts (for more information, email: firstname.lastname@example.com).
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Emotional Changes for those with Multiple Sclerosis
-Major depressive episodes as well as less severe depressive symptoms
-Grieving for losses related to the disease
-Stress and reactions to stressful situations
-Generalized distress and anxiety
-Emotional lability or mood swings
-Pseudobulbar Affect - uncontrollable laughing and/or crying
-Inappropriate behavior such as sexual aggressiveness Please return here to leave any comments or ask any questions. Use the comment link found below - thank you
MS and Your Emotions
The National MS Society and Healthology developed the following video to help you learn more about positive ways to manage the emotional impact of MS.
Have a Question, Comment or information for others? If so, please use the post comment link found below. Your name and email address would be appreciated but is not necessary unless you want a response from others. Thank You
Common / Rare or Mysterious / other - SYMPTOMS of Multiple Sclerosis
Common Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
There are over 50 signs and symptoms linked with multiple sclerosis (MS). Your symptoms will vary in their duration, severity and treatment.
- Bladder Dysfunction
- Tremor
- Numbness and Tingling as a Symptom of MS
- Optic Neuritis as a Symptom of MS
- Erectile Dsyfunction as a Symptom of MS
- Vertigo as a Symptom of Multiple Sclerosis
- Loss of Proprioception in MS
- Fatigue and Multiple Sclerosis
- Depression and Multiple Sclerosis
- Heat Intolerance and Multiple Sclerosis
Mysterious or Rare Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis
Some MS symptoms are so strange or vague that doctors routinely misdiagnose them or ignore patients' complaints, leading to frustration and delayed diagnosis. Other symptoms occur infrequently, and doctors are simply not used to seeing them or treating them and patients may not know that they are linked to their MS.
- The "MS Hug"
- Involuntary Emotional Expression Disorder (Pseudobulbar Affect)
- Trigeminal Neuralgia, Tic Doloreux, Severe Facial Pain
- Why Are My Pupils Different Sizes Sometimes?
MS Symptoms That Are Often Overlooked or Misdiagnosed
Even after a person is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), certain symptoms are often not taken seriously or people are told that these problems "could not possibly be related to their MS" - even by their neurologist or treating physician. Be assured that the following are very real symptoms of MS.
- Headaches as a Symptom of MS
- Problems Swallowing as a Symptom of MS
- Constipation as a Symptom of MS
- Respiratory Problems and Coughing as a Symptom of MS
Understanding Your Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Symptoms
Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a wide range of symptoms and signs. From cognitive difficulties to problems controlling muscles, MS can have an effect on almost any body system. By knowing the symptoms you can more actively manage your MS.
- MS Symptoms and Signs Overview
- Keep an MS Symptom Log
- How to Talk to Your Doctor About Pain
- Ask Your Friends About Your Symptoms
Don't miss another issue of our weekly MS Related e-Newsletter.
Register by clicking HERE.source: ms.about.com
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Web Resources for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
The following official websites of various MS-related organizations provide information, education, and support to individuals with MS, their families, and other interested individuals. Topics include MS research, disease treatments, symptom management, MS center locations, additional resources, and social/community support.
The American Academy of Neurology
Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC)
www.mscare.org or www.narcoms.org
International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses
Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The Heuga Center
The Latin American Association for Multiple Sclerosis
The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre
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Phenominal video on Technology - NOT MS related
Caution: It may leave you a little breathless ----
Federal funding for stem cells means new jobs for Michigan
Examiner.com - March 10, 2009
President Barack Obama's executive order restoring federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, coupled with voter approval of Proposal 2 last November, which legalized embryonic stem cell research in Michigan, means that new jobs can come to the state as the research gets under way.
The University of Michigan has already formed an embryonic stem cell research consortium, with other studies being undertaken at Wayne State University. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has been allocated $10.4 billion under the stimulus program, with much of it likely to go to embryonic stem cell research. Supporters of Proposal 2 have estimated that embryonic stem cell research could create at least 8,000 jobs in a state with the nation's highest unemployment rate.
