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Useless trivia
Donald Trump trial: Man sets himself on fire outside Trump trial court
It the culture dummy.
That is the point. Where there is a will there is a way. But, it is easier to lay back and cry it is the man, it is the society, it is racism that keeps one down. Rather than look at people who started out on the bottom of the dung heap and somehow became a success. Start with education. No ghetto talk and cut down anyone who tries to better themselves. No using the excuses of the culture.RE: RELIGIOUS HAIR COVERING
I view it as insulting to men to assume they are animals who will jump any female they meet. Covering the head is as old as time, in many religions. And it goes for women and men in some religions and countries. It is a matter of control by the leaders and religious zealots. I dont understand why the hair or top of ones head is considered offensive to some god. But, then there are many ideas in religions that dont make sense. Most lead back to a small group of people, mostly men, who took control of the masses and said GOD wants it.The total covering of woman who may not be seen other than by her husband is about possession and control. Like the harems of old. Ownership and fear that she may get away.
RE: Why do so many people not understand that the usa is a constitutional federal republic?
It's ALL about the constitution.
RE: Probably a stupid question but -
Guess that would depend on how good the sex was Suzie.
RE: Exactly Right
Er - what?Useless trivia
Harry Styles' latest stalker has been jailed and barred from watching his gigs.The former One Direction singer, 30, was targeted by 35-year-old Myra Carvalho, who was said in court to have bombarded him with 8000 cards in less than four weeks.
It's now emerged she was sentenced to 14 weeks behind bars after appearing at Harrow Crown Court – which sat at Hendon Magistrates' Court in London – where she pleaded guilty to a charge of stalking involving serious alarm or distress.
A restraining order lasting for 10 years was slapped on Carvalho, according to the Daily Mail, which also reported she was ordered not to attend any event where Harry was performing.
RE: Soaring gas prices
It's an international market so the wars/sanctions out there affects the price at the pumpjust as it effects in the el/heating price to warm up your home.
And what president is in the white house do effect those wars.
Useless trivia
Dickey Betts, who died Thursday at age 80, really was born a ramblin’ man.He left home at 16 to join the circus and became a renowned guitarist touring the world with the Allman Brothers Band. He wrote the group’s biggest hit, Ramblin’ Man, and remained on the road until he reached the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Betts died at his home in Osprey, Florida, his manager of 20 years, David Spero, said
What Makes Jesus Unique? No one else made the claims that He did, He is alive...............
The Holy Spirit. The Spirit is emphasized more in Luke than in any other Gospel, and this emphasis is then picked up and expanded in Acts (also written by Luke). Around the world today the Spirit is alive and active in places not traditionally associated with Christianity. Indeed, the Holy Spirit does not favor the educated, culturally sophisticated, or historically Christian regions of the world. The Spirit does not need our human cleverness or ingenuity. Rather, the Spirit is drawn to all whose hearts are open to God and his grace (Luke 11:13).The danger of money. In Luke’s Gospel Jesus pronounces severe woes on those who love money, yet he blesses those who are poor and therefore recognize their need (Luke 6:20–26; 8:14; 12:13–21; 16:10–13, 19–31; 18:22). Amid the ongoing gap between the upper and lower classes around the globe, as well as a frequently unstable world economy, Christians must pay special heed to Jesus’ teaching on money. Believers with many possessions must constantly examine their hearts to see where their hope and security lies. Above all they must remember the gracious wealth of grace that has been given to them through Christ’s self-giving (2 Cor. 8:9), and respond in joyful gratitude and love.
The Global Message of Luke for Today
The marketplace of ideas is increasingly global, and cross-fertilization of cultures has never taken place so easily. Yet it has never been easier to feel small and insignificant amid the blur of modern activity, today’s media with its big personalities, and the continuing population growth in some parts of the world. Such feelings of insignificance are acutely painful because we are made in God’s image and are hungry to experience the glory we were originally destined for (Gen. 1:26–28; Isa. 43:6–7; Rom. 1:23; 2:7; 3:23).
Luke’s Gospel confronts us, however, with the pervasive reminder that it is precisely to such felt insignificance, such smallness, that God is drawn. He has a great heart for the marginalized. As Mary prayed, “he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty” (Luke 1:52–53). Throughout Luke, Jesus befriends the Samaritans, the poor, the outcasts, the tax collectors, those on the social or cultural periphery.
