Part of a msg LindaS sent me this morning. She graduated from HS in Fairfax Co. Va.
I”n other news. My high school Robert E Lee High School is now John Lewis High School. Makes no sense to me that we would name it for someone who represented the State of Georgia in Congress. “
Good morning! I love the kitty on the header ♡ Great looking cat statue, black and white so no one can complain.
Art and I were talking about that his high school team was the Rebels and they had gray uniforms. My high school team was the Indians and we had red uniforms. The conversation was prompted when a Hallmark mystery movie had a team with the name Rebels, and Art said Hallmark would be in trouble for that.
Morning Annie Oakley!! She seems to be keeping watch over the home place quite nicely 😊
Chas is right…nothing has to make sense any longer…this world is in a tizzy and we hold tight to what we know is true and good. Our Lord is the calm in the storm. My flesh still stirs at the insanity of it all but I find rest in talking it all over with the Him….😊
It looks to me like the cat is saying: “I am watching you to make sure you do your work.”
Chas- Of course names are going to change. And when the US falls to Communism, everything will change again. Washington will be named after Lenin, Mao or Che Guevara.
Regarding the link I posted to the video about Vets Against Child Trafficking, I had not heard that rumor about Wayfair before, but when I have shopped for used books on Amazon Marketplace I have noticed some listed at outrageously high prices and wondered what that was about, but I never even considered it could be some kind of code for an illegal activity. Those would be prices set by people outside of Amazon.
What I was mainly surprised about in the video was the numbers given about the size of the industry which would mean it is much more prevalent than I could have imagined, more like it is tipping into mainline rather than a fringe thing. That is what I want to know if it is true. Also, I had never heard of those who would put children into torturous situations to make their bodies produce stress hormones so they could get that blood to use for whatever (the video did not go into that). My eyes don’t work well enough to research to find out if those things that were authoritatively reported in the video are true. So if anyone can tell me if that part of the video is inaccurate I would appreciate it. Then I can inform the person who sent it to me so she, too, will not rely on that source of information. All this misinformation is what happens when we can no longer rely on mainline media to give us just the facts without the sway.
Janice I believe all of the assertions and accusations of Wayfair being involved in such horrid activity have been debunked. I don’t know all of the ins and outs of why some conspiracy thoughts allege the involvement. My son is a manager of a Wayfair facility in KY and he travels to other warehouse locations in the country…one being in GA. He knows and understands the inner workings of his company and he would never dismiss an allegation. I am at a point where I trust nothing except if I know of or know someone I trust with personal knowledge. The media for the most part can no longer be trusted because it seems even in the most “conservative” realm someone has an agenda to spin the “facts” their own biased way, whether that be left or right.
I see on fb my niece is sending around a petition to keep the name Eskimos as there school team. The name is fitting as it is similar to the town name, however I doubt that will matter in the long run.
There is a movement afoot to change the name of the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma, AL to the John Lewis Bridge. I am adamantly opposed to it. EVERYONE knows the name Edmund Pettis Bridge. I didn’t know who John Lewis was until a few years ago. I would like to see them name the highway over the bridge after John Lewis, but think historically the name of the bridge needs to stay the same.
“Viral images and posts circulated by social media users make a series of extreme claims linking Wayfair, an e-shopping home retailer to an alleged human trafficking operation. These claims are false and fueled by conspiracy theories.
The theory went viral after it emerged on the r/conspiracy section of Reddit on July 9 ( here ), with an allegation that the very high prices of several furniture items listed on Wayfair’s marketplace and their peculiar names were the evidence of a child trafficking operation. By Friday July 10, the topic was trending on Twitter in the U.S.”
Janice, the daughter of the pastor at a local church has gone to Vietnam at least once to support the missionaries who are there working to remove children from the child sex trade. It was too dangerous for her to actually help get them out.
Sex/Human trafficking is real. The I-10 corridor from Houston to Jacksonville is a major route. I travel it from ve Malbis to Pensacola at least 3 times a week. I see Border Patrol, State Police, Local Police, Sheriff’s Duputy, Homeland Security, and various other unmarked vehicles parked in the crossovers. I have driven by when they have had semi’s, other cargo trucks, regular trucks, and cars pulled over ahd searching. I have seen them at night with search lights trained on the woods on each side. At first I didn’t know what was going on, so one day I was at a gas station and a Sheriff’s Deputy was filling up next to me. I asked him about it and he told me what it was all about.
I had a former Green Beret as an agent for a brief period of time. I know that he belongs to a group who does some “rescue missions”. I know a woman who is very involved in getting women out of the sex trade. I’m not sure what her story is, but whatever it is, it’s personal. I now that somewhere on the Florida Panhandle there is a “safe house”. I don’t know where it is.
