Bees, an Essential Part of God's Creation.

There has been reports about honey bee die-offs in the news lately. I included a link below.  Fearing the spread of the Zlka virus, in an effort to control the mosquito population, extreme measures have been taken including plane flying over head leaving a cloud of Naled, a common insecticide in its wake. This insecticide is deadly to both bees and mosquitoes.

Bees are very important to our food supply. Though some plants self-pollinate or wind-pollinate, bees do a vast majority of the pollinating.  If bees became extinct, fruit and vegetable prices would rise significantly.  I included another link about the bees and our food supply.

Way back in the Garden of Eden, God commanded Adam and to be fruitful and multiply and have dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:28-29). However, when they sinned, the harmony established between God and man, man and woman, and man over the earth was destroyed (Genesis 3:14-19).  Since then man's struggle with nature has at time been disastrous with invasive species introduced into an ecosystem or an extinction of another.

I'm not an extreme environmentalist, but I am concerned. As stewards of this planet, mankind has not been very responsible.

Thinking to start a bee hive of your own... Beekeeping for Dummies*  Backyard Beekeeper*

Also, tips on curbing the mosquitoe population. (Skip the pesticide part if you can.)
And .bats love mosquitoes, so get a Bat House.*




Bee Die-Off After Insecticide Spraying
Why We Need Bees (pdf)

*Amazon affiliate links. 

When People Stumble.

Last month Ryan Lochte came under scrutiny when a security video surfaced showing Lochte and three other Olympic atheletes were seen trashing a bathroom at a gas station after claiming they were robbed at gun point by Brazilian police in Brazil.  Before this, Lochte as well as many other Olympic athletes were considered the best and brightest worthy to be emulated.  It just goes to show, it takes only a moment of misjudgment to alter the course of one's career. Lochte lost the respect of many and a significant amount of money via by endorsements.

It seems this generation has a knack for airing their dirty laundry.  Sometimes, I see people on social media post something they would later regret.  With every cell phone equip with a camera, embarrassing photos flood the internet. Once it's out there for the world to see, shame soon follows.

Mark, a young disciple of Jesus had a moment of weakness as well.  During the Apostle Paul's first missionary journey, Mark deserted Paul and his cousin, Barnabas (Acts 13:13). There has been speculation as to why Mark left. One reason is that Mark was too young and immature to handle the riggers of the journey. A second and widely considered most likely, is that Mark, being a Jew could not come to terms with Gentiles being included in God's plan of salvation.

When Paul and Barnabas were ready to set out on their second missionary journey, a heated argument arose between the two about Mark joining them again. The result of which was Paul taking Silas and Barnabas took Mark to Cyprus (Acts 15:36-41).

One might think that Mark's future as a someone who would have a significant role in the early church was not looking good. However, it may have been not too long after this that Peter met up with Mark and the writing of Mark's Gospel began, roughly 51-53 AD.  What is interesting to note is that Mark's Gospel would have been primarily read by Gentiles.

Paul later would state that Mark was a great value to him in the ministry (2nd Timothy 4:11).

Once someone falters, many pile on in joyful scorn.  One can not take back the past and he or she may not fully recover from their situation, but everyone is entitled to redemption and forgiveness.  Especially when they endeavour to recover.  The world may not be forgiving, but Christians always should.

What takes a life time takes only a few seconds to destroy.

Last month Ryan Lochte came under scrutiny when a security video surfaced showing Lochte and three other Olympic atheletes were seen trashing a bathroom at a gas station after claiming they were robbed at gun point by Brazilian police in Brazil.  Before this, Lochte as well as many other Olympic athletes were considered the best and brightest worthy to be emulated.  It just goes to show, it takes only a moment of misjudgment to alter the course of one's career. Lochte lost the respect of many and a significant amount of money via by endorsements.

It seems this generation has a knack for airing their dirty laundry.  Sometimes, I see people on social media post something they would later regret.  With every cell phone equip with a camera, embarrassing photos flood the internet. Once it's out there for the world to see, shame soon follows.

Mark, a young disciple of Jesus had a moment of weakness as well.  During the Apostle Paul's missionary journey, Mark deserted Paul and his cousin, Barnabas (Acts 13:13). There has been speculation as to why Mark left. One reason is that Mark was too young and immature to handle the riggers of the journey. A second and widely considered most likely, is that Mark, being a Jew could not come to terms with Gentiles being included in God's plan of salvation.

When Paul and Barnabas were ready to set out on their second missionary journey, a heated argument arose between the two about Mark joining them again. The result of which was Paul taking Silas and Barnabas took Mark to Cyprus (Acts 15:36-41).

One might think that Mark's future as a someone who would have a significant role in the early church was not looking good. However, it may have been not too long after this that Peter met up with Mark and the writing of Mark's Gospel began, roughly 51-53 AD.  What is interesting to note is that Mark's Gospel would have been primarily read by Gentiles.

Paul later would state that Mark was a great value to him in the ministry (2nd Timothy 4:11).

Once someone falters, many pile on in joyful scorn.  One can not take back the past and he or she may not fully recover from their situation, but everyone is entitled to redemption and forgiveness.  Especially when they endeavour to recover.  The world may not be forgiving, but Christian always should.