Joel Osteen Affirms President Obama's Faith As A Christian

posted by elev8.com










Watch Joel Osteen address the President’s Faith below:

Make sure that you read these stories as well:

How To Keep Flowers Alive Longer

posted by elev8.com

There’s nothing like fresh flowers to add a personal touch to an apartment.I love to buy flowers every Friday for my apartment, but lately I find that my flowers are wilting before the weekend is over.

Here are some tips on how to revive wilted flowers from sohaute.com:

1. Trim the stems on a diagonal, preferably under running water. This gives the stems more surface to drink from.

2. Fill your vase with very warm (almost hot) water. If you have flower food, great – you can add that to the vase as well.

3. Place your flowers back in the vase then find yourself a spray bottle which you’ll fill with very cold water.

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Daily Bread: My Way?

April 30, 2012 — by Dave Branon on odb.org

Think about the worst intellectual matchups possible. For instance, what if we put Albert Einstein in a room with a first-grader to debate the theory of relativity? Or how about George Washington Carver versus a middle-schooler discussing biochemical engineering?

It’s silly to think of putting these pairs together for discussions. One is the ultimate expert; the other would know little if anything about the topic.

Here’s another one: God versus anyone arguing about His plan for mankind. Now we’re talking mismatch! Yet we often hear of people trying to explain away God’s matchless wisdom and how their way is better than His.

I received a letter from a man in prison who said: “I came to the point in my life where I finally accepted the fact that God is real and the Creator of everything. I grew tired of trying to do things my way. When I started humbling myself and accepting God’s Word, I found the answer.”

How ridiculous to reject God’s plan of salvation because we think we know better! Only by placing our trust in Christ for the forgiveness of our sins can we be reconciled to God (John 14:6; Rom 3:23; 6:23). Are you still trying to do things your own way, thinking you know best? (Prov. 16:25). Agree with God and go His way.

There aren’t many ways into heaven;
The Bible says there’s only one:
Confessing Christ Jesus as Savior,
Believing in God’s only Son. —Sper

Jesus is not one of many ways to approach God, nor is He the best of several ways; He is the only way. —Tozer

pbnNews4 29 12

How do You feel About Dating Outside of Your Race?

Number of interracial couples in U.S. reaches all-time high

By the CNN Wire Staff

updated 2:53 PM EDT, Wed April 25, 2012

(CNN) -- The number of interracial couples in the United States has reached an all-time high, with one in every 10 American opposite-sex married couples saying they're of mixed races, according to the most recent Census data released Wednesday.
In 2000, that figure was about 7%.
The rate of interracial partnerships also is much higher among the unmarried, the 2010 Census showed.
About 18% of opposite-sex unmarried couples and 21% of same-sex unmarried partners identify themselves as interracial.
The term interracial, as it pertains to the study, is defined as members of a couple identifying as of different races or ethnicities.
Neither black nor white: Three multiracial generations, one family
Analysts suggest the new figures could reflect U.S. population shifts, broader social acceptance of such unions and a more widespread willingness among those polled to be classified as mixed race.
"Identifying as an interracial couple shifts over time," census spokeswoman Rose Kreider said.
Among interracial opposite-sex married couples, non-Hispanics and Hispanics are by far the most frequent combination, making up about 45% of such partnerships, Kreider said.
The second most represented group are those in which at least one person identifies as multiracial, while the third are marriages between whites and Asians.
Marriages between blacks and whites are the fourth most frequent group among married opposite-sex interracial couples.

Homemade Berry Parfait Recipe - Laura in the Kitchen

Song of the Day by Byron Cage - I Will Bless The Lord

Marine discharged over online Obama comments

Washington (CNN) -- A Marine who used his Facebook page to criticize President Barack Obama has been discharged, a Marine Corps spokesman said Wednesday.

Sgt. Gary Stein was given an "other-than-honorable" discharge, said Capt. Brian Block, a spokesman for the Marines.

Among other comments posted to his Facebook page, Stein called Obama a liar and suggested he would not follow some orders issued by the president.

