7 Ways The Bible Influences You Today

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Photo credit: Billy Alexander-Stock Exchange

Power, lust, greed, sex, gluttony, laziness, and war.

Forget about reading Fifty Shades of Grey just read The Bible or watch it on The History Channel!

Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel) and reality show mogul Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Amazing Race) produce The Bible, and have brought viewers what is being called, “The Bible for today’s generation.” They’re not kidding.

Today, children are growing up with more wars than their parents and grandparents. Sex and violence are prevalent in TV shows, video games, and movies. The internet can be a dangerous place kids because you don’t really know who’s lurking on websites and from where. And most kids are becoming desensitized to all of this.

Can we trace power, lust, greed, sex, gluttony, laziness, and war back to The Bible? Sure we can. Here’s how The Bible influences you without you knowing it. [Read more…]

Warning: The Environment is about to Self-Destruct

Okay, I haven’t posted anything on MisticCafe.com in a long time. I’ve been busy with my other websites and life. This is the first blog I ever created and it’s like my baby. Unfortunately, like most parents sometimes you neglect your child because you become self-absorbed in your life. That’s about to end. I’m committed to posting at least once a week on this blog. So here it goes…

Is the environment about to self-destruct at the hands of humans? Year after year, it’s the same old story. Some corporation somewhere has contributed to the destruction of planet Earth. Most of the humans on this planet sit back and have a “whatever” attitude about it. They figure someone else will take care of the problem. What happens when there’s no one left to clean up the planet? What happens where there isn’t a planet to clean up? That’s right, our environment could self-destruct at the hands of the humans who walk and live upon it.

The Gulf of Mexico 2010 oil spill has really gotten to me and other citizens. It’s the 21st century and we still haven’t figured out that nothing lasts forever. Why does it take a catastrophe to happen to make us realize that nothing lasts forever? Wouldn’t it make more sense to ensure our infrastructures and structures are solid and secure? Wouldn’t it make more sense to ensure a crisis plan is in place in case something happens? How about having technologies ready and available to stop a crisis if it occurs? Perhaps this is asking too much.

The damage from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill is horrifying. Experts say it’s worse than the Exxon Mobil oil spill of 1989. Innocent animal and plant life are once again killed because of human stupidity. Once again peoples’ livelihoods are in jeopardy because “big corporations” couldn’t think ahead. Maybe this tragedy will wake up the people of the U.S. It’s about time citizens become angry and demand change from corporations and the government. The life of planet and its inhabitants deserve justice.

What’s taking so long to fix Gulf of Mexico oil problem? Seriously, a five-year-old probably could have figured out how to solve the problem. Quit the “blame game” and fix the problem. Maybe it’s the lack of technology. It’s the 21st century and the U.S. is still lagging behind in technology when compared to other countries. This problem could have been fixed a long time ago if the proper technology was available.

It’s amazing how U.S. citizens have to bail out corporations like AIG, banks, and other institutions for their major screw-ups. In the meantime, Americans are getting screwed left and right. Their houses are being foreclosed, jobs are being eliminated, and credit card debt increases while these companies roll in the money. Where’s the justice in this? Why aren’t people speaking out? Nothing will change if your voice isn’t heard. It’s up to you to make it known how ticked off you are and that you won’t take it anymore.

If you love the environment, recycle (where you can), buy organic foods that are locally grown, make sure you put your trash in trash cans, pickup litter, and be the best you can be. The Earth won’t last forever if everyone doesn’t do their part to respect and protect the environment.

Rebecca

What do you think of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico? Who’s responsible? How mad are you that “big” corporations and governments keep screwing up the planet? Share your thoughts.

Stop! Misplaced American Prejudice and Oil Dependency

Isn’t it ironic that after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centers in New York, the prejudice that most Americans had towards people of Middle Eastern descent skyrocketed. Here’s the irony. Americans use gasoline in their vehicles to run their cars. The oil comes from the Middle East. It can be deduced that the very people most Americans loath they support. Isn’t that an ironic twist of fate? But what do American people do about the dependency the USA has on the Middle East for oil? They do nothing except complain about the increase in the price of gasoline.

The next time Americans gripe about the high cost of gasoline, it would behoove them to think about the supplier. Furthermore, if the majority of Americans cannot stand paying high gasoline prices, they should put pressure on its government to stop purchasing oil from the Middle East. America could supply her own oil. Here is a list of oil fields (not a complete list) from around the world. The article How much oil is there really? articulates the “right price” for oil. From CBS News, Oil, Gas Hit New Highs tells a compelling tale of how the price of oil has risen since the beginning of 2008.

With the Fourth of July aka Independence Day in a few days, think about the men and woman who fought for the freedom for The United States of America. Was their fight in vain? Another irony is that the 13 colonies fought for independence from a sovereign country which held colonials under its yoke. Yet, today the USA swears its allegiance to another.

Visit Barnes and Noble to read more about the history of The United States of American and its fight for independence.

Want to learn more about the Middle East or another country? Here are three options: Book with confidence thanks to the Best Price Guarantee from Expedia.com, Priceline.com – no one deals like we do!, and Book your Travel with Confidence. Check out the Travelocity Guarantee. Don’t just read about a country, travel and experience the trip of a lifetime. Get the facts first before judging someone!

