Tuesday, December 25, 2012

The Church of Nativity -Bethlehem


A Christian worshippers from Nigeria and her son wait to pray at the Church of Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, Monday, Dec. 24, 2012. Thousands of Christian worshippers and tourists arrived in Bethlehem on Monday.


Merry Christmas 2012

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happines..

Monday, December 24, 2012

Joseph—Father of Jesus”

Joseph—Father of Jesus”

I looked in my Bible for a quote from another prominent father, Joseph, and to my surprise I couldn’t find one. I never thought about this before, but Joseph doesn’t say a single word in the Gospels. He listens and obeys. We might assume his words are recorded, because we can imagine the conversations he had with Mary, and the Angel Gabriel. He can “hear” him talking to the innkeeper. We can visualize him teaching Jesus about carpentry…but then he fades from the scene. It is widely thought that Joseph was much older than Mary, and when Jesus began His ministry, Mary appears alone, and although the Bible doesn’t say she’s a widow, we can figure that Joseph has since died.
Joseph probably thought his life was pretty well planned. His marriage and his vocation were all arranged neatly for him, but then his world came crashing down. He discovered that his bride-to-be was pregnant. We know that Joseph was a man of integrity—he wanted to do the right thing, in the right way. He considered divorcing Mary when he learned of her pregnancy, but wanted to do so without calling attention to the reason, whereas he could have had her publicly disgraced or even stoned to death for adultery. Instead, he risks being questioned about Mary’s pregnancy and marries her. In those days, a marriage contract was worked out between families, and the engaged couple continued to live with their parents till their wedding. The townspeople could well have thought Mary and Joseph didn’t wait till their wedding. Joseph protected their reputation by moving up the wedding date, and the Roman census took them far away from the town’s questioning eyes.
Although Joseph came from the royal lineage of King David (thanks to the Gospel genealogy), we can easily picture him as a humble man. The brief portrait of him in Scripture suggests he was a quiet, unobtrusive man, available when needed, willing to endure hardship and disappointment. Looking forward to fathering his own child, Joseph was faced with being a step-father to a child not his own. He accepted the humbling circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth. He trusted the providential care of God every step of the way. He didn’t have any parenting books, any training on how to be a father to the Son of God, but he possessed faith and compassion. Bible scholars portray Joseph as an effective provider and protector of the family.

Christmas Reminder


Saturday, December 22, 2012

Chivalry


After the women's liberation movement of the 1960s, which insisted on the equal treatment of women in all domains of life, feminists dismissed chivalry as sexist. They still do. A new study, published in the feminist journal Psychology of Women Quarterly, questions the entire enterprise of male chivalry, which, in an Orwellian flourish, it calls "benevolent sexism."

Chivalrous behavior is benevolent because it flatters women and leads to their preferential treatment. But it is sexist because it relies on the "gendered premise" that women are weak and in need of protection while men are strong. "Benevolent sexism," Kathleen Connelly and Martin Heesacker of the University of Florida write in the study, "is an ideology that perpetuates gender inequality." They advocate interventions to reduce its prevalence, even though, they found, chivalry is associated with greater life satisfaction and the sense that the world is fair, well-ordered, and a good place.

Charles Murray, the libertarian social scientist at the American Enterprise Institute, summed up the study with tongue-in-cheek, writing "the bad news is that gentlemanly behavior makes people happy." He goes on to ask, "When social scientists discover something that increases life satisfaction for both sexes, shouldn't they at least consider the possibility that they have come across something that is positive? Healthy? Something that might even conceivably be grounded in the nature of Homo sapiens?"

In an interview, Connelly tells me that despite Murray's points, the problem with chivalry is that it assumes "women are wonderful but weak." This assumption of female weakness puts women down, Connelly says.

Perhaps because of women's ambivalence about chivalry, men have grown confused about how to treat women. Will holding doors open for them or paying for the first date be interpreted as sexist? Does carrying their groceries imply they're weak? The breakdown in the old rules, which at one extreme has given rise to the hookup culture, has
killed dating and is leaving a lot of well-meaning men and women at a loss.

Historically, the chivalry ideal and the practices that it gave rise to were never about putting women down, as Connelly and other feminists argue. Chivalry, as a social idea, was about respecting and aggrandizing women, and recognizing that their attention was worth seeking, competing for, and holding. If there is a victim of "benevolent sexism," it is not the career-oriented single college-aged feminist. Rather, it is unconstrained masculinity.

