The recent devastating earthquake in Haiti has focused attention on many things about that country, including politics, economics, its history and culture, and many other poignant topics, not the least of which is the safety and design of buildings there. 

"To look at the Earth from space is like a child looking into a mirror and realizing for the first time that the person in the mirror is herself" [ap: Samantha Harvey's space-station novel 'Orbital' (g) wins the Booker Prize for fiction]

Will we ever understand how life got started on Earth? We’ve learned much about Earth’s long, multi-billion-year history, but a detailed understanding of how the planet’s atmospheric chemistry evolved still eludes us. At one time, Earth was atmospherically hostile, and its transition from that state to a planet teeming with life followed a complex path. …

Continue reading "Lessons From Ancient Earth’s Atmosphere: From Hostile to Hospitable"

The post Lessons From Ancient Earth’s Atmosphere: From Hostile to Hospitable appeared first on Universe Today.

A Penn State University study published in Environmental Science & Technology: Air reveals that airborne microplastics may influence the climate by affecting cloud structures and weather patterns. The study found that microplastics act as ice nucleating agents in clouds, potentially altering precipitation. Professor Miriam Freedman highlights the need for more research into how these particles interact within atmospheric systems to better understand their effects on climate.

Entire continents, even in the tropics, seem to have been under sheets of ice.

An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale jolted Kashmir Valley. No casualty or damage to any property has so far been reported.

No casualties have been reported so far for the earthquake that had its epicentre around the Hindukush mountain range

Fr. Barnabas Powell and Fr. Nicholas Louh discuss the recent loss of both of their fathers. The topic is "Our Heavenly Father and our Earthly Fathers." Listen at the end when an announcement is made about a new live call-in program on AFR called Healthy Minds Healthy Souls featuring Fr. Nicholas and his wife Dr. (Presvytera) Roxanne Louh - a Clinical Psychologist in Jacksonville, FL. It begins January 24 at 8:00 PM Eastern/7:00 PM Central.

Infamous cult leader Charles Manson said he committed multiple murders in Mexico in the 1960s in audio used in the upcoming Peacock documentary series "Making Manson."

Although a flash flood inundated most of Metro Manila, Central and North Luzon in the Philippines, recent earthquakes have shaken up the nation even more.

OM Philippines partners with the local church to provide water and food in areas hit by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake on 15 October.

OM Philippines brings relief to the earthquake-shattered island of Bohol.

OM Philippines send staff to assess the earthquake damages in Surigao City and provide needed disaster relief training.

On Wednesday, the Kashmir Valley experienced tremors due to an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.2, originating from the Afghanistan region. The quake, which struck at 10:43 am, prompted fear amongst the residents, leading many to evacuate their buildings. Despite the

ಶ್ರೀನಗರ ನವೆಂಬರ್‌ 13: ದೇಶದ ಹಲವು ಪ್ರದೇಶಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂದು ಚುನಾವಣೆ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದರೆ ಇತ್ತ ಜಮ್ಮು ಕಾಶ್ಮೀರದಲ್ಲಿ ಭೂಕಂಪನದ ಅನುಭವವಾಗಿದೆ. ಇದರಿಂದಾಗಿ ಜಮ್ಮು ಮತ್ತು ಕಾಶ್ಮೀರದಲ್ಲಿ ಆತಂಕದ ವಾತಾವರಣ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣವಾಗಿದೆ. ಇಂದು ಬೆಳಗ್ಗೆ 10:43ಕ್ಕೆ ಜಮ್ಮು ಮತ್ತು ಕಾಶ್ಮೀರದಲ್ಲಿ 5.2 ತೀವ್ರತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭೂಕಂಪನವಾಗಿದೆ. ಹೌದು... ಜಮ್ಮು ಮತ್ತು ಕಾಶ್ಮೀರದಲ್ಲಿ ಬುಧವಾರ (ನವೆಂಬರ್‌ 13) 5.2 ತೀವ್ರತೆಯ ಭೂಕಂಪ ಸಂಭವಿಸಿದ್ದು