I know that the leader of my Sunday school class has a friend who got dragged into prostitution and doesn’t feel like she can get out. The mother has tried for years to get her out and she says she is too far into it to get out alive.
If I know all of this in my sheltered little place in podunk Alabama, I can’t imagine what it is like in more metropolitan areas.
In other news I showed a house to someone as a favor to another agent at 9 this morning. There is a tenant in it that will be moving out over the weekend. You cannot believe how some people live. Cat poop on the carpet, urine smell all over the house. Piles of clothes and I don’t know what else. Food left out. It looked like an episode of horders. Amazingly enough the potential buyer is still interested.
Fascinating to learn about the plagues in Exodus. This is from Exodus 8, the lice.
Struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice on man and beast: This plague struck at the heart of all Egyptian worship, especially at their priests. The Egyptian priesthood was extremely careful about hygiene and ritual cleansing; an infestation of lice made them unable to worship their gods.
i. The plague of lice was also upon every beast. The gods of Egypt would not receive the sacrifice of lice-infested animals, so this stopped their sacrificial system.
The magicians of Egypt are unable to duplicate this plague.
Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not. So there were lice on man and beast. Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had said.
a. Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: These magicians could use occult powers to change a rod into a snake, to turn water into blood, and to summon frogs – yet they could no bring forth lice. This shows that as great as Satan’s power is, it is limited – and it comes to its limit rather early.
b. This is the finger of God: When the magicians said this to Pharaoh, it showed they knew there was a power greater than their own, yet it was a power that they did not honor and serve.
Guzik earlier observed that the magicians could imitate the detrimental: turn water into blood, but they could not change the Nike from blood back to clean water.
Satan’s minions can only destruct, they cannot heal, create, or improve.
Michelle, I suspect actually they couldn’t turn the water into blood, either, as that too would have been creative. We don’t know what God allowed or what they actually did in that instance. Did God grant Satan that power, or did they use illusions, or something else?
Kim, I knew someone who was fastidious about her personal opinion. She sold Mary Kay cosmetics for decades and she worked in women’s clothing in higher end department stores. She also loved cats, and she usually had two or three and she fed a few more. The last time I visited her, shortly before her daughter moved her into assisted living, her Alzheimer’s had changed that cleanly nature. I think she simply forgot to add new litter in the litterbox, I’m not sure, but the house stank (and her daughter had actually gone up the week before to clean to get ready for me, and her estranged husband had all the windows open when we arrived, too), and there was cat poop on the carpet and even on the quilt on the bed. It was her own house, not a rental (she had in fact rented it to other people for a time, but years before that).
Annie Oakley is a cat. She likes to knock things off tables. Here she’s discovered the motherlode with a stack of books.
I think we’re all seeing how really vital and important a trustworthy media is in our nation. We don’t have that, currently, and we’re seeing the chaos that ensues when no one can agree even on basic facts or events, whether it’s about a virus or a presidential campaign. I have no doubt that this election will be wildly fought over long after that fact — no one, on either side that loses, is going to accept the results.
Much of the spinoff media that’s risen up in the digital age is openly biased, both left and right, they make no pretense. They push their causes with no apology.
The “mainstream” media has simply lost its way, from the NYT to the Washington Post, once venerable sources of information. The Internet age, social media craziness and changes in the way journalism is now being taught all have contributed. So has the Trump era which has caused many on the left to lose their heads.
I subscribe to the digital WSJ as my basic national source of information, I think they’re among the most reliable national news sources left. I also digitally subscribe to the LA Times for more local news which I need — and World Magazine which I think continues to do an excellent job at trying to honestly and fairly sort out the mess of conflicting “news reports” that dominate our headlines and evening newscasts.
A good, honest and free media is essential to democracy. It’s scary that we are lacking so many trustworthy news sources that both “sides” can trust. People now believe what suits their own narrative. And the chaos continues.
It will be interesting to see what, if any, government response there will be to California churches that continue to conduct indoor, in-person services.
One point that bothers me in the coverage is that so many stories say the state has closed worship services. That’s not really true, the governor has said services can be held but only outdoors. Granted, that may be difficult or even impossible for some churches due to all kinds of factors. But it’s not really true that worship services have been “closed” altogether at this stage.
It’s possible, I suppose, it could go back to that, should our numbers here continue to ramp up and we roll back even more than we have. But I suspect there will be a lot of caution on the government’s part if it comes to that.
Everyone is quarantine-weary. Still, the virus continues to spread and, unlike many people I know and hear from, it’s not “just” the flu we’re talking about.