Embryonic stem cells, which come from donated leftover embryos at fertility clinics that would otherwise be discarded, are capable of great modification, and may be able to replace damaged, diseased or destroyed cells of all kinds. They have enormous potential for regenerative medicine, tissue engineering and medication testing, possibly to leading to new treatments and cures for a wide range of devastating diseases and conditions, including multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, stroke and spinal cord injuries.
Obama's executive order reversed former President George W. Bush's 2001 executive order that restricted federal funds to stem cell lines that had already been created. In the intervening eight years, the U.S. has fallen behind the developed world in stem cell research. Obama has also directed that ideology will no longer trump science when it comes to making federal policy.
It is a win-win situation all the way around. Embryonic stem cell research creates new hope for treatments and cures for millions of Americans, while new jobs will come to Michigan's world class scientific research institutions.
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Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Join Talk MS in March
Join Talk MS in March
for Celebrating MS Awareness Month
Dear ___________
On March 25th, MS In BalanceSM will release a new online video:
Celebrating MS Awareness Month
In just 30 minutes, you can hear MS LifeLines® Ambassadors share personal stories, techniques and tips that keep them motivated and inspired to live well with relapsing MS.
This Talk MS program will feature special guests, including:
Don't miss your opportunity to Talk MS!
Join Talk MS on March 25th for your chance to submit a question to Dr. Schapiro, who may answer it in a future event!
P.S. Do you want to learn more about the Peer Connection program?
Join Talk MS for Celebrating MS Awareness Month to learn more!
Phase II Follow-up Data on BHT-3009 (DNA VACCINE) for Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Abstract Accepted for 61st Annual American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Meeting
Survey Protocol Data Demonstrate Reduction in Relapse Rates and Decreases in Brain Lesions
SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bayhill Therapeutics Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging its proprietary BHT-DNA™ platform to develop novel and targeted autoimmune disease treatments, today announced that an abstract titled "One Year Follow-up Results from a Phase II Trial of the BHT-3009 DNA Vaccine for Multiple Sclerosis," has been accepted for presentation at the 61st Annual American Academy of Neurology (AAN) meeting, to be held in Seattle, Washington from April 25 through May 2, 2009.
Data in the abstract indicates that BHT-3009 has a durable effect and continues to have a favorable safety profile for up to 12 months following the completion of dosing. BHT-3009 is an antigen-specific plasmid encoding myelin basic protein (MBP) that aims to reprogram the immune system to tolerize to, rather than attack, myelin antigens in the central nervous systems of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
Multiple Sclerosis Research Study To evaluate the safety and tolerability of natalizumab when added to glatiramer acetate
Neurology. 2009 Mar 3;72(9):806-12.
Goodman AD, Rossman H, Bar-Or A, Miller A, Miller DH, Schmierer K, Lublin F, Khan O, Bormann NM, Yang M, Panzara MA, Sandrock AW; GLANCE Investigators. -
Collaborators (55)
Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. firstname.lastname@example.com
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and tolerability of natalizumab when added to glatiramer acetate (GA) in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. The primary outcome assessed whether this combination would increase the rate of development of new active lesions on cranial MRI scans vs GA alone.
» Read More.
Monday, March 9, 2009
For those with Multiple Sclerosis - When Is Solu-Medrol Used
How Doctors Make the Decision to Use Solu-Medrol
By Julie Stachowiak, Ph.D., About.com - Created: March 5, 2009
For many people, the effects of Solu-Medrol are just short of miraculous – MS symptoms that were debilitating before the needle was even placed in the vein may be manageable or even gone by the time the first infusion is complete. Certainly by two or three days into the course, the majority of people can report that those symptoms are much better. However, losing the MS symptoms (and the panic that often accompanies them) allows people to shift their attention to the side effects of Solu-Medrol, which can be uncomfortable (to say the least), although not life-threatening.
Click here to be re-directed to original story posted at ms.about.com
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Vellore research centre makes stem cell breakthrough
The Times of India - 9 Mar 2009, 0054 hrs IST, Jaya Menon, TNN
(Information for this article provided by: (MS Peer) Shub S.)
VELLORE: It's a breakthrough that may have the country's medical and scientific community sitting up and taking notice. The Centre for Stem CellResearch at Christian Medical College has succeeded in reprogramming cells drawn from adult mice and making them function like stem cells found in the human embryo.
