Israel and Russia have grown quite friendly. Most premillennialists tend to believe Magog and the land of the north refer to Russia. How, then, will Russia be attacking Israel if they're buddies now?

Here is a good treatise on just who the invaders may really be.

I'm not recommending a business, per se, but a product. Ever since I saw a former coworker with this screwdriver, I have sought it myself--for years now. I couldn't remember the brand or name, only the features. Every time I went to a hardware store (a frequent occurrence), I looked for it. I finally stumbled across it at Home Depot in Tucker yesterday (29 & JC). Of all places, it was in the light bulb section. Go figure. » read more »

Dogs are better pets than cats, and here are a few reasons why. First of all, cats are always scratching up the furniture, and ruining the curtains. They’re always jumping onto high places, and getting into special things. If you had a cat, you couldn’t have any beaded lamp shades, bead curtains, or canopies because the cat would “play” with them and destroy them! » read more »

I know TuscanyCircle's SSL certificate is expired. I renewed it weeks ago but was unable to load it onto the server due to some problem introduced by my webhoster, likely as a result of last year's NOC move. I filled out a help ticket on Sept. 19, but it seems nothing has progressed. I've not heard anything in response, nor has any visible condition changed (other than the ticket getting put on HOLD). » read more »

Despite her vacuous rhetoric in support of Israel, Palin intends to support Israel's destruction. The "two-state solution" is an attempt to destroy Israel, and Palin (and McCain, Biden, and Osama--er, Obama) supports it.

Arabs already have 22 nations. The ill-named "Palestinians" are of the same family/tribe/lineage as the Arabs who were granted Jordan. If they want a home outside of Israel, they may move to Jordan--or emigrate to any of the other 21 Arab countries. » read more »

A recent study reveals that kids who spend time with their fathers have higher IQs. The difference in IQ is detectable until after the children are in their 40s. The study stresses that it is not enough just for the father to "be around"; we must be actively involved in our kids' lives, interacting with them and spending quality time with them -- and starting at an early age, too. » read more »

Just saw a good comment from Vox Day's blog:

"Is it time to water the tree of liberty yet?"

Of course, considering the original quote, that is a double-edged sword.

It seems the international community is set on removing Israel from "peace" negotiations. Does anyone else see how stupid this sounds? Israel wants peace. The international community wants Israel to have peace, but they insist upon stopping Israel's participation in that peace process. Instead, they're engineering the process so Israel will have to give in completely to Arab demands, assuring the utter destruction of that tiny nation. » read more »

Forgiveness is a difficult subject. We enjoy holding onto our grudges. When we're hurt anew, we prefer to remember the old hurts and lump them together as an ever growing indictment against those who hurt us. When there's no real relationship (i.e., those who hurt us are not friends or family), the only harm done is to ourselves in our refusal to forgive. When it's a friend or family member we refuse to forgive, though, not only do we rot from the inside, but we also destroy our relationship with that friend or family member. » read more »

From http://www.thehomescholar.com/... ... » read more »

Artios Academies presents...A Double Feature of Hilarity and Fun!
Oct. 9 - 11 at OnStage Atlanta in Atlanta, GA.

How To Eat Like A Child, And Other Lessons in Not Being a Grown-Up

and

Totally Red

Both shows are fun for children and adults of all ages.
These two short plays will be performed back to back with an intermission. » read more »

Lillian Vernon's online shopping is very substandard. First, processing of the order takes a full week (meaning they sit on it doing nothing for that time). Second, unless you pay unusually high rates for rapid delivery, their normal delivery mechanism is also amazingly slow. Considering first class USPS takes only 2-4 days to go most anywhere in the nation, 2-3 weeks for delivery is pretty sad. Third, no tracking information is offered via email. Fourth, the tracking information on the website is wrong. » read more »

It's a bit of a tautology: Do you live your values? Of course you do. Everybody does. The more interesting question is: Do you live your stated values? On this one, the vast majority of believers fail the test.

[What follows is not about salvation or damnation. It's about holiness. It's about obedience to the One Whom you claim is your Master when you say you're a Christian.] » read more »

As always, the government has taken a bad situation and made it worse. It seems the gas shortages in GA are due to the EPA's regulations that force us to use "cleaner" gasoline which isn't as available. Of course, their relaxation of this illegal regulation came too late, so the shortages are supposed to last several more days. To make matters worse, GA's governor enabled the "no price gouging" regulation--in stupid defiance of the Law of Supply and Demand--insuring the shortages will be extended artificially and unnecessarily. » read more »

I shouldn't have to state the obvious, but in today's climate of ignorance, it seems I must. Voting is not a universal right. Kids can't vote. Felons can't vote. Foreigners can't vote. To be sure, voting is more universal in this country now than it historically was, so what's wrong with this trend? » read more »

A four-member church has been evicted from their building because they don't have the 18 parking spaces required by code. The owner of the property (one of the members) sought the expensive zoning amendment so the church may again meet there. The city is recommending denial of application because they don't have 18 parking spaces for the 4 members. Ironically: » read more »

Working late last night on lesson plans away from home, I had the opportunity to eavesdrop on a group of Christian 20-somethings discuss several in-depth issues. To hear them debate, I was feeling quite old and matronly (two different things). However, their discussion was thought-provoking and good mental exercise vs. the phonics lessons I was planning.

