It worked!  I've blogged!  I'm now an official blogger!   Ahem.  Seriously though, please stop by and check it out.  It's meant to be devotional, inspirational, and basically just God-centered in its focus.  It's under the Devotional Blogs, and titled Simple Life.

Hopefully I'll be able to add quite a few thoughts here.  

An excellant article, brother. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

 Forecasting the Next Great San Francisco Earthquake

The San Francisco Bay region has a 25 percent chance of a magnitude 7 or greater earthquake in the next 20 years, and a roughly 1 percent chance of such an earthquake each year, according to the "Virtual California" computer simulation.

The Virtual California approach to earthquake forecasting is similar to the computer models used for weather forecasting, said John Rundle, director of the UC Davis Computational Science and Engineering Center, who has developed the model with colleagues from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and other institutions. A previous forecast of earthquake hazards, the Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities, used records of past earthquakes to calculate the probability of future ones.

The Virtual California model includes 650 segments representing the major fault systems in California, including the San Andreas fault responsible for the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. The simulation takes into account the gradual movement of faults and how they interact with each other.

The researchers used the model to simulate 40,000 years of earthquakes in California. They found almost 400 major (magnitude 7 or above) earthquakes at an average interval of 101 years. The simulation data indicates a 25 percent chance of another such earthquake in the next 20 years, a 50 percent chance in the next 45 years and a 75 percent chance by 2086.

The latest work is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA. Other authors on the paper are Paul Rundle, Donald Turcotte, Robert Scherbakov and Gleb Yakovlev at UC Davis; Andrea Donellan, Peggy Li and Jay Parker, Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Bruce Malamud, King's College, London; Lisa Grant, UC Irvine; Geoffrey Fox, Indiana University, Bloomington; Dennis McLeod, University of Southern California; Bill Klein, Boston University; and Kristy Tiampo, University of Western Ontario, Canada.

    Most School Board members back the removal of days off for Yom Kippur and Good Friday in the 2006-07 school year.

By MELANIE AVE, Times Staff Writer
Published October 13, 2005

TAMPA - The Hillsborough School Board appeared to endorse a school calendar Wednesday that takes away student vacation days for religious holidays, despite concerns from one member that the action "waters down our values."

All but one of the six board members at a workshop said they support the proposed 2006-07 calendar, which substitutes three secular vacation days for three Christian and Jewish holidays.

The calendar changes were recommended after a Muslim group last year asked that a Muslim holiday be added. The only religious holiday still remaining in the proposed calendar is Christmas, which occurs during the district's winter break.

Board members will take public comment before voting on the changes at their Oct. 25 meeting. If approved, next year's calendar will eliminate vacation days coinciding with Yom Kippur, Good Friday and the Monday after Easter. The days will be replaced with time off on Presidents Day and two days between spring break and the last day of school, which will give students and teachers a four-day weekend.

The calendar would be similar to the one used in Pinellas County, which does not time vacation days with religious holidays.

A different calendar, which would give students a day off for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr instead of the Monday after Easter, also will be presented at the public hearing.

That is the one favored by board member Jennifer Faliero, who told her colleagues the more secular version "waters down our values" by suppressing religious expression.

Faliero said the board should not only give students the holidays off, it should also call them what they are instead of the generic "nonstudent days."

"It's being politically correct," she said. "It just doesn't make sense."

Her colleagues disagreed. They said the proposed calendar is more fair because it more clearly separates church and state and may thwart future requests from other religious groups.

"I don't know where we're going to draw the line," said board member Susan Valdes.

Hillsborough gives excused absences for religious observances and students don't lose credit toward perfect attendance awards or exam exemptions. Teachers are asked not to schedule tests or major activities on holidays.

"I think all of us around this table value diversity," said board member Doretha Edgecomb. "I don't think this calendar reduces the opportunity to teach tolerance."

Several Muslims in the audience said they fear the board's action could prompt some people to retaliate against followers of Islam. They worry Muslims will be blamed for taking away everyone's holidays.

"This is not what we asked for," said Ahmed Bedier, Florida director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "We were simply asking for equal representation."

Bedier said he plans to ask religious leaders of all faiths to help him persuade school officials to keep the holidays in place.

"All we were asking for is one day, one single day, in the whole school year," said parent Joan Zaki, a Muslim who has three of her four children in public school.

Muslims in other school districts are making similar requests for a holiday, or at least that their children not be penalized for missing school for religious reasons. Some school districts in Michigan, which has a large Muslim population, have included Muslim holidays on their calendars.

Susan Freeman wrote an e-mail to board members urging them to give students Yom Kippur, Good Friday and one Muslim holy day. That would ensure that each of the three major religions get a day.

"Imagine what it would be like if kids had to take a day off from school to celebrate Christmas?" she asked.

Board chairwoman Candy Olson said the proposed calendar does not prohibit anyone from religious expression: "When I celebrate Good Friday, I do that in my church, in my home and with my family."

Still, she said, she would like to see more teaching about religious holidays and their meanings. Administrators agreed to survey schools to see what curricula and practices were in place.

Edgecomb said the board, regardless of its final decision on the calendar, will never be able to please everyone.