Huh? What God of "green" hope? Why does The Message do this? -- Before we examine what seems suggestive of earth reverence/earth worship, let us restate some of what has been covered elsewhere about The Message: A generation has been raised on this disturbing "paraphrase" of the Bible. This is the primary version so many now rely on, and nationally known preachers quote from it with regularity. Yet, as we have seen, The Message flat out omits the sin of homosexuality from several key passages. We see this in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, and also in 1 Timothy 1: 8-11 (read about that here). -- Does the acceptance and use of The Message explain why many Christians are lukewarm on the issue of homosexuality? Certainly The Message is not the only factor-we dwell in a pro-homosexual media/culture-but place this "Bible" in a person's hands and it can have, over time, significant influence. How can we understand God's Truth when Truth is no longer there to be read? - "My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart." (Proverbs 4:20-21) The beloved author of The Message, Eugene Peterson, has now endorsed two heretical books: The Shack, and Rob Bell's sly ode to universalism, Love Wins. - The Message, bluntly stated, seems written to make Christians less knowledgeable about the Word of God. While that may seem a strong comment, please consider what Eugene Peterson himself said about the Bible: "Why do people spend so much time studying the Bible? How much do you need to know? We invest all this time in understanding the text which has a separate life of its own and we think we're being more pious and spiritual when we're doing it….[Christians] should be studying it less, not more. You need just enough to pay attention to God….I'm just not at all pleased with the emphasis on Bible study as if it's some kind of special thing that Christians do, and the more the better." I believe The Message is forerunner to a christless, sinless bible that will be used by the false church. There will be a "christ" mentioned, but not our Christ. Not the sinless Savior of humanity. Sin will be addressed, of course, but perhaps more in line with the Alcoholics Anonymous generic theology of "wrongs" and "making amends."

It was the same Publius who received the Apostle Paul during his shipwreck on the island as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles. According to the Acts of the Apostles, St. Paul cured Publius' dysentery-afflicted father. -- Book: by Rev. Alban Butler (1711-1773 A.D.). Volume I: January. "The Lives of the Saints" last published 1866. - St. Publius, Bishop and Martyr [died January 21, 125 A.D. in Athens, Greece] HE succeeded St. Dionysius the Areopagite in the see of Athens, as we are assured by St. Dionysius of Corinth, quoted by Eusebius. 1 He went to God by martyrdom, and Saint Quadratus was chosen third bishop of that city. See Le Quien, Or. Christ. t. 2. p. 169. Note 1. Euseb. l. 4. c. 23.

Earth Alerts allows you to monitor natural hazard events from around the globe, including earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes, thunderstorms, floods, wildfires and lands....

A double of Earth has been behind the sun for eons... until now. A young woman's life changes at the instant its synchronicity with Earth One is broken. Starring Brit Marling and William Mapother, coming soon to a theater near you.

Updated: Here is a complete list of current AM and FM radio services in Christchurch...

In a new study that expands our understanding of how humans contribute to global warming, scientists have discovered that human activity has dramatically changed the terrestrial biosphere to make it a significant contributor to climate change...

[allAfrica] Cape Town -- Despite Africa contributing minimally to global emissions and global warming, this continent is most susceptible to the consequences of climate change. However, African innovators are rising to these challenges, creating green jobs, addressing environmental and health concerns, and improving livelihoods for millions.

[Namibian] "I poured my heart out and represented my country to the best of my ability."

Daily roundup by CSE and Down to Earth @COP27 by Avantika Goswami and Rohini Krishnamurthy, November 7, 2022 • UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that Loss and damage can no longer be swept

Bamboo, the flexible perennial grass, to the rescue

The 2024 Earthshot Prize awards were announced last week. Two winners have new technologies that could benefit the entire world.

The post 2024 Earthshot Prize Winners Announced In Cape Town appeared first on CleanTechnica.

Fr. Stephen speaks of the difficulties and trials of those coming to faith in God and the challenges facing our children.

