Amazing Moms of the Animal

Emperor Penguin

Successfully raising a chick is a truly remarkable accomplishment for this mom and dad. Courtship for a typical couple starts in March and April when temperatures in the Antarctic...



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"Happy New Yerrrrrrr!!!!" Peace & Blissing From The Kool Skool!

To all the people who have been supporting The Kool Skool we wish you a Happy and safe New Years!!!

Was Will Forte valuable to SNL?

When people say that something isn't quite right about this season of Saturday Night Live, whether or not they know it, they're saying that they miss Will Forte.

While it's true that Forte was far from the only member of the cast and writing staff to leave SNL over the summer, his departure left a void that the show has yet to fill several episodes into its 36th season...

But in his last few years on SNL, Forte provided a necessary counterbalance to almost every live episode by bringing that one element that SNL always has needed: the wildcard...

Forte was more the "weird and crazy" type. The guy whom you could count on to prove why late-night TV is different from primetime TV. The guy who brought a sense of danger, although based in just enough silliness as to not be scary...



MacGruber was always good for a laugh... because in those short sketches on SNL, there was just enough time for Forte to say something highly inappropriate before the explosion.



Forte also could be equally creepy as Hamilton, the guy who showed up to woo celebrities, or as a pedophile using Halloween as a cover for trick-or-treating. He could be just as equally weird as Sen. Tim Calhoun, a masked man getting pummeled by things as the "Closet Organizer," an office worker shouting "Fart Face!", singing about Model-T cars and spaceships with Wiig, or a NASA scientist arguing over a potato chip with Jason Sudeikis.



Click here for more videos and commentary:
http://www.thecomicscomic.com/2010/12/appreciating-will-forte-snls-missing-ingredient.html

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I think all that is true, but I always laughed more at Jason Sudeikis when Will and Jason teamed up, and Will mostly just played an everyday man in his skits. However, Will's Weekend Update songs, MacGruber, his dancing coach skits, the Chips skit above, him playing a bad guy in an old Drew Barrymore monologue, and him playing a young Jack Black at a spelling bee all made me laugh out loud. But more often than not I didn't find him funny.

However, Jason's definitely going to need to team up with others more (or do more original, single characters) to fill the void of Will's absence.

What do you think?

Enjoy!

http://thebeatdetective.blogspot.com - "These Are Some of Our Favourites"

http://thebeatdetective.blogspot.comis a production based blog and part of http://www.dailydiggers.com keeping Beat Digging alive and well in the U.K.

Check out the dope new trailer for the upcoming film KING OF THE BEATS NYC here. Featuring Casanova Rud, Ultramagnetic MC's TR Love & Moe Love, Bronx Producer, MoneyBoss Minnesota and from the Beatnuts Psycho Les..

For some of The Kool Skool's other favoutites check here

SHPE-NYC 2011 Ski Trip - January 21-23

The SHPE-NYC 2011 Annual Ski Trip

January 21^st – January 23^rd at Windham Mountain

Register at http://shpe-nyc-ski-jan2011.eventbrite.com/

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the costs for the trip?

A.Housing fees for SHPE members is $115 for the weekend, non-members pay $140. The SHPE-NYC fee for the beginner ski or snowboard package (rental, lesson, and lower lift ticket) is $65. The SHPE-NYC fee for the all mountain lift ticket is $57, and for those who need to rent equipment, the ski or snowboard rental fee is $28.

Q. When and where will we be skiing?

A. Windham Mountain, on Saturday, January 22nd.

Q. What is the house address?

A. 11003 Route 23A, Lexington, New York 12444. Note: This is the same house as the 2010 ski trip.

Q. What is being provided with the housing?

A. Similar to last year, housing will include, snacks, bottled water, soda, milk, juices, hot chocolate, coffee, cereals, fruits. Cold cuts for sandwiches will be provided Friday for all guests. Breakfast will be provided on Saturday and Sunday.

Q. When can we check-in/check-out?

A. Check in starts on Friday, January 21^st at 3:00 PM. In the event other guests are not checking out that Friday, check-in will be as early as 6AM. You will be notified of the possible early arrival time as the date approaches. Check-out is Sunday at 1:00 PM.

Q. Can I register for housing if I am not a SHPE-NYC member?

A. Yes, housing costs for non-members is $140, which is $25 more than the member rate. You can become a member today for $35 at http://shpe-nyc.org/join.

Q. Is the Trip canceled due to inclement weather?

A. No, the trip will proceed, rain, shine, or snow.

Q. If i cannot attend anymore and already paid, can I receive a refund?

A. There are no refunds. You are responsible for finding a replacement in the event you cannot attend. You must contact SHPE-NYC in the event you cannot attend at info@shpe-nyc.org.

