Almost a year and a half ago, I found out at midnight that my family would be hosting a Korean foreign exchange student. A few weeks later he came and stayed with us for one week. I was a little dreadful at first, the culture is amazingly different, and I wasn't sure what to do on simple things like manners, our traditions compared to theirs, and food. I didn't want to come off rude, such as wearing shoes in the house. That week passed by so fast. And I wouldn't change a thing about it. I think I blogged about my experiences about that week before, and I wanted to tell you about my experience yesterday, when I met the whole family.
His dad got a teaching job for one year in So Cal. Yes, the whole family moved from Korea to California. Could you imagine just moving to a different country? Since they are only 3 hours away, his parents wanted to meet my parents since we were the homestay family. Yesterday, me along with 2 other friends who hosted a student, met at the marketplace. His family arrived, and we said our hellos. Culture is an amazing thing. English is their second language, so it isn't great. His mom only knows a few sentences in English, his dad can get around although there is a heavy accent, and him along with his sister are pretty fluent. However, a smile really does mean friendship to everyone. A quick bow and handshake, we sat down to Starbucks, which they generously bought me. (It is Korean tradition to buy gifts. They bought me Starbucks, ice cream, and a cake.) I have never met a nicer family. We discussed basic things, like how are they liking CA, and where a good place to eat in Bakersfield is. Then, his parents and sister went to a park while we went to Olive Garden.
A few hours later we met back up. They told me Bakersfield is a beautiful country-side town. HAHA! I wish. We then left for my house. When they arrived, my parents and his got along great. They talked for almost an hour about everything, and how they like America. Then everyone had to leave, since school was the next day. I'm really glad they live so much closer, because I can't wait to go visit more often. Sadly, the year they are here for will end extremely quick. I guess that's my excuse to go visit Bucheon, Korea. (Like I need an excuse...)
If you ever have the chance to host a family, from any country, don't pass that up. I have built a life-long relationship with someone across the sea in a totally different culture. There is no such thing as not being able to communicate because you don't speak their language. You can smile, right? That's all you need to be friends.
The following video describes what it's like to experience a different culture. Yes, It really is a small world after all.
(When he first stayed with us, we took all the students to Disneyland. When we rode It's a Small World, we passed a section that is Korean. They jumped up and said "That's my home! That's Korea!")
다음 시간까지,
Until next time,
-Austen
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Funworld 2.0!
Hello to all the JIPC fans out there! As you know, Bakersfield's Johns is getting a few upgrades and changes. Nothing is for sure just yet, besides the fact that we are receiving and losing a few games. It is rumored that we are getting 3 new rides also, and is has been confirmed that Speedway will be history. (YES!)
We are also getting a thing (Can't remember the name) that's like the Matrix.. You have to "dodge" the lasers. If you hit a laser, the game ends. (I played this last summer when I was in New Mexico. It is a blast!)
The rides we were supposed to get was Twister, Frogger, and another one that spins. Now, I am hearing those rides have went to another John's in Oregon, and Speedway will be filled with games only. They are still in the planning stages, so we will just have to wait and see.
I have decided to give you a behind-the-scenes look at some of the changes before they happen this Tuesday. So enjoy the photo update!
This is part of the new, larger shooting range! It looks like there will be a waterfall in it.
You can see where the water will be..
We have 1 of these Haunted Mansion games now, but it is leaving and we are adding these 5 new ones. They will all be connected, so it's like a 5 player game!
I saw we received a few more games in today, but I wasn't able to get a picture of them. You will have to come check it out in the next week or two!
Have an incredible day!
-Austen
We are also getting a thing (Can't remember the name) that's like the Matrix.. You have to "dodge" the lasers. If you hit a laser, the game ends. (I played this last summer when I was in New Mexico. It is a blast!)
The rides we were supposed to get was Twister, Frogger, and another one that spins. Now, I am hearing those rides have went to another John's in Oregon, and Speedway will be filled with games only. They are still in the planning stages, so we will just have to wait and see.
I have decided to give you a behind-the-scenes look at some of the changes before they happen this Tuesday. So enjoy the photo update!
This is part of the new, larger shooting range! It looks like there will be a waterfall in it.
You can see where the water will be..
We have 1 of these Haunted Mansion games now, but it is leaving and we are adding these 5 new ones. They will all be connected, so it's like a 5 player game!
I saw we received a few more games in today, but I wasn't able to get a picture of them. You will have to come check it out in the next week or two!
Have an incredible day!
-Austen
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Islam and the Bible- Part 6
A few things first-
I'm getting some views on this series, but no feedback. So once again, I'm going to ask that you vote in the survey to your right. You'll stay completely anonymous. I promise.
Also, feel free to share this. I'm taking a lot of time to read the book, organize, and type this. I'm not complaining, just wanted to get this information out to as many people possible, since Christians and Muslims are in the news practically everyday. If you don't know why I'm doing this series, then read the introduction.
Now onto Part 6~
In John 14:26, the Counselor is identified as the Holy Spirit. "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." Only the Holy Spirit could remain with the forever and live in believers. These verses suggest no reference to Muhammad. For this omission, Muslims charge that Christians have changed the Bible.
The Creation and the Fall into Sin~
Christianity~
-God created all things through His Word, who is Jesus Christ. "Through him all things were made... He was in the world, and.. the world was made through him" (John 1:3,10
-God created all things in six days and rested on the seventh day. "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work" (Genesis 2:2).
-God made man in His own image, i.e., capable of fellowship with God. "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image....' So God created man in his own image" (Genesis 1:26-27).
Islam~
-Muslims strongly deny that God created all things through Jesus Christ.
-Allah created all things, but He needed no rest. "And verily we created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, in six days, and naught of weariness touched us" (Sura 50:38). In Sura 41:9-10,12, however, the Quran says that it took Allah eight days to create the world (2 days + 4 days + 2 days = 8 days). These verses reveal a discrepancy regarding the number of days of creation.
-No teaching in the Quran states that man was created in the image of God. Man has no ability to have fellowship with God.
"Looking at the Islamic and Christian Scriptures, it becomes clear that only Christianity teaches that people can have a relationship with God."
"The concept of sin is fundamental to Christianity, whereas Islam describes most people as good though ignorant of their sins."
"Muhammad even confesses in the Hadith that he is unsure what Allah will do on the Day of Judgment: "The Prophet said... By Allah, though I am the Apostle of Allah, yet I do not know what Allah will do with me" (Hadith 5:266)."
"Christianity and Islam differ regarding the means of deliverance from the penalty of sins as well as man's ability to resist sin."
(All quotes and italicized phrases from the book: "Islam and the Bible- Why Two Faiths Collide by David Goldmann)
I don't have spammy ads on my blog. But I would like to continue blogging by getting a few cents for my time. Please go HERE and take a short quiz that interests you. I get paid through ChaCha, one of my jobs. Thanks! See you next time.
