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The Creation Account, Part 4
We wrap up our topical study on the issue of the creation account as found in Genesis, chapter one and two today. We have thus far looked at some of the various views of the creation accounts to point out their weaknesses and strengths. Today, we are going to look at the Biblical View and discuss why it must be true above all else and that anything else we believe must fall in line with that view without contradiction. So far, we have looked at the following views: Mythology, Pictoral Day, Old Earth Creation, Young Earth Creation, Gap Theory, and Naturalistic Evolution.
The final view that needs to be considered is the Biblical View. In other words, what does the Bible say in regards to the creation account? These issues include, but certainly are not limited to, what it says about the uniqueness of man above the rest of God's creation, the origin of sin that requires a Savior, and the teachings of Jesus and the Apostle Paul which point to the fact that they clearly believed the creation account as found in Genesis 1-2.
In regards to the uniqueness of man, the New Testament teaches that man is the pinnacle of God's creation in that he was created in the image of God unlike any of the other creatures before him. Millard Erickson says of this, "There is something that gives humanity value from above. The value of humans is not that they are the highest products of the evolutionary process thus far but that the supreme eternal being has made them in his own image. It is not our estimation of ourselves, but the judgment of the holy God that gives us value."
In regards to the origins of sin, the Bible also teaches that man rebelled against God in the Garden of Eden when they chose disobedience rather than obedience in regards to the Tree of Knowledge as recorded in Genesis 3. That single act of rebellion brought sin into God's creation for the first time. As a result of that sin, death came upon all mankind both spiritually and physically. That is why Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." And because of the wages of man's sin that was introduced into the world by Adam and Eve, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8).
Also, the teachings of both Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul are predicated on the historicity of the creation account. For example, Jesus' response to the religious leaders in regards to divorce, Jesus referenced the creation account when he said in Mark 10:6-8, "But from the beginning of creation, God MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE. "FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two, but one flesh." Jesus clearly believed in a historical Adam and Eve. Also, the Apostle Paul referred to Adam and Eve on several occasions. When speaking to the Romans he said that "death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come (Rom. 5:14). Also, when speaking to the Corinthians, Paul said that "in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive (1 Cor. 15:22), and that "The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit (1 Cor. 15:45). Also, when speaking to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:13-14 he said, "For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression." It is also clear that the Apostle Paul believed in the creation account as well.
In conclusion, after looking at several alternative views of the creation account, the question is now which ones agree with or contradict the writings of the Bible? Most conservatives hold to the view of Old Earth Creationism, Young Earth Creationism, or the Gap Theory. On the other hand, most conservatives categorically reject the Mythological, Pictorial Day, and Naturalistic Evolutionary views.
The reason for these views by conservatives is because Old Earth Creationism, Young Earth Creationism, and the Gap Theory all require an intelligent creator. Of course, they strongly disagree on particulars such as whether the creation account in Genesis 1 and 2 should be taken literally, or that something happened between verses 1 and 2, but they all concur that an intelligent creator (God) was involved.
On the other hand, their rejection of the Mythological, Pictorial Day, and Naturalistic Evolutionary views is because those views reject the account in Genesis 1 and 2 as factual, deny the involvement of an intelligent creator, and they embrace Naturalistic Evolution and its view of random mutation and natural selection which contradicts the teachings of the Bible and thus "impugns the authority of Christ and His apostolic witnesses".
Just so that you know, I believe that the Young Earth Creation view best aligns with the teachings of Scripture.
We continue our topical study on the issue of the creation account as found in Genesis, chapter one and two. Just to recap, this is based on a paper that I wrote in 2014 for a class called Old Testament Background Studies in Genesis. In it, I briefly looked at some of the various views of the creation accounts to point out their weaknesses and strengths, at least as far as I could discern, and which ones we as Bible-believing Christians should reject and embrace. Again, this study is not meant to be exhaustive, but to serve as a good starting point for the reader to pursue on their own. Last time, we looked at what is called the Pictoral Day, Old Earth Creationism, and Young Earth Creationism. Today, we will look at the Gap Theory and Naturalistic Evolution.
The Gap Theory first made its way into the mainstream as a result of the printing of the Scofield Reference Bible in 1909. Yes, that beloved reference Bible. This theory assumes a gap of time between verses 1 and 2 of Genesis 1. It is during this time that they postulate that a pre-Adamic world once existed and was subsequently destroyed in the rebellion of Lucifer and the fallen angels that are referred to in Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14.
The reason for this view is found in Genesis 1:2 which says that "The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters". At issue is the word "was" which they believe should be translated as "became". In other words, the earth became formless and void as a result of some act of judgment in time past. It is in this "gap" of time that they conclude that "all the ages that are demanded by geologists occurred and ended with the glacial age". The theory also explains why there is the apparent contradiction in how old science says the earth is and the biblical account.
The theory goes on to surmise that in Genesis 1:3, God starts the process of reparation as described in the six days of creation. The rationale for this view comes from a "desire to reconcile the voluminous scientific evidence for Earth's antiquity" and still concedes the six literal days of creation. In the end though, too much of the theory rests on the translation of the word "was" and the questionable use of the phrase "formless and void."
Next is the view that is referred to as Naturalistic Evolution. Before 1900, the issue of evolution was a non-controversial subject. Everyone, for the most part, embraced the biblical view of creation either by conviction or conformity. However, the issue of evolution was brought to the forefront by the Progressive Movement in the early 20th Century in a series of court cases that eventually came to be known as the Scopes Monkey Trial.
In essence, Naturalistic Evolution teaches that all creation is purely accidental and that no supreme power was involved at all. It presupposes that everything came into existence in a randomly generated sequence through mutation and natural selection. Of course, this view by necessity requires millions, if not billions of years, for these mutations to take place. Charles Ryrie puts it this way, "If one were to reduce the process to a formula it would look like this: M(utations) + N(atural) S(election) x T(ime) = Evolution."
It is interesting that in regards to the necessity of time for the evolutionary process to take place, Tremper Longman points out in his book How to Read Genesis, "Many modern readers stumble over the six days of creation. They ask how it could have happened so quickly. It is interesting to note that before the nineteenth century and the work of Charles Darwin the question was just the opposite. For instance, in the sixteenth century John Calvin encountered skepticism concerning the biblical account because it took God so long to create. The biblical account seemed ridiculous to many readers in the sixteenth century because they knew that God could create instantaneously if he so willed."
Of course, Naturalistic Evolution does have its weaknesses as well. Some of these include issues with mutations that tend to be overwhelmingly useless or even detrimental, natural selection which rarely brings about improvements, time for probability and chance, and the second law of thermodynamics which says that all things move from orderliness to chaos, and yet, it supposes the exact opposite.
Today, we continue our topical study on the issue of the creation account as found in Genesis, chapter one and two. Just to recap, this is based on a paper that I wrote in 2014 for a class called Old Testament Background Studies in Genesis. In it, I briefly looked at some of the various views of the creation accounts to point out their weaknesses and strengths, at least as far as I could discern, and which ones we as Bible-believing Christians should reject and embrace. Again, this study is not meant to be exhaustive, but to serve as a good starting point for the reader to pursue on their own. Last time, we looked at the Mythological view. Today, we are going to take a look at what is called the Pictoral Day, Old Earth Creationism, and Young Earth Creationism.
The second view to consider is called the Pictorial Day. It is often times also referred to as the Revelation Theory. In essence, it says that the days in Genesis 1 are indeed "literal days of twenty-four hours each, but they are days only in the life of Moses. The basic view is that during those six literal days, God revealed to Moses exactly how creation occurred, and as God spoke, Moses recorded what was said to him in a six-day format.
Of course, this view clearly has accommodationism in mind as that it still maintains the literal twenty-four hour days and yet also allows the scientific community to have the long periods of time that they demand for the formation of the earth through the means of evolution. However, just like the Mythological view, it again discounts the clear intent of the author in that he clearly intended the book to be a historical account. This is again seen in its narrative style, attention to genealogies, dates. Why would the writer go through the trouble of giving these details if he knew the twenty-four hour periods were only in his life and not the actual account? Wouldn't make sense. Again, it is merely an attempt at accommodationism which we Christians are far too prone to.
A third view of the creation account is called Old Earth Creation or Progressive Creation. Like their Young Earth counterparts, they do believe that the emergence of different life forms was due to the actions of an intelligent creator. The difference between the two is that this group does not accept the historical account of creation as found in Genesis 1 and 2 to be literally true. Instead, they choose to view creation through the lens of science and insist that one can be a Christian and believe in Old Earth Creation as long as "one accepts the central doctrine of salvation through a profession of faith."
The most glaring problem that Old Earth Creationists face is that their theory does not fit the scientific evidence. In order to resolve the discrepancies between the Bible and Science, they insist on what is called the Day-Age and Gap Creation ideas. The Day-Age idea says that creation was by God, but he did it in "God-length days that may have lasted thousands, if not millions, of years." They accompany the Day-Age idea with Gap Creation which says that "all life emerged in cycles of creation followed by long periods of stasis" that was repeated continually until humans were created."
The fourth view of creation is that of Young Earth Creation. By most conservative scholars, this group is considered to be the most faithful to the Scriptures. Those who hold this view take the creation account in Genesis 1 and 2 literally. This is to say that God created the heavens and the earth in six literal twenty-four hour periods. This means that God created everything by fiat. That is to say that God merely spoke, and it was created just as Hebrews 11:3 implies, "By faith, we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible." Young Earth Creationists also insist that earth cannot be more than 10,000 years old. And, they conclude that the fossil record bears out that a cataclysmic event did take place in time past, and that event is the worldwide flood that is recorded in Genesis 6.