"But I think it's important for people to know that we aren't doing this arbitrarily," she said.

[68]

PR you already passed allinall by 171 posts WOW

171??  It's only 78.  Don't want to take credit where it isn't due.    

78?  Count again Mister Pastor Sir!  I'm only 68 down now MAN!!!   Ok.  So...68 is still pretty impressive and hard to beat, but its still only 68.   I've lost my coveted placement.  *Weeps openly*

Hey Allinall, you are only 13 away from 10th again.

Check again .....  it is 78 and climbing faster.


 

Wheres the brotherly love?

Post # 216.

 

I saw, POP goes the weasle.

and it's 89 now.

Your bad.........

..... and now it's 100.

Hey, I'm only 3855 behind DW today.

6057 My posts.
2186 Your posts. Looks like you only gained 10 on me.
----
3871

a difference of 3866 now. A slow gain. Like I said .... nothing to worry about.

 

Check again.

OK ....  3865 now ......

 

I think you need to check again.

OK ......   3863 ....

 Real Friendships

By: Beth Hays

And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. (1 Samuel 18:3-4)  NIV

I’ve heard it said several times that all friendships should have the beauty and depth of David and Jonathan’s. And I’ve prayed countless times for God to give me someone like that. I guess I didn’t realize I had to be ready to be that kind of friend before I could have that kind of friend.

I went most of my life without knowing the preciousness of a best friend. And the loneliness seemed unbearable at times. I had acquaintances and even a few surface friendships, but very few heartfelt, deep ones. God has since taught me that I didn’t yet know how to love, as a friend should. Friends should love the other as themselves. Well, I could love people like I loved me. The problem was that I didn’t love me.

I realized that I wouldn’t sacrifice things for me, let alone another human being. And I started to see that all those years searching for a friend were worthless until I knew how to be one. Over the past few years I have worked endlessly on trying to find worth in my heart and see God’s reflection in me.

Once I gained glimpses of this, I was able to see Him in others too. It wasn’t until I started to love myself that I could love anyone else. And just about the time I thought I cared enough about myself to sacrifice and care for me, I was given an amazing gift by someone who was also willing to sacrifice and care for me. I do have a best friend now and I love her dearly. And our friendship is as deep and precious as I imagine Jonathan and David’s must have been. But, I couldn’t have had or understood it without first seeing the beauty in me.

So many of you have shown me your intense loneliness and it breaks my heart. You deserve a friend so close that the relationship is as comfortable as a family should be. But, sometimes God waits to give us what we want until we can appreciate it. I hope and pray that you can begin to see the beauty in you and the reflections of our creator in His creations. And may that knowledge lead to beautiful friendships rooted in the God of love.

 Light in Darkness

By: Ariel D. Gant

You are the light of the world - like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all to see.  Matthew 5:14-15

Have you ever driven through the mountains in the middle of the night? There are usually a few houses that are barely visible, hidden among the trees and bushes, high atop the hill. I remember when I was little, my parents and I went on vacation to Florida from Indiana. We drove all the way there and back, and a lot of the driving was done at night. I woke up one night while we were driving back home through Tennessee and looked up to the top of a mountain to see one little light glowing. But, in the midst of darkness - no streetlights, no other buildings - this one little house, besides the moon and the stars, was the only thing that lit up the night sky. And wow, was it beautiful and amazing. In fact, I think it was one of the things that made me fall in love with Tennessee.

When I read this verse, I thought of that mountain and that one little light. It seemed so small and insignificant. I'll bet most of the people around there didn't even notice it. But, it shone so brightly that it attracted one little girl's attention in the middle of the night. And from the back seat of the car, she watched until it was out of sight.

Somehow, that light seemed so special then. And now I realize how inspiring it is. We are to be as that city on the mountain - as small, seemingly insignificant, and unnoticeable as it is, it attracts the attention of those who need it and shows a testimony of who God is. More people than you realize see your faith and are intrigued, inspired, and encouraged. But, more importantly, God sees it and is glorified. Be a light to your city, community, and school. You might be amazed at those who are touched by it.

 Prayer is the Remedy

By: Jeff Lappano

”Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much,” (James 5:16).

Let’s look at the final two phrases of James 5:16, one by one. "Pray for one another that you may be healed." How many of you are ill right now? Maybe you have the flu, or a cold, or some of you maybe suffering with something worse, such as cancer or tumors. And just maybe, those of you who are sick just mope around the house all day, "I'm sick." If that's you I challenge you to stop that right now! Many of you who are sick probably know someone who is ill as well or has something else going on in his or her life. Did you know you could get well just by praying for others?  

I believe this has a sowing/reaping principle. Galatians 6:7, tells us what this principle is, "You will always reap (harvest, get back) what you sow (to scatter or draw out). Pray for others, or scatter the seed, that you may be healed (or harvest that which you given). I testify unto you that this works!  When I don't feel well, yes I take some time to rest, but then I get up and pray for people, and I receive that which I have sown! "The effectual fervent (active zeal, powerful) prayer of a righteous man avails much (exercises much force abundantly).  