An other-than-honorable discharge is given to a Marine who commits a "serious offense" that significantly differs from conduct expected of a Marine, the Corps said.

A statement from the Marines said it approved the findings of a military board, which in March recommended the discharge.

The board found Stein violated rules limiting political conduct by service members.

The Facebook page for Stein's Armed Forces Tea Party had a post Wednesday saying the discharge will be postponed until the results of a medical condition, with which he was diagnosed Monday, are returned and treatment is discussed.

"I have spent the last 9 years honorably serving this great nation and the Corps," Stein wrote on his personal Facebook page. "Even though I will be discharged no one can take the title of Marine away from me. I thank my family and friends for their support and love. Today is just the start of the rest of my life. Semper Fi."

Stein said earlier this month that the case against him was weak, based on personal opinion and not on legal aspects.

Stein, who is based at Camp Pendleton near San Diego, California, called Obama a liar in a January 26 post to the Armed Forces Tea Party Facebook page. Two days later, he said the president is "the 'Domestic Enemy' our oath speaks about."

Opinion: Marine's Facebook posts on Obama go too far

In a March 4 posting, Stein questioned Obama's birth certificate. Another discussion on the site in March said Stein would refuse to obey orders given by Obama. He later clarified to say he meant illegal orders, which he has explained as orders such as sending the military to Syria without congressional approval.

"The allegations drummed up against me are no more than an agenda by the Marine Corps to use me as an example," Stein previously said in a statement posted to his page. "If I am guilty of anything it would be that I am American, a freedom loving Conservative, hell bent on defending the constitution and preserving Americas greatness."

While the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the free speech rights of ordinary citizens, a Defense Department rule prohibits service members from engaging in some forms of political activity.

Among the prohibited activities are publishing partisan political articles or serving in an official capacity with a partisan political club.

Stein has said that he carefully followed the Defense Department directive. The Facebook page notes that it does not represent and is not affiliated with the military or government.

Nearly 30,000 people "like" Stein's Armed Forces Tea Party page.

Facebook members responding to news of Stein's discharge Wednesday were largely supportive.

"You've got to be kidding me. OTH's (other-than-honorable discharges) are given to Marines who grossly violate the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice), as in drug use, excessive DUI's, adultery, etc. This is a joke," one wrote.

"So disappointed in the Corps. This is a poor decision," wrote another.

Another Facebook member, however, said Stein's punishment was expected.

"For any of you that thought that he was going to get anything but 'Other than honorable' ... you really dont know jack about the military," he wrote.

CNN's Adam Levine contributed to this report.

Song of the Day by Daniel Johnson - You Satisfy

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Would You Get a Feeding Tube Just to Lose Weight?

Apr 17, 2012

by Oretha Winston, Lead Editor

Brides are trying a new craze. It is called the feeding tube diet. Most of us become familiar with feeding tubes when a loved one is sick and needs to get nutrition to their body. Now comes word that the medical procedure is being used for extreme dieting. The body receives only 800 calories a day.

Read:2 Simple Steps To Keep Healthy At Work

Something medical is indeed happening in the newest diet to reach the United States. Dr. Oliver R. Di Pietro has been offering what he calls a K-E diet at his modest clinic in Bay Harbor Islands, Fla., since last July.

“I get a lot of brides,” Dr. Di Pietro said. “Nervous eating.”

It uses a nasogastric tube (a tube that goes through the nose and down the esophagus into the stomach) to provide all nourishment, with no carbohydrates, for 10 days. Dr. Di Pietro said body weight is lost quickly through ketosis, the state in which the body burns fat rather than sugar. Patients at his office are monitored during the 10-day period for things like constipation, bad breath and dizziness. “Any extreme low-calorie diet is associated with side effects, kidney stones, dehydration, headaches,” Dr. Aronne said, “and if you lose muscle mass and water, what’s the point of that?”

While the tube diet is fairly unknown in this country, it has been popular for years in Italy and Spain, where it is used casually to lose weight before a big event, as well as for more significant weight loss. In England, where it has been offered for the past year as the KEN (or ketogenic enteral nutrition) diet, The Daily Mail asked if it was “the most extreme diet ever,” before adding that a National Health Service doctor was offering it.
Watch the video below:

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Lil' Kim says "Put God First."