Naturally, this view does have its challenges, especially from the scientific community who consider the idea of a divine being calling things out of nothing to be absurd. One of their contentions is that modern dating methods do place the age of the earth much older than 10,000 years. These methods used by geologists today include carbon-13 and carbon-12 ratios which actually place the oldest fossils as far back as 3.86 billion years. Of course, both of these methods of dating have not proven to be the most reliable at times.
Bear in mind, that for the moment, I am just listing the various views with their own strengths and weakness. We still have the Gap Theory, Naturalistic Theory, and what I will call the Biblical View.
Today, I want to start a new topical study on the issue of the creation account as found in Genesis, chapter one and two. This is based on a paper that I wrote in 2014 for a class called Old Testament Background Studies in Genesis. In it, I briefly looked at some of the various views of the creation account to point out their weaknesses and strengths, at least as far as I could discern, and which ones we as Bible-believing Christians should reject and embrace. These views consist of Mythology, Pictorial Day, Old Earth Creationism, Young Earth Creationism, Gap Theory, Naturalistic Evolution, and would I refer to as the Biblical View, which is how Bible itself speaks to the issue.
For centuries the interpretation of the creation account in the book of Genesis was pretty static in that the commonly held teaching that the narrative was to be interpreted literally was accepted by the majority of the church leadership and those in attendance. However, with the advent of the enlightenment and the introduction of rationalism (a belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response) and empiricism (the theory that all knowledge is derived from sense-experience, i.e., experimental science) the historicity of the book has been called into question.
Specifically, it is the first two chapters of the book that draws the most ire from those who find its account to be on par with such writings as the Epic of Gilgamesh or the stories of Zeus. Others will concede while that upper-story religious truth can certainly be found in the text, but will deny its historical value and the actual validity of the text where it seems to contradict the findings of modern science. However, if indeed the creation account is not a literal account, but simply an upper-story narrative that is only meant to present moral or religious truth, how does that impact the teachings of the Bible?
The first view to consider is the mythological view. According to John Walton, author of the NIV Application Commentary on Genesis, the mythical approach of interpreting this book is the "most troubling category for those who take the Bible seriously." The reason for this is because in our modern society the term almost automatically implies a "judgment that the story is not true or at least unhistorical." However, that is not necessarily the way those in the ancient world saw mythology. Instead, they saw myths as a means of explaining the world around them in the form of a story which usually had religious and moral purposes. Actually, mythology to the ancient world was like science in our own in that both were and are mere attempts to understand cause and effect. C. John Collins, professor of Old Testament at Covenant Theological Seminary insists that with that in mind, it is wise to shy away from triumphalism by arrogantly implying that our modern world is more sophisticated than theirs.
On the other hand, it must be acknowledged that the very word "myth" does by its very nature imply that not every aspect of the story is to be taken as absolute truth even though it is told as such. Millard Erickson, the author of Christian Theology, also points out that myth is a literary device that is used to convey a "supernatural or transcendent truth in earthly form." Those who hold this view will contend that the Bible was never meant to have any authority in regards to empirical issues such as history or science. Instead, the authority of the Bible only rests in issues of religion and therefore serves to only bring men into a "proper relationship with God"
Ultimately, those who hold this view usually embrace Naturalistic Evolution (the view that new species of life came into being as a result of natural causes) instead of Biblical Creation. However, they do so by ignoring the clear intent of the author. One example is that the writer clearly intended the book to be an actual historical account due to its narrative style, attention to genealogies (e.g., descendants of Adam and Noah), and dates (e.g., the exact date in relation to Noah's life that the rain began to fall).
Therefore, I reject the mythological approach to the interpretation of the account and so should you.
Scripture: Inspiration and Preservation, Part 5
This will be the final posting in a series on the issue of the inspiration and preservation of the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15). We have so far defined revelation as a disclosure of information that could not have been known otherwise. Also, the two types of revelation which include general and special, and inspiration. Last time, we looked at proofs of its inspiration and preservation such as what the Bible says of itself, its indestructibility, its transmission, fulfilled prophecy, scientific accuracy, history, and the lives that have been transformed because of it.
Today, we are going to look at inerrancy and canonization. The word inerrant means "without error." Packer and Oden say that it means that the "Scripture in it's entirely is free from all falsehood, fraud, or deceit. However, that can mean different things to different people. Some hold to absolute inerrancy, which means that the Bible is absolutely true in all areas that it addresses in the areas of science and history. Others hold to full inerrancy, which means that the Bible is completely true, but it is not "given primarily to scientific and historical data." Another view is referred to as limited inerrancy, which means that the Bible is only inerrant in issues of salvation and not necessarily facts in any other area. And still others view that the Bible is only inerrant in purpose.
Why is this issue so important? Does the whole of Christianity rest on how many "stalls for horses" King Solomon really had (I Kings 4:26 and 2 Chronicles 9:25)? "The argument is simply: (1) the Bible is the Word of God; (2) God cannot err; (3) therefore the Bible (which is the Word of God) cannot err. That means that the Bible is factually accurate and correct in what it affirms."
However, does that only apply to the original autographs that we no longer have? Or does it also extend down to the copies of those autographs? Well, there is no doubt that there are indeed grammatical errors in the manuscripts we have today. It is believed that these variations occurred as the "result of handwritten scribal errors in the course of making copies and were not part of the originally inspired autographs themselves." Furthermore, of the nearly 5,700 New Testament manuscripts that we have today, they can be reconstructed with over a 99 percent accuracy. Therefore, it must be concluded that the issue of inerrancy applies only to the originals and not the copies.
Finally, we come to canonization. A canon is a measuring rod, rule or standard. In reference to the Bible, the Canon refers to those books that have been measured and found worthy to be a part of the Bible. It is essentially viewed in two stages: what has been determined by God and what has been recognized by Man. In regards to canonization, it was God who decided what would be in the Canon of Scripture. Harold Willmington puts it this way, "The Bible is not an authorized collection of books, but rather a collection of authorized books.
A few things to consider are that the Old Testament as we know it today was compiled by the Jewish people under the providential oversight of God. It was firmly established well before Christ. Of course, no doubt God was involved in this process. However, our Lord further confirmed it by quoting from or alluding to every book in the Old Testament Canon with the possible exception of
Some have looked at Luke 11:51 as verification of this when Jesus said, "from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the house of God; yes, I tell you, it shall be charged against this generation.' To understand this statement more clearly, one must understand that the Hebrew Bible starts with Genesis and ends with 2 Chronicles. In Genesis 4:8 we see the blood of Abel when it says, "And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him." And in 2 Chronicles 24:21 we see the blood of Zechariah when it says, "So they conspired against him (Zechariah) and at the command of the king they stoned him to death in the court of the house of the LORD." This served to affirm that Jesus believed everything in between.
In regards to our New Testament, it was essentially decided by several factors. These included: authorship, local church acceptance, church father's recognition, subject matter, and personal edification. However, James Sawyer warns evangelicals to not simply rely on "unexamined theological assumptions and historical inaccuracies" when it comes to their acceptance of the canonization of the New Testament. His challenge is for evangelicals to not downplay the "witness of the Spirit" for assurance instead of relying so heavily only on historical arguments. In other words, the Holy Spirit played a large role in the accumulation of the inspired manuscripts and He is fully responsible for them and not the schemes of man. In regards to the finalization of the Canon, most will agree that the Old Testament Canon was closed by the year 300 B.C. and the New Testament was closed at the Third Council of Carthage in 397 A.D.
In conclusion, we have seen how God has throughout the centuries preserved His Word in such a way that we can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we do indeed hold the very Words of God in our hands. Henry H. Halley once wrote, "Apart from any theory of inspiration; or any theory of how the Bible books came to their present form; or how much the text may have suffered in transmission at the hands of editors and copyists…it bears on its face the stamp of its Author; that it is in a unique and distinctive sense THE WORD OF GOD.
This will be part four in an ongoing series on the issue of the inspiration and preservation of the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15). We have so far defined revelation as a disclosure of information that could not have been known otherwise. Also, the two types of revelation which include general and special, and inspiration. Then finally, we started to look at the issue of proof. We have already looked at what the Bible says of itself, its indestructibility, and its transmission, Today we are going to look at fulfilled prophecy, scientific accuracy, history, and the lives that have been transformed because of it.
There is no doubt that the Bible is indeed a book of prophecy and the purpose of prophecy is not only to establish the authenticity of the prophet but also the authenticity of the source of the prophecy. As a matter of fact, the Bible goes so far as to bring about the death penalty for those who presume to speak on behalf of God. "But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die" (Deuteronomy 18:20).
It is estimated that there are at least 456 prophecies in the Bible that refer to the Messiah alone. Of these, there are at least 109 of them that Jesus had to fulfill at his first coming alone." Some of these would include his virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14), birthplace (Micah 5:2), being proceeded by John the Baptist (Isaiah 40:3), triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Zechariah 9:9-10), the piercing of his side on the cross (Zechariah 12:10), and the list could go on and on. In Psalm 22 alone, it is prophesied of the darkness that occurred at the moment of his death, the mocking that he received, the piercings in his hands and feet and the casting of lots for his robe.