I am quarantine weary myself and I have been able to get out. I want to go have appetizers and a glass of wine with my husband somewhere that requires me to dress up a notch from going to the grocery store. I would like to ride down to the beach and stop for an appetizer at some off the beaten path restaurant.
I am sick of eating my own cooking and the salad I got Friday from Jason’s Deli was a little past its prime. On that note, this is what I did for lunch yesterday and today. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/90500/beet-salad-with-goat-cheese/
Oh, I boiled my beets about half the time and then finished them off by roasting them in the oven. I used the juice from the snack pak size mandarin oranges and then added them to the salad.
COVID-19 as a Sign from God
JULY 27, 2020 BY GENE VEITH
A poll has found that nearly two-thirds of religious Americans–note, not Americans in general, just those who are religious–believe the coronavirus epidemic is a sign from God. …
… I say, of course the epidemic is a sign from God! To a religious person, everything is a sign from God. That is, it has “significance.” The question is, what does it signify? …
… So what does God’s Word say?
There were some present at that very time who told [Jesus] about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:1-5) …
… Here is a moral evil (Pilate’s cruelty) and a natural evil (a tower collapsing). Those who died were not greater sinners than anyone else. But the meaning of both signs, what we need to take away from them, is that “unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
And that is the meaning of the coronavirus sign.
Those of us who had become so complacent, so “carnally secure,” are so no longer. We might catch the disease from an asymptomatic carrier and in two weeks be dead. And even if we don’t, our prosperity, our recreation, our social ties, our sense of well-being, are all threatened. We have taken so much for granted, but the epidemic shows just how contingent it all is, how fragile and transient these things are, and how we need to build our lives on something–and Someone–eternal. Becoming less secure in ourselves can drive us to Christ, who bore the evils and the suffering of the world, to bring us to an eternal happiness that is not of this world.
All of this is horrible for us to go through. But I suspect God believes that we need to go through it.
_____________________________
Thanks for all the info on Wayfair. I have not doubted it was fake news about that once Kizzie posted what she did yesterday. But if one portion of a video is fake does it mean it is all fake?
I know it makes it a questionable source, to take with a grain of salt, so to speak, but how “yuge” is this problem? I know that Kim from what she said is seeing a lot of law enforcement on that corridor which is good. I just hope and pray that all those who are suffering from this horrible attrocity can be rescued and given proper care and that justice can be served for those who are caught up in the schemes whatever they may be. There is a lot of fishy junk going on in our world right now. I know things got worse in this area when we became Hollywood, Jr. And I know Hollywood has put big bucks on a candidate, Jon Osoff. I am curious about him. His ads mention targeting ISIS and child trafficking but never targeting Hollywood and what happens here. Like I said, just curious. Follow the money.
That’s was my thought DJ, that she was just waiting for you to turn away and down they’d go 2 or 3 at a time. Best to savor it, rather than all at once. That’s how mine do it. It’s too great a temptation. 🙂
I have wondered if all the focus on past wrongs related to slavery (that the Civil War was suppose to resolve) is a diversion tactic by some to keep people from having time, money, and energy to devote to fighting modern day trafficking.
I am sitting here in my new chair. Such good back support. I walked three miles this morning in the heat. When I came in my friend told me that I looked awful. My hair was dripping with sweat and my entire face was bright red.
My sweet son in law took the time to meet me and transport the chair to my room.
If anyone would enjoy a Scripture question . . .
In Proverbs 9:10, does Holy One refer to the Holy Spirit? I am memorizing that verse and have looked in several study Bibles and found nothing on it.
Janice, good ‘on break’s question. The Hebrew word there is simply the word ‘qadowsh’ meaning holy. Hebrew poetry’s signature structure are a first phrase stating a thought, and then a second phrase that restates the concept in a different way. Proverbs 9:10 begins by saying, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”, which is the first phrase, and then the second phrase restates the first using different words to further expound the thought, “the knowledge of the Holy is understanding.” So, the use of holy as a noun there is referring to God, using an attribute as a name for him.
Miss Bosley is afflicted with the Empty Bowl Syndrone. Every so often, rather cyclical, she goes into wailings and catniptious fits. Are other cat servants aware of this phenomenon?
I have 3, and they’d never tolerate such sleeping on the job by me. Seriously, when the food or water bowl get low, Mouse drags them into the middle of the floor, so you notice. 🙂
Our cats get fed a very small amount each evening. They are busy throughout the day, sleeping in various locales, catching the odd rodent or s…. But when evening comes, they are on the front porch waiting, slapping at passing legs, rubbing against trespassers, waiting….waiting…They are limited because they were so obese it just was not in their best interest to have so much food.