Lil’ Kim Professes Faith After A Year Of Miracles and Says: “Put God First”

Apr 12, 2012

23

by Oretha Winston, Lead Editor

Lil’ Kim is doing a little soul searching these days.

She definitely has spent the last few years  living outside of her comfort box. Dancing with the Stars, broadened her appeal and now she opening up about her spiritual life. This weekend she talks  about her connection with God, life, and music on BET’s inspirational program “Lift Every Voice.”

“I think in this industry, people lose it,” said the Queen Bee. “That’s because they’ve probably never had a connection with God, and if they do have a connection with God, they forget to put him first.”
The show should be interesting to watch.

Last year she experienced a little scare when her best friend was giving birth. She says, “One of my best friends, she gave birth to my God daughter and I am so proud to welcome her to the world. The thing is my best friend is a diabetic so technically she’s taking a risk having children at all. I had to rush to her aid and my God daughter was born.”

It just goes to show that not everything we see on screen is what is true. Many people have hearts of faith you just don’t know it.

How You Can Help Your Heart By Fasting

posted by elev8.com

African Americans are key contenders for heart disease. A new research study has now pointed out one step that is simple enough for us all to try. Fasting. Fasting has long been associated with religious rituals, diets, and political protests. Now new evidence from cardiac researchers at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute demonstrates that routine periodic fasting is also good for your health, and your heart.

Research cardiologists at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute are reporting that fasting not only lowers one’s risk of coronary artery disease and diabetes, but also causes significant changes in a person’s blood cholesterol levels. Both diabetes and elevated cholesterol are known risk factors for coronary heart disease.

The discovery expands upon a 2007 Intermountain Healthcare study that revealed an association between fasting and reduced risk of coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death among men and women in America. In the new research, fasting was also found to reduce other cardiac risk factors, such as triglycerides, weight, and blood sugar levels.

You can read the full study by visiting  the website for Heart Institute at Intermountain Medical Center.

Outrageous! Schools Banned The Following Words Nationwide

Posted by elev8.com

Schools all across the country have banned words. Some of the words on the list defy reason. Take a look and tell us hat you think.

There are banned words currently in school districts nationwide.

Here is the complete list of words that are likely to be on your school’s hot button list:

• Abuse (physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological)
• Alcohol (beer and liquor), tobacco, or drugs
• Birthday celebrations (and birthdays)
• Bodily functions
• Cancer (and other diseases)
• Catastrophes/disasters (tsunamis and hurricanes)
• Celebrities
• Children dealing with serious issues
• Cigarettes (and other smoking paraphernalia)
• Computers in the home (acceptable in a school or library setting)
• Crime
• Death and disease
• Divorce
• Evolution
• Expensive gifts, vacations, and prizes
• Gambling involving money
• Halloween
• Homelessness
• Homes with swimming pools
• Hunting
• Junk food
• In-depth discussions of sports that require prior knowledge
• Loss of employment
• Nuclear weapons
• Occult topics (i.e. fortune-telling)
• Parapsychology
• Politics
• Pornography
• Poverty
• Rap Music
• Religion
• Religious holidays and festivals (including but not limited to Christmas, Yom Kippur, and Ramadan)
• Rock-and-Roll music
• Running away
• Sex
• Slavery
• Terrorism
• Television and video games (excessive use)
• Traumatic material (including material that may be particularly upsetting such as animal shelters)
• Vermin (rats and roaches)
• Violence
• War and bloodshed
• Weapons (guns, knives, etc.)
• Witchcraft, sorcery, et

What do you think? Too many? Silly. We want to hear back from you. Be sure to share this with all the parents that you know because I am sure they don’t know this.

TD Jakes Teaches Oprah’s Masterclass:You Shouldn’t Confuse Talent With Purpose [VIDEO]

posted by praisedc.com

Bishop T.D. Jakes says many people believe having a talent is the same as living with purpose. Find out why he says being good at something isn’t necessarily your life’s calling and learn how to keep your eyes open to recognize your true purpose.