"We should have a clear notion of what chivalry is,"
argues Pier Massimo Forni, an award-winning professor of Italian literature and the founder of the Civility Institute at Johns Hopkins. "It was a form of preferential treatment that men once accorded to women generations ago, inspired by the sense that there was something special about women, that they deserve added respect, and that not doing so was uncouth, cowardly and essentially despicable."

Chivalry arose as a response to the violence and barbarism of the Middle Ages. It cautioned men to temper their aggression, deploying it only in appropriate circumstances—like to protect the physically weak and defenseless members of society. As the author and self-described "equity feminist" Christina Hoff Sommers tells me in an interview, "Masculinity with morality and civility is a very powerful force for good. But masculinity without these virtues is dangerous—even lethal."

Chivalry is grounded in a fundamental reality that defines the relationship between the sexes, she explains. Given that most men are physically stronger than most women, men can overpower women at any time to get what they want. Gentlemen developed symbolic practices to communicate to women that they would not inflict harm upon them and would even protect them against harm. The tacit assumption that men would risk their lives to protect women only underscores how valued women are—how elevated their status is—under the system of chivalry.
 

Thursday, December 20, 2012

" Fear Not "- Rev. M.D. Rogers



On the windswept hillsides outside of town, shepherds are huddling, too. All of a sudden the sky lights up and an angel proclaims:
"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."6
Fear not. The shepherds' fear is turned to joy as they hear news that a Savior is born. The Messiah! In Bethlehem, the city of David himself!
And so they run down the hillsides into the town and hurry from stable to stable until they find the Child in the manger, just as they have been told. Tucked in that manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes against the cold, is the Savior himself.
A Savior comes to rescue people in danger, preserve those who are threatened by harm, and protect his people from the troubles that surround them. That's what saviors do! That's what Jesus came to do for us.

Do not be afraid because God has sent a Savior to us -- Jesus Christ the Lord. He is the One who will:
Never leave us or forsake us.
Supply all our needs according to his riches in glory.
Add to us all the things we need as we seek him and his Kingdom.
Christmas Is About a Savior
Our world doesn't know. They think that Christmas is about gifts under a tree and a spirit of good cheer, with Christmas dinner and family around the table. But as good as all that may be, it isn't nearly as good as the Real Christmas.

The Real Christmas message is this: God has sent a Savior for you. To save you from your sins and to help you in this life -- to lift your burden and ease your fears. That's it! A Savior who is Christ the Lord -- God himself!
The world is gripped by fear. But fear's hold has been broken in those of us who believe the angel's words:
"Fear not ... for a Savior is born to you -- Christ the Lord!"


Friday, December 14, 2012

During times of adversity and hardship, when the grey, thick clouds of political strife and international crises loom over us, it is natural to want to draw the curtains closed and barricade ourselves from the ugliness outside our doors. When we wonder if we will have enough money to keep a roof over our heads and food on our tables, it might be difficult to imagine that we can offer anything of value to God. Yet, it is in these seasons of spiritual winter; in these times of vulnerability and uncertainty that we offer to God the gifts he desires most.

Although our hands may be empty of resources, if our hearts are full of praise and thankfulness to Him and love expressed in generosity to His people, He is blessed beyond measure. As he found much pleasure in the poor widow's offering of a few pennies at the temple, so he finds much pleasure in our sacrificial giving of ourselves during times of hardship.

No matter what season you are experiencing in your life, as you present your heart to the Lord, may you feel the warmth of His light shine upon you and through you. May that light be a beacon to those in the darkness and may you truly be a messenger of God's greatest gift to the world, His son, Jesus Christ.

God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith; the warmth of Christmas, which is love; the radiance of Christmas, which is purity; the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice; the belief in Christmas, which is truth; the all of Christmas, which is Christ.

From all of us at Faith That Lives Ministry

Rev. M.D. Rogers-Executive Director

Christmas Prayer:

Father, We thank Thee for this day.
Bless all we do and all we say.
May we each enjoy Thy blessings great
As Jesus' Birth we celebrate.
And may the love that we share here
Remain throughout the coming year.
Amen!




 

Connecticut School Shooting

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/newtown-residents-hold-prayer-vigil-horrific-mass-shooting-030358196.html


             















http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/14/us/connecticut-school-shooting/index.html?hpt=hp_t1


Police: 20 children among 26 victims of Connecticut school shooting

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/14/sandy-hook-elementary-school-shooting_n_2300831.html

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Cosmic Alignments

..On Dec. 21, 2012, many doomsday believers fear the apocalypse — anything from
a rogue planet smashing into us to our world spinning end over end. However, the
world should expect nothing more next year than the winter solstice, the longest
night of the year, NASA says.