Annie knocks things off the kitchen island bar where I keep pet supplies like medications & sometimes cans of food. When I hear things going bang or pop or crash, I know it’s her dinner time. This whole routine, of course, only encourages and instills this behavior as she gets her reward: I get up and give her food, just to make her stop.
I feed her on top of a butcher block table near the back door, but Tess has been known to find a way to reach bowls that are left unattended and carry them out to the backyard — so I need to put it all away each time.
I’m sure there’s a better solution and to all of this …
Donna, @ 1:53. I haven’t attached any Spiritual significance to the Coronavirus problem. Ultimately, there may be consequences, but I doubt that God brought it on to teach anything. I think when God produces a sign, there is no doubt among believers where it came from.
My son, Chuck is 61 years old. Still runs 10 miles/day.
Re: Janice @ 3:43: They don’t care abut the civil war, nor discrimination nor any other issue. The issue is not the issue.
Any issue will do. Just keep the pot boiling.
I fear for the future of our nation. I really do.
If Trump is not re-elected, there is no one that I can think of who can handle this.
The reasoning is that God is sovereign over all that comes to pass. It’s a pretty clear teaching in Scripture. God isn’t sitting on the sidelines, unable to direct his creation toward its ultimate goal. And big goals all come from little things adding up … He does it all.
“I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the LORD, who does all these things.”
btw, verse above is Isa. 45:7 but there are many others that teach God’s sovereignty over all. History is, indeed, “His” story in that sense. All of it. Otherwise, we’re at the mercy of random molecules that hurl us to and fro.
But I am curious, is it your understanding that God is inactive in what transpires, that he perhaps only chooses to act and direct events now and again? Otherwise, things roll along without his direction?
As for me, I suspect there are many lessons to be learned during this period — and I firmly believe that’s by God’s design. I was telling my church friends the other day that I have to remind myself not to get caught up in complaining or I’ll miss the spiritual lessons meant for me in all of this.
The nations have lessons as well, whether they are learned, heeded — or not.
This also could be his judgement. God has long used armies and plagues as a wakeup call to his people and to nations.
The way I see it — and the way I believe the Bible teaches it — is that all of life and all events are “spiritual” it’s all in his hand — bringing the world and individuals toward his ultimate end, which is glorifying himself.
I have been so tired this day! But will head out for a walk with my neighbor in just a bit. Didn’t have to watch over and figure out activities to do with a granddaughter which can be exhausting for me. I miss her already….But am sort of glad to have life back to “normal” The guest room has been set to rights, all bedding freshly laundered and everything back in it’s place…ahhh 😊
Covid———my Great Uncle Bud’s granddaughter lost her husband to Covid this week…she buried him this weekend….he was 55. She is in shock. They had traveled to FL for their son’s wedding on the beach. It was a private resort and they did some deep sea fishing with the wedding party, along with other gatherings in preparation for the wedding. When they arrived back in OH her husband became very ill. Everything happened to quickly and he was gone within mere days. She lost her 21 year old daughter one year ago in a tragic auto accident…her daughter had been on life support for a week after the accident and there was nothing to be done. She is angry with the Lord believing him as harsh and cruel…I am praying for her 😞
Wandering Views 
Part of a msg LindaS sent me this morning. She graduated from HS in Fairfax Co. Va.
I”n other news. My high school Robert E Lee High School is now John Lewis High School. Makes no sense to me that we would name it for someone who represented the State of Georgia in Congress. “
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Nothing has to make sense anymore.
Good morning anyhow.
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Good morning! I love the kitty on the header ♡ Great looking cat statue, black and white so no one can complain.
Art and I were talking about that his high school team was the Rebels and they had gray uniforms. My high school team was the Indians and we had red uniforms. The conversation was prompted when a Hallmark mystery movie had a team with the name Rebels, and Art said Hallmark would be in trouble for that.
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And a good morning it is.
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Morning Annie Oakley!! She seems to be keeping watch over the home place quite nicely 😊
Chas is right…nothing has to make sense any longer…this world is in a tizzy and we hold tight to what we know is true and good. Our Lord is the calm in the storm. My flesh still stirs at the insanity of it all but I find rest in talking it all over with the Him….😊
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It looks to me like the cat is saying: “I am watching you to make sure you do your work.”
Chas- Of course names are going to change. And when the US falls to Communism, everything will change again. Washington will be named after Lenin, Mao or Che Guevara.
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Regarding the link I posted to the video about Vets Against Child Trafficking, I had not heard that rumor about Wayfair before, but when I have shopped for used books on Amazon Marketplace I have noticed some listed at outrageously high prices and wondered what that was about, but I never even considered it could be some kind of code for an illegal activity. Those would be prices set by people outside of Amazon.