Not sure if I've seen it here, so I'll throw it out now. » read more »

I received the Sonorix C3 bluetooth headset/headphones device several months ago as a gift. Not only is it a wireless headset, but it supports the A2DP profile (stereo headphones), too. There are several unique features of the C3. It clips to your shirt. It supports the use of any standard headphones; it has a 3.5mm jack. This last feature was especially important to me, as I am able to choose whatever headphones, earpieces, etc., that I desire. It has a built-in microphone for headset use. » read more »

Here are some statistics about TuscanyCircle. In the last month, we've had: » read more »

• 380 unique visitors
• from 28 countries (including Israel, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Malaysia, Slovenia, and Slovakia)
• on almost every continent (except South America [?] and Antarctica),
• spending an average of 6.5 minutes per visit
• and viewing 3500 pages.

This is an interesting proposal about the end of this age. It's nebulous enough that no exact date is proposed. I personally think Ussher's timeline is probably correct, but if there is error there, this alternative may be viable. As for the seven-millennia theory, it would make a nice parallel, to be sure, but there's nothing in Scripture that insists upon it.

Granted, my perception is not typical, I'm sure, but it sure seems to me that high culture (for lack of a better term) is declining. Theater, art, ballet, literature, etc., all seem to be suffering more now than a few years ago--suffering from apathy or disinterest. I believe it's largely due to an overall decline in our civilization, fueled by ignorance and a piss-poor education system. What do you think? » read more »

David asks:

"How are we all going to be in heaven someday and not screw it up?"
...
In heaven, we will choose to worship God, among other things, while retaining our individual personalities, memories and free will. But isn’t free will what got the world into this broken mess in the first place? Does free will go away? If not, what changes us there so deeply that all the friction of existence evaporates?
... » read more »

How old are you? Do you measure your own age as the world measures it, from birth? Or do you measure your age based upon when the Lord knit you together in your mother's womb (conception)?

The Bible doesn't really seem to make a big deal out of birthdays (that is, the anniversaries of one's birth). I don't think any dogma can be read one way or the other. However, it's plain to see that we are alive, human, God-created creatures from conception. » read more »

This may be a stupid question but.... if you're Jewish, do you go to heaven when you die?

A family member passed away last week and she was raised Christian, but converted to Judaism when she met & married her husband. Last week she lost her battle with colon cancer. Her memorial service was earlier today. » read more »

I used to live in Houston for a most of '98 and I've got a friend there who's hunkered down waiting for Hurricane Ike to hit. She says that Galveston and Freeport are already under water although they haven't had any rain yet. So the storm surge is already hitting and the storm is still 9 hours out in the Gulf.

Please pray for my friends and her family as they ride out this storm. They are 60 miles from the coast (just north of Houston). I pray that no one gets hurt. My friend's parents are in their 70s and are there also. Thanks for your prayers.

Praise In Motion presents The Gift in November (15th & 22nd). The PIM dancers have been rehearsing it for a while now. I'm lucky enough to see just a little bit of these rehearsals. It's gonna be great! I hope you make the time to see at least one of their performances this fall.

If you know of any little girls (or boys!) who might be interested in ballet, bring 'em! They can get backstage tours and meet the dancers, and they'll be blessed by the message. You, too! » read more »

Latin America is pissed at the U.S. Frankly, I can't blame them. For the record, I think the U.S. is the best (even as screwed up as it is), and Latin American is a Third World joke that offers the world nothing more than coffee, cocaine, and petty dictatorships. Having said this, the U.S. has no legitimate business meddling in the affairs of other nations. We're developing all our own enemies, so we got it comin'. » read more »

If God is all-powerful, can He do evil? This is a logical fallacy stupid atheists--forgive the redundancy--like to pose. Worse, a similar fallacy comes into play in the Person of Jesus, but believers promulgate this one. » read more »

You probably know about Prop. 22 in CA (defining marriage as a man and a woman). You probably also know the courts overturned 22 (as if they had that power)--gotta love "case law". Now the fallout of this idiocy is beginning.

A marriage license with the words "bride" and "groom" (instead of "Party A" and "Party B") has been officially rejected: » read more »

Anyone want to comment on this video? I can't understand but about half of it.

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/u...

I did catch the part near the end where they say that this experiment could actually blow up the planet.

Well, this hasn't taken long. I'm already bored with A Beka, but worse yet, so is my son. I had heard (after I started buying our books) that A Beka was known for its repetitive exercises, so that by the time the child has learned and practiced the lessons, s/he knows the material. Problem is, my son picks up new ideas so quickly that he's about to speed thru the books. » read more »

A Somalian arrives in Minneapolis as a new immigrant to the United States. He stops the first person he sees walking down the street and says, 'Thank you Mr. American for letting me in this country, giving me housing, food stamps, free medical care, and free education!'

The passerby says, 'You are mistaken, I am Mexican.'