Another proof of inspiration is its scientific accuracy. It has been said that although the Bible is not a science book, it is accurate when it speaks on scientific matters. Just to name a few. In Leviticus 17:11, it says that the life of the flesh is in the blood. In Psalm 8:8 it says that there are paths or currents in the sea. In Isaiah 40:22 it says that the earth is a sphere and yet for many years people believed that the world was flat. In Job 26:7 it says that the earth is suspended in space. In Genesis 15:5 it says that the stars were innumerable. In Jonah 2:6 it says that there are mountains and canyons in the sea. In Genesis 7:11 it says that there are springs and fountains in the sea. In Ecclesiastes 1:6-7 it speaks of the hydrologic cycle. In Romans 1:20 it speaks of matter. And once again the list could go on and on.
And yet another proof of the inspiration of the Bible is history, especially in the realm of archeology. It has been said that with every turn of the archeologist's spade, another skeptic is put to silence. Halley's Bible Handbook lists 112 examples and Unger's Bible Handbook lists 96. In Genesis 2:8-14 it says that the Garden of Eden was in the lower Mesopotamian Valley and it is now referred to by even the evolutionists as the birthplace of human life or the Cradle of Civilization. In Genesis 11:1-9 it mentions the Tower of Babel and dozens of ziggurats have been found in Mesopotamia. The Bible states that the birthplace of Abraham was in Ur of the Chaldees (Genesis 11:27-31). For many years, people doubted if it ever existed until C.L. Wooley came along in 1922 and found it. It is now one of the best known ancient sites in the world that dates back to around 2000 B.C.
The final proof (at least for this paper) for the inspiration of the Bible is the lives that it has transformed. There is not enough room in this paper or any other for that matter, to list the lives that have been "elevated to new levels of peace and joy by turning their lives over to Christ." The Bible says in Psalm 119:9, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word." Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
There is no doubt that the Bible has changed the lives of many. The Apostle Paul said of himself in 1 Timothy 1:12-15 "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all."
This will be part three in an ongoing series on the issue of the inspiration and preservation of the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15). As stated earlier, entire books have been written on this issue, and it is not meant to be exhaustive by any means. However, it will cover the basics, and, hopefully, encourage you to further study and strengthen your faith in the Word of God, especially, in a day in which fewer and fewer seem to believe it.
We have so far defined revelation as a disclosure of information that could not have been known otherwise. Also, the two types of revelation which include general and special, and inspiration. Today, we are going to look at the subject of proof. What are the proofs of the inspiration of the Bible? Well, there are many. These include the Bible itself, its indestructibility, its transmission, fulfilled prophecy, scientific accuracy, history and the lives that have been transformed because of it.
The first proof offered is the Bible itself. Paul said in 2 Timothy 3:16 that "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." As a matter of fact, the term "thus says the Lord" is found over 3800 times in the Bible.
Second, the inspiration of the Bible is seen in its indestructibility. It has survived throughout the centuries in spite of all events to the contrary. For example, the Roman emperor, Diocletian, made a degree that all Bibles were to be destroyed in 303 A.D. His reasoning was simply that if Christians were "people of the Book"; once the book was removed, Christians would cease to exist. He even went so far as to raise a pillar to his "success" that said, "Extincto Nomene Christianorum" which means "the name Christian is extinguished." Ironically, only 25 years later, the new Roman Emperor, Constantine, commissioned 50 copies of the Bible to be prepared at government expense.
Voltaire, the French infidel, once said "that in one hundred years from his time that "Christianity would be a thing of the past and that the only Bible left on earth would be in a museum." As a God-hater who greatly despised the Bible, he was sorely mistaken in that statement. The Bible today is still the number one best seller of all times! Josh McDowell refers to these things as "historical irony". He made a quote that "We might as well put our shoulder to the burning wheel of the sun, and try to stop it on its flaming course, as an attempt to stop the circulation of the Bible.
The Bible itself speaks of its own indestructibility. Isaiah 40:8 says "The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." Also, in Matthew 24:35, Jesus said: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." Other references include
Isaiah 55:11; 59:21; Matthew 5:18 and Luke 16:17.
Another proof of the inspiration of the Bible is in the way in which it has been passed down through the centuries through the copying of the autographs or what is known as transmission. It's obvious that God has preserved His Word by the hands of dedicated copyists. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 revealed that the copies of the Scripture that we hold in our hands today are incredibly accurate when compared to the oldest known copies. However, with this discovery came even older extant copies that date back to the first century B.C.
The scribes and the scholars who did most of the copying over the centuries took surprising steps to ensure accuracy. For example, copies of the Pentateuch which were meant to be read in the synagogues were written on skins. These rolls were to be sewn together with string made from clean animals and prepared only by a Jew. Everyone was to contain a certain number of columns and they were not to be shorter than forty-eight lines and not more than sixty lines and the breadth was not to be more than thirty letters. It was to also be written in only black ink.
They were so careful with the process that in order for a copy to be considered authentic and worthy to be read in the synagogue, there could not be even one deviation from the original codex. Also, "no word or letter, not even a yod, must be written from memory, the scribe not having looked at the codex before him."
Furthermore, it was stated that the copyist "must also sit in full Jewish dress throughout the entire process, wash his whole body, and to not begin the name of God with a pen newly dipped in ink, and should a king address him while writing that name he must take no notice of him." The rolls that failed to meet the above criterion were condemned to be buried, burned or banished to the schools to be used as reading books.
This method of copying continued until the invention of the "movable-type printing press by Johann Gutenberg in Germany in the 15th century. As a matter of fact, the first major book to be printed for distribution was the Bible! It was known as the Gutenberg Bible.
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I am going to continue discussing the issue of the inspiration and preservation of the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15). As stated earlier, entire books have been written on this issue, and it is not meant to be exhaustive by any means. However, it will cover the basics, and, hopefully, encourage you to further study and strengthen your faith in the Word of God, especially, in a day in which fewer and fewer seem to believe it.
Last time, we defined revelation as a disclosure of information that could not have been known otherwise. Also, the two types of revelation which include general and special. Both speak of situations in which God is revealing Himself to some extent. Today, we are going to tackle the subject of inspiration. Obviously, one can have a revelation without it necessarily resulting in an inspiration, but one cannot have an inspiration without first having received a revelation. The word "inspired" literally means "God-breathed" or as Erickson puts it, "breathed into by the Holy Spirit" It is seen in 2 Timothy 3:16 where it says that "All Scripture is inspired by God." The inspiration spoken of here is more than just that of an artist or a musician being inspired to create something. Instead, it is a unique event in which God speaks words to man and man in turn, writes those words down.
When speaking of these words as contained in the Bible, Peter said in 2 Peter 1:16-21 that the Bible is the "prophetic word made more sure". In the context of that statement, Peter had just stated that even though he and the others who were him had seen Christ transfigured before them on the mountain (Matthew 17:2-5); their testimony was not to be compared to the testimony of the Bible itself. In other words, the Bible, by its own claim to inspiration, is always the superior witness.
There are several views as to inspiration. First, there is the natural view which totally denies any supernatural element in the process. Those who hold this view merely see the Bible as a great work of art on the level of Shakespeare or any other great artist. A second view is that of partial inspiration which believes that while not all of the Scriptures are inspired, some are. The third view is what is called conceptual inspiration. In this view, it's not necessarily the words themselves that are inspired, but the concept behind those words, i.e., the overall message. A fourth view is what some would call encounter inspiration. In other words, the Bible "becomes" inspired to each individual reader as they "encounter" perceived truth.
And finally, there is what is called plenary verbal inspiration. This is the correct view. It implies that not only is the message of the Bible inspired, but the very words of that message are inspired. The word "verbal" actually means "by means of words" or "word for word". Jesus said in Luke 16:17 "But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail." That same language is found in Matthew 5:18 where it says, "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished." The word for "letter" in this verse is the Hebrew word iota and the word for "stroke" is the Hebrew word keraia as in Luke 16:17. The iota, or jot as it is sometimes called, refers to the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet and the word keraia refers to the small appendage that differentiates two similar letters in the Hebrew alphabet. In our English language, it would almost be the equivalent of what we would call the dotting of an "I" and the crossing of a "T".
Now, some would argue that verbal inspiration of necessity requires dictation. Grudem is quick to point out that even though the words in the Bible are indeed God's words, we are talking more about the "result" than the actual words themselves. He further points out that God actually used a "wide variety of processes" to bring about the desired "result". However, that is not to say that no dictation is to be found in Scripture. It is obvious from the text at times that the author did indeed pen the words verbatim as they were spoken to him. For example in Revelation 2:1 it says, "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this:" It's obvious from the text that the Apostle John was told emphatically to write exactly what the angel said to write. In the end, it means that God made sure that the human personalities and the individual writing styles of each were under the oversite of God and He directed each of them to write exactly what He wanted them to write. Finally, that brings us to the "plenary". The word means "full" or "all". In other words, when the words "plenary verbal inspiration" are all added together; they mean "all words God-breathed."
Congratulations, Marling!
Congratulations, Marling! She is one of several students who is sponsored by Building Lives International. The funds given by this ministry allowed her to successfully complete not only high school studies but continues to provide for her as she studies at university. She is well on her way to becoming a teacher! We are so proud of her and equally honored to be a part of her journey. Marling, lives in Esteli, Nicaragua.