This is who God is. In Christ, the Friend of sinners, God is attracted to those who feel themselves least attractive. The grace of the gospel qualifies those who feel themselves most unqualified.
As we, his people, receive this grace, we work earnestly to eradicate sickness, destitution, and earthly discomfort. The mercy we have received vertically should extend itself out horizontally in tangible acts of sacrificial love to our neighbors. Above all, however, we must heed Jesus’ parting words, and speak repentance and forgiveness to all nations (Luke 24:47)—thus offering not only earthly comfort but eternal comfort, with Christ himself, in the new earth.
What Makes Jesus Unique? No one else made the claims that He did, He is alive...............
The Global Message of Luke“The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). With these closing words to Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector and a man deeply despised by his fellow Jews, Jesus states the message of Luke to the global church today. Christ did not come for the clean and the religious, the upright and the educated—he came for those who know themselves to be lost. Throughout Luke we see Jesus welcoming outsiders into the blessings of grace, while those who appear to be insiders are shut out.
This is great hope to those around the world today who feel themselves to be outsiders. It is also a reminder to those who are taking the gospel to the nations that it is generally the socially and culturally marginalized who will be most readily drawn to the gospel. Above all, Luke’s Gospel is a call to everyone around the world, whatever our social or moral status, to abandon our futile methods of self-salvation and leave all to follow Christ, the great Friend of sinners (Luke 7:34; 9:57–62; 18:9–14).
Luke and Redemptive History
At the beginning of history, two people ate food offered to them by Satan, their eyes were opened, and the whole human race was plunged into sin and death (Gen. 3:6–7). At the climax of history, two people ate food offered to them by Christ, their eyes were opened, and they saw who Christ was and the new age that was dawning in him (Luke 24:30–32). This prophecy-fulfilling restoration of God’s people—people who now come from surprising places, cultures, and social spheres—is the role Luke’s Gospel fills in redemptive history.
Placed against the backdrop of the whole Bible, Luke’s Gospel shows us that the one for whom God’s people had been waiting so long had finally come. In him, all the hopes and promises of the Old Testament were coming to decisive fulfillment. He was the true Son of God (Luke 4:41; 22:70–71) who, unlike Adam, God’s first son (3:38), walked faithfully with God. He was the true Israel, who unlike Israel before him passed the test in the wilderness (4:1–13). After generations of sin, failure, and finally exile, One had come who would bear the punishment for his people and fulfill the ancient promises. The people would be restored to God. This was the One about whom the entire Old Testament spoke (24:27, 44).
This restoration is for all people in all places around the world. After his resurrection, Jesus tells his disciples that they are his witnesses and that “repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations” (Luke 24:47). This global mandate to preach the gospel to all nations will be empowered and begun when the disciples are “clothed with power from on high” (24:49). This happens when the Holy Spirit is poured out in Acts 2 and the gospel begins to flood out to diverse people groups (Acts 2:5–11). The promise given to Abraham that he would be a blessing to all the families of the earth is finally coming true (Gen. 12:1–3).
Universal Themes in Luke
God’s heart for the poor and needy. An important event in Luke’s Gospel takes place right at the start of Jesus’ ministry. Jesus reads the following statement from Isaiah and identifies himself as this statement’s fulfillment: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18–19; quoting Isa. 61:1–2). Throughout Luke we see the social and cultural reversals that take place as insiders are unconcerned about who Jesus is and what he is doing while outsiders are drawn to and understand Jesus. Time and again, long-held assumptions about Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, educated and ignorant, moral and immoral, are inverted. Luke drives home God’s great love for those who are marginalized.
What Makes Jesus Unique? No one else made the claims that He did, He is alive...............
History & SocietyGospel According to Luke,,,,biblical literature
Written and fact-checked by
Last Updated: Mar 15, 2024 • Article History
St. Luke the Evangelist
Gospel According to Luke, third of the four New Testament Gospels (narratives recounting the life and death of Jesus Christ) and, with The Gospels According to Mark and Matthew, one of the three Synoptic Gospels (i.e., those presenting a common view). It is traditionally credited to St. Luke, “the beloved physician” (Col. 4:14), a close associate of the St. Paul the Apostle. Luke’s Gospel is clearly written for Gentile converts: it traces Christ’s genealogy, for example, back to Adam, the “father” of the human race rather than to Abraham, the father of the Jewish people. The date and place of composition are uncertain, but many date the Gospel to 63–70 CE, others somewhat later.