I'm getting some views on this series, but no feedback. So once again, I'm going to ask that you vote in the survey to your right. You'll stay completely anonymous. I promise.
Also, feel free to share this. I'm taking a lot of time to read the book, organize, and type this. I'm not complaining, just wanted to get this information out to as many people possible, since Christians and Muslims are in the news practically everyday. If you don't know why I'm doing this series, then read the introduction.
Now onto Part 6~
In John 14:26, the Counselor is identified as the Holy Spirit. "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." Only the Holy Spirit could remain with the forever and live in believers. These verses suggest no reference to Muhammad. For this omission, Muslims charge that Christians have changed the Bible.
The Creation and the Fall into Sin~
Christianity~
-God created all things through His Word, who is Jesus Christ. "Through him all things were made... He was in the world, and.. the world was made through him" (John 1:3,10
-God created all things in six days and rested on the seventh day. "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work" (Genesis 2:2).
-God made man in His own image, i.e., capable of fellowship with God. "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image....' So God created man in his own image" (Genesis 1:26-27).
Islam~
-Muslims strongly deny that God created all things through Jesus Christ.
-Allah created all things, but He needed no rest. "And verily we created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, in six days, and naught of weariness touched us" (Sura 50:38). In Sura 41:9-10,12, however, the Quran says that it took Allah eight days to create the world (2 days + 4 days + 2 days = 8 days). These verses reveal a discrepancy regarding the number of days of creation.
-No teaching in the Quran states that man was created in the image of God. Man has no ability to have fellowship with God.
"Looking at the Islamic and Christian Scriptures, it becomes clear that only Christianity teaches that people can have a relationship with God."
"The concept of sin is fundamental to Christianity, whereas Islam describes most people as good though ignorant of their sins."
"Muhammad even confesses in the Hadith that he is unsure what Allah will do on the Day of Judgment: "The Prophet said... By Allah, though I am the Apostle of Allah, yet I do not know what Allah will do with me" (Hadith 5:266)."
"Christianity and Islam differ regarding the means of deliverance from the penalty of sins as well as man's ability to resist sin."
(All quotes and italicized phrases from the book: "Islam and the Bible- Why Two Faiths Collide by David Goldmann)
I don't have spammy ads on my blog. But I would like to continue blogging by getting a few cents for my time. Please go HERE and take a short quiz that interests you. I get paid through ChaCha, one of my jobs. Thanks! See you next time.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Islam and the Bible- Part 4 and 5
Good morning! Let's just get right to it- I have a lot more to cover, and it's taken awhile. I wish I was dedicated enough to post one every other day or more, but I'm not. So, to try to catch up, I'm combining 4 & 5 today. I have no idea how many parts this series will take, but I'm going to guess around 20. With summer approaching, and school almost done, expect to see posts more often. Also, I have had very little feedback, but a lot of views. So if you like or dislike this series, please vote to your right. If this becomes somewhat popular, I might do another series in the future. But I need to hear from you! Now, grab your coffee and glasses. Here is Part 4 and Part 5 combined.
UNITY AND TRINITY
Christianity-
-God is triune (one God is three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). These three persons are bound together in a relationship of love, not as three distinct "gods." "The Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4)
-The Father is recognized as God. "The Son of Man [Jesus]... On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval" (John 6:27).
-The Son is recognized as God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh" (John 1:1,14).
-Jesus Christ is the second person in the Godhead. "...his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life" (1 John 5:20).
- The Holy Spirit is God. "You have lied to the Holy Spirit.... You have not lied to men but to God" (Acts 5:3-4)
-God is Spirit. "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).
Islam-
-Allah is unitary, without persons, "So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not Three-Cease! [it is] better for you! Allah is one God. For is it removed from His transcendent majesty that He should have a son" (Sura 4:171)
-No devout Muslim would call the God of Muhammad "Father," for Muslims consider Allah to be utterly transcendent and unknowable.
-Muslims believe that Allah created Jesus in the likeness of Adam. "Lo! the likeness of Jesus with Allah is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, then He said unto him: Be! And he is" (Sura 3:59).
-Many Muslims mistakenly believe that the Trinity is God, Mary, and Jesus. "And when Allah saith: O Jesus, son of Mary! Didst thou say unto mankind: Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah? He saith: Be glorified! It was not mine to utter that to which I had no right" (Sura 5:116).
-A holy spirit is mentioned three times in the Quran. "Say: the holy spirit hath revealed it from thy Lord" (Sura 16:102). All Muslim commentators agree that the holy spirit means the angel Gabriel.
-Allah is neither a person nor spirit. There is nothing what ever like unto Him. "Naught is as His likeness; and He is the Hearer, the Seer" (Sura 42:11).
"The Islamic conception of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit destroys all the basic truths of the Christian faith, leaving no Christian faith at all. Thus Zwemer wrote, "Islam, instead of being a progressive and completed idea, goes to a lower level than the religion it claims to supplant. 'Mohammad teaches a God above us; Moses teaches a God above us and with us; Jesus Christ teaches God above us, God with us, and God in us.'"
In Cross and Crescent, Colin Chapman said, "Islam seems to be saying to the Christian world, 'You've got it all wrong about Jesus! Your Trinity of three persons in one God is impossible to understand, let alone explain. Islam is a simple creed without dogmas and this belief in one Creator God includes all that had previously been revealed in Judaism and Christianity.'"
JESUS CHRIST
The Identity and Ministry of Jesus Christ
Christianity-
-Conception. Mary's child, Jesus, was conceived by the Holy Spirit. "Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus... The Holy Spirit will come upon you" (Luke 1:30-32, 35).
-Divinity. Jesus affirms that He is the Son of God. "The high priest said to him, 'I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.' 'Yes, it is as you say,' Jesus replied" (Matthew 26:63-64)
-Miracles. Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead. "But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on Earth to forgive sins...' He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.' He got up" (Mark 2:10-12).
-Ministry. Jesus completed the work God had given Him. "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you... I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do" (John 17:1,4)
Islam-
-Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary by a special miracle. "O Mary! Lo! Allah hath chosen thee... She said: My Lord! How can I have a child when no mortal has touched me?" (Sura 3:42, 47). The Muslim commentator Zamakhshari says the virgin conceived "When the angel Gabriel blew up her garment."
-Jesus speaks from the cradle, saying He is a prophet (slave of Allah), negating that He is the Son of God. "How can we talk to the one who is in the cradle, a young boy? He spake: Lo! I am the slave of Allah. He hath given me the Scriptures and hath appointed me a Prophet" (Sura 19:29-30)
-Jesus Christ healed the sick, raised the dead, and made a clay pigeon become alive. All were done with Allah's permission. (Insert me laughing here..) "When Allah saith: O Jesus... thou didst shape of clay as it were the likeness of a bird... heal him who was born blind and the leper.. raise the dead, by my permission" (Sura 5:110).
-Jesus' life and ministry were inferior to those of earlier prophets as well as those of Muhammad. Sura 13:38 states that Allah had designated wives and children for all His prophets. The exception was Jesus. His ministry lasted only three years.