Q. How do I register?

A. Register via Eventbrite at http://shpe-nyc-ski-jan2011.eventbrite.com. There are several options and packages, so please verify your choices before making your payment. This is the only way to register. You are not officially registered until you make a payment. Only payment confirms registration, not a pending payment.

Q. If I can’t stay overnight and want to join the group for an afternoon of skiing, can I still register?

A. Yes. Just sign up for the snowboard/ski/lift ticket package of your choice.

By registering with us, you are eligible for a group discount.

Q. Do the costs cover the transportation to the Windham Mountain or the rental home?

A. No, everyone is responsible for providing their own transportation. Caravans and car pooling have in used in previous years, so SHPE-NYC will try to accommodate you by making you aware of other options as they become available. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring your own transportation.

Q. What do the Caravans consist of?

A. The Caravans are a group of cars that will meet up at a designated location, this way we all travel together on the road.

Q. What are the room arrangements?

A. See below for room/bed layouts:

Bedroom 1 - 1 Double (two people in room)

Bedroom 2 - 2 Twin (two people in room)

Bedroom 3 - 2 Twin (two people in room)

Bedroom 4 - 1 Double, 1 Twin (three people in room)

Bedroom 5 - 1 Double (two people in room)

Bedroom 6 - 1 Double (two people in room)

Bedroom 7 - 1 Double (two people in room)

Bedroom 8 - 1 Double, 1 Twin (three people in room)

Bedroom 9 - 1 Double, 2 Twin (four people in room)

Bedroom 10 - 2 Double, 1 Twin (five people in room)

Bedroom 11 - 1 Double, 1 Twin (three people in room)

Q. What do I need to bring on the trip?

A. Please review the checklist below.

• Sleeping Bag (optional)
• Sleepwear
• Government Photo ID
• Sunblock
• Cash for Gas (carpoolers!)
• Cash, credit or debit for miscellaneous purchases
• Camera
• Change of clothes after skiing
• Shampoo, towels, soap, other toiletries, etc.
• Waterproof pants
• Warm jacket for snow conditions
• Hat or helmet (helmets are included with all packages)
• Neck warmer
• Goggles or sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Medium-weight socks
• Favorite beverages

_________________________________________

Some detailed information from Windham Mountain

Equipment Rental from Windham Mountain

· Schedule enough time to pass through the Rental Shop and still get to your lesson. It can take up to 45 minuets for the first time visitor to be fitted properly and receive all their gear before exiting towards the slopes.

The Proper Fit:

· To help with a proper fitting boot a few steps need to be taken before arrival. Only one pair of (thin) socks should be worn. Multiple layers of socks can cause friction in the boot and result in blisters. Thick heavy socks may be too warm and cause sweating that can cause irritations. While making sure that a water proof pair of pants is warn to keep you warm and dry, make sure that the cuffs of the pants are wide enough or elastic enough to go over the top of the boots. This will help keep snow out and give a proper fit around the calf muscle.

Security Deposit (or valid ID):

· A deposit will need to be left while the rental equipment is rented. A valid drivers license; credit card (we will photocopy); valid military id; valid picture school id or $250 in cash. All deposits will be returned or destroyed after the rental gear is returned.

Tips for first timers:

Here are a few tips that should make your first experience more enjoyable:

1. Check the weather prior to your arrival. Conditions can change quickly, so always be prepared.

2. Dress in layers so you can add or remove a layer as the weather varies. The first layer should be long underwear and medium weight socks. Boots are insulated and provide plenty of warmth in most cases. Wearing more than one pair of socks can make the boot uncomfortable.

3. Water resistant, insulated gloves are a must. They're widely available at discount, department and specialty stores, including our own Mountain Sports Shop.

4. Bring a hat that will stay on your head - knit or stretchy fleece is best. Hats are important for retaining body heat on cold days. Always plan for cold weather when visiting the mountains. Or, rent a helmet while you're here.

5. Other items that are good to have are sunscreen, lip balm, quarters for lockers and a sports bag.

6. Try not to wear any bulky items, jeans or long scarves.

Lesson Schedules

• Lesson times: 10 a.m., 12:15 p.m. or 2:15 p.m. for Beginners
• Lesson times: 10 a.m., 2:15 p.m. for Beyond Beginners

The Lonely Island's Rokk Vodka Facebook tab

You can check out TLI's video on their Facebook tab here:

http://www.facebook.com/rokkvodka#!/rokkvodka?v=app_163436330356344

The video on YT claims that there are more videos there, but there aren't. Well, actually I think it wants you to Like their page before they'll make more videos. Something like that...