The man goes on and encounters another passerby. 'Thank you for having such a beautiful country here in America!'

The person says, 'I not American, I Vietnamese.' » read more »

Just what is Obama's faith, his worldview? He recently made what may have been a Freudian slip when he referred to "my Muslim faith". In Islam, deception is widely acceptable when it's used against infidels (any non-Muslim). One is forced to wonder if Obama's "Christianity" is nothing but a long-term ruse used to support his bid for the Presidency, while he's secretly pursuing Muslim goals. If so, what specific goals might these be? Death to Jews and Christians? Destruction of Israel? Setting the foundation for sharia (Muslim) law in America? » read more »

Our pastor started today with a recognition of the church's 1.8 million dollars of debt, and then he recited Malachi 3:10 as a means of asking for more "tithes" from the congregation to help pay off the debt. Judging from the attendence, taking on 3+ million dollars of debt (now 1.8M) for the latest building program was quite unnecessary (even if an incorporated church were to own land legitimately). Now he regrets the debt. Duh. He wants "tithes" to fix his mistake, yet doesn't even understand that Biblical tithes cannot be money, nor is the local, corporate church a "storehouse".

Do you have any litmus tests for political candidates? That's rhetorical. I know you do. Everybody does, even if the litmus tests are very basic (e.g., must be human and not dead). I finally decided to write mine down. » read more »

What will happen when Israel strikes at Iran's centrifuges and, likely, their shiny new heavy-water reactor? Obviously, Iran will counter, putting to the test their grandiose military claims. I would find it difficult to believe Israel will escape unscathed, but I know they have a decent anti-missile defense (though not perfect, I expect). » read more »

The U.S. and Russia are reviving the Cold War. Russia upped the ante by threatening to sell the S-300 to Iran. This would essentially force Israel's hand. Israel would need to strike Iran before this air-defense weapon went into service. » read more »

I have numerous Christian acquaintances who insist upon having a calling to put their children in government schooling. Might they be right about this calling? If not, why not? » read more »

This is a 10-year-old's (fifth grade) take on socialization in government schools:

I don't like the fact that we don't get any social time. We [sic] only time we're allowed to socialize is at lunch, at recess (which we only get 15 minutes of), and in the Girl's Bathroom. A lot of the girls in my class go to the bathroom a lot just so they can socialize. I've done that once, and I din't really have to go to the bathroom.

How very sad.

The subject came up at work, and I got to thinkin'. Engineers typically abhor overhead. If he's a programmer, writing code is productive while most everything else is overhead. If he's a hardware designer, schematics and possibly layouts and parts selection represent productivity. Things such as status reports, quality control, meetings, and record-keeping are usually deemed distractions to his "real" work. » read more »

The problem with Vox's apparent preference for certification is that such processes are just as bogus as any degree. I cannot begin to describe how many times I've seen UL, ISO, or TL certifications handed out like Tic Tacs...after the requisite bribes and rear-kissing. » read more »

Need I say more than this? Jurors who question the legitimacy of unconstitutional or immoral laws are kicked off the jury. In short, we can all rest assured that juries--the last check and balance against government tyranny in the courts--will blindly obey the will of their government masters. How is this freedom? » read more »

I've been wrestling with whether or not I should talk to my pastor about all the heresies (albeit minor) he preaches or his abysmal understanding of Koine Greek and Hebrew. I was being nagged to do so because I thought I had a responsibility to stand up for truth. However, the Lord reminded me of Matthew 7:6. » read more »

International Christian Zionist Center

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Israel My Beloved » read more »

Please pray for several unspecified kids. They are presently experiencing unexplained symptoms which may be related to very serious conditions. Pray for healing. Pray for parental and medical wisdom. Pray for early detection and effective treatment, if necessary. » read more »

The new dance year has begun. As I first stepped into En Pointe's (EP) studio yesterday afternoon, I was inundated with small tasks, queries, and greetings. It was pleasantly crowded, and I was a bit overwhelmed. Nevertheless, I was happy to be back. » read more »

Finally getting fed up with numerous school bus dangers, I decided to start working my way through government to figure out how to hold dangerous and errant drivers accountable. I cannot say for sure if the accountability is genuine, but I did manage to make contact with the head of the Gwinnett schools' transportation system. » read more »

I just received this from PJI:

For Immediate Release: August 18, 2008

Contact: President Brad Dacus (916) 857-6900

Cal. Supreme Court Rejects Doctors' Rights of Conscience

Sacramento, CA - In a major decision likely to re-draw the battle lines of the gay rights movement, the California Supreme Court today ruled against two doctors who declined to artificially inseminate a lesbian. » read more »

Our church's pastor managed to do a sermon this week without screwing up any doctrine or demonstrating his incompetence with Koine Greek (let alone Hebrew). He preached on John 15:2. His sermon was, as usual, baby food, but at least he didn't lead people astray as he usually does.

Like Georgia, the U.A.E. appeals to international law in its dispute with Iran over Abu Mousa. The mistake they make is this: such an appeal assumes a rule-of-law philosophy at work in all concerned parties. Iran has amply demonstrated it does not follow this philosophy. » read more »