Many people point to the end of the Mayan Long Count calendar on Dec. 21, 2012
as evidence of the coming apocalypse, but astronomers have been quick to stress
that there is nothing to be concerned about.

According to the ancient Mayan calendar, next year's winter solstice marks the
end of a 144,000-day cycle. This cycle, which begins at the mythical Maya
creation date, has already been repeated 12 times. The 13th will end in 2012,
capping a full 5,200-year Mayan cycle of creation.

This date has long been shrouded in mystery, with many claiming that it will
bring destruction to our planet. [End of the World? Top Doomsday Fears]



Rogue planet Nibiru?

One fear is that a rogue planet that has been dubbed "Nibiru" or "Planet X" is
supposedly aimed at Earth. Self-proclaimed Nibiru expert Nancy Lieder, who says
she is in contact with the aliens from Zeta Reticuli, first said Nibiru would
cause widespread disaster in May 2003, only to change it to Dec. 21, 2012.

There is, however, no evidence that Nibiru is real.

"Nibiru is ridiculous because it doesn't exist — it never existed as anything
other than a figment of the imagination by pseudo-scientists who don't seem
bothered by a complete lack of evidence," astronomer Don Yeomans, manager of
NASA's Near-Earth Object program office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in
Pasadena, Calif., told SPACE.com.

There is no basis for the claim that it might be lurking behind the sun, as it
could not have hidden from observation until now, Yeomans said. If such a planet
was headed toward Earth by Dec. 21, 2012, it would already be visible to the
naked eye.





Cosmic alignments?

There are also concerns that planets or stars might line up in ways that will
transform Earth. For instance, some theorists claim that from our point of view,
the sun will cross in front of the plane of our galaxy on Dec. 21. However, the
sun already does this twice a year, Yeomans said.

In fact, the sun will eventually cross the plane of our galaxy. However, the sun
is about 67 light-years from the galactic plane, so it should take several
million years to do so, Yeomans said. Even then, when our solar system finally
does cross the plane, nothing special will occur, he added. [10 Failed Doomsday
Predictions]

Some also claim that gravitational effects from planets lining up with each
other will somehow affect Earth. However, there is no planetary alignment due on
Dec. 21, 2012, "and if there were, it wouldn't cause any problems," Yeomans
said.

The only bodies that have any significant gravitational impact on Earth are the
moon and the sun, effects we see as the tides. Tidal effects from other bodies
in our solar system are negligible at best, and in any case, we have experienced
them for millions of years without notice.








Solar storms?

Solar storms — deluges of energetic particles from the sun — do happen, usually
waxing and waning in cycles that last roughly 11 years. When these charged
particles collide with Earth, they can trigger auroras and damage satellites and
power lines, although not really inflicting any lasting harm, Yeomans said.

There are accounts of a solar "super-storm" slamming into Earth in 1859.
Although that caused relatively little damage back then, there are concerns that
such a storm might cause far more harm now that our world is more dependent on
electronics.

Yet, there is no evidence that such a super-storm will happen on Dec. 21 of next
year, Yeomans said.

Flip-flopping Earth?

There is some alarm that 2012 could see the flipping of Earth's poles — either
the planet's geographical poles, which mark the Earth's axis of rotation, or its
magnetic poles, which our compasses point toward.

But, there is no reason to fear such an occurrence, scientists said, because the
moon stabilizes our planet's spin. The planet's magnetic poles do flip, but over
periods of about 500,000 years, and not suddenly, "but over thousands of years,"
with no evidence of a flip on Dec. 21, 2012, Yeomans said.

Even if the planet's magnetic poles do flip, no real problems would occur, other
than the inconvenience of us having to change our compasses from north to south,
he added.

Cosmic impacts?
The Earth is always vulnerable to impacts by comets and asteroids, but giant
impacts are rare, with the last major collision taking place 65 million years
ago, ending the Age of Dinosaurs.

Still, astronomers do monitor the sky for near-Earth objects.

"There are no known near-Earth objects in 2012 that present a credible risk to
Earth," Yeomans said. "None, zero, zip, nada."

But despite evidence to the contrary, doomsdays theorists have garnered
attention, and similar prophecies will continue to proliferate unless scientists
become more involved in bringing truth to these outlandish claims, Yeomans said.

Mounting hysteria regarding these unfounded doomsday predictions "will improve
only if scientists get more engaged in debunking pseudoscience," he said.