Christianity-
-Death. Jesus Christ died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for sin. As foretold in Isaiah 53:6, "The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." "The Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead" (Acts 17:3)
-Resurrection. Jesus Christ rose from the dead after three days. "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the thrid day" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
-Return. Jesus will return from heaven to earth to rule forever. "Jesus Christ... the ruler of the kings of the earth. ...Look, he is coming with the clouds" (Revelation 1:5-7)
Islam-
-Jesus did not die; someone else died in His place. "They slew him not nor crucified, but it appeared so unto them" (Sura 4:157)
-God took Jesus to paradise as He had done with Enoch and Elijah. "But Allah took him unto Himself" (Sura 4:158)
-Many Muslim scholars believe Jesus will return from heaven and punish Jews and Christians for their failure to accept Muhammad as the Prophet. He will help establish Islam as the only religion of the world. "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, son of Mary will shortly descend amongst you people as a just ruler and will break the Cross and kill the pig" (Hadith 3:425).
My personal opinion- From this section it seems that Jesus has more power than Muhammad. What miracles did Muhammad perform? Why is Jesus coming back and not Muhammad? Especially to judge the world. But of course, Jesus had to have permission. ;)
Thanks for reading! Feel free to share and follow. Don't forget to take part in the survey, you only have a few days left to give me your opinion. Comments are welcomed also. See you in Part 6!
(All quotes in Italic, and others, from the book: "Islam and the Bible- Why Two Faiths Collide" by David Goldmann)
UNITY AND TRINITY
Christianity-
-God is triune (one God is three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). These three persons are bound together in a relationship of love, not as three distinct "gods." "The Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4)
-The Father is recognized as God. "The Son of Man [Jesus]... On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval" (John 6:27).
-The Son is recognized as God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh" (John 1:1,14).
-Jesus Christ is the second person in the Godhead. "...his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life" (1 John 5:20).
- The Holy Spirit is God. "You have lied to the Holy Spirit.... You have not lied to men but to God" (Acts 5:3-4)
-God is Spirit. "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).
Islam-
-Allah is unitary, without persons, "So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not Three-Cease! [it is] better for you! Allah is one God. For is it removed from His transcendent majesty that He should have a son" (Sura 4:171)
-No devout Muslim would call the God of Muhammad "Father," for Muslims consider Allah to be utterly transcendent and unknowable.
-Muslims believe that Allah created Jesus in the likeness of Adam. "Lo! the likeness of Jesus with Allah is as the likeness of Adam. He created him of dust, then He said unto him: Be! And he is" (Sura 3:59).
-Many Muslims mistakenly believe that the Trinity is God, Mary, and Jesus. "And when Allah saith: O Jesus, son of Mary! Didst thou say unto mankind: Take me and my mother for two gods beside Allah? He saith: Be glorified! It was not mine to utter that to which I had no right" (Sura 5:116).
-A holy spirit is mentioned three times in the Quran. "Say: the holy spirit hath revealed it from thy Lord" (Sura 16:102). All Muslim commentators agree that the holy spirit means the angel Gabriel.
-Allah is neither a person nor spirit. There is nothing what ever like unto Him. "Naught is as His likeness; and He is the Hearer, the Seer" (Sura 42:11).
"The Islamic conception of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit destroys all the basic truths of the Christian faith, leaving no Christian faith at all. Thus Zwemer wrote, "Islam, instead of being a progressive and completed idea, goes to a lower level than the religion it claims to supplant. 'Mohammad teaches a God above us; Moses teaches a God above us and with us; Jesus Christ teaches God above us, God with us, and God in us.'"
In Cross and Crescent, Colin Chapman said, "Islam seems to be saying to the Christian world, 'You've got it all wrong about Jesus! Your Trinity of three persons in one God is impossible to understand, let alone explain. Islam is a simple creed without dogmas and this belief in one Creator God includes all that had previously been revealed in Judaism and Christianity.'"
JESUS CHRIST
The Identity and Ministry of Jesus Christ
Christianity-
-Conception. Mary's child, Jesus, was conceived by the Holy Spirit. "Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus... The Holy Spirit will come upon you" (Luke 1:30-32, 35).
-Divinity. Jesus affirms that He is the Son of God. "The high priest said to him, 'I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.' 'Yes, it is as you say,' Jesus replied" (Matthew 26:63-64)
-Miracles. Jesus healed the sick and raised the dead. "But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on Earth to forgive sins...' He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.' He got up" (Mark 2:10-12).
-Ministry. Jesus completed the work God had given Him. "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you... I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do" (John 17:1,4)
Islam-
-Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary by a special miracle. "O Mary! Lo! Allah hath chosen thee... She said: My Lord! How can I have a child when no mortal has touched me?" (Sura 3:42, 47). The Muslim commentator Zamakhshari says the virgin conceived "When the angel Gabriel blew up her garment."
-Jesus speaks from the cradle, saying He is a prophet (slave of Allah), negating that He is the Son of God. "How can we talk to the one who is in the cradle, a young boy? He spake: Lo! I am the slave of Allah. He hath given me the Scriptures and hath appointed me a Prophet" (Sura 19:29-30)
-Jesus Christ healed the sick, raised the dead, and made a clay pigeon become alive. All were done with Allah's permission. (Insert me laughing here..) "When Allah saith: O Jesus... thou didst shape of clay as it were the likeness of a bird... heal him who was born blind and the leper.. raise the dead, by my permission" (Sura 5:110).
-Jesus' life and ministry were inferior to those of earlier prophets as well as those of Muhammad. Sura 13:38 states that Allah had designated wives and children for all His prophets. The exception was Jesus. His ministry lasted only three years.
Christianity-
-Death. Jesus Christ died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for sin. As foretold in Isaiah 53:6, "The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." "The Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead" (Acts 17:3)
-Resurrection. Jesus Christ rose from the dead after three days. "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the thrid day" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
-Return. Jesus will return from heaven to earth to rule forever. "Jesus Christ... the ruler of the kings of the earth. ...Look, he is coming with the clouds" (Revelation 1:5-7)
Islam-
-Jesus did not die; someone else died in His place. "They slew him not nor crucified, but it appeared so unto them" (Sura 4:157)
-God took Jesus to paradise as He had done with Enoch and Elijah. "But Allah took him unto Himself" (Sura 4:158)
-Many Muslim scholars believe Jesus will return from heaven and punish Jews and Christians for their failure to accept Muhammad as the Prophet. He will help establish Islam as the only religion of the world. "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, son of Mary will shortly descend amongst you people as a just ruler and will break the Cross and kill the pig" (Hadith 3:425).
My personal opinion- From this section it seems that Jesus has more power than Muhammad. What miracles did Muhammad perform? Why is Jesus coming back and not Muhammad? Especially to judge the world. But of course, Jesus had to have permission. ;)
Thanks for reading! Feel free to share and follow. Don't forget to take part in the survey, you only have a few days left to give me your opinion. Comments are welcomed also. See you in Part 6!