"Like" Rökk on http://www.facebook.com/rokkvodka for more NEVER-SEEN-BEFORE videos from The Lonely Island for Rökk Vodka. Rökk Vodka is proud to announce our new creative directors - The Lonely Island: Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone. Boo-ya!

And here's the video again...



Enjoy!

Christian doctrine fueled Indigenous

The Christian Baptism of Pocahontas, 1613


NEW YORK – A groundbreaking report examining the roots of Christian domination over indigenous peoples and their lands was released this week at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

North American Representative to the Permanent Forum Tonya Gonnella Frichner, an attorney and founder of the American Indian Law Alliance, presented a preliminary study on the “Doctrine of Discovery” and its historical impacts on indigenous peoples, with a focus on how it became part of United States laws.

“The first thing indigenous peoples share is the experience of having been invaded by those who treated us without compassion because they considered us to be less than human,” said Frichner, a citizen of the Onondaga Nation serving her first term on the 16-member UNPFII.

“Dehumanization leads to the second thing indigenous peoples share in common: Being treated on the basis of the belief that those who invaded our territories have a right of lordship or dominance over our existence and, therefore, have the right to take, grant, and dispose of our lands, territories, and resources without our permission or consent.”

Frichner said human rights violations faced by indigenous peoples can all be traced to the Doctrine of Discovery and its interpretive framework which has been used for five centuries to take Native lands.

It has also been cited in U.S. Supreme Court land claims cases decided against Indian nations, including the 1955 ruling Tee Hit Ton Indians v. United States, and the 2005 decision in City of Sherrill v. Oneida Indian Nation of New York.

The Doctrine of Discovery was among Vatican mandates dating back to the 15th century, called papal bulls, that declared Christian monarchs had the right to claim superior title over land and territories that they “discovered.”

The claimed right of “dominion” over Native peoples was based on the thinking that non-Christians were “heathens and uncivilized savages,” with no, or limited rights, to land.

The Vatican’s Doctrine of Discovery was based on the premise that all non-Christian land belonged to no one because no Christians were living there and no Christian monarch or lord had yet claimed dominion. Once Christian monarchies like Spain or France claimed the right of dominion, that claim was transferred to political successors over centuries.

“Indian land rights have been characterized in U.S. law as nothing more than a permissive right of occupancy or permission from the whites to occupy their own Indian lands,” Frichner said.

There were theologians who did not agree that Christian discovery could give dominion over and title to non-Christian lands. The issue was debated at length in the early 1550s in Spain with no input from indigenous peoples, she said.

It was a debate among Christian Europeans about whether the Indians of the Americas were human.

“Clearly, (we) have joined the debate by declaring definitively that we are human beings. However, for more than five centuries, the doctrines of discovery and dehumanization have been institutionalized, and this is the context of the work we are doing on the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” Frichner said.

The study focused on the history of the United States, and points out that the Doctrine of Discovery had been officially incorporated into U.S. Indian policies in the 1823 Supreme Court ruling Johnson v. M’Intosh.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall identified the royal charters of Great Britain pertaining to North America as the source of the argument that “discovery gave title” to the government by whose authority the “discovery” was made.

The royal charter issued to John Cabot in 1496 authorized Cabot and his sons to seek out “isles, countries, and regions of the heathen and infidel, which before this time have been unknown to all Christian people.”

This and similar language were cited as the basis for the ruling in Johnson v. M’Intosh that the United States had the ultimate dominion over Indian peoples and lands.

Frichner said the report is a first step in investigating the global scope of the Doctrine of Discovery as a key source of violations of human rights of Native peoples.

A comprehensive study will provide the opportunity to understand that all the struggles that indigenous peoples are engaged in are rooted in “the claim by one people of a right of dominance over another.”

Frichner said the discriminatory legal framework that exists today is directly tied to the Doctrine of Discovery which has resulted in the dispossession and impoverishment of indigenous peoples and unlimited resource extraction from their lands.

Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, observer for the Holy See, responded to Frichner’s report by saying that the papal bulls that paved the way for European expansion had been abrogated over centuries. He insisted the Church had upheld the rights of indigenous peoples to their ancestral lands, regardless of whether the inhabitants were Christian or not

GOD IS WITHIN YOU

Sri Ramakrishna -- Do you know what I see? I see Him as all. Men and other creatures appear to me only as hollow forms, moving their heads and hands and feet, but within is the Lord Himself.