In this post I am going to take a closer look at the Scriptures and what we believe in regards to their inspiration and preservation (2 Timothy 2:15). Since the subject is large, it will be in several parts. Of course, entire books have been written on this issue, and it is not meant to be exhaustive by any means. However, it will cover the basics, and, hopefully, encourage you to further study and strengthen your faith in the Word of God, especially, in a day in which fewer and fewer seem to believe it.
Christianity rises and falls on not only the inspiration of Scripture but also upon God's ability to preserve them for future generations. As such, issues such as revelation, the various views, and proofs of inspiration, inerrancy and ultimately canonization must be looked at together and in order. Revelation comes first. The word revelation speaks of a disclosure of information that could not have been known otherwise. In Scripture, the word speaks of God giving information to man that he otherwise would not have known on his own. In regards to revelation, there are two types that must be dealt with before we proceed: they are general and special. Both speak of situations in which God is revealing Himself to some extent.
General revelation is by definition, "God's disclosure of Himself in nature as the creator and sustainer of all things." Most would agree that this revelation comes through nature (Psalms 19:1-6), conscience (Romans 2:14-15), and history (Deuteronomy 28:9-10). The Bible tells us two things about general revelation. First, it is seen by all men. Barnabas and Paul asked, "Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM. In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness" (Acts 14:15-17, NASB). Second, it leaves all men without an excuse. Paul said in Romans 1:20, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." It's that "natural knowledge of God that is the basis for divine judgment."
Therefore, no man will stand before Him in the day of judgment with a valid excuse. However, ultimately, general revelation is not enough. While it does indeed point to God, it is insufficient to reveal the totality of God and salvation. We see this in Romans 2:12-16. However, most do agree that general revelation, if accepted, will of necessity lead to special revelation. Some will also argue otherwise and say that many will die with only the general revelation of God and will be held accountable for how they responded to it.
Special revelation is when God reveals Himself to men "directly in a personal way." It is information that cannot be learned any other way, but through God (1 Corinthians 2:14) and it must be accepted by faith (Romans 10:17). Swindoll and Zuck point out that it was necessary as that it would have been impossible for Adam and Eve to just look around at God's creation in the garden and have been able to surmise from creation alone what God's will and purpose for their lives was. God had to have eventually communicated with them by using words.
The conclusion would be that the ultimate form of special revelation is the Bible itself; for it is the Bible that contains the gospel that is necessary for salvation. Thus is the urgency of getting out the gospel (Romans 10:13-15). It is only through special revelation that we are able to "learn truth about God that cannot be known or discovered by general revelation alone."


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Q: how can I solve this in python? Id codes at a company come in the form x-y-zzzzzz, where x is a digit and y is a letter and zzzzzz represents a string of 6 letters. Write a function which takes in a code as an input (e.g. 3-a-abaabb) and returns the zzzzzz part (e.g. abaabb).
I have no idea how to start and solve this question. any help would be much appreciated. My IDE is pycharm (solving python coding problems) I basically need to create a function which takes the code as an input and will return the last 6 letters

A: You can use str.spit('-') then search count in code with repeat is equal or not, like below:
def fnd_code(code):
    repeat, char, search =  code.split('-')
    return search.count(char) == int(repeat)

print(fnd_code('3-a-abaabb'))
print(fnd_code('4-a-abaabb'))

Output:
True
False

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Q: In an ATX power supply, how is the -12V supply made? I was looking at a pin out for a 20 pin ATX power supply and noticed a -12V pin. I am now wondering; is this just a ground? If not, how does the PSU make a -12V supply rail?

A: It is indeed a -12V rail. Frequently used in audio circuits and for RS-232 driver circuits. There used to also be a -5V rail used by ISA cards.
All a negative voltage is is a voltage rail which is at a lower potential than the 0V reference point we call ground. Remember that voltages are all relative - hence the name potential difference. For example if you have a 9V battery you could call the positive terminal ground and the negative terminal would now be -9V. It's entirely down to where you measure from.
There are loads of ways of making negative voltage rails including switched capacitor inverters, DC-DC converters amongst other ways. Mains AC alternates positive and negative, and consequently with two diodes and a couple of capacitors you can make a negative and positive voltage rail. Centre tapped or multiple secondary transformers can/are also be used for this purpose.

A:
simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab
Figure 1. Power supply output stage.
In very simple terms the PSU switched mode transformer has multiple secondaries. The required output voltages are determined by the number of turns on each secondary.
You can see that coils 2 and 3 are wired oppositely and this is how the -12 V is generated.
It is possible that the 0V connections are joined internally (green link on Figure 1) so you need to be careful if using the power supply for purposes other than that for which it is designed.


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Home › Photos
Aretha Franklin Memorial from Hollywood Walk of Fame To Detroit's New Bethel Baptist Church [Photos]
By: Radio Blogger
Many fans around the world paid homage to the late Aretha Franklin yesterday after news of her passing broke. Fans hit the streets at her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Apollo theatre in New York and her hometown Detroit at New Bethel Baptist Church where her father was a Pastor.
Keep Up with Our Latest News Regarding The Aretha Franklin Memorial:
Aretha Franklin Portrait Photos Of The Queen Of Soul [Photo Gallery]
Aretha Franklin In Detroit: Pictures Of The Queen Of Soul In Her Hometown
Clive Davis, Tom Joyner, Diana Ross & More React to Aretha Franklin's Death
Cathy Hughes, Founder and Chairperson of Urban One, Inc., Mourns The Death Of Aretha Franklin
Kiss Honors "The Queen of Soul" Aretha Franlin [VIDEO]
1. Soul Music Icon Aretha Franklin Dies At Age 76
Source:Getty
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 16: Flowers and mementos are left at a growing memorial at Aretha Franklin's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The legendary soul singer passed away today in Detroit from pancreatic cancer at age 76. (Photo by Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images) color image,no people,photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,california,city of los angeles,flower,growth,aretha franklin,human interest,fame,walk of fame,temporary memorial
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 16: Passersby pay their respects to Aretha Franklin at the Apollo Theater on August 16, 2018 in New York City. Franklin passed away on August 16, 2018 at the age of 76. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) no people,photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,topix,bestof,new york city,music,respect,aretha franklin,apollo theater – new york,human interest,paying
4. US-music-Franklin
Late at night people still pay their respect to Aretha Franklin by spending a moment by her Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California, August 16, 2018. – Franklin, who was 76, influenced generations of female singers with unforgettable hits including 'Respect' (1967), 'Natural Woman' (1968) and 'I Say a Little Prayer' (1968). She passed away at home August 16, 2018 in Detroit from advanced pancreatic cancer. (Photo by CHRIS DELMAS / AFP) (Photo credit should read CHRIS DELMAS/AFP/Getty Images) photography,people,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,family,usa,music,singer,california,night,hollywood – california,respect,aretha franklin,fame,walk of fame,home finances,paying,finance and economy
Late at night people still pay their respect to Aretha Franklin by spending a moment by her Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California, August 16, 2018. – Franklin, who was 76, influenced generations of female singers with unforgettable hits including 'Respect' (1967), 'Natural Woman' (1968) and 'I Say a Little Prayer' (1968). She passed away at home August 16, 2018 in Detroit from advanced pancreatic cancer. (Photo by CHRIS DELMAS / AFP) (Photo credit should read CHRIS DELMAS/AFP/Getty Images) vertical,photography,people,arts culture and entertainment,family,usa,music,singer,california,night,hollywood – california,respect,aretha franklin,fame,walk of fame,home finances,paying,finance and economy
7. US-ENTERTAINMENT-MUSIC-FRANKLIN
A rose is placed on a t-shirt at a temporary memorial set up for late singer Aretha Franklin at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, on August 16, 2018. – Aretha Franklin, the music icon, legendary singer and 'Queen of Soul' loved by millions whose history-making career spanned six decades, died on August 16, 2018, her longtime publicist announced. She was 76. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,singer,death,michigan,occupation,aretha franklin,famous place,t-shirt,publicist,temporary,love – emotion,detroit – michigan
A visitor pays his respects at a temporary memorial set up for late singer Aretha Franklin at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, on August 16, 2018. – Aretha Franklin, the music icon, legendary singer and 'Queen of Soul' loved by millions whose history-making career spanned six decades, died on August 16, 2018, her longtime publicist announced. She was 76. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,singer,death,michigan,occupation,respect,aretha franklin,visit,famous place,publicist,temporary,love – emotion,detroit – michigan
Visitors pay they respects at a temporary memorial set up for late singer Aretha Franklin at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, on August 16, 2018. – Aretha Franklin, the music icon, legendary singer and 'Queen of Soul' loved by millions whose history-making career spanned six decades, died on August 16, 2018, her longtime publicist announced. She was 76. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,singer,death,michigan,occupation,respect,aretha franklin,visit,famous place,publicist,temporary,love – emotion,detroit – michigan
10. ENTERTAINMENT-US-MUSIC-FRANKLIN
Lester Finley (L), LaShona Smith (C) and Lesley Finley look at a memorial set up outside of New Bethel Baptist Church following the announcement of Aretha Franklin's passing on August 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Aretha got her start singing at this church where her father, C.L. Franklin, was pastor for over 30 years. – Aretha Franklin, the music icon, legendary singer and 'Queen of Soul' loved by millions whose history-making career spanned six decades, died on Thursday, August 16, 2018, her longtime publicist announced. She was 76. (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP) (Photo credit should read JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP/Getty Images) photography,people,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,michigan,aretha franklin,human interest,following,detroit – michigan