Follow SPACE.com for the latest in space science and exploration news on Twitter
@Spacedotcomand on Facebook.


Study: Education extends longevity—except for Black males

Study: Education extends longevity—except for Black males

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Feed The Hungry

Last year, 49 million people in the United States, including more than 16
million children, were at risk of going hungry. As Christmas -- the time of
giving -- draws ever closer, remember those families, children, and individuals
around you who may worry about where the next meal will come from, or have to
skip a few meals. This holiday season especially, let's endeavor to make sure
that not one of our neighbors goes hungry. Join the United We Serve: Feed a
Neighbor initiative today.
Download the Anti-Hunger Volunteer Toolkit to get started.

Concerning Hanukkah

Concerning Hanukkah Part 2
by David Perry on December 8, 2012 at 6:24 pm

Hannuka and the festival of lights…the other Christmas trap and abomination.

Original article by Alan Geisdorf on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 4:37am with comments by David Perry

History

"The [Hanukkieah] , or candelabrum, is used during the Jewish holiday of Hanukah. The eight days of Hanukah are celebrated every year on the 25th of the Hebrew month Kislev. The holiday commemorates the military victory of the Jews of Palestine over the Syrian – Greeks in the 2nd century BCE. The Maccabees, the Jewish revolutionaries, restored order to Jerusalem and found the Temple contaminated. To restore the Temple, ritual oil was needed, but only enough pure oil to last one day was found. The miracle of Hanukah occurred when the modest amount of oil in the Temple lamps burned for eight days, allowing it to be rededicated. FACT : Nowhere in the book of Maccabees is it recorded that the OIL lasted for days. This is a made up story by the Rabbinical pharisees.




Following the destruction of the Temple, the menorah became a very important symbol in Jewish history. It became a reminder, of the sovereignty of the Temple. In order to preserve the holiness of the original menorah, the Rabbis forbade the use of an exact replica of the seven branched menorah. Why ? because we have a commandment not to make an image of anything found in the earth or in heaven.

Today, candles are lit in an nine branched menorah called a "Hanukiyah" in Israel to differentiate it from the seven-branched Menorah of the Temple. On the first night of Hanukah one candle is lit. On the second night, two candles are lit and so on. The candles are added from right to left and are lit left to right with the newest candle lit first. There is a separate place for the shamash, the candle used light the other candles. The candles are kindled after dark. The Rabbis teach that the menorah should be placed in the window, in order to "publicize the miracle."

The blessings for the candles:

Study Group

Join our study group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FTLM/

Determination


Sunday, December 9, 2012

We Are Blessed

We Americans are a blessed people, but we are also spoiled. I know I am. I can get flustered over the stupidest things—like when my cell phone doesn’t get a good signal, when a flight is delayed or when my computer takes too long to load a website. Most people in the world don’t have iPhones, can’t afford air travel and don’t have computers. My impatience reveals my ungrateful spirit.
So how can we avoid this virus of selfish immaturity? Thankfulness is the antidote. It melts our pride and crushes our sense of entitlement. It reminds us that everything we have comes from God, and that His mercy is the only reason we are blessed.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Christmas is Coming

Brace yourselves, Christmas is coming.

Jokes aside, I’m sure you noticed back in October that your local retailer had lights, trees, ornaments, and the other sure signs that another Christmas season is upon us. While Santa Claus and presents are great, let’s not forget why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.

We here at Pass the Ball would like to take the time this month to celebrate the season of Advent, an Anglicization of the Latin word adventus which means coming. This is the season where churches that observe the liturgical calendar (and others that only incorporate liturgy occasionally) celebrate the four Sundays prior to Christmas with special readings and lighting candles. Each Candle has a special meaning and a reading commonly associated with it.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Innovating With Social Media in College Admissions: Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Bridge

Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) leads the college admissions industry with its innovative social media platform.  The university has just launched Bridge, a “dynamic social media community through a partnership with 7Summits. The new online community brings together admissions counselors, prospective students and parents, allowing them to interact and learn.
Lots of colleges have incorporated interactive components into their websites and have steadily increased their social media presence. But this Bridge platform is unique in that students can create accounts and friend each other and admissions counselors, allowing interaction and access to admissions personnel in a much broader ways.
Is this the future of college admissions? We already know that colleges are interested in meeting students where they are, and this is overwhelmingly on social media. MSOE’s Bridge drew 1500 new prospective students in the first month. They’ve stepped up the college admissions game and it’s likely more colleges will follow. Check-out the Bridge platform HERE.