Holy Mother -- When one realizes God, He grants knowledge and illumination from within; one knows it oneself. In the fullness of one’s spiritual realization one will find that He who resides in one’s heart, resides in the hearts of others as well - the oppressed, the persecuted, the untouchable, and the outcast.

Swami Vivekananda -- It is impossible to find God outside of ourselves. Our own souls contribute all of the divinity that is outside of us. We are the greatest temple. The objectification is only a faint imitation of what we see within ourselves.

Buddha -- The subject on which I meditate is truth. The practice to which I devote myself is the truth. The topic of my conversation is truth. My thoughts are always in truth. For lo! my self has become the truth.

Guru Nanak -- As fragrance abides in the flower,
As the reflection is within the mirror,
So doth thy Lord abide within thee,
Why search Him without?

Jesus Christ -- Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Lo, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is within you."

Judaism -- Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not the holy Spirit from me.

Krishna -- I am the Self, O Gudekesa, seated in the hearts of all creatures. I am the beginning, the middle, and the end of all beings.

Mohammed -- He who knows his own self, knows God.

Native American -- The first peace, which is most important, is that which comes within the souls of men when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its Powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells Wakan-Tanka, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us. This is the real Peace, and the others are but reflections of this. The second peace is that which is made between two individuals, and the third is that which is made between two nations. But above all you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is first known that true peace which, as I have often said, is within the souls of men.

Rama -- Think that you are Parabrahman, you have no attachment, you are all-knowing and you are pure. Always feel like this and establish your oneness with the Paramatman and derive bliss within yourself without caring to know what is outside of you.

Sankara -- Cherish your Guru’s lotus feet and free yourself without delay from the enslavement to this world. Curb your senses and your mind and see the Lord within your heart.

Vedas -- There is one Supreme Ruler, the inmost Self of all beings, who makes His one form manifold. Eternal happiness belongs to the wise, who perceive Him within themselves - not to others.

Zoroaster -- One need not scale the heights of the heavens nor travel along the highways of the world to find Ahura Mazda. With purity of mind and holiness of heart one can find Him in one’s own heart.

Bible Sermons Online

You say you want to play? Go catch a sunny ray? You want to try to glide On that big circle ride But you know your heart Isn't ready for a start So before you do the deal Better see how you feel . . . Do a gut check, get real!
January 3, 2010 (2nd Sunday in Christmas): CAN YOU PLAY THIS GAME? I WANT YOU TO, BUT ARE YOU ABLE? THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION! Do you know what it's like to be invited to go and do something new and original. And you want to do it. And the guy that invited you wants you to do it. But when you get up close to it, all of a sudden it doesn't look as easy or as possible as it did from a distance. Maybe, even though you want to do this; and others want you to do this, in fact you are unable. This is a real question we have to deal with in everyday life. I discovered the reality of this question last summer when we went to Albuquerque and visited the local amusement park. We wanted to ride lots of the rides there. And the great thing is, the people who were running this park, wanted us to ride on their various machines and rides. We wanted to do it, and they wanted us to do it. Sounds like a "win -- win" situation, doesn't it? Only as we got close to doing this, there was a problem. Not for us so much, but for many of the other families who were there. Some of the rides had this measuring stick or this bar hanging in the air. And if you were so short that you didn't come up to that bar or that mark on the stick, then you could not ride on that ride. You were too short. They wanted you at the park; they wanted to you ride the rides; but not that ride. Not this time. It sort of feels that way when we finally decide it might be a good idea to follow Jesus Christ in this new year. He wants us to follow Him; and finally the conditions have all lined up for us to follow Him. It seems like a perfect match -- like two great families are coming together in love: the family of the Kingdom of God on one side, and the family of "youzes and meezes" on the other side. But then it doesn't happen. Or it doesn't happen very easily anyway. There are problems, obstacles, conditions before we catch up with Jesus. And all of the problems, obstacles, and conditions are all on our side. And none of them are on His side! None of them are his fault. He is not responsible for our falling too short for that particular lifelong amusement park ride. We are the ones who come up short. THE REASONS WHY WE CANNOT/DO NOT FOLLOW JESUS ARE ALL OUR FAULT. This is nothing new. People found that out in Jesus' life time too. They found Him appealing. They were curious about Him; so they went to see Him. Many decided they wanted to become disciples and follow Him The story in Luke 9 shows us this. Jesus wanted people to follow Him. People wanted to follow Him; but they all kept running into problems! And the problems were not on Jesus' side of the fence; the problems were on the peoples' side of the fence. This all comes to the fore when we note that sometimes 1. JESUS INVITES PEOPLE TO FOLLOW . . . . We don't know the names of all the people He talked to, but this set of verses is probably intended to be representative of what Jesus did every day: TEXT: Luke 9: 59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” Here we have the brief story of a man whose father had died. He must have been in great grief. There are things you have to do when someone dies in your family; and you don't have a whole lot of time to take care of them. We could all consider that to be very high priority. BUT QUITE STRANGELY JESUS CHOSE THAT PRECISE MOMENT IN THIS MAN'S LIFE TO INVITE HIM TO COME ALONG WITH HIM. Thus the summons of Jesus becomes in this man's case almost some kind of a test. It is a test to see what this potential new disciple will consider is the most important or not. He says, "Follow me even in the midst of what you believe to be the highest priority of your life right now. Follow me now, even in the midst of the grief you and your extended family might be experiencing!" It sounds like a very hard thing for him to say; even like some kind of a test to the person whom Jesus is inviting at that moment. We know how this man chose. And so if Jesus was testing him in that moment, then this poor man flunked the test! This invited man tells this to Jesus,"Lord first let me go and see to the funeral arrangements from start to finish!" And then the Lord responds in a way that seems very harsh, stern, and unsympathetic . . . . Now, why would that be. Why is Jesus so harsh here? The answer is because of priorities and personnel. When it comes to personnel Jesus said, "let the dead bury their own dead." By that He meant, "I know there are other persons in your family who are not spiritual. They don't care to follow me. I know this in advance, and so I have not chosen them, I have chosen YOU. But they do know and care to do what is necessary to get things ready for a proper funeral. They will take care of all of this. There are other personnel to do this. And as far as priorities go, Jesus is telling us, you might be facing grief; you might be facing great joy. You have important things to do for your family. But nothing is as important as my singling you out, and sending you to tell others about the Kingdom of God. So the priority there is not just about following Jesus and enjoying the picnic along the way: getting to spend the nights for free in other peoples' houses and eat free food. No, the priority is not in following Jesus in that way. Rather the priority He has for us has to do with something much greater than just tagging along and enjoying the ride. That's because initially He invited this man to follow Him. But then Jesus lets that man know that following Him means telling others about the Kingdom of God. FOLLOWING JESUS MEANS TELLING OTHERS ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