What I was mainly surprised about in the video was the numbers given about the size of the industry which would mean it is much more prevalent than I could have imagined, more like it is tipping into mainline rather than a fringe thing. That is what I want to know if it is true. Also, I had never heard of those who would put children into torturous situations to make their bodies produce stress hormones so they could get that blood to use for whatever (the video did not go into that). My eyes don’t work well enough to research to find out if those things that were authoritatively reported in the video are true. So if anyone can tell me if that part of the video is inaccurate I would appreciate it. Then I can inform the person who sent it to me so she, too, will not rely on that source of information. All this misinformation is what happens when we can no longer rely on mainline media to give us just the facts without the sway.
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Janice mentioned the source of the problem in passing, when she said, “We can no longer rely on mainline media”.
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Janice I believe all of the assertions and accusations of Wayfair being involved in such horrid activity have been debunked. I don’t know all of the ins and outs of why some conspiracy thoughts allege the involvement. My son is a manager of a Wayfair facility in KY and he travels to other warehouse locations in the country…one being in GA. He knows and understands the inner workings of his company and he would never dismiss an allegation. I am at a point where I trust nothing except if I know of or know someone I trust with personal knowledge. The media for the most part can no longer be trusted because it seems even in the most “conservative” realm someone has an agenda to spin the “facts” their own biased way, whether that be left or right.
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I see on fb my niece is sending around a petition to keep the name Eskimos as there school team. The name is fitting as it is similar to the town name, however I doubt that will matter in the long run.
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There is a movement afoot to change the name of the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma, AL to the John Lewis Bridge. I am adamantly opposed to it. EVERYONE knows the name Edmund Pettis Bridge. I didn’t know who John Lewis was until a few years ago. I would like to see them name the highway over the bridge after John Lewis, but think historically the name of the bridge needs to stay the same.
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Wayfair was slandered.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/wayfair-trafficking-children/
“Is Wayfair Trafficking Children Via Overpriced Items?
The claim that Wayfair is trafficking children is based almost entirely on one person’s confusion over an expensive cabinet.”
“False”
————
Fact check: No evidence linking Wayfair to human trafficking operation
https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-wayfair-human-trafficking/fact-check-no-evidence-linking-wayfair-to-human-trafficking-operation-idUSKCN24E2M2
“Viral images and posts circulated by social media users make a series of extreme claims linking Wayfair, an e-shopping home retailer to an alleged human trafficking operation. These claims are false and fueled by conspiracy theories.
The theory went viral after it emerged on the r/conspiracy section of Reddit on July 9 ( here ), with an allegation that the very high prices of several furniture items listed on Wayfair’s marketplace and their peculiar names were the evidence of a child trafficking operation. By Friday July 10, the topic was trending on Twitter in the U.S.”
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Janice, the daughter of the pastor at a local church has gone to Vietnam at least once to support the missionaries who are there working to remove children from the child sex trade. It was too dangerous for her to actually help get them out.
Sex/Human trafficking is real. The I-10 corridor from Houston to Jacksonville is a major route. I travel it from ve Malbis to Pensacola at least 3 times a week. I see Border Patrol, State Police, Local Police, Sheriff’s Duputy, Homeland Security, and various other unmarked vehicles parked in the crossovers. I have driven by when they have had semi’s, other cargo trucks, regular trucks, and cars pulled over ahd searching. I have seen them at night with search lights trained on the woods on each side. At first I didn’t know what was going on, so one day I was at a gas station and a Sheriff’s Deputy was filling up next to me. I asked him about it and he told me what it was all about.
I had a former Green Beret as an agent for a brief period of time. I know that he belongs to a group who does some “rescue missions”. I know a woman who is very involved in getting women out of the sex trade. I’m not sure what her story is, but whatever it is, it’s personal. I now that somewhere on the Florida Panhandle there is a “safe house”. I don’t know where it is.
I know that the leader of my Sunday school class has a friend who got dragged into prostitution and doesn’t feel like she can get out. The mother has tried for years to get her out and she says she is too far into it to get out alive.
If I know all of this in my sheltered little place in podunk Alabama, I can’t imagine what it is like in more metropolitan areas.
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In other news I showed a house to someone as a favor to another agent at 9 this morning. There is a tenant in it that will be moving out over the weekend. You cannot believe how some people live. Cat poop on the carpet, urine smell all over the house. Piles of clothes and I don’t know what else. Food left out. It looked like an episode of horders. Amazingly enough the potential buyer is still interested.
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Fascinating to learn about the plagues in Exodus. This is from Exodus 8, the lice.
Struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice on man and beast: This plague struck at the heart of all Egyptian worship, especially at their priests. The Egyptian priesthood was extremely careful about hygiene and ritual cleansing; an infestation of lice made them unable to worship their gods.
i. The plague of lice was also upon every beast. The gods of Egypt would not receive the sacrifice of lice-infested animals, so this stopped their sacrificial system.
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And this:
The magicians of Egypt are unable to duplicate this plague.
Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not. So there were lice on man and beast. Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had said.
a. Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: These magicians could use occult powers to change a rod into a snake, to turn water into blood, and to summon frogs – yet they could no bring forth lice. This shows that as great as Satan’s power is, it is limited – and it comes to its limit rather early.
b. This is the finger of God: When the magicians said this to Pharaoh, it showed they knew there was a power greater than their own, yet it was a power that they did not honor and serve.
Guzik earlier observed that the magicians could imitate the detrimental: turn water into blood, but they could not change the Nike from blood back to clean water.
Satan’s minions can only destruct, they cannot heal, create, or improve.
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Michelle, I suspect actually they couldn’t turn the water into blood, either, as that too would have been creative. We don’t know what God allowed or what they actually did in that instance. Did God grant Satan that power, or did they use illusions, or something else?
Kim, I knew someone who was fastidious about her personal opinion. She sold Mary Kay cosmetics for decades and she worked in women’s clothing in higher end department stores. She also loved cats, and she usually had two or three and she fed a few more. The last time I visited her, shortly before her daughter moved her into assisted living, her Alzheimer’s had changed that cleanly nature. I think she simply forgot to add new litter in the litterbox, I’m not sure, but the house stank (and her daughter had actually gone up the week before to clean to get ready for me, and her estranged husband had all the windows open when we arrived, too), and there was cat poop on the carpet and even on the quilt on the bed. It was her own house, not a rental (she had in fact rented it to other people for a time, but years before that).
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“opinion” should be “appearance”
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How about a little good news?
https://money.com/home-price-forecasts/
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Annie Oakley is a cat. She likes to knock things off tables. Here she’s discovered the motherlode with a stack of books.
I think we’re all seeing how really vital and important a trustworthy media is in our nation. We don’t have that, currently, and we’re seeing the chaos that ensues when no one can agree even on basic facts or events, whether it’s about a virus or a presidential campaign. I have no doubt that this election will be wildly fought over long after that fact — no one, on either side that loses, is going to accept the results.
Much of the spinoff media that’s risen up in the digital age is openly biased, both left and right, they make no pretense. They push their causes with no apology.
The “mainstream” media has simply lost its way, from the NYT to the Washington Post, once venerable sources of information. The Internet age, social media craziness and changes in the way journalism is now being taught all have contributed. So has the Trump era which has caused many on the left to lose their heads.
I subscribe to the digital WSJ as my basic national source of information, I think they’re among the most reliable national news sources left. I also digitally subscribe to the LA Times for more local news which I need — and World Magazine which I think continues to do an excellent job at trying to honestly and fairly sort out the mess of conflicting “news reports” that dominate our headlines and evening newscasts.
A good, honest and free media is essential to democracy. It’s scary that we are lacking so many trustworthy news sources that both “sides” can trust. People now believe what suits their own narrative. And the chaos continues.
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It will be interesting to see what, if any, government response there will be to California churches that continue to conduct indoor, in-person services.
One point that bothers me in the coverage is that so many stories say the state has closed worship services. That’s not really true, the governor has said services can be held but only outdoors. Granted, that may be difficult or even impossible for some churches due to all kinds of factors. But it’s not really true that worship services have been “closed” altogether at this stage.
It’s possible, I suppose, it could go back to that, should our numbers here continue to ramp up and we roll back even more than we have. But I suspect there will be a lot of caution on the government’s part if it comes to that.
Everyone is quarantine-weary. Still, the virus continues to spread and, unlike many people I know and hear from, it’s not “just” the flu we’re talking about.
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I am quarantine weary myself and I have been able to get out. I want to go have appetizers and a glass of wine with my husband somewhere that requires me to dress up a notch from going to the grocery store. I would like to ride down to the beach and stop for an appetizer at some off the beaten path restaurant.
I am sick of eating my own cooking and the salad I got Friday from Jason’s Deli was a little past its prime. On that note, this is what I did for lunch yesterday and today.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/90500/beet-salad-with-goat-cheese/
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Oh, I boiled my beets about half the time and then finished them off by roasting them in the oven. I used the juice from the snack pak size mandarin oranges and then added them to the salad.