The marquee on the Fox Theatre shows a photo of Aretha Franklin following the announcement of her passing on August 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. – Aretha Franklin, the music icon, legendary singer and 'Queen of Soul' loved by millions whose history-making career spanned six decades, died on Thursday, August 16, 2018, her longtime publicist announced. She was 76. (Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP) (Photo credit should read JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP/Getty Images) photography,people,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,performance,singer,death,michigan,occupation,aretha franklin,human interest,following,famous place,publicist,fox theatre – detroit,love – emotion,detroit – michigan
12. Soul Music Icon Aretha Franklin Dies At Age 76
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 16: An impromptu memorial for singer Aretha Franklin, the 'Queen of Soul' is shown at New Bethel Baptist Church August 16th, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Franklin died this morning in Detroit of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) color image,no people,photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,singer,michigan,aretha franklin,human interest,cancer – illness,obituary,detroit – michigan
13. US-music-Franklin
Flowers and tributes are placed on the Star for Aretha Franklin on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California, August 16, 2018, after the music icon, legendary singer and 'Queen of Soul' loved by millions whose history-making career spanned six decades, died, her longtime publicist announced. – Franklin, who was 76, influenced generations of female singers with unforgettable hits including 'Respect' (1967), 'Natural Woman' (1968) and 'I Say a Little Prayer' (1968). She passed away at home August 16, 2018 in Detroit from advanced pancreatic cancer. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,family,usa,music,singer,california,flower,death,hollywood – california,occupation,respect,aretha franklin,famous place,fame,walk of fame,publicist,temporary memorial,love – emotion
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 16: An impromptu memorial for singer Aretha Franklin, the 'Queen of Soul' is shown at New Bethel Baptist Church August 16th, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Franklin died this morning in Detroit of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) color image,photography,celebrities,people,full length,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,singer,two people,michigan,aretha franklin,human interest,panoramic,cancer – illness,obituary,detroit – michigan
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 16: A street sign in Detroit honoring singer Aretha Franklin is shown August 16th, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The 'Queen of Soul' died this morning in Detroit of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76 (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) vertical,color image,no people,photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,usa,music,singer,death,street,michigan,respect,aretha franklin,human interest,road sign,obituary,detroit – michigan
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 16: A woman exits Franklin Street Subway station while a message for Aretha Franklin is seen on the subway stairs on August 16, 2018 in New York, New York. Aretha, known as the Queen of Soul, passed away today in Detroit from pancreatic cancer at age 76. (Photo by Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images) color image,photography,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,adult,new york city,music,station,women,aretha franklin,human interest,message,leaving,steps and staircases
Flowers and tributes are placed on the Star for Aretha Franklin on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California, August 16, 2018, after the music icon, legendary singer and 'Queen of Soul' loved by millions whose history-making career spanned six decades, died, her longtime publicist announced. – Franklin, who was 76, influenced generations of female singers with unforgettable hits including 'Respect' (1967), 'Natural Woman' (1968) and 'I Say a Little Prayer' (1968). She passed away at home August 16, 2018 in Detroit from advanced pancreatic cancer. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) vertical,photography,arts culture and entertainment,family,usa,music,singer,california,flower,death,hollywood – california,occupation,respect,aretha franklin,famous place,fame,walk of fame,publicist,temporary memorial,love – emotion
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 16: The marquis of the Fox Theater in Detroit commemorates the passing of singer Aretha Franklin, the 'Queen of Soul', in Detroit this morning of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76 August 16th, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) color image,no people,photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,singer,death,michigan,morning,aretha franklin,human interest,cancer – illness,marquis,obituary,pancreas,detroit – michigan,pancreatic cancer
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 16: A sign on the Fox Theater in downtown Detroit commemorates the passing of singer Aretha Franklin, the 'Queen of Soul', in Detroit this morning of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76 August 16th, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) color image,no people,photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,singer,death,michigan,morning,aretha franklin,human interest,downtown district,cancer – illness,obituary,pancreas,detroit – michigan,pancreatic cancer
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 16: A sign on the Music Hall in Detroit commemorates the passing of singer Aretha Franklin, the 'Queen of Soul', in Detroit this morning of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76 August 16th, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) color image,no people,photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,singer,death,michigan,morning,aretha franklin,human interest,cancer – illness,vaudeville,obituary,pancreas,detroit – michigan,pancreatic cancer
HOLLYWOOD, CA – AUGUST 16: Flowers and mementos are left at a growing memorial at Aretha Franklin's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 16, 2018 in Hollywood, California. The legendary soul singer passed away today in Detroit from pancreatic cancer at age 76. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) color image,no people,photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,topix,music,california,flower,growth,hollywood – california,aretha franklin,human interest,fame,walk of fame,bestpix,temporary memorial
HOLLYWOOD, CA – AUGUST 16: Flowers and mementos are left at a growing memorial at Aretha Franklin's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 16, 2018 in Hollywood, California. The legendary soul singer passed away today in Detroit from pancreatic cancer at age 76. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) color image,no people,photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,california,flower,growth,hollywood – california,aretha franklin,human interest,fame,walk of fame,temporary memorial
Flowers and tributes are placed on the Star for Aretha Franklin on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California, August 16, 2018, after the music icon, legendary singer and 'Queen of Soul' loved by millions whose history-making career spanned six decades, died on Thursday, August 16, 2018, her longtime publicist announced. – Franklin, who was 76, influenced generations of female singers with unforgettable hits including 'Respect' (1967), 'Natural Woman' (1968) and 'I Say a Little Prayer' (1968). She passed away at home in Detroit from advanced pancreatic cancer. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) photography,people,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,family,usa,music,singer,california,flower,death,hollywood – california,occupation,respect,aretha franklin,human interest,famous place,fame,walk of fame,publicist,temporary memorial,love – emotion
Flowers and tributes are placed on the Star for Aretha Franklin on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California, August 16, 2018, following the death of music icon, legendary singer and 'Queen of Soul' loved by millions whose history-making career spanned six decades. – Franklin, who died at age 76 on August 16, 2018, influenced generations of female singers with unforgettable hits including 'Respect' (1967), 'Natural Woman' (1968) and 'I Say a Little Prayer' (1968). She passed away at home in Detroit from advanced pancreatic cancer. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) vertical,photography,people,arts culture and entertainment,family,usa,music,singer,california,flower,death,hollywood – california,occupation,respect,aretha franklin,human interest,following,famous place,fame,walk of fame,temporary memorial,love – emotion
Flowers and tributes are placed on the Star for Aretha Franklin on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California, August 16, 2018, following the death of the music icon, legendary singer and 'Queen of Soul' loved by millions whose history-making career spanned six decades. – Franklin, who died at age 76 on August 16, 2018, influenced generations of female singers with unforgettable hits including 'Respect' (1967), 'Natural Woman' (1968) and 'I Say a Little Prayer' (1968). She passed away at home in Detroit from advanced pancreatic cancer. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) photography,people,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,family,usa,music,singer,california,flower,death,hollywood – california,occupation,respect,aretha franklin,human interest,following,famous place,fame,walk of fame,temporary memorial,love – emotion
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 16: Fans of singer Aretha Franklin, the 'Queen of Soul', gather at New Bethel Baptist Church where Franklin's father was pastor in memory of the singer on August 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. Franklin died today of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) color image,photography,people,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,singer,michigan,large group of people,father,aretha franklin,human interest,pastor,cancer – illness,fan – enthusiast,detroit – michigan
The media surrounds the Star for Aretha Franklin on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California, August 16, 2018, following the death of the music icon, legendary singer and 'Queen of Soul' loved by millions whose history-making career spanned six decades. – Franklin, who died at age 76 on August 16, 2018, influenced generations of female singers with unforgettable hits including 'Respect' (1967), 'Natural Woman' (1968) and 'I Say a Little Prayer' (1968). She passed away at home in Detroit from advanced pancreatic cancer. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) photography,people,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,family,usa,music,singer,the media,california,death,hollywood – california,occupation,respect,aretha franklin,human interest,following,famous place,fame,walk of fame,love – emotion
Flowers and tributes are placed on the Star for Aretha Franklin on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California, August 16, 2018, following the death of music icon, legendary singer and 'Queen of Soul' loved by millions whose history-making career spanned six decades. – Franklin, who died at age 76 on August 16, 2018, influenced generations of female singers with unforgettable hits including 'Respect' (1967), 'Natural Woman' (1968) and 'I Say a Little Prayer' (1968). She passed away at home in Detroit from advanced pancreatic cancer. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images) photography,people,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,family,usa,music,singer,california,flower,death,hollywood – california,occupation,respect,aretha franklin,human interest,following,famous place,fame,walk of fame,temporary memorial,love – emotion
DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 16: Pictures of singer Aretha Franklin, the 'Queen of Soul', are shown in the History Room of New Bethel Baptist Church where her father used to be pastor on August 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. The singer died this morning in Detroit of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) vertical,color image,no people,photography,arts culture and entertainment,usa,music,singer,michigan,father,aretha franklin,human interest,pastor,detroit – michigan
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 16: A view of the marquee as Aretha Franklin is remembered at the Apollo Theater on August 16, 2018 in New York City. Franklin passed away on August 16, 2018 at the age of 76. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) vertical,photography,people,arts culture and entertainment,usa,new york city,music,large group of people,aretha franklin,apollo theater – new york,human interest
38. Aretha Franklin Live In Concert
MERRILLVILLE, IN – MAY 1991: Singer Aretha Franklin performs at the Holiday Star Theater in Merrillville, Indiana in May 1991. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)'n microphone,photography,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,performance,singer,1990-1999,black and white,artist,jazz music,aretha franklin,singing,compact disc,pop music,gospel,r&b,soul music,indiana,stage – performance space
39. Aretha Franklin obit
Aretha Franklin sings with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on November 27, 1998. (William Archie/Detroit Free Press/TNS via Getty Images) vertical,photography,arts culture and entertainment,usa,music,aretha franklin,human interest,singing,detroit symphony orchestra
Aretha Franklin sings at a holiday concert in Detroit, Mich. at Sinai Hosptial on December 30, 1998. (John Collier/Detroit Free Press/TNS via Getty Images) photography,celebrities,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,concert,aretha franklin,human interest,singing,detroit – michigan
Aretha Franklin and Jordin Sparks appear at the premiere of 'Sparkle' at the Emagine Royal Oak in Royal Oak, Mich., Sunday, August 5, 2012. (Kathleen Galligan/Deroit Free Press/TNS via Getty Images) photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,film premiere,aretha franklin,red carpet event,human interest,appearance,jordin sparks,sparkle – film title,premiere event
Aretha Franklin performs at the Chicago Theatre on State Street in Chicago, Ill., May 19, 2011. (Scott Strazzante/Chicago Tribune/TNS via Getty Images) photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,performance,illinois,chicago – illinois,aretha franklin,human interest,chicago theater,state street
Aretha Franklin performs at the inuaguration of Barack Obama as the 44th U.S. President at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, January 20, 2009. (Brian Baer/Sacramento Bee/TNS via Getty Images) vertical,photography,arts culture and entertainment,usa,music,performance,barack obama,us president,washington dc,aretha franklin,human interest,capitol building – washington dc
Aretha Franklin and Jessie Jackson attend the game between the Detroit Pistons and Miami Heat at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Mich., Friday, February 11, 2011. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/TNS via Getty Images) photography,arts culture and entertainment,attending,horizontal,usa,music,aretha franklin,human interest,palace,jesse jackson sr.,detroit pistons,auburn hills,miami heat – basketball team
Berry Gordy hugs Aretha Franklin while Jesse Jackson and a guest looks on at the Motown 50 Golden Gala Live it Again Weekend at the Marriott in the Renaissance Center in Detroit, Mich., on Saturday, November 21, 2009. (Kimberly P. Mitchell/Detroit Free Press/TNS via Getty Images) photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,music,looking,track and field,aretha franklin,human interest,embracing,guest,marriott international,jesse jackson sr.,iaaf,berry gordy jr.,renaissance center,detroit – michigan,iaaf golden league golden gala

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Temporary Control Zone introduced following second suspected avian influenza outbreak
Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer has introduced further heightened biosecurity measures following a second suspected outbreak of highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N8) on a commercial farm in the region.
Cases of H5N8 were suspected on a farm in Lisburn, Co. Antrim, and come just a week after a vet raised suspicions of the disease on a 30,000-bird farm in Clough, Co. Antrim, on New Year's Eve.
Initial testing is understood to indicate that it is likely the highly-pathogenic strain of the disease present on both farms. However, both outbreaks have yet to be officially confirmed.
An update from the department issued to bird keepers read: "A suspect case of avian influenza is being investigated at a holding in Lisburn, Co. Antrim.
Based on the clinical signs and initial results provided by the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), the chief veterinary officer has taken the decision to depopulate the site and introduce Temporary Control Zones (TCZ) to mitigate for onward disease spread.
"Full details of the scope and measures required within the TCZ are to be confirmed."
The TCZ place statutory requirements on all poultry keepers included in the area – including record keeping and enhanced biosecurity measures.
There are also restrictions on the movement of poultry, other captive birds, eggs, poultry meat, litter and mammals onto or off premises where poultry is kept.
As a notifiable disease, there is a two-step process to confirm the disease in the UK.
The AFBI has carried out initial tests; however, further testing must then be carried out by the National Reference Laboratory at APHA-Weybridge.
Avian influenza restrictions
Disease control measures for flocks were introduced in Northern Ireland on December 1, in the form of an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone.
It was soon followed by a housing order on December 23, which meant that, by law, all birds must be kept indoors and follow strict biosecurity measures.
The measures apply to all kept birds in the region – whether they are kept for commercial or hobby reasons regardless of flock size.
The decision to ramp up restrictions followed the confirmation of several cases of the highly-pathogenic strain in wild birds across Northern Ireland.
The measures include:
A ban on bird gatherings;
A requirement that poultry or other captive birds are provided with food and water to which wild birds have no access;
Avoiding transfer of contamination between premises by cleansing and disinfecting equipment, vehicles and footwear;
Separating wild waterfowl (ducks and geese) from domestic species; and
Reducing the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry or captive birds are kept.
Avian influenza suspected on second NI poultry farm
Avian Influenza DAERA


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The Midnight's Marsupium Defacement Project III: (Eric Elshtain & J.A. Tyler)
October 25, 2010 October 25, 2010 - Uncategorized
I'm happy to present the latest installment of defacements/refacements of Midnight's Marsupium: Eric Elshtain's "er_aced _plan_" of wild cross-outs and marginalia and J.A. Tyler's "exhumed" sequence (which seems so much like René Magritte's graffiti). Thanks so much, guys, for these surprising contributions!
Check out the previous results:
Ryan Bradley, Sommer Browning, Anne Keefe, & Jared Schickling
The 9th Grade Edition
ERIC ELSHTAIN
(click here to browse the book in pdf form)
Eric Elshtain is a homemaker who edits the on-line poetry press Beard of Bees.
J.A. TYLER
J. A. Tyler is the author of ten books including the recently released Inconceivable Wilson (Scrambler Books, 2009) & the forthcoming A Man of Glass & All the Ways We Have Failed (Fugue State Press, 2010). He is also founding editor of Mud Luscious Press.
Michael Leong
Michael Leong is the author of the poetry books e.s.p., Cutting Time with a Knife, Who Unfolded My Origami Brain?, and Words on Edge. His creative work has been anthologized in THE &NOW AWARDS 2: The Best Innovative Writing, Best American Experimental Writing 2018, and Bettering American Poetry, Volume 3. His co-translation, with Ignacio Infante, of Vicente Huidobro's long poem Sky-Quake: Tremor of Heaven is forthcoming from co•im•press in late 2019. His critical monograph Contested Records: The Turn to Documents in Contemporary North American Poetry is forthcoming from the University of Iowa Press in May 2020. He has received grants from the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses and the National Endowment for the Arts. He teaches in the School of Critical Studies at CalArts.
https://bigother.com/author/michaelleong/
American Poetry & The Contemporary Cartoon: From Robert Pinsky to Patrick the Starfish
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Contests, Cartoons
WALLS (ANAMNESES) by Marcel Cohen, translated by Brian Evenson & Joanna Howard (Black Square Editions/The Brooklyn Rail, 2009)
The 1970s vs. the 2000s (in Hollywood film, at least)
David Foster Wallace, on Television, on Television as the Dominant
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Di Leo: Setting the Record Straight on Israel
By John F. Di Leo -
Today, in lieu of a normal column, would you mind if we just set a few things straight?
There are issues in which a combination of forces – from conscious choices by politicians and academics to sheer ignorance by reporters and vocal but confused stars in the popular culture – have combined to cause complete misunderstandings across the country, and even across the world.
In his great speech endorsing Senator Goldwater in 1964, "A Time for Choosing," (commonly known simply as The Speech), President Ronald Reagan first made a statement that has long resonated with those of us who watch the media. President Reagan put it this way: "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they are ignorant, but that they know so much that isn't so!"
This is truer today than ever before, as we can tell by just considering a few subjects, and comparing the truth with the way these issues are commonly presented and usually believed by a misled public. As an example, let's look at Israel, and at how stories about that tiny, friendly country are written... and at the little biases that are so often built into coverage.
The Two-State Solution
We hear all the time about "giving the two-state solution a try." It's already been done. When the British Mandate for Palestine was given independence in 1948, it was split in two: the lion's share of the land became the Kingdom of Trans-Jordan, now simply known as Jordan, and the western fraction of it became Israel. Jordan was to be the nation for the Palestinian muslims, and Israel was to be the homeland for Jews.
So, when people say they believe in a two-state solution, they're lying to you; it's already in place. In fact, they're really calling for a three-state solution, by splitting up tiny Israel yet again. And if they get that, we all know what will happen next: they'll call for splitting it up again. Interesting how the land for these splits always has to come from tiny Israel, isn't it?
Ever hear about an area being referred to as "the occupied territories," or "the West Bank?" In five thousand years of human history in that area, nobody referred to this area by these names until the last 50 years. In fact, they have been known – for thousands of years – as Judea and Samaria… Judea being the southern of the two, and Samaria being the northern. While precise national borders have naturally changed over the centuries, these two regions have always been part of the area traditionally thought of as Israel.
The terms "West Bank" and "Occupied Territories" are modern, politically-driven terms, used because the real names, Judea and Samaria, don't fit the arabist narrative. But think about it, and be fair: If you call a place Judea, it's pretty obvious that it should be thought of as Jewish, right? So the enemies of the Jews change the name… in an attempt (sadly, often successful) to weaken the case of Israel in the public mind.