But following Jesus Christ means that for us too. Somehow, no matter what else happens in my life, I must make time, to tell others about this Kingdom of God. It is a kingdom in which people offer healing and forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ. It is a kingdom in which God makes good things start small and grow bigger. It is a kingdom in which God Himself moves ordinary people to great acts of generosity, and they respond because they want to love Him back. "FOLLOW ME," HE STILL SAYS, "BY GOING AND TELLING FORTH THE KINGDOM OF GOD TO ALL YOU MEET." Nothing is more important than that; even the things which move you deeply; even the great needs of your other family members. Even the concerns and dealings of BOTH grief and of joy. That's what happens whenever Jesus does the inviting. But often when Jesus was traveling around, and when he was traveling to Jerusalem in that last year of His life, people would come up to Him. And they would just invite themselves . . . 2. PEOPLE INVITE THEMSELVES TO FOLLOW JESUS . . They would not wait for Him to invite them; instead they would invite themselves!! Like the two people mentioned in this story: TEXT: Luke 9:57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Do you see clearly that they are inviting themselves! Some people think it is only a certain type of personality which will dare to do this. Only certain kinds of persons will invite themselves to great events to meet great persons. Have you ever done that? Only when you showed up at the party, you didn't know all that was going to be expected of you.

I know of a guy who crashed a really big birthday party. He had that kind of personality. He was single and he was looking for a big party. I am glad to inform you that this particular event was not being held at the White House (although he probably would have gotten in there just fine!) No, this man crashed this birthday party for the very same reason that you would: it was a big, private birthday party, with lots of guests and lots of goodies. (Most importantly, lots of free food.) And he just invited himself and decided to come; and he did come to the party, because he knew there would be lots of free food, and that there would be a delicious cake. And he was single and looking for a date, and he knew there would be lots of pretty girls there who were also single. And after he got there, the master of ceremonies stood up and announced, "okay, everybody, we're going to divide up into two teams; and we're all going to play the game of charades! And we're all going to play. Nobody gets to sit out on the side lines! We're all going to play."