I encourage you to stay hooked up in prayer. There is power in prayer! The other night I was asked to pray for a girl with a rash by e-mail, so I decided to see if she was on-line. She was, and so I asked her if I could pray for her by Instant Message. She gave me the permission to do so, and she was healed. As I finish this teaching, I encourage you to stay in prayer that you  may be effective in this powerful weapon against the enemy, in Jesus' name.

 Independence is Impossible


“Yes, I [Jesus] am the vine; you are the branches.  Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  For apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15: 5)

Have you ever visited a vineyard?  Have you ever studied the structure of a grapevine itself?  If you haven’t maybe you or your parents have a house plant or two, and if you aren’t the best of green thumbs, I’m pretty sure you’ve seen plants in nature, in your front yard perhaps.  If you have seen any of these instances of nature then you surely know that, if you separate part of a plant from its roots (life source) it will surely die within a short amount of time.  That branch/vine is dependant upon the root for its food and energy to survive, much like us Christians who are dependent upon Jesus for our spiritual and physical survival.

Often many of us have struggled with the notion of independence. Maybe stubborn thoughts like, “God, I want to believe in you, but I don’t want to give up my freedoms of what I have here on earth,” “I want to do your works Lord, but I don’t have any time,” or, “I’m going to be a Christian my way!” have crossed your mind.  With thoughts like these it’s hard for us to fully give our lives to God like He asks us to, and therefore as Christians, we find great struggle within ourselves.  We become stubborn and form brick walls that don’t allow anyone or anything to help us to be better Christians. We cut ourselves off from our life source. 

Humankind declared its independence from God in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve believed the lie that they could live apart from God. Since then, we humans have been constantly struggling to do it our way.  When reading John 15: 5, one thing that we have to realize about independence is that true independence from God is impossible.  There’s no way we can function effectively if we are cut off from any outside help just like the vine cannot grow when it has been cut from the root.  We are like branches in the vineyard and God is our life source; without Him we cannot grow and flourish to produce more fruit of His vine.  Jesus is the true vine, and we are all connected to Him, we’ll never truly be productive. 

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I encourage you to give everything to God and realize that He is your life source.  Remember that Jesus is the true vine, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you.  For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me,” (John 15: 4).   We cannot function being totally independent from Him.  Pray and ask Jesus to be your Life Source.

[CONGRATULATIONS]

By the way  CONGRATULATIONS  you are on a mission, my Brother.  

How did you know?

I didn't give any hints.

 

Some one said something.........

Not me  
all I said is your'e on a mission (to out post everyone ahead of you)
What will you do when you get to #2 ? Are you going to try to beat BEP too?

I am number 2, I have been for a while. Nope, I will allow Bep's to keep first!

   Not that you'll have a choice. rofl

 

I pray I have a choice.

Me, too.

[CONGRATULATIONS]

By the way  CONGRATULATIONS  you are on a mission, my Brother.  

How did you know?

I didn't give any hints.

 

Some one said something.........

Not me  
all I said is your'e on a mission (to out post everyone ahead of you)
What will you do when you get to #2 ? Are you going to try to beat BEP too?

I am number 2, I have been for a while. Nope, I will allow Bep's to keep first!

[68]

PR you already passed allinall by 171 posts WOW

171??  It's only 78.  Don't want to take credit where it isn't due.    

78?  Count again Mister Pastor Sir!  I'm only 68 down now MAN!!!   Ok.  So...68 is still pretty impressive and hard to beat, but its still only 68.   I've lost my coveted placement.  *Weeps openly*

Now that's, brotherly love!

 

[68]

PR you already passed allinall by 171 posts WOW

171??  It's only 78.  Don't want to take credit where it isn't due.    

78?  Count again Mister Pastor Sir!  I'm only 68 down now MAN!!!   Ok.  So...68 is still pretty impressive and hard to beat, but its still only 68.   I've lost my coveted placement.  *Weeps openly*

Hey Allinall, you are only 13 away from 10th again.

Check again .....  it is 78 and climbing faster.


 

Wheres the brotherly love?

Post # 216.

 

I saw, POP goes the weasle.

and it's 89 now.

Your bad.........

yeahhh .....  

[CONGRATULATIONS]

By the way  CONGRATULATIONS  you are on a mission, my Brother.  

How did you know?

I didn't give any hints.

 

Some one said something.........

Not me  
all I said is your'e on a mission (to out post everyone ahead of you)
What will you do when you get to #2 ? Are you going to try to beat BEP too?

Nope .... think I will slow down by the time I get #3  ....

maybe


 

And how long will that take you, to reach #2?

uhhhh??   Never.

[68]

PR you already passed allinall by 171 posts WOW

171??  It's only 78.  Don't want to take credit where it isn't due.    

78?  Count again Mister Pastor Sir!  I'm only 68 down now MAN!!!   Ok.  So...68 is still pretty impressive and hard to beat, but its still only 68.   I've lost my coveted placement.  *Weeps openly*

Hey Allinall, you are only 13 away from 10th again.

Check again .....  it is 78 and climbing faster.


 

Wheres the brotherly love?

Post # 216.

 

I saw, POP goes the weasle.

and it's 89 now.