It has opened a new chapter in stem cell therapy in the country, as the technology
''This is an important milestone for India in stem cell research
''For India, this means once we are able to take this on to human cells also; we will not have to rely on external help for generating models for studying and treating human diseases. With regard to clinical significance, as anywhere else in the world, we need to be very careful not to give an impression to people that this is going into human treatment anytime soon. It could be years before that happens and it will be only after the safety of use of such cells is clearly established,'' he said.
In February, the research centre, supported by the department of biotechnology, ministry of science and technology and CMC, was successful in generating in mice these ''induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells'' which are similar to embryonic stem cells. Researchers will soon move on to generating similar cells from normal and diseased human cells.
The centre looks primarily at translational research - research that has potential for clinical applications.
Embryonic stem cells have great capacity for self-renewal and are used in regenerative medicine and tissue replacement. The induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells generated at the research centre may have the same potential, researchers say. India is the fifth country, after Japan, US, China and Britain, to achieve these results.
The iPS technology is relatively new and acknowledged worldwide as the ''ultimate manufacturing process''. Scientists can now use the human skin or other cells like an assembly line to roll off cells that have the ability to adapt themselves to any tissue in the body that requires healing or replenishment.
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Re-Evolution Annuity Training MeetingHome / Events / Re-Evolution
Gordon Marketing is proud to announce the exciting new partnership with Alex Joyce, and the Rejoyce Financial Re-Evolution Marketing and Sales System!
This exciting new partnership is guaranteed to take your
annuity sales to the next level!
Event Date: Date Cancelled
Event Location:
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Noblesville, IN 46062
If you are looking to add seminar selling, media campaigns, and have a mentoring program available to you, please contact me today or register using link below.
Clayton Duvall
Senior Life & Annuity Marketer
Email: clayton@gordonm
Phone: (800) 388-8342 x385


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Sunday, 2nd September 2001 - Day 17
I have been doing these updates for 17 whole days now and have tried to keep you all updated on my progress as much as possible. If you want to know anything else then just e-mail me using the link on the home page and I will try and answer you as soon as I can. It can take quite a while as my fingers are only small, however I am sure Daddy will help me out.
Today has unfortunately been fairly non eventful. I have been relatively stable after yesterdays ups and downs. However I still have to be knocked out so that I do not fight the ventilator and mess up all my gas levels which the doctors and nurses so carefully establish. One of the side effects of this drug is that I seem to loose a lot of fluid into parts of my body "that other fluids don't reach" and as such I am quite puffy around my joints and head, especially my little fingers which are like very mini sausages. In addition to this the doctors have had problems with my electrolyte balances and have had to give additional fluids which don't help either. Mummy compared me to a little Michelin man.
This meant that I was not looking my Sunday best for my Auntie Cath who came to visit with Grandma. This is the first time she has seen me in real life as she has just arrived back from holiday, but she said I looked so cute so I cannot look as bad as I think.
I have made very little progress today on getting my ventilator pressures down. As soon as they drop it down something else changes and they have to put it back up again.
I must try harder to get the ventilator pressure down, so please tune in tomorrow for another thrilling instalment.
Last Updated : 07/09/01.


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Samsung Galaxy S4 Screens
All the parts and tools you need to get your Samsung Galaxy S4 working again.
iFixit has you covered with parts, tools, and free repair guides. Repair with confidence! All our replacement parts are tested to rigorous standards and backed by our industry-leading warranty.
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Galaxy S4 Screen
Replace a broken or damaged display for your Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone with this part. This assembly includes just the LCD and digitizer without the midframe, making i...
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Replace the 5 inch Full HD TFT display screen for the AT&T only Samsung Galaxy S IV Active smartphone.
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Replace the display assembly including the front glass digitizer screen and AMOLED display for the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini.
Infos sur l'appareil
The Samsung Galaxy S4 was released in April of 2013 becoming the 4th model in Samsung's Galaxy S line up. Within the first two months, Samsung had sold 20 million devices worldwide.
The S4 features some of the latest and greatest technology available at the time including Air Gesture, Smart Stay, and Smart Scroll. It also features a 13 megapixel camera and 5in (130 mm) 1080p display.
Select your model or browse all compatible parts to find what you need to fix yours!