Like St. Matthew, Luke derives much of his Gospel from that of St. Mark, generally following Mark’s sequence and incorporating about 50 percent of Mark’s material into his work. The Gospels of Luke and Matthew, however, share a good deal of material not found in The Gospel According to Mark, suggesting that the two evangelists may have had access to another common source.
: The Gospel According to Luke
Despite its similarities to the other Synoptic Gospels, however, Luke’s narrative contains much that is unique. It gives details of Jesus’ infancy found in no other Gospel: the census of Caesar Augustus, the journey to Bethlehem, Jesus’ birth, the adoration of the shepherds, Jesus’ circumcision, the words of Simeon, and Jesus at age 12 in the temple talking with the doctors of the law. It also is the only Gospel to give an account of the Ascension. Among the notable parables found only in Luke’s Gospel are those of the good Samaritan and the prodigal son.
Luke’s Gospel is also unique in its perspective. It resembles the other synoptics in its treatment of the life of Jesus, but it goes beyond them in narrating the ministry of Jesus, widening its perspective to consider God’s overall historical purpose and the place of the church within it. Luke, and its companion book, Acts of the Apostles, portray the church as God’s instrument of redemption on Earth in the interim between the death of Christ and the Second Coming. The two books combined provide the first Christian history, outlining God’s purpose through three historical epochs: the epoch of the Law and the prophets, which lasted from ancient Israel to the time of St. John the Baptist; the epoch of Jesus’ ministry; and the epoch of the church’s mission, from the Ascension to the return of Christ.
What Makes Jesus Unique? No one else made the claims that He did, He is alive...............
The Luke 1....New International VersionIntroduction
1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9 he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.
Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”
The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”
Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22 When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.
When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Speed dating
Track, Tinder is just weird
Mermaidhair, report back if you do!
MiMi, you'd blow them away!
Mercedes, I DID get chatted up, then asked out, in the supermarket the other day! First time ever in a supermarket ... but nope, not my type. Still, a bit of a buzz. To me the only advantage of speed dating is the bloke is prepared to stand up in 'public' and say I'm single and looking. No hiding behind fake photos or no photo so that the wife doesn't find out, no games or evasions, you like the first impression or you don't
Sunshine, I will. Soon as the next meet is set up ...
Emmy, last email she's hoping to have enough blokes for mid May. I will be reporting back if I go, PROMISE
Chat, women who are looking can be chatted up anywhere, any time, but not all women are looking. Which is why going somewhere where everyone IS looking (unlike a singles website, QED) is a handy shortcut?
JAPAN POPULATION DECLINE
Migrants who have babies will probably gradually outnumber the indigenous population birthrate. Then we have multicultural integration, which doesn't happen, and communities separate from one another practising their own religious beliefs and operating their businesses, employing their own people. Ok if you're a large country.RE: JAPAN POPULATION DECLINE
That's ridiculous since you could lose your high-salary job and be out of work for years the day after submitting the application.Countries wanting more children born to educated parents should encourage companies to allow mothers - and fathers - longer parental leave, then the option to work more from home, and should also act against the rip-off culture bombarding parents with expensive must-haves. Financial incentives alone won't do the trick - ask a woman to give up a job where she had to study to qualify, and has put in years gaining experience and ability, to put back her career for 5 years or forever, for a relatively small cash bribe, will never work out. That only attracts the mums who don't want to work anyway and could never earn much, not exactly quality parent types
Ask the professional woman to give up a year, then balance home-office life with homeworking online (in combination with the child's father) with excellent nearby child-care options when both have to be at the office, and have those child-care places able to be flexible rather than demand a huge flat monthly amount for permanent services - now you're talking. Countries doing that are seeing a recovery in their figures because we do all, after all, want children. Not to hand them over at vast expense to be raised by others, to create families.
The birth rate should be at 2.1 for growth and sustainability. USA is I think 1.6 (UK 1.56, Spain 1.19) so immigrants are needed. Governments and populations that don't want immigrants need to be proactive in support.