(All quotes in Italic, and others, from the book: "Islam and the Bible- Why Two Faiths Collide" by David Goldmann)
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Islam and the Bible- Part 3
Hey there! I know it's been awhile, I've been super busy. But without further delay, here is Part 3.
The next few posts are going to be about significant differences between Christianity and Islam.
"Many differences exist between Christianity and Islam. Yet before exploring those differences, we should recognize that some basic convictions are common to both faiths. Indeed, some teaching in the Quran confirms biblical truth. Note these seven truths about God embraced by followers of Islam and Christianity alike:
1. God is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4; supported in Sura 4:171)
2. God is the great and sovereign Creator. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1; supported in Sura 50:38)
3. God revealed His will through the prophets and apostles. "And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'Out of Egypt I called my son" (Matthew 2:15; supported in Sura 16:36)
4. God wants to forgive! He is full of mercy and kindness. "For the Lord your God is a merciful God" (Deuteronomy 4:31; supported in Sura 2:218)
5. All creation has the privilege and duty to worship God. "All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you' (Psalm 66:4; supported in Sura 1:4)
6. God controls history. All men will be judged. "For God will bring every deed into judgment" (Ecclesiastes 12:14; supported in Sura 1:3)
7. We can bring our requests to God in prayer. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, be prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6; supported in Sura 2:153)
Notice the common beliefs among Muslims and Christians. We agree that God is one, God rules, God reveals His will; we believe God judges, is merciful, and forgives. Yet Muslims and Christians disagree on exactly how God creates, rules, reveals His will, judges, loves, and forgives. Indeed, the partial truth that Muslims have of God blinds them to the full truth.
THE ESSENCE AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD:
Christianity:
- Righteousness and justice are parts of the holiness of God that are seen in His treatment of His creatures. God will never do anything that is not morally perfect. "For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice" (Psalm 11:7).
-God loves all mankind. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son" (John 3:16). "God is love" (1 John 4:8)
-God is always faithful to His covenants and doesn't change His mind. "The Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations: (Deuteronomy 7:9). "The Father...does not change" (james 1:17).
Islam:
-There is no law of righteousness in the being of Allah. He does as He pleases, guiding some men aright and others astray. Allah created some men and spirits to send them to hell: "...that I will fill hell with the jinn and mankind together' (Sura 32:13).
-Allah has no affection or feeling for any creature. Love is conditional to those who believe and do good works. "Lo! those who believe and do good works, the Beneficient will appoint for them love" (sura 19:96).
-Allah does not make covenants with man. He can and does change His mind. "And when we put a revelation in place of [another] revelation-and Allah knowest best what He revealeth" (Sura 16:101)
Even though this section does not talk much about Mohammad, I thought I'd bring this up since Easter just passed. My pastor last Sunday said this: That many Muslims come from all over the world to the place where Mohammad was buried (I think in Medina?), but his bones are still there. But Jesus has risen, and his bones aren't. Makes you think.
(Everything italicized and other quotes are from the book: "Islam and the Bible- Why Two Faiths Collide" by David Goldmann)
The next few posts are going to be about significant differences between Christianity and Islam.
"Many differences exist between Christianity and Islam. Yet before exploring those differences, we should recognize that some basic convictions are common to both faiths. Indeed, some teaching in the Quran confirms biblical truth. Note these seven truths about God embraced by followers of Islam and Christianity alike:
1. God is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4; supported in Sura 4:171)
2. God is the great and sovereign Creator. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1; supported in Sura 50:38)
3. God revealed His will through the prophets and apostles. "And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'Out of Egypt I called my son" (Matthew 2:15; supported in Sura 16:36)
4. God wants to forgive! He is full of mercy and kindness. "For the Lord your God is a merciful God" (Deuteronomy 4:31; supported in Sura 2:218)
5. All creation has the privilege and duty to worship God. "All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you' (Psalm 66:4; supported in Sura 1:4)
6. God controls history. All men will be judged. "For God will bring every deed into judgment" (Ecclesiastes 12:14; supported in Sura 1:3)
7. We can bring our requests to God in prayer. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, be prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6; supported in Sura 2:153)
Notice the common beliefs among Muslims and Christians. We agree that God is one, God rules, God reveals His will; we believe God judges, is merciful, and forgives. Yet Muslims and Christians disagree on exactly how God creates, rules, reveals His will, judges, loves, and forgives. Indeed, the partial truth that Muslims have of God blinds them to the full truth.
THE ESSENCE AND ATTRIBUTES OF GOD:
Christianity:
- Righteousness and justice are parts of the holiness of God that are seen in His treatment of His creatures. God will never do anything that is not morally perfect. "For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice" (Psalm 11:7).
-God loves all mankind. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son" (John 3:16). "God is love" (1 John 4:8)
-God is always faithful to His covenants and doesn't change His mind. "The Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations: (Deuteronomy 7:9). "The Father...does not change" (james 1:17).
Islam:
-There is no law of righteousness in the being of Allah. He does as He pleases, guiding some men aright and others astray. Allah created some men and spirits to send them to hell: "...that I will fill hell with the jinn and mankind together' (Sura 32:13).
-Allah has no affection or feeling for any creature. Love is conditional to those who believe and do good works. "Lo! those who believe and do good works, the Beneficient will appoint for them love" (sura 19:96).
-Allah does not make covenants with man. He can and does change His mind. "And when we put a revelation in place of [another] revelation-and Allah knowest best what He revealeth" (Sura 16:101)
Even though this section does not talk much about Mohammad, I thought I'd bring this up since Easter just passed. My pastor last Sunday said this: That many Muslims come from all over the world to the place where Mohammad was buried (I think in Medina?), but his bones are still there. But Jesus has risen, and his bones aren't. Makes you think.
(Everything italicized and other quotes are from the book: "Islam and the Bible- Why Two Faiths Collide" by David Goldmann)
Friday, April 15, 2011
Islam and the Bible- Part 2
TWO ABODES:
ABODE OF ISLAM AND THE ABODE OF WAR
"Islam divides the peoples of the world into two distinct realms or abodes: the Abode of Islam and the Abode of War. The former have submitted to the will of Allah, and the latter are still resisting. Countries under Muslim control are considered the Abode of Islam. It is the duty of all Muslims to preserve the Abode of Islam from contamination and, where possible, to enlarge it at the expense of the Abode of War, where the "infidel" rules.
Many Muslims believe that the nations of the West established Israel in the heart of the Arab world to be the outpost of their civilization, to be a sword of the West hanging over the necks of Muslims. Therefore, many militant Muslims are committed to restoring Israel's territory to Muslim control and to preserve the Abode of Islam in Palestine. Islam teaches that Muslims who die in the struggle against infidels will immediately be translated to paradise."