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From Veith:
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/geneveith/2020/07/covid-19-as-a-sign-from-god/
______________________________-
COVID-19 as a Sign from God
JULY 27, 2020 BY GENE VEITH
A poll has found that nearly two-thirds of religious Americans–note, not Americans in general, just those who are religious–believe the coronavirus epidemic is a sign from God. …
… I say, of course the epidemic is a sign from God! To a religious person, everything is a sign from God. That is, it has “significance.” The question is, what does it signify? …
… So what does God’s Word say?
There were some present at that very time who told [Jesus] about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:1-5) …
… Here is a moral evil (Pilate’s cruelty) and a natural evil (a tower collapsing). Those who died were not greater sinners than anyone else. But the meaning of both signs, what we need to take away from them, is that “unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
And that is the meaning of the coronavirus sign.
Those of us who had become so complacent, so “carnally secure,” are so no longer. We might catch the disease from an asymptomatic carrier and in two weeks be dead. And even if we don’t, our prosperity, our recreation, our social ties, our sense of well-being, are all threatened. We have taken so much for granted, but the epidemic shows just how contingent it all is, how fragile and transient these things are, and how we need to build our lives on something–and Someone–eternal. Becoming less secure in ourselves can drive us to Christ, who bore the evils and the suffering of the world, to bring us to an eternal happiness that is not of this world.
All of this is horrible for us to go through. But I suspect God believes that we need to go through it.
_____________________________
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Thanks for all the info on Wayfair. I have not doubted it was fake news about that once Kizzie posted what she did yesterday. But if one portion of a video is fake does it mean it is all fake?
I know it makes it a questionable source, to take with a grain of salt, so to speak, but how “yuge” is this problem? I know that Kim from what she said is seeing a lot of law enforcement on that corridor which is good. I just hope and pray that all those who are suffering from this horrible attrocity can be rescued and given proper care and that justice can be served for those who are caught up in the schemes whatever they may be. There is a lot of fishy junk going on in our world right now. I know things got worse in this area when we became Hollywood, Jr. And I know Hollywood has put big bucks on a candidate, Jon Osoff. I am curious about him. His ads mention targeting ISIS and child trafficking but never targeting Hollywood and what happens here. Like I said, just curious. Follow the money.
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That’s was my thought DJ, that she was just waiting for you to turn away and down they’d go 2 or 3 at a time. Best to savor it, rather than all at once. That’s how mine do it. It’s too great a temptation. 🙂
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Cats are so predictable
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Very sad news here, Long Beach mayor’s mom, 61, health care worker, has died of coronavirus. His dad remains also on a ventilator.
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DJ, that is a hard loss. And 61 isn’t very old.
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Very sad, DJ. We will hear of more.
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I have wondered if all the focus on past wrongs related to slavery (that the Civil War was suppose to resolve) is a diversion tactic by some to keep people from having time, money, and energy to devote to fighting modern day trafficking.
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I found this on Jon Osoff which mentions his “unprecedented haul” of campaign cash.
https://www.ajc.com/news/state–regional-govt–politics/who-jon-ossoff/8BAQMsud1CnqMQfafhY8EL/
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I am sitting here in my new chair. Such good back support. I walked three miles this morning in the heat. When I came in my friend told me that I looked awful. My hair was dripping with sweat and my entire face was bright red.
My sweet son in law took the time to meet me and transport the chair to my room.
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If anyone would enjoy a Scripture question . . .
In Proverbs 9:10, does Holy One refer to the Holy Spirit? I am memorizing that verse and have looked in several study Bibles and found nothing on it.
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That is so sweet, Jo. ♡
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Janice, good ‘on break’s question. The Hebrew word there is simply the word ‘qadowsh’ meaning holy. Hebrew poetry’s signature structure are a first phrase stating a thought, and then a second phrase that restates the concept in a different way. Proverbs 9:10 begins by saying, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”, which is the first phrase, and then the second phrase restates the first using different words to further expound the thought, “the knowledge of the Holy is understanding.” So, the use of holy as a noun there is referring to God, using an attribute as a name for him.
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Miss Bosley is afflicted with the Empty Bowl Syndrone. Every so often, rather cyclical, she goes into wailings and catniptious fits. Are other cat servants aware of this phenomenon?
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Thank you. Roscuro. I have another Scripture question for tomorrow maybe. I need to verify the passage as it was quoted from the KJV.
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Empty Bowl?
Are you mad?
I have 3, and they’d never tolerate such sleeping on the job by me. Seriously, when the food or water bowl get low, Mouse drags them into the middle of the floor, so you notice. 🙂
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Our cats get fed a very small amount each evening. They are busy throughout the day, sleeping in various locales, catching the odd rodent or s…. But when evening comes, they are on the front porch waiting, slapping at passing legs, rubbing against trespassers, waiting….waiting…They are limited because they were so obese it just was not in their best interest to have so much food.