Join Bill Marianes as he talks again with Wall Street Journal Business bestselling author Jim Huling, one of the co-authors of The 4 Disciplines of Execution. They discuss how each of us can find answers to the questions, “Why are you here on this Earth?” and “What is the Purpose of Your Life?” and explore several specific successful models to discover your specific calling, purpose, and WHY in order to answer those questions.

In his Christmas reflection, Fr. Thomas examines what "Peace on Earth, Goodwill Towards Men" means and what it doesn't mean.

Fr. John Whiteford reminds us to keep our trust in the Kingdom, and not to invest our efforts and hope in earthly leaders and possessions.

Fr. John Whiteford's sermon from May 26, 2024.

Fr. Andrew speaks at Bucknell University on February 3, 2010. We have broken the talk into two parts, with part 1 on today's episode and part 2 on March 22.

Fr. Andrew speaks at Bucknell University on February 3, 2010. We have broken the talk into two parts and this is part 2.

Discussing St. Paul's saying 'Christ is our peace' from Ephesians 2, Fr. Andrew talks about the true nature of the peace that was inaugurated by the birth of Jesus.

In discussing Paul's doctrine that only the doers of the word of God will be justified, Fr. Andrew discusses how our spiritual energies are to be turned both inward and outward.

Focusing on Christ's command to 'seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness', Fr. Andrew fleshes out what that means in terms of our participation in Christ.

What do an exorcism and an earthquake have in common? What about attempted suicide and mud? Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick connects all these together.

In Luke 13, Jesus heals a woman bent over for 18 years. Bringing in the commentary of St. Theophylact of Ohrid, Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick talks about how this woman is an image of our own souls and how we perceive what is heavenly.

During the afterfeast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, Fr. John reflects on the mystery that is Mary.

"And because such suffering is a temptation to sin, it is also an opportunity to deny Christ. It is an opportunity to curse God or curse man made in the image of God. It is an opportunity to become lost in self pity and never-ending introspection. It is an opportunity to become engrossed in the immediate human or demonic or biological causes, and to ignore God almost completely, as though our suffering and difficult circumstance were happening behind God’s back. The same difficult or painful circumstance becomes for us the means by which we either grow in Christ or in some way deny Him. And of course what is happening to us never makes any sense in the midst of the suffering. That’s part of the temptation. We don’t know why God is letting this happen. We don’t know what God is doing. It just doesn’t make sense. And at that point of confusion, that dark night of the body and soul, all we have left is naked trust, naked hope that God is still God despite all of the evidence to the contrary, despite the pain and confusion and injustice of the situation. Can we say with Job, 'Even if He slay me, yet will I trust in Him'?"

If we have received the Lord’s mercy, we must extend that mercy to our neighbors, especially those we are inclined to hate, condemn, or otherwise disregard.

We do not adore the Holy Cross today because it is useful for serving any personal, cultural, or political agenda. We do so because the Savior has brought eternal life to the world through His victory over the corrupting power of sin and death.

Like St. Mary of Egypt, we must take up the cross of doing whatever it takes to find healing for our souls in the Lord Who offered up Himself for the salvation of the world. That was the path to holiness for St. Mary of Egypt, and it must be our path in the remaining days of this blessed season of Lent.

We must simply keep letting down our nets in obedience to Christ according to the particulars of our lives and circumstances.

We read Revelation 13:11-18 in light of current interpretation (even among Orthodox readers), the fathers, and LXX Daniel “Bel and the Dragon,” 12b: 1-42. This chapter is not significant for identifying in our day the figure numbered 666 nor the mark of the beast. Instead, it prepares us for faithfulness, the possibility of exclusion or even martyrdom, and sober worship of the God of all.

This week we read Revelation 21:1-8, understanding it in the light of Isaiah 65-66, Colossians 1:19-20, Eph 3:10, 2 Pet 3:12-13, and Hebrews 11:10, 16; 12:22: 13:14. With the angels, we are astonished that God promises to renew heaven and well as earth, and has already begun this transformation in the Holy Spirit.