Jesus:
1. Jesus declared, "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9)
Muhammad:
1. Allah told Muhammad: "Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture as believe not in Allah nor the Last Day" (Sura 9:29)
Jesus:
2. Jesus said, "Believe and live." he declared, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die" (John 11:25-26)
Muhammad:
2. Muhammad said, "Convert or die." He declared, "I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight the people till they say: None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and whoever said it then he will save his life and property" (Hadith 2:483)
Jesus:
3. Jesus' mission was to conquer sin's penalty and power by His vicarious death. "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21; also 1 Peter 3:18)
Muhammad:
3. Muhammad's mission was to conquer the world for Allah. The goal of jihad, or a holy war, is to establish Islamic authority over the whole world. Islam teaches that Allah is the only authority, and all political systems must be based on Allah's teaching. Allah is important.
My personal opinion- "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26)
It sounds like Islam also believes in the "last day", as Christians believe in Judgment Day. So, what's the point of 'owning' the world? It's going to be gone one day.
Notice that much of the call to action comes in the Hadith, a companion book that amplifies on the Quran by quoting the words of Muhammad."
A Chronology of Biblical and Islamic World Events:
-2166 BC Abraham born
-1550 BC Egypt colonizes Kush
-1526 BC Moses born
-1010 BC David becomes Isreal's second king
-710 BC King Taharaq, along with King Hezekiah of Judah, defy the invading Assyrians
-330 BC Alexander the Great defeats the Persian Empire
-100 BC Julius Caesar, first emperor of Rome, born
-3 BC Jesus Christ is born
-27 AD Jesus begins ministry
-30 AD Jesus is crucified, resurrected, and ascends into heaven
-570 Muhammad is born in Mecca
-610-632 Muhammad experiences dreams/visions; Allah tells forth his words
-622 Muhammad flees to Medina with 150 followers
-630-632 He conquers Mecca; mass conversions to Islam
-632 Muhammad dies at age 62
-632-661 The four caliphs (successors of Muhammad) rule
-646 The Quran is compiled
-661-1300 Islamic dynasties rule
-732 The spread of Islam is stopped at Tours, France, by Charles Martel
-811-876 Al-Bukhari gathers authoritative collection of Muhammad's traditions (Hadith)
-1096-1291 The Christian Crusades invade the Muslim world
-1500-1920 Muslim world is under European domination
-1948 Modern Israel is founded
-2003 Muslims number 1.2 billion worldwide, four to six million Muslims in U.S.
(All quotes, charts, comparisons, etc., found in the book: Islam and the Bible- Why Two Faiths Collide)
ABODE OF ISLAM AND THE ABODE OF WAR
"Islam divides the peoples of the world into two distinct realms or abodes: the Abode of Islam and the Abode of War. The former have submitted to the will of Allah, and the latter are still resisting. Countries under Muslim control are considered the Abode of Islam. It is the duty of all Muslims to preserve the Abode of Islam from contamination and, where possible, to enlarge it at the expense of the Abode of War, where the "infidel" rules.
Many Muslims believe that the nations of the West established Israel in the heart of the Arab world to be the outpost of their civilization, to be a sword of the West hanging over the necks of Muslims. Therefore, many militant Muslims are committed to restoring Israel's territory to Muslim control and to preserve the Abode of Islam in Palestine. Islam teaches that Muslims who die in the struggle against infidels will immediately be translated to paradise."
Jesus:
1. Jesus declared, "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9)
Muhammad:
1. Allah told Muhammad: "Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture as believe not in Allah nor the Last Day" (Sura 9:29)
Jesus:
2. Jesus said, "Believe and live." he declared, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die" (John 11:25-26)
Muhammad:
2. Muhammad said, "Convert or die." He declared, "I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight the people till they say: None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and whoever said it then he will save his life and property" (Hadith 2:483)
Jesus:
3. Jesus' mission was to conquer sin's penalty and power by His vicarious death. "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21; also 1 Peter 3:18)
Muhammad:
3. Muhammad's mission was to conquer the world for Allah. The goal of jihad, or a holy war, is to establish Islamic authority over the whole world. Islam teaches that Allah is the only authority, and all political systems must be based on Allah's teaching. Allah is important.
My personal opinion- "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26)
It sounds like Islam also believes in the "last day", as Christians believe in Judgment Day. So, what's the point of 'owning' the world? It's going to be gone one day.
Notice that much of the call to action comes in the Hadith, a companion book that amplifies on the Quran by quoting the words of Muhammad."
A Chronology of Biblical and Islamic World Events:
-2166 BC Abraham born
-1550 BC Egypt colonizes Kush
-1526 BC Moses born
-1010 BC David becomes Isreal's second king
-710 BC King Taharaq, along with King Hezekiah of Judah, defy the invading Assyrians
-330 BC Alexander the Great defeats the Persian Empire
-100 BC Julius Caesar, first emperor of Rome, born
-3 BC Jesus Christ is born
-27 AD Jesus begins ministry
-30 AD Jesus is crucified, resurrected, and ascends into heaven
-570 Muhammad is born in Mecca
-610-632 Muhammad experiences dreams/visions; Allah tells forth his words
-622 Muhammad flees to Medina with 150 followers
-630-632 He conquers Mecca; mass conversions to Islam
-632 Muhammad dies at age 62
-632-661 The four caliphs (successors of Muhammad) rule
-646 The Quran is compiled
-661-1300 Islamic dynasties rule
-732 The spread of Islam is stopped at Tours, France, by Charles Martel
-811-876 Al-Bukhari gathers authoritative collection of Muhammad's traditions (Hadith)
-1096-1291 The Christian Crusades invade the Muslim world
-1500-1920 Muslim world is under European domination
-1948 Modern Israel is founded
-2003 Muslims number 1.2 billion worldwide, four to six million Muslims in U.S.
(All quotes, charts, comparisons, etc., found in the book: Islam and the Bible- Why Two Faiths Collide)
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Islam and the Bible- Part 1
The series begins!
There aren't a lot of actual chapters in this book, so each "part" will consist of so many pages that I can read at the time. (Just so you know..)
This sentence was in the Forward: "Long ago I learned that we can never make Jesus attractive to Muslims if we antagonize them." - I wish many American Christians would learn that.
"Is true Islam peaceful or militant? The answer to this opening question is not simple, for there are many faces to Islam. Muslim clerics in the U.S. say that Islam means peace and doesn't sanction terrorist acts. Yet many clerics in other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, and Sudan, teach that committed Muslims must fight unbelievers (Jews and Christians) until they are subdued.
... Either position can be argued by quoting specific Quranic verses. "
"Early passages in the Quran advocate a peaceful coexistence with Christianity"
We can see this 'peaceful coexistence' in Sura 2:62, Sura 2:256, and Sura 29:46.
Later on, Muhammad's power increased in Medina, and he almost changed his mind as he turned on Jews and Christians who refused to accept him as the prophet of God. (That's power for ya, we all can see this in politics and fame in today's society.)