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HANGZHOU (Aug 18): Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad acknowledges that China's homegrown carmaker Geely Group Holdings Ltd, which owns a 49.9% stake in Proton Holdings, has proven itself in terms of technologies and quality.
Having Geely on board will help Proton accelerate the latter's improvement, said the prime minister, as he noted that the automotive industry is highly competitive and players are competing on technologies and quality.
Speaking at the press conference after witnessing the signing of a heads of agreement between Proton and Zhejiang Geely Holdings Group (a unit of Geely Group Holdings Ltd) today, Dr Mahathir said Geely has overtaken Proton, although the latter has a longer history.
"There is tremendous improvement in the quality of the Chinese cars over the years. When Proton started in 1983, Geely was nowhere [to be seen]. We sent six Proton cars here at that time," said Dr Mahathir, who is on a five-day official visit to China.
The heads of agreement signed by Proton and Zhejiang Geely is to form a joint venture for Proton to sell its cars in China. Proton intends to set up a plant in China for the plan.
Dr Mahathir said one reason Proton has not been able to expand its export market is mainly because Proton cars are not Euro 5 compliant.
Meanwhile, according to him, Proton's difficulty in entering the Chinese market was mainly because Proton does not produce left-hand drive cars. On top of that, he said the cost of production was lower in China compared with Malaysia.
In response to question raised by the Chinese media on the government grant given to Proton, Dr Mahathir said it is common practice worldwide for governments to help industries that are in their infancy, and that Malaysia is not the only country that practises it.
In his opinion, the grant given to Proton previously was "minimum'. It was too little and, as a result, Proton's R&D activities were hindered.
The prime minister, who has been passionate about developing the domestic automotive industry at home, also admitted that the Malaysian market is not big enough for a national car to achieve economies of scale, as others do in their respective home markets.
Nevertheless, he reiterated his view that the government has not given the support that Proton needed. "There was not enough government support."
Geely took the opportunity during Dr Mahathir's visit to the automaker's headquarters today to showcase to him its in-house technologies and its latest models. The 93-year-old prime minister got to test drive three of the latest models in the Geely stable. He also met up with Malaysian Proton staff who have been sent here for training.
This is the second day of his official visit to China. Dr Mahathir met Alibaba Group's Jack Ma this morning.
Dr Mahathir will be taking a high-speed train to Shanghai, before he heads off to Beijing tonight.
Dr M: Geely will help accelerate Proton's improvement
HANGZHOU (Aug 18): Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad acknowledges that China's homegrown carmaker Geely Group Holdings Ltd, which owns a 49.9% stake in Proton Holdings, has proven itself in terms of technologies and quality.


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Erickson Living In Focus
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In the Filipino language, the term �ka� expresses togetherness, doing things together, or having things in common. Pair it with �solar�, and we have kasolar, conveying a term that means togetherness in solar energy, hence Kasolar.ph
We at Kasolar.ph aim to create and cultivate a sustainable ecosystem for the solar and renewable energy industry from across all market segments with our online platform. Through our business-to-business-to-consumer marketplace, we simplify the process of conveniently linking manufacturers, distributors, retailers, installers and consumers, to scale the growth of solar power as the country�s main source of renewable energy.
Solar energy, a clean, sustainable and now increasingly more affordable power source, now plays a significant role in the country�s current and future energy needs.
Whether the need is residential, commercial, agricultural or utility scale, or from a single solar panel or battery to a full sized installation, kasolar.ph optimizes a network of solar energy providers in your area or at a location nearest you.
At kasolar.ph, we are bringing together and synergizing the solar energy industry.


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by James Michels
Salmon - Red Cedar Bentwood Box
Regular price $150.00
Created using red cedar, this steam-bent box measures 5" x 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". James Michels is a Metis/Cree artist who began his carving career in 1994, shortly after working as a carpenter. He now specializes in making bentwood cedar boxes, and carving and painting them in the Northwest Coast style. Salmon is a symbol of continuity.
Please allow three weeks for delivery.


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Looking Ahead to Traverse City Events:March 2018??