Daily Bread: A Heart Of Gratitude

April 16, 2012 — by Bill Crowder

My boyhood hero was American frontiersman Davy Crockett. In the bookDavid Crockett: His Life and Adventures,Davy encounters a beautiful sight that causes him to launch into praise to the Creator. The writer describes it this way: “Just beyond the grove there was another expanse of treeless prairie, so rich, so beautiful, so brilliant with flowers, that even Colonel Crockett, all unaccustomed as he was to the devotional mood, reined in his horse, and gazing entranced upon the landscape, exclaimed, ‘O God, what a world of beauty hast Thou made for man! And yet how poorly does he requite Thee for it! He does not even repay Thee with gratitude.’” Crockett recognized that the Creator’s handiwork demands a response of thankfulness—a response that is often neglected or ignored.

The psalmist wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Ps. 19:1). God’s handiwork is a spectacle that, rightly understood, should not only take our breath away but should inspire us to worship and praise our God as it did the psalmist.

Davy Crockett was right—encountering the wonders of God’s creation should inspire, at the least, a heart of gratitude. Are we grateful?

Across the expanse God stretched out His creation—
Established the stars, gave the earth its foundation;
His strength claims our worship, His power our fear;
Yet Calvary’s cross sets us free to draw near. —Gustafson

God’s glory shines through His creation.

How To Repair Small Cracks & Holes In Your Wall Cheaply

Posted by elev8.com

Repairing cracks and holes is simple. Most of us are busy trying to make ends meet.When you are unable to move little things begins to bother you. One of those things is the cosmetic look of your home. A simple repair of a crack can make a whole world of difference in your home. I was very fortunate, that I grew up with a father who taught me these simple tricks.

Easy Ways To Beautify Your Small Spaces

When a crack develops on a flat wall or ceiling, the repair is rather simple. You cover it with a strip of paper tape (if indoors) or mesh tape (indoors or out), skim over it with your putty knife and the appropriate interior or exterior patching compound in three thin coats (each one wider than the last to float it out with the surrounding surface as smoothly as possible) and sand it just enough to remove any edges.

Smooth plastering like this is easy to achieve with some practice once you’ve grasped these fundamentals. And while you’re practicing, there are no errors that can’t be easily fixed with either a little more plaster or a little more sanding. The most common mistake is in applying the compound too thick. This creates excessive sanding and bulgy looking patches.

But what about the crack on a textured surface? Obviously you can’t just tape, skim coat and sand it. The result would be a long flat patch in the middle of a textured profile (which I’ve seen far too many homeowners stuck with in my career). It stands out like a bad rash and adds insult to injury. You can’t undo or fix a repair like this. The only way to get rid of a bad stucco repair is to remove all the textured material on the entire surface and replace it with new. That’s a costly venture and can be avoided if the repair was done properly the first time.

Simple Ways To Create A Great Guest Room

Sometimes created by sudden impact, sometimes by the long (or short) natural process of shifting and settling and often by water leaks, the crack is a break in the solid substrate. And through the laws of weight and gravity, the crack can only shift, grind and grow. It never gets smaller and it rarely stays the same. No matter how you repair the crack, you’ll only mask it from eye while it continues to thrive below the surface waiting for its chance to reappear. That is, unless you want to go through the costly and messy process of replacing the entire substrate. But who wants to do that if there’s an easier way?

Here is a list of things you will need: putty, putty knife, paper tape, Spackle and in some cases mesh.

• Putty fills in the hole
• Putty knife smothes the putty out
• Paper tape helps close cracks
• Spackle
• Sandpaper

Here are simple steps

Step 1 smooth out the area with the sanpaper

Step 2 look at surface decide if  there is a hole or trench. If so fill in with putty

Step 3 use mesh if area needs to be close. apply spackle  over mesh

step 4 smooth out area

step 5 wait for area to dry

step 6 paint over.

Tell me how it works out for you?