Sura 9:5 says: "Slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them captive, and besiege them and prepare for them each ambush.."
This was a complete flip. At first, they didn't mind the Christians and Jews, but as time went on, they do. I wonder why?
"According to Quranic teaching, Allah can change his mind and replace a verse with a later and better revelation."
So if he says something that isn't right the first time, he can change it?
(Sura 2:106, Sura 16:101)
"Mark A. Gabriel, former professor of Islamic history at al-Azhar University of Cairo, Egypt, notes that Muhammad, while living in Mecca, "Never spoke of jihad." He did not mention a "holy war" because he lacked the military might. While in Medina, however, where he built an army."
"Muhammad's move from Mecca to Medina changed Islam into a political movement."
Interesting change in ways, in this first section. We'll see how it works out later on in the book.
(All quotes in bold are from the book Islam and the Bible- Why Two Faiths Collide by David Goldmann
There aren't a lot of actual chapters in this book, so each "part" will consist of so many pages that I can read at the time. (Just so you know..)
This sentence was in the Forward: "Long ago I learned that we can never make Jesus attractive to Muslims if we antagonize them." - I wish many American Christians would learn that.
"Is true Islam peaceful or militant? The answer to this opening question is not simple, for there are many faces to Islam. Muslim clerics in the U.S. say that Islam means peace and doesn't sanction terrorist acts. Yet many clerics in other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, and Sudan, teach that committed Muslims must fight unbelievers (Jews and Christians) until they are subdued.
... Either position can be argued by quoting specific Quranic verses. "
"Early passages in the Quran advocate a peaceful coexistence with Christianity"
We can see this 'peaceful coexistence' in Sura 2:62, Sura 2:256, and Sura 29:46.
Later on, Muhammad's power increased in Medina, and he almost changed his mind as he turned on Jews and Christians who refused to accept him as the prophet of God. (That's power for ya, we all can see this in politics and fame in today's society.)
Sura 9:5 says: "Slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them captive, and besiege them and prepare for them each ambush.."
This was a complete flip. At first, they didn't mind the Christians and Jews, but as time went on, they do. I wonder why?
"According to Quranic teaching, Allah can change his mind and replace a verse with a later and better revelation."
So if he says something that isn't right the first time, he can change it?
(Sura 2:106, Sura 16:101)
"Mark A. Gabriel, former professor of Islamic history at al-Azhar University of Cairo, Egypt, notes that Muhammad, while living in Mecca, "Never spoke of jihad." He did not mention a "holy war" because he lacked the military might. While in Medina, however, where he built an army."
"Muhammad's move from Mecca to Medina changed Islam into a political movement."
Interesting change in ways, in this first section. We'll see how it works out later on in the book.
(All quotes in bold are from the book Islam and the Bible- Why Two Faiths Collide by David Goldmann
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Islam and the Bible Series
Hey everyone~
I'm starting to read the book: "Islam and the Bible- why two faiths collide" by David Goldmann. It was recommended by my church, and I just find it a very curious subject to study. So, since most of you haven't read this, won't read it, or just don't have time to read it, I'm going to do a blog-post series on it. I'm going to read a chapter, then blog about it. I will be quoting from the book, writing my personal comments down, and just overall discussing what each chapter covers. In this age, the Muslim community has grown greatly in America. I'm not going to be putting that religion down, I'm just going to be discussing our likenesses and differences. But I will warn you- I am biased towards Christianity, because that's my religion and what I believe. But I will appreciate it if you share this blog with others, and if you comment on it with your opinions. If I say something that isn't true (on either side), please tell me. I encourage a discussion either via comments or in the Chat Box.
I will NOT keep you updated on new blog posts via facebook. I have had many complaints lately on how I have been posting too much, both status updates and ChaCha links, so I have cut back all postings. (But keep in mind, every time you click on a ChaCha link, I make money. That's why I do it.)
I WILL keep you updated on Twitter, for those of you who follow me. The new posts will not come out on a set day, or every so often. I have work and school, so by the time I read a chapter and blog about it it might be a few days. I'll try my best to get at least 3 or 4 blog posts a week. But like I said above, I will post it on Twitter when a new one comes out.
I hope this will educate Christians, Muslims, and others that we do have similarities, but I also hope it clarifies what both religions truly believe. So, thank you for your time in reading this and future posts. Look for the first chapter soon.
-Austen
I'm starting to read the book: "Islam and the Bible- why two faiths collide" by David Goldmann. It was recommended by my church, and I just find it a very curious subject to study. So, since most of you haven't read this, won't read it, or just don't have time to read it, I'm going to do a blog-post series on it. I'm going to read a chapter, then blog about it. I will be quoting from the book, writing my personal comments down, and just overall discussing what each chapter covers. In this age, the Muslim community has grown greatly in America. I'm not going to be putting that religion down, I'm just going to be discussing our likenesses and differences. But I will warn you- I am biased towards Christianity, because that's my religion and what I believe. But I will appreciate it if you share this blog with others, and if you comment on it with your opinions. If I say something that isn't true (on either side), please tell me. I encourage a discussion either via comments or in the Chat Box.
I will NOT keep you updated on new blog posts via facebook. I have had many complaints lately on how I have been posting too much, both status updates and ChaCha links, so I have cut back all postings. (But keep in mind, every time you click on a ChaCha link, I make money. That's why I do it.)
I WILL keep you updated on Twitter, for those of you who follow me. The new posts will not come out on a set day, or every so often. I have work and school, so by the time I read a chapter and blog about it it might be a few days. I'll try my best to get at least 3 or 4 blog posts a week. But like I said above, I will post it on Twitter when a new one comes out.
I hope this will educate Christians, Muslims, and others that we do have similarities, but I also hope it clarifies what both religions truly believe. So, thank you for your time in reading this and future posts. Look for the first chapter soon.
-Austen
Friday, March 25, 2011
The Weirdest Day
Today has been one of the weirdest days of my life. Well, everyday is weird with me. But today has been especially weird, for some reason. Anyway, let me start explaining in order what happened.
I woke up and did a little school. While I do school, I'm usually on facebook, twitter, and VF. Well, through several websites, I found out something I really wasn't supposed to know. Not bad, just a secret little something. Sorry, but I have to keep it a secret. You most likely wouldn't even care, so lets move on!
Before I left to go get Del Taco for lunch, a drug deal took place right in front of my house. I knew my neighbors did drugs often and buy/sell them, but really? RIGHT in front of my window? I might have to snap a few pictures next time...
So the day goes on, and I head off to work. I'm going down White Lane, right before the freeway, and a wreck happens. A car ran over a motorcycle, and the motorcycle was completely under the car. I passed it before any cops and ambulances were there, but everyone seemed to be fine, and standing on the sidewalk. Glad to see this. Hopefully no serious damage was done.