Clear your March Calendars! You can feel the Spring fever all around in Traverse City this time of year. A few 50 degree days, the melting of the snow, a few birds chirping here and there, did someone say Spring? We know it's taboo, but we really think some warmer weather is heading our way.
What Our Wine and Beer Guests Say About Us
Reviews From Our Wonderful Guests We really love our jobs. When your office is a tie-dye painted bus and you get to enjoy stunning views of Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas all day, it's not hard to get out of bed in the morning to get to work. Our clients only make things better for us,
January Wine and Beer Events in Traverse City
January Events in Traverse City To put it mildly, there is something for everyone coming up in the month of January up here in the frozen north. Northern Michigan has a way of rolling out the red carpet for the new year in the form a diverse range of fun, unique, and of course wine-related
December Beer and Wine Events in Traverse City
So Many Ways to Get Into the Christmas Spirit! Before you know it, the temps will drop and Traverse City is going to look like a majestic snow globe. Resplendent in a blanket of white snow, there are few places in the world quite as magical as Traverse City around Christmas. Even the most Scrooge-like
Traverse City Events: Traverse City Beer Week
The Best TC Beer, All Week Long It's almost time for one of the most anticipated events in Traverse City each fall. From November 11-17, Traverse City celebrates beer unlike any other city can. Almost every bar, brewery, and restaurant in town gets in on the act by putting their best beer forward for everyone
Traverse City Breweries: Short's Brewing Company
Short's Brewing Company: This is Our Brewery The last four words written above could be contested by fans of smaller, more local Traverse City breweries. In all actuality, they have a great reason to refute this claim, as Short's isn't even in Traverse City. But every region has its recognized craft brewing industry leader. Grand
Come Work with Us!
We're Looking for Tour Guides for Summer! What if I told you that we had openings for what can only be described the best job in the world? You'd be thrilled, I imagine. Perhaps even giddy. Well, it's true! Traverse City Wine and Beer Tours is looking for a few smiling, happy folks to show
Craft Beer 101
Welcome to Craft Beer 101 Debunking Craft Beer Myths If you're new to the craft beer scene, it'd be easy to misconstrue the myriad of acronyms for craft beer that exist. And you might consider the endless discussions of detecting subtle notes and flavors as mere craft beer snobbery. When I first got into craft
Tips for Your St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl
How to Have a Lucky St. Patrick's Day As St. Patrick's Day approaches, we have some tips to help you and your crew have a safe, enjoyable time celebrating all things Irish. From fashion, to beverages, to making sure you don't end up in jail, follow our tips for the best St. Patrick's Day ever!
Where to Go In Traverse City: Jolly Pumpkin
Where to Go In Traverse City: Jolly Pumpkin When planning a wine and beer tour in Northern Michigan, choosing which establishments to visit can be nearly impossible. First, there's the quantity of wineries and breweries to choose from in downtown Traverse City, the Old Mission Peninsula, and the Leelanau Peninsula. You'd need two complete days
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text: Step into the shoes of some the most daring photographers in the world – those who continue to make National Geographic a household name for vivid, compelling, world-shaping imagery. Every inch as adventurous as the explorers they cover – their photos are often their only testament to the places they've seen and gruelling experiences they've endured while on assignment. Until now. This time, while they focus in on their subjects, our cameras are aimed at them. Now you get to live their stories as this full-immersion adventure series rides shotgun to their incredible adventures into the wild, onto the ice, beneath the waves – anywhere their curiosity (and their editor!) compels them to go. These are pros like Steven Alvarez, Nick Nichols, and Carsten Peters, who don't flinch from the extremes and always do whatever it takes to get the shot. Produced by National Geographic.


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Explore the Best of Travel-Free PD — Learn more >>
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Madonna's 16-year-old son Rocco Ritchie, 16, was arrested in London for possession of cannabis on Sept. 28 after neighbors near his Primrose Hill home reportedly called the police on him. The teenager, who is the son of both the singer and Guy Ritchie, was caught "smoking or doing drugs" near his house.
Rocco was allegedly seen throwing something aside when authorities approached him in Steeles Mews North, Camden, according to the Daily Mail. The police saw traces of marijuana on Rocco's clothes, so they ended up searching him and found a small amount of pot on him. After that he was arrested and transported to a London police station and later let out on bail.
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