RE: UK SMOKING BAN
The vaping cloud smells of chemicals, and is a little unsettling, mainly banned in the same way smoking is because the smell isn't great. I tried it because it was cheaper but it makes me cough really badly even small puffs. And then of course there's all this talk of popcorn lung ... so I have a fancy vaping kit for sale if anyone wants it 
The irony is that most kids are now into vaping anyway, new smokers are relatively rare - vaping comes in all sizes, strengths, tastes, and drug levels, and is seen as cooler. That said, during the short period I was trying to vape instead, the closest supplier went out of business and the few times I was in the shop, the customers were all in their 30s or 40s. Guess he should have been on a bus route or somewhere kids can get on foot.
UK SMOKING BAN
Yes more or less same here. School friend introduced me to Woodbines and Players weights. So, my pocket money was useful for indulging in habit. You could purchase them in fives. Would sit with other school boy who caught same bus, and would smoke out of sight of conductor. That boy became a recording star with his group and had many hits. I saw him on the same bill as Rolling Stones when I had started my first employment.RE: UK SMOKING BAN
Started on Woodbines and Players Weights and ended up on Rothmans but never a heavy smoker Most would be 8 to 10 a day so an average of maybe 3 packets a week bearing in mind they were only about £3:50 to £4 per packet of 20.RE: JAPAN POPULATION DECLINE
Usually you will not qualify if you’re from outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and your child does not live with you.RE: Soaring gas prices
There are concerns a worsening conflict in the Middle East could disrupt oil supplies.Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil prices, rose by 1.8% to $88 a barrel after the attack.
Oil prices had jumped by as much as 3.5% initially but the price stabilised when it became clearer the strike was limited.
Useless trivia
A hunt for a huge crocodile is under way in the Torres Strait after a search for a missing 16-year-old boy ended in tragedy.The teenager's body has been found at a remote far north Queensland island after a suspected attack by a crocodile at least 3.5m in size.
The teenager and a 13-year-old boy had attempted to swim ashore when their dinghy broke down off Saibai Island, 900km north of Cairns, early yesterday.
The boat was 500m from land when it had engine trouble and started taking on water in rough conditions.
RE: Soaring gas prices
Yes but when you look closely nothing has actually eventuated other than couple drones got shot down Thursday. There were drones from Israel "again" over a region in Iran that nuclear weapons are thought to be in. In 2022 Israel pulled the same stunt, they increase in oil prices already retreated.
RE: Soaring gas prices
These are the headlines I'm seeing this morning.Oil prices jump on escalating tensions in the Middle East
RE: Soaring gas prices
Biden went ballistic the other day when a large number of Arab countries decided to join the One Belt & Road group of nationsIt is my opinion that Trump is the only hope America has because America will sooner than later a really big devaluation of it's currency
and fuel at the US pump will hit the roof when it does
RE: Soaring gas prices
Bank of America issues $130 oil warning IF Isreal Iran...Japan to retain oil and gas interests in Russia
Japanese companies hold minority stakes in Russian fuel projects in the Far East
Russian seaborne oil shipments hit 11-month high – Bloomberg
Exports from the country’s major ports surged to 3.95 million barrels a day in the week to April 14, data is showing
France ramps up imports of Russian gas – Politico
Purchases surged by 75% in 2024, data shows
EU boosts gas purchases from Russia – Reuters
Russian oil heading to India despite sanctions – Bloomberg
Oil prices hit highest level since 2022
Brent futures approached $90 per barrel on Tuesday
Death of empires: History tells us what will follow the collapse of US hegemony
Hegemony he defines as “the power of a state to exercise functions of leadership and governance over a system of sovereign states.”
Observers of the current American hegemony will recognize the transformation of the global system to suit American interests. The maintenance of an ideologically charged ‘rules-based’ order – ostensibly for the benefit of everyone – fits neatly into the category of conflation of national and international interests. Meanwhile, the previous hegemon, the British, had their own version that incorporated both free-trade policies and a matching ideology that emphasized the wealth of nations over national sovereignty.
JAPAN POPULATION DECLINE
The more children you have, the more child benefit you get in the UK. Migrants are aware of this and so capitalise on the chance of extra money. 5000 + migrants have entered the UK illegally so far this year.UK SMOKING BAN
GermanspitzSo you used to smoke. How many did you smoke per day and which brand?
The headmistress at my earlier school had a big box outside her office/lounge full of packs of cigs. Craven A was the brand. She set a good example to kids.
RE: Soaring gas prices
Yesterday a gallon of gas shot up from $3.33 to $3.75.Gas in NZ Is over $3.07 a litre
Useless trivia
Hope he has to pay all costs involved with his hospital stay and care and gets charged with global warming