Unraveling the Murder Mystery of the Virunga Gorillas

Mountain Gorillas are one of three subspecies of the Eastern Gorillas. Currently there are 700 individuals which are broken into two groups. One of those groups are the Virunga Gorillas. These gorillas are found in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa within four national parks. Those parks are Mgahinga, in south-west Uganda; Volcanoes, in north-west Rwanda, and Virunga and Kahuzi-Biéga, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The plight of the Virunga Gorillas began last July when photographer Brent Stirton took a photograph of a dead 500-pound male gorilla named Senkwekwe who was murdered execution style. Senkwekwe was strapped on his back to a litter made out of saplings. That photograph was published in Newsweek for the entire world to see.

Who would do such a thing? The answer to that question is a complicated one. Stirton and writer Mark Jenkins were fortunate enough to be allowed into the part of Virunga where the mountain gorillas live. The area is now controlled by a militia. Brutal militias, corruption, and an environmental terror are part of the answer. Combine these with the war in the Congo and the repercussions of the Rwanda genocide and a horrific scene unfolds.

Stirton’s theory about the Virunga Gorilla murders is this: “It is part of an ongoing struggle over illegal charcoal production in the park’s ancient hardwood forests – a struggle that involves corrupt Congolese army factions and more than one Hutu militia.”

Visit National Geographic to watch a video on the Virunga gorillas and to read the article by Mark Jenkins with photograph by Brent Stirton. For further reading about the Virunga Gorillas, visit NPR and read the article “Chronicling the Virunga Gorillas.”

To protect these beautiful creatures, visit African Wildlife Foundation and make a donation today. To support the local artists and mountain gorillas of Virunga, visit Virunga Artistians.

The Secret of The Garden of Eden Revealed!

On Sunday, May 18, 2008, CBS’s 60 Minutes aired a re-broadcast of the December 16, 2007 story called “A Visit to The Garden Eden.” This “pristine paradise in Indonesia” has been untouched by man. The rain forest did not need more exposure to the world. It has existed beautifully without the presence of man!

CBS correspondent Bob Simon and Bruce Beehler, the lead scientist from “Conservation International,” took a 20-hour flight to Indonesia, boarded a single engine plane, and loaded into a helicopter for a 45-minute ride. Reporters and scientists do not need to add pollution to the rain forest via an airplane and helicopter! How is this helping to conserve the rain forest? According to the article, this is probably why it took Bruce Beehler “24 years of begging before the Indonesian government would let him set foot there.”

Conservation and preservation of rain forests is a fabulous idea. However, this particular rain forest has been doing fine on its own. For example, Bob and Bruce discovered “no sign of human activity, no footprints, no trails, and no Coke cans. There are no sounds except for the sounds of birds.” The exception is if you’re a native and you live in the surrounding area of this Indonesian “paradise.”

Thank goodness for organizations such as Cafe Britt. The organization “contributes 5% of the sale price of all hardwood products to rain forest conservation.” Café Britt’s operation meets or exceeds international environmental standards under the norms of ISO 14001: 2004. Programs and projects are in place to make effective use of natural resources, prevent pollution and minimize negative environmental side effects.” If you are a coffee or chocolate lover, visit Cafe Britt to purchase your Premium gourmet coffee fresh from Costa Rica. Buy online today!

Bruce Beehler was correct when he said “this is a place apart. And I think it’s good that we go away. And we take our memories but allow this place to be as it is and be a special place for centuries to come.” Amen to that!

To learn more about conservation, Indonesia, or rain forests visit Barnes and Noble and pickup some knowledge that could help preserve our Earth!

Breaking News! Harbor Baby Seal Trapped Then Set Free!

Apparently you can be arrested for helping an animal in distress. Who knew! According to San Diego News at least two people helped to free a baby harbor seal on the night of May 6, 2008. The baby seal had a net wrapped around its neck. Poor thing! Wildlife rescuers worried that the baby seal would die if the net was not removed.

Good news! SeaWorld has permission to save marine creatures. Bad news! They could not get onto the beach without disturbing the other seals. Boo! This is why SeaWorld was unable to help the baby seal.

The seal was born at the small beach known as the “children’s pool” in La Jolla, CA, which was one reason people were reluctant to try to help. The children’s pool in La Jolla is quite controversial. Some people would like to destroy the harbor sea colony while others prefer to preserve it. The original creation was to protect a fully protected swimming area. However, sand has filled in most of the area inside the wall and a colony of harbor seals now lives there. [Read more…]

Warning! Flea and Tick Medicine Can Make Your Pet Sick!

I received an update from my mom on our lovable Yorkie-Poo Harriet. Harriet has not been feeling well lately. My mom used a product on her called Sentry Pro XFC, which is a flea and tick medicine for dogs. BIG MISTAKE! My mom sobbed as she held little Harriet in her arms and apologized to Harriet for what she had done to her. Harriet was given a bath (she is not a big fan of baths) and drank some “tuna water” (then later ate the tuna)! Good News! Harriet is on the road to recovery! Hooray!

Read This!: Flea and tick medicine such as Sentry Pro XFC and Frontline contain chemicals that are not good for pets! Visit problems with Sentry Pro XFC to read about what may happen to your pet if you use Sentry Pro XFC. For more tips visit petloverstips.com.

Alert!: Did you know that toxic chemical pesticides have been known to cause immediate health crises in some dogs and cats? Even worse, the chemicals (Deet) can circulate and accumulate in your pets body and do unseen damage to vital organs that may go undetected for years! Plus, the chemicals can do damage to you, your children, community, and MOTHER EARTH! You may think about this as you reach for that glass of water or till your soil! [Read more…]