So I get to work, and I'm on floor. No, that's not the weird part. (A little John's humor there...) The weird part happens when I'm on break. I 'Meal Out' for my 30, and go out to my truck to eat. About 5 minutes before I have to clock back in, I hear a "BANG!" and look up into my rear view mirror. I see a guy by a car, hitting the lock. 2 more "BANGS!" and the thief is in the car, with the alarm sounding. He quickly cuts the wires and the alarm stops. A white car then speeds down the isle, pulls up to the van he broke into, and the guy jumps into the car and they take off. I quickly dial 911 (still sitting in my truck, 1 row over from them..), and begin to explain what happened, where I am, and describe the car and guys. Just then the white car speeds down the isle I was on, and leaves. At this time I'm walking back into work to clock back in so I'm not late. I tell the police department that I work at John's, and they are welcome to come and get me if they need anything. They said they'd send someone out immediately. They did, and thanks to me and another witness, the thieves were caught! It caused quite a stir up at work, but I'm glad no serious damage was done.
This concludes my adventures for today. I guess we'll see what tomorrow brings. Actually, today, since it's already 12:20. Now, I must get ready for bed. Early day at work tomorrow. Goodnight!
I woke up and did a little school. While I do school, I'm usually on facebook, twitter, and VF. Well, through several websites, I found out something I really wasn't supposed to know. Not bad, just a secret little something. Sorry, but I have to keep it a secret. You most likely wouldn't even care, so lets move on!
Before I left to go get Del Taco for lunch, a drug deal took place right in front of my house. I knew my neighbors did drugs often and buy/sell them, but really? RIGHT in front of my window? I might have to snap a few pictures next time...
So the day goes on, and I head off to work. I'm going down White Lane, right before the freeway, and a wreck happens. A car ran over a motorcycle, and the motorcycle was completely under the car. I passed it before any cops and ambulances were there, but everyone seemed to be fine, and standing on the sidewalk. Glad to see this. Hopefully no serious damage was done.
So I get to work, and I'm on floor. No, that's not the weird part. (A little John's humor there...) The weird part happens when I'm on break. I 'Meal Out' for my 30, and go out to my truck to eat. About 5 minutes before I have to clock back in, I hear a "BANG!" and look up into my rear view mirror. I see a guy by a car, hitting the lock. 2 more "BANGS!" and the thief is in the car, with the alarm sounding. He quickly cuts the wires and the alarm stops. A white car then speeds down the isle, pulls up to the van he broke into, and the guy jumps into the car and they take off. I quickly dial 911 (still sitting in my truck, 1 row over from them..), and begin to explain what happened, where I am, and describe the car and guys. Just then the white car speeds down the isle I was on, and leaves. At this time I'm walking back into work to clock back in so I'm not late. I tell the police department that I work at John's, and they are welcome to come and get me if they need anything. They said they'd send someone out immediately. They did, and thanks to me and another witness, the thieves were caught! It caused quite a stir up at work, but I'm glad no serious damage was done.
This concludes my adventures for today. I guess we'll see what tomorrow brings. Actually, today, since it's already 12:20. Now, I must get ready for bed. Early day at work tomorrow. Goodnight!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Favorite Restaurants
Here are my top 3 favorite restaurants in my town. My favorites must consist of 3 things- 1. Great food. 2. Amazing atmosphere. 3. Great customer service.
So, if you haven't tried these places yet, you need to! Here they are:
Number 3- Panera Bread
A new place to Bakersfield, Panera is a favorite among most.
All the bread is freshly baked, with leftovers sent to the homeless shelter.
Atmosphere is easy-going, cafe style, smooth and calm. A place you can sit for a few hours, drink coffee, and enjoy amazing sandwiches!
Number 2- Elephant Bar
While Elephant Bar is common and in many different cities and states, it's still a favorite place to visit for some food around the world.
The atmosphere and lighting at night really brings out the adventure, with 'safari' style lights outside. And the luggage above your head in the booths make you wonder where you will be traveling with your favorite dish.
Great food, and if you get the right server, they will talk in different accents. Love it!
And for my all time favorite....
Number 1- Coconut Joe's
Travel to the Hawaiian Islands with this restaurant! With "Disney Status" atmosphere, amazing food (my favorite is the fish and chips, or the Honowoowoo bowl), and entertainment, Coconut Joe's is my all time favorite restaurant here in my town. Have a look at what it has to offer-
While there are many other amazing places to eat, these are just my favorites. Some other great places include Narducci's and Woolgrowers. Bakersfield is famous for Basque food. Pickled tongue, anyone?
Do you have a favorite? Let me know!
-Austen
So, if you haven't tried these places yet, you need to! Here they are:
Number 3- Panera Bread
A new place to Bakersfield, Panera is a favorite among most.
All the bread is freshly baked, with leftovers sent to the homeless shelter.
Atmosphere is easy-going, cafe style, smooth and calm. A place you can sit for a few hours, drink coffee, and enjoy amazing sandwiches!
Number 2- Elephant Bar
While Elephant Bar is common and in many different cities and states, it's still a favorite place to visit for some food around the world.
The atmosphere and lighting at night really brings out the adventure, with 'safari' style lights outside. And the luggage above your head in the booths make you wonder where you will be traveling with your favorite dish.
Great food, and if you get the right server, they will talk in different accents. Love it!
And for my all time favorite....
Number 1- Coconut Joe's
Travel to the Hawaiian Islands with this restaurant! With "Disney Status" atmosphere, amazing food (my favorite is the fish and chips, or the Honowoowoo bowl), and entertainment, Coconut Joe's is my all time favorite restaurant here in my town. Have a look at what it has to offer-
While there are many other amazing places to eat, these are just my favorites. Some other great places include Narducci's and Woolgrowers. Bakersfield is famous for Basque food. Pickled tongue, anyone?
Do you have a favorite? Let me know!
-Austen
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Triangle of Life- Earthquake Safety
EXTRACT FROM DOUG COPP'S ARTICLE ON THE: 'TRIANGLE OF LIFE'
>
> My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster
> Manager of the
> American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most
> experienced
> rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in
> an earthquake.
> I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with
> rescue teams
> from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries,
> and I am a
> member of many rescue teams from many countries..
>
> I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two
> years. I
> have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985,
> except for
> simultaneous disasters.
>
> The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in
> Mexico City
> during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under its desk.
> Every child
> was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have
> survived by
> lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene,
> unnecessary and
> I wondered why the children were not in the aisles. I didn't at
> the time
> know that the children were told to hide under something.
>
> Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the
> ceilings
> falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these
> objects, leaving a
> spac e or void next to them. This space is what I call the
> 'triangle of life'.
> The larger the object, the stronger, the less it will compact.
> The less the
> object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the
> probability that
> the person who is using this void for safety will not be
> injured. The next
> time you watch collapsed buildings, on television, count the
> 'triangles' you
> see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape,
> you will see,
> in a collapsed building.
>
> TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
>
> 1) Most everyone who simply 'ducks and covers' WHEN BUILDINGS
> COLLAPSE are crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or
> cars, are crushed.