Throwing Rocks
When we Americans think of the term "throwing rocks," we imagine a scene from a Mark Twain novel or a similar image of pure Americana: young Huck and Tom standing on a riverbank, skimming flat stones across the surface of the river on a lazy summer day. The connotation is utterly harmless, isn't it?
Well, for decades now, so-called "palestinian" arabs – the violent activists of the PLO/Hamas/Fatah brand – have harassed and attacked Israeli soldiers and police, Israeli civilians, and tourists from all over the world, in a particularly gruesome way: they stand on rooftops or climb up to the tops of walls or fences, and pitch 20, 30, even 50-pound chunks of concrete down onto the heads of passersby. This rainstorm of bricks and concrete chunks can break a shoulder or arm, it can obviously even kill if they land on a person's head (and yes, they sometimes do). And the "palestinians" do this all the time. But how is it reported?
The global press says "palestinian protesters threw rocks."
Well, now you know what the press means when they report that these demons "threw rocks." Despite the impression intentionally given by reporters and the politicians on the side of the terrorists, we're not talking about pebbles here.
A New Apartheid?
For as long as the modern state of Israel has been a nation again, its opponents have accused it of being prejudiced against muslims… often even going so far as to declare the Israeli government to be guilty of a South Africa style "apartheid" – the concept of having different classes of legal protections depending on ethnicity or religion.
In fact, Israel allows full participation in both its public and private sectors; there are businesses run by arab muslims, homes owned by arab muslims, and votes cast by arab muslims (and the same goes for Christians and atheists as well), throughout the state of Israel. The Israeli political system includes arab muslim members of the Knesset (the Israeli parliament), arab muslim judges on the bench, and arab muslim mayors and councilmen.
That would hardly be possible if Israel practiced apartheid.
Citizenship and Refugee Status
The arabists – or anti-Israel activists (it's difficult to find a perfect term for Israel's opponents in the world) – focus much of their ire on the fact that Israel refuses to give full "right of return" to the many so-called "palestinians" – the population of non-Israeli arabs and their descendants who currently live in Gaza and the "palestinian" portions of Judea and Samaria.
But who are these people?
Well, when Israel gained her independence in 1948, remember, there were people living all over the old British Mandate for Palestine, as the line was drawn and it was split in two. It would have been logical to assume that the residents of each part would stay put, populating the two countries neatly with those who were there already.
Sure enough, those who remained in Israel (Jews, Christians, Druze, muslim, atheist, etc.) became Israeli citizens, and their heirs retain full citizenship, regardless of ethnicity or religion.
But many of the arab muslims left as soon as the lines were drawn, and fought alongside Israel's enemies in the 1948 war.
When Israel successfully defeated the attackers, those arab countries obviously should have welcomed those who left Israel to side with them – as they had promised - but they did not. Egypt, Syria, Jordan, etc. spurned these allies, leaving them without a country.
The arab nations of that region felt – at the time – that these refugees would serve their political cause better as starving, homeless victims… and they knew that if they crafted the message right, and gained the support of the media, they would succeed in shifting the blame to Israel. They were right.
The so-called "palestinians" – those who fought against Israel at its inception and joined with the neighboring arab belligerents, and their heirs – certainly do have a legitimate gripe against somebody. They've raised their children and grandchildren in poverty, violence and despair for generations. They have a right to be bitter.
But against whom? Not Israel. Israel can certainly not be blamed for the faithlessness of its arab neighbors against their own allies. And Israel can hardly be expected to welcome in such people into their own tiny country, knowing they've spent generations raising their children to hate Israel and to curse its very existence.
In fact, the so-called "palestinians" have every right to be furious at the arab world, which has treated them as a punching bag and a political tool for over half a century now.
But there's not much chance those one-time allies will ever do anything for them… even though they should. So what's left to do?
Israel has capitulated before, maybe they'll capitulate again. So even though the refugees' case against Israel grows weaker by the year, they don't relent.
And who looks bad, for no good reason at all?
But only because of the willful deception practiced by politicians, academics and media, all over the world.
It is high time the world fought back – on this and on so many issues – and started demanding that only truths be told.
Copyright 2018 John F. Di Leo
John F. Di Leo is a Chicagoland-based international trade compliance trainer, writer and actor. A county chairman of the Milwaukee County Republican Party in the 1990s and a president of the Chicagoland-based Ethnic American Council in the 1980s, he has been a recovering politician now for over 20 years.
Permission is hereby granted to forward freely, provided it is uncut and the IR URL and byline are included.
Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at 02:57 PM | Permalink
Tags: Illinois Review, Israel, Palestinian, refugee, right of return, two-state solution


When it`s December and Christmas looming around the corner of the year, it is time to start planning for a perfect Christmas celebrations. If you really want to celebrate your Christmas in a real sense this year then pack your bags and be ready to travel to some of the most amazing places in this world where the festival is celebrated with a zing.
What else could be better than spending Christmas in the village of the Santa Claus only? However the village in not the only thing that you would like to explore as there is much more. Turn your Christmas vacation into an exotic holiday to Scandinavia or Finland, where you can spot an Elf or Reindeer.
Considering its close location to the North Pole, you can make the most of the golden chance of spotting Northern Lights and the fabled home of Santa. You can easily get direct flights from London, as tourists from all over the Europe head here to enjoy a snowy December 25th. To save on ticket bookings, plan in advance and book discounted flight tickets.
Famous for watches and chocolates, Switzerland is also popular for its Alps Mountains and snow-laden views. Thus, there is no better time than the Christmas to indulge into both. Zurich is usually packed as it is the most preferred destination of many people during the Christmas festivities. From chocolaty delights to various other typical festive delights, one can find almost everything here. The Christmas markets will fill your heart with joy and hope and you kids will love the decorated Christmas trees with their twinkling fairy lights and the gorgeous views of the frozen Alps. Book flights from London to Zurich!
For those who are culturally and intellectually stimulated, there is no better place to be in during Christmas than New York. The city bustling with amazing activities and sheer pace of energy is the perfect place to begin with the deadly shop-till-you-drop offers in various popular stores. After getting done with shopping move on to carriage a ride through Central Park and then brilliantly lit up Times Square. You can get flights from London to New York City from our website.
Be a part of month long festivities in Amsterdam! The Dutch have prolonged festivities that commences on 5th December till the 25th December. If the temperature drops further during the Christmas time, you can also enjoy ice skating on the city`s many canals. With lively parties, splendid shopping and great food, Amsterdam keeps the Christmas spirit alive and kicking. Book flights from London to Amsterdam!
Do not waste your Christmas holidays and book discounted flight tickets from London to any of the above mentioned destinations from our website flightsnfare.co.uk.
This is that time of the year where a good part of July is already spent on attending meetings with August lurking around the corner and September waiting in the queue. And if you are one of those people who spend their entire day in liking pictures of your friends who are enjoying the new places and discovering interesting activities at new places, then this article is perfectly for you.
If your inner traveler is still breathing and you are looking for the places where you can simply have a good time and good pictures without burning a big hold in your pocket, then keep reading. While August is a peak season when the tourism sector witnesses a bloom, September is the ideal month to pick up a great bargain, especially in Europe. With nice accommodation and lowest airfares you can sneak out the best thrifty vacation.
ALBANIA- There couldn`t be a better month to visit Albania, a country which is going to be as popular as Hawaii in the near future. Thus visiting this hidden gem while it is still a good bargain is a smart decision. With plenty of cheap flights from London getting here is extremely easy and a trip to Albania can also save your few bucks. From historical cities to natural landscapes the country has it all.
LA PALMA, CANARY ISLANDS- La Palma is every budget traveler's dream come true. It obscurity is what makes it more appealing for the backpackers and those who are looking for a thrifty affair. Although La Palma is not famous like Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote, it is considered the most beautiful. The major attractions here are free, which means you can get a great deal. You can book cheap flights from London to reach the Canary Islands.
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO- The main reason behind the blooming tourism scene in Central America is the steadily falling Peso against the dollar. With the average cost of a meal as little as $5, Mexico has seen expansion in the number of tourists over the past few years. There are plenty of cheap holiday resorts that provide a nice stay under budget, offering a good value for money.
SOFIA, BULGARIA- The capital of Bulgaria has the feel of the European city but it comes at a fraction of the price of popular cities of Europe. With rich culture and arts, the Balkan capital is the place that is going to make headlines and top the popular tourist destinations in 2018-2019. The capital city of Bulgaria is a place where even backpackers can afford some luxuries. Many of the major attractions here are either free or cheap.
If you are looking for a destination as beautiful as Italy, Paris and London but as cheap as Laos, then these places will definitely provide you an escape, you are looking for. To book cheap flights from London try to book your tickets beforehand. To get the best deals, visit us at flightsnfare.co.uk. Book your flight tickets today!
India is not just about Taj Mahal, Himalayas and Opulent forts, it is more than that. In fact it has a long and majestic coastline too, and that has always been a matter of fascination for visitors. The country is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
One of the most underrated beaches of Maharashtra; Bhogwe Beach is located at just a five-minute trek away from the town of Parule. Most of the visitors and locals opt for other popular beaches such as Goa and Tarkali, which makes Bhogwe Beach an absolutely serene place. Apart from being an isolated beach, this beach is located near to a great number of attractions such as the Nivti Fort and eco-resorts in Parule.