And my friend Tom was the party crasher; and he said to himself; he said to me later on, "I hate charades! I didn't want to play! I didn't know they were going to do that. It involves acting, and I don't want to act. If I had known I was going to have to do that, I never would have invited myself to this guy's party!" DO YOU SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE? ONCE AGAIN, THE REASON HE CANNOT REALLY FIT IN IS ALL ON HIS SIDE OF THE LINE; NOT ON THE SIDE OF THE GUY THROWING THE PARTY. And today just like my friend, those two men in the bible were party crashers. They decided on their own that they wanted to follow Jesus. But they do not think about what it might cost them. They do not think about all that Jesus might require of them. He tells these two men two different but essential things: "First," he says, "you can follow me, but you need to know I have no permanent home in this world; so neither will you. I will be your home." The other thing He says to the other guy is, "wait a minute, Bob: if you're going to follow me, then we have to leave right now! I mean right now. You don't have time to go back home and say good-bye. I am your home now. You can talk to all of those people later when you come back home and tell them all about what you and I did and all the places we went."

TO FOLLOW JESUS NOW MEANS TO MAKE HIM YOUR HOME! Like this young man from Eddy County named J. D. Brown. When he decided to follow Jesus several years ago, Jesus Christ literally became his home. That's why in the last ten years J. D. has spent more time witnessing for Christ in China, in India, in Hong Kong, in South Korea, in Kenya, and in Germany, than he has at the place where his parents live in the United States. Jesus became his home. There's a great paradox here. We are attracted to Jesus. We want to follow Jesus. And He wants us to follow Him. But oh, these problems, these conditions, these obstacles. And all of them are all our fault! There's enough in what happens in this story to discourage anyone from following Jesus. We don't want to crash the party, and find out there are things there that must be done, that we don't see ourselves doing. We are even hesitant to accept Jesus' invitation to follow Him because other priorities loom so large right now; and we don't want to leave the comfort of home no matter what! What do we do? I say we keep looking at Jesus. Just watch Him. Do you see here today that dogged perseverance of Jesus? The Bible says, "He fixed His face to go to Jerusalem!" He was intent on getting there without destroying any opponents along the way. He was not content in going by Himself. He took His hand-chosen disciples with Him. And he even kept on trying to add to that list of followers! I think that's what we need to know! We can believe today that when we hear His summons to "go and tell out the kingdom of God" we will simply just do it wherever we are. I believe we will. And we also remember this: that all of those human based problems and obstacles never did stop Jesus from wanting to be with people. He found a way to get to us. He doesn't seem to mind the fact that we have problems and excuses. He is saying in affect, "leave behind what you can; bring with you what you must, and follow me. I know who you are, and what your life is. And I love you anyway. So come on with me, and together, let's crash that party that is the Kingdom of God. PRAYER: Lord, Jesus, you make it sound so hard to follow you. And yet you are still calling us! Even today, in this New Year we hear you, and we feel you with us. So help us follow. In your name. Amen. TEXT TO USE: Luke 9:51-62 51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. 54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” 55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village. 57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” 61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Jesus christ has made traditisional Yoga

The supreme goal of yoga is union with God. Traditional yoga teaches a path of gradual purification (which tradition teaches will take many lifetimes) of the body and soul so that one may remove their “karma” and experience oneness with the supreme Divine.

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross has made the traditional yoga path completely obsolete. One can through faith in Jesus Christ of Nazareth experience oneness with God instantaneously through the holy ghost (spirit). The holy spirit is the presence of

God.

Romans 8:11 (KJV)
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

You can experience oneness with God this very instant by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and saviour. Your body will be infilled by the holy ghost of God almighty, the Father of lights, and you will begin to discover the Kingdom of God within.

Belmont Outdoor Ministries

Our Goal: To share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through outdoor activities with sportsmen and outdoorsmen of all ages, and to equip them with a clear understanding of God's love for them, and leading them to an eternal change in their life, thus expanding the kingdom of God. Ministry Opportunities: Turkey shoots and B.B. Gun shoots Sportman's Suppers Father-Son Campouts Youth Fishing Special Events (NWTF Jakes Day, Buckaramas, etc) WMA Outreaches DNR Certified Hunter Safety Courses Know where you're going and know how to get there.

Jesus Christ Resolution of god

The atonement of Jesus Christ is a broad topic but have chose to focus on three themes of the atonement. First the power of the atonement to forgive sins and to cover all things to allow us to enter into the kingdom of God, Second how the Lord Jesus Christ has the power to Succor his people because of his atoning sacrifice. Third through the atonement we will all be resurrected.