>
> 2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal
> position.
> You should too in an earthquake.. It is a natural
> safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next to
> an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will compress
> slightly but leave a void next to it.
>
> 3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be
> in during
> an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the
> earthquake.
> If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are
> created.
> Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing
> weight. Brick
> buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause
> many injuries but
> less squashed bodies than concrete slabs.
>
> 4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs,
> simply
> roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels
> can achieve a
> much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a
> sign on The back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down
> on the floor, next to the bottom of the bed during an earthquake.
>
> 5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by
> getting out
> the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal
> position next to
> a sofa, or large chair.
>
> 6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings
> collapse is
> killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb
> falls forward or
> backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door
> jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case,
> you will be killed!
>
> 7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different 'moment
> of
> frequency' (they swing separately from the main part of the
> building).
> The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into
> each
> other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The
> people who get
> on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads -
> horribly
> mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away
> from the
> stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be
> damaged. Even if the
> stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse
> later when
> overloaded by fleeing people. They should always be checked for
> safety,
> even when the rest of the building is not damaged.
>
>
> 8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If
> Possib le
> - It is much better to be near the outside of the building
> rather than
> the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside
> perimeter of the
> building the greater the probability that your escape route
> will be
> blocked.
>
> 9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road
> above falls
> in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly
> what happened
> with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway.. The
> victims of
> the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their
> vehicles. They were
> all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and
> sitting or
> lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have
> survived if they had
> been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them.
> All the
> crushed cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the
> cars that had
> columns fall directly across them.
>
> 10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper
> offices
> and other of fices with a lot of paper, that paper does not
> compact.
> Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.
>
> Spread the word and save someone's life... The Entire world is
> experiencing natural calamities so be prepared!
>
> 'We are but angels with one wing, it takes two to fly'
>
> In 1996 we made a film, which proved my survival methodology to
> be
> correct. The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul ,
> University of
> Istanbul Case Productions and ARTI cooperated to film this
> practical, scientific
> test. We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins
> inside. Ten
> mannequins did 'duck and cover,' and ten mannequins I used in
> my
> 'triangle of life' survival method. After the simulated
> earthquake collapse we
> crawled through the rubble and entered the building to film and
> document the
> results. The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques
> under
> directly observable, scientific conditions , relevant to
> building collapse, showed there would have been zero percent survival for
> those doing duck
> and cover.
>
> There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for
> people using
> my method of the 'triangle of life.' This film has been seen by
> millions
> of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of Europe , and
> it was seen
> in the USA , Canada and Latin America on the TV program Real TV.
>
> My name is Doug Copp. I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster
> Manager of the
> American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most
> experienced
> rescue team. The information in this article will save lives in
> an earthquake.
> I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with
> rescue teams
> from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries,
> and I am a
> member of many rescue teams from many countries..
>
> I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two
> years. I
> have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985,
> except for
> simultaneous disasters.
>
> The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in
> Mexico City
> during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under its desk.
> Every child
> was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have
> survived by
> lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene,
> unnecessary and
> I wondered why the children were not in the aisles. I didn't at
> the time
> know that the children were told to hide under something.
>
> Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the
> ceilings
> falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these
> objects, leaving a
> spac e or void next to them. This space is what I call the
> 'triangle of life'.
> The larger the object, the stronger, the less it will compact.
> The less the
> object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the
> probability that
> the person who is using this void for safety will not be
> injured. The next
> time you watch collapsed buildings, on television, count the
> 'triangles' you
> see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape,
> you will see,
> in a collapsed building.
>
> TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
>
> 1) Most everyone who simply 'ducks and covers' WHEN BUILDINGS
> COLLAPSE are crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or
> cars, are crushed.
>
> 2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal
> position.
> You should too in an earthquake.. It is a natural
> safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next to
> an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will compress
> slightly but leave a void next to it.
>
> 3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be
> in during
> an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the
> earthquake.
> If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are
> created.
> Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing
> weight. Brick
> buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause
> many injuries but
> less squashed bodies than concrete slabs.
>
> 4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs,
> simply
> roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels
> can achieve a
> much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a
> sign on The back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down
> on the floor, next to the bottom of the bed during an earthquake.
>
> 5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by
> getting out
> the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal
> position next to
> a sofa, or large chair.
>
> 6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings
> collapse is
> killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb
> falls forward or
> backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door
> jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case,
> you will be killed!
>
> 7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different 'moment
> of
> frequency' (they swing separately from the main part of the
> building).
> The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into
> each
> other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The
> people who get
> on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads -
> horribly
> mutilated. Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away
> from the
> stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be
> damaged. Even if the
> stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse
> later when
> overloaded by fleeing people. They should always be checked for
> safety,
> even when the rest of the building is not damaged.
>
>
> 8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If
> Possib le
> - It is much better to be near the outside of the building
> rather than
> the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside
> perimeter of the
> building the greater the probability that your escape route
> will be
> blocked.
>
> 9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road
> above falls
> in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly
> what happened
> with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway.. The
> victims of
> the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their
> vehicles. They were
> all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and
> sitting or
> lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have
> survived if they had
> been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them.
> All the
> crushed cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the
> cars that had
> columns fall directly across them.
>
> 10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper
> offices
> and other of fices with a lot of paper, that paper does not
> compact.
> Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.
>
> Spread the word and save someone's life... The Entire world is
> experiencing natural calamities so be prepared!
>
> 'We are but angels with one wing, it takes two to fly'
>
> In 1996 we made a film, which proved my survival methodology to
> be
> correct. The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul ,
> University of
> Istanbul Case Productions and ARTI cooperated to film this
> practical, scientific
> test. We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins
> inside. Ten
> mannequins did 'duck and cover,' and ten mannequins I used in
> my
> 'triangle of life' survival method. After the simulated
> earthquake collapse we
> crawled through the rubble and entered the building to film and
> document the
> results. The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques
> under
> directly observable, scientific conditions , relevant to
> building collapse, showed there would have been zero percent survival for
> those doing duck
> and cover.
>
> There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for
> people using
> my method of the 'triangle of life.' This film has been seen by
> millions
> of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of Europe , and
> it was seen
> in the USA , Canada and Latin America on the TV program Real TV.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Daylight Savings
This Sunday you set your clocks an hour ahead! Not only is this a friendly reminder, it's exciting news for those of us who love summer the most. This means it will be lighter later, which is always good. Summer is approaching us fast! I can't wait!
*Instead of asking for donations to keep my blog running, I only ask for clicks. So please, help me out a little bit, click the following link and browse the site. I promise it will keep you entertained. Thanks.
http://bit.ly/dK6JZV
*Instead of asking for donations to keep my blog running, I only ask for clicks. So please, help me out a little bit, click the following link and browse the site. I promise it will keep you entertained. Thanks.
http://bit.ly/dK6JZV
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