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Annie knocks things off the kitchen island bar where I keep pet supplies like medications & sometimes cans of food. When I hear things going bang or pop or crash, I know it’s her dinner time. This whole routine, of course, only encourages and instills this behavior as she gets her reward: I get up and give her food, just to make her stop.
I feed her on top of a butcher block table near the back door, but Tess has been known to find a way to reach bowls that are left unattended and carry them out to the backyard — so I need to put it all away each time.
I’m sure there’s a better solution and to all of this …
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So mumsee will ask … Why is the cat indoors?
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AJ, such a clever Mouse you have!
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Mumsee. I assume s is for Snakes! Why does it always have to be Snakes? Movie quote that continues to be useful.
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Cat stays indoors because neighbors have the d–
Delirium Tremens, the syndrome that dogs get when they see a cat.
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Donna, @ 1:53. I haven’t attached any Spiritual significance to the Coronavirus problem. Ultimately, there may be consequences, but I doubt that God brought it on to teach anything. I think when God produces a sign, there is no doubt among believers where it came from.
My son, Chuck is 61 years old. Still runs 10 miles/day.
Re: Janice @ 3:43: They don’t care abut the civil war, nor discrimination nor any other issue. The issue is not the issue.
Any issue will do. Just keep the pot boiling.
I fear for the future of our nation. I really do.
If Trump is not re-elected, there is no one that I can think of who can handle this.
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The reasoning is that God is sovereign over all that comes to pass. It’s a pretty clear teaching in Scripture. God isn’t sitting on the sidelines, unable to direct his creation toward its ultimate goal. And big goals all come from little things adding up … He does it all.
“I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the LORD, who does all these things.”
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Nations come and go. This one will too, though only in God’s time. It may be soon, it may be still a long time away.
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btw, verse above is Isa. 45:7 but there are many others that teach God’s sovereignty over all. History is, indeed, “His” story in that sense. All of it. Otherwise, we’re at the mercy of random molecules that hurl us to and fro.
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But I am curious, is it your understanding that God is inactive in what transpires, that he perhaps only chooses to act and direct events now and again? Otherwise, things roll along without his direction?
As for me, I suspect there are many lessons to be learned during this period — and I firmly believe that’s by God’s design. I was telling my church friends the other day that I have to remind myself not to get caught up in complaining or I’ll miss the spiritual lessons meant for me in all of this.
The nations have lessons as well, whether they are learned, heeded — or not.
This also could be his judgement. God has long used armies and plagues as a wakeup call to his people and to nations.
The way I see it — and the way I believe the Bible teaches it — is that all of life and all events are “spiritual” it’s all in his hand — bringing the world and individuals toward his ultimate end, which is glorifying himself.
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What DJ said.
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I have been so tired this day! But will head out for a walk with my neighbor in just a bit. Didn’t have to watch over and figure out activities to do with a granddaughter which can be exhausting for me. I miss her already….But am sort of glad to have life back to “normal” The guest room has been set to rights, all bedding freshly laundered and everything back in it’s place…ahhh 😊
Covid———my Great Uncle Bud’s granddaughter lost her husband to Covid this week…she buried him this weekend….he was 55. She is in shock. They had traveled to FL for their son’s wedding on the beach. It was a private resort and they did some deep sea fishing with the wedding party, along with other gatherings in preparation for the wedding. When they arrived back in OH her husband became very ill. Everything happened to quickly and he was gone within mere days. She lost her 21 year old daughter one year ago in a tragic auto accident…her daughter had been on life support for a week after the accident and there was nothing to be done. She is angry with the Lord believing him as harsh and cruel…I am praying for her 😞
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We just need to have eyes to see and ears to hear as each day and event unfolds.
Something as massive as this virus, which has shut down nearly the entire world — well, there’s gotta be something way bigger going on.
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Nancyjill, I’m so sorry.
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A good response to MacArthur’s call for civil disobedience in church attendance: https://www.9marks.org/article/a-time-for-civil-disobedience-a-response-to-john-macarthur/
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The follow-up article looks good too (though I haven’t yet read it all): https://www.9marks.org/article/further-reflections-on-recent-conversations-about-christian-freedom/
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fifty seven?
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Oh, yeah!
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Praying with you, NancyJill.
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Same here, NancyJill. 😦
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Heartbreaking for sue, NancyJill. I’m so sorry.
One question: who else could shut down the entire globe?
That convinces me.
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So sorry to hear of that loss, Nancyjill, on top of the first loss. How devastating for her
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