The Paradise Beach of Pondicherry is an incredible beauty. Difficult to reach by road, the beach can only be accessed by boat which makes it less accessible and ironically, proves to be an advantage. Less or no connectivity from the land means fewer people, which keep this beach clean, beautiful and untouched. Located at the mouth of the Chunnamber River, the beach is just a short boat ride from Chunnamber Boat House. Although the accessibility part is little tricky, booking cheap flights to India to visit this beach is completely worth it.
Once a popular trade center in the area, Minicoy Island is located in the southern-most island in Lakshadweep. The Lakshadweep Islands are best known for their gorgeous beaches and turquoise blue waters. The island has fewer visitors because the beach is located at a large distance from the airport and lacks easy accessibility. The island has a stunning brackish water lagoon in the center, with the beach located between the lagoon and sea.
Located at 25 km south of Goa, the sleepy town of Karwar show offs beaches that can make even Goa beaches go green with envy. The town is least crowded, making it an ideal destination for those who want to spend some time with nature, alone. The most popular beach in the vicinity of Karwar is the Karwar Beach, but your best bet is the stunning hidden beach called Ladies Beach.
If you are looking for tropical holidays but under tight budget, India can be your best bet. So find cheap flights to India and hop to the next plane. To find best airfare, visit flightsnfare.co.uk.
Looking for the places on the web for your next destination? Look no more as you will be amazed to find out Panama in most of your searches. For those who are hearing or reading the name for the first time, Panama is a country on the isthmus linking Central and South America.
Canal at Miraflores Locks- Miraflores locks at Panama Canal is one of the most visited and famous landmark without which a visit to Panama City is incomplete. Situated close to Clayton, you can watch as the Panama Canal feeds into the Pacific Ocean, with the opening directly in front of the Miraflores Locks for viewers to watch in awe.
Panama Viejo- Panama was the most important Spanish trading town on the entire Pacific Coast until Captain Henry Morgan destroyed it in 1671. Now the remnants of the past cover the ground and you can visit cathedral, churches to convents, bridges, a hospital and walls that are made of stone. Without paying homage to the Panama Viejo ruins which is UNESCO World Heritage Site, you trip will be incomplete. Thus book cheap flights from London to visit this amazing site.
Biomuseo- Dedicated to the evolution of biodiversity, Biomuseo is an incredible and interactive museum which was designed by Frank Gehry. Spend some time in this spectacular museum or dedicate an afternoon to explore its unique collection and learn a thing or two.
Metropolitan Natural Park- Panama City is the only metropolis that has a jungle within its city center. There are many trails in Metropolitan Natural Park that you can explore. The park is host to some of the most stunning scenery and you can also catch a glimpse of the exotic wildlife. The creative trail names like Mahoganies, Titi Monkey, Motmots, Oak, and Small Swamp, you can easily find your way out based on your preferences.
If your tired mind and body wants to see something unique, head towards the Panama as it will be a refreshing break from the same-old, clichéd holiday spots. To book flights from London with lowest airfare, visit our website flightsnfare.co.uk.


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Past Featured
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Khelo India Events
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Indian sports News- August 16th
Cycling, Shooting, Cricket, Football, Wrestling, Sports
Bytes: Esow Alben's Bronze in cycling, Deepak Punia's Gold, TNPL, Dalima Chhibber signed in Canada
YoGems makes sure that you won't miss a thing in the field of sports, so here is a quick recap to all the happenings from the last 24 hours:
Cycling:
World Junior Track Cycling Championships – India's Esow Alben lived up to his billing winning the bronze medal in the men's keirin at the World Junior Track Cycling Championships in Frankfurt on Thursday. Earlier, he was the part of the Indian team, along with L Ronaldo Singh, Y Rojit Singh and Jemsh Singh, who won a historic first men's team sprint gold at the event. This was India's first gold at a world cycling event, senior or junior. In the men's team sprint first round, India clocked the fastest time at 44.764 seconds, beating China's time of 46.248s.
Wrestling:
Junior World Championships – Wrestler Deepak Punia won gold medal for India at the ongoing Junior World Championships in Tallinn, Estonia on Wednesday. He defeated Russia's Alik Shebzukov in 86 kg junior freestyle world title after a 2-2 result in the final. Punia was declared the winner because he had the last point-scoring move in the bout. Having bagged a silver medal in 2018, Punia reached the final of the 86 kg category on Tuesday to make it back-to-back gold medal bouts.
Football:
CFL Premier Division A- Defending champions Mohun Bagan's winless run continued as Stanley struck in the final minute of regulation time to help Calcutta Customs salvage a 1-1 draw in the CFL Premier Division A. Stanley scored from an Amit Chakraborty cross in the dying minutes of the game as both teams got one point each.
Women's Football- Promising footballer Dalima Chhibber has signed Bisons women's team in Canada and will represent the University of Manitoba team in the U Sports National Championship for the upcoming season, the University announced on its website. Chhibber has moved to the University to pursue graduate studies in Sports Psychology in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management at the University of Manitoba and the football team would be hoping that the 21-year-old's experience will help them to reach bigger heights in the championship.
Cricket:
VB Chandrashekhar- Former India and Tamil Nadu opener VB Chandrasekhar passed away in Chennai on Thursday. He was 57. Multiple reports said that the swashbuckling openers suffered a cardiac arrest. Chandrasekhar was a key member of the Tamil Nadu team that won the state's second Ranji Trophy title in 1987-88. He is also fondly remembered for a sparkling 56-ball century in the Irani Trophy against Rest of India in 1988. Chandrasekhar's first-class career spanned 11 seasons and 81 matches during which he scored 4999 runs at an average of 43.09.
TNPL- Chepauk Super Gillies won their second Tamil Nadu Premier League title in three years on Thursday as they beat Dindigul Dragons by 12 runs in a thriller at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Fast bowler Ganeshan Periyasamy shined bright, with a superb spell of 5/15 as Chepauk Super Gillies defended a modest total of 126 in the final. This was the second TNPL title for CSG, who had also won it in 2017, while it was a second defeat in a final for DD in two years.
ISSF Shotgun WC – Prithviraj Tondaiman shot a 47 on the first day of qualifiers in the men's trap event to be the best placed Indian at sixth, as the fourth and final stage of the International Shooting Sport Federation Shotgun World Cup got underway in Lahiti, Finland, on Thursday. The competition schedule has five finals over the next one week, which will see the distribution of eight Tokyo 2020 Olympic quota places. Prithviraj had rounds of 22 and 25 to position into that sixth and final qualifying spot with three more qualifying rounds to go before the finals slated for Saturday.
Witness Kabaddi Star Kavita Thakur's journey...
Yuki Bhambri goes down to lucky loser Bemelmans
Vishwanathan Anand interested to be part of India ...
India's Balasubramaniam tames Russian Grandm...
Mahak Jain: National and Khelo India Champion
Esow Alben: The cycling prodigy of India
Balakumar Nithin athletics fruit of Khelo India…
How home training helped Anoushka Shankar to…
Shubman Gill new cricket star
How To Breathe Properly While Running |…
Simplifying: Grading systems in rock climbing
Tokyo 2020: ABC… of all the new…
Death bed to Olympic Glory: The tale…
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Nucky standing in front of Coast Guard Station Atlantic City.
Crewmembers at Coast Guard Station Atlantic City awake early in the morning to begin their day. The crewmembers wear their uniforms with pride, and maintain regulated grooming standards in accordance with the Coast Guard Uniform Regulations Manual.
The crewmembers' grooming standards are based on several elements including neatness, cleanliness, safety, military image and appearance — all of the crewmembers except one. This particular crewmember's hair is not in regulation but he fits in nicely with the crew.
Nucklas, or "Nucky" as his shipmates call him, may not look the part but he plays an important role in the crew's morale by participating in day-to-day operations, which helps maintain the crew's readiness and safety.
Nucky stands approximately two feet tall and weighs more than 110 pounds. He has thick black hair, dark eyes and can usually be found drooling and slobbering on anything in sight.
Nucky, a Newfoundland, was provided a new leash on life when he was welcomed to the station Nov. 8, 2010. His shipmates say he has been an important crewmember since he reported to the station.
Nucky began his indefinite enlistment at Station Atlantic City as a seaman apprentice and was promoted to petty officer third class May 14, 2014. As a seaman apprentice he was trained to participate in numerous activities with the crew, including mooring evolutions at the pier. Nucky catches the mooring lines in his mouth when the boats return from underway trips.
During training exercises, crewmembers are required to get certifications and maintain them based on Coast Guard crew proficiency standards. These exercises are challenging, and all crewmembers are required to maintain proficiency, including Nucky.
After all, Nucky is a water dog and likes to go swimming on a regular basis.
"He doesn't ask for permission or authorization for swim calls," said Fonseca.
Nucky also runs with boat crewmembers during their bi-annual physical fitness test. He finishes in the 18- to 29-year-old time frame, said Fonseca.
One time Nucky went absent without leave and roamed the streets of Atlantic City. The station received a phone call sometime after midnight from the local police department stating they picked up Nucky at a nearby casino. No one knows how he got there or what he was doing, but they were happy he was safe. He was released without incident.
Coast Guard mascots are common throughout the service. One of the first mascots was a long – clawed black bear named Objee. Another mascot was a pig named Samantha who was a Vietnamese sway back pot bellied pig. The most famous of them all was a mixed-breed dog named Sinbad. He was stationed aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Campbell. No matter what the animal is they all serve a special role in providing morale for their units.
After a ruff day of providing morale and support to the crewmembers of station Atlantic City, Nucky is pooped and lies down for the night just to do it all again tomorrow.