I think it's important to understand what the atonement is, as used in the Scriptures to atonement is to suffer the penalty for sins, thereby removing the effects of sin from the center and allowing him or her to be reconciled to God. It’s understood that the atonement could only be performed by Jesus Christ because he was the literal son of God in the flesh. Even he the greatest of all pleaded with his father if there was any other way that mankind could be redeemed but he did his father's will and partook of that bitter cup. Because of this great sacrifice all people will be resurrected from the dead no matter their condition or state. But only those that live his gospel and keep his commandments and truly apply his atoning sacrifice into their lives will receive the ultimate gift which is to live with God and your family for eternities.
When we started our journey here on earth your father gave you a gift he gave you a large backpack and a backpack had nothing in it. Every time you sin on this journey in immortality you must pick up a rock and place it in this backpack, some of the rocks are smaller some are larger but it comes to a point where the backpack is to heavy you cannot bare the wait or the load of the backpack unless some of the rocks are taken out. I want you to then image that your older brother comes along and wants to help you along this journey so he pleads with your father and is able to help you carry the load and wants to remove the rocks. But we all have been there when the backpack is too much to carry rocks must be removed, I know that the only way the rocks can be removed is through the Savior Jesus Christ. Our father has given him that power because he lived a perfect life, and because he is taken upon him all of our sins. I think this is hard to fathom them that someone could literally take upon them the sins of all mankind. But that is exactly what he did he bore every sin that was or will ever be committed. In D&C 19 16 -17 it explanes what will happen to us if we do not repent while we have the chance. “For behold, I, God suffered these things for all that they might not suffer if they would repent; but if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; which suffering caused myself God, have suffered these things for all, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer bold body and spirit and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink nevertheless, glory be to the father, and I partook and finish my preparations on to the children of men.”If we do not repent while in this state we will suffer even as Jesus Christ suffered for our own personal sins, as explained in doctrine and covenants 19 we cannot bear that burden we cannot comprehend the pain that the Savior went through for each of us. Then there is the joy of knowing that when we have repented of our sins, the lord has made us a promise. “Behold he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I the lord will remember them no more.” I have felt the true and lasting Joy that can be experienced from the gift of repentance. The lord will have no remembrance of your sins if you truly have repented of your sins I know that to be a fact.
The Lord suffered so much more pain than just taking upon himself our sins he also took upon him our heart ached our sorrow our grief anything that you can imagine the Lord suffered. I remember when I first heard this wondering how it is possible that someone could suffer all of these things then I remembered a passage in the book of Alma 7 11 -13 and it reads “And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled witch saith he will take upon him the pains and the sickness of his people. And he will take upon him death that he may lose the bands of death witch bind his people; and he take upon him there infirmities, that his bowels may be filed with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. Now the spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out there transgressions according to the power of his deliverance and now behold this is the testimony which is in me.” This passage of scripture explains the atonement perfectly here was a perfect man or should we say God. He came down to a foreign land to redeem his people. To know that the Savior knows my temptations knows my weaknesses makes me stronger. To know that the Savior is taken upon him my sicknesses my infirmities humbles me. The definition of the word succor is as follows; Literally, to run to, or run to support; hence, to help or relieve when in difficulty, want or distress; to assist and deliver from suffering; as, to succor a besieged city; to succor prisoners. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/search/word,succor. I know that I think of the word succor in a whole different way after understanding that it literally means that the Savior is running to us before we have even committed a sin, before we have even experienced the sorrow the grief with the pain of committing sin. The Savior wants to relieve us from our burdens. I know that the Savior Jesus Christ truly does succor his people he has succored me in my time of need. And has supported me and lifted me up in my time of heartache. There is no other way to be completely clean from sin and sorrow, we must use this atoning sacrifice in our lives daily. We must learn to repent morning and evening but we'll must also remember never to take for granted this great sacrifice which was preformed for mankind. I often think that Satan wants us to think that there is no way that the lord can help us when we are going through a hard time or thatwe are not worthy to speak to our father, there is no greater time to talk to the lord then when you are in need of his comfort or his guidance. As once said “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” Winston Churchill I hope and pray that will we not give in to the adversary and his temptations, but that we may keep our self’s unspotted from this world and clean from the blood and sins of the generation.
Jesus Christ resurrection is the crowning event of the atonement someway incomprehensible to me; Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day. So it has been said at him as the father of mortality so Christ is the father of immortality. All men whether good or evil will be reunited with their body in a perfect state. “The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul. And every limb and joint shall be restored to its body may even a hair of the head shall not be lost but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame.”Alma 40:23 that is a free gift that Jesus Christ gives to all men. I know that this resurrection that has been prophesied since the beginning of this world will come to pass. All men will be reunited with their body, this is the free gift of the atonement to enable the full effects of the atonement we must repent and keep the Commandments that God has outlined for through and by his holy prophets and Scriptures.
In conclusion I know that the atonement has the power to forgive sins, and has the power to succor us at all times and in all places may we strive to use this atoning sacrifice in our daily lives will before it is too late. All mankind will be resurrected I know that to be true. In closing I know that the Savior suffered for us personally that he knows us that he is there to help us and wants us to be reunited with him and with her father for eternity. His suffering I cannot comprehend but I do know that he suffered for me individually and for all mankind. I have come to the conclusion that there is no sin to great no burden to small that the Lord does not care about. My prayer is that we as a people may speak of the atonement on a more frequent basis thus enabling us to understand this great sacrifice. As elder Eyring once said if you are talking about anything that matters you are talking about the atonement.

Jesus christ the real story and the kingdom of god

Other Names for the Kingdom

Although most often called the "Kingdom of God," occasionally other terms are used in describing the Kingdom. Three of the writers of the Gospels—Mark, Luke and John—use the term "Kingdom of God" to refer to the Kingdom by name.

"Kingdom of heaven" is a term used exclusively by Matthew, with 32 references in his account of the life of Jesus Christ. However, he uses the terms "kingdom of God" and "kingdom of heaven" interchangeably. In Matthew 19:23-24, he uses the terms in consecutive verses, clearly implying that they were synonymous. Often he calls it simply "the kingdom."

Why did Matthew call it "the kingdom of heaven"? Because he was writing primarily to a Jewish audience. According to the Jewish Encyclopedia article "kingdom of God," Malkut Shamayim, meaning "Kingdom of heaven," is the way the Jews of that day designated the Kingdom of God. They understood it in two ways. One was the literal Kingdom as prophesied in Daniel 2, where this Kingdom is represented by a stone "from heaven" that comes down and smashes the kingdoms of this world and then grows to fill the whole earth. And indeed, heaven is the place from which Jesus will come to establish the Kingdom on earth. In short, it is the Kingdom of heaven because it is the Kingdom from heaven (not because, as some now contend, it is a kingdom in heaven).

Another aspect of Jewish understanding of the Kingdom of God in Christ's day concerned the "reign or sovereignty of God as contrasted with the kingdom of worldly powers" (ibid.). In other words, when one committed himself to total obedience to God's laws and His revealed way of life, he was submitting himself to the authority of the "Kingdom of God" or "Kingdom of heaven" in contrast to all other human or worldly authority. At times and in certain contexts Jesus appeared to use the term with this meaning.

Another factor, as is pointed out in some commentaries, is that because of the reluctance the Jews had about pronouncing or using God's name, Matthew substituted "kingdom of heaven" for "kingdom of God." This is apparent when we compare such passages as Matthew 4:17 with Mark 1:15 and Matthew 5:3 with Luke 6:20, where Matthew uses the phrase "kingdom of heaven" while Mark and Luke use "kingdom of God" in quoting Jesus regarding the same events. It should be realized, however, that the Jews sometimes did use the term "kingdom of God" or "kingdom of the Lord" and not just "kingdom of heaven." Evidently, Jesus Himself used the terms interchangeably.

The apostle Paul usually uses the term "kingdom of God" in his letters. However, acknowledging the role of Jesus Christ as the Ruler of that Kingdom and the way by which we enter that Kingdom, he also calls it "the kingdom of Christ and God" (Ephesians 5:5). He also expresses the deep, loving relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ by calling it "the kingdom of the Son of His love" (Colossians 1:13).

The apostle Peter, also acknowledging the centrality of Christ's role in the Kingdom, refers to it as "the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:11). Jesus Christ is our Lord and Master now, and He will reign supreme in the coming Kingdom (Revelation 17:14; 19:16). As Savior of mankind, He is "the door" and "the way" by which we have access to God the Father and salvation in God's Kingdom (John 10:9; 14:6).

jesus christ - Biblical Leadership

Babylon the Great is Fallen Pt 5 of 6

by David Orton

Rev 18:2

A Warning To The Church

Part 5 of 6

In Parts 3 and 4 we have discovered coming out of Babylon involves renewal of heart. We will now consider two other elements: restoration of relationships, and the rebuilding of the house of prayer.

Underground Leadershift

by Brett Jacobsen

This is an 'audio teaching' from Brett Jacobsen on true New Testament leadership and its imminent return.

Some topics briefly covered are:

Prophetic proof that the church is going underground.

How Jesus is taking back the reins of His church.

The function of true leaders, in contrast to hierarchical error.

True apostles and their function amongst the saints.

No more retarding the saints for the work of the monastry.

(This audio file is mp3 and is around 13mb, just click on the link below to download)

Restoration of Relationship

“See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse” (Mal 4: 5,6 NIV).

“…’To be sure Elijah comes and will restore all things’. …he was talking to them about John the Baptist” (Mtt 17: 11,13 NIV).